Sara hid as a group of the creatures trooped by. The troops of the dark wizard were attacking the port town of Meribia. Her father had told her to stay put, hidden in the basement of their house. Sara wasn't the type of girl to "stay put". She had not heard from her father since he had left thier home with a sword and a determined look on his face. Now all she saw was these horrible creatures walking around, and she was afraid for him. If she could find him she was sure her healing abilities would be of use.
"Back foul beast!"
That was him! She ran towards the sound of clashing metal. Turning a corner she found her father holding back three of the monsters, and a few more dead on the ground. The creatures were staying back, odviously not wishing to share the fate of thier comrades. They held spears which gave them longer reach, and what they lacked in courage they made up for in number. Soon they would realize that if they all attacked, he would fall. She was behind him and he didn't notice her presence.
"Father!"
"Sara? No, get away!"
As her father turned towards her, one of the creatures thrust its spear forward. Saras father let out a gasp of pain and dropped his sword. Sara ran over to him and saw that the wound was too deep for her magic to help with... she pick up his sword and held it clumsily before her, facing the monsters.
"No... Sara... get..."
"I won't leave you to them father, I won't!"
The hideous beings laughed at the girl before them.
"Pretty girl," one said.
"Yes... pretty and tasty."
"You won't get me!" Sara said defiantly, holding up the sword.
The started laughing again and advanced towards her. One of them suddenly made a surprised sound and fell forward. The other two look at each other, wondering what was happening. Then a short blade sprouted from ones chest. The blade withdrew and the creature fell to join the others on the ground. The last one finally realized what was happening and turned to face the mysterious opponant. He was confronted with a young man holding a dangerous and elaborate looking sword, but the look in his eyes was even more dangerous. Its mind worked slowly, and finally came up with the simple solution "attack". It raised its spear in front of it and jabbed forward.
Suddenly its spear was a lot shorter. Looking at the useless stick that used to be a weapon, it decided it was time for a strategic withdrawl.
However, before it could run far, the armored stranger sliced it cleanly in half. He turned and approached Sara, who back away.
"Don't be afraid... are you alright?"
"I.. I think... no wait.. my father..."
Sara kneeled by him. He was fading fast, his blood draining from the large hole in his chest. Sara's savior also kneeled by him, he shook his head.
"No... I can save him."
Sara closed her eyes and consentrated. A warm light flowed over her father. He sighed as his pain lessened, however that was the only effect. He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"I'm sorry Sara... I... have to leave you."
"No father... please..."
He turned and looked at the young man.
"You saved my daughter... who...?"
"I am the black..." he trailed off.
"Blake..." he coughed up some blood "please... watch over my daughter... I don't know you... but there is no one else to ask..."
"Blake... very well. I will honor your request, you faught valiantly against impossible odds. I will protect your daughter and I will avenge you."
Sara was sobbing, unable to speak.
"Don't cry for me... I will finally get to see your mother again"
He reached up and put his hand to Saras cheek, then he was gone.
"I am sorry for your loss," the one known as Blake said, "but we cannot stay here, there are still patrols and we will get caught"
Sara released her fathers hand and stood, not really knowing why she should trust him but not really having any other choice.
"What are you doing here?"
"I am here to free this town. These creatures are being led by a human general of Zir. If I kill him they will flee. They are neither smart enough nor brave enough to hold this town without leadership."
"I will help you."
"You are under my protection and you can't..."
Blake stopped as he saw the look in her eye.
"Very well... but please don't get yourself hurt."
General Dagoot was not pleased. The glorious wizard had ordered the capture of this miserable town. Things had been going well, until now. He had reports of his minions (he scoffed at the idea of calling them soldiers) turning up dead. There was not supposed to be any fighting force here. One of Zir's creations skittered up to him and gave another report.
"Five more dead!?! What is causing this?"
"Perhaps I can answer your question."
Dagoot turned to see an armored man and a girl far enough behind him to be considered "out of the way".
"Who are you?"
"You may call me... Dragonmaster Blake."
"Dragonmaster?" he laughed, "delusions of gradure... get him!"
His minions let out cries and ran towards the so-called dragonmaster. Blake held his sword toward the sky, then pointed it at foward. The sky was split by large bolts of lightning, which struck all the advancing minions. There was nothing left but smoking holes. Dagoot drew his sword.
"You will not find me so easy."
"I like a good challange."
Dagoot ran forward, swinging his sword in a wide arc intended to separate Blake's head from his body. Blake raised his shield to block the blow and counter-attacked. Dagoot parried the sword. They continued to trade blows for a few minutes, with neither gaining an advantage. Finally Dagoot lept backwards out of reach.
"I grow tired of this... now witness my true power!"
Dagoot was surrounded by a glow, there was a flash. Where Dagoot stood a large creature loomed. Silava dripped from its fangs as it flexed its long claws. With a roar it attacked. Blake raised his shield and felt the claws rake across it. The creature swatted him, he was knocked backwards into a house from its immense strength.
"Ugh... man or monster I will defeat you."
Blake dove aside as the creature aimed a punch at his head, instead the wall he was standing in front of shattered. Blake swung his sword towards it, but the creature batted the blade frm his hand almost as if it didn't matter. Blakes sword struck the ground, out of reach. Rereating slightly Blake pressed his palms together and called upon the power of the red dragon. The creature that used to be Dagoot was engulfed in flames, yet it continued to advance. Blake began the spell that would return him to his natural form, then he would be more powerful than this abonomation. Unfortunatly magic requires concentration. Focusing on the spell, he was unable to avoid the next blow. He was knocked to the ground, loosing the fragments of the spell. The creatures large fist closed around his waist and he felt himself being lifted into the air. Its free hand was raised for the blow that would finish him.
"Forgive me Althena..."
The creature roared and dropped him. It turned slightly to show a blade... Blakes blade sticking out of its back. Sara fell backwards, thrown off by the monsters sudden turning. Thoughts of Blake driven out of its head by the pain, it turned on Sara. Blake stood shakily and threw himself the sword, shoving it completely through the beast. Suddenly Dagoot was there once more, the blade of the sword sticking out of his chest.
"Curse... you... but you will never... defeat... my master."
Dagoot fell to his knees, then face forward onto the ground.
"Thats what you think" Blake said shakily, still reeling from the last blow.
"Let me help you" Sara approached him and laid her hands upon his chest. Blake felt whole again as Saras magic did its job.
"That you my lady, I am in your debt."
"No, I am in yours, you freed my home... and my name is Sara."
"Very well Sara," he pulled his sword from the body, "you will be safe now, I must go."
"I'm going with you."
"No, it will be dangerous. I promised your father to keep you safe, and with this town free you will be."
Sara poked him.
"So, you can keep me safe with you too, I can use healing magic, can you?"
"Well uh... thats one type I can't..."
"Well then, it's settled, there's nothing to keep me here anyway, and I want to see the person behind all of this pay."
Blake turned away from her for a moment.
"Alright Sara, you can help me. I must confront Zir at Vane eventually, however first I will free the towns he has captured..."
"Then what are we standing around here for? We've got a job to do don't we?"