The Last of the Guardians: Insurrection

by J Silverado

  Although with the reflexes dulled by drink, muscle memory takes guardian of the account and the opponent's sword is his shield, while his blade strikes a side blow that almost opens the belly of the traitor. Zolfar gets out of reach at the last minute and the other thieves comes to his rescue. The apple booms in the Guardian shield, after nearly reach his head, while the dagger can draw a thin red line on his right arm. Galaniel uses the edge of its shell as a club and hit the thief's forehead with the apple falling back stunned. Zolfar strikes again in the back of the guardian, this time managing to hit him in the left shoulder, but only grazed. – Leave it to me, prepare the cart. – Immediately to his crony, aid that was down and walk towards the horses. – You are leaking, guardian, I think it will have up now is empty. – There's still a lot of water here, traitor. Come, I will quench your thirst. – Galaniel attacks with a series of sword blows: right diagonal, left diagonal, thrust to the center. Zolfar can defend, fighting back with a vertical stroke to the head of Galaniel. The guardian skillfully uses his shield and defends the coup with the top edge of it. The helpers are almost finished harness the horses and hold them to the cart. Zolfar, goes on the attack again, using his sword diagonally, aiming to hit the injured shoulder of the guardian already.

  Galaniel attacks with the blade of his sword and, using the tip of his shell, strikes the torso of the opponent, receiving a hard thud and walks away without being able to breathe properly. Taking advantage of the loophole, Galaniel strikes again another sequence of blows with the sword, and this time, Zolfar can defend only two.

  The thrust of Galaniel reaches its target, through the heart of the enemy. – This is the innocent, miserable driver. – Zolfar widens his eyes and tries to pull in vain, the air into his lungs, falling then like a rag doll. The other assailants, seeing their dead leader, run into a run with the cart, in the opposite direction to the guardian.

  Galaniel quickly picks up his bow, which is close to the stone where he was awake and putting an arrow, aiming at the head of the thief who is leading the wagon. The arrow flies toward the enemy, but the drink and darkness make he just reaches the right shoulder fugitive. Immediately, the accomplice takes the reins of the horses and still shots into the night. A new arrow flies, finding just the void.

  Preparation

  No sooner had the sun emerges, the group is already up, even almost having not slept the night before. – I'm hungry –Codaino grumbles. – Then just finish getting ready to eat on the way, – responds sharply, Rion, which is always in a bad mood in the morning.

  They put loose clothing over the armor and disguised weapons, after all ought to not attract attention. Rion slept in the house that since he had lost his wife to the white fever, was the house empty. – I have not known of your wife – Galaniel apologizes with Rion. – No problem, now I know what you went... It is not easy. If not for Seil, I think I would have gone in the same direction as you. – How old is he? Have what, about thirteen? Has he entered the trial? - Almost fourteen. Not finished yet. The kid is going well, and his coach said he will not have difficulties in Molodok. Now it's good life since moved in with his aunt, but always caught in his foot, to see if pay when you grow up, – Rion says smiling.

  The guardian smiled in response. After a frugal breakfast, they cross the city, reaching the tavern next to the stable, the Horseshoe pie. Once Meneol enters, the first group, a chair shatters beside the door.

  The rest of the group quickly enter and see the two brothers, now thrust into a fight. Confusion is usually a group of mercenaries are fighting with the brothers that although fight well, they are just managing to avoid the beating, because the dispute is four to one. – Remember, no permanent injury, cannot be arrested – Codaino speaks to the group, since when Rion is leaving for the imbroglio. – Pelokir, stay here with weapons – Galaniel determines, taking the backpack and the spear that Rion had dropped on the floor.

