Dryw Henge

by Jonathan Forth

  “My mother,” stammered Mia. “She’s in the prison.”

  “Ailin, Raisa, with us!” shouted Gulden.

  They stepped out into the daylight. It was a similar scene. The Windstrom stood holding their weapons but no Janshai were still standing.

  Ailin gasped and floundered down the steps. At the bottom was a white wolf with a blood red stain seeping from its side. She dropped to her knees.

  “Halle, no… no… no…”

  She cupped the wolf’s head in her arms.

  As the life drained out of it, the wolf slowly transformed back into the gentle little girl. Ailin covered her with her tunic as she curled up in her arms. Halle smiled and touched Ailin on the cheek and then fell limp in her arms. Ailin lowered her head and wept.

  Raisa stepped forward and placed her hand on Ailin’s shoulder and hugged them both.

  “This is a rotten war,” cursed Gulden. “Is there no end to the pain we need to bear?”

  “I’m sorry,” said Captain Madlen, “but there may be still some Janshai in the city and I don’t know where their horses are stabled. We need to continue and not lose our advantage.

  “We’ll establish a centre of operations opposite and start a search quadrant by quadrant.”

  Gulden nodded, “We are going to release the prisoners.”

  “Go with them!” Madlen ordered a unit of infantry. “And take your water skins.”

  “Raisa stay with Ailin,” instructed Gulden.

  They entered the prison and found their way to the cells once again.

  The keys hung from a wall and Gulden grabbed them. It took him a few turns to find the right key, but the bolt eased and the door swung open. Mia pushed past him and fell next to her mother and embraced her. They carried the survivors up the stairs and laid them down in the sunlight. The prisoners squinted and gulped down water as they adjusted to their freedom.

  “So few!” exclaimed Mia.

  “The catacombs,” gasped her mother.

  “The children are in the catacombs. Behind the Garden Falls.

  “We are fine here… go go! Check on the children.”

  Mia stood up and turned, “Follow me.”

  She ran down the main thoroughfare to the east and entered one of the large gardens that dominated Celestina’s landscape.

  She followed a path to a large pond. The lake at the top dropped to a number of stepped fans before the water cascaded into a shallow pool underneath.

  Mia strode into the water. It was waist deep. Gulden followed her and they crossed to the waterfall and ducked under it. The cool water soaking their hair and clothes and running down their backs.

  Once through the waterfall they pushed up onto a ledge and Mia ran her fingers across the stone wall behind the waterfall. She took the hilt of her sword and pounded it against the wall, then she paused and waited. Nothing happened and so she beat the hilt again and again. She kept going but there was no answer and she slumped to the floor and looked hopelessly at Gulden.

  But then they heard it. A slight grinding noise and a small crack in the wall appeared. Gulden leant across it and pushed. It slowly revolved to reveal a woman’s face.

  Mia embraced her.

  “You are safe now.”

  Mia sat next to Gulden resting in his arms.

  They watched as the mothers, sons and daughters slowly emerged from the darkness of the caves and into the light. One by one they tentatively stepped into the water, ducked through the waterfall and walked into the welcoming arms of the Windstrom soldiers on the other bank.

  “Forget what I said earlier. Every death: Rolden, Halle; they give lives like these a chance. It’s worth every drop of blood.”

  Chapter 23

  Beasts in the Woods

  They came again at dawn. Eight archers stepped from the forest. Two on each side of the convent. There was a pause and then the rest of the Janshai emerged in force roaring and howling as they charged the convent.

  “That’s more like it!” yelled the commander.

  “Yes it’s amazing, the effect a belly full of grog can have on a man’s courage.”

  “And that you made it clear that if any man retreats then they’ll be shot down by the archers?”

  “Do you not think they would be better served shooting at the enemy?”

  “You would think that, wouldn’t you?”

  The Janshai attacked all sides simultaneously in a frenzy, forcing their way into windows and doors, plunging pikes and swords forward. The Terramians were knocked back on their heels. Some managed to drive the Janshai back, but others lost ground and the Janshai poured into the convent. The nuns that could fire bows shot at close distance and brought down several but were forced back.

  It became a free for all in the corridors. The Janshai then switched their lines of attack and drove round to the north wall. The ladders were thrown up against the roof and horseman after horseman clambered up. The archers lining the cloisters killed some, but soon they clashed with Janshai who’d broken in from the south and engaged them from behind. They lowered their bows and took their swords to the enemy. One by one they fell.

  Once again Aron took Golden Blade, carving a couple of Janshai down. He stepped forward and thrust his sword into the belly of another Janshai who ran at him. He could tell they were being overrun.

  “Retreat to the chapel.

  “Sisters, men, to the chapel.

  “Aland get here if you can,” he shouted at the top of his voice. There was no answer.

  The Prince and the sergeant fought a rear-guard. A few men who could get to them peeled off and dived into the small chapel to the rear of the courtyard. They slammed the doors behind them and barricaded them with some of the small wooden pews. Most slumped to the ground and listened to the cries from outside. Sporadic fighting, a clash of steel on steel, could be heard. Gradually the sounds died out and all that was left was silence.

