Horizon (In the Absence of Kings Book 3)

by Lee LaCroix

  A great melee was had at that border between city and sand, and the Crown Aegis that did not deflect the initial charge were skewered by the advantageous range of the Vandarian spear. As if the Order had planned against them, the typical sword and shield Malquian soldier had difficulty closing the distance with their swords without lowering their own defenses too far. Unable to breach the gap between spear and soldier, the line of Crown Aegis would have broken if it were not for the bombardment from the rooftop archers and the aid of the shining swordswoman, Kayten.

  She grit her teeth, regretting that she had not joined her fellow shieldsmen when the defense had started, and pushed her way to the front of the line where the Vandarian pikeman were beginning to succumb to the archer’s lethal rain. She joined the rest of the Crown Aegis with their shields up high and looked for an opportunity to strike when the Vandari were caught off balance or became overzealous. Every time her allies were cut or struck down, Kayten would seethe. Eventually, she had had enough.

  She took a leap forward towards the Vandarian lines, throwing herself towards two spearmen. The wind whistled around the spear of the rightmost Vandarian as he stepped in with a gouge, but Kayten had her shield up in time and pushed the strike to the side. Undistracted, Kayten watched as the second spear moved to pierce her side, and she swung her sword at it, deflecting it downwards. Now wedged between the two spears and past their bladed tips, Kayten winded back her sword arm and stepped forward with a vicious strike while she held one of the spears aloft with her shield. She heard a loud pang of clashing metal against her shield, and she pivoted and absorbed the next blow, leaving the first of her victims fallen and crumpled in the sand.

  The second Vandarian had backed out of the frontline, sacrificing its efficiency, and soon another of the Crown Aegis was at Kayten’s back, and he cleaved at the open flank of their enemies. Kayten had only to make it past the tip of the spear if she wanted to fell the enemy that flailed his point in front of her. She waited, making sure she was not distracted by the wild and desperate display, and dove in with her shield at a split second. As the spearhead turned to its extreme right, Kayten stepped forward which her shield to deflect it and then spun across the length of the spear, unleashing a winding slash at the Vandarian’s throat.

  Under the fire of the rooftop archers, the Vandarian pikemen were almost completely obliterated, leaving the main force of one hundred Vandarian sword and shieldsmen to take the front. However, they did not attack alone. Now that the Crown Aegis were in plain sight, and the positions of the rooftop archers had been exposed, the Vandarian archers made their way up the dunes and took up their lengthy siege bows. Garreth saw them as they were making their way up the hill, and he withdrew his bow to the extreme and let the arrow fly. Try as hard as he could, he only hit the very front of their lines, and the opposing archers soon moved out of his range. Garreth knew by the shape and size of those bows, that they could fire farther than he could manage with his.

  “Archers! Take cover!” Garreth called out as the first wave of Vandarian arrows began to fall.

  He could feel the sand grind beneath his feet as he slid off the edge of the roof and landed on his feet, Novas falling beside him. Garreth had just made it back to the main street to see the Vandarian arrows fall upon his troops.

  “Retreat! Into the market!” Garreth ordered, unwilling to lose any more soldiers.

  Garreth arrived to see Raldeen, Behn, and Eyrn standing before the Nacosst militia that had formed. Around twenty-five adults and adolescences wielded heirloom blades or various swords, maces, or axes found in the garrison basement. The old man nodded at Garreth and then made his retreat towards the docks. Garreth continued to wave the retreating Crown Aegis into the market.

  “Hold the line! Watch the gap for enemy fire. Hug the wall here,” Garreth explained.

  He poked his ahead around the market entrance wall and watched as the reformed ranks of the Vandari pushed towards them. As a few Vandari poked their heads out around the wall first, the most unlucky was shot down by a keen archer’s strike. Soon, the Vandarian shieldsmen charged through the entrance in rank with their shields up and formed a wall that allowed for the rest of their comrades to funnel into the market. At seeing the first of the Vandari make their way safely into the market, Garreth charged into the advancing pikemen.

