“It matters not who kills him. As long as he dies, my heart will be at peace.” Her fingers reached for his, clasping them tightly for a moment. “We shall have another child, Kaegan.”
“You sound sure of it, Loriann. I wonder if the gods have forsaken us. Surely you would be with child by now if it was meant to be.”
“I did not want to bring a child into the world until I was certain of our victory. I’ve taken potions to prevent it since the babe died in Riverpoint. I haven’t taken one since we left Garyson’s camp.” She gazed again at the suns as they rose a finger’s width above the horizon. The jangling of chainmail lulled the silence a few moments longer.
Kaegan glanced at her, eyebrows raised. “You say you’ve not taken the potion since Garyson’s camp? Gods, Loriann! What if you’re with child? You can’t fight in a war if you are!”
“Who says I can’t?” Her eyes followed the planes of his handsome face as the corners of her lips curved.
Kaegan reined the destrier in. He caught the mare’s reins. “What exactly are you saying, love?”
“I carry your babe in my womb, Kaegan. We will welcome a child before winter.” The words fell from her lips as the smile grew larger. The words filled his heart with joy.
He pulled her from the mare’s back. Kisses rained onto her upturned face. Loriann’s lilting laughter carried on the breeze.
Ebin joined them, brow furrowed. “Have you lost your mind? The Ashapii have passed us. What’s going on here?”
“Uncle Ebin. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Kaegan grinned at Ebin as Loriann slid from his grasp onto the mare’s back.
“Uncle?” Ebin looked from Loriann to Kaegan. “I’m to be an uncle?”
“Yes, brother. Now lower your voice. The daerveth are staring,” Loriann replied.
“Loriann Astus will be a fine mother,” Modr rumbled as he tramped past them. “A new age of magi will grace our land.”
***
Cedric
“Derek’s forces are assembled outside the walls.” Willem paused with hands folded behind his back. “They defeated smaller companies in Froudown and Ebonbarrow.”
Cedric drank heavily from a chalice filled with wine. Both eyes closed as he felt blood drain from his face. A chill filled his bowels. “Where have Petyr and the others gone?”
“The others have deserted you. My informants report they boarded a ship and sailed for the New World.”
“By the gods! She’s come for us!” Cedric rose from the throne, staggering toward a window. A glance at the land south of the walls revealed his worst nightmare.
The daervethi horde stood with their mammoths at the back of Derek’s forces. A glimpse of the hirsute giants sent yet another chill through his bowels. Ashapii sat astride steeds painted brilliant colors representing war.
Cedric’s eyes fell on two riders. He knew without question the destrier carried Kaegan Vaith. The man’s impressive physical stature and mop of tawny curls were evident. Loriann Astus rode at Kaegan’s side. The mane of ebony hair and dark cloak marked her as well as the rumored emerald eyes.
“Where is Emely?” Cedric inquired. “I would see my daughter before this begins.”
“She has gone for a walk on the roof of the tower. She is curious about our enemy,” Willem replied.
Cedric strode from the throne room. He took the stairs leading to the tower. Emely turned, face pale and devoid of emotion, as Cedric’s footsteps tapped on the stone roof.
“They’ve come for us, your grace. We will be dead before nightfall.” Emely’s voice quavered as she spoke.
“Just remember that I love you, Emely. Forgive me for what I must do.” Cedric kissed his daughter’s cheek. He clasped her hands between his own as the certainty of his destiny grew.
***
Willem
Willem appeared on the roof as Cedric walked to the wall. The man he knew as the king paused for a moment before pulling himself to stand at the edge of the parapet. Willem froze, unable to move as he realized Cedric’s intent.
The silence was broken by Emely’s screams as Cedric vaulted from the edge. A thud came from below. Screams and cries echoed as witnesses realized their king was dead. A bevy of ladies-in-waiting surrounded the hysterical princess. They escorted her to the relative safety of the rooms below the tower.
Willem walked to the parapet. He glanced over the edge then closed his eyes tight at the sight of the king’s mangled body encircled by an ever-expanding pool of blood.
