Three For The Fire

He gripped his sword tightly. By everything held sacred may his swing be true, if it was not the damsel his love was doomed. He swung and the blade glistened in the sun. The paladin then cursed. He'd rather roast in Predition than spend eternity with One who would cause him to miss that fatal blow.

The black robed villain twisted out of harms way and his hand pulled the lever that sealed the maidens fate. She plunged into the flames below her, dragging the chain that held her fast to the stone piller.

Her screams mingled with the inhuman roar of the paladin who crossed himself and tackled the murdering fiend, dragging him into his own pyre. Three fueled the deathly flames on that tragic day that is still remembered in sad songs crooned by minstrels in smokey taverns.

Three people passed into the fire and no fourth came to save them. Only the fading sun and flaming pit could bring light to that wizard's dark tower.