I had been a knight for three months, almost four, and already battle was upon Tortall once again. I saw Midori had turned her mount to address the troops. She barked an order, sending the kingdom's soldiers in organized lines. "Now, you all know what to do. Tortall is our motherland, Fight for her!' the soldiers called out approval.
"May the gods bless us all' I thought as I saw Midori turned back to face the front.
With Midori in the lead followed by us, the troops walked on, their steps rhythmically pounding in the snow, a sound of drums in war. As the army crested over the brow of a hill, I saw their leader, the demon-possessed Denvar, hooded and robed. "Prepare to meet your fate' I heard Midori murmur, and I suddenly felt stronger.
Lifting her blade in bold fury, Midori yelled, "Charge!' We attacked at a run toward Denvar, weapons held high.
And battle began…
The sky I saw, was gray and sun-less, rain then began to batter down on the battlegrounds, thunder boomed, roaring in my ears, white lightning flickered and snaked it's way across the black sky.
Arrows flew, swords clanged, orders, screams of pain and battle cries from either side filled the air. Gory bodies, armory and blood covered the once green grass; I saw brave men fall, and innocent cry for mercy.
Tears blinded my vision as she saw one sister cradle her brother's body as he died, a mother hold her limp child, dead in her arms. But the battle did not stop, no matter how hard I shut my eyes I couldn't block the horrid images from my mind's eye, no matter how I tried to block out the sound of battle, it hammered and echoed in my ears…
I saw Midori searched for Denvar and found him trying to slink away. She followed him, hatred burning in her eyes like adrenaline. After all he didn't deserve to live.
King Denvar whirled around to face the girl. This was he, the king whose heart forever fed on hate and fear, whose one ambition was to destroy.
His hideously scarred face could send an icy chill down your spine and make your face as pale as the whitest of newly fallen snow, His eyes were sunken deep into his skull, red and lifeless, as the eyes of Hell itself but they flared with wrath. I knew he was demon-possessed by the wild look in his eyes.
I heard Midori yell and saw her charge forward, sword high and glinting with a strange pale light. As I readied my bow for a clean shot, I crawled across the ground, dragging myself up with my feet and elbows. I aimed for Denvar, praying to the gods that this battle would end with all my friends out of harms way.
But was I proved wrong that day.
I failed to notice that Denvar had his bow ready until Midori was at least ten feet away and I cried out, screaming for her to watch out. I fumbled with my bow, palms sweaty, and managed to shoot and wound Denvar in the arm as I stumbled to my feet and, seemingly in slow motion, watched helpless as the arrow was fired. I screamed defiance as the arrow struck hard and penetrated the solid armor with a smack, sending Midori whirling off her feet and in the dirt with a cry.
I ran to her side and saw she wouldn't make it through the battle. That realization hit me hard and it still pains me that I could do nothing to save her. With each ragged breath I knew Midori was dying, the arrow wound deep and fatal.
With blood bubbling from her lungs and staining her lips she whispered to me: "Take my sword and end the war, Amyl."
As I felt tears blind my vision, I shook my head, "No, Midori, I can't, the honor's yours."
"I'm dying. Nothing's going to save me now." Midori let tears fall down her cheeks as she gripped my hand.
"You're facing your fears now." I realized.
Midori smiled an ironic smile. "I know. But this time I don't have to worry of dying a worthless death, I'll know I'll have not died alone…"
"Midori?"
"Yes?" My childhood friend turned to me, eyes full of pain.
"You were a good knight, you'd give your life for your friendships." I said, my words honest and true.
Midori gave a trembling smile and laughed, more blood spilling from her mouth. "So I would and have."
"Rest." The order came from my mouth in a rush, for I knew speaking was an effort.
"Oh, how much I'd like to, but I cannot." She murmured, face pale and eyes determined. "Take the sword and end it for us all…"
I suddenly turned, grasped Midori's sword, and with a yell, thrust it through what seemed metal, just as Denvar's sword came down for a killing blow. I felt his golden blood stain my face as it spurted out the wound I had made and felt Denvar's body collapse upon my shoulders as he fell dead. I grunted as I lifted the burden from my shoulders and turned back to Midori, panting.
What met my eyes, however, was a sight I never wished to see. Midori lay on the ground, black hair spilling over her shoulders and silver armor stained red with her own blood. A smile was on her ashen face; her green eyes staring, forever blind to the mortal world.
Sobs shook my body as I gazed, I felt her hand and tensed at its chill. "You can't be dead, not now…" I hugged her around the neck, sobbing. I remembered the day when Kalen was first buried, before his chance of immortality, and clasped the hawk token, hoping to see Midori's spirit.
I gasped when I did, and Midori only smiled, "Take care of yourself, Amyl, I'll be alright…"
I knew she was right and nodded, eyes downcast. "I know but…I'll still miss you."
Midori nodded. "You all will, but I'll still be with you. You have good memories to treasure. Keep the memories close and that way I'll always be with you."
I broke into sobs as Midori disappeared and as I dropped the token from shaking fingers. I heard the screech of a bird and looked to the sky and thought I saw a black hawk soaring past. Perhaps it was an illusion, but I shall never know.
I picked up my own sword, wiping it clean of blood and sheathed it. I took Midori's sword and carefully wiped down the blade before putting it back into her sheath. I choked up when it came to bring Midori back to the camp but I gathered her corpse up anyway. With a heavy heart, I led my horse to the camp head bowed the whole way. My eyes were swollen and my face tearstained. I didn't care as I led Midori through the chaos and aftermath of war. My hands are scarred and my face was bloody, stained with the wounds of war, yet there on the battlefield I didn't mind.
I try to explain Midori's death to Owen. I saw his face as I explained; saw the tears and shame on his face as he touched Midori's cheek cold. He spoke, his voice faint: "I didn't teach her enough…this was my fault…I failed her." He stormed off and entered a tent to possibly grieve.
Kel told me to collect the others and I did so without question. The others nodded as I explained, knowing they'd seen the vision of Midori's death in the Chamber too. Yet this vision left our hearts tainted with the world's darkness.
But this time the vision had turned to reality.