by Sam Rook
They departed, wary of any movement below or ahead of them. They flew in the basic patrol pattern, a gradually extending half-circle, and didn’t encounter any Daemons. In their final round, they flew through a mountain pass and into a valley. The valley was familiar, yet Kathryn knew she had never flown over it before. As they completed their short flight of the valley and prepared to depart through the pass on its east side, she separated herself from the squad and hovered.
Derrek’s squad had continued for a few seconds before they noticed she was no longer with them. Derrek flew back to find out what had caught her attention. She held her position above a swirling red river.
"Lady Kathryn, what do you see?" Derrek said with concern.
She gave him a worried glance and hurried toward the squad with Derrek following. Lak'oth ar'vat. We need to get out of here, now. She Communicated to Derrek alone.
He asked no questions, but ordered them to return to the village without completing the sweep of the area. As they flew through the mountain pass, Daemons rose from the trees in the valley behind them and from the trees in front of them. Over 100 Daemons surrounded them. Derrek ordered them to hover as they prepared for battle.
The Daemons outnumbered them by more than two to one. When battling Daemons, the first lesson they learned was always to try to outnumber them. If you didn’t outnumber them, but had several graywings, then victory was possible. When it came to armored Daemons, if you didn't outnumber them you should flee, no matter your number of graywings. Armored Daemons were resistant to most spells. All of the Daemons surrounding them wore armor. Derrek noticed this at the same time. Their deaths were imminent.
Form up. Graywings, staggered formation around the inner ring. Protect the brownwings. May the Goddess preserve us. Derrek Communicated.
The Daemons closed in on them and began their attack. Kathryn knew she didn’t stand a chance using her sword, so she sorted through the high level spells in her head as the brownwings around her used their swords to fight for their lives.
The relentless Daemons felled several knights during the initial attack. The knights in the second row took the place of the fallen. With aerial battles, the foe could attack from above and below as well as from the side, but the constant diving or hit and run tactics required for that angle of battle quickly tired the armored Daemons. By attacking from the side, both the Daemons and the knights were able to hover and conserve their energy for swinging their weapons.
She had to inform Sir Lanclor about the valley. There was no time for him to send reinforcements, but the knowledge of the valley’s location couldn’t die with her. She had never tried Communicating at this distance, but she had to try.
Lak’oth Ar’vat. Lan, can you hear me?
She began to fear he couldn’t hear her when he responded. Lady Kathryn? I thought you were at the village. What’s wrong?
There’s no time to explain. I found the valley with the red river. It’s south of the village. You’ll need to evacuate the villages in the area. I don’t know if we’re going to make it back. We’re surrounded. As she spoke with Sir Lanclor, she created various shield spells to try to keep some of the Daemons from advancing.
Surrounded? How many? Tell me where you are and I’ll send reinforcements. Sir Lanclor’s voice was urgent, yet calm.
There are about 100. I don’t think the reinforcements will get here in time. They’re armored.
He was silent for a moment. Where are you?
We’re about a mile south of the village. I have to concentrate on the battle now. Her shields failed to keep some of the Daemons at bay. She had to figure out how to keep the Daemons from swarming around them. Be safe, Sir Lanclor. There had to be a spell she could use to penetrate the Daemons’ defenses.
You must try using some of the Lost spells. We’ll not survive this battle unless we can find a way to wipe out half of these Daemons using magic. Derrek Communicated to her with desperation as he swung his sword and defended himself against two armored Daemons. She knew in that instant that she had to cast a high-level spell, or they wouldn’t survive. She risked exhausting herself, but there was no choice.
After casting several physical shield spells at points in the battle to protect the brownwings from fatal Daemon blows, she racked her brain trying to figure out the correct high-level spells to cast. If she chose the wrong spells, she would burn herself out for nothing. She saw a graywing use a fire spell without the desired results. The spell simply didn’t affect the armored Daemon. Another tried wind while another tried ice. The only spell she could think of was lightning, a dangerous spell if used improperly.
