by L. Fergus
“We can win without them,” said Jeffrey. “It’ll be hard, but we can.”
“It would take a change in tactics,” said Cowboy. “If we can reclaim the tubes, we’ll have the supplies and equipment to defeat the Crown.”
“Let them make their decision. Then we can make ours,” said Zidin.
The ground under Kita exploded. Five odd colored elves climbed to the surface. Their maniacal laugh filled the air.
“What is it?” cried Snowy as she snapped her claws out.
“Sounds like elves, but I don’t see anything,” said Cowboy transforming into The Rider.
Everyone searched the area.
“I don’t see anything,” said Zidin.
“I d—” An elf grabbed Kita around the neck. Kita flapped her wings and climbed into the air, dragging the creature with her. Reaching the apex of her climb, she rolled over and dove.
The pair crashed into the ground. As the dust cleared, Kita changed to the Fallen Angel. She drew Dusk and Dawn. They glowed brightly in the cool night air. The elf Kita had carried with her struggled to get up. With a quick flick of her wrist, she decapitated the elf, and it exploded in a blinding fireball.
Three elves encircled Kita. She threw Dawn and Dusk into the air. Spinning, she threw two red-hot throwing stars. The stars streaked toward their targets like comets. The elves shrieked and exploded when the stars hit them.
Dawn and Dusk landed in Kita’s hands. Twirling around the last elf, she cut a fiery pattern into its hide. The explosion of the elf punctuated the performance.
The elders stood outside Jeffrey’s tent. Kita threw Dusk end over end toward them. The short sword left bright flaming cartwheels as it flew. It struck with a meaty thunk. Kita jumped on the elf. She lifted it into the air above the elders as it let out a high-pitched shriek.
“Attack me all you want, ravager, but do not harm the innocent,” Kita said with a dark, menacing tone. She tossed the ravager into the air, drew Midnight, and fired a flaming arrow into the elf’s head causing it to explode, lighting up the night.
The explosions brought legionnaires, Arconians, soldiers, and animals running.
Kita floated down to the elders. “Well, elders, are you going to forsake me or not? Be quick. Unlike you, I don’t have time to waste on idle talk.”
“Lady Rose, we have made our decision. Canceling the contracts with King Cunningham was incorrect. You have led the people of Arcone astray,” the leader said so all could hear.
“So be it,” Kita snarled. “Get out of my camp. Your Rose is lost forever.”
A wave of surprise and shock went through the amassed crowd of Arconians. The elders raised their hoods and turned their backs on Kita.
Zidin's booming voice rose above the din. “People of Arcone, I am Zidin of Clan MhicAoidh. I am the last of the Great Elders and the bearer of the great sword Great White.” He held the massive sword high into the air. “Lady Rose has bested me in personnel combat and has proven to me she can lead the people of Arcone to greatness once again. Great White will stand by her side.”
A roar from behind Kita made her ears ring. Frostbane, with several bears and cats, pushed his way forward and sat next to Zidin.
“The Legion stands behind Commander Kita!” someone yelled, and a cheer erupted from the legionnaires.
A big man with a face marking like Zidin’s stepped forward and knelt before Kita. “The Shark Guild follows Great White and Lady Rose.”
Leaders of several of the guilds and clans announced their support and stepped forward to stand with Zidin and Frostbane.
Xeen pushed his way through the crowd.
Kita changed from the Fallen Angel and drifted to the ground to meet him. “Are you all right, Uncle?”
“Aye, lass. I’ll be fine. I haven’t received a whooping like that since your grandfather caught me stealing penny candy.”
“That is a little harsh for a child.”
“I was sixteen.”
“So, are you here to support me or not?”
“You have proven you are a great fighter, lass, but are you a great leader?”
“Great leaders aren’t born, Uncle, they are made. I like to think I have the potential to be a great leader. Am I there yet? No. That’s why I have sought the wisdom of Zidin, Cowboy, Forrester, and Snowy. My goal is to lead everyone to greatness. The first step is Leedings.”
