The Raid

*Leon slept restlessly that night, his dreams were haunted of people's cries and the howling of beasts. As the sun began to rise he got out of bed and put his border watch uniform on, he then headed downstairs and saw a note on the counter.* "Dear Leon, I'm sorry I couldn't see you off today but Lana needed my help with Sarah, breakfast is on the table, enjoy~ Love Mom~" *Leon smiled and sat down beginning to eat his breakfast of eggs and toast, nothing special but it tasted amazing just like all the food his mother makes. He finished up his food and washed his plate, as he headed for the door he saw another note.* "Don't forget your sword." *He quickly ran upstairs and grabbed his weapon attaching it to his belt then headed out towards town square.

*As he approached he saw Brandon was already there.* "Hey Leon, your on time today." *Leon smiles* "Well I have to change it up sometimes right?" *They laughed together.* "Well today should be an easier day, the captain just wants us to move some cargo from a carriage to the Inn." *Leon tilts his head slightly.* "Should moving cargo really be done by the border watch?" *Brandon sighed a bit.* "I figured you would ask that. Leon, the primary duty of the border watch is to guard the great forest, but our secondary duty is to help and protect the citizens of this village, never forget that." *Leon nods and smiles.* "Your right, lets go."

*The two boys arrive at the Inn, the owner brings them around back and shows them the carriage and they begin unloading.* "So Brandon, what are you going to do after this?" *Brandon lifts a heavy box and takes it inside then walks back out.* "I usually just go home, why?" "No I mean after the border patrol, I mean do you plan on staying here forever?" *Brandon thinks as he takes in more boxes.* "I've never really thought about it to be honest." *Leon sits down and takes a break.* "I've always wanted to see the world, what's really out there you know?" *Brandon joins his friend.* "I guess so, I think everyone wants to travel at least once in there life. But I like it here, life is simple but happy, you have to enjoy the little things my friend." *The boys talk for a little while then get back to work. As the sun reaches its highest point the boys finish unloading the carriage, the Innkeeper thanks them and gives them there pay.* "Hey Leon, why don't you head on home, I'll report to the captain." *Leon looks puzzled.* "Are you sure?" *Brandon nods, Leon doesn't question it and simply thanks his friend and starts to walk home. As Leon approaches his house he sees his mother and Lana sitting on the front porch with Sarah.* "Hello Lana, this must be Sarah right?" *Lana nods and smiles. The baby has deep green eyes and blonde hair is starting to grow on her head.* "So Lana, how has the captain been doing?" *She sighs.* "Honestly I'm not sure, he seems so distant lately, he barely talks anymore and and he's been putting in extra hours." *Leon sits down.* "He's probably just nervous, he's never been a father before." *Lana nods.* "Your probably right, I just worry about him..." *They all sit in silence for a moment when they hear screaming coming from town center, Leon immediately stands up.* "What the hell was that? Mom stay here, you too Lana, I'm going to see what's going on." *Reina quickly stands and yells after Leon.* "Be careful my son!!"

*Leon rushes off to town square with his sword drawn, the sight he sees is one he was not prepared for. There it was, a large grey humanoid figure standing over Brandon, it had large teeth and rough skin, its body looked sculpted out of stone and it had eyes as red as blood, Leon knew what this was, he studied monsters when he was younger but this shouldn't be here* "And orc? why is an orc here? they belong in the mountains, why on earth has it come so far?" *The colossal orc was standing over Leon's friend, he wielded a large two handed axe and carried it with ease.* "Pathetic humans, is this really what you call a warrior?" *The orc kicks Brandon with its enormous strength and the boy flys towards Leon. Leon quickly runs over and checks on his friend.* "Brandon?! Are you ok?!?" *Brandon's eyes flicker as he struggles to maintain consciousness.* "You stupid beast!" *Leon stands up again and holds his sword tight.* "Leon! Stop!" *Leon turns around as Derrick starts to approach them." "Captain!" "Calm down Leon, take Brandon and go back to your mother, grab anything you'll need for a trip and head to Yarden." *Leon's eyes go wide.* "Yarden?! We are leaving the city? Why don't you just kill him and we stay?" *Derrick sighs.* "For two reasons, one is that I'm not 100% sure I can kill him, and two is because if there is an orc here he must be here for a reason." *Derrick stares at the orc and draws his sword.* "So orc, why have you come?" *The orc laughs in a deep and rough voice.* "My master has sent me here to collect supplies for the war effort." *Derrick stares the orc down and tightens his grip.* "Your master huh? And he only sent a single orc?" *The orc chuckles as if Derrick had just told a joke.* "Yes and no, I am simply a scout, but." *The orc pulls out a horn made of bone.* "Once I use this my brothers will come, and we will tear this town apart. We will take your food, your water, your weapons and medical supplies, and your women." *The orc lets out a horrific snarl and licks his lips.* "I've spotted some pretty ones too." *This makes Leon seethe and he starts to charge but Derrick stops him.* "Leon, don't be stupid, think. Go to your mother, protect the people, get them out." *Leon's hands start to shake.* "What about you?" "I will join you shortly, even if I cannot defeat him I can stall him long enough to let you get away." *Leon looks at the orc then back at Derrick.* "Alright..." *He sheaths his sword and picks up Brandon as he starts to walk back to his home.*