She didn’t see that they had any choice as little by little, members of their squad fell to the jagged swords and spears of the Daemons. Perhaps the Daemons’ armor could withstand external elements, but what about an element that could circumvent it?
She prepared a level 20 lightning spell, searching for the highest concentration of Daemons around them, hoping to take out as many as possible with one blow in case she didn’t have the energy to cast another. Building up the spell in her mind, she pictured the awesome power of the violent electrical storms she had seen numerous times on television. She imagined the raw power ripping through the armor of the Daemons, their hearts exploding with electricity.
Lir’eth kanen’entilix enal’e’d’akarith falo’entili’ai vel’on. Releasing her spell with desperation, she aimed for the center of the Daemon horde.
The lightning spell formed around the Daemons, its results unimaginable. As the lightning spell ripped through the Daemon ranks, they halted, screaming inhuman sounds of anguish, beating their wings to remain aloft, but failing as the electricity scorched holes in their wings while their armor cooked their flesh beneath. The smoke from their burning bodies created a stench that permeated the air, making it difficult to breathe as the southern wind blew it toward the knights.
The dying Daemons dropped, disappearing into the trees below. She eliminated thirty armored Daemons from the battle, but not without cost. The loss of their comrades enraged the remaining Daemons and they increased their attack. Kathryn flew toward the middle of the squad’s protective ring to recover. Derrek was also in the middle, having taken a sword wound to the chest. Their numbers dwindled, but the determination in his eyes wouldn’t let them give up.
With the dozens of shield spells she had cast, the lightning spell had taxed her more than she had expected. Kathryn knew she had to eliminate more of the Daemons if they were to have a chance at survival. Derrek cast a quick fire spell upon himself to seal his wound and attempted to stop the bleeding. Other wounded knights around them fought bravely after her lightning spell eliminated so many.
She moved toward the outer ring. Lir’eth sel’anthia. Mel’ati sel’anthia. After casting a lightning shield and a physical shield spell, she tied them off around the knights. Clearing her mind, she thought of nothing except the essence of lightning. She looked at the scene around her without really seeing it. The Daemons were furious about the demise of the others, attacking with a renewed frenzy. Kathryn built up her second level 20 lightning spell.
Lir’eth kanen’entilix enal’e’d’akarith falo’entili’ai vel’on. She modified the spell in her mind’s image to spread out instead of concentrating in one area like the first spell.
The spell spread throughout the Daemon group and jumped to those lingering around them as well. While the results weren’t as severe as the first spell, the Daemons still convulsed and fell from the sky with inhuman cries of agony. Her spell eliminated over forty Daemons. They now only faced thirty, but with their losses, they were still outnumbered. They had started with over fifty knights, but the Daemons had brought their number down to twenty with all but a few of them wounded or exhausted. She didn't know if she had the energy for another high-level lightning spell.
Ferocious anger rapidly replaced the Daemons' wariness. They seemed to swing their weapons even harder than before. Kathryn's physical shiel
ds failed before their frenzied attacks. The knights' only chance would be to somehow push the Daemons back so they could retreat to the village. The knights should have evacuated the villagers by now, so they wouldn’t be in danger. It was possible Hook’s squad remained there while Seri escorted the villagers back to the castle.
Five more knights had perished before Kathryn's next level 20 lightning spell was ready. She needed to cast it in a circular pattern all around the squad. She knew, spread so thin, the spell would most likely only stun the Daemons instead of killing them, but it would give her squad the opportunity to flee.
Lir’eth sel’anthia. Lir’eth kanen’entilix enal’e’d’akarith falo’entili’ai vel’on. She released her lightning shield spell around the squad before releasing the lightning spell. As expected, the Daemons were stunned and dipped in the air since they were unable to beat their wings.
Quickly, everyone fly over them and flee toward the village! Derrek’s Communication echoed in their minds as they all flew over the Daemon line.
