Steel And Sorrow (Book 2)

by Joshua P. Simon

  He glanced down and saw her coming around.

  She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

  “Don’t be crazy,” said Lufflin. “You need medical attention.”

  “No,” said Nora. “Our orders are to stay here.”

  Krytien didn’t catch the next series of exchanges as Kaz turned for a moment and yelled. The commander had been blessed with the voice of a leader and even over the cacophony of battle, Krytien could hear him. “Krytien, we’re losing ground too quickly.”

  The attack from Conroy’s mages had broken his spell. Fatigue had returned to the battered soldiers and they struggled under the full might of the enemy’s disciplined forces. The grunting strain of the men around him drowned much of the clashing steel.

  Another wave of sorcery struck, but thankfully Krytien had some protection this time and wasn’t affected by the worst of it.

  Lufflin cried again. “One Above, Nora!”

  Krytien looked over and saw Lufflin holding the young woman’s body. Blood dripped from her eyes and nose, over her cheeks and lips. A solider next to Lufflin tried to take the body away from him.

  “Drop her to the ground! She’s in our way!” the gruff man shouted.

  “Get your filthy hands off her. She’s not dead, yet!” Lufflin yelled back.

  “Lufflin! Control yourself!” called Krytien. He saw the young mage’s hands had begun to glow as if ready to attack one of the men he should have been protecting.

  “Then help her! She’s dying.” The arrogance had dropped completely from the young mage’s face as he pleaded with Krytien. Another wave of sorcery struck and this time he felt the power permeate through his body and into his bones. His very bowels twisted. Unlike before, the soldiers around them felt it too and buckled under the weight. Conroy’s troops surged forward.

  “Krytien!” yelled Kaz again.

  “I’m working on it,” he shouted.

  “Work faster,” came another voice. This one much deeper and Krytien saw the Ghal looking back at him.

  During the brief exchange with Kaz, Lufflin continued to plead with Krytien while the gruff soldier howled at him to drop the woman and get out of the way.

  Three short rapid blasts from Conroy’s mages struck their spot again. A rush of the enemy followed and the army was flung back a solid ten feet before the men slowed the retreat.

  Now the yelling came from everywhere as soldiers around him began to panic. He smelled their fear.

  “Just give me something,” cried out Kaz. “I need to reestablish our lines.”

  Images flashed in his mind and suddenly Krytien relived his nightmares. Glacar and Ronav fought near him as the few remaining members of the Hell Patrol defended the narrow street in Asantia while the others escaped. Sorcerous assaults blasted into him and blood sprayed across his black robes from a man his commander, Ronav, killed.

  Death knocked at the door. He had to do something. He tried to access more power. It worked initially, but when he needed to access more as The Hell Patrol’s odds worsened, he found the power too much to control.

  He panicked while fighting to control the swelling sorcery. His limbs shook and the air changed.

  An explosive blast erupted as the power slipped from his grasp. Bodies flew up into the air from both sides. Despite his best efforts to shield the Hell Patrol, many went up in flames. The ground rumbled and buildings crumbled. The pain nearly drove him insane.

  Then it was over. Death and destruction were all around him. He spotted Glacar kneeling over Ronav’s lifeless body.

  Jonrell seemed to materialize from nowhere and dragged Krytien safely out of the city.

  Krytien’s gut wrenched. That had been the last time he stood so close to the physical fighting. And just like then, he felt the pressure all around him. People begged for his help and he had a responsibility to act.

  I swore never to access such power again.

  He recalled his recent readings. Amcaro’s writings and ten years of practice had greatly improved his control.

  Kaz said he doesn’t need me to stop the tide by myself. Just enough to stabilize the army.

  Krytien calmed himself and despite the jarring motion from the men around him, he blocked out the sounds of battle. The roar faded to a dull hum. Sweat poured from his body, but none of that mattered. He recited a small cant and slowly opened himself to the natural forces of the world. He felt it almost instantly—a well of power ready for him to do as he pleased. As Phillik once told him and Amcaro’s writings confirmed, a mage must learn how to break down the barriers separating him from each level of power and control what is given to him.

