Invasion of Gilneas, Entry 4
So I've decided to join Crowley for the last stand at the Light's Dawn Chapple. I have a few minutes before we head out, we're waiting on the last few survivors to saddle up and for Genn to get this show on the road. A few folks decided to get a head of the crowd, mainly the trainers.
Shand'do was insistent that I go with her and it broke my heart to tell her that I was staying behind. To cover any stragglers and dispatch any worgen that followed, that's what I told her. It wasn't a total lie I guess. I still felt bad about it though. So when I went up to Crowley to tell him that I was in.
"You don't have to do this, Riandeau." Crowley told me. "You've done more than enough already." A pause, I was serious and he knew this. "But if you decide to stay... I'd be a fool to turn you away."
"I know," I said quietly, clutching my left forearm.
His gaze flickered down to my arm and then back up to my face, a look of understanding seemed to dawn in his eyes and he smiled gently. He turned and looked in the direction of the cathedral. "My men have fortified their position inside the cathedral and are ready for what comes next. I'm about to head there and take as many of these flea-ridden devils with me as I can. You're welcome to come along for the ride."
I snorted, like there was any other option. Still…
A suicide mission is how I go out, huh?
Better than turning in the mists of the last few survivors.
I guess that's my reasoning.
"Hey," I looked up, Crowley was still there –didn't he have a horse to prep or something? —with a worried dad look in his eyes, he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It'll be alright, Riendeau. I-"
"Don't promise." I blurted. "Don't. Because I know what's happening to me, I know that I don't have a lot of time left, and I know that there's a good chance that I'll end up with a bullet between the eyes." My eyes burned, I felt my throat close up and my bottom lip tremble. "But I'll be damned if I go out with a whimper."
It's so easy to forget that these people are real to me now. That they are husbands and wives and mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters. I care about their safety, their lives, and even though I can barely protect myself, these people are mine to protect. Crowley is a father and between the two of us he has more to protect, he has his daughter. So just because I lost my family doesn't mean anyone else should have to. Realistically I know that I can't protect everyone, that's just how it works, but that doesn't mean I can't save as many people as possible.
The former lord sighed sadly, "Alright… I won't promise, but that doesn't mean I won't help you in any way I can."
Shit.
I don't even know what to feel right now.
I probably won't survive the next few hours.
Why not raise a little Hell right?
I'd like to think that my parents would be proud of me right now, I became a druid. I've fought like a demon outta Hell for people I don't even know. Most importantly I didn't let this crumble into a heap of despair when I figured that there was no mortal means of getting home or when I was bit. Both of which would have been entirely appropriate times to do so, so brownie points for me.
I'm so ti—
Crowley's waving me over. The last of the survivors have just left. It's go time.
Wish me luck.