Shara inhaled sharply and said a bit too calmly, “Then what do you suggest?”
“We must meet them outside of the forest, before they reach it. We could fight the enemy in the open terrain, and it would be far easier for the archers to land hits.”
“By that logic, it would also be far easier for their archers to hit us,” Shara said. “Besides, our soldiers are trained for wooded combat, not for open fielded combat. It would be a slaughter.”
“Not if you allow Varg and me to take the lead into the battle,” Milea said. She looked to Varg, who nodded in agreement, then continued, “You've seen what Varg can do with ice. He could provide the cover to slow the enemy down while your archers rain arrows into their front lines.”
“Are you mad?” Shara spat. “Covering the battlefield with ice will only complicate matters further!”
“And allowing an enemy to march into your domain before attacking won't?” Milea argued.
“Enough!”
Queen Shalia stood from her throne and marched in between the two women. Neither daughter dared to speak at this point.
“I have had enough of you two fighting. Shara, whether or not the priestesses choose to acknowledge it, I did bear a daughter for a human before your father. Milea, I am sorry for what I put you through. If it was my choice, it never would have happened. I wish to Laelith every day that I could make up for it, but I know that's impossible. But now, you have a sister, and you both need to look out for each other out there. If anything happened to either of you, I don't know if I could stand it.”
The room remained silent as the queen's words weighed in on everyone. Finally, Shalia took a deep breath and spoke again. “You are both excellent fighters, and I am proud to call you both my daughters. I want you to compromise on a battle plan, and then we will carry it out and drive these forces away from our forest once and for all. Promise me that the two of you will try to work together.”
Milea and Shara nodded and bowed their heads.
“If you wish to lead the front lines,” Milea said, “then you should know that Alastor will likely lead the front lines. He's incredibly dangerous, so don't underestimate him.”
“I understand, and I won't,” Shara said. “Also, if you think your friend here can slow down the army without harming any of the elves, then do it. As for the archers, I want you to lead them and show them where to attack.”
“All right,” Milea said, “just show me where they are so I may get acquainted with them.”
“Very well,” Shara said.
The two women left the room a short time later, leaving Varg and the queen all alone. Varg paid little attention and instead watched Milea exit the room. He stared in the spot where she once stood as if waiting for her to reappear again, but she never came.
“It's funny, isn't it?” Shalia asked.
Varg turned to see her staring out of the window.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
Shalia didn't turn around. “How my daughters are so much alike, yet so different. I only wish I could have been there for both of them. Perhaps then, they might have appreciated each other.”
Varg nodded, but didn't say a word. He was just about to walk away when he heard the queen say, “Varg, I want to thank you.”
He stopped and turned his head. “For what?”
The queen turned her head to the side, but she didn't look into his eyes. “For being there for Milea. I can tell that you care a lot for her.”
“She's my friend,” Varg said. “I always look out for my friends.”
“Is she really just your friend?” the queen asked.
Varg was surprised by her question. “What do you mean?”
Shalia finally turned and met his gaze. “Don't be coy, Varg. I saw the way you look at her. Milea's father used to look at me the same way. It is a look that only happens when one pledges their heart to another.”
Varg's face flushed. “How...could you know that?”
The queen smiled. “I'm sure you already know this, Varg, but elves are not like humans. An elf falling in love means nothing short of sharing your very soul with someone else. We believe that love between people leaves a mark, and with that mark, you can never look at anyone else the same way.”
Varg's tried to swallow, but his throat had dried. “I don't deserve her.”
The queen simply turned back to the window and said, “I know I don't have the right to intrude upon your lives, but just know that I see something in the two of you that is rare, even for elves. Take care to keep that spirit alive, Varg.”
Varg nodded and turned back to the door. If Milea truly shared his feelings, he would find out soon enough.
After the sun had set over the Crystal Wood and the castle settled down for the night, Varg made his way down the corridor to Milea's room. He stopped just outside of door and debated on whether or not he should go inside. Before he made his decision, Milea opened the door and made it for him.
Milea leaned against the door frame in her night dress and said, “Yes?”
“How did you know I was here?” Varg asked, lowering his balled up fist.
“I saw your shadow under the door,” she said.
Varg wanted to laugh, but nearly choked in the process while trying to find the right words to say.
“Well,” she said, “are you coming in or not?”
Varg's spirit lifted. He took a step inside, and to his relief Milea allowed him to continue. She then shut the door behind him and walked over to the balcony.
Varg wanted to see those eyes that reminded him of the night sky, to run his fingers through her wine colored hair, and to hold her once more like he had before. He knew better than to get his hopes up, however, so he simply joined her at the balcony and observed the city.
They had a perfect view of the tree and the temple from their position.
“I know you didn't come here to just watch the scenery with me,” Milea suddenly said.
Varg sighed. “I wanted to talk to you again about what happened, but on my way here I began to think. I keep searching in my heart for some reason that made me do what I did, but every time I think about it I get nothing. But the truth of the matter is...” Varg stopped and looked into Milea's eyes. “...there absolutely no excuse for betraying you, and I wish every minute I could take it back, but I know I can't.”
