by David Debord
“The gods disappeared too. One day they’re leading armies, shifting alliances, and battling one another; the next, they’re gone. And I mean gone.”
Lizzie looked up at the sky and tugged at her ponytail as she considered this. “You’re saying there are no more gods?”
“I don’t know. They haven’t been seen since. What’s more, magic comes from the gods. Before the Godwars, and during them, people could do amazing things with magic, but since the gods disappeared, we can do very little.”
“But you can still do magic, so the gods are still around,” Lizzie said.
“Right. At least, that makes the most sense, but it seems like they’re far away or something.”
“Why are you reading about the Godwars, anyway?”
“I’ve been trying to learn more about the Silver Serpent. I thought it was created before or during the Godwars, but there’s no mention of it.”
“You said your friend Shanis already has the Silver Serpent, so what does it matter?” Lizzie asked.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Aspin told me to research it. He thinks the Silver Serpent holds the key to stopping the next Frostmarch.”
Lizzie shivered and snuggled up against him and he pulled her close. “I thought the Frostmarch was a fairy tale. I guess not, huh?”
Oskar shook his head.
“In that case, I suppose you should keep looking. I still think this Aspin fellow owes you a better explanation. You aren’t his slave.”
“I’m a novit and he’s a saikur. Besides, I’ve always had someone telling me what to do: my parents, the Van Derins, and here at the Gates it seems like everyone gets to tell me what to do. It feels natural to me.”
“If you’re good at following instructions, that bodes well for me,” Lizzie said.
“I don’t suppose you’re answerable to anyone, are you?”
“I wouldn’t say that. It’s true I have more freedom than you, but we thieves hold one another accountable through the guild. We can’t step on one another’s toes. I work the stretch between Beggar’s Cove and the Red Way. I can’t work anywhere else unless I’m reassigned. I’m mostly a rooftop girl. I slip inside houses and take what I want, but I also pick pockets from time to time. I’m not allowed to do anything that would call undue attention to my neighborhood. I can’t steal too much from the same person, and I can’t slit throats unless it’s in defense of my life. If I think someone needs killing, I have to take my case to the guild. They get to decide, and if they agree with me, they’ll send an assassin to do it. I’m not allowed.”
Oskar found it almost inconceivable that such talk could come from a beautiful girl like Lizzy, but he supposed people could grow accustomed to anything. He remembered the Lothans, who thought of war the way he thought of a rainy day—a simple, often unfortunate, fact of life.
“Are you free to leave Vatania?” he asked. “Or will the guild try to stop you?”
Lizzie considered this. “I am allowed to leave, but if I do I can never come back. We keep an eye on one another’s comings and goings. If one of our number starts meeting with the wrong sorts, we know about it. If one of us leaves, however, we have no way of knowing what he or she has been up to or for whom that person might be working. So if you leave, you don’t come back. It is known.”
“Do they know you’ve been meeting with me?”
“Doubtful. I’m good, you see, and I’ve never once given cause for suspicion. But if they knew, they’d definitely keep a closer eye on me. Of course, the Gates doesn’t care about things like local crime. It’s the constables, soldiers, and petty functionaries I need to avoid. Unless I’m cutting their purses.” She flashed a wicked grin.
“Speaking of people to avoid, there’s something I need to tell you.” He told her about Agen trying to follow her.
Lizzie sat upright. “One of your weird magical friends was after me and you didn’t do anything?”
“He’s not my friend.” Oskar felt that declaring Agen his sworn enemy would be a touch too melodramatic, so he left it at that. “And I did follow him, but when I got outside, he had already lost sight of you.”
“I told you not to follow me,” she said. “And you ignored my wishes?”
Now Oskar was completely flustered. “But you just said...”
Lizzie laughed. “You’re too easy, you know that? I’ll keep an eye out for him, but I’m not easy to catch.” She looked out at the horizon, where the thin, gray line of the sea announced the sun’s approach. “I’d better go. I have work to do and you need sleep.” She brushed her lips against his cheek and then she was gone.
