by R. J. Batla
For ten seconds, it was a stalemate.
With a pulse of compressed air and an explosion that again rocked the whole Wall, the Morsenube penetrated the defenses. Stone and metal disintegrated when it was hit by the beam, tearing a hole in the massive, thousand-year-old structure.
Ames swore he heard Malstrak laughing maniacally over the sound of falling rock, screams, and explosions. Malstrak swept the beam over a vast area of the Wall, destroying everything it touched, and clearing a path for his army.
The Wall had been breached. Ames only hoped they could get everyone out in time.
Just as suddenly as it had begun, the black bolt of destruction winked out of existence. Ames saw Malstrak fall to his knees, a crazy grin on his face. Ames watched as Malstrak gave the order. “Forward!”
The roar of his army was deafening as they moved as one toward the now quarter-mile-long gap in the Wall. Ames rushed to the other side of the battlements. Looking down, he saw that many of the transports – the train cars that he’d had retrofitted to be used in just such an emergency – were already on their way, speeding toward the West Gate a hundred miles to the east.
He watched as hundreds of other transports were being loaded with Senturians and Races, moving as fast as they could to get as many out as possible.
Many had also rushed to fill the gap in the Wall, thousands actually, and they collided with the enemy. Giving their brethren precious time.
He looked around – but where was the army? Those with little to no powers? Pulling out his spyglass, he looked for the insignia of a shield and crossed spears.
They hadn’t left their tents or their posts. A small contingent of werewolves broke through the line before it was sealed again. They ran right by the army soldiers to attack a dozen Aeren, who fought bravely but barely managed to kill the werewolves, with only one left standing.
“We’ve been betrayed,” Ames said aloud.
“Of course you have, old fool.”
Ames slowly closed his spyglass, at the same time touching the small blue bead tied to his wrist, sending power into it. He turned and saw Malstrak, looking exhausted but very much in control, and a dozen alphas flanking him. “Azle.”
Malstrak rolled his eyes. “You’re the only idiot who still uses that name. You think it makes me mad? I don’t care what you call me, Ames Talco. It’s time for you to die.”
Ames felt the Shimmer coming into existence.
So did Malstrak. “No!” he screamed, pulling his fist back for an energy blast.
But Ames was faster. A blast of compressed air exploded from Ames, so powerful that it bowled over the unprepared alphas and Malstrak, sending them toward the edge of the Wall. They caught themselves on the battlements, but they took time to recover.
Ames turned to find Queen Aurora staring wide eyed at what she’d just seen. “Aurora! West Gate! Now!”
Recovering, the queen grabbed Ames by the hand, and the pair slowly faded out of existence just as a bolt of energy pierced the air where they’d just stood.
They reappeared on top of the West Gate, and Ames wasted no time. “Follow me, my queen.” They broke into a run, heading for the West Gate command post.
“Was that Malstrak?”
“Yes.”
“And the Wall...”
“Breached.”
“But, but...”
“No time now,” Ames said, bursting through the door of the command post. It looked similar to the Wall post, only slightly smaller. “The Wall’s been breached!”
“What?” several commanders said. “When? How?”
“Just now,” Ames said. “Prepare for the incoming Senturians who are retreating. Be ready to shut the gate at a moment’s notice – I don’t know how much time we’ll have.” Pointing to the army commander, he said, “Arrest him.”
No one moved. “Do it now! We were betrayed at the Wall – none of the army fought back, only the Senturians and the Races.”
Immediately, the army commander knocked over a Dwarf, stabbed an Aeren with a dagger, and ran for the door before an eight foot Helion grabbed him. One of the Elves tended to the Aeren.
“Have anyone in the army arrested and caged somewhere in a temporary prison,” Ames said. “Do it quickly and quietly.”
A Dwarf sitting at a console suddenly piped up, “Sir! I’ve just got a report from the East Gate!”
“And?” Ames said.
“They’ve sealed it. And Harlingon has been taken over by Malstrak’s army.”
