Legend of the Iron Flower Box Set (Books 1-4)

by Billy Wong

  #

  "Almost got him," Rose muttered. She put away her bow and drew her sword again, throwing herself back into the fray against the closest foes. But she kept an eye out for Joghra stalking her from afar, wary of him aiming at her with deadly intent. Soon, however, it became apparent to her he had left to treat his own wound. Rose smiled, knowing that at least for now, she'd bought her allies respite from one deadly foe.

  #

  Justin called to Rose as she stood just behind the barricade. Sevrian bodies lay piled in a heap before her where she alone held a section of the wall, the other defenders there having fallen or drawn back overcome with fatigue. Even Loreen had gone off to bind her wounded leg, growing fearful of blood loss.

  "Need help?" he asked. "You must be exhausted!"

  Rose nodded. It hurt even to breath now that she had really begun to notice her wound. "Yes, please! My chest is killing me!"

  "You should really go and get some rest. You can't go on like this." He looked with concern at the blood leaking down the front of her armor from the hole Joghra's arrow had made.

  "Who'll hold the Sevrians at bay here, then?"

  Justin stepped forward and stabbed an advancing Sevrian with his spear before he reached her. "Other men will fill the breach, if one is made. Me among them, as you see. You needn't get yourself killed trying to do the job of a whole squad. If—when—we can't hold the Sevrians here, well, that's why we have more lines of defense."

  "Don't worry, I'm still okay. I've fought with worse." As if to prove it, her next sweeping blow knocked three climbing soldiers back over the barricade, two of whom did not rise again.

  She saw the admiration in his gaze when he replied, "Good, then. If you're so sure you'll be fine, let's see which of us can deal more pain to the other side for the rest of this day, starting now."

  The thought of making sport of human lives made Rose flinch, though killing was obviously unavoidable here. She'd never expected the caring man who showed so much concern over her wounds to act so cold. "That's just wrong, Justin! They're human beings too, just like us. We can't view killing them as a game!"

  Justin stabbed a man who overtook the wall through the groin, and his first step onto their soil became his last. "And do you think of them as people when you fight? Listening to your words and comparing them to the slaughter you bring each time you take the field, I doubt you really could and still live with yourself. So let's have a little fun while we're at it. They are nothing but scum who seek to take our lands, after all!"

  His words hit hard, for they rang true. Rose could never think of the men she killed in war as individuals, or even those who died fighting alongside her if she didn't know them. It would have been too hard for her heart to bear such guilt, if she let it all in. But that was no excuse for so profoundly disrespecting the value of life. Still, she didn't think she'd convince the man of her views. So she stopped talking and laid into the enemy with renewed vigor, her anger at Justin redirected into the fight.

  #

  The day's fighting finally ended. As Rose's battle rage left her, the terrible pain in her chest forced her to sit down, and her hand shook as she clutched the angry wound. She hadn't realized how much she'd been hurt by the large-headed arrow, and wondered how much continuing to fight with her injury had aggravated it. Not wanting to show weakness in front of the men, Rose forced herself to stand back up and began the slow, agonizing walk to her tent. She hoped desperately she'd feel better the next morning, as she had no intention of leaving Joghra unchecked on the battlefield, free to kill as he pleased.

  She became aware of Justin bounding to her side, and grimaced as he put an arm around her slumped shoulders. "Looks like you won!"

  She shook him off angrily, though the motion pained her, and growled, "I don't play your game."

  He seemed surprised, and hastily apologized. "Sorry, I forgot how much distaste you had for comparing kills. I didn't mean to offend, it's just a way I keep from going crazy here. I know you slew many more foes than me, especially once you stopped talking. You were amazing—I never thought one person could do that much damage."

  Rose's anger diminished at his words. She understood his fear of going crazy, because she felt like she'd been mad after any day of battle, when she remembered how many had gone down to her blade. "Your apology's accepted. I know it's hard to fight on, and not just run away at the sight of so much blood and death. But please don't compliment me on the number I kill. Such words are hurtful, for they call back deeds I'd rather not dream of. If you want to make me happy, tell me how many of our allies I saved—even one, and I'll be more pleased than with a thousand foes slain."