Chapter 25
Shanis looked down upon the open plain that surrounded Karkwall, the capital city of Lothan. Nothing stirred outside the city, but armed men stood guard upon its massive walls. This would be no easy battle. Even once they breached the city walls they would have to fight their way uphill and then break through a second ring of fortifications that protected the castle. The conquest would come at a steep price, but she supposed it must be paid.
“Those walls have never been breached,” Krion said, staring out at the city.
“We will be the first,” Horgris spoke as if it were a foregone conclusion.
“If we can find a way to do this without loss of life, we will,” Shanis said. Their plan was to surround the city, keeping their troops out of range of the siege engines but in plain sight. Hopefully, once Orbrad realized he had no hope of victory, he would surrender. “Surely Orbrad will see reason.”
“From what I’ve heard, Orbrad and reason do not go well together,” Heztus chuckled.
“Neither did Malgog and Monaghan until now.” Shanis scowled at the dwarf who quickly adopted a look of contrition.
Her forces began to take up their positions all around the city and soon hammering filled the air as they began construction of the siege towers and catapults that would be used in the assault.
It was not long before the city gates opened and a group of riders approached bearing a flag of truce.
“Horgris and I will see what they have to say,” Krion said.
“I’m going too.”
“Are you insane?” Heztus blurted. “Even if we meet them well out of range of their archers they have catapults, ballistae. It would take only one lucky shot to kill you and I don’t doubt for a second they would sacrifice their own men if it meant killing you.”
“Gillen can protect me. She knows shielding spells.” The young bone woman had agreed to join her and provide added protection. Despite her youth, she had proved to be highly intelligent and exceptionally powerful. “Besides, I have the sword.”
Heztus frowned. “Tell me,” he said softly. “Can you use that sword for something other than healing? I’ve never seen you do anything else with it.”
“I could use it to cut off your head. It would spare me much annoyance.”
Heztus laughed wickedly.
Shanis urged her horse forward before anyone else could try and talk her out of what she was about to do. It was not in her nature to sit back while others took action, and even something as simple as riding out to meet the king’s envoys made her feel as if she were doing something.
The five men who came out to meet her were all soldiers. None appeared to be armed with anything other than a sword. As long as she kept her distance, they should pose no threat, especially when she had Gillen, Heztus, and three skilled warriors along with her.
“I don’t see Orbrad,” she said. “Tell me, where is your brave leader?”
“His Majesty would never condescend to grant an audience to a rebel, and an outlander at that,” one of the soldiers snapped.
Horgris cursed and Krion silenced him with a hard look.
“I assume you have a message from him?” Shanis said.
“The King orders you to throw down your weapons and surrender.” The soldier’s cheeks reddened as Heztus and Horgris began to laugh. “He reminds you that no army has ever conquered this city. Only his mer
cy will save you. Do not throw away your lives for a hopeless cause.
The man’s words were too close to her own thoughts for Shanis’ liking, but she was now committed to this course of action and it was too late to change her mind.
“I have a message as well, not just for Orbrad, but for the entire city.”
The soldier smirked. “We shall deliver your message to his Majesty, of course, but I doubt he will be willing to pass it along.”
“No need. I can deliver it myself.” She glanced at Gillen, who nodded and began to whisper softly. Shanis drew the Silver Serpent and lifted it high. “I am Shanis Malan.” Her voice boomed like thunder, amplified by Gillen’s spell. “I am descended from both Malgog and Monaghan, and I am the granddaughter of Badla. By right of blood, I declare myself Queen of Lothan.”
The envoys from the city appeared surprised, even shaken, but whether it was due to her proclamation or the use of magic, she could not say. She sheathed her sword and they visibly relaxed.
“Anyone could make that claim,” one of them muttered.
