Hunter's Moon

by D A Godwin

By Elurithlia’s light, why do I care what he might think?

  “Are there other healers here? I haven’t seen anyone other than you.”

  “There are. No sooner had I left the other Sisters than they were attacked as well, though not by the demon, thank Elurithlia. I don’t know how many of our order were here when we arrived, but now there are only seven. There was much sorrow that day.”

  Horns sounded across the field, triggering a flurry of activity from the Kingdom army around them as men began to ready themselves.

  “Thank you for staying,” he said.

  His words caught her so off guard that she almost didn’t respond. She had wanted nothing more than to run, to escape everything and everyone that was part of this. But she could not. She wondered if he was being flippant, but those dark eyes understood her doubts perhaps better than she did.

  “Thank you for listening. I must return now. There will be more work for me soon.”

  * * *

  Shalindra watched with concern as Edward gave his armor a final tug to settle it into place as his squire helped buckle his sword belt. His eyes showed the strain of command, so recently thrust upon him.

  He spared one final glance at the map, doubtless committing it to memory. As he made ready to leave the tent, she laid her hand on his breastplate, stopping him.

  “Eluria, watch over this man as he fights for us this day. Protect him from harm, arm him with wisdom, and shield him from doubt.” She could only hope her prayers would be enough to keep him safe.

  He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “May She watch over us all.”

  A guard stepped into the tent. “Sir? The Ranger has returned.”

  Edward waved him in, and a moment later Tormjere stepped inside.

  “Did you find Aric?” Edward asked.

  “No, my lord, but I had not completed my search when the horns sounded. I thought it best to return.”

  “You thought correctly. I want you here this evening to brief the other commanders. For now, escort Shalindra to Sister Kayala. She and the other healers have set up a hospital in the large barn at the edge of town. Remain with them for the day. A number of clerics were lost the same day as the demon attack. See to their safety during today’s fighting.”

  “Yes, my lord. I heard details of the attack and was going to suggest additional protection.”

  Edward glanced at Shalindra, who smiled back as if to say, ‘I told you so.’

  “Then I shall leave you both to your duties,” Edward said as he stepped from the tent. They followed after him, but turned quickly away from the group of commanders awaiting him.

  The barn Edward had spoken of was not far. As they entered the building, the smell of blood and death in the stagnant air overpowered that of hay and animals. At least two dozen men lay on crude palettes lining the floor, tended by a handful of clerics. Tormjere saw Eluria and Amalthee were well represented, and there was one robed monk of Toush. Several commoners moved about as well, helping administer salves or comfort as they could to help.

  A woman in the white and silver robes of Eluria caught sight of them and stepped forward. Her dark hair and bronzed skin marked her as foreign, but Tormjere couldn’t guess from where.

  “Are you in need of aid?” she asked. Despite her accent, the exhaustion in her voice was easy to understand.

  “No,” Shalindra shook her head, trying to take it all in. “No, I am here to help, if I may.”

  The woman looked over her filthy clothes and was about to say something when her eyes fell on Shalindra’s symbol of Eluria, and her expression changed instantly. “Forgive me, Sister, I did not realize… What has happened to you?”

  Shalindra waved aside her concern. “We have been through much but, apart from hunger, suffer no ill effects.”

  “I am Sister Marie, and we would welcome any who can assist us in seeking Eluria’s blessings.”

  Shalindra looked at the wounded with concern. “Can we not heal them?”

  “There are simply too many,” Marie said, her voice thick with emotion, “and too few of us. We do our best but must rely on more mundane methods of care.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Despite our efforts, there are some who will not live to see tomorrow.”

  “I have seen too much death today,” Shalindra said with determination. “If Eluria allows me to prevent even one more, I shall.”

  She moved to the first man, who was delirious from a vicious wound to his arm. The bandage was holding him together as much as staunching the flow of blood. She looked into his eyes and placed her hand on the blood-soaked wrapping. She whispered a prayer to Eluria, and a familiar silver glow enveloped his arm. His breathing relaxed.