  The Janshai commander stepped over a couple of bodies. They were lying strewn everywhere. Sometimes three deep where the fighting had been fiercest. He saw the bodies of nuns lying among the soldiers and shook his head.

  “Captain?”

  “We now control the stables and the outer walls and courtyard of the convent. A small party has barricaded themselves into the chapel.”

  “The Prince?”

  “I believe so.”

  He stepped out into the courtyard.

  “Prince Aron, you and your men are beaten. To any Terramian who drops his sword now and surrenders I will grant clemency. There is no need for any more bloodshed.”

  There was no response.

  “This convent will be Gamuran within the hour.”

  He waited, no one moved.

  “What is wrong with you Terramians that you would rather die for a King and realm rather than give up and live to perhaps fight another day?”

  “There is no honour in that,” shouted Aron. “And besides, the word of a Janshai has no worth. You have no chivalry. We will all die one way or another so we choose to die in battle with our heads held high.”

  “Well then, seems like we fight to the death after all.” The commander turned and walked silently back through the parted ranks of his men outside the courtyard. “Sound the advance.”

  As he stepped out of the courtyard an arrow whistled through the air and hit him in the chest. His eyes bulged and his mouth opened and closed like a fish.

  More arrows struck his men and then the Terramian cavalry burst from the trees. The Janshai on foot were no match for the knights on their chargers. They cut them down as they tried to runs for the woods. Urien drove his stallion into the courtyard and mowed down any Janshai in his way. He slashed a couple across the chest. Sumnar followed him and cast his staff forward shattering two horsemen up against the walls of the convent. The rest engaged
those that ran to the forest and cut them down as they fled.

  Sumnar approached the chapel door. “Sire, it’s Sumnar.”

  He heard the scraping of the pews as they were shifted away from the door and the bar was removed and the Prince stepped out. He was gaunt, his eyes dark from a lack of sleep. Blood splashes covered his face though there were no signs that it was his own.

  Sumnar walked past him expectantly and scanned the faces in the room. Then he turned to the Prince questioningly.

  “I don’t know,” the Prince said hardly audible.

  Sumnar turned round scanning the convent in panic. Then his face grew dim and a spark disappeared from his eyes as he saw her slumped against the wall. Blood trickled from her mouth, tears still stained her cheeks. She cradled a young soldier in her lap with an arrow sticking out of his chest.

  Sumnar stumbled towards her and let out a wail. He fell to his knees, closed her eyes with the palm of his hand and cradled Sister Hulda in turn.

  The Prince felt hollow. He walked almost in a daze to the stables. He stepped inside and steadied himself against the door and slid down the frame resting his head against the wall. Aland lay still, surrounded by his men who also sacrificed themselves. Above him carved into the wall the message ‘Tell Ailin she was brighter than all the stars and always in my heart!’

  *

  They rode back to the tunnel entrance at the rear of Ampheus in silence. Eventually the Prince said, “How did you know?”

  “We saw the smoke,” said Sumnar.

  Aron nodded.

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “We were too late.”

  “No, there are lives saved today. For the others, perhaps it was just their time.”

  Sumnar did not answer. He just lost himself in the aching loss that he had never felt before.

  *

  They sheltered everyone in the same district of the city that catered for most of the schools and used the facilities as temporary housing. They provided feeding stations and areas to wash and bathe. More importantly, the remaining residents benefitted from greater protection within a confined area rather than dispersing into the city. A rehabilitation centre was established for those that were sick, ill or had suffered at the hands of the Janshai. The healers used Altha to harness their energy to heal those in need.

  Gulden and Mia stood on one of the watchtowers looking over the Midland Plains. Mia released petals from a small basket and they slowly fluttered in the breeze over the ledge of the watchtower and down to the ground below.

  “For Storm Pride.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  They waited in silence for a while watching the petals flutter away.

  “How is your mother?”

  “She is strong. She will recover.”

  Gulden nodded, “Hopefully it’s a new dawn for the city. The abomination that happened here serves to remind us to be vigilant and not to take what we have for granted. That no matter what happens, it is worth fighting for what is good and there is always hope in the courage of those that stand firm. If not for ourselves then for our children.”

  He paused, “I must return to Ampheus. What happened here will provide inspiration to those who will need it most. It’ll be a long ride but every extra body may be vital in the battles that are yet to come in Terramis. Ailin and Raisa will go back with me.”

  Mia took Gulden’s hand, “I must stay and tend to my mother.” He smiled and touched her on the cheek.

  “I will return.”

  He took a ring from his finger. “My brother and I both have these. Our mother gave them to us the day we were ordained as knights.” A slight expression of sorrow swept over his face as he remembered his brother. He cupped her hand and the smile returned. “Something to remember me by.”

  “I do not need this to remember you by, sir knight, it is too much. It is a connection to your brother.”

  “No, it is mine to give. This is what will make me happiest.

  “Now we must ready to leave.”

  Mia stood in thought. “Follow me,” she said.