“Look at her,” said another. “You can’t deny the resemblance.”
The voice was a familiar one. Shanis took a closer look at the soldier who had, until this moment, remained silent and kept his face hidden beneath his hood. She was surprised to recognize Martrin, a soldier who had helped her and her friends escape from Karkwall many months before. And he was a member of the Order of the Fox.
“That’s hardly proof,” the soldier who had been doing most of the talking said. “Besides, all Monaghan women look alike.” His smile melted away as Horgris reached for his sword.
“You can no deny her courage,” Horgris growled. “Unlike your play king, she stands in sight of your walls and makes her claim.”
The soldier looked at Shanis. “We are wasting time. What are your demands?”
“Unconditional surrender. All soldiers will have a place in the new, united army of Lothan. I will rule with the help of a group of advisers, one from each clan, and one from the city. Karkwall may choose its own representative.” She ignored the stares from her escorts whom she had not yet advised about that particular plan. “I further pledge safe conduct for Orbrad and his family to the country of his choosing.”
“Impossible.”
“Then I shall take my case to the people.” Once again, she spoke in the magically enhanced voice. “Soldiers and citizens of Karkwall, your forces are woefully outnumbered. The clan wars are over and now the full might of Lothan stands before you. I do not wish for anyone to die. Open your gates to us and let us heal our broken nation.”
“Foolishness,” the soldier said. “I remind you again that no army has ever breached these walls.”
Shanis smiled coldly. “None of them bore the Silver Serpent. Orbrad has until sunrise to open the gates. When the first ray of sun touches the walls, I will bring them down.”
“We will give your message to His Highness,” Martrin said, “though I imagine he has already heard what you have to say.”
“You do that.” Shanis wheeled her horse and rode away, all the while praying to the gods that the foolish King would see sense for the first time in his life.
Chapter 26
“It’s almost morning.” Gillen peeked her head through the tent flap. “We should make ready.”
Shanis sat up and rubbed her head. Her sleep had once again been troubled by strange dreams in which the gods ran rampant across the earth.
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Nothing, just tired.” She glanced up at Gillen. “I don’t know why it never occurred to me before, but you don’t talk like a Monaghan.”
Gillen smiled. “Thank you. I find people take me more seriously when I ‘no do speak like this.’”
Shanis couldn’t help but laugh. She dressed quickly and stepped out into the damp, chilly morning. Granlor, who had taken to sleeping outside her tent despite the presence of guards, was there waiting for her.
“I don’t suppose Orbrad has opened the gates?” she asked.
“No, but it no be sunrise yet.” They strode through the camp to where Horgris, Culmatan, and Krion sat by a campfire. They all looked up when she arrived.
“Granlor tells me the gates are still closed. Any word from members of the Order of the Fox? Might we hope to receive help from the inside?”
Krion shook his head. “Not likely.”
“Are you certain? It’s early. Perhaps something can yet be done.” She held her hands close to the fire, enjoying its warmth.
The three men exchanged dark looks. “There is something you need to see,” Krion said. The men stood and they returned to the rise where yesterday they had looked down upon the city.
“Look at the gate.”
Shanis stared through the semi-darkness. It took her a moment to realize what she was seeing. Bodies hung from the walls on either side of the main gate.
“Who are they?”
“They do be two members of our clan,” Culmatan said. “Members of the order who have been living in the city for two summers, waiting for this day.”
“I think we can consider this to be Orbrad’s reply.” Krion turned to Shanis. “We have no choice. We must attack.”
Shanis sighed. She had hoped it would not come to this, but she saw no way out. “Very well. Let it begin.”
Shanis watched as the first rays of dawn struck the gates of Karkwall. The corpses remained there for all to see. Perhaps Orbrad thought it would intimidate the attackers, but from the reactions she had heard among her people, it served only to fuel their rage and strengthen their resolve.
