“Better that some survive when the dust is settled and the last fire has gone out,” he said weakly. He stepped back to let the crowd know he was finished. How did actors perform like this all the time?
“Thank you,” said Aireys from beside him. She watched the crowd struggle with his difficult words. There were no more jests and this was probably a good thing. “I will be the first to throw in my sword,” she said loudly. She could have been voted in as mayor in that very moment.
“Do it for your loved ones,” she called out, desperately trying to control the emotion in her voice. Somehow, it made her more courageous and many people dropped their heads in shame. She knew she was going to die. She faced it like only a legend could. No one stepped forward with her.
“Why don’t we hide out in the wastes and just let them pass on through?” a voice cried from the gathering.
“And what if they did not simply pass through? How long could we last without dying of hunger? The wastes are vast but too difficult to conceal so many. No, we form a convoy in no longer than two days and take to the road as one,” she said though her face was grave. She had expected one or two to join with her but silence had greeted her. Well, that was fine. She would stand alone and slow them down by taking longer to burn than most.
Lea stepped forward and reached up to Erroh. If their lives came to nothing more than giving the people of this town an extra day’s advantage, then it was a life lived well. She wasn’t just scared, she was petrified, but there was also an unsettling ripple of anger stirring in her. She could see the lust for vengeance in Erroh’s eyes. He wanted to stay, fight, and kill as many of them as possible. She knew this because she wanted it too. There were always grand dreams of a great revenge but in a world this size, all they could ever be were two warriors useful in battle. This town had taken them in at their most vulnerable and they would never get a greater opportunity to make a difference to so many.
“This town has been good to us my brave, warmongering Erroh,” she said and he nodded grimly. He suspected the town was going to need someone to lead them in battle. He suspected they would turn to him for all decisions. He suspected their strength would rely on his nerve. Despite everything, he made another of those oaths. It was a good one as well. As death approached, he would show no fear. Walking the road he’d always accepted that death could be just a few breaths anyway. At least now, the uncertainty was gone. Such grim thoughts hurt his head. It could lead a mind to madness.
That could be useful in battle.
“I aim to kill many of those fukers,” he roared magnificently.
The crowd suddenly cheered him as though he’d spit fire. They chanted his name and he found it pleasing. Why not enjoy a little acclaim? He wondered if any actually believed they would live through the days ahead.
They did.
With Erroh and Lea’s names added to the list of defenders, other voices declared themselves for war. Erroh watched on in silence as they recklessly threw their lives away. That wasn’t to say he didn’t love each warrior who raised their swords and delivered their names into the first regiment of Keri though. They were now his brothers.
They were loud and brash and cheered on by those with better sense. Moreover, they believed in themselves. They would become heroes, attain the finest mates, and spawn many adoring cubs. They would have epic stories to tell and medals to display. They would face this unknown foe with the gods at their back and the Alphas at their side and they would know victory. They would save this falling town.
They were wrong and they would all be dead very soon but every single one of them would show heroism before they were slain.
The night never ended, or at least it felt as much. Torches were gathered and handed out to any man or female who had need of them. To the gods above, the valley must have looked like a million sparks were spitting out from the town centre’s fiery glow. As important as gathering some fighters, preparing to move an entire town towards a safe haven a thousand miles away was a different beast entirely.
Discovering who could lead the town towards salvation should have rested on the mayor but he would not be moved. He had sins to atone for. He confided in Aireys that he would face the horde alone under the comfort of a white flag. He would seek a peaceful resolution when they neared their territory but until that terrible moment arrived; they both put competitiveness aside and discovered they made a formidable force. They rallied the town and whipped them into a frenzy of activity. They challenged their neighbours to work harder than ever before in their lives. Their great operation’s hub was situated in the cobblestone ground of the town’s centre, where all around them busy villagers ran through the streets with various missions to complete. They attacked whatever tasks they were given fervently. Hale and Fabien were resupplied and sent out on one final mission to track the ever nearing forces while the rest of Jeremiah’s dozen Regulators were dispatched to all surrounding farmsteads with word of many terrible things. Those who joined the resistance were welcome. Those who helped were thanked. Those who refused to leave their homes would never have their stories told. The hours passed swiftly as though time had cruelly hastened and betrayed them when it was needed most.
Erroh and Lea walked through the town hand in hand observing the operations. Her grasp was reassuring and it felt right. He felt guilty not labouring with the rest but he had other things on his mind. It wasn’t just planning their defences, for he already had most of that figured out already. What mattered now was ensuring Lea’s survival. If her injuries were still crippling, he could have insisted she leave with the convoy but as it was, she was a force to wield in battle. His father would be so proud of his warmongering thinking. Had Magnus ever thought about denying Elise a place in the battlefield? Probably but his mother was an elite warrior and on occasion the turning force in a battle. Lea was nowhere near her level and he; well he would never be half the legend his father was. He suddenly wished his father was here but Lea’s hand squeezed him and that was enough. He brought it up to his lips and kissed it tenderly.
