by Thomas Rath
After confirming that everyone was uninjured they had regathered in the relative dark of the cave-like hall as the sun finally set beyond them, casting the grand room into deep shadow. A slight look of mistrust cast a pall over the group as none could any longer be certain who was friend and who was foe.
Jack looked out over the plains, the enemy’s cook fires like dancing fireflies covering the basin floor. “You are right, master dwarf, we are compromised. And as I suspected, the attack will most likely come in the morning. Thankfully the entrance is small and should be easily defended by a small group.”
“Then what do you propose we do as far as mounting an assault,” Soyak pressed. “We still have the issue of too many warriors sleeping within the same tent. If they’re not given something to do, they’ll end up turning on one another for sure.”
“I understand the predicament,” Jack retorted, his voice rising slightly in anger. “But we still can’t risk the casualties that will surely mount against us in an all out attack. Even with the unsurpassed skills that the Tjal command with the sword and our dwarf friends control with the axe,” he soothed, “our strength in numbers in not sufficient to do aught more than perish in the rush.”
“I agree with Jack,” Ranse offered. “The enemy will break apart if we give them the time to do so. They will grow restless and mount an attack with hooks and ladders or end up fighting amongst themselves and dispersing. The walls are too high for hooks and ladders to be effective so that leaves them frustrated and their anger time to boil over upon themselves.”
“And what about the army within?” Helgar demanded. “How long before we be doin’ the same?”
“I would hope that we are greater masters of ourselves then orcs and goblins,” Jne said, glancing at Soyak who nodded slightly in agreement though obviously not liking that it meant they would be forced to wait.
“For now, may I suggest we make certain our peoples are well taken care of…and well separated from one another,” Jack said, “and take the rest we are able for now. The day will bring enough of its own evil, I am sure, to occupy us sufficiently with its demands.”
The others reluctantly nodded in agreement, turning to their own and exiting the room through different doors. Jne whispered something to Soyak who glanced quickly at Jack before nodding and retreating through one of the south doors. Jne stayed behind with Jack who was now standing by Erl, scratching his friend behind the ears and saying something in tones too hushed for her to hear. “Am I wrong?” he asked her as she came to stand next to him taking in the sight below. The surprising thing was how beautiful the enemy camp appeared in the evening from such a vantage point. It was like the night sky had fallen and had decided to make its residence on the plains beneath the keep. They could just make out the distant rumbling that noised from Zadok’s great host in their evil conversations.
“You speak wisely in what you say, old friend, but also do Soyak and the dwarf king. We cannot hold them all together for too long. There is vengeance in their blood; especially the dwarf people. And that is a fire that cannot be quenched without much bloodshed.”
“And the longer the time passes, the easier it is to direct that bloodshed to whatever is closest,” he sighed, stroking his beard and then pulling down on it in frustration. “Maybe the breach in our security is the best thing after all. At least that will give them something to be occupied with.”
Just then three large shadows crossed the sky in front of them causing both Jack and Jne to stumble back as they reached for weapons, certain the dragons were upon them once more. Erl didn’t move. Three rocs flapped back their wings and then gently perched on the stone railing before hopping forward into the great hall. Jack and Jne quickly returned swords to sheaths as Thane, Dor, Tam, Domis, and Teek dropped from their airborne mounts.
“Thane!” Jne cried, shedding all semblances of protocol and reservation as she bound into his arms.
Thane didn’t seem to mind though as he enthusiastically encircled her in a bear hug and swung her around, Tam smiling brightly while the others simply gawked with opened jaws. None of them had ever seen Jne display anything but the strictest decorum that most often bordered on aloofness or outright rage. To most, the Tjal would as soon stick a sword in your gut as offer you even the slightest smile so to witness this was unprecedented indeed.
“You have returned to me,” she said now holding his face with both hands, “and you are well.”