  They descended the steps of Mia’s watchtower in the south and headed north to another.

  “Is this really necessary?” asked Gulden as they clambered up another set of steps.

  “Bear with me.”

  As they walked into the light he noticed a slight difference between this watchtower and the others.

  “This is the central watchtower, it’s used to communicate with the griffin.” She stood next to a long slender golden horn that was fixed into a stand. It pointed away from the plains and to the east. To the mountains.

  She gave the mouthpiece a wipe on her sleeve and blew. The sound resonated down the smooth neck of the instrument and a low constant mellow timbre stretched out towards the mountains. She made three notes and paused. “Now we wait.”

  They first appeared as dots on the horizon but then gradually they took form. Their powerful wings propelling them forward, their powerful hind legs thrusting in rhythm. As they got nearer their plumage dazzled in the sun. Gulden shielded his eyes as they circled round the watchtower with the sun on their backs.

  They kicked and screeched as they landed. Mia bowed in front of them and stroked the feathers on the foremost griffin’s golden neck. It raised its head once more and let out a powerful screech. “Proud and mighty griffins, it looks like we are in need of your help once more.”

  *

  It was that evening that the first scream from the woods was heard. It came from one of the advanced scouting positions. The scout cried for help as the sounds of a ravaging growling dog could be heard as it tore and clawed at its prey. As the Windstrom approached following the noises they found the body. It had been mangled in a frenzy. Limbs severed, deep gashes sliced into the skin. Blood and guts lay strewn in the dirt.

  Commander Favian stood over the body. “It looks like Vane has released his beasts into the woods. So be it.

  “Pull back the scouts and have them station in pairs in the trees, no one on the ground. Make sure they arm themselves with pikes with hilts. Short pikes, no more than six foot. Give me ten hunting teams in units of four; let’s hunt these beasts down one by one if we have to. We will attack in the next day or so, we don’t need these dogs disrupting our lines.”

  *

  The small pig stood in the clearing simply busying itself snuffling around the soil. It could not go far as it was tethered to a stake driven into the ground. It stiffened a little and raised its snout sniffing the air. It started to snort more urgently slightly panicked, its senses permeating warning signals.

  The beast came fast and hard, the heavy pad of paws and then a howl of gratification as it dug its teeth into the flesh of the small pig. Its powerful jaw crushed and ruptured the pig’s body in an instant, spurting blood and guts around the killing zone.

  The two men leapt from the tree, dangling from the rope. The net instantly drew up from the earth wrapping itself around the beast and pulling it off the ground. It roared in surprise and confusion and yanked its body from side to side, ripping the rope trap through the men’s hands and wrenching at their arms and shoulders.

  They did not tie off the rope. The beast was heavy, heavier than they were. Their initial momentum picked it off the ground and they leant backwards as far as they could go, the beast momentarily paused in suspension. Then its weight gradually lifted the men off the earth and lowered the beast. Once it touched the ground it gripped its claws into the earth and attempted to yank itself free and turn on them. But they knew this.

  At that instant another two men of the unit dropped from the trees and charged the net. Burying their spears into the flesh of the beast and through its chest aiming for the heart or the neck to slice an artery. Then they withdrew their spears and stabbed again and again. The beast hit the deck and struggled to break free from
the trap bellowing in pain and anger, the other two men also fell upon the beast. Its head shook from side to side as it snapped its fangs at them.

  Gradually the spear strikes took their toll and the beast lay lifeless.

  The men stood around it, panting, their hearts pounding from the intense effort and the adrenalin from the fight.

  “These beasts take a lot to bring them down.”

  “They are not beasts, simply demons, born to kill. They have no soul.”

  They dragged the carcass away and rolled it into a pit on top of another one of the huge dogs.

  The sergeant clambered up the tree and yanked at a hessian bag that was also wriggling. He undid the binding and pulled out another piglet. He tossed it down to one of the other soldiers who tied it to the stake as the others straightened the net.

  “Poor thing!”

  “What do you mean poor thing?”

  “Having to die like that.”

  “What are you talking about? What do you think happens to these pigs anyway? Most have their throats cut, get gutted, roasted on a fire and then presented for your delectation with an apple stuffed in its mouth. You could argue this is a much quicker end.”

  They returned to the trees and waited for the next beast to be drawn by the smell of blood and the lure of a light snack.

  *

  Dorf stood atop the central tower at Ampheus. It was the tallest tower in the city and among other things contained Ampheus’s bells. These were two huge iron bells that were used to send warnings to those in the surrounding areas. These had initially signalled everyone of Gorath’s approach so the local peasants could retreat to the safety of the fortress. The tower was deeper in the city and had suffered much less damage than the outer walls.

  Dorf looked through his scope to the east beyond Vane’s army and across the tops of the trees. There he could just make out the top of the Windstrom’s wooded lookout tower that was typical of them to build. He consulted the charts that the three realms had prepared many years ago. It was at King Armanar’s bidding. Many scoffed at him at the time. Now with all the armies assembled here it was in fact premonitory.