Beverly swept her sword down, and the disciplined line of horsemen changed course, urging their horses into a full charge. The enemy drew closer. This was it, the moment of impact.
Lightning surged ahead, and she struck out at a spearman that tried to impale her. The sword bit deep into the wooden shaft, sending her attacker staggering back. Other horsemen rode into the gap, widening it as their blades rose and fell, dealing out death and destruction.
From her vantage point atop her mount, she caught sight of the enemy's reserves. The defenders sent a new crop of soldiers forward to reinforce the line, and suddenly her riders were facing twice the numbers.
Lightning struck out with a hoof, pushing a man to the ground as her sword struck another. She felt herself jostled as horses careened into her, the close proximity of the fighting crushing them together in a massive melee that stretched left and right.
Troops were starting to flank the attack now, and she recognized the danger they were in. They had pushed partway through the line, but the enemy had pulled back, drawing them in. Now their flanks were exposed, and reinforcements were beginning to encircle them.
She gathered her wits, looking down at the hammer that hung from her saddle. She jammed her sword back into the scabbard, the blood clogging it as she did so. Unhooking the hammer, she swung it a few times to get a feel for it, then launched Lightning forward.
She struck out with Nature's Fury, the head easily crushing a spearman's helmet. Back and forth the weapon flew as she swung it, crashing through a spear, smashing it to splinters and driving into someone's chest. Then, she backhanded it, again crushing her opponent, this time driving into a shoulder.
The noise was tremendous as the sound of fighting intensified. The clang of sword against sword, of weapons striking armour, of men and horses horribly mutilated, rang in her ears. A distant shout grabbed her attention, and then the enemy began to give way. She rose in her stirrups, glancing east to see a flood of people pouring into the rear of the enemy lines. She looked behind her and saw the Kurathian horse, breaking the encirclement. It had worked!
All around her the enemy fled, some dropping their weapons while others simply sank to their knees, their hands held up high. Beverly pushed through the confusion to spot a new group of men behind the enemy lines and immediately recognized Hayley. The ranger was with the Orcs who were firing off arrows into the melee.
Spotting a Weldwyn flag flying from the northern rampart, she realized the victory was complete. Turning to congratulate her troops, a wailing shriek cut across the battlefield to send shivers to her very core.
Twenty
The Tower
Spring 962 MC
Gerald heard the sound, for it was impossible to miss. It cut through the din of battle, reverberating throughout the Margel Hills. It grated the nerves, sent shivers up everyone's spine and as one, the soldiers turned their gaze south, to the stone keep.
High atop it, a screech issued forth again and then a nightmarish creature emerged, peering above the battlements. At first, it appeared to be a giant man, its head, torso and arms very humanlike, but as Gerald's eyes watched, it dragged itself over top of the crenellations and started crawling down the side of the tower, head first. It was then that its lower torso came into view to the disgust of those watching. It looked as though the giant creature had been ripped apart at the waist, trailing a sickly green ichor that clung to the stones of the keep as it descended.
When it reached the ground, almost the entire head opened to reveal razor sharp teeth, the mouth some obscene mix of shark and man.
More keening issued out from on top the keep, and then three more creatures appeared, each pausing to let out their terrible shrieks.
"What in Saxnor's name are those?" called out Gerald.
Everyone watched in horrified silence as the next three creatures crawled down the stonework. The first waited for its companions and then raised itself on its arms, scurrying toward the gathered armies, the others following along behind. Despite its ungainly appearance, it moved rapidly, making a straight line for the Mercerian horsemen.
"Gods help us," uttered Anna.
* * *
Beverly looked on in disbelief. The vile creature charged, plowing into the cavalry. She saw horses flying through the air, and then the strange creature struck out with one hand, its rake like claws ripping flesh from bone.
