Upon seeing the stone, Danon’s smile dropped. He glared at Luxon and snarled. Before he could retaliate with his own dark power, an arrow struck him across the face and sent him staggering to the ground once more. Luxon looked up to see Sophia high in a tower; she waved at him frantically.
All hell broke loose.
* * *
Faramond stroked his horse’s mane. He hated waiting at the best of times, but being made to wait in the dark with Fell Beasts closing in from all sides was the worst. He sat astride his armoured warhorse in his full battle dress. His cuirass of steel scales covered a chainmail shirt and thick cotton undershirt. He was sweating, despite the coldness of the night. His legs were covered in mail greaves and his feet by leather boots inlayed with iron. On his head he wore a steel helmet which covered most of his face. The image of a charging stallion was engraved in the metal. Topping it off was a tall plume of white feathers. He looked every bit the warrior prince. Around him were a thousand of his kinsmen. The smell of so many horses was almost overwhelming but it did not bother him. He had grown up around the beasts; his tribe depended on the animals. To his right, sat awkwardly astride a white stallion, was Yepert, his mages cloak covering his nose to ward off the smell.
“You are brave to be here,” Faramond said.
Yepert looked over at the prince, who looked like some hero of old in his armour. He didn’t feel brave; a part of him wished that he had volunteered to have stayed back at the camp with Hannah to help prepare for the wounded that would no doubt result from the night’s events.
“I promised to be there for my friend. I vowed to not let him out of my sight,” he replied, frowning.
Luxon was inside the city that dominated the flat plains. Yepert had wanted to go in with him and the others, but had been persuaded to stay by Ferran. His cheeks flushed red. He knew the Nightblade still saw him as a clumsy child; memories of his run-in with the banshee years previously filled his mind.
“I may not be inside the city at his side, but I will do whatever it takes to help him,” he added.
Faramond nodded and clapped Yepert on the shoulder.
“Loyalty is the best quality a man can have. Luxon is fortunate to have a friend such as you.”
A horn sounded from somewhere to the north. Faramond sighed. To keep the Fell Beasts from swarming towards his force, he had dispatched groups of outriders to fend them off or lure them away. Every time a horn sounded, it meant that another rider had been slain. He had counted twenty horn blasts so far.
He swore as a close blast made him jump.
“My lord! Look,” shouted the sheepish-looking horn blower.
Faramond looked towards where the warrior pointed. A dot of light was soaring high into the sky.
“It’s magical fire. It’s the signal,” Yepert cried.
Faramond gripped the reigns of his horse tightly.
“Signal the attack,” he shouted to the horn blower, before kicking his heels into his steed’s flank.
The horn blower blew a high note, and as one the Keenlance army roared. The thousand riders surged forward in a wave of noise. Hooves thundering on the grassy plain and the war cries of the tribe echoed out over the plain. Yepert, too, spurred on his mount, his heart beating wildly as exhilaration filled it.
He just hoped his friends were alright.
* * *
Luxon whirled Dragasdol over his head and sent magical lightning shooting out in a deadly arc of power. Sarpi and N’gist leapt from the walls overlooking the plaza and poured in from the side streets. He stood back to back with his mother, who likewise used her own magical abilities. The lightning struck a pack of charging Sarpi head-on and blasted them into atoms. His mother, meanwhile, cast fireball after fireball. Sweat poured into Luxon’s eyes, and his limbs were growing tired from the sustained use of his powers. In his cloak pocket was the sigil stone; he could not allow it to fall into Danon’s hands. Panic filled him; they had walked right into the heart of Danon’s forces. Thousands of glowing-eyed Sarpi warriors and cloaked N’gist were coming for them. He narrowed his eyes. Danon was standing calmly amongst the charging enemy, his arms crossed across his chest and a sinister smile on his lips. He appeared quite happy to let his followers deal with them.
The N’gist advanced behind the Sarpi, familiar amulets held before them. As they stalked closer, Luxon could feel his powers being leeched from him. Behind him, his mother staggered.
