Night Queen (Elven-Trinity Book 6)

by Mark Albany

  We were used to being able to trust Braire on those sorts of things, and riding was far, far superior to walking the whole way. It only that it took us all a few days to ride from the northern borders of the empire back to the capital.

  We had been sent to scout the strength of the forces that were being assembled against us, and we had done that before working to clear the beasts from the area and allowing the refugees time to escape back to the southern cities that had more protection.

  Or were further away from the monsters that were assembling in the north.

  Those few that we had managed to clear were only a drop in a very, very violent ocean, but they had been enough to allow for the five of us to pull back to report what we’d found.

  Therein ended the good news. The bad news was that the forces heading south were unlike any army that had ever been seen before. We could only hope that the troops that the emperor had been assembling before we left were of comparable size. The five of us were powerful enough, but Abarat himself was going to prove challenging enough without having to face a whole horde of creatures he had summoned.

  None of us were sure where the vast army had come from, although Norel suggested that he had brought those that Cyron had caused to rise up from the dungeons, and had found in the graveyards and battlefields of the elven wars in the past, using them as a foundation for his army.

  That was neither here nor there. How Abarat had acquired his army was not really relevant to how we were going to be dealing with them. Or maybe it was.

  The horses carried us towards the capital city where we could see the walls already almost completely rebuilt, with hundreds of scaffolds erected to allow the inhabitants to put the stones and gates together. Outside of the city, we could see a city of tents pitched, thousands of soldiers in armor working on digging trenches and setting the place up as more and more were gathering to fill the ranks.

  Not all of them would be the guards that were legendary for guarding the Imperial City, but they would be wearing armor that would negate the magical attacks that Abarat would be sending their way, and they were going to be trained in how to hold a shield wall and stab monsters with spears.

  They were mostly comprised of the refugees that had run away from oncoming force and were more than willing to help with the defense of the empire if it meant taking their homes back.

  As we rode in closer, I could see that the army did not solely consist of humans either. Those elves that had been imprisoned were released and knowing that a similar fate would be waiting for them if Abarat had his way, had decided to join the fighting force, not only taking up arms themselves but helping those that needed training in military tactics and spell-casting.

  There weren’t many of the latter, but those few that could help from the emperor’s court were learning more about magic over the last three weeks than they had in their entire lives.

  I could practically feel the vibrancy in the city as we rode through one of the gates that was still being repaired. People were afraid, of course. Stories were seeping through of the horrors that had befallen those towns and villages that had been attacked up north. There was the realization that those same horrors would be visited on every city and town in the empire and beyond should they not be stopped.

  But, interestingly enough, I found that these stories had not only brought the people together in a way that only an outside threat could, but had made them a little braver, a little stronger. Hundreds were still flocking in to join the war effort, either in taking up arms themselves, or finding some way to bring in food for the army, or helping blacksmiths, fletchers and wood carvers to supply them with weapons.

  It was a heartening sight, one that lifted my spirits as we rode through the streets, heading up towards the palace. Those guards that were still maintaining order in the city were quick to move out of our way, allowing the horses to head straight up to the palace where there were already stable hands waiting to take the horses in to feed and water them as we headed into the palace itself.

  The place was still as magnificent as I remembered it being, with all the trappings and decorations that showed the eminence of the person who held the throne. While none of that was lost, the feeling was that the powers and politics of the high office were somewhat lost in these trying times. The hallways were full of messengers being sent off, aides taking orders and a variety of commanders of the troops assembled outside the gates discussing battle plans and strategies.

  All pulled away as the five of us marched through, not wanting to get in the way as they were headed up to the higher levels where a war room had been assembled. Most of the people involved were the more powerful mages that the emperor had at his disposal, as well as a select group of generals and commanders of the troops, and a series of economic advisers that were helping to organize the imperial treasury that would allow for them to pay for all of this.

  Each was as important as the last, and while I could see a great many arguments being held in this room, they were also all working towards reaching a common goal; stopping a threat the likes of which would not be seen again in their lifetimes, and maybe a few after that.

  I could tell that Norel, Braire, and Lyth were pleased to see a group of Elven commanders also taking their places around the massive, round table that also held a map of the empire. The troops that were being gathered were represented on the map with small, red griffons, the emperor’s seal, while the threat in the north was represented by a grouping of blue blocks.

  Blocks that I noted were a little too far north for accuracy.

  The emperor looked up from the papers that a couple of treasurers had placed in front of him as we approached the smaller copy of his throne that had been set up in the war room.

  “Welcome back,” he said, his voice booming through the room. “I heard that you were approaching the city. I would have been out there to greet you on your return, but...”

  “You found yourself bound by more pressing concerns,” Lyth said with a small smile. “I do have to say, we are impressed by the advances that you have made on the war effort.”

