Eastpoint, Bahim, Drum

Given only the vague command to take Eastpoint, and with Taylor Keys and many of the Councillor Guards occupied with the pursuit of the revolutionaries, Taylor’s army marched in unsure formations, split up into the narrow and irregular streets of Eastpoint. The streets were pitch dark, without any source of light other than the faint stars, and littered with debris, waste, and at times human remains, leading many of the soldiers to stumble and fall, slowing the march down to a sluggish pace.

One such line of soldiers were trickling down the easternment alleyways of Eastpoint. These alleys were even darker than the rest of Eastpoint, as some of the peaks of Drum cast over them shadows that swallowed up any remaining light. Many of the torch-bearers were dead, and there was no man left that was brave enough to light another torch.

Then, a sudden flash of light blinded them and the soldiers, knowing what this signified, began to retreat in panic. Some could be heard crying out “Drina! Drina is here!”. In the confusion, many were cut down by Hazel and the revolutionaries, but when the lesser commanders rallied them and attempted to launch a counterattack the revolutionaries disappeared again into the darkness.

In this way Hazel and the revolutionaries went from alleyway to alleyway to disorientate the enemy. From now and then, the few residents that remained in Eastpoint made their small contributions by throwing bricks from their windows or dowsing the passing soldiers with freezing water.

By now Hazel reached the southern alleys of Eastpoint, which the first of the soldiers were reaching. She stopped and tried to Sense for Logan, but she couldn’t find him. Hazel was holding Logan’s fauchard, which she had retrieved from the bottom of the hill, and was putting it to good use. Already it was dripping with fresh blood. Sensing the oncoming string of soldiers, Hazel released a flash of light and charged, but was abruptly stopped when her first swing at the commander was parried with ease.

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“Drina,” said the commander.

Hazel assumed a defensive position, but an attack did not come. She looked up. The commander was Boash Ramani, the challis master, the one who had killed Jerome.

Hazel threw the fauchard aside and drew a second, longer blade that was tucked underneath her own. It was Jerome’s blade.

“Oh?” said Boash. “The boy’s blade.”

“You recognise it,” said Hazel.

“Yes,” said Boash, his smile glinting in the light that was beginning to envelop Jerome’s blade. “I was the one who sent it to you, as a present… Or should I say compensation? It was the least I could do after killing your boy.”

Hazel cried out and charged. Knowing that he was disadvantaged in close combat, as his specialty was challis, Ramani parried lightly and attempted to create distance between him and Hazel. However, Hazel was unrelenting. She pushed forward, seemingly swinging blindly, releasing flashes of burning light with each swing. None found their mark. Seeing this, Ramani cried out, “kill her!”. The army behind him charged nervously as Ramani himself stepped back.

“Get back!” cried Hazel.

And by doing so she, without consciously intending it, Transcended the Minds of the advancing soldiers. They lost strength in their legs and crumbled to the ground.

“It couldn’t be,” whispered Ramani.

Hazel charged, wielding Jerome’s double-grip blade with just her right hand. Ramani sent a challis her way, but she pushed through with her entire Body enveloped up in Barrier Connexion, and collided into Ramani. He took a few steps back and attempted to strike her side, but Hazel was faster. She struck Ramani’s blade, which fell to the earth with a clang. By now the soldiers who had fallen to their knees had regained their balance and were rising to their feet, only to see their commander disarmed, staring helplessly.

“I am Hazel Drina, the Child of Light,” said Hazel. “You took one of my men from me, one of my finest men.”

Hazel raised her blade.

“Blood for blood,” she said, and struck down.