The Eternal Darkness (The Jake Thomas Trilogy - Book 3)

by Steven A. Tolle

  …

  Keria paced slowly around her suite, giving Madalin and Cherise some distance. She had sent one of the guards to fetch Madalin, knowing that Norlan likely would be unable to return swiftly. Cherise was unnerved by the attempted assassination and needed her mother. She is not the only one, Keria thought as she noticed her hands were still shaking slightly as well.

  She glanced over at them. They were sitting on the couch, with Madalin holding Cherise tightly, stroking her hair and speaking softly to her. Captain Jansen was standing against a wall in the entry hall, positioned between them and the door, his hand resting lightly on his sword. He had assigned at least ten men from the small group of Royal Guard that made up her personal guard to defend the door, but the man had given Norlan his word and meant to keep it.

  At their feet, Maxis lay sleeping, his injuries healed, though he still had some dried blood on his coat. An apprentice that could heal had been found and arrived just in time to save the dog. When she had finished, the girl had told them that he had lost a lot of blood and would need rest and fluids for several days, but should be fine.

  If it would not shock the nobles and maybe even the people, I would name him a Hero of Sanduas, Keria thought as she studied the dog. He had come to save Cherise and saved her as well. She was still amazed at the bravery the dog had displayed. She had not been allowed pets growing up, so she had never really experienced that kind of loyalty from an animal.

  She heard voices on the other side of the doors and, when she glanced over, saw Jansen step forward, placing himself in the middle of the entry hall, his hand tight around his swordhilt and body tense. When the doors opened, she saw Norlan enter, a troubled yet determined look on his face. Jansen relaxed and fell in beside him as Norlan came into the room.

  “Your Majesty,” Norlan began, though his eyes were on his family. “We have an urgent situation we need to discuss.” She could see that he was being deliberately vague, likely for Cherise’s sake.

  “If you will allow me, your family can stay in Marcus’ suite tonight,” she said. “It is late and we have all had a rough night. You can join them when we finish our discussion.”

  “As you wish, Majesty,” Norlan said with a bow.

  “Captain Jansen, please assign four of the men to guard the Commander’s family while they are in the palace,” she said. “I want them safe and secure.”

  “I will select them myself,” Jansen said and went out into the hallway.

  After a few moments, Jansen returned. He approached Madalin, giving her a slight bow. “If you will follow me, I will escort you to your rooms.”

  “Thank you, Jansen,” Madalin replied politely. She stood, pulling Cherise up with her. Maxis roused at their movement and stood, wavering on wobbly legs. She looked over at Norlan, who gave her a nod and reassuring smile. With a brief curtsy for Keria, she followed Jansen out to the hallway, holding hands with Cherise, Maxis slowly following. The guards closed the doors behind them.

  “Are you okay, Keria?” Norlan asked compassionately after the doors shut.

  “I’m as well as can be expected, Norlan,” Keria replied, grateful for his concern. She went over and sat on the couch. “I’m concerned that our enemies were able to buy someone with that kind of access. It is disturbing to know that there may be others in the palace. It makes me feel like I am alone, not knowing whom to trust.”

  Norlan came over and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I know that it is difficult with Marcus gone, but you are not alone. If you ever have a task or just need someone to speak with, you know that I am always available to you.”

  She reached up and gave his hand a squeeze. “Thank you, Norlan.” She simply enjoyed the closeness for a few moments, but finally asked, “What do we have to discuss?”

  “An army of demons and half-men have come out of the west,” he said as he moved away and took a seat in a nearby chair. “They attacked and burnt the outlying farms and homes. It looks like we are besieged as they were moving forces to close off the roads to the gates. They only seem interested in choking off our access for now. They have not made any attempts on the gates or walls, or we would have heard horns. The clerics are setting up a rotation to ensure that all of the gates have some protection from the demons. I have ordered all of the gates shut and sealed. No one will be able to leave from this moment on.”

  As she took that in, Jansen returned. “Your wife and child are safely in their room,” he told Norlan. “I searched it myself and the men have orders to not allow anyone in without your express command.”

  “Thank you,” Norlan said simply, gesturing to the other chair. When Jansen had sat, he repeated what he had told Keria.

  “Do we have an estimate on their strength?” Jansen asked.

  “No, but there were many,” Norlan stated. “Several thousand half-men at least, but I have no idea on the number of demons.” He looked at Keria. “If we bring in more able-bodied men, we can nearly match the half-men in numbers, but even with the walls, it is likely that we are still at a disadvantage. According to Sister Lavera, there are only fifty clerics and apprentices who can wield power. That means only twelve per gate, and we have to account for rest periods, so the actual number on duty at any time is half that. If the demons come in force, we will be hard pressed to stop them.”

  “What about the southern garrisons?” Keria asked. “They will have clerics and trained soldiers. Do we have any idea when they should arrive?”

  “I have not received any word,” Norlan said and looked over at Jansen, who shook his head as well. “I know that messengers have been sent, but we have not seen any return. We can hope for their arrival, but I fear that unless they arrive soon, there may not be anything left for them to defend. We should plan with the assumption that they will not be here.”

