Her thoughts turned toward that final embrace they'd shared... the kiss... Angry though she was, Minx's pulse shot up at the reminder and she found she longed for him still. Hot frustration stung her eyes as she fought to shelve her memories of Kaleb.
Minx, what could you have done differently? You trusted your heart, your conscience. Under the circumstances, you did what you thought was best, Mau purred. Things didn't work out, but you don't have to be so hard on yourself. You're still a hero—the greatest hero of the Fae!
She wiped her eyes and curled up beside Mau, taking a deep breath. I'm no hero, she told the Faelyr. Our people are still dying. If I'd done what I'd been instructed to do, our territories would be safe. Even as we speak the warding spells are diminishing. Instead of fulfilling my duty, I was selfish. I let myself get carried away with... Kaleb's face rose up in the eye of her mind, and she couldn't find it in herself to speak his name.
It's in the past now, replied Mau. There's no changing it. Maybe you could have done things differently, but you've still sacrificed so much in the name of defending Pan and Heilo Lake. No one would call you a failure. Far from it! If the people knew everything you'd gone through, they would love you all the more. Don't sell yourself short.
But they'll keep coming, Mau. The death and destruction will continue. She nibbled nervously at her thumbnail. How many do you think there are? Are they still in contact with Torrent? Or... Valry? Minx grimaced. I had a chance to destroy her, you know. When I defeated her in single combat, I could have struck her down. I had ample time to fire an arrow, to put an end to her right then and there. But I chose to run my mouth, instead. If she's still out there, directing these smaller groups of troops, then I only have myself to blame. It's just another in a long series of oversights.
The Faelyr considered this for a time. If Valry survived, then she'll turn up before too long. She's a proud fighter, and you can be sure she'll come looking for revenge after the humiliation dealt by your hand. You may get another chance to dispose of her. Just make sure you take it next time.
The pair were startled by a sudden clamor outside their window.
They sat bolt upright, knowing at once the significance of the sound.
Again? asked Minx. At this hour? They should be sleeping right now—setting up camps!
It was the ringing of the raid bells, indicating a fresh incursion by hostile forces and a call for reinforcements at the walls of the Trading Center.
Judging by how hard they're ringing, it may be a large group. I wonder what has them so fired up at night? Most of them have come during the day. Minx gained her feet and returned to her bedroom, retrieving her armor. She slid on the shoulder guards and wrist gauntlets, then re-laced her long boots so tightly she couldn't help but wince. Is this the kind of thing we can look forward to every night, Mau? Is this the new normal? Will it ever end?
The ringing continued and Mau paced around near the front door, sniffing the evening air. Hard to say. Let's make quick work of them, send a message. What do you say?
Minx strode toward the door, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder as she bent down to pick up her bow and quiver. Duty calls, I suppose.
Chapter 3
The raid bells continued ringing through the territory even as Minx and Mau arrived in the Trading Center, and the warriors tasked with ringing them looked panicked as they did so.
Upon nearing the gate, Minx understood why.
“W-What's this?” blurted the Fae huntress at sighting the howling legion marching on the Trading Center entrance. This wave of attack was unlike the others she'd dealt with in recent days. In fact, the last time she'd seen a force of this size had been during the great battle itself. There were not thousands outside the gate, but there were many dozens, perhaps even a few hundred, and they had about them the look of an organized militia.
She found her father amongst those who had responded to the call and approached him. Valdar greeted her with a nod. “It seems there were more survivors than we initially believed...” He had donned his leather armor and was armed with his ceremonial longsword. “I was not expecting this. It's imperative that we move quickly to secure the wall and gate. I have scouts placed elsewhere, looking for signs of other mobs. Hopefully this is the only one for tonight...”
Other Fae swordsmen, white in the face for the tremendous threat advancing toward them, chattered nervously amongst themselves. It was only at seeing Minx that their manner changed. “Oh, it's Dragon Hunter!” declared one with seeming relief. “Now we've got a chance!”
Minx's cheeks reddened and she lowered her gaze, feeling unworthy of the praise. If only I'd done my job, this army wouldn't be here in the first place... she thought.
“Minx, take your position atop the wall and take out as many as you can. Pay special attention to those armed with heavy weapons that could threaten the walls. If the walls are breached, they'll have a much easier time gaining entry.” Valdar motioned to the wall where several other archers were already stationed. “And if you find either Valry or Torrent among them, be sure to crush them. I suspect these lingering marauders are more organized than we previously believed. They're taking orders from someone, so let us cleave the head from the snake, so to speak. Without commanders, they'll flounder.”
She nodded firmly. “Yes, father.” Leaving Mau to assist the swordsmen and lancers down below, Minx climbed the wall and joined the other archers, peering over the boundary of the Trading Center and getting her first proper look at the marching legions outside.
For a moment, she felt as though her legs would give out on her. This was going to be difficult—with or without an overrated Dragon Hunter assisting.
Wuffs, Plurn and Krah, many of them wielding torches, marched steadily across the field and prepared to storm the walls. Minx knew that swaths of the warriors in the first wave would perish, but those behind them would either try and scale the walls, destroy the stones at their base, or else attempt a breach of the gate. Moreover, there were archers in their ranks, meaning that if Minx and the others weren't careful, they'd get sniped before they even had a chance to draw their bows.
