by R. E. Palmer
Elodi remembered his intervention at the wood. ‘Very well, Captain, but please stay behind me.’
He nodded and drew his sword, noting her look of annoyance. ‘A precaution, ma’am.’
Wendel shook his head. ‘Ma’am, when I said you had to stay strong to show leadership and lead from the front, I didn’t anticipate you attempting such a foolhardy stunt as this.’
Elodi pulled back her shoulders. ‘I can’t explain it, but I have to know for sure who this man is, and I believe he may back down if he’s not bullied into submission.’
Wendel stared at her. ‘You can’t think for one minute he fought in the old wars with the Archon.’
‘All the same, Wendel, I have to know. I’ve seen some strange goings-on these last few weeks, so I need to disprove his story, to know this man isn’t from those times.’
‘But…’
‘Again’ — she held up her hand — ‘not the time, Wendel.’ Shards from the door burst into the narrow corridor, followed by a loud crunch. The screams from the cell ceased. Ruan stepped forward. Elodi held out her arm. ‘Please, stay behind me.’ She held her ground as Dohl staggered out of his cell, gasping for breath. Elodi gaped in horror at the powerfully built man before her. With his head bowed between slumped shoulders, and his arms stretched out to the walls, he resembled the tortured souls of old, nailed to the walls of Ormoroth’s fortress.
Dohl shuffled forward, keeping his hands pressed to the walls; a dozen hands tightened their grips on swords and spears. But the man was spent, exhausted from his efforts to escape. He tried to speak, but only his rasping breath made it passed his lips.
Elodi held up both hands. Her voice wavered. ‘Please, Dohl, stay calm. We mean you no harm. You are safe with us.’ Dohl slowly recovered his breath. Elodi edged closer. ‘Who are you? Tell me your name? I believe you when you say you once served Lord Harlyn, my father. We want to help you.’
Dohl spluttered and raised his head. ‘My name? Dohl…’ he spat out the word as if a curse. ‘Dohl! Dohl?’ He coughed, shaking his head. ‘No, not, Dohl. Dorl?’ He spoke with certainty. His voice deepened, echoing through the corridors for all to hear. ‘Dorlan! I am Dorlan.’ He straightened to his full height; a head taller than any man Elodi had ever seen. He stepped into the light. ‘And I have returned.’
Elodi and Wendel gasped. Elodi’s hand shot out to the wall for support. Before her, stood the very likeness of the noble warrior that adorned many a wall in Calerdorn. Elodi found her lips mouthed a silent, no. The man’s steely blue eyes glowered between dark strands of matted hair dangling over his face. They met Elodi’s. Her heart went out to him. Rage did not consume this man; he was beset with terror.
Beside her, Wendel murmured. ‘It cannot be, ma’am. It cannot be…’
Spears lowered, and the wardens gawped at the prisoner claiming to be the hero of their legends. But Ruan held firm. ‘Keep your guard! Lady Harlyn is in danger.’
Elodi found her voice. ‘Please, Ruan. I do not fear this man.’
The warrior’s voice shook as his fierce eyes fixed on Elodi. ‘War is coming. I am summoned.’ He peered over her shoulder to the armed men in the gloom. He grasped the loose chains still hanging from his wrists. ‘And you stand in my way.’
Elodi’s heart hammered into her ribs, but she held his gaze. ‘Please, could we return to your… room? We need to talk. Do this, and I will command these men to stand down.’ Wendel took a sharp breath, but Elodi continued. ‘I will honor my word.’
The man jerked upright. His enormous chest expanded. He bellowed. ‘He’s back!’ He staggered forward. ‘And I… I am summoned.’ His eyes bulged as he watched his fists clench as if belonging to another. He spat out his last words. ‘You must flee!’ He screamed, lurching forward at Elodi. She jumped aside as the tall man hurtled down the corridor, scattering the bewildered guards like a gale rushing through barley.
‘Try this, ma’am.’ Wendel handed her the warm mead. ‘I think you’ll benefit from something sweet.’
Elodi thanked him as she gazed out of the window in her quarters. ‘Any more sightings?’
‘Not since he burst through the inner gate.’ He cursed under his breath. ‘And that’s another repair for our over-stretched carpenters.’
