The clash of steel rang sharp, but routine. Yet again I was training to block effectively with Rhovan while Aric and Thyra sparred. Dust kicked up around the courtyard as our fights furthered. Intensified by the other trainees sparring with each other, dotted around the rest of the courtyard.
The floor shook. The feeling hit faster than the noise did. Though it didn't prepare me at all
It sounded like the sky itself split open. An explosion so loud it instantly made my ears ring. It feels like the air was punched from my chest from the shockwave alone.
Dust blew over the courtyard. Rushing through the sky. The heat from the explosion followed.
By the time I managed to turn to the direction it came from there was already a column of black and grey smoke billowing into the sky. Twisting up like a sick beast clawing its way from its nest into the sky.
It was only a few buildings down from the training grounds.
Screams followed. Just out on the road what looked like hundreds of people were running down the street away from the explosion.
Panicked and raw. Voices rose over the ringing in my ears.
Some with torn clothes, some with cuts, bruises, burns. Many with soot and ash covering their faces and clothes. Some dragged along confused and scared children. Others carrying or dragging corpses. Some only carry body parts, not even lucky enough to salvage the whole body.
The stench fell over the area. Something I had never smelt before but something I would never forget.
Burning wood. Scorched stone. The smell of flames attaching and engulfing everything in sight.
Aric gripped his sword tighter. Being the first to speak.
Aric: "What the hell."
Thyra didn't answer, nor look. Her spear hung loosely from her hand. Body stiff. Her jaw clenched. Eyes unmoving from the pillar of smoke and fire. Despite her unmoving eyes I could tell she had countless thoughts crossing her mind. Maybe countless memories.
Rhovan stood similarly. His sword loose in his hands. His gaze weary at the smoke.
I was frozen. All of my senses were drowned out by what happened. My only major complaint about being here was intensified hundreds of times.
I couldn't hear anything except screams. It was the only thing loud enough to overpower the severe pounding in my head
I couldn't see anything except the smoke, fire and those around me. My eyes hang on every detail with caution. Like studying something I'll never see again.
I couldn't smell anything but smoke. Burnt wood and wood still burning.
I couldn't taste anything but the ash on my tongue.
I couldn't feel anything. My armour and sword in my hand felt weightless. Powerless. Defenceless.