by Diane Rapp
*****
Flash twisted to bite at an itchy spot as Jordan checked the basket filled with red clay jars. “She’s grown even more in the last few days,” he said proudly.
Felesia said, “I hope she’s large enough to lift the weight without straining. Here let me scratch that spot.” Felesia rubbed flaking skin with a brush. “We’d better oil her hide after this is over.”
“She’ll get lots of attention, almost as much as I plan to give you.” Jordan slipped his arm around Felesia’s narrow waist and drew her close. “Did I tell you today that I love you?” He nuzzled her soft hair and inhaled her fresh-scrubbed scent.
She hugged his neck and kissed his warm lips. “You must go…”
Jordan nodded. “I know. I’ll meet you on top of the tower with the blue flag.” He mounted his horse and joined a group of Samurai dressed in desert robes. Chella and Lauryn, dressed in the black habits of nuns, rode with their hands “tied” by loops of rope wrapped around their saddle horns. They could slip from their bonds at a moment’s notice.
“Are you ready?” Jordan asked. Chella nodded and he spurred his horse to lead the entourage toward the gate. Jordan hailed the guard, “Open the gate for Prince Jordan. I bring captives to my father.”
The guard gaped open-mouthed at the group. “The prince was killed along with his brother.”
Jordan’s voice mimicked the sarcastic tone his father often used. “If I’m dead, you’ll join me soon enough. Regard my men! We trekked the wilds for months to capture these women. Behold the black warrior who fought at Donovan’s side and this is Krystal’s daughter. Do you dare turn away such coveted prizes?”
The guard scrambled to open the gate. “Sorry, sire. We’d no idea you survived the attack that killed your brother.”
“My brother was a fool. He rode headlong into danger, but I was clever enough to avoid his fate.” Jordan pushed past the guard into the courtyard, swung from his saddle, and tossed the reins to a servant. He turned to one of his guards. “Take the nun to the chapel. Let her pray before she meets Jarrack’s justice. This prize will keep me company until she meets my father. Perhaps she’ll be my reward.”
The castle guards chuckled.
He pointed toward the guards’ quarters. “Men, you’ve got beds, hot food, and ale waiting, and my father will add a pouch of silver before the day is done.” Jordan pulled Lauryn down from her horse and pushed her toward the tower where his own rooms were located. He shut the door and wiped sweat from his brow as Lauryn slipped out of ropes and nun’s habit. Breeches and tunic were concealed under her robe.
Jordan said, “I must meet Felesia on the roof. Will you be all right?”
“Good show, Jordan.” Alex stepped from an opening in the wall. “I almost believed you meant it. I’ll take Lauryn to the infirmary.”
Lauryn said, “Take care of Felesia. We’ll all meet at Jarrack’s tower when we hear the bell ring.” She followed Alex into the tunnel and closed the opening.
*****
Attack! Krystal heard the mental command from the wolves.
No bugles trumpeted, no drums rolled, but a horde of bodies streamed over the fields, charging at the castle. Sleepy guards were slow to notice they were under siege, but they soon sounded the alarm. Hordes of wolves flowed through the valley like ants swarming over a stray piece of food.
Soldiers slept next to plates of apple tarts. Less hearty eaters staggered like drunken buffoons out of the mess hall with weapons raised. Wary mounts shied from the strange behavior of their riders, and valuable time elapsed before their saddles were filled.
Samurai nearly reached the gate before a defense could be mounted. Shrieking warriors whirled blades above their heads, drawing the attention of bewildered horse guards, while wolves squeezed through gaps in their lines unchallenged.
Pandemonium erupted inside the castle. The Samurai, who slipped past the gate with Jordan, opened the gates. Inside the castle walls, desert riders faced cooks wielding kitchen knives and meat cleavers, while serving wenches stabbed daggers into archers poised atop the parapet.
“Sire, we’re under attack!” A guard rushed into Jarrack’s private chamber where he dressed for the meeting with Jordan and Krystal’s daughter. “Thousands of wolves and men on horseback have breached the gates.”
