Chapter 7

“Thank you Sister Heloise. I really do appreciate it.”

Mrs. Brooklander thanked the younger sister as she handed her the decorations for the upcoming harvest festival. The church was decorated with candles and ornaments. Several of the church elders had organised a feast that would take place. As she arranged a boughet of flowers a scream pierced the air. Alarmed, several guards lept to their feet but retreated as a young girl with many wounds fell to the floor screaming hysterically.

Questions were asked until the girl on the ground screamed out “An army! It’s set out to destroy Prontera. My boyfriend Dexter was with me until he got crushed by a flying boulder sent from one of the catapults! They launched that stone for fun too! It’s coming here from the north! We’re all going to die!” With that she crumpled to the ground dead. “Well that was something.” Chortled out an old nun as she walked by briskly.

“Close the gate!” ordered the Head Guard and twenty men pushed the great iron gates. With a huge bang they shut close. “Everyone too the battlements, we’ll meet them head on. Men, round up any boys that are eleven or above. I don’t care if they don’t fight. Bring them to me and we’ll distribute them evenly.”

Mrs. Brooklander looked aghast. “You can’t send the poor boys to fight! They’re too young.”

“Miss, it’s the only chance of defending the city.”

“Absolutely not! I have a son you know and he will not be fighting!”

“Lady have you got any brains? We need soldiers…come here!”

Two guards pulled a sobbing boy up and pushed him below the head guard. “Name?” he rapped out curtly. “Norman Ferretter. Please don’t make me fight!” “Oh you don’t have to worry…we will” said one the guards and dragged him off. The boy broke loose however and ran to Mrs. Brooklander. “Make him stop!” he howled. The guard let out a roar of rage and ran to Mrs. Brooklander