The Great Hall

I was huddled behind a table with two of my maids. My family were all here, father and mother, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles, some minor nobility, and the royal knights. The royal knights were some of the greatest fighters in the realm. Their skill is awe inspiring... but there are far too few of them.

They stood in a semicircle, their swords drawn, their shields up, watching the main door. Waiting. Outside we could hear the sounds of fighting in the streets, the cries of men and beasts. The enemy were getting closer with each passing minute. The tension was building. And then we heard them, just outside the door.

The room fell silent. The door was barred but that would not hold them. Yesterday I had seen one of enemies ogres. A huge muscled beast.

There was a great thud as a tree slammed into the door, sending splinters flying. My sister screamed.

There was another thud, and a third, and a fourth, and the door exploded inwards, torn from it's hinges.

The beasts rushed into the room. Orcs, gnolls, goblins, hobgoblins, centaurs, an ogre, and many more I could not name. A wave of flesh and muscle and steel, screaming in their battle rage.

The knights tightened their formation, shielding the royal family behind them, ready to die in service of the throne.

The wave of monsters filled the room, and stopped. Freezing in place before the knights, snearing, mocking, laughing at us, but not advancing.

For a moment everything was still, and then She emerged. Walking through the crowds of beasts. An orc in full red armor. The leader of the beast tribes. The church had taken to calling her The Destroyer. They called her evil, vile, ugly, a monster.

As I gazed on her I could feel the power radiating from her. The beasts were in awe of her. She was fearsome and strong in a primal savage way. Her body bore the scars of battle, and of **** at the hands of men.

The beasts parted for her, and she stood before us, towering over our knights. She spoke, and her voice boomed with her might.

"Surrender. Drop your weapons, Submit to me. Accept your place beneath me and I will let you live."

My heart skipped a beat. All of the royals were frozen in fear, unsure what to do or say. The priest was the first to speak, his voice a mix of fear and anger.

"We will never surrender to you, destroyer! The gods spit on you! You will suffer for what you have done. You will burn in hell for eternity!"

His words roused the royals. "For the moon goddess" I heard. "For Glory!". My brother spat at the Destroyer. The King laughed, certain of his divine protection

They had chosen ****.

Slowly I stood. My maid grabbed my hand and I shrugged her off. I walked, past my father, my family. My brother noticed me, and moved to stop me, but he was too late. I slipped past the nearest knight, and suddenly I was outside of their protection, with nothing between me and the braying hordes.

My mother cried out trying to call me back to her side. I didn't turn around. I never heard her voice again.

My heart was pounding in my chest. Breathing was hard. But I managed to walk, taking one step at a time until I stood right in front of the Destroyer.

She reached down, and took my face in her hands, turning my head to look up into her eyes.

"You choose to live?" her voice was surprisingly soft. quiet.

It soothed me enough to let me whimper a weak response. "..Y..yes"

"Let her through. Bring her to my chambers when we're done here."

A hand took mine. Firm and rough, puling me through the crowd of beasts. They formed a narrow corridor to let me out, leering and laughing as I passed. Everything was a blur. I barely glanced at my escort.

I heard the fighting start as I was dragged away. I tried not to listen. My escort had me wait in the servants quarters. Eventually the sound of fighting stopped.

I had survived. It was time to begin my new life.