HEROES MAY DIE

Although the distance was not far, Destrier was reminded of the great rush that came with the beginning of battle in Vallhea as he charged full force towards Smoke. With his comrades at his sides, they threw themselves into battle without a second thought, intent on taking down the enemy that they faced. In this instance, Smoke was the enemy, but the murderous intentions that had often come with battle were absent.

There were no doubts that he wanted to come out on top, to win one of the promised positions, but if fate decided that someone else were better suited; then so be it. Smoke was reminding him quite well that a warrior must be able to adapt to opponents of all types, whether they were smaller, bigger, had wings, or magic. Her screen of smoke had taken him by surprise, and he would remember well to keep a more open mind whenever he found himself in the throngs of battle next.

The motion of the mare moving forward and to the right was something new, but the Friesian did not slow his in his locomotion, instead, merely adjusting himself so that he had angled left, lining the pair back up again. The seconds seemed to go by in slow motion as they grew closer and closer until, finally, his magic was put to use and the Wild Rose was sent into a flurry of motion.

As she flailed about rather ungracefully, his chest rammed into her hindquarters, undoubtedly sending her off balance as he continued by. It was not without a cost of its own, however, for the collision sent a waver of raw pain through his system. The adrenaline pumping through his veins was a key factor in warding off most of what he felt, but it did not mask it entirely, but it was not nearly as harsh as the continued throbbing upon his right shoulder, where he could have sworn was still alight with fire even when it was not.

A flurry of hooves behind him alerted Destrier that Smoke was already upon him, surprisingly enough. Had their collision done nothing to slow the juggernaut? Although smaller in build than him, she was becomimg quite overwhelming, for it seemed nothing could slow her down. There was hardly anything else she could have planned to do than bite for him, lest her dragon be looming somewhere above him again, so it was with quick thinking that he executed his last defense.

Planting his hind hooves into the ground, Destrier pedalled his fronts in his best attempt at a quick stop, dropping his head down. At this moment, he was greatful for his choice in battleground, for the ground was smooth and free of any slippery stone or hindering rocks. Considering their great difference in height, her first bite was still able to reach him, but with his sudden decrease in speed, her teeth scraped across his hide instead of meeting the full purchase she had been looking for.

When he had come to a complete halt, the Friesian settled into a towering stand and let out a heavy breath, dark eyes finding the smoky form of his opponent as she cocked a back leg which was obviously hurting her. Destrier's barrel rose and fell as he gulped in air, refreshing lungs that felt almost unused throughout the entirety of the spar. His thoughts began to wander.

Had he done well? What would Mirage have to say, if anything at all? He'd done his best considering the circumstances, for magic and dragons had been a thing of lore before he'd come to Helovia. Destrier could only hope that he had done his new herd proud with his efforts.

Word Count - 621
4/4 attacks, 1/1 closing defense, 2/2 magic

BUT LEGENDS ENDURE