Hamíd found Captain Hatim on the wall above the gates, watching the last of the refugees stream in. The gates swung shut with a dull thud as the soldiers bolted them securely. The captain watched the distant tree line anxiously. He did not have long to wait before the first ranks of the enemy force broke through and advanced.
“You think we can hold out for three days?” Captain Hatim asked Hamíd. “Fifty men against so many?”
“Fifty-two, Captain,” a voice said behind them.
Hamíd and Hatim turned to see Ismail’s young wife Nadirah and Nasim coming up the steps to join them. Both wore mail coats and bore scimitars as well as bows and full quivers.
“You shouldn’t be up here, m’lady!” Hatim protested.
“Captain, you know my father had me trained well,” Nadirah said.
“Yes, ma’am, but this is different than bouts in the practice ring. It’s my duty to protect you, and I can’t do that if you’re up here trying to get killed!” Captain Hatim exclaimed.
“I know very well how dangerous it is, Captain. But I would be ashamed if I did nothing to protect my home. I stay!” she said authoritatively.
“All right, but you will follow my orders. I still command here,” Captain Hatim said sternly.
“Yes, Captain.” Nadirah offered a salute.
Captain Hatim strode off, ordering the defense of the walls and keeping an eye on the advancing force. He concentrated his men on the front and west walls, which faced the open valley. The rear and east walls were protected by the forest.
Nadirah moved to stand by Hamíd. “How many?” she asked looking out over the walls.
“About three hundred now. They must’ve picked up some more men just outside the border,” Hamíd answered.
“If they’re here, then do you think anything happened to Ismail and my father?” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her sword hilt.
Hamíd had wondered the same thing, but decided against telling her his own concerns.
“I don’t know, ma’am. The last we heard, our army was headed back here. My guess is Numair sent this force to try and cut them off by capturing this castle. Besides,” he said. “Ismail’s not going to let anything stop him from getting back to you.”
Nadirah blushed. “You really think so?”
“Of course I do. It’s my duty to look after Lord Rishdah and his family. That includes you now. Stay close to me, and I’ll make sure you’re at the front gate to meet Ismail when he comes back in a few days.” He hoped there would still be someone standing to meet Lord Rishdah and his army. Nadirah nodded gratefully.
“Everyone at the ready! Here they come!” Captain Hatim shouted.
Hamíd laid a shaft on the string of his longbow as a group of soldiers approached the walls.
“I am General Sa’id of Lord Numair’s army,” their leader announced. “I know you have only a small force. You can never hope to hold out. Surrender now and your lives will be spared.”
“Not likely,” Captain Hatim shouted back. “I command here, and my soldiers will not surrender.”
“Brave words,” General Sa’id sneered, “but your last!” He took a quick step back as one of his archers took aim.
The arrow struck Captain Hatim high in the shoulder. He staggered but remained on his feet. Hamíd quickly drew on his bow and fired an answering shot, taking out the archer below. Captain Hatim gritted his teeth as he pulled the arrow out of his shoulder. Snapping it in half, he threw it defiantly over the wall. The battle had begun.
The afternoon stretched on, but no attack came from Sa’id’s men. The defenders shifted restlessly at their posts.
“What are they waiting for?” a young soldier asked nervously.
“They’re trying to make us anxious and frightened.” Captain Hatim adjusted the bandage around his arm. “We won’t have to wait much longer. They’ll attack at dark.”
As dusk fell, fires were lit in the valley. Captain Hatim ordered torches set up on the walls as darkness set in. Nadirah cried out a warning as an arrow whizzed by her head and pointed to dark shapes moving along the ground towards the walls. Nasim bent his bow and fired off an arrow, hitting one of the advancing soldiers who fell with a cry.
Seeing they were discovered, the rest of the soldiers broke cover and advanced at a run. The defenders followed Nasim’s example, firing arrows as quickly as they could. A ladder hit the wall beside Hamíd. He dropped his bow and grabbed a javelin from a nearby stack. The first soldier to make it to the top of the ladder was met by a vicious thrust from Hamíd. As he fell, more ladders were set against the walls. Soon, bows were dropped in favor of swords and javelins.
