Mirrors

Part five

For that one moment my world caved in. My mind went into endless spirals of fear and panic. I'd lost my legs. Paralysed, I was paralysed. It's the end. It was all over. My life, my future, all gone in that one moment of inexpiable bravery. I was broken. In body and mind. Destroyed. By that... thing.

Helpless, I lay on the floor, praying with all my might someone, anyone would rescue me. Apparently, the heavens listened.

"My Gods are you okay?"

"I can't walk." I said feebly. That voice... so familiar. Where had I heard it?

"I'll help you up." The voice said as I left arms hoisting me up and my arm being pulled over someone's shoulder.

"Thank you." Was all I could manage before all my breath was taken forcing what strength I could into my left leg.

"Hey what's your name?" The voice asked after several minutes and o-too-little distance. "Actually don't answer that. Save your breath. We're almost at the sanctuary." She corrected herself.

She?

"My name's Alyssa. I've seen you around. Watched a fight of yours. You're pretty good."

Then it clicked. The umpire, of course. I had been so jarred before that fight because the umpire had the voice of a woman. A female paladin?

Not just in Taz-Madan but across our Plane female paladins were extremely rare. It was something about huge muscles and giant armor, not to mention terrific danger, that threw most parents off encouraging their daughters to be paladins. The divinity of such a job of course had its attraction but most girls who have strong ties to the Aether, the plane in which angels and Gods reside, generally become priestesses or clerics. Paladins were seen to be too manly for most women.

Obviously not all, as seen by evidence in front of me. In fact, that very evidence saving my life.

"...but then again a paladin like you wouldn't need my help normally would you? I musta caught you in a bad spot huh?" She continued as I realised not once in my minutes long silence had she actually stopped talking.

"We're here!" She said cheerfully, contrasting the carnage before me. He sanctuary was full of injured squires and even fully fledged paladins. Blood was everywhere and the stench was unbearable. I smelled blood and death wafting from every direction and it assaulted my senses till I wished I had lost all feeling in my nose too.

"Ugh this smells terrible. I can't imagine what it's like with your senses." My savior lifted a sleeve over her nose as she casually helped me over bloodied bodies and frantic clerics. "Even being half-night elf you still get enhanced sense don't you?"

I was surprised she knew that much. While being obviously not human with slightly pointed ears and a light purple tinge to my skin, It took quite a learned man to noticed I was on'y half night elf and not fully; Alyssa didn't seem exactly learned.

"Oh right! Conserving your breath and all. Sorry about that don't need to answer. Just gonna prop you up on that wall over there and get back out to find more like you. Though we can continue this conversation when I get back. If I get back..." She let out a quick but genuine giggle. "Okay see you later nameless! I'll be back." And I was conscious long enough to see her run out of the sanctuary before exertion took over and I blacked out.

Hey guys! Short one today but I just wanted to post it to make up for lost time. I'll try to get a nice long one up by the end of next week! Thanks for reading!

MoP