Regrets of a Traitor Chapter 1 Lance Screams of fire and echoes of clashing steel woke Lance from his sleep. Sitting up to a dark room the only light streaming in through the window. A lazy orange hue tinted the air, wafts of smoke and embers making their way in. Peering out the windowsill he looked out across the town. Wooden houses spontaneously burst into flames and showers or sparks. Crackling and snapping beams and creaking roofs tolled their deaths. Throughout the dirt ridden streets people ran on hands and knees. In night clothes or no clothes at all. Cuts and bruises marred their faces and some sported long bloody gashes or an arrow still quivering. Processing what he saw Lance ran down the stairs to wake his sister. Their rickety staircase threatening to collapse under his hammering souls. Reaching the kitchen she was already there. Clutching a large butchers knife in a green night gown she trembled like a lone leaf. Seeing her safe Lance grabbed his sword from the wall discarding the sheathe. No words were needed and she followed him into the chaotic night. Bare chested and only in small clothes Lance raced toward the city gates. Looming just ahead like a linear grey mountain they offered safety and reprieve. Screams sounded behind them and the whinnying of horses not far off. 'Come on Celsie!' he shouted as if it would pull the walls closer. Hooves now a not so far off sound quickened his pulse. Not risking a look back and grabbing Celsie's hand he charged all out. Clearing the fringe of the outer town an into open space gave him hope. The gates were within sight not two minutes away. He dared hope they could make it. That Celsie would make it. The sounds of riders urging their mounts on came from behind. The earth shook from iron hooves chasing them down. Praying to the Gods Lance kept running. A sudden whistle and an unexpected breeze above almost made him stop. The sounds of hooves had stilled and no cries heard. Daring to risk a look back Lance saw four riders and horses toppled on the ground. Pinned down by a swarm of arrows. Counting his blessings he urged Celsie on. At the gates they met a line of hard faced men. Armour glistening silver in the moonlight like luminescent beacons in the night. Pikes held at the ready parted like steely curtains. Coming through the armoured maze Lance found himself surrounded by half clothed men and women. Each one sobbing in the arms of the other. Turning to Celsie he couldn't help but cry. 'We made it.' he managed. Gripping her thin frame in his arms and shuddering at the thought of almost losing her. Grasping her long golden hair never wanting to let go again. 'We made it...' ©Samurai2012