Mau, began the Fae huntress, glancing at her companion below, this is madness. Where did they all come from? How did they manage to organize so quickly? In the past few weeks, we've killed many dozens—how are there still so many left?
The Faelyr's fur bristled and she paced behind the row of lancers in wait. Perhaps the army was bigger than we realized—maybe Torrent didn't show his full hand last time, and is launching a large attack when we least expected one.
Torrent's power had been incredible. Minx remembered how easily she'd been dispatched by the terrifying spell-caster during their previous run-in. Kaleb, too—no matter his frightful strength as a dragon of the Pyra Clan—had been unable to harm him. They had learned prior to the great battle that Torrent had joined forces with Valry, and had contributed legions of strange, foul warriors to Valry's already impressive army.
That army, it seemed, was still marching under someone's orders.
“Stand firm,” Minx told the other archers. She wasn't the only one daunted by the size of the invading force, and noticed that a handful of her fellow archers were shuddering in anticipation of the battle. “We beat them once, we can beat them again!” It was her duty to keep up morale. Her experience in battle made her unique among the Fae, and if she didn't put on a brave face and rally for them, the battle would be over before it even started.
One of the archers, a middle-aged Fae with a brown braid in his hair, chuckled darkly. “Y-Yeah, but last time we had the dragons helping us. This time, we're on our own.”
The others grumbled in agreement.
Minx couldn't argue with him. This time, the Fae had no choice but to go at it alone. She teased an arrow from her quiver, nocked it and stood at the ready, watching the first wave advance toward the wall. “We are still Fae. We won't be overcome by this mongrel force.”
“Aim!” ordered he
r father from down below, his voice booming across the silent square.
Minx and the others did as they were told. The Fae huntress singled out a Wuff torchbearer near the front of the line as her first target. If they want to attack us after sunset, they'll have to fight in the dark.
“Fire!” shouted Valdar, longsword raised.
A swarm of arrows flew from the top of the wall, sailing straight into the incoming marauders.
The battle was on.
The only option available to Minx—to any of the Fae—was to fight. They had no choice but to fight with all their strength, holding their positions firmly and operating with the utmost efficiency. Anything less would allow the enemy to gain ground.
There was a certain comfort in this struggle, despite the terror she felt at the prospect of defeat. Rattling off one arrow after another, sending out successive volleys in an almost mechanical fashion, allowed her to bury the dark thoughts that had been plaguing her only moments ago. As she stood on the wall, fighting for her life, and for the safety of her people, she didn't have to think about her mother, or about Kaleb, or about anything else that troubled her.
Her entire existence had been condensed into a mere three actions.
Load.
Aim.
Fire.
Minx paid special attention to the Wuff archers flooding in behind the vanguard of torch-bearers and swordsmen. She showered them with arrows before they could even reach into their quivers, all in the interest of defending her fellow bowmen. The Fae had produced many skilled warriors, but those sharing the wall with her skewed on the younger side, and lacked experience. They took too long in aiming, hesitated during inopportune times and failed to account for return fire from enemy archers. Taking them under her wing, Minx did everything in her power to pick off the enemy snipers before they could clear the wall.
A Krah warrior with heavy armor and a steel sledge ran past the rest and buried the tip of his weapon in the wall with a rattling crash that could be heard over the heat of battle. Minx stepped to the edge of the wall and sized him up, realizing she couldn't manage a good shot from where she stood. I can't get him from here. He's too close to the wall. Someone would have to engage him from close quarters. She cursed herself for not taking him out earlier, and then turned to Valdar below, signaling to him. “Father, one of them is attacking the wall! We need a small force to engage these types directly!”
With the utmost reticence, her father gave the order. “Ten swordsmen! I need ten of you!” He singled out a few of the nervous swordsmen in his midst, beckoning to them. “Form a line and defend the wall. The archers will cover you, but it's imperative that we protect the stone! If the outer defense is penetrated, they will run riot!”
The swordsmen climbed the wall and hastily lowered themselves onto its other side with ropes to keep from opening the gate and risking an enemy charge. Now on the ground, the ten Fae swordsmen drew their weapons and immediately set their sights on the ruffians attacking the stonework. The heavily-armored Krah was still working at it, his beefy green arms hammering the sledge like mad. His single-minded efforts would surely pulverize the outer stones of the wall if he was allowed to continue uninterrupted, and in the masses of warriors surging behind him there were doubtlessly several others intent on joining him in chipping away at the barrier.
The swordsmen fanned out, forming a line before the wall in the hopes of intercepting the next wave of wall-breakers. Two of them, visibly nervous for the savageness of the Krah, engaged the warrior at the wall, rushing at him with piercing cries. The panting lizard-man had thankfully tired himself out in battering the wall, and so was unable to put up a good fight against the Fae warriors that teamed up against him. He was promptly cut down where he stood, though both of the Fae swordsmen remarked on the damages he'd left behind. “He broke several bricks. The wall's a bit thin here!” called out one of them before returning to formation.