“The amulets, they … they are draining me,” she cried.
With a roar, Luxon unleashed a telekinetic blast which swatted the charging Sarpi aside. The warriors scattered in a tumbling heap of broken bones. The N’gist continued their advance. He launched a fireball, but the intended target summoned a magical shield to deflect it. All the while, Luxon felt himself weakening. He cried out as one of the N’gist staggered and collapsed to the ground, an arrow lodged deep into his back. Another arrow struck, cutting down another of the dark magic wielders. Sophia was moving quickly along the high battlements, shooting arrow after arrow into the enemy’s ranks. But it wouldn’t be enough. They would soon be overwhelmed, and Danon would claim his prize.
* * *
In the prison tower, Kaiden and Ferran moved swiftly. Still dressed as a Sarpi guard, Ferran followed the N’gist through the crumbling structure. Kaiden kept his distance further back. The female N’gist laughed at some joke her elderly companion had made, before unlocking and opening heavy door. Ferran waited a few moments before following them through. To his surprise, he found himself in a wide open courtyard. At one end was another door which led to a tall tower, but it was what was in the courtyard that took him off guard.
He took cover behind a stone column. Bound and tied was a creature. Its long snout was tied so that its jaws were clamped together, and its wings were restrained by iron chains. Its scales were pale grey and its reptilian eyes were flecked with red. Judging by its size, Ferran surmised that the dragon was a juvenile. The woman walked over to the dragon and laughed as she kicked it violently on the nose.
“It won’t be long before the master will need to replace you,” the woman cackled. “Your dragon magic is running low. What good will you be when we can no longer enhance our amulets with it? No, I think you will be served up to the undead and werewolves.”
With a mocking laugh, the N’gist moved off and through the door leading to the tower. Ferran turned to see Kaiden appear at the other doorway. He waved him over.
“You go after the N’gist. My magic won’t be much help against them. Here,” he said taking a vial from his belt. “This is a Void vial. We Nightblades use them to send Fell Beasts back to the Void. Use it against those bastards if you can’t get the jump on them, and remember: make sure no innocent is nearby when you throw it.”
Kaiden took the vial and tucked into his pocket.
“What are you going to do?”
Ferran pointed at the dragon.
“I’m going to free this thing. Perhaps it will help us.”
Kaiden raised an eyebrow.
“Or, it could eat you. Be careful, my friend.”
The Nightblade smirked.
“I always am. Get going,” he said, slapping his comrade on the shoulder. “Get your wife and child out of here.”
Kaiden nodded and drew his sword. He kissed the hilt before following the N’gist out of the courtyard.
Ferran focused on the dragon. Slowly, he moved towards it. The creature’s large eye focused on him, its gaze radiating fury. Ferran held his hands open before him to show that he meant no harm. As he got closer, the great beast growled, and even though its jaws were bound, razor sharp teeth could be seen. Ferran pulled down his hood to show his face. Fighting and hunting Fell Beasts was one thing; trying to calm a dragon another. He took his tourmaline sword from his belt and summoned the glowing magical blade to life. The dragon began to shake, and its front talons raked at the broken stonework.
“Easy, easy,” Ferran said nervously. “I am here to se
t you free. Do you understand what I am saying?”
The Dragon stopped struggling, its large eye fixated upon him. If Ferran knew any better, he would swear it was pleading with him. The pupil narrowed as he raised the blade.
“Remember I saved you,” he soothed before setting to work cutting the iron chains around the Dragon’s legs. “By Niveren, please don’t eat me.”
* * *
Kaiden kept to the shadows as he followed the N’gist. The woman’s mocking laughter echoed down the narrow stairwell. Kaiden crept upwards until he reached an open doorway which led out into a wide corridor. At the far end was a heavy iron door. Down the right hand side were other doors which led to other prison cells. He peered through the bars of one of the cells and gasped. The body of a man wearing a burned mantle of the order of Niveren lay on the ground. It must have been the Knight Vigilant, the warrior had failed in his quest.
“May Niveren guard your soul, brother,” he prayed quietly.
