The sound of the Devil
The army descended on the town swiftly, a force as powerful and unstoppable as the sea. The once proud gates of Volafar were now smoldering memories. The army flooded into the town streets burning homes, pillaging stores that were abandoned, killing any creature that came across their path.
Kathryn sat at her chamber window, and watched it all happen. Nothing could she do to save her father's life work. She recalled the story of the town's beginning. Troy Treat had escaped from the terrors of the countries in the Far East, and had built a simple log home. Overtime others joined him; they appointed Troy as their leader. Then he met Kathryn's mother. Susan, the fair sweet daughter of a blacksmith, but to Troy she was a princess. At about the same time as Troy and Susan were married, the town was noticed by the King of Lybrintha. King White granted land to the town. Troy and Susan were declared King and Queen Treat. Volfar became part of it's own kingdom.
Kathryn's father had seen the beginning of this town. She was grateful that he did not have to see the end. His last words to her had been. "Take care of this town, Kathryn."
"I will father." She had replied
"I know you will" he clasped her hand and smiled.
"The town is in good hands." With those words he passed to the great beyond. The town was more to Kathryn than just her father's legacy, It was her home, her responsibility. The thought of its demise brought tears to her eyes.
"I have failed you father" she cried. The flames in the town burned higher.
The site of the burning town brought a smile to the General's lips.
It was partly the satisfaction of a near completed mission; partly the thought of the great reward upon his return, but is was mostly the simple love of destruction. Hmmm… how he loved the smell of burning wood, the sound of his men running through the town, taking what they would. One solider had come to him with news of a great store of food; the finest there was to be had. Travis had sent him away with orders to carry it back to camp with a joyous shout. He hadn't been this happy since his promotion to High General. Just as he was about to take a stroll through the rows of burning homes and shops, one of his officers came dashing towards him.
" Sir! The gates to the castle have been opened!" the officer gasped. The General let out a hearty laugh. "Good," Travis sneered. "I shall deal with her myself."
He hastened to the castle to find the gate strewn with dead bodies.
The armor of his own was entangled with those of the castle guard. A solider with a long blood stained pike was posted at the gate. He saluted as the General approached.
"At ease soldier," Travis commanded "I see you had a slight skirmish at the gate." he gestured at the bodies on the ground.
"Yes sir!" the soldier replied.
" Is there any resistance left in the castle?"
"No sir! Just the princess and her captain in the high chamber."
"Excellent!" The General rubbed his hands together. " Keep up the good work soldier." The soldier saluted again as The General sped off into the castle.
THUMP…THUMP…THUMP. This was it. The soldiers were at the door. But Captain Weaver would not leave his princess to the hands of these invaders. It was a condemned quest, yet Captain Joseph Weaver would die fighting to protect her. THUMP…THUMP…THUMP…CRASH! The doors swung inward. Soldiers flooded into the room and behind them the Devil himself. With evil gleam in his eye and a cruel sneer on his face, he unsheathed an elegant flamberge as he snickered at them.
"Your futile attempts to resist, amuse me princess." Travis' voice held a singsong note in it.
" While they may by futile, General, we shall resist to the death," Kathryn argued.
"Ah, a lady, polite even to the enemy; yet at the same time feisty. Good, that's how your father would have wanted you to act."
"Scum," Captain Weaver hissed under his breath.
" My, my. You really should teach your guards some respect for their superiors." Travis was laughing now.
"Superior! I think not!" Captain Weaver shouted as he unhooked the battle-ax from his back armor plates.
" Do I sense a challenge?" Travis' entire face was now enveloped in a cruel smile. He lifted a hand as a dozen soldiers nocked arrow to bowstring. " At my signal, Captain, my men shall turn your princess into a pincushion." Captain Weaver lowered his weapon with a growl.
"Very good. You are a wise man." He slowly lowered his hand.
" Seize them." The soldiers rushed forward and began to bind the two.
As the men were tying Captain Weaver's hands, he suddenly lurched forward, hurling his entire body at the General. He was unprepared for this attack; and fell to the ground underneath Captain Weaver's weight. They rolled around the floor of the chamber in a wresting match; Captain Weaver punching every inch of Travis he could reach until Travis' flailing legs connected with Captain Weaver's chest. He went sailing across the room, and slammed into the wall. As Captain Weaver got to his feet, Travis drew his flamberge. Captain Weaver reached up and seized a sword hanging off the wall. It became a duel. Travis swung at cheat height. Captain Weaver back stepped to dodge and then side stepped to dodge a thrust from Travis. Seeing an opening, Captain Weaver swung his own sword at the General's legs. Travis jumped the sword sweeping under him. Travis reacted with a series of forward thrusts and vertical chops while Captain Weaver parried every swing of his opponent's blade. Travis continued the attack pushing Captain Weaver backward toward the large window.
They dodged, blocked, and parried each other's attacks like maddened animals; their forms nearly touching at times. Suddenly Captain Weaver found himself without enough room; he had been forced onto the window ledge. "In a tight spot now, aren't we, Captain?" Travis thrust his flamberge once more. Captain Weaver tried to dodge it but stepped too far and tumbled over the edge and plummeted twenty feet to the ground below. Travis stuck his head out the widow. "You were a worthy opponent," he murmured. He turned from the window and addressed his soldiers "Mission complete! Time to go home boys!" A cheer issued from the soldiers. " And you shall be our guest of honor Princess." Kathryn could have sworn she saw Travis smile at her almost gleefully.
Kathryn had seen and heard the unthinkable. All in one night, she had seen the demise of her town, the defeat of Captain Weaver and heard the sound of the Devil.