The Ardelic Order

The bitter breeze cuts through the few holes in my steel helmet. Ahead, the horizon is littered with purple trees and an inky sky. Behind, are the scorching reds and oranges that slowly eat away at what once was a steeple. This night was like the last and each night from hereon shall be the same until I have carved fear into the unbeating hearts of the fearless. The Moroi, the so-called “civilized” vampires, have molested the minds and bodies of humans for far too long. Centuries have passed and yet we still allow for the spawn of hell itself to wage war and make a mockery of law in which they call “politic”. They sit around long tables enjoying the taste of humanity’s blood as the peasanty face the subtle abuse of ignorance and disregard from their ghoulish masters.   I hear someone shriek and bellow. A young woman has begun to sprint towards me with a demoralized stride. She begins to cry and sob uncontrollably into my chest, pounding all she can against my breastplate. A dull thud with each weakening strike. I can hardly understand a word she speaks between her stammered, sobbing breaths. I can feel my face abstain from her feigned sorrow. I wrench my hand to her neck as her mouth begins to reveal two eldritch fangs stained brown by her feasts. Hissing, her spittle sprays my mask as I hold her at bay. I struggle to hold my ground as I grab the stake at my belt and thrust it deep into her chest. My blow wasn’t direct, only causing her to screech. My allies surround me as to watch. They knew better than to get close lest they wish to become the very creatures we seek to end.   With a forceful yank, I pull the sharpened stick from her lung. Viscous and bitter, the blood that she hadn’t needed started to sizzle and pop as it tore through the outermost layer of steel upon my helm. Incoherent and idle threats filled my ringing ears as she found an open joint. Yellowed talons, supernaturally sharp, caused my chain to pop and split in protest. Her nails dug deep into my skin below the wool. Like spades, she began to tear flesh from beneath my skin. Pained, my teeth ground against one another so harshly that I feared I’d lose them. My heartbeat, however, is all I felt; all I heard. I managed to hook my foot behind hers, using my momentum to slam her into the wild grass below. My opportunity had risen and I most certainly wouldn’t get another if I failed. I was forced to join her on the earth as she wrenched a sizable portion of my inner elbow from my body. My stake found her chest as she continued to rip into my chain. Any feeling other than pain began to recede in my arm as she aimed to rip it from my body. I had dug the stake in only a little before she tore from my now lame arm only to dig deep into my other. Crick. My chain betrayed me yet again as I felt the now-familiar sensation of having my muscle seized from my body. She had a mighty grasp and only planned to partake in a war of attrition with me. Time seemed to stop as the resounding ringing in my ears muted all other sound. I saw her hand reach for the stake that had yet to pierce her unbeating heart. I reel my head back with a barbaric yawp as I brought my plated head down and onto the spike akin to a carpenter’s hammer to a nail.   I removed her claws from my body. Aedil truly watches me this day. I thank ye for thine guidance. I thank ye for thine strength. My comrades begin to surround me as my consciousness fades.   I awake to witness sunlight weaving in through the fabric of the tent. I yet live. I rise as my head throbs in unexplainable pain. I reach for my head to find that I’ve only a bandaged stump from the elbow on. A small price. I understand. I rise and look about to see the sapphire hawks of my comrade’s tabards. “What shall we do sir? You are unfit to fight.”   “My limb is a small price to pay for the sanctity of Ulvad,” I spoke slowly, “the horses must be readied. We press on.” I look back to see the blackened stones of the unholy monument to hell. The soldier gave me a nod as he lingered with concern for my state. "Go," I assured him with a nod. He returned my gesture and walked off toward the others. I heard my words echo from his mouth to the ears of my companions.   I reach with my good arm to my Ardelic amulet I kept about my neck as I watch the sunrise remind me of times far simpler than now. Truly, the world has always been wicked. I needed only to open my eyes to glance at what lurks beyond the light of day. Removing the amulet from my neck, I make my way back to the tent to watch the day wash away the night. I pray she will find the strength to love me though I am maimed.