Black Armor struck the ground with his hammer. “I am Gann. And I saw your cowardly attack, riding on the backs of beasts instead of standing shield to shield like males. Yes, I challenge your warriors. Any warrior with any weapon. Face me one on one or go to your beds tonight knowing that your females see you as cowards.” The growing contingent of Greys around him cheered and laughed.
Ruguer shouted back. “I admit it would be entertaining to watch an Olvioni warrior pound you until you are but a moist stain on the dirt. But my sense of fairness will not permit it. To send one of our warriors against only one of you would be cruel. If you truly want your followers to see the power and fighting ability of one of our warriors I propose that you choose two of your fighters to help you. Three of you against one of our best will at least give you a chance.”
This, too, was translated by others in the crowd. A huge cheer went up as more and more crossed the bridges to get into a position from which to see the promised spectacle.
The Grey called Gann replied. “Send your warrior. We will divide him amongst us for our midday meal.” More laughter. Then Ruguer set the hook.
“We will certainly send our warrior to speed your departure from this life. But I fear you have committed a grave sin when you spoke of our females. Our women consider it an insult to have their collective name issue forth from the mouth of a lowly Grey One. They will demand payment for this slight.”
A ripple of laughter issued from the crowd of beasts.
“Will they?” Gann asked. “And what payment will they require?”
“That should be obvious even to an ignorant beast like yourself. One of our females will insist on also facing one of your males in battle.”
A huge roar came back from the crowd of Greys below as Ruguer’s words were interpreted by the few who spoke Olvioni. Some confidently cheered the coming contest while others shouted anger at the insult. Groups of a dozen or more broke away from the safety of the enemy camp and rushed across the bridges, jostling to get closer to Gann and his comrades. The promise of a combat spectacle combined with the lack of any attacks on the gathered Greys was stoking their confidence.
Ruguer turned to me and shrugged. “The deed is done. I pray you know what you are doing, Warrior. This could turn out to be either a great victory or a horrendously demoralizing event. For us!”
I looked over the edge of the wall. Below a half-circle of grey bodies was forming up near the stronghold walls. Presumably it was the area in which they had decided the coming battle would be fought. Hundreds of additional Greys had now crossed the bridges and were milling about, pushing and shoving for positions from which they would be able to watch. It was like we’d turned on a faucet. More and more were gathering. I estimated some five or six hundred now stood between the stronghold walls and the bridges crossing the defensive troughs leading up to the city gates. The gates leading into the city, of course, had long since been closed. Many of the enemy numbers were well within reach of our arrows but others were just outside of that range. To pull more in I accepted the fact that we would have to go through with this little dog-and-pony show. After all, this would only work once and we needed to get the most benefit out of it.
I looked at Meena who was standing over by an exterior wall. When I told her of my plan she had quietly agreed to it. The memory of what had been done to her village by the raiders still burned in her chest. She was eager to take vengeance and had confidence in her physical abilities. So did I. But still I was loathe to risk her life, despite the constant flood of optimism with which Tinker was filling my head. At any rate, it was too late to change plans now. The die was cast. While Pulg helped Meena don her armor I went to face Dwan.
As I expected she simply nodded. My explanation was simple.
“We have an opportunity to cripple their morale and do away with hundreds of their fighters, all at once. That could mean saving hundreds or even thousands of Olvioni lives. Look around you. You are here as a healer, working to save lives. What would you have done to save the ones you lost? How much would you have risked? Your life? We both know you would have.” I took her face in my hands. “Besides…This is what I am here for. Do you doubt that?”
She did not. I held her while she teetered on the brink of tears. Then her considerable courage emerged. She dried her beautiful eyes and told me she was going to watch from the walls. Her expression told me there would be no talking her out of it. She accepted Tinker from me, wrapping her around her neck like a housecat. I saw her eyes relax a bit and suspected Tinker was providing her with a little tranquility. I was proud of my woman’s strength.
