One more hill to go. They neared the hill and the horses began the run up
it. 'Soundlessly, softly, like ghosts...Stop it! You're scaring yourself,
again' Cota shook the thought away. The horses galloped up the hill, no one
knew what to expect. What would be on the other side? Would it be a
monster? A weapon? Voldemort himself? 'Stop it! You're only making things
worse' Cota squeezed his eyes shut. Every rider was nervous. Paula was
shaking, Foramier was biting his lip, and squeezing his hands, Trevor was
breathing hard, Lyle had the look of a team captain right before the big
game, and Sandra looked nervously stubborn.
"No" Paula whispered. "No, I don't want to die" She was shaking and Trevor grabbed her as she stopped her horse.
"Shhh, it's alright," He stated.
"Everybody stop" Cota called. Lyle stopped first, and everyone else followed suit.
"I'm too scared, I can't... I can't move" Paula shuddered.
"Reinforcements won't be here for five hours", Sandra reminded her.
"We'll be dead by then" Foramier muttered.
Cota looked around, his eyes searching for anything that could help them. It was not fair to just force someone into battle. Then he saw it. A small, hidden path to the west. The path swooped around and would make for a perfect side attack.
"No one blames you for being scared, we are all scared," Trevor explained to Paula.
That gave Cota an idea.
"I've got an idea" He stated, but was ignored. He repeated this and no one listened. Paula was trying to be brave, but it was too hard and she was very scared. So was Foramier and Cota was sure that Trevor was terrified.
"Cota?" Lyle asked, surprised to see the seriousness of the look on Cota's face. "Do you have an idea?"
Cota nodded and rode over to the group. Lyle ordered everyone to pay attention.
"On the count of three, everyone will charge over the hill, if your instincts won't let you make your horse go, then stay. Anyone who can, is ready, anyone who can't, simply can't at this point in time, they can come over when they are ready, from the west", He pointed to the tunnel.
Lyle hesitated, and then nodded in agreement. "No one will blame anyone for staying" Lyle added.
So it was too be. This was there final rest untill they had to battle. They all backed up a little ways and prepared to charge.
"One" Lyle spoke. "...two..." Tension rising, Cota could hear the blood pumping in his ears. "...Three!"
Cota charged forward, pushing Pat on faster and faster in fear of loosing his nerve. None of the rider's stayed. They all burst forward and charged up the hill. Foramier mumbling 'We're gonna die' Lyle quoting great Quiditch moments under his breath, Sandra going over the attack plan, Paula staring bravely forward, Trevor grinding his teeth togeather, and Cota, the youngest, eyes full of determination. The wind blew sharply around Cota; he sped on and over the hill. Charging downward like water flowing down a stream. Each rider split into formation, Cota tried to follow the complex pattern; however he was always one-step behind and the gap was growing wider. They could hear people shouting in the valley. Some night watchmen had spotted them and were sounding an alarm. Cota took a breath and pulled the color of his trench coat up. They weren't attacking in uniform, it was whatever you had been able to grab from your locker on your way out. The coat flew behind him like a cape, funny; he didn't feel like a man of steel. He felt like a sparrow rushing toward a hawk. Like a mouse, heading toward the cat, like a rabbit running towards the hunter. Cota leaned forward; his brilliant blue eyes were locked on the building at the center of the valley. The wind swept over him, tossing his golden hair around as they raced down the hill. Cota could hear the warning bell ringing clear as day. Then the first shot was fired.
It came quickly and looked like a ball of fire. Lyle dodged it as if he was on the quiditch field and the beaters had chosen him as a target. His horse was his broom, the perfect broom that knew exactly what you wanted and was playing just as hard at its rider. Sandra came up along side him, her movements were smooth and fast like a figure skater on fresh ice. They broke into another formation as the attacks came. The balls of fire were everywhere, most of the time they hit right behind the riders. Cota watched in horror as one hit Trevor in the shoulder. Trevor grit his teeth togeather and patted out the flames as he rode, desperate to get back into the somewhat safe riding pattern of formation B. Cota's riding pattern was different from the other riders who had taken more classes and had more experience. That singled him out, and made him a target. Pat was safe; Voldemort wouldn't kill a horse. He had respect for the noble beasts, and he loved to think of the look on Clef's face when the horses returned to the academy covered in blood and rider less. Cota could barely dodged all the attacks and he couldn't see his teammates any longer. The attacks were relentless, there wasn't anytime to breath between them. Then someone rode beside him.
