Brian Pratt - Fires of prophesy

“Think that did it?” James asks as they dash through a side alley to get away from the scene of the attack.

“Probably not enough to draw them from the docks,” he says. “We need something a bit more spectacular.”

“Alright,” James says as they race around a corner.

“Nothing yet,” Shorty announces from where he’s looking out the window for the signal.

“It’s only been a couple minutes,” Delia says. “Give them time.”

Tersa comes over near Delia and asks, “Do you think they’ll be able to draw off the guards at the docks?”

Delia nods her head as she remembers the massive explosion James had produced back at the City of Light, “I’m sure they can manage it.”

Suddenly a bright light comes in through the window and everyone runs over to look. A starburst explodes in the sky near the far side of Al-Kur. “Was that them?” asks Tersa.

“Has to be,” Delia replies just as horns begin to sound off in the distance.

Shorty runs over to a window that has a good view of the docks and the men stationed there. After a brief look he turns back to them and says, “They’re still there.”

“What are they doing?” Scar asks as he moves to join him.

“They’re looking at the light but otherwise not moving,” he says.

“Come on guys,” Stig says as he looks out the window toward the starburst that’s beginning to fade, “you’ve got to do better than that.”

They can see other guards running toward the commotion off in the distance, but the ones at the docks remain where they are.

“I don’t think…” Yorn starts to say when…

Crumph!

A massive explosion rips through the night, fireballs shooting into the air as well as chunks of stone from whatever building had blown up.

“Way to go, James!” Scar exclaims jubilantly.

“Some are leaving!” Shorty shouts from where he’s watching the docks.

“How many?” asks Stig.

“It looks like all but about ten,” Scar replies.

Potbelly says, “That’s better than twenty.”

“It’s unlikely any more will leave if they haven’t already,” adds Stig.

“I agree,” Scar says. “Shorty, can you take out a few before we get there?”

“Three or four,” he replies. “I’m running out of knives.”

“That will do,” he says. “We can take care of the rest.” Drawing one of his swords, he opens the door and takes the lead as they begin making their way slowly toward the docks. The rest of the fighters follow him closely with Roland and the girls at the end along with Potbelly, who’s doing better but still not up to his best.

When they reach the docks, they pause briefly before passing from the cover afforded by the last of the warehouses. Shorty readies his knives and with a nod from Scar, begins throwing them in rapid succession. The others break into a run toward the guards as the second knife flies by.

They watch as his first knife flies and strikes one of the guards. As the man falls to the ground, the second sinks into the man standing next to him. The rest of the guards become aware of the threat and begin scanning for the source of the flying knives. One of them shouts a warning when he spots them running toward them, weapons out.

A third knife takes out another guard and then Shorty’s final knife hits the foremost guard in the shoulder. As he staggers from the blow Scar reaches him and quickly finishes him off with a thrust through the middle.

Potbelly stays behind to guard the women and Roland, his sword and knife ready for any who somehow make it around the others. He keeps an eye out behind them as well for any who may come from within Al-Kur.

Stig faces off with a guard bearing a sword and shield, his mace smashing through the man’s shield and breaking the bone of his arm in two. He deflects the guard’s sword with his shield while following through with his mace. Connecting with the man’s helmet, he caves it in and crushes the skull beneath. As the guard falls lifelessly to the ground, he turns and engages another.

Shorty’s fighting knives dance as he joins the fray, blocking the attacks of two guards. Unable to go on the offensive, he’s at least able to put up a good defense and keep these two busy while the others deal with the rest.

Suddenly a cry splits the night and Scar turns to see Yorn fall, a guards’ sword wedged between his ribs. “Yorn!” he cries, as he strikes out at his opponent severing the man’s head from his shoulders. He runs over to where Yorn lies and engages the guard who has his foot on Yorn’s chest as he attempts to dislodge his sword. With his sword wedged in between Yorn’s ribs, he’s unable to defend himself and falls quickly to Scar’s swords. Scar looks down to Yorn but knows there’s no hope when he sees his lifeless eyes staring out.

Having killed his opponent, Stig moves to help Shorty who’s being hard pressed by the two guards he’s fighting. Coming up behind one, he cuts deeply into the man’s neck, practically severing his head from his shoulder. As the man falls, Shorty is able to utilize both knives in his fight with the remaining man and soon has him on the ground next to his partner.

Swearing at the loss of Yorn, Scar looks around and sees the rest of the guards lying dead on the docks. “Come on!” he yells as he waves to where Potbelly waits with the others.

From across town, another massive explosion rocks the morning. They look and see a large fireball reaching up toward the sky.

The morning is beginning to lighten as the sun peaks over the horizon. Scar looks to the ship, second from the end and sees movement upon the rigging where the sailors are preparing to get under way.

Once Potbelly and the others join them, they begin running toward the Crashing Wave. Reaching the gangplank, Roland hollers up to the ship, “Permission to come aboard?”

The captain comes to the rail and looks down at them. Glancing over to the dead guards lying on the docks he replies, “Permission granted.”

“Come on!” Roland says to the others as he starts crossing the gangway.

When they’re all on board they stop abruptly as four crossbowmen aim their crossbows at them. From behind the captain, the Eye comes forward and says, “Thank you captain, you’ve been most helpful.”

James is growing quite tired, especially after that last spell which took out the guardhouse. “Do you think that’s enough yet?” he asks Jiron.

Grinning back at him, Jiron says, “That should be enough to get their attention in a bad way.”

They run down a side alley as they attempt to evade another patrol passing through the area. They’ve been running and hiding after that last explosion, doing their best to avoid tangling with any large group of guards. James’ supply of slugs is beginning to run low, only ten left.

“Maybe it’s time to get the horses and leave,” he suggests.

Jiron replies as he nods his head, “That would probably be a good idea, they should be on the ship by now.”

“I hope so,” he says as he thinks of Delia and especially little Arkie.

“Our horses are all the way across town,” Jiron informs him. “It’s going to take us a while to get there.”

“I know,” he replies, “lead on.”

Looking out of the alley, Jiron checks to make sure the street is clear of guards before exiting. When the coast is clear, they exit the alley and follow the street in the interest of speed. Breaking into a run, they head toward the inn where their horses are stabled.

Street by street they make their way closer to the inn. Many times they’ve had to duck down alleys or into buildings to avoid being spotted. Back on the street after one such incident, they suddenly see a group of six soldiers turn onto the street ahead of them. Fortunately they’re moving the other way down the street so fail to notice them.