Anonymous



>Each knight begins to hear a scratching in the back of their minds

>Every so often, there's a whispered cry

>Other times, they see horrific images

>They're never sure if it's real

>Or they're just going crazy

>The distraction proves too much for one knight, and he's killed in battle

>Another voice joins the whispering

>Then the nightmares begin

>One knight wakes up screaming, they all do

>As one, they reach for a bleeding wound that doesn't exist

>They begin to see things

>Their eyes cloud over and stare, glasslike

>There are faces in the mist

>One knight is unable to handle it and takes up his sword

>And then there were nine

>The whispers grow louder

>A knight falls ill

>Another voice joins

>The scratching worsens

>They know is happening by now, but can't stop it

>They appeal to the witch, begging she take back her gift

>She cannot, she says, for the dead are beyond her

>In a rage, one of their number slays her

>He realizes too late, and attacks the others

>It's the only way, he says

>We all must die

>Two knights fall that day

>And two more voices join the chorus

>Six on one side, six on the other

>They are the Pale Order

>Twelve knights on six horses

>It is said they do not fear death

>For they know it is not the end