Testowy Artykuł

Arkus Zowar   Arkus Zowar   His mother’s order broke Davon’s paralysis. He crossed the kitchen to the room his father had added the summer before his sister was born. He pushed open the door and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Anna was sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes, her voice muffled with sleep. “Davon?” “We need to leave, Anna. Get up and get dressed, quickly.” For once, the girl listened to him. She got out of bed and began pulling on clothes. While she did, Davon opened the shutters to the room’s only window. Outside, several other buildings were on fire. Beyond lay the forest, dark and inviting. If they could reach the line of trees, they would be safe until the attack was over. There was a crash from the other room, and a scream from Maura—Davon couldn’t tell whether it was in pain or anger. Hearing her mother’s scream brought Anna out of her groggy half-sleep. “What is happening to momma?” she asked. Davon didn’t answer. He didn’t want to think about what might be happening a dozen feet from where they stood. “Help me move the bed to the window.” The girl did her best, but Davon did most of the work. When the bed was in place, Davon boosted himself up, his lanky frame slipping through the window. The mossy ground behind the cottage absorbed his landing, and in moments he was on his feet, helping Anna through the window. “Come now,” urged Davon. “Quietly. We are going to hide in the forest until it’s safe to come back.” “What about momma?” “She will be along soon. Don’t worry.” Despite his own fear, Davon managed to sound reassuring. Anna took his hand, and they made their way towards the forest. They crossed half the distance to the tree line, the sounds of fighting fading behind them. Their escape appeared to have gone unnoticed, and Davon’s hopes began to lift. A crash sounded from the woodcutter’s shed just ahead of them. Davon and Anna froze as a large human emerged from the shed. He was dressed like the troll in the cottage—leather and mail, a broadsword at his side. His head was shaved, and decorated with elaborate tattoos. In one hand he held a sack, in the other a torch. The raider turned and set the thatch roof on fire. He watched the flames spread, his back towards the pair. Davon thought about making a break for the trees when the raider turned, and saw the children in the light of the blooming fire. The human dropped the sack, and drew his sword. He spoke in that unfamiliar language, and laughed. Davon pushed Anna behind him, placing himself between the raider and his sister. Seeing Davon take a defensive stance, the raider laughed again. Davon didn’t like the tone of the laugh—it promised pain, and the raider looked all too willing to deliver on that promise. The raider called out, and his call was answered with raised voices from the direction of the village green. Davon looked back over his shoulder and saw two more raiders come around the side of a nearby building. Despite the warm night, Davon felt a chill. They could have lost the raiders in the darkness of the woods, but the human had cut off that avenue of escape.