Heart of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  "I find that bravery and stupidity rank equally in the annals of history," observed Revi.

  "And which of those is this, Master Mage?" enquired Hayley.

  "I'm inclined to believe the bravery side, though I suppose ultimately it depends on if we're successful or not. The brave survive, the stupid usually die."

  "All right people," called out Hayley, "you know what to do. The objective is the tower, nothing else matters. Don't let anything get in our way and keep the formation."

  They moved out at a trot, careful to maintain a constant speed. Slowly they climbed the hill, gradually speeding up but still holding their positions. Revi had the hardest time, for not being a knight, he was unused to matching someone else's pace.

  Another thin line of foot soldiers stood in their way, but this time they wisely ran at the approach of the knights.

  The Knights of the Hound ignored the catapults, making a direct path for the tower.

  "Shields up!" yelled Hayley and the riders to either side raised their shields over their heads, the better to protect them from the coming storm of bolts.

  Sure enough, as the tower grew closer, the shots began. Hayley heard them striking the metal shields reminding her of hail hitting a clay roof. A bolt pierced her shield, pointing menacingly at her, but luckily missing the hand that held her defense in place. The shots grew more frequent, and she heard Dame Aelwyth groan as a bolt tore into her shoulder.

  "Almost there," Hayley shouted while the knights made their last dash to the base of the tower.

  Bolts came crashing down on the knights from above, with Dame Abigail taking one to the leg. Levina's horse went down, so she grabbed Sir Howard's arm as he rode past. The knights fled back down the hill, bolts chasing them the entire way.

  Sir Arnim Caster parried a blow and struck back at a Kurathian who had reached the top of the barricade. As the blade bit deep into his stomach, the raider toppled, falling back amongst his own men. The fighting had grown ever more desperate as the enemy tried to overwhelm the defenses. The valiant captain glanced around to see reinforcements returning from the north. Beverly was holding the gap, her great horse keeping the enemy at bay, for now. The raiders were trying to wear them down by attrition; the only thing saving them was the trickle of lightly wounded defenders returning from the north. Aubrey was healing them as fast as she could, but many were too injured, and so the replacements were growing sparse.

  A sudden cry of alarm to Armin's left had him turning just in time to see the makeshift wall collapse. It was as if the sea had found a hole in the breakwater; the raiders surging through. Arnim yelled for support and moved down the line in a futile attempt to stem the flood of attackers. Swords and spears jabbed at him from everywhere. He felt a weapon glide across this hip, scraping along his chainmail shirt. He swung to the side, his left-handedness taking his closest foe by surprise, ripping the man's chest, turning the ground crimson.

  Armin pushed into the fray, heedless of danger. He took a stab to the leg but willed himself to ignore the pain. The attackers, sensing his fury, gave way to him, surging past to overwhelm the defenses.

  Prince Alric sat on his horse, surveying the cavalry before him. They were a ragtag group, cobbled together from whatever people they could find. A handful were experienced horsemen, part of the garrison of this city, but many more were pulled from the militia; inexperienced and hastily equipped. He knew he must lead them into the fray, but he saw the looks of fear and dismay on their faces.

  "They are a miserable looking bunch, Highness," commented Jack.

  "They are more than that, Jack," he responded. "They are the last hope. We must win through today, or the city will fall."

  "That would open up all of Weldwyn," acknowledged Jack. "We can't allow that to happen."

  "These are desperate times, calling for desperate acts."

  "What are you suggesting, my prince?" asked the cavalier.

  In response, Alric drew his sword, holding it above his head, drawing everyone's attention. "Men of Weldwyn!" He stood in his stirrups as he called out. "We stand, this day, on the precipice. The entire kingdom is in peril, and only you can save it."

  He looked at his men, saw determination set on their faces. "We must push the enemy back. Drive them into the sea. Let us show our Mercerian friends that the men of Weldwyn fear no foe!"

