4 Long way home

I heard the caw of a bird overhead, and I felt I was laying on my back. Next, the putrid smells of rot, sulfur, smoke, and iron assaulted my nostrils. When I began to move, I suddenly noticed I was immobilized. A heavy weight was pressing down upon me. My eyes began to focus and, I realized my horse was laying on top of me unmoving, breathless, dead.

"I'm alive! Thank you Avais for your protection!"

It took some time, but I managed to squirm my way out from under my former companion. I said a quick prayer over her and surveyed my surroundings.

The stone bridge was scorched black and the town just across the river was still smoldering. All around me in the fields were the charred remains of my bannermen. Twisted burned out husks frozen in a deathly visage. I don't know if I was still in shock, but I just stood there staring at those who used to be fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. A caw from one of the carrions broke my trance, and I reached down and recovered my sword.

"We lost before it even began. The Emperor went to meet with their commander then the Dragon attacked. I've never seen something that radiated such malice."

I left death behind as I headed home. "My wife and son are expecting me." I walked for days to our village. I don't even remember resting or eating while I trudged along on the side of the King's Road. The shock and stress of that battle, if you can even call it that, scarred my mind and replayed endlessly.

After an eternity, I made it. I collapsed to my knees at first sight. The village I found was not the village I left.