  Quickly, others leave the bionte taking care of the items and leave for the defense of fellow. Rion already pulled two to fight, while Codaino and Meneol, one for each. The brothers, who were already tired and abrasions, are now fighting one on one, because Galaniel also pick up two. The tavern was being destroyed and the other guests had already left. – Good find them here! – Galaniel speaks with Hrothgar while he strikes a kick in the ribs of the opponent. – We do find you. What happened? – Galaniel responds while avoiding a bootling. – These children of pregnant gazelle wanted redivide the pay, because two warriors of the group were taken by demons and we said that some of them would go to their families – Relfer explains. – In this case – Galaniel bypasses, while holding the opponent's right hand, which was with a broken bottle and seemed to be the leader of the mercenaries, while the other hand squeezes the throat of the opponent – let's end this now! – he speaks loudly so that others listen. – You do not define anything here, strange – he answered hoarsely, the mercenary leader.

  Galaniel says nothing, only raises the opponent by the throat with his left hand, removing him from the ground, while compressing the right hand holding the bottle until it burst. The mercenary lets out a scream as the blood begins to drip from his hand. – OK! Stop! Stop! – Screaming again.

  The guardian looses him and he hurries to catch a cloth that is on a nearby table and tie the hand, while the other stops fighting. – You should be ashamed in the face, could have been any one of you. Would not want your family to be supported? –Pelokir asks for the group. – Do not come play the sanctimonious, warrior. We are mercenaries, we do not know whether we are alive or dead tomorrow, so let's enjoy every moment, – the leader responds, continuing: – let's go, boys, let holy men here in this cathedral.

  The group is leaving, helping each other, because with the arrival of the four, the fight was in favor of the two brothers. – Stop there! They finished with my bar. I will call the guard of the Citadel. I am ruined! – It is regrettable the barkeep – Stop silly man. No one died and wood, glass and drinks resets – demands calm the guardian the innkeeper, while placing three silver coins over the counter. – I believe this pay with plenty injury. There is no need to involve anyone else – concludes Galaniel. - S-s-yes, m-thank you, sir. It is su-sufficient, yes. I-I will serve them, must be thirsty and hungry. Already up now will serve them in a minute – replies the bartender that when hr see the coins, calm and seeking to recover, try to arrange table and chairs so that they feel.

  When the group is already installed and with drink and food to the table, Pelokir handles his hands skillfully, chanting ancient words – Quo mincus menghius hito - making shine your fingertips, and an aura of light surrounding the group, causing abrasions and bruises improve the fight. – You who have fun and I got to work and get tired. It's a lot of people to heal once. – Another one is getting loose with the good life – Rion responds, while the group laughs. – If fill the bag, I leave you with your injuries. Rion ... And still talk of your mother.

  The group now laughs, while the forward tries to get up to fight the bionte, being held by Galaniel.

  The climate is of reunion, almost familiar, because these warriors were together in many battles for many years, on the front line against the spectra. After a few hours, the conversation is put on time and equalized the reason for the meeting. – I thank the presence of all and it's really good to see you. Before you start talking about the plan, I want to tell everyone that are not required to participate and, if they leave now, there will be no taint or moral questioning. Certainly, getting or not complete the goal, those who participate will suffer punishment. So again, I ask you, someone ofyou want to leave?

  Galaniel pauses, waiting. No one speaks. – I thank you all for staying. Now there is no return. – Our target will be the child named Melina. – The warriors wave their head affirmatively. – But we will not rescue her and just let others be taken. – The group is taken by surprise and the guardian continues: – I know not revealed this before, but must discover their hearts. You would be able to lea
ve four innocent being taken by those damn? – There is a brief silence and then all denials run. – Let's finish off this bought peace. End this shame that our board approved and show them that among the warriors, there is courage... and honor! – Galaniel raises his mug and six branches with an eight tattooed toast to him: – COURAGE and HONOR!