Hamíd fought two soldiers, parrying and thrusting with the javelin. He lashed out with the spear, knocking one over the parapet. The javelin shattered under the impact. He tossed it away and locked blades with the second attacker.
The fighting was heavy all along the walls, the defenders battling in furious desperation. Hamíd pulled Nadirah to his side as a new wave of soldiers clambered over. She was holding her own, and he turned his attention to the men that began to surround them. Nasim came crashing in from the side, surprising the enemy. Aided by Nasim, Hamíd and Nadirah drove them off.
“We’ve got to get the ladders down!” Nasim shouted above the noise of battle. Hamíd nodded and tossed them both a javelin from a pile. Sheathing his sword, he also armed himself with a fresh javelin.
“Come on!” he yelled and, giving voice to a savage war cry, led them into the fray. He cut a path to the nearest ladder and fought off attackers as Nasim and Nadirah used their spears to lever the ladder away from the wall. Farther away, Captain Hatim and two soldiers were doing the same.
“There’s two more left!” Nadirah cried as Captain Hatim ran to join them.
“No time to lose!” he yelled. “Hamíd, you and Nadirah take one. Nasim, you come with me!”
Hamíd and Nadirah struck toward the nearest ladder. Knocking off the uppermost men on the ladder, they jammed their javelins under the top rung and began pushing. Creaking and groaning, the ladder began moving and fell to ruin on the ground below. Suddenly, the battle was over. The weary defenders raised a cheer. The first victory was theirs.
Captain Hatim ordered the removal of the dead and wounded and posted guards. They had been strangely fortunate. Only five of his men lay dead; however, many more were wounded. But almost two score of the enemy had fallen. He paired the guards together; one would sleep while the other kept watch, switching every few hours.
Hamíd noticed Nadirah shaking and put a steadying arm around her as she retched violently.
“You all right, ma’am?” he asked.
Nadirah drew her hand wearily across her face and nodded, wrenching her gaze away from the carnage around them.
“Why don’t you go get cleaned up and get some sleep, m’lady? There’s still a few hours till dawn. I don’t think they’ll attack again tonight.”
“What about you, Hamíd?” she asked.
He met her concern with a smile. “I’ll be up here. Don’t worry about me, ma’am, I’ll be fine.”
Captain Hatim came up a few minutes later.
“How’d we do, Captain?” Hamíd asked.
“Only a few seriously wounded. Most everyone else is hurt in some way, but we can’t afford to bring them off the walls,” Captain Hatim answered. “Where’s Nadirah?”
“I sent her inside, sir. I figured it would be better for her to rest than to stand guard duty.”
“Thank you for taking care of her, Hamíd.”
“Yes, sir. There’s too many people that would kill me if I didn’t,” Hamíd rejoined.
Captain Hatim chuckled. “Make sure you get some rest yourself, Hamíd.”
Hamíd saluted. “Yes, sir.”
* * *
Hamíd stood guard with the young soldier named Imran. Servants came up to the walls, passing out blankets and hot soup with bread. Hamíd noticed the young man’s hands shaking as he
took the food and stared numbly at it. Hamíd draped the blanket around his shoulders and crouched beside him.
“Hey, you need to eat and keep your strength up,” he told him softly.
Imran looked at him. “I can’t. I just…I keep seeing it all over again.”
“I know. It’s hard the first time. Just trust me. Eat then get some sleep. I’ll take first watch.”
He took the first watch and the second as well, letting Imran sleep. Hamíd leaned on the battlements, watching the sun rise over the trees, tinting the valley in a peaceful gold.
Nasim came to stand beside him. “You get any sleep?” he asked.
Hamíd shook his head. They both stiffened as drums began to pound and the enemy began to advance.
Chapter 13
Emeth woke at dawn. He quickly dressed and went to relieve Nicar on guard duty. He felt strangely restless, as if something was amiss. But nothing seemed out of place in the quiet camp.
