by RJ Metcalf
“We’ll provide as much food as we can give,” King Rowan declared. He lifted his hands, palms up. “Fortunately, winter means more vegetables that are hardy and travel able, but it also means we can’t use some of our standard means for hastening crop growth. If any of you know of any plant sages in your land, please send them to us. We need every extra hand to urge the plants into extra blossoms and growth.”
President Guth nodded. “We have a roster of such skilled individuals back home. We’ll get who we have to you as soon as possible.”
Airships, soldiers, mani-meds, shelter, food, what was Weston missing? His mind raced while the other nations talked around him. “Aerugo will supply soldiers, weapons, and as much tech as we can produce.” Weston looked around the table, meeting each leader’s gaze, one by one. “We don’t know how soon they’ll be moving south. But we’ll be ready as fast as possible, and we will fight for every step of free soil.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Ben
Ben poked his head around the edge of the huge white tower that marked the saline production plant. He, Geist, and Raine watched from a distance for half an hour until all three of them were satisfied with the lack of movement. His leg throbbed from the dragon-spider gash, and now he had to truly rely on Raine’s help to move across the difficult terrain. Their trek was as much slipping as actual stepping, but it brought them to the edge of the huge vats that held salty water, and Raine traded Ben off to Geist, then quickly skirted the edges of the fence to show them the solar-powered water pump. They slaked their thirst and quieted their hunger with the water, taking a few extra minutes to clean Geist’s face of the caked blood and Ben’s leg of the dirt and blood, then they moved on, this time with Geist supporting Ben.
Now they had to find out what was happening at the front of the Hollows and whether or not their airship was even accessible.
Geist nudged Ben’s shoulder. “Looks good so far.”
“Yeah.” Ben waved for Raine to come to where they were.
Raine scuttled across the open land, her dirt-streaked black Aerugan jacket making her stand out in the light-colored area, but thankfully no one was around to notice her. She reached them and crouched by Ben’s side, hand habitually on her sword hilt. She seemed to realize this and flinched her hand back, an expression of distaste crossing her features.
Ben pointed to where the mountain started sloping down. Somehow, they had to get down there, bum leg or not. “Shall we?”
They moved as one, cautious to step so they wouldn’t slip and roll down. His leg ached with the constant strain, and Ben’s shirt dampened with sweat despite the cool air. The city edged into view, with little movement or signs of life. Ben frowned. The city had been busy enough when they’d arrived. For it to be so quiet now didn’t bode well.
A quiet rumble reached his ears as they drew closer, and Ben and Geist worked as one to hurry their pace to get closer over the hump of the land so they could see better. A splash of neon crimson drew Ben’s attention, and his stomach sank. Artemis—it had to be her, with the dyed-red hair—stood by the Hollows gate just below, arms crossed with an extremely pleased smile etched across her face as prisoners and guards marched out as one. Andre waited by her side, his expression utterly impassive.
“Oh, exploding whales,” Raine breathed from Ben’s side. Her fingers gripped her jacket hem. “Artemis’s army.” She sucked in a gasp. “Andre.” Her eyes blazed. “That whale of a woman isn’t going to get away with this. We have to get Andre away from her. I don’t care if we have to knock him out. We’re taking him to Papa even if we have to keep him tied up. We’re going to get him out from that bond.” She started angling to the side, where shrubs would provide some measure of cover.
Geist and Ben shared wide-eyed looks of horror. Geist let go of Ben to scramble after her.
“Raine!” Ben whisper called. “Wait!” He limped and slid, trying to catch up to her, cursing his leg.
She glanced back at him, her eyes damp with angry tears. “He helped me in my darkest moment. I’m not letting him suffer this alone. Come with me, or stay behind. But I’m going.”
Geist reached her first, and helpless frustration filled Ben. He didn’t slow his pace until he reached her side again, all three behind a barely there shrub. Ben reached out, hovering his hand over her clenched hand. “We’re coming with you. We just want to make sure we stand a chance of reaching Andre,” he said carefully, watching her shuddering breaths and clenched jaw. “I just found you, Raine. I don’t want to lose you again.”