On the left hand side were tiny barred windows which were spread out at regular intervals. He tucked himself against the cold stone of the doorway and peeked down the corridor. The two N’gist were stood outside the door at the far end. He tilted his head in an attempt to hear what they were saying, but all he could make out was cruel laughter. The woman unlocked the heavy door and went inside the cell. A scream sounded, making him flinch. The woman stepped back into the hallway, but now she was accompanied by a child. It was Ilene! The N’gist held the crying little girl tightly by the arm and was dragging her roughly back down the corridor.
Kaiden tightened his grip on his sword. He breathed deeply and tensed his muscles; he would only get one shot at surprising the magic users. The old man cackled at the little girl’s plight and led the way back towards the stairs. As he reached Kaiden’s hiding spot, he spotted the intruder. Too late. With a shout, Kaiden stabbed his sword forward savagely and impaled the N’gist in the guts. The old man’s eyes widened in surprise, and blood foamed from his lips. With a kick, Kaiden withdrew his now blood-covered blade and sent the old man’s body tumbling down the spiral stairs. He then stepped into the hallway and raised his sword so that its tip was pointed at the woman. Ilene’s eyes widened as she recognised her father.
“Let her go, witch,” he commanded.
The N’gist stared at him. A moment passed. Before he could react, she shoved Ilene forward, sending the girl crashing to the floor, and raised a hand to unleash a blast of lightning. The magic struck Kaiden in the chest, and he fell backwards; his sword flew from his grasp and clattered loudly onto the stairs. The smell of charred flesh almost made Kaiden gag, and the pain was excruciating. His eyes flooded with tears as his chest steamed.
“Daddy!” Ilene screamed.
The N’gist cackled wickedly.
“Watch, little girl, as I send your daddy to the afterlife.”
The woman stalked towards him. Kaiden reached for the vial on his belt that Ferran had given him.
“Ilene … run back down the hallway” he croaked. He could feel the magical lightning burning its way through his body; the pain was excruciating. “Do it, honey. Run away!”
Ilene did as she was told, and ran down the corridor. Kaiden gripped the vial tightly and rolled onto his side. He cried out in pain. The N’gist was only a few paces away; in her closed fist she had created a fireball that would burn him alive. One more step …
He roared as he threw the vial at the ceiling. The glass shattered loudly. For a moment, the N’gist glared at him.
“What was that?” she demanded.
“You’ll see, bitch.”
The corridor began to shake violently as the magic contained in the vial activated. A crack appeared on the ceiling and spread along its length. The air itself felt different as the magic did its work. The N’gist screamed as the air above her head split open. The Void breach was hungry.
A howling sucking wind began to emanate from the breach. Kaiden crawled to the doorframe and held onto the stonework tightly. The N’gist was not so lucky. With nothing to hold onto, she was lifted from her feet and pulled into the breach. Her screams echoed, before the Void breach closed with a flash of light.
The sound of alarm bells and his daughter’s voice drifted into Kaiden’s consciousness before darkness took him.
22.
Ferran cut the dragon’s final bond and stepped backwards. The great beast opened its large mouth in a wide yawn and flexed its powerful muscles. It reared up onto its back legs and unfurled its wings. Ferran held his breath as the beast fixed its gaze upon him. He was about to say something when a crash sounded and screams sounded from the nearby tower. The dragon snarled.
“Remember, dragon: I, Ferran of Blackmoor set you free. Help me and you will have repaid your debt to me!”
The dragon growled ominously.
“I owe you nothing, human. Your kind took me from my kind; you tortured me, stole my power … I should eat you.”
More cries came from the tower. Ferran stared hard at the dragon.
“Do you what you wish, but my friend is in danger. If you want to escape this foul place then you are going to have to fight. If you hate men then slay the ones that captured you, for they are my enemies too. Help my friends,” he growled dismissively, before sprinting across the courtyard and up the towers staircase.
