by Lisa Cassidy
Cayr found Alyx several hours later. It was mid-afternoon and she was out on a balcony watching Tarrick and Rothai conversing below as the warrior mages milled about, preparing themselves for departure. Jayn was amongst them, along with Tari, Nordan and Chestin. She was glad to have such warriors at her back.
“What brings you out here?” she asked.
He joined her, his right hand coming to rest close to hers. “I’m coming with you.”
Alyx was shaking her head before he’d even finished speaking. “No, you need to go back home and start rebuilding.”
“You and Dashan are going to face Shakar. I can’t just walk away from that.” His voice pleaded with her. “Alyx, the both of you are my family and I’m yours. It’s always been like that and it always will be.”
“I know. But you are also the king of Rionn, and you are responsible for your people. You have to go back.”
“Alyx, please,” Cayr whispered.
Her heart tore for him, but she was resolute. “I’m sorry. You know I’m right.”
He gripped her arm, blue eyes intense on hers. “Promise me you’ll come back, that you’ll be okay.”
“I promise to do my best to come back home, Cayr, and to bring Dash back home with me.”
He stepped forward to pull her into a hug. “I love you, Alyx. Always have, and always will.”
“Me too.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and they hugged for a long time. “There’s something else I need from you, Cayr. It’s big.”
“Anything,” he promised. “I swear it.”
She took a deep breath, and told him. He flinched, the pain returning to his eyes, but his voice was strong when he spoke. “I want her to have her chance at vengeance. As much as I fear…of course my answer is yes.”
“Thank you.” She smiled through her tears. “Now go back to Rionn and make sure I have a home to come back to.”
Dawn appeared just as Cayr was leaving. Alyx scrubbed at her face, but Dawn didn’t miss the wetness on her cheeks.
“Are you all right?” she asked softly.
Alyx cleared her throat. “I hope I see him again.”
“You will.” Dawn linked her arm through Alyx’s. “We’re going to get through this. You have your mages now, heart and soul. Rothai made sure of that. You are going to beat Shakar, and everything will be all right.”
“I wish I were that confident,” Alyx said. “I’ve seen and felt his power. I don’t know that I can beat that.”
“It’s not going to be about that, though, is it?” Dawn gave her a knowing look.
Alyx smiled sadly. “No. But even so, I’m kidding myself to think I can beat him. You haven’t felt his strength, not like I have. Shakar is just a concept to you; you’ve heard stories that he is powerful and could not be defeated, but you’ve seen me, so you think I can match him. But I think we’re all wrong.”
Dawn frowned in concern. “Where is this coming from? You sounded so confident about facing Shakar earlier.”
“Saying goodbye to Cayr…I realised I might never see him again. And I’m afraid. I’m afraid for myself, but I’m more afraid for the people I love. And when I think about it—I don’t know if I can do it.”
“You’re not the only one. We’ll all be there with you.”
“Dawn…”
“Alyx, who is your most powerful telepath warrior mage?”
She managed a smile. “You are.”
“I will be there, and I will help you defeat Shakar,” Dawn said quietly. “One way or another, Alyx. We’ll all be there.”
Chapter 48
They left Karonan at dusk. Finally being on the move did little to calm Alyx’s anxiety. It would be nearly two weeks before they could reach DarkSkull Hall and she fretted every moment that Brynn was in Shakar’s hands.
Cayr had given them his entire force of Bluecoats—led by Tijer—and Taliath for the final fight, taking only his army back to Alistriem. While she appreciated his sacrifice, it only added to her worry—if she didn’t manage to kill Shakar, Alistriem would be horribly vulnerable.
In addition to the Bluecoats, sixty-three warrior mages, eight Taliath and a hundred mounted militia under Captain Rodin travelled at Alyx’s back. She hoped it would be enough.
After ten days of hard riding they encamped just to the west of Weeping Stead, giving horses and soldiers a rest. Dashan and Ladan found them as night fell. Alyx sat anxiously at a fire with Tarrick, Finn, and Dawn. She waved Tijer and Rothai over to join them.
