Stand Strong
When a routine mission turns into a desperate battle for survival, one commander must rally his outnumbered men against creatures far deadlier than expected.
Photo by Chris Yang on Unsplash
He slipped on the mud gathered around his feet. Everywhere he looked was the same, slick with a mix of rain and blood.
Sword in one hand, shield in another, armour strapped tight, it was all drenched.
Teeth snapped around the edge of his shield.
A spear darted over his shoulder, the silver blade catching the moonlight as it passed a hand’s breadth from his face.
He heard a mighty howl on the other side of his shield, then felt a massive weight crash against it.
They had been told it would be a small nest, a few young pups and halfbreeds.
These were nothing of the sort. These were fully grown beasts, teeth like daggers, each with the strength of five men.
His dozen scouts all strained against their shields. If any man gave ground they would be overwhelmed in a heartbeat, torn apart by snapping jaws.
A visceral shout escaped his mouth, “Stand strong! We hold this line.”
They had to survive until reinforcements arrived. He glanced at the moon, it had been hours since he’d sent for them.
Distracted, his leg slipped again. At that moment one of the creatures rammed against his shield.
He was suddenly looking up at the clear night sky. Cold mud ran into the gaps in his armour.
He darted up in a panic, his fall had created a gap.
A massive claw lunged towards him. He raised his sword instinctively, slowing but not stopping the attack. A searing pain dragged across his face.
He swept up his shield, forcing the iron edge into the creature’s snarling jaw.
Its teeth clamped down, the iron groaned while the wood began to crack under the strain.
There was a flash at the edge of his vision, the creature’s eyes grew wide.
Another arrow flew over his shoulder, the creature reeled away from him.
A horn echoed into the night, the sodden ground below shaking.
He raised his sword and swung in a great arc, his men followed suit and charged forward as one.
The sound of hoof beats at their backs, they knew their rescue, and victory, was at hand.
