DAWN OF THE PHOENIX

by A. J. STRICKLER

  “Are you wounded?” K’xarr asked.

  Kian head cocked to one side, then back. K’xarr hated those damn eyes. “I need to try and think again, you should walk away from me now.” K’xarr and Cromwell did as the swordsman suggested.

  Endra had led Kian over to one of the many small man-made ponds that surrounded the palace and helped him wash the blood off his arms and out of his hair. K’xarr saw them talking quietly. Well, at least Endra was talking.

  The Dark One hadn’t changed how Kian felt about Endra, she was the only one he seemed at ease around.

  He had used Kian, that was true. He hadn’t even given it a second thought. He shouldn’t have done it, Endra was right. Kian could have been killed. The poor bastard was walking a thin line when it came to his sanity, and he knew and had taken advantage of it. All he had been thinking about was how he could win. His thoughts always strayed to a way to achieve victory in everything he did; there was little else that interested him.

  “K’xarr, are you listening to me?” Ansellus asked.

  “Sorry, I was distracted. What did you say?”

  Ansellus sighed. “What do you want to do now? I have the men that joined us from the watch keeping an eye on all the exits from the palace.”

  K’xarr looked at the palace. “Are you sure Blackthorn is in the palace? There could be exits you don’t know about.”

  “He’s in there. Blackthorn is trapped. I would say he can’t have more than thirty or forty men with him. If I know William Blackthorn, he has a trick or two left up his sleeve. Let’s just send Kian in there and let him finish what he started,” the general said, laughing.

  “No,” K’xarr said a little harsher than he wanted to. “We’re not sending Kian in alone. If anyone goes, we all go. He’s done his share, it’s time we did ours.”

  “It was just a jest, my friend. I wouldn’t even suggest sending him in alone. I was surprised you did it the first time. How did you know he had that kind of prowess? I would never have believed someone was capable of surviving that assault.”

  K’xarr said nothing and looked away. He had given no thought to Kian’s survival when he had asked him to open the palace gate. An unusual sliver of shame pierced his conscience. “You should see to Blackthorn’s army, Ansellus. You said they would listen to you.”

  “Of course, I’m sure that old bastard sent for them. I will leave at once.”

  “Meet us back here when you’re finished.”

  “I will be as quick as I can.” The former general mounted his horse and rode away.

  Cromwell walked up, two-handed sword slung over his shoulder. “Are we going to get on with this? I’m hungry.”

  “We will soon enough. Aren’t you going to tell me you’re mad at me too?” K’xarr asked

  Cromwell’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What would I be mad for?”

  “I sent Kian over the wall alone.”

  Cromwell smiled. “I should be mad that the little bastard got all the glory for himself. Those Bandarans who witnessed it will be talking about that for years.”

  “It’s not a joke,” K’xarr barked. “It was wrong and I shouldn’t have done it. I used him, Cromwell. Endra was right. I didn’t give a damn if he lived or died. I was only concerned with taking the palace.”

  Cromwell’s face grew serious. “Listen to me, K’xarr. Leaders use people, that’s what they do, you know that. You used the weapon you had. I didn’t hear Kian complain about it. You gave him an order and he followed it.”

  K’xarr shook his head. “He’s not just someone under my command, he’s a friend. You know that I don’t use that word often, my list of friends is very short.”

  The big man clapped K’xarr on the shoulder. “In battle we are not your friends, we are all your weapons and you must wield us as you see fit. You are our leader, K’xarr, and that is all there is.”

  K’xarr started for where the others were gathering. “Damn, but you Torans make things simple.”

  Cromwell shrugged. “Simple is best.”

  Endra and Kian walked back towards the others. He was as clean as he was going to get without stripping down and getting in. He seemed calm and relaxed, though he hadn’t spoken. She had talked to him in a soothing tone about the battle. He hadn’t responded. She tried to talk to him about how she couldn’t wait to be alone with him. That topic had gotten no response either. The truth was she was a little frightened at the thought of him bedding her now. A secret she would keep to herself. She was about to take him to Rhys to see if something was wrong when he finally spoke. “Let us finish this.”

