Chapter 18: The Destruction of Galladoorn
The hordes of Nockmaar forces thundered to the walls of Galladoorn. Airk's blood chilled at the sight, and his heart sank at the sight of the towering catapults. His thoughts drifted to Raina and their child.
"Raina, get yourself to your chambers and lock the doors," Airk told her.
"And what am I to do there? Knit?" Raina asked.
"Raina, do not fight me on this. Take your sword if you wish, but listen to me for once, damn it!" Airk pleaded. "This isn't just for your life, it's for our child's life. I almost lost you both and I won't lose you again. Now get to your chamber and stay there."
Raina was a stubborn and willful woman, but she knew there was a time to be wise. She understood the passion in her husband's plea. Raina strapped a sword to her hip before she embraced Airk. "Make sure you leave some Nockmaar scum for me."
Airk smiled. "I will most certainly try, my love."
Raina headed to her chamber, armed and prepared for the worst. With Raina safe, Airk focused on the battle. He knew the outcome before anyone else.
"How can we fight that and win?" Ronan asked.
"We can't,"Airk replied bluntly. "but that doesn't mean we can't kick their a****."
"That's comforting," Ronan replied. "Well, try not to get killed. You're not allowed to die."
"Right, because I'm a general," Airk said.
"Well, there's I also will feel much better if you're here protecting me but whatever reason you have works," Ronan jested.
"Fine, I promise not to die to protect you," Airk replied.
"That's reassuring," Ronan laughed.
Airk's heart was beating in his ears as the first catapult flew overhead, smashing into the castle walls. Airk's heart was beating in his ears as the castle catapults were loaded.
"Fire!" Airk cried.
Fire flew into the Nockmaar army, scattering their forces. Nockmaar soldiers sent a hail of arrows up at the walls, sending Galladoorn soldiers crashing down from the walls.
"Archers, fire!" Airk cried.
The Galladoorn archers sent a volley of arrows raining down on the Nockmaar soldiers. Airk took cover as another catapult rained fire on the walls of the castle.
"Return fire!" Airk shouted.
The Galladoorn catapults rained fire on the Nockmaar soldiers, scattering them but more rock and stone rained down on the walls of the castle. Airk heard the thundering of soldiers as they tried to break down the gates.
"Brace the gates!" Airk shouted.
Airk and his soldiers rained down arrows on the Nockmaar forces trying to batter down the gates. From the walls, soldiers threw rocks and spears to protect the gate.
Don't breach the gates, don't breach the gates, Airk prayed to himself.
"Archers, take your aim!" Airk shouted.
Airk and his men took aim at the Nockmaar forces battering down their gates.
"Fire!" Airk shouted.
Airk and his forces sent a flurry of arrows upon the Nockmaar soldiers at their gates, scattering their numbers. Airk and his men sent volley upon volley into the Nockmaar soldiers, praying that their walls would save them. Alas, Airk knew something was amiss.
Why do they not attack us? he wondered to himself. Why do they not attack our walls?
Suddenly, Airk was sent to the ground as another flaming catapult came whizzing overhead. Before Airk could react, the catapult collided with the wall and exploded. Airk was sent flying from the wall, hitting his head on stone below.
Airk woke, dazed and his ears were ringing as he looked at the red chaos around him. Nockmaar soldiers were swarming the castle, killing any soldier who got in their way. Another catapult flew overhead, exploding and sending rock and men flying. Airk saw his men laying in a bloody heap all around the rubble. In the dust, Ronan came to his side.
"We're getting our a***** kicked!" Ronan cried.
"No s***," Airk replied bluntly. "Sound the retreat! Get everyone out of the castle! To the horses!"
Ronan nodded and immediately the exodus of the castle began. Airk's thoughts once more drifted to Raina. He hoped she could get out safely. Just as his mind wondered, a hand grabbed his shoulder. Airk turned and held his intruder at knife point.
"Raina, I could've killed you!" Airk said in relief.
"Um, I love you, too?" Raina said in jest.
"What are you doing here?" Airk asked.
"Your mother and I knew it wasn't safe there. I found my way here. From the looks of things, it's time to haul a**," Raina replied.
"Get to the stables. To the wagons, my love. We're evacuating the city. Go!" Airk replied.
"I'm gonna get everyone out," Raina replied.
"You're gonna evacuate the city after what I just said?" Airk replied.
Raina had already turned and vanished into the chaos.
"Son of a b****, that woman is a pain in the a**!" Airk cried to himself.
Sword in hand, Raina led the inhabitants of Galladoorn to safety along with Larissa.
"Stay together!" Raina cried. "Make for the stables. Take the tunnel down below."
Raina the residents of the castle to a tunnel down below that led to the stables. One by one she prepared horses and readied the wagons for the people. Raina met with Larissa and found Ronan.
"Is that everyone?" Raina asked.
"Not everyone," Ronan replied.
"Where's Airk?" Raina questioned. "Wasn't he with you?"
"He was but I lost him," Ronan replied. "We have to get out of here. The castle is dead."
"I'm not leaving without Airk!" Raina protested.
"Neither am I," Larissa added.
Suddenly, Airk burst in the stables. He was limping and his shoulder was dislocated, but he was strong.
"Sometimes, you are too d*** stubborn," he said, pointing at Raina.
"I love you, too," Raina said with a sly smile. "Let's get the hell out of here!"
Rearing their horses, Airk and his last pocketful of men took their forces from their ruined castle. Airk looked back on the rubbled castle and a fire rose in him. Nockmaar would pay for destroying Galladoorn.