Major the Pig in...
Chapter 26: For the King!
Major was only slowing the rest of the group down. They didn't want to admit it but he knew. His thigh, which had been pierced by an arrow, screamed out in agonizing pain with every step he took. Henry kept glancing back at him, worry darkening his face. Paul was visibly anxious; he didn't want to lose his own life just because Major couldn't keep up.
"Come on Major you can do it, I know you can do it! The docks are only a few minutes away!" Olivia said, lacing her voice with every ounce of encouragement she could muster. Tufts of wiry hair stuck to her face from sweat, her eyes wide open with fear. Despite the gravity of the situation, Major wanted to laugh. They weren't nearly as close as Olivia tried to make it sound, and the Wildlings were hot on their tails. Major could hear their petrifying shrieks and hollers, their thirst for blood chilling him to his bare bones.
Major could just make out the tunnel far ahead. They would have to make in through the tunnel, and then traverse another mile of forest before finally reaching the safety of the docks.
There was no chance that he would make it… but maybe they could.
As they neared the mouth of the cave, Major stopped. The rest of the group stopped fast and turned. "Hurry it up you old pig! We don't have the time to waste!" Paul called back, almost running in place.
Major shook his head. "You go on ahead. It's better this way. I've lived my life; I've seen what I've wanted to see. You need to go. All of you. You can make it. I'll hold them off at the mouth of the tunnel. They'll only be able to come at me a couple at a time. I'll hold the line back long enough for you all to make it to the boats."
Olivia frowned "Major don't be a fool." Henry lingered, saying nothing. He had known Major long enough to recognize that the stubborn hog had made up his mind. "You won't survive this! They'll slaughter you if you stay back!"
"I know."
Olivia opened her mouth to protest but Henry grabbed her, shaking his head.
They turned and ran, their footsteps echoing through the tunnel.
Major turned back to the forest and prepared himself. He spun his arms, getting them loosened up. Age had slowed him down, but his strength remained. The Wildlings would water the ground of the cavern with his blood.
At last, the first one appeared; then a second; then a third. Soon enough, Major could count at least thirty of them, staring at him from afar, bloodlust glimmering in their eyes. "Come and get me!" Major roared. He could feel his heart pounding and his arms seemed to become lighter. The first Wildling to charge him fell with a swift bash to the chest. The second took a crushing blow to the face, forcing its pudgy snout back into its skull.
"For the king!" A red mist began to blind his vision and Major threw himself at a nearby Wildling. He felt a jagged sword cut deep into his leg, he turned and jabbed his assailant in the ribs. An arrow took him in the chest, causing him to stagger back. Another arrow cut into his right arm, forcing a cry of pain out of him. He roared and smashed his fists into another Wildling. He hoped that he had bought the rest of his party enough time, because he had the dreading feeling that his own was running out.
A young and reckless Wildling charged at him and forced the blade of its sword straight through Major's torso. Major was far beyond feeling pain. Drawing from last of his dwindling strength, he reached down and pulled the blade through him, hand over hand, until he was face to face with his assailant. Despite the intense pain that had consumed him, he smiled; the corners of his mouth curling into an animalistic grimace. "You're coming with me." He whispered before head butting the Wildling, crushing his skull upon impact.
Arrows rained down on him, swords drove through him, and everything went dark.