by M J Webb
* * *
In the centre, things were also not going well for Princess Zephany. Just as elsewhere, her archers had fired so many arrows trying to bring down the graxoth and revalkas, that they had too few left with which to defend the wall. Most had already exhausted their supply and picked up a sword or axe, in order to fight on as ordinary footsoldiers. Two siege towers and several ladders had unloaded their rampaging warriors onto her section of the wall. A fierce fight had ensued as the Estians somehow managed to counterattack, led bravely by the incomparable Lord Caro. The defenders tried and tried to force the Falorians, Thargws and Retians back over the wall but to no avail. Princess Zephany was positioned a little towards the rear with the second line, itching to join the fight but knowing that she could not, aware of her command responsibilities. After a short while, she could see for herself that the wall was lost. With a heavy heart she instructed a hornblower to sound the recall and her warriors began to disengage from the fight.
The Estians fell back as quickly as they could. They converged on the outskirts of the city as planned, to establish their second line of defence. Along the length of wall they vacated, their places were taken quickly by enemy warriors. They climbed onto the ramparts and stood shoulder to shoulder with their comrades, staring down menacingly upon the ranks of beleaguered defenders, who now faced them across a relatively short distance. The flight of the Estians had actually been so rapid and unexpected, that a short and unplanned pause in the battle followed, as King Vantrax’ forces tried to stabilise the line and consolidate their positions.
Things were looking exceedingly bleak for Princess Zephany and her army. Seriously outnumbered and outclassed, without the Keeper, his wizard or his stones, they once again appeared to be in a hopeless position. They knew the enemy would resume the attack very soon and the battle would be over. Lord Caro fought his way through the ranks to find the Princess and stand by her side. He was breathing hard because of his exertions and he took a moment or two to speak. “I… I am sorry Princess, there were just too many of them. We could not hold the wall as you ordered.”
“I know, Caro. I could see. You fought bravely. None could have given more. All we can do now is sell our lives as dearly as we can,” replied Zephany.
Caro looked a little stunned, and confused. “This is it then? But, Jake? Where is Jake? I saw him land. What has happened to the Keeper?”
“He has gone. He attempts to secure the final stone we seek. We have run out of time. We need the stones and we need them now. Jake has left with our blessing and he has taken Tien with him, in the hope that he can restore them without delay. For us however, I do not think he will achieve it in time.”
Lord Caro breathed in more deeply than he had ever done. He let the air out slowly, deliberately. Then he turned to face the enemy. “I have never feared death, Princess. I will face it now with you and look it straight in the eye, proud beyond measure to serve you, and be your champion. Promise me though if you will, that should the chance arise, if fortune favours us and I survive long enough, their leader, Sawdon, is mine?”
Princess Zephany raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Such a strange request, given our plight? But yes, gallant knight, I believe I can grant you that, should it fall into my hands to be able to do so. Though, I fail to see why it is of any importance to you who does the killing?”
“It is quite simple; he is their best. I am a professional soldier, have been all my life. There are few challenges left to one such as I.”
“Challenge?” said Zephany. “This is war Caro, not sport!”
“It is sport to me, Princess. Some may consider mine a filthy, murderous occupation, but I do not, and it is all I have.”
Princess Zephany glanced up and the terrifying hoards of warriors massing on the wall for the final attack. “We are an odd pair you and I, of that there is no doubt. Out of place in parts of this world some would say, among the more civilised sections of our society. And yet, we seem to have stumbled upon the very time and place when our kind are needed most? Farmers and tailors do not wield a sword like you and I, and they do not win wars, not without us to guide them? Yaar… We are here now, let us see it done! I… I cannot see the Thargw among their number?” she said, pointing along the wall. “…I am sorry, Caro, it does not look as though you will get your wish today. I do not see Ben or Verastus in our ranks either?” she added, now searching her own lines.
“No, neither do I. Perhaps they are…?” began Lord Caro.
“Do not think it! Do not say it,” ordered Zephany, cutting him off in mid sentence, deliberately. “Jake left to greet them briefly before he departed, he may have taken them with him. Or we may just be unable to see them. Either way, we must look to ourselves and our people. As soon as they have formed their lines, the enemy will resume the attack. Make ready!” she cried, at the top of her voice. “…No more retreats from here! Make them pay dearly for every inch of Estian soil they take! Axes, arrows and spears to the front! Wait for my command… When it is given, send this army of beasts back to the fires of Zsorcraum from whence they came!”
* * *
Some time earlier, King Artrex and the spirit of Gerada Knesh Corian had observed from a distance as the armies of King Vantrax advanced on Te’oull. When the revalkas and graxoth began their attack and were engaged by the dragons, the two old soldiers were amazed and elated to see that the evil wizard was left standing on the small hill, guarded only by his manservant and ten of his warriors. Their delight was tempered somewhat however by the fact that all ten sentries were members of his elite Personal Guard. The two friends looked at each other immediately, both convinced that their time had come, and that they would never have a better opportunity of getting to King Vantrax.