  "All right, I'll respect your wish. Get some sleep, mighty warrior, you look like you desperately need it."

  "Yes, sleep's what I need—that and more blood! Good night; see you tomorrow, Justin."

  Turning away, Rose tried to relieve her guilt at killing with thoughts of the way she went after enemy officers first. She was undeniably proud at the havoc her actions caused among the foemen's ranks whenever she took the field, and also of how she drove soldiers away in flight when she felled their leaders. An enemy who ran was one who likely didn't get killed, and she knew she'd saved her fair share of enemy soldiers this way—and allies who might've otherwise died to them as well. In thinking of this, she was able to largely push aside her renewed doubts about her role in war.

  She returned to her tent to see Loreen lying there on the floor, leg heavily bandaged with blood-soaked cloths. She frowned at her friend's pale face, and kneeling by her asked worriedly, "What's wrong? I didn't know you were so badly hurt. Are you okay?"

  Loreen smiled. "Stop worrying about me and get some rest. Your wound is far graver than mine, by any measure. I simply fought too hard and too long on my bad leg, and now I can barely walk. But still, it's a scratch next to that shot you took."

  "Oh, stop it, you know how tough I am. You, on the other hand, I think should take a few days off. That leg really needs time to heal."

  Loreen firmly shook her head. "What, me laid up for a leg while my friend who's got a big hole in her chest runs around putting everyone to shame? Even if my love for you would allow such a thing, my pride wouldn't! I'm sure that you and Finn would make jest of it all too eagerly over a drink. I'll be at your side tomorrow, like it or not Rose!"

  Though she made an excuse of pride, Rose knew it was care for her which drove her friend first in her stubbornness, and kissed her gratefully on the forehead. "I know you worry about me, but don't. Justin took good care of me today, when you weren't around. So you needn't rush your return—come back when your leg doesn't hinder you." Besides, Rose thought but didn't say, Loreen only had one arm and no shield with which to defend herself—how well could she dodge on one leg?

  Changing the subject, Loreen asked, "Rose, why don't you ever talk to anyone around here, unless they speak first? You're not that shy."

  She swallowed hard. "I learned my lesson against the forces of Coblan, when so many men I got to know wound up dying before my eyes. So I try now not to make friends in war, because it hurts so much more when you know the comrade who falls by your side. You should know that, veteran that you are."

  "Perhaps, but I've made great friendships in the midst of war. The two of us met there, remember, if not as comrades. And you take great risks adventuring alongside your friends; how is this so different? Open yourself up to new friends, Rose. Yes, you risk grief, but also joy. Don't push everyone away. I know it's not your true nature, but what you're driven by fear to do, and you of all people needn't give in to fear."

  Rose nodded, hearing truth in her words. "I'll try. It's just especially hard in a desperate battle like this, knowing how many of those you come to care for won't make it through. But I'll open my heart a little more. I'll just take the pain, as I always do. In the meantime, you better get some rest! I wouldn't want to lose you." With those words, she tucked herself into her bedroll and slept.

&
nbsp; #

  Rose opened her eyes to see Loreen already dressed for battle, waiting for her to awaken with a worried look on her face. Why wouldn't she listen?! Her frustration intensified when, after dressing painfully and emerging outside, she found Justin barring her way. "What are you doing? Surely you don't think me unfit to fight?"

  When he answered, she felt a surge of relief. "Of course not, Rose. I'd never try to stop you, when you're obviously more ready to go than most anybody here. I just want you to be with me today, and show me more of your amazing skills. I'd never seen anybody so effective on the battlefield before yesterday. How about it? Mind showing a lowly amateur some of your tricks of the trade?"