She sat on the cool ledge. ‘And what is our explanation to the people? Many would have seen his escape, and all would have noticed the likeness. Word will already have spread across the entire city.’
‘We are saying it’s a cruel deception by our foes, ma’am, to undermine morale. Nothing more. We cannot let them think for one minute there’s any truth in this. Imagine if they believed it was Dorlan, and he fled the city at our time of need.’
The mead sloshed out of her cup as she placed it on the sill. ‘Did you hear his words? He said he was summoned. But by whom?’
Wendel sighed. ‘He must speak of this Uleva creature. She has been in his head for many a year, ma’am. Who knows what evil she’s planted?’
‘But if he believes he is Dorlan, his loyalty would be with Calerdorn.’
‘I should imagine Uleva has corrupted any memory Dohl had of the city. He most likely sees us as the enemy now, ma’am. She must be in complete control of the poor man.’
‘Then we must assume he’s gone back to her.’ Elodi clenched her fist. ’And by the Three, I pray when Dohl said he is back, he’s not referring to a more powerful wyke yet to reveal their hand.’ She motioned for Wendel to sit as she moved to the chairs beside the fireplace. ‘Who could this he, who Dohl tells us is back, be?’
Wendel sat and folded his cloak over his knees. ‘Perhaps nothing more than a vague memory, or just another story doing the rounds in his head. Who knows what’s going on in his muddled mind? I suppose he could be referring to Uldrak, but we already know about him. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it, ma’am. I would be more concerned had he said, she’s back. Dohl obviously worships Uleva, his lady, but doesn’t appear to fear her.’
Elodi looked to the flames. ‘Could he possibly be Dorlan?’
Wendel rubbed his hands in front of the fire. ‘When he said he’d fought with the Archon, I presumed he meant the current head of the realms. But with Draegelan?’ He pursed his lips. ‘That would mean he’s over a thousand years old, ma’am. Dorlan may have been a great man, but a mortal all the same. He died in the north, along with the rest of his fine knights. Such a tragic tale. No, ma’am, I don’t believe for one moment Dohl is our legendary fighter, somehow returned from the dead.’
Elodi sat back. ‘I wouldn’t have thought it possible to transform an old man into the warrior who brushed aside my men as if frightened children, Wendel.’ She drained the last of the mead. ‘And he does resemble the Dorlan from the portraits.’
Wendel held up his hand. ‘Ma’am, I’m sure Uleva is only too familiar with Dorlan’s likeness from the tales. Remember, she’s able to conjure apparitions of drayloks, changing Dohl in our eyes to resemble Dorlan would not be beyond her abilities. For all we know, Dohl is lying dead in a field, his body consumed by the evil inside.’
Elodi clutched her empty cup to her mouth. ‘I hope you’re right, for Dohl’s tortured sake. I do wish this poor man could finally be at rest.’ She turned to the window. ‘But didn’t part of you want it to have been him? Imagine that, Wendel, meeting the knight who fought in the early days of our realm, and alongside Draegelan as his equal.’
Wendel chuckled. ‘Sometimes, ma’am, I still see the young girl acting out the scenes from your father’s stories.’
‘Sometimes that’s where I’d rather be.’
Wendel stood to leave. ‘You must excuse this old man, ma’am. It’s been a long time since I last went through a night without sleep, and I don’t intend to start now.’
‘Of course, Wendel.’ She rose and stretched. ‘And I too must take to my bed.’
Wendel paused. ‘Not wishing to spoil your dreams, ma’am. But if you think about it from Uleva’s point of view, what better way to
demoralize your opponents than to make us believe our greatest hero has returned, only to abandon us and take up his sword against the realm.’
Elodi walked to the door with him. ‘Then we must ensure everyone believes it was a trick. We cannot have the city thinking otherwise. It’s bad enough Uleva can reach into the heart of our city with impunity.’ She leaned back against the door frame. ‘I hope Draego has thus far eluded Uleva.’
‘Draego, ma’am? You must be tired. The fortress fell to the—’
‘Come, Wendel. Surely, you must remember, the fort was named in honor of Dorlan’s horse, and not the Archon of the time.’
‘You must forgive me, ma’am. I have too many things on my mind, and it doesn’t take much to drive the old stories so deep I can’t recall them.’
