Bastion - Prequel to War

A Story by A.L.Collins

An excerpt from my published novel. The first in an ongoing series.

“Syruis.” Rigil looked to his friend. “Through here!” He moved forward and ducked through the hole in the wall. Rigil saw it led to a small field with the lush forest right in front of them. If they could make it there, they could escape into the woods and become so lost none of the mercenaries would be able to track them down.

Syrius jumped in surprise as a merc smashed against the door on the other side. He grunted and pushed more against the barricade he constructed. Suddenly he glowed a blue hue and he raised two fingers. He stepped back and quickly drew an “X” shape in the air over the door. Yellow light crossed across the doorframe and barricade which seemed to clamp the door shut even more. Mercs could be heard banging and cussing as the door rattled slightly.

“That’ll keep you sods busy. Kisses!” Syrius waved to the door and ducked through the hole. He came out in the same field Rigil was in, looking around and seeing they were practically surrounded by a large field and forest.

Syrius looked to the hole in the wall and whistled. “That is pure sex.” He looked to Rigil who was busy scanning the area, “Teach me to do that?”

Rigil looked to Syrius, “Come on, head for the forest!”

Both men sprinted forward across the field, stomping on the dead whey grass that covered the ground. It wasn’t long after they started their sprint that they heard another explosion come from the storage area and black smoke poured out of the large hole in the wall. Rigil looked back and saw several dozen mercenaries duck through the hole and run towards them, chasing on their heels with swords raised.

“Ohh, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run!” Syrius yelled.

“I know damn it!” Rigil screamed back.

They pumped their legs as fast as they could, trying to escape the Vex horde. Armor could be heard clanking behind them as they screamed in rage at the prisoners eluding them. Several raised bows and pulled arrows back as others formed balls of mannah at their hands, shooting all projectiles at the two escapees. Rigil and Syrius ducked and dodged projectiles and kicked their fleeing into high gear.