Siege of Draestl

by Randall Seeley

  “I am Waydsyn Scot! You will not defeat us!” he screamed. And as he screamed, he forced every ounce of his anger and rage that was building within him toward the Draebek around him and the dragons above. He didn’t know why he did it, it just felt like he had to channel his feelings somewhere, knowing full well that there would be no effect whatsoever.

  There was a momentary pause in the fighting, then the Draebek resumed fighting. But the dragons…

  Wayd watched as they suddenly plummeted to the ground.

  “What in the name of the Creator?” Gauden asked.

  Wayd stared in shock as the dragons dropped. He felt the energy within him dissipate. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was a coincidence, or if he had something to do with it.

  But then he saw the chance they had.

  “Men! Ride!” he yelled. Then he kicked his feet into Quickening’s flanks and they rode forward. He raised his draestl sword above his head and struck as the first Draebek approached him. The strong blade cut straight through the Draebek’s helmet and into his skull. Wayd yanked the blade free and brought it down on others.

  Bolts flew by his head as Gauden joined him, then the big man switched to his staff and he swung with precision. They were joined by Seeker Phillip and Templar Yana a moment later and they formed a wedge and pushed forward, the other remaining survivors following after.

  The Draebek fought viciously, doing all they could to keep Wayd and the Wolves from breaking through, but Wayd fought more deadly. Rage continued to burn within him, and he channeled it into his muscles. He was so angry. Angry that Jacon Strath had died. Angry that Malithan had just sacrificed himself so that Wayd could live. Angry that Owen was probably dead. Angry that Hillup died. That Jesop was brutally transformed and killed. Angry that Alaina hadn’t written him in months. He let his emotions fuel him. He let them invigorate him. He let them control him.

  “Die!” he yelled as he began to cut down Draebek after Draebek. Then he leapt from Quickening’s saddle and fell within the midst of Draebek. They were surprised by his sudden movement. But they could never understand what was driving him. They didn’t know what he was feeling. He was controlled by his emotions. All he wanted to do was kill. To make things right.

  The Draebek surrounded him, but Wayd was a weapon of death. He met each attack with a blow and parry of his own. And Draebek fell.

  “Wayd! Get on your horse!” he heard Yana yell. “Look! The dragons are returning!”

  Wayd turned and saw Thraegar in the sky again. He thought he had taken care of them. Or that something had.

  “Malithan must have put dragonsbane on the bolts he was exploding,” Seeker Phillip explained. “I could sense Seeker magic interacting with it. But those dragons that the dragonsbane didn’t kill…by now the dragonsbane would have worn off. Those dragons will be coming, and coming quickly!”

  Wayd felt his rage begin to dissipate. Dragonsbane did that? It wasn’t…me?

  As his rage subsided, it was the first time Wayd realized he was surrounded by Draebek. He remembered jumping between them, but when he was filed with rage, he felt unstoppable. Now he realized what was actually happening and was nearly overcome with fear. Dear Creator! He felt his blade drop. His energy was expended.

  He would have died if not for Gauden. The big man was suddenly there, his staff swirling to keep the Draebek back. Any that approached were smashed. Then Gauden grabbed Wayd by the hand and pulled him toward Quickening.

  “Time to ride, you lunatic!” Gauden said as he picked Wayd up and threw him onto Quickening’s saddle.

  The motion snapped Wayd out of his paralyzed fear and he turned toward a gap in the Draebek. His actions may have been reckless, but they had worked. There was a break in the Draebek line. He glanced back over his shoulder and locked eyes with Thraegar Thornclaw. The dwarf was even more upset. Wayd knew he wouldn’t stop until they were captured or killed. His only chance was to escape.

  “Ride!” Wayd yelled, and he kicked Quickening into motion toward the gap.

  Two Draebek tried to leap in the way, but Wayd struck them down, and then, with Gauden on one side and Templar Yana on the other, they crashed through, in a dead gallop.

  He knew they were riding fast, but he could also feel Thraegar gaining on them. The dragons were faster and had direct paths. We must hurry. He urged Quickening faster, and they cut in and out of the switchback streets. The streets were designed to slow down an invading army, forcing battles at each switchback. But all they did now was slow down their path to safety.