In truth, the town behaved admirably. Erroh expected the grumblings of revolt to rear its ugly head in dissent but there wasn’t a whisper. Perhaps Emir’s proud proclamation that he would fight for Keri had swayed people’s discord. If the wretched healer was ready to die, who were they to show derision? It felt wrong to deny him the opportunity though.
Preparing for war was far easier than preparing the convoy. A few dozen carts were rolled into the town centre where hasty inspections were carried out. Those that passed scrutiny were lined up and prepared for hauling. The rest were broken down at Erroh’s request. There were no valuables allowed to be stored upon the carts with every man, child and woman only allowed to carry one pack upon their back and nothing more. Trinkets and treasures would be waiting for them when they returned. The miller worked tirelessly with his apprentices to fill bag after bag of grain and though each cart began to fill up with small sacks, there simply wouldn’t be enough for so many for very long.
“What a miserable fate, to escape this attack and still die out in the wastes from starvation,” Erroh said, as the last sack was loaded.
“Ah, it’s a small matter. If they don’t find enough to hunt, they will just arrive in Samara that little bit thinner,” Lea said. “Worry of better things,” she added.
It was no longer Keri. It was an ever-moving machine of preparation. They were heartbroken, tear eyed and desolate but they never stopped. The years of over-confidence were stripped away and all that remained was survival. A few hours before dawn the torches began to flicker out as their bearers’ energies were spent. A few were tossed aside as some sneaked a little sleep anywhere they could. Erroh wanted to join them. He wanted to close his eyes and curl up in a ball on some soft straw. He wanted to listen to her breathing change as she lay beside him. He was supposed to have the rest of his life to enjoy those moments. They were supposed to have a long happy life filled with those moments. He let out a loud
yawn. She did as well.
The smarter move on their part was saddling up on fresh mounts and sneaking back to Spark City with news of attackers. They owed no debt to the people, apart from saving her life and taking them in and asking for nothing in turn of course. They never even begged him to bring his steel to the table. Lesser drowning men would have grasped at anything. Lesser men would have dragged him down.
Erroh turned to his mate.
“We’re going to need a lot of arrows.”
We’re All Going to Die
Erroh stood below the two great natural walls of the valley and muttered a few warnings to the absent gods. It was here at the gap in the landscape where the battle for Keri would take place. He walked through the parting from river edge to valley wall a few times wondering if further inspiration would strike him. It’s what any decent leader would do.
Leader.
His heart began to beat rapidly at the thought. This doomed leadership had been thrust upon him without discussion and he had agreed without much hesitation.
No small matter at all.
No small amount of pressure either.
“Take a breath my love,” Lea said from behind him.
“Breathing is an underrated gift,” he said.
“Perhaps we should take as many as we can for now,” she said smiling sadly. She was so brave, and he needed to be strong like her and hide his terror.
He took a breath.
The deep river meandered and split the land in two parts at the entrance of the valley leading into the town. One side thinned out as the river bent, leaving only a foot or so of traversable land before touching a wall of impenetrable rock straight up. With a few archers sitting atop, no fool would dare attack from this side. The other side however would be quite the enticing target for attackers, and it was here that all the fighting would take place. Erroh walked the gap again counting approximately forty feet wide. A smart young cub could cause some ruin to invaders with the right tactics before their defences were overrun. Magnus had always said he expected great things from his son. He had made him believe that he could surpass his own accomplishments if given the opportunity. Now Erroh would repay that debt of confidence or shatter under its weight. He sighed. Holding a little town was no great tale to be told. It was no conquering the Savage Isles. It was no conquering the Four Factions.
“Can you climb up there with Baby?” he said pointing to the ledge where Lea had faced her demons. She scrambled up the steep rock face quickly and stood atop the crevice, waiting for further instruction. Erroh walked down the slope towards the tree line separating the town from the wastes. It was a couple hundred feet of beautiful, open grassland. The clustered trees at the bottom offered a fine staging point for any attack but it was all uphill after that, and the warriors of Keri would make it a treacherous climb every fuken step of the way. Erroh would ensure that. He pointed to a thin tree trunk a few feet to his right. A moment later, an arrow embedded itself in the hard wood. He nodded approvingly. There was a strong wind and the arrow still hit its target. It was quite a distance. A few seconds later, another hit the tree a few inches below the first. A third and final arrow struck an innocent tree a foot to his left, causing him to jump. She raised her hand and waved, a mischievous smile on her face. It made him feel better. This battle would need a few leaders and she would be one.
