With a loud grunt from Rose, they rushed forward even faster than before. While the shield surrounding Prendere was invisible, it was outlined by war and bodies. Soldiers from all nations had given it a wide berth, as if afraid that touching it meant death.
“Almost there,” Victoria called out. “Just to the far edge.”
“No more monsters?” Nikkola asked.
She looked over her shoulder and saw nothing. “I thought there were more, but…”
Their gamlin leaped from the swifen as cold water surrounded them. The watery gargoyle was large enough to absorb her, the unicorn, and Alloria. Desperate for air, she clutched at her throat. As her eyes closes, a mouth met hers, breathing air into her lungs. The mermaid gave her several breaths. Victoria opened her eyes in time to see a wink before she pulled away. The mermaid spun, forcing the gargoyle to release them. The spinning continued at an unbelievable speed until the gargoyle exploded.
Victoria coughed until she caught her breath. The others were hacking and gasping, having experienced similar attacks. A young mermaid waited patiently beside her, gently placing a hand on her leg.
“Lyda,” Victoria said. “Thank you.”
“Tell Angst we are with him,” the mermaid said with a nod. “We will keep your path clear of the gargoyles.”
Without another word, Lyda ran off, followed by a bevy of merpeople.
“Thanks for the booze,” Nikkola said with a wave. She muttered, “I could use some now.”
“Almost there,” Victoria said, hopping off to grab the gamlin. “No more stops.”
She could sense that their fear and exhaustion matched her own. The short race had been both frightening and gross. It felt like her dragon-singed eyebrows were covered in gargoyle snot. When they finally arrived, she was wary of telling them what was next. It was going to get worse.
“It’s going to get worse,” Nikkola said. “Isn’t it?”
Victoria and her cousin dismounted before dismissing her swifen. The others followed, their expressions wary. Protecting her eyes from the beam’s glare, she found what she was looking for.
“There’s a shield surrounding that light,” Victoria said. “The battle is staying away from it, but not far. We need to get to the middle and create a path to Angst.”
They all stared at the mass of armies standing between them and their destination.
“How are we supposed to fight through all of that?” Rose asked, sighing before she added, “Your Highness.”
“You got anything?” Jaden asked Dallow.
“Nope,” Dallow said. “You?”
“Nuh uh,” Jaden said.
“This will be the least fun part,” Victoria said. “The gamlin will take us.”
“Felk,” Alloria said.
“What?” Rose asked.
“That means two miles of not breathing,” Dallow said. “The gamlin can swim through rock and bring us with. We just can’t breathe dirt.”
“And we’ll have to be ready to fight when we get there,” Victoria said. “Dallow, you’ve got thirty seconds to teach Rose how to create an air shield around everyone’s heads, or we’re dead on arrival.”
“Ooookay,” Dallow said, turning to Rose. “You can do this.”
“I guess we’ll find out,” Rose said.
48
Angst rolled to one side and then the other, barely in time to dodge Tarness’s strikes. He spider-crawled back, and the longsword landed hard between his legs, a mere inch from anything important.
“Hey,” Angst said. “Not cool.”
Normally, his friend would’ve let out a chuckle, but there was nothing but hatred and murder in the man’s wild eyes. This wasn’t Tarness; this was Magic twisting him into something else. Angst could let loose and lightning bolt a hole through Tarness’s chest, but that would be like crushing his own heart. That left him with only one idea.
“I give up,” Angst said.
“What?” Tarness asked, staggering back. “Too much has happened to be a coincidence, and I’m tired of being at the receiving end of fate,” Angst said, pushing himself up to stand. “We’ve been lured, manipulated, and trapped by the elements and their stupid war.” He looked up into his friend’s eyes. “If we don’t start making our own choices, nothing will ever go our way.”
Tarness shook his head and looked around as if he didn’t know where he was.
“I won’t fight you,” Angst said, lowering both swords. “I know in my heart that the decision is yours. Kill me, and Magic wins. Let me live, and maybe fate will be ours.”
