Thread: Macedonian Obsequium (Rania Lark x Tyr)

Anastasija walked through the lush, green gardens that surrounded her home, enjoying the sounds of the morning as she walked through the ornate decorations and sculptures around every corner. The birds were singing and the bees were buzzing, all going about their daily lives without a care, just like Anastasija. The Macedonian woman eventually found her way to a solid marble bench situated in the centre of a circle of white and yellow roses. Closing her eyes, Ana took in the scents of summer and the peaceful sounds of the garden during the morning. But her peace would be short lived as a messenger came sprinting up the hill and through the gates of the imposing villa atop the hill. He ran as fast as he could through the gardens and past the daughter of the leader of the city. Ana opened her eyes as his speed caused a slit breeze to ruffle her curls and the fine linen of her dress. Recognizing that the man was almost in a panic, she stood and ran after him, albeit quite a bit slower as she didnt know what was going on. For all she knew, it could be an orphan stealing an apple from a merchant. Then she smelled it. Smoke. The thick scent descended down upon the garden, masking all the pleasant smells that usually surrounded her. Then the screams began. Horrible, blood curdling screams. Screams that one would hope never to hear in their lifetime. Then the horns. Trouble was upon their peaceful city. Ana turned and ran to the gates, the heavy wooden gates surrounded by stone walls that separated her and her family from the rest of the population of the city. She reached them just as the guards were pressing them closed, lowering the large wooden barricade against them that only happened when the city was under attack. Anas eyes were wide with panic as she turned and ran back into the villa. Racing through the open air courtyards and hallways, until she ran into the great room, catching the last of the messengers panic stricken story. The city was under attack! By the Romans! Her father, Gaius, turned to see his daughter standing in the doorway, panic written all over her face. Her mother immediately broke down into tears as her father made his way across the floor to his daughter. Yelling over his shoulder to the numerous guards surrounding the open space in the centre of the hall. Gather every footman and archer you can, he ordered as he took hold of his daughter, holding her tightly to his chest, I want every inch of that wall defended to the death! The guards nodded and left the room to fetch all the guards of the castle. Gaius then looked down into his daughters eyes, the panic stricken eyes of a girl terrified of what was to come. Listen to me Anastasija. he whispered to her, I want you to go. I want you to take a horse and leave by the southern gate. I want you to leave this place and never look back. Do you understand? Your mother and I will join you soon. Anas face fell as her father instructed her to go. Tears filled her eyes as her panic turned to despair. She shook her head furiously, refusing to go at first. But her fathers insistence was something she could not ignore. Her sobs echoed in the great hall as he once again pulled her tightly to his chest, tears filling his own eyes as his wife and her mother sobbed behind them. But Ana did as her father ordered. Leaving the great hall, she ran through the hallways of the villas, her dress billowing out behind her until she reached the stables. Grabbing the reins of a black mare, she led the horse out through the aisle between the stalls before emerging by the Southern gate. Mounting the horse, she kicked it into a canter as she ran from the villa, the gates closing behind her as she made a desperate attempt to escape just as the screams overtook the walls of her home.