by Kyle West
I read the message again, wondering if there was anything missing. Finally, I looked up.
“That’s it?”
Harrow nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
“They’re on the way,” Shara said. “And they won’t be here in time for the battle.”
“No, they won’t,” Harrow said. “Unless Odium’s expansion slows for some unforeseen reason.”
“We can’t count on that,” my father said.
“Why would they bother to send such a short message?” I asked.
“It’s something I’ve been pondering, too,” Harrow said. “I was hoping you would understand any hidden meaning, since you know them better.”
I shook my head. “I understand nothing.”
From the following silence, it was clear that the others were just as confused.
“They finally managed it,” I said. “Elder Tellor and Prince Nabea got the kingdoms working together for once.”
“I’m worried about the Mountain Cities,” Fiona said. “I’ve been requesting aid for weeks, but have heard nothing.” She looked at Harrow. “Has that remained true?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Lord Harrow said. “We must discount their aid, along with that of the Eastern Kingdoms. Both cities are too far to reach us, even now. However, in the Novans there is still a shred of hope. If they choose to help us, we will have over one hundred thousand men, five hundred dragons, with riders and without, and one hundred airships, the greatest force ever assembled in the Red Wild’s history.”
“Mongar and Highgrove must think themselves safe in their mountain homes,” Fiona said. “They will be in for a rude awakening.”
“Whatever their reasons,” Lord Harrow said, “we cannot count on their men, which means our armies will number twenty thousand less.”
“How many ballistae and cannons do we have?” I asked. “And where will they be stationed?”
“Haventree,” Lord Harrow said. “There are countless branches where the ballistae and the Shen’s cannons can be placed for devastating effect. The plan is to keep our dragons and airships back while the artillery wreaks havoc on the Radaskim dragons. Our men will defend the canyon itself. The men will be covered by the artillery fire from above, along with our own dragons if the Radaskim dragons encroach. Even with over one hundred thousand men, it will be a most difficult fight. Estimates of the Radaskim numbers vary wildly.”
It was pointless to speculate just how many we were up against. I knew it had to be a lot for Tiamat to believe our battle futile. And thinking about that number would only cause despair on our part.
The plan seemed to be good, to only defend the chokepoints leading into the canyon while covering our men with artillery fire. But a lot of that plan depended on the Shen army reaching us first, as they were the ones who had the cannons.
“Assuming the worst,” I said. “If the Shen don’t arrive in time, then what are our prospects of holding until they do?”
“We should hold for a few days,” Harrow said. “Reserves can be garrisoned within the city safely, keeping them well-defended. More regiments can be sent out to defend as the need arises.”
I didn’t want to think about the unlucky first regiment who would have to defend the pass. How long would they be able to do so without breaking against such a terrifying force of crawlers? Our most disciplined men would have to set the example for the rest.
“The men will cycle,” Harrow said. “If one regiment loses about a quarter of its force, a second will step in and replace it while the artillery continues doing its work. Meanwhile, crossbowmen and longbowmen will shoot at range. We have a troop of highly disciplined Samalite bowmen that joined us not a week ago, who have had plenty of practice shooting crawlers in the north.”
Isa nodded at this. Northerners were famed for their archery.
“We need to keep in mind, as large as the Radaskim force is, they have their weaknesses,” Lord Harrow said. “They have no ranged power to bear; all of their strength lies in breaking us physically. If we don’t allow that to happen, and we have reserves ready to plug any holes that form in the defense, we will hold the line, even long enough for the Shen to arrive.”
“Are the men trained in this plan?” I asked.
“That is why my officers’ here are present,” Harrow said, gesturing toward the three of them. “It will go through the chain of command appropriately. Is that right, Captain Harrell?”
All three men nodded, but remained otherwise silent, all standing in chainmail and a tunic bearing Lord Harrow’s sigil, a gray mountain lion. I wondered what concerns they had, if any.