“He’s there all right.” Dashan hunkered down beside her.
“There are at least a thousand Shiven fighters deployed throughout the valley, and I think it’s safe to assume they’re not listening to the new council’s order to retreat,” Ladan said. “It’s a significant force.”
“One that far outnumbers ours,” Dashan added.
“With militia and Taliath help, we Bluecoats can handle it, sir,” Tijer spoke confidently.
“You will have to,” Tarrick said gravely. “The warrior mages will be needed to deal with Shakar’s mages.” He glanced at the two Taliath. “I assume he’s got mages in that valley too?”
A sharp nod from Ladan. “It was hard to tell exactly because they seemed to be staying inside, but I’d guess more than seventy.”
Finn sucked in a breath. “That has to be Shakar’s entire mage force. He’s putting everything he has into this.” His eyes met hers. It was what they’d hoped for. But even then she couldn’t feel satisfied, not with Brynn at Shakar’s mercy.
“He’s taking no chances.” Tarrick nodded.
“He’s making a mistake,” Dashan said decisively. “If he gets beaten here, he’ll have nothing left.”
Exactly. She flicked another look at Finn. He couldn’t smile either. Tears suddenly flooded her eyes—Oh, Brynn, your magic may yet have won this for us.
If I’m strong enough.
The following morning, a militia patrol scouting their back trail intercepted well over a hundred Shiven warriors in hot pursuit. They’d literally been running almost non-stop to catch up with Alyx’s force.
Dashan rode out to speak with them. An hour later, she watched open-mouthed as he returned, Shiven warriors streaming behind him at a steady, loping run. When they reached the edge of the encampment, they halted and formed up in even rows. Dashan rode forward, a muscular Shiven warrior running at his stirrup.
“This is Commander Hastor. He and his boys have come to join us.” Dashan told her and Tarrick with a grin.
“Really?” Tarrick was completely taken aback.
“Astohar spoke to the council for many hours after you left, Magor-lier. He argued that if we don’t help you destroy Shakar, we can never be true allies,” Hastor said gruffly. “The council agreed with him. Not many liked us coming, but we felt it was our duty.”
She met his dark Shiven gaze. “Your countrymen are in that valley, Commander Hastor. If you join me, you’ll be fighting them.”
“They’ve disobeyed an order to retreat,” he said coldly. “That makes them traitors.”
Alyx offered him her hand. “In that case, you are very welcome.”
He seemed momentarily surprised, but reached forward to shake her hand. His grip was firm, as solid as he was.
“Come on, Commander. I’ll help you and your men settle in,” Dashan offered.
Alyx turned to see Tarrick’s gaze was distant, something like pain on his face. “Hey, are you okay?”
He wouldn’t look at her, jaw clenched. “My countrymen shame me. They should be here.”
Her hand settled lightly on his arm. “You’re here, Tarrick Tylender. And that’s enough for me.”
That afternoon, Dashan and Ladan led Alyx and Tarrick up the valley wall from the west, forsaking the main road. Before cresting the rise, they dismounted and left their horses before walking the remainder of the way. Then, keeping hidden within the trees, they crept up to look down at the wide, magnificent valley below.
D
rifts of fallen snow lay scattered across the open space, and the lake in front of the main hall was frozen over. A bitter wind whipped up, making Alyx shiver. The presence of Shiven warriors was obvious—tents clustered at the northern end of the valley, and several hundred of them were drilling furiously by the lake, despite the cold.
“See the lookouts along the top of the valley wall.” Dashan pointed.
“I can’t see anything.” Alyx squinted, but all she could make out was trees and snow.
“Me neither,” Tarrick said. “Are you sure?”
Ladan nodded. “I’m betting he’s got lookouts all through those hills to the north and south too.”
“He’s prepared for us,” Dashan murmured. “One of the Taliath reported Shiven scouts to the east of Weeping Stead late last night. They killed two of them, but if there was one patrol, there will be others.”
“Shakar has mages too, and they only need one telepath to have known the moment we rode into range,” Alyx said. “He knows we’re here.”