Jarrack glared at the messenger and rushed to climb the staircase to an observation window. He scowled at the scene with growing rage. “Seal the royal tower and gather my sons in the hall. Post your best men at every entrance with orders to kill anyone who attempts to enter.”
*****
Mandrake’s archers waited atop a nearby hill. Standing in a long line with arrows dipped in pitch, they waited for the order to shoot a volley of flames at Havenshire. A rainbow of uniform colors testified to the wide variety of Lords who committed troops to Krystal’s war. Mandrake’s men, dressed in gold and black used golden arrows with black fletchings, King Donovan’s colors.
He eyed the ramparts, measuring the distance and wind direction. From long experience he calculated distance, wind strength, and flight speed before taking a stance and firing.
A wolf howled. Archers lit their missiles and aimed their weapons.
Mandrake gripped his bow and pulled the string taut, his muscles bunching against the power of the bow. He anchored his thumb against his cheek and let the flaming arrow fly in a high arch. It covered the distance to the castle in the time it took to load another shaft. The first volley hit the target. Flames erupted, illuminating the parapets, and gave his men clearer targets for the next barrage. Mandrake grinned and kept firing.
*****
Tanya stood waiting for the noise of the battle. Sounds of fighting reached the archer pointing his weapon at Donovan. “What shall we do?” The guard at the door asked.
“Follow orders,” the archer replied staring at his target.
Donovan gathered his strength. He strained against the force field and touched the button atop the black box. The real world crashed into his brain; he could move, hear sounds, and smell smoke in a dizzy array of sensations.
The archer released his bowstring with a loud twang. With lightning speed, Tanya shot her arrow and deflected the deadly missile in mid air. Surprised, the archer glanced up. A second missile flew from a niche in the wall above and hit his shoulder.
He fell back cursing.
“I did it!” Tanya sounded surprised.
A dagger hit the floor in a loud clatter that drew Donovan’s attention as arrows whooshed overhead. He dropped and rolled across the cold stones to grab the gleaming knife.
“My God! What’s happening?” he said holding the knife defensively. “I’d better check things out before I get myself killed.” He slipped into speed time and surveyed the chamber. An arrow left a niche heading straight for an archer in a ground-floor window. Donovan reached up and adjusted the position of the arrow and then pressed himself against the wall. He slipped back into normal time as the arrow hit its mark and heard the archer cursing outside the window.
“Donovan!” Krystal shouted. “I’m up here.”
He clambered up the circular staircase taking the steps two at a time. It felt good to move! Long years trapped in the horrible stasis field made him appreciate running free. He reached the landing and gazed at Krystal. Delicate lines radiated from the corners of her liquid blue eyes and pursed lips, making her look worried. Her golden hair was streaked with gray, but he thought she never looked more beautiful. He hugged the woman he loved and wept with joy.
Krystal received his embrace with relief and sighed with pleasure.
He asked, “How long have I been trapped?” It felt so good to hold her in his arms.
“Almost eleven years,” Krystal said. “It seemed like an eternity.”
“I’m so sorry I failed you,” he said. “I should have known he’d spring a cowardly trap…” The clash of swords drew their attention.
“We must flee before guards arrive,” Tanya said.
/>
Krystal grinned at Donovan. “Welcome back, darling. Are you ready to fight?”
Donovan laughed. “I’d fight the devil himself if you promise to kiss me after the battle. It’s been a long time.”
“I promise.” She surprised him by patting his butt. “Now come along. I’ll tell you my battle plan, and you’ve got grown daughters to meet.” She disappeared into an opening in the wall.
Donovan followed Krystal, flanked by the lovely girl archer and her companions. His mind reeled. Jarrack stole eleven years of my life. The villain will answer to my sword for this!
*****
Flash floated with her wings outstretched, riding an updraft. She stretched her elegant neck to see the flat roof of the tower where she must land. Her talons gripped a long pole, fighting the wind and the weight of the basket that dangled precariously from the pole. She recognized Jordan, as his party entered the gate, and tipped her wings to spiral down to her landing spot.
