HammerFall

Chapter 005: The Road to Vara:

Xasthur had been found much the way that Jasper had expected to find it. Outside the great city had been littered with the dead. He felt odd that Rosenbrim had some small part of the carnage of 15 years ago that had laid before them on their journey. As a wizard he had some dealings with the battles against the Black East 15 years ago.

Jasper was glad to leave Xasthur behind them. It had brought a chill over him for reason he understood to well. The battlefied outside of Xasthur was the shadow of his brother pulled at him the strongest and he had spent most of his time there next to Rosenbrim to stay out of the memory of his treacherious brother, Mikael. It felt as though no matter where he went the shadow of his brother followed behind him; an embarassment upon the Stormblade family name and still notorious for his skill with weapons. That was only part that Jasper was jealous. He wanted to be a stronger warrior then his older brother. He wanted to be a legend; but one of justice, so that he could restore the honor to the Stormblade name. That was the true reason he had become a Knight of HammerFall.

Something felt wrong. The air was to quiet along the dirt road. There was no sound of animals within the trees and brush. He was a moment to late. They came down through the air from nowhere. The four of them landed on the two rear guard's horses. The creatures appeared human except for the sharp fangs and claws that bit deep into the guards and horses' neck. One hung from the horse's neck biting deep into it as the other held tightly onto the guard. The rear guards fell from their bucking horses as the foul, demonic humans clutched onto them like pack of wild dogs taking down a weaker prey.

He heard Rosenbrim grimly muttered, "Demons." There was a blast of golden light from the hands of the wizard as he shielded himself with some strange, holy spell.

Jasper drew his sword as he noticed Johan doing the same. The two rode towards the demons that was still feasting upon the last rear guard.

Jasper slashed his way through the two demons that were defending it's feasting brethern. To his astonishment the demons did not fall away from his slashing. The two of them grinned at Johan and Jasper. No blood leaked out of them.

Rosenbrim shouted, "They are puppets! The true demon must be elsewhere controlling these marionettes."

A feasting demon puppet lifted up it's head. It's blood stained mouth opened but a female voice spoke through it, "Very clever, wizard. But it will not spare you from your death."

Rosenbrim spoke a single word and that was when Jasper saw them; the strings. They were made of wood and not flesh. Jasper had never heard of any such thing before. All his oponnents had always been mortal in some form.

Johan was quick to understand. His blade slashed through the strings and wood. The two swordsman made quick of the puppets.

The head of the bloodstained marionette demon rolled towards Rosenbrim. Once more that female voice spoke out form it, "Do not think yourself so clever, wizard. No matter what you do, it will be to late. Hahahahahahahaha."

Jasper's sword slashed the head in half; ending the laughter.

Rosenbrim ordered, "We best make haste. Who knows what evil has befallen Castle Vara if demons have infested this land."

Rosenbrim charged his horse forward, and the two remaining warriors charged after him. The wind rushing through his short silver hair, and his deep sapphire eyes determinedly gazed towards the direction of Vara. He felt that the words of that strange voice was true. That they would arrive to late to be of aid to either of their kingdoms.