by R A Oakes
“But Chen’s an exception, don’t you think?” Dartuke asked.
“Not really, doesn’t she have 100 warrior women at her disposal?” Corson asked.
“How do you know that?” Dartuke demanded.
“I just know.”
“How can you possibly know what’s going on at The Rock? The security there is incredible. No one gets in or out unnoticed.”
“Because, up until a few years ago, I was one of them,” Corson said hanging her head sadly. “Things were fine at first, but the senseless violence began and just got worse.”
“You knew Chen?” Balder asked staring at his friend in shock.
“Yes, I lived with her for years starting when I was 15.”
Balder took a step back and looked at his friend in a new light. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t think of anything to say. Some of the nobles around him clenched the hilts of their swords, and Dartuke asked, “Why aren’t you with her now?”
“I was sort of a black sheep, I guess.”
Now Balder found his voice. “You were thrown out? Amazing! Are you telling me that you couldn’t even maintain a level of behavior that was acceptable to someone like Chen?”
“Chen wasn’t the problem.”
“Who was?”
“Lord Daegal.”
“You upset the warlord, himself?” Balder asked shaking his head in disbelief.
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“How?”
“I took a swipe at him with my sword.”
“Lord Daegal is twice my size, and yet you drew your sword on him?” Balder asked while Dartuke and all the male warriors stared at her in surprise.
“He didn’t have any clothes on at the time, let alone a sword.”
“Why would you attack an unarmed man?” Balder asked. “Although I have to say Lord Daegal’s a good person to take a swipe at.”
“Let’s just say the sword between his legs was going places it didn’t belong.”
“He was after you?” Balder asked incredulous that anyone would be so foolish as to show Corson unwanted affection.
Corson laughed and said, “No, I would have handled that myself in short order.”
“If not you, who?”
“Chen.”
Dartuke and Balder looked at each other.
“Chen’s father disappeared a year before I went to live with her at the castle. Soon afterwards, Lord Daegal tried taking his place, but gave more of himself than he should, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I haven’t seen Chen for a long time, and I miss her,” Corson said.
“You miss a woman who’s responsible for several of my men being killed?” Balder asked finding it hard to believe.
“No, I don’t miss that woman. I miss the girl I once
knew."
Looking at Corson with compassion, Dartuke said, “I have a sister who once betrayed me to an enemy. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over that.”
“What none of you seem to realize is that if Chen had some other alternative to living with Lord Daegal, she’d take it. We could even use her against him. Chen needs a place where Lord Daegal isn’t always trying to control and manipulate her. He’s the real source of her problems. Get her away from him, and I think she could start over again,” Corson said.
“Maybe you’re letting fond memories of the past cloud your judgment,” Dartuke said. “A few days ago, I witnessed Chen doing things that make me believe she’s too far gone. That young woman couldn’t possibly be of any help to us. Seriously, look at those three coffins in the wagon. Chen killed those men, and the oldest was a close friend of mine.”
“If I could somehow talk to her when she’s outside the castle, then I could determine how much of my master is still there, how much of the woman I knew is still intact,” Corson said.
“Your master?” Balder asked.
“Way down deep, I know that I still love her. We grew up together, and I can’t help how I feel about her. Other than you, Balder, she’s the only person I’ve ever loved.”
“Do you believe you can help Chen straighten out her life?” Dartuke asked.
“Look, I’ve seen what she does to people. She kills for pleasure. She kills people who mean her no harm, and who she doesn’t even know. But that’s the Chen who exists now. What I miss is the girl she used to be.”
“And you think meeting her outside the castle would make a difference?” Dartuke asked.
“I don’t know, maybe it’s hopeless. But she’s the only person from my teenage years that I once loved.”
Being so distracted by her raw emotions, Corson didn’t hear Aerylln walking up behind her. Listening to the warrior woman struggling with her thoughts and feelings about Chen, Aerylln felt badly for her friend. Trying to offer some encouragement, she said, “There’s good in everyone, Corson."