Gold, the color of happiness swirled through her wings. She gently settled the basket onto the flat parapet as Felesia and her panther jumped out. The girl stroked her head and said, “You were very brave and clever. Now fly back to fetch the basket filled with pots. Do you understand?”
Flash’s wings glowed green as she launched herself from the tower.
On the ground people with the loaded basket ducked as Flash grabbed the pole and swept over their heads without landing. She flew upward to the tower where more humans waiting for her to land. Marra greeted Flash with a happy yowl as she landed with the basket full of jars.
Humans unloaded the jars and Flash took off to retrieve another load. Busy hands poured red mud from the jars into bulging bladders as Flash landed with the second load of jars. She eyed a group of archers that stood on the parapet.
Bladders of red mud had been tied into a fishing net. Felesia said, “Grab this net and fly over the tallest tower. Drop it onto the roof and fly away quickly. The archers will shoot the bladders while you return for more.”
Flash hopped from one foot to the other in eagerness.
Jordan entered the parapet from a doorway. “They need us down below, Felesia. Can Flash manage without us?”
Felesia touched the dragon’s mind and projected a mental picture of the dragon lifting more nets filled with bladders until none remained. “She understands.” Flash flapped her wings and lifted the first net. The dragon dropped the net and the bladders fell toward the royal tower. At the sound of loud twangs they paused until Flash flew back unharmed. She bugled and Felesia waved as she ducked into the doorway.
*****
Jordan led Felesia and Marra down the stairs. “We must free the women and children. “Wait here, I’ll get the keys,” he said, dashing into a doorway.” Desert riders guarded the entrance. Felesia watched Jordan slash swirling robes with a vengeance.
A mercenary charged Felesia swinging a curved saber. Shrieking, Arrow dove at the man with sharp talons raised, jabbing at his eyes with her beak. Screaming, he fell down the steps. Marra leapt onto the enemy and shook his body like a rag doll.
“I’ve got the keys!” Jordan jangled a ring of keys as his sword dripped with blood. “Take these down and release the children.”
“We can’t leave you alone!” Felesia protested. “What if the blue haze comes? You’ll need our help.”
“I’m in no danger, yet. Jarrack’s got too much to worry about without trying to reach me.”
“Don’t try to fool me, Jordan! I won’t go without you.”
Jordan hesitated. “I must face him eventually.”
“When you face him, we’ll be at your back,” Felesia cried. Marra snarled and lunged at another soldier charging up the steps.
“In here.” Jordan dragged her into a stairway leading into the lower chambers, a decision made by chance. Marra slashed at the soldier and followed the humans into the hole. Jordan guided them through a maze of corridors. When he heard the sound of women screaming he ran forward. A large woman with crazed eyes blocked the hallway wielding a meat cleaver. “You won’t hurt them anymore!”
“Stay back, Jordan. She won’t hurt a woman.” Felesia stepped around Jordan. “We’ve got the keys to release them from the dungeon.” Jordan jangled the keys.
She brandished the cleaver at Jordan. “I won’t let that devil near them again.”
“She thinks I’m Jarrack! Don’t you remember the boy, Jordan? He hurt me like he hurt everyone else,” Jordan said calmly.
She eyed him warily. “Yes, I know you!” Her voice hardened again. “But it doesn’t matter! I don’t trust you!”
“Annabel!” Tanya called as she entered the hallway. “Drop your weapon!” The woman cowered under her glare.
“I must defend them, Tanya. We can’t let that devil hurt them again.”
Tanya removed the cleaver from Annabel’s shaking hand. “You’ve done well.” She nodded at the bodies of guards lying on the floor. “They won’t hurt the women any more. Give me the keys.”
Felesia handed the keys to Tanya, who led Annabel to the door. “Open the door and free the captives.” Annabel unlocked the iron doors and women timidly drifted out.
“It’s Tanya!” a voice rang out. “She’s come to free us, just like she promised.” Several women hugged Tanya.
“Too late. Too late,” a sad voice sobbed.