  Rion passes a cloth on the table and Galaniel opens a scroll containing various roles, saying: – security it will be enhanced, due to my problem with Toram. – Before leaving the temple – Codaino speaks – heard the Citadel will be closed tomorrow and staffed until it happens to take. At least one squad, which means forty-eight warriors caring only that, outside the regular; then, you can forget the direct attack. – The court will be closed – Pelokir complements – And once closed, the crimson tower door only opens from the inside and, after that its invasion at the time of Nirmiriel, they switched to amalgam – Hrothgar contributes. – Personally, if it were easy, the colonel had not called us, doing only. Be quiet and listen to the plan! – Rion imposes order.

  All are silent waiting for Galaniel. – Really, we will not make a direct attack, because in addition to being many, we should avoid at all costs low. Warriors are just following orders. So Hrothgar, you still like to blow things up? – Hey, it is my favorite hobby. I have some new spells that you will like. – Great, I need a lot of noise and little destruction. You, your brother and Meneol create a distraction in the temple, attracting the posting. Meanwhile, Codaino climbs the tower carmine flush with the side wall. You know that window onto the star lake? – Yes, we lived speaking it was a security breach. – Well, then, let's explore it. You will dominate the guards who are in the ladder to the amalgany gate, quietly and opens it to us. Rion, you take care of the guards who stand outside the gate and the gate will keep safe while we're there. – Pelokir, you will come with me into the tower and, along with Codaino, we will climb to the top. Ideally come before the spectra, or we will have to face them. In this case, there will be five against three. – Difficult, but possible – Codaino complements. – Once we are inside, the distraction group will come to help Rion to keep the tower gate and create our outlet passage. – Which One? - Hrothgar questioned – The sewage from the Citadel. You will have to destroy that close to the wall grid behind the tower. It will not be pleasant, but fast. While I and Pelokir go down and help you in front of the tower, Codaino descend to the chosen the window that entered. Once in the sewer, we will come out near the lake and from there to Kolpor. Later, I will contact families to themselves prepare. Have you questions? – Everyone was silent, still assimilating the plan.

  After a few moments, Galaniel continued: – great, then we go and prepare. – Then, Meneol speaks: – as we will be the Citadel if it is closed and fortified? – Well, I did not speak, right? We will sleep in there today. – They all look in amazement, – So hurry – the guardian ends rising. After the surprise, Rion gets up and also provides: – walk, bunch! Come on, we have little time. – We'll meet in the Citadel before the nineteen chimes in the barn –Galaniel speaks, before leaving, while Meneol arches an eyebrow in surprise.

  On the way back, the guardian decides to divert a little course and pass the cemetery, for a visit has long been overdue. The location was north of the stall, just over nine hundred meters and stood out for being in a small slope, surrounded by trees and plants, except for the west side, which bordered the lake of stars, which in turn, circled around the west side of Kolpor.

  Farther out, the lake was leaning to the Citadel wall that is so steep, it was virtually impossible to climb. Unfortunately, the cemetery grew and grew. Although there were very few bodies to bury, only tombstones marked those who have crossed over because, for the most part, the victims were of the damned spectra attacks and, therefore, there was no body to be buried, they simply disappeared in a cloud of green smoke.

  His father's grave was in a nice part, if we can say something about a cemetery. It was one of the last before the lake, next to a large oak, that was already there long before his great-grandfather was buried.

  According to his mother, it had been planted by the early ancestors of Galaniel, even during colonization, to mark the grave of the dead family first, so, certainly, it had more than a thousand years.

  By far, he can sight the tree, which stands out from the others by its height and width, one of the largest around the cemetery. The distance, the guardian sees a glow, and as you approach, identifies the silhouette of a man standing in backlight, in front of his father's grave. Imagining whoever, Galaniel tightening step, through one of the main passages, made in turn. Before your vision is obstructed by the oak, the guardian believes see that man raises his right hand as the greeting and then to be able to see the grave again, no sign of the man or strange light behind him.

  Upon arriving, he looks for traces around, looks by far in all directions and he can nothing identify. – It must have been the shadow of the trees... And the light... The light should be afternoon sun glare reflecting the lake... It's ... That's it. – It till restless, turns his attention to the grave, thinking how long did not return there. – …From the day of one thousand six hundred and thirty dead.