“That will be a long hard fight we must win.”
Kita smiled. “It’ll be a fight you won’t forget.”
“If you have a plan to lead us to honor and glory, then I am willing to follow you.”
“You have to promise to leave Zidin alone.”
“He is still dishonored, but if you take on the tidal current you promise, even he will be redeemed. My sword and the swords of Arcone are yours.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Xeen joined the large group behind Zidin.
Jeffrey stood to one side, looking torn. Kita glided in front of him.
“Anything to say, Brother?”
“Only because I need you. Just remember who is king.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. Just remember who put you there.”
Jeffrey flushed and clenched his fists.
“Temper,” Kita cooed.
Jeffrey raised his sword. “The people of Yorq stand with Commander Kita,” he said in a condescending tone.
Kita caught the elders as the turned to leave. “Wish to change your minds, elders?”
The leader shook his head. “You have made your choice; we have made ours. We will see who is right.”
Kita glided into the air so she could see everyone. “Thank you, everyone, for your support. Without you, I'm nothing. I’m forever in your debt. Now we must prepare. In two days’ time, we shall take Leedings.” Kita thrust Dawn into the air, and the crowd cheered.
Kita drifted down toward Snowy, Zidin, and Cowboy.
“Thank you, Zidin.” Kita gave him a hug.
“I speak the truth. Seeing Lady Rose fight is considered an honor and a display of her leadership abilities. I think you impressed everyone.”
“What attacked you?” said Snowy. “I never saw anything.”
“Elves. Their coloring was outside the visible spectrum,” said Kita.
“We should be on our guard,” said Zidin.
“The animals say they can smell them. I will station animals around the camp,” said Snowy.
“They died by the traditional methods,” said Kita.
“A ravager like that has never been reported,” said Cowboy.
“I don’t know, but I do know they attacked only me.”
“I’ll report the sighting to LCom. Maybe they have some ideas.”
“We should all be on our guard. I need to go check in with Forrester, and the rest of you should get some sleep.”
Snowy and Kita walked toward the command tent with Zidin and Sarge trailing at a distance.
Snowy stopped. “I never got to pledge myself to you.”
Kita looked at her confused. “If it matters, you’re covered by the Legion.”
“I know, but no one pledged themselves to the most important person on the list.”
“Huh?”
Snowy giggled and wrapped her arms around Kita’s neck and looked into her eyes. “I, Snowy, do hereby pledge my love, body, and heart to Katrina Logine, forever.”
“Oh…” was all Kita could say as Snowy kissed her.
During the command meeting, Forrester covered every detail of the attack on Leedings. He constantly repeated the phrase, “We have no reserves, every warrior counts.” Kita knew that mantra would haunt her dreams.
To her, she had no good options. Her forces outnumbered the garrison, but the garrison was strong enough to hold the city. Without a navy, the city could be resupplied indefinitely. She knew she had to figure out something better than General Forrester's closing remark, "Either way, we’re going to have to go in and drag the rat out by the tail.”
“That’s a formality. King Logine will be going to accept their answer.”
“Who delivers the answer for the other side?”
“The commander of their forces and the city mayor.”
“Can I go?”
“If you want. These meetings don’t last long and are usually not very productive.”
“I think I’ll go just to see.”
“Have it your way. Is there anything else?” Forrester asked the group.
There was not and the tent emptied as leaders took their orders to their units.
Kita exited the tent with Cowboy and Zidin. A formal agreement had been reached with Xeen and the Arconians. Zidin was now her Arconian advisor counterpart to Cowboy. She'd released him from the Legion and canceled his life debt. In exchange for his service to her, Zidin’s honor had been restored.
A shadow guildsman approached Kita and handed her a scroll. She read it and then burned it.
“What was that?” said Cowboy.
“Something for tomorrow.”
