Black Rim

by B A Fleming

  He sagged, barely alive, as the fallen stone had almost broken his neck. He could hardly move and one of the Moreans crouched enough to run his blade through the mans’ torso to end his suffering.

  A few moments later a squad of Warang horsemen entered the fray, grabbing the shoulders or weapons of Moreans as they passed them, so that they felt the crack and thump of the impact as they landed. Many from both sides screamed in pain from the skirmish, or as they fell into the rapids below.

  The Warang were easily overwhelmed and more than a few were now being pushed backwards into the Turmoil and their deaths. The Morean captains rallied their troops as the Warang fled back over the bridge.

  Half an hour later, a third of the troops stationed at the Hardular Pass garrison stood awaiting the next attack. The Narthal troops formed up in battalions an hour down the Swamp Road, where the road curved away from sight of the Pass garrison. They all then laid down to sleep and wait, except the frontal attack group that stood guard, and would fall in at the back of the army as they passed later in the morning.

  An hour before dawn Zenath drifted in, landing near Ocolan. The remaining cavalry calmed their horses as the dragon looked at them briefly, then back to the soldier.

  “My apologizes for the loss of your son, my Emperor,” Ocolan bowed before the dragon.

  “I know that you would have done your best. That boy was reckless. Did we save enough men for your attack on Morea?”

  “Yes, my liege. Just over a third have been lost. It is unfortunate that the black dragon is unable to help us now.”

  “He too would not be suited to this battle. It is time to commence your main mission.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  “Shigeru is in position. Did your initial raid go as planned?”

  “Yes, sire. Their garrison has been alerted. Since our last raid, they’ve set a large portion of their garrison on patrol. We might be able to still get by them, but we’ll need to be pretty nimble, or lucky.”

  “Luck should play no part. Their commander is still green and has them regimented to a strict schedule. I’ve spent the past day working it out, and I haven’t seen anything to think they will change it. But your initial attack has given us the advantage.”

  Ocolan gave his Emperor a slightly confused look, but trusted the old mans’ judgement when it came to battle strategy.

  Both Manchur and Shigeru had defeated him in training at one time or another mainly due to the strategies that their father had suggested that they employ.

  The remaining gargoyles descended upon the Hardular Pass garrison, picking up solders as they sort to flee, sweeping them off, or picking them up and dropping them into the Great Turmoil as it thundered below the road.

  Ocolan looked up. He had caught a brief moment of shadows in the corner of his eye. Before the dragon arrived, he had impatiently been about to give the signal for the next wave to move in when he stopped, breathed, and then scanned the skies. The Emperor had not consulted him about the gargoyles. He saw one and quickly told his men to fall back into the shadows. Moments later the screams began, firstly one or two and then tens and more as the stone beasts swept in.

  After more than fifteen minutes of fighting, and the deaths of hundreds of Morean soldiers later, they had started to develop some plans. Several had begun dropping large stones on top of the creatures. A merchant helped five soldiers to fashion some weights made from bags of barley and rope. They pushed one gargoyle off the cliff. Weighed down and almost unable to fly it crashed into the Great Turmoil below, sinking to the bottom of the river.

  Whilst still in darkness, the remaining gargoyles had finally been dispatched. As the last was being weighed down and dropped over the cliff edge the Narthal cavalry thundered over the bridge out of the predawn shadows. Hundreds of black clad warriors following them.

  The remaining Morean soldiers at Hardular Pass stood in an assortment of lines. One gripped the hilt of his short sword as his fingers pressed gently against the leather. He had been fighting for his life for the past hour as the stone gargoyles dispatched many of his comrades around him, and now he turned to hear the Narthal coming, thundering over the sound of the waterflow below. His eyes widened, and he looked across to his companions on the other side of the track and three behind his position. They had all heard them as well, and nodded in fearful recognition.

  Zenath roared as he swept around the side of a mountain, casting a large fireball at the Morean garrison, that wearily stood watch at the Angry Teeth garrisons. The two keeps stood in sight of each other at either end of a shallow valley lined by mountains.

  Zenath had come in behind the stronghold, from the Morean side, where more soldiers could be targeted. He heard their screams and laughed ferociously.

  Zenath glided along the valley floor towards the Narthal garrison. As his soldiers cheered, the Blue Dragon rose up in a short curve between the peaks to turn around and make another run. By the time Zenath sailed down past his garrison, a third of the entire Narthal army was running across the valley floor, led by Shigeru and the majority of his cavalry unit, infantry soldiers following behind them.

  The Morean garrison soldiers bravely tried to stall the carnage, but were unable to do so, as the barracks fell within the hour. More than twenty horses had been dispatched towards Corone on first sight of Zenath. They were too many for the dragon, as he had only managed to eat a dozen or so as they sought to escape.

  The Narthal soldiers were rewarded by allowing them to rape and pillage anything that they could find in the Morean garrison. By lunchtime the larders will have been emptied as a large celebration ensued into the night.

