The Adventures of Draco Zandros
Chapter 8
The destruction Draco had seen at Asford was everywhere he looked, the Charr had been relentless and
absolute in their destruction of Ascalon. How any life could continue to survive in this wasteland
was beyond his imagination, he felt as if he had failed Melandru in his duties as a ranger. The
necomancers were in the front, Draco following behind but he could tell they were still in high
spirits, he supposed the god of death was more than happy with the death and destruction.
Had the Tyrians angered Grenth in some way or maybe Balthazar? Surely the gods would have aided them
but as far as he had seen no divine aid had come. The Tyrians must have failed in their duties to
the gods, over stepped the mark somehow.
Draco´s musings were cut short as a group of devourers rose out of the ground and attacked. The
creatures shell gave them an advantage against the sword Draco was still using but was little defence
against the spells of the necromancers. Natalya and Haku unleashed waves of dark energy against the
devourers, quickly dispatching them. One of the spells caught a moa bird that had been hiding in a
hole, which panicked from the unseen attack and flew out of the hole like an arrow unleashed from a
bow. Unfortunately for Natalya she was right in the path of the moa bird, in a valiant attempt she
tried to leap out of the way but was caught by the birds claws as it found a target to vent its fear
upon.
Unlike the devourers the moa bird had no defence from swords and was impaled easily as Draco thrust
the blade deep into the animal, with a last screech and a slight jerk it fell silent and died.
Meanwhile Haku was trying to aid his companion who had received two serious gashes across her chest,
blood spilling out across the floor despite Haku´s attempts to stanch the flow.
"Looks like I´m going to be paying Grenth a personal visit." Joked Natalya weakly,
her face pale and breathing laboured.
"Don´t you dare, just hang in there, we´ll get you help." Begged Haku.
"To think I managed to hold off a horde of Charr but was defeated by a moa bird, the gods must
have a sense of humour." She said smiling.
Draco couldn´t help feeling smug, now the pain had hit home for Haku and wiped that smile from
his face but the feeling didn´t last for long, Draco might be a ranger but he was also a
disciple of Dwayna and honour demanded he help. Concentrating with every ounce of mental strength he
had Draco called upon his healing powers, slowing the flow of blood and reducing the pain Natalya
must surely be feeling, but it wasn´t enough, she had already lost too much blood.
"He´s come for me." Said Natalya in a matter of fact way, staring at a patch a meter
in front of her. "Yes My Lord, I am here to do your bidding."
"NO NAT! It´s not right, you still have work to do!" Pleaded Haku.
"I´m sorry Haku." Whispered Natalya "Good bye my friend." With that her
head went limp and her spirit left her damaged body.
"She´s gone and we´d best get moving."
"We can´t just leave her, we can´t!" Pleaded Haku.
"I´m sorry, if you desire we can bury her or we can burn the body."
"How can you be so cold!"
"Cold? I´m stating cold hard fact."
"Why you... you... Yes, I suppose your
right. It´s just we were good friends." Said Haku sadly.
"I understand, but I must ask you to make your mind up, I don´t like the idea of been out
here at night, who knows how many Charr are still about."
"Yeah, I guess." Haku thought on the matter momentarily, he didn´t like the situation
but what choice did he have. "I guess we´d best burn her body, I don´t like the idea
of something coming along and digging her back up for a meal."
The companions set to work wrapping the body in any spare cloth they had, Draco added the remaining
black powder he had, spreading it thinly throughout the wrapping, in such small quantities it
shouldn´t explode but it would burn well.
Haku said his last farewell then Draco struck a spark and ignited the cloth, Natalya´s body
rapidly became a raging fire. The two young men watched the fire for a short period then turned
sombrely towards Ascalon city. The gloomy atmosphere of the city didn´t help their mood as they
entered through the gates. The guards at the gate looked like mummies with the amount of bandages
they wore, this was not a good sign for the once beautiful city.
Teams of people were busy clearing the city of debris, the place looked like an old ruin, parts of
walls stood here and there but nothing was intact. Intense activity was located over at the Great Wall
where teams of craftsmen were busy making repairs to the walls while soldiers kept the Charr back.
Survivors were setting up tented camps in the only space free of rubble and it took Draco a while to
figure out what was strange about this. The tents were been erected in what had been a lake only a
week ago, the ground now scorched dry.
Weeks past and the city settled into a routine, guards and guild members took turns defending the
walls. The Charr were relentless in their assault but after the initial attack no more projectiles
were used and the war bands were smaller. Spirits began to rise, but the threat of the Charr was
constantly on peoples minds and news of casualties continued to come in.
Draco sat near the camp fire drinking his ale in silence, he´d started doing a lot of that
recently and he wasn´t the only one.
"I keep getting fur in my teeth!" Moaned Fuery, picking between his teeth with a dagger.
"We´ll you will insist on drinking their blood." Commented a warrior nicknamed
Bleeding and Crying.