“Will your men stand strong?” I asked them.
“They will, Elekim,” Captain Harrell answered, who had a stout face and short, blonde hair.
I nodded. “I’m glad to have such experienced soldiers fighting for us.” I looked each one of them in the eyes, wondering if they truly saw me as Elekim, if they truly found me as someone worthy of fighting for, even to the death.
I wanted there to be no question of that. “Tell your men that I’ll be fighting with them.”
Everyone’s eyes widened all at once, Fiona’s most of all. She was the first to protest. “Shanti, no! If you’re there, then that’s exactly what Odium wants! He’ll focus everything on killing you, and that will only make it more dangerous for the men.”
To my surprise, Captain Harrell nodded his agreement. “She’s right, Elekim. The men will fight for you, even if you don’t fight with them.”
“Let them know, at least, that I will be fighting. If not in the front lines, then somewhere else.” I made a fist. “I want everyone here to know that I’ll be killing everything that sets foot in the canyon.”
Captain Harrell gave a small, satisfied smile. “I will let the men know. And if you are truly fighting, the men will fight all the harder.”
Fiona seemed concerned at this prospect, not to mention everyone else, but she made no protest.
“What of the Elder Dragons?” Lord Harrow asked.
Just the mention of them made my heart fall. “They won’t be joining us. Tiamat has elected to remain behind to defend Ragnarok Crater. He told me that Odium wants to reach the Crater, and I don’t doubt him.”
“I see,” Lord Harrow. “I would have welcomed several hundred dragons more.”
“Actually, their numbers are closer to one hundred now, after the battle at Dragonspire.”
From the twitch on his face, I could see that this had surprised him. “I didn’t know they had lost so many. But if he believes that is his place, I cannot speak against it.”
Left unsaid was the fact that Tiamat believed the entire battle to be worthless. That could not be repeated here, for obvious reasons.
“What about the refugees?” I asked.
“Anyone who can’t contribute to the battle will be evacuated north.”
“Evacuated north to where?” Shara asked.
Here, Lord Harrow was silent. “I assume most will head for Laston or one of the mountain cities.”
If Tiamat’s prophecy was true, then getting as many people out of harm’s way as possible was essential. We would have to fight all the harder.
“If there is nothing else to discuss,” Lord Harrow said, “I suggest we busy ourselves setting up defenses.”
I nodded. “Sounds like a plan, Lord Harrow. But one thing I forgot to ask. What about the Colonian Dragonriders?”
“They don’t know about the occupation of Colonia by the Shen force yet, so perhaps you should be the one to deliver the news.”
There was no telling how they might react to this, but it did need to be said, and it would be better coming from me, since the city was conquered in my name. “I’ll go there now, if we’re done here.”
“They’re camping southwest of here,” Harrow said. “You’ll need dragons to reach them.”
“Then I’ll leave you here,” I said. “We’ll meet again soon. Good luck with everything today.”
&n
bsp; “And to you, Elekim,” he said, raising a fist to his heart in the typical Elekai salute. His men followed his example, doing the same.
Hearing those words dispelled any doubts that remained about Lord Harrow. From his stern expression, it seemed as if he fully believed that was my title.
I returned the gesture, and then excused myself from the tent.
Chapter 21
Outside, my parents caught up with me.
“I’ll be just a minute,” I said to my friends.
I pulled my parents aside. “I want both of you to go with the refugees up north.”
My father looked offended. “Absolutely not. My daughter fighting, while I have to stand to the side? That’ll never happen.”
I looked around to make sure no one could hear us. “There’s not much of a chance we can win this, Dad. I didn’t want to say that in there, but that’s the truth.”
I went on to explain everything Tiamat had told me as they listened.
Once finished, they thought about what I said for a moment.
“We always knew there wasn’t much of a chance, prophecy or no prophecy,” my mother said. “We would never leave you for anything, Shanti. We’re all in this together. Each of us must fight in our own way.”
