Chapter II – Lost
The lowered bridge, swarming with castle guard, is a blessing. I am forever replaying what I witnessed. People stand within the walls, ready to help however they can. I pass off the girl to one of the servants I recognise form the Lords house. As I watch her cower under the protection of the servant, I stand at the bridge, ushering people in from the town, all the while I watch the horizon, waiting for Sefare to return. A soldier lays his hand on my shoulder, turning me around.
"Knight Adia, the scout returned. Queen Gwendolyn requests your presence immediately." He speaks through the panting, having ran here.
I take one last look back out over the horizon, wanting and hoping. The soldier begs me again. I return to the throne room. Only one scout stands at the feet of the Queen. His tunic is torn, sword and scabbard bloodied. The queen gestures for the scout to leave. As we pass, I see the fear in eyes, the terror of whatever he saw will now haunt his dreams.
"Sefare is not with you?" The queen questions.
I bow to one knee, rising and wincing as my muscles burn.
"She covered our escape. Demonic scouts ambushed the tail end of our caravan. Permission to ride back out to assist her."
"Permission denied. We need you here. The one scout who returned spoke of legions upon legions of demons – like a red tide he said - washing over the landscape." Her words struggled to escape her lips. "It'll be no more than three days before they arrive. Preparations have begun to strengthen the defences – we have never faced a threat like this."
The problem weighs heavy upon her heart.
"Who else has returned my Queen?"
"Orella and Aelina returned as you did, unscathed you'll be pleased to hear."
"What of Ezabell and Lilian?"
"I'm afraid they haven't returned as of yet. Lakebury is the longest ride, we may see them the next morn."
That may be so, but concern will rest upon my shoulders until I see them return, safe.
"We must also make preparations for your escape if the need arises."
The Queen turns her head, looking out of the large window.
"No. I will not be leaving, under any circumstances."
"But – my Queen..."
"I have spoken Adia!"
I return to my knee.
"As you wish. Where am I needed most?"
"Oversee the siege preparations, we have to hold."
I nod and promptly leave the room. I snivel as I hide in a corridor, tears begin to streak down my cheeks. I squat, curling up, burying my head into my arms. I try to take deep breathes, calming the erratic thoughts rattling around inside my mind. Composing myself, I stand, wiping away the tears. I get my armour removed, requesting a new chest plate piece. I keep my sword at my side, walking around in my leather boots, trousers and a tunic.
The remainder of the day was spent barricading doors and homes, readying streets for battle, creating bottlenecks and chokepoints, anything to slow their advance. Only one of the gates was kept open, the other barred and sealed by magic. Endless amounts of archery ammunition were stationed at the battlements atop the walls. Rudimentary palisades were built within the town, hopefully, the demons would never get that far. The trebuchets upon the bastions were loaded. Everyone within the city was tense, a shared held breath before the storm.
I stood watch atop the battlements, eyes fixed on the horizon. Sefare, the soldiers and the Lords Wife had yet to return. As rumours spread of their demise, I too began to lose hope. The night was dark, torches waxed and waned as a constant breeze washed up against the walls. Soldiers gathered around braziers, trying to keep warm. The blanketed sky hid the starts once again. As my eyes grew weary, a flicker of light on the horizon caught my attention. I rubbed away the sleep and leaned forward, more lights began to appear. They were torches.
"Open the gates and lower the bridge I yell!"
Soldiers stand to their feet, peering over the wall with me. The crank begins to creak to life, the drawbridge slowly begins to lower.
"Archers!"
Men clamber for their bows, notching an arrow, waiting for the next order. Screams echo out across the open terrain. I see the muddied armour of Sefare and a handful of soldiers running at full sprint. Their hands wave out frantically. I smile, they've made it. They are not out of danger yet, no further than fifty feet behind them, demonic scouts, screaming out. Giving chase, Sefare will be run down.
"Orders Adia?" One of the archers says.
"We can't fire, we might hit our own." My mind races, I try to think. "Ready my horse!" I scream down to the stable.
I rush down the steps, frantically trying to organise myself. I grab a spear and swing up and onto my horse. A handful of soldiers sally up also. The gate is slow to open, I grow impatient. As soon as the gap is big enough, I slap the horse into full gallop. The demon's screams continue to pierce the all but quiet night. We are quick to pass Sefare. She and her men are battered and bloodied. I return my attention to the approaching spawn. I lower the spear and roar.
My spear skewers one, driving it through the chest and into the ground, quickly silencing the beast. I draw my sword and turn back. Two other soldiers managed to hit their target. Another was torn from his saddle. The demon had his razor-sharp teeth ripping junks from his neck. Again, I force the horse into a gallop. My sword meets the neck of another as it turns and looks up, head sent flying through the air. The remaining scouts are swiftly dispatched by the men at my side.
I breathe long sighs of relief.
