Gwrtheryn and I rode at the fore of the caravan, Leading the mad dash from the Isolated inn. The Cervi chieftan had implemented a genius plan, Raiding the Stables with whatever warriors he could scrounge up as I once again played distraction. I was thankful silver weapons were uncommon, but a couple dozen angry pig-men with weapons and torches were still dangerous (FIRE BAD!). After that is was easy to run, as the Inn was quite isolated (the nearest town being a day's ride away).

"Haha! You are a brave one, for a dead man!" Shouted Gwrtheryn, giving me a mad grin as we galloped.

"What can I say? I'm a rebel without a pulse!" I shot back, earning a confused look. What? Can't a guy make obscure references of obscure references?

Daring and Aderyn were driving the first wagon, the horses heaving as we slowed. (once again, the weirdness of anthropomorphic creatures using horses amused me.) The Equestrian border was still miles away, and now I was leading a bout 50 refugees through hostile country. Great.

*****Three weeks later.*****

I slammed the pommel of my arming sword into the snout of the bounty hunter and slammed my knife into his neck. It was the third time we'd been ambushed since we began, but out numbers were increasing. Runaway slaves, Schweine rebels, and sympathetic ponies and griffons had joined our caravan. Folks had started looking up to me (Mostly Daring, Gwrtheryn and Aderyn's fault. They liked to spin tales.) I kept getting new nicknames and titles with every person that joined up. Names like "The Spectral Hero" and "The Hollow king" and so forth. If it weren't for Gwrtheryn helping me manage this clusterfuck, we'd have been caught long ago.

"Hey Bonehead! Gwrtheryn needs ta talk to ya. Scouts just came back." said daring, flying past me as she stretched her wings. I honestly had no clue why she had stuck around. Any time I asked her though, she'd avoid the question with some vague answer like "I wanna see where this goes" and "I've never run from an adventure before."

I nodded, removing my blade and wiping the blood on my tattered hauberk. My armor was becoming rather...useless. it was patched and torn, almost to the point of falling off of my body. I'd need new clothes soon. As I walked through the camp though, my heart fell. The last few weeks had taken their toll, as evidenced by the gaunt faces that surrounded me...And the funeral pyres burning in the setting sun. We were nearing the equestrian border, but the constant fighting and moving were taking their toll. I saw a mother, cradling a young child as he whimpered in pain. He'd been struck by a stray crossbow bolt. It was a mortal wound. She held him close and sang him a lullaby. I...I hid behind a tent and sat. I buried my head in my hands and wished I could cry. Nobody should go through that. I felt responsible. Like I was the one who killed that boy. Aderyn and Daring found me.

"...You tried your best Sirrah...You saved so many. You're giving so many more a chance to live!" said Aderyn, Sitting down and wrapping an arm around my shoulder. Daring Silently did the same. Each of them did what I could not...They wept. The moon soon rose, and brought with it my transformation. Daring and Aderyn had fallen asleep, so I had two of the warriors get them to their bedrolls as I sought out Gwrtheryn. I found him by a fire bright enough to enable communication.

"Scouts report that an Equestrian delegation is ahead, My king." Said the large Cervi, scratching in the dirt. "We're almost free.."

"I am no king." I stated, drawing a raised eyebrow from Gwrtheryn. " I can't even save one fucking child!" I spat, stepping away from the fire and into the darkness.

"I...Am a.....Monster" I croaked drawing my sword and plunging it into my own chest.

Gwrtheryn just looked at me before punching me in the face, shattering my jaw. "Stop with the dramatics. They do not suit you. You have done well, and even one such as yourself cannot be everywhere at once. These people follow you because you give them hope. They know that if you cannot save them, you will face down hell itself to avenge them. Do not let this darkness consume you boy! You have earned my respect and my loyalty, things which I do not give lightly. I have faith in you." The massive Cervi then pulled me into a hug and patted me on the back as he dragged me back into the fire light.

"you know....I am two thousand years older than you...So who are you calling boy?" I said, trying more to lift my own spirits than anyone else's.

"True...But you spent that sleeping your lordship. I have more life experience." Gwrtheryn said with a grin. "It's good to have our sarcastic King back, rather than the mopey one. I was half tempted to bury you and leave." I could only sigh and shake my head, before wandering to take my place on the night watch. I did however whistle the first few bars of that lullaby as I walked away. I would move on, but I refuse to forget that little boy, and his last lullaby.

Author's Note

The feels...The goddamn feels got me. while writing this I had to get into the mood so I listened to these three songs on repeat. Never do that. Ever. Especially not thinking of dying kids.
Come little Children
Rest now, My warrior
Lullaby for a soldier