Her feelings of guilt didn't ease when she made it to center six. It was full of people, with a pile of dead outside of it. The healers inside looked ready to drop, all showed signs of working through the night. Sara threw herself into her work, not letting up until she needed to get supplies.
As she came up to a supply tent she saw Sasha talking with someone. Sasha waved her over and she saw that she was with Barnin. He was covered in dried blood that she couldn't tell if it was his or not. Some of his other men were in the area; they looked like they were eating as fast as they could and gathering supplies.
"Hey Sara, how are your ribs?" Barnin asked.
"Fine, what are you guys doing?" she asked.
Sasha raised an eyebrow and Barnin spoke. "Refitting," he said as if it was obvious.
Before anyone could say anything they all looked up as a group of Elf dragons passed over head in a V formation. In the center was a massive purple dragon that Sara knew to be Legon. His armor looked wore, his scales covered in dirt, smoke and blood. Even from the sky he looked like he'd been through hell, next to him was Iselin and Opes taking his wings. They descended as they flew over.
"They haven't rested since the attack started, and even then they were just taking a small break. They have been fighting since yesterday morning," Sasha said leveling her gaze on Barnin, "and if reports are correct that Iumenta class eight is in the area." Sasha looked behind her, "I need to go...something’s up, command is meeting. Sara I hope you feel better." She took Barnin's hand, "Be safe," she said and walked off.
Sara's head dropped, "How can she even be talking to me with what I've done?"
"What you mean, hiding all night and not being at the healing center helping out?" Barnin asked frankly.
"You're mad at me aren't you?" she said "You should be, you were doing your job all night, Legon and Ise and Opes and everyone else was but I..."
Barnin put his hand on her shoulder, "Had reached your limit. Look Sara, I'll be honest with you, we needed every one last night, but we needed everyone clear headed. Sasha told me about everything, you've never seen combat like that before. The center you worked at was destroyed and you were scared and stressed along with having broken ribs and a leg. You could have somewhat healed your injuries, and pushed through the pain and worked, but at what cost? Sasha isn't mad at you, because she understands. Don't beat yourself up; just keep doing your best OK?"
"Barnin that was a really kind thing to say...I-"
"You're worried that I got hit in the head or something right? Because I'm being nice? That's fair, but it's the truth."
"Thank you, is there anything your people need?" she asked.
Barnin thought for a moment, "Do you think you could tend to a few of my guys? They don't have any major injuries, well a few do, but they aren't going back out with us. But it would be nice to go back into combat with everyone at one hundred percent."
"Sure lead me to them," she said.
* * * * *
Emma sat with Edling, waiting for Legon and Sasha. Legon trotted up in his dragon form entering the hanger, dragging his tail, Iselin close behind. A group of Elf blacksmiths were on hand to make any needed repairs to Legon or Iselin's armor. Once inside Legon wasted no time shedding his worn and blood spattered armor. As soon as he and Iselin were out of it they took their Elf forms.
Legon stretched his arms above his head and said, "I never thought I'd be so happy to have a meeting."
A haggard looking Iselin agreed.
Emma raised an eyebrow and Legon answered her unasked question, "I can take an Elf form and get out of that armor."
Sasha came in the hanger and Edling went to join her, taking her hand. Emma liked to watch Edling with Sasha, every time he saw her it was like he was breathing for the first time. Emma thought it was cute and wondered how long his reaction would last.
Emma reached down to her bag, pulling out a stack of papers and spoke to Legon. "Legon," she said taking a business tone, "would you like me to brief you on the way to the meeting?"
Legon looked at the stack in her hands and seemed to reconsider his earlier statement about being thankful for a meeting. "Yes please, but after it starts I want you to get some rest."
Emma smiled. "I will," she said following him out of the hanger, filling him in on what the meeting was to be about. Once Legon, Sasha and Iselin were in the meeting, Emma met back up with Edling.
"So what did you find out?" he asked.
