The Last of the Guardians: Insurrection

by J Silverado

  - I thought I would never have you in my arms, En. I can not believe my eyes... I mean, look... - Nirmiriel spends her fingers over the scar and the right eye. – Do not worry, my love. Pelokir will find a way for you to come back to see normally. I also thought I'd never see you again, never get out of that nightmare... – Do you remember anything? – Unfortunately, I remember... All... – Tears burst from Nirmiriel eyes.

  - Of all the atrocities that I did, all the people who killed or took to the same hell as mine. I screamed... But no one listened... I could not stop... I could only cry and beg God it to end... but never finished... – Calm down, my love, you were not responsible for anything of that, you did not choose this destination. I... I could not save you... I tried but...

  Galaniel lowers his head and a single tear comes out of his eyes. – I also saw that, I saw, El, everything you did for me that day... That memory was the only thing that kept me from going crazy because I knew you would find a way to discover me, and I was not wrong. – She says and, approaching him her face, she kisses him tenderly. When they separate, Galaniel speaks: - Well, if you remember everything... I think I remember that here too... – He strips from inside the shield of his left arm a small loop of hair, a bit dirty and worn. – Did you saved it? – Yes, and often it was just what gave me the strength to continue. – Then he puts the hair of his wife back and ties him with antique lace. Then they look at each other, she with tears in the eyes and he with a happy smile and they hug a long time.

  They lie into a makeshift bed with blankets and she nestles in his strong arms, as she always did at other times, and nothing more is said. Both fall asleep, feeling a peace during a long time lost.

  War

  Two days had passed since the prom, and the rest for the soldiers ended. Now, it was time for division of the troops among the front lines.

  There was the defense of the five cities, Kolpor, Gitar, Telkan, Yelbir and Saupor, and the front lines on the south side of the mountain range and lost Potar at the crossroads between Kolpor, Gitar and hell, Kulkaram.

  Of all, the most dangerous was the crossroads, because it was closer to the slot and the battles were almost daily, sometimes more than one on the same day. Each squad leader should take a stone with the number of each front.

  The leaders formed a queue in the order of arrival, Galaniel was the ninth. The draw was initiated: the first took Saupor, the second the mountain range, the third Telkan, and thus it was until the time of the guardian. When he removed the stone and found the number: Crossroads. He was the first to take this location. – Unlucky hell – Meneol complains – but also three other stations had already taken the same fate even before the end of the draw.

  In the end, three squadrons protect each city, five would be to protect the Citadel, seven defend the mountain range and ten would go to the crossroads.

  - The stations have until tomorrow to prepare supplies for the journey and to camp. – The Lieutenant spoke responsible fto the draw. The teams return to their dorms, some happy, some not so. – We're going to die! – Jyen speech, visibly nervous. – Easy, it is not to do so – Nirmiriel contemporizes even she was careful. – A friend of mine died there, he was taken by the demons – Cafar attests.

  - Come on, guys, let’s fear – Galaniel controvert. – We did not eat the bread which the devil flatted here? – Yes – answered the group. – Did the instructors not begin our skin for five years? – Yup! – Do we not learn to fight and fight with weapons, powers and even with our bodies? – Yup! – So let fresh and we show these demons hell! – Urra! Twenty-three, twenty-three, twenty-three!

  The guardian managed to perk up his group, keeping to himself the concern to keep them safe. They spent the rest of the day packing provisions in the wagons, taking care of animals and coordinating with other stations they also would go to the crossroads to define when and how the train would leave. At dawn the next day, eight covered wagons and sixty horses left by the north gate.

  The trip took almost a month among repairs of cars, due to the weight of groceries, and all the paraphernalia needed to keep that moving squad, led by a lieutenant who would help the captain of the fort, dubbed at the time as Hell's Gate.

  While everyone was apprehensive, they did not suffer any attack, even saw some spectrum from afar. – Yeah... I think they were putting fear in the Citadel – comments Qoont. – I did not see anything strange all this the time – Cafar complements. – But do not forget to watch – Galaniel concludes.

  Arriving at the fort, which had seen better days, the gates open, inside is the captain and, together, a small group of soldiers. Once the squad arrived, disembarked from their horses and carts and getting profiled in direction. – Squad performing, sir! – At ease, Lieutenant. How was the trip? – More quiet than we expected, sir. – I think I know why. Complete settling and to your platoon. In the late afternoon, gather the squad leaders and meet me in the control room. – Yes, sir.

