She staggered to her feet and ran without thinking to the corner of Nora’s shield near the doorframe. She heard someone yell her name, but the voice got lost in the chaos.
Yanasi burst through Nora’s shields and dove behind the marble half wall. She stayed low, using it for protection while crawling around the room.
Not much else I can do. If I make it out of this, I’m having Cisod make me a set of armor like Kaz’s.
Flashes of sorcery continued to illuminate the space as she came across one of Gauge’s guards. He was dead. Charred to a crisp, the man’s blackened skin flaked. His ashen clothes rustled like dry leaves as she brushed past him.
Halfway to the other side of the chambers, she found another guard. Alive and also on hands and knees, his face kissed the stone floor. His body shook and when he looked up Yanasi realized he had been crying.
Scared out of his mind.
His fear washed away when his mind registered who he was looking at. A hand reached down to fumble with his sword.
Yanasi lunged with her long bow. The point struck the man on the temple, jolting him upright. Lightning-like sorcery struck the guard in the head as it crested the half wall. He opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. The white glow consumed him.
Yanasi closed her eyes until the light subsided. She opened them as raised voices managed to rise above the swarming chaos.
“One Above, Gauge. Use the blasted scepter! What are you waiting for?”
“I-I can’t,” came a shaky voice.
Elyse was right.
“What do you mean you can’t?”
“I mean I—”
“Just take it from him and use it yourself,” said another. “I can’t hold them off much longer.”
No. She drew an arrow and notched it.
“Stop! It’s mine,” she heard Gauge cry.
Yanasi peeked over the half wall. Gauge struggled with one of the yellow-robed mages over a white cylindrical rod. Gauge’s arm darted into the air in an effort to keep the mage from grabbing it. She grinned.
Couldn’t ask for a better target.
In one fluid motion, she stood, aimed, and loosed. Yanasi’s arrow struck the scepter, knocking it from Gauge’s hand. The councilor looked horrified as it hurled against the wall opposite Yanasi. The yellow-robed mage’s mouth hung open in shock.
“Yanasi, down!” someone shouted.
Without thinking, she flung herself to the ground and closed her eyes, burying her face into her arms.
Heat washed over the space above her.
Chapter 32
Elyse’s footsteps tapped against the stone passage. Mail from her guards' armor clinked to either side of her.
The storming of Lyrosene had not been half as difficult as Elyse expected, nor the taking of the palace. Best of all, casualties remained low on both sides.
Though her heart felt heavy at the deaths of Niken and Geran, it lightened when she learned Cassus and Kroke survived the insurmountable odds against them. It lightened further after hearing Yanasi’s report about the battle in the council chambers.
Her general suffered a few minor burns and lost several inches of her bright red hair, but otherwise was fine.
The chamber is another story. Elyse grunted. I always hated the place anyway. What better excuse to make a change.
They stopped in front of a plain, but secure cell.
One of the guards opened the door. She stepped inside the dark, windowless space lit by a single small candle.
Gauge sat on the floor at the back wall, motionless. Elyse might have thought the man dead except for the faint rise and fall of his chest with each breath. The man had no right to be alive with the spell Janik managed in the council chambers. According to Lufflin, the mages around Gauge fell on top of him when the last attack struck. Their bodies took the brunt of the assault, leaving her former advisor with only blisters on his arms and scalp.
“After everything you’ve done to me, the least you can do is meet my eye,” she said, standing in the center of the room, trying to control her anger.
Gauge slowly raised his head, wearing a look of contempt. The man appeared decades older, eyes sunken, fresh wrinkles around his eyes and adorning his forehead. He said nothing.
“Aren’t you going to try to talk yourself out of this? Attempt to feed me more of your silver-tongued lies?”
He snorted in a condescending manner. “You mean you still haven’t figured it all out?”
She dug her nails into her palms, trying not to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten to her. “This was your attempt at justice against my family for my father dismissing you years ago, wasn’t it?”
“Justice?” He chuckled. “Don’t pull punches. This was about revenge. His dismissal left me an embarrassment among the nobles. I lost friends, family, and my place in society.”
“And Nareash was yours, wasn’t he?”
Gauge shrugged. “A means to an end.”
“One you mistakenly thought you could control. Why didn’t it end with my father? You succeeded in destroying him.”
“It wasn’t enough.”
“I gave you a great position of power.”
“Yes, but I had to watch you fumble through it all while knowing I could run the kingdom better.”
“Willum and Hadan. They followed your orders?”
He nodded. “And Glacar. Your brother needed to be eliminated too. It wouldn’t have done any good to replace you with him.” He chuckled. “I never thought a boy would do what that massive oaf could not.”
Elyse took a deep breath, trying to keep herself together. “The Assassin’s Guild? The false letter from Markus?”
“That and so much more,” he smiled.
One Above, I hate him. Who knows how much sooner this entire war could have ended had it not been for his manipulations.
Elyse would not give him the satisfaction of knowing her frustration. “My father was right for removing you all those years ago. If not for your lack of loyalty, for your incompetence. Every one of your efforts failed.”
Gauge’s smile turned into a scowl.