Elodi opened the door. ‘Lord Broon will set sail in a matter of weeks. Just think, Wendel, he could be in the old realms before long.’
‘Yes, ma’am, if the winds and luck favor the fleet.’
Elodi’s chest tightened. ‘I hope he fairs well, and not only for a momentous victory. I dearly want to see him again. He’s an honorable man, and one we need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with if we’re to survive these troubling times.’
Wendel stood in the open door. ‘So true, ma’am. Your time at Archonholm proved useful in strengthening the bond between our two realms.’
‘Is it safe, or even possible, to send a message to Lord Broon?’
‘I’m afraid not. The port was closed for so long we’ve never had cause to send messages to Caermund, ma’am. Therefore, we possess no birds trained for the route. Our only option would be via Archonholm.’
‘Then unfortunately, I cannot. I doubt if the Castellan would forward my note to Bardon. In fact, he may even consider it an act of betrayal. Such a pity, I would have liked to wish him a safe journey.’
‘Ah, that reminds me. I am informed a rider arrived late last night from the city. He delivered a trunk from one of the Castellan’s men. Let me see if I can remember...’
‘Would that be a certain gentleman named Tombold?’
‘Yes, Tombold. Apparently, you left so suddenly he didn’t have a chance to hand over the last of your father’s belongings. The rider informed me Tombold has left a note for you in the trunk.’
Elodi blinked away a tear. ‘That’s very thoughtful of him, a kind act I’m sure the Castellan would not have sanctioned.’
‘I’ll have the trunk brought up to you, ma’am, but I’ll ask them to wait until you’ve had time to sleep.’
‘Thank you, Wendel. I shall sort through his belongings when I have the time.’ She yawned. ‘Which is unlikely to be any day soon. Good night, or good morning whatever is most fitting.’ She closed the door, walked straight to her bed and lay down. She drifted off into a deep sleep dominated by dreams of drayloks, warriors and gigantic war machines demolishing the walls of Calerdorn.
Elodi awoke at midday to words that sunk her heart while raising it into her throat. Wendel stood with a messenger looking uneasy standing at his leader’s bedside. He cleared his throat. ‘Ma’am, the Ruuk engaged our forces at Tunduska yesterday morning. Broon’s men held them for several hours.’ He averted his eyes as Elodi threw back the covers. ‘Reports claim they have destroyed four machines, ma’am.’
Elodi drew her cloak around her shoulders. ‘And the men? What of Broon’s men?’
He stepped aside. ‘They have withdrawn following heavy losses.’ His face paled. ‘Captain Gundrul predicts the enemy will be here by nightfall, ma’am.’
38. Calerdorn Shudders
Elodi paced the inner wall above the gatehouse with her eyes never leaving the West Road. The architects of her twin-walled city had chosen the site well, wedged between the Dornan and Calern Mountains lying to the north and south. Shaped like an egg, the walls to the west merged with solid rock abutting the natural harbor. To the east, the strongest defenses faced the open plain. The flat terrain offered an easy route into the city for welcome allies, but also for an army keen to launch a determined attack.
Elodi stamped her feet in the cool, evening air, reassured by the deep foundations that had served her people through both good and bad times. While the wars preceding the completion of the Caerwal Gate had troubled the city, it had been many centuries since Calerdorn had faced the threat of a siege. But most of what Elodi knew of that time was dressed in the cloak of myth and legend. The sight of Dohl’s tortured face filled her thoughts.
She stopped.
Only yesterday, she had stood upon this wall and envisaged Dorlan riding to Calerdorn’s aid. She shuddered. Could Uleva read her mind? The transformation of Dohl into her hero may have been a demonstration of her power. And what had happened to Dohl? She hoped Wendel was right and the poor man had died, bringing an end to his years of suffering.
Shouts from the outer wall drew her attention away from the crossroads. Below, the artillery commanders bellowed orders as they made ready the trebuchets on the platforms running along the east wall. Elodi trusted their size would give them superiority and therefore damage the enemy’s weapons before they could strike back. The ambush of Ruan’s volunteer force had achieved more than she could have hoped. In all, they reported four siege engines destroyed, blocking the pass and delaying the progress of Uldrak’s army for many hours — but at a cost. Of the ninety volunteers, less than fifty returned.
