Specific Targets
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:00 am
The day began like any other in the cage. Day and night cycled in the continuous fashion as it always had. Citizens walked through the streets on their way to conduct business, shop for daily supplies or meet with friends. This part of the LadyÂ’s ward was fairly empty. Most of the people that milled about were Harmonium and Mercykiller guards. Either on their way home from the late shift or on their way in to start their daily duties. Like clockwork, the shifts changed. Like clockwork, the same people exchanged keys and assumed their regular positions. Like clockwork, the patrols left the barracks to walk their dedicated beats. Like Clockwork, Mover one Cratten Erroc, marched towards his duties in the market.
Suddenly, not fifty meters from the walls of the barracks, at about the same time Cratten passed the very same spot, several refuse barrels erupted in flame and shrapnel. The shock-wave from the explosion smashed windows in the entire area and sent debris flying in all directions. Harmonium guards, who happened to be near the epicenter of the blast, were lifted from their feet and tossed into the street along with dirt and cobble from the road under where they had just stood. Cratten was lifted completely off his feet and hurled across the street. He impacted the wall hard enough to dislodge brick and mortar. He lay motionless for several seconds, apparently dead, until a flash erupted from his chest causing him to heave and draw air into his lungs. Some sort of innate enchantment had successfully ensured his survival.
Dust and smoke billowed into the sky and screams could be heard from the entire area. Any guards who had been outside the radius of the blast, rushed in to help their comrades and anyone else unfortunate enough to be caught in the fiery maelstrom. The bodies of the dead and wounded were spread throughout the area. Cratten was found in a sitting position, against a blackened wall, trying to regain his bearings. He was disoriented, covered with soot, dust and blood. Although he was healthier than those around him, he still bore the look of shock and injury. Other guards were not as fortunate. Some had extensive injuriesÂ… and three others had died. Only three private citizens were injured. Cratten was led back to the Barracks for medical aid, along with anyone else who required it.
After the dust settled and fresh guards had combed the area, it was determined that the act was intentional and that, most likely, Cratten had been the intended target. An investigation is ongoing with no immediate arrests being made. Security in the area around the Barracks has been increased in response to this attack.
Suddenly, not fifty meters from the walls of the barracks, at about the same time Cratten passed the very same spot, several refuse barrels erupted in flame and shrapnel. The shock-wave from the explosion smashed windows in the entire area and sent debris flying in all directions. Harmonium guards, who happened to be near the epicenter of the blast, were lifted from their feet and tossed into the street along with dirt and cobble from the road under where they had just stood. Cratten was lifted completely off his feet and hurled across the street. He impacted the wall hard enough to dislodge brick and mortar. He lay motionless for several seconds, apparently dead, until a flash erupted from his chest causing him to heave and draw air into his lungs. Some sort of innate enchantment had successfully ensured his survival.
Dust and smoke billowed into the sky and screams could be heard from the entire area. Any guards who had been outside the radius of the blast, rushed in to help their comrades and anyone else unfortunate enough to be caught in the fiery maelstrom. The bodies of the dead and wounded were spread throughout the area. Cratten was found in a sitting position, against a blackened wall, trying to regain his bearings. He was disoriented, covered with soot, dust and blood. Although he was healthier than those around him, he still bore the look of shock and injury. Other guards were not as fortunate. Some had extensive injuriesÂ… and three others had died. Only three private citizens were injured. Cratten was led back to the Barracks for medical aid, along with anyone else who required it.
After the dust settled and fresh guards had combed the area, it was determined that the act was intentional and that, most likely, Cratten had been the intended target. An investigation is ongoing with no immediate arrests being made. Security in the area around the Barracks has been increased in response to this attack.