Something softened in her gaze, then broke. She dropped her face, a single tear rolling down her cheek as she visibly swallowed. “I don’t think I’ve been fully found yet.” Then she started moving again, before Ben could even try to make sense of her words, let alone formulate a reply.
Something moved on the horizon, and he swore as he grabbed her arm. “Wait, what’s that?”
She paused to watch, puzzlement furrowing her brow.
Geist slipped on the scree, showering pebbles below them as he leaned in to Ben and Raine. “Those are airships,” he whispered in what almost sounded like awe. “A whole bunch of them. Doldra, Aerugo and Lasim.” He squinted. “And Vodan.” He whistled lowly. “Wow.”
“Wait here a moment,” Ben pleaded to Raine. “Let’s at least make a plan or something before we go down, guns blazing.”
She furrowed her brow at him. “I don’t know what this ‘guns blazing’ is about, but I’ll wait. For now.” She sighed, hunkering down as she watched Andre follow Artemis. “But the first second I get, I’m getting Andre away from her.”
“Of course,” Ben agreed. He watched the airships land not too far off on a flat of barren ground. Artemis stiffened and started calling out inaudible orders below, slowly shifting her army from the city and toward the recent arrivals. He tapped out a pattern on his steam pistol, nervous energy vibrating through him.
Until they knew if the army was joining Artemis or fighting her, they had to stay where they were. He didn’t want to risk getting Raine any closer to the red-headed tattoo artist than he could help. It wasn’t worth getting Raine bonded.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Brandon
Brandon stared over the edge of the railing, taking in the dozens upon dozens of people who lined up outside of the Hollows, a mixture of beiges and browns against the dry, desert ground. A freezing mid-morning breeze cut through the thickness of his coat, providing a chilling reminder of the storm clouds that beleaguered them the moment they got within an hour of the Hollows.
Why did this scare him more than his berserker days? Jaxton had never ordered to take away Brandon’s fear. He’d distinctly let it be there, just to further rankle Brandon. Everything Brandon did was by Jaxton’s command, but with Brandon still able to feel everything. Even when he’d helped Jaxton rob the archives in Lasim or slaughter the mercenary unit that Jaxton then took control of, Brandon had been aware, fearing for his life and raging against his orders even as he obeyed them.
Yet something about this unknown terrified him more than the battle sprawling beyond. What if he failed and all this was a false hope? What if Christopher’s changing of sides was because he’d been willing to change, versus now, where Brandon was going to force a change? What if he did succeed? Did this make him as bad as Jaxton?
General Titus stood nearby, his jaw set as he watched over the prison that had been under his control, and Finn and Zebediah watched from Brandon’s right as another group of prisoners marched out of the prison.
Titus broke the tense silence, anger coloring his words. “She started.” He pointed to the group closest to them, still at least a league away. “See the different colors of the uniforms? Prisoners and guards, side by side, out in the open. She must have bonded them. That Void-cursed whale spawn.”
Dread pooled in Brandon’s gut. How many were there that had been bonded? A hundred? A hundred fifty? How was he supposed to override the blood-bond for all of
them? It wasn’t like he’d have the opportunity to sit each one down and talk to them like he’d done with Christopher.
“Are there any new villages or towns to the south of here?” Brandon asked Titus, scanning the horizon for any telltale signs of life.
Titus shook his head and crossed his arms. “None. It’s nothing but Arid Plains and a slow death that way, unless you manage to reach Golar.” He gestured with one hand to the edges of the small town to their left. “There’s Mariposa, of course. And I can’t pretend to imagine what’s going through Artemis’s head. I can’t predict which way she’ll go.”
Brandon surveyed Artemis’s small army. Would she take them to the city first, bond more there, and grow her numbers? The city held families of the Hollow’s soldiers, workers that processed the minerals for shipping. Innocents. And how many soldiers were now blood-bonded—quite possibly ordered to go and subdue, bond, or raze their own kin?