  Though she didn't approve of Justin's attitude towards enemy soldiers, he seemed a kind person in other respects, and she supposed she liked him. More importantly, he could help watch over Loreen, who she worried deeply about at the moment. "Sure, why not? It's always good to fight with someone you know. But"—she addressed this to both Justin and Loreen—"stay out of my way if I encounter Joghra. I don't want anybody getting themselves killed on account of me. Just keep his men off my back if you can, and I'll handle him."

  Neither of her companions wanted anything to do with the fearsome Sevrian, and hastily agreed. For that, at least, Rose was glad. They went into battle, and Joghra did not appear to face her. She ended the day feeling satisfied, as much as she could amid the sorrow of so many dying. Loreen and Justin worked well together, and the former hadn't gotten herself killed despite her perpetual limp. Too, the Kayland army held their position for a second day after the arrival of the Sevrian reinforcements. Rose really couldn't have imagined it going much better, though the pain in her chest showed no sign of fading.

  A week passed, the Kayland army holding their ground far better than anyone had expected when they'd learned of the enemy reinforcements. Many of the soldiers thanked Rose for their miraculous success, as she'd wounded the dread leader of the enemy and he still did not reappear on the field. Additionally, she killed scores of Sevrians every day, including a disproportionate number of officers and great champions, and accounted for over a thousand enemy casualties. Her deeds had driven much of the morale from the Sevrians' hearts, and many now only came against the Kayland forces reluctantly for fear of her.

  Chapter 3

  Loreen poked Rose's somewhat pudgy belly as the two women lay relaxing together under the night sky. "You're getting a gut, Rose. I bet your mom's going to throw a fit when she sees this!"

  "Ha, what do you know? Maybe I'm with child," Rose joked.

  Her friend laughed. "Yeah, big with child and running around killing men by the score while guarding Justin's fool brother. I think not."

  "Really, I think my belly got its bulge before the last time you came to visit, but you just didn't notice it before. That was when I could relax at home, not fighting for my life every day, and it's not something anyone should mind—it's a sign the body isn't suffering undue stress. And Howard hasn't really been that bad since he came back. I think maybe he actually learned his lesson after almost getting killed." Rose had been surprised this past week, that she hadn't needed to go out of her way to protect him.

  "Maybe he has, but I can't be sure. After all, his brother and I have been watching out for him. We don't want you to be distracted from doing what you do best, after all."

  Rose smiled gratefully at her. "You two did that good a job of it by yourselves? You certainly saved me a lot of frustration, then. Thanks a lot."

  "It's no problem. You're not suited to playing bodyguard, anyway. Have you noticed the way Justin looks at you sometimes? I think he likes you."

  "No, I doubt that. I'm sure he just admires me as a warrior. I mean, look at my scars. I'd be surprised if another man still finds me attractive, actually."

  Loreen touched her face and smiled. "You shouldn't worry about that. You're beautiful on the inside, you know. I'd have you, if I were a man."

  "You think about such things?"

  The one-armed woman mussed Rose's hair, though it was already a tangled mess spread out on the grass. "Sometimes, yeah. You've got all the qualities I'd want in a man, if you were one. So I imagine I'd be wanting a piece of you if I were a man."

  Rose wasn't sure what to think. "You think you'd be looking for the same things in a lover, as a man?"

  Loreen had to stop to think about it too, and finally answered, "I'd like you no matter what either of us were. You're just so... good."

  She chuckled. "I'd never have imagined in my girlhood, that I'd hear a friend of mine call a killer of thousands 'good'—and that the killer they spoke of would be me!"

  "Yeah, it's strange, but I'm sure many people would agree. When you're with friends, you don't seem anything like that monster of the battlefield feared the world over."

  "Eh, just being in different situations demands different responses. But my beliefs stay constant, I just do what I need to, to act on them."

  She noticed Loreen looking proudly at her and grinned. Her friend returned her smile. "I know. You're one strong-willed girl. Say, how do you think Finn is doing? He's had a lot of time to study by now—I wonder what new tricks he's picked up?"

  Rose missed her love, and her voice was wistful when she answered. "I'm sure he's learned many amazing things. I can't wait to get back and see him in action."

