Dark Times

by Brian Murray

  ***

  Zane watched as the large horsemen changed their formation to protect their leader. From behind him, Zane heard General Brooks bark a command: “NOW!”

  In one heartbeat Zane was heading the charging wedge. In the next, several heavy cavalrymen, including General Brooks, overtook their king and formed a smaller wedge in front of Zane. This initially angered Zane but then he realised the logic of it; General Brooks was protecting his liege. Zane could not fault the man and settled for his position in the charge.

  ***

  The Dark One continued his charge downhill, now among the Caynians, aiming for the Child of the Light, with clots of grassy earth flying behind the massive horses.

  ***

  Zane continued his charge along the plain, now among the heavy cavalry aiming for the Dark One, their horses cutting through the torrential rain.

  ***

  The armies clashed.

  ***

  The first to engage were the Royal Lancers smashing into the Talon Hunters and Shadows. The Royal Lancers’ charging wedge ripped through the first few ranks of lesser Talon Hunters. But the swifter Shadows and the larger Talon Hunters slammed into the Royal Lancers’ formation, literally throwing their bodies at the horsemen.

  The bloodshed was enormous. The elite Rhaurien horsemen tried to push through the endless waves of menacing creatures, but their momentum slowed.

  ***

  Marley had been given options but decided he would stay and join his Royal Lancers in the charge. He followed the command of his captain and they formed a charging wedge, heading southeast into the heart of the beasts. Marley felt a combination of exhilaration and absolute fear. None of his company of scouts had returned from their mission at Single Tooth Gorge so he could only assume they were dead. He had a matter to settle with these creatures—a matter of revenge. His wedge closed on the enemy and Marley saw something glittering on one of the creatures. A bright metal oval was pinned on the creature’s chest.

  The two forces drew closer and Marley, with his keen eyesight, spotted the badge of a Royal Lancer Scout pinned to the beast’s chest. Anger drove the scout captain and he kept his eye on the beast with the badge. Using the momentum of his horse’s charge, Marley aimed his first slash at the beast. His sword lodged deeply into the creature’s thick neck. The beast reared, howling in pain, and slashed out blindly, cutting Marley’s horse from underneath him.

  The scout captain jumped clear of his falling horse, yanking free his sword. Rising quickly to his feet, he turned and slashed out with his cavalry sword, cutting the injured beast’s chest. The Talon Hunter fell to its knees. With all his might, Marley hacked at the creature’s bloodied neck. After three attempts, he decapitated it. Covered in blood, streaking with the rain, Marley fell to his knees and tore the Royal Lancer Scout badge free from the beast’s chest. Wearily, the scout captain rose to his feet. Bedlam surrounded him as both man and beast fell in a bloody mess—more men than beasts.

  A stray horse ran towards Marley. In one fluid movement, the scout grabbed the saddle-horn, vaulted onto the horse, gathered up the reins, and continued as ordered, to push through the ranks. The scout spurred his horse, but it needed no prompting and leapt forward, almost pitching him off. Marley could see the last of the creatures, and prayed to the Divine One for strength. He charged past a Shadow, using his horse as a weapon, cannoning into the creature’s side. The Shadow lashed out with its double-headed axe. Marley felt a surge of pain in his lower back, but he rode on and cleared the fray.

  His horse galloped on up the hill, then slowed. Marley turned to face the fighting. He looked down through the grey rain at the red carnage with a heavy heart. The Royal Lancers had taken great losses. He glanced at his bloody hand and rubbed the badge on his leg. He smiled. He had recovered a scout’s badge and that meant a lot to this career soldier. Marley turned his horse away from the death. His mount took its first step away from the battle. Slowly, the Royal Lancer Scout Captain pitched from the saddle. Marley died before his body hit the sodden soil.

