Longshadow

Ash

"Behind us," she heard Wulf yell.

Hoofbeats echoed off the stones of the road. Ash turned to look back. There were five of them, golden riders on armored warhorses

"Five of them," she called out, drawing the shaman's sword from her side.

"What do they want," her savior replied. He flicked the reins, urging the draft horses to go faster. She heard the animals snort in frustration.

I am sorry, she thought, remembering the sting of the lash on her back. She glanced down at Wulf's horse.

"Faster my friend," she said, stroking the horse's neck. She had ridden many horses in the desert and knew how to soothe them. The beast brayed and charged forward, keeping up with the carriage.

Then came the sound of wood splintering. One of the riders hurled a spell at the carriage, blasting off a piece of it. An eldritch blast, she knew.

An arrow struck one of the riders, glancing off the plate of his golden armor. She heard Wulf curse. The rider caught up to the wagon, his horse drawing closer to her with terrifying speed. She saw the rider draw his sword.

"Faster Carrow," she called out to the tiefling.

"Working on it," her savior replied. The draft horses whinnied and charged hard against the stones, the wheels rolling faster and faster.

The rider was upon her now, positioned between her horse and the carriage. She raised the shaman's sword up, blocking the first of his strikes. Ash was living fire, blessed with powers beyond that of mortal men, but she was no swordsman. Her blocks were clumsy and off balanced, the shaman's sword shaking as she struggled to hold it up. Soon her arm would give way, leaving her flesh open to the rider's attacks

Kossuth, grant me strength, she prayed, gritting her teeth as the rider landed another blow against her sword. She held against him with all her might, forcing him into a bind. His strength was bearing down on her, her arm screaming in agony as the tip of his blade neared her shoulder. She let the reins slip from her other hand and raised it at him.

"ELDRITCH BLAST," she yelled. The cackling beams shot out from her fingertips, striking the elf's breastplate and flinging him from the saddle. He struck the carriage, making it shake from side to side for a moment. The elf struck the stones violently, his armor clanging against the road as he tumbled behind them.

She caught her breath and kissed her fingertips, holding them up to the sky. Thank you, Lord, she prayed. She studied the stars. And you, father.

"A little help," her savior called out to her. Another rider was on the other side of the carriage, driving forward with sword in hand. Carrow flung a dagger at him. The blade glinted off the plate armor.

Carrow cursed.

"I will fall back," she called out, pulling on the reins.

"You do that," he replied.

The horse resisted her at first but soon gave in. They slowed, allowing the carriage to pass them by, only keeping pace when she saw Wulf in the back. The man was on one knee within the carriage, leaned up against one of its wooden walls for balance. His dark hair was streaming forward with the wind, partially obscuring his face. The arrow he loosed glanced off golden plate just the previous one had.

"Watcher's Tears," he cursed again.

She looked again. The druid was missing. They killed him, she realized in horror.

"Villains," she called out to their pursuers. "Are you so cowardly to attack the old and defenseless!?"

"Gendrick's fine," shouted Wulf, as he nocked another arrow. "Help Carrow!"