  “That is sound thinking, Commander,” Jansen said. “I’m troubled by their delay, but we must deal with the situation as it is.”

  “Very well,” Keria said. “Captain, please send a guard to bring food. I fear that we will be working through the night.” As Jansen stood, she tried to put the night’s events out of her mind and focus. She had a responsibility to defend the people of the city and that took precedence over everything, including her personal safety.

  …

  As the sun rose over the Gray Ridges, chasing away the shadows of the night, Norlan stood above the West Gate, stifling a yawn as he observed the deployment of the enemy forces. He had been able to see his family and got a couple of hours of sleep after he had finished discussing the defense of the city with the queen. Madalin and Cherise had agreed to remain in the palace, as Keria needed people around her that she trusted.

  As he feared, the other gates reported that the enemy was deployed to cut off the roads. There had been attempts by the archers to stop the enemy forces that came close to the walls to take the bridge over the river at the North Gate. The demons had attacked any person that was exposed and the clerics had not been able to stop them from seizing the bridge. The city was truly surrounded.

  With the coming of daylight, he could see the half-men deployed in loose formations. He made out some bowmen, but the bulk of the forces were foot soldiers. There were a few mounted elements, but they could not do more than carry messages in a siege situation like this.

  As he tried to count the number of their enemies, he felt more confident regarding the half-men. While they had the advantage of numbers, with the open land between the opposing forces, the enemy would have to attack through the archers’ kill zones before they could get close enough to even attempt to scale the tall city walls. If his archers could sustain a good rate on their volleys, they would cut that advantage down to a more manageable size.

  What really concerned him were the demons. He could make out the short bodies of the Imps clustered behind the half-men. He knew from Jonas that the Imps were the weakest of the demons, but there were at least a hundred of them, more than double the city’s available cler
ics. He also saw a few taller demons mixed in, but had no idea what they could do.

  Even as he watched, one of the taller demons began to walk down the highway, heading towards the city. The half-men parted their formations to allow it to pass. It stopped briefly and said something. One of the half-men fell in beside it, and then it continued to approach. When it reached the edge of the archers’ range, it stopped. Motioning, it sent the single half-man forward.

  “Hold!” Norlan called out to the nearby archers who began to heft their bows. “I don’t think he plans to take the city by himself.”

  The half-man approached until he was only forty yards from the wall. He stopped and cupped his hands around his mouth. “My mistress wishes to approach and speak with your commander,” the man shouted. “She asks that she be allowed to approach unmolested. She has said that no blood need be spilled, if you are willing to listen.”

  Norlan looked at Sister Keli, the senior cleric on duty, who was standing behind him. “What do you think?”

  “We can never trust the word of a demon,” she said, frowning, “but we may be able to learn something of their intentions. I say that we hear them out, if you are willing.” She called for the other clerics to join her as her form began to shine. “We will deal with the demon if it attempts any harm.”

  “Tell your mistress that she may approach,” Norlan shouted back, “but we are ready to defend ourselves from any trickery.”

  The half-man signaled with his arm and the demon approached. As it got closer, Norlan saw that it had the features of a human woman, with long dark hair framing its attractive face. Attractive, except for the pitch black eyes and claws on its hands. With a slight smile playing on its face, showing sharp pointed teeth, the demon continued to approach until Norlan shouted down, “That is close enough, demon!”

  The demon looked up at Norlan, who suppressed a chill of fear and met its eyes. “I take it that you are the commander?” it said.

  “I am,” Norlan responded.

  “I have come to offer you a solution that will save the people of your city,” it stated. “Let me start by saying that we know that your army has marched off to meet its doom at the hands of our brothers and sisters and their followers. There is no hope for rescue or reprieve from them.”

  “They are not the only forces we have,” Norlan countered.

  “Are you speaking of those forces to the south?” the demon laughed. “More of my brothers and sisters are dealing with them as we speak. Do not expect help from them either.”

  “What do you want, demon?” Norlan said sharply, keeping the shock from his face. “Say what you came for and leave before I have my archers fill you with arrows.”

  The demon snarled at that threat, but when it spoke, it kept the anger out of its voice. “As you can see, we have cut off your roads and access. Without any forces to challenge us, you will not receive any resupply unless I permit it. To spare your people, I call upon you to surrender your city. If you submit to us, I will allow your queen to continue to rule in our name. I will control my men, only allowing them such spoils as I deem fit.” It looked at Keli, the snarl returning. “However, all of the clerics will be taken prisoner to ensure that our rule is uncontested.”

  “You do not know us, if you think we will gladly surrender,” Norlan said, “or offer up our clerics to you.”

  “You would condemn all of the people in the city to death and destruction to save the clerics?” the demon countered.

  “We will trust in the One,” Norlan stated, “and pray that He gives us the strength to defeat you. It is better to fall fighting servants of the Darkness than live under their control.”

  “You are deluded if you think the Creator will save you,” the demon hissed. “He has not acted in these long years, so He will not act. We are the true masters of this world.”

  “We will put that to the test, then,” Norlan said boldly. “If you have nothing but threats, then go. I will waste no more words with you.”

