by D.E. Dunlop
“Stay here with me.” Shayla said sadly. “They ask too much of you. Why can’t someone else do it?” She pouted in his ear. “Let someone else do it. You’re so tired and they always want you to save them. Stay here with me.” She gently kissed the side of his face.
“I would love to stay here with you, but there’s something I’ve got to do.” He replied. He kissed her once and said, “I have to go.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” Katharine said angrily while she prepared to destroy him once and for all. She started with odd hand gestures as Tinne staggered to his feet. Tinne held out his wrapped hand and looked straight at his adversary and began to speak.
“With a wide sweep of his hand he struck her with a brilliant light which blinded Katharine, the great witch from beyond the marsh, for the rest of her days.” Tinne said and then made a wide sweep with his hand and struck her with a brilliant light.
“You’re that little brat from the Field of Lords!” She exclaimed as the projectile struck.
Katharine staggered with her hands over her eyes screaming at him. He staggered out the door as fast as a semiconscious man could stagger. While he was still stumbling through the palace she erupted with a raging fury of fire and electric light that could be seen from kilometres away.
“His colour is looking better now. He should be okay.” Ezbieta said while she finished tucking cloaks around Tinne. They carried on through the forest and the night toward Awenda. They pressed hard and took very few and short breaks. It was normally a four-day trek to the lakeside hideout and they wanted to shorten it as much as possible.
Creaking, rumbling axles and almost audible voices filled Tinne’s ears as he nearly gained consciousness. He thought about opening his eyes, but couldn’t muster the strength. He came around enough to feel pain shoot through his body at various points every time they went over a bump. At one point he heard Ren’s voice say, “I don’t know what happened to him, but I think the queen took a round out of him.”
**********
“Where did you get to?” Jessie accused Ren when they ran into each other at the aqueduct.
“Hey, I agreed to get you in. Getting out was up to you. What are you worried about, anyway? You made it without me”. Ren replied.
“Yeah, we nearly got killed. Who’s that?” He asked in reference to Ezbieta.
“My real reason for getting you in here.” Ren said.
They quickly slipped under the wall and disappeared into Sunnidale ravine. Lights flashed and flickered as they ran through the forest. Initially they thought a storm was approaching, but as they reached the rendezvous they saw Tinne standing, staring across the ravine behind them, at the tower of the palace, his mouth agape.
“What the hell?” Ren muttered as he backed up beside his bruised and battered friend.
The tower was a glow with flashes of light of every colour. Bolts of fire and lightning shot from the windows and periodically enveloped the upper half of the tower.
Without looking away from the light show, Tinne nudged his friend and opened his hand before him. Ren looked down to see three gleaming stones in the palm of Tinne’s hand, one gold, one silver and one black. The black one was glowing slightly, just enough to outline the image of the chaos dragon within it.
“You got them.” Ren said with a sly grin.
Tinne only nodded faintly. Blood trickled lightly from his ear and nose. The hair on one side of his head was matted and burned, as were his clothes on the same side. The flashing light from the tower washed him out and tinted him repeatedly.
“What the hell happened to you?” Ren exclaimed, seeing his friend clearly for the first time.
Tinne nodded to indicate the tower. His semi-conscious gaze refused to leave the spectacle beyond the forest. Thoughtlessly he packed the Gorchan away in his clothes.
“She caught me.” Tinne said at long length. “I thought I was gonna die. I’ve never seen or dreamt of such power; and the fury…”
“So, is that her?” Ren inquired looking at the tower.
“Yeah. She’ll be there a while.” He turned to his friend, finally, and said, “I need a drink.”
Ren handed him a flask from an inside pocket. “Here, have the rest.” He said.
While Ren and Tinne had been talking the rest of the group had been tending to Angela, who eventually came around, and were preparing to head out.
Tinne took a long swig and made an exaggerated sound of satisfaction. Ren looked at him with a look that might say, “Oh, really?” And said to him, “Same as it ever was?”
“Same as it ever was.” Tinne replied in his best crooning voice and they both sang a couple of bars together with a chuckle. “And the days go by…”
And Tinne collapsed.
**********
The sun pried its way into the upper room of Gerald’s tower to reveal a charred, wasted space. The blind queen pretended to look out the window while her advisors debated and bickered about the cause of the wreckage.
“Last night…” Katharine began at last with an authoritative voice. “You allowed a band of rebels to break in. Not only did they steal our prize gladiator, but also they defeated the man responsible for conquering this fort. Too, a thief came into my chambers and robbed me of my sight!” She exclaimed as she turned around to reveal her dull white eyes. Everyone went silent with fear. The anger could be felt radiating from Katharine. She made a gesture with her hand and a sphere of radiating blue light floated gently into their midst. The officials and advisors trembled audibly as it hovered before them and then it enveloped them in a great flash. When the light dissipated they were all dead.
“Fools.” Katharine muttered and called in the next in line.
“Start a fire outside the wall and burn everything until those thieves are destroyed.” She said.
As she spoke a messenger came in.
