by CJ East
Kinch felt the accusation in the words as the fierce sounds of pursuit closed upon him. “Congratulations, we are moving to your stage of the plan. Just on an accelerated time table. Let’s go!”
Kinch stood up and sprinted toward the long column between the hundreds of soldiers. Lucius and Argus jumped after him. There were a dozen or so soldiers between the two battalions. Argus sprinted out to the front and dispatched two rear guards before they knew what was upon them.
Kinch focused on Amica’s essence as he sprinted and called out to her, “We are coming in hot. Get those gates open.” The three figures sprinted down the almost empty column at full speed.
The familiar calmness of Amica responded, “Did you find the Duobus?”
Kinch new the importance of the question, “Yes. The dragon Pythia warned the Duobus we were coming. Lucius can locate him on the map once he is on the inside.”
There was a silence as the implication settled. A stunned soldier standing in the middle of the column pulled his sword, shocked by the two boys and the rabid wolf. Kinch swung his staff and broke the arm and chest of soldier. Lucius and Argus sprinted ahead of Kinch, each in a staggered progress as they slowed to take out stray soldiers.
Amica answered, “The gates will be opened. This is all I can promise.”
“Copy that,” shouted Kinch aloud as he pivoted at the soldier behind him. He swung his staff extending his arms to full length behind him, crushing the helmet of a gray soldier. He followed the momentum around to return to his course. Lucius and Argus had reached the front line.
“Go, go, go!” Kinch shouted, waving them forward, “The gates are open!”
It was an all-out sprint now, nothing stood between the boys and the high walls of Arx. Kinch bounded past Lucius, his earth muscles and strength a match only for Argus. He looked up to the top of the wall, five stories above, He saw the white toga, crimson face and black hair of Amica in a sea of Auri soldiers. She turned back to the stairs.
They were half way across the glen as the first soldiers began to spew out of the Wilds. Arx soldiers looked down stoically on the scene unfolding below. The men watched as the action appeared to move in slow motion due to the distance. They stood in silence as the Damned grew in numbers of tens, twenties and hundreds. The Damned slowed as they broke into the clearing, unsure of what the response from Arx would be.
Kinch slammed his body at full force against the tall wooden gate of Arx, bounced off and shouted, “Open! Open the gate, we have the map!”
Lucius joined him and they both wailed against the door with their fists. Kinch looked back to see a long, deep line of Damned walking forward. Their distrustful eyes darting up to the menacing figures of Arx soldiers. The Auri having the advantage to rain down death upon them.
“Open the gates!” Kinch yelled again. The two massive doors split backwards and opened and out poured a company of golden soldiers. They sprinted out in two lines on either side of the boys. They made a double lined semi-circle, swordsmen took a knee and archers behind them, two hundred men in total.
Kinch and Lucius turned back to the enemy to watch. The Damned recoiled like dogs, then as if given some silent order, began to form fighting ranks and columns of battle. Soldiers ran from the Wilds to supply the front lines with shields and helmets. The chopping of axes rang out from the tree line. War wagons broke from cover of the great trees. The great mechanical wheels of war began to turn.
“You have something of importance Foreigner?” a strong male voice called out from behind Kinch.
He spun to see Taurean, the commander Kinch had disarmed and dishonored walking towards him. He was rearmed with a battle sword at his side, his face stone-cold betraying no hint of offense. Just business, Kinch thought.
“I have a captured map from a Dux showing troop strength and asset position. Everything you need to know to win this coming battle,” Kinch said working the sale.
“Give it to me boy, and you will live,” Taurean said walking to meet Kinch. The commander was a head taller than Kinch and stood over him, glaring down inches from his face.
Kinch looked back at the man, “I can respect a man of well-chosen words. I will live whether I give you the map or not. I want safe harbor inside the city walls for the boy and the wolf.”
“You assume I have interest in who you can respect?” the commander scoffed.
