by Davis Ashura
Rukh offered a smile in return and reached up to put his hand on Choke's shoulder.
It was a gesture that left Choke humbled by the camaraderie it indicated.
“I hope so, my friend,” Rukh said.
Choke blinked back tears. Even now, it still astonished him when a Human treated him as a brother.
A futile gesture is often the last resort of those with nothing to lose. Pray never to reach such a sorry state.
~The Warrior and the Servant, (author unknown)
Jessira shifted the burden on her back and shuffled closer as Rukh went over the plan one final time. Of the nine warriors arrayed around her husband, only Rukh and Jaresh were Purebloods. The rest were OutCastes. These ten were the only warriors in Ashoka who had the Talents of a Kumma and could also Blend. They were about to skulk forth from a postern gate with an aim to wreck ruin upon the Chimeras.
A boulder thudded against the base of the Wall, and everyone flinched. Recently, the Chims had changed the aim of their catapults. Rocks hurled from high in the air were inevitably turned aside by the Oasis. But those launched at a shallow angle and at a slower speed—those could penetrate Ashoka's mystical protection. And while not all the boulders got through, at their current rate of fire, the Chims would eventually do some damage to the Outer Wall. Even worse, according to the Rahails, the continual bombardment and penetration was causing the Oasis itself to weaken somewhat. Not by much, but according to the Rahails, it was certainly a measurable decrease.
Such information had only been intended for the Magistrates, the ruling 'Els, and high-ranking Rahails—such as the Patriarchs—but it had quickly become known to the entire city. Thus, the need for this night's attack. The city needed some hope.
*When do we leave?* russet-coated Thrum complained.
*Hush,* Aia ordered. *We'll leave when it's time.*
Thrum subsided with a grumble.
“The Chims have dredged a channel from the Gaunt River that ends in a small pool,” Rukh began. “It's where they water their Pheds, the main food source for the Tigons and Braids.” He gestured to the packs he and the others wore. “We're going to poison that pool and kill as many Pheds as possible.”
“And since the Baels, Ur-Fels, and Balants also drink from that same water, we might get some of them, too,” Jessira said.
“Any questions?” Rukh asked.
A murmuring of dissent met his question.
The warriors manning the postern opened a thick ironwood door leading into the tunnel cut into the Wall. The passage was dank and dim with only red-hooded firefly lamps to light the way. Several more ironwood gates lined the throat. They were opened as Rukh's small group approached and shut once they'd passed.
Jessira took a steadying breath before the final gate. All firefly lamps were now put out, and the world was as still and dark as a mountain-hewn cavern.
“Ready?” asked one of the warriors manning the final gate.
Rukh gave a brief nod.
“Good hunting, warriors,” the man whispered before easing the door open.
Once outside, Jessira glanced back, but the postern was already closed and hidden by a thick covering of ivy, one that grew in abundance along the entire lower length of the Outer Wall. Sighting the gate was made even more difficult by the lightless night. The moon was hidden behind a bank of clouds, and a drizzly rain had broken the early summer heat. To the south, Jessira could hear the creak and pull of the Chims siege engines as they cranked and released, regular as Clarion Bell, Ashoka's famous clock tower.
Rukh led them into the gloomy night, taking them west. Jessira could sense more than see her fellow warriors arrayed nearby. Their faces were all smeared with soot, and their dark gray camouflage blended perfectly with the night around them. The Kesarins coursed along at their sides on nearly silent paws.
*A patrol,* Shon said. *Ten lengths to the right.*
Rukh held up a hand, barely seen in the dark, and the small group came to halt, hiding low in the grasses. All the warriors held shallow Blends. They would do little more than mask their scents, but it would have to be enough. Until they understood how the Queen could see through their Blends, they didn't want to risk any that were deeper. Doing so might compromise their positions. For all they knew, the Queen could somehow sense the Blend itself, and the deeper it was, the easier it would be for Her to see it.
Shon was crouched at Jessira's side, steady and ready to leap at a moment's notice. His gaze was focused. It was the poise of a hunter. A rumble came from his chest. Jessira put a hand on his shoulder and quieted him.
*They're gone,* Aia said.