Kita glided down the hill next to Jeffrey and the honor guard. Forrester had chosen a high ridge for their position. On the forward slope, Arconians and Yorqian soldiers stood ready. The animals and the Legion remained out of sight behind the ridge as a reserve.
The opposing side had erected a tent for the meeting. Their commander was a tall man with dark hair and hazel eyes. He looked like his best fighting days were behind him. The mayor of Leedings was a short, balding well-dressed fellow with beads of sweat forming in the cool morning air.
“I am King Logine, rightful King of Yorq,” said Jeffrey to open the meeting. “With me is Commander Logine of the Legion of Yorq.”
The tall man came to attention. “I am Colonel Hudson, garrison commander for the city of Leedings. This is Mayor Turly.”
“Gentlemen,” said Jeffrey, “Our offer is simple—surrender and open the city. If you do, we’ll spare your garrison and any damage to the city.”
Hudson shook his head. “It’s not my garrison to give up. The earl is the only one who can surrender us.”
“Where is your earl? And why is he not here?” said Kita.
Hudson stiffened. “He has taken refuge elsewhere.”
Kita smiled wickedly. “Left you twisting in the wind, eh? What about you, Mayor, are you interested in having the great city of Leedings sacked?”
The Mayor mopped his forehead and stammered, “Th-the city stands ready to repel any attack.”
"I’ll give you a better option. Strike your colors to those of the rightful King of Yorq and join us in returning your country to its rightful owners—the people of Yorq.”
“That would be seen as worse than surrendering. We would be traitors to the Crown,” said Hudson.
Kita’s eyes narrowed. “The other option is I burn the city to the ground.”
“What!” all three men said in unison.
“You know as well as I do you can hold out forever. Taking the city by force would be costly. The only reason we’re after the city is to stop the flow of supplies to New London. I don’t need the city to be standing to do that.”
“You can't possibly do that. There are no weapons that destroy an entire city,” said Hudson.
“You doubt me, Colonel?” Kita pointed toward the city and wiggled her wings. Two dozen fireballs erupted inside the city, billowing giant plumes of smoke. As the smoke from the first fireballs drifted on the wind, another dozen burst leaping into the sky. Soon, most of the city lay obscured in a smoky haze.
The three men looked on in shock. “How did…that’s not possible…” Hudson lamented under his breath.
“Well, gentlemen? I can deliver another salvo if you wish,” Kita cooed.
“No, no. The city surrenders, it’s yours,” cried Turly.
“Colonel?”
“I have no choice. I will not let my men be slaughtered, nor will I lead them into treason. You have my sword.”
“Thank you, Colonel.” Jeffrey nodded respectfully. “Move your men to the base of the hill and lay down your arms. They will be taken prisoner and treated fairly. Mayor, have the city guard captain waiting for me as well as yourself and the council, understood?”
“Yes, Sire,” said Turly.
“Thank you, gentlemen. I will see you both shortly,” Jeffrey said with a curt nod. He grabbed Kita by the arm and pulled her out of the tent. “What the blazing suns happened, Kita?” demanded Jeffrey as they made their way up the hill.
Kita shrugged.
“Dammit, what did you do?”
“What?”
“You stupid, silly girl! Tell me what you’ve done. I command you.”
Kita raised an eyebrow.
They passed through their lines and met Forrester. Enjoying the confusion and worried looks on the faces of the others, Kita burst out laughing.
“Once you recover you should tell them,” said Zidin.
“Yes, kitten, what is so funny?” Snowy bit out between clenched teeth.
As tears streamed down Kita’s face, she gasped for breath. “I’m sorry, but the look on all of your faces is priceless.”
“How can you be laughing when the city’s burning?” Forrester demanded. “We need it in one piece.”
Kita laughed even harder. She recovered enough to breathe. Forrester stood with his arms folded, red with rage.
Kita tried to explain around giggles. “You said yesterday we’d have to go in and drag the rat out by the tail, but anyone who’s ever dealt with rats knows you get bitten that way. It’s faster and easier if you smoke them out.”