  *****

  King Daikin and his royal entourage returned to Vasa during the day as rain showers continued. The capital was partially hidden within the rain. Lord Polan had chosen to join him. For the second time since last winter, Bhagshau was left to be rebuilt and Duke Hacon and Commander Vuvic were tasked with the process, as platoons set about the sullen process, as some of the Bhagshau residents started making their way back into the southern and western parts of the city.

  Halsten, Norman and Frin led their respective regiments home. Thais and Casperi, with their own entourage, headed back to Vasa. Only Dwane remained to help Duke Hacon, and would eventually return to Catheridge. Gameard had followed up on his promise, delivering a shipment of gold payment to Legati Caius to back pay his men. The Moreans smiled as four Tullav entered their garrison with a cart, calling out that they had a present from their Mordare, before quickly exiting the gates.

  Legati Caius had been given the authority by King Daikin to organize the Morean troops.

  Although initially suggesting that he leave his countrymen to fight their own battle, the King had proposed that he follow them, at least for the short term. Those stationed in Anil had remained in Bhagshau, to help with the cleanup whilst they prepared for their next move. The Caitawalaan soldiers were directed to Vasa, where they would be led by another Legati up the main pass road within two weeks. Although less than four thousand in number, they would provide support for the troops stationed in and around Agrippa, who would travel north to meet the invaders.

  “We have a choice to make and now is the time to make it. We can choose to follow our allies, the Moreans, or we can choose to take hold of our own path again,” Daikin almost whispered to Polan as the Caitawalaan monarch stood, somewhat decrepit in front of him, in his private chambers upon the ferry. “We can make our own stand through prerogative action.”

  “Do you wish to send our son on this mission, my liege?” mumbled Polan.

  “No, my dear friend. Our son would be the ruler of the western part our kingdom. In reflecting on the observations you have shared that our Lord Boru has been reduced to a madman who wanders his castle, screaming, killing those that get in his way, then the losses of all those around him have left him empty, his castle empty, his mind empty. It is only a matter of time before his insanity destroys what sanity he has left.”r />
  Lord Polan breathed in deeply as he thought.

  “We have other options, my friend.”

  Polan looked at Daikin, in expectation of further information.

  “The dwarves have found a way into our valley, a tunnel that may lead us through to the western part of the Morean Empire.”

  “We have dwarves here?” Polan was confused.

  “Yes, one has already visited with us. He was an emissary from those that know of Lord Casperi.”

  “I think that that boy is more of a politician than he gives himself credit for.”

  “I believe so as well. I am preparing him to leave in the next few days to make the journey there for us. He will be tasked to build relationships with the dwarves, but also the Imuhagh as well. We must ensure that our valley becomes less of a target for invasion.”

  *****

  Late in the afternoon, Trajunus, Thargus and Thannon rode into the Corone Palace garrison, dressed as regular soldiers with three other soldiers, all with helmets on except one, as to cover their identities. A senior officer yelled at the patrol for the sloppiness of being over ten minutes late as they passed him. One of the soldiers indicated that they had stopped to break up an argument between some merchants in a back alley. They all dismounted and entered the commanding officers’ day room. The garrison commander looked strangely at them for the breach of protocol, as only two of the six had removed their helmets upon entering the building. He stood, fuming.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” he yelled as he walked around his desk, realizing that Despotate Trajunus and the Salararius Thargus and Thannon now stood before him.

  The commander stopped as he, and the three other men inside the day room, all bent down on one knee, bowing towards them.

  “Arrest Despotate Trajunus,” announced Thargus. The officers stepped forward and quickly held the son of the late Emperor, tying his hands behind his back before he could think. He stood in shock in the middle of the room.

  “This ruse was needed, my old friend, so that you were not killed,” said Thargus to Trajunus, who now stared at him with contempt. Thannon had disengaged from the situation and wandered across the room to pour himself a cup of water.

  The garrison had a small dungeon of its own, often used to house reus before executions. The two soldiers now moved Trajunus through the back halls that connected the day room to this dungeon. Thargus’s envoy had discussed with the commanders’ men the importance of containing the situation. The commander of the garrison had played his part well. Thargus and Thannon now stood with him and two of his captains discussing the current state of the court.

  “There are still some who are loyal to Lethos in the corridors. I have briefed my soldiers and released those to the garrison at Veii that asked to not remain in the city,” offered the commander.

  “You did not choose to execute them?”

  “They are loyal soldiers, and displayed their loyalty without alarm. The few that spoke out were threatened with execution. It was but a moment of indiscipline.”

  Thargus nodded. He would have not been so conciliatory, but the commander was an old warrior and had gained respect for his wisdom over many summers.

  “I have gathered a guard of high integrity for you, Thargus. They all outrank those guards that march the corridors, and will ensure your safety,” said the commander.

  “Good. I wish to speak with my uncle at once then.”

  “May I be excused for a few hours, my liege. I wish to visit upon old acquaintances,” asked Thannon. They both looked at him.

  “At least one of you has your priorities in check,” laughed the garrison commander as both nodded to him. Less than ten minutes later Thannon stood kissing Malena in her chambers. They eventually made it to the bed and short time later lay holding each other tightly. Few men of the palace possessed the muscle and strength of this warrior and Malena enjoyed the rough texture of her Hardular lover once again.