She tried to wheel Lightning around, but the press of horseflesh here was too tight, leaving no room to manoeuvre. A scream burst out, and then a heavy cavalryman flew through the air, hitting the ground beside her. Horses panicked, rushing past with wild abandon. She saw someone take a swipe at the creature, but the sword bounced harmlessly off its back. The thing twisted its neck at an impossible angle and plucked the soldier from the ground, leaving behind only the man's legs as it tore him asunder.
"Back, back!" she screamed.
The nightmarish monster lunged forward again, now joined by its companions. She watched in horror as they moved through the warriors like a scythe through wheat, cutting them down where they stood.
Off to the right, a small group of riders had abandoned their horses and were trying to form a small knot of resistance, but the first creature simply ran into them, snapping up one in its great teeth while it pummelled the others with its strange arms.
A stench overwhelmed the red-headed knight as the fumes from the green slime reached her. She raised her visor and turned to the side to retch. Death and destruction surrounded her; their victory had just turned into a rout.
Other horses fled, but Lightning held his ground. She urged him on, her hammer grasped firmly in her hand. The lead creature drew closer and let out a shriek, its open mouth spewing forth spittle that covered her helmet, splashing her face. On she rode, Nature's Fury at the ready. She swung with all her might, the hammer taking the creature in the shoulder. It let out an ear-piercing screech, snapping at her as she rode by.
She cleared the first creature, having inflicted a wound, but suddenly Beverly was pitched from the saddle. She hit the ground hard, her left shoulder taking the brunt of the force. Her head spun as she lay there a moment, but then a sickening wail brought her upright. The monster had attacked as she rode by and now the creature's mighty jaws snapped shut, tearing the leg from her steed. Lightning collapsed to the ground, blood gushing forth, even as his body skidded forward.
Beverly forced herself to rise, stumbling slightly when her vision swam. As she focused, all around her was chaos; men and horses ran, desperate to get to safety, but the creatures were faster, picking them off in groups.
She staggered forward, reached Lightning, but the poor mount's eyes were wild with pain. The lead creature moved closer, took a look at her and opened its maw, revealing the rows of teeth waiting to take her life.
Beverly reacted without thinking, swinging the hammer with all her might. The head of Nature's Fury hit the creature squarely in the mouth, breaking off a portion of its jaw. It pulled back its head, swiping at the knight with its arm, and Beverly swung again. This time the hammer struck its claw, the sound of bone breaking echoing across the field. Again and again, she attacked, her weapon seeming to take on a life of its own.
She stepped forward, heedless of the danger and swung out once more. It clipped the thing's arm, tearing off a chunk of flesh. The hammer was glowing now, its head almost afire with light. Faster and faster she lashed out, driving the weapon onto the mocking face. Finally, the creature collapsed, letting forth a terrible wail that echoed in Beverly’s head.
She stood panting, her breath ragged, muscles aching with the effort. A sound behind reminded her she was not yet done, and so she turned to see the three that remained. They were in a rough line abreast, running toward her with inhuman speed. Beverly swung the hammer over her head, striking the area before her. She wasn't sure why she did so, but the ground reverberated, and then vines shot out of the place she hit, crawling across the intervening distance to wrap themselves
around one of the creatures, holding it in place.
The last two didn't so much as blink. They kept coming, and the knight dove aside as they sailed past. She swung as she rolled, feeling the hammer strike flesh, but as she came to her feet, Beverly could detect no wound on either of her enemies. The creatures, moving so swiftly, overshot her and now, as they turned, she rushed forward. Her left arm was useless, her shoulder torn, but she gripped the hammer in her right, ready to attack.
It wasn't until they had completed their about-face that she saw where the damage had been done. A section of abdomen was missing from the left one, the flesh hanging loosely as a thick fluid oozed out. The stench of the slime burned her lungs, but she continued onward. They were heading straight for her, and at the last moment, she dropped down, landing on her back and swinging the hammer over her head in desperation. It sank into flesh even as jaws of death reached out for her.
