Chapter 31 UNFORSEEN
Second hour
Kingdom of Lance
It was a windy and raining day, the fog blew harshly over the land, it was so thick, two persons standing close to each other would not notice.
In the west section of the fifth district, in a cottage, two children, male and female, about six-seven years, straightened up on their beds after the loud thundering from the heavy down pour. They stared at each other, looking gloomy and drowsy; they stood up on their feet then treaded out of the room to the door leading out of the cottage. The female child opened the door on reaching it, allowing the heavy down pour to gust into the cottage but still, the parents of the children were still fast asleep, off the children went into the fog.
Three days later
Fifth district-West section
Ten figures rode their horses through the empty main street then halt their horses, not too far from Commander Darren, who stood with five Lancian warriors in front of the bridge leading out of the district and into it also. Amongst these tough looking warriors vested in black leather armor was Sri Jerrod Rooks, looking older, he had an eye patch covering his left eye. They dismounted from their horses then separated themselves into various corners while Sri Jerrod walked up to Commander Darren.
“Sri Jerrod” Darren greeted with a bow.
“Good to see you are well Darren” Jerrod appreciated with a smile then looked over to the far end of the bridge were a dark veil like atmosphere covered the entire view of the west section of the sixth district “What am I dealing with Darren?”
“Fifteen children mysteriously vanished three days ago from this section of the district and the west section of the sixth district is still in its dark hour when we are at mid-day already”
“How was it possible for fifteen children to go missing?”
“I can’t explain it, just like how we can’t explain why or how the dark veil appeared“
“Have you met with Commander Royce?”
“Yes, he went in with ten of his men.”
“This seems like an occult activity, how long has he been gone?”
“Too long for ten Lancian warriors and a Commander”
“Sri Jerrod” one of Jerrod Rooks warrior standing beside a cottage called out drawing Jerrod and Darren’s attention towards him. “You need to see this sir”
Darren and Jerrod quickly approached the warrior then glared at what he was pointing at. On the wall of the cottage, there laid a carved figure of two swords crossing each other on the head of a ram. Jerrod peered closely at it and saw it had been ignited by fire for it had ash around it. “This is an alchemic symbol for soul summoning” Jerrod spoke with confidence
“What?” Darren asked devoid of what Jerrod said.
“Defend the bridge and other entry points Darren, cut down anyone that comes out of that veil, be it a child or Royce or me”
“What’s the code word?”
“Jerrod Rooks”
It was the sixth hour of the day, chirping birds sang into the cool breeze gusting through a calm and peaceful town on the top of a hill. Suddenly an old man, the Chieftain of the town arose from his slumber on hearing screams and cries outside. He straightened up and was about reaching for his staff by the corner when a warrior of the Purifiers Creed burst through the cottage door, the warrior didn’t mind the Chieftain being old, he dragged him out of the cottage without remorse.
Looking around as he was being dragged, the same incident was happening all over the town, two to three warriors kicked down the doors of the cottage then pulled the men and young boys out while the women and children cried after them, any man that showed much resistance was put down by the sword.
The Chieftain along with others were hauled to the center of the town where they were forced to kneel before a priest mounted on a horse.
"Good to see you again Chieftain” the priest greeted with a smile
“Stop this bloodshed, this people are innocent” The Chieftain pleaded
“No sinner is innocent in the sight of God” The Priest declared then raised his right hand to his head level “Trahere (Draw)” he ordered, obliging the ten archers standing behind him to nock their arrows then fix their aim on the women and children of the town, held at bay by the swords men. “Bow to the only living God and give your lives to him” he ordered the Chieftain and men “or I’ll start killing your women”
“This is going against our will, take me instead”
“You are of no use to me traitor, you betrayed you faith.”
“Have mercy and spare these innocent lives” The Chieftain pleaded with heavy eyes
“Time doesn’t wait Chieftain”
“Nolite ergo hoc (Stop this at once)” A male voice fumed out from a distance, the archers immediately aligned themselves as everyone became calm, gazing towards the direction of the voice. There stood Dylan, vested in violet cloak.
“Quis es (Who might you be?)” The Priest asked curiously
“I am Prince Dylan of Lux-urbe, son of King Ekmond, Bishop of the Southern Empire.”
“Then be on your way Prince, this business doesn’t involve you or your Kingdom.”
“So long I see women and children crying and innocents been killed it is something that cries out for my intervention”
“I won’t warn again Prince” The Priest spoke furiously urging the archers to draw their arrows towards Dylan “This is done in the name of my Lord Jesus”
“Since when did killing innocent people and forcing towns to serve God become His work, that’s not the will of my Father in heaven, that’s not the will of a God who is love; that’s just the will of Aramis Taduis”
The Priest glared at Dylan with wide spread eyes and raised brows, knowing fully well no one is meant to know of Aramis Taduis, “How do you know the name of the Creed’s God sent savior?”
“Doesn’t matter Priest, your demon leader will be meeting his end soon”
“An imposter calling himself Prince, what rubbish; ut in eo (take him down)”
With the orders of the Priest, the archers loosed their arrows at Dylan who evaded them, escaping with a slight scratch on his cheek. “Detrahet me in caput ejus (Bring me his head)” The Priest yelled out.
The swords men left their posts immediately, charging towards Dylan with war cries.
“Father in heaven” Dylan prayed in his thoughts “By your spirit, bestow on me the strength of Samson” he declared as he draws his axe with his right hand and his sword on his left “bestow on me the speed of Elijah your prophet and the skill of David your servant”
Dylan charged into the advancing warriors, cutting down the first five attackers before they could think of making a move, evading a slash he plunged his sword into the attacker then pulls out just in time to deflect a strike.
Seeing the Priest and archers distracted the men charged at them and took the archers down before they could nock, the Priest tried striking his horse so it could move but five men dragged him to the ground, unleashing series of kicks on him.
Dylan whirled away from a thrust, slitting the attacker’s throat then he fixed a stern gaze on the last warrior holding a defensive pose, the warrior lost his calm then charged at Dylan with a slash.
Dylan blocked the attack then hacked the warrior’s head, allowing blood to splat into the air bringing the warrior to his knees then he yanked the axe out leaving the warrior to fall down.
Dylan bent over to a body then wiped the blood stain on his sword and axe on the body before bringing out a red cloth from his satchel hanging on his belt, to wipe it clean. Dragging the groaning beat up Priest bleeding from his nose and swollen lips, the town’s men and women followed behind the Chieftain heading towards Dylan.
Dylan straightened up then sheathes his axe and sword, “My God will judge you” the Priest yelled out immediately he was tossed to the ground
“God deemed me righteous in Christ, but you were ordained by a demon, your judgment was inevitable.” Dylan spoke with confidence then walks away
The towns men immediately picked up the sword of the dead warrior’s then began slashing the Priest as he wailed and cried out in excruciating and unbearable pain.
“Thank you Prince” The Chieftain greeted with a bow
“All glory to God” Dylan proclaimed as he turns to the Chieftain “return to God Chieftain, seek him earnestly this time and he will show up, through you His will can be done on this town”
The Chieftain went on his knees then gazed at Dylan, “You have touched God”
“No, He touched me and now His will is mine”