"Follow me!" The man motioned and Cota turned Pat to follow him. "This way, stay next to me" The other rider called over the sound of the bombs and attacks. Liquid amber shot around them, shooting ash into the sky and sending cinder into their faces. The voice was a rescuing beacon to a poor lost ship. It was a small glimmer of hope in a hopeless world, it was-
"Zalik?!" Cota gasped in surprise.
"Come on kid, no reason to die here. There is still a long battle to go" Zalik stated and rode forward.
Cota followed his lead, they rode side by side. Zalik turned, they were going to make a sweep around the building and try attacking it from behind. Cota saw Paula wield her bladed staff, and swing. He saw it hit something, he wasn't sure what though. He turned and saw Foramier, unsheathed an enchanted pistol. He fired and the gun shot its own little ball of fire. Cota looked to his right and saw Trevor, swinging a whip over his head and bringing it down with a mighty CRACK! Cota saw it hit and wrap around its target. Trevor pulled and one of Voldemort's Death Eaters was brought down. 'It's like a video game' Cota thought. 'They hit you and you don't die, just get hurt and loose hp.'
"Hurry!" Zalik instructed, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Keep focused, your mind will try to distract you as a defense mechanism against the stress"
Cota nodded and watched Lyle, swing a lacrosse stick looking object, and hurl one of the fireballs right back at the enemy. Then he shot anything he could at them, a rock, a spell, a fireball, and another rock, he seemed to enjoy hitting them with rocks. He also used the lacrosse stick as a staff and swung it skillfully at their skulls. Cota and Zalik made it to the back of the building and attacked the rear gate. The rest of the team was making their way to the back, firing spells at the fortress in an attempt to crumble it. One of the side rooms had fallen along with the front room. In all, there were three captured Death Eaters, two destroyed walls, and no deaths. Zalik brandished a scythe. He swung it and twisted the handle, unhooking the blade and it hurdled forward. Cota saw that it was attached by a chain and struck the wooded door with great force and precision. Cota unsheathed his sword and swung it at the lock. Nothing happened except spas, so he tried again. He noticed that hitting the lock slightly off center weakened it. Again, he struck the lock, and finally it broke. Zalik pulled his scythe and the door sung open. They charged in and were quickly followed by Sandra, Lyle, and Paula. Zalik freed his scythe as Trevor arrived. They raced forward, on to the main room. Zalik and Cota used their door opening strategy again and Lyle rushed in, followed by the rest of the group. They burst into the main room and stopped. There was no one there. Lyle, fearing a trap, told everyone to get out. They rushed back the way they had come. No one there...
"Stay attentive" Lyle commanded. "The might have left already" He added. Sandra was still inside; she came out a moment later. Her weapon was simply two sticks covered in leather straps and held togeather with a long chain. She came out with the chain around another Death Eater's neck.
"That makes four" Paula stated. "That it the usual number that stays behind"
"Yeeess" Zalick's voice was a whisper, like a soft hiss.
Cota and everyone split up, looking for any clue as to where Voldemort and his ghastly group might have gone. Cota and Zalik are side-by-side sitting tall on their horses.
"Zalik?" Cota asks.
"Yes?" Zalik replies, his voice low and it seems he already knows the question.
"Where did you go? You told me not to scare myself... then you left" Cota states, feeling stupid for asking.
"I went to see my family" Zalik answers, his voice seems different, calmer, more at ease.
"W-where do they live?" Cota asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hmm? Oh, they live at Riverside.... Along with my fiancé"
"You have a fiancé?!" Cota asked, astonished.
"I've known her since I can remember, life started when she told me she'd be mine. Her smile, her laugh, her glow. I'd rather die then live without her. I was always told that she was my sole mate, it was true. There was never any fights, no bad moments, just love. The world became friendly whenever she walked into a room, an evil when she left it" Zalik explained. "She's my everything" He added.
