Sariel: May 23rd: Kargos Capital, Plainview Church
Just twenty days remain, and im making steady progress with Sardon.
My training is going well, too, I suppose.
Currently in a quaint Inn, a short distance from the church ive been sleeping in.
The paintings decorating the wall, and the mounted fox head at the front of the establishment really give the tavern a distinct cultural feeling separate from the deeper parts of the city.
There were a few farmers and families enjoying their breakfast and ale surrounding us. I could hear the clank of tankards reaching wooden tables, and the talk of the city was rife in the air. Conversations about crops, food, the church's blessings, and the apparent state of contempt for the elven king were slightly distracting.
But it would be a lie to say that drinking my apples, and eating a meal of boar and potatoes paid for by my mentor in front of me wasn't the real thing captivating me.
-"We should spar before sunset, I want to cover some of my own techniques before that, after we finish here, Sariel."
He took a hefty bite of his own food, and his cheeks were full like a chipmunk's. I thought it was funny, so I laughed a bit.
-"Yes, of course, anointed one, I love learning from you."
I drank down my remaining apple juice before leaning forward, his features never far from my gaze.
-"When did you learn to be so skilled, Sardon? I am quite curious."
He looked quite pleased that I asked, and ran his fingers through his hair before answering.
-"Well, I grew up here, really. And it was actually the High Priest who saw what others couldn't in a war orphan from these parts. I had lived with farmer Kalohan with his own children for most of my life, and after his holiness had helped us by sparing a few coin after a hard drought. I just felt something, I ran after him and asked if I could help people just as he had. I wanted to be better for my family.
A few years later, some of the other lads from my village and I made something of ourselves; only two of us became holy knights,
But my three other friends joined the clergy as priests and almsgivers."
I was quite surprised to hear this. He was so strong, and yet he started in much the same place as I did. I looked up at him with familiarity now. It explained why he didn't shy away from faith, and seemed as though he almost carried the weight of the community here on his shoulders. I think I admire him.
Then the door opened,
A young man dressed in robes rushed to our table.
-"Ser Sardon, men from the Temple are approaching from the road. They will be upon us soon."
Sardon rose from his chair immediately, His heavy armour and chainmail clanking with his every step, whilst we were leaving the tavern.
We drew a small spectacle. Before sunlight shone upon us.
The knight's head flipped towards the hilltop, and as I squinted, I could see a procession.
At the front was someone I didn't expect,
Lexita, my priestess friend.
I felt a sense of excitement wash over me.
What has she been doing in the temple, I wonder.
Then my thoughts were cut short as I saw the carriage behind her, and the six well armed squires of the temple, donning white leather armour on either side of it. Behind even those was a procession of ten armed people with only robes. But a picture was painted in my head.
This isn't just a formal visit.
I watched behind my instructor as many more people flowed into the stretch of road. And the whole procession started to steadily come closer.
They reached us, the people in the streets gave them a wide berth, and the whole thing came to a halt. Then Lexita got off her horse and ran to me. She had a smile warming her face.
-"Sariiii"
She almost knocked me off my feet, and we embraced.
She was dressed differently, with white studded leather instead of her usual robes, and her clergy cloak was blowing in the wind.
-"Lexi, how have you been? It feels like it's been so long. Has the Temple been treating you well?"
Sardon took a sidestep and had a mildly surprised expression.
He clearly didn't expect me and the High Priest's daughter to be such close friends.
-"Of course, I've just been doing some boring paperwork and giving out sermons in the slums again, which was still kind of scary after the last time. This place is so beautiful, not that the temple isn't, it's just more sunny over here, and oh angel be willed, did you see all the flowers?"
I giggled at her comment.
-"Sounds boring, I've been missing you so much, I'm so glad to see you here. I actually almost managed to knock over that holy knight over there the other day. I wish you could've seen it."
I made sure to say that last part in a whisper
And she gave Sardon a side glance of approval.
-"Ohhh sardon, yeah, he's a real tough one, he's been one of my father's knights since I was just a baby. He's like my older brother, really."
I looked at her with some uncertaintly
-"So… lexi, you wouldn't mind if me and him.." Slam!
The door from the carriage had closed, and it interrupted us very loudly, what the hell. That was important.
My eyes shot to who was exiting, and to my surprise It was High Priest Felton. I thought it would be a while before he returned.
-"Oh why is your father here?"
She looked as though she was about to answer, when Sardon let out a quite pronounced cough.
-"Lexita, Sariel, I think we should meet with High Priest Felton now, he's looking quite impatient. Although I am sorry to interrupt your reunion."
I gave him a nod, and Lexita and I made our way into the church with Sardon making the first steps.
We found the forces from the procession already beginning to load food. water, and weapons onto the backs of the mules outside. And preparing a separate horse, a destrier for someone of high standing, I presume.
Sardon asked an idle initiate to lead us into Felton's office without disturbing him.
I got a few looks from some of the other Initiates and squires loading. Although I was of similar and sometimes lower status than most of them, I could tell they resented my closeness with the priestess and holy Knight Sardon, as a mongrel, I should know my place. I understood the sentiment as the look was all too familiar. Still, not like I care, the people of importance clearly had eyes that were all too different from their own.