The hammer caught on bone, and she was jolted as the creature's momentum dragged her forward. It tried to turn on her, but its own body protected her. The monstrosity pivoted in place now, desperate to remove the unwanted knight. She managed to rise to her feet, tore the hammer from its anchor and swung again. She struck the open wound, the hammer sinking farther into the putrefying flesh. The creature lurched to the side and then collapsed, almost crushing her.
There were two left now as she staggered away from the body. The fourth lurched toward her, barely slowed by the hole in its side. She stood her ground, waiting. Its teeth, dripping with blood and gore came at her, ready to tear her limb from limb. Beverly went to one knee, bracing herself for impact as she lunged forward, driving her hammer into the side of the creature's head. Nature's Fury struck deep, penetrating through bone and muscle.
The creature reared up, dragging her off her feet. She flailed about wildly, trying to keep her legs free of the grasping mouth. She was tossed into the air as it reared its head, with only the hammer keeping her anchored. Down she came with a tremendous crash, her legs wrapping around the creature's head. She hauled back on the hammer, pulling it free, almost tumbling from her perch, but before the creature could react, she struck again, sending Nature's Fury through its brain.
It fell heavily, throwing her to the ground. She felt her leg snap with the impact, knew her shoulder was dislocated, but something drove her on. She rolled as best she could, the body almost crushing her beneath its weight.
Her vision blurred, her body in anguish, she pulled the helmet from her head, tossing it to the side in an attempt to breathe. The last creature loomed above her, having broken free of its restraining vines. Its teeth hovered over her, ready to end her life. Her head spun, and she glanced over, but Nature's Fury had fallen from her grasp to lie just out of reach. All she could do was raise her arm in a pitiful gesture to shield herself.
The maw came towards her but missed. Beverly scooted backwards with her uninjured arm and leg, disbelieving her eyes. It snapped at her, just out of reach and she looked to see Lightning. The creature had run past her horse, but now, despite losing its leg, her mighty Mercerian Charger bit what passed for the creature's lower torso, using his teeth to hold it in place.
The hammer came into sharp focus, and she knew what she had to do. Her leg broken, she did the only thing she could and rolled directly beneath the vile monstrosity. Her hand instinctively grabbed the hammer, and a sense of calm came over her.
When the creature turned on Lightning, Beverly struck. The hammer swung as she yelled, "Leave..." she struck again, her breath ragged, "my horse..." a third time she struck, "alone!"
There was a flash from the head of the hammer as the light caught it and then the creature fell on top of her, dead. An eerie silence descended, punctuated only by her ragged breathing and the laboured cries of her horse. Then she heard her name being called. Her lungs were burning, eyes tearing up as the fumes from the hideous beasts took their toll.
Time seemed to stand still. There were shouts of alarm and then people came closer. She saw Revi Bloom standing over her, saying something, his voice harsh and cracking.
"Lightning..." she stammered.
Revi knelt, his hands glowing as he laid them on her leg. She felt the warmth spreading through her, but her lungs were still on fire.
"Let's get you out of here," he croaked, "it's hard to breathe."
Helping hands lifted the creature off of her, then bore her away from the scene. "Where is my horse?" she asked.
"I have him," came a familiar voice.
A group of men carried her now, kerchiefs over their faces to shield them from the burning fumes. A figure hunched over Lightning, the mighty charger in his last throes of death. Tears came to her eyes, not from the fumes this time, but from immense sadness.
"No!" she tried to yell, "not Lightning! Put me down, I must see him."
Revi nodded, and they carried her back to him, where he lay on his side, the ground soaked with blood. Beverly pulled forth her dagger. "I'll do it," she said, "it should be me that releases him."
"Not so fast, Cousin," Aubrey stood there, looking over the noble beast. “I can save him."
"What good is a horse without a leg?” asked a warrior.
"I'll grow him a new one," she replied.
