(Fights-up-close): Leyawiin


I had learned to make myself comfortable during the time I'd spent under those bushes, observing the leaves and sticks at a micro-level while listening to the nearby noises. I had no way of telling how long I'd waited, but since the sun was still bright, and not yet casting a golden light, I thought it was safe to assume it hadn't been more than 4 hours. I shifted my head around repeatedly, because once it stayed in one position to long my neck began to hurt. I listened to every little whir and cry the world had to offer, and heard the sound of various carts moving now and then. Yet of all the sounds I'd heard, none indicated it would be safe to step out of the garden

Then there was a hope. I heard a very distinctive noise. It was something coming from the direction of the Eastern wall. It sounded like a heavy objecting hitting and then scraping against the stone. It happened in four very close succession. "Up there! We've got a perimeter breach!" one soldier yelled. That was the first time I was genuinely glad to hear those kinds of words.

"Fetchers!" An older voice said "We should never have left the our perimeter unguarded! It's the Krin up there!" Making no qualms about letting his frustration seep into his voice. This was my diversion! I just needed to figure out exactly what was happening.

I could hear the heavy zip of arrows flying through the air and the sound of them hitting various surfaces, emphasizing the solid and deadly force the inventions carried. It didn't take a battle-hardened warrior to figure out how brutal an arrow could be against bare flesh, so I was still reluctant to throw myself anywhere near the cross-fire. None the less, two factions fighting against each other in a contest of death and survival was a helpful diversion even after it was over.

The older voice shouted again amid the franticness of this new battlefield "Cellonus! You alert the others!" The passion, the relevance of every move, it all meant one thing; An excellent distraction. The Renrijdra Krin might come in even more use than I originally suspected. Their fears and concentration was on the Renrijdra Krin now.

I could hear the sound of more objects colliding with and then scraping against the stone wall. Arrows continued to fly from both sides and continued to hit all types of surfaces. It was hard to imagine how the Renrijdra Krin planned to score a hit through that annoying Legion armor but, then again, if they peppered an area with arrows for long enough you could do just about anything.

I could hear a few screams now and then, maybe of pain, fear, or surprise, but I knew this battle going on for a significant amount of time. The rebels had the advantage of cover and height, but the Legionaries had their armor. Even matches always lasted the longest. By now I was sure apprehending one murder seemed nearly irrelevant to them. Still, I didn't expect them to ignore me if I walked right into their crowd.

I could now hear the sounds of more clanking metal feet coming from the inner area of the town to assist with the battle.

"Are you all the back-up we've got?" the older Legionary managed to find time to say between dodging and firing arrows. I wasn't sure exactly what he meant.

"There are others occupied at the West gate, sir. We can't spare them here." A younger voice said. I could detect a hint of fear. I knew what this meant. All of the town guard no doubt had their hands full, but they'd be stationed at both gates. I wished I'd brought a grapple hook of my own for this assignment.

"Well charge up there and try to clear them from the turrets. We'll stay down here and keep 'em busy." The older voice yelled. I could hear the younger set of feet immediately spring into action. In a battle like this, you'd need to know how to use every iota of time and space Sithis had granted you.

Then I realized this was the best opportunity to leave the garden. I needed to do it before the crossfire ceased. My willpower instantly burst through any reservations.

I used my arms to pull myself across the ground from under the bushes where I might be able to stand up again. Once I was standing I immediately got over the garden wall and, paying attention to every second and every woosh, ran. I felt a twitchy sensation build up during the short time I spent sprinting, pushing my legs to their outer limits. But right now, even the outer limits seemed oppressively slow.

By I made my way behind the wall between the castle courtyard and the rest of the city I felt like I was ready to burst. I waited a more suspenseful seconds to see if anyone followed me, but no one did. There was a blissful satisfaction from getting out of that garden unharmed. I pulled myself over another stone wall, into an area by the side of a swimming pool, and sat down. The plants that grew near the water concealed me. Nature was certainly my friend during this assignment.

I allowed myself a few seconds to settle down before thinking again. My body was quivering with the adrenaline of the moment. I was filled with all sorts of passions, and I could feel my skin turn icy cold with every breeze. The uncertainty of the situation had drenched me in sweat.

Right now the only thing I could do is retrieve the items I'd brought with me from the Three Sisters Lodge. Then I could change my clothes, and wait for this battle to blow over. I just had to hope that would be enough to get past the guards without being arrested for murder. But were the Renrijdra Krin guaranteed to lose?

I was filled with all sorts of weird emotions for practically starting a Renrijdra Krin invasion in Leyawiin. The whole city would no doubt change around me. My problems were now taking on an epic scale. It was a lot to take in all at once. I almost wished I could go back to before I made the decision to enter the barracks.