by Liara Woo
So far, although Loriina had sent out messages bidding them to come, only three of the seven lords had sent reinforcements. Joran told himself that the others were on their way, but he had no idea for certain. And yet Katie was here, as was Loriina. That had to count for something.
Perhaps I can do something about the Forest of Mist, Joran thought, biting his lip. Relenthus and Krenej have been out of the healing cavern all day. I could ask them to come with me. The demons attacking the Forest probably won't be very numerous. But if I go, then I need someone to lead our armies…
He couldn't ask Bloodthorne; that was certain. The other six lords would greatly dislike one lord getting special attention. And while Firdin and Reiltin were amazing warriors, they weren't good leaders. They preferred to follow orders, not give them.
Halthren was the ideal choice. Yet he was still too weak to stand. But that could change in a few days.
Joran walked down to the healing cavern and was taken aback when he saw Katie and Halthren sitting together and talking. He cleared his throat awkwardly and they both turned to look at him. Joran blinked. "Er… Katie… could I talk to Halthren alone for a moment?"
"Of course," Katie said. She was blushing when she left the cavern.
"Can I do anything for you, Joran?" Halthren asked with his usual politeness.
"Er… I have a favor to ask," Joran answered. "A very large favor. And I know that you've just barely escaped and you're still horribly weak, but…would you lead my armies into battle when the time comes?"
Halthren recoiled as if slapped. "What—me? But…why?" He neglected to mention that he couldn't lift a blade, let alone stand and walk on his own two legs.
"I'll be busy elsewhere," Joran explained. "I wish to defend the Forest of Mist."
Halthren's face lit up. "To give Katie a way back," he murmured, nodding his approval. "Good. But you won't be alone, right?"
"I'll ask Krenej and Relenthus to accompany me," Joran said confidently. "You will lead my armies?"
Halthren couldn't bring himself to meet Joran's eyes. What to say? He…he couldn't refuse. But he'd most certainly be the worst commander in the history of Allagandria. His insides tightened miserably. "Of course," he answered softly.
"Thank you," Joran replied sincerely. He turned to leave and realized that he probably wouldn't see Halthren again before departing. "Good luck," he called over his shoulder.
"And to you as well," Halthren said in a small voice.
Joran searched the mansion, and when he didn't find Krenej or Relenthus he went to the stables, where the two elves were grooming their twin mares, Meliara and Mirian.
"It was quite a close call we had there," Krenej was saying as he pressed his cheek against Mirian's silky neck.
Relenthus sighed. "Count our lucky stars that we made it from Kratchene all the way to Velana alive," he murmured gravely. Then he turned and noticed Joran. "Good morning, my prince. What brings you to the stables? Are you here to admire the most adorable little pony in Kylaras?" He grinned teasingly at Meliara, who rolled her eyes.
"You know I don't like sweet talk," Meliara sighed, playfully nudging his shoulder.
"The Forest of Mist will be attacked by Nashgor," Joran informed them, going straight to the point. "I was hoping that you two would come with me to protect it."
"Of course," Krenej said instantly. "But why exactly are we defending it?"
"So that Katie will have a way home when all of this is over," Joran answered firmly.
"Ah, yes," Relenthus said knowingly. "I know I'd feel just the same in her position. I'd want to go back to my parents as well."
Krenej gave him a startled look. "You eavesdropped on Halthren when he was talking to her!"
Relenthus grinned mischievously. "So were you. Stop pretending to be innocent. Our centuries of being spies have finally gotten to us. We couldn't help it, could we?"
Joran was suddenly curious. "What did you hear?" he asked.
"The first time Halthren was telling Katie about the Forest of Mist being attacked. The second time they were talking about her powers and then Earth and then horses."
"Poor Halthren," Krenej added. "He's so weak. I've seen what happens in Vernisgard (though thankfully I've never experienced it) and it seems like what Halthren went through was far worse than anything else." Krenej paused. "He never did tell Nashgor where you'd gone, and now that Nashgor knows your location all of his suffering was for naught."
"That's not all we heard, though," Relenthus smirked. "I think Katie likes him a lot more than she lets on. And I think Halthren likes her a lot as well."
Joran blinked, not sure how to react. "Interesting," he managed. Abruptly he changed the subject. "So will you come, then?" he asked.
"Of course," Krenej responded with a bow.
"Then meet me at the southwestern edge of the city with your horses ready to go in fifteen minutes."
* * *
Joran returned to the mansion and told Bloodthorne what he planned to do.
"You're all going to die," Bloodthorne said, shaking his head sadly. "We're all going to die. But if you see fit, you may go. What am I saying?! Joran, you're the heir to the throne of Kylaras! You can do as you wish! Why ask me what you can and cannot do?"
"Will you follow Halthren into battle?" Joran pressed on, ignoring the question.
Bloodthorne's worried expression softened. "He's the sort of elf I wish I was. Of course I will."
