Chapter I(continued)iscovery
The sun was starting to come up. But that was no comfort for Braketh as he walked across the dusty plains just north of Armor City. During his journey back from Dark Wood he had been attacked multiple times by demons. Blood ran down his face, making it hard to see. The gash on his head was deep, every breathe he took pain shot through. Making the journey even more unbarable. Braketh figured that being this close to Armor City, no demons would attack him. But that was no reason to let his guard down. Needing a rest he stopped and sat under the shade of a small oak tree. Braketh was still worried about the forces he had encountered. They struck out with hatred, so blinded by their own anger were the demons that they even struck down some of their own. Braketh knew those were not creatures of Armor. Darkness and shadow was their maker. He would have moved on but to tired was he to take another step. So he fell asleep under the oak.
Awakened was he by the sounds of battle. Wiping the crud from his eyes, he found one raging on the plain. A patrol of knights had engaged what appeared to be a small band of goblins. Not hesitating Braketh drew his sword and joined the battle, body aching with every blow he dealt. The battle ended, knights victorious with not a single casualty. Brakeths legs collapsed under him. He felt a hand on his shoulder. It's alright Brak, we'll take you back to the city but for now rest you look awful. Braketh found himself unable to resist the mans words.
He woke up in a comfortable bed, the gash on his head was bandaged but was still sore. His armor and sword sat on the table next to the door. The familiar tapestries hung on the walls. The door opened, in came a woman carrying a tray of hot food. Good morning master Braketh, how is your head feeling? Her voice was soft and had a tone of worry in it. Good morning Sarany my head is feeling much better. Where is my father? She sat the food on the table next to the armor and sword. He is in the great hall as always. But before you go any where you must eat. Braketh glared at her, I am not going to eat when an army of demons is heading this way. He thought, getting up from bed. Legs flaring with pain as he walked over to the table. Sarany knew her attempts were no good. She left the room without another word. Braketh put on his armor and grabbed his sword. Leaving his room behind, he walked down the left path and entered the great hall through open wood doors. Halder was sitting in his chair over looking the room. Braketh thought he looked a bit older than when his father had last spoke with him. His beard a bit greyer, or maybe it was just the light. Halder watched him as he walked over to the throne. My son, I see you are better. A great smile spread across his face. Father there is no time for my well being.... Son I know, Demon Lord Lonith brings his hordes to my kingdom. You are puzzled by my knowledge of this, but the hordes have already begun their march towards Armor City. Then we must take action, we can not wait for them to strike! Braketh was enraged at his fathers taking of this as small talk. How could he be so calm when the greatest force on all of Armor marched towards his home. We have faced many enemies before Braketh and our walls still stand. They are just another enemy and they will fail like all the others. Father these are not just another enemy. These are our greatest enemy, so strong are they that I am the only survivor of my patrol. So strong, all of my men, the best soldiers in all of Armor were crushed! If you think them just another enemy you are a fool! But still Halder was unhindered of Brakeths declarations. If they are as strong as you say. Then it would be foolish to face them on an open battle field. Make them bash down our gates. We will see how strong they are. Braketh realizing his fathers strategy and his own foolishness apologized and as he walked away Halder spoke. Rest my son, you will need your strength for the coming days.
Chapter II: The Siege of Armor City.
