Dragon's Keep: The Complete Dracengard Series

by Christopher Vale

  “Tibor!” Karissa shouted when she watched her general fall. “Men!” she shouted as she raised her sword, preparing to give the command for them to charge into the fight. She hesitated, however, as Tibor’s instructions echoed in her mind. She glanced over her shoulder at the dracen fighting above the city walls, her son among them. She knew that if she and her men ceded the hill, the drakmere would overrun the city and attack the walls from the rear. She desperately wanted to rush in and rescue Tibor. She desperately wanted to feel his embrace and his firm lips against hers once more. She knew, however, that she could not. He was lost to her. “Hold steady,” she instructed her men as she lowered her sword.

  Chapter 24

  The Clerics of Avalon stood tall on the north wall of the city. With the shedom and drakons focused solely on defeating the nephilim and dracen, the clerics turned their attention to the se’irim. The red-skinned beasts charged the wall by the thousands. They pressed against the main gate attempting to force it open while Valish soldiers held firm on the other side, bracing the gate with large timbers. Caius directed his archers’ attention to the se’irim below them and they began to loose volley after volley upon the horned devils.

  Unlike drakmere, the se’irim could not scale straight up the wall. Thus, they brought enormous ladders along with them. Hundreds of ladders were passed through the horde of se’irim to the northern wall. There, they were erected and leaned against the stone battlements. Se’irim began to ascend the ladders despite the arrows raining down upon them.

  “Push the ladders down!” Caius shouted frantically to his men on the wall. Clerics rushed to the ladders and pushed against them as hard as they could, but the heavy ladders were being held firmly in place by more se’irim below.

  Caius joined his brothers, leaning against the top of a ladder and pushing with all of his might, but the weight of the ladder, including the se’irim climbing it, coupled with the se’irim below holding it fast made it almost impossible to even budge in the slightest.

  The red beasts ascended the ladders quickly and soon Caius saw the curved horns of a se’irim’s head. Another moment and he was face to face with the demon as it snarled at him, baring its fangs. Caius thrust forward with his sword, stabbing the monster right through the throat. Unlike shedom, se’irim could be killed with weapons of steel, so the clerics’ swords of light sliced through them like butter. The se’irim fell from the ladder, dead, but another was directly behind it. Caius chopped downward into the beast’s skull and it, too, fell from the ladder. Another head was soon in view.

  Caius stabbed at the next se’irim head, but before the blade could reach it, the se’irim snatched it with a clawed hand. The beast shrieked as three fingers were sliced off, but recovered quickly enough and swung a giant battle axe downward at Caius. Caius leapt to the side, barely avoiding the blade. The se’irim began to step over onto the parapet when the cleric to Caius’ right thrust his sword into the devil’s side. The se’irim howled in pain before falling back down below.

  Panic struck Caius as heard the cracking of timbers and he turned to see the Valish soldiers struggling to keep the gates held fast. He peered over the front of the wall and saw thousands of se’irim pushing against the gates. Suddenly, Caius heard the roar of a dracen and glanced up to see his cousin Eamon dive down upon Jade’s back and unleash a burst of flame upon the se’irim closest to the gates before returning to his fight against the shedom.

  Caius smiled and gave Eamon a nod though he knew Eamon’s actions would buy them only a few scant moments as the gate could not hold out much longer. Caius turned and glanced at the western wall being held by his own countrymen, hoping they fared better just before he heard the timbers crash as the gates burst open.

  ***

  Lisabeth was flanked by Sir Rodrick and Sir Tomfrey. The western wall was defended by the surviving troops from Caerwynspire and those of the former Libethan army who had joined their ranks. Lisabeth turned and glanced back over the other side of the wall, inside of the city. There she saw her uncle, King Tythan, and his Talisarian troops waiting just below as reserves to reinforce the Caerwyn as needed.

