“Fire!” I shouted.
Only Volant took notice, as everyone else was in the thick of battle. An eternity dragged by before combat thinned enough to get a good view. I took Volant’s place in the outer ring when he rushed back to point the encroaching blaze out to his mother.
Now the other crew members finally noticed and were getting nervous now. Flames were growing incredibly fast, and most eyes were now on it. A sword stabbed towards my face, bringing me back into the conflict. Instinct against dying saved me as I side stepped and returned with a low kick.
An impossibly squat man, rippling with muscle held the other end of the nicked sword that had nearly taken my head off. He was alone, surrounded by bodies. This was a man looking for vengeance. He was also a man looking to die. His loss echoed in tear filled eyes. He swung down at me, a powerful overhand chop. A slow one, too.
I stepped lightly to the side, swinging the axe. In the blink of an eye, I had granted him his wish. Blood bubbled from the wound.
I let go.
With a look of profound loss, the man sank to his knees and gazed at his friends for the last time.
Grief washed over me at this, and my knees went weak, nearly taking me to the ground. I turned away, only to be greeted by a wave of heat. The inferno was intense. No one else was fighting now. It was pure panic.
“Full retreat. Back to the boat!” Andreska’s voice roared, cutting through the noise around us.
No one needed telling twice. Volant was at my side, Qaewin on my other. Ash choked the sky as we fled, making breathing difficult. Fires blazed in what had become a hellish landscape.
Volant blasted away patches of fire that intersected our path. Though it helped us get through the worst parts unscathed, it fanned the other fires in our immediate vicinity with alarming proficiency.
Muscles twitched in protest against the wild run. Tremors spasmed in places I previously didn’t know could even hurt. All in all, I was thinking a quick death wouldn’t be so bad in comparison. If Volant and Qaewin would just stop pulling me along, I’d probably be able to convince myself to give in. As it was though, the inexhaustible, insultingly loyal friend of mine was there forcing me onward.
A ragged line followed us as we followed the obscure trail back towards the equally hard to see airship floating in the distance. Smoke periodically obstructed our view entirely, leaving us to blindly hope we didn’t stumble into a wildfire that couldn’t be extinguished. The temperature was still rising, and breathing was becoming impossible.
Between one step and another, there was suddenly no more blaze. Ash and smoke still floated through the sky, but a trench of well-turned earth, nearly fifty paces wide separated the burning grass and the camp. My Misfits were up and operational, expanding the trench and extinguishing encroaching flames with broad hand gestures.
Elites were helping people navigate the trench into the camps safety. Jepp was the first to spot us, tiredly waving hello as we stumbled across the dividing line. Andreska moved ahead as Volant and I slowed to speak with the Misfits. Her signalman, cape and all was waiting for her, though the flag would be inadequate in the smoke-filled night. Most of the Guard looked like they had fared far worse than Andreska’s crew, despite their numbers.
Thirty-five
Water was being passed out to anyone who didn’t have a skin in hand already. No doubt, the supplies would be exhausted before the morning came. With large gulps of water, tension bled out of me until I found myself just laying on the ground numbly staring up at the smoke obscured stars.
My rest didn’t last long before I was pulled back up and into conversation with Volant and Andreska’s signal man, who apparently was a decently accomplished Natural himself. Shifts were being taken to create barriers against the smoke, and my help was needed along with the two Naturals. No matter how hard anyone tried, they couldn’t direct the winds towards the Equal’s encampment.
Unsurprisingly, there must be at least a few Naturals on their side performing the same task. After the majority of the smoke had died out, we laid back down in the cool grass and spent the remaining night watching the embers dance between our camp and theirs.
Qaewin found us shortly after. God’s above, she even had a sack of food and a bottle of some Soft Stepper swok. She dropped the goods in my lap, and slumped down onto the grass, right into the crook of Volant’s arm.
“Where do you even find honey out here?” I asked after a few sips. “It’s been bugging me since we met.” My voice was hoarse and cracked occasionally. The taste of smoke permeating my throat in retaliation against the sweet honey taste.