While thin ranks of troops still encircled the city, well beyond the range of Karkwall’s defenses, she held the bulk of her forces in the forest, ready to serve as a surprise for the city’s defenders when the moment came.
She kept hoping the gates would open, but it didn’t happen. Finally, with a sick feeling in her gut, she gave the order for the attack to begin.
Horgris raised a horn to his lips and gave three short blasts.
Catapults rolled into place and began pounding the castle walls. Most were aimed at the gates, seeking to bring them down, while others hurled burning oil onto the ramparts. The first shots fell short, but they soon adjusted and began to hit the castle.
From within the city, Karkwall’s own weapons returned fire. The first efforts were far off the mark, but the subsequent shots came steadily closer as they found their range.
Shanis bit her lip as the missiles finally flew on target. Would her plan work? Just as the stones descended beneath the height of the tree line, something strange happened. The stones seemed to strike an invisible dome and bounce away. Shanis smiled as shouts of surprise arose all around her. She hadn’t been certain her plan would work, so she’d kept it to herself until it was tried.
“Did you do that?” Krion asked.
She shook her head. “I placed a bone woman in each crew. They’ll keep the protective shields up for as long as they can.” She knew fatigue would set in sooner or later, but she hoped her forces could strike quickly and forced the defenders to lose heart.
Heztus glanced up at her. “I wish I could see the looks on the faces of the soldiers inside the city right now.”
Shanis’ forces continued to pound the city walls while the defender’s efforts continued to fail.
“Now it’s your turn,” Krion said. “Strike while they are confused and disheartened.”
Shanis’ stomach began to churn. She had never used the power as a weapon and wasn’t sure she could do it. Aspin had taught her a bit about both magic and sorcery, and she understood the principles. If she could manage it, she might be able to bring this battle to an end.
She drew her sword and dropped to one knee. If her experiences in healing were any indication, this would be an exhausting task and she didn’t want to collapse in front of the men and women who counted on her to lead them. Behind her, Gillen moved to stand beside her in
case Shanis needed defending.
She thought about the times she had used the sword for healing She’d opened herself to its power, allowed it to flow through her, and then focused it on what she wanted to do. She took a deep breath and opened herself to the sword. She felt the power begin to stir, and she reached out with her thoughts, focusing on the south wall of the city, which had, by design, been subjected to only minimal bombardment.
An otherworldly force rose up inside her. Her limbs began to twitch of their own accord, and strange thoughts filled her mind—she felt a hunger, a desire to consume the very stone from which the city walls were constructed, and she found herself momentarily struggling to maintain control. She focused the hunger and poured it into the strands of her thoughts and cast them like a net over a two hundred span stretch of the city wall. Immeasurable power poured forth from the sword, flowing across the open space and filling the web of thought.
What is happening?
Just like healing, she did not quite understand what she was doing or how, but she somehow knew it was right.
The power clung to the wall like strands of ivy and slowly began to penetrate the stone. The hunger inside her rose to avarice and the strands of thought and power, the will, Aspin had called it, divided and divided again.
All around her, the crashes and cries of siege warfare faded away and she felt as if she were actually there, inside the stone, her essence flowing through it. Slowly she took control of the power and she spread the threads of energy through every block of the wall.
Cracks formed in the stone. She felt them growing, felt the rock divide and divide again. She was aware of the defenders on the wall cry out in surprise as the wall beneath them shifted. The rocks continued to split. What had begun as huge blocks of stone split into chunks the size of boulders, which then shattered into smaller chunks. It continued on, breaking down again and again until she had reduced the entire stretch of wall to a shifting mass of pebbles held loosely in place by the power of the Silver Serpent.
The alien awareness battered at her mind again. She held it back, but its intent filtered through. She understood. The blend of thought and power was like a whip that stretched across the battlefield, ending in countless, living tails of energy that continued to consume the stone. She focused her will and sent out a sharp burst of energy, cracking the whip and sending the crumbled remains of the wall flying apart.