anger flared and he pulled in every bit of magical energy he could handle. He didn’t care what kind of energy it was he simply pulled it in until his chest burned and his head pounded from the strain. He could hear his staff’s warnings that he was pushing himself too far but he didn’t care.
A loud twang rang through the air as the last remaining ballista shot its massive bolt. Thad didn’t have the time to push the blot aside, so he was forced to watch helplessly as it slammed into the side of the Rose Runner, tearing a massive hole in the ship slightly above the water line.
His anger elevated even more, Thad put everything into one massive ball of magical energy. The sheer amount of force behind his attack startled him. The ball of energy was a third the size of the Rose Runner and it moved with incredible speed. It hit the Brotherhood’s ship just below the deck blasting a large section of the ship apart, tossing wood and soldiers into the air like dry leaves in the wind.
Thad soon found himself kneeling on the deck. He tried to rise to his feet but he found no strength in his limbs. Tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t even open your mind enough to hear my words.
Thad knew his staff was right but he let his emotions get the better of him in the heat of the battle. He had seen more than his share of bloodshed but it had been one of the few times he had seen people he had come to call friends die before his eyes. It was something he knew he could never get used to, as well as something he never wished to see again.
Once again anger welled up within him, making his blood run hot in his veins. How dare the Brotherhood hunt him like a common criminal, kill his friends and slaughter countless other innocents. Thad had an urge to hunt down and kill every person who wore the fox upon his body, but his hate quickly dissipated. He was only one man and a life filled with hate and killing would make him no better than the Brotherhood. No, he didn’t need to hunt the Brotherhood they would come to him, what he needed to do was to build a place where mages and those of the magical races could be safe.
Using his staff, Thad pulled himself to his feet using it to steady himself. “That had one hell of a kick Young Master. Think you can do it again?” The captain asked, as she put her arm under Thad’s shoulder helping support his weight.
Thad shook his head, the small movement sending small shockwaves of pain though his body. “No, I don’t think so. I put a little too much strength into that last attack. Honestly I don’t think I will be able to use much magic for a few days.”
“Well I guess once was better than…” The captain’s voice was cut off as another bolt from the remaining ballista tore into the ship. The Rose Runner jolted to the side sending Thad sprawling onto the deck.
Thad rose unsteadily to his feet leaning heavily on his staff for support. Thad quickly scanned his surroundings. Almost a third of the sailors were down and the Rose Runner was sinking fast. The Brotherhood wasn’t faring any better but that did little to console him when he looked at the death that surrounded him.
“Are you injured?” Brianna asked, suddenly appearing at his side.
“I’m fine, how is everyone else faring?” Thad’s words came hard as he fought off the closing darkness that crept in on the edges of his vision.
“Everyone is alive, though Crusher did take a bolt ta tha shoulder.”
Placing his hand on Brianna’s shoulder to steady himself, Thad breathed out a sigh of relief. A brown blur flashed toward his chest making Thad flinch. The bolt raced toward his chest, only to be turned aside by his enchanted leather armor. Thad nearly laughed at his own actions then he turned to Brianna and time seemed to stand still.
“Noooooooooo,” Thad cried, trying to catch Brianna as she fell forward. Thad’s hands went directly to the bolt his armor had deflected, it now sticking firmly into the side of her