Ahhh...
So close... So close...
A bloodied, armored figure limped along the stone path. His dented armor slipped, revealing torn flesh beneath. With each crimson step and fractured huff, he forced himself towards an old, almost ruinous stronghold with wooden constructs.
"You! Stop right there." A guard by the door leveled his spear.
"Who are you and what business do you have here?!" Another guard stepped forward, raising his spear slightly higher.
"I-I-I," the bloodied man stuttered, extending a hand from which blood dripped to the ground.
"Who are you?!" the guard demanded, his grip tightening on the spear. "I won't ask again!"
The bloodied man's head wavered, his eyes meeting theirs, his back slightly hunched as he moved his hand closer to his chest. Not enough strength.
How would I…
An idea struck his weary neurons.
"H-Here…" he muttered, tapping his chest. His fingers revealed a symbol beneath the dirt and blood.
"What in the world…" The guard squinted, moving closer to the man.
"No! It could be a trap!" The other guard lowered his spear, reaching out a free hand to stop his companion.
The first guard moved forward, ignoring the warning, closing in on the man. The bloodied figure, barely able to stand, whimpered as a piece of his dented armor fell away. Moving his hand to the man's breastplate, the bloodied man placed his hand on its center, and the guard's eyes focused on the symbol beneath the grime.
"No… It can't be…" The guard's voice was shaken, filled with dread at what his eyes beheld.
"W-What is it?" The other guard moved closer, spear raised to his chest.
"No! Wait!" The first guard shouted, hand outstretched towards his companion.
"We have to let this man through." His face was etched with dread as he placed his hand over his mouth.
"But the banquet within…" the other guard questioned, shaking his head towards the door.
"Can't you see the state of this man?!" The guard shouted, pointing at the bloodied figure as he dropped his spear to the ground.
"..." The other guard's neck elevated, his lips slightly parted in stunned silence.
"Now come, help me lift him." The guard carried the man's arm, placing it on his shoulders. The other guard just stared, his body subtly vibrating.
"No… I don't understand your reasons for helping this random stranger." He clenched his fist, his head bowed. And I might never.
"You can do it yourself, I--I don't want to be involved if anything happens." He shuddered.
The guard looked at his comrade, the corners of his mouth lowered in disappointment, but nodded. He alone carried the bloodied man past the other guard.
"Weak-livered boy!" The guard cursed under his breath as he reached the door. The other guard, his head still lowered, did not look back.
The heavy doors creaked open slowly, tearing through the idle chatter in the hall, every head turning towards the disturbance.
"Sir!" The guard barked at the top of his lungs, as the bloodied man on his shoulder groaned.
"The king was so generous, wasn't he?" A man adorned with badges, his red cheeks plumped, sipped his wine, speaking to a young woman. The woman looked past his head towards the door.
"Wha…" He turned in the direction of her gaze, some wine spilling from his goblet onto the stone floor.
In the bloodied man's free hand, his sword dragged against the floor, loose from his grip. The people covered their ears against the screech, their eyes fixed on him as if he were a horrid monster.
Heh…
If they think this is a sight, they should've been there.
The bloodied man thought, his head slightly jerking up and down.
"Where's the lord?! Or the general?!" The guard shouted, forcing his grip back on the bloodied man, preventing him from slipping off.
"Anyone?!" He let out a strained shout.
---The end of chapter 1---