Well, Since I Have to do Something for Valentine's Day...
...I might as well have fun with it, right?
I don't have a boyfriend to spend Valentine's Day with, but I didn't see any reason not to find a way to celebrate it anyway. So, for Valentine's Day, I decided to let everyone take a peek at part of my largest in-progress writing project. And when I say in progress, I mean the one that I've been working on for years, and expect to spend several more years on.
It's the very end of a subplot love story, which is why I chose it.
I'm not sure how this looks on other computers, because the monitor I used has really weird problems with color and shading. So I'm hoping it looks okay! The two characters you see are named Pakata (the man) and Symlonith (the woman), and they are the grandparents of my main character, Lytha.
They were attending a major conference called the Valalus Council in a neighboring city with their daughter-in-law and oldest granddaughter, when they received news that their hometown had been attacked.
Shortly after this news, another attack on the city to the west took place. Both cities were taken over, and a number of refugees escaped to the Council. The city hosting the council could only hold so many, and the armies that had attacked the other cities were now on their way. The city was forced to evacuate to the north, where their fourth sister city was. This scene takes place in that city.
At this point in time, all they know is that their son and all but one of their grandchildren was in their hometown when it was taken, and that none of their family members were among the refugees. But Lytha, their oldest granddaughter, is also missing. She disappeared during the Valalus Council, and, though they have received word she's still alive, they don't know where she is.
The leadership of the cities sent out scouts, only to discover that the armies had joined and were again marching. But this time, there's no city left to run to, and the place where they are staying is not suitable for defense. They arrange for another mass evacuation to the barren plains of Dolena-Alus, where they plan to hide and gather strength. But there's a problem. If the approaching army finds the city empty, they'll simply follow them to Dolena-Alus and hunt them down. They need more time.
The only choice they have is to leave a garrison in the city to deceive the army and delay them as long as possible - all the while knowing that they can't hold the city, and there's no chance of survival. Death in battle would be preferable to being captured alive, for many reasons. The leadership calls for volunteers.
This scene takes place after the meeting between leaders has ended.
Pakata tells his wife he's volunteered for the suicide garrison so that she and their daughter-in-law can escape.
Symlonith tells him that their daughter-in-law, Lysteele, has already left. Lysteele has refused to believe that her family is dead, and has gone after them, in spite of the approaching army and the fact that if her family is, indeed, alive, then they are probably trapped in what is now an enemy city.
Pakata accuses Symlonith of not trying to stop her, and Symlonith agrees that she did not, and reminds him that were they young still, they would have done the same thing - and nothing anyone could say would have stopped them.
Pakata then tries to convince his wife to leave, and make for relative safety with the rest of the population. Symlonith reminds him that she is old, and that she won't leave him to fight his last battle alone. She then tells him that even if their plan works, she knows she won't live long after leaving him. Leaving him to face his death alone will kill her.
She then tells him that she won't believe her son and grandchildren are dead, and that dying to give the remaining people a chance, and some hope, is a worthy cause.
Pakata still wants his wife to leave and go to safety, because he knows that they are unlikely to both be killed at the same time. He doesn't think he can take watching her die. And for that reason, he allows her stay. He knows that it would be even worse for her to know she would never see him again, and then have to say good bye. If she were to die in front of him, he could spend his last moments avenging her death - and he would have something to fight for. But if he were to send her away, she would spend her last days alone, and in mourning. This way, neither of them will have to live long without the other.
He also knows his wife, and is aware of the fact that she may very well be planning to stay, with or without his permission. The marriage vows of their people include a promise to fight all their battles side by side as a team, and he knows she takes that seriously.
He allows her to stay, if only because he knows that if she has his permission he will always know where she is, and they can spend the last of their time together, rather than separated.
The last moment of this scene is them standing on a balcony, laughing over their own insanity and stubbornness, as the approaching army spreads across the horizon.
For the love of each other, and the love of their family, they are going to face a brutal death. But they're going to face it together, and that gives them courage.
I really like this story for several reasons. They're an older couple, and they are still just as much in love as they day they were married. They are also facing the biggest challenge of their lives together, hand in hand, as a team. And they are doing it because they love each other, because they love their family, and because they both take their marriage vows as just that - vows. Not only is it the biggest challenge of their lives, but they are going to die. They know they're going to die, and they believe that their deaths will be worth it. And because of the love they have for each other, they can still find it in themselves to laugh.
