Consequences Within Chaos

by Derek Barton

  Devin leaned over and shoved his shoulder into the boy. “Relax! We are already at the Sandisfire Bridge. The Envoys will be on board and away before you know it. Then tonight I will buy you a stew bowl and an ale at the Nest!” He chuckled.

  Wynn smiled. “You up for a game of Crown Darts, Sergeant?”

  “I just might let you win some coin back.”

  The clack of the horse hooves and the carriage wheels on the wood planks of the bridge were soon drowned out by the roaring rapids of the Nestermaryn River. The bridge held strong in the wide river stream, supported by six, goliath quartz stone arches.

  The Kaporra Docks were comprised of rotting, squat wooden structures which nestled between the Nestermaryn and the Khila Tope River mouths that fed into the ocean. Several massive ships like the Neo Dasia were anchored among the many merchant skiffs and fisherman catboats. A whaling yawl could be seen approaching as it rounded the rocks near the Lighttower.

  Devin stood in the driver box and saluted the Dock Guards that manned a short, stumpy tower as they rode passed. The Dock Guards were not officially a part of the Wyvernguard, but he ignored that distinction and paid them due respect.

  Never know where you might need friends. Always look for an opportunity for allies, son. The voice of the old weapon-master he trained under spoke from his memory. He missed his mentor who died a year back.

  The duel levels of the docks teemed with sailors, merchants and dock workers. Wide stairs connected the levels on both ends and identical compact guard towers faced the ocean to ward against pirate attacks.

  Everyone had a job to do and everyone was in each other’s way. The piers were extra crowded with freight and small packs of dock-dogs which begged or stole fish bits or fruit.

  “Hold up here!” Devin ordered when they crossed to the end of the bridge. “Lieutenant Detterl, please see to securing these horses and the coach. Private Wynn and I will escort the Envoys to the ship.”

  “Aye, sir!” A soldier with a ponytail of black hair and a patchy beard on horseback replied and saluted.

  The pair jumped down from the driver box and opened the carriage door.

  “Our preparations and supplies have been already brought aboard, Sergeant Devin?” The Envoy Leader asked as he climbed out of the cramped cabin.

  “The captain of the ship has seen to it. Now if you please, follow us to the Neo Dasia and watch yourselves as the docks look pretty busy this afternoon.”

  As the group approached the series of stair platforms, several street children rushed the steps, sidestepped the soldiers and begged the Envoys for coins.

  “Back off, brats!” Private Wynn barked. “Make room!”

  Sergeant Devin maneuvered his barrel-thick body between the gang of urchin and the Envoys. “Give us a path, boys!”

  He had prepared for such a delay. Memories of the days when he was a runaway from the ranch came to mind. The soldier held out a small coin pouch and held them over their heads. “You make way right now and I will divide these coppers among you. Fair enough?”

  Private Wynn glanced at his superior with puzzled mirth.

  The Envoy’s escort advanced without further obstacles. The impressive Neo Dasia rose overhead as they approached – she was a massive, triple-mast wavebreaker with side balistas and twin hull breachers. The ship was built for combat and not for cargo or passengers. This mission called for her protection and execution.

  The party of Envoys were set to brave the Everglass Sea to speak to the Lords of Ansony and then make for the Dunes of Rovmantysa. Tayneva needed troop support and supplies for the possible siege yet no royal correspondence had been answered.

  A very rotund man with dirty, grey hair and a blonde, braided goatee, peered down upon them. He took a long sip from a wooden mug as he sized up the party that marched up the ship gangplank.

  “You are running late. I do not like wasting time in dock, sir,” grumbled the captain.

  Renald extended his hand, “Captain Ruessard extends his apologies. Last minute exchange of hors—”

  A piercing scream froze everyone upon the ship’s deck. It came again from the direction of the wharf. Everyone ran for the portside rails.

  Wooden shingles from warehouses exploded in splinters and flames that rained down in a smoky cloud. Horns blared to life from all of the Dock Towers. Life on the wharf seized up and all stared at one another in confusion.

  Another series of explosions rocked the western half of the docks. One tower leaned to the side, engulfed in flames. As frantic screams from men and women echoed along the buildings, the crowds charged for the stairs.

  Devin yanked on the ship captain’s arm and brought him close. “Get this ship moving! NOW!” He spun on his heels to locate Private Wynn. Both of the soldiers on instinct brandished their swords and bolted from the Neo Dasia.

  “What is going on?” Wynn shouted over his shoulder as he tried to weave in and around the panicked crowds.

  “I do not know, but I doubt this is just a coincidence. We have to meet up with the rest of the guard at the top!” He had to scream to be heard over more explosions.

  As the pair ascended the stairs, several hulking Viestrahl leaped off a warehouse and onto the roof of a merchant stall next to the top stair platform. The beasts roared in rage as they dove into the fleeing peasants. Bodies flew like bloody ragdolls into the air.

  Wynn and Devin worked in practiced precision with sword and dagger and dispatched a Viestrahl between them, but the remaining pair escaped to the lower level. They watched but were helpless – their mission forced them to continue up the steps to find the other Wyvernguard.

