Prafa Falls. 64

It was a quiet night in Prafa as the sleepy guards sipped warm cattle blood on the wall and talked about what was going on in Yadessa. Many of there relatives had been sent to Tir Na by Valkar for there protection. Many had also died in the attacks by the dragons. It had been explained to them how Muerte had taken control of the dragons and made them attack the city. They understood and couldn't hold a grudge against them for some of them had also been controlled by Balthazar when he seized dominion of Vasag. Remembering the feeling of being held in someone else s power made them cringe. But it was different for the dragons. Dominance for them meant searing pain as dragons brains fought for control. But they were free now and couldn't be controlled again. For that they were all thankful. So it was just another boring night on watch they thought. Unknown to them, things were about to change.
Overhead in the sky many bats flew watching the men on guard. They relay back there low numbers to those waiting at the edge of the forest waiting to attack. In the forest Balthazar had sent twenty of his altered warriors on a mission to capture his family and bring them back to him.
[Master.] A nightwalker in charge sent to him. [ There are no more then three on the wall guarding the gate. What are your wishes?]
[ Destroy that city and bring my family to me.] Came the answer. [ Send those in the sky down to silence the guards.]
[ We obey.]

Along the the wall three guards patrolled there eyes almost closed in boredom. At the rear of the gate two vampire bats flew down and came to rest on the deck of the wall behind the guards post. Shifting form, they stood and slowly crept up on the guard and grabbed him. Pulling a sword with a silver blade they quietly slit his throat and lowered him to the deck. One down, the nightwalker held up the sword and sent a flash of reflected light into the sky to send down the next ambush. Minutes late the second guard was also laying face down dead. All that was left was the guard at the gate. He stood and looked around the wall checking on the others. He saw each of them wave to him. He assumed everything was well. A sudden noise from below the wall caught his attention. He looked out and saw a huge dog down in front of the gate barking.
" Quiet mutt!" he yelled.
Turning around a hand closed on his mouth silencing him as the blade was drawn across his throat ending his life. Hurrying over to the gate controls the invader pulled the switch and let the rest of Balthazar's forces in. Quietly they made there way through town from house to house killing everyone then found. Prafa was falling.

Lost in her dreams Angela slept soundly until a voice stirred her awake.
[ Angela, wake up!!] She heard Alea calling to her. [ Prafa is being invaded]
Angela instantly came awake and jumped from her bed. She had to get to Athene and Tanis. Dressed only in her nightgown she ran fron the room and down the hall to there rooms. She bust into Tanis's room and touched his forehead. his eyes open and looked up at her.
" Mother?" He blinked. " Whats the matter?"
" Trouble my sweet." She told him. " Get Adam And Usher. We have to go now!"
Quickly they both were out of the room and Angela was into Athene's room. There she found a nightwalker bending over her daughter.
" GET AWAY FROM HER!! She screamed.
Looking up the nightwalker hissed at her. Angela raised her hand and sent a bolt of energy at the dead thing and blasted it to dust. As the dust settled she ran to the bed and touched her forehead waking her.
" Mother?" Athene opened her eyes. " I was dreaming we were under attack."
" We are Thene." She pulled back the covers and helped her out of bed. " We have to get to the dragons. Hurry!]
As they made there way to the door, Adam and Tanis came running to them carrying Ushers body.
" Oh no!" Athene cried.
" He's dead." Adam told them. " We found him at the top of the stairs with a sword battling a warrior. He killed two nightwalkers before they got him."
Angela reached out and touched his face and closed his eyes. Suddenly crashing noises came from bellow them and they heard footsteps on the stairs.
" Leave him." She said. " You have to go."
" No mother I won't leave you!" Tanis cried.
" None of us all." Adam put Usher down the shifted to his warrior for. coming around the corner, two warriors advanced on them. Sting roared and ran at them grabbing one with his claw and pinning it to the wall. His stinger whipped around and stabbed it twice through its hard shell. Tanis leaped at the second one sending a high kick at its exposed face. He knocked it back as his long talon like nails grew and he thrust them into its brain through its eyes. Both warriors fell dead to the ground.
[ Angela. I can hold them for a few minute.] Alea told her daughter. [ But I'm still on my nightly ride. I can't come help you. Once my ride is over I will find you. Get out of there now!!]
[ Mother I have to get to Arturus.] She sent out. [ I'm sending the children away. Can you help them escape?]
[ Yes but it has to be now.]
"Adam." Angela called to him. " You have to get them to safety for me."
" No!!" Athene cried. " I can't lose you again!"
" Listen to me all of you." She said. " I love you and I'll come to you in New Keanna. But I have to get Uncle out of here to. Get outside into the moonlight and you will be safe."
" What are you talking about?" Tanis asked.
" I don't have time to explain." Angela kissed all three of them. " Go now or I'll send you myself. Go!!"
Sting grabbed Tanis and Athene and pushed them towards the stair as they protested. Turning and running the other way. She ran to a staircase that went up to the next floor. There in his room she found a warrior drooling about to rip into him.
" Oh no you don't!" She whispered a spell that put a force field around Arturus knocked out body. Again and again the warrior tried to stab through her field with no success. Howling he dropped him and turned to her. Angela smiled at it.
" Come on." She waved at it. The warrior charged hard at Angela bringing its claw swinging at her head. She summoned her shields to surround her like armor and blocked the blow then using her shield as a weapon, she swiped low at its armored leg knocking it off its feet. Scrambling like a crab, it came at her its claws open and ready to snap her in two. Wedging her field in between the claws she grabbed hold and started to force them apart. Wider and wider she forced the edges until the was a loud crack and the warrior howl out in pain. Quickly she raised her hands making the shield needle sharp and bought it down to pierce its shell and cut into its heart. Dropping her shield she ran to Arturus as the warrior died with a last shudder.
She pulled him into her arms and touched the waking spot. He didn't respond. She shook him, still nothing. Angela laid him down then stood.

POWER FLOWS AND SENDS YOU OUT.
SAFE YOU'LL BE I HAVE NO DOUBT
TO HEAL AND SLEEP THE TIME IS RIGHT.
I SEND YOU OFF TO AVOID THIS FIGHT.

Magic flashed and a glow began to surround Arturus as he disappeared from the room.
" Get better my brother."
Loud crashing noises began to climbed the stairs as Angela turned to the door. She didn't have the time to fashion a spell to get herself free. This was it she knew. Balthazar had finally found her. But he wouldn't get the weak wife he had before. This time she had the power to fight him. She smiled as the warriors and nightwalkers crashed into the room.
" I am Angela Gaelich." She said. " Take me to my husband."