The adrenaline rush allowed Kathryn to keep up with the others for a good 300 feet before exhaustion overtook her. The armored Daemons pursued them. She could no longer flap her wings. Before she fell, Derrek gripped her arm and swung her up to hold her around the waist as he continued to fly as quickly as his chest wound would allow. His wings carrying two, they fell behind the others, getting closer to the Daemons.
Hook and Seri’s squads swarmed between them and the Daemons. The thirty armored Daemons didn’t stand a chance against fifty angry knights. There were some wounded, but no casualties among the new squads. The knights annihilated the Daemons.
Hal took Kathryn from Derrek and they flew along the road between the village and the castle. Below, three squads of knights led by Sir Lanclor escorted rows of villagers and wagons to the castle. They halted as the winged squads landed among them. Derrek’s entire squad was among the wounded to be loaded into the available wagons. Kathryn wasn’t the only one carried and placed into the wagon. She lost consciousness shortly thereafter.
Chapter 33
"Sir Lanclor, Derrek had the sense to cast a fire spell upon himself to slow the bleeding. Some of the others weren’t as quick-witted, but we were able to save the rest of his squad," Vetera said quietly so as not to wake the sleeping patients around him. Derrek seemed to have heard his comments and roused.
"All of them, Master Vetera? What of Lady Kathryn?" Derrek’s eyes were unfocused, but his voice firmed.
"Lady Kathryn suffered no physical wounds, but she’s suffering from extreme exhaustion. She won’t be back in training for over a week." Vetera sounded annoyed that people would be foolish enough to exhaust themselves.
Sir Lanclor agreed with him. He had sent Lady Kathryn with Derrek’s squad not expecting any type of battle. He’d been angry about their earlier confrontation and never thought throwing an inexperienced knight in with an advanced squad like Derrek’s would cause such damage. Almost all of Derrek’s squad had died, possibly because Lanclor had given them a rebellious amateur to baby-sit.
"Derrek, I’m not sure what I can say to earn your forgiveness. Lady Kathryn had no battle experience and I just sent her with you into unexplored territory. You shouldn’t have had to baby-sit a green knight in the midst of a battle." Lanclor would have to give him another squad to command. His previous squad was one of the most respected in the Knighthood. The loss of so many graywings would be a burden, but there were many with great potential. Lanclor would have to rearrange the squads to spread around some of the veterans.
Derrek’s eyes focused upon him and widened in surprise. "Forgive you for putting Lady Kathryn with my squad? Lady Kathryn is the only reason we’re still alive. She cast high-level lightning spells that killed over seventy armored Daemons! She managed to cast dozens of shield spells as well, which saved us numerous times. Sir Lanclor, she exhausted herself to save us. She baby-sat us more than anything." He shook his head at Lanclor's ignorance, and then his eyes sagged with weariness from his healing.
The Knight-Commander left him to his rest as he exited the Healer quarters. Lady Kathryn had saved Derrek’s squad. Why did he find that so hard to believe? He always expected the worst of people, as that’s usually what he saw. In the past, he’d witnessed knights who were masters in the practice ring quiver in fear on the battlefield, causing the deaths of those around them with their inability to defend their position. Lanclor needed to learn to have more faith in people.
He walked toward Alextor’s throne room to report on the battle and on the valley Lady Kathryn saw. The throne room guards swung open the door in front of him and announced his presence to Alextor. Lanclor strode down the carpeted path that ended in a large table overseen by a powerful chair upon a small raised dais.
Alextor sat at the table, studying a large map littered with red flags indicating recent Daemon encounters. Lanclor halted in front of the table, standing in respectful silence until Alextor chose to acknowledge his presence. Alextor looked up from his map, his face exhausted, but his eyes alight.
"Lanclor," he said with a nod. "What do you have to report?"
"Lord Alextor." Lanclor saluted his childhood friend, following the rules of the ridiculous game of politics. "Daemons attacked the village of Southker, nearly killing all of its inhabitants. Hook’s squad saved as many as they could and I ordered Lady Kathryn to join Derrek’s squad to aid Hook with scouting."