Varg dared to place his hand on Milea's cheek. “I can't allow you to go into battle tomorrow without knowing just how sorry I am.”
“Varg, I already told you I forgive you,” Milea said.
“I know, but I only want you to know that I'll do anything to make this right, even if you never care for me again,” Varg said.
Milea pulled away from his touch. “Do you really think I don't care for you anymore? If I didn't care for you, it wouldn't hurt this damn much every time I relive the moment I walked into that room. If I didn't care for you, I wouldn't have helped you through the wood after you were poisoned, then begged the elves to heal you. If...If...”
Milea turned away from the balcony and marched back inside and buried her face in her hands. With a muffled cry, she said. “Why is this so damn hard?”
Varg stepped closer to her, then stopped when he was right at her side. He lifted her face up to face his, then wiped her tears away with his thumb. Then he whispered, “Because if it was easy, it wouldn't be worthwhile.”
Milea met his gaze and for a moment, they lost themselves in each other. Varg felt his breath leave his body and his chest felt light as a feather. He restrained himself and waited for her to act.
His wish was granted as soon as Milea parted her lips and said, “Damn you...”
Much of that night was a blur, but the one thing Varg always remembered was that the moment his eyes locked with Milea's, he would never belong to another woman.
Dawn approached just outside of the Crystal Wood, and Jin looked to the horizon, the future bright and clear. He knew now that there was no turning back. With the
key in hand, he would finally find what he had sought after for so long. The world as everyone knew it would rot away, and from the corpse, Jin would bring forth the Dawn.
Jin didn't envision this future without a heavy heart, of course. While he understood Zita's pain, his alliance with Alastor was a necessary evil in order to carry out his plan for a new tomorrow. He only hoped that Zita would be by his side when it came.
Jin's thoughts were interrupted when the sound of footsteps came from behind him. Alastor approached him with Edric Greenwood following close behind, and once they met him, Alastor said, “So then, are we ready for battle?”
“Almost,” Jin said, his eyes still trained on the forest below the hill. “First we must address our troops.”
“I suppose you wish to do the honors?” Alastor asked.
“I thought you'd never ask,” Jin said with a smile. He turned to both of them and said, “Get to your stations. Alastor, you lead the front charge, Edric, you give the orders to the archers. I'll join the battle once the front lines have advanced.”
“You mean after we've taken the brunt of the damage?” Alastor remarked.
“I mean after you've got them busy enough for me to analyze their weak points and determine the best course of action to take down the army. With any luck, we'll be able to push them back into the city and put them on the defense,” Jin explained.
“Have it your way,” Alastor said. “But don't expect me to pick you up if I find you on the ground.”
“I wouldn't count on it,” Jin said dryly.
CHAPTER 21
Even in the middle of the frantic organizing and battle preparations, Varg found his way to the barracks. There he was greeted by the elf soldiers, men and women, as well as frightened new recruits who had never held a weapon in their lives.
He was approached by Queen Shalia, who said, “Come, I have something for you.”
Varg followed the queen to the armory and was presented with a suit of Elvish armor that lay on a nearby table. Upon further examination, the armor was much larger than would fit an average elf male, and Varg soon realized who it belonged to.
His silver eyes met the queen's gaze. She smiled, nodded, and said, “I had the armorer craft this set of armor specifically for you. You'll find that it will protect you more than the garments you normally wear, but it will feel like a second skin.”
Varg smirked and brushed his fingers over the smooth, padded mesh in between the armor plates. It felt cool to the touch and soft as a feather. The plates were crafted from some unknown metal and, unsurprisingly, shaped, emerald green crystal.
Varg nodded and said, “This is perfect. Thank you.”
Within the hour, Varg had fully equipped this new armor and the army was prepared to move out. Just as predicted, the armor didn't hinder him in the slightest. He moved with such ease that he had to keep checking to make sure his armor hadn't vanished. He opted not to wear the helmet, as he found it too distracting to see through, but every other inch of his body was covered.
Varg soon spotted Milea within the line of archers wearing her own set of the same armor. Unlike him, she donned a helmet, which covered the sides of her face and the bridge of her nose, but left a space open for her eyes and mouth. He could also see her long hair fashioned in a single braid down her back. They made eye contact briefly and gave each other reassuring nods before marching with their assigned squads.
The army marched out of the city in neat packs aligned in rows of five as they left the city gates and poured into the forest. Shara was out in front in full armor with a green cape flowing behind her. Varg was in the very front row directly behind Shara, and by her order he was to help lead the frontal assault. Varg gladly agreed and had a few tricks up his sleeve to help slow down the enemy.
The army marched on through the forest and not a sound but the footprints of thousands of soldiers could be heard. The centaurs were quiet, as were the rest of the creatures of the Crystal Wood. The unsettling silence gave Varg the chills, for he knew that it was the calm before the storm.