We all gave High Priest Felton a respectful lowering of heads before we sat down.
Awaiting his words.
He took a moment to look off out the window before turning towards us, his hair looking slightly adrift from all of the riding. His robes are as well kept as ever, and his black leather belt projecting capability.
-"Sardon, you have been selected by the pontiff himself. I cannot say I wanted this outcome, and I know this may be the first time you've heard of this news. A man who grew up in this very part of the city, a man who you trained with sardon. Has led himself astray. He has abandoned the High Temple and his station. He has sullied his name, and made our clergy lose respect in the eyes of the king after abandoning his post as holy royal guard. I think you know who I am referring to.
Sardon's eyes widened, and a look of horror came upon him. And he slammed his hands into the desk. Avoiding meeting Felton's eyes.
-"Bilal, he is the exile?… I'm… I'm sorry, sir. I'm not sure if I can."
He turned white as a sheet and trailed off into rambling.
Felton interrupted this.
-"Sardon, you must save your protests and bottle them deep inside you. I know this is hard. I raised both of you into the men you are today… and if it were up to me, I would be the one to end it, but that sly bastard Corvos had already convinced the pontiff before I could get a word in. And so this is vitally important.
Listen to me carefully.
You must burn him, you must turn him to a temporary stain upon this earth, because if you do not.
Everything we have built here will be put at risk, my child.
I say this with a heavy heart.
We cannot afford to refuse."
Sardon tensed, he raised his head and met Felton's eyes with a shaky voice.
-"It will be done."
And with that, he stood to attention.
And turned to the both of us.
-"I will need you to accompany me during this. The high priest cannot be seen dealing with such matters, and his loss would be detrimental on such a high stakes matter.
To make things as clear as I can, Bilal's powers are over flesh as are yours, Lexita, but this makes him the most dangerous. If he puts his hands on you even for a second, your flesh will boil upon contact. If he manages to touch your face with this magic. Then you will be dead.
This is not going to be easy, but I trust I can count on both of you to deal with him."
Felton spoke again
-"One more thing, I have read the dossier, and there have been reports of him commanding a small force to harass villagers, which is why I have also brought a small force of six squires and ten initiates, to be under your direct command, Sardon. My daughter and Sariel will also be yours to command."
Wow, not even asking me. How rude, Felton.
I watched as Sardon almost stormed out of the office after giving Felton a last deep bow. It was the first time I had seen him so determined. It was attractive. From what I've gathered, he must know this Bilal? I think they were friends who grew up here. Which cannot be easy on him. I do think this will be a good time for me to show how much I've improved to him, and Lexi, though so it's not all bad.
Bilal the scourged shall be a scourge on this land no longer, after were done with him.
Sariel: May 23rd: The Kings Road
It was almost immediate, myself and the other initiates hauled the rest of the provisions to the donkeys, I got a few glances at my leather chestplate. And a few angry looks but nothing overly hostile.
And as we were about to march to my own dismay Lexita helpfully suggested I ride on her horse with her. To which I accepted because marching the whole way on foot just sounds tiring.
Sardon mounted his horse, like a holy beacon he started the heavy march towards our destination, which was?
Yeah I hadn't asked yet. We were just marching on the kingsroad now. Annoyingly familiar.
"The scourged" certainly sounds like quite a hefty title and from what Sardon told us he sounded terrifyingly enough, well suited for it, the man we were destined to kill.
We started the march, a few hours after the meeting with Felton in the morning.
It was almost dusk now.
And we slowed to a halt, before the squires and the other initiates started setting up their own tents, and our high knight leader's.
Me and Lexita were in the process of putting up our own, when I heard the drunken mumblings of a man behind me.
-"well, you're certainly getting along well for yourself half elf."
Me and Lexita turned around
It was a quite old looking elven initiate. He wore an iron helm, and it looked quite odd resting on his head, as the rest of his equipment was just a sword, ragged cloth clothes, and torn gambeson.
I sensed Lexi was about to make a scene so I replied first.
-"Thanks, anything you've learned on the road? You look quite experienced."
He looked up at me, I was around five foot six inches tall, slightly taller than Lexita who was five foot four. This man must have been a decent half foot shorter than me. No reason to question why he had stayed an initiate for so long.
-"Well, for you I'd just say keep your head down. You might be in the good graces of the captain, but some of the other men… well they just take a look at your face and see your eyes are the colour of dirt not emerald"
He shook my hand and walked back to the fire.
I might've misjudged him.
After we put up the tent, I went to retrieve some water and bread for me and Lexi, then I found her lying across some cushions before I asked her.
-"Do you know where we're actually going? I've not been told yet."
She looked a bit surprised, and laughed for a bit before saying
-"I'm surprised you don't know yet, I suppose Sardon wouldn't have thought to tell you. The reports that father showed me said that this scourged man was causing a disruption in Sarca. I know that's where you grew up isnt it sari? Don't worry, we're already a day's ride in now, so I think we have likeeee a day and a half to go before we get there."
