by D N Meinster
The mayhem was particularly evident in one part of the forest, where some trees had been partly blown up, while others were left with scorches and scars. Only the sounds of crunching wood and leaves reached her ears as all of the men stepped on the remains of timber. Rikki was so distraught she almost tripped on a stump, but Simma caught her before she hit the ground.
Fair Forest brightened up and became less compressed as they neared the exit. Fresh screams and an explosion indicated Kuwain's army had already breached the border.
"Are you ready?" Rikki asked as they prepared to step back into the open fields.
Simma didn't say anything but kept moving. Rikki could only assume that meant she was.
The sun and skies had failed to notice the terror engulfing Faunli. It was bright and warm, with nary a cloud or a cold breeze. Some foul weather might have slowed them all down. Instead, they were slaughtering each other with ease.
Red-padded men charged the gold-padded men, and they attacked each other with a ferocity that only a personal insult may have conjured. Rows of men sliced at each other. Their metal weapons ground against their opponents'. There was no pause when one man was able to down another. They kept going, engaging another right after. How many would each man have to kill for this to be over?
Arrows once again took to the air, trying to drop what men they could. Only the few without helmets were usually downed by such methods, unless those arrows were tipped with explosives.
There were not many exploding arrows, but when they made contact, their effects were devastating. They did not distinguish which side the soldiers were on, but blew them to pieces no matter the color they wore. Limbs would fly, and blood would soak those near the site of the blast, but those mostly unharmed would continue the onslaught like their comrades had not been torn apart.
Velizards scampered through the lines, knocking men down and occasionally biting them. When arrows failed to bring these creatures down, groups of men teamed up to impale them with any manner of sharp metal. Swords and daggers cut into the feet and sides of the poor animals, until they were eventually left immobile on the battlefield.
The view of so much death was too much for Rikki. Her eyes filled with tears until the horrors before her were nothing but blurry transgressions.
"No!" Simma cried, her focus not on Rikki but on her brothers.
Luewen wore battle gloves of his own. These were golden and shaped like pyramids, the pointed tips right at the end of his fists. The three planks that composed these gloves stretched back from the deadly points all the way to his elbows. They were oversized and heavy, less maneuverable than Simma's spheres. But the golden frames that encompassed Luewen's arms provided a suitable defense, so that his brother was unable to land a strike.
Kuwain wielded the same Massku blade that he had tried to kill his brother with seasons before. He slammed the jagged black metal into his brother's arms over and over again, hoping to break the pyramidal gloves apart and end Luewen's life.
But Luewen managed to deflect each hit. One particular bounce enabled him to mount a counterstrike. Kuwain was thrown off balance and stumbling, so Luewen moved in, prodding the sharpened tips toward his brother.
Kuwain was able to dodge the hit, but fell backward as he avoided the attack.
Luewen raised his glove high, ready to dig the peak into his brother's head.
Simma shot forward, getting between her brothers and swinging her gloves out so that Luewen was forced back and out of range to kill Kuwain.
"You cannot stop this!" Luewen bellowed as he readied to charge at her.
"You're wrong!" Simma replied. She looked to Rikki, who was distracted by the unfolding war. "Rikki!" She didn't notice. "Rikki! Rikki!"
Rikki wiped at her eyes and took note of Simma. It was time. She shifted to Simma's side and glowered at the two emperors.
Kuwain was not deterred by the presence of his sister or the mage. He hurried back to his feet and prepared to engage them all if necessary.
"No more," Rikki said, and the grass on the plains grew to an enormous length as it slid up both emperor's legs, entangling their limbs and torsos until they were entirely ensnared by the greenery. Both struggled against their chains of foliage, but neither could escape.
Simma came up to Rikki and bowed her head in front of the mage.
Rikki placed her free hand on top of Simma's head, so that her palm rested on black hairs. She elevated her staff, and let the channeling crystal glow as intense as she could make it.
