Cervato - Girl On Fire (Part 1 of Cervato's Saga)

If I Fall

The cacophony of splintering wood and ropes snapping sounded clear from behind. Cervato and Meera had nearly met the next bridge, preparing to chase after the others ahead when the dissonance occurred. The sergeant spun on her heel, whipping her head around.

Falling.

Limbs outstretched attempting to grab onto the bridge that fell from beneath their feet. Their hands grabbing for air to try and stop themselves. Tangled. Caught. Trapped. The bridge smacked hard into the cliff. A sickening clap of metal striking rock. Dangling. Spinning slowly in a web of ropes and boards. Cat and Atreyu just a moment ago had assured her they would watch the rear flank upon Cervato's orders. Now they were hanging by barely a thread."I'm not going anywhere. Don't worry about me."

"I'm always going to be right here."

His words echoed in her mind. The sound of battle against the troll below deafened by the resounding silence that now filled her ears.

"Atreyu! Atreyu!"

Her legs moved first, rushing back towards the edge where the bridge had collapsed on either side. Meera's call after her didn't stop her. Her panicked eyes searched to find him again. There was no way they would be able to reach them from here to her dismay. Their rescue would have to wait.

As soon as the Mordrem Troll's life had been ended, the soldiers dashed off to find their friends. Duvall and Haswari were no longer strung up and supported by the remnants of the bridge, but had fallen barely onto a ledge. Without hesitation, Cervato climbed down to reach them. Desperately, she rushed to Atreyu's side first. The regret would live on in her heart for not having seen to Cat first, but...but...

Ripping her gloves off, she did her best to gently turn his figure over, unable to see to the extent of his injuries beneath the dented armor he wore. That handsome visage stained with blood, torn up by deep lacerations, and layered with dirt. Nervous fingers ran along his throat then waited impatiently as panic began to sweep through her mind once more.

A pulse that was barely there saved her from her thoughts.

A quiet sob escaped past her lips.

He was alive. A thick rope thrown by Suzuhara nearly smacked her in the face, causing her to regain her focus. A crude harness was formed in minutes, and the Lord was lifted from the ledge by the rest.

Next her eyes were drawn to Cat, and she realized her mistake then. Blood. Limbs twisted at odd angles. Again, the armor hindered her true assessment of the extent of her injuries, but Cervato was not a fool. Cat was clinging barely on to the remainder of her life. It was hard to even determine if she was still breathing. Thankfully, a soaking Van Keser joined her on the ledge. Without a word, he assisted in tying up Cat with the rope that was thrown back over the edge, the sickening cracking that came from her form as she was pulled up. Her dark gaze remained on the doctor as she hung from the ropes once more and tears welled in her eyes.

This is my fault.