..Salavtore, Osatael..
The slaughter had ceased, but those still left alive were, for the most part, horribly mutilated. Hinq Johen dragged himself painfully over the bloody cobblestones of the town center, trying to get out of the oppressive heat of the southern afternoon sun. Reaching a large oak tree, he eased himself into a sitting position, trying not to look at the carnage around him in the square.
Bodies were strewn all over it, some alive and moaning in their pain. Most were dead, either torn apart or partially eaten by the Undead soldiers of Vhammpyr and Magogg. Hinq could see on his own body where the beasts had gnawed. He was full of pain, but he was alive.
He thought of his wife and child who he had witnessed being devoured by a group of soldiers, their screams ending quickly as their throats were ripped out, their blood consumed, their limbs cracked open for the marrow in their bones. But it all ended suddenly, and an eerie quiet spread across the town.
Hinq couldn't understand what had happened, but, in an instant, the Undead aggressors had simply vanished. What few human soldiers that were with the Vhammpyrians were still there, alive, though shaken.
A handful of military officers bearing the patch of the Grey Phoenix and Black Katanas appeared out of a Hyper Gate and stood surveying the carnage. "Sgt. Borok, your assessment." Colonel Rhems de Hirstue stood with his Beretta 9mm in hand, staring, but not understanding.
"Well, Colonel, it looks like the vamps disappeared. Beyond that, I don't know what to tell you. One second they were there, the next...gone."
The colonel said, "And this is a muslim town, no?"
"Aye, according to all reports, it was predominantly Islamist. And so was slated for destruction by the Emperor."
De Hirstue pointed. "That guy over under the tree doesn't look like a muslim. Bring him here."
The soldiers grabbed Hinq none too gently and carried him over to the colonel. "What's your name, citizen?"
"I'm called Hinq, sir."
"You don't look like a muslim."
"I'm not. I worship myself. That way I have no one to blame but myself for my condition."
The seargent smiled. "A fucking philosopher, eh? What was going on here when the attack stopped?"
Hinq shook his head. "All I know is that I was being eaten alive, and then they were gone. Them beasties disappeared."
The colonel gestured at the wounded man. "Take him to a MASH tent and get him fixed up. Then send him to Ravenni. I'm sure the assembled dignitaries would be interested in a personal account of the goings-on here."
"Yes sir. Is that all?"
"For now, yes. I want a complete survey of this town completed by this evening. Have any citizens left alive give an account of their ordeal. I have a feeling that Amalric will want multiple reports."