“Angst?” Tarness asked, lowering his sword.
“Kill him,” Magic cried. “Or I will destroy you, and your family.”
“Fight it,” Angst said.
“I…but, my family.” Tarness shook his head until the fury left his eyes. “No, I will not kill someone I love. I will not kill Angst.”
“Tarness?” said a familiar voice.
They all looked over to see Maarja, her hands pressed against the element’s shield.
“Please hurry,” Jintorich squeaked. “I can’t hold off so many for long.”
“Maarja,” Tarness said, taking a step toward her.
“I said kill him,” Magic screamed. “Destroy Angst.”
Tarness shuddered. He swung his fist, knocking Angst back against the far end of the shield.
“That’s it,” Magic said. “End this.”
Angst was staring at the sky again, hoping the world would stop spinning in time.
“Magic is the enemy, Tarness, not Angst,” Maarja pleaded. “I believe in you.”
The big man collapsed to his knees as fury battled indecision. Glaring at Magic, he shouted, “My fate is my own.” Resting his forearm on the ground, Tarness reached up high with the sword and swung down. He screamed as he pulled back, leaving his forearm and the ruby ring behind. Dropping the longsword, he grasped the bleeding stump.
“No,” Magic said as he staggered back.
A dark void of power swirled behind Tarness as Death came for him. His dark skin and silver armor slowly twisted into the darkness like paint spilled in a whirlpool.
“I love you, Maarja,” Tarness said. “Tell our child I was not a coward.”
She could only nod as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Angst,” he said, turning to face him. “I did this for you. Now, make fate your own.”
As he faded away into the void of Death, a blinding flash of light swallowed him whole. Tarness was gone.
“No,” Maarja roared.
Before Angst could push himself up, Magic’s shield disappeared, and the madness of war poured in.
They erupted from the ground like new volcanos, each of them gasping for breath. Victoria was dizzy, desperate for air. She’d breathed too fast, using up her air during their panic-ridden two-mile swim through earth. Dallow, Rose, and Alloria were all conscious; the others weren’t. The battle had already noticed them, leaving Dallow precious seconds to create a protective shield. Rose stumbled over and knelt beside her.
“I’m awake,” Victoria said between coughs. “Rouse Jaden, and Nikkola—in that order.”
“What do I do?” Alloria asked, pale with fear.
“Protect that foci with your life,” she said. “Gamlin, will you stay and fight with us?”
The six creatures lined up and saluted, their tiny human-like faces scrunched in determination. It was a little too cute for war.
“Guard the person you rode with,” she said with a nod. They quickly scurried into position. “Dallow, how are you holding up?”
He grunted, shaking his head. His shield was a small half-dome that fit around them glove-tight. Men and women from every army fought with their backs against the edge. The beam of light hummed with power fifty yards behind them, protected by an invisible barrier. A gargoyle slammed against Dallow’s shield several times before flying away.
After waking the others with gentle healing, Rose approached. “What next?” s
he asked. “Dallow can’t hold them for long.”
“We need more space,” Victoria said. “I’m hoping that when we signal the Unsel army, they’ll draw attention from us.”
“You hope?” Rose asked with a frown.
“If you’ve got something better than hope,” Victoria said, “please share.”
“Hope works,” Rose said, taking a deep breath. “What’s the signal?”
“Can you project a giant image of Angst’s swords overhead?” Victoria asked.
“Let me see,” Rose said, cocking her head to one side. “Jormbrinder says yes to the image but no to the swords. I’d have to be looking at them to make the projection.”
“Hurry,” Dallow grunted. His hands shook with the effort and sweat beaded his forehead.
“Jaden, help him,” Victoria said. She turned to Rose, “What can we use?”
Rose looked her up and down. She smiled broadly and said, “Draw your sword.”
