As Rathurn Burns.

Chapter one : inferno

As a child I remembered Mrs. Charnets apothecary. I passed it everyday on the way to school. Every day I would stand at the window and marvel at the different types medicine that were lined up across the shelves. " Now she is a mad woman". " She has completely lost her sanity". "She must be mad." The town gossip. All spoke of Mrs. Charnets as if she were a sinner . Some thought of her strange behaviour was a result of witchcraft . Others thought old age had finally taken its toll on her . Somewhere deep within my heart I knew there was a method to her madness. I had made a habit of making sure Mrs. Charnets was okay. On my way to school I would place bread before her and cover her in blankets if the weather was unforgivingly cold as it tended to be. After years went by this became part of my daily life. The day I saw tears in her eyes I gathered up all my courage and spoke to her. "Do not worry Mrs. Charnets . I know you are not crazy. " She looked to me and struggled to talk . I shook my head as if to say its okay. I understand.

Now we know. Now we know she was not mad. We never really will know what happened her . All she would do was say "It is coming ". Years passed and soon her warnings were forgotten. On a midsummer night , we the people of Rathurn gathered round a fire as storytellers spoke of legends and myths. "It is coming". For years and years the only words she would ever say were "It is coming". No one knew what it was. Most thought that she lost her mind but on this midsummer night we knew. Her eyes turned black and her skin paled . She rose into the air as if possessed by the spirits of the damned. " We gather here with smiles on our faces unaware of the knife that is slowly being driven in between our ribs. You have mocked and ridiculed me and my warnings , now watch as your city burns"

This is it. This is what was coming. None survived but I . I watched as the beasts rose from the darkness , slaughtering all those in their path. I watched as fire of white flames broke loose and burnt Rathurn to ashes. I watched as women and children cried out in agony. I watched. I sat in the apothecary and watched as all hell broke loose. I watched as beasts tore the bodies of apart limb from limb. I watched as headless knights that wore armour of steel beheaded innocent children. I watched as burned.

The apothecary itself was not spared as it was engulfed by the fire. All that was left was ash. I sat . I sat in what had once been the apothecary. I watched it approach me . I watched as a beast with fur as black as night , and eyes the shone like stars approached me. The beast was wolf like in appearance but much to large to be a wolf. It was truly the size of a fully grown grizzly bear. I was face to face with the beast. As it let out a low growl the stench of rotting flesh escaped its mouth. I tried to move but my body was paralysed by fear. I noticed the teeth of the beast. Long and sharp like daggers . I knew that the beast could tear me to shreds with little effort. I looked into the eyes of the beast . I watched as it walked away. I watched as the fire followed the beast.

For days I remained in Rathurn undisturbed. Until they arrived. Horsemen. Traders perhaps. They came with barley , wheat, and spices which confirmed my suspicions. As the horsemen approached me , they looked at me with questioning eyes. They didn't need to ask. I already knew what question they had.

" They were here and they killed everyone but me. Beasts from the darkness. Teeth like knives and eyes like stars. Claws of pure iron and fur as black as night. They brought a fire which left Rathurn as nothing more than a pile of ash. Headless knights with eyes as white as snow . "

" We seek refuge in Amicus. We too saw the beasts . We felt the flames. We watched as our wives, brothers , sisters and children were murdered. You are welcome to join us if you wish , but do so with caution. Know that the path we are to follow is filled with danger. Know that your safety is not guaranteed . Know that it will not be easy and that this journey will test your will."

I studied the horseman's appearance. He was rugged . His shoulders broad . The boots he wore were tainted by ash and dirt. I looked to him and nodded. We then began our journey to Amicus.