Revi looked up in surprise, "You can regenerate flesh?"
Aubrey looked at him, "I learned quite a few new spells, Master Bloom. I am, after all, a healer, like my great-grandmother." She began casting a spell.
"What's she doing?" asked Beverly.
"That's not regeneration, it's a simple healing spell. Aubrey needs to stabilize Lightning so we can get him away from these..." Revi waved his hands around, "fumes. Regeneration takes time we haven't got at this moment. Now, let's get you to safety. Don't worry, Aubrey will do her best to save Lightning."
* * *
Beverly looked up from the bed. She lay in Princess Anna's tent, off to the side while others discussed matters of great importance.
"Bev, you're awake," said Hayley, looming over her. "We thought we'd lost you."
"You did it," said Anna, "you saved the army."
"You seem to be making a habit of that," added Gerald. "Perhaps next time you can do it without almost killing yourself."
"Those creatures, what were they?" she asked.
"Nightmares," called out the voice of Arnim Caster, "at least that's what I'd call them."
"Not this time, Arnim," countered the princess. "Those creatures have names already; they're called Blights."
"I've heard of those," said Revi. "Aren't they supposed to guard the Underworld?"
"Yes," Anna agreed, "according to legends, anyway."
"Why Blights?" asked Beverly.
"They blight the land," explained Anna. "That ichor they produce will prevent anything growing for years. You're lucky you weren't exposed to it for too long."
"Wasn't I covered in the stuff?" asked Beverly.
"Yes, but I was there," added Revi. "The damage was undone thanks to my ability to remove toxins. I'm afraid you're going to need to rest a few days, the battle still took its toll on you."
"What about Lightning?" she asked. "Is he still alive?"
"Yes, Aubrey assures me he'll recover. She's in the process of regenerating his leg. It takes some time, several days at least, perhaps as long as a week. You can't regenerate a leg in a day."
"What about the tower?" she asked. "There could be more creatures inside."
"Yes," agreed Gerald, "precisely what we've been discussing. For now, we've been victorious, although we almost lost everything. Those creatures-"
"Blights," corrected Anna.
"Yes, those Blights tore into us, inflicting tremendous casualties. I'm afraid they did more damage than the rest of the army. We don't have much left to march to Bodden's aid."
"But we still need to take the tower," protested Beverly.
"That we do," replied Gerald, "but we must be careful."
"I have a plan," said Beverly.
"Yo
u need to rest, you've taken a beating," interjected Hayley.
"Gerald, listen to me," the knight pleaded. "I have to lead the assault. I'm the only one that can use that hammer."
"But who would accompany you?" asked the general.
"The Dwarves," said Anna.
"The Dwarves?" asked Gerald.
"She's right," added Beverly. "Remember the creature back in Loranguard?"
"The Soul Eater?" said Hayley.
"Yes," continued the red-headed knight. "The princess's Dwarven sword cut its flesh. The Dwarves have lots of weapons like that. It's the only way we can take the keep."
"But you're too weak, Bev," pleaded Hayley.
"Get Kiren-Jool," she replied. "He can give me the energy to carry on. I'll rest once the keep is clear."
"I hate to say it," said Gerald, "but she has a point."
"I don't like it," said Anna, "but I don't see any other way."
"Let me take the hammer," said Arnim.
"I admire your courage," said Gerald, "but a hammer is not an easy weapon to wield. I'm afraid Beverly is correct. Send for the Kurathian Enchanter."
* * *
They stared across the field at the tower that stood in defiance of their presence. The bodies of the Blights were still visible, giving off a stench that drifted toward them; even the crows wouldn't approach.
Kiren-Jool completed his enchantment, lowering his hands as the glow faded. "It is done," he said, "but I warn you, Dame Beverly, when this is over, you will have to rest for a long time."
"How much time?" she asked.
“Many hours, perhaps days. The effects of the spell should last long enough for you to take the tower, Saints willing."
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