The day had come, battle was soon to begin. Braketh stood on the wall battlements, watching the enemy movements carefully. Just over one hundred yards away the strongest force known to man sat. It looked as if a black sea had formed in the night, cloudy it had been and the force had marched, they were noticed due only to the racket they had made. Feet stomping in time with the drums, blood lustful roars, clanking of steel on steel. If they were fully armed Braketh thought, the fight was going to be ten times harder than it was already going to be. The sun was just now starting to come up over the mountains. But the knights were already alert. The sight of the force was so great for some that they just, jumped off the walls. Braketh longed to walk out the gates and fight right now. To avenge his fallen comrades at Dark Wood. Vengeance would come soon enough he thought. Halder was standing on the wall as well. Seeing the forced made him cringe. But he was not worried, or at least did not show it to his loyal soldiers. He walked among the men asking them how their families were. Encouraging them not to worry. Braketh wondered how his father had come to do this. And was rather jealous of the ability. The effect of it on the soldiers was amazing. What had been a silent and almost grieving bunch of men. Became a talkative and some what cheerful one. Seeing their King was not worried made them more confident. Braketh moved down off the wall. Archers took his place, as did cauldrons of oil, and large grates of fire were distributed evenly between the rows. Braketh hoped that the demons weren't fire proof as well. Talk the men stopped, a roar errupted from over the wall. Though Braketh could not see he knew what was going on. The siege had begun. Earth shook as hordes of demons charged across it. Braketh found room for himself on the wall. The spectacle below was terrifying. Demons were running at a dead sprint for the walls. Some dropped their weapons as to run on all fours. Trampled were others that could not run as fast. Hundreds of them died before any attack had begun. A voice rang out over the bedlam below. Ready your bows, three second pause, aim, then two seconds passed, FIRE!. The hum of a hundred bow strings sounded. And a hundred arrows hissed like snakes. All found their targets. Striking down many, tripping over their dead many more demons were trampled. The stampede was unabashed, none looked back. Smashing into the wall at full force, the gate did not move under the force of the blow. Arrows still rained down upon them, the demons seeing that their attempt had failed. Began climbing on top of eachother, forming a ladder of steel. And so the pots of oil were dumped over the edge of the wall, screams came as the heat burned them. The archers dipped their arrow heads in the grates of fire and they shot them into the horde. More crys of pain rang out as the fires burnt their flesh. The fire spread throughout the enemy and they were forced to retreat. As they cleared away from the walls the dead were easily numbered. Piles of bodies were laying against the wall. The smell of burnt flesh came over the wall as a breeze blew. The first attack had been stopped and the men cheered as the demon horde grew silent once again. Braketh did not cheer with the men, not even a smile. For he was watching the enemy. Splitting into two groups a large black figure stood in the gap between them. The men silenced once again. What is that thing? A man standing close to Braketh had whispered. That my friend is the battering ram. Braketh ran down the steps, sword drawn. He stood in front of the gate, sword held out before him. All the men that were not on the wall did the same. The figure in the gap stood motionless, as if it were a statue. Swiftly it took off towards the gate. Without command the archers fired, arrows sunk in to its flesh, but it did not stop, it did not show any sign of pain. The black beast was at the gate in seconds, slamming into the stone, but unlike its lesser brothers it found results. The stone gate flew open, the stone bars running acrossed it were shattered. The force of the gate hitting against the walls knocked some of the men off. Swinging it's arms like giant clubs the beast knocked several men into the walls. It picked up two more and smashed them together. Another it ripped in half, men from the walls above jumped onto the back, stabbing their swords deep in flesh. At this it let out a roar of pain. Braketh and many others began to hack it as well. Blood flew from every part of the beasts body. Ripping several other knights apart the beast finally fell. Thank god it had died, Braketh thought. Men carrying shields and spears rushed over to the gate entrance, making a new wall. They readied for the next attack. But that attack did not come. The demons had formed back into one large group, but were still unmoving. With this small respite from fighting the men built a makeshift gate of wood. Braketh helped carry the wounded into the castle. The sun went down, but the demons did not attack as was expected. Braketh thought this to be rather odd. Why had the demons not attacked, here was their chance to take the city and they did not act. The night was short, and before Braketh knew it the sun was up. Braketh had slept in his armor, so incase of an attack he was ready. He once again was standing on the wall watching his enemy. The force seemed to have grown over night, or so it seemed from afar. Braketh went back down to find his father. Halder was sitting on a stool near one of the many campfires. Braketh walked over and sat on a stool next to his father. Son the siege will end today. Halder was looking at him intently. You must take the army and escape. Father I will not abandon you, either will your men. If you fall in battle they will follow. Listen to me son I am old, to old to be fighting wars. My royal guard will stay behind with me. The city has already been evacuated to the mountain fortress. Take the army their, the demons will be hard pressed to find it. For it is hidden well against the mountain side. Braketh knew his father would not be swayed. His word was final. So he gathered the forces of Armor City and began the march to Baldron Fortress. Leaving his father and the royal guard behind to face there death.
