Damian's Flashback

 Before going into the article: This is part of a bigger story I started a while back, this is simply continuing on from where I last left it off. Some context may be needed which I am happy to provide elsewhere. Just know it takes place in the fantasy world I have been introducing a while back and it is on the continent of Phillarn in the human kingdom. This takes place before Igrax existed, not that it really gives that much context with this information. It is a flashback. Any feedback is welcome and I appreciate you for checking it out! Tomorrow I plan to continue working on this piece.

Damian recalled the experience. He was doing his rounds on the border with some of the town guards, checking to see which parts of the fence needed repairs. The trip had been mostly smooth until they saw a hooded man coming up near the entrance. The tattered robes and sickly thin build indicated that it had been some time since the man had seen civilization.

“Are you the lord of this land?” Came out the voice, gravelly and wispy.

“Yes that would be me,” Damian approached cautiously, waving to his guards to keep their weapons at the ready, “What business do you have with me?”

“I have come to bring a warning, one that you should heed.”

“What do I have to worry about? A bad harvest season?” Damian teased the nameless man, thinking this was some kind of prank.

“At this time tomorrow, this town will burn, many lives will be lost, evacuate all those who can to the city!”

“I don’t see how that is necessary, we’re already so close, the king’s forces will come to our aid within minutes at the sign of trouble.”

“Heed my words, or pay the price.” As he finished, the man started to back away.

“Hey wait, come back!” Damian started to go after the man, but he was quickly blocked off by his guards.

“Sir, please stay behind us.”

“No, go get him!” Damian quickly shoved past his guards as the man continued to back down the road.

Despite the frantic nature of the chase, there was no change of expression on his face as Damian finally closed the gap. He began to slow down until he stood still. Damian reached out to restrain him, but the second he grabbed the man he disintegrated. Where he once stood exploded in a force blast that sent Damian and his trailing guards to their feet. Dark cawing reverebed through the air as a murder of crows flew out from where the man once stood. They flew towards the group as if trying to devour them whole. Damian’s guards were quick to recover, helping him back to his feet and shielding him from the birds. He covered his ears and squawks accompanied the piercing noise of beak on metal. 

Sidenote: This scene will probably have to be reworked/given another pass because I want to figure out the dynamic of how the guards are able to shield him and how many there are because having like one or two really doesn’t make sense with how this is written right now. The idea is that the crows only go so far and kinda box them in, but if they get far enough they will be able to run to safety.

“Can you walk sir?”

The ringing in Damian’s ears subsided enough for him to form a response, “Yes, we have to get back, are the birds leaving?”

“Not sure,” He grunted as a dent right above where he held his shield formed, “We just need to make it back to the village walls.

“How far are we?”

“Maybe just a few steps, we didn’t go that far.

“Alright then,” Damian steeled himself, “We move at the same pace, one step at a time. Understood?”

His guards acknowledged and lowered their stances, ready for his command.

“Back one.”

As quickly as the order was given, the two guards took their step back with Damian keeping the distance between them minimal. The onslaught didn’t let up and one of them was almost knocked off their feet, but Damian was able to stabilize them.

“Thank you sir!”

“Don’t thank me just yet, we still gotta get out of this.” Damian kept his eyes open for a good opportunity, “alright, back one more!”

Keeping his hands on their backs, they were able to successfully move another step.

“Stay strong, I estimate we need three more steps!”

“Sounds good!” Damian was some more dents forming, they were running out of time.

“Back one more!”

His voice was going slightly hoarse as he was doing his best to keep his orders clear above the sounds. He wouldn’t let his weakness show though, they had to make it out of this alive. He kept his eyes on when the crows would slam themselves into the shields. It was going to be close.

“Back one more!”

Their line remained solid, Some light was coming through some concerning holes in the shields.

“What are these crows on!”

“Stay strong, these are magical creatures, much stronger than normal ones.”

“Is it one more step sir?”

“Yes, prepare yourselves.”

A cry of pain to Damian’s left surprised him. That guard’s hand has been pierced through his armor and shield. Blood began to fall from his shield arm to the ground, but he had gritted his teeth, remaining determined.

“I’ll be fine sir, just give the command.”

Damian made sure to focus, this one was the most important one.

“Now! Back one more!”

With the last step, the pressure from the front began to relent, they were free.

“Get back to the village, now!”

The group broke and began to make a mad dash for the village. Luckily for them, the crows did not follow and simply sat in the middle of the road, staring at them menacingly as they crossed back into friendly territory.

“How’s your arm?” Damian helped the soldier remove his shield.

“Ain’t nothing I’ve dealt with before.” The wound wasn’t deep, but it would for sure need time to heal. 

“What should we do sir?”

“I don’t think we need to call for help, but double the night watch, I don’t want us to be caught off guard like this ever again.

Damian quickly made his way to his manor. There was a lot of think about what had just transpired.