Hydros

media type="file" key="hydros1.mp3"

Ismarus Burning
__ Music: Introductory music __ Hydrous: Good evening. I am Hydrous, a Ciconan archer in the service of King Eumoius. Not very athletic, I have been an archer for the past 10 years, guarding the grand city of Ismarus from threats. It’s time for the graveyard shift, so I’m off the bed. Goodnight. (A few hours later, before sunrise)

__ Sound Effect: Explosion __ Hydrous: Ow! Okay, who woke me up before sunrise! Ugh! There’s some commotion outside, don’t ask me why. Where did everyone go? Hello? Anybody home? Oh, well, I should go check it out…yikes. Tons of people are running as fast as they can toward the inland settlements. Why would they be doing that, especially before sun…oh god! We’re being invaded! Okay, I’m out of here as soon as I get my gear. Let’s see, bow, check, quiver and arrows, helmet, short sword, I’d better get moving…The docks are on fire! The main gate will be jammed with refugees, maybe I should take the eastern gate. Come on…come on! Will people get out of the way, for god’s sake…there we go. I’m finally out of the city. It’s burning, everything’s burning! I can hear the screams, and smell the fires (sniff). Right, I should probably track down the army next. They’ll probably launch a counterattack at the first opportunity. I guess it’s time for a little hike. __ Sound Effect: Footsteps __ (Later that day) __ Sound Effect: Marching __ Hydrous: Something around here sounds like an army. Ah! I think this is it. The large amount of marching men kind of gives it away. I’ll fall in behind that archer company…Everyone’s silent, brooding. I can feel the desire for revenge in the air. We’ll reach the city in about two hours. (Two hours later) Hydrous: Things are happening quickly. Our foot soldiers have engaged the enemy all along their line, and we’re pumping arrows into those Greeks as fast as possible. There’s one Greek, in front, the spitting image of a warrior, with armor shining resplendently in the sun. He’s hacking down our valiant warriors in droves. Rumor has it that he is Odysseus of Ithaca, renowned for his cunning in ending the Trojan War. No one really knows for sure, however. At any rate, every man is //enraged// at this Greek who would dare pillage our city. It’s time for revenge. I take an arrow, nock it in the bowstring, draw it back, sight down the shaft, and…//thunk!// It’s on its way. It’s going, going…and I missed. I’m not that surprised, but it’s disappointing. Anyways, I should keep firing. Things are heating up fast. The Greek line is thinning. Our troops are pressing in…yes! Their line is broken! They’re retreating! Our forces are pouring through the gap in their line. Suddenly, all of the archers around me drop their bows, draw their swords, and start charging the Greeks. I hastily sling my bow over my shoulder and join them, hoping to kill…something Greek. Dang it! Their ships are pulling away from the coast. We’re still yelling and screaming insults, but gradually they subside. Our city is in ashes, thanks to the Greeks, and we have nothing. Everyone is silent on the beach, mourning the dead, caring for the wounded. The Greeks are gone, but they have left a tale of sorrow and rage in their path.