The Call

Impossible

"For Iconia!" Serene shouted over the roaring chaos of the battle that surrounded her to rally her commanders.

"For Iconia!" The reply came as six mighty warriors and their forces burst from the fray to stand beside their captain. The approaching line of dark warriors halted their advance abruptly when they saw Serene and her force reunited, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a sword in each hand and battle on their faces. The foes cowered in fear before the mighty knights and drew back to the fringes of the plain.

Now the plain-turned-battlefield was empty save the dauntless group of knights, offering Serene and her regiments a well-needed respite, even if it was only for a few moments. An image of her brother flashed across Serene's mind for perhaps the hundredth time that day as she surveyed the armies surrounding them, and it frightened her. What about him? He had told them he would hold the enemy back, but here they were, face to face with her and her under-prepared knights. What happened? When he left the camp in a hurry, his face troubled her. At the time, she had attributed his expression to the stress of going behind enemy lines, but now, she was having doubts about her presumption. Had she underestimated the enormity of their enemy? His plan had obviously failed, but how? Suddenly, a thought crept into her mind, and she gasped. Everything became dull as a glaze came over her eyes. No! her heart screamed. He can't be dead!

Suddenly, something touched her arm, and she jumped. Lady Nora appeared at her side.

"I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to startle you."

Serene shook her head to clear her thoughts. "It's all right. What is it?"

"The enemy is showing signs of advancing. It would be wise to take action now before they can." Nora's suggestion seemed more like a well-worded command than anything else.

Serene nodded. "Very well. What do you suggest?"

Nora opened her mouth to answer but her breath caught in her throat as she looked to the east. Serene's eyes darted to the hill upon which Nora's eyes were fixed, and her heart skipped a beat. A contingent of dark knights was riding in to join the huge circle surrounding the plain, closing off the only possible escape route. She fought the urge to panic as their leader rode into sight. Looking closer, Serene realized that his face was familiar. She squinted against the bright light reflecting off his armor and gasped. Her knees felt weak, and Nora stepped in to support her.

She gathered her strength to look again. Surely her eyes had deceived her. But no, the man was closer now, his face now clearly recognizable. Serene's heart beat rapidly as she scrambled to find a glimmer of hope. Maybe he had broken into the enemy's castle and stolen the armor and weapons for his loyal knights. Maybe he was coming to her aid in disguise from their enemy.

As his forces charged, he held up his hand, and they halted immediately about a furlong from where Serene and her small army waited. He rode alone toward his sister.

"Inimicus!" Serene dropped her sword and ran to meet him.

His eyes were dark, and hatred spewed from them. He raised his sword over his head in a double-handed grip and brought it down in a powerful arc, straight for Serene's head. Serene screamed, and her world was engulfed in darkness.