Writing Resources from Fifteen Minutes of Fiction

The Siege of Syrn: Part XXII

Dirk was exhausted when he rode through the gate. He was grateful for the horse bearing his weight. He wondered if he would be able to draw his sword if he had too.

He had no time to dwell on this, however, because he soon spotted a group of Thargonites racing toward the gate. He and the men behind him spurred their horses into a gallop and charged down the Thargonites. The enemy scattered, and were soon destroyed one by one by the Aidarian troops.

Dirk called back to the other men, "That's what he need to do! Scatter them, but we must stay close together."

They rode on farther down the street, past for fleeing Aidarians, until they came to a group of Thargonites that was much larger than the first one. Dirk could see several Aidarians behind them. They appeared to have been taken prisoner. He reined up his horse and drew his sword. His weariness seemed to fall from him, at least for the moment.

The Thargonites also halted and brought the Aidarian prisoners to the front of the line. Dirk's men drew their swords.

One Thargonite, who appeared to be a commander, stepped forward and shouted at the Aidarians, "You stay where you are if you want to see these dogs-" he kicked one of the prisoners, who then fell down"-alive again!"

Dirk looked around at his comrades. He now had an impossible decision before him. If he gave into the Thargonites, then they would have no choice but to retreat back to the main gate and hope that they could hold off the

Thargonites. A noise from the wall above him made him turn around. Then one of his men fell face forward off his horse with a cry. An arrow protruded from his back.

Dirk wheeled his horse around and galloped back toward the gate. The other's followed.

Another group of Thargonites, fresh from the walls, met them. Dirk paid no attention to them and they scattered as the Aidarian horsemen barreled through. Dirk didn't stop until they reached the gate.

The Aidarian troops appeared to all be inside. Dirk and his companions rode through the gate which was closed behind them. Arem ran up to them.

Dirk nearly fell off his horse from exhaustion. His sword, which he had not sheathed, clattered to the ground. Arem grabbed his arm to steady him.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Not here. Let's go somewhere else." Dirk replied. They moved off to a building away from the troops. "They've taken several prisoners. One of my horsemen was shot dead by an archer. I've run out of cards to play, and I'm completely drained of energy."

Arem nodded. "I'm tired too."

"How many troops made it back?"

"Five hundred, maybe six hundred at best."

Dirk sighed and slumped against the wall. "I can't do this, Arem. I just simply can't. What are we going to do? I don't have nearly enough troops to hold them if they break the gate, and I really don't have enough to hold off another assault on the walls."

Arem thought for a minute, and then grinned. "Yes, you do..." he said

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