  Garreth brought his sword down upon the blade of the enemy spear, and Darkbreaker produced a wave of light, stumbling the line of pikemen. He made his way in between two of their spears, blinding a group again as he unleashed a two-handed slam against one of their helmets. Dazed by the ferocity of the blow, a pikeman was soon kicked the ground, and Garreth spun to meet the other one, delivering a spinning slice to the leg and then a swooping strike to the neck. The rest of Garreth’s allies moved into the division created by him, pushing the remaining pikemen aside and attacking at the gathering Vandarian swordsmen. The Crown Aegis were weary of stepping into sight of the main road, for the Vandarian archers stood massed on its length and fired waves of arrows into a small portion of the market.

  That day, the market traded primarily in blood between the two forces, and each side had spent all they could afford before long. The Crown Aegis hid behind the market walls outside the Vandarian archer’s reach, and the remaining Vandari massed up in the protection of their ranged forces. Behn, overseeing the battle from the rear as most commanders would do, could wait no longer and unsheathed his massive sword. He nodded at Eyrn, and they joined the ranks of the battling warriors. The two, comrades in battle since the first rebellions against Lord Vyse, fought like the raging of the stormy sea. The motions of Behn’s sword were like the crashing of great waves, bowling over men in multiples and drowning them in steel. Eyrn, quick and precise with his two swords, was like the splitting of thunder and lightning, appearing and disappearing in a flash before leaving death and destruction in his wake. Together a powerful calamity, the two fought side-by-side and made their way through the ranks of the Vandarian shieldbearers. Eyrn ducked and dove under the heedless motion of Behn’s claymore, sending exact thrusts and keen parries where the giant was elsewhere consumed with the rhythm of battle.

  Together with those warriors’ efforts, the Vandari were driven back by the remaining Malquian and Kal’reth archers, who now reassembled on the bordering rooftops and chose careful places to hide from the view of their opposing archers. The bravest and most skilled of them—Kayten, Novas, Behn, Eyrn, Garreth, and Ilsa— braved to dash across that divide. They exposed themselves to the firing range of the Vandarian archers and clashed with the Vandari, hoping to score a kill or two before scrambling back towards their allies and cover. With their numbers waning, the Vandari soon gathered up as tight as they could with all remaining arms and shields thrust outwards in warning and began to march back to the city gate behind them. As the Vandari paced out of the market, Garreth stared around the corner and down the main street.

  “As soon as the Vandarian soldiers meet the archers, we need to rush to meet them. We will have protection from their arrows as long as their foot soldiers stand in front of us. Taking down those archers is the priority, we cannot allow them to reposition,” Garreth explained as he pointed around the bend.

  There was a chorus of affirmation, and Garreth held up his arm as he continued to peer around the corner and dropped it to signal them all. There was a roar as the defenders of Nacosst poured out from around that wall, and they did not slow their speed until their bodies had collided with their aggressors. As predicted, the archers attempted to retreat through the gate, but Garreth led a handful of his allies around the main melee to stop them from doing so. At seeing their dwindling defenses falling so short, some archers threw down their bows and took to the sandy hills while others steadied a final shot before they were knocked over and finished. Searching the hills for any more archers on the horizon, Novas spotted another figure, and his heart leapt. Kayten watched as Novas dashed through the gates towards Malic and threw all his wei
ght into knocking the man’s horse aside. Before Malic could whip the horse into an escape, they both fell to the side. Rising up from the sandy fall, Malic withdrew both daggers.

  “You will not escape this time, Malic!” Novas yelled, pointing Dawnbringer at him.

  Malic watched the movement of mursame blade; he knew of its strength and its hidden power and understood he must be cautious in order to survive. Malic took the stance of a dancing pugilist, putting both blades away from his thumbs, and prepared for a brawl. He watched Novas close the distance between the two and began to fight.