It took everything I had to not heave an exasperated sigh. It was the answer I expected, and I wasn’t sure how to counter it.
“I don’t want either of you to get hurt,” I said. “If the line breaks . . .”
My mother grabbed my hand. “I could say the same for you, Shanti. I don’t think your first instinct would be to flee at the first sign of trouble.”
“We won’t be defending Haven to the last man,” I said. “It . . . wasn’t discussed in the tent, but if the men break, we’re going to have to retreat. If Tiamat is right, then we will need to withdraw to the Crater if Haven doesn’t work out.”
“What makes you so sure we’re going to lose?” my father asked. “I know he’s the Elder Dragon King and all, but that doesn’t mean he’s right.”
“He believes defending Haven will be futile. But it’s my belief that things have progressed too far to pull back now, and if I gave the order to withdraw because of a prophecy, people would think I was crazy.” Both watched me as I tried to explain. “Tiamat practically begged me not to give Odium a fight here. The Elder Dragon King, begging to me. Even so, I can’t give up. It feels wrong for some strange reason.”
My parents looked at each other before responding. It was my dad who answered.
“And do you believe this prophecy, Shanti? I don’t know much about these things, but can’t prophecies be self-fulfilling?”
I nodded. “Yes, it’s been known to happen.”
“No one knows the outcome of anything for certain,” my father said. “Even the Elder Dragon King. It is better to hope for good than to dread what might be. Expectations have a way of coloring the results.”
“You mean, the way I think about something will predict how it actually happens?”
“Maybe,” my mother said. “Prophecy or not, you should never give up. You’re doing what you see as the right thing. Prophecy is not written in stone, as your father said. Is that the reason you’re asking us to leave? Because you think it’ll come true?”
I nodded. She saw right through me. I shouldn’t have expected otherwise. She was my mother.
“Just as you wouldn’t abandon your people here without a fight,” my mother continued, “so we won’t abandon you. I can’t fight like your father, but I’ll be doing my part to help in the city. Whether that’s tending the wounded, or bringing shot for the machines, I’ll be helping in my own way.”
I couldn’t stop them from helping if they truly wanted to, just as they couldn’t stop me. For once, I wished it was okay to hold a double standard. Safety for them, but not for me. I had no right to tell them what to do.
“Just make me a promise,” I said. “If the order is given to retreat, don’t linger. Get out. I’ll send a dragon, or maybe a couple of dragons if you’re in different spots. That’s my condition and I’m not going to budge on it.”
Seeing my firmness, they both nodded, and my father answered. “We will, Shanti. I promise you that.”
“Good,” I said.
After that, all three of us hugged, and each of them kissed me on the cheek. It was all I could do not to break down and cry right there. This might be the last time I’d ever hug them, and I didn’t know what I would do if I lost either of them.
“I know you don’t want to talk about the possibility of losing,” I said. “But assuming the battle goes badly here, the final battle will take place in Ragnarok Crater. I know it’s far. But the easiest road there passes north through Mongar and then across the Plains of Decay on the other side. If you follow the road, it’ll take you to the Caverns of Creation. I know it’ll be easy to get lost, but Dad, maybe you can feel your way there. You’re Elekai, now. Just remember that, okay?”
“Don’t speak of such things,” my mother said. “Don’t let your thoughts be soured with dread. You’re the leader, Shanti. Of all of us. Fight for your thoughts as you would a battle.”
“I’m trying, Mom. But promise me you’ll meet me there in case we lose each other. Even if all three of us are separated.”
“We promise, Shanti,” my father said. “Your mother and I will do everything we can to remain together. Don’t worry about us.”
“How could I not?”
“You are the one we’re worried about,” my mother said, her voice shaking. “But I know there is nothing I can do to stop you. This is who you are, now. And we must believe good will come of this, prophecy or not. We must believe.”
