Darsidian Myths, A Promise Heard

Chapter 34

Raymond slowly pulled his sword free from an I'ra's torso. He glanced hopelessly at his surroundings as the orange-haired thugs swarmed his city. His soldiers were dying, his magic was dwindling, and the flow of monsters wasn't slowing. The situation was beyond grim. If reinforcements didn't arrive soon Grail would fall.

For three nights and two entire days he protected the four gates to the city. He was exhausted. His arms were heavy and numb from swinging his sword. His legs ached painfully, begging him for a moment of rest. His magic was nearly depleted from teleporting and throwing stars at the I'ra. If he kept fighting like this he was certain he would lose his life. One could only push their luck so far before something terrible would happen.

Raymond stared unsteadily at the south entrance to the city. The gates were completely destroyed. They were merely two pieces of timber hanging from hinges. There were piles upon piles of slain I'ra around him. His soldiers were also littered among the dead. His loyal subjects fought bravely, taking many enemies with them before they themselves were taken. For some reason the enemy had halted their attack on the south gate. As he stood at the gateway he could see the monsters outside the city as they taunted and jeered from a distance.

When the horde of I'ra first appeared outside of his city, and he saw how dire the situation would become, he immediately warped to neighboring cities for help. Whether that help arrived in time was questionable.

He even warped to Valador to inform Garcia of the attack on his home. It was there he told his friend he would be unable to help with Valador's liberation, he even instructed Garcia to continue with the plan without him. With those words he left the capitol, hoping his companion would be able to free the king's city with the lunvarin's help.

The only reason he was alive now was because of the lunvarin. If his army wasn't prepared to help them his city would have fallen to the I'ra by now. So far that was the only thing to be grateful for since the attack on his city began.

A sinister laugh sounded behind Raymond. "Looks like you're the only one guarding the south gate now."

Raymond turned around and froze, behind him stood one of his dead soldiers, something that should have been impossible. Yet the arrow filled body was there, smiling at him menacingly with a threatening gaze.

"Warlock," murmured Raymond.

"That's right wizard," said an I'ra's carcass as it stood up. "A wielder of Scourge is among you."

"Do you always talk from afar?" asked Raymond. "Or will you show yourself?"

A third human corpse with one arm stood up. "And lose my advantage? I think not."

"Who are you?" asked Raymond. "Why are you attacking my city?"

"You needn't concern yourself with those details," the dead soldiers said in unison as dozens of corpses rose to their feet. "You'll be dead before the nights out."