The Last Pantheon: of hammers and storms

by Jason Jones

  “Just us seven, seven from Belbyre, to the east. We been following since you passed through.”

  “What is your name?” Kaya twisted the blade at his throat.

  “Jinnes, Jinnes of Surrin Shallows, far to the north of Nestrim. I..I don’t want to die here.” Young Jinnes was pinned, he knew it, she had been faster, smarter, and more deadly than the rumors even.

  “And nor do I, Jinnes, yet you and yours seemed to care more for coin and fame than my wants. A little rape, torture, and lynching was what you were speaking of moments ago, and now I should forget it all? Johnas and the White Spider never forget, especially for one such as myself. If I let you live, you will return in greater numbers. I am no fool.”

  “This is my first time, I am not branded yet. They, they told me after we found you that I would get it. Please, I am not one of them. I won’t say a word.” Jinnes gripped his dagger, flung it away with his numbing fingers as best he could, then pulled his mask down with his free hand, slowly.

  Kaya looked at his rough stubble, his blue eyes that showed concern and fear, he must be but twenty or so.

  “Then perhaps I should let you live.”

  “I would appreciate that, lady Kaya.” He tried to sit up, she relaxed a bit and let him get halfway.

  “Tis too hot today to kill anymore.” The former assassin for the White Spider lowered her blade and watched the last spasms of the agent with the dagger in his stomach. The pooling blood was dark, his legs unmoving, she knew she had hit true. Her captive was trembling, yet she saw his fingers reach behind his back, slowly.

  “Hot, yes, that is for certain, warmer where I am from, I tell you that it is like the flames of hell at high noon beneath the Surrinan Mountains.” Jinnes got to his feet, dusted himself off, hands still shaking and his legs felt numb. He felt the dagger behind his belt, gripped it cautiously. She was looking away, toward the west, and her blades relaxed a bit. Now was his chance. “The very mountains, where I am from, they get so hot you can cook your afternoon meal upon them.”

  “That hot, truly?” Kaya listened to the sounds of morning as she spoke and looked westward.

  “Oh yes.” Jinnes slid his dagger free as he feigned a bit of injury to hide the motion.

  “Hotter than a brand on the back?”

  “No, not that hot, that was---“

  Her blade dove up into his ribs, then into his chest, and as he fell to his knees, she slashed him across the throat and kicked him forward. The hidden dagger fell to the dirt and dust, his hand reaching quick to his wounds, but it was too late. Blood rushed out his side, down his front, soaking quickly into warm black cloth and dry earth the same. Kaya waited until the twitching and gurgling ceased, then pulled his tight fitting leather jerkin off and cut where she needed to. As she suspected, a spider brand on the shoulder, a few years old, and healed up rather well.

  “Never lie to a liar, Jinnes. Had you been honest, you may have been given mercy. I am sorry.”

  Kaya stood over the pool of blood drying at her feet, then looked to the six agents nearly done groaning and bleeding out by the cliff, mostly still, yet two not quite dead. If they lived, more would come, a risk Kaya was not willing to take. She walked toward them, slowly, to finish this mornings’ deeds.

  Six quick swordstrokes later, and everything by the small pond was quiet. One by one, Kaya took the bodies into the water. She cleaned her blade, and discarded the rest.

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  “And how many more wars will the great Alexei T’Vellon win against the ogre? Five, ten, maybe twenty even? Surely, you have nearly surpassed your late father in what you have accomplished in Southwind. The men and women that raise blades here are worth five of any other in Chazzrynn. But, it will all come to an end, Lord Alexei, it will. All it takes is one defeat.”

  The Lord of Southwind sat still, quiet, staring at the stone bust of his sister Kaya next to his own. He wished she were here, despite all that had happened, for she was the voice of reason and saw through the lines and lies of others so much better than he. When he felt to rage, she would lay calm words. When he delayed, she pushed him to act and used their late father Arlinne’s honor as the prod. When treachery came to Southwind Keep, she seemed to smell it and have the advantage before Alexei was even aware. He stared up at the blond messenger boy arrived from Valhirst and the scarred dark Caberran woman with the burns on half her face as she stood on the balcony. He glanced up to the white vulture that was still as a stone statue upon the mantle.