Zalik smiled and moved west, leaving Cota to look through the room. Cota walked among the front room. It was crumbled and the only thing that remained standing was a few stonewalls about three or less feet up. He looked around and noticed a small piece of paper... no, it was an envelope. Cota picked up the letter; it had the Death Eater symbol on it. Cota's hands shook as he broke the seal, opened the envelope, and yanked out the letter inside. It read:
My Dear Adversary.
I'm sorry that I cannot be here to tell you this in person, but you are going to die.
Cota's heart pounded in his chest and he could hear the blood in his ears. "Zalik" He called as he continued reading the letter.
However, it seems that I CAN be there to tell you. Confused? Don't be. Dear rider, simply think. What side did you attack from? Let me guess... You attacked from the front because we never would have suspected a frontal assault. I'm only kidding, you attacked from the hillside, and you swooped around to attack the front causing confusion. The only place you couldn't have been seen coming from, besides the forest.
Cota heard the thudding in his chest grow louder, they'd been stupid! Of course, he knew what and where the best tactical advantage would be! Of course he had surveyed the land looking for where we would attack from!
Although I admire your courage and would enjoy simply leaving a note and bidding you a good day, that is not my style. Letting you all simply walk away, I mean. However, I'm not heartless, so I'll give you last requests once you can't fight anymore. Sorry about this, it's nothing personal, good sir, yet I can't have people thinking I'm getting weak. For then they get stupid and, well, killing is exciting, raw, and pure, yet too much and things get boring. Oh, by the way, you might want to think about that unseen approach thing one more time.
Sincerely
Lord Voldemort
Zalik trots up and Cota hands him the letter. 'Unseen approach' Cota thinks to himself. He looks at the ground. Zalik reads the note and flips it over in a confused way. Cota's mind reads the letter over and over, then his eyes shoot forward, his jaw drops and a deep shudder runs down his spine. Fear captures his breath as the dull, numb feeling of realization hits him.
"There going to attack from the forest" He says lowly.
Zalik looked over at him. "Hmmm?" He asked, having barely heard Cota, yet could feel the doom in his voice.
"There going to attack from the forest" Cota, louder this time.
Zalik slowly turns toward the forest, his pupils shrinking as what is about to happen washes over him.
"Everyone! Get re-!" Zalik starts.
Then it started; the fire that lit up the night sky, that stopped your heart and sealed your doom. The realization hit them like a bullet. Voldemort was standing behind them. Unseen and watchful in the forest, unnoticed untill now. Now, when fire erupted as if from hell it's self. Pat reared as a huge tree branch landed infront of him. Cota was nearly thrown off and quickly grabbed his wand. He couldn't see Voldemort, but he could see plenty of death eaters. A cry rang out from Paula; she'd been struck and was hanging limply on her horse. Cota raced Pat toward the Death Eater that was attacking her. He knew a powerful spell, taught to him by James; it would have been stronger if James had been there, but... Cota raised his right hand into the air, and then puts his left hand, fingers toward the sky and palm toward the enemy. All this is done in a swift action. He spreads his fingers and yells the spell.
"Tempest Charge!"
The wand sparks a blue light and infront of his hand is a blue and white ball of thunder, wind, and water. Cota brings his right hand down, joining his left hand and slowly brings them toward his side, pulling back the attack. Then he released it with a swift trust, firing the spell and knocking five Death Eaters to the ground. Trevor rides to Paula's aid; she's bleeding badly and can barely stay on the horse. A death Eater beats him to her and raises his wand.
"Avada Kadav-"The death eater began, but Trevor stopped him, wrapping his whip skillfully around the Death Eater's wand hand and pulling with all his might. Cota brought the handle of his sword down on the Death Eater's head while he was distracted. Cota and Trevor's eyes met.
"...Thanks" Trevor said as he grabbed Paula. "And... I'm sorry, for how I've treated you"
"Don't be, all is forgiven" Cota states and spurs Pat forward.
Trevor stares after him and leads Daisy and Paula over to the safety of the fortress. He carries her off the horse and sets her on the ground.
"Stay here for now, alright?" He says.
"I'm so stupid" She cries. "Those eyes, their merciless, I just kept thinking that he wouldn't kill me, but..."
"Shhh, you did nothing wrong, nothing" Trevor stated sharply.
"They are not human Trev, those eyes, they are snakes!" Paula says shakily.
"Rest Paula, just rest, I'll come back as soon as I can" Trevor nods and starts to get up.