“Let's go,” Rukh hissed.
The mile to the Chimera watering channel was covered in fits and starts as Rukh and the small band with him were forced to skirt around several more Chim patrols. Thankfully, the darkness of the cloudy night with its attendant drizzle kept them well hidden, and the Kesarins' keen senses allowed them to avoid the areas where the Chimeras were congregated. The Blends were hardly needed.
Still, it was nerve-wracking and should have been frightening, but Rukh was too focused to be afraid. His mission might mean the difference between survival and death for his homeland.
“Almost there,” Jessira hissed.
Rukh nodded acknowledgement. They had come to a small rise, a landmark to let them know that they neared their destination. The Phed watering hole was supposed to be just a few hundred feet south, and Rukh led them in that direction at a trot. There were no further patrols to impede their progress, and they quickly covered the distance.
The pool was before them, and the warriors lifted leather waterskins off their backs. They emptied their poisonous contents into the small pool, which drank it all in without a burble.
“Don't let any of it touch you,” Rukh hissed a reminder.
He shook out the last of the poison, and it was done. Rukh replaced the waterskin on his back. So far, the mission was going well. He offered a brief prayer that it would remain as simple on the return to the postern.
Moments later, a Bovar bolted across their path. Chasing after it was a claw of Tigons. There was no chance to hide. Rukh drew his sword even as the Chimeras shouted in alarm. He prepared to rush forward, but the Kesarins beat him to it. They quickly killed the Tigons, but distant, questioning cries had already been raised.
Rukh cursed their bad luck. “Run,” he said without hesitation.
*Nodogs and Nosnakes,* Shon warned. *Many of them, to our right.*
*Nocats, also,* Thrum announced. *And Kezins, the horned ones.*
*They're already between us and the Wall,* Aia said. *More are moving to cut us off. They'll get there first.*
Rukh swore again before turning to the warriors in his unit. “Ashokans”—a few months ago, it would have been utterly incongruous to refer to a band of OutCastes as members of his city—”we've got problems.” He quickly passed on the Kesarin's information. “We'll have to run flat out and fight through.” He forced a brash confidence into his voice, but inside he was a tight bundle of tension.
The last time he'd sprinted for Ashoka's walls, he'd been leading Trims in the Advent Trial. He had hoped this excursion would be far different. He had hoped none of his brother and sister warriors would die this time. He still hoped that it might happen that way.
“We'll make it,” Jessira said to him, making it sound like a promise. She playfully punched him on the shoulder and grinned. “Just don't slow us down.”
*I'll make sure he keeps up,* Aia promised in a voice that sounded like a smile. *Even if I have to carry him.*
Rukh smiled at their teasing, and some of the tension left him. “Let's go,” he said. He conducted more Jivatma and led the warriors at a fast clip toward the city's walls. Stealth gave way to speed, but they remained somewhat hidden by the soft Blends they all still held. Maybe it would be enough to hide them.
“Shouldn't we tighten our Blends?” Jaresh whispered.
“The Queen might fe
el it,” Sign replied.
“Dead at the hands of a Chim is still dead,” Jaresh countered.
“We'll have a better chance surviving the Chimeras then we would the Sorrow Bringer,” Sign disagreed.
“Quiet,” Rukh snapped. “We're not running a debate club. We're running for the postern. Now shut it.”
The band settled down after that, and Rukh did some rough calculations. The Wall was a little more than a mile distant. Just a few minutes away, but only if they avoided any Chimeras. Any delays—even a single nest of Ur-Fels—might see them trapped outside Ashoka's safety. They needed a clear path.
*You'll have it,* Aia promised. She looked in Rukh's direction. *But my chin will be very itchy when this is all done.* Soundlessly, she and her brothers peeled away from the Ashokans and accelerated forward.
“Where are they going?” Sign asked.
“They're going to clear us a path to the Wall,” Jessira answered.
Sounds came: hoots of alarm, snarls of pain, hissing cries of distress, and barks of anger. Over it all was the deep-throated roar of Kesarins in battle. New sounds. This time, the deep-throated bellow of a Bael.
