A night and day had gone by since their fight and Faylen was yet to do anything but stir. Reyna had poured healing magic into the places she could, but her own energy was waning under the conditions. Sleep could not find her and she had lost her appetite for food. Nathaniel or Asher was always present to warn her against healing Faylen at the cost of her own health.
Adellum’s enchanted bow rested against the nightstand, its black coating sparkling under the light of the moon. Without her strength, the princess knew she wouldn't be able to pull the string back. Reyna conceded to their advice, but she couldn't help feel that Faylen would be better awake and herself asleep. Faylen was far wiser and stronger in every way.
“Asher’s taken up the watch,” Nathaniel said, sitting down opposite Reyna with a fresh bowl of water. “The entire town of Galosha passed through today. Velia is going to be awfully crowded.”
Reyna nodded along, already aware of the townsfolk who had cut through Barrosh on their way to the capital. Being with Nathaniel was comforting and the princess hated it. They were better off walking away from each other when all of this was over, but she couldn't deny her feelings for him. Since Faylen had returned, Reyna had come to regret a lot of the things she had said to Nathaniel and Asher, realising now that she had said a lot of it in grief and a place of anger. Her mother would have been disappointed.
“You’re blaming yourself,” Nathaniel announced from the awkward silence that had settled over the quiet room. “It’s written all over your face.”
“I am tired of this war,” the princess replied. “What it requires of us…”
“War is hard,” Nathaniel replied absently, his gaze distant.
“No it isn't,” Reyna said. “That’s the problem. It should be hard, it should be crushing to take another life, to take so many lives… but it isn't. Since arriving in Illian all I've done is fight and kill and I’m good at it. I'm worried about what else there is to come, what horrors this war will require of me and how easily I accomplish it.” The princess turned away, to the fire, and shut her eyes tight to keep the tears inside.
Nathaniel put his hand on top of hers and squeezed. She loved the feel of his rough hands and the warmth they always seemed to carry, whatever the weather. His touch was reassuring in the same way his presence was comforting. There was really no denying how she felt for the knight and when she considered it, her heart quickened in her chest.
Could she love him knowing that her life would dwarf his own? The grief would be crippling but Nathaniel offered a glimpse of happiness Reyna had not known. His dark eyes looked back at her and she knew he was ready for anything, that he would take any life he could with her for as long as he had. The princess reached out and put a hand on his cheek, cupping his strong jaw in a delicate embrace. The words almost reached her lips when Asher came bounding up the stairs before bursting into the room.
“We need to leave, now!” the ranger exclaimed.
Reyna tilted her head away from the crackling of the fire and focused her hearing. It was faint at first but the sound rose until it was a cacophony that couldn't be ignored.
Drums…
“They’re here,” Asher explained.
“How long have we got?” Nathaniel asked, gathering supplies from around the room.
“The bulk of the army is still on the road, but scouts have been sent ahead. They’re already in the town…”
Reyna brushed the hair from Faylen’s face. “She needs more rest. We cannot move her.”
Asher turned back from peering out of the window. “We haven't a choice, Reyna. Alidyr and Thallan will be among them; they’ll burn this town to the ground to smoke us out.”
“How far is Velia?” the princess asked.
Nathaniel replied, “If we ride through the night we could be at the gates by dawn.”
“Ride through the night?” Reyna repeated, concerned for Faylen.
“The army couldn't give any real chase,” Asher said, “but the scouts on lizardback will hunt us down. If we stop they could have us fighting until the rest are on top of us.”
Reyna took a deep breath. “Then we ride.”
The men nodded and went about picking Faylen up as quickly and carefully as possible. Reyna led the way out of the Honey Bee with her bow nocked and ready to fire. Every arrow she removed from her enchanted quiver was immediately replaced by a new one.
The sound of glass being smashed and doors broken echoed from around the town. The light of fires, big and small, created an orange aura over the tops of the houses and shops, as the Darkakin made themselves known. Reyna could hear their snarls and howls from inside the tavern, though they were at least one street over.