Ames shook his head. “Shit! We’ll need to be prepared on all fronts. We’ve been out played.”
Chapter 60 – The Executioner
IN THE CITY OF CLUTE, the executioner sat in a seedy tavern where a rough crowd of thieves and criminals had gathered. Around him moved people he didn’t really like, while he drank a beer that wasn’t particularly good, and thought thoughts that weren’t particularly pleasant. After his warning wasn’t headed, he had made his way north, away from the Bowl and the tournament.
Pushing away his sixth glass of ale, he belched loudly and leaned back on the stool, hardly noticing anyone around him until someone at the table behind him said the name “Jayton.”
Only then did the executioner hear the conversation going on at the two tables behind him.
“It’s not a given that either side can win, but if I was a betting man –”
“Sam, you’re a bookie! You are a betting man.”
The man laughed at that. “Okay, fine. But if I were to bet on this war, I would put my money on Malstrak.”
“And why’s that?”
The bookie accentuated each point with a thump on the table. “He’s got more resources. He’s got monsters on their side. And he’s the most powerful Senturian awakened for as long as anyone can remember.” In a lower voice, he added, “Plus, if he does win, it’ll be good for business. I bet law and order will be a lot looser once Malstrak is in power.”
“Yeah, but what about Ames Talco and all those powerful Senturians? And that kid, Jayton Baird? The one down there fighting in the tournament?”
With a laugh in his voice the bookie said, “I have my sources, but I hear that the East Side isn’t as secure as everyone thinks it is. And I hear that Jayton Baird isn’t even gonna survive the finals. None of you have actually seen the Uland, have you?”
Apparently everyone shook their head no.
“Well, I’ve seen a picture, and if anything can defeat the Fire Eyes, it would be this creature. As a matter of fact, I think the kid will crap his pants as soon as he gets in the ring!”
The whole table started laughing, and the executioner slammed his beer down so hard that they were all startled and stopped their laughter for a second before continuing on.
Calm down – you used to be an executioner – what’s getting you so riled up?
He stood, throwing coins on the table, and headed to the restroom to relieve himself. Standing at the urinal, he heard even more talk from the guys standing on either side of him – apparently the war and the tournament where the only things worth talking about these days.
“I say we clear out, no matter who wins. The East ain’t no place for us. If Malstrak wins, there’ll be nothing but killing. If the East wins, it’ll be crawling with soldiers and we can’t make a decent living robbing, cheating, and stealing.”
The executioner ground his teeth. How far he’d fallen from dining in the main hall of Harlingon to now taking a piss next to these ruffians. Damn that Jayton Baird! That kid and had impacted him more than he thought — Jayton had made him feel things. The executioner couldn’t remember how long it had been since he’d had a true conscious, other than upholding his view of the law — and making money.
“So where will we go?”
“Well, I figure we might as well head to Harlingon. That’s where most people will be and, if Malstrak does win, that’ll be where he’ll set up his headquarters and the whole city will be ripe for the picking!”
Zipping his pants, the executioner turned and grabbed the two outlaws by the back of their jackets and slammed their heads together. Both knocked out instantly, they fell to the floor, leaving the executioner standing there breathing hard, fire in his eyes and energy glowing on his hands.
He thrust the door open to the bathroom and walked straight out the main entrance.
Screw it. He couldn’t take this anymore. He had to commit to something; he had to do something. He was going to the Wall. He was going to help the kid if at all possible. Help the East Side if he could. He had a sneaking suspicion that this might be the death of him.
Chapter 61 – Jayton Baird
“WELL, WHERE’S THE WELCOMING committee?” the Smith said as Royn lead him into the living room. I smiled and embraced him, then introduced him to Leona.
“Ha ha! Well you done found one of a higher class than you, didn’t ya, boy?” the Smith said. “Now where is this other fella ya say we need?”
“He’s not here yet,” Leona said, “but should be here any minute.”