  Since the sorcerous attacks from Conroy’s mages had first struck him, all his efforts went to defending himself rather than helping the army’s resolve. Now, as he dipped into the energy waiting for him, he recast the original spell to support the soldiers while also maintaining his own defenses. Conroy’s mages must have felt him try to do two things at once. They pressed him harder. Krytien accessed just enough power to accomplish what he needed.

  He felt the sudden shift in the lines and heard Kaz shout out orders to the men. He opened his eyes and saw that the army’s confidence had returned and though the retreat of the center continued, it did so on their terms.

  He spared a glance over to Lufflin where the young mage stared teary-eyed at Nora. Krytien knew he shouldn’t push things, but he did so anyway.

  Just a little. Never again will I be so greedy.

  Krytien had never been much of a healer, but the few spells he knew could at least return Nora to consciousness. He worked the spell quickly so he wouldn’t be tempted to hold onto the power longer than he needed to. The girl opened her eyes and he saw Lufflin’s face light up. Lufflin embraced her and then turned to Krytien and mouthed, “Thank you.”

  “She should be able to walk on her own. Get her out quickly and return to me. I still need help.”

  Lufflin nodded and hurried Nora through the ranks. Krytien winced as Conroy’s mages sought him out again. He felt their frustration by his ability to turn them away. He was on the edges of power so immense he wondered if he could turn the battle solely by himself.

  No.

  He shook the thoughts from his mind.

  I will not make the same mistake again.

  * * *

  Elyse watched the battle from a small hill. She wiped at the tears streaking down her face. The tears had come when she saw Conroy’s men surge forward. She knew that could not be part of Kaz’s plans.

  Her army seemed to find itself again and the center retreated in a much more deliberate manner. She clung to the small amount of hope that remained.

  Bloodied men with limp limbs dangling from stretchers passed by her on the way to the infirmary. Their moans added to her distress.

  When will this end?

  Conroy and Markus were her enemies, yet she felt no ill will toward the men they commanded. They simply followed orders. If only she could destroy the leaders and leave the innocent alone. Those thoughts reminded her of the naivety she once had. Life was not fair and war was part of life.

  Blue tendrils of sorcery arced across the battlefield, boulders smashed in the air, and fires burned in small patches.

  There are so many ways for a man to die today. Yet, none would be as they had hoped. In their home of old age.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “Yes, Arine.”

  “I know this might not be the right time, but have you heard any news from the capital?”

  Elyse turned in her saddle, incredulous.

  “It’s just that, there have been some strange murmurings that we’ve picked up from the locals a few days ago. I wanted to bring it up earlier, but you’ve been obviously busy.”

  “And you thought now would be the best time to do so?” snapped Elyse. “People are dying in droves. Whatever nonsense you’ve heard can wait until the day is done. Show some respect to these soldiers. One Above, if we lose today, you’ll be ta
king your concerns to your Uncle Markus anyway.”

  Arine bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I only thought—”

  “No, Arine, you did not think. Leave me. I’ll find you later,” said Elyse, appalled at the woman’s lack of sensitivity.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  After the woman left, the guard to Elyse’s right cleared his throat. “Your Majesty?”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “I beg your pardon, I just wanted to say thank you”

  “Thank you?” she asked, turning.

  “Yes, Your Majesty. For caring,” said the man as he gestured out to the battlefield.

  Elyse nodded and returned to her thoughts.

  * * *

  Kaz knew immediately when Krytien had regained his control for he felt the change in the attitude of the men around him.

  Quickly, he and Crusher solidified ranks, killing in droves. The Ghal’s sweeping cuts knocked men sprawling as he shouted orders. Since they had regained their footing and settled in, Kaz continued the retreat in a more calculated manner.