  So it was done. After all supplies are accommodated, the animals treated and the soldiers fed and resting, the leaders of the stations met the captain and the lieutenant already discussed some issues. – Come and sit down. – The conference table was rectangular and very long, allowing everyone to sit, loosely around. – It has been fifteen days that we have not receive any attack. We send scouts, who did not return. Everything leads us to believe they are planning a major attack against this fortification. We were lucky to have you come in this range. We need to strengthen the perimeter and double vigils. Lieutenant! – Mr! – Divide three stations to the walls, four to assist in strengthening the defenses and the balance is to deepen the outer ditch. – Immediately, sir.

  With that the meeting ended and they all began to obey orders. Galaniel’s group was one of those responsible for digging the external gap.

  It was night when, finally, over and opened the channel of water to fill it. Everyone was exhausted and went to the coffee place dining. Finally, a good hot meal after a month eating bread, thin soup and salted meat. – This is the life. I'm broken, but this chicken leg, seasoned in garlic, it was worth - Pelokir comments satisfied. – Yeah, can not wait to sleep in a bed of straw again and have not to line the head with stones and my mantle - Inara complements.

  The group continues with the conversation trying to ease jet lag and gap. Later, when they are getting ready to sleep, Nirmiriel questions: – Wait, you are hearing this noise? – I, huh, Nirm, I think that fatigue affected you yourself, huh – Kids Jyen. – I do not listening any more he answers: – It should be... – and all lie on straw bunk, trying to relax the aching body.

  When almost everyone is asleep, Inara poses abruptly, saying: - now I did hear! - Then the alarm bell Galaniel controls.

  Quickly, the group team and go out into the courtyard, where several stations were already in training. On the horizon above the walls could be seen in the distance green flames approaching.

  All were on standby when captain Dranqor speaks to his company: – attention, warriors, it appears that the newcomers will have their baptism of fire. Before dawn, you will feel the taste of combat. Do not be afraid, face the demons. Eliminate evil. Let's show them what real men are made. Citadel! – Citadel, Citadel, Citadel! the company responds, as the attack begins.

  To be continued…

  Hope

  Gitar was on alert. The demons were attacking the five cities, no one knew for sure what had happened, it was the problem in Kolpor during the call or if something else had caused the fury of the spectra. What mattered is that no one was safe.

  The city was with all its locked gates, only came known merchants, those who could escape from the fury of demons at least. It had been five days since they spent the night in the cave.

  They rested throughout the day after the trip to crack, trying to hide from demonic rounds that infested heaven and earth. As the spectra began to expand their search and look elsewhere, the group left to Gitar avoid attracting attention.

  They traveled o
nly in the morning and the afternoon, but they always were in gallop and spent more time on the preparation of the camp, trying to hide it patrols.

  In addition to branches, leaves and stones, spells and camouflage spells were used. Only if they came too close, the damned would be able to see them, which, for the fate of the group, did not happen. Two silver coins bought their entry south of the city gate. With their hoods, they tried to walk into two distinct groups to avoid unwanted attention. Settled in the hostel of the teeth, which received its name from the owner, Cherung be toothless .

  Each trio was in one of the two floors of the property and they were meeting after dark, whenever possible. There they remained, healing their wounds.

  As Pelokir bought herbs, ointments and other healing items, Nirmiriel was recovering her strength and, after a week, Galaniel began to see with his right eye blurred.

  Rion no longer felt the pain caused by his wound and sought Hrothgar accept the loss of his brother. Last a fortnight, all had recovered and on the night of the sixteenth day, they met at the bar that was on the ground. – Well, we need to map out our next move, we're here too long – Galaniel opens matters. – Then Nirm and the piece? Is it here? – Codaino asked – the staff does not indicate that it is further north. – But there's nothing more to the north, except... The Forgotten Lands – Rion speaks concerned. – But it is suicide. No one dares to set foot there. And who did it, did not come back to tell the story – Pelokir answers concerned. – I do not care if that is where we can need to kill these bastards, I'm in – Hrothgar answers, still burning with grief to his brother. – My friends ... War Brothers! We need these weapons to rid the world of Balkatar and his minions. We need to go to the forgotten lands. I now raise a toast to Relfer and to all those who have died or were stuck in that damn slit. – Extending the right arm up, with mug full of dark beer, the guardian spears toast, asking the group: – Who's with me? – In one voice, all answers: – Courage and Honor!

  To be continued…