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"My Lady, you have to leave." A fist wrapped in metal struck the door. Once, twice. The voice rang out through the Chateau once more. "Lady Bellecote- Master Kael- you have to leave." And then the voice fell into nothingness, til a further strike at another residents door rang through the quiet streets of New Sansretour.
Genoveva was non the wiser, happily locked within her quarters painting at her easle, a passtime she had found much love in of late. Her trips with her partner had granted a whole, and wonderful new vision of the continents. Her art blossomed; new and vibrant colours and shapes told stories of adventure- and she treasured each. The call, the violent strike against wood shook her from her daydream, and Gene quickly ran to answer the individual, but it was far too late. They were long gone.
Screams filled the courtyard across the way, as frightened residents gathered with their belongings, waiting command from the armored individuals who led them to the ship, to Manaan. The Duchess was nowhere to be seen amongst the residents, not that Gene was surprised by the matter. She had not been seen since the festival, since Sansretour had opened its homes and businesses. A pity.
Atop the dresser sat an empty travel pack. They had been planning to head out on a new adventure very soon- it sat half packed with clothes and essentials- they would be what she took with her. A quick scour of the room told her all that she needed- none of this would be coming with her. The destruction had been inevitable. Gene had watched it from a distance as its havok destroyed Falkenstein and Lunthorpe.. it had only been a matter of time. Though, that made it no easier. With haste she produced a few more random items out of drawers, a few old letters, a rolled up piece of if art torn from the wall.. but the rest-
Another glance was spared around the bedroom, and tears welled in the corner of her eyes. She had worked so hard to build this life they had so comfortably settled into. From starting so small, so lost within Manaan to now- where she stood pinnacle and center of New Sansretour. "All this, for nothing."
She drifted past her partners former room, though he was not known for keeping many material possessions. A few stray pieces made their way into her pack, and then she exited the manor for the final time. Donned in her usual dress and cloak, with a heavy pack slung over her shoulder, Gene made her way to the courtyard with the rest of the people. Rain began to pour, dusting over the settlement with a heavy, inpending atmosphere overhead.
"We have to go- to Manaan," she called out to the crowd, those who lingered in hopes of it all being a false alarm. "Any who wish to stay and fight may do so, only if you are physically able. The rest must take to the docks. Find a safe place to gather your families."
The crowd began to move, then, ushered on by guards clad in plate. Gene remained at the back of the crowd, waiting for them to disperse. A parting nod was offered to the commander, "those who remain, pay them. Tell them that House Bellecote is thankful for their bravery, win or lose. They do not need to know that the Duchess has forgotten her settlement."
What felt like years passed in Manaan, as Gene found herself back where she started. Without anything but memories. Over the ocean she watched, waiting for signs of destruction. Days were spent there, sheltered atop the city walls, vision obscured by mountains and sea. Occasional rumbles in the air- though perhaps it was nothing, it was difficult to say.
When the time came for Manaan's end, Gene had already made her way to the ship. As soon as it had pulled to port, she had made her way there. So when the people began to filter down the path, as the waves came to claim the city- the ship swayed on uneasy waters. One by one familiar people filtered aboard. At the very least, despite everything, they were safe.
Those first steps ashore felt foreign, after months and months at sea. It had been a long time since she had made such a journey, and it was almost amusing how much she craved the comforts of a proper bed and a hot meal. The city deminded her of Manaan in some aspects- grey, walled in. Something she had sought to leave within New Sansretour. Perhaps she should be grateful but-
People filtered from the ship, eager to find their new place within the city of Vaelyn. They already had instructions on how to navigate it, what to do when they arrived. Find a place they wished to claim, find a steward, and understandably many were eager to do so. "A hot bath," some whispered, "fresh bedsheets." - "I want a big house!"
Genoveva peered over her shoulder, out toward the south. "And so we start anew."
Just a lil POV post.