The doors swung open. Perfect timing as usual.
“Jayton Baird, you dirty dog you!” Corbman practically screamed as he bounded across the room and hefted me aloft in a big bear hug. Celeste shook her head as she followed him inside. “I knew you were good, but man, you actually decided to make a move? I didn’t know you –” Then he saw Leona and dropped me. “Oh, hey, Leona. I’m happy for you guys. He did good. It’s about time.” He gave her a hug. “So what seems to be the trouble here that you need the big bad Corbman to solve it for you?”
“Corbman, this is the Smith,” Royn said, and they shook hands. “And here’s what we’re thinking...”
After Royn explained it to him, Corbman said, “Are you sure? I mean, I’ve already thrown my hat in with you lot anyway, and I’ve got no more skin to put in the game, but...that’s a big risk. You don’t even know if it’s gonna work.”
“It’s the best we got. As far as we can tell, it’s the only chance Jayton has at winning.”
Corbman grinned. “Well, hell, might as well go down swingin’! Let’s do this thing!”
We got the Smith set up in yet another of the spare rooms – my quarters kept expanding – and then we waited. And waited.
After several hours, Royn decided we’d waited long enough with no word, so he, Leona, and I walked into the room. Sparks flew in all directions, hammers rising and falling with loud pings. The Smith leaned over a workbench, deep in concentration. He barked out orders when necessary, but did most of the work himself. Mogie and a couple of her relatives had volunteered to be assistants, but by the look she gave Royn and me when we walked in, I felt like she regretted her decision.
“How’s it going, Smith?” Royn said, trying to look over the Smith’s shoulder to see what he was doing.
The Smith moved so Royn couldn’t see his work; all we got in response was a grunt.
“Well, you’ve got three days to finish this thing, or the whole plan’s hosed,” Royn said, crossing his arms and tapping his foot.
“No pressure or anything,” I said uneasily.
Another grunt and with a heavy sigh, the Smith put his tools down and placed his hand on the table. “My apologies, friends. I know the stakes are high and I’m worried for you, Jayton, so I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself.” He picked his tools back up and got back to work, then paused suddenly. “I’d be going a lot faster if everybody would quit popping their heads in here every five minutes to try to see what’s going on.”
“Ugh,” Royn said. “I told them we have a plan, and the less people know the better.”
This time, the Smith didn’t even look up, so we decided to turn around and leave.
“I sure hope he gets finished with that soon,” Leona said, grabbing my hand tighter, hand slightly shaking. “The whole plan hinges on the Smith switching the stones on the arm guards. If not...”
“Don’t say it, Jay,” Royn said.
I sighed. “If not, I’m probably a dead man.”
Royn rolled his eyes. “Damnit, Jay, I told you not to say it!”
THE THREE DAYS PASSED quickly. Every time we talked to the Smith, he said, “Almost.”
But we’d run out of time. The final around started in thirty minutes. I was going to have to do the best I could on my own.
Touching my fingers to my neck, I found the zipper where the scale armor, my greatest defense, could be taken off. Unzipping it, I took off the Smith-made armor, leaving me naked, and handed it to Anton. “Don’t lose that.”
He grunted and almost dropped it. With my quantum of strength, I forgot how much the stuff actually weighed. Too bad Arp Bardwell – the giant Helion who’d started out the trip with us – wasn’t here. He could’ve lifted it easily. A pang of sorrow hit me as I remembered our fallen friend who’d sacrificed himself fighting a dragon so we could be here today.
“Keep it safe for me, Anton.”
“Don’t worry, my friend, I will.” One armed, he gave me a great hug as he put the armor in a backpack. “You win this thing and don’t die, buddy.”
“I don’t plan to.”
He pulled back with a trace of a tear in his eye as he slapped me on the back and moved towards the door.
Katy didn’t say a word as she stepped forward and I stooped down to give her a big hug. She kissed me on the cheek and followed Anton, on their way to take their place in the stands.
