run.

155 2 0

by kuashabirpurush

by kuashabirpurush

Running. That's all they could think to do in this moment. That's all they could do. Their home burned behind them, the licks of flame at their heels. As much as fear took Soren to his bones, he couldn't turn back, he needed to go. He needed to grab everyone and lead them to safety. He thought back to his training as a soldier. Prior to being crown-guard, prior to his knighthood, he had to learn how to fight, how to protect, and how to run. He was never the most enduring child. A couple minutes of running would tire him out so the sprinting practices were his least favorite. He had rather show off his skills at fencing or lifting weights. His trade lied within his spry and his muscles rather than anything else. But today, today he had to run. He thought back to years prior when a red dragon had approached Katolis and his instinct had been to provoke it and fight. He was a wiser man now. He didn't need to stroke his ego on the battlefield. He needed to keep everyone safe. One more loss and he'd lose it.

Corvus ran too. He watched Soren take charge and lead. Soren didn't need to say anything. Corvus knew from the look on his face what he was meant to do. He needed to flank, the, arguably, most dangerous job in the operation. They didn't know how long Viren's spell was meant to last, yet Corvus had to be the one to test it. Anxiously, Corvus waited for every last man, mother, child to run out of the gates that separate Katolis from forest. Once they had gone, he ran through the flames to search under every last piece of detritus and debris. He ran through the palace, the courtyards, every last crevice of the fire. Finding no one, Corvus sighed in relief and began to leave when he heard a shout. The baker had gotten stuck under the remains of his oven. Bracing his back, Corvus pulled him out and pulled him over his shoulder. His strength was weakening and he was starting to feel the heat around him. He knew the spell couldn't last much longer. He ran. He ran and he ran and he ran. He saw the pack of people trailing into the trees away from Katolis and he knew they had succeeded. He dismounted the baker off of his shoulder.

"Go. Run. Quick."

"But sir-"

"GO!"

The baker stumbled out to follow the people. Corvus fell to his knees. He looked back to see fire. And darkness.