“You look nervous, child. What’s the matter?” The familiar voice scared Aibek so badly that he had his sword drawn before he realized who had spoken.
“Pagi! How did you find us? I’m so glad you got out this morning. We couldn’t find you…” Aibek trailed off, remembering his earlier suspicions. “Where did you go, anyway?”
The little old man met Aibek’s gaze with no hint of deception. His few tufts of hair stuck straight up and blew in the evening breeze. “I was at the stream, catching fish for breakfast and trying to find some way to contact my god. The silence in this place is eerie.”
A pang of longing shot through Aibek. He missed Serik. Something about Pagi made him think of his mentor and friend, and each memory arrived with an unexpected jolt of pain. He’d killed his friend. Aibek turned to watch the sunset, blinking the moisture from his eyes.
“Did you know there’s an army approaching?” Pagi startled Aibek again by appearing at his shoulder. “I don’t recognize their banners, but they’re trying not to look like an army.”
“Yes. They’re my friends. They’re here to help me free the city.”
“All right, if you’re certain, then I won’t worry about them.” Pagi sat and drew a pattern of circles in the dirt. “What will you do about the city?”
“I have to attack. I — we — don’t have any other choice. My family and friends are trapped inside those walls, along with thousands of other innocent people.”
“You must do what you feel in your heart is right. Not what others tell you is right. Not what you think must be done, but what is truly, deeply right. Only you can say what that is. You are the leader here, if I’ve read the situation correctly.”
Something in the old man’s words touched Aibek on a level deeper than he’d expected, and a dull ache formed in his chest. “Thank you. I’ll try. What will you do?”
“I will wait here. I do not want to involve myself in other mens’ wars, but I’ve come to like your people and want to see you all safely through this nasty business.” Pagi stopped drawing and stood, meeting Aibek’s gaze for the first time in the conversation. A deep, unfathomable pain shone through his ancient eyes, and Aibek fought a sudden wave of tears. “Mind you, I understand why you do it. If you do not attack them, they will attack and kill you, as they did this morning. Do not think I judge you harshly. I only wish there could be a better way.”
Aibek couldn’t think of anything to say. He agreed with the old man. He’d take any nonviolent option if one was available, but the time for peaceful resolution had passed. He only hoped they could take the palace and oust the invaders with as little loss to civilian and friendly lives as possible. He gazed over the bustling camp and wondered which warriors would survive to see the sunrise.
Once the fires had been extinguished and the camp disassembled, the warriors mounted their dragons and took to the skies as the last rays of daylight faded into darkness. Aibek and Gworsad led the way south, toward the army. He wouldn’t launch his attack until he knew the army was poised to back him up. The dragons landed beside the road and waited for the army leaders to approach.
When the division leaders’ faces came into view, Aibek did a double take and ran to confirm what his eyes told him must be true.
“Alija? How is this possible?”
His friend forced a sad smile. “Yes, I’m here. I can’t stay and help, though. I’ve come only to make sure the army made it this far unmolested, and to let you know that your ancestors will make sure you have a fair fight. This will be a dangerous night for us all.”
“I’m afraid it will.” Aibek knelt and drew the city’s outline in the dirt beside the road. When he’d finished, he beckoned the other dragon riders and the division leaders to form a close circle.
“We’ll split the dragons into three groups. Three or four of us will attack the palace and hopefully oust the standing leader there before the army realizes what’s happening. The rest will split into two groups. One group — only two or three dragons, will attack the west gate.” Aibek drew an arrow in the dirt pointed to the gate closest to their discovered camp.
“Make it look like we’re making room for the army to approach. Draw all the city’s resources to that location and away from the South gate. The rest will wait until the city guard has gone to defend the west gate. When most of the soldiers are gone, you’ll take the south gate and open the gates to let the army in, then fly directly to the inner wall and open the parade gates there. Once we’re in, we should be able to hold the gates and possibly take the wall. All the defenses point out toward the prairie.”
“What if they surrender?” The army’s leader asked. “Are we taking prisoners? Letting them go? Or killing all who resist?”
“Remember that this is where I grew up. I’d rather not kill indiscriminately. Many of those manning the walls were my friends and classmates, and now have been forced to serve an enemy they despise. No, don’t kill any who surrender. They’re either free to leave their weapons and leave the city or take up arms beside us. I’m hopeful that many of the city’s soldiers will turn on Helak’s men once they have another option.”
A heavy silence pressed in upon them as the last of the daylight faded to black.
“All three moons are dark tonight. Extinguish the lamps and the guards will never see us coming. Leave the wagons here. They make too much noise.”
The division leaders nodded and whispered to the warriors close behind them, passing along the order.
“One more thing. Are there any warriors who would be willing to ride in on the dragons with us to help take the palace? We need more than four people for that fight, but the dragons won’t be much help inside the building. Gworsad and the other dragons will help keep the walls while we’re inside, but I have a whistle to call them back if we need them.”
Marah grabbed Aibek’s arm, her eyes wide and luminous in the fading light. “This isn’t how we trained for this.”
