Dawn's Rising

Chapter 21; The Hot Winds of Vengence

Karl's news was followed by a stunned silence. Then suddenly an explosion of reactions happened all at once; women cried out and began to weep as frightened children began to cry and scream while the men turned pale and sat frozen to their seats or went over to their wives to comfort them.

When things settled down a bit Jarle stood to his feet, instantly bringing a hush to the gathering. "There are only seven of them. Ten of us are capable of handling weapons so all is not lost. What we need to do now is devise a plan."

And as the men sat down around the dining table to put their heads together for a brain storm, the women turned to do that which was most familiar to them; prepare a meal.

A few hours before dark fell, Karl returned with his family to their home. With all haste they cleared out the cellar of all clutter and stocked its shelves with provisions with the idea to make it their refuge of last resort. Petter then stationed himself by the front window to keep a good watch on all that happened outside. Not a creature stirred. It seemed that even the wind held its breath in anticipation, allowing not even the slightest of breezes to rustle so much as a leaf; complete silence. It was like the stillness before the storm.

Petter watched as the blushing sun lowered below the horizon, as if it was ashamed to leave them behind in such a dilemma. Slowly the night shadows crept forth as the darkness of a moonless night descended upon their little valley. Not even a candle was lit for fear of what its light might attract. Only the multitude of stars which winked into existence in the nighttime sky overhead gave forth their weak light. But then all of a sudden it seemed as if those very stars began to fall from their lofty positions down into the court yard beyond their front window as dozens of flaming projectiles came crashing out of the sky, fastening onto whatever surface they touched. It was a shower of burning arrows!

"Father, come quick! They are shooting arrows that are on fire!"

Within seconds Karl joined his oldest son at the front window and gasped in horror as the cushioned chairs on Roger's porch abruptly burst into flames. The ravenous fire quickly sent out hungry licking tongues of flame in all directions, devouring everything that was in their way. Another shower of glowing arrows followed tightly after the first and then another, and yet another. And thanks to the mild weather accompanied by a lack of any form of precipitation over the past few weeks, each burning arrow found ample sustenance where it landed. Dozens of fires were already burning wherever Karl looked.

Karl watched as his brother Jarle in the house across from theirs broke out his front window before he and his oldest son took aim. Petter and Karl did likewise, followed by Erling and his oldest son. Roger finally broke out his front window as well, but for a completely different reason. Karl and Petter watched helplessly as Ingrid and Anita heaved out pitcher after pitcher of water onto the flaming furniture beside their window.

The wind decided to pick that moment to let go of its held breath and suddenly a strong gust blew down into the valley. The ever hungry flames were suddenly stretched farther outward granting them contact with the unprotected curtains swaying unhindered on either side of Roger's open window. Screams sounded out from inside the house as the fire took hold of the loose fabric and invaded their home.

After only a few minutes huge black plumes of smoke started to billow out of the front window. Suddenly the front door crashed open with a resounding bang and Roger pushed one after another of his coughing family members out past him sending them running across the court to Erling and Katrina's open door. Last of all Roger left the door of his house and ran into the open court.

A blood curdling high pitched cry like that of a coyote on the hunt split through all other sounds. Roger froze in mid stride and turned in the direction of the outcry with terror in his eyes. His mouth began to open wide in a scream that never came. Suddenly, a speeding arrow pierced through the center of his throat, leaving its feathered end standing straight out in front of him while its now red stained head exited out the back. With a gurgling escape of breath Roger collapsed to his knees, when abruptly the feathered fringe of another arrow bloomed from the center of his chest. He fell backwards to the ground into a motionless heap. His passing left an aftermath of terrified screams. Silje, Julianna, and Kristina added their voices to the chorus of cries from where they crouched down under their front window.