They would feel the same horror and numbing sorrow that he’d felt under Jaxton’s control.
He had to save them. All of them. Somehow.
The deck vibrated underfoot as the airship landed, and Brandon spun away from the railing, barely remembering to unclasp his safety line. He pointed to Finn. “Are you coming, or staying with me?”
Finn’s eyes glinted in the gray light. “I’m with you.”
Brandon flashed Finn a small, grateful smile, then spoke over his shoulder to Titus and Zebediah. “Saving the city should be a first priority if we don’t have to worry about them finding another place to terrorize. We’ll leave a small contingent here to make sure none escape and take an airship—we can’t risk any getting away and reporting elsewhere, or getting to any of our civilians.”
“Agreed.” General Titus lifted a tattooed hand. “As much as I want to take down Artemis myself, I need to stay away from her so we don’t risk her turning me.” He fisted his hands, bouncing one against his leg. “But I can lead the soldiers here into battle. Your Highness, your role is one that none of us can help with, aside from keeping you safe while you command everyone.”
Zebediah nodded to Brandon. “I’m staying with you as a bodyguard through this.”
“Thank you.” Brandon clattered down the steps and into the belly of the airship, striding through the Doldran soldiers gathered to disembark the open hatch. He motioned toward the soldiers in the distance. “They’re blood-bonded. If Artemis knows what she’s doing, they’ve been ordered to not feel fear, to not stop for anything. It doesn’t matter if you cut off a leg or stab them in the gut. They won’t stop until they physically can’t move, or they’re dead.” The muscles in Brandon’s entire body clenched in the remembrance of what he’d survived under Jaxton’s control. “Those prisoners may be murderers, rapists, the worst of our worst.” He slipped a hand over his sword, brushing the gem inlaid on its hilt. An activation stone. His activation stone. “But they’re still sovereign, unique individuals that don’t deserve this horror.”
“General Titus will lead you and the other nations against this threat, while I’ll be working to turn each of those bonded.” Brandon licked his lips, wishing he could banish the nervousness that fluttered in his gut. He was about to fill a ledger with how many other souls that he could order around? No man should have such power. He cleared his throat. “Fight with whatever force is necessary to protect yourselves and your comrades. They will hold nothing back—and while I wish we could save everyone, your priority, my priority, is to make certain that we protect innocent lives, yourselves included.” Brandon nodded at Titus. “Follow his lead.”
Titus gestured to the land stretching before them. “Get in formation.” He pointed to a lieutenant. “Get two more men, go to the other airships, have them line up and get in a defensive formation.” The mustachioed man saluted, fist over his chest and disappeared into the throng of soldiers. Titus waved for Brandon to join him. “We’ll go in, straight forward, meet her head-on. You can flank them, start picking off those on the edges.” He gestured to where the Lasimians broke into groups of seven. “Take a troop with you. Those men can take down anyone you want to turn.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Brandon straightened, gripping his hilt as the airships unloaded. Vodan trident-dancers, Lasimian shock-troops, Doldran footmen, and Aerugan soldiers. Four nations united in such a short time. Even now, it was almost hard to swallow.
Artemis’s army split in half, one section marching forward, toward them. The other began moving toward the city. Brandon swore.
“General,” Finn called out. He lifted his hand, fire swirling between his fingertips, his wrinkled face a mask of carved marble. “Do you want me to announce our arrival?”
Titus’s eyebrows shot up, and he stroked his beard thoughtfully. The lieutenant returned, the Vodan and Lasimian captains on his heels. They spoke in a flurry of instructions that Brandon missed. They left to their respective commands. Titus eyed Finn’s fire. “I almost feel sorry for the whale spawn,” he commented before giving a decisive nod. “Do it. Fire at will.”