“This is it!” hissed Artrex, with a gleam in his eye. “This is what you meant by my destiny, is it not? We were never meant to reach Te’oull. I have to kill my own brother. I must take his stone.”
Knesh Corian nodded. “Yes. I did warn you. I told you that you had a part to play yet. We have no time to waste. The land between us offers good cover, we should be able to approach unseen and move to within striking distance. From there, I will draw off his Guard, leaving you free to tackle your brother. Can you do it, given your wounds? Are you up to it, sire?”
King Artrex looked down upon his injured arm. He was still very weak and it was his sword arm. However, he knew he had no other option open to him but to try, for the good of his people, and the future of his world. “I will not lie to you Knesh, my friend. I would choose another time and place if I could. But, Vantrax was never good with a sword. If I can get to him quickly, before he uses his stone, his magic? Yes, I can do it. I will take that reolite of his and end his life, for that is what has to be. I will do it, or I will die in the attempt!”
Knesh Corian’s face was beaming with pride as he looked at his lifelong friend. “You know, in this land which breeds heroes in abundance, I can honestly say that I know of no braver soul than you, my King. I would follow no other… Save for your daughter. If anyone can do this thing, it is you.”
King Artrex smiled and thanked his loyal Gerada, almost forgetting that he was addressing a spirit, and not a living being. “Then let us go and steal this day. Time waits for no one. It is a day of reckoning, and it has already had its dawn.”
* * *
At the same time, Jake had just bid farewell to Resus, the elder of the dragons. He watched him soar upwards into the sky and rejoin the battle, before rushing with Tien to find Princess Zephany. Their brief conversation had been short and to the point, given the dire situation and the need for haste. Jake now had four of the five stones he needed to restore the box. The powers concealed therein he still did not understand fully, but he believed them to be sufficient to turn the tide of this crucial battle, and he hoped for all he was worth that he would know how to use them when the time came, in order to fulfil his destiny and defeat the vast armies of King Vantrax… Maybe even to kill the e
vil wizard himself.
Zephany stated that he should seek the final stone without delay, to try to use them and end the war before the Estians were overrun. But, Jake hesitated a little. He wanted Ben by his side. “I know the urgency, Princess, but please don’t challenge me on this? It has to be this way. Don’t ask me why, but he has to be there,” he’d insisted. “…Besides, I’ve already lost him twice now. I want him where I can see him, and protect him!”
Princess Zephany relented and informed Jake where he could find his friend. Not wishing to delay him even further, she said nothing about Jean. Tien sensed that something was amiss, that there was more to be said, but he went happily along with Jake as they searched through the carnage of Te’oull for their friends. Eventually, they found the teenager standing beside the stricken Verastus, who was clutching his huge hand over an open wound in his stomach. An old lady stood next to them. She was ridiculously out of place in the midst of a battle, but Jake scarcely noticed her as his heart suddenly leapt for joy and he raced to hug his friend. Like Ben, he was grinning from ear to ear, and crying joyous tears of relief.
“Alright, alright mate,” said Jake, when they had both calmed down a little. “No qualms about hugging me now then, eh?” he asked, remembering something Ben had said previously when he had to ride behind him on a horse. He pushed him away gently and looked him in the eye. Ben shook his head, realising that the comment had been juvenile. “…‘Bin some journey, hasn’t it? You don’t get all this in Lichfield. And it ain’t over yet. We’ve got to go and do battle with King Vantrax now. We have to steal his stone.”
“What?! Jake, are you certain that you know what you are doing? His powers are too strong, he will kill you!” Verastus objected.
“Nah, not really. To be honest with ya, I’m not sure of anything anymore,” answered Jake, truthfully. He stared down with concern at the Falorian’s wound. “…But then, I’ve been winging it from the very beginning, so that’s nothing new. Err… You’re wounded, and it looks bad? Shouldn’t you be resting, or getting help?”
“It is nothing.”
“Liar!” cried Ben instantly, with far more force, far more emotion than he meant to show.
“Frah! You need not worry about me, I will recover. You have far more important concerns, both of you. I promise that I will seek assistance as soon as the fighting is over. Does that satisfy you?” asked the gentle giant.
“It may satisfy them, but it does not satisfy me. Here, let me look at it,” Tien stated, moving forward to inspect the deep gash.
But to everyone’s surprise, Verastus objected once again, this time far more strongly. “Leave me be! There is no time. You have to get that stone. It is a thousand times more important than me. I will be fine I tell you. Now go!”
“But…” began the wizard.
“He’s right, Tien. We must leave now!” rasped Jake, interrupting just as vigorously. His face had hardened all of a sudden and he was overcome by a cold hearted look of determination. “Come on Ben, you’re coming with me this time.”