  ***

  General Brooks gave the order and heavy cavalrymen he had spoken to before they left the barracks took up their positions, surrounding their king. General Brooks, in full battle armour, took up point. He now found his armour a little big as he had lost some weight. Age was catching up with the wily old general, but here and now his old bones felt young again. For the first time in a long while the general was where he should be—heading a charge into the enemy. All fears washed away from Brooks as his horse galloped on towards the beasts. The distance between the Rhaurns and their enemy swiftly closed. General Brooks felt exhilaration—joy filled the old warrior’s very being. This was what he had trained for. A good strategist, perfect with logistics, only now did he realise he missed the thrill of actual warfare. Through the rain, General Brooks could see the huge horsemen thunder towards them. He felt no panic. No fear.

  ***

  Zane’s horse splashed through the wet ground, flicking up clots of mud that stuck to the animal’s flanks and legs. He could just make out the Dark One through the grey sheets of rain. In front of him was one of his closest friends, and mentor. Zane watched the years fall from his general, like the rain streaming from his armour. Armed with his short sword, Zane prepared himself for the clash. The King of Rhaurien’s horse pounded on, eating up the ground between them and the huge horsemen.

  Lightning again ripped across the sky when the two sets of horsemen smashed into each other.

  Thunder clapped loudly.

  ***

  Through the rain, the Dark One watched the Child of the Light. During the charge, he had not taken his eyes off the man riding the large chestnut horse. He grinned wickedly inside his helm. He felt the ecstasy from his minions enjoying the blood they were shedding.

  The Caynians crunched into the Rhaurns, and their powerful horses quickly crushed the wedge.

  ***

  Zane hacked and sliced wildly as the heavy cavalry penetrated deep into the ranks of the huge horsemen. Men and horses from both sides fell, but many more Rhaurns than Caynians died. Zane kept his eyes locked on the Dark One. Behind him, the formation began to collapse.

  ***

  The Dark One cut and sliced with the Blade of Yallas, killing all before him. The men fell when cut, their souls torn from their bodies. Those cut by the Blade of Yallas started to rise and wander around, waiting for commands, their bodies oozing blood, mixing with rain, their eyes empty, their expression vacant. The Caynians mercilessly decapitated many of these once-men, these soulless zombies, and Talon Hunters soon squabbled over their remains. The Dark One peered over Malice’s shoulder and saw the Child of the Light getting closer. He pulsed a command.

  Malice cleared a path for the Dark One to reach the Child of the Light. At the last moment, Malice moved to one side, slashing out, and cannoned aside a Rhaurn who blocked the way. This now gave the Dark One a clear run at the man riding the chestnut horse.

  ***

  Zane hacked and chopped his way forward, but his horse slowed. All around him his heavy cavalrymen fell, but a few punched through the ranks of the enemy’s army. Everything happened so fast. A warrior clad in silver armour cut a Rhaurn rider from his horse right in front of Zane. The warrior moved to one side, giving Zane a clear path to the Dark One in his pure matte black armour. As if in slow motion, Zane put his horse’s reins between his teeth and drew his second sword. He urged his horse faster and braced himself for the clash with the Dark One. Zane felt no fear as he approached his nemesis. The Dark One raised his black broadsword and even through the rain, Zane noticed again how the light around the blade faded. They drew closer. The Dark One’s black stallion raced forward through the grey rain, aiming straight for Zane. Its blazing red eyes matched those of its rider.

  ***

  The two leaders clashed.

  ***

  Zane managed to dodge the Dark One’s arcing chop, his swords clanging against the warrior�
�s black armoured gauntlet. The two leaders rode side by side, facing opposite directions. Instantly, the Dark One slashed out, backhanded, as Zane rode past. The Blade of Yallas cut through the King’s armour as if was not there. It sliced through the left hand side of the king’s breastplate, reaching flesh. Zane grunted, feeling the icy cold blade cut through his side and rub against his ribs.

  At that moment, lightning forked across the sky. Thunder immediately clapped and rumbled, its growl mixing with the sounds of battle. The heart of the storm floated overhead.

  Momentum took Zane’s horse away from the Dark One and he cleared the enemy lines. Swaying in the saddle had saved the young king from a couple of wild hacks, aimed at his head. On a hilltop, clasping his arm to his side, Zane stopped his horse and turned to face the carnage on the plains. He looked at the Dark One, who had stopped his horse and turned to face Zane.

