“My lord,
we need to abandon the citadel. We are outnumbered.”
“No! I must
stand. Leave if you all wish to. Gather more men and come back. Come back to
help me save this place.”
“But my
lord it is not an intelligent option. We cannot fight without a king. We need
you.”
“No Gallus.
I cannot leave the love of my father when it needs me. I promised my father
that I will protect her forever, I cannot see it fall.”
Gallus knew
the Emperor was blinded by the darkness of fear. He had stood alongside the
Emperor since the day he was enthroned. Never had he seen those eyes so dark.
He
remembered the day the Emperor was standing beside his father on this death
bed. He could still see the fire he saw in the dying man’s eyes. His last words
were etched on the Emperor’s mind. “Son, your father has worked his life to
build this city. Take good care of it. Promise me, that you will safeguard it
with your life!”
The Emperor,
looking at the burning pyre, took an oath. He would protect the city forever.
Gallus
remembered this as if it was yesterday.
His Emperor
would not budge. He was known in the land as a man of his words. And he would
rather die keeping his oath. But his oath was to protect the city forever.
FOREVER. It
might’ve seemed impossible for Gallus, men are mere mortals. But for the Emperor, there was still
hope. His gaze travelled east, where he saw the golden banner of the rearing
horse against the darkening sky.
His men
were arriving, for his aid. To help him keep his promise. He would safeguard
the citadel, forever!
Forever.
Yes…