We’ve been gone three months now. I’m just ready to rest for a while, he told himself. Well, maybe I’m not the only one. He caught sight of Lord Jamal hurrying toward Lord Rishdah’s tent, a frown creasing his face. Lord Rishdah met him outside the tent.
“One of my scouts reported a large force passed this way two days ago heading west. They were flying a blue banner with a panther,” Lord Jamal said.
“Numair.” Lord Rishdah swore. “Sounds like they’re headed your way. How many?”
“Three hundred strong. There is only a small force at the castle.”
“Emeth, I want my cavalry ready to leave in an hour. Alert the rest of the Phoenix Guard.”
Emeth was moving before Lord Rishdah finished giving the order.
“My men will be ready as well. If we ride without stopping, we can get there tomorrow morning,” Lord Jamal said.
* * *
General Sa’id had ordered a battering ram into action. His men pounded at the gates all morning while his archers kept the defenders’ heads down.
Hamíd lay behind the battlements. All around, Captain Hatim’s men did the same, unable to move or fire back for fear of getting hit. So far, the doors had held strong, but it was only a matter of time before they began to weaken. Hamíd moved over to where Captain Hatim lay.
“What if they try and come around back?” he asked the captain.
Hatim smiled grimly. “There’s a small force on the back wall watching for that. But the woods around the walls are so full of traps and snares, Sa’id’s men would be lucky to get through alive.”
The day stretched on as the sun beat down mercilessly. A sentry reported a group of Sa’id’s men had been seen in the forest but had quickly retreated. Meanwhile, Imran had come up with a solution. Thick wooden shields were brought up to the battlements. Hatim selected the best archers and instructed the rest to hold the shields. Sheltered from enemy fire, the defenders were now able to retaliate.
Hamíd drew his bowstring taut. “Now!” he yelled.
The shield bearers in front of him stepped apart, allowing him to shoot. Taking quick aim, he fired, killing one of the ram carriers. The shields snapped back in place just in time as answering arrows thudded into them. He nocked another arrow to the string, gritting his teeth as his left arm quivered under the strain. It wouldn’t hold out much longer. He drew on the string again. “Now!” he called.
* * *
General Sa’id was furious. Not only had the raiding party come back unable to reach the walls, but the defenders were now driving off the battering ram crew. He was running out of time. He should already be in the castle. Calling his captain over, he gave orders.
“Gather plenty of wood and brush. We’ll burn them out tonight.”
* * *
They rode hard all day, stopping only to rest the horses. Emeth wiped the sweat from his face and stared at the flat plains surrounding them. It seemed they had made hardly any progress. He watched the sun sink lower into the western sky. At least it’ll get cooler now, he thought as he spurred Narak on.
* * *
Twilight brought a short respite for the defenders. Nadirah found Hamíd sitting against the wall, sharpening his daggers. She handed him a beaker of water. Sheathing his blades, he took it gratefully.
“Captain Hatim ordered a barricade set up in the courtyard. What’s going to happen?” Her hand clenched around the strap of her quiver in ill-concealed anxiety.
Hamíd hesitated before answering. “Sa’id’s going to order another attack tonight. We’re all exhausted and stand a good chance of being overrun. The gates won’t hold up much longer, so we’re going to need something to fall back to. I’m afraid that’s the truth, but keep quiet please, ma’am. There’s plenty of young soldiers who are frightened enough by now.”
“When do you think General Sa’id will make his move?” she asked.
Hamíd glanced at the sky. Night was falling quickly. “It won’t be long now. We’d best get ready, m’lady.”
Everything was quiet on the walls; hands gripped javelins and bows nervously. Captain Hatim strode up and down the lines, whispering encouragement as he went. Hamíd leaned on his bow as he stared out over the walls, absently running his thumb against the smooth grain of the wood.
“You don’t look scared at all.” Nadirah’s laugh pitched higher in nervousness.
He smiled, glancing down at her as he admitted how he really felt. “My stomach’s been doing somersaults for the past hour. It’s not too fond of waiting.”
