by A E Stanfill
“Why do you put your trust in these outsiders when you have only just met them?” Angmar questioned Micha.
“I know warriors with honor when I see them,” Micha replied.
“Why trust in them?” Angmar asked again.
“Look in the man's eyes, do you not see the need for justice boiling over in him? This man doesn't just fight for himself. He has the same burning desire in his eyes that you have in yours, General Angmar.” Micha's words sounded true and sincere that triggered something deep inside of Angmar.
Angmar turned to look at Gawain, “If he has that much trust in you, then I shall as well. You may speak freely.”
“First let me first introduce myself, my name is Gawain and these are my students, we come from the land of Drasal,” Gawain stated.
“Is there a point to this?” Angmar responded.
“There is,” Gawain answered. “I am a Master Trainer at the Academy and I believe that I know something about the weapon Micha speaks of.”
“Go on.” General Angmar was now intrigued. “I'm listening.”
Gawain rubbed his chin with his thumb and finger; clearly he was thinking on how to explain things in a manner the General and Micha could understand. “If I'm right, the weapon in question is called The Reaper. I have only seen it in its construction phase. Last I heard the project was trashed due to how dangerous it could be if it fell into the wrong hands.”
“King Adan must have acquired it to give his men an edge,” Angmar fumed with anger.
“King Adan?” Gawain had a hint of nervousness to his voice.
“What's it to you?” Angmar asked.
“King Adan is the man you are at war with?”
“We are,” Micha interrupted. “Why do you ask? He is just another power-hungry King that needs to be dealt with.”
Gawain's eyes widened and his voice trembled, “Get your men off the battlefield. Send an order to retreat and do so with haste.”
“I will not show such weakness!” Angmar snarled.
“King Adan is an evil man who does not care for the lives of others.” Gawain slammed his fist in his hand, “If you don't do something your men will die.”
“And so shall our enemies!” Angmar was stubborn in his belief of never retreating from the enemy no matter the odds. “Besides, they are two days away with that weapon. Which gives us plenty of time to come up with a plan of action.” Angmar couldn't have been more wrong. It looked as though the heated argument between General Angmar and Master Gawain was about to come to a head.
“General Angmar! General Angmar!” A soldier rushed in shouting.
“What is the meaning of this, soldier? Can you not see that I am busy at the moment?”
The young soldier continued on in a hysterical fashion, “The sky. The sky. You have to see the sky, for something is amiss.”
Gawain did not wait another moment; he rushed out of the tent with urgency. “By the Gods we are too late.” The sky was turning black almost to signify an early night, which was nay impossible. There were no stars, nor was there a moon to light up the dark skies. The only thing that could be seen was an eerie glow of red off in the distance.
“What is going on out here? Or have you soldiers forgotten that we are at war?” Angmar shouted at his men. His soldiers had dropped what they were doing just to stare up at the skies anxiously, which was unlike his men. Upon seeing the soldiers’ reaction, he himself looked up to the skies above and witnessed the same ominous sight as the others. “This is a frightening sight indeed,” he gasped.
“We're about to witness something amazing.” Ulrich smiled with excitement.
“I find it to be truly terrifying.” Ellyn trembled.
“How do we stop it?” Leon inquired.
“I fear that it is too late to stop what is about to happen,” Gawain said out of fear and frustration.
Angmar overheard the conversation between Gawain and his students, “There has to be something we can do,” he interrupted. “I cannot allow my men to die in such a manner as this.” He turned to his men and shouted. “Mount your horses, it is time that we ride into battle, our comrades’ lives depend upon us!”
Gawain grabbed hold of Angmar's arm, “Doing such a thing is suicide, it would be madness.” He tried to talk some sense into the General but his words fell on deaf ears.
General Angmar pulled his arm away from Gawain's grasp, “If you touch me again, I shall have you arrested for working with the enemy.” Angmar had his horse brought to him, and after he mounted up he turned to look at Gawain one last time. “When I get back I expect to find that you and your companions have left my command post. If you refuse then the punishment shall be swift.” He then spurred his horse on, and off he went leading the rest of his men towards the battlefield; all except for Micha.
“Do you not ride with your General, Micha?” Gawain asked.
Micha lowered his head and answered, “He leads them off to their deaths. It would be foolhardy of me to do the same,” he said.
“You made the right choice, Micha. There is no reason to lower your head in shame,” Gawain said with pride in his voice.
“It's beginning!” You could hear the excitement in Ulrich's voice when he shouted and pointed up at the sky.
Gawain looked to the skies yet again, watching in horror at what looked like fire falling from above. He frantically looked over the area, realizing that they were too close. And if they didn't find a place to protect them from the blast, they too would lose their lives. “Look around, we have to find a place to hide before the fire hits the ground,” he said.
“Why? I want to witness that power first hand.” Ulrich smiled.
“If you wish to perish from the blast then be my guest. But I wish to live for a while longer,” Gawain said.
“Over there, I see a cave!” Leon pointed.