"Well, it could have been worse from what the reports say. We pushed the Impa back out of the base and they didn't breach any other sections of the wall," she explained.
"But..."
"But the north end of the base is mostly ashes; House Coreen used artillery to keep the Iumenta from being able to keep any ground. The forest outside the wall is likewise gone. We only lost a few Ascended and most of those deaths occurred at the onset of the attack. From what we can tell the Iumenta didn't lose any Ascended in the attack, or if they did we didn't find the bodies. However, the Iumenta took significantly higher infantry casualties than we did, so over all we fared well I suppose.
"The reports that I read said that this could be the first of many attacks. We can expect all sides of our perimeter to be hit from this point forward unless we keep the Impa on the defense."
Edling nodded and asked, "Do you know the state of Salez?"
"It's good the city will fall, most likely in the next few weeks. Doesn't Sasha tell you this stuff? You are an heir to House Evindass, after all."
"She doesn't like to think or talk about the war. I try and keep her distracted with crystals and helping out with healing centers," he said.
Emma should have known that. "I can see that, well if you ever need info you know I'm your girl," she said.
"Don't think I'll forget that," Edling said warmly. "Now, we both need to get some rest."
Emma agreed and went to her quarters, falling on the bed without even taking the time to change out of her clothes. She thought it would take her a long time to quiet her mind, but as soon as her head hit the pillow she fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-One
Betrayed
"When trust is lost, we lose something essential to our makeup, something that sometimes can never come back."
-Excerpts from The Diary of the Adopted Sister
Tom flinched away from the heat of fire. Salez was falling, there was no doubt about it in his mind, and it would fall soon. Tom still didn’t know who the traitor in his group was, everyone checked out from what he was able to tell.
Right now he needed to figure out how to stay alive. He dashed down the stone streets dodging soldiers as he went. Most of the civilians were out of the area, those left were heading toward shelters.
Tom saw a girl with long brown hair in the distance, running in the wrong direction. It was Stacy. What’s she playing at? He went after her. She was a good distance ahead of him and Tom was having a hard time keeping up. Stacy ran without fear as she moved. Then the obvious struck him. Brian checked out, Tom had known him for years, and Tom was the one who turned Seth. He was just a thief before…Stacy was the mole.
He slowed his pace, needing to confirm what should have been plain as day to him. She was in a commercial area of the city now; most of the people were long gone. She ducked into a shop. Tom went across the street. He climbed up the wall of a small building. Once on top he looked out toward the main city wall. Magic flashed and crashed in the air. He knelt down, coming up to the lip of the roof.
He used magic, magnifying his eyes and ears. His head throbbed with the sound of magical fighting and he refined his spell. He heard voices, both speaking in Glosso.
“What do you mean?” Stacy’s voice said.
Tom leaned over, his enhanced vision allowing him to see Stacy in the shop. In front of her was an Iumenta. Tom went ridged; it was the same one that killed James.
“I told you. You are of no use to us anymore, if you ever were to begin with,” the Iume
nta said harshly.
Stacy didn’t seem to care. “So what is my new assignment?” she asked.
The Iumenta laughed, “You don’t have one. You’re finished, which I think you already know.”
Before Tom could register what was happening, the Iumenta’s hand slashed at Stacy in a blur of speed. She fell back, blood pouring from a cut on her head. She hit the ground and felt the wound while looking up, her eyes fearful.
Tom fought the urge to help her, she was the enemy.
Stacy looked scared. “Please, don’t kill me!” she cried.
The Iumenta looked at her with disgust and walked forward.
Stacy barked a spell and metal spikes shot up from the wooden floor of the shop. The Iumenta howled in pain. Before it could react, Stacy was up, all of her fear seeming to vanish. She pulled a knife and stabbed the Iumenta in the gut. Tom watched it fall forward, and then Stacy slashed its neck in several places. She backed away, panting a bit. Tom’s mouth fell open, never had he seen someone kill with such precision, not to mention the skill it would take to kill an Iumenta.