She took a bite from some bread before continuing.
-"Soooo, what was it you wanted to say to me earlier then"
She raised an eyebrow before poking at my side. Which tickled quite a bit so I rolled over to the other side of the tent, before bringing the pillow to my face and saying.
-"So you know Sardon…"
-"yeahhh?"
-"Well me and him have been getting along quite a lot whilst he's been training me and, I know you think of him like a brother. So I just wanted to ask you, would you be mad if I..."
I trailed off trying to think of the best way to continue.
She shuffled her face over, resting them in her hands, and kicking her feet in long sways.
-"You like him don't you?"
My face went beet red.
-"I uhhh, no, I mean… maybe. But don't tell him okay. I trust you lexi, and are you sure you're okay with it? Because I don't have to…"
Her face curled up into a devious smile.
And she pulled my arm over, taking the rest of my body with it.
-"Why wouldn't I be okay with it, you're like my best friend already, so I don't care if you date him. And I'm a really good judge of character anyway, and I can tell you guys would be perfect for each other. He's always been so devoted to the fallen angels' cause, and he loves all the people in the village and has always been very good for advice when I ask him just like you. So I think you should definitely tell him how you feel soon. Men don't really like to take a hint unless you tell him, so don't wait too long."
I felt a sense of relief and my shoulders felt lighter, we hugged for a minute.
-"thank you lexi, you're the best."
She leaned in and shook my face,
-"He's still around the fire with everyone else. You have time."
I left the tent with lexI already laying her face into the pillow, ready for sleep. and walked over to the fire, It was very dark but through the glimmers of the fire I could see I got a few glances from the men and women of the armed clergy. before sitting down.
Looking at Sardon, he had a distant expression. But when he saw me he gave me a small but spirited smile.
-"I hope there has been no trouble for the two of you marching here."
-"none at all ser, yourself?"
-"Well I can't say it's been easy, not the marching itself. But more so, Ive just been thinking about Billy."
-"The exile bilal?"
-"we trained together, ate together, we even made knighthood at around the same time, and went out to the tavern for drinks with the High Priest before…
well I'm not even sure what happened.
He did not send any crows although neither did I, it just wasn't that sort of friendship. I had heard he was stationed in the Kings Palace from farmer Kalahan and I was proud of him. Brothers in arms we were. And now not even five years later, this!"
I placed my hand on his arm. And looked at him.
-"He was led astray, yet you remained faithful. I cannot say what provoked him to take what actions he has, but I can say this.
It shouldn't be just your burden, when it was the temple who could not see his madness flaring, you are not to blame Sardon."
The light was dim, this was the perfect moment.
I moved his hand to my waist, and my lips reached his.
We kissed for a second, it was perfect.
Our silhouettes merging.
-"Sariel…"
He pulled away.
-"we should talk about this further when this is over."
Then he took my hand, and led me back to the tent that Lexita was already fast asleep inside of, before walking away into the darkness. To his own.
I cannot say that this was an outright denial of my feelings, but It still hurt. I yearned for him, but duty and the stakes of this war against heresy were separating us. It hurt, I felt a deep pit in my stomach before I entered the tent and curled up next to Lexi.
Until morning came.
Sariel: May 24th: The Kings Road
We set off to march as soon as first light came,
The march was long and strenuous. Sardon was pushing us harshly. And although I was riding with lexi on mount, I could see the effect it was having on morale. The men and women making up our ranks were sweating beads out onto the sun dried road. I could still see some merchant waste along the sides of it, and a few passed us although quite quickly as they saw what we were. A Temple sanctioned purging apparatus.
Even the horse was pacing along at a slower rate than usual.
Then unexpectedly, as we camped up and waited for dusk, we saw twenty horsemen riding towards us through the vast fields surrounding the king's road.
Some of the initiates were carving up game for the Squires, before a quite large and luxuriously armoured man came marching and stopped with a halt, with a girl around my own age accompanying him.
He dismounted his horse, and went straight towards our commander's tent with a well armoured two man guard, and the other short girl, following him.
Me and Lexita, had already rushed into the tent, and were awaiting the man with sardon between us, sat enjoying some morning ale and fruit, before his pointed ears perked up at the sight of the man entering the tent.
-"You are the commander of this encampment I presume?"
Sardon replied
-"Yes, I am Ser Sardon of the Holy Angel Order. May I ask who you are sir?"
The man stood up slightly straighter
-"You have encamped quite near to our holding, Delamond castle. I am lord Farthburt Delamond, and this is my daughter Kelsina Delamond. Now Ser Sardon, what business does the High Temple have here"
His daughter gave a quick curtsy, she was well dressed, In a very expensive looking black velvet dress that fit well along her beautiful and aged elven features. The thing I found most interesting about the two of them was that they had lines of red on the lower half of their skin from the neck onwards. Could they have both sustained injury?
-"Well we are on the kingsroad my lord, as is our right by law.
However I will do you the courtesy of an explanation. An…. exile. By the name of Bilal the scourged is nestled up in a village quite close to here. So we are to set off quickly at first light to fix the issue."