A woman’s voice called out from near the doors, “The boy of adulterated blood and his wolf may enter in exchange for the map.” Kinch looked to see a beautiful Auri woman dressed in the robes of the Drakian High Sorceress - it had to be Lamia. Her long white hair framed a soft, golden face with intense black eyes. She stepped to the side of Kinch, and gave a mischievous smile, then continued. “The one from beyond the blue door must stay outside the city walls until nightfall.”
Lucius choked out a loud, “No!”
Lamia turned to him, “Then you will stay with him? It makes no matter Dragon Food, you will die here or soon be offered as redress for your part in this crime.” The words pierced Lucius.
Kinch felt the pressure of hot rage on his skull melting over his head like warm blood. He pulled the map tube from his pocket and watched the desire in Taurean’s face. Kinch leaned up at the commander, “I killed a Dux to get this. It could save many of your men. In fact, it could save the city once you learn what Lucius and I have seen.”
Kinch turned and in a single motion stripped the map from its containing and cast the empty tube to the ground. He walked four slow paces from Taurean and turned to face him. Their eyes met in focused intensity, but Kinch could tell the soldier’s hand was on the hilt of his sword.
Kinch broke his stare and smiled at Lamia. She was calling the shots. He raised his head and began to crumple the map into a ball. “What is it to me if your city is taken?”
Taurean watch the map fold and wad into Kinch’s large hands with visible anguish.
Kinch lowered his gaze at Lamia and spoke in a slow High Latin. “The boy and wolf will yield no consequences from their actions on this day, but are to be given over to Amica. I will remain outside the walls until nightfall.”
Taurean looked over Kinch’s head at the assembling Damned. Their shouts and actions were becoming emboldened by their increasing numbers. He looked to Lamia, whose cold hatred burned on her soft golden skin. She raised her palms and lowered her head in mock acquiescence.
Taurean thrust out his hand and Kinch slapped the wadded map into his palm. Lamia spun to the gate, pushing through her devotees. Taurean pulled apart the scroll.
Kinch walked over to Lucius who was still staring at the ground, “Lucius, you remember what I said about the need for quick decisions. This is one of them.”
“Kinch, your plan. It was a good one. It could have worked. I didn’t mean to…”
Kinch interrupted him, “Hey, listen, you need to take care of our family, you got it? That is your purpose, that’s your duty.”
Lucius looked at him and his chest swelled. He raised his head and put his hand on Kinch’s shoulder, “I will take care of our family, my brother.” Lucius grabbed Kinch’s face with both hands and pulled his forehead to meet his, “You will have an honorable burial, I put an oath to reclaim your body.”
Kinch felt his stomach sink at the words. He pulled away and gave a nervous smile. He saw Amica was standing behind them, she had been watching him with a strange fascination. He pulled Lucius around and brought them together.
Amica and Lucius pulled their foreheads to each other. She looked in his eyes with a sincere expression, “You have done as you promised.” She looked to Kinch and her composure became serious, almost fearful, “Do not forget yourself, Kinch McGrath. Remember goodness, temperance, peace and love.”
Kinch didn’t understand her meaning. Was she saying this was the manner he should meet his death? With peace and love? He stared at her, “Um, thanks Amica. Thank you for everything. I’m sorry for all the trouble.”
Amica touched
her forehead to his. He saw her red face curl into a joyful expression, “There is nothing broken which God cannot repair. Remember Kinch - goodness, temperance, peace and love.”
Kinch ducked his head as if understanding, “Yes, yes, of course. I will remember.”
Amica gave a sad smile as she turned to Lucius and they walked toward the gate.
Kinch met the gaze of Taurean who had looked up from the precious map and was evaluating him with a softer expression. Kinch raised his head and turned to him, wishing to make peace, “Your weapons and shield can be found in the glen of the blue door. I apologize for the manner in which I took them.”
Taurean squinted, as if trying to read his thoughts.