  “And if I refuse?”

  “King Johnas Valhera will spare you no quarter---“

  “He is but the Prince of Valhirst, despite his declarations of war against the crown, mind your words boy. He is no king.” Alexei gritted his teeth as he spoke.

  “Regardless, it is inevitable. Mikhail will attack Valhirst. He is not going to let his only son die. If you refuse, you have two choices Lord T’Vellon.” Vanessa Blackflame spoke from the comfort of the balcony.

  “And they are?”

  “Stay here and prepare for the armies of King Avegarne and Queen Mun Parr, trolls and ogre allied now, by the thousands, led by me this time. You will not survive and Southwind Keep will be ashes when I am finished.” Sapphire of the East spoke in perfect calm.

  “The other?”

  “Rush to the aid of your precious King Mikhail to the east, as you have been summoned. If you manage a retreat and make it back to here, you will find the ashes I previously spoke of. Johnas has over seven thousand strong. The king, even with you, could not take victory from the prince in his own city. You will charge into a graveyard and nothing more. Either way, Southwind Keep will burn, unless you should side with your future king, as your sister once did.” Vanessa smiled, not even bothering to make eye contact. Her spell was ready to transport her via arcane energies miles to the west in safety should this lord dare make a move for her. Eliah Shendrynn, insane as he now was, had been teaching her much as of late.

  “Many lords have answered my kings’ calling, most have left and are planning the assault on Valhirst. Over four thousand soldiers strong, according to my reports. My cavalry can be there in three days or less this time of year, and back just as fast. I have but eight hundred, but as you said, my men are worth five of any other.” Alexei stood, hand on his broadsword, and paced his study.

  “Five or six days? When you leave here, your city will not last five or six hours against my forces. I will be here in two, it will be over on the third, just when you reach the eastern coast. You know it as well as I, Lord T’Vellon.” Vanessa sneered.

  “What is your decision, Lord T’Vellon? Prince Johnas Valhera is expecting an answer and for you to meet him in Valhirst after the battle. Should you take action against King Mikhail en route, perhaps ride your men into flanking positions behind him, the rewards of the soon to be king will be generous indeed. I am prepared to offer much.” The boy propped his boots onto Alexei’s desk where they were quickly shoved off with a strong hand and a dire stare.

  “If you obey Johnas, your city is safe from me and mine. I will find other things to occupy the ogre and trolls. You have my word.” Vanessa waited.

  “What rewards?” Alexei paced more, furrowing his brow, glancing at the motionless white vulture from time to time.

  “Lordship with hereditary titles to Elcram, Southwind, Hurne, Roricdale, Silverbridge, and Kalik. You will be Jade of the West below, and Lord Knight of Chazzrynn above. Do you accept this offer?” The agent of the White Spider laid the parchment out, placed a quill on the table next to a vial of ink, and rested back in the chair.

  “More.”

  “Two chests of fine platinum from Harlaheim.”

  “More.”

  “Five chests, and a Shanadorian war stallion, never been riden.”

  Alexei stared at the parchment, reading every word, rubbing his hands and face over and over. He began to sweat, glancing up to the woman and the messenger both several times. He put
his head on the table, ran his fingers through his hair, then bit his lip, hard. Tears welled yet he fought them off.

  “Damn you, damn you both to hell.” Alexei picked up the quill and signed the document pledging his loyalty to King Johnas Valhera of Chazzrynn. Then he looked down further and signed again, under the request for military aid against Mikhail Salganat. He threw the paper at the messenger and sat back in his ornate leather chair as the parchment flapped to the floor.

  “It is a new age for Chazzrynn, and Johnas Valhera appreciates your support. He will expect you in three days with your full force at---“

  “I know where to take my men! Perhaps betrayal is easier for the two of you, but I do not need a lecture from a messenger, now get out before I change my mind and hang you from my walls! Now!” His fist pounded the table and shook everything off of it and onto the floor.

  “I would say you just made the decision of a lifetime, in fact, several lifetimes, Lord Alexei. Or should I say, Jade of the West.” Vanessa smiled and picked up the parchment, then shoved it to the messengers chest.

