4.4 Castle
siege
Helmut stepped past his entrance and saw the sprung
trap. It was placed there to deter undead foes, which when activated swung a
sharp metal plate towards the neck. The Vampire laid there writhing while its
head rolled on the ground. He stepped on the head and crushed its skull.
The Vampires were there, and it’s was time to defend
his only home.
Helmut rushed up to the steps of the castle and ran
up the three levels of steps. It was the highest point of the tower where it
still remained standing. He looked down the slope and into the ruins of his
home. He made out the squad of four Vampires, and the half dozen hounds. The
hounds are held back by their masters, but on seeing the target stepped into
the tower, they released the hounds.
There was not much time, Helmut raced down to
activate the defenses. He reached the ground level and saw the hounds
approaching the tower. He lifted the cover near the entrance and removed the
rifle he had kept there for this purpose. It was rotary cannon with its mounted
stand. He propped it up hastily and fired off the cannon. The cannon took down
three hounds, but then the remaining three were onto his position. He grabbed
the cannon by its stand and thrust it down the first hound that came at him. He
then stepped back and drew on the dagger he had fashioned from the bones. He
thrust the dagger into the leaping hound in the jaw. The creature jumped back
in pain, but the other hound had its fangs on Helmut left elbow. The metal mail
there protected him from the fangs and he used the force of his elbow to push
the hound back. The last hound was kicked by him but by then he had his broadsword
out.
Helmut cut the last hound and saw the Vampires are
moving up. They have rifles and were using it. The shots came but Helmut was
already behind the wall and on the first instance, he bolt for the rear opening
of the tower toward the remaining wall.
Helmut held the broadsword in his hand while he exits
at the other side... He heard more shots but he was ready with his traps. The
first Vampire stepped in but saw no one there. On the other side, Helmut pulled
the rope to release the two prong spear that he had fashioned from the tree
branch into the Vampire chest and face. He then ran along the wall on a
downward move but was confronted by a Vampire there with the rifle leveled at
him. He could not stop in time and lunged forward with the broadsword at the Vampire.
The other fired but the shot grazed the left shoulder but Helmut had the
broadsword thrust into the Vampire chest.
Helmut ran on down the slope and then stopped at the
marker he had placed. It used to be a well, but it was then covered with loose
planks that were sawn off to weaken it. He stood there and saw the two Vampires,
leaping in huge steps towards him. One of the Vampires landed precisely on the
weakened planks, and fell into the deep narrow well. The other Vampire stopped
beside it and leveled the rifle but Helmut had removed its head. He picked up
the rifle and looked down the well. He saw the Vampire trying to stay afloat
but he shot the Vampire in the head. He thought it was over, and then heard
more shots. More screams were heard. It was not of Man but Vampires.
Helmut ran up towards the Tower, and saw two
surviving Vampires retreating while more men appeared on the lower slopes. It
were the priests and the town folks led by Father Joseph.
"Thank God, we made it here in time."
Father Joseph placed his hand on the other. "We came here when the boy
told us. He saw the Vampires and the hounds, and warned us, but it took time to
come."
Helmut smiled at the priest and then checked on his
tower. It was then Father Joseph asked to speak to him.
"Helmut, the war had come to us. There is a
detachment of United Continents pushing for our city."
Helmut looked at the priest.
"There is also one United Euro smaller
detachment that’s arriving at the city." Father Brown told him. "But
they are few in number. They may need your assistance."
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