The warrior woman jumped. Corson could handle a fight, but a kind teenage girl sneaking up on her was almost more than she could stand. After catching her breath, Corson said, “Aerylln, don’t ever do that again. I could have killed you by mistake. And don’t try cheering me up. Quite frankly, positive ideas make me sick right now.”
Aerylln, Zorya and Tempest, Corson’s warhorse, had just returned from the other side of the stream. The teenage girl had waded across it, and her dress was soaked below the knees. The animals had lingered in the bubbling water enjoying a long drink and were feeling refreshed. Even Baelfire was feeling renewed having been dangling in the cool water while hanging from the pommel of Zorya’s saddle.
Eldwyn and Marcheto were following close behind, but it was Zorya and Tempest, two massive warhorses, who caught the eye of every one of the nobles. Next, what the nobles noticed was the beautiful necklace Zorya was wearing as well as the magnificent sword hanging from her saddle. Zorya was a horse fit for a king, and Dartuke looked at Balder with new respect assuming the fabulous horse belonged to the male warrior.
“Where did you find such a magnificent animal?” Dartuke asked envying him.
“Zorya’s my horse,” Aerylln said as she went up to the warhorse and stroked its mane.
Striding over to Aerylln, Corson picked up her young friend and placed her on Zorya’s back. The nobles were speechless.
“Aerylln, slide Baelfire out of her scabbard,” Corson said.
“No, careful, just ease the blade out a tiny bit,” Zorya whispered.
Reaching for her sword, which was hanging from the pommel of Zorya’s saddle, Aerylln slid Baelfire from the scabbard, but only slightly, until she saw a hint of the metal blade.
An enormous shockwave surging out of the magic sword nearly knocked the 30 nobles off their saddles, and their warhorses staggered backwards stumbling and almost falling. These warriors were excellent horsemen, but their animals were rearing up in terror, and it was all the men could do to keep control of their mounts. After the chaos passed and things settled down, the stunned nobles looked warily at the teenage girl on the white warhorse.
“Do you still think women can’t be warriors?” Corson asked. “If necessary, this girl could whip all of you.”
“But don’t be alarmed,” Zorya said. “We come in
peace.”
Balder whirled around staring hard at the talking horse, as the nobles’ faces wore various expressions running the full spectrum of fear, apprehension, curiosity, amazement and delight. All being leaders in their home districts, the men understood power, or the lack of it, and they knew something remarkable and unbelievable had just happened.
Being women, Zorya and Baelfire weren’t against having their beauty appreciated, so the jewels in the warhorse’s necklace and the ones in the sword’s hilt began glowing brightly. Each of the jewels acted like a prism sending rainbows of light in all directions, and the colors were deep, rich and vibrant.
Thordig, one of the older nobles, nudged his horse riding up beside Aerylln and said, “Years ago, in my youth, I saw a man riding a white warhorse like this one, and he was wearing a swo
rd much like yours. He was a giant, fearsome warrior.”
“That’s Aerylln’s father. I was with him for years,” Baelfire said speaking up.
“Well, I recently saw the very same man. I hadn’t seen him since that first time, but he was leaving The Rock a few days ago surrounded by dozens of Lord Daegal’s men,” Thordig said taking a talking sword in stride. “It was just before sunrise in the castle courtyard near the front gate. There were torches along the castle walls, and I could see his face as plain as day.”
Zorya and Baelfire looked at each other.
“Not long ago, we were in a skirmish with some of Lord Daegal’s warriors,” Baelfire said. “Suddenly a door materialized next to us, and Pensgraft tossed me through it. When I discovered I was in Mistress Xan’s castle with Aerylln, I knew the time had come for the girl to assume her rightful place as a woman in her family’s line of succession.”
“After Pensgraft threw Baelfire through the door, he was struck down. Aerylln’s father was knocked off my back and in all the confusion, I got separated from him,” Zorya explained.
“Well, he’s riding with Lord Daegal’s warriors now,” Thordig said. “And after walking passed him, I looked back and saw Chen and dozens of her warrior women joining him. That hellion and Pensgraft seemed to be on pretty good terms.”