Rukh found himself worrying for Aia and her brothers. There were a lot of Chims out on the plain. The three cats couldn't take them all on. What if they pushed too far ahead for the Ashokans to be able to help them? He was about to call the Kesarins back when Aia spoke.
*We aren't stupid,* she reminded him. *We won't wander too far.*
Rukh smiled to himself before turning to the others. “We can't go straight for the postern,” he told them. “We can't let the Chims know there are any other ways into the city beyond the main gates.”
“Then what are we going to do?” Sign asked.
“We'll head for just north of the postern and fire off the signal flares. That'll tell the Rahails and Murans up top to Link to our Blends and toss down scaling ropes,” Rukh answered. “And when we reach the Wall, we'll Blend more deeply and climb up to safety.”
“What about Suwraith?” an OutCaste warrior questioned.
“If the Sorrow Bringer shows up, we'll have to hope that we're close enough to the Oasis so that even if She does take notice of us, we'll reach the Wall before She can kill us,” Rukh explained.
“And the Kesarins?” Jaresh asked.
“Aia, Shon, and Thrum can only enter the city through the postern,” Rukh said. “I'll Blend them and bring them in.”
“Shon is mine,” Jessira said. “I'll stay with him.”
“And Thrum's mine,” Jaresh announced.
“No you won't,” Rukh snapped. Anger bubbled at their obstinance. “All of you will go up those ladders. Those are your orders. No more talking.”
Jessira looked like she wanted to say more, but a hard shake of his head let her know he didn't want to hear it.
The Kesarins reappeared at their side. *There are a lot of Nobeasts directly ahead of us,” Aia said.
“Can we cut through them?” Rukh asked.
Aia pondered his question for a moment. *Yes,* she finally said.
*But you have to kill them swiftly before others of their kind cut you off from the gate,* Thrum added.
*We're not going to the gate,* Rukh said, quickly explaining the change in plans. *Stay close to us,* he ordered the Kesarins before turning to the others. “When the flares go up, I want you all ready to Annex. Jessira and I will form a Duo. The rest of you form Quads. Your only mission is to get inside.”
No arguments came from the others this time, and Rukh breathed out a sigh of relief for small blessings.
Hooting Balants were outlined no more than fifty yards ahead. Beside them crouched growling Tigons, barking Ur-Fels, and hissing Braids.
“Blend as hard as you can,” Rukh ordered. He conducted more Jivatma, twisting it, thickening his Blend, extending it until it encompassed Aia. Jaresh and Jessira did the same for Thrum and Shon.
The Outer Wall loomed no more than a hundred yards away.
Rukh's heart thudded. “Get the flares ready,” he ordered. His jaw was clenched with tension, and he forced himself to relax.
“Ready,” Sign said.
“Fire it and Annex!” Rukh ordered. He conducted more Jivatma. It tasted like wine and roses, thick as sap, depthless as a mountain's roots. He reached for Jessira. Her answering touch was like a warm caress against his thoughts.
The Balants were close. The Braids closer. Hisses drew his attention to the right.
*Hold,* he told the Kesarins. They had to remain within the embrace of the Linked Blends. Rukh drew his sword and stretched his inner senses.
His thoughts slowed, flowed away from him like a log on winter-cold water. The wormwood song of his worries faded into the distance. He was gone.
Dimly, he noted a banshee cry from far to the south. It was a hurricane-scream of anger, madness, and retribution. The Queen was coming.
The Annex was enacted.
The Duo Shielded. Primary's sword was readied, and he was sent forward. He would be the hammer by which the Duo would punch through the enemy's line. The Kesarin, Aia, flanked Primary, hanging close to his side. Secondary drifted back. One of her hands glowed, filled with a Fireball waiting to be unleashed. She would protect Primary's back. With her went the Kesarin, Shon.
Hissing sounds came to the Duo. Braids. Hidden in the gloom and tall grass. To the right. The information came from Aia. Even in the quietness of the Annex, the Kesarin had somehow spoken to Primary, and from him the knowledge came to the Duo.
Ur-Fels and Balants were directly ahead. Arrows from the Chimeras thrummed.