  The memory comes easy, for it was two weeks before his wife be taken. It is a moment in silence and continues: – sorry father, I know that does not deserve it. My life has been troubled. I tried made you proud to continue your work, to represent our caste, to fight for those who can not defend themselves... But, since Nirmiriel gone... I think I lost the way... ...But I did not come here that is why. Tomorrow, I'll do something that might dishonor his name, my mother and probably restart the war, and make no more can come here... Am I doing the right thing? Is the Council right to sacrifice some for the benefit of many? Is it just that a child pays for my peace? A young? A woman? How can I accept that each fiber of my being screams when I think about it? I would be here, but unfortunately not... – Silence returns while Galaniel includes the lake.

  Then he turns back to the oak. Since childhood, he played in that tree when he came with his mother. Then he remembered that marked his name somewhere and went to look for him, until he found: – "Galaniel, thousand six hundred and five". It already has time... – With a small smile, admiring done, already old. So looking a little more above right, sees another notch: – "The divine inspiration speaks in our hearts. Do not expect advice from others who also seek the" – and below – "Just do what you know what to do." – The first sentence was Galtanion his grandfather, the second of Galator his father. Tears spring in the eyes of the guardian, leaving them run free in their face. With nothing else to say, he draws his dagger, which carries behind his back, along the belt and record your small contribution below his father's: – So be it, Galaniel. – Placed the left hand on the tombstone, he bows his head, makes a little prayer and parts.

  Hunt

  Alone in the camp, Galaniel starts to analyze the situation: – no horses, the groceries are only those who were outside the wagon, my armor and weapons, little water and a dead driver...

  The two small bags, which were left out of the cart, contained a few pieces of bread, a small piece of salted meat, some nuts and olives, nothing more. His canteen was half water and its small bottle of liquor was there two thirds. Examining the driver, he found a canteen and, with his water, almost he filled it. He found two small salted fish and a piece of cheese. In pockets, some copper coins and a small iron ring, writing "Wel and Muira" inside.

  He paused to take care of injuries, although they were superficial, were shedding a good amount of blood. When they were well posted and had stalled, he used the sword and the shield to dig a shallow grave and buried the driver, putting a stick as tombstone and in it the iron ring. In the end, he prayed for God to forgive their sins and receive. By his calculations, it was little more than a day walk from Saupor and even rationing, that amount of water would not be enough. Then he decided he should travel at night and protect himself during the day and if he could find some cactus, he
would change the strategy.

  With the piece of cloth he improvised a bag to sling to put the groceries, made a tied with the fire wood, creating a durable torch and, being guided by the stars, stood towards Saupor. He walked all night, adding kindling the torch and taking care of animals and holes along the trail.

  The sun was already showing signs of life and Guardian’s canteen was half full. According to his calculations, still would walk again eighteen hours at least to reach the city gates and the water certainly would not be enough. He drank a small sip of liquor only when abstinence bothered much. With the clarity he began looking cacti that stored water, but in that region there were not many of them.

  The sun was high when he finally found a small, to cut it barely gave a few sips. The heat was already strong, then the guardian decided it was time to eat and get some rest until the sun slow. Searched among the rocks and he found a small space in one, which could not even be called a cave, it came just two meters into the rock. Settled down as he could, he ate a little of everything, avoiding some meat and fish because of the salt. Put the canteen on site background and covered him with his own body, trying to avoid the water evaporates and, closing his eyes, he tried to rest. Again the nightmare back to haunt him and he wakes up abruptly, sweaty and panting.

  After calm down, he gives his things look at the time and sees the sun is already much colder, indicating that already spent half from the afternoon. – I gladly pay a silver coin for a bath, a deer leg and a very cold wheat beer jar – he thinks wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. The bands that had made were rosy blood, but had no more with what redo them – it will have to endure yet...