  The sergeant’s mind reeled from the sight of the warrior beasts. How did they know about the Envoy?

  Ascending the final stair platform, they darted around another burning warehouse to encounter dozens of the vile creatures streaming from the forest edge and down the hill. At the hill’s crest, Viestrahl had placed slingshot wooden tripods and were firing flaming tarball after tarball at the wharf and the anchored ships.

  At the Sandisfire Bridge, of the Wyvernguard Devin had brought only seven remained alive and fighting. He spotted bodies of his men piled among the dead beasts upon the ground. The survivors fought in back-to-back formation, surrounded in a circle of Viestrahl claws and fangs.

  Devin and Wynn slashed into the tail end of the swarming Viestrahl and worked towards the band of Wyvernguard.

  “They are using the rivers! We do not have enough men for this!” Screamed Lieutenant Detterl at his superior as he swung his two-handed claymore keeping the Viestrahl at bay.

  Another Viestrahl collapsed at Renald’s boots, impaled in the neck and shoulder by his sword and dagger. As the sergeant leaned in and pulled out his sword blade, he spotted a bulky wooden structure floating with the rapids under the bridge. Several of the Viestrahl leaped from the raft into the river and headed to the banks. More remained on the raft, standing guard over another wooden tripod; this time it was armed with massive stone arrow heads.

  “How many of those have you seen?” He shouted, nodding to the river and the floating raft.

  A burly soldier with sandy blonde hair, Private Roshier, deflected a Viestrahl’s twin attack of claw and spiked tail. Almost out of breath, he answered, “I counted at least four others, sir.”

  Wynn whistled and nodded at the soldier. The pair flanked the beast. On cue, Roshier dove into a roll at the creature’s feet and shield-bashed it toward Wynn who speared it through the center of its broad back.

  Two other creatures raced at the pair of soldiers seeking payback. On reflex they shifted again into back-to-back position. Private Roshier whisked his sharp-edged shield and dazed the first beast as Wynn himself dropped to his knees and braced his sword to impale his challenger. The Viestrahl, however, played Wynn a fool and leaped passed him onto his companion’s back.

  “Devin! Help!” Roshier screamed in agony as he tried to scramble to his feet. The Viestrahl tore into his victim’
s back without mercy.

  Lieutenant Detterl yanked a dagger from his belt, chucking it at the beast. The dagger embedded itself in the back of the animal, but it continued its bloody fury.

  Devin bull-rushed the creature off of the private and wrestled it to the ground with his weight.

  Wynn ran over and skewered the beast with his sword.

  Calling over his shoulder, he asked, “Private Roshier! Are yo—”

  A tarball smashed and tore nearly through the center of the young recruit’s chest and flung him down the river bank like a blazing comet.

  Devin lay stunned under the weight of the beast.

  “TO THE DOCKS!” A lone, massive Viestrahl barked out as it climbed out of the Nestermaryn near the bridge. It had red painted, bone armor and a decorated spear in hand.

  The sergeant could only stare and wonder if it was one of the Konn-Cabal he had read reports about. This animal commanded the absolute attention of every eye on the field.

  The beasts began to leave or run from the Wyvernguard – they were smart enough to attack the easier prey of sailors, dock guards and merchants instead.

  The remaining Wyvernguard encircled their superior and extracted him from the beast’s body and limbs. “Sir, are you alright?” Lieutenant Detterl held Devin up and kept him steady by the shoulders. Two other soldiers carried the unconscious Private Roshier between them.

  Devin wiped the black ichor of the Viestrahl off his face and neck. He ignored an open gash that bled heavily from his side and shrugged off the soldier’s hands. The sergeant’s eyes searched for Wynn along the embankment, but did not find any sign. He swallowed hard and bottled his soul – he had no time for anything else. His command all looked to him for direction.

  “This is a massacre! The wharf is a total loss and nothing can be done about that. We must rescue and lead as many we can from here!” He stated to his men. “Protection Circle! Now!” he ordered.

  As a unit they worked backed to the stairs, each soldier holding his position within the shield-circle formation. “To us!! To us!!” The Wyvernguard cried out for any survivors.

  A sailor and a merchant carried three children into the circle. “Why? Why are they here?” The merchant babbled, uncontrolled tears streaming down his cheeks.

  “To us!! To us!!”

  A deafening sound like thunder engulfed the circle of soldiers. They twisted around to see the source – the Neo Dasia had not escaped far into the open waters, surrounded by more of the Viestrahl rafts. Five of the stone arrow heads had pierced and caved in the starboard hull. She took on water and would soon nose down into the waves. The center mast leaned in an awkward angle, flames eating its sails. The back half of the wavebreaker remained alive with fighting sailors and Viestrahl.

  This is a complete disaster. They knew! They came for the Envoys! My gods, we do not know these Viestrahl! Devin’s mind swirled with thoughts and curses.