  “Finish what?” she asked.

  He looked at the palace. “The killing.”

  “This is Cain’s fault, he shouldn’t have sent for the guard. I told him I needed them here. Now look what he has caused.” The Duke of Braxton Bluff shook with fury.

  Bishop Lyfair wasn’t sure if the duke was talking to him or justifying this catastrophe to himself. He wasn’t a military man, but he could tell that the men that retreated into the palace were afraid. He could see the terror in their eyes. If that demon came again, he was sure they would run, as would he.

  “Perhaps you should surrender. After all, Princess Raygan is your daughter-in-law, she would not allow you to be harmed,” Lyfair said as calmly as he could. The demon had terrified him when he had seen it coming across the grounds. Now that he was behind the doors of the palace, he had regained some of his composure.

  The duke looked at him, eyes wide. “Are you mad? You think that little wench is in control of that thing out there? It’s going to come in here and kill us all. These so-called fighting men can’t stop it. Why didn’t you call for some Church knights? You knew how short on men we were. He couldn’t have gone through them like he did this rabble. You are as much at fault as Cain.”

  Bishop Lyfair began to worry. The duke was beginning to rave. He needed the noble now, as he had no idea how to direct the troops if Ansellus and his demon tried to get in. “If I had known this was going to happen, I would have asked for aid from the Church. You said everything was under control. William, you must calm down, we need you to give the men their orders. Can’t you see they’re afraid? You need to rally them if there is any hope of repelling another attack.”

  “Just shut up, Marin. I sent for reinforcements. If they get here in time, everything will be fine.”

  “I don’t think we have any time left, William.”

  The duke thought for a moment then headed for the stairs. “I might just save us yet. Stay here, I will be back.”

  William closed the door to his private chambers and took out the amulet he had hidden in the chest at the foot of his bed. He still had his secret weapon, though he was very reluctant to use it. He moved his thumb over it in the pattern he had been taught.

  “Having problems, Duke Blackthorn?” the Dark One asked.

  The duke jumped, surprised by the wizard’s sudden appearance. He wasn’t very knowledgeable about magic and had doubted if the amulet would work at all. The sorcerer had given it to him and had shown him how to use it when they had become coconspirators.

  “The princess has summoned a demon. It, as well as a group of renegade mercenaries, has taken the palace grounds and they are preparing to finish us. I need your help.”

  “Really, and what would you have me do?”

  The duke looked at the wizard, dumbfounded. “Destroy it, of course. Use your powers and I can take care of the rest.”

  “I’m beginning to have my doubts about you, Willy. You almost seem…incompetent, yes, that’s the word.”

  “How dare you! If you won’t help, I could… I mean, we could lose Bandara.”

  “Never really cared about it actually, Willy. This pathetic kingdom is what you wanted. As far as I’m concerned, you have served your purpose. Now I am leaving before I lose my patience.”

  “You can’t…” The duke froze in mid-sentence. The Dark One turned, knowing he was not the one responsibl
e for immobilizing Blackthorn. A woman stood behind him, dressed in a black funeral dress. Her whole face covered by a veil and he knew immediately who it was. “Damn it; oh, excuse my foul mouth, Mistress.”

  “I would, but there is no excuse for anything you do. I take it you know the demon he was referring to?”

  “Of course I do. I made it. May I ask what brings a being of such power to Bandara? Surly nothing here could interest someone as mighty as you.”

  “Did you just call me a being?” I think you mean goddess, don’t you?”

  “Of course, slip of the tongue.”

  “I have taken notice of your creation.”

  “That would explain how he broke through my wards and took the sword so easily.”

  She nodded. “I knew you had stolen Malice from my temple in Sidia. I have just had no use for it until now.”

  The wizard took a step back. “No hard feelings then?”

