5038
The Attack on Celestine
AlphaCentaurus
I was in my house when it happened. It started with the sound of shouts and ringing metal. Given how quiet Celestine usually was, I went out to see what the commotion was. :: When I arrived, I saw clusters of men in armor fighting at the gates. Sword rang on sword and muffled screams and grunts poured from the mass. Rows of archers poured arrows into the ranks of soldiers. :: My first question was: Who were these people? They looked like commoners, with no uniforms or distinct markings. Their equipment ranged from highly wealthy to a mere wooden stick. I wondered why they were here, after that. Celestine was too far out of the way for mere bandits, but too passive for any sort of organized army. :: But I needed to act first and ask questions later. I pulled out my bow and began to fire shots at the opposing army. It was hard to tell who was who underneath the armor, but I didn't do much in any case. Most of my arrows dashed off of armor. Occasionally one would hit flesh and sink in deep, bringing a matching scream. :: Dashing towards the conflict, I saw the entrance to the gatehouse. Luckily we had prepared for events such as these, and had taken appropriate measures. I hit the switch for the drawbridge and four armored men fell into the pit below. I then went forward to join the conflict with my sword. :: What happened next is a jumbled mess of events. I remember the stink of sweat and the sticky feeling of wet blood under my hands. Flashes of pain would cut their way across my back and hands as enemies struck. As soon as we thought we had killed all of them another wave rose up behind the first. The guards had never trained for anything like this. For the most part we were mere militia. Our only advantage was better equipment. But we still faltered. Step by step, we were pushed back. I saw friends and fellow guards fell to either side of me. Their faces were obscured by helmets, so I did not know who fought beside me. Just that we fought for the same thing. Celestine. :: We would surely have failed if not for the Teutonic Order. I don't know why they helped us. But they rose up behind the enemy, ranks and ranks of armor and blades. They slammed into the enemy like a battering ram.  :: Soon, there was no one left. The battlefield stood quiet. As we cleared away our wounded, I gazed up at the walls with an expression of sadness for those who we lost. But at the same time, I looked on with a feeling of pride. For despite the odds, Celestine still stood strong.