“Yes, you could have begun with something smaller and less dramatic,” the elf observed.
“I suppose so,” Traven answered thoughtfully. “Though, I needed to test it on a large scale sooner or later. I thought it would be wiser to try it now than during a battle.”
“True,” Darian stated. “If I might suggest, next time let me know before you experiment. That way I can be close enough to catch you if you fall from your saddle.”
“Agreed,” he responded with a grin.
He glanced at the ice covered fields as Darian dropped back to ride next to Giselle. His smile grew bigger as he took in how large of an area he had been able to blanket with the small spheres of ice. The experiment had taxed him, but it had been a success. He would need to be careful during the battle, but now he had a better idea of his limits. He would test a few other ideas over the next couple of days and be ready to make a significant impact when he arrived at the battle.
33
Blaize stared out over the plains solemnly. It was hard to see much of anything in the dim light, but he knew the galdak horde would begin to appear at any moment. He awaited their coming with dread. His troops had suffered huge losses every night of the battle, and he didn’t expect tonight to be any different.
They had already defended the city for three nights, but he wasn’t sure if they could stand firm much longer. His troops were quickly being reduced to a number that would be unable to keep the giant horde from breaking into the city. His only hope was that Traven would arrive sometime the next day, as promised, and be able to help reverse the tide of the battle.
The first night of battle had seen the destruction of a large portion of the eastern wall of Kavar. Blaize had hoped that the galdak wielder would be content to leave the rest of the battle up to his warriors but had been disappointed in his wishes. The wielder had not only continued to use his powers throughout the first night’s battle but had fought alongside the horde the next two nights as well.
After the second night of fighting, Blaize had determined that the small barrier created by the crumbled wall was not worth defending. The piles of stones did serve to impede the galdaks’ progress, but it also boxed in the Royal Army and gave the galdak wielder free rein to either target the packed troops or target nearby buildings. The eastern edge of the city was now only blackened ruins.
Blaize had decided it was best to move the battle further from the remaining buildings and had positioned his troops out on the plains east of the city. The strategy had proved its merits the previous night by allowing the cavalry room to maneuver and preventing any more damage to the city’s buildings. Even so, the army had sustained a considerable number of losses once again. If tonight was as bad as the previous night, he was afraid a hasty retreat would need to be ordered if Traven didn’t arrive.
The odds were incredibly frustrating. Not only were his troops outnumbered somewhere in the range of five to one, they were also forced to fight in the dark and worry about the enemy wielder striking at them unpredictably without any way to defend themselves. Even against such odds, the Royal Army had kept the galdaks out of Kavar for three nights. He hoped they could extend the same protection tonight as well.
A whistle sounded out of the darkness. The main horde had been spotted. It wouldn’t be long now. Blaize stood atop a relatively high pile of broken stones and continued staring into the darkness, straining his eyes for the first glimpse of their enemies. His troops stood anxiously in tight formations; they knew the battle would begin soon.
Fortunately, the troops were no longer afraid of the galdak warriors. They had now fought them enough times to know their tendencies and their weaknesses. The soldiers knew that if they were more skilled than the attacking monsters, they would survive, at least until the galdak wielder arrived. Once the old wielder began attacking, there was no telling who would live and who would die. Thankfully, over the last two nights the galdak wielder had not joined in the battle until later in the night. Blaize hoped the trend would continue and they would be able to dispose of a large number of the galdak warriors before the powerful wielder arrived.
Blaize clenched his teeth as the first group of galdak warriors came into view. The blood thirsty monsters were running at full speed towards the front of the lines. He quickly gave the signal, and a volley of arrows was sent into the rapidly approaching horde. Several more volleys followed before the first of the galdaks crashed into the waiting soldiers. The archers who had survived the initial night of attacks continued shooting into the oncoming horde. They would carry on doing so until the galdak wielder appeared. The archers would then retreat back into the city. The strategy had worked well the previous night with very few archers being killed.
Blaize watched the battle closely with an experienced eye. Whenever parts of the line began to weaken, he would immediately send reinforcements to strengthen it. The first part of the night passed without any major incidents. The Kalian Army stood their ground and kept the galdak horde at bay, and the Kalian archers consistently contributed to the battle.
As the night drew on, a sense of anticipation and fear began to set in. Sooner or later the galdak wielder would strike. All of the Kalian troops knew it was only a matter of time. Blaize kept a careful watch for the approach of the wielder, but it was difficult to make out much in the dark red mass of galdak warriors. Perhaps tonight the wielder wouldn’t appear.
Suddenly, Blaize’s hair began to stand on end, and the air crackled. He took a bounding leap and dove backwards into the city as a giant lightning bolt came crashing down on the pile of rubble he had been standing on. Large stones went flying in all directions. The explosion threw him forward with increased speed, and he hit the ground with a loud grunt. He rolled to reduce the impact and immediately covered his head with his arms as rocks showered down around him. Several large pieces hit him solidly, and he knew he would have some tender bruises come morning.
