by David Debord
“Not me. Find someone else.”
“You have been chosen,” the first priest said flatly.
“But I do not worship your god. I am only here because I hate...” He couldn’t finish the sentence. He pressed his hands to his temples and cried out in pain.
One of the priests nodded and a pair of guards rushed forward. They quickly disarmed Paden, bound his hands behind his back, and hauled him away.
The others nearby looked on with disinterest. Not a one of them raised an objection. As Paden’s protests faded in the distance, they returned to their cook fire.
Something deep inside Karst wanted to object. For the briefest of instants, he thought about grabbing a sword and rescuing his friend. It was the right thing to do wasn’t it? What sort of God killed his own followers?
Once again, the crushing pain filled his head. He fought it, but not for long. Moments later, he was once again a dog on the hunt.
Chapter 45
“We must retreat, Majesty.” Blood streaked Krion’s face and spattered his leather armor, but none of it appeared to be his own.
“Again?” Shanis snapped. “They’ve been pushing us back at every turn. I thought we’d have the advantage in the swamps.” She pulled her cloak tightly around her. Winter had come early, and she had no doubt about the reason.
“We do. We have killed twice our number, perhaps more, but they have many more soldiers than we, and the Malgog among them know the swamps.”
“I would no call them soldiers,” Horgris said. The big clan chief had just entered the command tent. “They fight like they have a mind for nothing but war. They do ignore wounds that would fell an ordinary man. Or woman,” he added quickly. “They fight on until they can no fight anymore.”
“I should enter the battle, then. I’ll make sure plenty of them won’t be able to fight.” Shanis grasped the hilt of the Silver Serpent, eager to draw on its power and wreak havoc among the Ice King’s forces.
“You know we cannot risk that,” Heztus said gently. “You are the only one who can fight the Ice King. If you are struck by a stray arrow...”
“Yes, yes, I know. You’ve told me this many times.”
“And it appears we have to continue telling you, granddaughter.” Krion folded his arms and gave her a reproving look. “Even without fighting, your contributions are invaluable. No one else can do what you can.”
Shanis wanted to argue, but she knew it was a waste of time. Since the fighting had begun, she had been using her powers to heal the wounded. While her army had many who could tend to the injured, only she could perform miracles if that’s what you called them. While the others tended to ordinary wounds, she saw to those with grievous injuries. She helped the most hopeless cases, bringing them back from the edge of death until she was spent. She knew her efforts made a difference. Many soldiers lived to fight on, thanks to her.
She thought about the first person she had ever healed and remembered that it was her urge to heal not only a few people, but an entire nation, that had led her to unite the clans. Now she was leading them into the worst sort of carnage. She knew that wasn’t entirely accurate. The Ice King had given them no choice. They had no alternative but to fight. Still, she wished it were otherwise.
“Has there been any sign of him?” She didn’t need to say whom she meant.
Krion shook his head. “It could be that he remains in Salgo. We do not know the extent of his power, but it is no great stretch to think his will would extend this far. He seems to dominate the minds of his soldiers. Even our people feel some hesitation when we face them.”
“And as things stand now, I have no hope of getting to him. We would have to drive his army back before I could do that.” A thought struck her.
“I see that look on your face. Don’t even think about it.” Heztus said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.
“You’re wondering if you can sneak past their lines and make it all the way to Salgo without being found out.”
“Are you a mind reader now?”
“No, but I can read you.”
“It do be out of the question. It would be a much greater risk than you going into battle,” Horgris said.
“I know,” Shanis grumbled. “But I don’t have to like it.” She sighed and looked at her grandfather. “All right, give the order to fall back.”
Chapter 46
“It’s getting late and you need your rest.” Lizzie slipped beneath Oskar’s blanket and snuggled up against him. She laid her head on his chest and let out a small sigh. “Do you remember when I told you that I wanted to see the world?”
Oskar nodded.
“I was wrong. This is the most boring thing I’ve ever done.”
Oskar chuckled. “Perhaps you should have been more specific about the sort of travel you were interested in.”
Lizzie giggled. “I thought it went without saying that I didn’t want to wander through the wilderness for days and weeks on end.”
“You know me. You have to spell things out for me or I’ll never understand.” He slid an arm around Lizzie’s shoulders and pulled her close. He still didn’t see how so beautiful a girl could have any interest in him, but he had stopped trying to figure it out and simply enjoyed it. He hated the idea of taking her into a war zone, but he knew she would not be left behind. Besides, if they failed, nowhere in the world would be safe. This was a battle everyone would fight sooner or later.
“What are you reading?”
“The only book I thought to bring with me.” He held up the small volume he had taken from the archives at the Gates just before he fled.
“Is it interesting?” she asked drowsily.
“No, but it’s better than doing nothing.” He angled the book to catch the firelight and turned to the next page.
“Doing nothing? If you think there’s nothing to do at night under the blankets, you are in sore need of education.” Lizzie ran her hand across his chest, rose up, and kissed him on the neck.
“Not with everyone around,” he whispered.
“We’re practically alone.” She kissed him again.