Ben tried to argue the point, but it was a half hearted attempt and the words petered out pathetically, as the youngster realised that he really didn’t know what to do for the best. Jake’s sudden and forceful resolve told him that it was not a request this time, it was an order. He had to go, no matter how much he did not want to leave Verastus behind. Deep inside, even though no one seemed willing or able to explain, he knew somehow that there would be a good reason why. “Okay then, if that’s the way you want it, Keeper… But, before we go, this is…”
Ben tried his best to introduce Jean to her grandson. She had remained in Verastus’ shadow all the time, patiently waiting for her turn to speak and seemingly invisible to Jake. Tears were in her eyes as she stepped forward slightly, sensing that her time had come.
However, the teenage Keeper was now in determined mood and nothing was going to distract him from the task in hand, or stop him from doing what he had to do. “Sorry, time’s up. We really have to go!”
Before anyone else could speak, the two winged horses reappeared from out of nowhere and landed before them, having been summoned by the Keeper moments before using the power of his mind. Jake ushered Ben quickly to the first stallion and mounted it, helping his friend to climb up behind him and ignoring all his protests.
“…I don’t mean to be rude mate, but this thing can’t wait. Now, no more talking and hold on to your hat Ben, me boy… This is gonna be short and swift. We’ve got a date to keep you and I and it won’t do to miss it. There’s one more battle to fight and my name’s written all over it, has been since the beginning of time apparently. Let’s do this thing… And then, maybe, we can finally go home!”
Chapter 16
3rd September - Outside Te’oull City - Siatol
King Vantrax’ entire body was now tingling with nervous anticipation. He was like an expectant father waiting for the birth of his child, as he watched the battle unfold before his very eyes. The evil wizard was standing on a small rise, situated on the fields which approached the city. His servant, Nytig, was by his side. As far as he could tell, everything appeared to be going well for his legions of hired and raised beasts. It was clear that after the initial assault by the Estian archers, who had hastily retaken their positions on the wall and managed to fire several salvos of well aimed arrows into his soldier’s ranks, his relentless attackers had quickly regained the momentum of their advance. The tyrant’s forces now stood on the wall itself, in almost every area he could see. Countless thousands were waiting below at the ladders to join them. To the King’s immense satisfaction and relief, he realised that the wall had been taken. The greatest obstacle in his way had fallen without so much as a decent fight. It would surely be only a matter of time now before the gates to Te’oull were opened and the city fell.
“Raar! They have done it, Nytig!” he roared with delight. “They are inside the wall. Nothing can stop me now. The Alliance is defeated and Te’oull is mine!”
“Yes, my lord. May I be the first to offer my congratulations? The hardest part is over, anyone can see that. Your victory on this day is assured,” Nytig answered, tamely. His voice was flat, betraying no hint at all of emotion, no joy or enthusiasm, a fact which neither bothered nor concerned his master.
The warriors of the King’s Personal Guard on the other hand, began celebrating and congratulating each other as if the battle and the war were already won, though most were looking upon the remarkable scene before them with mixed feelings, and envious eyes. “Do not trouble yourselves,” began the wizard, sensing their disappointment at missing out on the action. “After this day, we shall go on to take the rest of Siatol and Estia. There are still forces to fight, those foolish enough to resist me. We shall meet more opposition, and I promise you shall all have your fill of fighting before we are through. I will see to it.”
His words were greeted with unanimous approval, but the warrior’s cheers were interrupted suddenly by noises of a different kind. From within the long grass behind the ridge, they suddenly heard a very loud rustling sound. Startled a little by such an unexpected and unknown interruption, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned around to search the landscape before them with their eyes, cocking their ears to listen at the same time.
There it was again! There could be no mistaking the fact that there was a distinct movement in the tall grass ahead of them, as though a very large and clumsy creature was approaching their position. King Vantrax and his warriors scanned the entire area but they could see nothing untoward, nothing but grass, and a few trees.
“What was it, sire?” asked a suddenly very nervous Nytig. “What should we do?”
The King did not answer straight away. His warriors all drew their swords and closed ranks. Vantrax was certain now that someone or something was watching him. He could feel their eyes burning into his soul. Though he could not see them, he knew for sure that they were out there.
A few seconds of
tense silence followed, before the unnerved wizard eventually replied to his servant’s question. “I… I am not certain what it is, but I know something is out there. Remain where you are, we are being observed.”
Hearts began to beat a little faster as the uneasy quiet was suddenly disturbed by the sound of a large twig, or small branch, being snapped in two. The loud crack echoed across the landscape, sounding almost like thunder to those listening intently on the ledge. It almost seemed to rise above the noise of battle. To the experienced soldiers of the Personal Guard it was a planned, deliberate noise, or the foolish mistake of an incompetent warrior who had just sealed his own fate. They all turned immediately to the King, awaiting his orders.
“Well? What are you waiting for, you fools?” he barked at them, his nerves now frayed.
The soldiers began to run towards the unknown threat, but the King halted the nearest warrior before he had gone too far. “…Not you! You remain here with me. There may be others. Keep a sharp lookout and your sword at the ready.”