  “Was that my sisters title? Before you had her killed outside of Devonmir?” Alexei stared at Vanessa. “You think I have not heard?”

  “We did not kill her, she committed suicide.”

  “So you say, and I could not care less, but was that her title?” Alexei gritted his teeth loudly this time, flexing his jaw muscles in anger.

  “Yes, it was. And now, after you meet with Johnas and he trains you in what we do, it will be yours. So a word to the wise, do not bite the hand that feeds.”

  “I will remember, do not worry Miss Blackflame. Guard!”

  The door opened and a knight of Southwind, white tabard with the red feathered cross of Alden, knelt with his hand on his blade. His shield with the black falcon shone bright as it caught the glare from the window.

  “Yes m’lord?”

  “Show these two out of Southwind.”

  “As you wish m’lord. This way.”

  He walked with the black robed eastern woman with the burns and the dark clad messenger boy from Valhirst. Most of the knights had been talking of why Alexei had not left for the east, to help the king, and the presence of these two strangers only helped rumor spread. Down the stairs past the battlements, under the flags bearing the black falcon, the knight of Southwind led the messenger to his horse in the courtyard, the woman with him. He looked up to the balcony of his lord, waiting for an order to arrest them, or perhaps detain them. There was none. Before he could turn to bow, the woman in black vanished with a small stroke of smoke and a crackle of arcane energy. The rider mounted his steed and was allowed out the eastern gates. The knight hung his head and returned to his post.

  Alexei stared at the vulture on his mantle. Its eyes suddenly came alive and glowed an eerie orange. Its head turned toward the lord of Southwind Keep.

  “I would say that was rather believable, Lord T’Vellon. I would have thought for sure you had just turned traitor.” Hithins shook his feathers after such a long time frozen in place and hidden deep with arcane magicks from his mistress, Aelaine Lazlette.

  “As far as Johnas is concerened, I have. You are certain of this, that the academy will arrive undetected and be able to defend Southwind?” Alexei paced.

  “Aelaine sent me to Vallakazz to arrange it all. Professor Middir is en route with the other professors, the ninth years, and the eighth year students. That would be just over forty from Lazlette Academy, m’lord.” Hithins craned his neck in confidence.

  “Forty wizards against thousands of hardened troll and ogre brigades does not sound too reassuring, vulture.”

  “They have not a chance, not to worry. The trolls and ogre I mean, you underestimate the Lazlette Semanarium Arcanum m’lord. No finer college or arcane faculty---“

  “I need to know that my city and my keep, this flag and what it stands for, are safe in your hands.” Alexei pointed toward the flag of Chazzrynn in the corner of the room.

  “They are Lord T’Vellon. I promise, upon my last tailfeathers. Lazlette has pledged defense, and Lazlette does not fail.”

  “Very well. I am leaving fifty knights, same in archers, and the city militia of Elcram to you and yours. The rest are awaiting my orders in Silverbridge, anxiously I might add. They are all wondering by now why I posted them there.” Alexei walked out of his study and made down the spiraling stairs.

  “They expect you to charge in, save the king and country, as your father would. This deception will give you an advantage and also our king an unexpected ally on the field, if you arrive in time. Despite what you may think, my mistress admires that in you, the bravery you have inside.” Hithins landed on Alexei’s shoulder and kept talking in his refined manner.

  “Aelaine Lazlette curses the ground I walk upon.”

  “That is not so, she simply is reminded of her lost husband by you, it is a wound she never healed from. And, from what I recall, you carry a striking resemblance.”

  “Nor have I healed, Hithins. Arlinne T’Vellon was my father as much as her once husband. And now I have lost my twin sister as well. Besides loyalty, there is not much left for me.”

  “Then hold onto that as you would your sword. Know no fear, and save our kingdom and king once more, Lord T’Vellon. I shall see you upon your return.” Hithins flapped his wings as Alexei mounted his steed.

  “I shall, and give my deepest gratitude to those of Vallakazz when they arrive. Long live Chazzrynn and Southwind.” Alexei drew his blade and saluted the vulture that was now in charge of his lands and people, at least until Middir and the students came.