*On his arrival his mother and Lana are mortified to see what state Brandon's in.* "Leon what happened?!" "Derrick is fighting an orc in town square, he sent me here to gather supplies and get everyone out." *Lana looks at Leon.* "Is he ok?! Is Derrick ok?!" "He's fine Lana, don't worry, right now we need to do what he said and get out of here, Lana can you start gathering supplies and mom can you get the horses attached to the carriage?" *The two women nod.* "I'm going to warn everyone." *Leon sets down Brandon on a bench and runs back to town and begins to warn everyone about the orc, the townspeople all flee to Leon's house after grabbing all the supplies they can carry. Leon finally heads to Dave's house and knocks loudly on the door, no one answers and Leon repeats this over and over, he finally opens the door and calls for Dave but still no answer. Leon was worried about his friend but he couldn't waste anymore time, he headed back to his house where his mother had gotten the carriage ready, Brandon's parents also owned a carriage so they decided to load one with supplies and the other can be used to carry the elderly and children, also Brandon seeing as he can't walk.* "Ok, that's everyone, mom have you seen Dave?" *Reina looks at Leon and nods slowly.* "Oh thank god, where is he?" *Reina sighs and looks down.* "Leon...he went to help Derrick." *Leon looks stunned and stays silent for a moment.* "What!! You let him go!" *Leon quickly sprints off to town center as his mother tries fruitlessly to call him back. When Leon reaches town square he sees yet another horrific sight, Derrick was laying against a house, one arm was beside him on the ground completely severed from his shoulder down, while Dave was fighting the orc, Dave was giving the orc a run for his money, but his fighting days have long since passed.* "Dave! What are you doing!" *Leon runs up to them.* "Leon! Stay back! Take Derrick and get out of here! I'll hold him off for as long as I can!" "I can't just leave you here!" "Boy do as I say!" *Leon was extremely conflicted, Dave was the closest person to a father he's ever had, and now he has to leave him to his death, this isn't right, but what choice did he have. Leon helped Derrick up and started to walk back to his home, he set Derrick inside the carriage and Lana began to cry as she and Reina tried to stop the bleeding.* "Wait....Leon...Dave told me to give you this...." *Derrick held out his hand and gave Leon a golden ring with a diamond in the top, inside the diamond was the symbol of a Phoenix.* "What is this?" *Derrick coughs up blood.* "It is a royal ring, one from the kingdom of Lorden..." *Leon's eyes grew wide.* "Lorden? The kingdom that was destroyed by the dragon?" *Derrick nods.* "He said that it was yours, that you were the only living heir to Lorden, that your father was the prince Alex, and that he was General Grant, he escaped the castle with you and your mother when you were only a new born." *As Leon tried to process this Derrick turns to Reina.* "Reina...he said to tell you he's sorry...." *Derrick finally passed out from blood loss as Reina tried to hold back her tears while she bandaged his wounds. Leon simply sat there in silence staring at the ring as the carriage leaves his home village behind, he now knew who his father was, he was the lost heir of Lorden, he had so many questions, but for now he simply looked at his home as it got further and further away wondering if he would ever see his friend again.*