The Panids' Children_The Panids of Koa

by Lee M Eason

  The fifth Fury altered its direction in an attempt to head for them amidst a hail of cannon fire and tumbling blocks that slowed its pace almost to a halt.

  Gwen and Kara had galloped at full pelt until sensing the field strength build. Quickly dismounting Gwen took hold of Kara’s arm and focusing to locate Halleck’s marker, collapsed the distance and brought them to within feet of his small camp.

  “Halleck!” Kara shouted.

  He appeared out of his tent waving.

  Kara and Gwen ran over. “Whatever you’ve managed to do here we need you now,” Gwen’s voice was urgent.

  Halleck’s smile thinned when he saw the look of desperation in both women’s eyes.

  “I’m ready,” he said about to walk away from the camp.

  “The field is fully committed,” Gwen warned.

  “I can realise them here. They may hold. If not, I hope you have a plan to free some energy when we get there or my help will not count for anything.”

  Gwen and Kara stepped back.

  “Where are you going?” Halleck asked a little bemused.

  “Standing clear,” Gwen responded incredulously.

  Halleck understood and shook his head. “These are Guardians.” When this failed to alter their expressions he just said, “Watch.”

  Gwen felt him focus and saw the form fields beginning to realise. In seconds six bright orbs appeared in the air, miniature stars that shed no heat and cast no shadow.

  Kara and Gwen looked at them in surprise.

  “Is that it?” Kara said clearly unimpressed.

  Gwen nudged her. “I don’t know what we expected.”

  Halleck said and began walking. “Size isn’t everything.”

  “Clearly not!” Kara scoffed hurrying after him.

  “How do we get them there?” Gwen asked as she drew on the field and prepared the jump.

  “They can take care of themselves. The strength of the field as we approach The Hand will be the problem.”

  The brutal battle raged on as one by one the powder weapons were forced to stop firing. Tension on the wall increased to unbearable levels. Soldiers watched, frustrated at not being able to join the fight. It was becoming clear that as powerful as The Blaze were, they were no match for The Fury. Now unhindered by powder weapon fire, the fifth Fury resumed its ponderous way towards The Twins and The Hunter. Only the trebuchets were firing, their own resources dwindling.

  The Commander turned to Gattick and Carrick in appeal. “Anything?” he said no longer having to raise his voice as much. “Anything you can do to help them.”

  Gattick shook his head.

  Lors had recovered and was leaning anxiously against the wall his eyes fixed on the fight, desperate to help.

  There was a commotion on the steps behind them as Gwen and Halleck stepped out on to the walkway.

  Carrick hugged his sister, “Where’s Kara?”

  “She transformed to get us here, the mounts were exhausted and couldn’t carry us. It took everything she had to maintain the form. She’s with Jarred.” Gwen slowly released Carrick her eyes drawn to the battlements. She looked back at him.

  “It’s not going well.”

  Everyone’s attention was suddenly diverted as a nightmarish scream issued from the plain. Shouts and curses rang out from the wall aimed at the Ildran Elementals. The fifth Fury had reached The Twins catching The Hunter off guard, killing her in a blaze of cruel force. The Twins were now caught between the two Elementals. The Captains fought to restore order as archers fired in a vain attempt to help The Children they had worked alongside for days.

  “We need a miracle!” The Commander called expectantly.

  Gwen looked at Halleck. He shook his head. “The Guardians I’d realised haven’t survived. I’ll need you to knock out one of The Fury.”

  “Wait!” Carrick suddenly exclaimed and dashed for the steps.

  Gwen looked after him.

  “What’s he going to do?” Gattick asked.

  “Not a clue,” Gwen replied.

  Lors was pacing the wall, stopping intermittently to observe the battle, finding it unbearable. One of the Twins was down, struggling desperately in the lethal grasp of a Fury. The other Twin rained sword blows on the second, trying to keep it back from her brother. There was a long terrible cry when she realised he was dead. The second Fury turned on the lone Twin and the other began to head for the wall. The Trebuchet were joined by ballista fire as it came into range, a futile action against such a creature.