  A Draebek force crossed their path, but Wayd forced his men through, striking them with swords or galloping over them.

  Then fireballs began crashing around them. Buildings collapsed in front of them, stones exploded on all sides. Thraegar had caught up.

  “Ride through! Do not stop. We must make it to the caves!” Wayd yelled.

  They rode forward. Wayd heard screams from the side and knew his men were being picked off one after another, but he knew that they could not stop. If they stopped now, they would be annihilated. He prayed that they could make it. That some of them could survive.

  Just keep going.

  Buildings continued to explode around them as the dragons approached. Then Wayd saw the wall—or what was left of it—and the mountains beyond. They had made it. They had—he cut off as Draebek forces appeared in front of them. There were dozens of them, standing in the place of the collapsed wall, locked in arms and holding their weapons high.

  “Wayd!” Gauden exclaimed.

  “There are too many of them,” Phillip observed.

  Wayd glanced back and saw Thraegar and the dragons approaching. They couldn’t go through the Draebek, there were too many of them. And they couldn’t turn back. They were trapped.

  But then he saw something to the side. Near what remained of the eastern wall was a series of rubble that had fallen in a manner that it was almost a ramp. Could we jump them?

  He shook his head as they continued to ride forward. Another fire blast landed near them and he heard a horse whinny as its rider was swept off its back and incinerated.

  He looked back and saw Thraegar gaining. We have no choice.

  He looked back at the debris. As long as it could bear their weight… If we time it right, and at this speed…

  He knew what he was thinking was crazy, but he had no other choice.

  “What do we do?” Gauden asked.

  “We leap them,” Wayd decided as he pointed at the pile of rubble.

  “Are you crazy?” Yana asked.

  “Crazy enough to avoid death,” Wayd answered. Then he turned Quickening toward the path. Heading to the Draebek was almost certain death. And they couldn’t turn around to find another way. Thraegar was too close. This was the only way.

  They were riding fast enough that his decision was made for him, and Quickening reached the debris in stride. Quickening stumbled on the debris and Wayd said a prayer that it would hold their weight. Suddenly Quickening found footing and then burst forward.

  Quickening flew through the air and over the heads of the Draebek, landing on the other side. The force of the impact was powerful, and Wayd feared that Quickening would break a leg, but the horse took the grounding in stride and then rushed forward.

  They were free.

  He turned around and saw astonished Draebek as the other riders leapt over their heads. Several of the riders weren’t as lucky, falling short or falling off, and the Draebek swarmed them like a hive of bees, silencing them forever.

  Then Wayd felt fear overwhelm him. There were dozens of dragons in the sky. Probably every dragon that remained. And Draebek forces poured through the fallen wall after them. There were hundreds of them. Maybe even thousands.

  At first the fear was overwhelming, but then it was replaced with calm reassurance. The plan worked. Thraegar committed everything he has after us.

  He turned back around, smiling.

  “You’re smiling at a moment like
this?” Gauden asked incredulously.

  “It worked,” Wayd said through deep breaths. “The Wolves will be free. Any survivors will make it to the tunnel safely.”

  Gauden nodded. “But we’ll die,” he said matter-of-factly. “A fair trade.”

  “Perhaps,” Wayd said. Then he pointed ahead. There was only green grass between them and the mountains. “We can make it. We’re only a little ways away. We just need to belie—”

  He cut off as dragons landed in front of him.

  “Ride!” he yelled, convinced that their only chance of escape was to charge the dragons.

  But the dragons’ mouths opened wide and Wayd saw the now familiar blue glow of dragon fire.

  It burst toward them. It enveloped them.

  Wayd heard his men screaming as they were reduced to ashes. Horses whinnied before they were incinerated. In a moment, Wayd, Gauden, Yana, Seeker Phillip, and two others, were all that remained.

  Dragons landed around them, and at their lead was Thraegar Thornclaw.

  Thraegar dismounted his dragon and unsheathed his axe. Another Draebek—an older dwarf who looked old enough to be Thraegar’s father—joined him. He held a massive war hammer that was settled across his lap. Wayd looked at Gauden and saw him staring affectionately toward the older dwarf.

