“Give yourself a rest for a moment,” Geralt said taking note of his injured arm.
Henry gave a wincing shrug. “All soldiers get injured at some point. You fight through it.”
“You Kingshelm men are tougher than you look,” Aiden said, admiring Henry’s resolve.
“You Valkarans think you own warrior-hood, don’t you?” he said with a chuckle. His expression suddenly turning serious. “I heard about Imari.”
Impatu’s face turned cold at the words. “Where is he?”
“Back there,” Lydia said pointing. Without another word the Khalan moved to pay his respects.
“Any other survivors found?” Lydia asked.
Henry shook his head. “No, they found Imamu, the captain of the Khalan guard, dead amongst the rubble along with many others. Besides that we don’t know who is alive or dead.”
A sudden sinister horn bellowed out from the shadows beyond the wall. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of what was to come.
“Will we ever catch a break,” she sighed.
“Not until the end,” Aiden said gripping his axe.
Screeching out from the dark came a tide of vile creatures catching the remnant of their forces by surprise. Men fought with waning strength but were quickly dispatched. She could just make out the glow of Lancelin’s sword among the dust that filtered her view. Its vibrant light thrashed at the incoming fiends.
“Go!” she could hear him bark. Out of the dark haze came Izel letting loose two arrows as she went.
“We need to retreat!” she warned.
“Where to?” Henry asked.
“To Sahra,” came the voice of Nabila behind them with Dawn’s Light in hand. At her side stood Khaleena and Impatu.
“You will not find refuge there,” came a voice that chilled them all to the bone. It was a deep and menacing sound that carried the power to project itself all around them. From out of the impenetrable haze came Lancelin crashing to the ground with Dawn’s Deliverer clattering by his side. Suddenly, among the debris that encircled them, thousands of silver eyes appeared. Outlines of haunting forms entrenched themselves on the rubble, cutting off their escape.
Appearing from where Lancelin had been thrown was a man of majestic stature. He wore black armor of heavy plating and at its core was stamped a blood red moon. His face was cut with regal form and his manner was that of a High King. Lydia watched as his piercing silver eyes examined them with disdain. In his hand was a sword of awesome terror. Its blade was as dark as the night sky above. The hilt was a dark gold decorated with lions whose eyes glowed a faint green light. It was the Dawn Blade of the High King now held in the hands of their greatest enemy.
“Do you see what it means to oppose me?” Maluuk asked, motioning to the devastation surrounding them. “You have brought this on yourself,” he hissed with malice.
She could see in the eyes of her friends that terror had gripped them in the presence of this vile king. With weary strength and shaky hands she stepped forward.
“You may rule by the edge of a sword. You may destroy any who oppose your reign. You may terrorize our lands and destroy our homes, but you will never be a king worth serving,” she said raising her sword.
“Foolish child,” he said with surprising restraint. “I can see the defeat in your eyes.”
He looked at those who remained.
“You,” he said pointing to Lancelin who lay wearily on the ground. “You know the gift I offer, and now I will prove what kind of king I am. Even now if you will but bow to me I will spare your life.”
Slowly Lancelin rose to his feet, causing a grin to cross Maluuk’s face. All eyes fixed on the young prince.
“You once had a gift to offer me, this is true. But I have seen the name written in that cave. It is an ancient tongue, older than even you, but I have seen that name before in ancient scrolls. Dawn Bringer.”
“And who holds Dawn Bringer, boy,” taunted Maluuk.
“There is another way to read that word you know,” Lancelin said with a grin as he raised his sword. “The name Eloy.”
“You blaspheme me with that name!” Maluuk roared, his face flashing his true nature. A vile and sinister creature full of malice and hatred, sharp fangs hungry and ready to devour its prey.
“We will not bow to you. You can offer us no gift that we will accept. The true king opposed you unto death, and so we will fight you to the bitter end.”
