I didn't want to admit it, but my nightly practice with Thomas was obviously doing something right. I was feeling less awful overall, and actually noticed that I was kind of looking forward to the activity.
But as they say, nothing good ever lasts.
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I double checked my gear to make sure I've got everything and reached for the handle. My instincts screamed at me, told me something was wrong and I felt myself hesitate. A sound of an impact made me jump away from the door - just in time too. Halberd carved through the wooden door and sent splinters flying everywhere. Before I even realized it I had my weapons drawn and was ready for whatever may be attacking.
The remains of the door were swiftly kicked in and a figure stood at the entrance to the infirmary. Figure clad in full steel armor, flanked by two more in similarly heavy equipment. 'Fuck me' was I could think of as I quickly analyzed the situation - swords are not good versus heavy armor. And even if I do find a weak point, odds are there's chainmail under all of that bulk. Getting close to abuse those weak points with daggers is possible, but considering the advantage of their long weapons it would be borderline suicidal - especially when I don't know my assailant's powers.
I glanced at my surroundings - narrow hallway branching into many smaller rooms. As long as I fight around corners, their weapons will hinder them. Though considering how well fortified they are, they might just be able to beat me unconscious with their fists. Overall, this was a situation where I was extremely disadvantaged.
I saw the first man glance at the inside of the house - likely doing similar analysis to my own. He probably arrived to the same conclusion I did since he passed the halberd to one of the two behind him and pulled out a shortsword that was hanging at his hip. "By the order of the law, you will submit to imprisonment and should you be found guilty, summary execution." He bellowed and - I recognized the voice.
"Captain, what crime have I comitted for you to do-" I motioned to the smashed open door as well as his armor. "-all this?"
"You are charged with Thomas's murder." My heart skipped a beat. "As well as the assassination of the rest of his mercenary company." His voice was filled with hatred as he spat those words out, but my brain barely registered that.
"Wha-" My voice was weak, this didn't make any sense. I felt my reality crumble - as if someone just destroyed the foundations upon which it was being built. "There's witnesses here! You can ask! I was inside all day!"
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"Cease your lying, as if I'd believe those you've enthralled with your vile magics torment. Surrender, or die." He ordered, and - I understood. He already dismissed any argument I could make as lies, and people who would support me as bewitched.
This wasn't an arrest.
This was an execution.
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I dashed deeper inside the house - my breathing ragged and stressed. Obviously the band of armored men running after me wasn't helping, but I couldn't understand why Thomas, Liz, Jay and Marcel were dead.
I took a sharp corner into one of the common rooms and for a brief spell I almost smelled syrup and pancakes inside here. A moment later, my body crashed through the window and I landed unceremoniously on the street below - the impact knocking the breath out of me. I picked myself up and swiped away a bit of blood from my face. Must have cut myself on the glass.
A brief glance informed me of the obviously terrified couple whom I've narrowly missed on my way here, before I moved again. Somewhere behind me - likely from the now broken window - a voice shouted. "Don't let her escape! Her running is an admission of guilt!"
There was no way I could talk my way out of this, so I ran as fast as I could. I remembered that even the greatest warriors can be dogged down and slain by the weight of sheer numbers. 'And a sword through the skull.' My mind unhelpfully chimed in.
The chase was on, and I was winning. The guard had posts around the city, and each one I ran by was shouted into joining the pursuit, but unlike them I wasn't weighed down by heavy armor or large weapons. As such, while there was quite the crowd of pursuers behind me, I was still able to move faster.
Eventually this lead me past the inn where Thomas and his group were staying. They were laid out on the ground in front of it, and while I didn't have time to inspect their wounds, there was an obvious pattern. All four had lethal fresh injuries across the front of their throat. The guards were getting rid of everyone they didn't like.
This wasn't an execution.
This was a purge.
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My mind was reeling from the realization - and all that I had lost in what felt like an instant, but I didn't allow myself to slow down. Right now was time to move, time to mourn would come after.
I took the last turn leading to the gate out of Larton, and felt my hopes wither into dust.
It was closed. And guarded.
Uncountable pursuers on my back, a literal fortified wooden wall in front of me and I - ... I was alone to face it all. It was truly hopeless. The men at the gate raised their weapons and readied to defend the gate - to keep me in here even at the cost of their own lives.
If I fight them, I will die - even if I'll be able to defeat them, the reinforcements will catch up before I can pry the gate open.
If I run, they will eventually run me down.
If I hide - there's nowhere to hide. They know where I am.
I felt the despair settle inside my mind, and it cracked under the strain.