Army of Apocalypse

I had a strange sense of foreboding all day. There were no sounds in the forest – no scampering of squirrels or birds calling from the tree branches or bees humming as they gather their nectar. It was an eerie silence. The air was thick, heavy, making it hard to breathe. I keep thinking of my dreams and how it might affect the Angels and our Keep. How the sky was blood red this morning which was an old sailor’s warning of impending doom. I needed to talk to someone to see if I was still sane.

I walk the short distance to the local watering hole, the Diova Gruss Tavern. (Diova Gruss is Elfish for Lost Ones). Maybe the owners, Carl and Earnest, might have news from any travelers stopping in for a pint of ale and venison chops. I enter the tavern and look around, checking for any strange faces. There are none - only a few small groups quietly talking. One table stopped when they saw me standing there. Carl waved me over.

“Greetings, Carl. How are you? Have you heard any news that might explain why there are strange things happening at the Keep?”

“Well, one of our scouts returned just a bit ago. He seems to have been in a skirmish of some kind. Did you bring your medicine bag with you?”

“Yes, you know I always carry healing herbs with me. How bad is he, Carl?”

“I’ll let you decide. He was acting a bit odd so Earnest took him to the back room so he wouldn’t upset the villagers.”

I made my way to the room and saw young Miro sitting at the table, his head in his hands, muttering under his breath. Earnest look up and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know what he is saying – can’t make out much. Glad you are here to take care of him. I will leave these cookies and ale for the two of you. Good luck.”

As I got closer, I saw dried blood on his arms, hands and face. “Before you leave, Earnest, please bring me some fresh water so I can tend his wounds.”

As I cleaned and stitched and bound his cuts he started to talk – his eyes unfocused and looking out into space.

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. She looked so beautiful. You know, just like the Seraphim Angels in the church paintings. But she had a sword. She surprised me. I fought. She laughed at me and said that she would let me go so I could warn my people – make it more fun for her and her friends. She laughed at me! She said her master, Mephistopheles, was going to send the full force of his army to kill us. Us! It would be led by four of his best generals – Sylvana, Keira, Lotus and Azriel. I didn’t know. What have I done? Oh, what have I done?”

“Miro, look at me. You didn’t do anything. I am not surprised at the impending battle. I have had a premonition for several days. I am just saddened that it is now on our doorstep. All the signs have been pointing to this day, to this time. I have bound your wounds. Now, go, Miro, for you have had a hard day. Rest, you will need your strength and we will need you in battle. We will ALL need our strength for what’s about to come.”

I left the room to find Carl. He was wiping down the bar tables. He raised his eyebrow as I came closer.

“Carl, sound the battle alarm. From what young Miro has told me, we are now at war with the Army of Apocalypse. We need every able bodied warrior if we are to defeat them. I have heard tales of this army and now my dreams make sense. It was Mephistopheles and he will take no prisoners – he wants us dead. Beware, our men and women will be tested. They will need to light the signal fires for others warrior friends to help build our battle defenses but that is all they can do. This battle is going to be the responsibility of all of the Castle Angels to defend our lives and our Keep. Now, go, go, go! We cannot wait any longer!”

BONG…….BONG……..BONG……..BONG

The sound sent shivers down my spine!

created originally 25 March 2011