Lord Delamond's eyes tightened and then he gave Sardon a nod.
-"I see, well then. Carry on, I have heard of this disturbance and simply wished to see the man who would do the deed of ridding us of this brutish bastard, my good friend who is brother to the King, Lothgen Kethguard was rather vilely insulted whilst trying to reason with this man, before his departure. He questioned Lothgen's heritage, and implied that the king was not of sound mind, which left me with a distaste for the clergy upon finding the crow that delivered the news. Glad to see there are still men of the cloth with honor in this old kingdom. It was a far more often sight only a few hundred years ago I remember. Anyway my inquiries have been satisfied, good luck to you Ser Sardon."
With that the man left the command tent.
And there was a long silence, before me and Lexi departed to our own sleeping area. And we ate ourselves merry and began discussing the matter, before sleep came for us.
The food here is very delicious compared to my previous meals, green soup is a rarer delicacy for which I am thankful for. Fallen Angel be graced.
Sariel: May 25th: Kargos,The Kings Road, Bordering Sarca
First light came early today, and our boots left imprints on the pristine bricks of the Kings Road, as we tread through ferociously.
Admiring the roads, me and Lexita commented on the flowers' beauty, a temporary distraction for me as our destination was just hours away.
My mother, I had not forgotten about her as much as I tried, what would we even say to each other, should I even speak to her. Well now that I think about it, I don't particularly care to.
What would we say, would she curse herself for not seeing my potential, would she ask why I even came back. It wouldn't change me in the slightest really. She was what held me back, and I have found a new calling now.
Suddenly the man at the front of our march halted, as though the world had shifted upside down, I looked in front of us.
And there it was, smoke, vast smoke coming from the place I once called home. Sardon was practically shaking with anger.
Lexita had a saddened look on her face, and was turning to comfort me.
The squires on either side of us and the initiates behind us looked as though they had been renewed with a fiery vengeance against the man who sullied the angel's name.
But truly, what could I say.
Bodies lined the streets of my village, charred remains of the people who hated me letting off a pleasant smell in our direction.
The remains of a vast fire that had clearly burned down half the village, and horse tracks leading away to the far side of the mountains.
It was obvious what had happened.
The village was scourged, and truly I felt nothing.
No despair, No anger, Not even for my mother or our family home that had burned to a crisp,
the scent of which was filling my nostrils as Lexita's words of comfort fell on deaf ears.
My gaze was unchanging.
Apathetic would be an understatement.
Then Sardon, in his fit of anger shouted the words that broke everyone's standstill.
-"March Forward!"
He led us through, his armour glinting in the sun, galloping on his destrier to the remains of the village, ready to pounce upon any possible threats that had remained.
A singular red flag poked out of the ground near the ruins, and the ranks fanned out at his command.
Sardon did not know that I had lived in Sarca, or no doubt he would've looked back to comfort me.
But as he did not, when the scouts came back and reported looting. He left his horse on a nearby post, and dismounted, as did me and Lexita.
We all formed up, with Sardon at the helm, and Lexita a short distance behind him. The six squires and eleven initiates including me, had made a tight formation, shields up before we began approaching the threat up the hills.
Leaving the burning houses, charred markets, and soot stained, dilapidated elven fountains behind us.
Sardon paced the lines, and gave a short speech.
-"This is a foul waste that has happened here.
It is unforgivable. Men, women, children, death laid bare for nothing.
No god would forgive those that commit these horrific acts.
I can only say this to you all as we face the accursed man, and his forces behind these mountains.
I will be the one to take his head.
We set off now. They will not be expecting us."
Then he donned his steel helm, and turned towards the mountains and joined our formation at the helm. Leading us through with a leading spirit that I had not seen since the pontiff had dismantled my bloodening.
We stepped through the rough rocks that lay embedded in the soil, the trail dotted with embers.
It was not but a short while before the first sign of a camp came to view. We had barely even made it a mile in before the first man drenched in black had seen us. He reached for a horn, before an arrow from a bowed squire pierced through his throat. Blood spurted through his last words, as a small strained sound made its way through the horn, and he collapsed off the boulder he was standing on with a thud.
There were four archers, at the back of the formation with me, as I did not use a shield. Lexita was also with me as her specialisation was shield magic. Which Sardon had ordered to be administered from the back in order to protect the archers ranks, which were made up of one squire and three initiates, the squire being the better dressed of the archers.
We kept moving, tightly together.
My eyes were darting from one side of the enclose to another, as the mountains were gradually getting narrower.
They were almost enveloping us, as we came across it, a small camp, with ladders lining the walls. As we looked up, it became obvious that the large rocked walls of the enclose were very practically useful as far as defence went, if they were actually manned that was. Which I presumed was because they had not expected us.
-"Dont worry Sari, I'll protect you, just as you did me in the cell."
Lexi gave me a reassuring smile, although she didn't seem very certain herself.
Sardon moved his arm upwards, and then let it down as the arrows hailed onto the camp. Screams echoed around the place, blood curdling, as a few men stumbled out of the camp.
