“My mind is made up, Whistler. I’m going to try. If he kills me, then he kills me. Carry on as you would. If I convince him to aid us against his father’s forces, then victory is without a doubt ours.”
The women gasped at notion that I might die within the next hour, but I gave them a smile that described my enthusiasm for bringing a violent end to the entire affair.
Helen said, “Dear, allow me to join you.”
I laughed. “You are the last person I want to accompany me. If I bring you, it doesn’t matter what my answer is because they would already have you.”
She was shaking her head and looking at the ground. “I do not like this at all. This is not part of the plan. They should not be here.”
“We knew it might happen, my sweet. We have to play with the cards we’ve been dealt.”
She reached in and wrapped her arms around me, nestling her head in my chest.
“Then allow me to come,” Whistler insisted.
“Yes, and me,” added Caria.
“I can’t. If he does decide to kill me, then he would kill you as well—or do worse.” I looked at Caria, who had spent years as a sex slave aboard the ship of a merciless pirate. It was her turn to bow under the weight of the disconcerting implications.
I raised my voice to address the crowd. “We all have a lot at stake here. Our property, our lives, and perhaps even our souls are on the line. I will do what I can to turn these forces away before we have to engage with them any further. And I will do it alone.”
Every face was somber, but there were no more protests. I took the nearest horse and made way for the hill where the enemy troops were still gathered. Several of the chariots drew near as I trotted up to their leader, but Nisos raised an arm and they soon backed away. His face betrayed no expression, only an outward stoicism. He waited for me to speak.
“You must be Nisos,” I said.
He nodded and then spoke in a thick accent like that of the men we had killed on Teucer’s estate. “That I am. And you are Troy. So, tell me, what is your response? Will you surrender your beloved to me?”
“Those are really steep terms,” I said.
“They are, but I hope that you will find they are worth the price.”
“Was your loss worth the price?”
“Pardon?” He looked confused. It was likely that he assumed I was talking about his most recent defeat at the hands of the Slingers in the canyon.
“You once had a lover who was . . . of a similar nature to my Helen.”
Realization dawned on his face, and he soon resumed his stoic countenance. “Yes, this is true. They were both . . . inorganic. But your question confuses me. You ask if my loss was worth it, but I am left to wonder what ‘it’ is. What did I get with my beloved’s sacrifice?”
“Obedience to your father. Rage. Heartache. Ruin. Were all those worth the price of losing the one you loved? I hear that even now your father uses the poor girl’s soul to power his abominable machine. Do you think he does that out of love for you? Why would you tolerate that?”
I saw anger flash across his face for a split second, but he reined his emotions back in. “You seem to know a lot about me, but I know so little about you.”
“I have only recently heard bits and pieces, but I will admit that what I do know about you has given me a sense of pity for your situation.”
“Do not pity me, Troy. I have just about everything I have ever wanted. I would pity you and your people for the axe hanging over their heads. I would pity what they will think of you for refusing to make such a minor sacrifice to save them all. Your loved one will die anyway if you do not release her to us.”
The eagle swooped down. I started as I heard it approach but soon realized that it was not headed straight for me. It landed at the front of Nisos’s chariot and watched me with hungry eyes. I stared back, refusing to give in to the intimidation the beast was exerting on me. Only then did I fully appreciate how large the thing was. It rivaled the gryphon cub in size when standing, and I was certain that it could carry me away on a whim or rip me to shreds quicker than a harpy.
Its bronze exterior glinted in the midday sun, and I wondered if the feathers truly were made of some sort of metal or hybrid material. Again, I thought back to my fight with the leviathan. Its hide was similar in appearance and fairly tough to cut through, but I managed to slice it in several places with a little bit of elbow grease. I was curious to see if this bird would stay still long enough for me to test my blade against it.
My hand almost absent-mindedly wandered down to the hilt of my sword, as it often did in such tense situations, but I made a conscious effort to stop myself from following through with the action lest I provoke an attack from my onlookers. My palms fell short and found a place to rest on my side a little above the waist.
Several of the other chariot riders watched me with a bloodthirst comparable to that of the eagle. Their eyes followed my hand on its way down, and for a moment I feared that my action was already too much for them. Their front line spanned the entirety of the hill, at least 50 men on both sides of their leader. I could not see the others on the opposite end of the slope, but I could hear them moving about, shouting and laughing like all soldiers brimming with the anticipation of a good fight. I wondered if these men would even follow Nisos if I could somehow manage to convince him to stand down or even help us fight his father, or if these men owed their allegiance to Thrax.
