FOUR - Means to an End

                                                        FOUR 

                                  

                                               Means to an End 

The ocean crashed against the cliff edge, the smallest of water droplets hitting the heroes' faces as Divine Victory dashed down the long walkway, Gravland and Shreftwood wiped hair from their brows which was stuck in place with sweat as they made an immediate turn, squinting from the sudden sunlight fired an arrow at the army only feet behind them. 

Warren, exhausted from taking every blow from Meealduan with his shield was bringing up the rear, every blast took a toll on Warren making it harder for him to keep up but his shield reflected every blast into the enemy. 

Krona paused looking back as he saw Warren stumble and fall dropping his shield, unable to use his magic any further, unable to catch his breath he noticed two COG members to his right, Krona darted back his shield in front of him crashing into two men and knocking them over the cliff edge, quickly recovering from the impact Krona turned and grabbed Warren under his elbow and dragged him up “Come on man, we’re almost there, think of Druenn, the boy needs you!” Krona rasped, throwing Warren to his feet and throwing his own shield into Warrens arms. 

Giving Warren the rest and head start he needed Krona raised his sword swiping the man to his left, not noticing the man who had just snuck up behind who managed to swipe his left leg with a knife, falling to his knee he inhaled deeply as he took the courage to turn and plunge his sword into the mans stomach “bastards!” thought Krona as he got up and started to limp back towards his group. 

Catching up to Warren, Krona stole a glance at him, only just noticing the damage he had taken, cuts filled his face, his robes were torn, bits of cloth moving freely with the wind in all directions, throwing his arm over his shoulders the men helped each other push forward.

“He… is…too” Warren tried to speak.

“Strong, I can see that my friend now get yourself back to the group” Krona encouraged.

Gravland and Shreftwood ran towards Krona and knelt either side of the retreating Warren who stumbled and fell repeatedly.

“He’s beyond exhausted Krona, we can’t ask any more from him!” Shreftwood said as he knelt down and thrust five arrows into the ground in front of him, pulling out flint from a small pouch he started to click the two pieces together to light his arrows, Krona placing his shield into the ground in front of Shreftwood to give him some protection and Gravland stood behind giving the cover the men need firing arrow after arrow towards the army that faced them.

Shreftwood peered up and examined the army in front of them, there was at least a hundred strong COG charging towards them, at the far back Terribor walked slowly. 

Shreftwood readied himself, he carefully pulled out small pouches of gunpowder and tied them to each arrow, taking a deep breath to steady himself he lit his first arrow, nocking the arrow and waiting for there to be that small pause in the wind, he aimed and fired. 

An explosion ruptured the silence causing screams from the men it had hit, some being set alight and others knocked over the cliff's edge, the explosion even made Terribor halt in his tracks and take a small breath of surprise.

Lighting another arrow, Shreftwood quickly aimed and fired again,  another roar from a second explosion ignited and sent more COG to meet their end, it didn’t feel like it had made a difference as the army just  kept coming. 

“We best fall back, we're at a massive disadvantage” Shreftwood admitted, Gravland quickly nodded and retreated to the group who continued to run down the walkway “You too Krona” Shreftwood continued. “Not without you my good friend” Krona replied with a small grin, Shreftwood gathered the remaining arrows, slung his bow on his back and began to fall back to the group.