They were hardly alone. Aspin, Colin, Larris, and Allyn slept nearby, as did Hair, Edrin, and Hierm, who had, after much shouting, convinced Rinala to stay behind with baby Hiram. A squad of soldiers ringed their camp, guarding the prince. Whitt, Naseeb, and Dacio were traveling along with the other saikurs, who were moving with the main force of the army. Despite their lack of privacy, Oskar was seriously considering giving in when he turned to the last page of the book and gasped.
“Did I nibble too hard on your ear?” Lizzie teased.
“It’s not that. I have to talk to Aspin.” He slid out from under the blanket leaving a surprised Lizzie staring daggers at him.
“Fine. He can kiss you on the neck tonight for all I care.” She curled up on her side and pulled the blanket up over her head.
Oskar didn’t give her a second thought. He could only focus on what he had discovered.
Aspin was still awake and he sat talking with Colin. They broke off their conversation when Oskar approached.
“What is it?” Aspin asked.
“I found something in this book of prophecy. I had so little success that I gave up on finding anything useful, but then I stumbled across this.” His hand trembling, he passed the book to Aspin, whose eyes widened when he saw what was written there.
“What is it?” Larris asked. Apparently no one in the camp was asleep. Even Lizzie crawled out from under the blanket and joined them.
“It’s a prophecy about a meeting of the bearer of the Silver Serpent and the Ice King.”
“Is that a big deal? I mean, aren’t there plenty of prophecies about that?” Lizzie asked.
“Every prophecy I have ever read says that the bearer will meet the Ice King at the final Frostmarch. What does this one say?” Larris sat rigid, his voice tight. Oskar knew why. Larris was in love with Shanis. He would no
t like what this prophecy had to say.
Aspin read aloud.
“The Lord of ice shall rise up and all shall fall before him. The bearer shall meet him in the mists in the place of earth and water and there shall the choice be made. The ultimate sacrifice or eternal winter.”
He closed the book. “The mists in the place of earth and water.”
“Calmut?” Oskar asked.
Aspin nodded. “I think so. It fits, and at the rate Shanis’ army is falling back, they will be in Calmut by the time we meet up with them.”
“We’ll be there in two days. Does that mean it’s almost over?” Hierm asked.
“Possibly.” Aspin rose and tugged on his robe. “I need to speak to King Lerryn. He should know what to expect.”
“I’ll go with you,” Colin said weakly. He quickly turned his back on the others.
“What does the other part mean?” Lizzie asked. “What is the ultimate sacrifice? Does it have something to do with the glyphs Dacio translated for you?”
All eyes turned to Larris whose face was a mask of agony. The prince closed his eyes and pressed a fist to his forehead.
“We can’t say for sure.” Oskar scarcely managed to speak the words. All of this time he had envisioned Shanis emerging triumphant from a battle with the Ice King, but if this prophecy were to be believed, it would not be the sort of triumph he had imagined.
“That’s true,” Allyn said. “Prophecies are rarely what they seem.”
“I don’t care what any prophecy says. We’re going to fight,” Hierm said without conviction.
“And were going to win,” Allyn added. “We always do.”
Lizzie looked up at Oskar and her gaze softened when she saw the pain in his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to rest on her shoulder. “It will be all right.”
Oskar drew her close and held on tightly. He wished he could believe her.
Chapter 47
Shanis was surprised at the changes in Calmut since she’d left there months before. It no longer looked like a lost city that had been devoured by the jungle. The streets and alleyways had been cleared of undergrowth and rubble, and the crumbling buildings that had not yet been repaired were at least free of foliage and detritus. All the rubble had been repurposed for the rebuilding of the city wall, which stood about twice her height. It was nothing compared to the defenses of a city like Karkwall, but it would have to serve.
The biggest change was the expansion of the school of magic. It no longer occupied a single building but had expanded to incorporate an entire street. Hundreds of women of all ages, and a surprising number of men had flocked to Calmut to join the school. Shanis didn’t know how the word of the school had spread so far. She supposed it had something to do with the ability of magicians to communicate, something along the lines of how seekers communicated with one another. Gillen had recently mastered the skill and been exchanging messages with Aspin on Shanis’ behalf for some time now.
“Most of the students are novices,” Gillen explained, “and of those who are not, most have devoted their study to the healing arts.”
“How many will be useful in a fight?” Shanis asked.
“About four dozen. Some of the elders could also fight in a pinch, but they primarily serve as instructors and leaders.”
“Tell them, ask them, I mean, to begin teaching every combat skill they possess to as many students as possible. At minimum, perhaps some can learn the shielding spells that you use to protect me. Healing is important, but it might be that we will need every man and woman to fight.”
Gillen nodded. She had been at Shanis’ side since the siege of Karkwall and she knew what they faced. “I’ll send word immediately.” She flagged down a young woman who was on her way into the house of healing, spoke to her quietly, and sent the girl on her way at a fast walk. “Should we go inside?” Gillen glanced toward the house of healing.
Shanis suppressed a grimace. It galled her to cower inside while all around her, others were giving their lives to defend her. “Not just yet. I should at least see to the defenses.”