  “You must be mindful of these changes,” he had completed a discussion with her.

  “I am,” she confirmed.

  “I mean, be ready to leave at a moments’ notice. It may be the choice between life and death.”

  Malena buried her face into his chest as she reflected upon what he had said.

  *****

  The sun had already set as two of Queen Cassiopeia’s’ guards stood impatiently at the Royal Docks as the ship came into earshot. Thick rainy mist partially blocked the view. They called to the sailors who stood at the front of the craft in preparation for landing. The guards asked that the King come quickly.

  Minutes later, King Daikin and Canute raced up the wet streets of Vasa towards the castle. Their guards struggled to keep pace. Casperi and Thais quickly followed as they learnt news of the disappearance of Princess Lapse.

  Gameard trailed, along with other royals, stopping to be briefed by his men on route.

  The guards at the gate had be informed by Princess Thais to allow Gameard and Soze to enter as she passed them into the courtyard, and the men arrived shortly after her with Nathe and Prince Birger.

  The King raced to his wife’s’ side as a new level of chaos ensued in the main dining hall. Within half an hour the royal surgeons had made another preparation for the Queen, as directed by Thais, and following a quick debrief from her and the main guards and maids, she had been put to rest.

  Shortly afterwards, Gameard stood in front of the King in his private quarters, with Birger, Casperi and Thais. At the same time, Canute led squads of Vasa soldiers who were overwhelmed by random Tullav approaching them to provide information of Moreans during the past week. The soldiers were given strict instructions not to arrest any of their most well-known criminals, as it seemed that the whole city was working together to find the missing princess.

  “The hidden Moreans’ sire,” said Gameard.

  “You have word, Mordare?”

  “They killed several of my men before vanishing and it seems that at least a few of your garrison were in on the plan.”

  “Did you have warning?”

  “None sire. I have given strict instructions to all to share even the smallest of observations with your soldiers, but only the Vasa men. These Moreans planned their timing perfectly to ensure the least resistance. My spies across the Pass no nothing of what has happened, and even if I was to send word, it would be too late.”

  Daikin breathed deeply, reflecting on what Gameard had said. He knew the man well enough by now to know that he had no reason to lie about this situation. Thais nodded, gently informing the King that the whole kingdom was working together to find Princess Lapse. Casperi looked besides himself. He felt a responsibility to the King.

  “It’s not your fault Casperi,” observed Daikin. “None of us were to know of this.”

  “We need to go now!” voiced Casperi.

  “That would be of little consequence considering the sun is setting and the rain. We’ll send a party at first light,” decided the King. “The Morean captains that remain have indicated to our Queen already that they knew nothing of this, and it seems that your informants, Gameard, back this up.”

  Casperi was angry. He had trusted Thargus, and now also blamed Trajunus for the disappearance of Lapse. Both soldiers had become trusted friends, but of the two he had only expected Trajunus to be the one to turn against the valley, and not in this manner. Casperi was also angry at himself. He had grown up with a group of trusted friends and consorts, but seemed to feel that he had stumbled at every turn this past cycle, putting his faith in people that had mostly worked against him. Only Aryz Coun, and maybe Temar remained resolute of those he knew outside of his castle home.

  “I would like to lead the men,” offered Casperi. “I am ready to leave now!”

  “I will go as well,” stepped up Thais.

  King Daikin was immensely tired. He shook his head in reclusion.

  “No, no,” he re-enforced as he half looked towards the ground. “Nothing can be gained if she is
already a day ahead of us. Darkness will give the advantage to any of their men posted to slow our pursuit. Direct your assigned squires to prepare your bags to leave at first light.”

  The King looked at them in despair. There was nothing to do but to sleep a restless night and commence their journey in the morning.

  “Thank you, Mordare, for your collaboration in this. I’m sure that many of my predecessors would be turning in their grave to see such a unified response.”

  “As would mine sire, as we both know that any sort of peace is not good for business.”

  Daikin grimaced at the thought.

  “I have dispatched men towards the Pass, my liege. Unlike our royals here, mine are dispensable. They know that they could be killed in service of the kingdom.”

  “Then I will reward them as such, or at least their widows,” Daikin bowed slightly to him as Gameard bowed and left the room. Birger signaled a guard to escort Gameard from the castle. Even given his co-operation, the Mordare could not be allowed to wander the castle corridors freely.

  Chapter 19

  Lentulus and Zador had made their way to the outskirts of Banias. They had successful managed to find and execute two of the five senators that they were hunting. They spoke about the best approach to find the other senators. Of course, their colleagues in the garrison could easily help them, but even lower level soldiers looked dimly on the idea of killing representatives of the court of Corone. Stealth, at least for the short term, was the best approach. They then discussed the various disparities of the inns of Banias and how trustworthy their innkeepers could be.

  They decided upon a small inn to the north of the town. It was run by the father of one of Zadors’ old friends who knew the value of information. They were correct in the assessment of him and were placed in a room to the corner of the establishment. He asked no questions, only if Zador was in good health. His son was based in the eastern town of Corpea, currently protecting cowardly senators there.