Sardon practically charged them, leading the ranks towards the camp, and slaughtering the rest of them with ease as the armed clergymen were already filled with wrath; there had to be around ten human corpses of what looked to be well armoured peasant rabble decorating the small stone enclose, the mountains towered around us.
One of them was still kicking, and turned his bloody face towards us, as the lower half of his body was already leaking with holes from the arrows.
-"You…. Elven Bastards" he uttered before life left his eyes.
Sardon had a worse expression as when he had seen the state of the village, he turned towards us which made a chill run up my spine.
-"He isn't here."
As those final words were uttered, I felt the wind blow past my ear, and a strained yelp left the lips of the squire next to me, before Lexita practically jumped on me and took us to the ground next to the four corpses of what used to be our ranged vanguard.
She tore through the skin on her fingers, and chanted as quickly as she could, before she let out a strained yelp, and I saw that an arrow had hit her in the arm.
-"LEXI!"
She finished the chant, and leaned the rest of her weight upon me. Before removing the arrow, and beginning a new one. The arrow was but a small distraction for her. She put her life at risk for me.
I looked over and saw a horrified expression upon Sardon's face, as he was staring up above our heads.
And I saw it, our mistake,
What we couldn't see before, was the camp lining the top of the mountains, the one twenty men strong, holding very well armed soldiers, who looked tired from battle, and being awoken by our intrusion.
We now had a force of only fifteen including lexi, myself, and our commander Ser Sardon who had already blown his fuse once today, things were looking quite bleak.
I don't think we're done yet, Sardon raised his sword to the air, and shouted.
-"Billy, get down here and face up to what you have done, You beast!"
Another man appeared on the mountain top, exiting from a passage of rocks.
He donned a sickening attire, black coat, studded leather chestplait, heavy boots, and a long bird-like mask that I had seen doctors who dealt with pox wear to avoid blight.
He wandered down the narrow walkways, all of his well armed black soldiers following him in tandem, as well as silence.
As he came further into view, I saw that his hand was firmly in place on a hefty longsword that was tied into his belt.
He hauled down the ladder, eight of his men still on the walkway behind him, and thirteen including him, came to meet Sardon in at a brisk pace.
He looked horrifying, I saw red stains, covering their clothes, as though they hadn't had a chance to wash away their sins before coming to meet the angels' enforcers.
The man spoke through the mask.
-"Sardon, It was not my intention for us to meet like this. I had thought I would come visit you when the time was right, I did not expect the Temple to find me so soon."
Sardon looked quite angry at the remark. And moved his hands to his weapon, putting himself in an offensive stance. Our remaining forces, still in a tight formation behind him with their shields up.
The scourged man and his soldiers did the same,
-"I loved you Billy, I really did…
Why have you cursed us?
Everything we stood for?
The people back in the city?
Kalahan would hate himself if he saw you like this now."
Bilal the scourged took a step forward, relaxing his blade to a half ready state.
-"Well to answer your question, I destroyed the village because I had to… Sardon, you have always been a kind man, but you have failed to see the misguided nature the High Temple has gifted you.
Do you really think they would care if the demons killed our people? Gutted them like fish?
In fact let me explain this to you, I was stationed at that fucking kings palace, whilst he ate like a pig, adultered with the serving girls. Stepped all over our holy creed, all whilst the Pontiff shouted words of encouragement to him and his bastard brother, every time they showed up to a sermon with a smiling wrinkled face, and a pat on the back for his ineptitude."
Sardon's face dropped slightly.
-"Felton, was a dream of the church old friend, the truth lies in the pontiff, in Corvos, in the vocal and powerful majority, that allow the rats and the suffering to spread across the land whilst preaching the words of the Fallen Angel."
Sardon's expression grew darker. And the men behind him had moved from anger to anxiety as the scourged man drew closer.
-"Even so, what did this violence accomplish? You have killed innocents Billy, Children!"
The man took a pronounced breath of air, his mask chattering as the men behind him whispered amongst themselves. Letting out an occasional laugh.
-"Well, the truth is without you here, The Temple wouldn't have known my involvement friend… The demons would have been blamed, and they would have used this to actually make the roads safer for everyone."
The man raised his mask for a second his green eyes glaring at Sardon, before he reached out his hand.
-"We can make it through this, and get back to that cider we missed out on. Just put down the weapon, leave the rest of your men here, and say that it was the demons who burned this place. The Temple will be forced to act. And we get to go home…"
The mans eyes glanced at us,
He knew what he was asking of Sardon, Kill us and act like this never happened.
The Sardon that I know would never take him up on it.
Sardon gave us a sad glance, before he said his next words.
-"I refuse, you are a foul stain upon the fallen angel's honor scourged man. My old friend Billy is lost in those eyes, I will not allow any more to be sacrificed for your pathetic politics, and meaningless slaughter"
Fuck yes,
sardon formed up, and so did the men behind him. Lexita finished her chant a bit before this, and had used her magic to heal her own injuries, though she looked a bit worn out.
