"The Fall of Harper´s Haven" by Sara Dungavell

From the moment they heard their army had been defeated by the Northerners the people of Harper's Haven knew they were finished. At first the news caused wide scale panic. Families fled dragging their belongings behind them, lizards ran screaming in circles, some just froze, the insurmountable knowledge that they were about to pass to the dark side blocked even the basic knowledge of how to walk. Harper's Haven had known when the army had travelled off that it's victory was their last hope. Harper's Haven had only basic defences, they had counted on the army for protection, hence the wide spread chaos. But the panic was really pointless, there was absolutely nothing anyone could do to escape. The families who ran away were just picked off one by one as the Northerners moved down. The mountains near Harper's Haven were unscalable and the water too choppy now for a boat to navigate. So the panic died down. There was calm by the second day. Harper's Haven was surrounded. The Northerner's army was couching in the north like a giant frog, and to the south was the navy, floating out at sea like giant vultures. There was nothing to do. So, in the grand tradition of Forest Land, Harper's Haven celebrated. People danced in the streets where days ago there had been panic. Bright and coloured lights streamed from windows and flooded the town. It was like all Fews celebrations synthesised into a huge conflagration. For the last days that they were free they were going to celebrate their freedom. For they were of Harper's Haven! The Northern army moved down the map like a dark fog, rolling towards that bright rainbow point of light at a slow, steady, inexorable pace. Sable City was enveloped first, then from all sides the black storm closed in. It struck at night, when the celebration was at it's peak. The city was filled with joy. In the centre the lizards were concentrated in the main hall. Everyone was gathered there dancing and singing and swaying to the music. It was said the stars were singing down there that night. A few lone guards stood watch on the walls and saw the dark army approaching. The music of the hall drowned out their death cries as the enemy poured into the city. Inside the hall the lights shone blue and gold. The Northerners moved through the city spreading the red light of fire as they set ablaze all the homes. The music sang happy and joyful, promising freedom. The tramp of the Northern army's boots promised it's end. Then the Northerners and the dancers were separated only by the thin wooden door of the hall, and Harper's Haven fell.