Dwan climbed the stairs to the ramparts with me. This particular section of the city wall was some forty feet high. The crowd below was holding at about six hundred Greys. Many thousands were congregating near the entrances to the bridges. These represented the more cautious among them, not wanting to trust getting closer to the walls.
Two metal hoists had been rigged on the wall with arms that stretched over the side. Ropes were threaded through greased wheels on each. Zander approached us, putting a hand on each of our shoulders.
“Olvion thanks you for your service, Warriors.” He then embraced us both. It was an emotional act, especially for Meena who, to this moment, had only seen her monarch from afar. Ruguer then pulled us aside.
“Assume nothing from these bastards. I have archers ready in case the crowd tries to rush you. We will lower you from the walls. These ropes have loops tied in them for your hands and feet. After you are victorious I want you to get back to them as quickly as you can. Do not waste any time. We will haul you back up quickly. Make certain to hold on tightly because it will be fast.”
I found it interesting that Ruguer fastened Meena’s helmet for her. He checked her armor then leaned over to whisper something into her ear. I found that to be interesting too but did not have the time to ponder it.
That being done, Ruguer shouted to the Greys below, demanding that the crowd step farther back from the walls, increasing the size of the semi-circle in which we were to fight. It also gave us a few extra seconds to make it back to the ropes if we were being pursued. Like Ruguer, I took nothing for granted from these beasts. The crowd retreated until the rear numbers were on the lip of the defense trough. That action gave us a good-sized area within which to fight and kept the main body of the crowd a comfortable distance away.
Meena, like me, wore armored shin and forearm guards. Unlike me she also had on a breast plate that looked to be made of copper. It fully encircled her, giving protection to her back as well. She carried a war hammer as her primary weapon and had both a dagger and short sword in sheaths at her waist. She also carried a shield.
I looked at her. The woman warrior smiled grimly and nodded.
I carried my mace stuffed into my belt and my long sword in its sheath across my back. Instead of a breastplate I wore my thick leather vest. It allowed me freedom of movement while still providing some protection.
At the hoists Dwan embraced me and Meena. “Take care of him.” She told her. I also embraced Meena. Her courage was inspiring to me. I then turned around and dropped to one knee. All of my life I had taken comfort in my faith and in the power of prayer. Before going into battle I asked for forgiveness for including an innocent woman in my plans. I then asked for the blessing of victory over evil because, regardless of their human-like appearance, the monsters gathered below us were truly evil. That done, both Meena and I hooked our feet and hands into the rigged ropes and let ourselves be lowered into the midst of the enemy. The crowds at the bridges saw preparations for the battle being readied and more began flowing over into the kill zone. The last thing we saw as we were lowered over the edge of the city wall was Zander and Ruguer, both were saluting us in the style of Olvioni warriors.
“For Olvion,” they said.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Combat
The loose agreement that Ruguer had struck with Gann was that I would face thr
ee of the Greys and Meena would tackle a single beast. I had no confidence that the terms of that deal would be honored. As we descended, I told Meena to stay close to me at all times. I did not trust them not to all charge her first and take her out of the picture. Or me for that matter. Below us we could see Gann and three others conferring, making their battle plans. The large crowd of Greys cheered and shouted in their incomprehensible tongue. I’m certain they were describing the many and painful ways in which we were going to die. I was afraid of being encircled by the hostile horde and could only wonder how Meena was holding up.
Finally our feet hit the sandy ground and we stepped out of the ropes. I looked above and saw Dwan peering down. We drew our weapons and faced the enemy. The crowd now got their first look at my unusual size. A low murmur buzzed through their ranks.