“He’s not moving out to engage us, though.” Dashan considered.
“He has the defensible position,” Ladan said, turning to give Alyx a stern look. “He wants the Magor-lier to come to him.”
“As expected. Let’s not keep him waiting,” Tarrick said.
“Tarrick’s right, there’s no sense in waiting. We move tonight.” Alyx nodded.
As they climbed back down to the horses, Alyx grabbed Dashan’s arm, holding him back.
“Everything okay?” he asked in concern.
“We need to talk,” she said steadily. “About what I need you to do tonight.”
As dusk fell, they gathered together in the centre of the camp. By then, Dawn and Rody had confirmed the presence of mages in the valley. Many were shielded, but Dawn was confident there were more than fifty.
Shakar was there too. She could feel his presence like a blight on her magic.
“Let’s go over it one more time,” Tarrick said to the group clustered around the fire. “Dashan?”
“Under Ladan’s and my command, the conventional forces launch their assault at midnight,” Dashan said. “Tijer, under Ladan you’ll lead the Bluecoats from the north to engage that group of Shiven. Rodin, I’ll bring your boys and the Shiven from the south. Ideally, we’ll force Shakar’s soldiers out onto the open floor of the valley where our cavalry will have the advantage. If the battle starts going our way, it’s likely Shakar will send his mages into the fight.”
“That’s where I come in,” Dawn spoke. “I’ll be positioned at the top of the valley wall, monitoring Shakar’s mages. If they join the conventional fight, I’ll signal Rothai to counter-attack with our mages. If they don’t, Rothai will hold the mages ready for whatever Shakar has planned.”
“Your role is critical, Mage Egalion,” Tijer said soberly. “Our men will be decimated if Shakar’s mages attack us without the protection of yours.”
“I won’t let you down,” Dawn said calmly.
Alyx nodded. “Once the battle starts, Tarrick, Jayn, Finn, and I will sneak in from the east, using the fighting as a distraction. We’re looking to get Brynn out.”
“Third Patrol, back in action.” Finn smiled faintly.
“Dawn, I need you to locate Brynn and lead us to him. I could do it, but the longer I can conserve my power and energy, the better. Once we have him, Finn will get Brynn out while the rest of us go for Shakar.” She glanced away, not wanting any of them to read her true intentions from her expression. Across the fire, Dashan’s eyes glimmered at her. She gave him a reassuring smile. He didn’t look reassured.
“Once we’ve defeated Shakar’s conventional forces, Dashan and I will pull back from the valley floor,” Ladan said.
“I believe this is when Shakar will call on his mages, not before,” Rothai said. “He’ll hope his Shiven army can defeat ours, but won’t be overly concerned if they don’t, because he’ll still have his mages.”
“That fight is yours, Rothai,” she told him. “I won’t be able to fight Shakar and his mages at the same time.”
He inclined his head.
“I’d better talk to my men.” Tijer stood. “If we’re to attack at midnight, I want to make sure we move early enough to be in position at the right time.”
A hush of silence, fraught with an intense mix of anticipation and tension, filled the camp as they waited for the appointed time to move. They all understood the magnitude of what they were about to face, and all knew the dire consequences if they failed. And in the back of their minds was the knowledge that if Alyx didn’t manage to defeat Shakar, it wouldn’t matter if they’d beaten the Shiven fighters and mages; they’d likely be dead by morning.
The Bluecoats grouped around their fires, quietly playing cards. The Shiven warriors carefully sharpened and polished their weapons. The militia joined the Bluecoats in their card games, and the mages talked softly, planning the best way to use and employ their various mage talents.
Alyx leaned against a log at the central fire, Dashan’s arm draped around her shoulders. Dawn was curled up beside Ladan opposite them, with Tarrick and Finn between them.
“Do you remember the first time we rode through the gates of DarkSkull?” Dawn asked softly.
“I do.” Half of her had been with Dashan, the warmth of his hug lingering even though he’d ridden away moments earlier. The other had been afraid of what came next. And all of her had been hungry and cold. She’d been spoiled and arrogant and utterly unprepared for DarkSkull. And now here she was, powerful mage warrior and leader of the mage order. Unbelievable.