Shields were made stronger. The Duo searched the grass. There. A trap of Braids. Primary moved to attack. Parry a thrust. Duck a wild swing, and a sword passed overhead. Primary's return was a slice and disembowelment. A Jivatma-powered elbow smashed a Braid's jaw. Aia took on and killed the other three.
The enemy numbers were considerable. Two claws of Tigons rushed forward. Three nests of Ur-Fels. Two more traps of Braids. Seven Balants. The basso roar of a Bael instructed the Chimeras on where to go.
The Blends had been compromised. Secondary was moved forward. Fireballs scorched into the Chimeras. The Duo noted the casualties. Another volley of Fireballs hurled into a cluster of Balants. This one was from point-blank range. An opening formed as Balants fell back, thrashing in pain.
Primary surged onward, the tip of the spear. Aia kept up, flanking him. Secondary and Shon defended the rear. A hammer blow from a Balant was evaded. Primary leapt upward, a jump that carried him twelve feet into the air. A sword thrust through the Balant's eye finished the Chim.
A Tigon roared, rising directly before Secondary. She swept past a looping swing. A quick slash to the throat, and she moved on. A nest of Ur-Fels charged from the side. Shon instantly cut down three of them. Secondary threw a Fireball and incinerated several more. She took a blow on her Shield, but it didn't slow her down. She snapped a push kick that shattered ribs and flowed into the movement. An arcing slice decapitated another Ur-Fel. A parry and riposte cut deep into the thigh of the final dog-like Chimera. Shon finished him.
A Bael shouted orders. Frenzied Chimeras answered his call. A swarm of them sallied forth. The Duo was suddenly in danger of being overwhelmed.
The Kesarins lashed out in all directions, but still the Chimeras pressed forward. Secondary was taking more and more punishment on her Shield. Primary was hounded on all sides. Arrows from above—the Ashokans on the Outer Wall—thinned the ranks of the attacking Chimeras. The Duo launched Fireballs and gained further breathing space. With it, Primary was set to defend the remaining Ashokans on the ground. They had almost reached the Outer Wall. Aia held ready at his side.
A claw of Tigons, flanked by a trap of Braids on either side, came at Primary. He engaged. Secondary sent Fireballs streaking past him on either side of his head. The Duo drew more Jivatma. Primary leapt over the Tigons. Upon landing, he lopped off the arm of a Braid. He spun and parried a hard smash
from a Tigon. A short jab to the throat, and the cat-like Chimera gurgled his last breath. Another parry and a leap carried him straight up. He threw a Fireball while airborne. Two more Braids died. Primary landed again, and with a hard slash, he ripped through the torso of another Tigon. A leap backward, and he evaded frenetic thrusts. A Tigon closed, and Primary took the creature through the eye. The sword hung up on the withdrawal, caught on the skull of the Chim. A Balant suddenly appeared. The sword came loose, but it was too late. The Balant swung his war hammer. Primary had no time to prepare himself. He took the blow on his Shield. It staved in, and the Balant's blow, though cushioned somewhat, still managed to smash Primary in the chest and hurl him yards away. His head hit heavily, and he lay there dazed as he struggled to breathe.
Secondary was there to defend him. So were the Kesarins. More arrows from the Ashokans on the wall threw the Chimeras back.
With the respite, Primary clawed his way to his feet. He swayed a moment before steadying.
The Duo glanced to the Wall. The warriors of Primary's small troop were at the base and some were already scaling upwards. Primary and Secondary raced toward the rest of the unit. The Duo was only yards away from safety with no Chimeras to stop them.
A howl of hate echoed across the plain, and a shower of boulders fell like rain around the Duo. The Queen had come.
Primary exited the Annex.
The Chimeras had scattered upon the Queen's sandstorm approach, but Jessira's eyes were lit with hope. Though Suwraith arrived in a sheet of lightning, arrowing downward like a stooping falcon, She was too late. The Wall was close, only yards away. Thrum already waited there.
Jessira's face fell when she realized Rukh wasn't beside her. He was far behind with a lot of ground to cover. Jessira's mouth went dry. The Sorrow Bringer would block his path. He wasn't going to make it.
“Take the Kesarins inside!” Rukh shouted. “I'll distract Her.”