  He called out to flag bearers several rows behind to raise the blue flags on outstretched poles. It was time for the flanks to encircle Conroy’s men.

  * * *

  Conroy wore a smug grin as he monitored his troops through the spyglass. He reasoned early on that his plant among the engineers had been caught. They tried to fool him with their misses and it would have worked if he hadn’t recognized the pattern in their attacks. He had to give them credit, the men working the equipment were skilled, perhaps better than his own, yet even with the originality of how they employed their mages and engineers together, Kaz would not gain an advantage there.

  Ingenious nonetheless.

  The unique strategy had neutralized a bulk of his mages as they worked to deflect the attacks. His scouts had underestimated their engineers’ strength. The battle would be decided man against man.

  Kaz’s overconfident demeanor had bothered Conroy. The commander actually believed himself to be a superior commander than General Victas.

  No one could compare to him. Or if anyone could, it would be me. I know the man inside and out.

  Conroy had employed a V formation with his infantry and through the spyglass he saw that Kaz’s center had given considerable ground. Conroy’s troops could be slowed, but not be stopped.

  Simultaneous movement from Kaz’s left and right wings caught his eye. The wings began to fan out and creep around Conroy’s formation. His grin disappeared.

  He’s more clever than I thought.

  “Ventrin!” he yelled.

  “I’m here, my lord,” said the man to his left.

  “Signal the cavalry. Full charge on Kaz’s right wing. Immediately.”

  “Yes, my lord,” said the man as he rode off, shouting orders.

  “What’s going on?” asked Markus.

  “Kaz baited us. He wanted us to use a V formation.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “During the latter half of Victas’s years, a way many tried to counter the great general’s infantry was to allow their center to purposefully collapse and then encircle the enemy. The formation falls apart when attacked from so many sides.” He paused. “But Victas had already determined his formation’s weakness before his enemies had and kept a reserve of cavalry behind. If encirclement occurred, he attacked the weakest wing of his opponent which would prevent them from completing the encirclement.”

  The ground shook behind them and the beating of hooves drowned out all other sounds. Over a thousand heavy cavalry rushed past Conroy and Markus.

  “So, you’re attacking the wing commanded by the old general.”

  Conroy nodded as the dirt-filled air settled and his ears picked up other sounds again. “I’d rather not have my cavalry face Jeldor’s pikemen. He’s a pompous fool, but his men are far more competent than most give them credit for.”

  * * *

  Raker’s heart raced, his head pounded, his eyes blurred, and he felt ready to vomit.

  And I ain’t even drunk.

  He huffed and grunted alongside his men as he leaned into the trebuchet with his shoulder. His feet slid on the grass with each step, but finally they got the thing turning.

  We’re going too slow.

  “Put your back into it,” he yelled to the panting engineers.

  “Sir, they’re closing in too quickly.”

  “Shut up and push, Private, or I’ll strangle your scrawny neck with my good hand.”

  The man put his head down and with another big shove Raker called for them to stop.

  “Load that thing up, men. Triple time!” He looked over his shoulder. “Senald, what are we waiting on? Get those things going.”

  “We’re trying.”

  “Try harder,” he shouted. “It ain’t gotta be perfect. We need to get something in the air to give those horses something to think about.”

  While the rest of his men focused on working with the mages, Raker had noticed the cloud of dirt off in the distance, and the cavalry in the midst of it. They charged toward Grayer’s lines, but the old general was too caught up in the battle before him to notice. Raker sent a runner down to give him word. In the meantime, he made a judgment call to change strategy, hoping to soften the eventual clash.

  “What are you doing?” said a black-robed mage, charging up the small rise. He pushed Raker square in the chest. “Get these things turned back to the way they were. We haven’t been given orders to do otherwise.”

  Raker fumed and closed his hand into a fist. Then he realized that hand wasn’t there anymore.

  Stupid mind playing tricks on me. No matter, I’ve still got the other.