  #

  Finn tried again to cover the wide yard with a spread of flame, failing but leaving a good-sized scorch mark in the middle. Derrick frowned. Finn spent half his time helping translate the language of magic, and half practicing his more advanced but exclusive spells. The latter advanced their mission not at all, but Derrick knew what he was up to.

  "You're trying to shape your spells to affect as many as possible. Are you still thinking to go and help Rose? There's no need for that. I heard she killed over a thousand enemies already, after wounding the Death General Joghra on her first day. It was hard for me to believe at first, but it's Rose. She'll be fine, Finn."

  The giant scared him with the intensity in his eyes. "And when Rose fought Prince Wilner without me, would you say she was 'fine' afterwards?"

  Derrick remembered the horrible sight of his friend impaled on Wilner's sword, blood spurting from her chest and her suffering mouth, and then falling off the fort still transfixed by the deadly blade. Everyone had thought Rose dead then, though she'd awed them with her survival. He shivered and tried to block out the awful image. "She has Loreen with her, and I'm sure they'll take good care of each other. They're as close friends as can be, like sisters, and Loreen's a more than capable fighter. Don't worry so much. Rose even said not to, remember?"

  "Yeah, but do you know how many the Sevrians are? I'm going to help Rose, like it or not. And I think sooner rather than later."

  "What happened to writing our magic dictionary?" Derrick asked with growing desperation.

  "That would take forever!" Finn looked harshly at the young scholar. "You're so obsessed with the notion of magic, you're forgetting the needs of your friends. If not for you, I'd be right there fighting at her side, helping her cope with the pain you know her kind heart feels to commit such slaughter. Do you think you're my only source of information about the war, that I'm foolish enough to rely on what you choose to reveal?

  "I know Joghra shot Rose, giving her a wound that would have killed you or badly hurt me. Yet she fought on, my mighty love. I'm sure you heard of her injury as well, but all you ever said was that she's surely fine. You value magic, all right, so do I—but its greatest worth to me is how I can protect Rose with these spells. And be sure that is their first and foremost purpose for me—to save that which I hold dear, not to share with a world whose motivations we can't know."

  Despite the guilt his friend put into his heart, Derrick was impressed. Finn expressed admirable ideals, and the scholar himself began to worry about Rose, though he'd put such thoughts from his mind before. He had been selfish, he realized, and didn't know how he could make
up for the misery he must have caused his friends.

  "All right, Finn, go to her. I won't try to deny you the chance to help your love, the Sevrians' vast strength being what it is. Take your leave; I've learned enough to carry on our work, and will see to things here."

  Finn nodded. "Sorry for leaving all this work to you. But I promise I'll try my best to come back and help. And I'll bring Rose with me, and we'll all do this thing together. Just don't do anything too hastily here, okay? I wouldn't want to come back to see you've let some selfish lords steal these books for themselves. Be careful who you talk to—on second thought, don't talk to anyone at all."

  "Sure, whatever you say. I suppose I'll be too busy trying to learn without your help to leave the tower anyway." He watched Finn go to prepare for his coming battle, and felt only admiration toward the man who put his love above all else.

  #

  Rose heard Howard laugh as he traded blows with an enemy soldier, but didn't bother to look his way. The arrogant warrior had once again led them into the thick of the action, throwing himself in the path of a swarm of Sevrians who had broken through the line of defenders and now pushed into camp. She'd been annoyed at first, but then realized somebody needed to seal the breach, and who better than them? As she and her companions fought, she caught sight of a familiar leering mask at the back of the mass. Joghra. So he was back. Screaming, she rushed him, hewing through anyone in her way.

  Before she reached him, he turned gleeful eyes on her and stated flatly, "I brought a present for you." As she wondered what kind of trap he'd set, a monstrous halberd lashed out from amid the crowd and glanced off her shield. Its heavily armored wielder followed it into view, and to her surprise it was a girl. An enormous girl with light brown hair, far taller even than Rose herself and powerfully built, but only a teenager.