  More stone arrows were launched from another raft and caught a sailing vessel anchored along a center pier. The first arrow plunged into its hull while the second overshot and hit a trio of men standing on the top deck and plowed deep into the wood.

  “That is the Capsa-Roe!” The sailor moaned. Other sailors leaped over its rails and into the freezing waters of the Edgeglass.

  “AGAIN!” Devin scolded his men. “FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE! TO US!! TO US!!”

  The soldiers and even the sailor bellowed along with him.“TO US!! TO US!!”

  3#

  Taihven felt buried inside the heavy metal armor; it chafed everywhere and smelled like a pig trough.

  Still… I can at least walk along the merchant shops without attracting attention. He thought to himself.

  After escaping from Taliah’s shack earlier, he had navigated his way through the sewers to get under the guard barracks. It was a gamble, but the majority of guards were out on patrol and the sleeping quarters were nearly abandoned. Inside their armory, he acquired spare pieces of armor and a close-masked helm.

  It was bitter out with an occasional snow flurry. Peasants rushed around the market stalls, no one committed to any browsing. The merchants organized their displays or helped buyers, but the chill winds soured everyone’s mood. He took some refuge leaning against a post next to a blacksmith shop where a limited amount of heat radiated out into the street.

  Echoes of a commotion came from down the street. “Out of the way! Make room!” An overweight female Wyvernguard pushed through a group of refugee children playing a game of Halo Ball. Two other guards were following behind her.

  Marching straight at the group of guards, Princess Letandra appeared out of nowhere. “You! Corporal Bromis, is it not? Find me five other men and see which sergeant is on duty!”

  The corporal stared blankly back at the young woman.

  Letandra shoved her backwards into the others, “Go! We do not have time for this.”

  “But…”

  Ignoring the protest, she spun on her heels and brushed past peasant eaves-droppers and approached in Taihven’s direction.

  “You there! Stop staring and follow me!” She barked.

  Taihven looked to his left to see who was next in her crosshairs, but saw no one under the tarp next to the blacksmith’s wares.

  Suddenly he was grabbed by his shoulders and shoved against the pole. “What is the matter with the Wyvernguard today? Dolt!” Letandra shouted into the face guard of his helm.

  He was stunned by her anger and behavior. What had happened to her?

  Taihven whispered, “Lennie, let go of me!”

  She blanched at the sound of his voice and froze.

  “Er, sorry, Your Highness! Lead on!” He tried to sound gruff.

  She grabbed him by his back plate and thrust the prince in front of her causing him to almost stumble into the mud. The helm hid his blush as he heard laughter from the crowd.

  The original party led by Corporal Bromis had grown by three. They appeared at the head of Market Alley and jogged toward them.

  “I… I need at least two more. Gather them and then meet me at the stables! Prep yourselves — we are going to make an arrest. You! Come along and help me set up the saddles!” Letandra commanded Taihven.

  He saluted her, but she had marched off. Taihven had to full out run to keep up with Letandra as they left the market and headed to the stables.

  ***

  Letandra slammed the stable door chipping off a part of the wooden frame. “What were you thinking? You cannot stay hidden in a guard’s armor. They do not just stand around and lean on posts, you dolt! Some sergeant or lieutenant would have spotted you surely and asked you what your duties were. You would have been exposed right in front of the very people hunting you.”

  Taihven did not mutter a word. He had often endured her what-were-you-thinking lectures and waited for her temper to cool. When she paused, he would automatically shrug his shoulders and keep his eyes down.

  “How am I going to…”

  Her silence continued — he glanced up and saw her staring at him, the bluster and rage gone from her eyes. “Look, sorry. It has been a frustrating afternoon. Are you alright?”

  “No, not really. I-I really wish father was around. Things are so crazy right now.”

  They each wrestled with inner thoughts.

  “Where were you all night, Taihven? Were you safe?”

  “Do you know the name Auste?” He asked rather than answered.

  “No. Should I?”

  “Well, maybe. But you cannot trust your maid, Taliah anymore.”

  “Have you seen her? She is dangerous and I think she is a spy somehow!” she blurted. “That is who we are bringing in.”

  “She tracked me down as you told her to, but she tried to keep me in her quarters by pulling a knife. I got away this morning.”

  “Taiv, I never spoke to her last night.” She opened the gate to her horse stall. “I need you to lead me back to her place. We must bring her in and find out what she knows and who she h
as told. Who is this Auste? Does she report to him?”

  “All I could get from her is that he hurts her bad when she fails him and that he is leading the Viestrahl.”

  The image of the spider creature that tried to kill Deliah flashed in Letandra’s mind. “But he said Gru’Renthral?” she reflected out loud.

  Before he could ask, Letandra climbed onto her roan mare and asked him to get the doors. “Nevermind. Hurry! She needs to give us some answers.”

  #4

  The door exploded in a storm of splinters and the soldiers burst in without a word of warning.

  Taliah had heard their heavy footsteps long before they approached her quarters’ door. She was not surprised by their arrival; she laid motionless in the bed sheets and semi-unconscious.