“Even the scepter,” she continued, recalling his frequent questions or mentions of the weapon. “All along you were searching for it. When you finally found it, you didn’t know what to do with it, did you?”
He frowned.
“I mean, you couldn’t just give it to anyone. After all, you saw what it did to Nareash, someone on your side. Who knows what someone else might have done with that power? Like eliminate you?” She shook her head. “And you couldn’t use it yourself because you don’t have any skill in the arts. Though I bet you tried anyway.” He looked away, and she snorted. “So you held the greatest weapon in the world, and it did nothing for you. Why I bet most of your plans for eliminating me were dependent upon you actually using the scepter’s power wasn’t it?” She laughed louder. “You want to talk about someone fumbling through things? I suggest you look at yourself. Even at the very end, Yanasi said you couldn’t let someone else have it to save your life.”
“Just kill me, and get it over with.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t worry. I will. When I’m ready.”
“It won’t end with me, you know. There are others close to you who are just looking for the chance to pick up where I left off,” he said, still trying to get the last word in.
“Of course there are.” She smiled. “That’s why I’ve had the entire council rounded up and imprisoned. Their trials start tomorrow. Whether found guilty or not, none will hold a seat again.”
“You’re purging the council?”
“Disbanding it. The scepter is a prime example that Aurnon the First was not perfect. His form of government is another.” Her smile grew wider. “By the way, your death will start tomorrow.”
He blinked. “Start?”
“You don’t think I’d offer you a quick beheading after all that you’ve done, did you?” She clicked her tongue. �
�No. Such treachery deserves a drawn out punishment. And of course it will be made very public. I think it’s vitally important to set a precedent.” She went to the door. “Try to get some sleep. I plan to start bright and early.”
Her former advisor let out a pathetic whimper as she left.
I finally have my kingdom back, she thought while walking the corridor.
Perhaps I should celebrate by actually going to bed early for once.
But a list of things that needed doing rolled in her head. She let out a sigh.
Maybe tomorrow.
Chapter 33
Durahn barged into Mawkuk’s tent, interrupting the conversation between him and Larnak.
“You still plan on going through with this nonsense?” the big Kifzo boomed.
“Yes.”
“It’s a mistake.”
“No,” said Mawkuk. “A mistake would be repeating a strategy that has failed before and expecting it to suddenly work now.”
“Wars are won by warriors, not shamans,” grumbled Durahn.
Mawkuk tired of repeating himself. “And ultimately this one will be once we’re inside.” Durahn started to open his mouth again, but Mawkuk cut him off. “The shamans will be ready to begin within the hour. I suggest you ensure your men are prepared for their signal to advance.”
Durahn seethed. “If the shamans are successful.” He stormed out of the tent.
When the tent flapped closed, Larnak cleared his throat. “I wish you would reconsider leaving Durahn in charge of the assault. He’ll try to stab us in the back the first chance he gets.”
“No doubt. But he’s right, wars are won with warriors, and those still loyal to him are needed if we’re to take the city. Most of our shamans will be weakened after breaking through the main gate. Besides, if everything goes as planned, by the time Durahn gains hold of the city’s center, the men you’ll be leading in the second wave will have circled around to stand against him if necessary.”
“The strategy is sound.”
All strategy is sound in theory.
Larnak and Mawkuk parted a few moments later with the Yellow Plain Clan leader eager to look over his men. The two had remained on good terms. Mawkuk wondered how that relationship would change if he too failed to penetrate Juanoq’s stout defenses.
Following Durahn’s last defeat, Mawkuk had stayed up the entire night reviewing their resources, past tactics, and everything Tobin’s defense had shown them. During the process, he realized that he had placed too much confidence in the big Kifzo, assuming that due to his background the man would be a better strategist.
Being able to kill a man with ease does not make one a strategist.
Mawkuk began to see the flaws in each of Durahn’s assaults. Like many of the Blue Island Clan, the Kifzo had an adverse reaction to those skilled in sorcery, and had not made the best use of their shamans.
He sent many of the Yellow Clan shapeshifters to their deaths, thinking only of their physical skills. He should have focused on their long-range attacks, especially when used collectively. All evidence shows that Tobin is lacking in shamans since Nachun is no longer in Hesh and the others are with the Blue Island Clan’s southern forces.
He smiled after reviewing his new plan. Not bad for an old man everyone underestimated. He thought of his children. I wonder if they would be proud of me.
* * *
Tobin’s eyes burned from the plumes of gray smoke rising to hide the evening sky. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the sulfur-scented air. Warriors around him coughed on the pungent aroma while preparing to face the coming enemy.
Several dozen of the enemy’s shamans had formed up outside of bow range where they spent the better part of an hour working a spell. Tobin’s shamans had grown more nervous as each moment passed, warning him of the power being collectively spun.
When the blast came, the Blue Island Clan shamans did their best to deflect the attack, but failed in every way. Several died from the concussive surge of sorcery as the city’s thick, wooden gates exploded into thousands of pieces. Arrow-like splinters flew up and out, piercing the flesh of many on impact.
