Realms of Valen - Blasphemous Crusade (War of the Gods Book 2)

by Rickk Berry III

  “We have gathered here to face a murderous mob hell bent on converting everyone to their god by the point of a sword and destroying all traces of other gods. They do not seem to understand that Haelstross is a free land and we do not tolerate those who wish to curtail our freedoms. We stand here, not as elves, kyrians, orcs, dwarves, and humans, but as people of Haelstross united against those that wish to dictate what you are allowed to believe or not believe. I won't lie; we're out-numbered. This army razed Sarkos and Corrana without much effort, but they were thwarted at Vortha by a single person. They can be stopped. Every report I have heard or read about this army contends that they are fearless. But we will stand strong against their force, and give them something to fear!” Rykar exclaimed, his voice booming out loud over the gathered crowd who roared in response to his words. Rykar waited for the soldiers to quiet down before speaking again.

  “It's an unpleasant truth that some of us will make our final stand tomorrow. But if you are to die, do so with honor and pride. Show no fear. You will be remembered for your valor this day until the end of the ages. This crusade in the name of a myth ends tomorrow and it will end by our hands!” Rykar bellowed out over those gathered below him. Another roar answered him. He took a step back and officers started ordering their soldiers into position. Kaidia stepped up beside him.

  “Good speech, Sire.”

  “Thank you, Your Holiness.”

  The two looked at one another and both smirked. Kaidia looked back out over the gathered army moving around, making final preparations.

  “War is senseless,” she muttered.

  “It is. But remember, we didn't start this; we are simply defending ourselves,” Rykar replied.

  “You're right, but still... it seems strange that we've had centuries of relative peace and suddenly, in the past half decade or so, we've got not one, but two massive armies that have gone on a rampage,” Kaidia said, a hand combing through her hair.

  “Maybe all the peace was growing stale to some of them. Or they just had an itch for battle that they had to scratch,” Rykar replied.

  “Perhaps, but neither seems all that likely,” Kai grumbled.

  “Not much use in pondering it right this moment. We have more immediate concerns,” Rykar said, eyes shifting to Kaidia.

  Kaidia gave a grunt of agreement, then walked away, obviously still preoccupied with her thoughts. Rykar shook his head, and then tilted his head as arms wrapped around his middle from behind. He smiled, feeling a warm body pressing against his back.

  “I have something for you, my King,” Sage whispered in his ear, her tone soft, playful.

  “What might that be?” Rykar asked nonchalantly.

  “Come with me, I'll show you,” Sage said before turning Rykar loose, only to take his hand and lead him away from the edge of the wall.

  * * *

  Rykar found himself in a rather large tent held up by several poles. The fabric of it was heavy, with several strategically placed holes to allow for ventilation. A temporary forge needed such things. This tent seemed to be Sage's alone for no other metal workers were within. The tent was well lit with a combination of oil lanterns sitting on various surfaces and a few spheres of magical light that simply floated near the ceiling. Sage was bent over, digging into a chest that had been locked a few moments before. Rykar smirked as he watched and enjoyed the view, not entirely unsure that Sage wasn't taking a little longer than she needed to retrieve whatever it was that she was after. She stood up with something large wrapped in soft, dark cloth. The silver-eyed woman gave Rykar a smile before walking to the nearest table and setting the item down.

  “Happy eve of battle, my king,” she said, her tone playful, despite the title.

  “This marks the first time in my life that I've gotten a gift before heading into a battle,” Rykar said as he stepped forward to unwrap what was hidden within the cloth. As the cloth fell away, he caught a glimpse of blue metal. He pulled the cloth away completely and raised his eyebrows as he took in what was revealed.

  The cloth had been hiding a shield, a fairly large one. It was big enough that he could kneel down with it and be completely out of enemy sight. He grabbed it by each side and lifted it. The sinthite was light, making the large shield almost too easy to heft. The entire shield was the same color as his sword and the front of it bore an etched scorpion that looked as if the finest artist in the land had done the work himself.

  “All you?” Rykar asked.

  “Yes,” Sage replied with a nod.