I pulled her arm over the shoulder of my breastplate, and stepped behind Sardon.
Covered at all angles by the wall of shields that were fired up by our leader's words.
Then Sardon moved forward with grace, The scourged man met him in the middle of the stone grounds, and both forces converged.
The men above shooting arrows down at us hitting the two men not being covered by Lexita's shield magic. Which was an asset of its own.
Men were being cut down at random.
A spray of blood filled my eyes, and I heard the fierce battle of blades and wood around me. I wiped my eyes, just long enough to see a bright light blind the battlefield and Sardon, pierce bilals leg with his sword.
Ser Sardon was pushing him back towards the wall of rock at the side. He was dodging the scourged man's hands with care, being sure not to allow his touch to reach him.
His powers over flesh were not something to allow a breath to.
The scourged let out a sound of pain before forming a new stance, low to the ground. Sardon fought with sword and shield, speed and technique on his side.
But the scourged man was fighting like an animal.
His dark plague doctor's mask forced the men battling around them to move quite far away from their war of blades, as battle raged on.
Six men had already fallen, and their corpses were making the ground muddy, and hard to step through.
I made my own slash, at one of the men In front of me getting too close and past the shield wall, It was heavy and caused his eye to pop from its socket. And sent him pulling back.
Then the animalistic exile rushed for Sardon. Catching its prey, his longsword pushed into the knight's blade. Knocking him off his feet, into a pile of nearby corpses. He got up immediately, although I could see a shiver of pain twitch through his leg, as he raised his sword, In a defensive stance. The scourged man made a second rush, this time grasping for his legs with a hand, the intention to make his legs boil and shrivel was not lost on Sardon, as the scourged man sped up towards him.
Slash!
The man's fingers were severed from their roots. Bone shattered, and he let out a pained scream, before pushing through it and landing his two remaining bloody fingers, on Sardon's already injured leg, This time it was Sardon who was sent convulsing back into the pile of corpses, the metal rotted off the leather of his leg, and flesh sizzled. He reached for his sword and stabbed the animal through his leg…
but it was too late.
The scourged man had already raised his arms, and with one clean sway of his long bloodied blade.
My mentor's head was severed from his body.
His armour shined, with bloody stained streaks flowing onto the hard mountain stone.
And he had lost.
Lexita shrieked, she had collapsed into my leg, and couldn't help but to stare as the man she grew up with's head rolled through the gaps of the wall towards us.
The blood from it stained my boots, and we just locked eyes for a short while. It felt as though the entire place went still.
I wish we had more time together I suppose. No use crying over it.
I firmed up, and looked around, Lexi was practically grief struck.
The animal was approaching, and we were on the losing end of this scuffle. Although Lexi was still managing to protect us from the arrows, we had lost five men, from our fifteen, they had lost eight, leaving us with ten, and them with thirteen eight of them being archers up above and five led by the scourged plague doctor in front of us. But the real issue was that our morale was scattered, and as the animal in front of us was hungry again.
He pushed forwards, our men had already lost their will to fight with the loss of Ser Sardon, So it was more or less up to me to drive some sense into them.
I saw one of our mens face turn into what looked like a sea food boil, before I decided to make a rushing attack towards the man using my speed and thin stature, to pass through towards him.
I cut my hands and began chanting, taking him by surprise as a long shadowed arm extended from my body, grasping at the man's throat, and flinging him into the wall. I closed the distance, unsheathed my blade by its green leathered hilt, and fully sliced his arm clean through.
His fingers were no longer an issue.
Sardon's efforts were not in vain.
Although he still managed to grip my dark magic with his hands.
He reached up slowly as I was strangling him, it was unnatural.
And I saw the darkness of the shadow be pulled into the starred tattoos on his hands, as he almost consumed my magic from me.
How disgusting can one exile be, he really was a scourge.
I pulled back, before two arrows hit exactly where I was just standing, and a third one caught me in the foot.
-"Fuck you!" I shouted, the animal looked pained. I had taken away his arm, his ability to use his weapon as he wanted, and made him a lame bird in front of his flock.
The armed clergy behind me slowly regained their senses, seeing the man was not untouchable from my actions. Before I made my own pained but speedy exit towards the exit of the close.
We are at a disadvantage here, no point shouting at our people to leave, it'll just give the archers time to pick us off.
The men on the ground would be busy tending to the scourged man's wounds, and the soldiers on the wall would be aiming for me, which gives Lexita a strenuously short amount of time to lead everyone towards the curve of the mountain close, so we could make a speedy retreat towards a more advantageous point.
This was a slaughter, we were already on the receiving end of, and the enemy no doubt realised that leaving us alive was a death sentence of its own.
Another bolt skimmed across my ear and a wet feeling was spreading across the back of my neck dripping down.
I reached the exit of the close shortly after our remaining forces had, but the barrage of arrows had not stopped. In fact the enemy was re-organising its thirteen man strong force, whereas our own consisted of six heavily wounded Initiates, one squire, myself and lexi. If Sardon had won we would've wiped the floor with them. But he was already worn down by the words of a mad man.