“The city is burning!” Forrester yelled.
“It’s not burning, it’s smoking.”
“Dammit, girl! Make some sense!"
Kita stealthily reached into her belt and pulled out a smoke bomb. “I did it just like this.” Kita dropped the bomb. A fireball leaped into the air, followed by thick clouds of smoke. When the smoked cleared, Kita had vanished.
“Where did she go?” Forrester demanded. “Did that make any sense to anyone? Never mind. We need to get people to the city to start putting those fires out.”
“That won’t be necessary, General,” said Cowboy.
“Why not?”
“What Kita did a poor job of explaining was our enemy fell for a ruse. There are no fires, just a flash and a lot of smoke. You might say she just pulled the biggest heist in history. I don’t think anyone has ever stolen an entire city before.”
“How come she didn’t tell me? How come you know?”
“She told Zidin and I. Kita wasn’t sure it would work, and she thought you’d be happily surprised if it did. I guess she got it half-right. I do agree with her—your reaction was priceless.” Cowboy’s eyes crinkled with a smile.
Forrester relaxed some. “Well, I am happy. It’ll save us plenty of troops and time. Where is she?”
“I don’t know, General. If you ask nicely, she might come out. I think you hurt her feelings.”
“What do you mean, I hurt her feelings? She was the one laughing like a loon.”
“And she delivered you a victory without losing a man. If the city was burning, do you think she’d be laughing?”
Forrester huffed. “She can come out when she feels like it. We need to see about rounding up those prisoners and get people moving into the city.”
Humph. Kita invisibly took flight toward the city.
From atop the rooftops of Leedings, Kita watched her forces move into the city. For the most part, she stayed invisible, not wanting to deal with anyone. She did make momentary appearances, though, to handle disputes between her army and the locals. As the sun went down, she drifted into the Sword and Dagger.
Glen greeted her enthusiastically. “How’s my girl? It looks like your plan worked.”
“Yeah.” Kita sighed heavil
y. “Thanks for the help. It looked great. It definitely fooled them.”
“What’s wrong, love?” said Barb.
Kita huffed. “I thought I did a good thing by doing this, instead all I got was yelled at.”
“Who’s yelling at you? I thought you were in charge?” said Glen.
“I am—kind of—depends on what we’re talking about. I’m in charge of everything, but not the detail work. I guess they got mad because I messed up their details.”
“Professionals can be like that—especially good ones. They like things just so. They’ll get over it or they’ll end up in the river.”
Kita laughed at the idea of Forrester floating down the river in a bag. Sigh. If I’m going to be anywhere, I want to be where I’m wanted and appreciated. And I can’t think of a better place than here.
The door to the inn opened and Snowy, Cowboy, and Zidin entered out of the darkness. Kita groaned.
“Ha! I told you she’d be here,” Snowy said to Cowboy.
“I didn’t doubt she would be. I doubted your ability to find the place.”
“Oh stars, what do you want?” Kita’s words were slurred and mushy.
“Has she been drinking?” said Cowboy.
Glen nodded. “Since she got here. I remember her being a lightweight, but she’s been knocking it back pretty steady.”
Snowy sighed. “Come on, kitten. Let’s get you back to headquarters.”
“Why, so you can yell at me some more?” Kita said, looking down into her ale.
“No one is going to yell at you.” Snowy took Kita by the arm, but Kita twisted away knocking over the row of stools.
“I’m not going. I tried to be helpful and all I got was yelled at,” Kita screamed in her drunken haze.
“You were yelled at because nobody knew what was happening, and you wouldn’t stop laughing,” said Snowy, her tail lashed behind her.
“They knew.” Kita pointed in Cowboy and Zidin’s general direction. “I couldn’t help it. You all thought I set the city on fire. You think I’d actually burn the city to the ground?”
“I would hope not. Some of us didn’t think it was funny.”