  The Dark One raised his sword and touched the blade against his helm. It was a kind of respectful salute. He then turned his horse and rode towards Teldor. Zane sat on the hilltop, where the Dark One had looked down at him earlier. Very few Rhaurns had made it through the enemy line. Suddenly, Zane felt totally alone and his heart wept for the fallen. He said a prayer to the Divine One before turning his horse away from the carnage.

  Zane closed his eyes, pushed a gloved hand against his side, and winced. He opened his eyes and looked at his glove—blood covered it. Ignoring the pain and weariness, he pushed his horse on. Several Royal Lancers and heavy cavalrymen escorted their king to the designated meeting point, knowing Teldor would fall.

  ***

  The Dark One had felt his sword cut through the armour of the Child of the Light, reaching flesh. Now give it time, he thought. He turned his horse and saluted the man for his bravery. He returned to the mission ahead. The Talon Hunters and Shadows reached the gates of Rhamagabora. Surprisingly, there was no apparent defence on the walls around the city. No arrows rained down at them. The Talon Hunters started to pound against the wooden gates. Thud after thud after thud echoed across the undulating plains. The Dark One rode his horse to the gates and the Talon Hunters obediently moved aside to let him pass.

  The Dark One and Malice slowly dismounted, splashing in slimy mud. The rain continued to beat down as they approached the wooden gates.

  The Dark One turned to Malice. “Vengeance will be ours. These gates will not hold us back.” He pushed the Blade of Yallas between the gates and uttered a spell in an ancient language. The Blade of Yallas started to glow brighter and brighter. The Dark One twisted his sword and uttered a word of power.

  The gates instantly combusted and burst into deep blue flames.

  The Dark One removed the Blade of Yallas and stepped back. Holding the blade above his head, he roared, “Vengeance will be ours. Feed, my children!”

  He sheathed his sword, remounted, and rode the beast created in the darkest hell, through the blue flames. He entered the city of Rhamagabora—Teldor.

  ***

  Zane halted and turned his horse around once more. He gazed through the sheets of rain as the gates of Teldor burst into blue flames. He watched the army enter the city—his city. He nodded and replayed his plans in his mind. Zane allowed himself a smile when the howling started. Not the normal howling of the beasts feasting, but the baying of pain.

  ***

  The Dark One entered the city of Rhamagabora and to his shock found the city empty. Nobody was in the city—nothing moved and nothing living seemed to remain. The Talon Hunters started to howl in pain, mirroring the Dark One’s frustration. He had been tricked and he could not hold in his anger. The Dark One roared, an eerie sound louder than the thunder rumbling overhead.

  ***

  Zane heard the Dark One’s roar and his smile broadened, though his expression quickly changed to a grimace of pain. The King of the Rhaurns’ thoughts drifted back to setting battle strategies, remembering scenes as they unfolded in his mind . . .

  ***

  The servant closed the door, leaving General Brooks, Zorain, Rayth, and Emyra with Zane, to finalise their planning.

  The door clicked closed and Rayth surged to his feet, his anger getting the better of the former axe-wielder. He slammed his hand on Zane’s desk.

  “You cannot ask me to leave, Zane? That’s just ludicrous. I will not leave.”

  “Rayth, I need you to look after my mother, my sister, and my future queen. I’m trusting you with my future,” said Zane softly.

  Rayth leaned on the table, which creaked under his weight. “Zane, I am a warrior, not a baby-sitter. I cannot just sit around, waiting for news.”

  “Rayth, you have still not totally recovered from your injuries,” said Zorain patiently.

  “Sod my injuries!” hissed Rayth, glaring menacingly at the Captain of the City Watch. “You want me out of the way. I know what your plan is and it’s bloody suicidal. You expect to punch through those creatures. I never fought the Talon Hunters, but the Shadows we had in the city were bad enough. And there may be other creatures you know nothing about.”