Guenther had always been fast. Whether on foot, horse, or sea turtle, he would always be there first. Some said it was a gift, others called it magics. When he’d enlisted as a soldier of Unsel, the wariness of those others forced him to slow down. He’d still be there first, but always within arm’s reach. His speed and determination had helped him save many lives, eventually earning him a knighthood.
Despite having been a knight for so long, he felt out of place standing amidst the other soldiers. If what he could do truly was driven by magic, shouldn’t he be standing with the zyn’ight? Shouldn’t he have ridden out with Angst? More than anything, he wanted to help everyone—wielder and non-wielder alike. Angst was out there alone. There were too many armies to battle, even with those two giant swords. Maybe it was time to prove what he could really do.
He waited in nervous anticipation, drawing his hand over the tight, dark beard around his mouth. His short brown hair was already matted with sweat, making him reluctant to put on the steel helm.
A giant image of Princess Victoria rose above the far end of the battlefield. She brandished a longsword and pointed forward before exploding into fireworks.
“Wow,” Mirot called out. “I mean, charge!”
Guenther charged. At first, he kept pace with his regiment, only inching ahead slightly. After having watched the zyn’ight train, he understood how they drew in will to wield their magics. It was almost identical to how he made himself or his mount move faster.
Their plan was working. As the Unsel army raced across the field, the mob turned to face them. Concentrating and drawing in his will to move faster, Guenther waited for that one break in the ranks. A path no wider than a deer trail opened up. It would have to be enough. With all his focus, he willed his stallion to ride fast.
A hundred yards ahead of his army soon became two hundred and more. He lithely dodged a spear before charging into the path. It was an obstacle course of ducking under Nordruaut axes and leaping over tribesmen staves. His watering eyes captured dust like a magnet as his sweat-soaked hands gripped the reins for dear life.
He finally slowed as the path became a clearing. Angst was on his knees, screaming for Tarness. A furious Nordruaut launched herself at a tall, bald man whose appearance began to change as he disappeared into the crowd. Unseen by all was a limping tribesman covered in burn scars heading straight for Angst. Guenther forced his stallion to a halt while leaping from his horse, hoping to tackle the sneak.
Mid-air, he landed in the gloppy gelatinous body of a gargoyle. The monster held him like a fly in amber. Swinging wildly accomplished nothing, and he futilely grasped for something solid to pull himself out. As precious air began bubbling from his mouth, a jarring pain expunged the rest.
The steel beak of a cavastil bird had punctured his chest, the monster flying him clear of the gargoyle. His first captor roared as it exploded. Guenther gasped for breath, coughing out blood and phlegm. At least he was still alive. The bird’s head dipped low with the weight of his armor. Its claws pressed against his back as if trying to remove meat from a kabob. That was when things went bad.
The cavastil bird let out a muttered squawk as a dragon bit deep into its torso. The red wyrm landed hard and shook its head. Guenther flew off the end of the beak, crashing to the ground beside Angst.
“You look worse than I feel,” Angst said, kneeling beside him.
“There,” was all he could wheeze, pointing behind the chubby old hero.
Angst spun to see a husk of a tribesman approach. By all accounts, the man shouldn’t have been alive. The side of his forehead was caved in, and most of his body was covered in burn scars. One good arm held firm a staff with blades at both ends. Despite appearing more beggar than warrior, his eyes were filled with hatred.
“ANduaut?” Angst asked. “You’re alive? Sort of alive?”
“I’m here to take the prize from you, Angst,” ANduaut said, limping forward.
“I think you’d have a hard time taking a copper from me,” Angst said.
Without word or warning, ANduaut threw the double-bladed staff at Angst. Time slowed as Guenther drew in the last of his will, and the last of his life. He was fast, probably faster than anyone, and just fast enough to shield Angst as he launched from the ground. He roared in pain as the weapon sank deep into his stomach.
“No,” ANduaut cried. He rushed forward, only to be tackled by another tribesman.
“SMyket,” Angst called out.
“Get to the light, my friend,” SMyket said. “This one is mine.”