  She stood stiffly and moved further into the barn, seeking those in most dire need of care. After the third casualty had been healed, Tormjere became aware that other activity had largely ceased, as everyone’s attention was focused on Shalindra. The other clerics were staring at her as if they had seen a ghost. One of them slipped hurriedly out the door.

  The whispered conversations ceased abruptly as she returned with an older woman in white robes. Every wrinkle on her face spoke of a lifetime’s service in the name of her goddess. Her gaze swept once through the room, taking note of everyone and everything there. She reminded Tormjere of Father Gelid, but with a sterner countenance.

  She gave him an odd look before addressing Shalindra.

  “May the light of Eluria shine upon you, Sister…?”

  “Shalindra.”

  “I am Sister Kayala. I was not aware that anyone else had joined us, but your company is appreciated.”

  “Thank you, Sister,” Shalindra said. “I was to deliver a message to… to the commander, and he suggested that I assist here.”

  “Of course he did,” Kayala sniffed. “They cannot keep fighting if we don’t keep putting them back together.”

  “I believe his heart was in the right place,” Shalindra said defensively.

  Kayala looked Tormjere up and down. “Are you wounded?”

  “Lord Deurmark instructed me to protect you during the fighting.”

  “Then I pray you do a better job than you have with her,” Kayala responded, noting Shalindra’s ragged appearance.

  Tormjere raised an eyebrow but kept silent.

  “Come,” Kayala said, taking Shalindra by the arm. “You must clean yourself. It does little good to restore a man to health, only to have him expire from disease. Mixing the blood of the injured is not sanitary.”

  “I apologize, Sister,” Shalindra replied. “There has been no time.”

  “There is much for which we do not have time, but we must always allow for cleanliness, and for rest. You are familiar with the twelfth precept?”

  “I… have not studied that yet.”

  Kayala paused to regard her curiously before continuing. “Our bodies and minds must be pure, for restoration of the mortal form is draining on both. We find that especially true of the wounds we see here. To account for this, we take it in shifts so that someone is always available for those most in need. Each is allowed no more than three restorations without rest, though Enna pushes herself to do more.”

  Kayala gave Tormjere an unfriendly glance, as if all men at arms were equally to blame for the current situation, and then turned back to Shalindra. “How many times have you sought our Mistress’s aid today?”

  Shalindra shook her head, suddenly aware that she hadn’t slept at all the night before. “I do not know. There were so many.”

  “Thirty-seven,” Tormjere supplied helpfully.

  “Thirty…” Kayala’s face betrayed her shock.

  “Plus, a dozen final rites, and then five more here,” he finished.

  “That isn’t possible,” Sister Kayala shook her head in disbelief.

  “The need was great,” Shalindra said, forestalling an unkind response from him. “And support was given when needed.”

  Kayala composed herself, then motioned Shalindra into a
nearby house.

  “If you please, men are not allowed inside,” she said to Tormjere.

  “I’ll wait here, then,” Tormjere said, taking a position where he could see the Kingdom lines as easily as the door.

  Shalindra emerged a short time later and came to stand beside him.

  You smell better, at least.

  “The attack?” she asked, ignoring him.

  “They’ve made a feint to our right, and now mass against our left,” he answered, taking note of her clean, white robes. Gone was the dirt and grime from the road, along with the rest of her peasant’s attire. She was also missing the warhammer that she had put to good use more than once. He almost mentioned it, but, unlike the wilderness, it would be noticeably out of place here for a cleric to be armed.

  Sister Kayala stepped between them. “I will never understand why men feel the need to slaughter each other with such vigor.”

  “Sometimes the choice is made for us.” He turned to face her. “I was ordered to protect you both. Where is your place during the fighting?”