Thane’s whole body seemed to release in one breath the tightness that had cocooned him since they’d left the camp for Aleron. His face flushed with excitement and relief as his mind finally understood what his heart had known all along. He’d missed her. He knew that he had, but now he understood how much and that his life would never be complete without her by his side. “I have,” he finally said, “and I don’t plan to leave ever again.”
Jne’s head dropped to his chest, her eyes closed, as she soaked up his warmth taking in his scent like a dizzying intoxicant. Opening her eyes, she saw Tam smiling widely at her and just past, Dor, his mouth still agape. Pulling back quickly, she regarded the other people in the room that had become shadows when her eyes had fallen on Thane. Her face turned bright red, almost glowing brighter than the half light splashing on the outer walls from the few torches and candles. Taking a step back she bowed her head slightly to Thane and then to the others. “We are content to see you have returned. Was your mission successful?”
“Extremely,” Tam offered while Thane fought to control the flush in his cheeks and Dor and Domis still couldn’t seem to get their jaws to close.
“Uh, yes,” Dor coughed avoiding Jne’s eyes that had since become a challenging glare.
Quickly reaching back, he pulled the heart arrow from his quiver and displayed it for her and Jack to see. “We have three.”
“And one has already proven effective,” Domis added excitedly.
“Tryg?” Jack asked turning to Teek.
“Yes,” Teek answered, his face confirming the anger in his voice. “The traitor is dead. Shot through the heart by Thane’s arrow.”
“So he didn’t get away?” Jack asked excitedly. “He didn’t make it back to Zadok’s camp?”
“No,” Teek said flatly. “He’s dead, and no one will mourn his passing.” Tam slipped an arm around Teek’s shoulder and pulled him close in an attempt to comfort him but, after a brief moment, he pulled away and went to stand by Tchee.
“Then we are not compromised,” Jack said with a grin. “The keep’s secrets are still safe.”
* * *
Zadok stared at the prisoner like he would an insignificant bug he was about to step on with his boot. He was dirty and stunk in his ragged clothing, the look on his face revealing that he might have been just about as smart as a bug. He smiled dumbly, his yellow and black teeth separated by almost more gaps than there were teeth. A cloth that might have once been red was tide around his head holding back the greasy locks of disheveled hair. He had a soiled, threadbare shirt that half hung from baggy black pants that were tucked into muddy, worn boots that stretched to his mid calf. His right arm was missing.
“And tell me,” Zadok hissed, while lazily staring at a hangnail on his index finger. “Why shouldn’t I just kill you as a spy right here and now?”
The man bowed, flinging out his left arm in as good a flourish as he could imitate. “Because, my great lord, I can give ya what ya need. I can give ya the secret entrance to the keep.” He paused. “For a small price.”
Zadok’s eyebrows rose slightly though he was very adept at hiding the sudden rush of excitement at hearing his prisoner’s words. “And what might that be, if, in fact, you do have the information that you claim?”
The man smiled and his voice cracked into a near cackle. “I wants the boy that flies about on the great bird. I means to cut the eyes from his head an’ give’m back to my friend Zel.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Thane stared out over the ocean of enem
y fighters, their fires having burned down to a low glow across the plains. The camp was quiet now save for the occasional snort or jingle of mail as those on the night guard shifted their stance or exchanged their duty with another. Looking up, he stared at the bank of low hanging clouds that had appeared out of nowhere an hour before, blanketing the sky in ominous darkness as if nature could sense the evil brought on by Zadok’s army and was covering its face in disgust. But these were not nature’s clouds he’d realized. They were something created by Zadok’s foul magic. Thane felt his anger sparked by the abomination and was tempted to use his own gifts to turn it away but decided that he didn’t want to waste any of his strength on something so insignificant. Let Zadok play his theatrical games.
