Shadows of Death

Things were going well until they showed up.

We held the walls for several hours, forcing the charging army to retreat out of the range of our arrows and cannons. The men cheered, happy at the brief victory, but I knew our opponents would strike back brutally soon.

Gwendolyn instructed two men to keep watch while the rest of us went down the walls to acquire refreshments and see if we could rest before the next attack. Sir Michael excused himself, going towards the gate in search of Fiona, leaving myself and Gwendolyn in the midst of hungry men. 

We were headed towards a nearby tavern to eat. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and sweat, a constant reminder of the slaughter that had just raged on beyond the city walls. The tavern loomed ahead, its doors thrown open to welcome weary soldiers seeking respite from the chaos of war.