Nadirah giggled. “I hope something happens soon then, because I think my hands are frozen to this javelin.”
A soldier pointed to a bobbing light in the valley below. It suddenly sprang into the air and flew toward them. They watched as it arched over the walls hitting the roof of a building and blossomed into flame.
“Fire arrows!” Captain Hatim yelled a warning as more came pouring over the walls. Servants rushed to put out the spreading flames as storehouses, barracks, and the armory were hit. Then all went quiet. Hamíd stiffened as a hissing filled the air.
“Get down!” he yelled as a hail of arrows fell, invisible in the darkness. He jumped at Nadirah, knocking her flat and shielding her from the incoming arrows. The air was filled with the screams of those who were hit. Two more deadly flights followed, and then the fire arrows began again. Hamíd helped Nadirah sit up, and chanced a glance over the walls.
“Captain!” he cried urgently. “They’re headed for the gates!”
Captain Hatim cursed as he saw soldiers carrying torches toward the battered gates.
“Pick them off if you can!” he ordered.
Hamíd and a few other soldiers stood and began firing at the advancing soldiers. An answering volley of arrows came back, killing two men and wounding more. Hamíd looked over the walls again. The enemy had successfully set fire to the gates. Hamíd found Captain Hatim.
“It’s no use. The gates will be down in a few minutes and the barricade isn’t finished. We need everyone off the walls now. I can hold them at the gates until it’s finished and everyone is behind it,” Hamíd said.
“No, I won’t let you!” Captain Hatim said.
“Sir, it’s our only chance. Otherwise, we’ll be caught out in the open and be slaughtered,” Hamíd argued as the ram once again pounded at the burning gates.
“Very well. But once it’s done, you retreat, understood?” Captain Hatim said sharply.
“Yes, sir.” He wouldn’t question that order. He saluted and grabbed a javelin. He pushed past Nadirah and hurried down the steps. The courtyard was a scene of chaos. Soldiers scrambled between burning buildings, making for the safety of the barricade. Hamíd arrived at the gates as they fell.
A blast of heat drove him back a few steps. He readied the javelin as the first of the enemy soldiers leapt through the burning doorway. As more men poured through the gates, he threw the javelin, felling a soldier, and then he drew his scimitar.
Yelling a war cry, he threw himself into the fray. Taken ab
ack by the ferocity of his attack, the invaders wavered for a moment. Then a piercing whistle rang out behind him. Still fighting, he retreated toward the barricade. As he turned to run, a soldier tripped him with a spear.
Hamíd fell heavily to the ground. He twisted to see the spear raised for the kill when a shriek cut the air and a dark object flew into the soldier’s face. Hamíd pushed to his feet and sprinted to the barricade where Nasim and Imran pulled him over. As they helped him sit down against an overturned wagon, Nasim’s hand brushed broken shaft protruding from his shoulder.
“Hamíd, when did this happen?” he asked worriedly.
Hamíd winced as he turned his head to better see as he felt around it. “A few minutes ago. The mail caught most of it. I’ll be fine.”
The harsh shriek rang out again as a hawk swooped down and landed unsteadily near them as it tried to see through the darkness and flame.
“Is that…?” Nasim asked incredulously.
Hamíd slowly reached his hand toward the bird. It flapped its wings and perched on his arm.
“Never thought to see you again.” Hamíd ran a finger down the hawk’s feathered breast.
Nasim shook his head in disbelief. “It looks like we have another soldier.”
They were distracted by an outbreak of fighting farther along the barricade. Wearily, Hamíd rose and accepted a new javelin from Nadirah and turned to face the oncoming foe. After what seemed an age, they drove off the first wave of attackers.
The burning buildings still flamed brightly, illuminating the courtyard as the enemy regrouped. The hawk came and perched on Hamíd’s arm as he watched for the next attack.
Nasim ran up. “Hamíd, Captain Hatim’s been severely wounded. We have no one to lead us now!”
Nadirah gasped. “We’ll be overrun! Take his place!” she begged Hamíd.
The Rise of Aredor Page 11
