The Elite

Prologue

   Sir Eric raced across the battlefield, tearing through foe after foe with the vicious ferocity of a bloodlusted lion. The King was in dire straights, surrounded by foot soldiers on all sides, and archers plucking the heads of the men who valiantly fought in their monarch's defense. He had to get to him, and fast, or their king would fall, and with him, the nation's future. An axe wielding barbarian  ran toward Eric, lifting his weapon in the air, aiming to end the knight's valiant charge.
However, before he could reach Sir Eric, an arrow pierced through the enemy's chest,  causing him to falter, before crumpling to the ground lifeless. It was Sir Matthew,the kings right hand man and Sir Eric's best friend."Get to the King
....I'll hold off these barbaric fools" exclaimed Sir Matthew, pulling another arrow from his quiver, knocking and loosing it at an enemy approaching on his right. Sir Eric nodded an ran through the field, carving himself a blood washed canyon through ranks of the barbarians.

   He soon arrived at the King's side,  decapitating an oncoming foe. "Your highness I am here to get you to safety!" He exclaimed above the symphony of clashing steal and chorus of battle cries. "Sir Eric, as grateful as I am for your concern, I shall not leave my men to fight, while I cower in safety. I shall fight this war beside them...even if it means I die beside them". Sir Eric frowned, exasperated at the Kings decision "Are you out of your damned mind ....this isn't your palace sire.... it's a bloody war!" He exclaimed, parrying an attack before sinking his blade with ease into his foe. The king raised his shield,  rushing past Eric, shoving an oncoming enemy backwards, before swiping with his sword, cutting the man's throat once he fell to the earth. "I am a King. It is my solemn duty to protect my kingdom...cost be damned" the king replied, his fiery conviction seemingly causing the sparks of inspiration to be set alight in the hearts of all who fought beside him. The men fought for hours, none giving in to the urge to rest, each  allowing their will to drive them forward even when their bodies begged for rest.
    In the end, seven knights and their King stood there ....their armours slick with blood and sweat, the odor of death heavy on the air . The battle was won,or so they thought. Suddenly,without warning an archer in crimson armour rose up out of a pile of  fallen barbarians and loosed an arrow at the king. Without hesitation , Sir Eric dove in front of the King, allowing the arrow to pierce through his armour ....cutting into his chest. Sir Matthew quickly took aim, but alas, it was to late and the Archer was gone, as if his very existence faded to naught. The king knelt beside the wounded knight , removing the chest plate of his armour to see how bad the injury was. They gasped at the sight of the arrow,which was embedded deep within the Eric's chest, having struck his heart. He was dead. They all mourned as they began the long march home, carrying with them the body of their kingdom's most valiant, the weight of this great loss felt with each step they made. The question that plagued their minds however , was "with Eric gone....who would raise Bella?"