  Carrick literally threw himself up the last steps and fumbled in his pockets, hurriedly dragging out a pouch.

  “Hold out your hands!” he urged his sister. “No cup them.”

  She did as she was told and Carrick poured ten medium sized spheres in to her outstretched palms.

  “What the...” The Commander started.

  “A miracle, perhaps,” Gwen called.

  “Lors,” Carrick shouted.

  He hurried over registering the urgency in Carrick’s voice.

  “You can use one of these to transport me close enough to one of The Fury. Then I can use the rest, it might be enough to disrupt the field long enough for Halleck to get to work!”

  Carrick looked over at his sister. He felt her staring at him. “There’s no other way!” She went to say something but stopped her face pale.

  There was a second scream and a ripple of disbelief and dismay ran along the wall. The second Twin was dead and now another of The Fury headed for the wall, the first now only fifty feet from them. The roar and din of its energy fields drowned the noise of the few trebuchet and ballista not out of projectiles.

  Lors took the small spheres from Gwen’s hands understanding how they worked as he examined them.

  “I will do this. They will only work if they are released in the heart of the Elemental.”

  “What?” she asked thinking she’d misheard.

  He quickly stepped back and focused, releasing energy from the first of the spheres and was gone before anyone could react. They rushed to the wall only to be forced to take cover. The Fury was close, its arcs of energy almost reaching the walls, sweeping and ripping at the ground. The air prickled. The noise was terrible. Its approach abruptly halted as several explosions deep inside blasted holes in its body spewing out substances integral to its existence. It lurched forward toppling to the ground its form field rupturing and eating a huge hole in the wall. Blocks fell into the fissure and a section collapsed in a great rumble of stone, dragging men and mechanisms with it. Sprays of energy swept upwards catching soldiers unable to get out of the way. Men and women ran for cover. Others did what they could to rescue those clinging to the edge of the walkway.

  Halleck took the opportunity. A Guardian sprang back into existence. He sent it directly at the second Fury. The orb flashed through the air swerving to avoid the Fury’s arm and then embedded itself in the Elemental’s chest. The effect was instant, the energy arcs folded, collapsing back into the Fury as its form field destabilised. Thrashing at the air it fell forward as the Guardian consumed it. A huge cheer went up but the wall had been breached and Segat’s forces now advanced at speed towards it. The desert was eaten up by a dark tide of men that seemed to pour endlessly from the Ildran lines. Behind them the siege towers began their slow move forward and two huge sky ships appeared over the horizon.

  Commands went up along the line and for the first time the archers and swords men readied themselves, each prepared for the chance to avenge their fallen comrades.

  Halleck had to work harder to bring another Guardian into existence and in the distance the waves of running legions parted as another Fury erupted into reality. He sent the Guardian to the nearest Fury still locked in combat with a Blaze.

  “I’m not sure I can do that again,” Halleck apologised.

  “What if our Summoners stop and dissipate The Blaze?” Gattick asked insistently.

  “The Ildrans are working in groups, they can reform The Elementa
ls quicker than me.”

  “Can any of our Summoners help you?”

  “No, they don’t understand the form fields. It would be disastrous. I’ll keep trying,” Halleck said closing his eyes as The Guardian reached its target. The Elemental fell releasing the Blaze, which immediately started to walk towards the next Fury.

  “That is it,” Halleck said slapping his arm to his side in frustration. “I can do no more. It’s down to the Commander and his men now.”

  Gattick patted him heavily on the shoulder. “You’ve bought us precious time.” He then headed over to the Commander who was busy issuing orders. The two men talked and when they had finished Gattick came back over.

  “We’re to get the majority of the Talents off the wall. It won’t be safe at all up here soon. I’m staying but I want all of you to go and get yourselves away from The Pass. The Commander knows we’re out numbered twenty to one.”

  All three objected.

