Thana Mourningjay

I could see from my window how things were going, and they were going poorly. Poorly for the defenders of Liria, and poorly for me. The attacks were actually going swimmingly, but that led to a whole host of problems, if potential help. The Tower, this tower was the highest security prison in the country, and while only the upper ten levels were serious dangers we still represented people the powers that be decidedly did not want free.

I knew instinctively how to use my magic, even if I'd only ever manifested it enough times to count on one hand, and I knew that I had nothing that could keep me from going splat should I fall. That was of course if I could get these manacles off, a prospect I was struggling with.

The guards were in a near frenzy, but that didn't mean that I was ignored. If anything I was having to deal with almost constant people passing by my door. I couldn't well go with more obvious methods of attempting to get the chains off, but there might be a solution soon if I could get the right person.

Greyson was luckily the one set to give us food, he was rushig to get it all out, even if it was just a small loaf of bread.

“Wait, could you close the outer door?” I asked. “I need to use the chamber pot and I'd rather every single man in the prison not see me.”

It was partially true, I really did need to pee and the fact that there was a line going by my cell was rather more embarrassing, but really I wanted the privacy.

As I looked on I could tell a few things. I could tell he believed me, that he totally bought the excuse. Sadly, I could also tell that it wouldn't be enough, he needed another push.

“That's a punishment, not a request Mourningjay, and you know it,” he responded, trying to keep to procedure.

“Asshole,” I said with a smirk.

He snorted laughter once through the grim set. “Fine, and you're not getting dinner.”

Turnabout was fair play after all, and I had asked for it. If things went to plan, by dinner I would be gone. I didn't bother to hide my smile, my bet had paid off. He wanted to help me, he wanted to be kind and give me the propriety that most men felt 'innocent young girls' deserved. I wasn't the most innocent person in this prison though, and abusing his feelings of 'rightness' to save my own life didn't bother me in the slightest.

I gave it a couple of minutes, actually doing what I said I needed to and giving a solid count to one thousand before I got to work. The manacles had to go, there was no getting around it, and if I wanted to make it, they would be coming off, regardless of the cost.

Milo Greyson

The day was an absolute disaster as the prison was cleared as quickly as possible. We still had a good few people left, but they were quickly clearing out. The main delay was the resetting of the spells needed to judge prisoners. It wasn't immediate, taking nearly a minute each time someone went through.

We went on well through midday, the sun beginning to move downwards in an arc by the time we reached the minimum security prisoners. Some expressed that they didn't mind immediately going to their Judgment, but expressed fear that they would be less than useless in the defense. The warden, upon hearing this from one of the supervisory guards informed us that it would be acceptable for them to act as aides to the army instead, as more helpers, even non-combatant ones, were needed for any defense.

That of course led to a fresh wave of recruits. By late afternoon we'd finally made it all the way back to the minimum security prisoners, but that was when the runners came from below.

“The walls have been breached, guards are to return to their floor immediately and ennact the Towerfall protocol. Those who've already volunteered to be judged are to be exempted by order of Warden Lightstone.”

I rushed back to the top, to my own station, where I was met with Supervisor Flint and the others. For the first time today, there was no line. The paladins had been going all day and looked absolutely ragged, I was more than exhausted myself as our leader led us to the room we used to keep our supplies.

“The messenger said Towerfall, but I'm unfamiliar with that one. Don't think we covered it in the basic training,” I told him as he moved over to the storage lockers.

“It's one of the failsafes. If The Tower should ever come under danger of being taken or destroyed all criminals above level twenty are to be executed summarily,” Flint responded grimly as he pulled out shortspears and swords and distributed them.

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My blood ran cold. “That's...”

“It's what must be done. I know you're new, but certainly you understand that? The people here represent the worst our nation has to offer, we cannot risk a mass escape.” His voice was grim and eyes hard.

“Of course, of course, I understand. I just didn't expect it today,” I sighed.

He gave me a slightly softer look. “I'll take care of the girl; don't worry, I'll be quick, she won't suffer.”

The others looked at me. It was well known that I'd been doing all I could for young Thana, trying to get her soul ready in the hope that she would make it. It seemed I'd failed, something I'd have to live with, if only I could have convinced her to volunteer earlier perhaps she'd be out right now, doing some good.

“No, I'll do it. A friendly face may make it that much easier on her,” I said, fixing him with a stern gaze of my own.

Flint clapped me on the shoulder, “Good man. I know you believe she had a chance, if it is so I'm sure she'll be welcomed into the divine realms when it is done.”

The paladins blessed weapons. It wasn't much, but it would make our grim work that much easier, and faster for those we must now send to the afterlife.

Several of the prisoners tried to fight when they realized what was happening, more than one producing a makeshift weapon or the like. It mattered little, because we controlled the doors. Between those and the ability of the blessed warriors they fell one by one. I felt numb as we worked our way down the line, to the only door I knew would give me nightmares.

I had to take a moment to steady myself as I opened it. I'd shut her in earlier at her own request and never gotten back. That seemed cruel now, not letting her have any conversation for those last few hours. Perhaps at least it had dulled the screams a bit. She was sitting on her bed, covered in her blanket, eyes sad.

“I'm sorry kid, I hate that it's like this, but it is.” I could feel Flint behind me, watching.

