Bandits

Chapter 2: The Wraith of Solicito

Gideon was in the hallway, running as fast as he could when the first volley of cannon fire slammed into Lentus. With a jolt, Gideon was flung against the wall as splinters filled the air. A cannonball had smashed through the room that had been next to his own. In the great room below, Gideon could hear people shouting and rushing back and forth. His vision swam, his eyes struggling to focus on anything after being thrown around. Gideon pulled himself up, grabbing onto the railing of the stairs. Another shock shook the building as a cannonball crashed into the great room, exploding.

Almost instantly the room was engulfed in flames and part of the celling collapsed with the force of the blast. Wooden beams splintered into the growing inferno casting sparks into the air, spreading the blaze. Gideon ran down the stairs. He was disoriented but knew one thing: he had to get out.

Once on the floor of the great room, the scene became even more horrific; it became evident that the cannonball had not gone victimless. A soldier lay face-down on the floor, a dark red stain spreading onto the wood. Nearby two more patrons had been lost to the explosion and the fire. Gideon was horrified. He stifled a scream and turned to run to the door.

The smoke was choking. Thick black tendrils tried to force their way down his throat suffocating him. Gideon's eyes stung and he fought back tears. His ears were ringing and the whole world seemed to be spinning out of control. Finally Gideon reached the door. Forcing it open he collapsed onto the ground outside.

For a moment he couldn't move. His breathing was heavy as he greedily gulped down air. Gideon wiped his eyes and looked at the unfolding scene.

Four large skyships floated around Lentus. Two were still over the Brink, firing their cannons into the town. Fiery plumes erupted from the barrels of the ship's guns, their shells wreaking havoc on the mostly wooden structures of the town. The other two ships floated above Lentus, one over the square, one on the other side of the fort. The vessels pulled in the sails on their undermasts to clear the way for ropes being tossed over the sides, and Gideon had a good guess as to why.

The stone fort began firing back, but it didn't have enough cannons to make much difference. One lucky gunner hit a ship in its center mast, crashing it to the deck and staggering her in the air. Not moments later a different ship answered the fort with a full broadside, toppling a tower and smashing one of the walls.

Gideon realized he had been lying on the porch for too long. The supports above him had caught fire and had started showering sparks and embers down onto him. Gideon quickly stood and jumped off the porch, landing hard on the stone ground. Men had started appearing near the sides of the ships, clinging to the ropes. Leaping over the sides, they fell toward the ground with the ropes slowing their fall. Climbing and sliding the rest of the way down, soon there were nearly two-dozen attackers standing around the square.

It was all happening so fast. Gideon could hardly tell what was going on. The speed and violence of the raid had completely taken the town and its defenders by surprise.

The men on the ground fanned out, drawing swords, axes, and other weapons. They ransacked the stalls and broke down doors into buildings that could contain valuables. One of the men turned and looked toward the burning inn, then he noticed Gideon on the ground. The man watched him for a moment then walked slowly toward Gideon.

Panic welled up inside of Gideon as he struggled to get up. As he tried to stand a flash of white-hot pain stabbed at his ankle. Collapsing, he tried to crawl away from the approaching brigand, but succeeded in getting only a few feet before the man was on top of him.

He was a bear of a man. His massive arms complemented his broad chest. His size made Thomas appear to be a child. The man had a long scar on his right cheek and a well-trimmed dark beard. He wore a long maroon cloak underneath a steel breastplate. The man looked down at Gideon.