“Good eye, Leon. Everyone run for the cave, don't stop until you have made it inside,” Gawain told them. “Decide if you wish to follow us to safety, the choice is yours, Ulrich.” And with that Gawain took off for the cave, leaving Ulrich behind to choose his own fate.
The ground started to shake violently as the fire hit the ground, and flames erupted from all directions burning everything in their path into nothing more than ash. Master Gawain ran on relentlessly, as he could feel the heat of the flames closing in. He was starting to feel like he may not make it into the cave in time but seeing Ellyn and Leon make it ahead of him put a smile on his face. At least two will make it on this day, he thought to himself.
Gawain could feel his body starting to slow down - he knew that was one of the side effects from the weapon that was being used. It was a special poison used to ensure not a soul could escape the blast. Just when he started to lose hope that he would live, someone grabbed his arms and pulled him forward. Micha was on one side of him and Ulrich was on the other, quickly pulling him along until they reached the cave. Before they could enter the force from the blast had reached them, sending all three of them flying forward into the cave violently.
10
The Aftermath and What Will Come of It
Leon rushed over to where Master Gawain and Ulrich lay face down on the ground, “Master Gawain, Ulrich, are you two alright?”
“I believe that we shall live, just give us time to regain our energy.” Gawain smiled faintly.
Ulrich got to his feet without a problem, “I'm fine. But you can thank those two for almost getting me killed.” He said, referring to Gawain and Micha.
“You're the one that wanted to stay and watch,” Gawain said.
“True, lucky for you that I changed my mind and decided to join you guys in this cave, or you would be dead right now old man,” Ulrich angrily proclaimed.
“Thank you for saving my life.” Gawain felt as though he owed Ulrich that much.
“I don't need your praise old man.” Ulrich walked over to the far side of the cave ignoring all else. “I don't need anything from anyone,” he mumbled under
his breath.
Gawain smiled, taking in a few more deep breaths of air, “I owe you a debt of gratitude as well, Micha,” he said.
“You owe me no such thing.” Micha was trying to catch his breath too.
Leon walked over to where Gawain and Micha stood gasping for air, “Is all well over here?” he asked. Ellyn wasn't looking so good either.
“All is good, Leon. We just suffer from some of the side effects of the weapon that was used.”
“Do you not feel the effects, young one?” Micha interrupted.
“Not that I know of.”
Micha finally had the strength to stand, but not without the aid of the cave wall. He still looked as though he could collapse again at any moment. “A spell of weakening was cast upon all near the battlefield, that much I am sure of. Gawain, your lady friend there, and I have all been affected. You and the other boy there seem to be feeling no ill effects whatsoever.” He explained. “Why is that?”
“That is the power of the weapon used, it makes sure that anyone near shall not live. You may think it to be a spell, but it is something far more sinister,” Gawain said changing the subject.
“Are you saying it wasn't a spell?” Micha questioned.
“It seems the enemy has acquired the finishing touches to make the weapon complete,” Gawain muttered.
“You make no sense.” Micha was getting a little irritated with his half responses.
“The thick clouds that covered the sun were a poison that has an effect on the body for a short amount of time,” Gawain finally answered.
“Surely you jest,” Micha said. “Not a soul alive could make poison fall from the sky.”
“They found a way to fuse it into the weapon that was fired, that would be my guess. And if that's the case we must find a way to destroy it,” Gawain replied.
Micha's face turned pale, “That means all is dead, even the enemy,” he gasped.
“I do believe so,” Gawain sadly answered.
“Why would Aedan sacrifice his own men? Why would he kill that many people?” Micha questioned, as anger and rage built up inside of him.
“The only reason would be to test out the weapon, to see just how much damage it could cause on the battlefield,” Gawain answered. “And also to see how well the poison worked.”
“I see,” Micha muttered.
“Micha, I know that you want to grieve for the fallen, but now is not the time. You are now the only one that can get word back to your King on the happenings that took place here,” Gawain told him.
“Do you think it is safe to leave?”
“The effects of the poison are starting to wear off, that much is clear.”
“How do you know that for sure?”
“For one, I'm feeling better. I can also see that you have gotten your strength back, and Miss Ellyn is back to her feet. I would say the worst is over for now,” Gawain explained.
“What if they use that weapon again?” Leon interrupted.
“The boy is right,” Micha agreed. “They could easily fire that weapon again if they see any survivors.”
“Do not fear; it takes days before that blasted thing can be used again.”
“Then let us make haste,” Micha said. He tried to exit the cave but Gawain was quick to stop him. “Why do you stop me? You yourself said that I should get word back to my King.”
“Just listen for a moment, you need to prepare yourself for what you will see when we take leave of this cave. It will be most disturbing,” Gawain gave fair warning for the horror that awaited them.
“I shall,” Micha nodded. What they saw when they stepped out of the cave was truly terrifying. The camp that was set up as a command post was now nothing more than a pile of ash that was spread across the ground. The trees that once surrounded them were now gone, and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. “I shudder to think of what the battlefield shall look like,” Micha said with a look of sadness in his eyes.
“That is why I said to prepare yourself.”
