166 Vanadian Coup 2 (2/2)

”Your decision is to die. I respect that” said Bisham ”A shame you will not see the future”

And then their enemies advance unto them. Veno held his sword.

**********

”What is that smell?” asked the soldier beside him.

The Captain of Moon wrinkled his nose and the odor also reached his senses. It was a sharp smell but a little mellow after a while. It smells like a mixture between lamp oil and wax.

”Probably your own breath. Your nose is just above your mouth!” jested another soldier.

A lively laughter ensued. But he was not laughing. Silverback's absence coupled with the strange smell brought him worry. He had heard about the Castonian King's might before. He was awed listening to tales about how Timothy Castonia defeated armies sent to fight against him. Timothy Castonia and his legions were undefeated.

”Sir” A soldier called for his attention. The lad was kneeling and patting the ground. He smelled his hand ”I ain't sure sire but this snow smells funny”

He also knelt cupped the snow. It felt different. It was a little slimy and oily. He immediately knew what it was.

”Run!” he shouted.

The others looked at him with confusion.

””Retreat!” he shouted again and now they were starting to move.

But just then several horsemen rode towards them. They were carrying lamps. The horsemen threw the lamps towards the ground.

The snow burned.

**********

Veno thrust his sword into an enemy. His strike was blocked by armor. He ducked to evade an attack and thrust again in between his enemy's breastplate and arm guard.

The familiar feeling of slicing flesh reverberated through his arm. Upon retracting his sword, the tip was drenched in blood. His opponent cried in pain and Veno moved for the kill. He aimed and he thrust his sword.

But Veno was bashed from the side by another enemy with a shield. He staggered back. Hell fell and he felt dizzy. One of his allies defended him.

Veno sat on the ground, still recovering. His brave men were being butchered. They were dying left and right. It was horrifying. He was shaken.

He smiled bitterly. The King and the Queen bested him- bested them. What was supposed to be their surprise became a surprise for them. They had failed and he was going to die.

Bisham was standing not far from the fighting. The old veteran was watching him. He must be amused, Veno thought. Unlike his uniform and armor already soiled with blood, Bisham's were clean. And unlike his fate, Bisham would live.

He looked towards the cowards who surrendered earlier. They were sitting in the snow with their hands tied. He had high hopes for them. He thought that they would fight to the death just like him. He also thought that the citizens of Holm would rise in rebellion once they attack. He was wrong. He overestimated their patriotism.

He grabbed his sword again. Bringing only swords to fight armored enemies was really stupid, he mused. They could have brought spears or hammers at the very least. He will die with his sword.

Veno supported his body to stand. He held his sword with both hands. He spotted a target- a green boy whose fighting stance was wrong. With his body leaning forward, he rushed to the boy.

And then light. There was light in the darkness. It wasn't blinding but it was big. The light was followed by cries at the distance. His feet stopped. He almost dropped his sword as he faced the north where the light originated.

Around him the fighting was put into a standstill. Everybody knew what it was. All of them were in the navy so they knew the only thing that could burn that bright.

Hellfire. According to the location of the fire, Veno realized that the mercenaries in front of the gate were doomed.

”Sir I think I now know where the Hellfire is!” said one of his men. The lad was a halfwit and Veno would always scold him for doing and saying stupid stuff.

But for the first time Veno laughed to the lad's stupid words. He knew that it was truly over for them. He was amazed by the Castonian King. Timothy Castonia, he thought, such a mind he has.

His sword fell followed by his butt. He sat in the snowy harbor drenched in sweat and blood. He was laughing. After a while his laugh was interrupted by multiple spears piercing his body.