Part 4
After getting our armor and weapons repaired, Rurak, Preciosa, and I made ourselves outside the gates of Divinity’s reach. We walked around the hills and paths down to the covered bridge passing villagers on our way. The sun was shining and there was a slight morning breeze still. The smell of the flowers brightened all our moods in the fields near by as we walked.
Suddenly we could hear cries of help coming from down the hill near the turn. We could see villagers limping and some running in the distance. We quickened our pace and came up to the first villager. He was an old man, a farmer I could guess by his clothing. His shirt was stained with a fresh blood and a few cuts on his arms and hands.
He was visibly scared and shaken. Rurak grabbed him by his arms, “What happened old man?” he asked. “We are being attacked by centaurs again and they just killed my family“ the old man said. “I barely survived if it wasn’t for my eldest son holding them back while me and his ma was trying to get away.” He started to fall as of faint and Rurak tightened his grip on his arms which seemed to stop the man from falling out of consciousness. His cuts still oozed fresh blood and he said in a dry raspy voice, “ My poor Elaina, was killed by an arrow to the back while we was a running.” The old man started to sob and pulled away from Rurak and stumbled up the path we had come.
Preciosa was already taking out her staff while Rurak looked back at the old man. I could see a glint in Rurak eyes filled with sorrow. I put on my shield and sword preparing myself for battle. Other villagers where still coming by, some sobbing, others with faces filled with shock. Some were hurt, while others were just trying to run to get to a safe place. I turned back toward Rurak and he was still standing there watching the villagers go by. I said in a sharp tone, “Rurak snap out of it! We have to help these people or the attacks will come closer to the city.” he gained his composure and the big man pulled out his 2 handed sword readying himself for the attack.
A little girl was one of the last that came around the turn and she was crying and screaming. We rushed to her and could see why. There was a small group of four centaurs coming right behind her about to slay the little one. Preciosa ran straight for the little girl as I ran by both of them.
The lead centaur was a ranger and he had his bow drawn back with an arrow ready to fly. I used my magic as a Guardian and used the shield of absorption to protect both Preciosa and the little girl. The centaur’s arrow flew and bounced back. Rurak came from the right charging in and using his war cry and charged right into the group of centaurs. Swinging his great 2 handed sword like it was a light stick to him holding them back. I charged in and behind me I could hear Preciosa calling upon her magic casting fireballs at a centaur on the left. The centaur’s scream was a death bellow as he die3d be fore he fell on fire to the ground.
Rurak was still trying to hold them off and took down one of the centaurs with a mighty swing of his sword. The creature had no chance from Rurak’s mighty swing and he cleaved the creature in two. The two remaining centaurs bellowed in rage and battle lust. I came running to the lead centaur and jumped into the air. He had pulled his bow back and shot his arrow while I was in the air coming at him. The arrow bounced off my shield and my sword came across his neck and he stumbled back. At first I thought I may have missed then the centaur just dropped and his head rolled away back down the hill.
The last remaining centaur decided to go back down the hill after it saw it comrades die to a well armed small group of humans. As the centaur ran and Preciosa was calling upon her magic to finish him off, we heard a hunter’s call go off from the top right of the hill above the centaur. A flock of birds came down and started attacking the fleeing centaur. The distraction was what it all took. We could here the shot of an arrow come from then hill above and the centaur dropped in it’s place. The arrow had pierced the monsters heart.
Preciosa still had the frightened child in her grip. You could see the fear in the little girl face. Tears had cleaned her soot stained face. She was still sobbing and would flinch at the nearest sound. I said “ Keep her safe while Rurak and I see who or what took out that last centaur.” Preciosa replied, “Be wary my good friend Tohr. Even though the beast was slain does not mean who did it is a friend to us either.” I nodded and kept my shield up to protect both Rurak and I as we walked down the hill a little father.
We reached the slain centaur, and Rurak sneered, “ They still smell bad, even in death.” Before I could say anything to Rurak while I was scanning the hill side near us, a ranger walks out behind the brush and laughed. “Very true warrior but in death they will stink the air no more” in a melodic voice. Rurak held his sword up higher and I braced my shield close just in case of an attack. The ranger laughed again and said, “you both are very untrusting fellows.” I replied, “The lands are not always safe even with our own kind in these dark days of Tyria” and I let my guard down slightly, “No need to worry about me being a foe guardian. For I am Gwissi, a ranger that tried to warn the village near of the attacks coming.” she said. “They did not want to listen but when the attacks came I did what I could to help.” She looked down at the ground as if she was looking for something but she said softly, “Many did not make it. The mother and father of the young little girl could not be saved. I tried, as she glanced back up and looked at me, but all I could do was slow down the centaurs enough hoping at least the little girl could get away.”
I looked at Gwissi in the eyes and could sense she was telling the truth. I said “Come back up the path with us a little way so we can regroup with our friend.” Gwissi nodded and Rurak took the rear guard as I lead the way. The smell of death, smoke and fear was still in the valley and hills around us. “I am Tohr and the big man behind you is Rurak”I said to Gwissi as we walk back towards Preciosa. We get back to Preciosa and the little girl and introduce Gwissi to her.
Preciosa says to me. “Tohr, how are we suppose to move on with the little one with us. She is alone and scared. Maybe her parents are….” and I cut her off with a serious look. Before I could say anything the little girl started crying, “Daddy and mommy fell down while we were running and couldn’t get back up. The big monsters were coming after us so I just ran. Daddy and mommy just never moved.” and she cried into Preciosa robe. The look of understanding came across Preciosa face. “We could take her back to the city to the orphanage” Rurak sated. “That would delay us though” I replied.
Gwissi nodded in the direction where we just came from down the hill and we could see more villagers making it up the hill. Some still battered but many with minor injuries. I walk over to the leader of this rag tag group and explain the situation. A woman comes over and talks to the little girl and takes her with us back towards Divinity’s Reach with the rest of the solemn group.
The little girl looks back and waves to us all and just keeps walking on the hill. Gwissi sighs slightly. “I wish I could save that little one from that path.” What path?” Rurak asks.“Living in an orphanage. I grew up in one and I ran away as I got older and became a ranger and have lived in the open ever since.” Gwissi said in a soft voice.
“Well Gwissi, you can come with us,. We are trying to reach old friends and help anybody that needs the help in Tyria. Of course that is up to you.” I offered. Gwissi nodded and said, “Maybe I do need to help others she said more enthusiastically. I know how it feels when you are alone and scared and nobody is there to help when you need it.” Preciosa. Looked at Gwissi, well with this group you may come to regret that decision but time will tell.
We walk down the path into the smoldering valley with our guard up and I think to myself, this is just the beginning.