Jeim'Dal

CHAPTER 3 LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED

In a distant quagmire, on the border of the realm of La Paz and Tano'Vaas, a camp of knights stood watch, ever vigilant for an impending attack. After a tense fortnight, the assault came suddenly, catching them by surprise.

Amid the chaos, a lone man stood tall, gripping two swords—one shorter blade in his left hand, and a longer sword in his right. His rugged armor, once proud with the sigil of the Empire of La Paz, was now scratched and tattered. A broken helmet rested on his head. He strode forward, stepping over the lifeless bodies of fallen foes and allies alike, making his way toward the remaining members of his unit.

As he advanced, an enemy soldier sprang up, thrusting a spear toward him. With lightning reflexes, the knight dodged the attack, driving his left sword deep into the man's chest. In a swift, fluid motion, he swung his right sword, severing the man's head cleanly from his body. He kicked the decapitated corpse aside, pulling his sword free.

"LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos like a war cry, rallying the surviving knights to press on in the face of overwhelming odds.

"Aye!" the men around him replied.

"Melbourne! Are you alright?" asked Razen, a knight with long flowing hair and a spear in his hand.

"Aye, I'm alright, Razen," Melbourne answered, his breath heavy. "Where is Francis? Is he okay?" he asked, concern clear in his voice.

"He's fine. It was fortunate that the arrow only hit his right shoulder; just a few more inches and it could have struck his neck—or even his head!" replied Keith, a burly man with a large sword slung over his shoulder, as he dragged his shield closer.

"Thank the Gods!" Melbourne sighed, recognizing the approaching figure. "KEITH! YOU FOOL! Do you not realize that your actions could have cost you your life? Breaking formation and charging recklessly at the enemy?" Melbourne shouted, his anger rising.

"Well, it worked, didn't it? I stopped them in their tracks, and Razen followed right after. So relax, and free yourself from that sweaty burden, my good man," Keith responded with a grin as he set his sword and shield aside.

"I know you're a Vanguard, but that doesn't give you the right to act so recklessly!" Melbourne scolded, frustration evident in his words.

"You could've died, you know?" Melbourne followed up.

"Maybe the gods have no use for him in their paradise," Razen joked, intervening.

"Damn you razen!" Keith replied, dismissively.

"I just hope Dave reaches the post safely," Melbourne said nervously.

"Those cheeky bastards sneaked up on us from the far side of the main troop!" Keith remarked in a deep voice.

"Recon? Or maybe scouts? But with their numbers, it's impossible to say they're not part of a larger force," Razen added.