The House Of Blood and Dust, Book One: Darkness Rising

A Self Portrait In Blood

As I wake the sudden heat of flickering flames brushes over me, I open my eyes and see the town of Falahee in flames, burning down around me with smoke climbing into the sky. I get to my feet and next to me the axe from the tree; I place it onto my back attached by leather. I look around for Triss, the white haired beauty is gone and no body is in sight. I start to move apparently I am in a building of sorts, perhaps moved here by Triss or crawled in on my magic induced state. The building is filled with smoke and is slowly but surely falling to its knees; it was surely the wrong idea to bring me in here. I move to the entrance of the building the heat multiplying and my head begins to spin. Rain is what I can see outside and men dressed in robes… mages. I sneak to the open door and steal my way out; the building erupts in an inferno and explodes knocking me flying to the ground. The ground is soaked and covered in blood. I push up and the men are staring at me.

          “Well that should have killed you… seems you’re stronger than we gave credit.”

          “Where is Triss?” I snarl, clutching my fingers to their palms.

          “You may have to clarify.” The men stand side by side, their faces unknown; unseen underneath their hoods.

          “She has white hair and purple eyes.” I say grinding my teeth. The mage begins to pace side to side.

          “I have seen this one you are talking about… she was mighty powerful but she was injured and I don’t know where she is… perhaps burning somewhere.” There is no way I can take this axe from my back before I’m turned to ash, time to take a leaf out of my brother’s book and run to cover, such a strategist. I slowly walk backwards

          “So what are we to do with him?” should have brought out a firearm, rather un-Arkness of me really.

          “I think he should decide himself… so boy faced by five mages… powerful mages may I add what is your plan?”

          “I’m not a very big fan of coming up with plans on the spot… more of my brothers area but I was just thinking of killing you all.” Talk big make them seem in control the shock will kill them again. The main mages hands burst into flames, the others seems to get into a combat stance created by mages. “So this is where we dance, then let’s see if the gods are real.” I use all that speed that was blessed with to pull the axe from my back to cut the mages head clean from his body. With that stunning act of violence, I run forward with the blast of various spells hitting around me. The bloody axe still in my hands, I leap over some debris and use it as cover.

          “Zachary.” I turn and see the white haired wonder, clutching to her stomach with pain in her face which is dirty but yet still so beautiful. Those metaphoric beautifies flap in my stomach making the acid boil.

          “Triss, how badly are you hurt?”

          “Just a lightening bolt hit me in the side… nothing big, just burns and such.”

          “So who are these people?” She smirks at me,

          “We get to that doctors and get some burn cream and bandages, then you can use some of that might to kill those sons of bitches.” She grabs my head and kisses me. “Let’s go, bear.” She looks at me, “You’re going to have to carry me like I’m your child.” She laughs and pieces of debris fly around us. With haste I gather her from the ground and begin to run across the town square. I was built and trained to be in these sorts of situations but nonetheless never been in them until now; my heart is pounding in my ears.