“No! As long as you’re alive, it’s never too late. Come out into the light, come out and take your freedom.”
The loud clanging of weapons sounded from above.
“We’ll all be killed!” a woman cried.
“I’d rather die fighting than live another day in that dungeon,” another yelled. “Give me that cleaver. We’ll see who survives.”
“Good!” Tanya beamed. “Go to the kitchen. Maggie’s there with a group of armed women. We’ll all have our freedom by the end of this day. Annabel, take them to the kitchen. I’m going to release the children.”
Women poured from the dungeon, following Annabel. Jordan watched with troubled eyes. “Their auras look weak. I hope they’ll be all right,” he said. “We’ll help you get the children out, Tanya.”
She scowled but led the way to the nursery. The corridor widened as they approached the door. They heard a soft hissing and stopped.
“What’s that?” Felesia asked.
“The door is guarded by a snake, trained by the matron who cares for the children. No one can pass the snake without her permission,” Jordan said.
Tanya nodded. “When I escaped there was no way to get past that snake to free my son.”
“Killer’s the best snake catcher you’ve ever seen.” Felesia opened her pack and beady eyes peaked out. “Catch the snake!”
“He won’t have a chance. The snake’s poisonous and fast as lightning.”
Felesia said, “Killer catches poisonous snakes and never gets bit. He’ll get this one. See? His tail is vibrating which means he’s on the snake’s trail.”
Killer approached the snake. With a sighing hiss the snake raised and its hood flared. Killer chattered and his small body swayed in front of the snake. Tanya bit her lip. The mongoose dashed first to one side then to the other, chattering all the time.
“He’s fast,” she whispered.
“Speed helps him succeed, watch.” Felesia pointed at the snake. Killer’s swaying motions looked hypnotic, matching the bobbing of the snake’s head. His eyes flashed as he gauged the timing and abruptly jumped. He grabbed the neck behind the snake’s head with needle-sharp teeth and held on. The snake thrashed. It violently smashed Killer against the hard stone floor, but the mongoose hung on, barely visible among writhing coils.
Marra snarled. Tanya tried to stab the tangled bodies with her knife but Jordan held her back. “You could miss and hit Killer. See? He killed it!” The mongoose wriggled free of the coils, and Jordan sliced off the snake’s head. Killer stood chattering on top of the body enjoying Felesia’s strokes.
“That’s a valuable anim
al,” Tanya said. “We could use him around camp.”
Felesia laughed. “You wouldn’t have to worry about snakes but he steals sparkling objects.”
Tanya sorted through the ring of keys to open the door to the nursery.
A loud bell clanged. “That’s the signal for us to gather at Jarrack’s tower,” Felesia said. “Can you manage by yourself, Tanya?”
“Go ahead. I’ll be fine.”
Jordan said, “We’ll see you and the children later.”
*****
As Tanya entered the nursery a gruff voice startled her, “What do you want here?” The matron brandished a sword with shaking hands. “I said what do you want? And how did you get past my guard?”
“I’m here to free the children. Your snake’s dead.” The matron’s eyebrow raised and the sword tip wavered. Tanya knew the woman couldn’t hold the heavy weapon much longer.
“I won’t let anyone harm the children,” the matron spouted. “I’m responsible for their safety.”
“Then help me get them out of here.” Tanya lifted her own sword. “There are people who think Jarrack’s children are dangerous. When they kill Jarrack, they’ll come for the children.”
The matron frowned. “He’s finished then?” A note of hope tinged the matron’s voice and her face softened. “The children won’t stay locked up? Let’s get them out.” She lowered the sword and turned to the children.
The old woman spoke in a calm voice. “We’re going on an outing. Older children take the hand of your assigned charge and make sure no one gets lost. Walk in a single file. This outing is a secret, so don’t make a sound.”
The children grinned and organized themselves into an orderly line. The matron nodded at Tanya. “Lead the way, my dear.”
The woman eyed the remains of the snake as she left the room. “Such a pity, but it would’ve been too difficult to take him along. Let’s go.”