Kinch pointed to the map, “We met the Duobus in this tent at the rear left flank. They have siege towers behind the tree line taller than the city walls.” Taurean turned his head, following Kinch’s finger across the map.
Taurean studied the markings as he spoke, “This information will spare the lives of many of my men. I believe you performed an honorable deed. In return, consider this: the Dux for each company fights in the rear of the formation. Behind the last line with two guards.”
They met eyes as warriors on the field of honor. They turned towards the Damned as the gray soldiers formed their ranks. There was a quiet moment until Taurean called out, “Return inside the gates!”
The Auri soldiers broke in two orderly columns on either side of the warriors, marching through the high gate. Taurean watched as the formations of Damned focused on the retreat of soldiers inside the gates. “Give my men an example of a glorious death.” He turned and left Kinch alone, staring at the Army of the Damned.
Stand
As the massive wooden gates closed with a thud behind him, Kinch realized he was alone once again. The glimmer of hope he held flickered out with the echo of the gates of Arx. He looked up to the glowing ceiling of the Martian cavern for some hint of dusk, but no familiarity to an Earth evening was found.
Surviving until nightfall outside the walls of the city-state fortress would be improbable. The best chance for survival was to run and hide. Of course the last words Taurean spoke to him were to give his soldiers an example of an honorable death. They were on the wall above him now. They watched the Army of the Damned amass on the red strip of pasture between the fifty foot walls of Arx and the dense red forest of the Wilds. There hidden from view, where the unknown numbers of the Damned readied for war.
He stood before the great door, an outcast. Catapults and battering rams were drawn out of the Wilds by long-tusked beasts with large bison-like heads. Immense ladders were carried forth by groups of soldiers and set along company formations.
The units maneuvered with purpose and skill around the battle field, like pieces in the hands of a chess Grandmaster. It was a stark contrast to the limited mentality he had experienced with the Damned.
Yet the opening movements of this match had been rushed. Kinch had stolen the factor of surprise from the Damned, and the Duobus escalated the battle plan time table.
Three companies of at least a hundred soldiers each formed in the glen, the siege engines rolling to heavy stops between them. The soldier’s armaments were sword and shield, some with helmets and few with breastplates. Black leather was their only battle dress consistency.
The soldiers’ movements were calm and focused, not like the animals Kinch had found near the blue door. They were being controlled by the Duobus. A being whose mind overpowered Kinch with such ease his power seemed without limit.
He studied his enemy. They seemed uninterested in his abandonment outside the city gates, a dirty penny not worthy to be picked up. That was good. He was not perceived as a threat. Kinch began his checklist of combat training basics. He inventoried the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent.
They were strong and dedicated. Each company being telepathically controlled by a Dux, they had instantaneous communication. They could be maneuvered as a unit or individually by their Dux. Each Dux got his telepathic instruction from one of two Duobus on the battle field.
The map he had taken from the body of the Dux showed troop formations and battle towers between the right, middle and left gates. The Duobus he confronted did not steal Kinch’s recall of the map. He knew Kinch would relay what he had seen; the camp, the battle tower and troops. This was an improvisation by the Duobus to try to capitalize on the fading element of surprise.
Would the second Duobus wait until the Arx defenses moved from the other two gates? The damned could then attack the under-defended gates with their main force. Or would he merge the forces of the Damned to attack this gate?
That decision would prove their ability at war. Kinch looked down the wall until the thin, red strip of grass was lost between the towering trees of the Wilds and the resolute wall of Arx. The only movement was the three companies forming in front of his gate.
The weaknesses of the Damned were greater than their strengths, he thought. They were not individuals. They were not like the Americans invading Europe in World War Two. If an American Sargent or Lieutenant was killed in action, the next ranking officer would complete the mission. Kinch had killed the Dux and the soldiers shrieked to retreat in all directions.
He had also noticed in the half dozen or so Damned he had killed, his Earth strength and mass was far superior. The high gravity of Earth had equipped him with stronger muscles, denser bones and better agility.