Loriann Astus was now his problem. Bile rose in his throat as he realized the portent of the impending confrontation.
His gaze locked on the githok that moved closer to the walls, leathery wings flapping momentarily before extending to catch the wind. A githok screeched before diving at men gathered on the exterior wall of the city. A man screamed as the githok’s claws bit into his flesh. The githok flapped its wings, rising high above the wall. Claws released the man. His body broke in a fountain of crimson gore on the wall.
The remaining githok joined the attack. The remaining men either fled or met with similar fates.
It was then that Willem noted the darkening sky. A hand shielded his eyes as he gazed upward. Twin moons moved in front of twin suns. The eerie twilight of the eclipse came as mammoth attacked the gate.
The vibration of the attack could be felt in the tower. A daerveth roared a command, stone club resting on one shoulder. The mammoth retreated two dozen paces before charging at the gate. With a splintering of wood and steel, the gate gave way.
Archers entered the fray. The sky darkened even further as a volley of arrows arched into the sky. The cries of the wounded filled the air as poisoned tips found flesh.
Willem left the tower. He donned armor, hand resting on the hilt of Hope’s End. The remaining members of the king’s guard waited in the courtyard as he exited the keep. “Do not fail me in battle,” he advised. “We must fight to the death. Loriann Astus has come to seek vengeance for my sins and the sins of our former king.”
The men strode from the courtyard with a metallic clang of armor and weapons. They followed Willem without question.
***
Modr
The deafening pounding of a mammoth’s head upon the inner gate added to the chaos. Modr roared the command, “Amzu! Amzu!” until the first mammoth grew weary. A second mammoth was led to the gate by Torg. He roared the command only mammoth understand, “Amzu! Amzu!” The inner gate gave way as splinters of wood and iron rained down upon the daerveth.
“Clear the way!”
Kaegan’s voice roared above the bedlam of battle. The Ashapii rode through the broken gate, weapons held high, cheering as they fell upon the king’s guard standing within. Kaegan and Loriann remained at the gate, carefully watching the unfolding battle.
“Loriann Astus, find Willem Jarin!” Modr encouraged in a rumbling shout. He pounded his chest with a clenched fist as Loriann and Kaegan rode through the Ashapii.
***
Kaegan
Kaegan grinned as the destrier galloped through the street. Garyson’s men assumed the positions once held by Cedric’s archers and sentries. Poisoned arrows thunked into enemy flesh as their allies drew and released arrows at will.
Loriann remained at his side. The mare kept pace with the destrier. He marveled at the ease with which she controlled the horse with only her knees or hands fisted into mane.
As they neared Waelcombe Keep, they passed by the bloody, broken remains of a corpse wearing the king’s robe. “Was that him?” Loriann cried.
“It does not matter. Willem will join the king before this day ends,” Kaegan shouted.
A formation of king’s guard blocked their path. Kaegan and Loriann dismounted in unison. Kaegan’s sword whispered from its sheath.
Loriann whipped flames at their armor, laughing as first one, then another stepped within reach. The flames encircled their necks before a quick jerk snapped their necks. Their lifeless bodies fell to the groun
d.
Kaegan pressed forward, sword meeting the shield of a man who approached from the formation. Sparks flew in the air as the blades met again and again. Kaegan wasted no time in whirling sideways in a feint as his dagger found the man’s unprotected armpit. A fountain of blood spewed from the man’s mouth as he fell to the ground.
The githok screeched as they joined the battle. They picked off those who moved from the pack of king’s guard. The victims were carried high above the ground before being released to burst on the stone streets or buildings.
Derek’s men appeared in the street behind them. “Take the guard!” Kaegan roared. His command was obeyed without question.
Loriann caught his arm, nodding toward an opening in the street leading to the keep. “There!” she cried. “I will clear the way.”
A whirling tornado of emerald flame grew in front of Loriann. It ripped and roared, searing everything in its path. Those foolish enough to face the smoldering tempest were incinerated instantly.