  He wheeled his horse about as the troops cheered, pointing his sword toward the south. "Advance!" Alric yelled and began trotting. Jack was there, beside him, and soon he heard the echoing sounds of horses' hooves behind him. He risked a backward glance to see them, following along in one large mass. So be it, he thought; this will not be some orderly march, but a storm of revenge on those who would do his kingdom harm.

  Down the avenue they continued, until the westernmost barricade came into view. He spotted where the line had broken, and he angled toward it, yelling as he did so, "For Weldwyn!"

  Arnim took a spear to the right arm, grunting in pain. The attacker, his weapon now caught, collapsed as the knight's steel pierced his chest. Arnim withdrew the blade just as another raider slashed at him. It struck the cross-guard of his sword, sending a tremendous vibration up his left arm. A spear appeared out of nowhere, thrusting into the attacker's side. The final defenders had gathered to form a small knot of defiance amid the swirling chaos of the fight.

  The sound of a horn rent the air moments before the fury of the cavalry descended into the melee at the barricade. Arnim was pushed aside as a horse rushed past, the rider flailing his sword about in an attempt to drive back the invaders. The horsemen flowed past Arnim like a river un-dammed, and all before them were cut down.

  Jack struck left, his sword cutting into the haft of a spear, easily knocking it aside. He hit again, this time the milder resistance of flesh was his reward. His attacker shrunk back, dropping his weapon, but the cavalier pushed forward. He saw Alric, deep among the enemy, rising in his stirrups to bring his blade down onto a Kurathian's head. There were far too many invaders here, he thought, and though the small group of horsemen had pushed them back, he noticed a larger group, just beyond the barricade, forming up to rush forward.

  "My prince!" he yelled, but his voice was carried away in the maelstrom of battle. He spurred his horse forward, using it as a wedge to push through the melee. Something grazed his leg, and he instinctively released his stirrups and kicked out; a grunt of pain the result as his boot met a face, and then he urged his horse forward yet again. A spear clattered against his shield, then fell to the ground. He struck to the right, forcing an opponent to give way. Alric was just before him now, but the young prince was surrounded by the enemy; attracted by his rich looking armour, no doubt.

  The cavalier saw the weapon before it struck, unable to help. A raider had managed to work his way in behind Alric's horse. Now his spear tip came forward, sinking deep into the prince's side. Alric went stiff in the saddle and then toppled, falling to the right. His horse, taken aback by the change in weight, scrambled forward, confused by his rider's commands, clearing a path through the opposition. Jack rushed into the gap, intent on saving his master.

  He halted, staring down at Alric as other horsemen surged past him, clearing the enemy from the area. Jack dismounted, ignoring the commotion around him, his eyes locked on the inert form of the young prince that had so changed his life.

  "Your Highness," he cried out.

  Alric lay on his side, a growing pool of blood staining the ground. Jack heard him groaning in pain and ran to his side. "We must get you away from here, my Lord Prince," he said.

  In short order, others gathered around the fallen prince. "We can't move him," someone said, "it'll kill him."

  Jack looked around, hoping beyond all hope, for some miracle.

  "We must get him to the healer," said a familiar voice and Jack looked up to see one of the Mercerian Knights.

  "Sir Arnim?" said the cavalier.

  "Lady Aubrey can save him," said the knight, "but we must buy him
some time. Can someone bind his wound?"

  "I can!" offered one of the defenders, grabbing a cloak from a body and ripping it into strips.

  "We'll need to fashion a stretcher of some sort to carry him," said Arnim.

  "Like we use at the tournaments," offered Jack.

  "If you say so, but we must hurry if he's not to bleed to death."

  "Can we save him?" asked Jack.

  Arnim looked directly into the cavalier's eyes, "I won't lie to you Jack, this is very serious. I don't know if Lady Aubrey has the skill, she's only an apprentice. I'm sure Revi could do it, but I don't know what's happened to him."

  All throughout Riversend, people were panicking, a constant flood heading toward the northeastern gate in a bid to escape the doomed city.

