Beyond the Dream

by Oliver Kennedy

  *

  Prince Karmalaine watched as the sorrow hawk flew away, the dreamer clinging to its back. His vision was still red despite wiping the blood away.

  “What happened?” he croaked to Vulthian who knelt over him.

  “The jackals have taken the dreamer, My Prince”, rattled the silver claw, “we must try and escape from here.”

  “To where?” said Prince Karmalaine looking at the battle still raging around them. The sorrow hawks were now starting a fighting withdrawal. Many of the demons and angels in the sky followed them, but a fair number had landed and joined battle with the mysterious grey knights who had arrived from the south. In the distance he could see that Balg-Miur still stood, still under cannon fire and still decimating the enemy.

  “If we can return to Fenn then-” started Vulthian, but he did not finish. His claw lifted to touch his helm then he went limp, his arms drooped lifeless down by his sides and his head dropped so that his chin was on his chest.

  “Vulthian?” said the Prince, reaching out a hand to tap the silver claw on the chest, but there was no response.