  He took a step forward and the mage’s hand glowed as if begging Raker to do something to defy him. The engineer didn’t care.

  One hand or not, I’m king here.

  A fist came in from the side and connected with the mage’s jaw. The black-robed figure dropped to the ground. Senald then kicked the mage in the rump. “Get your behind back to your people. You mind your own and we’ll mind ours.” He pointed. “Conroy’s mages are attacking the rest of yours now.”

  Shocked, the mage scurried off, holding his jaw and wearing a scowl.

  Raker gave Senald a look and opened his mouth.

  Senald held up his hands. “I know. That’s your job. Well, I was tired of you having all the fun. You can get the next one.”

  Raker spat and held back a grin. “Fair enough.” He paused. “But next time, twist your hips. You’ll put more into it.”

  Senald smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The first of Senald’s trebuchets rocked forward, sending stone into the air. It looked like most of it would miss their target, but at the least Raker saw the cavalry’s lines disperse which would lessen the impact of the charge.

  The siege equipment began to release in rhythm.

  Unfortunately, we’ll only be able to get in a few more rounds before the cavalry gets too close. Let’s hope it’s enough.

  He spotted Yanasi’s company sweeping around the rear, armed with bows and crossbows.

  Crud. You better not do anything crazy, girl.

  Raker swallowed when he saw what she intended.

  Too late.

  * * *

  Crusher’s roaring voice filled Kaz’s right ear while pain exploded in his left from the sword that struck him. Small white dots appeared before his eyes, staggering him. He did his best to fight off the dizzy nausea. Without Cisod’s armor, the blow would have ended him.

  The soldier who struck him came around again with his sword, sensing Kaz’s moment of weakness. Kaz got his own sword up in time and the blades clanged together before sliding apart. Another soldier attacked Kaz in the brief moment the two separated. Kaz deflected the blow off his shield.

  Kaz hated to admit it, but Conroy’s men had the upper hand and they were too well-disciplined for Kaz to make up for his lack of numbers. />
  He caught a glimpse of the flag bearers. They had not changed to the gray color signaling the completion of the encirclement. Jeldor and Grayer were taking too long and the center would break without something to ease the continued push of Conroy’s soldiers.

  He ignored the splitting pain in his head and squinted through his clouded vision. Kaz took the offensive against his opponents, hacking away in the close confines, alternating strokes between both men. The sword arm of one collapsed under the force of Kaz’s strikes. Kaz readied himself to finish the man, but the head of a warhammer descended before his eyes. A sickening crunch followed by a spray of blood through the soldier’s visor came next. Crusher’s swing had caved the man’s head in. Kaz killed the other man a moment later. In the distance, he caught sight of a rising cloud of dust.

  Cavalry.

  Kaz noticed then that the barrage of stones had moved away from the center of Conroy’s forces and now targeted that distant, but fast approaching, charge.

  Raker saw it before I did. I’m glad he’s sober.

  He had wanted to avoid signaling Drake and Janik, hoping to win this battle man to man, but he remembered a saying he heard muttered among members of the Hell Patrol’s old crew.

  When in doubt, cheat.

  Kaz called out to Krytien and gave the orders. He finished just as a morning star swung toward him.

  * * *

  Drake peeked through the opening of their underground hideout. In the heat, he sweated like a pig. His whole body quivered along with their little shelter as the horses rode over. He swore.

  “How about now?” he asked.

  “I told you, I’ll tell you when we’ve been given orders. Until then, we have to just wait,” said the mage in an exasperated tone.

  “How can you be so calm? Our men are dying out there and Conroy is sending in heavy cavalry.” He paused. “We should do something.”

  Janik shook his head. “What’s the matter with you? You heard Kaz specifically say that we were not to act on our own, only by his command. If he hasn’t called us, then maybe he doesn’t need us.”

  Drake resumed his watch of the battle. Unfortunately, from his position he saw very little except the backside of Conroy’s lines and now the rumps of what he estimated to be a thousand armored knights.