“You say Pensgraft was riding with them. Does that mean they left the castle?” Corson asked.
“They were gathering at the main entrance, and when it opened, both Lord Daegal’s men and Chen’s women stormed through it like there was no tomorrow. I’ve no idea how many made it down the mountainside uninjured, or if any made it down at all. At the time, it was almost pitch dark.”
“My father would never join Lord Daegal,” Aerylln said with an air of defiance, although she hadn’t seen him in ages and wasn’t even sure he was alive until now.
“Pensgraft wasn’t tied up, and he held the reins of his own horse.”
“I don’t believe it,” Aerylln said almost in tears.
“You saw Chen leaving the castle. When was that
exactly?” Corson asked.
“Three days ago, right before dawn.”
“Where were they going?”
“Heading out to see someone named Glenitant, at least that’s what I overheard one warrior telling another.”
“Chen’s Aunt Glenitant has a castle three-day’s ride east of The Rock,” Corson informed them.
“I’ve heard of Glenitant, and she’s a wicked old crone,” Dartuke said. “I wouldn’t advise going there by yourselves.”
“I’ve ten warriors at a campsite on the other side of the stream,” Balder said.
“A dozen warriors, including you and Corson, won’t be enough if you plan on pursuing that bunch. There must have been 50 warriors, or more, leaving The Rock with Chen,” Thordig said gravely.
“You’ll be coming with us, won’t you?” Aerylln asked.
Looking at the teenage girl, the nobles noticed bloodstains on the hem of her white dress, and Dartuke said, “It appears you’ve had a bit of trouble already, young lady.”
“It’s not as bad as it looks, and I wasn’t hurt. Corson took care of us,” Aerylln said smiling at her protector.
“No doubt,” Dartuke said glancing at Corson’s well-muscled sword arm and the warrior woman’s strong legs. “But a three-day ride is quite a distance to travel, and who knows what you’ll be heading into.”
“I have to find my father,” Aerylln insisted.
“And I have to locate Chen,” Corson declared.
“We have pressing business at home, and we can’t help you,” Catara, another of the nobles, said.
“If we can get Chen to unite with us against Lord Daegal, you could break free of the warlord’s tyranny,” Corson pointed out. “That would accomplish more good than anything you could possibly do in your provinces. As long as Lord Daegal remains in power, you’ll always be a repressed people.”
“It’s in your own best interest. Ride with us,” Balder added.
“At least ten of us must go back immediately,” Catara said. “If you mount a successful challenge to Lord Daegal, then we must build new alliances with our neighbors, and the warlord’s garrison back home must be defeated. Until those things are done, none of our people will venture from their own lands.”
“But you believe turning Chen against her uncle will somehow spell the end of Lord Daegal?” Dartuke asked staring directly into Balder’s eyes.
“I trust Corson’s instincts implicitly,” Balder told the nobles. “If she can reach Chen, then Chen might be able to disrupt factions within The Rock. She’s crazy, but also devious, cunning and a born strategist. Some factions within the castle might join her. Certainly not all would fight against her. It’s worth a try.”
“And there’s Aerylln’s sword,” Corson pointed out. “I’ve seen a little of its power, and Baelfire seems formidable. But I wish we knew if Chen and Pensgraft have reached Glenitant’s castle yet.”
“I can help you with that,” Eldwyn said stepping forward. “Does anyone have a canteen?”
“A canteen, what for?” Thordig asked.
“Just humor him for a minute,” Zorya said. The nobles stared at her once more finding it hard to get used to the idea of a talking warhorse.
Catara offered his canteen to Eldwyn who removed the cap, took hold of the canteen with both hands and began waving it about spewing water into the air.
The nobles had been shocked by Zorya and Baelfire’s ability to talk, but now they were in for another surprise as the water vaporized transforming into a mist which quickly developed into a dense fog covering the entire area in front of them. An image of Aunt Glenitant’s fortress, Crystal Castle, appeared in the white fog, and everyone was in awe of its size and beauty.