“I wish there was a way around, but I must see it with my own eyes or I will not know what to tell the King,” Micha replied. “I fear we must walk, for I doubt the horses survived the blast. I know of a town nearby where we can get horses and provisions.”
“Then let us be on our way,” Gawain responded. They walked for a few good miles through ash and charred ground, watching for any signs of life, but there was nothing that had survived. The ground they walked upon crackled with every step. The flames had charred everything in the surrounding area. What used to be a thriving area with green grass and lush trees was now nothing more than a wasteland.
“We near where the battle was taking place,” Micha told them.
“Are you sure that you are ready for this?” Gawain asked.
“Do not worry about me, this is something that I must do,” Micha responded. As they approached where the battle had taken place, a thick cloud of smoke filled the air. The smell of burnt flesh had gotten stronger. It was so unbearable that the young warriors started feeling ill, still yet they pressed on.
When Gawain and his companions, along with their new friend, took their first steps onto the battlefield, they witnessed something that sent chills down each of their spines. For the sight was so gruesome that Micha instantly fell to his knees and started to vomit. Gawain, on the other hand, was quick to check on Micha's wellbeing, “Are you alright, Micha?”
“I am, thank you,” Micha said as he slowly stood back up. “This is the first time I have ever seen such a sight in all my life.” All around them were the burnt bodies of all the soldiers that were fighting one another. What was even more horrifying was the fact that the bodies still stood, as though they were made of stone. “The only thing that keeps them on their feet is the armor that the charred skin has fused with,” he muttered, trying to hold back his vomit.
“Why would someone order this done to others, especially their own men?” Ellyn tried to fight back her tears but still yet they streamed down her cheeks regardless. “Is this the power that you bragged so much about, Ulrich?”
Ulrich could not look Ellyn in the eyes; her tears were enough to make him want to show what he thought to be a weakness, “I had no idea it would be this bad.” He lowered his head, making sure not to make eye contact with any of his companions.
“Do not judge Ulrich so hastily, Miss Ellyn. He has been led down the wrong path by others that he thinks he can trust in,” Gawain explained.
“General Angmar!” Micha gasped, rushing over to where one of the burnt bodies stood. By the looks of the armor you could easily tell that it was the charred body of Micha's general. “Why? Why did you have to be so stubborn? If you would have just listened, you and the rest of the men would still be alive.”
Gawain walked closer to where Micha stood, “He was more than just a General to you, wasn't he?”
Micha wiped the tears from his eyes, “General Angmar was my father.” He sobbed “Because of his pigheadedness, I have to go back home and explain to my sister why she shall never see her father again,” he cried out. “Why would you leave us alone like this you old fool?” He punched the armor, and what was left of Angmar's body crumbled to the ground. All that was left of the former general was the breastplate of armor and a sword that was left sticking out of the ashes.
“It's hard to lose someone that you loved.” Gawain frowned.
Micha wiped the tears from his eyes for a second time, “Do we have time to give my father the proper burial he deserves?” He asked, never once looking up.
“We do,” Gawain answered. “Would you like some help?”
“Thank you for the offer, Sir Gawain. But if you don't mind I would like some time alone,” Micha said, choking back his tears.
“When you are ready we shall be over there waiting,” Gawain said to him before turning to his students. “Micha needs some time to gather his thoughts, let's leave him be for now.”
Micha dug a shallow grave for his f
ather's ashes. “Father, I know that you were always hard on us for a reason. I also know that you would have done anything to keep us and your country safe.” He paused briefly to push some of the ashes off into the grave. “I remember the day when I told you that I had enlisted to become a soldier,” Micha chuckled. “You told me that I was stupid to do something I didn't have the heart for.
But I proved you wrong and I became the youngest to reach the rank of second in command, behind you that is. I remember how proud I made you that day.” He finished with the grave and placed the breastplate that his father wore throughout his days of knighthood atop as a show of respect. He then took up his father's sword and whispered, “I will take vengeance against the ones that did this and make you proud once again. When that is done, I shall return your blade to you father. I promise.” Micha sheathed the blade and went over to reunite with the others.
“Is all well?” Gawain asked after Micha had returned.
“All is well,” Micha answered. He looked around at all the other men that had fallen in battle, “I wish we could do more for them.”
“Getting this information to your King is the right thing to do for these brave souls,” Gawain replied. “Leaving them like this is sad indeed, but we must press on.”
“You are right Sir Gawain, let us be on our way to the town of Coalfell,” Micha sighed. He put on a brave face and marched on. It was a long and grueling walk as they made their way towards that small town. The hills were rough and still charred from the blast. And the forest that would usually provide shade from the heat of the summer sun was burnt to the ground. It was unbearable as the land around them was emitting large amounts of warmth to add to the already scorching sun.
“Let's hope we get to this town soon, I don't think my skin can handle much more of this heat.” Ellyn whined.
“Do not worry Miss Ellyn, it won't be much further.” Micha turned to her and smiled.
“What's wrong Ellyn, are you afraid of a little dry skin?” Leon joked. Ulrich punched Leon's arm for his remark towards Ellyn, “What was that for, Ulrich?”