-Legend of the Twin Swords-
By: Kratos the Judgment
Chapter 6: From the Ashes
Flames and smoke wrapped around my body as I lay face down on the floor of
the burning building. Beneath me, I could feel the small body of a girl. Rayne,
who had chased me through the burning town, was shaking with fear underneath
my chest. Fervently, I reached out for the edges of my cloak and wrapped it tight
around our two bodies.
If I got out of here alive, I would have to thank Pent for having the common sense
to enchant my old grey traveling cloak with protections against the elements.
That didn't stop the heat from seeping in through the cracks though.
Unfortunately, I don't think Pent had considered exposure to fire that lasted this
long. More likely he was concerned with a mage's quick blast of elfire or
lightning. Still, the two of us just had to hold on for a little longer. Then the
raiders would have moved on, confident of their victory, and we could leave
unnoticed.
However, my luck would not have things be so simple. Right when I thought it
might be safe enough to come out, a rafter from the ceiling came crashing down
on my back, dealing me a harsh blow. Try as I might. I could not lift the flaming
piece of lumber from my body. We were trapped in the heart of a burning
building. Slowly, the heat drove me past the brink of unconsciousness.
However many hours later I awoke, I could not say. All I knew was that my body
hurt in more places than I thought possible. Waves of pain racked my flesh, but
there was another sensation. I was wet. I struggled to get up and face the sky.
It seemed that the rafter that fell on me had burned through and broken in the
blaze. As my eyes met with the heavens, my face was refreshed by the myriad
raindrops that alighted upon it.
As I moved, I felt a tug of weight on the edge of my robe. Looking to see the
source, my gaze fell upon Rayne's limp form. She didn't appear burned, but she
wasn't moving either. Dreading the answer, I placed my hand on her chest to
feel if she was still breathing. At first, I felt nothing, but then, the rhythm of her
slow, steady breath appeared under my palm. Exhausted and relieved, I fell
back and drifted off again, the pitter-patter sound of the raindrops easing me into
a deep sleep. Once again, I thought, I have been miraculously rescued. Maybe
my luck isn't so bad after all.
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Kratos