Back at our old barracks, there was a motto nailed above the door which read… “When death follows close behind, it is only by defying it that the brave escapes.”  With a sword in my hand, armour on my back, and comrades at either side, that made for a fine motto indeed. 

But here, now, empty handed, armoured in rags, and with only dread and panic for company, when death follows close behind… I flee.

S.K