  “I will let it go this time, since you have served my purpose by making that wonderful creature. I must admit you have done well for yourself, sorcerer. You have gained great power and I have even heard the Circle of Thirteen whisper your name.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t come here to tell me how wonderful I am. What is it you want, Great One?”

  She gave a mirthless chuckle. “I have come to see if it is in your power to make more of those?”

  The Dark One shifted uneasily, his scars starting to ache. “No, the spell was on an ancient scroll I came across. I believe it to be from a time before the elven wars. I acquired it from a tomb beyond the Sea of Ice. It was destroyed when I cast the spell. Without it, I couldn’t create another.”

  “I see. Well, that is unfortunate. Perhaps there may be other ways to make them.” He could hear the amusement in her voice, he knew she already had thought of something.

  “If anyone could conceive of a way to recreate the spell, it would be you, Oh Mighty Queen of Hell.” He bowed slightly.

  “He bears Malice now, you would do well to remember that. The creature is mine. Though you fabricated the half-breed, I will not tolerate any interference. I have plans for him.” Then she vanished.

  “I really hate her,” the wizard said to himself.

  “…don’t leave me here. If you won’t help, at least take me with you,” the duke finished.

  The Dark One had forgotten all about Blackthorn. The immobilization spell had broken when the mistress left. “Of course, Willy, I know just the place for you.” And they both vanished.

  K’xarr waited until Ansellus returned. It had taken the old general longer than he thought it would to quell Blackthorn’s men.

  “How did it go?” K’xarr asked.

  “Well, I have them out of our hair for now. Lucky too, a thousand of them were getting ready to ride into the city. Thanks to God many of them remembered their old general.”

  “How did you convince them?”

  “I appealed to their loyalty and love of their country. I told them about the princess and her plight. They are ‘thinking on it.’ It was the best I could do in such a short time.”

  “Good enough, Ansellus. We will have time to finish this. Later you can win them over to our cause.”

  The older man chuckled. “As long as you give me a barrel of wine next time I talk to them, I will do just that."

  There was little resistance when they stormed the palace. The huge foyer was where most of the fighting took place. Most of the men surrendered, simply throwing down their weapons when K’xarr and his band burst through the doors.

  Endra had to almost hold Kian back from slaughtering the guardsmen where they stood, but in the end he had listened to her pleas for restraint. K’xarr had the palace’s defenders rounded up, as well as all the servants. He ordered Endra and the loyal watchmen to hold their prisoners in the great dining hall. Then they began to search the palace for Duke Blackthorn.

  Kian found the doors to the chapel locked. He stepped back and smashed the door in with his shoulder.

  Bishop Lyfair turned with a look of horror on his face. “I’m a man of God. You can’t harm me, demon, be gone from this holy place.”

  Kian slowly walked towards Lyfair. The warrior’s sword hand was wet and sticky with gore. Malice too was covered with the blood of two guardsmen he had found hiding in one of the upper level rooms.

  A low growl issued from deep in Kian’s chest and Bishop Marin Lyfair wet himself. “Please, I have information the princess will want to hear. Don’t kill me, I beg you.”

  Lyfair went to his knees, visibly shaking. Kian wrinkled his nose at the smell of urine and fear.

  He reached down and picked Lyfair off the floor by his neck, lifting him until Lyfair’s feet left the floor. He looked into the holy man’s eyes for a moment, then hurled him into the small altar where Raygan had stood for her wedding.

  “Kian, don’t kill him.” K’xarr and Cromwell stepped through the broken doors. “He is one of the men the princess wanted brought to her.”

  Kian turned to face his friends. K’xarr continued, “Have you found Blackthorn yet?”

  The swordsman shook his head. “No, I have not. This one is of the Church, and you know that they hunt Endra and her children.”

  K’xarr could see a problem about to happen if he couldn’t talk Kian out of killing Lyfair. Then again, he could just simply let him kill the man. Raygan’s desires were not worth arguing with the swordsman about.

  “Let the princess talk to him. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. When she’s done with him, we can kill him then,” K’xarr said.

