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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 72: Back Home
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I must continue.”
It was Logon speaking. A council was being taken over the course that the company should take.
“Why, I’m nearly back to being myself now. I don’t think I’ll need your help anymore, if you choose to stay.”
“But you must be out of your mind!” Jos cried, “Don’t you hear what I’ve been saying? That land is crawling with BloodVaine’s supporters. Why, I barely escaped from a division of Red Cross Knights! Blood Cross Knights, that’s what they aught to call them. I think we should all stay.”
“No.” said Alex, “At least I cannot. If what you say is true Jos - that BloodVaine has taken up headquarters in the Golden Castle - then I must continue on to that very place. BloodVaine has Reno and Aros. Most likely Luxus as well. I’ve got to save them.”
“Mad! You’re both mad! BloodVaine could kill you both without using a drop of magic. He didn’t use magic when he skewered the emperor on that huge sword of his! And what about Walf? You're just going to leave him here?”
Alex nodded. “I wouldn’t dream of taking him with and I doubt that he wants to come.”
The three men looked at Walf where he sat cross-legged on the ground.
“I just want to go home.” the boy said, wearily, “I wish I’d never left. I wish that I’d listened to Thenais. I wish that things could go back to the way they used to be.”
The group was silent for a while, each thinking their own thoughts. But as so often happens, the silence was disturbed. Suddenly the company found themselves listening to -not their own thoughts- but the cries of terror and the noises of battle, from some distance across the border. A coward’s instinct at such a noise would be to run away. I’m pleased, however, to say that no such person was to be found in that company and all present ran forward to help.
Urgun reached it first, followed by Logon and Alex. What they saw sent shivers up their spines. Below them, in a small hollow, was a Classic LEGOland town, under attack and on fire.
“Crumbs!” Jos swore as he caught up with Alex and Logon, “It's those bloody Red Cross Knights again!”
“We’ve got to help!” Alex cried. “Jos, can you fight?”
“I know how to keep from cutting my head off while someone else is trying to, if that’s what you mean.”
“Fair enough.” said Alex, handing Jos the short sword that the green knight had given them, “Now there’s less then a score of them I’ll wager, and between the three of us-”
“What about me? I want to help!”\
Alex turned around. He hadn’t noticed Walf as he came up behind him.
“Oh no you don’t! Logon, take his weapon.”
The Black Knight grabbed the sword hilt, removing it with one swift motion and leaving the sheath on Walf’s belt.
“Lets go then,” he said, “Or there won’t be a town left to save.”
Alex nodded and without another word he started down through the trees, with Logon in front Jos Behind, and Urgun bounding along beside. They were outnumbered. Walf knew it. But what could he do with no weapon?
“Of course!” he exclaimed.
Reno’s sword was still in one of the packs. He found it quickly and without a moments delay, was racing down the slope after the men. As he drew nearer his ears were filled with the noise of the battle. It wasn’t long before he came across one of the knights. He was already dead. Killed by a single stroke of the gold hilted sword, as Logon fell upon him unaware. It was a terrible sight, and Walf stopped, horrified at the grizzled, bloody form in front of him. For a moment he almost felt sorry for the knight. But still, the knight had been allied with BloodVaine hadn’t he? And hadn’t BloodVaine killed his parents? Walf resolved not to feel sorry for the knight, and when he stepped out of the trees and saw the destruction in front of him, his resolve was only hardened.
The Red Cross Knights were everywhere. Chasing after and cutting down the terrified villagers from on top of their mounts. It was a massacre. Armored knights against defensless women and children. Already the ground was littered with bodies. Slowly, Walf’s horror turned to rage and with a cry he leapt into the group of burning houses. Looking about, he caught sight of his companions, just as they were being charged by three of the knights.
They were working like a team. Alex took out the first one with a well aimed spear thrust as Urgun spooked the second one’s horse, making it shy and throw it’s rider. The last knight was attacked by Logon who had already mounted the first knight’s horse. Alex, meanwhile was retrieved his spear as Jos finnished off the second knight. Killing him before he could rise.
But more knights were coming. Even as Walf watched Logon finnish the last knight, he could see several more approaching. But Walf found that he could no longer watch, as he too was set upon by a mounted knight. It was then that Walf realized one mistake in his plan. He had no idea how to use his sword! Not even a lesson. What would it be? Would it end with the hooves or the mace?
Walf grasped the worn hilt of the rusty, chipped blade. The knight charged at him, holding a bludgeon over the crest of his flamboyant helmet.
“BLOOD FOR AEZAZEL!” he shrieked.
Walf back a few feet away in terror, prepared for death. At the last split second, he swung the heavy sword amateurly. It hit the horse in the leg unexpectedly, sending the knight flying at such speed he crashed into the mud, the crest of his helm caving in. Walf looked in disbelief at what he had done, but he had little time to think. A tall Aryan knight was coming for him.
“You bested one of my knights?” the Aryan cursed. “Prepare to die!”
Walf froze.
I didn’t mean to. he thought.
How had he done it, anyway? But now the knight was beside him. Sweeping by on his white war horse with his sword exteneded for the kill. Walf closed his eyes, bracing for the blow. What happened surprised him. It was the sound of metal on metal, a stinging in his hands and the sensation of flying back wards. He had blocked the blow somehow, even though he was sure he hadn’t moved the sword. But that wasn’t all he had done. Looking up, he saw that the war horse’s saddle strap had been cut and that the rider unhorsed. The Aryan was rising now and would soon be on the attack again. In the meantime, however, Walf was able to catch a glance of his friends. They were tiring now, being separated from each other by their assailants.
“This town will be purified!”
Walf whirled around just in time to see the blue eyed knight charging at him. Reno’s old cutlass met the silver templar sword and battle was joined. Blow after blow was exchanged by the two fighters. Walf was astonished that his sword hadn’t broken already. Even more to his amazement was the fact that he was actually sword fighting! Blow after blow, he blocked or turned aside. Even the ones he didn’t see coming were halted by Reno’s trusty blade. It was the sword.
It’s magic! Walf thought. Either that or something else is going on here.
Meanwhile, Jos was having troubles of his own. It turned out that Alex had been right. There were less then twenty knights in the battle. S eventeen, to be exact. Subtracting the one Logon had surprised in the forest, the three they had all taken down not minutes before, the one Alex and Logon were just finishing off now and the one Walf had.
Walf! What was he doing in the battle?
Jos stared in shock as he watched the boy fend off a tall, sword wielding, Aryan. But Jos couldn’t look much longer because, as a sharp pain in his side reminded him, he was in the middle of his own battle. Hoof beets thundered past him as the knight who had slashed him galloped around for another pass. Jos clutched his side where the knight had cut him. It was deep. Blood was pouring out. Angered, Jos threw his sword at the charging knight. It made contact full in the face, killing the man instantly. Jos sank to the ground, feeling sick.
One more down. he thought. That means only ten left. Easy.
But there was a problem. The last ten weren’t going to attack one at a time. One was fighting Walf and the other nine were headed straight for Alex and Logon. Hoof beats thundered in Jos’s head as he toppled onto his back. The sun blackened. The hoof beets faded. Jos passed out.
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