Simma called up the memories of her father. The night Emperor Boramo had told her the truth about her brother's played out in her mind. She could see him, the illness overtaking him as he lie on his bed. She didn't pay attention to anyone else who had been in the room. She focused on him. And the words he spoke. She remembered them perfectly. Just calling up his voice caused twinges of pain in her heart. She still missed him.
When he was done speaking, she replayed the memory again. And then again. Rikki had to do this. It was the only way.
Yet Rikki had never done anything like this before. She ignored the creeping doubt and willed Simma' thoughts into the world. All she needed was for everyone to hear them.
For a moment, Simma's memories played before Rikki's eyes. Rikki was someplace she had never been, seeing a man she had never met. She knew who it was, and she heard his voice as if she had been there that day. He spoke a language she did not, but she understood it like she was a natural speaker.
When Rikki next spoke, it was in a voice that was not her own, and in a tongue that she had never learned. And it was everywhere.
It was in the forest. It was in the plains. It was in the sky.
Emperor's Boramo's voice reverberated across Faunli like he had never died.
"Luewen. Kuwain. You are not my blood. Lady Melgar was unable to have children after Simma. So we adopted you. And we raised you to lead our empire. I trust you with that, as I trust you with this knowledge. You are still my sons. Simma is still your sister. But you deserve the truth before there is no one left to tell it."
Rikki pulled her hand away from Simma's head and lowered her staff. At first, she looked to Kuwain and Luewen, who had escaped their bindings while Rikki was distracted. But neither seemed intent on murdering the other any longer. In fact, they looked completely lost.
As she turned away from them, Rikki realized the entire battlefield had gone silent. All of the men, who had been hacking away at each other a minute earlier, were motionless as they stared at them. They, like their emperors, had been struck by Boramo's words, and were unsure of their next move. Would the war continue? Or had this changed everything?
Simma glanced at Rikki, perplexed by the unfolding events. Had they just saved thousands of lives?
Rikki didn't want to give them all a chance to resume the war. This was it. If this wouldn't stop them, peace would be unattainable. She bowed at Simma, and then dropped to one knee.
Simma's eyes bulged at the mage's sign of deference. But she was more stunned by what happened next.
Row-after-row of soldiers fell to their knees and bowed their heads before Simma. Every man, whether dressed in red or gold, followed the mage's lead, until not one amongst the thousands remained standing.
Only Luewen and Kuwain hesitated as they watched this new unification. They were the last ones to take to their knees, hiding their baffled expressions as they angled their heads.
Simma marveled at the gesture made by the bravest and most daring men in Faunli. Here she was, before them, her blood and dirt-stained cloak being tousled by the wind, and none questioned whether a woman was capable of leading them.
They bowed, and in doing so, had saved the empire.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The Dark Reign Begins
1 D.R.
"We've been betrayed!"
King Aergo's eyes shot open upon hearing the gruff voice. He sat up in bed, only to see Rantiford waiting for him in the doorframe. The Head Gua
rdian was already suited up in white armor.
"We don't leave for another three days," Aergo grumbled.
"We're not going anywhere," Rant replied. "Neanthal's army has already reached the outskirts. Kytheras is under attack!"
Aergo's mouth hung open as he absorbed Rant's words. His eyes dashed from the window, where the sun had barely begun to rise, to his wife, who was stirring awake.
"Our guardians are assembling," Rant continued, stepping further inside the room. "I've called on any volunteers to arm themselves. We must get you someplace safe."
Aergo's attention narrowed in on Rant. He shot him a bewildered look before propelling himself out of bed. "I'm going to lead them, Rant."
"Sir, I'm more than capable," he replied. "This is an invasion."
"I'm well aware," Aergo said. "Fetch me my armor."
When Rant shuffled out of the room, Aergo turned to his wife. "Get to the boys. Get them to the Islands."
"Shine will want to fight at your side," Eloris responded. She pushed herself up and stared into her husband's eyes. "I can't force him to come with me."