  “This is quite the expensive gift,” Rykar commented as he slid his arm through the straps on the back and tested the weight and balance of the shield, finding it to be remarkable.

  “Well, I wasn't going to make it from tin,” Sage reasoned.

  “I suppose that would perform poorly on the battlefield,” Rykar agreed with a chuckle.

  “Indeed. However, since I made it of sinthite, it should be able to withstand a hell of a lot,” Sage said, gesturing.

  “I'll keep it around when you're pissed off,” Rykar chuckled.

  “Careful. I'd hate for you to have to limp into battle tomorrow,” Sage warned with a playful half smile, hands on her hips.

  “Oh! Look who's got some steel in her spine,” Rykar teased and stepped closer.

  “It's one of the reasons you like me,” Sage stated.

  “You've got me there,” Rykar admitted as he slid the shield from his arm and set it aside.

  “I know,” Sage said as she encircled Rykar's neck with her arms.

  Rykar spoke as his arms wrapped around Sage's waist. “Thank you.”

  “You're welcome,” the metalsmith replied before pressing her lips to Rykar's. Rykar returned the kiss with enthusiasm before breaking it and putting his forehead to Sage's and looking into the woman's silver eyes that seemed to glimmer in the light of the tent.

  “Shall we adjourn to our room?” Rykar asked. Sage simply nodded and the two headed out of the tent. Rykar snatched up the shield as they went. As the tent flap closed, the lights within extinguished themselves.

  * * *

  Kaidia sat on the bed she and Echo had been sharing in their suite. Thoughts were swirling in her mind, touching on almost every battle in which she had been involved.. She thought about Kulvost and other battles involved in routing what had remained of Adathir's army. She also pondered over skirmishes she had been involved in so far in her mercenary career. Under her own banner, she had fought bandits, town guards, other mercenaries, and even elven military in one particularly entertaining job in one of the lovely coastal cities the Esmera called home.

  She had seen more war than most. Even mercenaries like her father hadn't seen battles the scale of what she was about to face. The battle with Adathir outside the gates of Vortha half a decade ago had been a taste, but even Adathir's army, which had been considered massive, didn't have the numbers of this force marching toward Silver Lake. Kai wasn't sure why she was worried. She and the leaders of all the troops outside the city had formed a solid plan, after all. Some of the finest warriors she could ask for were going to fight by her side, not to mention the power that she, herself, brought to bear. But this thrown together army was still only half the size of the opposing force. Kaidia was certain she could survive this battle, but, for the first time in a long time, she wasn't sure she could win.

  Her dark thoughts were interrupted by Echo entering the room. The kyrian woman gave Kai a warm smile.

  “You look preoccupied,” she stated.

  “I am,” Kai replied.

  “With?” Echo coaxed.

  “Memories,” Kai answered.

  “Of?” Echo pried gently.

  “Battles and skirmishes in which I've taken part,” Kaidia responded.

  “I hope my earlier questions didn't prompt this trip down memory lane,” Echo said, voice tinged with concern.

  “Only in part. Mostly, it's the upcoming battle. I'm remembering old battles. You never know what tactic you
used in the past that could help in the future,” Kai explained.

  “True. Well, I'm glad it's mostly not my fault,” Echo said with a small laugh.

  “Don't feel guilty for being curious,” Kai admonished lightly.

  “Hard not to feel guilty when I put you into a blue funk,” Echo argued.

  “I'm fine,” Kai retorted.

  “Sure you are,” the kyrian responded.

  “As fine as I ever am,” Kaidia admitted and waved a hand dismissively.

  There was silence for a few long moments, both women retreating into their own thoughts.

  “How about we go for a walk? This inn has a wonderful little forest out back,” Echo suggested.

  “Yes, it leads up into the foothills. The city walls only go so far up into the mountain range,” Kaidia said.

  “Your point?” Echo queried.

  “None. Just useless trivia,” Kai said with a faint smile.

  “Ah, well then, shall we?” Echo asked, holding her hand out to Kaidia.

  “Sure,” Kai said, taking the kyrian's hand.

