“As the day progressed, the
soldiers worked to repair the damage to the village. Since they did not know of his betrayal, they
cut down their fallen brother and gave him a proper burial. The remains of the warlords and their slaves
were incinerated to prevent spreading diseases and hours later the villagers
were relieved to see some semblance of order.
To show their thanks, the villagers prepared a huge banquet and tables
were hauled out into the square. Piled
high with savory entrees and delectable sweets, the planks bowed under the
weight of so much food. The wine flowed
as both soldiers and civilians toasted to life, liberty and happiness. Maidens blushed, warriors boasted and a fine
afternoon melted into a glorious sunset.
It appeared that the worst was behind them but that’s always when the
other shoe drops. Once the last fuchsia
swirl melted into a rich indigo blue in the sky, a galaxy of stars sparkled
overhead. It was then that the demon’s
slumber broke and it burst from hiding, in search of more souls. The crack of leathery wings against the cool
night air sounded like distant thunder rolling in from the shore but the geyser
of fire shooting from its mouth was proof enough that there was a different
kind of storm brewing.
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