“Ready?” she asked.
After Asher and Nathaniel nodded, the princess lightly kicked open the door and strode into the street with her bow held high. Darkakin were climbers, that much she knew from the battle at Syla’s Gate. Faylen was carried out with an arm over each of the men and her head hanging limply in her chest. It slowed them down but they made it to the horses in good time.
Being the last to enter the alley, Reyna caught sight of the few Darkakin at the end of the road. The savages were no longer attired in rags and loose armour, but instead they wore plated steel, stained black and smeared with blood, while their helmets were pointed like the beak of a hawk. They were joined by two more Darkakin astride a pair of giant lizards. The riders appeared from the roof of the building, above the scouts on the ground, the lizards’ claws digging into the tiles. There was no hiding from them, obvious as she was at the head of the alleyway.
“Reyna!” Nathaniel hissed. The knight had helped Faylen onto Asher’s horse and prepared their own to make haste.
When the princess looked back at the Darkakin, the riders had already jumped down onto the street. Their howls had turned to cheers of glee at finding new prey and they each wielded a spear. Those on the foot sprinted towards her swinging their axes and swords.
Reyna took a calming breath and held it. War was easy. The first arrow flew from her bow and found the brain of the closest lizard. The magic from the bow had the arrow explode inside the creature’s gut and burst its sides, spraying the rider behind in hot blood and gore. The lizard’s rider was flung forward and into the street where Reyna’s boot was waiting to crack his jaw. The second arrow caught the remaining rider in the chest and sent him careening into those running behind.
“Reyna!” Nathaniel shouted now. “We need to leave!”
Three more lizard riders came skidding to the end of the road, backing up the runners. Reyna let loose one last arrow, which tore through two of the running Darkakin and into the wall at the end of the street. Satisfied with her streak, the elf nimbly jumped onto the saddle behind Nathaniel. The men guided the horses through the alleys and streets as more Darkakin emerged from the shadows. Behind them, it appeared the entire town was burning, engulfed in a wave of fire.
The three lizard riders clambered over the rooftops, giving chase. Had Reyna not been fearing for their lives, she would have marvelled at the creatures.
“They’re following us!” the princess shouted over the rush of the wind.
Asher led them down another alley and the lizards disappeared from sight. The cramped spaces took the speed out of the horses, but the ranger was clearly ensuring that they couldn't be picked off by any archers. Ӧlli flew overhead, turning the princess’ head up to see the bulk of a giant lizard jumping from one roof to another, casting them in shadow for the briefest of moments. Reyna was sure to keep her bow nocked and her senses attuned.
They rode out into a new street as one of the lizards dived through the corner of someone’s house, reducing it to debris. The creature’s mouth stretched wide to reveal its many layers of razor-sharp teeth, while its rider hefted a spear. Reyna wasted no time firing her arrow into the massive target that was the lizard’s mouth. The arrow stopped the creature in its tracks and it rolled over its own bulk, slave to the momentum. The rider was
lost in the tumble, his death assured.
“Where’s the north road?” Nathaniel shouted.
“This way!” Asher replied, turning them down another street.
They soon found themselves back on The Selk Road cutting through the heart of Barrosh. The main horde of Darkakin was easily seen now, at the opposite end of the town, at the south entrance. Their drums blared into the night and a trail of lit torches carried on to the horizon. The silhouettes of lumbering trolls and monstrous giants were scattered throughout the army, dragged with chains and threatened with spears. War machines were tugged along by giant lizards or pushed by the more submissive trolls.
It looked nothing like the army that faced them at Syla’s Gate or West Fellion. Reyna didn't know the size of King Rengar’s army, but she feared it would not be large enough to repel such a foe as this. Combined with whatever King Merkaris of Namdhor brought down from the north, Velia was soon to be overrun. The princess questioned the logic of travelling to the capital of Alborn, a place where they would be trapped with the sea at their backs.
There won't be any running from this, she thought. Velia was where they would stand and fight, be it victory or death that awaited them.