  The pair left their suite only to meet Rykar and Sage out in the hallway that separated their rooms. The king and the metal smith were leaned against the wall beside the double doors to their room, kissing quite eagerly.

  “You just couldn't make it the extra two paces to your door, could you?” Kaidia asked, a bit louder than was necessary.

  Sage and Rykar stopped their enthusiastic session of lip tag and looked toward Kai and Echo.

  “Just haven't had a free hand to grab the key and use it,” Rykar explained, wiggling his fingers which were currently halfway down the back of Sage's pants.

  “Ah, perfectly legitimate reason,” Kaidia said, amused. She shook her head and started down the stairs, pulling Echo along with her. The pair made their way downstairs and walked through the ground floor of the inn and out the back door. Immediately behind the inn, bathed in the light of the moon, were several stone paths that disappeared off into the trees in different directions. Kaidia walked straight for the nearest one that happened to go straight up into the foothills. Once she was among the trees, Kai slowed her pace. She walked slowly, Echo's hand still in her own.

  “This is nice. I haven't taken a peaceful walk in the woods like this since this whole mess began,” Echo stated, breathing in deeply through her nose.

  “I don't take such walks often enough,” Kai admitted.

  “You should. They're good for clearing one's head,” Echo said.

  “I tend to do that in my den, staring into the fire or reading a book,” Kaidia replied.

  “I can see how staring into a fire helps, but reading a book seems like it would just displace thoughts temporarily,” Echo speculated.

  “Either works. Sometimes I don't want to ponder my troubles. I'd rather take my mind off of them. Books are wonderful for that. Especially tales written by the great imaginations of past ages,” Kaidia explained, watching the path in front of her.

  “Ah, you like the ancient writers. Legends and mythical stories,” Echo said, flashing Kaidia a quick smile.

  “They're certainly more entertaining than stuffy histories written by scholars and often just as useful for one's journey in life,” Kai said with a shrug.

  “Very true. Histories... fantastical tales... they all have their time and place,” Echo agreed.

  The pair fell silent and simply walked along. Eventually, the stone path ended, but a dirt path continued off into the trees. It snaked up into the gentle slopes of the foothills and the two women followed it for a time. When they came to a natural clearing, Kaidia stopped, causing Echo to stop beside her. Kaidia cast her eyes skyward, looking at the full moon that made the grass floor of the clearing seem to glow. Taking a deep breath, she took in the natural scent of the forest, the perfume of flowers, grass, and dirt. Her ears picked up the sound of crickets and the calls of the night birds. Ever since the day of Ashlin's death, Kaidia's senses had heightened and she'd learned to enjoy the extra input from the world. Even with the unnatural boost to her senses, Kai couldn't match all that Echo could see, hear, and smell but, at the moment, it hardly mattered.

  “Kai?” Echo asked quietly.

  Kaidia turned her head to Echo to find the kyrian's bright blue eyes gazing at her intently. She arched a brow at Echo and started to say something when Echo's hands cupped her face, causing her voice to die in her throat. A moment later, Echo's lips pressed against her own and Kai found herself pressing closer to Echo, wrapping her arms around the kyrian as the kiss lingered. After several long moments, the kiss broke and Kai gave Echo a curious look.

  “What brought that on?” she asked with a hint of a smile.

  “I... well... I've grown fond of you. I've felt something strange about you since we met and I figured I should just go with it,” Echo answered, shrugged.

  “Fair enough. Though I fear getting involved with me isn't the best idea,” Kai warned.

  “Yes, yes. I understand the mercenary side of it. I imagine being with a god has its own complications too,” Echo said, her eyes looking away.

  “Not only that, but my last relationship ended in a bad way,” Kaidia said, eyes never straying from Echo's face.

  “Yes, I'm aware. Everyone knows how your wife died, Kaidia. It's part of your story. Part of the fabric of your godhood,” Echo turned her bright blue eyes back to Kai's dark blue hues. Kaidia smiled faintly. She wasn't about to try and explain exactly how her wife wasn't actually quite dead. She didn't entirely understand it herself.

  “Then I have to ask what it is you're wanting,” Kaidia inquired.