As soon as the rain of rocks stopped, he pushed himself to his feet with a grimace and brushed himself off. He was sore with numerous scrapes and bruises, but nothing appeared to be broken. He glanced towards the wall and watched as several more giant lightning bolts blasted other parts of the ruined wall. Each blast sent rocks flying and left a gaping hole in the rubble. The galdak wielder had arrived.
The remaining Kalian archers were rapidly abandoning the wall and moving into the city. The ancient wielder continued to blast away at the center section of rubble. It seemed strange that he would focus so much attention and energy where there were no longer any Kalian troops. The strikes stopped and fireballs began bursting into the Kalian soldiers in a straight line leading to the gaping hole.
Blaize suddenly realized what the wielder was doing. The galdaks were going to try to break through the lines and enter the city. He hurried to the gap and signaled for troops to be sent to guard it. He watched with dread as a barrage of fireballs continued to open up a clear section in the center of his soldiers. Right behind the barrage, a surge of galdak warriors poured forward and ran straight towards the gap.
The Kalian soldiers attempted to stop the surge, but their defenses in that section had been thinned sufficiently enough so that the galdaks overran them. Reserves were hurrying towards Blaize, but he knew they wouldn’t be able to reach the gap in time to stop all of the onrushing monsters. The city would be breached, but he would personally stop as many as he could.
Blaize unsheathed his two swords and flexed his bruised muscles. He stood in the center of the wide gap and braced himself. The tumult of the battle was coming to him. He faced the oncoming rush of yellow eyed creatures without fear. The first galdak to reach him learned of its folly too late. Blaize immediately withdrew his blade from the monster and felled the next two galdaks as efficiently as he had the first.
He transformed into a whirlwind of deathly blades as the large group of galdaks reached the gap and poured into Kavar. Those who passed too near him never made it into the city, but nearly a hundred o
f the monsters made it past him on either side. In the mean time, the reserve soldiers arrived and managed to close up the hole that had been ripped open in the army’s defenses.
Blaize breathed deeply as he watched the hundred or so galdaks disappear into the city. The hidden archers would take down a fair number of the creatures, and the city guard would take care of the rest. Twelve dark red bodies lay at his feet. At least the guards wouldn’t need to worry about them.
He turned back to the plains and saw with frustration that the galdak wielder was repeating his feat further to the north. A blistering barrage of fireballs led the way for another group of a hundred or so galdaks to break through the ranks of soldiers and disappear into the city. It was apparent that the galdaks had no intention of fighting solely on the plains.
Blaize quickly sent commands for the reserve soldiers to move into positions where they could more quickly strengthen the lines. He then sent for the commanders of the cavalry. Their strategy needed to change. It would be impossible to keep all of the galdaks out of the city, but they would do their best to keep the majority of the monsters away.
He glanced over his shoulder into the city as he heard screams of battle from within. Most of the eastern part of the city had been evacuated that day, but some residents had refused to leave their homes. He hoped the archers and city guards would find the galdaks before the monsters found any of the stubborn citizens. He was tempted to go after the galdaks who had entered the city but knew he could be of greater help where he was.
The air around him suddenly lit up. He dove away as a fireball landed near where he had been standing. He quickly hopped to his feet, ready for another attack. He grimaced as a lightning bolt crashed down into the center of his army. It appeared that the galdak wielder was determined to play a very active role in the battle tonight. Blaize’s face took on a look of determination. He had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but it didn’t appear that he had much of a choice. If he didn’t quickly implement a new strategy, the night’s results could turn disastrous for the entire city.
* * * * *
Kalista stared out of her bedroom window as she tried to clear the multitude of troubling thoughts swirling in her head. The last three nights of battle had not gone well for the army. They had managed to keep the galdaks from entering the city but had not been able to prevent the galdak wielder from destroying the eastern wall and nearby buildings. The army had suffered many casualties, and she had been told they wouldn’t be able to hold the city much longer.
Many of the citizens of Candus and some of the citizens of Kavar had already left the city and set out towards Calyn. She wondered if she should have left with one of the large groups. Gavin had encouraged her to go, but she had decided to wait at Kavar with the majority of the citizens for at least one more night. Extra food had arrived the day before, and the overcrowding had been somewhat relieved by the departure of so many people. Even so, parts of the city were still incredibly crowded, thanks in part to the evacuation of its eastern section.
The city guard was positioned around the edges of the abandoned section to protect the rest of the city if the galdaks should somehow break through the army’s defenses. Hopefully, the army would be able to hold the horde at bay for one more night. If they made it through tonight, the tide of the battle should change when Traven arrived.
The thought of the young wielder sent butterflies through her stomach. She was eager to see him, yet embarrassed by the letter she had written. She had not decided exactly how to explain the letter or her feelings to him. If anything, it was more important for her to find out how he felt about her. She supposed she would have time to think about it. Traven should arrive sometime the next day, but he certainly would not have any time to spend with her. He would immediately be consumed with the demands of the army and the defense of the city.