  The demon’s dark power suddenly shone about it as it glared angrily at Norlan. Keli and the other clerics surged forward, their power shining as well, as the archers lifted their bows. The tension stretched out as Norlan stared at the demon, refusing to react, his grip tight on his maul.

  Abruptly, the demon’s power vanished and a sly look came over its face. “That was bravely said, mortal. I will honor your courage by giving you two days to rethink your words. Maybe the Creator will grant you the wisdom to accept your place.”

  It began to turn away, but looked back, that sly look gone, black eyes pitiless. “After that time, I will take your city. When I do, I will give orders that you be taken alive, so you can watch as my men burn the city to the ground and kill your precious clerics. I will find those you love and make them suffer in front of you, such suffering that they will beg to die. When I have taken everything from you, we will speak again. We will see then if your courage still exists.”

  The demon strode away, its half-man falling in behind it. Norlan turned towards the courtyard, wiping away the sweat that suddenly burst from his forehead, his body shaking. I’m not a warrior, used to these kinds of dangers, he thought as he took a deep breath. He became aware of the others looking at him.

  “Prepare for an assault on the walls,” he ordered, straightening his shoulders. “I do not believe that we will be given two days. All units must report to their stations and be ready to respond to any threat in their sections. We will start the battle rotations, as of now. Send runners to the other gates with these orders.”

  As his men moved to deliver his commands, he turned to Keli. “Please send someone to ask Sister Lavera to go to the palace. I am heading there now. We need to inform the queen and finalize our plans.” She nodded and sent an apprentice running towards the Temple.

  As he headed to his horse, Norlan thought about what the demon had said. He knew that it was only saying what it wanted him to hear, but some of it concerned him. Were the southern garrisons now fighting for survival and not on their way? We were counting on their strength. What has happened to the army that went north?

  He mounted his horse and rode towards the palace, ignoring the calls from the people as he passed. He knew they wanted assurances that he could not give. I will do what I must, but will it be enough? If it is not, what will happen to Madalin and Cherise? That thought chilled him to the core. Consumed with a sudden need to see his family, he spurred his horse faster.

  …

  With the sun partly obscured by the light-gray clouds overhead, Martis waited just inside the tree line as Ranech scouted ahead. They had made it out of the mountains and through the forest without incident, but now they faced a trek across occupied areas of Morisan to reach their destination.

  In the distance, on the other side of the rough rocky ground that bordered the forest, was a small village. The forest road that they had followed passed through it. Martis could see a few people moving about in the center of the village, mostly women and children. They had seen a patrol of soldiers in the village when they had first reached this spot. They had waited deeper in the forest, out of sight, until the soldiers had left, and then he had sent Ranech to see if he could find horses and bring back some food. If he does not eat it all before he gets back, he thought bitterly. Their rations were two days gone, thanks to Ranech’s appetite.

  Out of habit, Martis reached down and felt his shrunken coin purse. The guides had left most of his coin behind, so he had not recovered much from their bodies. If he was not cautious, he would spend the last of his coin before they reached Narina, the first city-state beyond Morisan. Narina was a territory where trade and commerce were prized. It was said that the enterprising and risk-taking could find their fortune there. The people of Narina were prideful and known to be wary of strangers, but once you were their friends, they would protect you. Provided you continued to make them money, of course, he thought resentfully, but I need some friends.

  He knew that money cou
ld not buy true loyalty, only temporary allegiance until the money was gone or a better deal was offered. He would have to be cautious, using a fake name and keeping a low profile, but he feared that his identity eventually would become known. He was a wanted man in Sanduas and Aletonia and men seeking the rich reward for his head would be a constant danger. So, he needed a place where people would protect him. I will need to find a place to stay; somewhere cheap to save my limited coin for business and bribes.

  As Martis contemplated his situation, Ranech appeared in the distance, moving quickly for a big man, circling around the village and trying to stay out of sight. He made it to the forest unseen and dropped down next to Martis. Breathing heavily, it took a minute or two before he was able to speak.

  “There is a small farm on the other side of the village,” the burly man said, still wheezing slightly from his exertions. “It is isolated and shielded from sight by a stand of trees. We should be able to get what we need from there.”

  “Is it occupied?” Martis asked.

  “I only saw two women and several small children,” the man stated reluctantly. “I do not know where the men are.”

  “Will that be a problem?” Martis asked, noting the reluctance.

  “I don’t like hurting women and children,” Ranech replied sullenly.

  “It is either them or us!” Martis snapped. “I have not come all this way and spent so much coin only to have you spoil our chance of freedom over some brats.”

  Martis watched as Ranech glowered, but finally nodded. I must find a way to be rid of him. The big idiot will eat and drink his way through all my coin. He would have to be careful though. Ranech would not take such a betrayal lightly. Maybe I can find a tavern where the drink is cheap enough. I can get him drunk and leave him there.

  “Let’s go,” he said to the big man. Ranech nodded and stood. As he turned to lead Martis away, there was a sudden sound and Martis saw a dark arrow slam into Ranech’s back. The man cried out and spun back towards Martis, but two more arrows flew in and struck him in the chest. Ranech fell to his knees, and then collapsed onto his face. He shuddered and lay still.