  Novas stepped in with an overhead swing that Malic leapt away from. The Malquian followed up with a spinning slice, which Malic pushed to the side, following the blade’s movement. Novas watched as Dawnbringer sparked alight and sent a flash of light onto Malic’s dark garb. The assassin did not seem blinded, however, because of Malic’s fixed gaze on Novas and his sword. Novas turned his wrist and sent a sideways slice, which was dodged by Malic, but then returned with a powerful overhead slash. Malic raised both his fists to deflect the impact; one to deflect the dagger, the other one to shield his eyes from the glare.

  Malic pushed the blade away with a strong heave, forced the sword behind Novas, and moved to the offense, spinning and careening his blades towards Novas’s neck. The hilt of the first blade remained locked on Dawnbringer’s flaring edge while Malic pushed forward into Novas with the second hand, covering his eyes and bearing an outstretched knife. Novas kicked the man away as the two neared each other, but Malic spun, dropped to a knee, and recovered.

  Novas took a sideways stance, paced forward into unavoidable range, and slashed from the left. As Malic deflected the blade, Novas didn’t waste a second as he raised the blade for another strike and swung it overhead. Watching Dawnbringer fly over his head, Malic dropped his other hand behind him. Without looking, Malic locked the Dawnbringer in his dagger’s hilt securely behind his back. As soon as Dawnbringer has stopped on the blade behind him, Malic launched forward past Novas’ guard and landed a solid uppercut on Novas’ forehead. Dazed, Novas withdrew his sword and staggered back, but Malic was too fast, and the assassin landed a balled fist right between Novas’ eyes. Novas became limp and fell onto his back. Malic breathed hard and spat upon the sand before picking Novas up and placing him on the horse.

  “Garreth! Novas needs help!” Kayten cried from the gate, pointing towards Malic.

  Shortly, Garreth sprinted through the gate towards Malic with Darkbreaker raised high, for Malic seemed preoccupied with securing his horse. Before Garreth brought down his sword, Malic turned, forced a balled fist towards him, and opened it near the Malquian’s face. Garreth was blinded as a noxious powder filled his eyes. As soon as he breathed it in, Garreth began to feel faint. Darkbreaker’s point slid into the sand, and Garreth leaned his weight upon the handle, trying to keep himself aloft and alert. He found he could not, however, and collapsed onto the sand.

  “Help! Anyone!” Kayten screamed as Malic picked up Garreth, placed him on the horse next to Novas, and swung himself onto the saddle beside it.

  Ilsa is sprinted up the dunes behind the galloping horse as Behn and Eyrn met Kayten at the gate, who now cursed and cried at the fleeing Vandarian.

  “He got them both. He is a formidable foe,” Ilsa panted as she returned to their side.

  “He did not kill them. Novas was knocked out, and Garreth, I don’t know, it looked like he was drugged, but still, they’re gone!” Kayten yelled.

  “Hush now, dear lady. We will get them back, all will be well again,” Eyrn cooed as he took Kayten into his arms and laid her head into his chest.

  “We may have won the battle, but without them, I deign to say we may have lost the war,” Behn stated with hands on his hips as he spat into the sand.

  As the sand settled from the assassin’s escape, the four watched out over the desert and tried to wish away their fears and sorrows.

  Act Three

  Chapter Twelve

  The voices are as low and dim as the flickering torchlight at the roundtable discussion in the market later that night. Life had continued on for the residents of Nacosst after they had been called from their homes now that safety had returned. While many were inspired from the victory that had been had, many were already looking towards the future, the next inevitable conflict, and the inescapable retribution of the Vandarian Order. Raldeen sat between Behn and Eyrn, with Kayten and Ilsa on their further flanks, as the town consulted them with their questions.

  “The Vandari did not care whether you were Malquian or Kal’reth. They struck back at us all equally and will do so to anyone who stands against them,” Eyrn explained to the crowd who had rallied in protest.

  “You have to believe me when I say this. I was one of the first Malquians that stood up against our tyrants and said that this was enough. Now I was lucky enough to survive all those harrowing encounters, but I could not have done it without the people who stood beside me and the people that came after me. We must now look outside Nacosst and to the rest of Kal’resh to stand united against the Vandari if we are ever to free your land completely,” Eyrn orated.