“I know, but we didn’t plan on them finding our camp, either.” He squeezed her hand and met her eyes. “I’d love to have your bow to cover my back, if you’re all right with that.”
“I wouldn’t go anywhere else if you ordered me to.”
Vayna made a gagging noise.
Grinning, Aibek glanced around the circle. “Vayna, you’re responsible for getting those gates opened. We’re sitting ducks if the army can’t get in.”
“I’m on it,” Vayna shot back. “They’ll be wide open before the enemy even knows we’re here.”
Aibek was less sure of the last assignment, but called for Bartel, anyway. When the shy young man answered, Aibek assigned him to lead the assault on the western gate. “Is that all right with you?” He added at the end.
“Yes, sir, I can make sure the soldiers stay busy on that front. Do you want me to open the gates, so they think the army’s coming that way?”
“I think that’s a great idea, if you can. As for the rest,” Aibek glanced at the dragon riders. “I’ll let you choose which team you want to join, as long as we divide the archers and swordsmen up. We don’t want all the archers on one team and swords on another. Neither will succeed without the other.”
The warriors stood to carry out his orders, but Aibek called them back. “One more thing. Keep your strafing runs isolated to the walls and only use the fire against the soldiers. We’re here to free the city, not burn it to the ground.”
The dragon riders formed a clump beside the road to decide teams, and Aibek turned back to the army’s leaders.
“You’ll find a network of tunnels under the city that lead out beyond the walls. Use them if you must if we get trapped in there, but know that any blood will attract creatures far worse than anything the enemy can throw at you.” When the leaders nodded, Aibek added, “Can you find me twenty warriors to ride in with me to take the palace?”
The leaders went to do his bidding, and Aibek stepped away from the milling crowd. His hands shook. His breath came in shallow gasps.
How was he supposed to lead these people to victory in a city they’d never seen before that day? Especially when he’d failed to win the battle in their own home village. He clutched at the medallion beneath his shirt and reached out with his senses, straining for any sign of the Saethem or the Bokinna. Only silence answered back. A bat fluttered close above his head, and somewhere far off, a hawk screeched. Aibek sighed and opened his eyes. He was on his own this time.
23
Battle
Gworsad rumbled and nudged his shoulder, and Aibek grinned. “You’re right. It’s time. Are you ready?”
“I am. I am ready battle to be over so I go home. I miss forest. I miss Bokinna.”
Aibek nodded and climbed onto the beast’s moss-covered back. “Me, too, but I’m afraid this won’t be easy.”
“Why not? You planned. We trained and ready.” Gworsad bent his long neck around and stared at Aibek with one gleaming orange eye.
“I’m just worried, I think. It’s impossible to really plan a battle. Are you ready for the other soldiers? They’re not used to flying, so you’ll have to avoid any sudden maneuvers.”
“I am ready, but dragons should help at gate first, then come for them and take palace? If I leave you at palace, our training wasted. I want to help.”
Aibek smiled at his eagerness but stopped short of disagreeing. It wasn’t a bad idea.
“Take me over to the other dragons. Let’s see what they think.”
A gust of wind and dust flew about Aibek’s face as Gworsad did as he asked. When he landed, Aibek called out to Vayna, who was closest.
“Gworsad thinks the palace team should help take the gate before we fly into the city. What do you think? I have to admit, I’m tempted. I don’t like leaving others to do such important work — not that I don’t think you perfectly capable,” he added quickly. “I just feel like I should be there to help.”
Vayna shook his head. “I see where you’re coming from, but I think we should stick to the plan. Don’t give the palace time to prepare, like you said before.”
“Vayna’s right,” Marah cut in. “Stick to the plan. I know you want to personally manage every front, but this time, you just can’t. We’ve all trained. We’re all ready. Let the dragons fly back to help with the walls once they drop us off. I have this,” she held up a small wooden whistle. “I can call them back if we need them. Tukanli knows the sound and can call the others.”
Leaning far out over Gworsad’s neck, Aibek murmured, “Is that a good enough compromise?”
“I don’t know co… comp… whatever word was, but sounds like good plan to me.”
Aibek couldn’t quite stifle a grin. “All right, let’s get the soldiers up.”
The dragons worked quickly, lifting the fighters onto their backs as the trained riders helped get everyone positioned so they wouldn’t impede the dragons’ wings.
Bartel swept his hair back behind his ear and strung his bow. “We’ll go first, so we can draw some of the guards away.”
“We’ll give you a fifteen-minute head start.” Vayna paused, then asked, “You think that’s enough?”
“I’ll make sure it is.”
Aibek couldn’t suppress a surge of pride at Bartel’s courage. The young man had been vocal in his attempts to prevent war but had apparently overcome his trauma from the Nivaka battle. That, or he’d simply accepted that this was the only way to keep his friends and family safe. Aibek didn’t have time to ponder the issue any more before Bartel’s dragon lifted off the ground, followed by the others on his team, and they shot out toward the city at top speed.
* * *
“This is it!” Eddrick shouted. Dragon flames lit the sky above the city’s western gate, creating a surreal image he wouldn’t have believed possible. A giddy excitement rose in his belly. “It’s time! They’re fighting!”