Kaegan ran through the opening. Loriann stayed close on his heels. A smaller inner gate to a courtyard blocked them.
Loriann screamed, a cry of rage that forced the tempest through the gate. Smoldering wood and bits of iron fell onto the courtyard’s pavers.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” Willem called. He walked from the arched doorway of the keep. “I see my men were not strong enough to best you. Which of you will test me?”
“My blade will answer your call,” Kaegan shouted. “I’ve waited for this moment since Riverpoint.”
“Ah! My apologies! The assassin promised to end Loriann. He failed and only managed to take your babe.” Willem grinned, teeth clenched as he drew the sword. “I thought the debt was paid? Did you not come to us in the glimmer, Loriann? Emely lost our babe that night. Is it not enough?”
“You took my mother. You hunted me when I was just a child. And you took our babe from us before he could draw his first breath,” Loriann replied. “No. The debt is not paid. Kaegan demands recompense.” She stepped to the side, bowing her head as Kaegan walked toward Willem.
Kaegan’s sword met Willem’s broadsword. Sparks showered the men as the blades slid back and forth.
Willem lashed out with a foot in an attempt to take Kaegan down. Kaegan nimbly twisted away. The foot brushed his ankle but failed to bring him down.
Loriann circled to the side, eyes never leaving the men as they fought. Kaegan backed Willem against the courtyard’s northern wall with a series of savage slices.
Willem twisted away, laughing as Kaegan’s blade sparked against the stone wall. “Is that all you have?” he taunted. “You are half my age, Kaegan. I expected more.”
The dagger flew from Kaegan’s hand. The tip buried in the unprotected underside of Willem’s arm as he raised it for another swing.
A rage-filled roar burst from Willem’s mouth. He yanked the dagger free. It clattered on the stone as it slipped from his hand.
The back and forth of battle continued. Both men took small cuts on exposed areas. Blood splattered the stone pavers. The darkness continued to grow as the moons fully blocked the suns.
Loriann cried out as Willem tripped Kaegan. He rolled away, armor clanking on the stones. Willem missed his enemy by a foot’s breadth as he drove the tip of the broadsword down several times.
Kaegan staggered to his feet, breathing heavily, rubbing the stinging sweat from his eyes. He dodged the dagger as Willem flung it toward his head.
***
Emely
Emely could hear the battle as it waged around the keep. She deserted the circle of huddled women in her chambers as she sought the courtyard. Since her marriage to Willem, she prayed daily to any gods that might hear her call. End my life or his.
The torment of marriage to Willem had taken its toll. No longer did her eyes dance with amusement. No longer did she take joy in walks through the city surrounding the keep. She withered as a dying rose in the bright sun near Alaree Lake with no water to quench its thirst.
Something built within her. She was free of her father’s tyranny. Now she longed to be free of Willem. The entry of the keep echoed with sounds of battle that took place in the courtyard. Loriann Astus is here.
The door swung inward beneath her hand’s grasp. Willem fell back against the courtyard’s wall, breathing heavily as he fended off a young man’s blows. It was then she saw Loriann. Pale, with ebony hair braided in a single plait that extended down her back. Then the emerald eyes were upon her, flickering with an inner light.
“Loriann! Help me.” Emely’s words were nearly drowned out by the clang of sword against sword. She stumbled from the doorway, hand held aloft as if warding off an attack.
“Princess Emely.” Loriann walked to her. “Have you come to defend your husband?”
Emely shook her head, unable to speak at first. “I want him dead. Please help me, Loriann. Free me from his bonds.”
“Why should I help you?” Loriann’s head tilted to one side, eyes moving over Emely’s face.
“I hate him.” She pulled the gown from her shoulder, exposing an upper arm and shoulder bearing bruises. She turned away, revealing more bruises on her back. “You can never understand the torment, the torture of being married to Willem. Every night he comes to beat me. Always in some place the light of day will not show. He blamed me for the loss of our child. I blamed him and my father.”
“I was to blame for the loss of your child.”
