[ WP ] '' A hearthbeat , and one of the peasants was standing alone next to me . And so we stood there watching the gates . ''

Smoke billows up from the burning town below, drifting on the wind up towards the keep high up on the cliff. Alone on the outer wall an armoured figure gazes down at the death of Caidport. In their left hand they hold a finely decorated scabbard. The sword within is nothing special, one of countless many forged over the years, plain but well suited to its task. The sounds of the town could barely be heard, even though the outer districts were aflame and the fire quickly burning its way towards the bay. 
 
 A dark mass of bodies, pouring through the streets like some foul poison through veins, its path obvious. The Beasts would be at the keep soon, following the fleeing masses as they sought safety amidst the keeps stone walls. They would find little safety here. The figure turns and leaves to gather the few unlucky soldiers left behind. If the were to be abandoned to die here they would at least die befitting citizens of Orliath. 
 
 
 The last few townsfolk and farmers to enter the keep before the gates shut tell of how the guards had valiantly held off the Beasts as best they could. They speak amongst themselves that the Beasts had never launched a raid such as this in the five short years the settlement had been established. The figure stands alone in thought, surrounded by the fleeing folk as they pass through the courtyard to the keep hall. From the wall the figure saw the true size of the attacking force. They did not see the dark mass stretching near unbroken to the forest, surrounding the burning and broken walls of Caidport. It would do them no good to know. 
 
 A man upon the wall yells that the Beasts approach. He need n't have as a few moments later the howling and roaring could be heard. The sounds they made could not be mistaken for anything a human throat could produce. They grow louder and louder until at last they are outside the keep walls. You could hear as they scrabbled and threw themselves in a vain effort to break the gate. The smaller Beasts would have no chance at breaking the gate. It would take the larger Beasts a few minutes longer to make it to the gate. 
 
 Crude missiles flew over the wall, small stones and bits of meat covered bone that did not bear thinking of. A deep, rumbling bellow rings from outside, silencing the smaller Beasts. Finally the armoured figure speaks. 
 
 `` Off the walls! Soldiers gather in the courtyard, we make our stand here!'' 
 
 His voice rings out, firm, commanding. 
 
 `` Distribute the remaining arms amongst the townsfolk, then get them into the cellars and get them to blockade themselves in! They'll be on us soon!'' 
 
 The deep rumble rings out again. The earth shakes, screams of pain can be heard from the Beasts outside. As the greater Beats crashes into the gate a great bellow begins amongst the Beasts. The gate shudders, managing to hold firm. Behind him the figure hears the soldiers muttering among themselves, hears metal shod feet scraping backwards to the keep hall. 
 
 The figure walks a few steps towards the gate, bringing his scabbard up and grabbing the handle of his sword in his right hand. A raging and guttural grunting is followed by beating on the gate, it straining to hold against the monstrous strength being brought against it. A shout rings out from the figure, cutting through the Beasts hollering. 
 
 `` Come, you foul degenerate Beasts. Come die by the blade of Fergal Laimhdubh, fourth born son of Duke Aengus Laimhdubh, proud to die in service to His Excellence Orliath.'' 
 
 Fergal draws his sword and lets the scabbard fall to the dust of the keep floor. A croaky voice calls out. 
 
 `` Aye, and I'll plant me hatchet in yer damn skulls ye savages burned me home!'' 
 
 A small smile comes to Fergals lips. The muttering among the men halt. Feet hold firm to the ground beneath them. A sound of a great cracking is heard from the gate, followed by a great bellowing in triumph. A hearthbeat, and one of the peasants was standing alone next to me. And so we stood there watching the gates.