Glesni drifted over to hover beside him. “I do believe you’re right.” He closed his eyes, communicating his thoughts to the other ancients.
When he opened his eyes, he tightened his lips into a firm line and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Eddrick grinned and let himself float up above the plain where the army had gathered. He concentrated hard, joining his energy with that of Glesni and all the other spirits hovering above the city.
All at once, something gave way beneath them, and spirits floated up from the flickering lights below.
“What do you think you’re doing?” a ghost shrieked in Eddrick’s face. “We have to help him! Let us go back, he can’t win without our help!”
“We can’t interfere in the business of the living,” Eddrick said between gritted teeth, fighting to keep his concentration and hold up his part of the forcefield.
“That’s garbage and you know it! That’s my son fighting down there!”
“Well, it’s my son your son is trying to kill. Let them fight it out. We need to stay out of it.” Eddrick glared at the panicked ghost.
The angry spirit threw himself at Eddrick, frantically trying to break the bond between him and the other spirits above the city. Eddrick squeezed his eyes closed, focusing all his energy on repelling the young-looking father.
His energy wavered for the barest moment. He knew exactly what that father was going through. He’d absolutely kill to be able to help Aibek, but his son was well trained, and he had to have faith in his training and in him. He didn’t know if this father’s son was as well-trained as his or not. Part of him hoped not. If he was, then Aibek would have a hard time winning. Still, it was up to Aibek to win. He’d interfered more than he ought to give him a fair fight. Now, it was up to him.
Pain shot through him as the spirit struggled to break through, but he redoubled his efforts and repelled the desperate father.
Several more points of pain threatened to tear him apart until Eddrick screamed for help. Immediately, several older, more experienced spirits rushed to his aid. They pressed their energies against the wounded areas and shored up the forcefield until the father and his friends left in search of an easier target.
* * *
Dragons pawed the dusty ground and soldiers shifted in their armor as the seconds ticked by. Fifteen minutes was an eternity. After only eight, Aibek signaled to his team.
“We’re going. I want to be inside the city before you start fighting for the gate.” He met Vayna’s eyes and struggled to hide the apprehension in his own. “Here we go!”
He nudged Gworsad’s shoulder and held on as the dragon unfurled his leathery wings and propelled them into the darkness. Somewhere to his left, the west, a bell rang once, twice, thrice. The guard had sounded the alarm.
The wall burst to life as Gworsad approached. Without consulting with Aibek, the dragon changed his course and veered right. Aibek let Gworsad make the calls, since his eyesight was so much better. It was the right decision. They flew over a dark, silent portion of the wall. It looked to Aibek like the watch there had abandoned their posts. They’d probably rushed off to help at the western gate.
Brilliant yellow flames lit the night sky at the western end of the city, and Aibek turned his head away. He hoped the dragons wouldn’t get carried away and set the city on fire. Still, there was no better way to take the city. The walls were too well-fortified for any traditional siege tactics to have a chance.
Below, the city sprang to life, but no one looked up to see them gliding overhead. Soldiers filled the courtyard around the palace, so Aibek directed Gworsad to land on the wide, flat roof. That entrance would likely be unguarded. A wide stone wall ran the perimeter of the roof, creating an ideal place to gather their force.
Aibek had been on the palace roof once before, when the king had hosted a celebration for the tournament winners several years before. He hoped he could remember how to navigate the winding passageways, but there was no time for second thoughts.
Tukanli circled close behind as Gworsad swooped low and settled onto the roof. No guards raised the alarm or rushed towards them. Relieved at this t
iny victory, Aibek leapt down and helped the soldiers off the dragon.
“Here, wait beside the wall,” Aibek whispered.
One by one, the dragons landed. The group amassed by the wall grew until they had all twenty-five fighters ready. The soft ring of steel filled the air as they drew their blades.
In the distance, screams sounded and bells rang. Brilliant orange light filled the night sky. The dragons flew off, racing through the darkness to help their friends take the gate.
Aibek raised his sword. “Let’s go.”
He pulled open the door nearest their group and stopped cold.
A sentry stood in the doorway, his hand raised to the height of the doorknob.
Before he could sound the alarm, Aibek drew his blade across the man’s neck. He dropped the lamp in his hand and fell with a surprised expression and a soft gurgle. The lamp oil flared, creating eerie shadows on the two men standing behind the fallen soldier. They stared in stunned silence at their fallen comrade. Arrows sprouted from each of their bare necks before Aibek could react. The lamp oil burned itself out, casting the roof into darkness once more.
When his eyes had adjusted again to the lack of light, Aibek turned and gave Marah an approving nod before he led the way down the narrow staircase beyond the door.
No torches burned in the sconces, leaving the stairway in complete blackness. Aibek kept his right hand on the wall and felt his way down the steps one at a time. One of the men breathed on his neck, a hand coming up every few steps to feel for Aibek’s arm and make sure they stayed close together. Aibek wished he knew who was behind him, but he couldn’t tell in the pitch dark of the stairwell. Further back, the scrape of boots on stone and rustle of fabric gave away the rest of the soldiers’ movements.
The Nivaka Chronicles Boxed Set Page 82