  “Long live King Mikhail and house Salganat.” Hithins bowed.

  Alexei paused, besides leaving a bonded vulture of Aelaine Lazlette in charge of Southwind, he was concerned about the plan, the messages arriving in time, and the secrecy of it all.

  “Hithins, you are sure that the king will know, that Aelaine will inform him in time, of our charge? That their middle should part enough for a line of twenty horse and the same on the three other fronts and---“

  “M’lord, my mind is like a steel trap. Your words will be carried to her, then from her to the king, without error.” The vulture flapped his wings to stop the doubting queries.

  “And you are sure that one of mine, Liogan Andellis and that elf, Lavress Tilaniun, are going to rescue the prince? Just the two of them?”

  “That is what I was told, but Liogan is no longer one of yours. He was knighted by Mikhail for saving his life. Lord Alexei, you must not delay.”

  “Alden guard over you Hithins, do not fail me.” Alexei sighed, feeling to much was left to chance and out of his control, there were too many enemies and too many fronts to fight. He kicked his steed and charged out the north gate. His mind raced from ogre and his late father, to his late sister and Johnas Valhera, then to his king and the battle ahead. Leaving his home behind, the lord of Southwind charged toward Silverbridge and his awaiting knights and army.

  “God speed you safe Lord T’Vellon, and do not fail Chazzrynn.” Hithins whispered it quietly.

  A knight of Southwind, young and fresh, walked down into the courtyard with a rolled parchment in his hand. It was small, had a few simple orders upon it as normal, and was in his lords handwriting with his seal. Yet as simple and normal as it appeared, the knight was perplexed. He walked up to the railing, looked at the white vulture, then to the writ, and then back to the vulture.

  “What? You have never served a beautiful white feathered scavenger bird before? Rabbits, I like striped rabbits for dinner, but please, leave them uncooked. Do inform me when the reinforcements arrive from Vallakazz, other than that, prepare the defenses as you would if the west were about to explode with ogre and troll numbers unheard of.” Hithins flared his eyes orange and nodded to the young knight.

  “What in Aldens name is…who are…is this…?”

  “Hithins, I suppose Lord Hithins for now will do. And yes, we will need lots of prayer, and yes
, this is most real, my young knight. Your name?”

  “Perrius, Perrius Alvander. I..I..well..” Perrius squinted, looked at the writ again and furrowed his brow. His lord must have gone insane, but it said this vulture was in command.

  “Sir Perrius, I need to know every inch and every weakness of your keep. You shall have the honor of being my squire, for now, so work on your stuttering issue.” Hithins flapped and landed upon the left shoulder of the young orphan knight of house Alvander.

  “Yes bird, uhh, I mean, yes talking vulture…this is…” Perrius stared at the orange eyes, entranced, confused, and in shock.

  Fwap!

  The wing smacked him in the face.

  “Snap out of it son, we have not much time!”

  “Yes, yes Lord Hithins, right away!”

  “Better.”

  “Now, the ogre and troll will be here in three to five days, but the forces of arcane masters will be here tomorrow, or the next. Start thinking position, field advantage, and range.”

  “Very well….ummm…let me get someone in charge then, besides you of course.”

  “Hurry then, we have not got all day, squire.”

  Hithins knew all those books in the Lazlette Academy he had read would come in handy someday. Not to mention the late Arlinne T’Vellons’ theory on war that was always in Aelaines’ quarters. He had read it many times, in secret, of course.

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  Garret held the cloth to Rosana’s forehead, recited the prayers quietly, and placed his other hand on her swollen womb. He saw the blood in the bedsheets, small spot as it was, yet undeniable that the baby had turned.

  “God this hurts, make it stop!” The former queen of Harlaheim squirmed and tugged her shoulder length curls that used to drape to her knees. She bit her hand, then realized she was holding father Garrets hand, and had left teeth marks by his thumb.

  “Biting me will likely do little. Your baby has turned Rosana, two months earlier than he should have, his head faces down now.” He rubbed his hand and smiled.

  “I am so sorry, so sorry, ahhhh, it hurts!”