  Lisabeth smiled at her younger sisters, Gwyn and Lyn, who stood on either side of Tythan. The reunion of the Caerwyn Princesses had been short and tear filled. Lisabeth had wept in relief that her sisters survived the massacre at Caerwynspire, and in sorrow as they mourned their mother together. Gwyn and Lyn, fifteen and fourteen respectively, were old enough to fight and Lisabeth, as head of the family and Caerwynspire, granted their requests to do so. In fact, some of the younger girls were armed and prepared for the battle as well, but were stationed with the reserves inside the castle keep and would not join the fray unless the castle itself were breached. Which of course meant, Lisabeth, Gwyn, and Lyn would most likely already be dead.

  Lisabeth was the highest ranking Caerwyn in Avonvale, however, as the highest ranking Paladin, control of military affairs fell to Sir Rodrick, then to Sir Tomfrey and on down the line. This, of course, made good sense as Rodrick was a much more experienced warrior than Lisabeth. Lisabeth was a fine warrior in her own right, though, and rightfully took her place in the front lines with the Caerwyn forces.

  “They’ll hit the north wall first,” Rodrick explained as they watched the se’irim charge down the hill, guttural battle cries escaping the beasts’ lips. “But when they meet resistance from the dracen and clerics they will certainly break off and attack the flanks of the city. The east borders the river, and se’irim are not as exceptional in the water as a drak, so expect them to roll our way.” Lisabeth, Tomfrey, and the other Paladin within earshot nodded. “Be ready.”

  Much to Lisabeth’s dismay, Rodrick was correct. The se’irim attacked the northern wall first, but as the tens of thousands continued to push down the hill to Avonvale, a large number moved to the west. Lisabeth’s breathing intensified as the beasts grew closer. Unlike the others on the wall, she had seen se’irim up close and personal while a captive of Anne. Lisabeth realized that as terrifying as drakmere were, they were nothing compared to a se’irim. The red devils she had encountered a year ago were few in number yet still haunted her nightmares to this day. Now, tens of thousands of them charged toward her. No one would ever accuse Lisabeth of being a coward, but at that moment she wanted to run away as fast as she could.

  Lisabeth gripped the hilt of the Sword of Light of Caewynspire tightly in her hand. She felt fingers wrap around hers and turned to see Tomfrey smiling confidently at her. “It is time to address the men, Lissy,” he said, addressing her common for the first time since the Battle of Caerwynspire.

  Lisabeth swallowed hard. She turned to see Rodrick nodding encouragingly at her. Lisabeth took a step back so that she could see the troops—three men deep—up and down the wall. “Eyes!” Rodrick shouted and the men along the wall turned their heads to look at her.

  Lisabeth swallowed and searched her mouth for moisture as her dry lips parted. Lisabeth realized that most of these men would not live to see the end of the battle. In fact, she feared that none of them, herself included, would survive the coming onslaught. When she stared out at the mass of se’irim charging toward them, she did not see how any of them possibly could.

  “We have all lost loved ones…” she began, in a tone barely audible to even Tomfrey and Rodrick. Tomfrey gave her a look indicating she should speak louder. “We have all lost loved ones in this war!” she shouted, picking up momentum. “As you all know, Caerwynspire has fallen to the beasts of darkness and Libetha and Talisaria likely have as well.” Her eyes wandered from man to man as the confidence grew inside of her. “My own father and mother, my older sister, Ashleen, are dead. But today we fight for the lives of all remaining in the Middle Realm. Not against other kingdoms or drakmere, but against the forces of Abaddock itself. If we fail, everyone in the Middle Realm shall perish or become slaves of Shebath. So determine to die here on this wall, for there is no life in retreating.” She saw men nodding in agreem
ent. She raised her sword high above her head. “We are Caerwyn!” Lisabeth shouted eliciting hearty cheers up and down the wall. “We are Caerwyn!” she shouted even louder, eliciting an echo of her words from the Caerwyn troops. Then she turned to face her uncle and the troops of Talisaria. “Tonight, we are all Caerwyn!” she shouted at the top of her lungs. The Talisarian troops cheered her in response.

  Lisabeth turned back to smiles from Rodrick and Tomfrey. “Well said, Commander,” Rodrick said, giving her the title reserved for a Paladin leader. She turned to Tomfrey who leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, completely breeching all etiquette.

