Prologue

              The ground is sour with the stench of death and rot. I step over the masses of corpses as I pick my way towards the castle in the distance. Shredded banners flutter in the wind, obscured by the occasional cloud of noxious smoke.
               War isn’t glorious, despite what everyone may say. There is honor in fighting for your fellow man, that’s true. But to cut down another’s life is a regretful thing. No matter what circumstances brought you to do so.
               A run of trumpets announces our win. I can’t bring myself to smile as I force my eyes straight ahead, over the field of the dead. From behind the hastily cobbled barricade emerges a tall figure dressed in navy blue and black. In her hands gleam short throwing daggers. She promptly hurls the blades. I reach for my shield, only to remember it splitting apart in a plume of dragon fire.
               Plan B. I raise my sword to block the blow, but I know there is no possible angle I can tilt it at which will knock aside both weapons. It’s either my face or my heart. A death sentence, regardless.
               I don’t want to die slowly. Unflinchingly, I drop my sword into the dirt and open my arms to death.