"No!" Paula grabs his hand. "Listen to me! Everyone has got to run! It's an ambush we have to leave! Please, they'll kill us all"
Trevor kisses her forehead softly. He stands and swiftly turns, unable to listen anymore, his nerves are shaking, and his mindset is as low. They were all going to die.
"No" Paula whispered. "No, I don't want to die" She was shaking and Trevor grabbed her as she stopped her horse.
"Shhh, it's alright," He stated.
"Everybody stop" Cota called. Lyle stopped first, and everyone else followed suit.
"I'm too scared, I can't... I can't move" Paula shuddered.
"Reinforcements won't be here for five hours", Sandra reminded her.
"We'll be dead by then" Foramier muttered.
Cota looked around, his eyes searching for anything that could help them. It was not fair to just force someone into battle. Then he saw it. A small, hidden path to the west. The path swooped around and would make for a perfect side attack.
"No one blames you for being scared, we are all scared," Trevor explained to Paula.
That gave Cota an idea.
"I've got an idea" He stated, but was ignored. He repeated this and no one listened. Paula was trying to be brave, but it was too hard and she was very scared. So was Foramier and Cota was sure that Trevor was terrified.
"Cota?" Lyle asked, surprised to see the seriousness of the look on Cota's face. "Do you have an idea?"
Cota nodded and rode over to the group. Lyle ordered everyone to pay attention.
"On the count of three, everyone will charge over the hill, if your instincts won't let you make your horse go, then stay. Anyone who can, is ready, anyone who can't, simply can't at this point in time, they can come over when they are ready, from the west", He pointed to the tunnel.
Lyle hesitated, and then nodded in agreement. "No one will blame anyone for staying" Lyle added.
So it was too be. This was there final rest untill they had to battle. They all backed up a little ways and prepared to charge.
"One" Lyle spoke. "...two..." Tension rising, Cota could hear the blood pumping in his ears. "...Three!"
Cota charged forward, pushing Pat on faster and faster in fear of loosing his nerve. None of the rider's stayed. They all burst forward and charged up the hill. Foramier mumbling 'We're gonna die' Lyle quoting great Quiditch moments under his breath, Sandra going over the attack plan, Paula staring bravely forward, Trevor grinding his teeth togeather, and Cota, the youngest, eyes full of determination. The wind blew sharply around Cota; he sped on and over the hill. Charging downward like water flowing down a stream. Each rider split into formation, Cota tried to follow the complex pattern; however he was always one-step behind and the gap was growing wider. They could hear people shouting in the valley. Some night watchmen had spotted them and were sounding an alarm. Cota took a breath and pulled the color of his trench coat up. They weren't attacking in uniform, it was whatever you had been able to grab from your locker on your way out. The coat flew behind him like a cape, funny; he didn't feel like a man of steel. He felt like a sparrow rushing toward a hawk. Like a mouse, heading toward the cat, like a rabbit running towards the hunter. Cota leaned forward; his brilliant blue eyes were locked on the building at the center of the valley. The wind swept over him, tossing his golden hair around as they raced down the hill. Cota could hear the warning bell ringing clear as day. Then the first shot was fired.
It came quickly and looked like a ball of fire. Lyle dodged it as if he was on the quiditch field and the beaters had chosen him as a target. His horse was his broom, the perfect broom that knew exactly what you wanted and was playing just as hard at its rider. Sandra came up along side him, her movements were smooth and fast like a figure skater on fresh ice. They broke into another formation as the attacks came. The balls of fire were everywhere, most of the time they hit right behind the riders. Cota watched in horror as one hit Trevor in the shoulder. Trevor grit his teeth togeather and patted out the flames as he rode, desperate to get back into the somewhat safe riding pattern of formation B. Cota's riding pattern was different from the other riders who had taken more classes and had more experience. That singled him out, and made him a target. Pat was safe; Voldemort wouldn't kill a horse. He had respect for the noble beasts, and he loved to think of the look on Clef's face when the horses returned to the academy covered in blood and rider less. Cota could barely dodged all the attacks and he couldn't see his teammates any longer. The attacks were relentless, there wasn't anytime to breath between them. Then someone rode beside him.