The King’s son did seem separate from the men around him, and not just in the sense that he was noble-born and of a higher military rank. There was sort of an aura about him that gave me the impression that he didn’t really want to fight. I felt that he was suffering and simply knew no other way to deal with it. I looked back to his bird and noticed something that I had not before. I was not sure if it was only my imagination, but I saw something of the Prince in the creature’s eyes that time around. Perhaps the two were cut of the same cloth, in a sense. If a soul could be bound to a chariot, perhaps one could be bound to a creature such as this bird as well, even if the man who owned the soul was still among the world of the living.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
“Every man wants power. Your land will help to complete our kingdom. It is nothing personal, though I must admit that I was a little perturbed when you interrupted our raiding several days ago.”
“Well, I was a little perturbed that you were raiding those peaceful allied settlements, so I suppose we’re even.”
“Perhaps we are.”
“If you’re so intent on taking over the entire peninsula, why do you even offer peace if I were to give you Helen? That doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“Everything has a price. She is a being of exceptional power. We would use her to strengthen our machines. It would be worth it for use to trade your peace in return for her.”
“I figured as much. And your father is all right with this course of action—if I were to give her up to you?”
The Prince nodded. “Yes, he is in the camp behind us as we speak. He is the one that suggested the terms.”
“And you really don’t care that he would be doing to me what he did to you? Do you enjoy watching other people suffer now?”
He responded with a passionless smile and said, “It is not so much that I enjoy suffering, but more that I care nothing for others. Power is my only true purpose anymore. And if you have heard of my victories, then you would be wise to give the woman to us without further protest. We outnumber you several times over, even with those reinforcements that you brought along. So, tell me, what is your response: do you choose to lose Helen, or do you choose to burn?”
I paused for a long moment and looked everyone over once again. The others were sneering now, expectant of my response. There was no assurance that they would do as Nisos said and leave us in peace anyway. These men were itching for a fight.
“I would never allow my loved one to come to harm like you did.”
I knew that was going to sting, but I did not care anymore. This fight was coming regardless because there was no way in Hell that I was going to give Helen up to these cretins. Nisos almost reeled back at the comment, and I could see his knuckles turning white as his grip tightened on the reins. I hoped that the poor souls powering his carriage could hear me and at least feel a little satisfaction from seeing their executioner being insulted in such a personal way. He, too, began to sneer at me, but it was only a mask to cover the pain he felt. I was not sure, but I thought that I could see his eyes begin to water.
“Have it your way then,” he said through gritted teeth. “I will tell my father and sister, and we shall descend upon you soon. Bid your loved ones—Helen and all—farewell, for none of you will live to see the next sunrise.”
I left before the Prince made a move. I was half expecting to receive an arrow between my shoulder blades, but nothing came. They watched me silently as I walked away, and I could feel the excitement welling up inside the enemy troops even from yards away with my back turned. I felt a little of it, too. This time, we were fighting on my turf. Things were not going to be as easy for them as they seemed to think.
I saw that Helen and several others were waiting around outside of my office. Among them were Linos, Whistler, and Caria. None of them said a word as I approached, all waiting to hear the news I had to tell, all surely surprised to see that the enemy had allowed me to return.
“They’ll be here soon,” I said. “It sounds as if they intend to leave no one alive, not even taking prisoners. They either wanted Helen surrendered over, or they plan to kill her during the fight.” I put a hand on her shoulder, then she lifted her other palm to my face and looked wordlessly into my eyes for a long moment. “Of course, I told them they could suck it, and that we’re not going down without a fight.”
“Did you get a look at their men? Can you confirm their numbers?” Linos asked.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I could not see over the other side of the hill, but Nisos assured me that his father, King Thrax, is waiting among the troops in the camp. I could hear all of them laughing and shouting at each other though, and from that alone I could tell that there were many of them. With all of our men and the reinforcements we just received, I’m thinking that we have over 1000 men ourselves. I have lost count to be honest.” I turned to Whistler. “How will your men back in the highlands know to come to our aid, Whistler? How could they possibly do so on such short notice?”
“It will take them some time,” she admitted, “but I dispatched several messengers the moment you left to answer Nisos’s call. It is unlikely that they will be able to meet us in time, but I am sure that they will receive word and make for us as soon as they can. My Slingers move with stealth unmatched by any other. Though, I fear that it will be at least two days before they will be able to meet us here.”
I shook my head. “We can’t count on them then. The enemy will likely be prepared for battle in an hour or two. Nisos threatened that we won’t be able to see the sunrise tomorrow, if that tells you anything.”
Helen and Caria gasped. I took both of them in my arms.
“So, what is the new plan?” Caria asked.
“I’m going to fight, and they’re going to die. The order of their end is unimportant,” I said. “They’re going to be coming to us from over that hill and also from the north down the strait. I’m sure that we can handle their ships without an issue. That’s a few hundred men down right there. Some of our cannons can turn toward the shore and blast them as they come across the field. I’m confident that we can clear many more of them that way. We can station some ranged attackers—Thirian and Trojan archers and a handful of Slingers—on the hills bordering town. They can pick off more of the enemies as they come close. For everyone that remains, we just fight it out where we stand and try to minimize them getting as deep into the port as we can. Helen, I want you to wait on the far hill over there.”