Just as she exited, the Smith burst from his room, huffing and puffing. Royn let out a huge breath and visibly relaxed. “Thank God. I was worried you weren’t gonna make it in time.”
The Smith was still trying to catch his breath as he said, “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I just hope it works. I didn’t have time to test it.” Standing up straight, he handed an arm guard to both me and Leona and we strapped them on. “Here you go, you two. Modifications have been made just like you asked. Good luck out there today, Sonny. Give them hell.” He slapped me on the back and turned to walk out into the stadium, dirt and soot covering him.
Euless glanced between me and Leona. “What modifications?”
“No time to explain now,” Royn said. A bell rang somewhere in the stadium. “Ten minutes left. Jay, you sure you’re all right, and you know the plan?”
“Honestly, I really don’t feel that comfortable taking off my scale armor. But now that I have this, it makes it easier. I’m as ready as I can be to face an unbeatable monster, I guess. I know the plan, and I’ve got a hunch that it’s gonna work. I got faith in my friends.”
“And we have faith in you, my friend,” the grizzled Ranger said, pulling me into a hug and then pushing me back to look me in the face, his hands still on my shoulders. “You go there and win it, Jay. Win it for all of us.” Clapping me one more time on the back, I swear I saw a tear in his eye as he turned and walked out the door.
Gilmer stepped up and gave me a hug, then shook my hand in both his. “Jay, you’re my best friend in the world. I know you’re super strong, but this guy is crazy. I wish you’d leave the scale armor on.”
“You know I needed it to be able to match his speed,” I said then pulled him closer. “Plus, with Leona’s Amplify, I might actually be faster than him. And he could punch right through it anyway with that Piston Punch, so why waste it?”
“I hope you’re right, Jay. Good luck, my friend.” Gilmer walked out as well, and I could almost see the tension in his shoulders. I really did have some great friends.
“The rest of you come on,” Royn called from the hallway.
Everyone filed out, exchanging handshakes and hugs and “good luck”s for me as they left. In a matter of seconds, it was just me and Leona.
My throat threatened to close itself off. No words would come. I sat there like a fish opening and closing my mouth as tears streamed down her face. After half a second, she stepped in and kissed me hard on the mouth. I hugged her so hard she pressed into me. Stopping the kiss, she pulled my head closer and
whispered in my ear, “I wish you’d said something sooner. I don’t want it to end like this.”
“I know, I know. I’m so stupid sometimes. But don’t worry, with your help, I can win this and then we can go back and help win the war. All this will be over sooner than you realize.”
She pulled back and put her forehead and nose on mine, staring me straight in the eyes. “You’d better win this, Jayton Baird. I don’t give away my heart lightly. If you die, I’ll find Death and have him carry me to your soul just so I can slap you myself.”
We both chuckled, then kissed again. “I love you, Leona.”
“I love you, too, Jayton.”
With one more squeeze, I let her go. Our hands trailed, touching as long as they could as she walked out the door.
Royn Crowell
ROYN HAD DISMISSED everyone else to their seats, but he we waited for Leona. As the girl walked out of Jay’s room, head held high but tears in her eyes, he fell into step beside her. As soon as they were outside hearing distance from Jayton, she burst into loud sobs. Royn put his arm around her shoulders to console her. “You’ll be fine, Leona. He strong, he’s smart, and we got a good plan.”
She gave in to a loud sob as her shoulders shook.
“Part of that plan needs you to be strong!” Royn said. “Come on, Ranger – get it together or we’re all goners.” He knew she was tough, but he also knew the power of young love and the gut-wrenching agony of having to worry for the object of your affection.
A green-skinned woman flashed in his mind, but he shook his head to dismiss it.
He watched as Leona slowly gathered herself, calming down with a deep breath and rearranging her energy flow. After a minute, she looked perfectly in control and in charge of her emotions. She dried her tears on her sleeves and looked at Royn. “I’m ready now.”
