11th of Sun's Smile, 30 SA
Sevrel was no stranger to the unmistakable sight of shed crimson...
The day started as any other day. The birds chirped as they flew in betweenst the trees of the realm of Elvenesse, and the water rushed underneath the bridge before the tall gate's of the city. As was his duty, he stood guard atop the front gate, eyes fixed on the horizon. He had a feeling that something was to happen that day, as it had been some time since attackers threw themselves upon the walls of the great city, and that bore the signal that they were soon due for such an event.
Still, the horizon betrayed no sign of such assailants. No clambering of hooves, no stomping of boots, nothing. It was quiet, too quiet the elder 'ker thought.
He decided to leave another guard to watch the gates as he went for a stroll through the city, his son and recently fellow guard bringing up his flank. That was when it happened.
Sevrel heard shouting, and before he could turn to face the source of the noise, he was surrounded by the ruffians, who dub themselves the Rustlers. Their leader had not kept their promise. How they had gotten in, he had no clue, but none of that mattered now. Swords were drawn, and a standoff began, as it usually does. Much shouting and taunting took place, and Sevrel perceived the graveness of the situation. He looked upon the few soldiers he had, and the brave citizens who took up arms, he noticed a startling realization; they were all looking to him.
Knowing that this fight could not be won, he bellowed a single order to his people "FLEE". The word tasted as sour as rotten vinegar as it left his mouth. Did he really just issue a retreat? Before he could think much longer, he found himself lunging towards the Rustlers, engaging them in hopeless nine on one combat. Brave? Stupid? Those words rushed through his head as he took on the full brunt of the attacking force, aiming to give his people as much time as they could to escape. He swung his blade left to right, severely injuring many of the Rustlers. But alas, even the most fearsome of warriors could not take on such odds with any hope of victory. He felt the cold sting of his enemies blades puncture and slash him, opening up intense wounds upon his grey skin. Sevrel could not take much more of this, and he tucked his arms in front of him, barreling through the line of Rustlers in an attempt to escape with his life.
Arrows whized past him, he heard the whoosh of a warhammer swung by one of the leaders of the bandit group fly by his head, narrowly missing. He made for the cliff by the Omentahu circle, and he nearly made it before a lucky hit struck his legs, sending him crashing into the dirt. His vision blurred, as he looked up to see the raiding 'ker, slowly walking up towards him, but he also noticed the cliff right behind him. He took a chance.
In a last ditch effort, Sevrel swung his blade at the woman, buying him a split second more, which was just enough time to roll himself off the cliff.
He sunk through the air, and with a dramatic splash, he crashed into the water. By the grace of the ancestors, he awoke some hours later upon the beaches of his city. He tried to move, but pain shot through every inch of his broken body. After a few moments, and many wails of pain, he was able to stand himself up, and began his staggered walk back to Elvenesse.
What happened after he fell? Did his people defeat the bandits? What was he about to see? These thoughts circled around his head, expecting the worst.
When he stepped into his city, he realized it was worse than what he had expected.
Corpses of Elves littered the streets. Throats slit, and bodies bludgeoned. The buildings were ransacked, and some lit ablaze. Sevrel slowly stalked through the city, the ground running red with the blood of his kin.
He wished he could wail out. He wished he could feel some sort of pain, but his mind only had room for one thing.
Rage...
The broken and defeated 'ker stood there, amongst the dead, the smell of burning homes filled his nose. He realized that this was his failure, his folly, and his responsibility.
Sevrel growled, as his teeth grit together, and his knuckles cracked as he clenched his fist. There he swore a silent oath to the ancestors.
He will make them pay...
"Every... Last... One..."