The tunnel leading to the outside soon came into view, and the opening was wide enough to allow their five rows stretching back quite a ways to fit through with ease. The light from the outside nearly blinded Varg as they marched through, approaching the morning horizon. At first, all Varg could see was pure white, but as the army marched onward and he crossed to the outside, his eyes focused and he beheld an ominous sight.
An army, not just of one, but of four different factions. Shadow Hand assassins were on the left end, followed by Eastwold, and to Varg's horror, Whitspire and Ironbarrow were also present. He knew then and there that his and Milea's worst fears had been realized; that not only Ironbarrow, but Whitspire also fell to Alastor's troops.
Varg inhaled sharply at the sight of the armies of those he called his friends, hoping with all his heart that they were still alive and unharmed. He knew this was unlikely, of course, but nonetheless kept his focus on defending the Crystal Wood and putting an end to this madness once and for all.
The two sides stood off in silence for several minutes as a terrible omen of what was to come. Finally, Varg saw Alastor, at the head of the front lines, march forward in full armor. Even though he wore his helmet, Varg knew it was him by his stance and for the simple fact that he knew Alastor couldn't resist the heat of battle.
Alastor drew his big black sword and pointed it towards the elf army. The rest of his army did the same, and Shara understood the gesture. She drew her sword in turn and raised her shield, then the rest of the elf army, including Varg, also drew their weapons and pointed it towards the enemy.
Varg's heart sank again, for he knew that today, he may very well be killing people he once knew and befriended. It would be something that he would carry for the rest of his life, and he wasn't looking forward to it.
“For Laelith! For the throne! For the Crystal Wood!” Shara shouted as she charged forward.
The front lines charged forward into the fray. The sounds of their battle cries and shouts combined with that of the other army beginning their charge made the very ground shake beneath Varg's feet. As he charged forward, Varg raised his free hand in the air and summoned all of his energy into one attack.
The sky darkened and the air around them grew cold, and soon gray clouds began to form. A swirling torrent formed in the sky and ice began to rain down from above. Hail the size of a human head pummeled the enemy lines, some killing their marks instantly, others injuring to the point of incapacitation. Those who were unlucky enough to survive were trampled as they fell in front of their comrades.
After that attack, Varg felt his energy starting to drain, so he opted to attack physically for the time. He yelled as he charged forward and met the first of the front lines.
Like the crashing of waves on stone, the armies clashed together and the heat of battle had begun. Varg swung and struck an Eastwold soldier, then one from Whitspire. Despite the fact that he took several hits in the process, the simple metal bounced off of his armor like they were made of wood.
Varg felt a presence behind him and swung Frost Fang around just in time to halt a familiar black blade in its tracks. On the other end of the blade, Alastor flashed a menacing smile.
“I had a feeling you would be here,” Alastor said, “just as I knew you would end up on the wrong end of my blade again.”
He swung again. Varg blocked.
I certainly don't belong on the right side of it,” Varg remarked.
He sweeped Frost Fang. Alastor ducked and attempted to counter, but Varg brought his axe around and blocked with the shaft.
“Did you not learn your lession the last time we clashed weapons?” Alastor mused.
He pushed harder. Varg matched his gesture and forced him to take a step back.
“Oh, I learned a lesson all right: never underestimate you,” Varg said.
Varg shoved Alastor, who stumbled several steps backwards. The former whipped his hand and hurled
ice bolts at the latter. Alastor swung his blade and sliced several in half, but the rest made their way to the ground at his feet. Alastor slipped and fell to his knees, prompting Varg to barrel towards him.
Alastor rolled to the side just as Frost Fang hit the ground where he once sat. He shot up and whipped his sword around. Varg blocked it again and spun Frost Fang to sneak an attack. Alastor twisted his body to avoid it and ended up behind Varg. The former attempted to flank the latter, but the latter positioned Frost Fang behind him to block it. He whipped it around again to counter, but Alastor rolled over Varg's back and landed in front of him.
Alastor swung his blade straight for Varg's head. Varg turned only seconds before it hit, but was unable to move Frost Fang in time. The black blade was only inches from his face when a green-tinted blade met it and stopped it mid swing.
Shara shoved Alastor several feet back, allowing Varg to correct himself. She charged for him again and brought her blade down. He blocked. Varg attempted to flank him, but Shara intervened.
“Don't you dare,” the princess shouted. “I am the commander, so I will defeat the enemy leader.”
Shara whipped around. Alastor matched her step and blocked again.
“Don't be a fool,” Varg said. “Besides, I saw him first.”
Varg charged for Alastor. He dodged and met another blow from Shara.
“Do not presume you call the shots,” Shara spat. “I give the orders, not you.”
Alastor returned fire. Shara spun around. He blocked her again. Frost Fang flew for Alastor's head. Alastor ducked. Shara charged.
“Stay out of this,” Shara shrieked. “I am going to prove once and for all that the Crystal Wood does not need the help of humans!”
Shara's blade flew. Alastor brought his blade up and knocked it from her grip. He whipped around her and kicked her in the back. She fell to the grass and turned around as the black blade made a course straight for her heart.
The Crystal Wood (Half-Breed Book 2) Page 23