Lydia watched as his words reignited the fire in each of them. Geralt gripped his sword with an iron fist. Khaleena now focused her sorrow upon the evil before her. Nabila, whose once doubtful eyes found new resolution and hope, stood strong. Impatu blazed with the fire of a Bomani warrior. Aiden nodded to her with cool confidence. Henry gave an affirming smirk.
Maluuk’s eyes flickered to and fro among them. A look of disgust filled his face. “Fine, perish along with this pathetic land. There will not be one stone left for history to remember this sad little kingdom.”
He raised his sword and the host of creatures descended on them. With renewed strength they charged at their foes. A swipe from Dawnbreaker brushed away a wolfish beast as Lydia pressed toward Maluuk. She could hear the faithful steps of Geralt and Aiden just behind her. The Dawn Blade flashed in her hand as she thrust it at Maluuk. His eyes glimmered with confidence as he brought Dawn Bringer forward to deflect the blow. The collision sent her arm reeling with a jolt of pain.
Dawnbreaker was sent flying from her grip. In one quick motion Maluuk whirled his sword to cut her down, but Geralt leaped to deflect the blow. The impact shattered his sword and cleaved his hand at the wrist but it bought Aiden enough time to send his weapon sweeping underneath Maluuk’s guard and into his side. The Felled King let out a roar of pain. With unbelievable strength, he sent Geralt flying back with a kick and dealt Aiden a devastating slash. Dawn Bringer ripped across his chest leaving her brother in a heap on the ground.
“No!” she screamed at the sight. Maluuk with a delighted grin turned his focus back on her. His attention was quickly stolen as an arrow slammed into his armor. Lydia turned to see Izel letting loose another bolt as Lancelin charged forward. He burst into the air swiping away Maluuk’s sword and leaving a deep gash in the ebony plating across his arm. The wound did not restrain his malice. With a heavy blow Maluuk drove Lancelin back. Lancelin feigned a counter but was caught by a felled creature who had crept behind him. The beast ripped the sword free from his hand and forced him to the ground.
Izel let out a cry as she rushed to his rescue but was overcome by the sheer number that stood in her path. The last effort to stand against Maluuk came when Impatu, Khaleena and Nabila moved to face him. With both Dawn Blades in hand, they moved in a uniform strike while Impatu circled to flank him. Dawn Bringer danced with deadly precision in Maluuk’s hand as he quickly repelled both attacks and turned with enough time to dodge Impatu’s strike. Swiftly he countered, shattering the spear in Impatu’s hand, leaving him defenseless to the host of specters that moved against him.
Next he moved upon Khaleena. With what remained of Daybreaker she deflected the incoming strikes, but they soon overwhelmed her as the shaft of the spear was thrown from her grasp. Out of the chaos of battle a lumbering figure rushed to save her. Lombaku, her faithful guardian took the killing blow on himself. His lifeless body falling to a heap beside her.
Seeing all hope was lost, in a final effort Nabila threw herself at the Felled King, leaving herself open for a deathblow in order to land her own deadly slash. Maluuk turned to shrug her aside, sending Nabila onto her back. His towering form loomed over her as he raised Dawn Bringer to finish the deed. A flash of white burst from the darkness beside them.
A small dagger slipped between armored plating landing its cold steel into Maluuk’s ribs. He whirled sending an armored gauntlet into the face of Amira who had emerged from the shadows. Her thin frame crumbled to the ground as blood flowed from her marred face. Maluuk gloa
ted over his defeated foes. Each of them overthrown by his overwhelming might.
Lydia looked up at the monster who returned his eyes to her. With a deep breath she accepted her fate. If this was to be the end, so be it. That’s when she saw a faint light in the gap in the wall. A luminescence touched the horizon. It grew abruptly until she could see the outline of a mighty host marching toward them. The light now pierced through the darkness covering each of their faces. Maluuk turned in rage at the interruption of his victory.
Upon discovering the dawn, his expression turned to horror. Leading the mighty host, one that overwhelmed even the forces of darkness, was a man. The armor he wore was stainless and white and his face was set like flint. In his dark eyes burned a fury and passion that no creature could dare to face. This was the High King, the king over all others that led this army. Eloy had returned.