  Lady Nicole was trying to push her way through to Arnim when she spotted the fugitive. His head was down, his helmet discarded, but there was no mistaking the man's identity.

  "Captain Fraser!" she called out.

  The traitor's eyes swivelled in her direction, and then he ran, pushing through the crowd in a bid to escape.

  "Arnim!" she shouted, rushing to follow, "He's over here, Fraser is over here!"

  Fraser rushed into the river of people, pushing them aside in his mad dash for freedom.

  Nicole turned briefly to call out Arnim's name once more, then plunged in after the captain, hot on his trail.

  Thirty-Five

  Counter Attack

  Spring 961 MC

  Revi Bloom pushed his back against the wall. The cliff was before them, looking down onto the sea, the rocks below smashed by waves. "Are you sure this is going to work?" he whispered.

  Hayley put her finger to her lips and turned to the task at hand. It had been a reckless plan, to charge the tower, but somehow it had worked, or at least, part of it had worked. She and the mage were now behind the tower, looking south, out to sea while the knights retreated to the north. They had gambled that the defenders would be occupied by the activities of the knights, buying them the time they needed to complete their task. The ranger turned her attention back to the tower. It was an old structure, built of irregular stone blocks. It had built for a purpose, to watch over the coast and to that end its defenses were minimal. If not for the crossbowmen, it would scarcely offer a threat.

  The mage stared intently out to sea, watching the vast armada that had been assembled. She tugged his sleeve and pointed upward; now was the time to start climbing. She gripped the coarse irregular stones with her fingers, easily finding purchase and was soon halfway up the tower. Surprised by the sound of her scabbard clattering on the stone, she froze, afraid of alerting the defenders above. Glancing down, she spotted the mage, following her. Despite his attire, he appeared equal to the task, so she turned her concentration back to the rest of her climb.

  Soon, the battlements were close at hand and, perhaps, the most dangerous part of their plan. The top of the tower was flush with the wall, encircled with crenellations. She must finish the climb and get to the flat roof before being spotted, or she would face a cruel death. She paused to steel herself for the final assault.

  A noise from above captured her attention, and as she looked up, a figure appeared at the wall. He was leaning in the crenel, the gap between two merlons, looking out to sea. Hayley shifted slightly to get a better grip and the tip of her bow, which was slung over her shoulder, struck the wall to her side, causing a sound.

  The guard looked down, his eyes widening in surprise. He opened his mouth, but all that came forth was a yawn, and then he collapsed, disappearing from sight. She looked down at the mage, who was gripping the stone wall with his left hand and somehow gesticulating with his right.

  She resumed her climb, throwing caution to the wind, for if there was anyone else on the roof, she was doomed. Her hands gripped the stone embrasure, and she hauled herself upward, squeezing between the merlons and crouching, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword. The guard lay snoring on the rooftop, and she let out a sigh of relief. She turned back to the embrasure to offer her hand to Revi and soon they were both on the roof.

  "That wasn't so bad," noted the mage.

  "We still have to keep them busy," she commented in return, "or did you forget that part?"

  The mage grinned back, "I take it we're ready for the next step, then?"

  Hayley nodded, and the mage began another spell.

  "Are you sure that'll work?" she asked. "It's only a small light, will the knights be able to see it?"

  When he finished his incantation, the globe of light appeared. He floated it above the tower and then began to increase its intensity. Soon, a bright light flooded the area, forcing Hayley to avert her eyes.

  "How long can you keep that up?" she asked.

  "As long as I need to," he smirked, "providing I can remain concentrating on it."

  Revi moved to the northern face and looked out upon the top of the bluff. "I can see the knights off in the distance, they've seen the signal and are forming up now."

  "Good," said Hayley. "It takes time to close the distance, they'll start sending up the crossbowmen just before they get within range." She scabbarded her blade and prepared her bow.

  "Wouldn't you be better with the sword in these confines?" he asked.

  "I don't intend on letting them up here at all. As soon as they poke their heads through the hatch, I'm firing."

  "Let the first one through," he said. "I have an idea."

