"The first priority one should have in any battle is to preserve one's own life, for where there's life, there's a way to be had." - Ancient saying, source unknown.

To say that Terrence Larsen was annoyed was an understatement.

Born as the eldest child and heir to Nils Larsen, the count of Zefirous, he had been taught to lead from a young age. Of the superiority of nobility and the God-King's grace, all lessons to be expected of a noble heir in the Holy Kingdom.

He was never as zealous in his belief like his younger sister - and had no desire to be anywhere near that fanatical in his life, ever - but he proved competent in the subjects his teachers taught him, be they economics, strategy, or swordsmanship.

Terrence was born a winner at life, and had expected a leisurely life as he simply needed to wait for his father to abdicate before his rightful birthright would be granted to him.

Needless to say, the invasion of the infidels threw a wrench right into his plans and dreams.

When he was sent to the south to delay the enemy advance, he managed to find himself a justification to retreat to Zefirous before too long. Along the way, he conveniently removed his younger siblings as well.

Leandra was no real threat to him, and it was more her stubborn fanaticism that made her take herself out of the running. Finch on the other hand, he was all too glad to be rid of. Finch had always been their father's favorite, and it had worried him that his father might have chosen to ignore primogeniture on a foolish whim.

What Terrence had never expected even in his wildest dreams however, was that the infidels would take Zefirous on the first night they mounted the siege for real. The moats and walls of Zefirous had been his greatest assurance of safety, an impenetrable obstacle he felt safe behind.

That they failed on the very first night of battle had made no sense.

It was only later on that fragmented reports trickled in. The drawbridge was opened by traitors from within, one report said. Many of the conscripted soldiers had surrendered and abandoned their posts, another claimed.

Both he and his father had cursed the thankless, worthless peasants for their cowardice, but it had done little to better their situation. They were still safe in the citadel momentarily, but they knew the situation would not last long, with the invading infidels within the city.

Sure enough, the citadel was besieged by the infidels before the sun had even risen. After a couple of hours, it was clear to them all that the citadel would not hold for much longer.

That was when Lester Brequod, younger brother to the current Count of Norouz, had beseeched his father to escape if he had an escape route out of the city. The situation was untenable, claimed the nobleman, and it made no sense for them to fall with the city.

His father had dithered for a moment, but finally agreed. They had quickly packed their most valuable belongings, then the three of them - the count's wife had passed away when she gave birth to Finch - along with two dozen of their most trusted soldiers, half theirs, half house Brequod's, left the citadel discreetly through a secret underground passageway.

The underground path was built well, enchanted to prevent detection by earth mages from above, and led towards the port in the west of the city. Terrence couldn't help but frown when he walked into the passage and breathed the stale air within.

Soon he frowned even more as the stink of the slums replaced the stale air in the passage. Sections of the passage had ventilation, which had allowed fresh air to circulate. Unfortunately, for secrecy's sake all these were located in the slums of the city.

The smell became even worse as they proceeded onwards. The air stunk of rotten fish and other unmentionables, a stench that almost made Terrence gag. He only barely managed to avoid vomiting on the spot.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally emerged in a dusty, empty warehouse, where a dozen soldiers of his house in civilian clothing greeted them. His father quickly stepped forward and straightened his clothes as he stood before them.

"Report, what is the situation of the port?" asked his father after the soldiers gave him a respectful salute. Terrence braced himself for disappointment, as one of the first reports they received that night was of rioting in the western region of Zefirous.

"Rioting and Looting in the first to third docks, milord," replied the older man who seemed in charge of the soldiers of the warehouse. "They had left the fourth dock onwards alone so far, but I don't think we would be able to fight our way through there while ensuring your safety at the same time."

"Shit," cursed Lester Brequod vehemently. Unlike Terrence and his father, the nobleman from Norouz had worn full plate armor, and had clearly exerted himself a bit during their trek to the docks. "My ships were at the first dock."

"We had accounted for this possibility," said his father as he attempted to project a calm demeanor. "We have a smaller ship hidden here in the fifth dock. It should be enough to take us away to safety."

"That bodes well. I applaud your foresight, Count Larsen," said Lester as he gave a relieved sigh. "So what are we waiting for? Lead us there, if you please."

"Very well then. Captain Vorscht, have your men lead the way. Lord Brequod, if it does not trouble you, I would like your men to secure our sides," said his father with a nod. "The rest of my troops will secure our rear. Let us make haste."

"Agreed," replied the nobleman as he ordered his guards to guard their sides. With a creak, the warehouse's doors opened. A dozen guards in House Larsen's colors marched out as they looked around and kept watch of their surroundings.

The three noblemen, flanked by another dozen guards in House Brequod's colors, followed closely behind, while the dozen guards in civilian clothing covered their rear.

They had barely walked fifteen meters away from the warehouse before the captain of the guard in their front seemed to have noticed something and tried to shout a warning.

He was silenced permanently before he could shout when a large meter-long arrow punched right through his skull, with the arrowhead protruding from the back of his head.

Then all hell broke loose.