Emir shouldn’t have been in the tavern where a meeting of the future generals of this doomed battle were taking place, but there was no place else he’d rather be. He listened as the leader of the Regulators, Cass introduced himself to the Alphaline Erroh. He wondered if the quiet man with the receding hairline and unsettling stillness resented the young cub marching in and accepting leadership. It didn’t really matter, they would all be dead soon enough. He stifled a curse and turned his attention to Erroh as he addressed the small group of warriors and revealed his plans. They were simple. They would build a sturdy blockade across the gap to the water's edge and stake the land to stop the cavalry charge. With arrows, oil, flame, and swords, there was to be great violence in the days ahead. He however, was to be denied a chance to stand and die with his friends. He topped up his ale before retreating to his solitary table to listen. He had put his name forward with thirty others. It should have been his right to stand firm with bandages, stitching, and every medical trick he could perform under the heat of battle. His skill could save lives; his skill could help hold the town for longer. He wanted to be with Aireys and Quig in their last moments. He didn’t want to be alone. When those two weren’t around, he always felt alone and now Aireys had ordered he be alone for the rest of his life. She had banished him to walk with the convoy for the safety of the city.
He drank back and spluttered as his mouth overfilled and the ale spilt down his shirt. It wasn’t fair. He cursed loudly, causing a few faces to turn around in irritation. He glared back at the dead men who judged him silently. There’s nothing to see here you curs, apart from a wretched healer too good for war and death. Go listen to the plans to devastate the invaders. A few feet away Aireys looked and tried to catch his eye. He eyed his reassuring ale instead. How could she do this to him?
“How many times have you made the trip my love?” Aireys asked him once again, stroking the stubble on his chin. She already knew the answer. He knew this.
“Five times,” he said miserably.
“We need you to lead them,” she said, as a tear flowed down her cheek onto the pillow they shared.
“There are others that have been to the Spark,” he pleaded.
She shook her head sadly and kissed him hoping to end this sorrowful conversation. How many years had she dreamed of him in her arms? Far too many wasted. He pushed away slightly, only slightly.
“They need your guidance. They need someone who knows the city. Someone wretched enough to do whatever is needed,” she said firmly. “Wretched and beautiful,” she added softly.
“I want to be with you on the battlefield,” he whimpered back, his own silent tears rolling down his cheeks.
“I want you to live,” she argued.
“I don’t want you to die,” he whispered.
Erroh’s plan was received well, probably, because of the violence it entailed. The mountain range was too severe for Riders to navigate. A skilled climber could eventually scale the great height but where Lea and her choice of archers were stationed, there was little chance of any brute making it to the summit alive. If the Riders were unable to penetrate the defences along the slope, it would take them a day’s hard ride to enter from any other direction, and even then, they would need a detailed map just to find the defiant town. If all went to plan, the town might gift two days to the escapees. This would be enough for them to reach the skyroad.
Placing Lea along the ledge was both his shrewdest and trickiest manoeuvre of the day. Her ability with the bow would cause absolute devastation but more than that when they were overrun, he demanded she flee across the top of the valley and lose herself in the forest and peaks beyond. Away from eager listeners, she argued, begged, and threatened the leader of Keri for another station but he was resolute until she eventually gave in. Her heart broke at the thought of not being at his side at the end. Walking into the darkness hand in hand was something she could have faced.
In the final hours before the convoy departed, when sleep and cheer were forgotten, Erroh assembled the feeble army of Keri in the hope of lifting their spirits. A harsh, bitter wind blew through the gap in the valley, and it looked as though rain was in the air. Watching their loved ones prepare to leave was causing whispered doubts to spread through their ranks. Among the group of anxious men were Aireys and Lea, who sat side by side at the foundations of the new wall in a bond of sisterhood. They looked as nervous as the rest but more than that, they looked as nervous as Erroh felt. He closed his eyes and thought about the Rider who struck down his mate while ignoring the growing silence all around him. He remembered slaughtering the brute and he held that wonderful b
loodlust close to his beating heart before opening his eyes and facing his downcast audience. He spoke his mind and nobody interrupted him for he spoke loudly with just the right amount of madness to his tones.
His father would have approved.
“In the next few days I’m going to die,” he said and let each word sink in.
“We’re all going to die brutally.”
Silence.
“Every one of us will step into the darkness and no one will cheer our names or sing our sacrifice, for this is an insignificant little town.”
Heavy hearted silence.
“We will never know if our loved ones make sanctuary or if these beasts that tear our bodies apart will ever be stopped.”
A few looked around at each other.
“We will all be dead,” he said.
The collective audience appeared to agree.
“We will not die heroically. We will die to keep a few hundred alive, nothing more.”
As he spoke, he met the eyes of each man. He could see the impact his cruel words were having on their faces but it was a better thing to face horrifying thoughts among comrades in the light of day, than alone in the dark recesses of the mind. If they bit down hard and chewed, they could eventually swallow. His father had told him that the finest warriors accepted death long before battle. A man with hope for survival was more likely to cherish the gift of life and more willing to do anything to prolong his life: flee his brothers in arms, or sacrifice the line.
Spark City Page 34