“I did know you were going to try that. Why do you think I chose to meet you here?” she said to the dead Iumenta.
Stacy cleaned off the knife and walked out of the shop. Tom ducked back down on the roof.
“You can come out now Tom,” Stacy’s voice came from below.
Tom’s heart began to race. He was no fighter.
There was a slight sound of boot on stone and Stacy came over the wall and onto the roof. How had she moved that fast? She was always a happy bouncy girl, but that wasn’t the Stacy in front of Tom now. He rose.
“So you’re the mole,” he stated.
“Tom, I told you not to look for the mole, didn’t I?” she said without a hint of warmth.
Tom’s eyes flicked about looking for a way to escape. “You did tell me not to look into it, yes,” he admitted.
Stacy took a step forward, “Too bad really, now that we’re on the same side and all.”
Tom stopped, looking around, “Same side? You work for the Iumenta.”
Stacy came a step closer, “Really? See, I thought they just tried to kill me.”
“So what, you’re on Elves side now?” he asked, not trusting her.
She nodded, “Yes, you see where I come from you learn that survival is most important and I plan to survive Tom. So yes, now I am on the Elves side, and a good ally I’ll be.”
“So what then? We just leave here?” Tom asked, though he doubted that was her intention.
Stacy frowned, “Sadly Tom, no. You see, soon the Impa will lose Salez and when they do I can’t have you telling House Evindass that I tried to kill Legon and Sasha and did manage to kill Arkin. So sadly Tom, you have to die.” Her voice warmed, “But this does work out well. I can now go to Legon and Sasha, having killed the mole that has caused so many issues. Issues that will now stop.”
Tom’s gut clinched. She was going to get away with everything. He had to act. “FLAMMA!” he shouted as ruby shot from his hand. Stacy deflected the magic and dodged to her side.
Tom jumped from the roof, letting magic stop him. Stacy was a killer, but she was only a class one. Tom was a class two; he was more powerful than she and older. He could win this.
Stacy laughed from above. Tom hid behind an overturned cart. Stacy landed on the ground.
“Tom, you can’t beat me,” she said confident.
Tom felt concealment wards being tested. He jumped from behind the cart, sending more magic at her. She countered, and Tom blocked the spell.
“Why?” he asked as he ran into an alley.
“Why what?”
He used magic to project his voice trying to throw her off, “Why join the Iumenta?”
“Tom dear, I didn’t join them, I was raised by them,” she supplied like it was obvious.
She went on, “Well, while we are playing this game I suppose I can tell you the story. You all were so happy to find Mors. That’s not where I’m from. The place where I was born and raised is deep in Impa lands, even after this war the Elves will never find it.”
Tom blanched. He lost his focus, taken back by her statement. Stacy came around a corner, and Tom deflected a burst of gold. Pain exploded in his leg. He tried to get up, pulling a knife from his leg. He backed away from Stacy.
“Do you know what it’s like training with master Venefica Tom?” she asked, moving to stand over him.
Tom pushed against a wall trying to get away from her. Fear and pain were gripping him.
“N-no,” he said.
She smiled faintly. “I didn’t think so. See, I was the top of my class. They pulled me aside at the age of six. The Iumenta trained me to be an assassin. I’ve trained one on one with masters that have been doing magic for thousands of years. Couple that with the hand to hand training Arkin gave me…” she paused, “well, don’t be hard on yourself for losing.”
There was the rumble of wards. Stacy looked up and then back to Tom, “Sorry Tom, but I have to go now. Don’t worry I’ll make it fast. Any last words?”
Tom didn’t have anything to say. He’d been such a fool. He simply closed his eyes.
* * * * *
Legon stared ahead as he flew toward Salez. Weeks of fighting were drawing to a close. He knew that this day the air space over Salez would fall, and with it, the rest of the city would follow. Legon figured the Iumenta must have known this would happen too, they weren't fighting with the same vigor that they had over the last month since the siege had begun.
"Surround the city," Sydin ordered.