The body cannot overpower the mind, for it is the mind that controls the arms not the shoulders.
-"Lexita, can you manage another barrier, I know where to take us."
There was one advantage I could gamble, I had lived in this village, I knew the place that would turn this around for us.
-"I can… but" gasp "I won't be able to help afterwards."
Lexi managed those words. Before I nodded at her, I don't like doing this to her but I have to ask them of her or we wont survive this.
-"you two, carry and cover her with those shields"
I placed lexi and the two at the back, covering us, and the remaining five elven men, headed by the short Elven man who spoke to me when we were camping, whom I was currently shoving along, as we reached the embers of the village.
The smoke had subsided now, it was past midnight. But I looked back to see the shadows of the rapidly encroaching enemy forces.
-"March Forward!"
I shouted, strain in my voice.
Panic was useless. There was only my plan, my action, or death.
We moved past the dilapidated houses bricks and rubble made it hard to push past, but using my dark magic again I managed to clear the rubble for our forces to pass through. Boots pounded rubble, and we made it to the fountain, Its heavenly and beautiful depiction of the angel was slumped over, and fallen already rolled down the steep hill. The headpiece of a now dirty ashen fountain in ruins and working as a useful tool for delaying our enemies from entering through the alleyway. It was firmly kicked across by the five accompanying me, and I took Lexita from the vanguard men's arms, my strength was more than what it used to be, and although I strained a bit, and was more worn down from the arrowhead still lodged in my foot, I managed to lay her down behind the destroyed fountain, she was passed out, likely from using her powers too much. I hope you're okay, Lexi.
A tear dropped down my eye, I forced it away, slapping myself across the face firmly. I cannot be soft now, not as things are. I turned around just as my forces had fully lined up, and the first men started climbing over the cracked stone headpiece blocking their way.
I picked up a brick from the fountain, kissed it for good luck, and threw it at the nearest man to come from the alley. It became a small battle of attrition. With the people on our side, one Lexi short, pelting the enraged beasts in front of us led by the scourged man, with bricks. He was the one to appear last, he had basically lost control of the situation, He was a wounded bird and his flock had lost logic.
The problem with a reactionary ideological force is that they never know when to conserve strength in the face of their mortal enemy, they only know when to start the bloodshed and when it ends.
Their men were not falling, but they were being injured heavily, half of their thirteen man force was stumbling and crawling up the incline. And Just as the scourged man began to rush up to lead the charge, a last attempt. I Led a charge of my own, down the incline, seven men strong. The advantage the men had before was that arrows and the brute strength required for effective longsword combat was allowing them to slaughter us, however these narrow village roads filled with the rubble and corpses they had charred were working against them.
And now the angel was falling back upon them.
Im furious.
they think that they can call us deluded?
Us following a corrupted creed?
As they kill children, Siblings, who have yet to reach their fifteenth birthday? They are the worst of the worst And I am truly ravenous today.
I rushed forwards, My feral nature coming out slightly, as my well staged hits landed slice after slice.
A mans face was slit through and he clutched his eyes to find a bloody pulp instead. Another man looked rather funny with his throat slit. As though he was trying to tell me to go to hell but hed be warming my seat for me.
I let out a giggle as I saw the men around me mopping up the remnants. Blood flowing through the pretty green grass, oh how I miss Sardon's eyes. He was so cute.
I let out a short giggle before my eyes locked onto the man who started it all. I just felt pity at the end, He could barely make it all the way up here, and my fellow clergymen at the top just stood back as he tried to make a grab for me. They looked quite exasperated, and half of them were in more dire straights than the pathetic man in front of me.
Bilal the scourged, you were fierce indeed.
I took a lengthy step back, reaching the form I had taken a hundred times now, whilst sparring Sardon.
He was so slow whilst lifting the longsword, I wasn't quite sure If he was going to drop it.
He took a swing, I deflected it easily and it hit rubble.
Then he collapsed to the ground.
Taking off his mask himself, I could see that he was slightly older than me, had black hair, pointed ears, and green eyes. An elf. can't have been over twenty. He coughed out blood onto my pristine white cloak. My scratched studded leather chestplate being his focus point.
I looked at him, bruised, his eyes looked as though they were searching for something in my face, and he saw the cold emptiness in my eyes and lost his own will for redemption.
-"I suppose you would like me to tell you that there is hope for you in captivity? But I am not one for loose ends…"
Crunch!
The hilt of my blade knocked through his teeth like a coin falling from a table.
I kept going and going, he let out short little moans of pain as the blade hilt was knocking out chunks of flesh from his skull.
I didn't stop until his face was indistinguishable from what it used to be, and reduced to a bloody pulp, with green mush where his eyes used to be.
Then… and only then… did I slit his throat.
The smell was delicious, and it brought me to do something slightly regrettable in the heat of the moment.
I turned away from the corpse, and licked some of the blood off of the blade. I felt disgusting, and Immediately regretted it, but I also felt a my stomach turn harshly, and an intense pain in my eyes.
I moved towards the broken fountain, and stared into the dirty water.