  Wayd climbed off Quickening, and drew his sword. He realized as he put it in front of him how exhausted he was. His adrenaline from the charge was fading, and he barely had enough strength to stand still, much less hold the sword high.

  Gauden joined him, holding his staff. Templar Yana and Seeker Phillip circled next to them. We are going to die. Wayd knew the thought should have frightened him, but his exhaustion was all he could think of.

  “You are mine, Waydsyn Scot. Surrender, and watch me destroy Draestl. I will raze it. Murder everyone within. I will torture them. And it is your fault. You wouldn’t come. But just as I prophesied, you’re now mine!” Thraegar said victoriously.

  Each word was thick with menace. And each word shot significant guilt through Wayd’s conscience. I could have avoided this…

  “Have you anything to say?” Thraegar asked.

  Wayd opened his mouth, but the only thing that came out was raspy breaths. He was so tired. He couldn’t breathe. Curse me…

  “Nothing? Do any of you have anything to say before you die?” Thraegar said. He laughed mockingly.

  Silence.

  “Then it is time. Kill everyone except Waydsyn Scot,” Thraegar instructed. He raised his hand to give the signal.

  “Stop! I invoke Grindhold law!”

  The scream was so powerful and filled with emotion that Wayd wasn’t certain where it came from. But then he saw Gauden stepping forward, his head bowed.

  “What is this, Gauden? What game are you playing at?” Thraegar asked, his voice thick with emotion as he dropped his hand. “Grindhold law is for Draebek! Draebek only!”

  “Grindhold law can be granted to outsiders—if—they are proven worthy. And I was granted Grindhold law,” Gauden answered, just as forceful as Thraegar. “And by the law of Grindhold, if I invoke it, you cannot cut me down, but must take me into your fold as a free man.”

  “I know what Grindhold law is, Gauden Thyme,” Thraegar said menacingly. “But there is none here who would have granted it to you. And without someone to vouch for you, I must assume you are lying.”

  “I have been granted it—”

  “Enough! You blaspheme against our law!” Thraegar yelled. “Knowing about our customs is a crime by itself, but arguing with me about them? Speak another word and I will cut you down myself!”

  “Then you will be in violation of Grindhold law,” Gauden said calmly. He stepped forward and pointed to the older Draebek. “Korin, explain it to him.”

  Korin?

  The older Draebek stepped forward and bowed his head to Gauden.

  The look on Thraegar Thornclaw’s face was pure astonishment. Thraegar bristled. “Korin?” he asked, dumbfounded. “You invoked Grindhold law, on this? On this…human?” Thraegar looked personally affronted.

  The older Draebek nodded his head. “When he lived among us, Thraegar,” the older dwarf explained. Wayd noticed Korin’s feelings of affection, not only toward Gauden but toward Thraegar Thornclaw. “He helped us, it was the right thing to do in return.”

  “In return! He’s a human! He’s taken what is rightfully ours. He’s—” Thraegar trailed off as his face contorted with frustration.

  “What is done is done,” Korin said. “You can be angry with me all you want, but Draebek honor those who honor us. And Gauden Thyme was proven worthy. I gave him Grindhold law and we must honor it,” he said matter-of-factly. Then he turned back to Gauden. “Gauden, it has been a long time,” he said with a bow. Then he walked forward and embraced Gauden.

  Thraegar moaned.

  “And by law,” Gauden said convincingly, “any who are in my company are also granted Grindhold law. That includes Waydsyn Scot.”

  Thraegar screamed.

  Gauden turned back toward Wayd. “You are safe, Wayd,” he said.

  “What is happening?” Wayd asked quietly.

  “I’ll explain later. We must go with them, but—”

  “Wait!” Thraegar screamed. Then a wicked smile appeared along with a look of hope. “Grindhold law only applies to who received it, and one other. Only one!”

  Gauden turned to Korin, a look of fear crossing his face. He looked back at Seeker Phillip, Templar Yana, and Nigel and Coren—the last two of Hillup’s platoon. They looked nervous. “Is this true?” Gauden asked. “Only one?”