  Lyfair pulled himself up on what was left of the shattered altar. His legs were quivering. “I can tell her who killed her father,” Lyfair said, almost out of breath.

  Kian looked at K’xarr. “Maybe you’re right, K’xarr. Let the princess question him, then we will see. She should know who killed her father. I would not want to rob her of that by killing this priest.”

  K’xarr gave a brief sigh. Maybe Kian’s mind was working better than he thought. “Let him clean himself, then bring him down, Cromwell. Kian, come on, let’s go see what has become of the others.” The two men left the chapel.

  Cromwell jerked Lyfair by his sleeve and shoved him towards the door, laughing at Lyfair’s wet robe. “Don’t feel bad, priest. I don’t think you’re the only one that he made piss themselves today.”

  K’xarr and Kian walked into the throne room where the princess was being attended to by Rhys. She looked a little pale and very tired. Ansellus was talking with some of the palace staff. When the general saw the two men enter the dining hall, he hurried over. “I guess no luck finding Blackthorn.”

  K’xarr rubbed his beard. “No, he must have gotten away somehow. We couldn’t find him anywhere.”

  Ansellus slammed his hand against his armored thigh. “I really wanted to get my hands on him. He could cause us problems later.” The old general’s shoulders slumped, and he looked as tired as the princess. “I’m sure he will turn up eventually, K’xarr, the man is a snake. I can tell you this: he won’t let us take back the city if there is any way he can prevent it. I have spoken with the princess. I’m going to talk to his troops later and see if I can convince them to do their duty as Bandarans. Maybe this time I can sway them to our side completely. I have also sent messages to some of the minor nobles. I want to call a meeting and see what they think about crowning the princess as queen. After all, it was her father’s wish she rule Bandara. Her brother had no right to alter that. It will also make our position much stronger.”

  Ansellus lowered his voice. “K’xarr, I would like you and the others to stay here and take care of things until I return. It shouldn’t be more than a few days. Can I count on you to see to Raygan’s safety until I get back?”

  “Of course we will see to the princess. Besides, it would be nice to sleep in a bed for a change.”

  Ansellus looked apprehensive. “Can I speak with you in private, K’xarr? Kian, will you excuse us?”<
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  Kian nodded to both men and walked away.

  Ansellus led K’xarr to the far side of the great throne room. “I have a problem and it’s something only you can handle.”

  K’xarr put his hands on his hips. “I hope we can take care of whatever it is quickly. I know everyone would like to eat and get a little rest before we plunge into something else.”

  “Of course, I could do with a meal myself. It’s not any work that needs done. I want to speak with you about Kian. I don’t think he should stay in the palace. Raygan is scared of him and on top of his other problems, he is a half-elf. That won’t go over so well with the nobles. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the princess’s chances to claim the throne because of one man.”

  K’xarr closed his eyes and tried to hold his temper. “He almost took this place completely alone, and you’re saying he can’t stay in it a night or two? You can tell your princess she wouldn’t even be in her palace now if it wasn’t for that half-elf.”

  Ansellus held up his hands. “Easy, my friend, I know what he did, but I must make it sound like you did it. When I tell the nobles the story, it will be you and your mercenaries who took the palace. Think, K’xarr, should I tell them an enchanted half-breed slaughtered the Royal Guard and took the palace? How do you think that would be received? No, it must be you who took the palace. There is no other way.”

  “I will not take credit for another man’s actions.”

  Ansellus took a deep breath. ”His kind is not accepted by our Church or our people, it’s just the way of the world. Look, K’xarr, you are a good man and you have the making of a fine commander despite your youth, but you can’t fight the way people believe.”

  K’xarr spit on the floor. “I thought you were better than that, Ansellus, that’s what I thought.”

  “It’s not me. I don’t care if he is here or not, and I honor what he did, it’s just what must be. You also know he is dangerous, what if he turns on us? Everyone knows half-elves are untrustworthy by nature, he’s also unstable, can’t you see that?”