  “With Malquia in peacetime, I know there are few souls willing to see the terrors of battle again, especially against such a foe as the Order. Just remember that every one of us that stands before you today, and comes tomorrow, does so from the strength of their heart and the knowledge that all enemies of the Vandari desire freedom as they once did. We will not abandon you in this fight, but we cannot fight this war for you,” Eyrn told them.

  “Tomorrow is a new day, and new plans will be drawn. Until then, go about your lives as you have been living them except be free men and women! We only ask keep an eye to the horizon and an ear for our calls,” Eyrn stated and concluded with a bow.

  The rest of the crowd responded in a dulled roar of affirmation and slunk back to their homes, exhausted by the changes and the chaos put upon them.

  “They do not seem entirely convinced,” Raldeen muttered before wheezing a long sigh.

  “I do not know how else to convince them. We have freed them from the Vandari and have shown them that their oppressors are not invincible,” Behn remarked.

  “Give it time. They will wake up and know the changes are for the better,” Raldeen assured.

  “Speaking of time… what are we to do about Garreth and Novas?” Eyrn announced, and Ilsa and Kayten looked up from their disinterested gaze.

  “They were taking by this assassin that you hunt, you say? And he did not kill them outright but instead rode off with them?” Raldeen asked, to which the rest of them nodded in affirmation.

  “The Vandari are keen on punishment, for they force their esoteric beliefs upon others in often painful ways. It is possible they are being taken back to Vandar. Those swords of light have become quite the bedside story in these parts,” Raldeen explained.

  “Into the belly of the beast, you say?” Behn murmured, unable to withhold a grin.

  “We may not have to go that far. Do any of you have any idea where they may have gone? Kayten, you spent time with the man. Did he say about going anywhere?” Raldeen inquired.

  Kayten closed her eyes and tried to think about the last few days with Novas and Malic, but nothing the assassin had said had stuck in her head.

  “Maybe to the Bloodsands? It really didn’t look like a fortress though,” she replied.

  There was silence at the table for a time as they considered the options.

  “I remember over hearing the Vandarian officer and the assassin speak outside of Erawal. They were speaking their tongue, but I thought I could make out a couple words,” Ilsa stated as she began to draw the memory back, “Galhaast. And he said Andalvia twice,”

  “I do not know of any Galhaast, but Andalvia the city closest to the peninsula that connects Vandar and Kal’resh. It is the seat of Vandarian power within Kal’resh and was the first city to fall during their invasion,” Raldeen explained.

/>   “That seems like a secure enough location for prisoners like Garreth and Novas. And if it is a capital of sorts, they may be held there for a time,” Eyrn stated.

  “I agree. We should search this place out immediately,” Kayten demanded.

  “You know I want to see Garreth and Novas back as safe as you do, but Eyrn and I have duties to the Crown Aegis here and the people who protect them. If you want to travel out, I’m afraid it will be just you and Ilsa,” Behn replied, his set face revealing the lament of his duties.

  Kayten glared at Ilsa, and they both shared a look.

  “Very well. We depart tomorrow,” Kayten stated with a quick nod.

  The basement of Raldeen’s house was cool and shady the next morning. Kayten made her way from the bed of thick cloth with a stretch and a yawn and began to don her armour once again. She was unaccustomed to securing the straps and holding the armour in place as she bound it to herself without Novas’ help. She had been chilled in the night and did not realize how much heat he provided her with. And she had failed to protect him, as he was a Malquian like all the rest. She clenched her teeth and rose from the floor; today, she would do something about that.

  “Good morning, Kayten,” Ilsa greeted as Kayten appeared at the top of the stairs.

  As Kayten entered the common room, Ilsa sat drinking some tea with Ayden.

  “Morning,” Kayten mumbled as she slouched into a chair beside them.

  “Tea?” Ayden asked.

  “Alright,” Kayten replied, nodding slowly.

  She took a sip of the drink, leaned back in her chair, and unleashed a long sigh.

  “Ayden has volunteered to travel with us to Andalvia. Raldeen wants him to see more of the world, and we would reduce suspicion by bringing along our own translator,” Ilsa began to explain.