“You were still making us call you Lady Egalion back then.” Finn chuckled.
“And Ladan was scary,” Jayn added, grinning wider as he scowled. “You refused to speak a word for weeks, and even though you had no magic you decimated anyone Rothai partnered you with at morning sparring.”
“And I thought getting into Galien’s group was the most important thing ever.” Tarrick shook his head. “I had no idea.”
“The moment I rode away I wanted to come back.” Dashan’s voice was rough. “And not just for Alyx.”
She leaned into him, his arm tightening a little around her. The twins beamed at him across the fire.
“And look at us now.” Dawn smiled distantly. “Mage warriors and Taliath.”
There was silence for a moment as they all looked at each other.
Eventually, Ladan glanced up at the stars. “Time to go.”
Alyx stood first. “We do this together.”
Chapter 49
Almost as one, the camp moved into action when Alyx stood.
Ladan and Dashan were the first to leave, both young men giving her stern looks from the saddle.
“No stupid risks, Aly-girl.”
“Promise,” she said. “I will see you soon.”
“You better mean that, mage-girl,” Dashan muttered, leaning down to kiss her hard. She slid her hand around his neck, prolonging the kiss.
“See you soon, Dash.”
Ladan barked an order and kicked his horse into a gallop. With a jaunty tip of his hat, Tijer led the Bluecoats after him at a fast trot, Casta giving Alyx a wink as he joined Tijer at the head of the column.
Tearing his eyes away from Alyx, Dashan spurred his horse over to the militia. “Let’s ride!” he whooped. Affected by his enthusiasm, they cheered, urging their horses after him into the darkness. Hastor flashed a fierce smile full of teeth and he and his Shiven fell in behind the militia at an easy lope.
Once they were gone, hoofbeats vanishing into the distance, the Taliath gathered in the clearing; young men and women who had managed to escape the Mage Council’s hunting and who had trained on ShadowFall Island under Alyx’s father. And another. Cayr’s final gift to Alyx—Jenna, Huntress sheathed at her waist. Around them came the mages, standing in a single, unified group.
“Mages and Taliath fight together?” Tarrick smiled at Alyx.
“As it should always ha
ve been,” she murmured.
“Good luck, Magor-lier.” Rothai bowed before her.
Alyx caught his gaze. “Win this fight for me, Rothai, and I’ll do my best to avenge the deaths of your family.”
Rothai straightened, his blue eyes flaring brightly before settling into ice-cold focus. He nodded once, then turned to call the mages and Taliath to him. Dawn joined them after a fierce hug from her twin.
“Be safe,” Alyx sent to Dawn’s mind.
“You too. I’ll be with you, Alyx. I love you.”
Then they too were gone, moving up over the ridge. They would wait at the summit with Dawn, ready to be called into the fight once Shakar’s mages engaged. Only the members of Third Patrol remained now, and as Alyx looked at them all one by one, she saw only steady determination. It bolstered her.
“We’d best go,” Finn said.
Alyx nodded, smiled as Jayn brought Tingo over to her. He snorted and butted her shoulder affectionately. She curled her hands in his silky mane, taking strength from an old companion.
“It will be just like old times.” Finn grinned. “Tarrick and Alyx trying to see who can beat the other up the valley wall.”
Jayn snorted. “I’m going to beat all of you up the wall.”
They rode through darkness, carefully shielding. The echoing clash of fighting broke out as they reached the top of the valley wall. Alyx thought briefly of the soldiers fighting for them, and wished them all the best, before focusing on what was ahead of her.
“Remember last time we made this trip?” Tarrick murmured in the darkness, white teeth flashing.
“Not the best memory to recall in these circumstances.” Alyx smiled. It had been the night her magic broke out for the first time—a nightmare experience of fear and pain, and yet that night cemented the friendship between her, Tarrick, and the twins. A friendship that had survived everything that had come since. Finn glanced over at her with a little smile and she hoped he was thinking the same thing.