Prologue

“He shall…he shall be na-“
  She had no time to finish her sentence.  The three of them heard the angry banging on the thin stable door.  The two men looked at each other in terror, but their companion smiled a wicked smile.
  “Today.  Today is the day in which I will settle this score.”
  She got up and grabbed her magnificent sword, its power running into her bloodstained body.  She didn’t care.  Even when the pain was gripping her like a vice, she didn’t care. She only had one intention…
  The Warrior moved forward, limp by limp.
  The banging got louder.
  They heard his voice.
  The ghostly man leapt up and grabbed her by the arm.  “You can’t!  You’ll kill yourself!”
  His companion, an older fellow but with plenty of wisdom and strength left, got up too.  “You can’t face them, daughter, you’ll die.  We’ll have to leave.  I have enough energies…”
  But the glint in her fierce eyes never left her.  “You two go with the baby.  I’m staying.  I’m fighting.”
  “You can’t!”  The ghostly man held on as hard as he could.  “How old are you?  You’re only eighteen!  You still have three quarters of a life ahead of you!  What will we do?  What will I do?  What can I do without you?”
  For in instant her eyes read all the love in the world, and the next, she tore herself from his grasp, leaving his fingernails crisp with blood.
  In their horror, she kicked open the door to splinters.  Outside, an army waited.  Their numbers were dizzying, clad in fine armour, armed with flashing lances, swords, bows, and crossbows, bearing fearsome flags, on horseback…and in the midst of them was their enemy.  He stood on his great white stallion, hair billowing behind him, crimson cape draped over his shoulders, flashing silver armour, and wielding his jagged sword.  He flashed his white fang-like teeth, settled his demonic eyes at the miserable company.  He pointed his sword at his opponent’s heart.
  “Today, you die.”
  Her eyes were like flint, her smile coy.  “Not without a fight.”  And she whipped out her sword – staggering slightly.  The military chuckled.  How could this individual wipe the Crimson Force out?  She was already tired and bloodstained…and they saw how when they set their eyes on the crying child.  
  As soon as she saw them shift their wicked eyes to the newborn she blocked him with her sword, protecting her new son.  From the side of her mouth, she whispered quickly to the two men.  
  “Run to the mountains and be quick about it.  I’ll hold them off…  Father, I love you.  And dearest, I give all my love to you.  From this day onwards, think about me every night…  And protect our son with your lives!”
  “But what about a name?” whispered the ghostly man.
  The enemy warlord raised his jagged sword.  “Charge!”
  …And she charged at the same instant, her everlasting warcry sounding above the rest.
    “Terminatio!"