  “Rayth,” said General Brooks, “we’re evacuating the whole city. As we speak, Admiral Rendel is rounding up every available seaworthy vessel, to transport people up and down the coast. There will only be the heavy cavalry and Royal Lancers left in the city when this Dark One arrives. You are an axe-wielder, not a horseman. You would be out of place during the conflict.”

  “Pah, that’s just another excuse,” stormed the large innkeeper, turning to face the smaller man.

  “Rayth, listen to me . . . ” started Zane.

  “No! I will not listen to you, boy. This is my city as much as yours and I have every goddamn right to fight for it. If I cannot stay with you during the attack, I will stay here with Emyra and Zorain.”

  “Rayth, I will say this only once more,” said Zane tersely. “You will go with my mother and sister and your daughter, and ensure their safety. You will protect my family so I may do my duty. You will have a squad of axe-wielders and lancers at your command, but I need to ensure that they’re safe. Rayth . . . please. Do this for me.”

  The former axe-wielder cursed under his breath and sat back down, rubbing his hands together, not looking at Zane—knowing the younger man was right.

  “Rayth, listen to Zane,” started Emyra. “He’s right. You’re still not ready to fight. Your wounds may have healed but your body is not ready yet. You will have your time, of that I’m sure, but now you must listen to your king—your future son-in-law—and protect your family.”

  Rayth snorted and stared at Emyra. Finally, he calmed down. “Fine, I will protect the women. Where do I take them?”

  “I want you to take them to Thade’s home,” said Zane. “I’ll give you the map Dax left, with directions. If all goes well, I’ll meet you there shortly after you arrive. When you leave, travel north then east, that way you should avoid the approaching army. Remember Rayth, if need be, hide. Don’t risk the lives of our loved ones.”

  “Do I look stupid, boy?” snapped Rayth.

  “Good,” said Zane. “Brooks, have you picked the men who will stay?”

  “I have picked only veterans. Some have no family, but many of them do.”

  Zane thought for a while. “Take the names of the men with families. If anything happens to the men, I want to ensure the crown secures their families’ futures. Make sure the men know this—make sure they know that I will look after their families should anything happen to them.”

  “I will.”

  “How’s the evacuation going?”

  Emyra answered. “We have had a few problems, but nothing the axe-wielders or my bashers could not sort out.” She smiled wryly.

  “How soon will the city be clear?”

  “The city can be empty within a couple of days of receiving notification as long as the admiral can return with enough ships,” said Zorain.

  “Good. What about your people?” Zane asked Emyra.

  “I’ve picked my most loya
l men to stay with me. Apart from one of course,” added Emyra, looking at Rayth. “We have hiding places and enough food stored to keep us. Once the city is empty of the invaders and safe, I will light the beacon for Admiral Rendel to sail into the docks and the axe-wielders can disembark. Our city will be safe in my hands, Zane—I guarantee it.”

  “Are your hiding places secured?”

  “The hiding places are in the sewers. Not the most pleasant places in the city, but the stench should mask our scents. Once the city is secure and it’s evident the invaders will not return, we will move the citizens back in,” answered Zorain.

  “Emyra, Zorain, I owe you a debt I can never repay.”

  “You remember that when I am again the Mistress,” said Emyra, smiling.

  Zane smiled his crooked smile. “That will be down to my City Watch. I’m sure you and Zorain will discuss such matters while you’re waiting in your lovely surroundings.”

  “Yes, I’m sure Zorain and I will have some intimate conversations while we are waiting.”

  “It seems everything is in place. This is the last time we will be together for a while. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you. Without you I could not have done this. Thank you, my friends.”

  Emyra, Zorain and General Brooks departed, leaving Rayth alone with Zane. Zane rose from his chair and walked around the desk to sit next to his future father-in-law.

  “Rayth,” he started softly. “You have the most important task. You will be protecting the future of the Rhaurns. Do you understand?”

  “Aye, I understand Zane, but it’s hard for a warrior not to fight. That you must understand.”

  “Rayth, if you were any fitter you would be fighting at my side. But as things stand you still don’t have the strength.”

  “Aye,” replied Rayth glumly.

  “And anyway, Aurillia would kill me for letting you stay.”