Great... A few more of those and the Trading Center will be easy pickings... Minx did her best to snipe any warriors who got too close to the thin line of swordsmen, but it soon became clear that she couldn't cover all of them herself. She couldn't keep up with the mad rush on her own, and the other archers were too sluggish to fill in the gaps. She began firing arrows two at a time, neutralizing the most pressing targets, but the others on the wall couldn't operate at the same pace. They missed various shots due to the low lighting on the battlefield, or fumbled with their arrows due to the shaking of their hands. The realities of war were far too terrifying for the majority of them. “Come on!” she called to her allies. “Take careful aim and then fire. Don't overthink it!”
The Fae huntress, nearly out of arrows, drew from a spare quiver nearby and continued her relentless assault. Already she had gone through twenty-five or thirty arrows, nearly each representing a hit. There were so many targets surging toward the Trading Center walls however that she hardly felt she'd put a dent in them. As her arms ached and her fingers bled for the constant stress of the bow string, she remembered what it had been like fighting alongside Kaleb and the other dragons. She recalled his frightening power whenever he took on his dragon form—the devastating fire attacks he was able to launch, and the disorienting effect of his leathery wings on windswept targets.
She wished he was there, longed for him. If only Kaleb were here, this would be different. We'd crush this force easily. Minx was no stranger to pride, and admitting that Kaleb was the more capable warrior was a difficult thing for her to do. But after having fought many battles by his side, she'd grown to admire his power and technique—and she missed it, now that it was gone.
How's it going up there? chanced Mau from down below.
We need the dragons, was Minx's reply. This isn't going to work, Mau. We can't hold them back forever. If we're going to crush this army permanently, we're going to need their help. I wish it wasn't the case, but... We should reach out to them. If Kaleb hears about what we've dealt with, I'm sure he'll agree to help. Some of the others will, too.
But... the dragons don't want anything to do with us, countered Mau. How are you supposed to get a dragon to do something they don't want to do? We can't exactly drag them into battle by the ear!
Kaleb will listen, she insisted, loosing another volley. He'll listen, and he'll help. I'm sure of it.
There was a cry from down below as one of the Fae swordsmen was struck by a Krah war hammer. The heavy weapon crumpled the swordsman's thin armor and lifted him off the ground. Minx knelt down to get a better vantage point, leaned over the edge of the wall and sent a well-placed arrow into the Krah's breastplate, felling him instantly.
I was careless. I should have been paying attention instead of speaking to Mau. I could have saved him. She spat, furious with herself. That's another one you've let down—another you've abandoned to die.
The battle raged for more than an hour before the army began to thin. The remaining dark forces began to retreat as the wall-breakers were killed, leaving only seven of the ten Fae swordsmen standing. Three of those seven had been seriously injured and would spend a good deal of time in the medical tent, further depleting their forces in the near-term. Once more, Fae casualties hadn't been very high, but as the enemy forces dissipated, the blow to morale was undeniable. They'd been unprepared for such an attack, and had seriously underestimated their enemy's numbers.
Everyone knew instinctively that this was not the last attack. Quite the contrary, they knew that more marauders would come—and it was possible that the next force would dwarf this one. There was no air of joy for their slim victory, no celebration. The war-weary Fae lowered their weapons but could not lower their guard.
For this reason, Minx was committed to involving the dragons. They had helped once—and she hoped she could convince them to help again. Only with a strong ally could they stomp out this foe once and for all. It would be difficult to appeal to the dragons, with the Talon Range being so far from Pandling Grounds, but Minx would ask her father for
a brief leave of absence and—possibly—return with aid. It was a gambit, but the payoff was huge. They'll have to do without me for a little while, but it's better than standing around and waiting for an invasion we can't repel, she thought to herself.
Minx laid into the stragglers, sniping a handful of Krah and Plurn as they began pulling back from the Trading Center grounds. Finally, the order came from down below. Her father, having consulted with sentries positioned around the area, declared an end to the battle. “They have been repelled!” announced Valdar, his face long and grave as the wounded were carted by. “Those assigned to the evening watch, return to your positions. To those who came as reinforcements, we thank you.”
The Fae huntress slowly climbed down from her perch, rejoining Mau near the edge of the gate. I need to speak to my father. We're going to the Talon Range, Mau. It's time to bring the dragons back into the fold.
The Faelyr whimpered, having little faith in the plan, but knew better than to interject as Minx strode purposefully toward her father.
“Father, this force was much larger than we expected.” Minx motioned through the gate, at the far-off shapes of retreating warriors in the gloom. “We can't keep doing this. They're going to wear us down before too long. I have a request.”
Valdar, aged in recent weeks by constant anxiety, wrapped an arm around Minx's shoulder and brought her close. “You fought marvelously, my dear, but it is true. At this rate we will be overrun. It appears we have underestimated the size of this remnant force. They exist in greater numbers than we dared believe, and when Torrent and Valry get back on their feet, their ranks will swell even further.” He cleared his throat, speaking quietly. “Now... this request of yours. I don't suppose you mean to—”
How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2) Page 2