Stifling a yawn, he reached up and twisted the svaj Jne had pierced through his right ear only hours before. As she had promised, she’d brought back the male symbol of a Tjal man’s marital status and placed it in his earlobe to signal he was yet to be wed. She also informed him that she had regained her honor and was no longer a Jinghar. As a full Tjal they could now be married when the war had ended. The thought had been intoxicating to his mind. His whole life he’d felt an emptiness that even Dor or Tam could not fill. At one time he’d thought that possibly Tam might be the one to make him whole, but she was right when she’d turned him away because they shared the same Tane. Because he held all five, he could never be chosen by a Chufa woman to wed. He was destined to remain alone—until Jne. She completed him in a way that he never thought possible. Just being in her presence seemed to fill the gaps he’d felt in himself his whole life. Together they were one.
“You must take your rest,” Jne’s voice broke through the silence.
He turned and smiled at her, touched by her concern. “And what of you?”
She shrugged. “I never can sleep the night before battle,” she said, brushing it off as something slightly irritating but of little significance. “You sleep. I will watch for any movement in the enemy.”
He sighed, looking down upon the army anew while twisting the svaj again. “Apparently, though my body might disagree, my mind is kin to yours when it comes to the eve of battle. I might lie down in my covers but I would not find rest there.” He suddenly cocked his head to the side as if to trying to hear something in the distance but then just shook his head.
“What is it?” Jne asked, placing a hand on his arm.
“Nothing. I thought I heard something on the wind, but it’s gone. Probably a fat troll snoring. I find that my hands itch for my swords and their flesh to meet.”
Jne gifted him with one of her rare and beautiful smiles. His heart leaped in response as she drew herself up and gently kissed his cheek that suddenly felt hot with fire. “You are a true Tjal warrior, Ne’va. The heavens will sing of your honor and glory. And I will remain yours forever.”
He gathered her into his arms, the warmth of her body filling him with light and comfort, chasing away the last vestiges of doubt or uncertainty that had plagued him for so many years. He knew who he was and where his life would go from here. With Jne, happiness was finally his to embrace. The light of dawn was just beginning to break the horizon as if giving its blessing to their union when he heard the sound again. But this time it was more distinct.
“I heard it too,” Jne whispered as they reluctantly released their hold on each other and turned back to the balcony railing. Thane looked up and it hit him. The dark clouds Zadok had created were not to strike fear, but to hide what he intended. Throwing his spirit into the air, he shot above the cloudy mist, just in time to see one of the dragons pass, its heavy wings making the whooshing sound that had caught his attention before. Clutched in its great talons was what at first appeared to be a large tree but quickly materialized into a post with pegs shooting out in all directions each supporting an orc or goblin. He them watched in horror as the post was lowered onto one of the highest balconies of the keep. Not waiting to watch the cargo dismount, he returned to his body in a snap.
“We’re under attack!” he cried, rushing toward one of the doors along the far wall, Jne at his heels.
Just as they reached it, Dor burst through, a bloody sword in his hand. “We’re under attack!” they yelled to each other as the clamor of steel and the cries of war echoed down the hallway.
“We have to get to the rooftops!” Thane cried. “The dragons are dropping orcs and goblins up there!”
“There are trolls coming up from the bottom floors as well where one of the secret entrances must have been compromised,” Dor retorted.
“Where’s Tam?”
“She must have realized what was going on because she said she was going up to one of the higher balconies to hunt for dragons,” Dor said, with obvious concern. “I told her we needed to find you first but she left before I could stop her.”
“You two go after her,” Jne said, pulling her swords, “while I go find my people.” A sudden grin played across her face at the growing thrill of the coming fight.
Thane turned to her, wanting to tell her to be careful, wanting to tell her that he loved her, wanting to hold her close one more time, but she’d already turned and, with a scream, was rushing headlong into the fight down the hall. Turning in the opposite direction, he gave one last look back at her and then followed Dor as he pulled him along saying something about a stairway.
The sounds of fighting grew louder as they turned right and then quickly left as they ran headlong down the hallway. Turning one last corner, the hall opened up into a great landing where, as promised, a flight of stairs rose to the ascending levels. A group of brown robbed figures were quickly descending when they reach the first step and started to climb.
