((Hello all! I'm restarting Mya's collections thread that was on the original sanctum. As before, as a catch all story thread all ratings are possible. Most stories probably won't be worse then PG-13, and I'll have warnings on specific stories if I think they need them!))
Drums of War
Her fingers tapped softly against her arm, the ghostly echo of her fingers impacting against the plate over her arm playing a continuous rhythm.
Bu-bu-bu-bum
The Commander sent with them from the Battlemasters prattles on behind her, she does not turn nor give any thought to his words. Battlerage coils and spreads through her, already disregarding the mans' words as useless, mutterings of a coward as he says they've already lost. His reasons immaterial, she's already written off those listening to him as nothing more then fodder. All the while, the tapping continues, never ceasing.
Bu-bu-bu-bum
The man gives up his attempts at convincing those not listening and sounds a charge. She darts forwards weaving through those milling around the base and in a smooth motion jumps into the saddle of the warcat that is her mount into battle. He roars and takes off in a run. Even though she doesn't tap out the rhythm anymore, it is echoed in the pounding footfalls of the cat.
Bu-bu-bu-bum
A bellowing roar precedes the swing of a mace held by an orc. She rolls from the back of the cat and pulls her sword from its scabbard, the continuous rhythm playing through the traded blows between the two.
Bu-bu-bu-bum
The bellows of the orc cut short as she thrusts the sword though bare skin unprotected but for tribal tattoos on the orc's chest. The orc falls dead, even then continuing the rhythm in the thumps his body makes in the ground.
Bu-bu-bu-bum
She can hear it clearer now, ethereal and eternal, playing in the shrieks of swords and maces. The cries of the dead and dying. So many sounds, so many songs, all underscored by the rhythm blending them together, the single undying beat. So undeniably present that even one such as her. Someone who has fought for peace, bled for it, seen people die for it can't deny the thought that flickers though her head and is echo'd through the fighting.
So do sound the Drums of War.