Chapter 7 : The Burning City

“The city…has also been attacked just like Levogard, what should we do then?” Leo asked Tom.

“We should just enter, and see what we could do.” Tom replied.

“Well, then let’s go.”

So they both walked through the broken wooden gate. At this point, they could see that this is the first place where a real battle had taken place. Bodies of dead Scrown and Thales soldiers lies everywhere. And judging from their positions, the battle here had been very savage.

They walked on. Burning houses with the body of their owner lying in front of the houses. Tom and Leo become silent. The situation is just like Levogard, and it makes their heart want to cry. But they carry on walking, until they see some Scrown soldiers scavenging a broken house.

“Look Tom, I think this is the time to let out some of our hatred.” Leo said.

“I can not agree better. Let’s do it.” Tom said, and with that draw out his sword.

As they prepare to charge, suddenly there are other sounds.

“For the glory of Lord Locksley and our homeland, charge! Spare no one!”

And suddenly, the Scrown soldiers found themselves being surrounded by a handful of Thales soldiers. In a matter of second, those Scrown soldiers are killed.

“Wow, I have never seen such a quick battle, these Thales soldiers sure are elites!” Leo said.

“Well, it seems this city hasn’t been defeated yet. Let us go and meet them.” Tom said.

They walked to the Thales soldiers group. But before they come any nearer, one of the Thales soldiers spotted them.

“In the name of Lord Locksley, halt!”

The other soldiers quickly turn their head, weapon ready in hand.

“Hey! We mean no harm, we just wish to…” Leo said

“Silence! Why do you think we should trust you? Hands in the air, now!” one of the soldiers interrupted.

“We will have to comply, Leo. I don’t see why they should trust us anyway. If I am him, I would do the same.” Tom said, putting his hand on the air.

Leo look very dissatisfied, but he put up his hand too.

“Take away their weapon!” the first soldier that interrupted Leo said. Judging from his attitude and apparel, this man is the leader of this group.

One of the soldiers takes away their weapon, and gives it to that man.

“Very good, now I think you better talk, who are you two and what are your intentions.” the man said.

“I am Tom Burfoot and this guy beside me…” Tom begins.

“…is Leo Baldric.” Leo finished the sentence.

“Our intention is to ask for aid from you two. As you could see, my friend here is wounded, and we do not have any proper medicine save some bandage to cover the wound, so we…” Tom said.

“Where are you two from?” that man asked again.

“We are from Levogard.” Tom answered.

“Levogard? The city to the west of here? Why are you here then?”

“As we have just said, we are looking for aid.”

“And why don’t you look for it in your own land?”

“Because…” Tom is unable to finish the sentence.

“Our homeland had been destroyed, ravaged by the same people that have also attacked your city.” Leo finished the sentence for Tom.

“What? Do you mean to say that Levogard had been defeated? Impossible! I knew some people there. They are very good fighters.”

“Yes, but the enemy outnumber and outwitted us. Anyway, who do you know in Levogard? Maybe we know where he is.” Tom said.

“His name is Hagol Hazrael.” the man said.

“Hagol…Hazrael? You know Hagol?” Leo and Tom said.

“Yes, and he is a very good fighter. I still don’t see how…” the man said.

“Not to worry, I knew he is still alive, although we expect to see him here in Thales.” Tom said.

“No, he is not here. Anyway, what is your connection with Hagol?”

“He is our friend, of course! What do you think?” Leo said.

“Tell me the whole story! Why you are here and where is Hagol!” the man demanded.

So Tom tell about the story of how Scrown soldiers sabotaged and attacked Levogard, how they fight to defend the city, the great fight against Renshaw Bellamy, and finally how Hagol bravely stood alone against Renshaw so that Leo and Tom who have been bruised badly can retreat from there to heal their wound. Leo sometimes nods in agreement or put in some details that Tom forgot to say.

“… and that’s why we came here. Because we think that Hagol will come here too.” Tom finishes the story.

“I still can not believe it, but what you have told about Hagol is indeed true. He is a very brave man and a really great friend. I think you have earned my trust, but one must be much more careful in this dangerous time. You shall have your help, but after that you must meet Lord Locksley, for he is the one who can decide on your fate. For a start, let me tell you my name. I am Frivlus Glock, captain of Thales Elite Militia. Now, let us move on.”

So, Leo and Tom followed Frivlus Glock and the rest of the company. Although Frivlus said that he trusted them, but he still show some carefulness by assigning five men to guard Tom and Leo rear. Frivlus himself walked in front of them with three other men accompanying him. The rest of the company are split into two group, one group on the front, another on their flank.

They walked through and go deeper into the burning city. But at some point Tom begin to realize that this city is not defeated yet. They have reached a part of the city where everything is still intact, and there are several Thales militia patrolling. They keep on walking until they reached a point which seems to be a refugee camp. At this point, the company halted.

“Okay, everyone. Back to your post. Disband!” Frivlus ordered.

All the men immediately leave that place. Now there are only Tom, Leo and Frivlus there.

“Okay, so now here we are. Follow me. I will take you to the medical tent.” Frivlus said, and as he said that, begin to walk away.

Tom and Leo followed. “Medical tent? What is that?” Leo asked Tom.

“Beats me too. But we better get going too.” Tom said.

They walked on for another few minutes before they saw a rather large tent in front of them. Two soldiers are guarding the entrance. Beside the tent is the banner with a word “T” on the banner. Around the banner, several wounded soldiers are sitting, some are tended by a man in red robe which Tom guessed must be a healer.

“What is this place?” Tom asked Frivlus.

“This is medical tent, as what I have said earlier.” Frivlus replied.

“What is that?” Leo asked.

“I will answer that later. You should get into the tent quickly and have your wound tended to.” Frivlus said. “I will come back later to fetch you. I have to report to Lord Locksley about you and it will be his decision then.” After he finished the word, he walked to the tent guards, and talked to them for a while. The two guards nodded and Frivlus walked away.

Tom and Leo walked to the tent and stopped in front of the guards, expecting to be halted. But one of the guards say “All of you are expected, please, come in.”

And so, Tom and Leo walked into the tent.