Vain: Upon An Hours Rest

Chapter 14: Reinforcements

          “Wheres Daniel tent?”

          “He is set up in the old Church” I walk that way recalling my old days serving the pagan gods of Geilinor. I decided to have the church destroyed but when The Lord saved my soul through His loving grace and I joined the rebels we actually defended the building. I get inside and see Daniel and the Temple Knights along with the Elvin elders and a representative from the dwarfs. 

          I make it to the old chapel and see Daniel, and say, “Whats next Daniel?”

          “Half our forces will go and take Varock, and the other half will secure Port Sarim and then we will flank Falador.”

          “Daniel, either you’ve forgotten or I've neglected to tell you, we burned Falador to the ground, all you will find is walls and buildings.”

          “Which, father, will be a great place for retreating forces from the port to make a last stand, or escape through. We cant loose any of these battles, every win is key to this war.”

          “Yes Sire, Where would you like me to go?”

          “I'll be going into Varock and I would like you to lead troops into Sarim.”

          “Yes sir, how many troops are sending?”

          “500 infantry and fifty Calvary”

          “Yes sir, we will leave at sunset and attack in the night.” Hours pass and the warriors are ready and we begin our march towards Draynor Village, who we've also been asked to clear. When we reach we see the entire down has been burned. Skeletons lye everywhere. Its obvious something happened here long ago. We get within sight of the port and get ready to charge when our small army goes silent. We look toward the water and see two ships in the harbor and what must be at least 500 to 700 men on the ground. I know instantly what needs to be done. The men were expecting a swift and quick defeat and to be able to push them back to Falador. Knowing that that’s not going to happen now, and with five catapults that suddenly start shooting rocks that are raining down on us, we make a vary hasty retreat back to Falador ourselves.

          “RETREAT TO FALADOR!” The men turn and we all run straight for the city. Before the first sword is swung we run straight back to Falador but thankfully the enemy doesn't follow. We make it to the once White City and begin to make camp.

          “God, what do I do now?”

          I feel the impression on my heart and I feel God telling me to get on my horse and run for reinforcements.

          “But Lord we can win this, we have to stop them!”

          I feel overwhelmed to leave now, right now.

          “Squire, fetch my horse and tell everyone to do nothing until I return tonight” I get on my horse and ride north toward the city gate when I see a beautiful woman, such as I had not seen since my wife were in her youth. I rode beside her and said, “Whats a woman with such beauty doing arrayed in battle armor?” What I am doing flirting with this woman I'll never know. It was not as if I were married or anything, just a sudden strange temptation.

          She spoke softly and said, “Just doing what I believe to be correct sir, and whats a man with such dashing looks as yourself be doing riding out of the city?”

          “Riding to fetch reinforcements.” I feel something in me saying leave, leave now.

          “Sounds like an handsome ride, may I come along?”

          “Of course!” My heart is screaming ‘leave her’, as she jumps on my horse raps her beautiful hands around my waste and squeezes me tight. What am I doing? I begin to ride and after an hour of light conversation something strikes me odd.

          “Woman, for a warrior you seem var-“ That’s all I get out before I feel a tight grip and am slung off my horse. I try to get back up but I am slammed back down by my shoulders and I look up to see the beautiful woman on top of me. It dawns on me why God was impressing on me to leave the woman. She sits on top of my holding me by my shoulders in triumph.

          “What are you doing?!”

          “We knew you be coming from Lumbridge. We waited on you in Sarim and during your retreat I was ordered to join you and guard the northern gate to make sure no messengers were going for reinforcements. If they were I was to shoot them once they were outside the gates. When I seen the infamous King of old, Vain riding I couldn’t wait. I would hold your head as a trophy, and when you offered me to ride with you I couldn’t wait for this moment. Our soldiers will attack the city at night fall and will kill every last one of the rebels. Then we will slowly retreat to Ardougne, leaving small infantries along the way.”

          “Why are you telling me this?”

          “To rejoice in killing you! You cant do a single thing about it” She says this wile raising an arrow to perice my head, but not anticipating the swift kick from knee to her ribs. She jumps in pain and I take the opportunity to push her off me. She stands and draws her bow but not before I've drawn at least two knives and am already letting one fly. The first hits her chest. She releases an arrow that clearly misses me to the right. As she falls the next knife leaves my hand and hits her in the belly area. I walk up and say with all the love I can possibly put in my voice, after mortally wounding someone. Guilt washes over me for trying court another woman, despite my marriage, but I know I must minister to this young woman.

          “Its not to late, you can still turn from your ways and turn Christ!” Praying this works it also now dawns on me why I needed to leave right then. She spits at my offer and I turn, mount my spooked horse and ride as fast as the horse will take me. Its almost nightfall when I finally reach Daniel's infantry and after dodging a few arrows I reach him and tell him everything that’s happened.

          He says, “I can't imagine how many other spy's have entered our camp.” He looks to the Temple Knights, “Find your divisions and tell them to double their pace, we must reach that city before midnight” I look at him and speak whats on my mind.

          “I hope and pray there's still people to defend by midnight.”