“I don’t blame you. I am grateful you took it from me. The world does not need the torment of another of the Jarin line. Please, kill him?” The princess fell against the wall, eyes returning to the battle that waged nearby. She gazed at Loriann, eyes locking with the emerald ones that flickered with an inner flame. “If you won’t kill him, please kill me. I can’t bear another day as his wife.”
Emely and Loriann turned as Willem tripped Kaegan. Before the broadsword could come smashing down, a wall of emerald flame encircled him. “Thank you,” Emely whispered.
Loriann walked toward Willem as Kaegan staggered to his feet. “Are you ready to pay for your crimes?” Loriann called out. “Since the king is dead, rule falls to Princess Emely as the only surviving heir. Would you care to guess what her first commandment was?”
“Let me past these flames, Loriann Astus.” Willem panted hard, staggering slightly as he spoke. “I’ll show you and your husband what a real warrior is capable of.”
“A real warrior like you?” Loriann laughed. The harsh sound echoed in the courtyard. “A real warrior who kills an injured woman at the behest of his king. A real warrior who chases children with no other thought than to kill them. A real warrior who orders the assassination of a pregnant woman.” She turned to face Willem.
Kaegan stood by her side. “Let me end him, love. He will pay for his crimes upon my sword.”
Loriann smiled at Emely before focusing on Willem Jarin. The flames roared higher as the circle tightened around the Grand Meister. “Do you have any last words, Willem?”
***
Willem
The breath caught in his throat as Loriann’s emerald eyes found his. A coldness spread through his gut as he knew the rage came for him. A glance in Emely’s direction revealed the princess now stood, steps bringing her closer to his fiery prison.
“Emely, set me free!” his voice was hoarse, throat raw from the battle fought with Kaegan Vaith.
“I sentence you to death,” Emely called.
A roaring sphere of emerald flame blocked the world from his view as it consumed him. Funny, there is no pain, Willem thought. He glanced down to see the chain mail glove melting away from his hand before the flesh cracked open. His vision turned dark as his legs gave way.
The dark hounds met him at the gates of the seven hells. His first torment was to learn Emely asked Loriann to end his life. The second was the people of Waelcombe cheered upon learning of his death. It was only the first of many torments he would suffer as payment for his
sins in the Olde World.
***
Chapter 20
Emely
“You will never know the depth of my gratitude,” Emely said as Loriann turned to face her.
The ladies in waiting ran from the Keep. “My lady, the Keep is on Fire! We must leave at once!” A frantic woman cried as she tugged at Emely’s arm.
“Come with us,” Loriann offered. “My brother can escort you safely to our camp.”
Emely watched with tear-filled eyes as Loriann embraced Kaegan before examining obvious wounds. Kaegan kissed Loriann’s forehead. Their relationship was much different than the one she once shared with Willem. Tenderness and genuine affection were evident as they walked from the courtyard. In contrast, she had only suffered humiliation and pain at Willem’s hands.
Ebin, still astride the destrier, appeared in the street outside the courtyard. “We had best hurry. The city is burning.”
“Ebin, would you ensure Princess Emely and her ladies have safe passage to our camp. Kaegan and I must find our horses before we follow you there.”
“It would be my honor,” Ebin replied. He dismounted before taking Emely’s arm. “Follow me, ladies.”
The journey to the camp took nearly half a day. By the time they gathered there, reports arrived that Helmsfield lay in smoldering ruins.
***
Loriann
Before Derek could address the allied forces, Emely stood and spoke. “I am the only surviving Norwood heir. I abdicate the throne and proclaim Derek Rainer king of the Olde World.” Ebin took Emely’s hand, blushing profusely as the former princess smiled and thanked him.
“My brother is taken with the princess,” Loriann whispered as she leaned against Kaegan.
“She could ask for no finer suitor,” Kaegan replied.
Roaring fires were built about the encampment. The Ashapii were the first to celebrate the victory. Their sing-song chant rose in the air as they danced wildly around a pyre. Garyson’s men joined in the dance as ale flowed freely.
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