by D A Godwin
Shalindra’s hand went to her symbol.
Should we do anything?
I don’t think there’s anyone else who can, but it needs to get closer.
The creature’s large, baleful eyes darted back and forth with animal cunning, and it snapped its beak at the Ceringions like a caged beast. The Ceringion commanders struggled to maintain order as men crowded away from the demon as it passed through their ranks.
The Kingdom soldiers closed ranks in front of the creature, packing themselves tightly into a solid mass bristling with spears.
Tormjere shifted his attention from the creature to the four men on horseback riding a respectful distance behind it.
One of them’s got to be the wizard.
Then I pray he does not join the battle as well. What if we can’t defeat it this time?
Then we won’t be around to care what happens next.
Tormjere walked calmly forward. Shalindra followed a step behind, praying that they could be strong enough once more.
The beast roared, an inarticulate sound somewhere between a falcon’s call and a mountain lion’s growl, and charged forward like a dog that had slipped its leash. The ground shook as it rumbled straight into the ditch. Like a giant ram, its pointed snout burrowed into the near side before bursting forth in a shower of earth and rock without slowing.
Soldiers thrust spears at it, but their weapons glanced off the armored shell. The Kingdom ranks disintegrated into a jumble of men either fleeing or fighting. Into this chaos, the Ceringions charged.
Tormjere was already moving as the demon burst through the Kingdom lines directly before them.
Eluria, defend your servant.
Shalindra clenched her symbol and braced herself, willing a barrier in front of the creature. The beast crashed headfirst into her shield, knocking her backwards even as it came to an abrupt stop.
Tormjere leapt past the snapping jaws and struck hard, but his sword did little more than chip the hardened scales. The creature spun, lashing out with its shortened tail. Anticipating the move, Tormjere jumped to the side.
Kingdom soldiers swarmed towards the demon, forcing Tormjere to check his next attack. He circled, looking for a way back in. Swords and spears did little, though the beast seemed to acknowledge being struck by mace or hammer, in the way a horse would notice flies.
They aren’t helping.
As a trio of men were trampled before her, Shalindra was forced to agree.
They are brave, but there are too many for me to protect.
Tormjere struck again to no effect, then suddenly remembered how weak the joints between the plates were.
I need to get on top of it.
Tormjere shoved a spearman aside and smacked the creature with the flat of his blade to get its attention. Its snapping jaws followed him as he feinted left, moving closer to the berm. She circled in the same direction, trying to stay close to him.
The creature turned, then rushed over the soldiers and came at them with unexpected speed. Tormjere threw himself to the side to avoid being trampled, and Shalindra called up her shield just in time. The impact of the demon on her barrier slammed into her mind like a fist, throwing her to the ground.
The demon shook its head as if stunned. Tormjere planted his foot on the berm and leapt, landing on the creature’s back as it readied to charge. He wedged his sword between two of the overlapping plates of armor and bore down with all his weight. The creature reared back in pain, raising its front legs off the ground.
Shalindra rolled aside and regained her feet but could do little without endangering him.
Tormjere clung to his sword as the demon thrashed about in an attempt to shake him off. Bracing his knees on the creature’s back, he wrenched the weapon back and forth. He finally severed something important, and the creature’s rear legs faltered.
The demon tried to whip its tail around, but the violent motion and dead weight of its rear legs threw it off balance. As it tipped to the side, Shalindra brought her clenched fist swinging upwards, and a silvery blast of divine energy slammed into the demon, tipping it to its back.
Tormjere jerked his sword free just in time to avoid being crushed. He hit the ground hard and immediately scrambled up. Leaping past the flailing legs onto the demon’s stomach, his blade sliced into the exposed underbelly. The demon struggled to right itself, but remained stuck like a turtle turned upside-down. He cut the leathery skin open, at the weakest point where the armored chest joined its thick lower jaw bones, then drove his sword through the wound and into its brain.
He watched expectantly as it shuddered, twitched, and finally died.
Telltale embers drifted up from the corpse, as it had before, but time did not slow around him. He drew them towards himself, gritting his teeth against the nauseating burn that settled in his stomach. A feeling of strength surged through his body. Less refined than last time, more brute strength and cunning than careful and calculating.
He looked over his shoulder and across the battlefield, knowing who watched. They were not difficult to pick out—the slender one with dark hair who had cast a hateful eye towards them before, and another he didn’t recognize. Both were dressed in the most un-wizardly way possible, as if that could disguise what they were. This time no emotion marred their faces. Each studied him with a calculating look, their brows knit in concentration.
Tormjere stared back, seized by a sudden desire to tear their heads from their shoulders.
That was a rather violent idea.
It’s just a thought. And they did try to have us trampled to death.
One of the wizards made a comment to the other without turning. Before the other could respond, an armored knight in white and purple rode beside the pair and began shouting angrily. One of the wizards raised a calming hand, but whatever words he spoke failed to placate the knight, who wheeled his horse around in disgust and signaled. Horns sounded, and the assault ground to a halt. Inexplicably, the Ceringions were withdrawing.
