Meymar

I could not believe my eyes when I saw for myself the blade general lying there. I thought him dead. It felt to me as if my heart was gripped tight and somebody knocked the air out of me. He had inspired in me the hope to victory.

Not even one of the strongest demon general has last a day against this fort. With him gone, what will we do now?

It was not only me but all the others as well who had heard the demon general’s speech yesterday and had gotten hope of victory. But now that hope lay dead infront of us.

“Look he is breathing.” Screams out someone and we all focus to see whether his statement held any truth to it.

The view from where I stand was not clear but I focused hard on the body of the blade general. I noticed his body moving a little, most probably due to breathing.

“I SEE IT. HE IS BREATHING.” I scream excitedly, as do a few others.

My hope was once again revived. Others must have felt the same.

Those that have seen the predicament the blade general is in move towards him to rescue him. As did I.

Eventhough we are going against the orders of retreating, I think the captain and blade general would understand.

I hade merely taken a few steps to reduce the distance between the unconscious blade general and I, when an arrow pierces itself where my next step is suppose to be. I take a look at the wall and they were shooting at any who came near the blade general. A party of horse riders were also approaching the location of the blade general.

Seeing this I ignore the incoming arrows and proceed. The arrows screech past me but I step forward towards rescuing him. I hear screams and see soldiers fall and turn but that did not falter my determination.

I have been to this fort when it last lay siege and returned defeated and broken. But not again.

The blade general gives us a chance to succeed and as long as he has breath in his body I believe he will do his best. So I have to rescue him.

The party of horse riders was still far away but they were reducing the distance fast. I am but a few feet away from my goal. I could hear the encouragement offered to me from soldiers behind while my captain screams order at me to return. But I proceed.

I dodge and blocked all arrows that I could but because other soldiers had given up on rescue I became the sole target of the archers on the wall.

Despite my best efforts an arrow pierces my shoulder. It pained but I grit my teethe and move forward with hindered movements.

Soon more arrows hit me and I fall just a few feet away from the blade general. I guess this was inevitable. But atleast I tried.

It seems I have failed once again. As I fall I notice that the blade generals eyes were open and he looks at me fall. I could tell that he was conscious so why has he not retreated.

Could it be that he has given up? Or was he waiting for something else.

I had no energy to think on it any more as I close my eyes to rest. For the last time.

* * * * *

Keynar

I watch as Meymar moved towards the blade general. I do too. Hoping to rescue him but then the arrows came and I am shamed to admit that I care for my life more than some blade general I barely know. There is always someone important who is in trouble and I am not risking my life any more than necessary than it is required to get him out of trouble.

I see Meymar dodging the arrows to his best. His steps seemed like a determined man moving towards his destination but like many other he also fell.

Pity. He was someone with whom I could relate. A survivor of many battles, like me. But not anymore.

I watch as the party of horse riders from the wall came and took blade general with them.

Looks like the siege is over.

That is what I thought but I was wrong.

The captain told us not to be worried and that the blade general had told them what to do if such circumstances came to pass.

I did not believe them. They are probably trying to keep us calm and collected or they would have to see their army reduce due to soldiers deserting. Maybe I will desert too at the first chance. It seems impossible to live through this siege.

But time to get this chance never came. The captains collected and organized us. They did not even give us time to treat the wounded. They started giving us weird command like to shuffle and run as they ordered. It slowly became difficult with all the dust that was raised. They told us to spread out while they took majority of the army somewhere.

Not later when majority of army had gone elsewhere and we had raised enough dust to block our view. Our captains told us that we are to attack the fort again.

But this time they put us in formation rather than running straight at the fort.

Were they using us as sacrifice to let the majority of the army get away? With this question and lost hope I once again proceed towards the wall.