𝙳𝚊𝚜 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚣: 𝙱𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝙴𝚒𝚗𝚜

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

The next rain of burning arrows incoming, Eber ducts down at the back of a wagon loaded with hay, pulling Lorelei with him. The arrows dive into the hay, steadily igniting the dry fibers. Horses whinny, their cries desperate pleas to be free from their ties as the fires throughout the camp spread. They pull on the lines, their hooves churning the cold ground into the snow. Finally, the lines snap and the beasts flee for their lives, tearing through the camp, past men running for bows and arrows. The camp retaliates, firing arrows at the soldiers lining the ridge, another order to fire being shouted from Krow at his men. The soldiers draw back and let loose another downpour of fire.

Leaning back against the wheel of the wagon, Eber grits his teeth. "Damn him."

Coming out of her daze, Lorelei shakes her head. She looks up, seeing the growing flames in the bundle of hay. "Eber," she breathes.

Looking to where she is, he searches for the next destination in their path out. Seeing the fire spreading at the outskirts, their choices are few and are through the camp. "Come." He moves, Lorelei quick to follow.

The men in the camp yell to one another, ordering weapon supplies and attacks to defend. Some running with buckets of water, barking for help with the growing flames as the burning arrows land into supply tents. One of the men rallying the retaliation of arrows, spies Eber and Lorelei, his focus locking onto Eber's uniform. "A soldier!" he yells. A couple of men separate from the cluster.

Rushing Eber, the man draws his sword, swinging the weapon down at the captain. Having a moment to see the attack coming, Eber shoves Lorelei, getting the both of them clear as the blade clashes with the ground. Drawing Romhild, Eber slices down, cutting off the man's hands at the wrists, their grip still latched onto the handle of his sword. He yells in utter pain as Eber swings his longsword up, freeing the man's head from his body next.