The dragon watched its saviour go, its emotions torn. A horn sounded in the distance catching the beast’s attention. Bells began to ring out over the city, a noise that the dragon hated. Angrily, it raked the ground with its talons and roared; it would have its vengeance. It flapped its leathery wings and launched itself into the sky. If it were a fully grown adult, it would not have been able to squeeze out of the courtyard. It felt good to be free.
* * *
As he reached the top of the stairs, Ferran skidded to a halt. Lying on the floor was Kaiden, his clothing still smoking from where the magical lightning had hit him. Quickly, Ferran moved to his friend and checked his pulse. It was still beating.
“Is he okay?” asked a sobbing voice.
He looked up to see a little girl sat on the floor nearby. He gave her a reassuring smile.
“He’ll be fine. He’s just taking a nap is all,” Ferran replied with a smile.
In his heart, though, he knew that he had to get Kaiden to a healer, and soon. Banging was coming from the door down the hallway. His grin dropped as he hurried toward the prison cell. He summoned his tourmaline blade to life and delivered a brutal blow to the door’s iron lock. The magical blade cut deeply into the metal, and with a loud crack the lock broke in two and the door swung open.
Alira stood in the doorway. Upon seeing Ferran and Ilene she cried out in relief and scooped her daughter into her arms.
“Oh thank Niveren you’re safe,” she said happily. Her smile dropped as she looked further down the hallway and spotted Kaiden.
“He lives, Alira, but he needs a healer,” Ferran explained. He ushered the other prisoners out of the cell.
“By the gods … Huin? Grig?” he said in surprise as he recognised the old healer and his companion. The two men at that time had been on the run as the civil war had led to a backlash against magic wielders. The healers had saved Yepert’s life when a banshee had attacked the lad.
“The Nightblade from the King’s Road! It is good to see you,” Grig smiled. Ferran took the old man’s hand and hurried him over to Kaiden. The knight’s breathing had turned shallow and strained.
“Can you help him?”
Grigg crouched down over Kaiden and assessed his wounds. The old man’s brows knotted in concentration as he placed a wrinkled hand onto Kaiden’s forehead. He closed his eyes and muttered a spell. A bright light shone from his palm. As the healer worked, Ferran turned to the prisoners.
“We have to get out of here. From the sound of the bells, our diversion has begun. The plan is for us to make our way to a sewer, which will lead to a way out of the city. Can any of you fight?”
All in all there were ten prisoners. No one raised their hands.
“We may have magic, but we aren’t fighters,” said one of the prisoners, a young woman who wore the clothing of a trader.
“There were more of us,” Alira added softly. “There were mages and Nightblades, but they were taken by the N’gist.”
Ferran turned back to Kaiden. The old healer sat on his heels beside him.
“I have done what I can for him,” Grig explained soberly. “I have stabilised his condition, but I will need to concoct a potion to revive him fully. He will need to be carried.”
Ferran ordered two of the male prisoners to carry Kaiden. Each man put one of the knight’s arms over their shoulders.
“Right everybody, stay close and follow me.”
* * *
Yepert turned his horse just in time to avoid the fireball that smashed into the ground. The Keenlance forces were being held at bay by the N’gist on the walls flinging spells.
Where the powerful magic had struck, the field was covered in craters and the charred remains of warriors. Yepert glanced up to see a squadron of Keenlance warriors loose a volley of arrows. The projectiles soared high, but before striking the enemy on the walls they slammed into a magical shield.
Yepert shouted in frustration. How were they supposed to kill the enemy whilst they hid behind magical barriers? The Keenlance tribe had no mages of their own to counter. None … except for him.
Arrows rained down from the city’s walls and cut down more warriors. Yepert straightened up in his saddle. He spotted the black-cloaked magic users on the battlements and aimed his hand. With a shout, he used his own magic to send a ball of flame of his own shooting at the enemy. Again, the attack was blocked by the barrier.
More arrows and fire rained down onto the Keenlance army.
“C’mon Luxon, get out of there before we’re all killed,” Yepert muttered through gritted teeth.
War for the Sundered Crown (The Sundered Crown Saga Book 2) Page 18