Maluuk, with a cry of overwhelming distain, roared for his army to turn and face their new foe. No longer could he hide his true nature as the growing light exposed him for what he truly was, a thin and ugly creature with gangly arms and elongated legs. He gnashed his fangs as he spurred his forces onward.
But he was stopped in his tracks as the vast host on the horizon declared in one voice, “Behold the true High King. He has given us the gift. It is in his authority and in his name we declare his lordship over all these lands.”
That’s when she could see who it was that marched with the High King. The faces of countless men and women who had lived and reigned over the years. Generations long past and those who still lived. The host grew silent as Eloy stepped forward.
“Maluuk, your ‘gift’ has been stripped from you, and now it has been restored to its proper master.”
The Felled King could do nothing but shudder at the words.
With a command Eloy cried out in the ancient tongue, “Laqar Aintahat!”
As the words burst forth, the rising sun broke over the horizon. The dry and desolate ground of the Endless Wastes burst with life as the words rushed out like a wave. The declaration streamed forward melting Maluuk’s army like wax. With that command Maluuk turned to ash, never to haunt the world again.
Tranquility filled Lydia as Eloy and the host at his back approached. The strange wake from Eloy’s command washed over her. In it she found new life had sprung within. She watched with anticipation as Eloy stepped through the rubble to meet them. Slowly, she rose to her feet in reverence of the true High King.
“Imbaku? Father? Mother?” said a voice behind her. Khaleena rushed forward to a cluster of Khalans at Eloy’s side. A grin stretched across the High King’s face as the four of them embraced. Lydia broke into a tearful smile at what she witnessed next. Khaleena and the others turned in amazement upon hearing a familiar voice call to them. From the rubble a renewed Imari rose. His face full of the joy they shared. A new scene gripped her attention.
Lancelin scampered across the ruins as he spotted King Leon and his Queen Mother at his side. He paused, looking back to Izel whose head craned in search of her brother. Izel’s face burst into a radiant smile as Zuma broke from the crowd, taking his place beside Lancelin’s family. Giddy, Lancelin raced back to Izel. He took her hand in his as they ran to be united with those they loved.
Nabila looked downcast as though she doubted any in her family would be present, but Amira shoved her in excitement. Lydia’s eyes were drawn to an olive skinned woman dressed in a red sari much like the one Nabila favored.
“Mother!” the two women cried as they sank into the woman’s arms.
Now it was her turn to search for those she loved. A firm hand rested on her shoulder. She turned to see Geralt pointing with a grin. She followed his finger until a burly red haired king and a fair skinned queen came into view. Her mother’s auburn curls fell loosely upon her shoulders. Her face radiated pure bliss.
“Mother?” Aiden said rising by her side. Tears streaked down his dirty cheeks. It was not just their parents, but at her side stood Brayan and Nara as well. Lydia suddenly found herself wrapped in their embrace. Laughter and exuberance poured out between them. But something still nagged at her. That’s when she saw him. His wavy brown hair. His soft green eyes squinted with laughter. He stood patiently waiting for her to see him. With a nod of encouragement from her family she rushed to meet him, collapsing around his neck.
“I thought our road had ended,” she said in broken sobs. Titus gently stroked her hair as he held her tight.
“Our road hasn’t ended, love. It’s only just begun.”
A voice that sounded strangely familiar called all to attention. As she turned to face the booming voice, she was greeted by the face of Cebrail. The man now returned to Eloy’s side. His chiseled features and thick muscles only somewhat softened by the dawn’s light.
“Behold, the High King has won the victory,” he declared.
All around, the endless host kneeled before High King Eloy. She drank in the power of the scene. All they had suffered, all they had fought for had been made right in a way she could hardly explain or expect. Those who had looked for the New Dawn had found their long awaited hope fulfilled. It was strange. Her memories of all that had happened still remained. All the evil and vile things done to her and so many others she loved. Yet, bathed in the light of a new day, mysteriously appeared a greater purpose, as if all they had endured helped bring about this long awaited victory. Death had its reign, and by its own power had now come to an end. The victory that once looked like a defeat now secured forever.