“Mind if I tell you then? The truth?” She asked before continuing. “The truth is, I never feared the wrath of Judgment, but the healing.”

“What?” That made no sense.

“I'm cursed, dad built our house over a graveyard. All the necromantic energy effects you, in my case made me manifest necromancy, and also caused me to react to healing like an undead,” she calmly explained.

“That would mean...”

“The healing spell at the end of The Life's Judgment would cook me into charcoal,” she said.

“That's not true, it can't be...” I stuttered, unable to process.

“Why don't you ask Flint?” She suggested.

From behind there was a sigh. “You know I hate when you do this. How many have you led astray? This is your third isn't it, or fourth?”

“Is it true?” I asked the paladin, taking my eyes off the girl for the first time.

“In a sense. The laws of magic as we understand them do indicate that that little walking heresy should die. If she had true faith in the goddess perhaps there would be an intervention, but certainly not as she is.” The man now looked at me with cold eyes.

“Walking heresy?” I asked incredulous.

“Well, what else would you call a girl whose very body rejects life yet continues to live? If word of those like her spread it would cause discord amongst the faithful on how they exist, because they shouldn't. Now, it is time to do your job guardsman.” His hand fell to the blade strapped at his side.

“Wrong, all wrong. You seek to kill a child for the crime of being born somewhere she shouldn't have? Call her very existence a heresy? You are the one who has erred,” I declared.

“If the goddess wanted her to live, she'd have sent a miracle,” the man said, finally drawing his sword.

“I am standing right here. Thana, stay behind.” Without hesitation I turned to the man who should be the one fighting for good and righteousness, drawing both my sword and the buckler I kept on my hip.

Flint was younger than I, and trained in the manner of a divine warrior, but he was greener. From the way he moved, the way he talked I could tell that he'd never seen battle, real battle, against other men. Perhaps he'd killed some monsters, but monsters weren't the same. He who struck first often struck the final blow.

I snapped forward like lightning as he took his stance, my sword, the one supposed to slay an innocent, went towards him like a flash. The magic that had been placed upon it to help with the executions now striking out at the would-be executioner. Catching him better than I could have ever hoped in a situation like this.

He screamed in pain, “To me! Kill the betrayer!” Then the man threw his own blow, which was sloppy, skidding off my shield with a screech and shower of sparks.

“Duck!” I heard from behind, and, instincts taking over, obeyed.

Above me sailed what appeared to be a pillowcase, landing true in the side of Flint's head. It didn't seem to hurt him too greatly as it passed to land on the ground some five feet behind, regardless of the heavy noise it landed with. Smart girl had filled her pillow with something hard, ostensibly to try and beat me to death with.

Our fight continued, he dodging my blows as he began to speak, a prayer in some language I didn't understand. Whatever it was it didn't succeed, and that failure seemed to shake the man to his core.

I wasn't alone though, and his words were met by others. Thana spoke, again, some incantation, followed by, “Help beside you.” At her words black smoke coalesced into a skeletal form, a warrior to join in our fight. Sadly the thing was inept, but having someone to cover that side would help regardless, I knew well how to fight with other shieldmen beside me. She shouldn't have been able to cast, but today appeared to be a day for the unexpected.

Another pass and I landed another strong hit on him, leaving him spitting blood. With a scream of “DIE ABOMINATION!” he tried to hit the skeleton, only for his weapon to bounce harmlessly off the creature's bones. The skeleton, weak as it was, continued to be mostly a shield to me, and I smiled as I realized what had been in the pillow. Another item joined us flying from behind, this time a bowl, which shattered on impact and added a lovely cut to Flint's face.

The undead summon evaporated back into smoke as I buried my blade in the man's gut. He looked confused and pained. Good, he could now understand what he was putting on others. Sadly I had other problems.

There were five guards on shift on this floor right now, along with the now bleeding out Flint. Two were going up against a prisoner. My guess was they'd been trying to execute him and he'd taken advantage of the clear fight to make his own bid at survival. The other two however were headed this way.

One was another paladin, Leo, the other a priest by the name of Senton. In a fair fight it would be tough, but I was going to be anything but fair if I could.

“Got another of those skeletons in you?” I asked behind.

“On it's way, but they don't last long.”

In the few moments we had we tried to form the best line we could just outside the cell. I didn't like the idea of being locked in should one of them manage to close the door. The priest went straight to the fallen man and failed to do anything, unable to parse why his magic too failed in the critical moment.

Leo of course didn't bother with me. Taking the damage he had to to get past me and to Thana, where he lashed out with his blade. The girl screamed as he struck her, but the damage wasn't fatal, even looking less than it should have been from the blood.

I made him pay for it, plunging my blade deep into his less protected back as Thana grabbed his face. In less than a second it was like his veins were turning black where she'd touched and flowing away. He screamed as he joined his superior on the ground.

“You okay?” I asked as I advanced towards the priest, who'd now risen and pulled his own blade.

“Will be,” she gasped in clear pain.

My clash with the clergyman was short. He was not the trained warrior that the other two had been, or that I was. Even though the second undead similarly dissolved without scoring a single hit I didn't need him for this.

When it was done I saw that the other combatant had similarly prevailed. Catching the other guards with their pants down had seemed to be just what he needed to pull through. He did look rather rough though.