ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Fifty Nine - Sacrifice

Sacrifice

Tallis was knocked from his feet. Pain exploded in his right shoulder. He muttered an oath and staggered to his feet, the effort took almost all his strength. Dizziness threatened and he stumbled. James lent down and helped drag Tallis to his feet before both men ran down the slight incline towards the dry river. A wild chorus rang out on the other side of the river. James looked up to see the thousands of human silhouettes upon the citadel wall. Their shouts of encouragement lifted his heart briefly filling him with hope. There were so many men up there yet so many more behind him not too mention those on the other side of the river, waiting.

"Come on we're almost there and there's no time for you get filled with holes."

"You don't have to remind me." Tallis groaned as he moved his shoulder, he could feel agony rip through his shoulder as the arrow tip that pierced the chain mail, grated against bone. "I'll be lucky to ever swing a sword again."

"Better that than dead, I'd reckon." James stated as he darted to his right to block off a new attack of arrows.

Tallis struggled to keep up with James, he already had two arrows in his shoulder and before they had travelled another ten yards another arrow plunge deep into his back. Tallis shuddered as the sharp metal tore through tissue and muscle, he tried to breath and found intense pain tear through his lungs. He saw the ground at his feet peppered with arrows and spears as they reached the river bank, he focused on the beauty of the dawn reflected in the clear waters before them instead of the enemy soldiers swarming around them. All along the opposite banks a black mass of enemy soldiers stood just out of bow range of the soldiers on the wall. James turned back to see Tallis lagging behind, he grabbed Tallis by the arm and pulled him in close as he spun around to deflect the rain of arrows on the glowing shield.

"Are you alright?" James called out over his shoulder.

"Yes." Tallis replied. "But it doesn't much look like we have a way out of here."

"I don't think that will be necessary."

"The metal platforms... are guarded by thousands of soldiers and I can't manage another step."

"This is not the time to give up Tallis and I'm not about to die here on the wrong side of the river!"

Anger spurred James as the arrows continued to plunge against his shield. Looking to the skies above, he channelled his deepest need for survival through the glove and begged assistance from the god of war.

I may have asked for your help many times before, Athan. But right now if ever you thought to help an ordinary soldier, I plead for it to be now.

You had only to ask.

A faint golden beam of light sprouted out from the shield spraying several feet into the air before falling over the two men in a shower of gold mist. The flights of arrows were useless now against the strange mist that was protecting the two men and any swordsmen that attempted to get too close died with any contact with the mist. The strange mist spread out pushing the enemy soldiers further back from the two men. After seeing the fate of their comrades, the remaining enemy chose not to pursue.

Tallis lifted his good arm, but even that brought an intense bout of pain and dizziness as he rested his hand on James's shoulder and tried to get them away from the river bank.

"I can't relocate." He stated feeling the dizziness expand to almost completely blanking out his vision.

James raised his blade. "Do not bother Tallis, something tells me it's not necessary."

Wearily Tallis tried to flex the fingers of his sword arm but found them useless, the only response was pain. He lowered his hand and awkwardly drew his sword with his good hand knowing it was a useless gesture in his condition. He looked at the sea of multicoloured uniforms that were waiting for the chance to advance on them. With the last of his breath he whispered.