“We have stood idle for too long,” Asher warned, tearing his own gaze from the marching army of savages.
Giving the ranger credit, the remaining two lizards came to a stop on the roof beside them. Their riders looked down on the companions with hungry eyes.
“Ride!” Nathaniel barked.
Reyna fired an arrow, catching one of the lizards on its way down the baker’s shop. The creature dropped the rest of the way, forcing the second lizard to go wide. This gave them a few extra seconds to gain some distance and put Barrosh behind them. The Darkakin’s spear whistled past Reyna and Nathaniel’s ears, missing them by inches. Looking back, more riders had set off from the horde to join the chase. The princess wanted to fire arrow after arrow, but at their speed and encumbered by Nathaniel riding the horse, acquiring any accurate shot was impossible.
Ahead of them, Faylen was lying with her head resting back on Asher’s shoulder. The ranger was holding onto her with one hand, while the other guided the horse. It was going to be the longest night of their lives. Reyna only hoped the horses were up to the challenge…
III
Part Three
27
The beginning of the end
A golden dawn graced the green fields of Velia, its light promising the hope of a new day. Tauren Salimson had learned long ago that hoping achieved nothing; he had to fight for everything. This morning was going to be another fight. The people of Galosha had arrived in the night and been welcomed beyond Velia’s thick gates with open arms, embraced within its protection. Tauren was having none of it.
“I demand to speak with King Rengar!” He was forced to shout over the line of Velian soldiers in an effort to be heard by one of the captains. “Whether we be welcome or not, I wish to speak with the man who lays claim to these lands!”
“Piss off,” one of the guards replied casually.
With Glaide, Doran, and Hadavad by his side, Tauren was confident they could break through the line of guards without killing any of them, but it would accomplish nothing. The Velian army would come down on the refugees of The Arid Lands with a vengeance. That he wasn't so sure they could beat.
Doran snorted loudly. “Ye want to get the king’s attention, laddy? Break a few kneecaps, I say.” This comment gained more than a few apprehensive expressions from the guards. “Break a man’s kneecap and ye can hear him scream for miles! King Rengar can't ignore that...”
Beyond the open gates, their new elven friend, Tai’garn, strode toward them. He appeared ready for a journey to Tauren, with his staff in one hand and the reins of a horse in the other. Two more elves accompanied him by the looks of their attire and magnificent blades. It seemed the elf had chosen to ignore their warning after all and set off for the south in search of the princess.
“Is that Kaleb Jordain?” Hadavad asked, her focus between the helmeted heads in front of them.
Glaide made an incredulous laugh. “I think it is.”
“I can smell him from here!” Doran bellowed.
Tauren followed their gaze to the dishevelled man walking beside the elves. His grey hair was a tangled mess and his moustache had grown a life of its own. Dulled armour lay cobbled over a tattered coat and the man held onto a bottle of wine the way most warriors would hold onto the hilt of their sword.
“Who is he?” Tauren asked.
Glaide glanced down at Doran before replying, “A ranger, of sorts.”
“What’s he doin’ with elves?” the son of Dorain asked, shuffling this way and that to see past the wall of Velian guards.
Tai’garn was halted by one of the captains Tauren had been eager to speak with. The elf didn't appear impressed with the man blocking his path, but Tauren couldn't hear the words they bartered.
Hadavad said quietly, “I wouldn't get in the way of an elven elder if I were him…”
Eager to see more magic, Tauren wondered if Tai’garn would turn the guards into frogs or simply make them disappear. It would certainly make it easier for them to walk through the gates.
Everything stopped at the sound of an ear-piercing horn. It came from somewhere on the wall, high above them, and continued to spread alarm across the city. The view beyond the guards became chaotic, with people running in every direction. The captain talking to Tai’garn broke away and began shouting orders at his men. His words were lost between the blaring horn and the cries from within the city, though Tauren suspected what would come next.
“They’re closing the gates!” Glaide exclaimed, as the group of guards rushed backward, making way for the large doors to be closed.