“I beg your pardon my queen. A band of dark clad figures were spotted last night racing northward with horses and carts.” She said to the queen in a hurry. “I came first thing.”
“Stand, my dear.” The queen said to the young messenger who was kneeling at her feet. She knew she was kneeling because her voice was coming up from her feet. She gently cupped the lady’s face in both hands. “Remember this, Captain.” She said to the other. “She brought me this information first thing in the morning.” The queen put her lips to the young messenger’s as though to kiss her, but inhaled the nervous and unwary young woman’s very life force and dropped her on the floor empty. “She should have brought it immediately.” She said.
If it were not for the horrific fear coursing through his veins, the captain might have noticed his queen suddenly looked several years younger.
“Change the last order.” She said. “Concentrate on the north. Burn everything from north-east to north-west and do it immediately.”
The captain nearly ran with his orders. Within an hour the fire was raging. The dry weather only made it easier to spread. They used catapults to launch drums of burning pitch deep into the forest as well as flaming arrows. They kept up the barrage late into the day until the heat could be felt inside the city walls. As the forest burned out the Sittyan force moved behind it feeding the fire and sifting through the ash for evidence of their prey. They burned and killed every living thing that crossed their path. Never had Simcoe County ever experienced such travesty.
By the time the rescuers were half way to Awenda they were well aware of the raging inferno behind them. Billowing clouds of smoke darkened the sky, in that direction.
Jessie came to the conclusion they needed to drive Katharine out before she completely destroyed everything they had ever lived for. For this, he knew, they would need reinforcements. They broke up the small band. Some went on to Awenda with the injured and some went on to meet with the rest of the Royal Guard.
Chapter 21
Orillia Summoned
The hard cold rain came down in torrents. The horse struggled and stumbled its way up the eroding slope as its rider pressed close to the animal’s neck for warmth. Waves of hail pelted them as they gradually came to the top. It had been raining for more than two days under a sky so dark it was hard to tell day from night. The rider was soaked and frozen to the core yet had not thought of it. She was thankful for the rain, knowing that no fire could stand against such wetness. At the top of the hill the rider stopped and peered into the wall of water. Visibility was nearly non-existent but after a few minutes the rider was fairly convinced of her direction and carried on. Eventually she came to a large wooden door in a stone wall. She pounded as hard as she could, hollering. “Open the gate! I must speak with the Lord and Lady of the castle!” The rain and the thunder drown out her voice and so she continued pounding and calling out for some time. The peephole in the door opened slightly and two guards looked out.
“Katharine advances! I must speak with the Lord and Lady of the house!” The rider blurted at them with exhausted, shivering breaths.
The guards muttered back and forth and brought the rider and her horse inside. They lead her down a covered walkway that bordered the courtyard. The spray from the rain in the courtyard soaked the walk and the thunder shook the very ground. One of the guards lead the horse to the stable and the other lead the rider into the palace and brought her before the Lord and Lady.
The rider quickly knelt on one knee and wiped soaking hair out of her face as she removed her helmet.
“My Lord and Lady, I am Cynthia of the Royal Guard of Bayfield…” She began but was cut off.
“Bayfield has been destroyed with no survivors. You are an impostor!” The Lord accused and motioned for the guards.
“No, sir!” Cynthia protested, “We are not all destroyed.” She explained as the guards approached to take her away. “The Royal Guard escaped when Maynard surrendered to the Sitts. We have lived with our families as refugees in the forested bay of Awenda.”
The lord motioned for the guards to stop. “What brings you here then?” He asked.
“I come with grave news and an urgent request. Katharine is advancing in full force. Her army is burning everything in its path. Bayfield and Oro have joined forces in the beech forests of Moonstone. They are preparing to engage the Sitts but they outnumber us at least ten to one.”
“And you wish us to assist.” He interrupted.
The Lady put her hand on her husband’s and looked to the young soldier before her. “We will discuss this matter in private and let you know our decision.” She said and turned to a handmaid. “Prepare this young lady a hot bath and dry clothes. Let the cook know we will have a guest for dinner.” The Lord and Lady then took leave and Cynthia went reluctantly with the handmaid.
Cynthia bathed and changed quickly. The warmth of the water on her skin was nearly euphoric. She watched as the orange and purple spots, created by the chilling rain, slowly faded from her thighs, but was too distracted to pay much attention or even allow the heat to fully penetrate her core before she finished. While pacing in the bedchamber she continued to shiver even in the fresh clothes left on the bed. “I have no time for this.” She muttered, wringing her hands. She stared out the window for some time wondering about her people. The thunder and lightning had stopped but the rain continued hard and steady. Her heart and mind raced. She knew her people would be utterly destroyed this time if she failed to get reinforcements quickly.
The chamber door opened.
“The Lord and Lady Zardo will have you at dinner now, miss.” The servant announced.
“Dinner?” Cynthia muttered to herself. “What about Katharine?”
At the table life carried on as though Cynthia had never been there. She sat staring at her food unable to eat. Eventually Lady Zardo noticed and questioned her like for the food.
