Masked

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The first scream was a warning as one knight grabbed the nearest woman and slit her throat signalling for the rest to advance. She could never forget the look in the man’s eyes as he saw her children freeze in horror before running for sanctuary in the church. These men were wearing the crest of the Sheriff on their breast and were supposed to protect them from danger; instead they were the danger to every living soul in this village.

Hearing the initial shouts Devon threw open the door to her chamber and ran to the hall where the noises became clearer, hurtling down the stairs she began to call for her family who were nowhere to be seen in the darkness of the house.  The timber floor boards had little time to creak as a man appeared silhouetted by the blazing flames of the town just outside, his armour was scorched on one side and the sword he clutched within one deadly grip loosened and twisted.

Gripping the door frame to the kitchen Devon halted and retraced her steps backwards as the man let out a savage howl and cocked his head to the side assessing the small girl in front of him.

Not daring to move she appraised her chances of getting out of the main doorway into the village, the bulk of the man took one colossal step forward entering the darkness of the manor hall.

“Don’t be afraid darling, everything is going to be all right” The voice was ringed with sick humour and he seemed to be attempting to hold back a snarl. Devon stepped further forward moving into the corner of the decreasing room and alluring him to follow her step for step. Assessing the moment perfectly she stood full height and launched herself forward at the knight, taken a little off balance he froze before jumping into her path, although being light footed Devon estimated this and counter stepped him to dodge a swiping blow from the sword and ducked out into the light of the village.

Horror crept through every bone possible, freezing Devon in her place just beyond the manor door. The barn opposite had smoke billowing from it as women and children were being hurtled inside, watching the knights group the remaining villagers together they pushed them into the darkness where desperate hands reached for the light of day. Hearing footfalls behind her Devon snapped back into her getaway and leapt down the side of the stable block immediately to her right, turning back she was clear from the guard and with the forest behind her she had an easy escape.

Looking back to the barn pain ripped at her chest willing her feet forward but she was unable to move at all, the heavy bar that secured the doors shut was holding out against the constant effort of the people trapped inside, their struggles were becoming weaker with every licking flame that surrounded the wooden structure. Within minutes screams began to fade as the timbers crashed down inside the makeshift tomb. Silence fell once more.

Wiping the tears that streamed in agony from her eyes Devon leant back against the wall she felt like failure for not bothering to do anything about the villagers but she felt even more of a failure for the fact that she could not move. Pounding her fists on the wood next to where she sat a crack sounded and as the blood ran the pain was numbed by fear and an overruling anger. Peering down to where her hand had hit a hole appeared, placing her hands around the simple plank it splintered from the wall revealing a whole big enough to fit through. Laying flat on her back Devon heaved herself through the dusty floor into the darkness and silence of the stable block. Reaching for the wooden partitioning she gripped it dragging herself up onto her feet and reaching for some safety.

Slowly turning around she was faced with a large stallion, his grey colour like the smoke that surrounded them outside, his flanks were heaving from the fear of the fire his jet black mane lay like a river streaming down his forehead. Pacing back and forth he was bigger than the other horses, as Devon reached out he pulled back before nudging her open palm with his sweat soaked nose.