"I'll make him."
"I don't think you can convince him, either."
Aergo knew she was right. Shine would do as he pleased, no matter what either of his parents instructed of him. His mission in Belliore had shown them that.
Rant rushed back into the room, polished green armor stacked in his arms. He dropped it on the bed. "You’d better hurry, sir. If they get into the city – "
"I know!" Aergo screamed. He shed his pajamas and began dressing for battle. First came the white undergarments, and then the pieces of lighter armor. He suited in the heaviest armor last, with Rant's assistance. It was bulky, with the symbol of the Five Kingdoms engraved on his chest. He finished by sticking his sword in the sheath at his waist.
Eloris remained in bed, sitting up while she watched her husband dress. He went over to her once he was done and kissed her with as much passion as the moment could muster. "I love you."
"Kick his ass," she responded. "I don't plan on staying on the Islands." She kissed him again, and they looked at one another like their lives truly were about to end.
"Your Majesty," Rant interrupted.
Aergo nodded and left his wife's side. He followed Rant as they descended the stairs to the first floor of Castle Tornis. "Do we know how many there are?"
"Tens of thousands," Rant answered. "Man and beast. We may be outmatched."
"Shit." Aergo was not planning on leading his men to their doom. If victory was to be impossible, he would get them all as far from Neanthal's forces as he could. But he had to know first before he'd surrender. He would not abandon his city unless he knew he had no other choice. What would he be condemning Kytheras to if he left? "Have you sent word to any Streamers?" Terrastream remained free from Neanthal's influence.
"A post bird was shot down this morning. We sent a mage, but she hasn't come back."
"So we're on our own," Aergo stated.
"Most likely." Rantiford glanced at him, his tame beard and distant eyes providing no comfort. It was clear he did not have much hope.
There were only a handful of guardians left waiting on the first floor. "I already sent most of them to the Outer," Rantiford explained. The corridors were fairly empty. Anyone that wouldn't be joining them on the battlefield was probably still asleep.
Shine was not asleep. He was waiting for them at the Castle's exit, already armed and armored.
"You shouldn't come with us," Aergo feebly argued.
Shine didn't say a word. He simply got in line behind his father with the other guardians as they stomped through the castle doors.
Aergo peeked back at him but tried to remain focused on where they were going. He would have expected Treatis Square to be as empty as the castle halls at this hour, but as they entered it, he saw legions of men and horses.
"Where are the mages?" Aergo asked, expecting to see a pegasus or two among them.
"Amelia is gathering them," Rant replied. "They'll meet us on the outskirts."
Aergo headed over to one of his most faithful steeds, Napeo, and climbed on. He ran his fingers through its mane while Rantiford and Shine took to horseback at his side. Rant had been leading, but now they looked to the King for instruction.
In this dark hour, it all felt like a dream. Any moment, he could wake and continue on with what he had spent decks planning. He wanted the light to break through and end his slumber. But the sky lightened the longer he stalled. This was not some nightmare. All of these men were headed to war.
He urged his horse forward but kept a slow pace as it pranced through the square. Aergo cleared his throat and began. "I have led you for decades, through wars I did not want, and harsh seasons that starved too many of our brothers and sisters. But even the worst times brought the best out of us. There had never been as long a time of peace in all of Ghumaic history. It was unprecedented. It should have never ended.
"We didn't do anything wrong. This beast came up from beneath the earth and started robbing us of all we had accomplished. He took Faunli. He took Belliore. And now Neanthal thinks he can take Kytheras. Well, we're going to prove him wrong today. Let me lead you once more! Let us push back against this monster! We stop him this day, and tomorrow we free Faunli! We free Belliore! Neanthal's rule is coming to an end!"
The square erupted in cheering that was vociferous enough to wake any that were sleeping, not only in the castle but in the kingdom. Guardians clapped and banged on their metallic armor. Their horses neighed and clomped around.