I pointed to the cliff at the edge of the peninsula. It was on the side of town opposite to the enemy camp, meaning that it was the farthest point they would have to travel to in order to reach her. I would have several troops guard her and pick off anyone that tried to ascend the hill. She would no doubt be a prime target. I was not about to assume that they simply wanted to kill her like Nisos said either. If they could still capture her and turn her into an energy source, it stood to reason that they would do that. No other course of action would make sense. I had to make it as difficult as possible for them to do that.
I continued, saying, “They will likely still try and take you prisoner, and I want you as far away as possible.”
“But Troy!” she shouted. “I must fight with my people.”
I held up a hand. “No, you need to stay alive for your people. You are no use to anyone dead—no one except the enemy, that is. You will wait up there under the protection of a couple dozen warriors. In a sense, we will still use you as bait like we planned to before. You can still put your fighting skills to use, but only up there as they approach you. Understood?”
Her eyebrows were pinched together, her arms crossed. “If that is the way it must be, then yes, I will do as you ask. You know what is best, Troy.”
“Good.” I turned to Caria. “Where is Matanaza? I have not seen her in days. Is she safe?”
Caria said, “I went to her after you left for Nisos. I assigned several men to guard her in her room. I think it will be unlikely that the enemy will begin raiding houses until they have dealt with the majority of us out here. Do you think that was wise, Troy?”
“Yes, that’s probably a good assumption. I think it will be the best thing to do to keep her out of sight. She is not a fighter and would be easily overcome. Where’s Teucer? How will he and his family manage?”
As soon as I asked the question, I saw Teucer and Karsi appear from around the corner of a nearby building. Each of them carried something in their arms, but I was inclined to look away each time I tried to focus on what it was they were holding. Karsi strode forward with a knowing grin, and I wondered then—perhaps a little inappropriate given the situation—if she had mentioned to her father, or anyone for that matter, what had happened between us several nights prior.
“Troy,” the farmer called. “We have something for you.”
Everyone, myself included, watched eagerly as they approached. It soon dawned on me that I was no doubt looking at several piles of sheered wool in their hands. I wondered what they intended for those.
“Teucer,” I greeted as the two approached. I was hesitant to greet Karsi and let on that I knew her by name, but then I remembered that we had talked aboard the ship on the way from their home to Port Superior and I could just play it off as if I’d met her for the first time there if her father grew suspicious. “Karsi. I am glad to see that you two are well. What do you bring? Is that wool I see?”
“Oh, it is more than wool, my friend,” Teucer said, beaming from one ear to the other. “Karsi and my wife have been working hard these past few days. We have been wondering how we could contribute to the war effort and we hope that these gifts will go a long way to help you in battle.”
He unfurled one of the wooly masses in his arms, and it cascaded down to where it was almost touching the dirt at his feet. I stared at it for the longest time, still trying to make sense of what I was looking at. I could see the others doing the same. No matter how hard I looked, I could not decipher the image. I heard Karsi laugh and looked to her with a clueless grin.
“They are cloaks,” she explained. “To help you move unseen in battle.”
That was the best news I’d heard all day. I had no idea that they were working on battle attire, but the gifts could not have come at a better time. Any warriors wearing these would be formidable on the field. My only concern was that, if one of the wearers were to be defeated, then the enemy would have a cloak of their own. Even if an enemy was spotted wearing the camouflage, it was likely that he would be mistake
n for one of our own.
“This is wonderful!” I said, wanting to hug the two of them. “How many are there?”
“There are only four thus far, but my wife and children are spinning more as we speak,” Teucer said. “We should have at least two more for you by tomorrow morning.”
I shook my head. “Four is good enough. The enemy has made it clear that we do not have until morning. I suspect that they will be upon us within the hour. I must ask: how can you knit such things when one cannot even bare to look at the material?”
“Years of practice,” Teucer said. “My wife has had very many years to adjust to the sight of them. It is like looking at a brilliant light, in a sense. My children have seen the wool their entire lives. Growing up around it and seeing it so often, they have become immune to its effect. Seeing as we are the only ones who can reliably craft with the material, it makes things very difficult for any people who were to get ahold of our sheep and try to go into business on their own.”
“Ah, that’s very clever,” I said. “It seems that you have complete control over your product. That makes me even happier to have you on my side.”
“I would have it no other way, Troy. I owe you my life—as does the rest of my family.”
“Well, let’s not count our blessings yet. Where is your family staying? I have not had much time to check in on you amid all the warring.”
“Your eccentric Thirian friends have provided several tents for us, and we have been staying there and supping with them.”
“Not on any bodies, I hope?” We both laughed.
“No, not at all. They are excellent cooks, especially when it comes to game. They are very good for conversation, too, never lacking in questions about the lives of my family and me. I have had just as many questions about their people. It has been a mutually beneficial living situation.”
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