FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls
Those That Watched Over Us

Morning came faster than they anticipated. All knowing their hope lie in beating the king’s soldiers in the pass the following morning.

If we don’t, we’re dead anyway.

They entered the Pass, knowing it was an indefensible space. A horrendous place to be attacked.

Bast was more certain each passing minute that the old man was right. We’re going to die.

The Templar Knights were known for their skill in battle. Thus, it was no surprise they found themselves cornered and far outnumbered.

It was the only way to defeat us.

Captain Deragan dismounted.

His Knights following his lead. Flanking all sides and moving as one.

Like a pack even then.

Deragan led his mount. Midway through the pass, the brush stirred.

Armed knights poured from the trees, weapons drawn. “Surrender in the name of the king!” One declared.

Deragan’s knights surrounded him completely, intent on defending him to the last. But as he moved, they parted to let him through.

“This day may be a victory for you, my enemy.” Deragan announced. “But even as we’re trapped in a hole and vastly out manned, this victory you’ll have to earn.” He unsheathed his sword. “We’ve battled greater opponents afore!” With his piece said, Deragan lifted his sword.

The Knights behind, hollered in approval. Metal hissing from leather as they braced themselves for battle.

A great crack of thunder disturbed them. The sky split in a tear revealing blinding white light and a shining bit of something falling fast.

Thoughts of war suspended as all eyes lifted. Helpless to turn from the doomed creature’s fate. Inescapable silence fell over the land. As all creation held its breath.

It was a tangle of limbs and wings winding in long silver-blonde hair. The earth quaked under her as she crashed. Her body bowing in pain as she bounced and twisted across the ground and through shrubbery. Gasping for air.

The ground was littered in flawless white feathers. Shining blonde hair was strung out behind her, marking the path she’d suffered. Shattered and muddied wings lifted parallel to her. She drew a shaking breath.

He recognized the sounds of her small body trying to draw air. Her wings arced, crunching as the tips flattened to the ground to slowly lift her body. Bearing her weight until her feet levitated. She collapsed and dropped to a sitting position. Drawing her knees up to her chin. One wing wrapping her shoulder.

The Captain rushed to lift her in his arms. His face shadowed with emotions.

I never saw him quite so shaken.

“I gave up everything for you.” She whispered to the Captain. “For what I saw in you.”

Bast was overcome with feelings of peace and sorrow. Things she generated.

Her head lolled, and silver hair fell over the Captain’s hands to reveal her expressionless face turning toward the king’s men pouring into the canyon. She light in glowing white. Emanating from her face and wings. Naked body glistening as she blew her last breath. Releasing a swirl of white light. Billowing and swelling until heavy with her energy. Floating above them in tendrils which wove out to encompass each Knight. Snaking around them to lift them.

Bast dodged the cloying finger to fall at the Captain’s feet. Heedlessly brushed the Fallen’s leg and a lock of hair. He shouted to go in her stead. Offering his life in place of that of the precious being

Bast’s vision rippled. The ground shivering under him. He covered his ears against agonizing noise despite everywhere else was soundless chaos. Trees shook and tipped toward her reverently. Leaves blowing off bushes. Birds and wildlife scattering.

A sense of pure joy filled him.

He wasn’t the only one. The king’s knights all slowly slipped to the ground. Their eyes closed as they crumpled. Peace washed over them as their lives were extinguished.

The Templar Knights saw the fall of their enemy. When finally, the last of their enemy dropped from the furthest shadows bordering woods, the fallen woman went limp in the Captain’s arms.

Rain fell as the skies opened to mourn the loss.

Around Bast many of the Knights stepped behind their Captain. Shielding their faces from the light with their forearms.

She’s proof. Proof of what I hadn’t believed in before. Proof of all the things I’d doubted. I can no longer question the evidence set before my face. And the gift she gave us.

We were never alone. Merely carried through our heartaches on the backs of those that watched over us…The Watchers.