I wanted to post this because this is the kind of picture I see when I think about love. Not that fluffy, flirty nonsense - as fun as it is. xD I find these kinds of love stories a little depressing, but inspiring at the same time. Everyone wants to have a happily ever after. What no one seems to realize is that a marriage takes a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice, and a lot of love, even when you don't feel like it - or are afraid.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! :)
I don't have a boyfriend to spend Valentine's Day with, but I didn't see any reason not to find a way to celebrate it anyway. So, for Valentine's Day, I decided to let everyone take a peek at part of my largest in-progress writing project. And when I say in progress, I mean the one that I've been working on for years, and expect to spend several more years on.
It's the very end of a subplot love story, which is why I chose it.
I'm not sure how this looks on other computers, because the monitor I used has really weird problems with color and shading. So I'm hoping it looks okay! The two characters you see are named Pakata (the man) and Symlonith (the woman), and they are the grandparents of my main character, Lytha. They were attending a major conference called the Valalus Council in a neighboring city with their daughter-in-law and oldest granddaughter, when they received news that their hometown had been attacked.
Shortly after this news, another attack on the city to the west took place. Both cities were taken over, and a number of refugees escaped to the Council. The city hosting the council could only hold so many, and the armies that had attacked the other cities were now on their way. The city was forced to evacuate to the north, where their fourth sister city was. This scene takes place in that city.
At this point in time, all they know is that their son and all but one of their grandchildren was in their hometown when it was taken, and that none of their family members were among the refugees. But Lytha, their oldest granddaughter, is also missing. She disappeared during the Valalus Council, and, though they have received word she's still alive, they don't know where she is.
The leadership of the cities sent out scouts, only to discover that the armies had joined and were again marching. But this time, there's no city left to run to, and the place where they are staying is not suitable for defense. They arrange for another mass evacuation to the barren plains of Dolena-Alus, where they plan to hide and gather strength. But there's a problem. If the approaching army finds the city empty, they'll simply follow them to Dolena-Alus and hunt them down. They need more time.
The only choice they have is to leave a garrison in the city to deceive the army and delay them as long as possible - all the while knowing that they can't hold the city, and there's no chance of survival. Death in battle would be preferable to being captured alive, for many reasons. The leadership calls for volunteers.
This scene takes place after the meeting between leaders has ended.
Pakata tells his wife he's volunteered for the suicide garrison so that she and their daughter-in-law can escape.
Symlonith tells him that their daughter-in-law, Lysteele, has already left. Lysteele has refused to believe that her family is dead, and has gone after them, in spite of the approaching army and the fact that if her family is, indeed, alive, then they are probably trapped in what is now an enemy city.
Pakata accuses Symlonith of not trying to stop her, and Symlonith agrees that she did not, and reminds him that were they young still, they would have done the same thing - and nothing anyone could say would have stopped them.
Pakata then tries to convince his wife to leave, and make for relative safety with the rest of the population. Symlonith reminds him that she is old, and that she won't leave him to fight his last battle alone. She then tells him that even if their plan works, she knows she won't live long after leaving him. Leaving him to face his death alone will kill her.
She then tells him that she won't believe her son and grandchildren are dead, and that dying to give the remaining people a chance, and some hope, is a worthy cause.
Pakata still wants his wife to leave and go to safety, because he knows that they are unlikely to both be killed at the same time. He doesn't think he can take watching her die. And for that reason, he allows her stay. He knows that it would be even worse for her to know she would never see him again, and then have to say good bye. If she were to die in front of him, he could spend his last moments avenging her death - and he would have something to fight for. But if he were to send her away, she would spend her last days alone, and in mourning. This way, neither of them will have to live long without the other.
He also knows his wife, and is aware of the fact that she may very well be planning to stay, with or without his permission. The marriage vows of their people include a promise to fight all their battles side by side as a team, and he knows she takes that seriously.
He allows her to stay, if only because he knows that if she has his permission he will always know where she is, and they can spend the last of their time together, rather than separated.
The last moment of this scene is them standing on a balcony, laughing over their own insanity and stubbornness, as the approaching army spreads across the horizon.
For the love of each other, and the love of their family, they are going to face a brutal death. But they're going to face it together, and that gives them courage.
I really like this story for several reasons. They're an older couple, and they are still just as much in love as they day they were married. They are also facing the biggest challenge of their lives together, hand in hand, as a team. And they are doing it because they love each other, because they love their family, and because they both take their marriage vows as just that - vows. Not only is it the biggest challenge of their lives, but they are going to die. They know they're going to die, and they believe that their deaths will be worth it. And because of the love they have for each other, they can still find it in themselves to laugh.
I wanted to post this because this is the kind of picture I see when I think about love. Not that fluffy, flirty nonsense - as fun as it is. xD I find these kinds of love stories a little depressing, but inspiring at the same time. Everyone wants to have a happily ever after. What no one seems to realize is that a marriage takes a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice, and a lot of love, even when you don't feel like it - or are afraid.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! :)
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