  “We’re staying,” Carrick said finally. “You can order your own Talents but we stay. If there’s the vaguest chance we can help, we will be here to do it.”

  ***

  Kellim gradually came to, at first aware only of the pain in his back and head. Instinctively he focused his will to repair the damage. The field rushed to respond, nearly overwhelming him. He lessened his efforts realising it had been restored and with that, memory returned. Sudden grief hit him, images of Lewen’s death bursting into his mind. He sat up weeping at the loss, the dear boy he loved like a son. A wail of anguish escaped him echoing up the stairway and he sunk his head in his hands sobbing uncontrollably.

  Weak flickering lights still managed to illuminate the stair way and the settling dust. Eventually Kellim stood, his initial grief exhausted. Seeing the collapsed portal and half buried doors he limped down the stairs and climbed up the rock-fall. Pressing his hands against it he sent his mind deep into the chamber, faint hope fading as he failed to locate Jenna or Lewen. He searched every air pocket time and time again but found nothing.

  Numb, he headed for the stairs, his staff swept up from the floor into his waiting hand. He stood looking at it for long moments pulling himself together. He stifled a sob and he pushed the thoughts aside. Others he cared about were in danger and now was the time to act. He would grieve later. He went to take the stone steps leading to the surface and then stopped. He focused and his next step crunched on the ground inside the ruin of the cottage. He knelt beside Aaron. The boy was warm and unharmed but still deep inside himself and unreachable. Kellim touched his cheek gently, thinking of the terrible news the boy would have to be given. He raised him into the air placing a hand on his chest and stepped. From the edge of the quayside he looked out across the sea. For a second his concentration lapsed and his grief welled. He called out, bending the field to his will and stepped onto the far shore. With an effort he took control of himself, checked on Aaron and with a ragged breath, stepped forward. The warmer air was a new and sudden sensation.

  Meg sensed his arrival and looked up, her stomach tightening with anticipation and then anxiety as she sensed the reason for his grief, her hand went to her mouth and tears welled in her eyes. She threw the basket aside scattering feed and brood birds across the yard. Shouting frantically for Ollce she ran heavily to the distant figure. Kellim gently placed Aaron on the ground, warning Meg of the field wave now only minutes behind him, he took a long look at the farm and the peace of its surroundings, it would rain soon. That would be good for the crops. He turned and took a step.

  ***

  The gap in the wall had been barricaded and fortified as much as was possible. The trebuchet and ballista were silent and their crews were being evacuated along with other non-essential staff. The first wave of Ildrans reached the wall, falling on top of each other as the arrow-darkened air killed hundreds. The archers had kept the Ildrans at bay, forcing them to shelter under their shields but now as the overwhelming numbers of the legions mounted, the first banks of men had been forced into the breach. Tar and pitch rained down on others along the wall but now two Fury had reached it and were ripping into its stone surface. The Blaze that had previously held them at bay had broken down and dissipated as the Amarian Summoners became exhausted from the efforts of maintaining them. Halleck had fought to bring more Guardians into play but the concerted effort of the Ildran Summoners had proved too much and two more Fury burst forth much closer to the wall. It was about to be breached in multiple places and nothing could be done to prevent this.

  Near Gwen and Carrick’s position the first breach had been over run and fighting had broken out on The Amarian side. It shook as another section was ripped open and this time a Fury stepped through causing utter devastation beyond. The first of the siege towers was almost at the walls and groups of Amarian swordsmen waited to meet the first of the attackers. The Hand would be over run and the Commander was giving orders for key men and women to leave and divisions to fall back to the waiting sky ships before their routes of escape were closed off.

  The Commander came over. “Chancellor you have to go! Those two sky ships mean business. If they reach our ships they’ll tear them apart. You’re of no use here now and Amar will need all the help it can get.”

  His words were blunt but true and reluctantly Carrick, Gwen, Halleck and eventually Gattick accepted them. The Commander ordered two guards to escort them. They were about to leave when word came that the way was blocked. Gwen quietly reached for her brother’s hand understanding what this meant. The fighting pressed closer and the Commander drew his sword giving orders for a final defence of their position.