  “One other.” Korin nodded. “You can choose one to invoke the law on. The others—”

  “Waydsyn Scot,” Gauden said without hesitating. “And as such, he cannot be treated as a prisoner. We are now equals with the Draebek. We are pro—”

  “Kill the others,” Thraegar interrupted. Then he motioned to his men with a causal flick of the wrist.

  Dragon fire exploded and in a single flash Nigel, Coren, and Seeker Phillip no longer existed. Only Seeker Phillip’s staff remained, its glowing emblems fading as the staff settled onto the ground.

  Templar Yana would have died except for her draestl armor. She looked astonished as she stared at the spot where Phillip had died. Then her instincts recovered and she crouched low and began circling defensively as dragons approached her.

  “Draestl armor,” Thraegar said with a laugh. “Can resist fire. But can it resist other draestl? Like this axe?” he asked as he stepped forward.

  Gauden took a step forward and Thraegar turned and pointed at him. “You dare to fight me? Please do, as it will revoke the Grindhold law Korin so foolishly bestowed on you. No, you will do nothing, little guide. You will watch me slay your friend. Watch me cut her to pieces!”

  Wayd froze as he was about to do the same. He looked at Gauden nervously, and the big man signaled for them to stand down.

  Then Thraegar turned toward Yana. He smiled. Then charged.

  Yana brought her sword up to parry the first blow. Thraegar’s axe swung powerfully and crashed into her sword. She successfully blocked it, but the force of the attack pushed her into the ground. She grunted and spun to the side as Thraegar struck with another blow. Blow after blow they danced, Yana barely keeping him at bay.

  Then Thraegar raised his hand and beckoned others closer. He couldn’t defeat Yana on his own. Wayd was horrified when it was dragons that stepped forward. They surrounded her.

  Yana crouched low and spun around, facing all of the dragons and Thraegar at once. “You may kill me, Draebek,” she said, spitting out the last word. “But you will never win. The Order of the Dragon will stop you and this barbarous activity of imprisoning dragons. We will—”

  Thraegar charged at the same time the dragons did. They surrounded her. The dragons blocked Wayd's view, but a sudden scream filled the air that sent chills down Wayd's body. Followed by inconsolable silence.

  Th
en Thraegar began laughing hysterically.

  The dragons stepped back, and Wayd saw Thraegar standing there, his head reared back in laughter. Then the dwarf raised his hand in the air, holding the head of Templar Yana.

  “Do you see what happens to those that oppose me?” he said, raising the head high so that all his forces could hear. The Draebek forces cheered in return.

  “They die!” Thraegar continued. “Even the mighty Templars of the Order. They die!”

  Thraegar turned toward Wayd. The glare he gave him was overpowering. Wayd swallowed hard.

  “You will come with me now, Wayd. You will watch me conquer the world.”

  And with that Thraegar walked toward his dragon, mounted it, then turned to his army. “Now let us return to battle. In honor of Gauden Thyme and Waydsyn Scot, I have a change of plan. Instead of allowing those who surrender to live, we will kill every one. Every single man, woman, and child. Kill them all!”

  There was a deafening cheer.

  Thraegar then turned to Wayd and smiled. It sent shivers down his spine. He felt what little energy he had left leave him. Then Thraegar’s dragon lifted into the air and started heading back toward the battle.

  Wayd felt defeated. A Draebek pushed him after Gauden and the dwarf named Korin. Wayd followed because there was nothing else he could do. He could only think of one thing. Dear Creator, please help the others escape.

  9

  A Desperate Escape

  Desperation drives desperate decisions. Many times those desperate decisions are foolish, but they can be heroic. The difference between foolishness and heroism is training. Once again I come back to preparation. Prepare your men for the worst, and in desperate moments…they will persevere.

  Owen waited for the impact of a fireball to crash into him, and though he was afraid that he was about to die, he found himself wondering what it would feel like. Will it even hurt? Or will I be incinerated so fast, I won’t feel a thing?

  After an awkward amount of time of nothing happening, he risked opening his eyes and looked up at an open sky. He couldn’t believe their luck. At one moment, the dragons were blasting fiery death upon their heads, but the next they were changing course and heading to the east as if their lives depended on it.