  “Your grace,” the emperor said, bowing gently at the hip to the elf queen, a small smile on his lips. “Well, you would be awestruck by what can be done when your empire isn’t subtly under the control of a powerful elf mage with intentions to end the world as we know it.”

  “Well, yes, I suppose,” I said, moving over to the table, running my fingers over the map on it. “But it’s still impressive what humans and elves can do when faced with an overwhelming outside threat.”

  “Indeed, you are right, Varion Grant,” the emperor said with a small smile, placing a hand on my shoulder. “And we do need to find a higher appointment for you before this is all through. I have been thinking... Official. Like Faye.”

  “I... would be honored, my liege,” I replied. “But for the moment, I think that we should be focusing on what was seen and heard up in the north.”

  “Well, the reports that we have thus far have been from the refugees, fleeing the onslaught,” the emperor said, indicating for one of his generals to start filling in.

  The man that stepped up to the task was lean, shorter with graying hair and a stern look about him. “From the words of the survivors, we have lost Holmen and the East Ridge to the attacks. Those soldiers that were stationed there remained on the walls to buy the people fleeing the attackers time. Little was heard from them. All of the other towns between Abarat’s horde and the capital have been evacuated, with food and supplies being brought down with the refugees.”

  “Well, that does mean fewer mouths for us to feed,” the emperor said, shrugging his shoulders. “The city’s storage of food was relatively untouched in the previous attacks, but we already have the city on strict rations to avoid letting anyone starve in the months to come. We can only hope that this is a very short and successful war, since as winter approaches, the longer that the fighting lasts, the less relevant the results of the actual battle
s will be.”

  Lyth leaned in closer to me. “If a protracted siege were to develop, all those that would have died at the hands of the undead army would just be dying of hunger and sickness instead.”

  I nodded, understanding the concept. The fact remained that even with the numbers that had been assembled, and were growing every day, they were vastly outnumbered by the horde that Abarat had on his side. Whichever way it was cut, the battle would be a long and arduous affair. The soldiers were well-led by trained and experienced commanders and generals, which meant that it was going to last even longer than if they didn’t.

  There had to be some kind of way for us to weaken the enemy forces from within. The five of us were the crack troops that could be used for infiltration and striking of strategic targets, but when the enemy was made up of a horde of monsters, there were few of those to begin with.

  “Well,” Norel said, “we do have reports from the north. The enemy is advancing a great deal faster than anticipated. We encountered a few raiding parties that were sent south to attack the refugees that were lagging behind. Those that were intercepted were dealt with as decisively as we could manage, but that won’t stop more from being sent.”

  “We need to send advance troops to protect those running from Abarat’s forces,” the emperor said, scratching at his beard. “We were planning on sending the army forward in a week, but should they be advancing as quickly as you say, we might need to move our forces a mite sooner than anticipated.”

  “It helps that they don’t appear to need to eat or rest as they march,” Braire pointed out.

  I nodded. “It’s been mostly undead, though they do appear to be led by larger, more complex creatures like the golems and hellhounds that we encountered.”

  “I would say that even Abarat doesn’t have the power himself to control an army that massive, at least not directly,” Norel said. “From what I can tell, he has advanced his troops with those creatures that are easier to hold under his control, and uses them to lead the lesser, more volatile monsters.”

  “Is that something that we can exploit?” one of the generals wondered.

  “Kill the leaders, and the undead will become listless and retreat quickly,” I said with a nod. “Focusing attacks on the larger, more powerful beasts should be the priority once the battle lines are drawn.”

  “Send word to the engineers,” the emperor said to one of the commanders, who placed his hand to his chest and bowed. “Catapults and ballistae are to focus their attacks on the larger monsters. The rest will be cleared by the troops on the ground.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the man said, quickly gesturing to one of the aides who shot out of the room to spread the word.

  “In the meantime, I suggest we all prepare for an early march,” the emperor said, looking around the group. “Those that are standing against us do not appear to be resting, and neither will we.”

  The rest of the generals nodded, heading out of the room to start spreading orders among their troops.

  “As for the five of you,” the emperor said, turning his attention to us. “Your valiant efforts may well have saved a great many of my people’s lives, and for that I am grateful. I would suggest that you find some food and rest while both are readily available. You may be called upon to ride once more ere the day ends.”

  “Yes, my liege,” I said, offering a stiff bow. “A question, if I may?”

  He nodded, waving his hand.

  “Has there been any word about Aliana?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Your people should have been able to detect her particular kind of magic, yes?”

  “They would have, yes,” the emperor said. “Unfortunately, there has been no word. Know that should any word come my way; you will be the first to know.”

  “Technically, you will be the first to know,” Braire pointed out.

  “Well, my people have orders to approach you with any news first, and only me if you cannot be found,” he said. “I hope that settles your mind.”

  “Well, it will have to do for now,” I said, bowing gently. “If you’ll excuse us, we will indulge in that rest and food that you offered.”