Taking in the faces around her she was overwhelmed by all that she saw. From Yeshu, the first of the ancient kings to the nameless faces of history. An uncountable multitude had found their place in this new kingdom.
“Friends, I know you have suffered much, but the age of darkness has ended. Now is the time of the New Dawn, and you will be the writers of its history,” Eloy said looking all around.
The vast host bowed in reverence once more. “And you are the High King we serve.”
“Rise, kings and queens of the New Dawn, for our new task begins.”
With that command Eloy faded from the center, but his presence was never far from each of them. Lydia observed his gleeful smile as he watched all those who were being reunited at last. She could see Geralt now stood among a remnant of his fellow clansmen from the Hills. His long desire for home finally fulfilled in the burst of laughter he rarely let loose. Impatu and the other Khalans gathered with Imari and his family, breaking out into a celebratory dance. Khaleena, however had broken from the rest to reunite with the Masisi gathered in the crowd.
“James!” Henry called to a man amongst all the faces, but the rest of his words were drowned out by the symphony of joy all around. She wasn’t worried. There would be many years ahead to hear of all the tales that could be told. Elorah, the man who had saved both Titus and her life at one point, and time passed by with the captain named Dios at his side. They brought with them more tears of joyous reunion. As they departed, she could see her family conversing in the distance and she considered joining them. Turning once more to Titus she leaned her head against his chest. A flourishing of life spread out before her. Not just men and women reborn, but from the cracked and bone dry ground all manner of flora took root. In the barren valley a garden was born.
“The New Dawn is real,” she said in a contented whisper.
“It is, and it is far greater than we could have ever known.”
Epilogue
Titus
After some time the celebration had moved within the city of Sahra. Instead of joining the others, he found himself standing alone amidst a blossoming field. The red rock and soil beneath had not been forgotten nor its beauty shunned. The life that grew miraculously from the once barren ground only enhanced the red stone’s beauty. Before him rested the five Dawn Blades. Their silver edged blades protruding from the ground. Vines wove around the shining steel until a small bud of flowers rested around the hilts.
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br /> A faint grin crossed his face as he reflected on the mass reunion that had taken place. To see Imari restored with his family, and the two kingdoms of Khala and Sahra brought together at last. Geralt and his dancing had taken Lydia and him by surprise. Neither of them knew such a version of the man existed, but what other response was there when you have finally found a place to call home?
He was amazed to see his own father and King Doran meet not as enemies but dear friends. Ages of animosity washed away and in its place an old friendship was now rekindled. Lancelin was his typical swaggering self as he and Izel joined in the dancing festivities that had erupted. Music, laughter, and peace ruled the day after what felt like a lifetime of turmoil. Stirring him from these reflections was the soft treading of footsteps. Without looking, he knew who it was.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” Eloy asked.
Titus turned to face his High King. “It is,” he said looking at the flourishing valley surrounding them. “Yet, such a price was paid for it.”
Eloy stopped beside him. “A terrible cost, indeed.”
Titus looked to see a sober smile on Eloy’s face. “A price we should not easily forget. The price of dealing with evil.”
How true, Titus thought as he touched his side. His mind went back to the price he had paid to stand against evil. He knew better than to ask why it had all happened the way it did. Eloy would not shy away from the truth, but Titus knew that there were some things that only the High King would fully understand. What mattered now was evil had been defeated. Maluuk was gone and the true High King could now reign in full. With reverence he stretched out a hand and touched Dawn Bringer’s hilt. The golden lions still roared with pride.
“Should we not hold on to these?” Titus asked.
A look of contentment crossed over Eloy’s face. “The age where the need of such tools has passed. The time of the Dawn Blades has come to an end. Now comes the age of the New Dawn.”
A New Dawn Page 20