Blood and Fire

The heat is torturous in its intensity. Aldmar stares out over the burning city of Baydun Bay, his world turning to ash before his eyes.

Brother... what do we do? The wall has fallen, the undead pour into the city... the Dragons...

A mighty WOOOSH of air passes overhead as one of the beasts passes over the palace... fire streaming from its maw as the servants quarters go up in a blaze of light and heat.

Guinevere ducks, but Aldmar doesn't flinch... All for nothing... His legions scattered, his walls fallen, his people dead... there was nothing...

"No"

Aldmar turns his head. There stands two figures. Two whom he knows Guinevere can't see. One which appeared to be an elven woman, eyes leaking blood, scarlet robes and golden armour speckled with dry blood. The other a man with long black hair, blue cloak and a great scythe in hand.

"Damu? Norman?" Aldmar's surprise was genuine, "where have you been? I've needed you both!"

The man, Norman, turned to face him. We'd thought you capable of ruling. Clearly that is not the case."

"Brother who are you talking to?" Guinevere looks perplexed as she looks around for the unseen visitors.

Damu spoke next, her soft voice cutting as ice. "It is time someone who is prepared to go the whole way took charge."

Aldmar's felt the chill in the words... and the meaning... "No! You can't..." He fought, but was no match, Damu completely overwhelmed him, stronger than he'd ever known her to be before

"Brother what is wrong?" Guinevere put her hand on him... but it wasn't him anymore. Caged inside his own mind Aldmar could only watch through his own eyes as he stood, and turned to face his sister.

"Aldmar?"

Aldmar screamed inside his own head... he knew what would happen before Damu moved... but he could do nothing. With a single swift motion Damu summoned a knife of blood and struck. The knife pierced Guinevere's throat and Aldmar could see the shock and surprise in her eyes as they stood close... watched the light fade... the final question... why?

"It must be done Aldmar! For the Empire!"

"Nooo! NOOO! NOOOOOOO!" Aldmar screamed exerting all his will to retake control.

The knife pierced Guinevere's throat and Aldmar could see the shock and surprise in her eyes as they stood close... watched the light fade... the final question... why?

"NOOOO!"

The scream from his own lungs awoke him and he shot up out of bed... sweat pouring from his body as he gasped for breath.

The door burst open and guards rushed in, "My king what is wrong?" They immediately took up positions around the bed and started searching...

Aldmar gulped. "Its nothing... I'm sorry captain... just a nightmare... go back outside... I must sleep."

"Are you sure you are ok my king?"

"Yes yes quite fine thank you." Aldmar chuckled "Now go."

The guards left and Aldmar was left alone in the dark... It had just been a nightmare... He was fine... Everything was just fine...