Everything about that night was as it normally would be. The moon shone brightly in the dark sky, the stars following suit, illuminating the village in which Amber made her way through. Most of the residents were already curled up in bed or were quickly making their way to their small homes. Amber herself was heading back to her family's house after a long day's work at the Lord's manor. It was commonplace for servants to reside in the building in which they served but due to the size of the village she belonged to, Amber resorted to staying with her elderly parents over bunking in the otherwise constricted quarters at the manor.
It was just a short walk home and Amber took her time, relishing in the chilled air and quiet streets. Due to her dawdling, she was one of the first to hear the hum of horse's hooves coming over the hills. And that's when the night turned into anything but the usual.
Hitching up her skirts Amber turned on her heels, racing back towards the manor in order to alert the Lord. Her headscarf fell away, carried off by a breeze, allowing her fiery red locks to flow behind her as she ran. Along the way, as her sandaled feet slapped the cobbled path she shouted in a frantic warning, "Raiders! Raiders!"
The few able-bodied men in the village were quick to file out into the streets, dazed but armed and somewhat ready for the oncoming attack. Wives with babes in arms were left watching fearfully from their doorways.
Amber's dash to the manor was cut short as she watched it go up in flames. The vibrant reds and oranges reflected in her eyes, masking the green pools that normally shone bright. She gasped at the sight but was quick to spin round in the direction of home. Her family was her priority now, there was nothing she could do for the Lord.
By this point, raiders filled the street. Houses were set alight. She didn't need to see the fires to know they were burning strong. She smelt the toxic smoke and heard the crackling of the thatched roofs over the pounding of feet and the screams. The screams... those she'd never forget.
She didn't make it back home. The way was blocked off by a man on a horse who seemed to be the raid leader and was calmly watching his men who were efficient in their looting, pillaging and murdering of the village folk.
It was just a short walk home and Amber took her time, relishing in the chilled air and quiet streets. Due to her dawdling, she was one of the first to hear the hum of horse's hooves coming over the hills. And that's when the night turned into anything but the usual.
Hitching up her skirts Amber turned on her heels, racing back towards the manor in order to alert the Lord. Her headscarf fell away, carried off by a breeze, allowing her fiery red locks to flow behind her as she ran. Along the way, as her sandaled feet slapped the cobbled path she shouted in a frantic warning, "Raiders! Raiders!"
The few able-bodied men in the village were quick to file out into the streets, dazed but armed and somewhat ready for the oncoming attack. Wives with babes in arms were left watching fearfully from their doorways.
Amber's dash to the manor was cut short as she watched it go up in flames. The vibrant reds and oranges reflected in her eyes, masking the green pools that normally shone bright. She gasped at the sight but was quick to spin round in the direction of home. Her family was her priority now, there was nothing she could do for the Lord.
By this point, raiders filled the street. Houses were set alight. She didn't need to see the fires to know they were burning strong. She smelt the toxic smoke and heard the crackling of the thatched roofs over the pounding of feet and the screams. The screams... those she'd never forget.
She didn't make it back home. The way was blocked off by a man on a horse who seemed to be the raid leader and was calmly watching his men who were efficient in their looting, pillaging and murdering of the village folk.