"I can drink yours instead if you want." Smiled Fuery, revealing his fangs.
"No, your okay. I´m just saying they are other creatures you could feast on."
"HEY!" Shouted Draco as he was knocked from behind. "Watch where your going!"
"Who you telling to watch out?" Asked a tall youth with venom in his voice.
"Listen mate, I´m here having a drink, there´s plenty of room, no reason to
start barging past people."
"Shut it, you obviously don´t know who I am. The names Boglet and I´m an
officer!" Said Boglet sarcastically.
"Officer or not there´s no reason to cause trouble." Replied Draco.
"I told you to shut it, since you obviously can´t listen pack your gear and get out of
my sight. Your out of the guild."
"You can´t do that!" Said Draco in shock. Luuk had never spoken to him like this
and he was sure Uncle Noteeth wouldn´t like this guys attitude either.
"You bet I can, now get gone before I have you taken away in chains!"
Draco wasn´t sure what he had done to deserve this, apart from raising his voice to an
officer, but he had no desire to spend years in a dungeon somewhere. Slowly he packed his tackle
and laid his cloak near the fire, Boglet was currently arguing with a paragon named Isabelle along
with several other members, turning his back on them Draco slowly started walking away.
"Hey lad, why the long face?" Asked the monk called Frank.
"Just been kicked out of the guild." Relied Draco.
"What for?"
"I got into an argument with a young officer named Boglet."
"Boglet? Ain´t he a green one? Listen mate wait here I´ll be right back." Frank
walked over to where the argument was raging with Boglet, Draco could only hear snatches of the
argument but it sounded like Boglet was losing.
"... you shouldn´t even be an officer! You only joined recently!..."
"... he was insulting me..."
"... we give warnings!..."
"... he deserved what he got..."
Frank came back over to Draco, his annoyance was obvious. "As far as I´m concerned you
didn´t do anything wrong, I´d be happy to have you under my command."
"Thanks Frank, you have my gratitude." Said Draco with sincerity.
"No problem, was you an officer under Luuk?"
"No, just a member."
"Well congrats, you are now." Smiled Frank.
"I don´t know how to thank you! I pledge you my bow, whenever you need me I´m
yours!"
"Thanks aren´t required, just don´t tell people I´ve been nice to you,
it´ll ruin my image." Laughed Frank.
"Your wish is my command sir." Said Draco kneeling to Frank, his respect for this drunken
monk had just doubled.
"Get on with you before I change my mind" Laughed Frank.
Draco gave Frank a quick salute before rejoining the others, Boglet had stormed off in a mood but the
rest of the members seemed pleased Draco was once again back in the guild. He had to admit it felt
good to have people willing to fight for him and was determined he´d prove that he was worthy
of their support.
The next day Draco got called to see Uncle Noteeth, he had heard about the recent trouble and wanted
to know what had happened. Draco had never seen Uncle angry before and the reason he was leader
became all too obvious. One by one all the witnesses came and went, Draco was kept nearby but out of
sight and hear shot, although he expected Uncle to find in his favour the waiting was making him
nervous. Eventually he was called in for the verdict, as he suspected he had been found innocent and
he was given the choice of rejoining Luuk´s legion. As much as he liked and respected Luuk he
decided he would stay with Frank, he had found a kindred spirit in the troublesome monk and wished
to stay near him so he could keep his word.
Draco´s life settled into a routine, for half the day he´d assist in the defence of the
city while the rest he either slept or joined the others around the fire, laughing and joking with
each other. The days slowly crept by and the seasons changed. When winter arrived the Charr became
less troublesome and the attacks dwindled to just a few a week allowing the Ascalons a chance to
re-group, outposts were recovered and better defences arranged.
When Wintersday arrived the city was in high spirits, despite the constant attacks life was almost
restful, the city was decorated and celebrations occurred. Most of the DAD guild made the journey to
their guild hall for some well earned rest and to hold their own party. Competitions of skill and
strength were held, old rivalries settled in marshalled scrimmages and much drinking and celebrating.
Unfortunately the coming of spring brought new attacks and once again Draco and the rest of DAD were
called upon to help defend Ascalon. Months passed and the Charr continued their assault, no matter
how many were stopped and killed more seemed to follow. As another Wintersday slowly crept upon them
and then passed no one could see an end to the conflict.
Nearly two years had passed and still Ascalon was in ruins, supplies needed to rebuild the city never
arrived, any attempt to obtain them was stopped by the Charr. The people of Ascalon began to despair,
not even the Guild Wars had been this disruptive. Word that Prince Rurik and King Adelbern were
unable to agree on a plan reached the general population and moral hit an all time low.
Then one day a messenger arrived for Uncle Noteeth, the Prince was fed up of been on the defensive and
wished to take the initiative. An air of expectation enveloped the camp as supplies were handed out
and the officers called away to a meeting. Draco was feeling hopeful that a normal life would be
possible, as he followed the other officers to Prince Ruriks tent.