“What of my request?” She urged.
“Young lady…” began Lord Zardo “we have decided a long time ago it is better to mind one’s own business than to create new enemies.”
“But, my Lord, my people… they will all be destroyed!” Her face was pale and torn with angst.
“If they are as close to confrontation as you say, we would be of no use. We are too far away.” Lord Zardo explained.
Cynthia rose to leave. “I must try.” She insisted.
“The gates are shut up for the night. No one goes in or out until morning. You may try then. For now you may dine with us or you may be excused to your chambers, young lady.”
Cynthia’ face grew grim and red. She clenched her fists and teeth and stared severely at the Lord and Lady. How dare he talk to me like a child! She thought to herself. “If you choose not to aid us we will definitely be destroyed. Katharine will then advance further north. When she gets here you will have no one to assist you in your hour of need and she will destroy your people just as she has destroyed every people in her way since she crossed the marsh one year ago!” She pounded her fist on the table and stormed out of the room.
On the bed she lay staring at the ceiling for a long period of time growing ever anxious. She turned over and screamed in the pillow, punched and kicked the mattress and after a time collapsed of exhaustion.
By late evening the rain had stopped and the royal gardens found Lady Zardo wandering fretfully about the flowers and the sculptures, many of which she created. She sat with her troubled heart on a bench before an age-old sculpture. She looked emphatically at the sorrow on the stone woman’s face.
When Bayfield fell at Katharine’s hand Orillia stood horrified, but as time passed and the Sitts quieted down they grew comfortable again. Not one soldier of that terrible southern army had gone even a kilometre beyond Bayfield. From the outside it appeared as though the northern town lived life the way it always had. But, in the back of everyone’s mind loomed the fear of that deadly and terrible foe not much more than a day’s journey away. Lady Zardo did not want to believe the news Cynthia had brought this evening. She wanted to believe that things were just fine and tomorrow would be a day just like any other day. She sighed despairingly, as she rubbed her fingers across the name of the statue, “Somebody’s mother.”
The first rays of dawn found Cynthia in much the same position as when she had fallen asleep. She raised her head slowly and looked around the room wondering for a moment where she was. She sat with a start when her eyes found Lady Zardo at the foot of the bed with a tray of food. The morning light reflected brightly off her white gown and long blond hair.
“You will want to eat before you go.” She said. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thanks.” Cynthia replied getting out of the bed. “Thank you for breakfast, but I really don’t have time.”
“You must.” Lady Zardo insisted, “You ate nothing last night. You will not make it very far let alone fight a war without food. Besides, your horse is ready and waiting. He’s been fed and watered and we put rations and ammunition for your pistols in your saddlebags. Your sword has been sharpened and some of the dents put out of your shield.”
Cynthia went to the window and looked down on the courtyard that was bustling with soldiers. “And we changed our mind about helping you.” Lady Zardo continued. “My husband and his guard will accompany you along with fifteen hundred soldiers, seven hundred and fifty infantry, two hundred and fifty archers and five hundred cavalry. My husband is also bringing two small cannons. We have larger cannons but the wheels on the small ones are much larger and will not slow you down as much as the larger cannons.” Cynthia could hardly contain her gratitude and excitement. She wanted to embrace her hostess but knew it would be dreadfully short of proper protocol. “Now, please eat, miss. You need your strength.”
In a short while the gates opened and three quarters of Orillia’s total military moved out to assist the allied front. “How do you like our new army, miss?” Lord Zardo ask
ed looking back over the soldiers behind them. “I think, maybe, its equal to Bayfield’s in her glory days, don’t you? Perhaps a little optimistic, yes?”
“When I was sent to you Jessie wasn’t even sure if you had five hundred to offer.”
“Ah, yes! When Bayfield fell a great number of villages joined together in case the Sitts moved north. Unfortunately, alone, we still don’t cast a shadow in comparison to what Katharine has at her disposal.” He looked back to the road ahead. “But, we will do what we will do.” They travelled in silence for a time but Cynthia felt that perhaps Lord Zardo had wanted to say something more. She looked at him from time to time trying to discern his mood. He did look troubled about something. At length he spoke.
“You said you’re name is Cynthia. Are you Gerald’s Cynthia?” He asked unsure of whether or not he should.
“Yes, sir.” She answered solemnly.
“And your father is...”
“Dead, sir.”
“And your siblings?”
“I don’t rightly know, sir. Angela is held hostage by the Sitts and we haven’t heard from Lester or Janice since the attack.
“I am sorry for your loss.” He consoled. “You must forgive my rash decision making last night. When one has the lives of many in his hands sometimes one gets stuck in the idea of their immediate safety and forgets to consider the long term.”
“I do understand, sir. And please forgive my haughtiness with you last night. I was out of line to speak to you in the manner I did.”
“It is to be expected of one in your position. You’ve lost just about everything and stand to lose the rest if you do not receive help, now, enough of this. Let us hope we can make a difference.”