  “Eager to use your sword, are you? Most of those helping remain in the barn with Master Ascerlon, but several of us take station closer to the fighting so that we may assist with the injuries sooner. Timeliness is often critical to our success.” She began walking. “You are welcome to go where it suits you.”

  He glanced at Shalindra.

  “I will go where she goes,” Shalindra said.

  “Are you sure you’re up for it after last night?”

  “No one else is resting. How can I?”

  Kayala led them to a grassy rise a mere half mile from the village, but the heat of the sun made the distance seem longer. It was not far from the center of the Kingdom forces and uncomfortably close to the assembled troops. Enna, Marie, and another cleric were already waiting there.

  Enna’s eyes fell on Shalindra, then she cocked her head to the side and gave Tormjere an inquisitive look as they arrived but said nothing.

  Arrayed around them was the Kingdom army. Men with pikes and spears were assembled three-deep along the near side of a ditch that was freshly dug. Archers were spread out in companies behind. Commanders rode up and down the lines on horseback, shouting orders and encouragement.

  Edward and the command group had positioned themselves between two reserve companies atop the tallest of the rolling hills still available to them. He was close enough for Shalindra to see the surprise on his face as his eyes swept past her.

  It was a splendid force that would have given Shalindra comfort, had she not known that the approaching enemy stood where their own men had been just days before.

  I think we were safer in the forest.

  I will not disagree.

  The Ceringions closed within range, and flights of arrows flew from both sides of the field. Seeing scores of men fall, Shalindra instinctively started forward, but was stopped by Kayala.

  “Wait for the wounded to be brought here,” she commanded.

  Shalindra stopped herself, but her stomach knotted as she realized that what was happening in front of her was taking place up and down the entire line, which had to be close to a mile long. How could they hope to heal dozens or hundreds of injured men at one time? She placed a hand on her symbol, allowing the coolness of the metal to calm her fears.

  It wasn’t long before those who had been wounded began to stumble or be carried back. Most looked to be archers who had suffered arrow wounds themselves. Those fighting at the front were too mired in the conflict to be pulled to safety if they fell.

  “Pay heed to Master Ascerlon’s instructions,” Kayala reminded them. “Water and bandages for all but the most desperate. “Save your strength for when it will be needed most.”

  Shalindra rushed to aid the man laid in front of her. An arrow had gone through his chest and now protruded out his back. She snapped the head off as she had seen others do and pulled out the shaft. She fumbled with the bandage as blood pulsed from the hole. His confused eyes met hers. Her hand went instinctively to his chest. With a hurried prayer, silvery light slid from her arm into his body, closing the wound.

  He blinked and gasped a ragged thank you.

  She didn’t have even have time to respond before another soldier was laid in front of her. She healed him, and the next.

  “Shalindra, you must conserve your strength!” Kayala commanded.

  Without sizable cavalry reserves there was little Edward could do but dig in and defend against the waves of men running at them. They collided with a mighty crash in the middle of the field.

  The cacophony of noise was disorienting, and the press of bodies added heat to the burning intensity of the sun. Obviously aware that they were safe from counterattack, the left flank of the Ceringion lines pivoted, adding their weight to the assault on the Kingdom’s center.

  This won’t end well. If we need to leave…

  I cannot run anymore.

  “This seems a good time to withdraw,” he said to Kayala.

  “To where, swordsman?” Kayala responded. “There is nothing between us and the town but grass.”

  The older cleric was right. At this point running would do little good. Tormjere turned his attention back to the battle.

  You may want to pray.

  He felt her exasperation clearly.

  What do you think I have been doing?

  The Kingdom line buckled, then broke. Pockets of men fought for their lives as enemy soldiers came crashing over the berm. Edward pointed his sword, and one of the reserve companies rushed to plug the gap. They were too late. The enemy had driven a wedge into the Kingdom forces, and it began to expand despite their efforts.

  Several Ceringions fought their way through and, spying the unprotected clerics, charged forward with eager shouts.

