by Federally Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:22 am
Avrik's final words bring the memories Drake has tried so hard to forget flooding back into his mind, with the force of a tidal wave they crash through his mind threatening to again drown him in sorrow.
The smell of burning flesh assaulted his nostrils as Drake ran. "Why didn't he warn us, why did he march us down here knowing that this would happen?" He couldn't spend time worrying about that now, there would be plenty of time for questions and anger later. For now he needed to locate his men. He kicked down a doorway to find himself outside, the scene in front of him one he'd never forget. The Kiln was engulfed in a rapidly enlarging blaze of all consuming flame. Drake hurriedly surveyed the landscape for any signs of his men, but could only see the charred bodies of knights from other squads, those unlucky enough to be caught unaware by the blaze, their corpses dotting the landscape. "Norres, where are you?" he whispered. In his mind a scene flashed showing his dear friend, and second in command, being consumed by the blaze as the rest of his squad burned around him. Frustration welled inside him and he barely moved in time before the building he had emerged from erupted in a white hot flame snapping him back to reality. He sprinted up the hill to the main gate as his mind raced Norres should know to lead the men to safety he thought. Drake had always held his men above all else and hoped Norres had been practical, forsaking him to save the squad and lead them to safety.
He rushed through the growing piles of ash and up the hill towards the main gate, climbing over collapsed buildings and the burned bodies of fallen knights, as he cleared a large fallen pillar something ahead drew his attention. There was a clump of black contrasting with the grey ash raining from the sky and quickly covering the landscape, as he hurried closer he could see movement. "Norres!" He yelled, with uncontrolled desperation in his voice, sprinting ever closer to what he hoped was his friend. In his haste Drake tripped on the sprawled body of a fellow knight, as he scrambled to his feet he took note of the emblem emblazoned on the knight's shield, "one of mine" he thought. Hurriedly getting to his feet he looked again towards the black dots ahead, slowly taking shape as he closed the distance. Six men he counted, four scattered on the ground and two standing amongst them weapons in hand. The man closest to Drake struck out at the other with an overhead blow from his sword, crashing down upon the knight's shoulder crushing his armor and dropping him to his knees, Drake could not believe the scene playing out before him, "Norres?!" But the Knight paid no attention, instead he continued his assault, tightening his grip on the pommel of his sword and impaling the downed knight. Slowly he removed his blade from the victim and turned to face Drake, as he raised his shield the crest of Drake's second in command was plain to see.
Before Drake had opportunity to react Norres lept into motion, closing the distance and slamming his shield into Drake sending him flying. Kicking up plumes of ash as he tumbled down the hill Drake came to rest again on the body of his fallen soldier. He took a deep breath, trying not to choke on the ash filling the air, and stood to face Norres gripping his Halbred tightly.
The sudden crackle of the bonfire brought Drake back to the present, after a moment to regain his composure he spoke, "They have already failed me once." drake replied in a haunted voice "I will not allow the same to happen again," he paused to look directly at Avrik "ever."
So your three lines launched me into this lol. Guess you can't fight it if it wants to flow. Have to credit DoughGuy for helping me with some of the phrasing and such.