At least she could briefly see him when he arrived. Perhaps she would even have the chance to wish him good luck. There was no reason they could not talk for a moment or two.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint sounds of battle. She could hear the clash of metal and war cries. It was strange. Her inn was located near the center of the city, and no sounds of fighting had reached her ears the previous three nights. A shout pierced the night and a woman screamed.
Fear set in, and her heart started racing. The defenses had been breached! She leaned out her window to see if she could make out anything. There were no visible signs of fighting, but the din of battle continued to increase and grow closer. She glanced down at the multitude of tents clustered tightly on the grounds of the inn. If any galdaks reached this deep into the city, the defenseless citizens would be butchered.
Kalista left the window and quickly threw a cloak over her nightgown. She then hurried out into the antechamber and opened the door. Two guards immediately stood at attention.
“The city has been breached,” she stated. “Go downstairs and move the people camping on the grounds inside the inn.”
One of the guards saluted and quickly hurried off while the other remained. Kalista shut her door and strode back over to the open window. The sounds of battle were continuing to increase in intensity. She watched as several guards exited the inn and began directing the nearby citizens into the building. Most of the refugees had already heard the nearby sound of fighting and were more than eager to follow the guards’ instructions. Despite their willingness, the process of getting all of them into the inn seemed painfully slow.
She watched as a large line began to form near the entrance of the inn. It soon doubled in size. For some reason, the line did not seem to be moving forward any longer. A loud scream issued from a nearby street. Everyone froze for a moment before the commoners in line began shoving and pushing to reach the safety of the building. Several of her guards quickly intervened and tried to restore order to the panicked group.
With a feeling of urgency, Kalista wondered what was preventing the refugees from entering the building. It was obvious that the galdaks were no more than a couple of streets away. Something needed to be done quickly or the commoners would be defenseless when the monsters reached them.
Kalista hurried back across her antechamber and threw open the door. Her remaining guard followed at her shoulder as she strode to the stairs and began to descend them. When she reached the base of the stairs, the problem became instantly visible. The room was completely packed. There was no space for anyone else to enter. Two guards stood at the base of the stairs, preventing any of the peasants from ascending them.
She glanced across the crowded room at the open door. A mother was trying to secure the safety of her child by lifting the young girl over the heads of the people jammed in the doorway. Another scream echoed through the open doorway. Those in the common room tried to shift and make more room, but it was obvious the large group of people outside the inn would not fit.
There was plenty of room, however, on the stairs and in her own antechamber. Kalista quickly ordered the guards to move from the base of the stairs and allow the commoners to occupy them and her antechamber. She then turned and hurried back up the stairs. The two guards joined her other guard and followed her into her room. They took up positions outside her bedroom door as peasants began to pour into her antechamber with visible relief clearly written across their faces.
Kalista smiled and returned to her bedroom window. The line of citizens in front of the inn was moving once again. It would not be long before they were all safely inside. Suddenly, the din of the nearby fighting stopped. The silence was unsettling. Almost immediately, three large figures burst into view from the neighboring street. It was too dark to make out their features except for their luminous yellow eyes. The galdaks had made it past the city guards.
34
“I still do not think it wise that you lead the charge,” Gavin stated firmly. “It is too dangerous.”
“I understand your concern,” Blaize replied. “But my men need to see me lead. It will give t
hem courage and help to make the difference in the battle.”
“You are too valuable to lose in the battle,” Gavin continued. “Who will lead if you are killed?”
“I have several competent generals,” he replied. “Besides, you are ultimately in charge and active command would revert immediately back to you.”
Gavin was still technically in charge, but he had wisely deferred to Blaize’s experience and allowed him control of the army. The young man forgot too often that the army was still his. The High King had given command of the army to the Baron of Candus. Gavin had assumed control when his father had been killed. He had appointed Blaize as commander general, but it was the young man who was still ultimately in charge.
“I still do not like it,” Gavin stated.
“If you command me to stay, I will,” Blaize said as he swung up onto his mighty steed. “But if you still trust my judgment, you will allow me to lead how I see fit.”
Gavin stared back at him for several moments without responding. When the young man didn’t say anything, Blaize nodded to him and hurried to the front of the cavalry. There was no time to waste. The galdak wielder had continued to wreak havoc on the Kalian Army, allowing several more groups of the monsters to break through the defenses and enter the city.
Blaize had quickly come to the same conclusion he had formed when facing the human wielder at the Pass of Banshee. The only way to stop the wielder from picking apart the army was to go on the offensive. Blaize didn’t particularly want to be the one leading the attack, but he couldn’t ask anyone else to lead such a dangerous mission. He had been lucky enough to survive such a suicidal attack once and hoped he would be lucky enough to survive another.
He quickly conferred with the other cavalry commanders to assure the plan was perfectly understood. There would be three groups of cavalry that would simultaneously attempt to plow through the mass of galdak warriors and reach the wielder. They were not to concern themselves with anything but reaching the wielder. The two commanders saluted and prepared to charge.
Wielder's Fate Page 32