I thought about her words: We must believe good will come of this, prophecy or not. It seemed a lot to ask, but perhaps my mother was right. It was easy for me to fight physically but fighting for my thoughts presented a whole new challenge. Which would win, in the end? My thoughts, or the outcome that Tiamat saw as truth?
* * *
We flew on our dragons to the camp of the Colonian Dragonguard. It was only fifteen minutes before we spotted it, on top of a low plateau rising above the surrounding forest. Their dragons were grazing outside the camp, in a large meadow growing thickly with xen. The men themselves were gathered around several fires, taking their own meals. The men stood as we glided toward the ground.
As soon as Flame landed, I was approached by Captain Dailyn.
“Elekim,” Dailyn said, lending a bit of irony to the title. “Or shall I call you Annara Reborn and prostrate myself before you?”
From his tone, I could tell he didn’t believe I was Anna for a second. I supposed little had changed in the time I’d been gone. Perhaps hoping for change had been too much to ask.
“Call me whatever you want. Even Shanti, if you prefer. As long as you do so with respect from now on.”
He gave an amused smile but said nothing more, instead waiting for me to speak.
“Have you had time to learn more about our enemy, Captain?”
“I’m still trying to figure out just who our enemy is.”
“It’s not hard,” I said. “It’s the big dragon to the south that’s already killed thousands of people. How many thousands have you seen us kill?”
“Perhaps not thousands, but hundreds did die in your dragons’ assault on Colonia.” Dailyn shrugged at this difficulty. “So, you can see how it might be hard for us to work with you when I can’t separate the truth from the lies.”
“How have I lied to you, Dailyn?”
“That’s the thing, Elekim,” he said. “I have no way to know whether you’re telling the truth. I’m not just talking about the most recent attack on Colonia. I’m also talking about the one where your former king here,” At this point, Dailyn nodded toward Isaru, “killed hundreds as well.”
In defense of himself, Isaru said nothing. I wasn’t sure how much Captain Dailyn had been told of Isaru’s condition by Lord Harrow. I wasn’t even su
re if Harrow understood Isaru’s possession by Rakhim Shal.
“I’m not sure if Lord Harrow has told you,” I said, “but the Colonian Covenant is no more.”
Dailyn’s eyes widened. It was as if I had told him the sun wouldn’t rise tomorrow. Growing up in Colonia, the Covenant had seemed something as immutable as the earth under your feet. It was there when you were born, and it would be there when you died.
“The city’s still there,” I continued. “I probably should have clarified that. But after your High Priests tried to backstab me, the city was thrown into chaos. Colonia is now under my control, at least for now. And despite my Elekai blood, I still consider myself a native Colonian. In fact, since I am Annara Reborn, I’m partly responsible for founding the city, when it was nothing more than a dusty village on the Colorado. But you wouldn’t remember any of that. That was four hundred years ago, and a lot has happened since then. Many lies have been told, but none by me.”
Dailyn looked at me, for the first time seeming to have nothing to say.
“I would never give you a command, because I know you wouldn’t obey it,” I continued. “As such, you are privileged beyond any other commander here. At the same time, I encourage you to remain open-minded in matters of religion, Captain Dailyn. I’m no goddess. Anna was just a human, like you and me. A human with extraordinary abilities given to her by the Xenofold, but a human all the same. Over the centuries, somehow that’s been convoluted to be much more. Even her true name was lost. I suppose they thought Anna sounded too informal.”
I watched Captain Dailyn’s eyes calculating every word.
I continued. “You must be terrified, being in a foreign land where almost everything is pink, purple, or some shade of color you didn’t even know existed. Your dragons, the one thing you could count on in every circumstance, now have their own minds. As they should. I know you don’t believe I’m Anna Reborn, and I know you probably blame me for everything that’s happened to uproot your life. But guess what? Even without me, your lives would still be uprooted, because Odium would still be coming after you. Either before or after he was finished with us.”