CHAPTER NINETEEN
In New Haven, the Pelasgians had to fight hard for every yard of ground gained. Human soldiers wearing armor similar to the Corinthians were proving themselves to be just as tough.
The fighting had gone several blocks beyond the city wall. Buildings were ablaze and dead bodies littered the streets, making it difficult for Arthur and Richard to navigate.
“We better pick up the pace,” Arthur said, turning into a narrow alley.
“How do you know where they are?” Richard asked. “They could be dead, for all we know. I mean, I don't think they're dead, but they could be anywhere.”
Arthur had to kick his way through a small mound of empty baskets. “If I know Thomas, he'll be falling back toward the Citadel. Plenty like him who think it's the most important building in the city.”
Pelasgians walking past the alley spotted the men and ran in after them.
“Move it,” Arthur said, going as fast as he could.
Richard knocked over crates and barrels to slow the Pelasgians down while trying to keep up with Arthur. Dividing his attention between the two in the maze-like alley, he soon lost track of his partner.
“Arthur?” Richard called, stopping for a split second with the Pelasgians only yards away. He made another turn into an alley with an exit.
On the street, Richard found Arthur waiting with a line of archers several houses down. He was only halfway down the street when the Pelasgians bumbled out of the alley.
“Get down!” Arthur yelled.
Having a clear line of fire, the archers brought down any Pelasgian standing in the street with a hail of arrows.
When the coast was clear, Richard got back to his feet. “Sorry, I lost you back there in the alley.”
Arthur shrugged. “If it makes you feel any better, the route we took only had two exits. Both leading to this street.”
“Thanks. I'll try to remember that.”
One of the archers approached Arthur. “Sir, we're needed elsewhere.”
“Thanks for the assist.” Arthur saluted.
“I hope the guys are close.” Richard said inspecting another alley.
With so much going on, it was hard for Arthur to tell where any of the noise was coming from. “Why don't we try sticking to the streets this time? It sounds like there's a lot of fighting over there.”
Peeking around the corner at the next intersection, they could see human soldiers clogging up the street with heavy resistance against the Pelasgians.
“I don't see them,” Richard said. “Doesn't look like we can get through, either.”
Arthur was growing anxious. “Nothing we can do here. Let's go around and see if we can help.”
“What about the guys?” Richard asked.
“We can't spend the whole day searching,” Arthur said, “Not with this going on. Cross your fingers, maybe we'll run into them.”
As Arthur and Richard ran further, a group of four Corinthians on griffins descended upon them, landing in front and behind.
“I've got these two,” Arthur said, circling around as he parried. When one of the griffins jumped at him, he rolled out of the way and stabbed it in the heart.
The creature rolled over, giving Arthur his chance to kill the rider.
Richard dispatched one of the griffins and its rider in a similar way, then immediately killed another griffin by tossing his equinox into its neck. As the animal fell, the Corinthian hopped off.
Richard grabbed a sword and exchanged several swings with the Corinthian before striking the final blow from behind.
Arthur was backpedaling from the last griffin. “Come on,” he muttered. “Just one opening.”
The griffin lunged sideways, giving Arthur what he thought was his chance, though the Corinthian swung out with his sword deflecting Arthur's attack and giving him a small cut across the cheek.
Rearing its head up, the griffin knocked Arthur to the ground. The creature squawked, about to pounce, but Richard's equinox slammed into its side.
From the opposite direction, another equinox sailed into the Corinthian’s chest.
Arthur turned to see Thomas, William, and Jacob running toward him. “Look who's here.”
“You're welcome,” Thomas said, retrieving his weapon.
William and Jacob helped Arthur.
“What happened to you guys?” Richard asked.
“What happened to you?” Thomas shot back. “We fell back with the army toward the Roivas Estate. I thought you were ahead of us.”
“Yeah,” Jacob added. “Thomas wanted to go all the way back to the Citadel.”
A Satyr's loud battle cry down the street drew several Pelasgians to the scene.
“Get ready!” Arthur said.
Within seconds, human soldiers ran into the street and joined the fight as the Pelasgians clashed with Arthur's men.
On their own, Richard and Thomas skillfully dispatched any Pelasgian that came at them. They used their equinoxes as mostly defensive weapons, parrying blows long enough to eliminate their enemies with talons.
William and Jacob fought with a style that was not necessarily back-to-back, but neither of them had to worry about it. One locked up with his opponent as the other moved in from an angle and quickly dealt the killing blow. It required fast movement in unison. One slip up and the result could be less than satisfying.
Arthur disposed of a Corinthian before setting his sights on an incoming Cyclops. He leaped in, slicing the creature's neck with his halo.
The sound of a loud horn filled the air, sending the Pelasgians into retreat. Centaurs and Corinthians, however, stood their ground from a distance as they began to unleash volleys of arrows. The friendly fire was unavoidable, but many managed to break away from the fighting.
Richard took cover around a corner, looking for his friends.
On the opposite side of the street, Arthur took a Satyr down, before being struck from behind by an arrow.
Witnessing this, Richard made a mad dash for Arthur with no regard for his own safety. There were still plenty of Pelasgians in the way, and he showed no patience or mercy.
Thomas knew something was wrong when he saw Richard fighting in a berserk state. And in the next second he, Jacob and William saw why, as Arthur weakly fought off a Corinthian and was struck by two more arrows.
As Arthur fell, the men joined Richard in slaughtering the remaining Pelasgians. All of them pressed on hard with everything they had, suffering cuts and bruises they normally would have avoided.
Soon the area was clear of the enemy, and the soldiers moved on after those running away.
Richard dropped to his knees picking Arthur off the ground.
Arthur's breathing was very shallow as he opened his eyes slowly.
“Hang in there,” Richard said. “We're gonna get you help. You're going to be okay.”
William cried, feeling it should have been him lying there.
Thomas and Jacob knelt beside Arthur. All of them knew Richard was lying.
Arthur coughed. “Got a lil’ careless there.”
“Don't talk,” Richard said. “Save your energy.”
“I'm done,” Arthur muttered, handing his equinox over. “You give this to Sara. You understand?”
Richard reluctantly took the equinox. “Yes, Sir,” he said, watching in sorrow as Arthur passed away.