The four Greys were lined up in a semi-circle back at the edge of the crowd. Our backs were still to the wall. Gann was the only one of the Greys that was fully armored. I had already instructed Meena that he was to be my target, not hers. The other three had not been fully prepared for combat and had quickly armed themselves, two with swords and one with a battle axe. The axe-beast also had a wooden shield. I was pleased to see that there were no spears or javelins. Gann had a war hammer, a two-headed battle axe and a huge shield on one arm. He wore an egg-shaped helmet that actually had a human skull affixed to the top. I took note that the only unarmored parts of him were his hands and the backs of his legs.
At a grunt from Gann the three Greys with him crouched and started slowly edging forward. Gann followed behind them. Their plan seemed to be to have us tire ourselves fighting the other three then Gann would step in fresh and finish us off. It wasn’t a bad plan.
Meena stepped to my right side and a little behind me, giving us both room to maneuver. We moved away from the wall to avoid being trapped against it but stopped several yards away, letting our adversaries commit themselves first. I expected a sudden rush and I was right. All three of the Greys in front surged forward shouting and growling like dogs. They ignored Meena and came straight at me hacking and thrusting. I had my sword in my right hand and the mace in my left. I deflected a sword slash with both and stopped the middle Grey’s axe attack with a front kick to the abdomen. Axe-beast fell backward onto his ass and the beast to my left wound up for another sword strike but Meena shuffled forward, thrusting her shield in front of the sword strike then arcing her war hammer into his shoulder. The sword went flying and the Grey was sent pin wheeling. Even I was surprised at the power of her strike. The crowd emitted a collective gasp.
But there was no time to follow up against the now-unarmed beast. Gann had stepped forward and taken his place in the battle line, preventing us from a quick kill. He growled something in his language and the disarmed Grey recovered his weapon using his other hand now. I ached at the knowledge that we had missed an invaluable opportunity to even up the odds a little. The Grey I had kicked also scrambled to his feet and rejoined his comrades in the skirmish line.
There was a shift in the way they now approached us. Before Meena was regarded as not much of a threat. But the Grey she had struck before was now watching her closely. He clearly realized this was no helpless human female. Gann faded back again to his more protected position in the rear, content once more to let the three lesser beasts take the brunt of our defense and then finish us off once we were exhausted.
I made a quick decision and jammed my mace into my belt. I took my sword, which was twice as long and heavy as any held by the Greys, and gripped it with both hands. I might be able to defend better with two weapons but defending was the game that Gann was counting on. I preferred to use my energy in attacking.
As soon as I saw the three forward Greys start to raise their weapons I leapt forward and swung my sword, right to left, with all of the strength I could muster. The sword beast on the right successfully ducked the swing, the axe beast in the middle leapt back in fear to avoid it. But the Grey on the left had been giving Meena more respect than the others after having been smashed by her hammer blow. As a result he was watching her more than me. It was a mistake and it was the last he’d ever make. He took the full brunt of my backstroke, the sword catching him on the left collarbone. My strength, aided by the heft of my sword drove the blade completely downward at an angle through his torso, lopping him in half like a gardener prunes a branch.
A cheer erupted from above but the crowd of encircling Greys grew angry. I expected Gann to take the place of his fallen comrade again. He didn’t. The two now still in front shot looks back at him and uttered a few grunts in their language, obviously urging him to step forward. But these were not honorable human warriors. They were inhuman beasts. Gann was concerned only about surviving and being victorious. Having now committed himself he could not back off because Karr would kill him for sure. He was over here because he had decided to curry favor with the Grey King in this manner without first asking his consent. He had visions of being welcomed into Karr’s inner circle while being lavished with praise. There were only two ways this could now end for Gann. Victory or death.
To my surprise, at the instant the dead Grey dropped, Meena ran forward at the Grey who wielded the axe. She made a one-handed swipe with her hammer which was blocked by the Grey’s small wooden shield. She then caught his axe on her shield when it was swung at her. They traded blows and parries back and forth, each trying to wear the other down. I marveled at the woman’s ability to absorb such punishment without her arm being fractured.
