by SunnyJustice » Mon Dec 26, 2016 1:56 pm
[Merry Christmas!]
"Rowan," Tacet told the boy, "I need you to stay here. You are responsible for anyone who needs healing. My son and I will search outside for the wounded."
"I'll get you if we need help," Gavotte said calmly. Even though there was mayhem everywhere, he wore the same relaxed smile on his face. "Come on, dad."
Rowan nodded obediently as the father and son left through the front door. He could handle healing an entire village if he needed to, couldn't he?
"Yes, but..." Timpani looked at Silas, her brows furrowed in concern and slight anger. "Don't get yourself killed." She wouldn't be able to live with herself if the poor kid died.
"I'll even let you lead the way."
Cyprian stopped in his tracks, and immediately started running in the other direction. He didn't even hesitate and now he was charging back towards the house. "Yes ma'am, good luck," he sighed as he threw the broom aside. It slammed into one guard's face and knocked him back a little. The guards were closing in. One was blocking Cyprian's path, and seemed to be preparing to blast him with some fiery beam.
"Get out of my face," Cyprian growled and punched the guy in the face. The guard's beam of fire shot the wrong way and burned through some other guards, opening a path for Cyprian to run. He couldn't quickly get through the window, so he made his way towards the front door.
Cadence was in a rage, and the screaming guards were just adding to her fury. She could see nothing but red as she slashed violently with her sword, using telekinesis to aid her.
"Gah! What IS this woman!" a guard shouted in terror as he fled.
Two guards were standing, just staring at her.
The fleeing guard shrieked at them. "What are you looking at?! Run away from her!!"
"Alastair will kill us if we flee!" a guard yelled and charged at Cadence. "We have to figh-"
His shout was immediately cut short as his head went flying.
"We're getting clobbered by an old lady. What the disgrace is this!" another guard screamed.
"OLD LADY?!" Cadence roared as she sent her sword through the guy's neck. The others were standing back a fair distance, and she whirled around, but the guards behind her just backed away.
"Uncouth youth! Is that all you've got?!" Cadence demanded.
"No, grandma," came a cackling voice. A previously invisible guard came into view, right in front of her. Cadence swung her sword, but she wasn't quick enough. The blonde guard plunged a knife into her ribcage before becoming invisible again. She must have moved, because Cadence's sword cut through the air and clattered onto the ground. The Windwoods mayor could see nothing but the red haze of rage, as she heard many footsteps racing away across the icy ground. Her anger was far more intense than the pain. She just wanted to tear everyone apart with her bare hands.
"Cadence!" shouted a terrified voice from afar. Two sets of feet were racing towards her.
"Mom," she heard Gavotte gasp. "I'll get Rowan."
The red gradually faded as Tacet came into view. He fell to his knees beside her, trembling and on the verge of tears. He clutched her hand desperately and tore out the blade from her chest. Tacet wasn't letting go of her hand, so she felt nothing more than the familiar soothing coolness. But no, she wanted the pain. It would make her angrier and then she could fight. Cadence needed to fight.
"Heal me," she ordered, no louder than a whisper. She immediately made an attempt to get up. Cadence quickly found she couldn't breathe properly.
Tacet was panicking. "I'm trying. Cadence, please hang on."
Hang on? You are an idiot. Just let me fight, Cadence tried to say. But her voice wasn't working. Tears were streaming down her husband's face, which made her even angrier. How dare these soldiers make him cry! She was going to get up and destroy them... after she was well-rested. Her vision was going dark and she still couldn't breathe. It was irritating. It occurred to Cadence that she would probably be in extreme pain right now, if not for the healer holding her hand. That really ticked her off. And slowly, it dawned on her that she was probably dying.
That enraged her more than anything.
"Listen," Cadence whispered. "Tell the kids I love them. Even Case-"
"No," Tacet sobbed, "don't talk like that. Rowan will be here soon. Just hold on, please."
In the distance, Gavotte and Rowan were blocked from view by many guards. They wouldn't be getting here anytime soon. That annoyed Cadence. Especially because more soldiers were coming forward, finally noticing Tacet through the deluge.
"Get the disgrace out of here," she whispered, her voice even more strained. "You can't help me. Stay and we both die."
Tacet shook his head. "I'd rather die with-"
"Go." Cadence hissed.
"Hey! It's the hotshot, trying to save his poor wife!" laughed one of the guards. "Get him!"
"And finish off the old lady, too. Cut her up into a million pieces!" another shouted as they charged.
Tacet was hesitating. Clenching her teeth, Cadence used the last of her strength on her telekinesis, sending Tacet flying backwards. He hit the ground on his feet, and he was immediately running. Good.
The guards stopped, standing above Cadence.
"Disrespectful teenagers," she hissed in a voice that was barely a voice. "I ought to teach you some respect."
"Tell it to Solara, lady," one guard snickered as they raised their swords.
Cadence only chuckled silently as the soldiers brought their weapons down.
---
"Sir!" gasped the messenger, staggering into the bedroom. Atalanta awoke with a scream and hid under the sheets.
"Who said you could wake me at midnight?!" Alastair demanded, getting out of bed and immediately grabbing the man by the throat. "Better be good news, or you're going to regret this."
"An entire platoon of soldiers is invading Windwoods," the messenger whimpered.
"Without my permission?!" Alastair tightened his grip around the messenger's neck. "Who sent them?!"
"I don't know, sir... please do it quickly," he begged.
Alastair threw the messenger to the ground and stepped on his chest. "Atalanta, get me my sword." He ordered. As his wife ran to get his weapon, a cruel sneer came over the King's face.
"Please do it quickly?" Alastair mocked. "You're mistaking me for Solara."