The Nightmare - Bobwhite

Screaming! Rumbling! Ominous chanting! And out of the ground, in a burst of flame, something...

I didn't expect to wake up to a horse, black as night with flaming hooves, but even worse when I did, none of my brothers were anywhere to be seen!

Part of my brain reminded me that I've heard of this: A nightmare. The rest was just screaming, endlessly.

I took a breath. Remembered my training, steadied my hands, took the shot. It screamed an unearthly neigh and reared up, bolt sticking from its flank! Thankfully, the pain distracted it, and I snuck behind a rock.

Then it reared again. And screamed again. Was it looking for me?

Anyway, it was distracted, slamming the earth in front of it with its hooves in apparent frustration. Careful aim, and another shot... It connected! Right in the neck!

I ran off into the tent and huddled down in the commotion. Where were my brothers? Was this what being the Herald was going to be like all the time? Why in the name of Alexandria...

But wait, I thought. It's still in the same place. Shouldn't it have come looking by now?

I risked a glance. It had moved, but barely, and it was still focused in the same direction. And, there, on its flank... A gash!

A dribbling of hope began to well. Unfortunately, in the excitement, the shot went wide! I moved to a better vantage point, stubbing my toe on an empty box on the way. I peered back, tensely, since it almost certainly saw me...

And still it didn't come! It was screaming and gnashing, pounding a rhythm, but all in the same location... suspiciously halfling sized!

Maybe it was a dream! I pinched myself as hard as I could... and no, it was not.

Another shot, again wide. The nightmare was looking haggard, though--that wasn't my doing. I peered, and wished, with all my might...

..And suddenly, a scream, not of horse in pain, but a halfling in anger! The nightmare exploded into sparks, shooting into the sky, and there, in its place, a badly beaten Four in a rage, Banner with both hands white-knuckled on his sword, and Beldon freeing himself from vines.

We shared a look, and a smile. Then, we ran.