Finn stared into the flame for a brief moment, a light sheen of tears in his eyes before he blinked them away. “Forgive me, Raine.” He swirled his fingers, and the fire grew in size until it was as big as Brandon’s head, then Finn lobbed it forward, a trail of flames streaking behind the ball. It traveled the distance without wavering in its trajectory, then landed before the group heading toward the city, a wall of flame dancing on the road. Finn prepared and shot off another. This one landed in the group of prisoners by the wall of fire. Screams echoed off the mountain side.
General Titus gestured at the Aerugan troops with their few steam rifles and the unified military front started forward.
Zebediah held up his hand to keep Brandon in place. “We’ll wait until they’re up ahead, then we’ll circle to the side.”
Finn stayed where he was with them as they waited for the army to march forward. Finn prepared and launched yet another fireball toward the road between the city and the Hollows army. He stopped and turned empty eyes to Brandon and Zebediah, sorrow creased in every line on his face. “I’ve done what I can for the moment. Let’s move in.”
Brandon and their team of shock-troopers followed Zebediah’s broad, black-clothed back around the edges of their army, through the sparse scrub brush and around the occasional barbed cacti. To be sneaking in broad daylight of an army felt wrong, somehow. But Artemis’s men seemed entirely focused on Titus’s men.
Brandon tried to keep track of the beginnings of the battle as he followed Zebediah.
Trident-dancers ebbed and flowed through the mixed crowd of prisoners and guards at the farthest edges of the army, and puffs of steam from the Aerugan steam rifles hung in the cold air near the center of the battle. Doldran soldiers yelled and clashed with the bonded from the other side, while the shock-troopers from Lasim worked their way through all of it, weaving in each opening provided by the other armies. One Lasimian from their team raised a gloved hand that fairly sparkled with electricity, and the moment he touched a prisoners back, the prisoner seized, dropping his sword and leaving his Doldran opponent to find another adversary. The prisoner jerked, then collapsed.
Finn pointed to the fallen prisoner. “There first.”
“Will he even be able to hear me if he’s out?” Brandon drew his sword, keeping it defensively close as they drew near to the unconscious man.
Zebediah skirted around to place himself between the fighting and them, and Finn stooped by the prisoner, spreading his fingers over the man’s face. Finn nodded to the space on the other side. “I’m going to wake him, and you immediately tell him to stop fighting.”
Brandon knelt, his blade between him and the unconscious man. Just in case this didn’t work. Just in case he wasn’t fast enough.
He hesitated. This was the right choice, wasn’t it? This was the best he could do, right?
“Brandon? Are you ready?” A note of impatience underlined Finn’s question, and Brandon hastily nodded.
He’d had enough time on the airship to spin the question in circles. It was time for action. Finn closed his eyes, mouth pinching together.
The man between them gasped, his eyes flying open.
Brandon flung a hand up, “Stop!”
Terror, anger, and something unnamable shone in the man’s gaze as he waited.
Brandon swallowed hard. “What’s your name?”
“Jeff.”
“Jeff,” Brandon gripped Jeff’s dirt-encrusted shirt in a manner that Brandon could only hope the man would interpret as friendly. “No more fighting the southern nation kingdoms or their armies. Defend the people and the innocents here. Protect the town. And bring any bonded prisoners that you can to me.”
Jeff’s jaw slackened and his eyes widened. He stared down at his hands, flexing them. “I—I didn’t know that she could be overruled.”
“She can.” Brandon leaned forward. “How is her army structured? Is it just Artemis?”
Jeff shook his head. “She has five leaders that she gives directions to, and they oversee their specific units.” He pointed, indicating a red-ponytailed man and a tattooed brawny man. Jeff bent over in a bow, pressing his face into the dirt. “Please, sir. Let me return to my family after this? I swear I wasn’t in the Hollows for anything vile. Only for speaking out against the wrong politician.”
A sense of gratification soothed some of Brandon’s worries, even as impatience vibrated in his blood. This was one man with how many more to go? “Granted.” He pushed on Jeff’s shoulder, wordlessly urging the man to look up at him. “After this is done, return home. Provide for your family in an upright and honest way, and protect those around you.”