“NO, NO, NO!” Tauren held up his hands to plead with them. “You have to let us in!”
“What’s goin’ on?” Doran asked.
Hadavad was the first to make a dash for the southern wall, where the view gave way to miles of land. What greeted them was a sight like no other. Tauren fought the instinctual urge to turnabout and run until he was sick. The horizon had given birth to a black mass of death, an army so large that the White Owl was sure he could feel their approach under his feet. Smoke rose over the top of the Darkakin horde, originating from the thousands of torches they carried. Had it not been for the horn that rang out across Velia, Tauren knew the drums of their army would be heard rolling over the fields.
The magnitude of what was about to set upon them held each in silence. Tauren could think of a dozen curse words to describe how he felt and what he thought of the savages heading their way, but the indomitable will of the Darkakin froze him to the spot.
Panic. That was what he needed to overcome and he needed to do it quickly. The sound of his own people, falling into disarray, gave the White Owl purpose again. He needed to keep them safe.
“What is that?” Hadavad asked, directing Tauren back to the marching horde.
In the distance and riding hard were two horses, closely followed by a pack of Darkakin on lizardback. Tauren knew a chase when he saw one, having been on both sides during his life on Karath’s streets. As the riders drew closer it became apparent that both horses had two people astride each. It was also apparent that the horses were on their last legs, with the lizards catching up to them.
“It’s Asher!” Hadavad cried, her eyes keener than the rest.
“That’s not fair! Ye’ve got younger eyes again!” Doran removed the short but wide sword from its scabbard and whistled with his fingers, calling the boisterous warhog to his side.
They were interrupted when Tai’garn and the two elves rode up beside them. Clearly, the guards at the gate had more pressing issues than three elves who wanted to leave the city. The elder didn't say anything from atop his steed, but his square jaw was set and his bright eyes were firmly on Asher and the others.
“Get your people to the gate, Tauren Salimson,” the
elf finally said.
“What are you going to do?” Tauren asked.
“To the gate!” Tai’garn repeated before setting off into the fields.
Tauren hesitated, distracted as he was by the sight of three elves charging into ten-thousand Darkakin. “General Kail!” he shouted. The veteran warrior emerged on horseback from between the lower city’s buildings. “General! Get everyone to the gates! Now!”
Kail paused when he saw the Darkakin forces but, to his credit, he recovered faster than Tauren had. He immediately marshalled his men and coordinated the efforts to move everyone east, toward the gates. Looking back at the approaching riders, Tauren could see the exhaustion on their faces, especially that of Faylen, who appeared almost dead in the ranger’s arms.
They soon crossed paths with Tai’garn, and his two companions broke off to ride alongside Reyna and the others. It couldn't have been a moment too soon, as the horses collapsed under them with a screeching neigh. One of the elves, in a daring and unorthodox manoeuvre, caught Faylen before she hit the ground and swung her onto his horse. Asher and Nathaniel both rolled across the ground where Reyna simply landed on her feet. Forced to abandon the horses, they made their way towards Tauren and the rangers, but the Darkakin were still gaining ground every second.
Tai’garn brought his horse to an abrupt stop and gracefully touched down on the grass. His blue robes billowed in the winter breeze and his wooden staff stood rooted as a tree beside him. Tauren wanted to call out and warn the elf that his stand was folly, that no elf or man could stand against a dozen Darkakin on lizardback with an army of thousands behind them.
Tauren soon learned that the power of an elder was more than that of just a man or even an elf.
The Darkakin thundered over the fields with great speed, their bows and spears aimed at the new prey, seemingly defenseless. With only metres between them, the elf dropped to one knee and stamped his staff into the ground. It was a simple thing to do, but when it came to magic, nothing was simple. In the same way the waves of The Adean rippled across the ocean, the ground cracked like a pane of glass and the field was no longer flat. The giant lizards fell into the cracks, twisting their bodies until limbs broke and their riders were tossed from the saddles. Some were entirely hidden behind the rising ground, never to be seen again when the land finally settled.
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