Aergo looked to Rant and then his son. He gave them the warmest grin he could muster before he sent his horse dashing out of the square and down the streets of his kingdom. The two of them followed his lead, as did the rest of the guardians. Those without horses ran alongside those that were riding them. They passed shops that had yet to open, and schools that were empty at this hour. Kytherans that were awake would poke their heads out windows and exclaim words of encouragement as they passed. Some even took up their own weapons and joined in the stampede.
Through the Outer they galloped, until they finally came to the myriad of men Rant had already ordered to assemble. They were packed together on Kytheras' border, most clad in dark green armor and matching helmets. Some wore the older blue and gold getup, depending more on skill for protection than metal. When they noticed the King approaching, they moved out of the way, giving him space to travel to the frontlines. As the horses trotted between them, the less prepared men with poorer defenses got in formation, paying no mind to their obvious vulnerabilities.
All of the horses lined up in front of the throng. From his position, Aergo could see the enemy's army less than a mile away. The black masses easily outnumbered his own men, and they had little to make up for their shortcomings. No amount of horses nor catapults could swing the odds their way. It would be up to the mages, and the Goddess Herself, to lead them to victory. But the mages had yet to show, and Neanthal's army was moving in.
"What do you think?" Rant asked. He and Shine had situated themselves at each of the King's sides.
Aergo didn't want to reveal his true outlook. This was not the time to discourage his men. "We can win this."
"Do you think Neanthal's with them?" Shine asked.
Aergo scanned the incoming forces for any sign of their master. "I'd say it's likely. But I wouldn't recognize him from afar. I've never actually met him."
"What about Uterak?" Shine meekly inquired.
"Let's not think about that," Aergo answered. He turned toward Rant. "Have you seen the Grand Mage?"
"No," he replied. "Not many mages here, though I think I spotted Azzer and Malcolm back there." He nodded back at the rest of their army.
"Let us hope she arrives soon," Aergo said. He stared back at the rest of his men. So many were about to die for him: the well armored and the poorly equipped. He owed them all a victory for their sacrifice.
"Are we gonna wai
t for her?" Rant asked.
Aergo would have, but Neanthal's army drew closer as the minutes passed. He could not dither. "No." He grabbed the hilt of his sword and glimpsed back at his city. On the tops of many of the Outer's outmost buildings, they had constructed catapults. After multiple invasions by Fauns and Streamers, these had proven the most adept at keeping the enemy out of their kingdom. He had never ordered them used before, as there had never been a need during his entire reign. Aergo regretted that he was about to break that streak. "Ready the catapults!"
"Ready the catapults!" Rant and several other guardians repeated the order.
Neanthal's army was in range of their weapons. They did not appear to have brought catapults of their own, but as they got closer, he could see the diversity of their military. There were velizards, and dog-like creatures made entirely of shadow. There were men twice the size of his own, in armor more hardy and foreboding than that of his guardians. And there were normal people, Fauns most likely; traitors to the First Kingdom.
Aergo swiftly unsheathed his sword and pointed it in the air. "Fire!"
"Fire!" his men repeated, and the catapults launched their massive boulders at the opposing force.
A dozen rocks flew through the air before they came crashing down on Neanthal's army.
"Again!" Aergo screamed as the sound of the impacts faded.
"Ready!" he heard in response moments later.
"Fire!"
"Fire!"
Another dozen stones departed into the sky and smashed the enemy with the might of their landings.
"Again!" Aergo bellowed with warlike fury.
Reloading took slightly longer this time, giving Neanthal the opportunity to retaliate. A barrage of arrows climbed high above them. As they neared, Aergo could see some were thicker than others. The thinnest arrows fell short, but the thicker ones made it to their target. When they hit, they let off an explosion that sent pieces of his men flying into the air. Some even made it beyond his legions, shattering the buildings and sending bits of rock and wood to disturb the formation.