Thane instantly recognized Bren and Kat leading the group as they came to a halt. “Bren,” Thane hailed, “you need to get back to a secure area, the castle is under attack and we’ll need you and your healers to attend to the wounded.”
“We’ve taken care of that,” Kat answered, flashing a smile at Dor.
“Then why are you running about?” he pressed.
“Thane,” Bren started, giving Kat an impatient look. “We are here to help. That is to say, we want to fight.”
Thane shook his head. “I understand your willingness, but we need you more to help the wounded.”
“I told you, we’ve taken care of that,” Kat said with a huff.
Bren gave her a withering look before quickly turning back to Thane. “What she means is that we have a group already in place to help with the wounded. Those who have not yet reached proficiency.”
Thane was getting impatient now as Dor was motioning him toward the stairs. He didn’t have time to bandy about with healers while the fight was in earnest. “What are you saying? Speak clearly!”
Bren seemed flustered at Thane’s sudden irritation and merely stared back at him. With a sour look, Kat stepped forward and placed her hand on the water bag that hung from Bren’s belt. “He’s talking about this,” she said as the water in the bag suddenly rushed through the skin soaking Bren’s robe and creating an embarrassing looking puddle at his feet.
Thane’s eyes went wide with understanding as he looked at the group of healers who were all nodding as if in answer to his amazement.
“That’s right,” Kat continued. “We’ve all learned to pull water. Probably better then you can,” she smiled to soften her words, but her eyes revealed that she meant what she said.
“I knew your touch was dangerous,” Dor said but immediately regretted his words as Kat glared at him while raising her wet hand threateningly.
Thane hesitated. It was one thing to pull water from a bag, but doing it in battle when the bag is holding a sword and trying to chop off your head was something completely different. As if in answer, just at that moment, a group of goblins turned a corner and almost ran right into their small group. There was a moment of surprise from both parties like the quiet breath before the scream and then it all broke open in a clash of bodies and steel
as Thane’s swords leapt into his hands and started cutting down the enemy. Dor was quickly at his side protecting his right flank as the healers suddenly rushed forward with a scream. Thane almost didn’t duck in time as a goblin swung a mace for his head as he stared agape at the healers turned fighters, passing quickly through the enemy. In moments, the hallway was a mess of liquid and corpses. Though the carpets would have to be destroyed, the healers were all unscathed as they turned to Thane expectantly, their faces flush with adrenalin.
“Carry on,” he said with a slight solute, the amazed look still plastered on his face as he slowly turned and started following Dor up the stairs.
“Wait,” Dor said, turning back to the group. “Come with us.”
“What?” Thane protested.
“The dragons are dropping the enemy on the top levels,” he said, “where we’re going. We’ll need some protection so we can concentrate on taking the serpents down with our bows.” Pointing to the anxiously waiting healers he continued, “They can help us. They can keep the goblins and orcs off of us so we can get a clear shot.”
The stubborn part of Thane wanted to argue, wanted to keep everyone but himself out of danger. But he couldn’t come up with an argument fast enough that would warrant the healers doing anything other than what Dor had suggested. His friend was right. Nodding quickly, he took the stairs two at a time as a shout of excitement escaped the healer’s lips as they raced after him, all the while chanting his name.
* * *
Tam sprinted up the stairs gaining a large foyer that was crossed through on either side by grand hallways. Looking to the left she thought she caught a sliver of light cutting across the rug from an opening in the wall and turned toward it hoping to find the breach she needed to get a clear shot at one of the dragons. The distinct sound of trolls pulled her up abruptly as a group of five suddenly broke into the hallway. Turning in her direction, the leader saw her and quickly raised his club as he took a quick few steps forward and then stopped abruptly. Tam had her sword in her hand, ready for blood when the troll suddenly spoke, turning her veins to ice.