“Horgris and your grandfather have that task well in hand,” Heztus said. “If you like, I will make the rounds on your behalf and report back to you, but your safety is paramount. Right now, you are perhaps the most important person in the world.”
“I can at least wait until the battle begins,” she said. “There’s no point in hiding until it’s absolutely necessary. Just then, warning shouts arose from the city walls and her heart sank.
Heztus gave a wry smile. “It sounds like the time has come.”
Shanis removed her hand from the soldier’s forehead. She stood and wobbled a little on her tired legs. Healing was exhausting work, even with the power being drawn from the Silver Serpent.
“No matter how many times I see you do that, I never cease to be amazed.” Hyda shook her head. The old woman whom Shanis had met so long ago had joined the school and risen to a position of prominence, and taken charge of the center of healing. “It be so much more than any of us can do. You healed a wound that would have claimed his life by daybreak.”
“It isn’t my doing. It’s the sword.” She staggered again, but it was not due to fatigue. Lately, the sword had been increasingly difficult to manage. It sometimes resisted her attempts to channel power from it and at night she was plagued by vivid dreams of the sword plunging into the hearts of robed and crowned men and women. She reflected that she was now queen and wondered if the sword hungered to plunge itself into her heart as well.
“Shanis! I mean, Your Majesty. You are needed.”
She turned to see Heztus wending his way through the maze of injured warriors who lay in rows on the floor.
“What is it?”
“We are losing,” he said flatly. “If help does not arrive soon, the city will fall. We can’t retreat, as there is no defensible position for leagues to the west. If there is anything you can do to hold them back, now is the time.”
“I’m coming.” She hurried after the dwarf, leaving her ever-present pair of bodyguards to catch up. “Any word from Aspin?” she said over her shoulder to Gillen, who had snatched up her skirts and was rushing to keep up, with Granlor following close behind.
“Not since last night. He said they expected to be here sometime today. King Lerryn intended to march through the night.”
“Good on him since the enemy has been fighting through the night.”
Heztus led her up to the top floor of an ancient building just inside the city’s eastern wall. From here, in the gray light of dawn, she could see most of the battle line without exposing herself to enemy fire. Up and down the line, the Ice King’s forces were pressing the defenders hard. In some places, they even managed to surmount the wall, though they were quickly forced back or killed. Oddly, the enemy had neither encircled them nor attacked the western wall, but she didn’t have time to speculate on the reason.
While Gillen summoned the protective shield, Shanis closed her eyes and reached out to the sword. Once again, it fought her. It felt as if it had its own will and it seemed to struggle to escape her control. Perhaps it could sense the presence of the Ice King. She concentrated hard and visualized what she wanted it to do. The same images that haunted her dreams flickered through her mind so fast she could scarcely recognize them. Figures whom she was now certain were ancient kings and queens died again and again, impaled upon the blade. She pushed them aside and concentrated.
“Any time now,” Heztus said.
With supreme effort, she drew the power of the sword into her and hurled it out into the battle. A barrage of lightning bolts rained down from the sky, exploding through the ranks of the enemy forces. As if from a great distance, she heard Granlor retch at the site of scorched, broken bodies flying through the air.
She opened her eyes as a wave of fatigue swept over her. She dropped to one knee and rested against the windowsill. Down below, the defenders of Calmut had taken adv
antage of the enemy’s surprise and indecision and were quickly sweeping the walls clean. Though some of the Ice King’s forces continue to fight, the sudden carnage seemed to have overcome their will to fight. They began to draw back, some breaking into full flight.
“Are you all right?” Heztus hurried to her side and laid a hand on her shoulder.
She nodded. “I was already tired from healing, and that,” she gestured toward the battlefield, “was almost more than I could manage.”
“Let me help,” Gillen said. “Draw some force from me. I will be all right.”
“I can’t.” Shanis didn’t elaborate. She thought it a bad idea to tell them that her grip on the Silver Serpent was so tenuous at the moment that she feared she would lose control of it entirely if she did not focus on keeping it in check. If she began to take even a trickle of life force from the young bone woman and the sword took over, Gillen might be consumed.
“Rest then,” Gillen said. “The enemy is in retreat.”
“Actually, they are not,” Heztus said.
He was correct. Already the fleeing troops had rallied and were once again marching slowly toward the wall. Though they lacked the zeal of their earlier attacks, they nevertheless moved inexorably forward.
She watched as a hail of arrows cut through the first ranks. She wondered how soon before the archers ran out of shafts. There had been no respite from the fighting since the attack began, and she knew that soon they would have to resort to firing the enemy’s spent arrows back at them. Even now, she could see that the volume and rate of fire had decreased noticeably since the beginning of the battle. Some of her warriors were now using crude slings to hurl rocks at the attackers. Interspersed amongst the soldiers, the magicians and sorcerers from the school, those who still had the energy to fight, hurled fireballs into the ranks of the Ice King’s forces. Even these attacks were paltry compared to what they had been earlier.
“We should pull the magicians off the wall before they burn themselves out,” she said.