Citizens of the city began the day at the Duhura Market, observing a moment of silence shortly before sunrise, around the time the first beyonder warship fired upon the city 17 years ago. Breaking the silence, a somber performance of “My True Love Turns You Away” was performed. The popular song, written at the end the Siege, depicts the forbidden love affair between a beyonder soldier and an Auxientian on opposing sides of the fortifications. The two communicate to one another in song, the soldier’s allegiances slowly turned by the Auxientian’s beauty and devotion for their besieged city. The final verse records the beyonder mutiny incited by the soldier, which turned the tide of the Six Year Siege, allowing the city to prevail against incredible odds.
Faction Leaders in attendance marked the anniversary to honor the fallen in the six years of conflict.
Mayor Violet Cannongrove delivered her prepared remarks in honor of those who died there, as well over the course of the war.
“17 years after the first attack, and nearly 11 years after the end of major hostilities with the beyonders, I questioned who might still attend this memorial ceremony. I questioned whether or not I might attend. Do we still need this? As I look into this crowd and I can see my answer is yes. This anniversary allows us to grieve and renew our faith that our darkest nights will give way to a brighter dawn. And yet we in Auxientia find ourselves at a crossroads; one path holding fast onto past grievances, the other leading towards a bold new future. Both hold risks. Today, we can come together at Duhura Market, and kneel inside the safety of a city that still bears the scars of that long conflict and took so many from us. We can look to the person next to us and see the sacrifices of our heroes made with honor. Heroes who still bear those scars. Some injuries are harder to see than others, but we gather here again, year after year, to heal as one city. The Six Year Siege could not destroy us, but it has forever changed us. It is now 17 years later. Each of us must now decide what form that change must take, what path to embark on, for ourselves, for our factions, and for this great city of Auxientia.”