I took several swings at the last sword-beast driving him backward. I was more cautious than I wanted to be but I had to keep an eye on Gann. The big Grey was shuffling back and forth, keeping his options open. If I drifted too far to the right he would rush in and double team Meena. But he was very comfortable allowing the lone sword-wielding beast to sap my energy and tire me out, thus increasing his odds of victory.
To my left I heard Meena continuing her battle with the axe-beast. It was a steady and repeating clang-thump, clang-thump as weapon met shield and vice versa. I saw Gann side step to my left getting a little closer to her. I drove my adversary over in that direction putting us between him and Meena.
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
Too Close
Karr was jarred from a deep sleep into a standing position. His afternoon nap was a luxury he indulged in every day when the heat in this cursed valley was most intense. He missed the coolness of the mountains.
But something was wrong. He had been warned, ripped from peaceful slumber with an extreme urgency. He glanced at the tent flaps, trying to understand the warning he had received. The flaps blew open in the warm breeze. He got a glimpse of the castle stronghold. His fighters. They were there. They were close to the walls. Too close. The king rushed out of the tent shouting for his lieutenants. This must be stopped. They could ill afford another cheap defeat.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Trapped
Because Meena seemed to be doing quite well I made a decision. I was having little real trouble with my foe and decided to take him out so I could meet Gann while still relatively fresh. I backed up until I was next to Meena. She and her enemy were both panting and had mutually stepped back to get a second wind.
“In about two seconds I am going to charge this bastard”, I said indicating the swordsman I had been sparring with. “I’m going to knock him to my right on my third strike. When that happens I want you to cross behind me and hit him as hard as you can, anywhere you can. Agreed?”
She never took her eyes from her opponent, simply nodded.
With a shout I jumped forward and swung my blade from right to left, once…twice. On the third swing I suddenly changed the direction of my stroke from left to right instead and put all of my strength into it. The beast had been catching every strike I’d made, content only to avoid being hurt. The change in direction of my attack shifted his center of gravity, throwing him to my right and struggling to keep his footing.
&nbs
p; “Now!” I shouted.
Meena streaked behind me, moving like a cheetah. I sidestepped over to the left.
Coming from behind me, Meena’s attack was totally unanticipated. Before the Grey could recover sure footing her war hammer smashed downward, catching him squarely on the knee. The limb bent inward at a sickening angle bringing a scream of pain. She then pivoted her torso around three hundred and sixty degrees, bringing the weapon directly down on top of his head. The result was not pretty to anyone but Meena and I.
While Meena was disposing of that beast I had shifted my attack to the Grey with the axe and shield. He saw me coming and raised the wooden device, hoping to catch and stop my blade. Well, it halfway worked. The shield did, indeed, catch my sword. But it did not hold it. With all of my Earth-formed strength my weapon splintered it and continued on through, taking with it the arm which held it. The Grey dropped on his back, screaming in pain and horror. I finished him off with a stomp to the head.
Cheers and applause flowed from above. The Greys crowding around us drew sullen. And they had begun to edge closer. I did not envision them accepting a defeat gracefully. I looked at the ropes hanging from the wall and over at Meena. She followed my gaze and shook her head.
“You’ve done your part,” I shouted. “They’ve seen a woman best one of their warriors. Go back up. I can handle this brute.”
“I will stand with you,” she insisted.
I looked again at the crowd, still moving forward. Anger and outrage showed on their faces.
“You asked to be a warrior,” I shouted. “Now be a warrior! I am your Sub-Commander and I have given you an order. Go to your rope. Now!”
She still hesitated. She, too, had noticed the mood of the crowd and her natural courage was telling her to stay and protect me from them. But the part about being a warrior got to her. She turned to Gann and spit in his direction. More cheers came from the walls. She then casually strolled over to the ropes and wrapped her arms and legs in them. She was quickly pulled up to the sound of even more cheers.
The Olvion Reality (The Chronicles of Olvion Book 1) Page 32