  “It was an honor to fight beside your father and sister,” he said as he slapped her upon the shoulder. “It shall be an honor to fight at your side as well.” Lisabeth smiled. She turned to the horde of se’irim charging the wall. Her confidence was now greater than before. “And likely die,” Tomfrey added as an afterthought. Yet, this did not frighten Lisabeth. The Paladin’s acceptance of her gave her renewed energy.

  “Today I shall kill a demon for every tear I have shed for a member of my family,” Lisabeth swore as she gripped the hilt of her sword.

  “Then we might survive after all,” Tomfrey smiled.

  ***

  Erec stood rigid atop the castle keep as he watched in horror as the gates of the city burst open and the se’irim poured inside. The Valish and Elophbornt soldiers, led by Sir Ganesh and Sir Maxin respectively, charged forward to meet them.

  Erec turned to his left to see Lord Galt staring wide-eyed at the scene below. “Ensure the archers on the castle walls are ready!” Galt shouted to the men below.

  Erec then turned to his right and found a calm-faced Aura. “Get me down there,” he told her.

  “Your Majesty, don’t be brash. I must insist that you remain here to command the battle,” Lord Galt said.

  Erec placed a hand on Galt’s shoulder. “You are a much more experienced warrior than I, Lord Galt. You have command. I need to be with my men.” Erec turned back to Aura. “Besides they could use the General’s ability as well,” he said as he smiled at the seraph.

  Aura nodded before taking hold of him. She wrapped her arms around Erec and he took the opportunity to steal a kiss from her lips. “I’m so sorry it is ending this way,” he told her. “I loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you.”

  Aura did not say a word, but simply spread her wings flapping downward and propelling herself and Erec into the sky. They flew from the castle keep darting down to the city below where they landed behind Erec’s men.

  The battle in the city streets had quickly devolved into a melee as the se’irim broke through the ranks of the lancers. Erec and Aura both had swords in their hands in a flash. Aura darted into the fray in the blink of an eye without waiting for Erec. With a battle cry he charged in as well, sword held high.

  Aura danced among the warring humans and se’irim, her light sword flashing as she fought her way through the demon army. Several of the beasts lay dead at her feet, but they were closing in on her, pressing her from all sides. With a beat of her wings, she was propelled upward landing several yards away and, in a flash, fighting another group of se’irim.

  Meanwhile, Erec worked to form lancers up in lines to halt the se’irim as they pressed forward toward the castle. He glanced about the city and was relieved to see the walls still held. If they could simply stop the stream of demons forcing their way in through the northern gate, they might turn the tide of the battle. Of course, that was easier said than done.

  “Form ranks!” he heard Sir Ganesh’s voice ring out, echoing his own. Erec turned to see the knight, bloody and wounded, moving the men to form up into lines. The prospect was difficult, however, as the se’irim were everywhere and getting men to do anything except fight for their own lives was a challenge.

  Ganesh shouted and yanked men into position to form a barrier between the se’irim rushing through the city gates and the castle. Eventually, he gathered at least the semblance of formed ranks. Just as he shoved the last man into position, however, Ganesh lost his head to the battle axe of a se’rim.

  “Hold the lines!” Erec shouted, taking over command as Ganesh’s body fell to the ground in a clump. The se’irim kept pressing forward, and as much as Erec shouted commands to stand firm, the men continued to fall back. Erec glanced over his shoulder at the castle behind him. It would be a long, bloody fight all the way.

  Chapter 25

  Mihang’el rushed through the glowing white halls of Auraehalis, his brother Gavri’el just a few steps behind. Gavri’el had returned to Realm of Light and immediately informed Mihang’el that the shedom had moved south to Avonvale. Gavri’el had scouted the forces of Abaddock until the battle began, hoping to take as much information as he could to his brother.

  “Are we going to inform the Father?” Gavri’el asked.

  Mihang’el shook his head. “No,” he replied. “It would do no good. The Father would ignore us and possibly have us arrested for treason. Let us not forget it is a crime to venture into the Middle Realm without permission.”

  “Then where are we going?” Gavri’el asked.

  “To find Herja,” Mihang’el replied.

  It did not take long before they spied the Valkyrie Commander standing alone, watching the citizens of Auraehalis as they passed along about their business.

  “Commander,” Mihang’el shouted, attracting Herja’s attention.