“Now that’s a secret I can’t share,” she replied just as hoarse. Smears of ash covered her face, interrupted by sweat-streaked lines. In the faint light of smoldering grass on the wind, and sparkling stars in the sky, I could see her holding Volant’s hand as they cuddled against the horror of the day. They weren’t trying to hide anything from me, but thankfully weren’t rubbing it in my face either.
An empty longing filled me at the sight. It wasn’t Qaewin I wanted, or even my friend’s attention. I merely wished for someone. The comfort in such a moment that I didn’t have. I thought of Thecily, but she wasn’t here. “A hot bath,” I said aloud. “That’s what would set me right.”
Murmurs of agreement came from the two next to me. Both too absorbed with each other to truly pay attention. Nonetheless, I grinned. They’d be up all night playing with one another’s hair, sharing stories, and sighing like love sick puppies. A perfect opportunity for me to catch up on some sleep without worrying about being stabbed before waking up.
Heavy rain drops on canvas woke me. I sat up, sleepily registering the change in weather. Outside, the sky was dark and clouded with edges of the horizon lit by predawn sunrise. Small fires still burned weakly across Tryst, and a faint, staccato hissing heralded the rains assault on the smoldering remains of the battlefield.
No more wind. No more smoke. A new day had come, and rain with it to wash away yesterday’s sins. I stood as the rain grew steadier. A low drum roll of water on earth drowned out any of the other noises. Faster and faster it came, until a torrential downpour was soaking us. I tore off my clothes, like everyone else in sight. Ash and blood and sweat all washed away from me in the rain. I rung out my shirt and pants continuously until water stopped changing colors. When I finally felt clean enough to go back, I looked back over to Volant and Qaewin to see if they wanted to join in a hunt for some breakfast. The two were locked in an embrace, lips pressed together. I shook my head, and turned back to the tents. I could probably find a couple more hours of sleep while the rain lasted. There’s nothing more relaxing than falling asleep to the dance of raindrops. Plus, I was shivering with cold, and a blanket was all I suddenly wanted.
Clouds obscured the Sun and cast a shadow over the entire camp, though it seemed there would be no more rain. A pale, yellow circle shown through the gray blanketed sky. It looked to be midday. As I was taking care of business near the edge of the tent, a squad of Soft Steppers rode by, bows in hand but no arrows drawn. They were all male, and young. Each one had the self-satisfied smile of someone who had been up to something and got away with it.
“How goes the day, cat climbers?” I asked jovially.
One a bit smaller than the rest broke from the pack to speak with me. “Well enough!” His smile widened in contrast to the dark and sunken eyes I could now see. “We probably killed two a piece!”
My eyebrows danced up on their own in confusion. “What? You mean just now?”
“Of course!” he replied. “Our swing just finished. The next group is headed out, but I doubt they will do as well. No one’s as good a shot as us.”
Still baffled, I pointed at the empty quiver. “Are you saying that Dioden is just sending out random attacks on the Equals?”
The rider shook his head. “Not random. Anyone who can ride a horse or zymph was rounded up, and given numbers. First squad went out as soon as the rain stopped
a few hours ago.” Picking at some facial scruff, he eyed me critically. “As soon as they return, the second set went out. We traded numbers so we could all be in the same group.” He held up nine fingers, leaving his bow hanging on his arm. “Group nine, that’s us.”
“And you just went out, threw everything you had into launching some pointy sticks at the enemy, and came back?” I asked still shocked.
“Pretty much,” he said happily. “We got pretty close, mind you. But it wasn’t too hard. They lost a lot of people, and still seemed rather surprised each time they’re attacked. Or at least so all the other groups have agreed.”
“Well, keeps them busy, I guess.” My mind was still reeling from yesterday’s violence. Some part of me had just assumed that was it and we could all go home now. “Seems Dioden is planning on fully wiping these Equals out, aye?”