  "Care to share?" she asked.

  "We can't just pin them down, they'll still fire out the arrow slits in the tower. We have to get into the tower itself."

  "We're only two people, I thought we were a diversion."

  "We are," he replied, "but what if we could open the front door?"

  "They wouldn't stand a chance against the knights," she replied. "I like your thinking. But how do we do that?"

  "One step at a time," he said.

  Just as they were about to open the hatch, they heard the sounds of footsteps on stone coming from below. Revi stood back, indicating that the ranger should move back further. The hatch lifted and an archer climbed out. He was dressed in light leather armour and carrying a crossbow, which he laid on the floor as he exited the hatch.

  "Hello," said Revi.

  The man merely blinked in surprise while Revi wiggled his fingers. The bowman knelt to pick up his crossbow and just collapsed. His companion, still on the ladder, let out a cry. He was halfway out of the hatch as an arrow took him in the back. He disappeared from view, tumbling down the ladder, hitting others as he fell.

  Hayley rushed to the ladder, pointing down through the hatch with her bow, only to see a body lying at the bottom, its legs twisted in a macabre manner, while two other men nursed wounds. The ranger sent an arrow flying down the ladder, felling a man, the shaft hitting him squarely in the chest. Hayley discarded the bow and grabbed her knife, placing it between her teeth. Dropping through the hatch, she grasped the side of the ladder with both hands, her feet gripped the rails. She slid down rapidly, landing with a soft thud, then wheeled on the last man, pulling her dagger from her mouth and thrusting forward. The raider died with a complete look of confusion on his face as the blade penetrated his throat.

  She was in a circular room and to her left, she saw six men. Two were occupied by events to the north, peering out of arrow slits while the rest were busy loading their crossbows using a cranking mechanism. Hayley threw her dagger, taking one unawares. He clutched his face, crying out in pain and collapsed to the floor. One of his companions dropped his crossbow and fumbled to withdraw his belt knife, but Hayley was quicker. She closed the distance, drawing her sword as she did so and stuck him in the chest.

  A quarrel whisked past her as she kicked out, knocking another to the ground. She looked to her right to see one of the men turning from the arrow slit, his crossbow ready to fire, but Revi cast his light spell, the bright ball appearing directly in front of his target, filling the room with it
s brilliance.

  Hayley struck again, slicing through a man's leg, and then backhanded another with the hilt of her sword. As both opponents fell, she looked around to see Revi gesticulating again. The remaining men dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. Hayley briefly pondered what to do with them, but then Revi's casting took effect, and they were soon fast asleep.

  "Should we finish them off?" she asked.

  "No," he insisted, "it'll all be over by the time they wake up. We have more important things to do. The knights will be here soon, we must open the door. How high up would you say we are?"

  "There's two more levels beneath us, plus the ground floor. The tower widens as we descend, there's likely a lot more men below."

  "I have an idea," said Revi. "Help me get this man out of his clothes."

  They began stripping off the man's armour. "Are you sure this is going to work?" asked Hayley.

  "Confusion is our ally," he said, handing her a leather jerkin. "At a quick glance, they'll likely take no notice."

  "What if they heard the fighting," she protested.

  "Then they'd already be up here. I think they have more important things to occupy their minds."

  Within a few moments, they were armoured in the rough leather of their enemy. "Come," said Revi. "We must make haste."

  They slowly descended the circular staircase in the centre of the tower. The next floor opened into a similar scene while Hayley watched in fascination as the dozen or more men, who were so intent on the approaching horsemen, ignored their presence entirely. Soon, they were on the ground floor where supplies were piled up to either side of the stairwell, but the door to the tower, complete with a drop bar, stood revealed, along with a bored looking guard.

  The guard had been peering through a small slit in the door, but at the sound of their approaching footsteps he turned, opening his eyes wide as they drew closer. Revi quickly gesticulated, inducing the man to yawn, but still, he drew his sword. Hayley stepped forward and slashed, then watched as he collapsed to the floor.