  Echo took a few moments to reply, seemingly lost in her thoughts, her eyes cast to the moonlit grass as if the green blades held her answer.

  “Let's just say that if we survive the upcoming battle, we should try and... be together,” Echo said, her voice soft.

  “Fair enough,” Kaidia said with a nod. Echo nodded in return, and then simply leaned her head on the taller woman's shoulder. They stood like that in the moonlight for some time. Kai could no longer smell the forest for the scent of Echo and vice versa. Just as Echo was about to be lulled into sleep by the strong, steady beat of Kai's heart, something else perked her ears. The kyrian's head snapped up and she peered into the dimly lit forest. She could hear the sound of someone carelessly running along the path that had brought her and Kaidia to the clearing. Heavy footfalls, the clank of armor, and the occasional snap of a stick underfoot had both women drawing their swords and waiting on whoever was coming. They weren't truly expecting someone hostile, but it never paid to be careless.

  A man burst into the clearing. Upon seeing the two warriors with swords at the ready, he raised his hands. Kaidia recognized him first.

  “Edgar,” she said by way of a greeting.

  “Lady Kaidia, Lady Echo,” Edgar said, nodding to the women in turn. He was in full armor, ready for battle. The sight gave Kaidia an ominous feeling.

  “The enemy approaches,” Kai stated.

  “Yes, my Lady. King Rykar said I could find you two out here. I'm lucky I took the correct path,” Edgar confirmed.

  “With all the noise you were making, we would've hunted you down anyway,” Echo said. The look that crossed Edgar's face made it clear that he wasn't fond of the thought of being hunted.

  “How far out?” Kaidia asked to bring the conversation back on point.

  “They'll be here in an hour, maybe a little more, or so the scouts say,” Edgar reported.

  “Alright. Go back to your knights. Get ready. We'll be along shortly,” Kaidia ordered. Edgar nodded, then turned and rushed off, making enough noise to wake the dead.

  “Seems the time has come,” Echo said with a sigh.

  “Indeed. Is it wrong that I get excited for a fight?” Kaidia asked.

  “No. It's the reason most warriors are, in fact, warriors. Something about the job lures us,” Echo answered with a shake of her head.

  “Shall we?” Kai a
sked.

  “Oh, certainly,” Echo answered. Together, the two started along the path back to the city.

  * * *

  Kaidia had made her way to the front of the army outside of Silver Lake's gate. Rykar, Echo, Edgar, and Malcade joined her. All five of them stared out into the dark fields, watching the dancing lights of torches still far enough out that the footfalls of those carrying them could not be heard.

  “Looks like we're going to have our work cut out for us,” Malcade muttered.

  “No doubt,” Rykar responded, eyes taking in what he could see.

  “We're almost ready,” Echo said, glancing back to the army behind them.

  “Almost,” Kaidia said, her eyes flaring a brilliant blue.

  Chapter XIV: The Battle of Silver Lake

  The army of the twin elves halted its march a respectful distance from Kaidia's patched together force, the sky still black with night. The two armies stared across the open ground between them for several long moments before Silver Lake's defenders, led by Rykar, roared in challenge to the army of the twin elves. The larger force roared back, louder. The faces of those in the light cast by torches looked smug, arrogant. Those looks faltered a moment later as a thunderous roar echoed out of the dark sky, from a source unseen.

  Kaidia, eyes still glowing an eerie blue, grinned at the uncertain looks on the faces of the enemy as they looked about nervously. She stood at Rykar's right side, sword drawn. An ominous silence fell over the battlefield, both heavy and alive with a tense energy. It was if all sound had ceased to exist. No crickets chirped, no breeze rustled the leaves of trees, and every shift of a soldier, every little clank of armor or blade sounded explosively loud.

  The collective light of the torches did little to illuminate more than just a few feet away, so no one of the offensive forces saw the massive, dark blue dragon until it was, quite literally, on top of them. The dragon glided out of the black sky on massive wings, over the amassed force, and breathed a blazing jet of flame out over the mass of soldiers with an angry roar, rendering all the torches useless in the enormous flare of light.