They saw Pensgraft being thrown against a wall by an invisible force with Chen and her warrior women racing to form a protective circle around him mounted on their black stallions with swords drawn.
They watched Aunt Glenitant emerging from Crystal Castle’s main tower, and Zorya and Baelfire immediately recognized the old crone’s dark sword, Crystal. It was obvious to everyone that Glenitant was in poor health, and that the old witch couldn’t escape the jaws of death much longer.
Greatly worried, Baelfire said, “Soon, Glenitant’s evil sword will be inherited by another. We’ve got to reach her castle before that happens and break the line of succession.”
Zorya and Baelfire watched in horror as Chen knelt before her aunt, and they both felt Crystal’s all-consuming desire for Chen to be the heir apparent.
“We can’t allow this to happen. It would be disastrous for someone as intelligent, cunning, strong willed and deeply disturbed as Chen to inherit the dark sword. Her potential for evil could be unlimited. We have to leave now!” Baelfire shouted in alarm.
Hearing the fear in Baelfire’s voice and realizing the severity of the crisis confronting them, Dartuke and 19 other nobles decided to ride for Crystal Castle. The rest would return and tell those back home to prepare for war, whether against Lord Daegal or his niece, or both, they weren’t sure. But conflict was coming.
“Should your women want to join the fight, bring them to me,” Corson instructed those returning home. “I’ll train them as archers. You bring them to me!”
Although Catara was going back home, he gave horses to Eldwyn and Marcheto, ones formerly belonging to the sons of the dead “lion.”
“They’re experienced warhorses,” Catara said. “Bring honor to them.”
A few moments later, Balder’s men came across the stream mounted and ready to go. Kirtak, Balder’s second-in- command, had seen his captain talking with the nobles and sensed something was up. They approached the group as the nobles returning home were galloping away to the west.
Balder’s men were wide-eyed in surprise when they saw the dense fog and the vision of Chen kneeling before Glenitant. The warriors saw the dark sword Glenitant was leaning on
for support and shuddered involuntarily.
“We have work to do,” Balder shouted to his men and without further explanation, he leapt onto his horse and galloped to the east with his warriors in hot pursuit. Immediately, Dartuke spurred his horse and gave chase as the other nobles followed close on his heels.
Helping Eldwyn get mounted, Corson realized the old wizard actually needed very little assistance. When she’d first met him, Eldwyn could barely walk let alone ride a horse. Yet the longer Baelfire allowed her energy to seep into the old man, the more animated and invigorated he’d become.
Leaping onto Tempest, her warhorse, Corson raced away as she, Eldwyn and Marcheto tried to catch up with the others. Following behind them all was a magic horse with a teenage girl on her back, Zorya having intentionally chosen to pull up the rear.
After galloping for only a few hundred yards, Zorya asked Aerylln to take Baelfire out of her scabbard. The teenage girl expected an explosion of power, but this time the sword gave off a warm, penetrating and energizing radiance. Baelfire filled the air with a light golden haze that spread out in front of them eventually reaching Balder. Giving incredible strength to them all, the golden haze propelled the warhorses and riders forward with supernatural speed. In fact, Aerylln was certain Zorya’s feet were actually leaving the ground as the teenage girl and her magic horse began skimming rapidly along the surface of the earth, as all those in front of them were now doing.
“What’s happening?” Aerylln asked looking at Baelfire in surprise.
“Time is of the essence,” Baelfire said. “Crystal’s my evil twin, and we must get to Chen before the dark sword does.”
“If we don’t, what will happen?”
“Aunt Glenitant hasn’t been particularly good at wielding the dark sword. The old witch and Crystal never really got along and just tolerated each other. But if what I saw and felt is correct, then Crystal has found a kindred spirit in Chen. And that could be a disaster beyond our wildest imagination.”
“Maybe it depends on whose imagination you’re talking about. Corson’s imagination is pretty strange. She’s my friend, and I love her, but she sees death and destruction everywhere.”