Detachments of Ascended broke off from the main attacking body to circle around Salez. Legon stayed in a forward group with his guard, Iselin and Sydin. Formations of Iumenta lay ahead of them; dead center, in front of Legon was a pale green dragon. The Iumenta class eight. None of the Elves knew the dragons name, all that they could figure out was that he was recently Ascended like Legon. Sydin said one could see how new he was by the lack of control he had in the sky, something indicative of all new dragons.
"So do you think Green is going to fight me today?" Legon asked Sydin referring to the class eight.
"I don't think he will have a choice. I can tell he's new but none of our forces have seen much of him so it's safe to assume that you have more actual combat experience," Sydin said comfortingly.
Legon was a little irked, "I'm not worried about fighting him Sydin, but thanks for the pep talk."
Legon thought he heard Sydin mutter something about the pep talk not being for Legon, but he decided not to comment and focused on the fast approaching green. Legon looked into the dragon’s yellow eyes, trying to read them. He could see excitement in them, a desire to prove himself.
"We will have your wing," Sydin said.
"That won’t be necessary, he wants single combat, I can see it in his eyes, and I want the same," Legon said.
"Don't be a moron Legon, there is no way he's fighting you alone," Iselin barked, but Legon wasn't paying attention to her. He too was excited, he too wanted to prove himself against this dragon and he didn't want any help.
Before Iselin was able to argue more Legon sprinted forward at almost the same time Green did. Legon let out a savage roar that was matched by Green. Torrents of emerald and amethyst flames collided and Legon felt Green's power pushing against him. Never had Legon felt the kind of resistance he did now.
The two dragons smacked into each other, the force of it making their chest plates groan and grind together, the sound was horrific. As Legon suspected, none of the Iumenta paid any attention to him, and he paid no attention to anything other than Green.
Claws cut deeper into Legon than ever before, Green's jaws snapped at Legon's neck and in turn Legon bit down on Green's shoulder, tasting blood and flesh. They separated before they hit the ground. Below them human, Elves and Iumenta ran to avoid the two massive dragons. Legon swung with his tail blade. Green caught the blow and returned with one of his own. Legon
stopped it as magic ran the course of his wing, making a poison gas that he used his wings to drive toward Green.
The gas met pale green wards and was countered by blasts of wind so focused they could cut steel. Legon's wards stopped the attack. So you're an Elemental Legon thought. They both rose in the sky trying to gain the upper hand on one another. Legon felt healing wards strain as he got cut by claw and tooth, but for every wound he received, he dealt one of his own.
They were above Salez's main wall now and Green seemed desperate. Magic rebounded off of both dragons as they fought. Green faded back and Legon, too eager, shot forward. Green's tail came swinging up at Legon's exposed head.
Green's tail blade made contact with Legon's jaw, cutting armor and flesh, shattering bone. Legon screamed as the lower left hand side of his jaw separated from the upper half and flapped in space. The force of it was too great and the other joint in his jaw broke, leaving his bottom half hanging by muscle and scales alone. Pain fogged his vision and he felt healing wards drain as they tried to heal his jaw. In Legon’s moment of disorientation Green lashed out, getting in two more tail hits to Legon's sides before he could block. Ribs cracked with one of the blows and Legon feebly tried to ward off attacks. He felt his jaw snap back together and finish healing, but he'd lost ground in the fight and was losing badly.
There was a sound from Salez and Green separated from Legon and looked back. Legon recovered, but before he could attack Green turned in the air and flew as fast as he could back towards Salez. Legon looked to see the other Iumenta doing the same. Many were going to the ground and picking up other Iumenta and then using one of the city’s jump crystals to leave.
Sydin's voice boomed, "They are jumping out, secure the city’s air space!" he ordered.
There were collective roars from other Elf dragons and Legon joined them.
He fell back to be next to Iselin who eyed him. "You almost died today," she said angrily.
"I know," Legon said remembering.
"You're happy about it?" she asked incredulous.
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