Is that a hint of green?
Sariel: May 26th: Kargos, Sarca
17 days until the tournament.
We were all exhausted.
The clergymen looked at me with respect now, and slight fear.
Lexita woke up, but exhaustion and grief set over her face.
Our initial expedition had left with a nineteen strong force.
We were marching back with only six including me and Lexi.
Lexi rode on the destrier with me, and the corpse of Bilal the scourged was secured with a tarp covering it on her horse.
The march back was silent until nightfall. We set up camp shortly after and send a crow back with an update to High Priest Felton.
Sariel: May 27th: Kargos, Sarca
I woke up in the middle of the night to Lexita asleep hugging my back, everything was too much.
Everything set in too fast. I took the blade Felton gave me and gave myself hard slashes in the arm, maybe I would be better next time. Maybe Sardon wouldn't have died. Maybe…
I felt a hand on mine, it was Lexi's.
I felt her tears drip into my back.
-"You don't have to do that, Sariel. It's not your fault"
I broke down in tears again, stupid, stupid, stupid.
I had gotten stronger, but at what cost.
I could only go on because of lexi,
We embraced until we both fell asleep in each other's arms. She was the only one I could be safe with.
After everything, after the hell that the temple put us through.
First light came, the much smaller camp we had set was almost silent, the moods were still abysmal after our pyrrhic victory.
Me and lexi walked hand in hand to the supply tent, practically stuck together, I was the only one meeting anyone's gaze.
As we entered the tent, I saw a rat rush out of one of the bread loafs on the floor.
I looked at lexi, she knew a rat came out the bread, I knew a rat came out the bread.
I bit down on the loaf.
-"What the fuck sari!"
We both laughed together in a teary heap on the floor.
Sariel: May 28th: Kargos Capital, High Temple.
We had already passed the golden gates of the Capital. The Gate Guards instead of rushing me away from the city, or into the slums, they instead held their heads low.
-"Thank you for your service"
The last efforts of a smile formed on me and Lexi's faces before we rode towards the High Temple grounds,
The familiar landscape, and closely built structures of the peasant district, greeted us.
Although the people on the streets looked horrified to see the state of our band of six.
Me and Lexita, were fully healed from our injuries, due to our elven blood, the rest however were not so lucky. And I was not about to push Lexita further past her limits to make them whole.
I received a crow at our camp yesterday, in the afternoon. It dropped in front of me whilst I was carving up the rats I had found in the store tent, and It read as follows.
'To Sariel,
The High Temple thanks you for your faithful service to the fallen angel.
And congratulates you on purging the heretic,
known as Bilal the scourged.
You have now been formally recognised as a holy squire of the Temple.
Ever Faithfully
Pontiff Svalland IV'
As we made our last stretch through the gates of the High Temple, the Initiates unloaded and I helped Lexi to her quarters.
She almost passed out before I managed to carry her the rest of the way up the white bricked stairs, which was a slight spectacle for the white robed onlookers.
I firmly grasped the chipped wooden door handle, as I swung open the door to her homely room, the plant on the windowsill, and the crude painting greeting us again. I planted Lexi firmly on the bed, before giving her a hug goodnight, and taking a slow stroll to the High Priest Feltons Study.
I opened the door slowly, the creak becoming a very obvious annoyance to anyone in the vicinity.
I don't care anymore really.
I met Felton's eyes, he looked grief stricken, as though his very purpose had left him. I felt sympathy for him, both of his protege knights had died on the same day. And his biological daughter almost died after going on the mission he was forced to give us.
His skin had shriveled slightly at the eyes and turned black, he was even aging faster.
I threw a practice sword at the man, and walked past the bookshelves to the training mats within his vast study.
He looked at the rough edges of the sword, and then brought his hands to his face.
-"I am sorry Sariel, I have failed…"
I interrupted his misery.
-"Shut the fuck up, And come here high preist."
He looked briefly shocked, as though he had been woken out of his misery by my statement.
I looked at him with a sly smile coming across my lips, and a motivated look shot across my eyes.
And then I rushed at him,
He quickly stabbed his hand, and the tattoos enveloped him.
But we were completely matched in speed.
I used my darkness magic spell to give myself an extra limb and edge against him.
And managed to disarm him, before he bit open another finger, and we continued the fight.
This time his whole body grew visibly broader, and his eyes began to redden.
I was on the defence after this, and with a swing, he knocked me to the ground.
I used the shadow to steady myself. It was already lasting far longer than the first time I cast it, And I raced towards him, propelling myself from the walls, his hands scratched against the leather of my chestplate, putting heavy pressure on the iron studs in the leather. And causing me to bruise on my chest and stomach.
I was still smiling.
I bounced off of the walls, using the shadow limb to steady myself along the corners of the room before slicing at the man with my practice sword, and his neck and legs began to turn a dark purple. And he began clutching at it before picking his practice sword back up.
We silently, continued this for about half an hour, with not a single bit of ground being made.
Before Felton and I were panting and clutching the training mats.
-"Its…" gasp "Its a stalemate sariel."
Regretfully so.