"Good," Joran approved, relieved. "I'll speak to the other three lords." He left the manor and hurried through the streets. Only soldiers were in the city; the mothers and young children below age seventy had been sent to a village near the coast where, hopefully, they'd be safe. Housed at the inn, the three lords were busy arguing about which of their horses was better when Joran arrived, and somehow they all agreed to follow Halthren. A miracle that they actually managed to settle on something, he thought as he saddled his mare Shinar and rode her out of town, to the southwestern side of the wall, where Relenthus and Krenej waited.
"To the Forest of Mist," Joran commanded, pointing east, in the direction of the enchanted woods. Relenthus and Krenej urged their horses into a gallop alongside him and they charged off into the wilderness. "For Katie," Joran whispered.
The Battle of Velana
The Battle of Velana
Two days later Halthren was strong enough to leave the healing cavern. He walked slowly to the stables, where the horse he'd raised was housed. Rennav was his name, and he was mostly dark brown with several white patches. He was fourteen years old—which, for an Allagandrian horse, was still quite young.
"You're alive!" Rennav exclaimed in relief. "I'd heard that you were dead."
Halthren buried his face in Rennav's mane, sagging against the horse's firm body and regaining his breath. "I'm not," he murmured. "But it might have been better if I was. Most of my soul was destroyed."
Rennav's brown eyes widened with horror. He seemed too mortified for words.
Halthren closed his eyes, breathing in the horse's warm, musty smell. He felt small and weak beside his tall, powerful horse. In fact, he felt small and weak beside everyone. His self-confidence had been removed, trodden upon, ripped to shreds, immersed in wolf dung, and replaced. He felt utterly useless and believed that his entire existence was pointless.
The elves who lived in Velana were no help. They pitied him; some admired him for his steadfastness; most thought it was a shame that an otherwise "perfect" elf had lost his powers. He was incomplete, broken, and everyone knew it, and everyone was unafraid to discuss it with him, even though it only made him feel worse. There was emptiness in his heart, a pit of endless sorrow, because he believed that as he was he couldn't help anyone. Not Joran, not Bloodthorne, not Katie…
Halthren felt something wet on his face and was surprised to find that he was crying. Hurriedly he wiped his cheeks and wrapped his arms around Rennav's thick neck, drawing comfort from his presence. The tall horse turned his head
and gently nuzzled Halthren's shoulders.
"They expect me to lead them into battle," Halthren murmured. Even after two days he could hardly believe it was true. "Why, of all the elves here, would Joran choose me?"
"Because he trusts you," Rennav responded. "He can count on you to act with courage and bravery."
Halthren felt a tremor of uncertainty wrack his body. I hope so, he thought. Then he set about brushing Rennav's coat until it shown, knowing that it made his horse feel good about himself.
* * *
Katie lay on her bed a day after Halthren left the healing cavern, looking at her sword. It was long and had an elegantly curved blade with swirling designs carved into the slender hilt. It was a fine weapon.
She took in a deep, trembling breath. Will I be able to do it? she wondered. Will I be able to actually kill something?
Rainclouds had filled the sky. Evening was well on its way. Katie felt tears come to her eyes.
I don't think I can. I'll let everyone down. They'll all be expecting me to fight better than all of them. But I can't!
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Katie sighed. She could use some company.
Halthren entered the room. "I'd wanted to see you. Firdin told me where you were…I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Katie said heavily, sitting up. She sheathed her sword. "You look…stronger."
"Five days in the healing cavern can do a lot of good for an elf," Halthren smiled. Yet Katie noticed that he was still pale and thin, and there were shadows under his eyes. "I'm not strong enough to lift a sword yet, unfortunately. But hopefully in three days I will be."
"What happens in three days?" Katie asked.
"The demon armies will reach Velana," Halthren responded. He sounded extremely unhappy.
"Okay, what's wrong?" Katie asked, looking into his silver-blue eyes. "I mean, that's bad, but we have a dragon on our side, and with all modesty I have some pretty powerful magic…"
"Er…Joran asked me to lead everyone into battle. Do you mind if I sit down?" Katie shook her head and he sat beside her.
"Isn't that an honor?" she asked.
Halthren gave a hollow laugh. "My self-confidence isn't exactly at its peak right now, what with my being tortured for quite some time and most of my soul being destroyed."
"Oh," Katie nodded. "Now I understand. If it helps you feel any better, I'm not very sure of myself either. I'm frightened. I don't know if I can do this…the killing and all…"
Halthren nodded. "It is difficult to justify. But there must have been wars where you come from. Wars where good people had to fight for what they believed in."
Katie sighed. "Yes, there have been wars," she responded softly. "But normally little girls like me don't fight in them."
