Here we stand...

Ostiarium

Dawn: The Baker's Wife
Lara, the baker's wife, awoke before the first light of dawn. The soft, rosy fingers of morning were just beginning to reach over the horizon, casting long shadows in their modest home. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, the chill of the morning seeping through the walls. The city of Ostiarium was on edge, and the anxiety was palpable.

As she kneaded the dough, her thoughts drifted to her husband, Edrin, who was out fortifying the city's walls with the other men. The horde of natives from Arcadia loomed over them like a dark cloud, their numbers overwhelming. She wondered if their little bakery, which they had painstakingly built from the ground up, would survive the siege.

"I should have stayed in the homeland," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rhythmic thud of her hands on the dough. "But Edrin wanted a new start. And now, we're on the brink of losing everything."

She glanced at her two children, still asleep in their bed. Her heart clenched with fear and determination. No matter what happened, she would protect them.

Mid-Morning: The Young Squire
Totin, a young squire, busied himself in the armoury, ensuring the knights' weapons and armour were in top condition. The anticipation of the coming war had his heart racing, but not with fear but with excitement. This was his chance to prove himself.

As he polished a breastplate, he couldn't help but imagine the glory of the battlefield. "I'll fight alongside the knights, defend the city, and maybe even earn my own knighthood."

He had come to Ostiarium with dreams of glory, and the siege presented the perfect opportunity to make those dreams a reality. He looked up at the sky, the sun climbing higher. "This is what I was born for. I'll make my mark here."

Noon: The Merchant
Amaric, a merchant, stood in the marketplace, his wares mostly untouched. The usual hustle and bustle had been replaced by a tense stillness. People whispered in hushed tones, casting anxious glances towards the gates.

He had left a prosperous life in the homeland, enticed by tales of untapped riches in Arcadia. But now, with the siege imminent, he wondered if he had been a fool.

"I should have stayed in Orb," he muttered, kicking a pebble in frustration. "What good is wealth if you can't live to enjoy it?"

His thoughts turned to his wife and young daughter, back in their little home close to the edge of the city. He hoped they would be alright and survive what was to come. With a sigh, he began packing up his stall, ready to join the other men in preparing the defences.

Evening: The Veteran
Gregor, a veteran soldier, stood atop the battlements, surveying the horizon. The setting sun bathed the landscape in a warm glow, and he felt a sense of calm settle over him. He had seen many battles in his lifetime, and the prospect of another did not faze him.

He tightened his grip on his sword hilt, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "They think they can scare us with their numbers. But we have the heart and the will to fight."

The chance to defend Ostiarium, the city he had helped build and protect, filled him with pride. This was his home, and he relished the opportunity to stand against the horde and prove his mettle. "We'll show them the strength of Ostiarium."

Midnight: The Scholar
Tomas, a scholar, sat in his cluttered study, surrounded by books and scrolls. The candle flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. He had come to Arcadia to study its mysteries, to uncover the secrets of this new land. But now, those dreams seemed trivial in the face of the impending siege.

He dipped his quill in ink and began writing, his thoughts a chaotic mix of fear and resolve. "The history of Ostiarium may be short, but it is written in the courage and determination of its people. We face overwhelming odds, yet we stand resolute."

He paused, listening to the distant sounds of the city preparing for battle. "If we survive this, we will have stories to tell, lessons to pass on. And if we don't…"

He couldn't finish the thought. Instead, he returned to his writing, hoping that his words would outlast him, that future generations would know of their struggle and their bravery.

In the darkness of the night, the people of Ostiarium awaited their fate, each one grappling with their own fears and hopes. They had come to Arcadia seeking a new life, and now, united by the threat of annihilation, they stood ready to defend it.