For the first time since the siege began, Tobin truly missed the power Nachun had wielded. He took some solace in knowing that the enemy’s shamans would take time to recover from their collective assault of the main gate.
He ordered his men to form ranks on the inside of the gatehouse. They waited just outside the worst of the lingering smoke.
When the air began to clear, the enemy surged over the wreckage in the great moat left from the previous assault. He cursed himself for not making it a higher priority to clear the mess. Some of the invading warriors rushed forward with swords drawn. Others carried timber, working to solidify the makeshift bridge.
Arrows from Juanoq’s walls peppered the enemy, but with a clear path into the city, they seemed to care little about the dangers above.
Hot oil poured through murder holes closer to the exterior walls of the gatehouse. Screeching wails echoed beneath the stone. The sound of sizzling flesh hissed.
With the enemy weakened, Tobin ordered his men forward. However, the invaders recovered quickly. The bubbling skin of the brethren they climbed over seemed to ignite a greater fire in their bellies. They pushed against Tobin’s lines like men possessed, slowly but steadily driving his army back.
Fighting in the middle of the melee, Tobin jumped in and out of the ranks. His efforts helped shore up the defense along the main thoroughfare of Juanoq.
We’re holding, but I can’t regain what we’ve already lost.
Tobin longed to have Walor and Ufer at his disposal, men he knew could not only fight, but also lead their units.
The fifteen thousand Blue Island Clan warriors under their command would also be nice.
His sword plunged through a Gray Clan warrior and raked across the torso of another. He stepped back while ordering others to take his place.
Teznak waited for him farther back among the ranks.
“Warleader. I just received a report that a second wave of men have taken a portion of the eastern wall. They’re starting to descend into the city. Some have broken off and are headed toward the palace. I believe the rest will try to flank us.”
Who cares about the palace? A waste of resources my father never should have built.
A thought struck him.
He grabbed Teznak by the arm. The man yelped in pain. “Go to the palace, find Lucia, and get her to safety.”
“What about the flanking?”
Tobin threw him backward. “Go!”
Teznak hurriedly saluted and took off.
An arrow zipped by Tobin’s face. He ignored it, moving through his back lines toward his extreme left where Kerek fought. Tobin hated to reassign the veteran Kifzo, as his position had been one of the few Tobin had not needed to concern himself with.
“Kerek!”
“Warleader?”
“Take two companies of men and head east. There’s a second wave trying to flank us.”
He saluted, grabbed his men, and took off. Tobin watched him briefly until he felt a shift in his lines. His men stepped back.
Tobin tightened his grip on his sword and rejoined the fray.
* * *
“Larnak’s men have gained a foothold on the eastern wall. He’s moving troops down into the city.”
Mawkuk dismissed the messenger before breathing a sigh of relief. With Larnak’s success, bowmen from the wall had to abandon their positions in order to fight man-to-man with the Yellow Clan warriors.
He fought the grin pulling at the corners of his mouth, imagining Tobin begging him to spare his life.
Chapter 34
Illuminated by the purple and pink glow of the setting sun, Kaz frowned as he looked upon Juanoq’s empty harbor through the captain’s spyglass. Since completion of the city’s massive wall, he had never seen the gate facing the bay closed, nor the harbor void of life.
It always stayed open beca
use no other clan had ships capable of attacking us there.
“Strange, isn’t it?” asked Itken who had made Kaz aware of the situation.
“Could Tobin know of our arrival?”
“Not without great sorcery aiding him. No shaman in Hesh has that power.”
“Then why else would the gates be closed?”
Itken shrugged. “It’s been six months since we left. Perhaps it relates to some new law your brother declared.”
“Could the city can be under siege?”
“By whom?”
“I don’t know. As you said, it’s been six months.”
“Orders?”
“Show whoever is guarding the gate that you’re in command. We need to find out what’s going on before I reveal myself.”
“Then we move toward the palace and confront Tobin?”
“Yes.” Though I still have no idea what to say to him.
“I’ll take care of final preparations.” Itken turned and left.
Kaz focused on the looming walls of his home. His insides ached, stomach knotting from the prospect of speaking with his brother, heart fluttering in anticipation of seeing Lucia once more.
* * *
A blanket of darkness fell over the harbor, pierced only by lanterns hung from the ships as they maneuvered to the docks.
Kaz’s army poured over the sides of each vessel as the crews tied the ships down. The Kifzo formed ranks quickly, filling the docks and the patch of land leading to the gate.
He and other members of the Hell Patrol stood behind the first few rows of Kifzo as Itken approached the gate. After much shouting, a panel slid open thirty feet above ground. The guard looked out at the thousands of Kifzo and quickly exchanged a hurried conversation with Itken before disappearing back inside.
Itken dashed toward Kaz. “Warleader! The city is under attack as you suspected!”
Murmurs sprang up among the ranks, quieting as they strained to hear more of the exchange.
“Who?”
“The Gray Marsh Clan as well as remnants of the Yellow Plain Clan and Orange Desert Clan. Mawkuk leads them, but Durahn is in charge of their forces.”
Trial And Glory (Book 3) Page 36