A slate colored sky burned red and orange at the horizon. The day had been like so many before, but the veteran guard could see the change of seasons turning his breath to mist. Captain Mann had been investigating disturbances relating to a growing conflict between the underworld crime boss and some usurper bent on changing the status quo. Mann had been making spot inspections of the various units under his command as a measure of preparation against the brewing feud. His shift was near an end, he needed only wait for the arrival of his replacement before he could knock off for the night.
In the distance Mann heard the clanging of a warning bell. He tensed at the sound, instinctively brushing his hand against his sword belt. Reassured by the cold steel of his blade, he moved in the direction of the nearest guard post.
He arrived at the post to see that several of his men, Pennywatch, already gathered there. He made a quick headcount. Six, that was nearly half the duty roster. It would have to do.
“Hawkins, Keltor. Return to the barracks and muster as many men as you can find and wait for further orders at the tower.” They responded to his order with a snappy salute before jogging off into the market. “The rest of you, with me.”
They hadn't gotten far from the market before they encountered city guards running up the street in their direction.
Mann could see the two men were low ranking recruits. He called a halt near the men.
“Private, Report!” he barked in their direction.
The two men were gasping for air as they answered in spurts.
“Some kind of creature... is loose in the city!” One of the men said. The look on their faces said more than their words.
“We found several bodies by the river.” He continued. “Whatever it is, its big.”
Before Mann could press further another alarm sounded from a guard tower south and east of their position.
“And it seems to be able to move fast without being seen.” The guard continued. “We haven’t found any witnesses. Our watch commander took several members of his cohort in pursuit. We were sent to gather reinforcements.”
“Good.” Mann said. “You two are with me.” Together the men diverted south toward the the sound of the bell.
The last embers of day faded as they passed through narrow streets and cut across broad boulevards. With each passing moment more evidence of the growing calamity presented itself. Citizens were fleeing into buildings and taking cover where they could find it. Panic was spreading like an invisible fire.
Crossing onto a bridge to the pleasure quarter, Mann heard his boots sizzle. Glancing down at the smoking leather, his heart sank. This narrowed the field of denizens significantly. Mann hoped he was wrong.
Moments later they arrived at the remains of a guard tower. A dozen bodies lay torn or bubbling in a lake of hissing acid. A woman in an alley extended her arm to the west. He followed her gesture seeing an empty street. A few swinging lanterns the only hint of the creature’s passing.
He remembered his briefing this morning and the increased security in place for the Ambassador’s visit. His mind chased after the multiplying possibilities. Unable to arrive at any reasonable connection between the two events, he focused on the last item from this morning’s briefing. The Ambassador would be visiting the Hayashi estate this evening.
Looking at the path of destruction, it seemed too coincidental that the creature was headed in that general direction.
“Back to the tower!” He shouted to his men. “Weapons out, and don’t bunch up!”
Mann took the most direct path back to the great tower at the center of town. There were only a few bridges crossing the canal that surrounded the market. He would need to cross one of those to get to the Hayashi residence.
Mann and company arrived at the tower. A half dozen solders were standing there in various stages of readiness. Some were bucking on armor, others pulling out torches from a provisioning box.
“Thufur, climb the tower, tell them the market is now closed. Tell anyone you see to get off the street.” Mann, said. The guard responded, making his way toward the wooden stairs at the base of the tower.
“Men, I believe the Ambassador is the target of this creature. The Ambassador’s last known location is the Hayashi estate in the Resting Cloud District. Our priority is to see them safely back to guild row and the underground bunkers there. Along the way we need to clear the streets. This creatures is killing at will and the fewer targets on the street the better.”
“Captain!” One of the men called out. “What kind of creature are we talking about?”
Officer Mann’s mouth drew tight making his lips appear white. “A marsh dragon.”
“Ya, good one Cappy.” One of the men said laughingly. “What is it really?”
“Look men, I might be wrong about this, but if I’m not, we are in for the fight of our lives. This town is looking to us for protection. Remember your training, rely on each other and we will get through this. Most importantly. Do not bunch up and avoid standing in a line. This creature likes to strike from the shadows and is spits acid the length of a crossbow’s arc.”
A dozen conversations broke out almost instantly after the Captain finished speaking.
“Men! This is no time to break discipline! Lets move out. Clear the streets as we go in groups of two then fall back to the main road.” Mann said with a confidence the men were accustomed to hearing from their leader.
“Yes Sir!” They replied in unison.
Block by block they moved through the streets clearing, regrouping and moving on. All the while making steady progress toward the Ambassador’s last know position. Shouts and screams confirmed they were heading in the right direction.
“Hold!” Captain Mann called out in a harsh whisper. Ahead of him was the wood and stone bridge connecting the town center to the Resting Cloud District. A handful of bodies lay in the open adjacent to the damaged railing. A large section of the bridge was missing. The exposed timbers looked as though they had melted. Advancing closer, Mann saw the dead wore city-guard uniforms. Behind him he heard the splatter of vomit from one of his men. Gritting his teeth, he signaled for the men to move forward.
They turned onto a cobbled residential street. Stone walls, taller than a man, blocked visibility into the many residences on either side of the street. The gate to the Hayashi estate remained closed. Perhaps they were safe within.
Even from outside the yard his hopes for a safe and secure Ambassador were dashed. The acrid stench of belly acid wafted over the wall. From nearby, a pair of city guards approached.
“They fled.” The pale looking guard said. “A private security detail held off the beast while the council members and the Ambassador escaped out the back.”
Mann opened the gate, taking in the awesome scene in the yard. Etched stones and shriveled black plants scarred the yard from edge to edge. Once beautiful gardens had been turned to smoldering lumps. The sulfur odor of gunpowder still hung in the air. A handful of arrows lay in the yard. He puzzled together the events that played out in the yard. The dragon had faced off against three or four people and a giant hound. Thought the men had scattered or retreated. The most worrying conclusion was that the dragon had vanished without taking flight or leaving any trail.
“Who did you say the security company was?” He asked of the guard.
“Richter Holding’s they said.”
“Impressive.”
Captain Mann turned to the men assembled behind him. “New orders, Finish clearing the streets. We'll meet back at the tower once we’ve made the rounds. Conserve your energy, Its going to be a long night.