“Looks it. Serves them right too, those god spawns,” he growled.
“Thanks for the information,” I said, turning back the way I came.
Sure enough, another group of Soft Steppers, and one horribly conspicuous horse were streaking off across the burned ground towards the Equal’s line. At Dioden’s tent, I found both Slandash and the supreme, along with their small entourage of trusted individuals arguing about water.
“We need to dig a well,” Dioden said resolutely in response to something Slandash had voiced.
“Can’t dig a well. Not enough time,” Slandash countered. “We need to move camp back up against Brod’s lake.”
Dioden shook his head. “No. We will hold them here.”
“And who’s going to dig the well then?” Slandash demanded.
Rubbing at his temple, Dioden saw me at the tent’s entrance. “Please, come in. This talk hasn’t gotten us anywhere, and we could certainly use a distraction.” A shooing motion sent away his minions, including Yillan who gave me a comforting pat on the shoulder as she walked by. Slandash followed suit, a head-bob towards the exit the only indication his few people needed.
Considering Andreska’s ship still floated over the camp, I’d assumed she would be here as well, being a moderately well-respected captain, and Wydvis’ only representative. But, she was nowhere to be seen, so I joined the two men at Dioden’s table where the map waited for examination.
“Quite the show, that was” Dioden said.
I waited a moment before responding. “And what show might that be?”
That ridiculous eyebrow of his raised, somewhere between humorous and quizzical. “Your display yesterday. That exceptional feat of, and excuse my crassness, near suicidal fury, which you performed.” He looked sincere, almost grandfatherly.
“Aye, that it was,” Slandash added. “Probably saved that entire silly formation’s cumulative lives, taking those Naturals out so quick.”
Dioden glared at him before turning back to me. “He’s somewhat right. They would have certainly caused us some problems if it weren’t for you and my Misfits.”
“Heat of the moment, ya know?” I replied casually. All the while, blocking any images of that particular chain of events out of my mind. “That’s not why I am here though.”
“Oh?” Dioden asked.
“I need--” I began, before being interrupted by the arrival of an angry zymph with a stricken looking woman clutched to the creature.
“Slandash,” she gasped, tears welling in her eyes. “They got reinforcements. Everyone else from squad Dandelion was killed. Naturals. Lots of them. They’ve easily doubled the size of the army from yesterday. All fresh.”
A pained expression crossed Slandash’s face at the news. He reached out a hand, grasping the woman’s in his. “I’m very sorry, Selia. I need more from you before you mourn though,” he said with genuine regret. “Alert squads Cloud and Pond that no more excursions are to be taken. Have them fill in the rest of the groups. After that, join up with another group, whoever you see fit. Once they know you’re with them, find time to clear your mind. Now, go.”
Slandash’s voice was calm and quick, but as soon as Selia had left, he spun on Dioden.
“I didn’t realize they’d split their army,” Dioden said.
“How?” Slandash barked. “This is why you have scouts, Dioden!”
Dioden nodded in agreement. “Two are still missing. They must have found these reinforcements and didn’t survive the encounter.”
Neither said anything for a moment, and before I could come up with anything, horns began to blare in long bursts from outside the tent. In answer, much closer horns put out a series of shorter bursts, staccato like. We both looked to Dioden.
His face hardened in answer, eyes flinty. “Attack coming. Immediately.”
Yet again, someone walked in before we could respond. Another woman, this one tall, composed and looking for all the world like a general from a book. Her hands were gloved, and clasped in front of her. Her arms up to the shoulder were bare, and lean muscle proclaimed she was not one to take lightly. A sharp face with sharper eyes. “Supreme Dioden,” she said with a formal salute.
“Welcome, but this is not the time, whoever you are,” Dioden replied with an equally formal salute. “I have to get ready. Gentleman, you should probably be doing so as well.” He cocked his ear listening to another round of horn blasts. “They’ll be on us quite soon.”