"Follow me!" The man motioned and Cota turned Pat to follow him. "This way, stay next to me" The other rider called over the sound of the bombs and attacks. Liquid amber shot around them, shooting ash into the sky and sending cinder into their faces. The voice was a rescuing beacon to a poor lost ship. It was a small glimmer of hope in a hopeless world, it was-
"Zalik?!" Cota gasped in surprise.
"Come on kid, no reason to die here. There is still a long battle to go" Zalik stated and rode forward.
Cota followed his lead, they rode side by side. Zalik turned, they were going to make a sweep around the building and try attacking it from behind. Cota saw Paula wield her bladed staff, and swing. He saw it hit something, he wasn't sure what though. He turned and saw Foramier, unsheathed an enchanted pistol. He fired and the gun shot its own little ball of fire. Cota looked to his right and saw Trevor, swinging a whip over his head and bringing it down with a mighty CRACK! Cota saw it hit and wrap around its target. Trevor pulled and one of Voldemort's Death Eaters was brought down. 'It's like a video game' Cota thought. 'They hit you and you don't die, just get hurt and loose hp.'
"Hurry!" Zalik instructed, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Keep focused, your mind will try to distract you as a defense mechanism against the stress"
Cota nodded and watched Lyle, swing a lacrosse stick looking object, and hurl one of the fireballs right back at the enemy. Then he shot anything he could at them, a rock, a spell, a fireball, and another rock, he seemed to enjoy hitting them with rocks. He also used the lacrosse stick as a staff and swung it skillfully at their skulls. Cota and Zalik made it to the back of the building and attacked the rear gate. The rest of the team was making their way to the back, firing spells at the fortress in an attempt to crumble it. One of the side rooms had fallen along with the front room. In all, there were three captured Death Eaters, two destroyed walls, and no deaths. Zalik brandished a scythe. He swung it and twisted the handle, unhooking the blade and it hurdled forward. Cota saw that it was attached by a chain and struck the wooded door with great force and precision. Cota unsheathed his sword and swung it at the lock. Nothing happened except spas, so he tried again. He noticed that hitting the lock slightly off center weakened it. Again, he struck the lock, and finally it broke. Zalik pulled his scythe and the door sung open. They charged in and were quickly followed by Sandra, Lyle, and Paula. Zalik freed his scythe as Trevor arrived. They raced forward, on to the main room. Zalik and Cota used their door opening strategy again and Lyle rushed in, followed by the rest of the group. They burst into the main room and stopped. There was no one there. Lyle, fearing a trap, told everyone to get out. They rushed back the way they had come. No one there...
"Stay attentive" Lyle commanded. "The might have left already" He added. Sandra was still inside; she came out a moment later. Her weapon was simply two sticks covered in leather straps and held togeather with a long chain. She came out with the chain around another Death Eater's neck.
"That makes four" Paula stated. "That it the usual number that stays behind"
"Yeeess" Zalick's voice was a whisper, like a soft hiss.
Cota and everyone split up, looking for any clue as to where Voldemort and his ghastly group might have gone. Cota and Zalik are side-by-side sitting tall on their horses.
"Zalik?" Cota asks.
"Yes?" Zalik replies, his voice low and it seems he already knows the question.
"Where did you go? You told me not to scare myself... then you left" Cota states, feeling stupid for asking.
"I went to see my family" Zalik answers, his voice seems different, calmer, more at ease.
"W-where do they live?" Cota asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hmm? Oh, they live at Riverside.... Along with my fiancé"
"You have a fiancé?!" Cota asked, astonished.
"I've known her since I can remember, life started when she told me she'd be mine. Her smile, her laugh, her glow. I'd rather die then live without her. I was always told that she was my sole mate, it was true. There was never any fights, no bad moments, just love. The world became friendly whenever she walked into a room, an evil when she left it" Zalik explained. "She's my everything" He added.
Zalik smiled and moved west, leaving Cota to look through the room. Cota walked among the front room. It was crumbled and the only thing that remained standing was a few stonewalls about three or less feet up. He looked around and noticed a small piece of paper... no, it was an envelope. Cota picked up the letter; it had the Death Eater symbol on it. Cota's hands shook as he broke the seal, opened the envelope, and yanked out the letter inside. It read:
My Dear Adversary.
I'm sorry that I cannot be here to tell you this in person, but you are going to die.