Alextor inhaled sharply. "You sent Lady Kathryn into battle without my permission? Tell me, Lanclor, do you think just because we grew up together you can ignore my commands, not even knowing the reasons behind them?"
Lanclor could tell he was furious, but Alextor's words only ignited his own anger. "I knew your reasons behind them; I just chose to overlook your dishonor of Lady Kathryn and let her gain the experience she needs to help the Knighthood. Just because you fear for this woman’s safety doesn’t mean you can shield her from her duty."
"Duty? That is your expertise, isn’t it?" The anguish in his voice was a startling change from his previous words of anger. "Is it your duty to alienate all of those around you, those who shared in your happiness, your excitement, your grief?"
Lanclor didn’t know how to respond. This would always hang in the air between them, something that had breached the walls of their friendship that no mason could repair. As much as Alextor respected him, Lanclor was someone Alextor could never afford to trust. The leader of the Knighthood could trust him with his life, but not his friendship. Lanclor wouldn’t let him.
"I’d like to finish my report if that’s okay, Milord?" Alextor nodded in defeat. "Lady Kathryn joined Derrek’s squad and scouted the area south of the village. She believes she found the valley with the red river. Before they could return to the village, they were set upon by over 100 armored Daemons."
"By the Goddess! Over 100 armored. Did they escape?"
"Derrek lost almost all of his squad, but he and Lady Kathryn survived. Apparently, Lady Kathryn cast some high level lightning spells and killed over seventy of the armored Daemons. She exhausted herself, but Master Vetera believes she’ll fully recover in a week or so."
"Over seventy armored Daemons? I didn’t even think that was possible. She’s powerful indeed. I fear for her safety, but we’d be fools not to train such a powerful weapon. I apologize for my anger before. You were right to send her into battle. I just wish you would have talked to me about it first."
That was the first time Lord Alextor had ever apologized to him in his current role. "With your permission, I’ll now take my leave to arrange the evacuation of the southern villages."
"Permission granted. Just make sure to use at least three squads if there’s that many armored Daemons about down there. I wish Lady Kathryn had already recovered so she could join the evacuation effort. Keep me informed."
"Yes, Milord." Lanclor saluted with his fist to his heart and withdrew from the throne room.
"Please, she will die without healing
! Please, I'm begging you, give me a voucher!" The man knelt in the dirt in front of the Council Hall. The passersby avoided looking at his misery, all too used to seeing this display of emotion over a healing voucher rejection.
"I'm sorry. The Council has made its decision. It’s the will of the Goddess that your daughter will die. I'm only a Council guard. I must make sure you’re on your way or I’ll have to call the Royal Guard," the Council guard said. He was simply doing his job.
"No, they must reconsider! I won’t leave until they—" The man rose to his feet and began raising his voice.
Guardsman Mikael interceded while Lanclor hung back, shocked at the Council's apathy. "Sir, please come with me. I’ll need to hear what happened to your daughter and make a report." Mikael grabbed the man's arm and he came along without a fight. The defeat in his eyes was heartbreaking. Lanclor joined Mikael as he guided the man into an alley, well away from the eyes and ears of the busy throng. "Now, tell me what happened. Maybe I can help."
The hope rekindled in his eyes and he explained. "My daughter was helping me bring in our herd. Something spooked them and they ended up trampling her after she fell from her horse. She has internal bleeding and her only hope is a healer. It's all my fault. I should have just let her play instead of making her help me with the chores. I only wanted to teach her responsibility." He sobbed and it took Mikael several minutes to quiet him.
"You only need a voucher for a registered healer, right?" Mikael asked him in a quiet voice.
"Registered? What other type is there?" The man narrowed his eyes.
"I know a number of people who dabble in healing but who are not registered healers. You’d be going to them at your own risk in terms of them being able to help you, but you would also not be breaking the law. A friend of mine leads a mercenary company. He has a man in his squad with a promising gift for healing."