  Tormjere’s sword cleared its scabbard as he stepped in front of them. He felt Shalindra begin to move with him out of habit, then stop herself as she realized she was no longer armed.

  Keep them back.

  She did, pulling Marie with her as she moved away.

  Other Kingdom soldiers joined him in meeting the charge, trying desperately to contain the breach. The melee descended into a prickly mass of spears and swords, where bodies were jostled by friend and foe alike and there was thought of neither chivalry nor finesse. Tormjere dodged and slashed, his sword cutting through mail as easily as cloth.

  An armor-plated knight dispatched a Kingdom soldier, then shoved his way towards Tormjere with his sword held high above his shield.

  Tormjere deflected the knight’s attack but was knocked back as the shield crashed into him. A metal-clad foot hooked inside Tormjere’s leg, but he twisted free. The knight pressed his advantage, giving him no time to recover. Tormjere threw his shoulder against the shield, using his blade to protect his head. The knight staggered off balance, then spun with a rapid backhand stroke aimed directly at Tormjere’s head. Tormjere was quicker. His blade chopped across the knight’s forearm, severing both arm and metal.

  He saw the knight’s eyes widen in shocked disbelief through the slits in his helmet.

  Move left.

  Unsure which of them had thought it he obeyed instantly, narrowly avoiding a spear thrust at his back. He struck back, using the momentum of his turn to cut through the shaft of the spear and into the person holding it.

  The one to your right has his back turned.

  Without thinking he slashed his sword outside his field of vision, connecting solidly with the back of the enemy soldier. It was less jarring this time—like two scenes placed side by side rather than atop one another.

  Momentarily without an opponent, he risked a glance over his shoulder and saw that the clerics had made no effort to retreat.

  They need to move back.

  Kayala will not. I have already tried.

  This isn’t safe.

  There are Ceringions behind us. Nowhere is safe.

  Tormjere backed closer to where Shalindra stood with the c
lerics as more Kingdom forces collapsed on the breach. Still breathing heavily, he kept his sword up and scanned the area. He caught a sudden flash of movement through Shalindra’s eyes.

  Behind you.

  A Ceringion who had escaped the fighting was rushing straight for Kayala and Enna. Both turned at Shalindra’s shouted warning, but there was no time to escape.

  Shalindra shoved Kayala aside and flung her arm up with nothing but Eluria’s symbol as a shield. A burning heat surged through the metal as the Ceringion’s sword struck an invisible barrier and shattered in a flash of silver sparks. Shalindra winced as the energy of the blow seemed to reverberate inside her head.

  The soldier stopped, staring in shock at his broken weapon. Tormjere dashed past her and hacked him down before he could recover.

  He raised a questioning eyebrow at Shalindra, and she answered with a surprised look of her own. Almost embarrassed by what she had just done, she tried to ignore Kayala’s piercing gaze as she hurried to an injured Kingdom soldier crawling across the ground.

  The incursion had been repulsed, and the Ceringion advance halted as the soldiers rallied. A quick glance told him that the rest of the Kingdom lines were not faring as well.

  Near the center of their forces the Ceringions had managed to lay small bridges over the trench and cut holes in the berm behind it. Shalindra looked up as dozens of Ceringion knights on horseback galloped across the bridges. With lances and long hammers they smashed their way through the faltering Kingdom defenses, then wheeled and made a charge up the small hill where Edward sat astride his horse, directing the battle.

  The troop of black-armored Legion that surrounded him moved quickly, forming a shield wall bristling with spears. The second reserve company was already moving. For a moment they held, until a second rank of Ceringions forced their way through the hole created by the horsemen and joined the assault.

  Edward tumbled to the ground, his horse cut from beneath him. Shalindra lost sight of him for terrifying minutes before he reappeared, sword in hand. The Legion rallied. The reserve company threw its weight against the Ceringions and their assault ground to a halt. Hand-to-hand fighting dominated the hill.

  “We must help,” Shalindra said.