  “Stay back here,” he said finally. “If there’s anything you can do, do it, no matter what damage it might cause.” The Commander took his leave of them and joined his men.

  The small group of four tried endlessly to draw on the over taxed field but found it unresponsive. There was literally nothing they could do. Gwen tried one last time as the Commander and his men engaged the first of the Ildrans to reach them. She sent her mind out as far as she was able, hoping to reach the edge of the usable field and then a voice spoke. Shield yourselves. The Field’s Cap has failed. A field wave is heading your way! She faltered recognising the voice as Kellim’s.

  “Close your minds. Field wave. Just do it!” she shouted desperately to the three Talents.

  The fighting was close but they had no choice and withdrew deeply into themselves shutting their minds to the field as completely as they could. Then suddenly their heads were overwhelmed with sensation and the presence of the restored field.

  When Gwen came to she could see her brother stood staff in hand. Their section of the wall, up to the breach, had been cleared of Ildrans and the steps leading up had been blocked. The Commander and his men were still alive but the battle still raged below and around them. She realised she was on the floor, that Gattick was unconscious and a medic was tending to Halleck. She managed to get up, noise from the fighting flooded back. She was confused and relieved to see The Fury and other Elementals were gone. Unaware and unprotected The Ildran Order had been decimated and few had survived the field wave as it swept past. With their Summoners dead or unconscious the Ildran Elementals had no one to sustain them.

  Carrick hurried over. “You ok?” he said making himself heard above the fighting.

  She nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “Most of the Talents are dead. I’m staying,” Carrick said. “I want you to get Halleck, Gattick, Kara and Jerrad to safety. The Hand is lost their forces are overwhelming even together there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  His sister wasn’t listening she was looking over his shoulder. Carrick turned fearing the worst but looked straight at Kellim.

  Kellim quickly assessed the situation and stepped away walking some distance down the wall. He stopped and focused his mind. The torrent of energy that answered his will almost overwhelmed Carrick and Gwen. The walkway beneath their feet began to shake and then suddenly Ildran soldiers were scatt
ered as blocks previously ripped from the wall were reformed and began to crash back to their original places as Kellim reasserted the wall’s original form field. The tide of Ildrans through the breach stopped abruptly and the Amarian soldiers fought those trapped with renewed ferocity.

  As the walls were secured, Kellim turned his will against all of the siege towers. He raised his staff that now burned incandescently. The air around the towers hissed and then burst into flames. On the wall the fighting began to turn as Amarian soldiers fought the startled Ildrans now stranded there.

  There was confusion at the base of the walls thousands of Ildrans found themselves with nowhere to go. Arrows began to fall on them from the bowmen still alive on the walkway. Kellim raised his hands and the greatest of The Panids allowed his will to soar. His grief and anger took form and below him soldiers fled from multiple points amongst their masses. Pools of sand were revealed and panic spread amongst them as form fields began to coalesce in their midst and Blaze burst into life, Elementals created by a Panid towered above the fleeing men, now falling over each other in their desperation to escape. The tide sweeping the land now turned in terror.

  Halleck slowly came to. Struggling to his feet he began to take in his surroundings. He saw Kellim, the figure was unmistakable. Seeing him now as an old man was still surreal despite Kara’s warnings. He watched as Kellim lowered his staff and walked back towards Carrick and Gwen. But the brother and sister’s smiles soon faltered. Kellim began to speak and Gwen clutch at her brother’s arm before reaching forward to hold Kellim, sobs racking her shoulders. Carrick turned away covering his eyes with a hand as he struggled to contain his own grief. The old man stroked Gwen’s hair, tears rolling down his cheeks as they comforted each other. Eventually Carrick turned back and gently pulled Gwen to him, hugging her tightly. Looking about, Kellim saw Halleck. The old man dropped his staff and half walked half stumbled over to his long lost friend. Halleck’s emotions sprang out of nowhere as he drew near.