  “I don’t like this,” Gavri’el whispered into his brother’s ear.

  “Hush!” Mihang’el scolded him.

  Herja made her way through the crowd and came to stand in front of Mihang’el and Gavri’el. Her eyes cut sharply to Gavri’el. “I was just looking for you. I have Valkyrie watching the gates and was told you had returned from the Middle Realm. Why were you there?” she asked coldly.

  Gavri’el was speechless, but Mihang’el was quicker on his feet. “He was there at my behest, Commander,” Mihang’el informed her.

  “Oh?” Herja replied.

  “Yes, we have found General Aura.”

  Herja brightened. “Where?” she asked.

  “We shall take you.”

  “I must inform the Father,” Herja said and began to step past Mihang’el.

  Mihang’el placed a hand on her arm, stopping her. “I am not so sure that is a good idea,” Mihang’el said. “What if you tell him, but when we arrive Aura has already fled? The Father would be angry at you.”

  Herja nodded. “I see your point.”

  “Bring your shield maidens. Let us go and arrest Aura and then bring her back in chains to present her to the Father. Then he shall be very pleased with you.”

  “And you,” Herja smiled, believing Mihang’el’s purpose in locating Aura was to curry the Father’s favor for himself.

  “Yes, of course,” Mihang’el nodded in agreement.

  “Very well, I shall bring ten of my best Valkyrie.”

  “Why not bring them all?”

  “All?” she asked.

  “We can surround the entire area making sure Aura cannot possibly escape. It is better to have too many than too few, is it not?”

  “Very well, Counselor,” she said. “I will assemble the Valkyrie immediately and you and your brother shall take us to her.”

  ***

  Anne waved for two shedom to follow her as she soared toward Terrwyn. The demons rode their drakons on either side of Anne. Anne sneered as she raised her sword, charging toward Terrwyn. She was impressed that her cousin did not flee. Instead Terrwyn charged her as well, sword held high, her red dracen screeching ferociously.

  Anne flew nearer and nearer Terrwyn. They were so close now. A terrifying shriek, like that of a shedom, escaped Anne’s lips just before Morgan reached Avon. Suddenly, Terrwyn’s dracen folded in its wings and dove beneath Morgan. Anne felt a piercing pain shoot through her as Morgan screeched in agony. She knew Terrwyn had just sliced at her dragon’s under scales as she and Avon
flew past.

  “After her!” Anne shouted to the two shedom accompanying her. They nodded as their drakons turned to pursue, but as they did so they were met by Bran and Shimmer breathing fire at them. Both shedom were thrown from their drakons as the two dracen attacked, snapping and clawing at the dark beasts. Without their shedom to protect their backs, Willem and Dillan were able to slice at the drakons with their swords and the two beasts soon joined their shedom masters on the ground.

  Anne shouted a curse into the air as she watched the shedom fall. She quickly turned her attention back to Terrwyn. “Faster!” she shouted to Morgan and the drakon beat its large wings harder and harder.

  Up ahead, Terrwyn and her red dracen were rounding the castle keep and circling back. Anne could hear the soldiers on the walls cheering Terrwyn and her dragon as they flew back toward Anne and Morgan. The two dragons collided in midair. It was something neither Anne nor Terrwyn was prepared for and both were thrown from their saddles falling, falling, falling, until they landed hard upon the castle’s stone walls less than one hundred feet from each other.

  The pain Anne felt was excruciating. The world was clouded and blurry as she pushed herself to her feet. She felt something hard rolling around in her mouth and spit out three teeth in a stream of blood. Anne shook her head to clear it. She took a few steps and by the fourth the fog had lifted. She saw Terrwyn still lying on the wall, struggling to regain her feet. Anne smiled. She would not kill her cousin yet. She would capture Terrwyn and make her watch as her entire family died before she were burnt to death as a sacrifice to Anne.

  Just as Anne was about to attack Terrwyn, she heard footsteps approaching from behind and turned to see several Valish lancers charging toward her. “Halt, witch!” the lance corporal leading them shouted. In the blink of an eye Anne was among them, slashing and slicing. Within seconds, all of the lancers lay dead or dying on the wall at Anne’s feet.