All but two of Calerdorn’s scouts had made it back on their glistening steads. They reported at least fifteen-hundred infantry and two dozen large wagons carrying the components for their siege engines had cleared the pass and now headed west, barely an hour behind the last returning scout. Elodi feared the bolt-blasting ballistae most, wishing she had such a weapon at her disposal. Smaller than the trebuchets, they would be difficult to target. And if they were the same as those used at Drunsberg, they could launch large arrowheads of fire at the main gate. She turned away, not wishing to contemplate the consequences should their foe gain entry to the city.
Thankfully, Darrow had answered her urgent call for reserves. Two hundred had boarded the Celestra at Seransea and were due at Calerdorn late the next day. But again, the doubts returned. Would there still be a city to defend tomorrow? What if Calerdorn should fall? She had summoned half of all the reserves at her command; could the remainder defend their lands alone?
Elodi had left Wendel in charge at the Council to complete preparations for an evacuation of the young, elderly and those who could not hold a sword. Dozens of fishing boats were made ready to sail should the defenses fail before the Celestra returned — she dearly hoped it would not come to that. Elodi could not begin to image what fate would befall them should a storm hit once the flotilla reached open sea.
More shouts rose from below as the archers from Noor took to their posts in among the artillery. But a bow was no match for a fiery bolt. Should her artillery fail, the archers would be vulnerable: a long city wall presented an easier target than a siege engine in the dark. And what tricks did Uldrak have at his disposal? His devilry had defeated the men at Drunsberg, and she had no such power at hand to resist.
Gundrul and Ruan appeared at the top of the steps. Elodi strode to greet them. ‘Captain Gundrul, are the fire crews prepared?’
‘Yes, ma’am. Every spare hand in the city is clasping a bucket, ready to dowse any flames behind the east wall.’
‘And your men, Captain Ruan?’
Ruan nodded, giving no sign of the hurt the loss of his men must have inflicted. ‘Positioned behind the main gate, ma’am, alongside Captain Aldorman and his knights.’
Elodi sighed. ‘I wish he and his men had longer to recover from their ordeal at the wood.’
Ruan fastened a buckle on his armor. ‘They’re fighting men, ma’am, they’re ready for duty. Should the Ruuk break into the gatehouse, their front ranks will not live long enough to regret their eagerness to enter.’
Elodi noticed a glance between the two captains. ‘Thank you, gentleman, I app
reciate your cooperation. Neither of you are of this realm, yet you are as keen to defend her as if your own.’
Gundrul shrugged. ‘Makes no difference, ma’am. If one of the five is threatened, all are threatened.’
‘Then Harlyn welcomes your loyal service. I have some knowledge of battle strategy, but as you know, my experience in the field is somewhat limited.’
Gundrul cleared his throat. ‘You can include us also when it comes to a large set piece such as this, ma'am. Until now, our experience would be of smaller skirmishes only.’
‘Ah, yes, of course.’
‘But may I say, ma’am, I have served under more experienced commanders in less threatening situations who did not show as much composure before a battle as you.’
Her face grew hot. ‘Then I only wish my stomach would take its cue from my face.’
Ruan nodded. ‘And that is how it should be, ma’am. A complacent commander can be more of a threat to his own army than a competent foe.’
Elodi took a deep breath. ‘Then you can be assured, gentlemen, I shall pose no such threat to your ranks.’ She swallowed. ‘How do you cope with this part? My insides are churning.’
Gundrul cleared his throat. ‘Ours also, ma’am, but you’ll feel different once the battle starts for real. It’s like all the nerves build, ready to burst out when you’re fighting for your very survival.’
Ruan shrugged. ‘Humor can help, ma’am.’ Elodi turned away to hide her mirth; she could not imagine Ruan making a joke. He continued. ‘You’ll hear it among the old hands before combat.’
‘Thank you, Captain. I shall bear that in mind.’
‘There, ma’am.’ Ruan’s flat voice gave no indication he had just spied the enemy. He pointed to the road. A glittering line of torchlight emerged from behind the Dornan foothills flanking the route. The men on the wall below fell silent as they stopped to watch the approaching threat.
Gundrul broke the silence. ‘Uldrak appears to be a complacent commander, ma’am. That might work in our favor. He shuns concealment and the element of surprise. His army are lit up as if going to a Mid-Winter celebration.’