Cota's heart pounded in his chest and he could hear the blood in his ears. "Zalik" He called as he continued reading the letter.
However, it seems that I CAN be there to tell you. Confused? Don't be. Dear rider, simply think. What side did you attack from? Let me guess... You attacked from the front because we never would have suspected a frontal assault. I'm only kidding, you attacked from the hillside, and you swooped around to attack the front causing confusion. The only place you couldn't have been seen coming from, besides the forest.
Cota heard the thudding in his chest grow louder, they'd been stupid! Of course, he knew what and where the best tactical advantage would be! Of course he had surveyed the land looking for where we would attack from!
Although I admire your courage and would enjoy simply leaving a note and bidding you a good day, that is not my style. Letting you all simply walk away, I mean. However, I'm not heartless, so I'll give you last requests once you can't fight anymore. Sorry about this, it's nothing personal, good sir, yet I can't have people thinking I'm getting weak. For then they get stupid and, well, killing is exciting, raw, and pure, yet too much and things get boring. Oh, by the way, you might want to think about that unseen approach thing one more time.
Sincerely
Lord Voldemort
Zalik trots up and Cota hands him the letter. 'Unseen approach' Cota thinks to himself. He looks at the ground. Zalik reads the note and flips it over in a confused way. Cota's mind reads the letter over and over, then his eyes shoot forward, his jaw drops and a deep shudder runs down his spine. Fear captures his breath as the dull, numb feeling of realization hits him.
"There going to attack from the forest" He says lowly.
Zalik looked over at him. "Hmmm?" He asked, having barely heard Cota, yet could feel the doom in his voice.
"There going to attack from the forest" Cota, louder this time.
Zalik slowly turns toward the forest, his pupils shrinking as what is about to happen washes over him.
"Everyone! Get re-!" Zalik starts.
Then it started; the fire that lit up the night sky, that stopped your heart and sealed your doom. The realization hit them like a bullet. Voldemort was standing behind them. Unseen and watchful in the forest, unnoticed untill now. Now, when fire erupted as if from hell it's self. Pat reared as a huge tree branch landed infront of him. Cota was nearly thrown off and quickly grabbed his wand. He couldn't see Voldemort, but he could see plenty of death eaters. A cry rang out from Paula; she'd been struck and was hanging limply on her horse. Cota raced Pat toward the Death Eater that was attacking her. He knew a powerful spell, taught to him by James; it would have been stronger if James had been there, but... Cota raised his right hand into the air, and then puts his left hand, fingers toward the sky and palm toward the enemy. All this is done in a swift action. He spreads his fingers and yells the spell.
"Tempest Charge!"
The wand sparks a blue light and infront of his hand is a blue and white ball of thunder, wind, and water. Cota brings his right hand down, joining his left hand and slowly brings them toward his side, pulling back the attack. Then he released it with a swift trust, firing the spell and knocking five Death Eaters to the ground. Trevor rides to Paula's aid; she's bleeding badly and can barely stay on the horse. A death Eater beats him to her and raises his wand.
"Avada Kadav-"The death eater began, but Trevor stopped him, wrapping his whip skillfully around the Death Eater's wand hand and pulling with all his might. Cota brought the handle of his sword down on the Death Eater's head while he was distracted. Cota and Trevor's eyes met.
"...Thanks" Trevor said as he grabbed Paula. "And... I'm sorry, for how I've treated you"
"Don't be, all is forgiven" Cota states and spurs Pat forward.
Trevor stares after him and leads Daisy and Paula over to the safety of the fortress. He carries her off the horse and sets her on the ground.
"Stay here for now, alright?" He says.
"I'm so stupid" She cries. "Those eyes, their merciless, I just kept thinking that he wouldn't kill me, but..."
"Shhh, you did nothing wrong, nothing" Trevor stated sharply.
"They are not human Trev, those eyes, they are snakes!" Paula says shakily.
"Rest Paula, just rest, I'll come back as soon as I can" Trevor nods and starts to get up.
"No!" Paula grabs his hand. "Listen to me! Everyone has got to run! It's an ambush we have to leave! Please, they'll kill us all"
Trevor kisses her forehead softly. He stands and swiftly turns, unable to listen anymore, his nerves are shaking, and his mindset is as low. They were all going to die.