Tormjere slid down beside her. Her blue eyes locked on his the instant his feet touched the ground.
“You ‘remembered’ how to defeat it?” she asked.
“It felt like I’d fought one of them before.”
“But you have not.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it, but I knew that it couldn’t do anything to protect its back.”
“You must…”
“…be careful. I didn’t take everything I could have.”
“That is good, I think. But I am worried that…”
“…I’ll suffer some horrible fate?”
“Yes,” she said, “I should return. They will need help with the wounded.”
With a final, unpleasant look at the wizards who still watched them, he followed her back towards the waiting clerics.
Shalindra took note of Kayala’s look of displeasure, but before she could say anything they were interrupted by Aric running towards them.
“Lord Deurmark wishes to see you both at once,” the Ranger said.
She looked to the hill where the commanders had been, only to see it abandoned.
“In his tent,” Aric said.
Shalindra shared a surprised glance with Tormjere, and they hurried to the command tent. Edward looked up from the map as Shalindra and Tormjere stepped inside. She took one look at the pages, who were frantically shoving everything into bags and chests, and knew what was happening.
“I wish you would not do that,” Edward said to her.
“I wish there was not a need.”
“We are leaving tonight,” Edward said. “We’ve lost enough through combat and desertion that holding this town becomes untenable. Had they continued their assault, they could have broken us. By this time tomorrow, we will be easily surrounded.”
“Where are we going?” Shalindra asked.
“We follow the road towards Tiridon, to a town about eight miles from here,” Argus said. “It’s surrounded by heavier forest. They won’t
be able to mass as many against us at one time.”
“Make sure Ascerlon knows,” Edward commanded, “so he can prepare the wounded. We leave in an hour.”
“What of those who cannot be moved?” she asked.
“Find a way.”
* * *
Enna lifted the heavy flap of the tent and stepped outside. It was well after midnight, but dawn had yet to brighten the sky. The camp was quiet, except for the occasional snore or the sizzle of a smoldering fire. To have marched so far after a morning of fighting had left even the heartiest of men eager for sleep. One of the ropes holding up their tent was crooked, no doubt due to the rushed manner in which the shelter had been erected. Whatever town they were at was smaller than the last and lacked suitable structures to accommodate the wounded. They had been given the tent, but it was woefully inadequate for their needs.
The army had taken the entire day to get here, and though they had dug their ditches and made their fortifications she thought it unlikely they would stay long. By Elurithlia’s blessing they had seen no fighting today, but everyone knew the Ceringions would follow.
Closing her eyes, she tilted her face to the sky and let the cool moonlight wash over her. For a moment, she was somewhere else, somewhere pleasant, free of the horrors of this war. She had never known death so intimately, and in so many ways.
When she opened her eyes, he was watching her. That meant Shalindra must have retired to the neighboring tent with the other Sisters not on duty.
“Do you ever sleep?” she asked, walking to him.
Tormjere shrugged. “I could ask the same of you.”
“Elves do not require as much sleep as do humans. It is a gift given to us at the beginning of the world, when we were little more than wild creatures of the forest. I keep watch during the night so the others may rest.”
“Why don’t you just heal everyone?”
She paused before answering, unsure if it was an honest question. “Unfortunately, we cannot. No cleric, of any god or goddess, is capable of such feats. Healing…”
“…may be done only so often, and at personal cost,” he finished for her.
“You know something of our faith. Though we ask our Mistress for her aid, it is taxing on both body and spirit.”
“Why?”
“The specifics are not known. It is, however, common across all who practice the restorative arts, of any faith.”
“Maybe you just need to ask Her to give you more strength.”
“That would solve a great many problems, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, healing one’s self is not possible. Elurithlia, or Eluria in your tongue, grants requests only within prescribed limits.”
“Your limits or Hers?”
She searched his eyes again but found only curiosity. “Our philosophers put forth that same question more than six thousand years ago and have been debating it ever since. For someone who is neither an elf nor a priest, you are remarkably knowledgeable.”
“Knowledge isn’t exclusive to the gods.”
“Again, you quote from our teachings. You are a good deal more than you appear.”
“Aren’t we all?”
There it was again, that undercurrent of something in his voice. This time she decided to pursue it. “You are worried about something.”
He raised an amused eyebrow at her. “Are you in my head now as well?”
“Merely an observation. I’m surprised, given your effect on the recent outcomes. Your arrival with Shalindra has been a blessing to your forces.”
“We didn’t come here to fight in the war.”
“Yet fight you have. Why?”
He looked away, but whether he was unsure or unwilling to answer she could not tell.
She took a step closer to him, and gazed at the moonlight glinting in his eyes. “My people know that it is never wise to hold such thoughts inside for too long. When you are ready, I will listen.”
Shining Moon
“Commander, I must protest.”
Despite the strength of her statement, Sister Kayala stood uncomfortably in the command tent. Though she feared nothing, the sharp metal and dark wood made the cluttered tent feel unnaturally confining. The only other person inside was a haggard-looking Edward. He offered her a glass of wine, which she declined politely.