Angst turned to face the knight. After jerking out the staff, he knelt beside him, placing a hand on his chest.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “There’s too much damage to heal.”
Guenther closed his eyes and nodded.
“What’s your name?” Angst asked.
“Guenther,” he said.
“Thank you, Guenther,” Angst said. “Thank you for saving me. Die in peace knowing you may have just saved Ehrde.”
49
“There are too many,” Maarja said, swinging wildly to keep the mob at bay. “Can’t you do something?”
“I don’t want to kill them all,” Angst said. “Too many are dying already, and they don’t even know why.”
She roared in fury, backhanding a Fulk’han into the crowd as she stormed to Angst. Grasping him around his dusky chest piece, she lifted the little man up so they were face to face.
“You will find a way into that thing to get my husband back if I have to throw you at it,” she said, trying not to shake him too violently. “You will save my husband.”
“Or I’ll die trying,” he said, glancing over her shoulders. “Look, right in front of the light. Victoria and some of the others are trying to make a path to us.”
Maarja followed his eyes and took in their friends’ helpless battle. Victoria directed Nikkola, Jaden, Dallow, and Rose like a ringmaster while Alloria cowered behind. They were maintaining an air shield that kept most opponents out. Dragons blasted the shield with liquid fire as gargoyles jumped up and down on it, shaking the barrier and the ground beneath. They would strategically let a part of the shield down long enough for Nikkola to let loose a volley of dark blasts. Some would strike, but many reflected off Melkier armor or dragon scale like light off a mirror.
“They are fighting too many to help us,” Maarja said, glaring at Angst. “Either use those weapons, or I’ll use you as a weapon.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Jintorich said, landing on her shoulder. “I agree with Angst. We can’t kill them all.”
“What do you have in mind?” Angst asked.
Maarja set Angst down and held out a hand for Jintorich. He hopped over and faced her. The Meldusian had an unusually sad expression, his eyebrows and ears drooping.
“I understand now,” Jintorich said. “My foci finally explained how I am one of many.”
“What is this?” Maarja said, cocking her head. “You’re going to do something dumb. All men do dumb things.”
�
��You have been a wonderful friend, and our time together will not be forgotten,” Jintorich said. He turned to Angst. “Thanks for the adventure. I believe you will make this right.”
“What are you going to do?” Maarja asked. “What is it you have learned?”
“I’m not just one of many,” Jintorich shouted. “I’m many of one.”
Jintorich leaped into the air, landing between them and the beam of light. Anyone within ten feet was knocked away. He knelt, facing down reverently, his staff glowing so bright it was hard to look at.
“Jin?” Losing her husband had already been too much. She didn’t know what she’d do without her best friend.
There was an audible pop as a second Jintorich appeared. Both of them struck the ground with their foci staves. Two new Jintorichs popped into existence. They did it again and again as everyone nearby scrambled away.
“One of many,” Angst said, his face awestruck.
Within minutes, there were thousands of Jintorichs, each with their own foci. Together, they let loose a piercing battle cry that made anyone within earshot wince. The Meldusian spread out, either rushing to them or the beam of light. Size didn’t matter to the little Al’eyrn as they batted away anyone in their path. Nordruaut, Berfemmian, and even dragons were all smacked away with a tunk as metal struck bone in a flash of light.
The Jintorich army had created a path. Acting like one person, they made a tunnel of air shields that led straight to Prendere.
“Run,” they cried out in unison.
Without waiting, Maarja picked up Angst and sprinted to the others.
“Go save my husband,” Maarja said, tossing Angst against the barrier.
He bounced off, collapsing to his side.
“Tarness is dead?” Rose asked. “All of this to save him, and he…he’s gone?”
“Now isn’t the time,” Victoria said, helping Angst up. “We need to get you in there so we can end this, one way or another.”
“Use the horn to take down that barrier,” Dallow said. “Jintorich’s foci won’t last long split up like this.”
Angst Box Set 2 Page 74