He wouldn’t mind being a little taller, but he was above average for a 16 year old Earth boy. He was able to whoop up on every Martian who raised his hand against him - Damned, Coccino, and Auri - even a dragon. He’d make it a point to not fight The Wolf.
Martian life had adapted to the low gravity with a different physiology than Earth creatures. The flora and fauna could grow taller and thinner here. There was no need for strong supporting structures such as dense skeletal systems and tough, fibrous cell walls. Martian animals had no need for bulky muscles for mobility. This was an advantage Kinch had capitalized upon.
His iron spud bar, the tool he had hoped to use to pry open the Colony door, now became a solid, heavy instrument of crushing force. The longsword had shattered against dragon scale. The swing of his iron staff had transferred Kinch’s energy through those armor plates. He had broken the dragon’s bone.
Lucius seemed shocked and afraid he had injured Pythia. Kinch had seen something else in his friend’s eyes - an expression of surprise Kinch could take down a dragon and maybe kill it. The thought stirred in Kinch. It awakened something which had nagged him since he was taken before the Magistrate. His Earth strength made him superior to the warriors of Mars, but mentally, he had been defeated by Pythia and the Duobus.
He knew he couldn’t face either of them again in battle. They had owned his mind, controlled him with like a hypnotist. The Duobus had a chilling presence in his mind. A deep coldness like the iciness which would set in his bones after long days of winter survival training. It was biting and poisonous, a powerful force of nature like the beginning of frostbite.
The Duobus only wanted him dead, but Pythia wanted more. Her presence was also cold, but malicious and filled with a stinging passion which bit deep into his identity. She wanted more than his death, she wanted his surrender. Her violation was more personal, she took pleasure in his lostness. He could only explain it as evil.
The Damned prepared for the catapults for the siege of the fortress wall, ignoring his presence. They were keeping him on ice until they were ready for him. He couldn’t understand them, but felt the brutal force of different pressures of connections on his mind. The connections weren’t focused on him, but on the Damned. He closed his eyes and concentrated on them until they grew louder.
As he listened he found different channels and complexities of thought. It was like instruments in music, a dark discordant music driving him anxious and alert. He counted them, five - now six, different screeching layers. He recognized the layers as the inner tone simil
ar to the Dux he had defeated. There were many like this, bound together by a deep, constant rhythm. Two backbones constrained the awful symphony. The first was a low constant drumming pumping into the Damned like a pulsing heart. The second had variations, but followed the same rhythm. The first was familiar, it was the Duobus he had faced in the tent.
Kinch opened his eyes and watched the soldiers. They moved in concert with the rhythm of the commands as they prepared the battlefield. He could make out the tones of approval and chastisement by the reaction of the soldiers. They were like pawns on a board, being positioned for an opening move.
They were like his excavator robots - like TED, following commands without question or consciousness. At least he had programmed TED to seek out proximity to humans. It was comforting to know TED was always alert to Kinch’s bio-reading, always running a background program to follow at a distance in case of need.
He selected a single soldier and studied him. The soldier performed his task and then waited, like a well-trained dog, for his next order. There was no fluidity to his movement, no grouping of tasks. He followed choppy, isolated orders. The soldier approached his tasks like sequential steps in a plan too complex for him to understand the whole picture. What had Amica said? They had souls and were not so unlike us? No, she was wrong, they had no free will. They were the same as robots, just made of neurons instead of circuits.
A steady stream of soldiers flowed from the Wilds and formed a fourth company. There were now at least four hundred set for the first wave. There were tens of thousands more hidden if the map was correct. Their actions and attentions were fixated on the city walls. High above the Auri soldiers shouting orders and positioning great machines in the preparation for war.
His isolation wrapped him again in a cold blanket of numbness. Both sides were indifferent to his presence. He was insignificant. His death would be less meaningful than a swatted gnat before the battle.