The Zersha Chronicles

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

We dismounted and tied our horses to a fence outside of the town and as we walked in we could see that something was most definitely wrong. Houses layed dormant and doors hung open, something was seriously wrong. Suddenly, loud chaotic clambering sound of boots hitting the ground erupted out and Isa retreated into an alley dragging me with her and Macmillan following us. The alley was dark and only decorated by the side door to a house and a stack of barrels leaking liquid into a large puddle. Then as the steps neared, we hid in the shadows of the dark alley. Then, a group of around thirteen soldiers in Zershian armor came running past, but as they passed we heard the shrill sound of shattering glass. As they passed Macmillan stepped forward and looked over the barrels, dipping in his finger he then whiffed the smell.

In an instant he whipped around and tackled us to the ground as a trail of fire began to run to the barrels and then an explosion rang out. It was silent if not were for the ringing that muted everything else. My vision was blurred, but I could see the alley engulfed in flames and it catching any nearby buildings on fire as well. I could hear, through the muted effect that came from explosion, the heavy footsteps of armored boots as I Macmillan was pulled off of me and someone grabbed me under my shoulders and dragged me into the street. "Get them to the center of the town. The fire hasn't reached their yet." I heard a voice bark at another soldier. Suddenly a soldier picked me up over his shoulder and began running into the town and behind him other soldiers followed suit carrying who I assumed to be Isa and Macmillan. The soldier continued down the street and my hearing began to return as I could make out gunshots and more explosions, along with more soldiers yelling orders to one another. Suddenly we rounded a corner and the soldier carrying me slowed down and ducked into a building and layed me down on a bench of some sorts. He began talking to another soldier. I sat up and as I tried to stand the soldiers gentle pushed me back down onto the bench. "Sir, you were hit by an explosion you need to stay still until we can check you for injuries. Are you feeling pain anywhere or any other abnormalities?" I shook my head no. "Great don't worry your friends are alright we need to check them too, Private Richard here will help you, I need to attend to the rest of my men." The man then briskly jogged off with the other soldier stepping over to me and beginning to look me over.

"Sir what is your name?"

"Cyrus, Cyrus McCormick."

The man removed his helmet revealing his figure. He looked not too much than me with, blue eyes, and his hair cut short. "I'm Richard, Private Richard, Now try to speak as little as possible just nod. Ok?" I nodded yes "Great, are you experiencing any loss of hearing, headaches, or dizziness" I nodded yes again. "Which of these are you experiencing?"

"All of them" I said.

"That's not too good, you seem to show effects of experiencing a primary distance explosion. Now you are incredibly lucky as it would appear that you managed to dodge any major shrapnel, but you may experience long term hearing loss and on the topic of headaches you should take this." He handed me a green vial. "It's a herbal medication it should help with the pain." I barely hesitated and downed the whole vial. "It should take effect in a minute or two." He took a breath and put back on his helmet. "I have to go help other patients though try not to move too much." He quickly scurried out the door and left me to myself. I sat up more and took in my surroundings. As I looked around I recognized we must be in church told by the large rope going into a tower along with the alter and stained glass. As I looked around more I saw the pews lined with injured men, women, and even some children only of few of them were soldiers and a couple were even Zershian. Some were unconscious maybe even dead, groups of people huddle together some prayed, but I didn't focus on any of them. I stood and stumbled across the ile trying to find Isa or Macmillan.