Kentraes struggled to find his bearings as pain flooded his senses, his eyes stung with sweat, and ash singed his nose.
Looking down a massive gash tore his armor apart, blood soaking through his chain mail.
In front of him, his comrades were retreating, unable to see their General, Lerae Sordin being decapitated by the dragon rider.
A blade master and a dragon rider, Kentraes thought, we never stood a chance.
Blade masters were rare enough that most people would never see one in their life, the Republic could never have imagined there'd be one defending a small town in the backwoods.
"Stand and fight," called the dragon rider, "I know you're still alive."
Gritting his teeth Kentraes tried to pull himself to his feet, but he stumbled and fell back down, overcome by dizziness from his blood loss.
"Very well I'll put you out of your misery, a shame that a fellow blade master will die on his knees."
Kentraes watched as the knight dashed forward showing considerable speed, drawing the last of his strength he forced himself to his feet and raised his sword to meet the oncoming foe.
"Hah!" Kentraes bellowed as he swung his sword, his concentration reached its zenith as his aura began to give the sword a luminous shine.
Twisting like a viper the dragon rider evaded the blow moving inside Kentraes' range and slicing upwards. He, stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding losing both hands.
Kentraes deflected one of the knight's strikes downward, pinning the blade in the dirt.
Seizing the chance he struck out with his leg but the dragon rider managed to angle his body to avoid the blow.
Got him, Kentraes thought, knowing the kick was just a feint, the real attack, his dagger had caught the dragon rider in the rib. A normal dagger would have bounced harmlessly off his plate armor but his aura-clad dagger struck true.
The dragon rider stumbled back, Kentraes wanted to keep up the pressure but another wave of dizziness overcame him.
He could only watch as the wounded knight tore off his helmet and began coughing up blood, the crimson drops staining the dirt beneath him.
"Hah, an excellent move," spoke the wounded knight, a bloody smile on his face, "you're good, maybe as good as the Ten Swords. Unfortunately, I cannot die here, I hope you'll forgive my cowardice."
As he spoke the dragon which had so far contented itself to watch the exchange began to pace towards Kentraes, a murderous gleam in its reptilian eyes.
"I am Cyithrel of house Kaylen, may I know your name blade master."
Kentraes felt the air in the area grow hot, a burning glow was building in the throat of the dragon.
"Kentraes, sword of the Republic"
I guess this is it, he sighed.
And then the flames overtook him.