"But normally 'little girls' like you haven't ridden sea serpents, tamed wild stallions, and invaded a demon prison," Halthren pointed out. "Even here in Kylaras, a world very different from your own, such feats are rare indeed. You are extraordinary, Katie, and you have powers that even those who live here can only dream of possessing. And I know it's frightening and sickening to kill. But I know firsthand what those demons are capable of. There is no evil greater than them. They relish the pain of others, glorify in violence, and love watching someone suffer. They…they…"
By then, Halthren's eyes were wide with horror, and his face had gone even paler out of fear. Katie raised her hands. "It's okay, you don't need to talk about that so soon after…well, you don't need to say anymore. I know that demons are evil. Just seeing what they did to you was enough to tell me that. I just don't know if I'll have the guts to wield my own sword."
"I won't let you get hurt, Katie," Halthren said softly. "I promise you that. I …er… I'll see you later. If you need anything, let me know, and I'll try to…help…" He stood up and walked out, his cheeks pink with embarrassment.
Katie blinked. "Goodbye," she said softly, feeling something beneath her sternum beginning to rise.
* * *
For two more days Katie didn't see Joran. Worried, she went at dusk on the second day to Bloodthorne and asked him about her concerns.
"He went to defend the Forest of Mist with Krenej and Relenthus," the lord of Velana responded gravely.
Katie gasped. "Why? I want to go home, of course, but only three elves against those…those… monsters?!"
"It takes ten demons to kill one elf," Bloodthorne informed her. Katie instantly thought of Halthren; for him it would probably take only five. Maybe even three. And then he'd be gone.
"Still, any more than thirty demons would be able to defeat them," Katie pointed out.
"The demon battalion asked to destroy the forest was supposed to be a secret," Bloodthorne said. "They will want to move with stealth and remain unnoticed. Any more than thirty would alert us to their schemes."
"From what I've heard about demons, they don't seem the type to care if someone notices what they're doing. I'm going after them," Katie decided, clenching her hands into fists.
"No!" Bloodthorne exclaimed desperately. "Without you we have no hope of succeeding. Even with Loriina we are brutally outnumbered. We will need you with us."
For one moment Katie was torn between helping Joran and staying in Velana. Then she chose her path and released a pent-up breath. "Fine. I'll stay here."
Bloodthorne let out a deep sigh of relief. There were a few moments of silence, broken by three blasts on a horn. Bloodthorne's face paled. "The demons are here," he murmured. Katie felt a thrill of terror jolt through her. Images flashed through her mind—cruel dragon-like faces, evil yellow eyes, scythe-like claws…
"Come on!" Bloodthorne exclaimed, jolting her from her thoughts. "You have your sword, right? And your bow, and your arrows?"
Katie had been carrying them with her for three days. Her sword was in a sheath that was slung across her back with her bow, and her quiver of arrows was strapped to her side. "Yes," she answered over the pounding of her heart, her mouth suddenly dry. This was it. Time to find out if she really was the champion of the elves.
"Then let's get to the southern town square. Halthren wanted to meet the four lords there at his signal." Quickly he took her by the shoulder and led her from the manor. Katie's heart raced as he stopped at the armory and quickly helped her put white armor on over her tunic. She was dizzy with fear. Her heart was pounding; she felt separated from her body, as if she were walking in a dream.
More horns began to sound. The harmonious chords called the guards posted around the city to their stations and the rest of the elves to gather in front of the southern wall. Voices cried out in alarm, and horses whinnied, unsettled by tension. A few of them reared in their stalls with ears flat against their heads.
"Katie!" Halthren cried out. He was running towards them from a large well in the middle of an open stone square. He wore leather armor on his shoulders, arms, and calves, but other than that he was unprotected. His face was still pale, although his eyes were full of life. "How are you?"
"Nervous," Katie responded with an anxious grin. I can't do this. I can't do it. She couldn't imagine herself using her weapons to kill, seeing the life fade from the demons' eyes. She felt sick at the mere thought. But then she had an idea. "Is there a tower or something high that I can stand on during the battle?"
Halthren was confused. "Why?"
"Because…I'd rather hit demons with lightning bolts than use swords and arrows."
"Are your lightning bolts strong enough to kill?" Bloodthorne asked solemnly, and Katie could tell from his sorrowful tone that he hated having to take the life of another creature. Me too, pal.
"Depends on how loud I yell, I guess," she answered hesitantly.
"Come this way," Halthren said. "Lord Bloodthorne, I just finished telling the other three lords to stand in front of their armies and await my command. Keep Rennav calm until I return."
"Of course," Bloodthorne said, and then he raced off.
"Who's Rennav?" Katie asked a
s Halthren led her quickly through the deserted streets.
"A massive horse that's dark brown with a large white patch behind his shoulder that goes halfway across his chest. There's a white stripe on his left hind leg and his other three legs have stockings as well. He's two heads taller than I am, and his neck, chest, and legs are thick with muscle. But they're long; he can run faster and farther than any other horse."
"It sounds like you spend a lot of time with him," Katie commented.
"I raised him," Halthren explained. "He has an uncanny ability to find me wherever I am in Kylaras; it takes a lot to keep him still. He's loyal and brave and looks after me the way I do him."