“Excuse me,” she said, stepping further into the tent. “That’s why I am here. Sorry it took so long.” From a pouch on her hip, she pulled out a huge toron stone. My stone. The Emerys Rock, to be exact. The same god spawning toron stone that had caused this whole mess in the first place. Unlike when I stole it, there now was a fiercely intense blaze shining from it. Far beyond that of a regular toron stone, no matter the size. It was like a star captured in someone’s hand.
My heart skipped a beat when she put it around her neck.
“And that is?” Dioden asked slowly.
I coughed pointedly, arching my eyebrows in a that’s-the-godspawning-rock-I-told-you-about way.
“Your secret weapon,” she replied in the same tone of voice he’d used. “I’m here to rescue your army.”
“Ah, I see,” he mused. Then, with a nonplussed shrug, he sighed. “Carry on then.”
“Wait,” Slandash said, voice filled with nervous tension. “What’s your name? Who sent you?” Unlike Dioden, Slandash was well aware what the stone was.
“Xylex,” she said with a grin. “With compliments. And I’m Patricia.” A knife stuck out of her boot, hilt twinkling against the sun as she turned and walked back out through the flap.
All three of us were left standing, still processing the information and deciding on what to do next by the time the next horn sounded.
I needed to tell Volant, I realized. Without warning or farewell, I rushed out towards where I’d last seen my friend.
The Guard’s numbers had suffered yesterday, though I guessed most of the casualties had been the fire’s doing. They hadn’t suffered enough to make the winding pathways outside of the tents less crowded, though. Haggard looking men and women ran about the twisting paths that made up Dioden’s camp. An Elite carrying a squad’s worth of weapons turned a corner too quickly and lost his footing on the slick, packed grass. Everything went flying out of his hands, miraculously not impaling him as he fell heavily on his back.
Seeing an opportunity in his now scattered belongings, I graciously assisted him in re-stacking the pile of swords and knives onto his arms. As he hurried away, load only slightly lighter than before, I looked over the pilfered items I’d acquired. A few new knives, none great for throwing, but oh well. A dagger, very old looking but long and sharp enough for my tastes. I turned and found Dioden himself watching me though, and a hot flush of embarrassment reddened my face.
He said nothing, but shook his head and held up a finger for me to wait. He ducked back into his tent and returned almost immediately. Without a word, he tossed a leather bundle at me and returned back into the tent.
I caught the bundle. It seemed t
o be a sheathed hammer sword. It was short, barely qualifying as a sword, and quite heavy. The blade was a thick wedge of steel. The pommel and cross guard were both circular chunks of metal. They called it a hammer sword because it didn’t really matter if you hit them with the blade or the ridged edge that ran down the swords middle. Either way, they’d be in serious trouble if one was to connect. Feeling comfortably armed, I continued forth with not quite a spring, but at least a very definite bounce in my step as I ran to find Volant.
Lo and behold, the lout was still asleep in our tent. Horns rang out incessantly, people ran by shouting at one another, squad leaders bellowed for missing members, and the air was so thick with tension I thought I would choke. And he was sleeping through it all.
“Up and at it, zymph lover. Our glory and death awaits!” I finished up with a kick to the shins, which brought Volant back into the world of consciousness.
He yawned after seeing me, a deep, languid expression of everything wrong with being awake. “Did you say ‘Glory and Death’ and what not?” Volant asked. Rubbing at his eyes, he didn’t see the grim look on my face.
“I did. Poor expression.” Another kick for good measure, which he then tried to return. “Better would have been something more positive. Maybe just glory.”
“I’m not up for dying, today,” he responded tiredly.
“Well, I doubt it’s in the cards for us.” I shook my head sadly. “We both know that whatever is given to us today, we won’t be dying. Our lives are far too interesting to watch for the gods to kill us outright.”
“And don’t forget,” he said, “we’re too pretty!”
We both chuckled at this, the morbid kind of laughter that precedes something you know is going to be awful. This at least finally brought him around to fully awake.
“So, what’s happening?” he finally asked.
A Leaf and Pebble Page 34