  3

  The food that was delivered was not quite the fare that we had gotten used to in the palace. Then again, we had long since gotten used to the simpler food as we traveled over the past few weeks. The warm, freshly baked bread with cheese and smoked meats, accompanied by watered wine still tasted divine.

  The silence that carried over after we finished the meal wasn’t quite as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. We all needed some time with our own thoughts, and the time spent with each other did feel something close to comforting.

  It wasn’t quite as pleasant as we all hoped it would be, but after having spent the past few weeks trying to find comfortable spots in the woods to sleep in, an actual bed to work with was certainly something that we had all looked forward to.

  “You know,” Norel said, finally breaking the silence. “There could be another way to weaken the army even further.”

  I looked up from toying with an empty goblet.

  Braire was the first to bite, however. “How do you mean? Do you think there’s some monster that will be commanding all of the other monsters? Because... well, I remember Abarat, and he will be having a fit over having to delegate as much as he is.”

  “Well, yes and no,” Norel said. “When you think about it, the whole of the army is being commanded by Abarat himself, as along with a group of familiars, more than likely. He is powerful, but not as powerful as we are seeing. Not on his own, anyways.”

  “It doesn’t take that much to control that kind of army,” Faye said. “He would be pushing them all to move in one direction, sending a few ahead faster than the rest, but other than that, it’s just one willful voice telling them all to head south. It would take a hefty amount of power to do it, yes, but it doesn’t require a great deal of technique.”

  Norel nodded. “Yes, but they would still require him to instruct them. Abarat doesn’t like his minions doing too much thinking of their own. Should he be removed from their command, they would be leaderless, and easy work for the rest of the army to handle. Well, as easy as... golems, hellhounds, and undead soldiers can be, I suppose, but without any coordination, they might actually start turning on each other.”

  “So, you’re suggesting that we find a way to reach Abarat ourselves, and kill him?” Braire asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Something of the sort, yes,” Norel said.

  “It would be a fantastic plan if we had any way to reach him,” Faye pointed out. “As it stands, we find ourselves a literal horde away from him.”

  I knew who would be able to reach him, and who would be able to help us, but she had taken herself out of the equation just to save me. I didn’t like that I hated that, but I did, and as the others started to discuss the merits and pitfalls of Norel’s idea, I couldn’t help but pull myself away, eventually removing myself from the room entirely.

  It was clear to see and even feel that they were in the same pain that I was. It was worse for Norel and Braire, whose connection to Aliana had been so much closer than anything that I had felt for the woman, but it was still a raw wound, one that was poked and prodded every time that I thought of how she had given herself up to save me.

  Moving further away from the room, I found myself wandering through the hallways of the palace, away from where all of the people were plotting and planning the survival of the people in the city. It was all important, but in an odd way, I found myself pulled away from it all, distant and unfeeling, like I had somehow been dragged free from my own body and was hovering quietly above it.

  Before I knew it, I found myself outside of the palace altogether, stepping into the adjoining gardens. The people who had been tasked with maintaining the place had been otherwise engaged over the past few weeks, but it was still an impressive sight for anyone who entered them.

  It wasn’t long before I r
eached one of the small rivers that flowed through the area, watering the flowered vines growing all around me, giving me some shade from the sun as I dropped down next to the babbling creek, crossed my legs and sat.

  It wasn’t silent, but since it was far, far away from the horrors that we would be facing before too long, it might as well have been.

  As I looked down into my reflection mirrored in the water, I couldn’t help but feel... something. I wasn’t sure what it was. Like something was nagging at the back of my mind, hovering at the edge of my vision, but every time I turned to look, there was nothing there.

  Like it was just standing at the edge of my consciousness, trying to get closer without my seeing it. It was annoying, and more than a little distracting.

  Which, oddly, was precisely what I needed at that moment. All things considered, I could live with being a little distracted from everything that we were facing. Not that this was much better. It was like a fly buzzing around, avoiding my every attempt to swat it.

  As I found myself turning, trying to catch sight of the something that still eluded my vision, I almost fell over when the sight of a pair of long, toned legs greeted me instead of the nothing that I had been expecting.

  “Are you all right, Grant?” Lyth asked me. “You look a little... agitated.”

  “I’m... well, I’m as all right as any of us have a right to be,” I grumbled, scratching at my chin. The feeling was gone, now that there was someone else with me to distract me from it, but I couldn’t help but suspect that it would be back before too long.

  “Do you mind if I join you, then?” Lyth asked. “I think we could all use a little peace and quiet before the storm that is coming.”

  I nodded, indicating for her to take a seat with me. She did, although she moved in front of me, sitting directly opposite and crossing her legs like I had, pulling her long hair back behind her pointed ears and tilting her head.

  A moment of silence passed between us as I looked up into her eyes. It seemed as though she was trying to ask me something, or maybe the better description was that she was trying to pry something from my mind without having to ask it.