“It is counter to the teachings of Eluria for Her followers to engage in combat.”
“The service that you provide to us is without measure, and though I fear I say it too rarely, it is most appreciated,” Edward replied, looking stern. “I have issued no commands placing any of our clerics in harm’s way, nor will I.”
“You have also issued no commands to the contrary,” she pointed out.
“I presume no authority over either her or you.”
“Then perhaps you could rein in your swordsman?”
“May I ask why you are so concerned with him?”
“Because he is endangering those who are my responsibility. Surely he could be assigned somewhere his skill would be better served?”
Edward looked uncomfortable. “He is currently operating under orders from… someone I may not contradict.”
“Come, now, commander, I find that difficult to believe. Your leadership here does not seem to be in question.”
Edward frowned. “Despite inheriting this command, I am not, in fact, Marshal of the Armies; but I shall not trouble you with the particulars. I still fail to understand your rationale. He seems to be doing an effective job of keeping you safe.”
“If you consider dragging a follower of Eluria into combat with demons to be safe.”
“My lady, we are at war. They are the only ones capable of standing against those creatures, though I do not pretend to understand how.”
“And what should happen if they fall?”
Edward’s face lost some of its color. Whoever Shalindra was, he was terrified of losing her. “I prefer not to think of such possibilities.”
“But as Commander, surely—”
“I have done as I may.”
“And is it enough?”
Edward’s mouth set in a thin line. “That remains to be seen. I understand your concern. Now, if you will excuse me there are thousands of other people here whose welfare I must attend to.”
Kayala pursed her lips but remained silent. She had already lost.
“May Eluria watch over us all,” she said before leaving him.
Her suspicions about Shalindra had not been answered, but his excuses had provided enough information to direct her next course of action. He had made his decision. Now she needed to make hers.
By Eluria’s blessing, no attack came that day. The break was a welcome chance to tend to the wounded still under their care. She spent the afternoon in prayer and quiet contemplation, and finally reached her decision. As night approached, she asked Marie to bring Shalindra to her.
Kayala lit another candle to provide more light in the cluttered tent. Chests, sacks, and other items were piled high around the back and sides, each placed haphazardly. It was an unorganized mess, but she knew exactly where the most precious items were located. She made certain all three chests were in an inconspicuous position, then began walking in a circle as best she could, invoking her goddess as she established wards that would prevent anyone outside from hearing what was spoken within. She wanted no interference or eavesdropping during this meeting.
Eluria, give me strength. I pray I have made the right decision. She glanced at the chests behind her, verifying that the wards she had placed around them this morning were still in place. She had brought them so far, and they were so close now. She pushed such thoughts aside. This probably was unwise to discuss even obliquely with the girl, but she needed to know. It could be mere coincidence, but then again…
There was a rustle of canvas as the tent flap was pulled back, and she steadied herself. There could be no turning back now.
Marie held open the flap, and Shalindra stepped through, followed by Tormjere
. Marie gave Kayala a helpless shrug before closing the flap and taking station outside.
Kayala’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. His face held a harder edge to it, and the hair on his chin had grown full and dark almost overnight. There was strength and purpose in his movements that had been lacking only a few days before. She was uncertain what was causing these changes, but she did not trust them.
“She does not need your protection here.”
“I asked him to join us,” Shalindra answered for him. “Given what we will discuss.”
The girl must have thought this about the demons, Kayala realized, but it would be so much more than that. “I had hoped you would come alone. I would discuss things with you that are not well known outside our order.”
“I am certain that he will not betray our trust.”
Tormjere shrugged as if to say none of this was his idea. It was probably true—the pair were hardly ever apart. She might be able to force him to leave, but Shalindra seemed determined and, if this was to work, Kayala needed her to focus.
“Very well, then.” She turned back to the small table and composed her thoughts as they stood waiting for her to continue. “I know you are recently come to the order.”
“Yes, Sister,” Shalindra said. “For less than a year now, though I wished to commit much earlier.”
“How much have you been taught about our history?”
“Only the fundamentals. I was on my way to study in Fallhaven when… all this happened.”
That fit the puzzle. The temple at Fallhaven was conveniently located far from both politics and hostile borders. She would not have been the first noble Sister to abide there.
“Allow me to fill in some of our past, at least briefly,” Kayala said. “Our Mistress is old, nearly as old as the world itself, and to understand Her we must return to the beginning of time, when Man first awoke into darkness and was afraid. Azaru, the sun, first among gods, bathed the world with His light and joy, and Man was happy. Zarua, Azaru’s twin and master of night, coveted His brother’s domain and challenged Him for it. It is a battle that continues to this day, the two brothers locked in an eternal contest between light and dark that neither can win. But each time Zarua’s darkness came, Man was afraid, for he could not see in its shadows. Azaru heard their cries and pierced His brother’s darkness with countless stars to give them comfort in His absence. Yet still they feared for his return, and when next He appeared…”