An Empire in Runes (The Runes of Issalia Book 3)

by Jeffrey L. Kohanek

“If I’m dead, you must be an angel.”

  A laugh bubbled from Ashland, buoyed by a wave of joy. He sat up and tears poured down her face as they embraced.

  CHAPTER 32

  Still charged with Power and being far lighter than normal, Brock sped across the lower plains in massive leaps. Pockets of burning grass illuminated the area, revealing remaining banshees who meandered aimlessly as they avoided the light and heat of the fires. Brock noted their state of disarray as he passed the monsters on his way toward the upper plains. Upon reaching the slope, he climbed the hillside in a rapid series of leaps, careful not to jostle Ashland in the process. It felt as if he were holding a hollow shell when his added strength combined with her weightless status.

  Thin wisps of fog hovered above the battlefield at the top of the rise. Brock circled to the southwest to avoid the bodies strewn about the churned earth. There, he found a small pocket of mounted Tantarri dispatching the last standing banshee. Brock leapt past them without slowing as he headed toward his destination.

  Cries of surprise rose from the camp as fingers pointed in his direction. Brock landed near a large cluster of people as they turned to face him. Still holding Ashland in his arms, Brock nodded to the familiar faces.

  “Why are you guys standing around?” he said with a smile. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

  Cam stepped close and gave a nod. “It’s good to see you’re okay, Brock.” He glanced toward Parker, who appeared surprised. “Parker told us what you did, launching yourself with the catapult. We feared that you might be dead.”

  Brock nodded to Cam. “It was a near thing.”

  Parker stepped closer. “What happened out there?”

  Brock glanced toward the bluff where the final fight had taken place. “I fought a bunch of banshees, that is, until one got ahold of me.” He turned toward Parker. “The thing tossed me off the bluff, which was as scary as anything I’ve ever experienced. However, since Adam used Chaos to make me lighter and my body was charged with a Power rune, I was able to survive the fall.”

  “What happened, then?” Salina asked, sounding relieved. “What about The Horde magic user?”

  Ashland squeezed Brock, drawing his attention as she responded. “Benny and I got him and the last two banshees using a couple of flash bombs. However, the Arcanist also set one of our wings on fire with one of those fireballs.” She frowned at Brock. “I thought we were dead for sure…I thought you were dead too.”

  Brock smiled down at Ashland. “I noticed the flames coming from the falling flyer and knew you guys were in trouble.”

  Something else occurred to Brock and his smile melted into a frown. He paused to prepare for what he was about to reveal, attempting to keep his emotions in check.

  “Tipper’s dead. Wraith, too.” He said softly.

  Saying it out loud was too much, reawakening the pain. He looked away as tears began to track down his cheeks. It felt as if a part of him had broken when Wraith died, resulting in a sorrow more overwhelming than anything he had ever felt before. Losing Tipper as well was too much to bear.

  He felt Ashland’s soft touch wipe his tears away. Glancing down, his eyes met hers again, connecting. Brock could see the compassion she felt for him. She was his rock.

  “Oh, Brock, I’m so sorry,” Ashland said. After a brief pause, she asked, “How is Libby?”

  Brock felt horrible, realizing that he hadn’t considered Libby’s feelings as he focused on his own self-pity.

  “I don’t know.” He looked toward those standing around him. “Where’s Libby?”

  “After you left, I picked up Tipper’s body and carried him to their tent,” Cam replied. “I left her in there with him.”

  The rumble of hooves caused Brock to turn eastward, where he found Puri, Turan, and Juran approaching on horseback. Upon reaching them, the Tantarri leaders dismounted and greeted him. Similar to many others who had survived the battle, dirt and blood covered much of their faces and bodies.

  “Greetings, Outlander,” Turan said as he nodded toward Brock. “When the attacks ceased, I sent scouts down on horseback. They have returned to tell me that the remaining monsters are scattering. It appears that The Horde has given up.”

  Cheers and hugs of joy sounded as the crowd responded to the news. Brock felt a sense of relief. Until now, he hadn’t dared to consider victory within reach. His eyes met Ashland’s, and she shared a smile. His spirits lifted even higher, feeling as if he had achieved something special.

  When the crowd quieted, Brock responded. “That’s great news, Turan. That aligns with what I witnessed down there a few minutes ago.”

  Turan nodded. “I sent our remaining riders down to set fire to the fields. That will prevent any further attack tonight, and will help to burn away the bodies of the dead. We won’t allow the herds to eat in this area for years anyway”

  Juran stepped beside Turan. He bowed his head toward Brock before looking him in the eye. “I…apologize, Outlander.” His eyes glanced toward Puri, then back to Brock. “I was wrong to distrust you. You have proven yourself honorable.”

  Brock felt amazed, not expecting Juran to change his view of him. “Thanks, Juran.” He gave the man a shallow bow. “You and the other Tantarri should be thanked. Without your help, none of this would have been possible.” He looked toward his army of Arcanists. “I’d not have this army of magic users to aid us nor would we have been prepared for The Horde’s attack without the Tantarri’s guidance. In addition, we would not have survived without your fighting skills and the sacrifice of your warriors.” His eyes shifted to Puri, then Turan. “Thank you.”

  Turan bowed his head “You are welc….”

  Turan’s eyes went wide, and he tumbled to the ground. Juran turned toward his father as a sword slashed past, tearing his throat open. Puri’s blade was out in a moment, as she dodged one of Tegan’s sword strikes while raising her sabre to block the other. Tegan’s sword collided with Puri’s, breaking the sabre near the hilt. Tegan drew back to slash at Puri and stopped with her eyes wide open. She looked down at the longsword impaling her stomach, then up to Cam, who still held onto the hilt.

  “Cammy…” Tegan said as she slid off the sword to fall onto her back.

  Cam glanced at Puri, who turned toward her dead father and brother. Cam looked at the two dead Tantarri leaders, then back to Tegan.

  “Why, Tegan?” Cam pleaded. “Why would you do this?”

  Tegan coughed blood spittle as she tried to speak. She tried again, smiling. “Not personal, Cammy.” She coughed again. “Just orders.”

  Cam’s face grew angry. “Orders from whom?”

  Wheezing and coughing more blood before replying, Tegan said, “Kardan.”

  Her eyes glazed over and her breathing stopped.

  Cam stood over Tegan, pain apparent on his face when he looked at Puri, her sorrow-filled eyes meeting his. He stepped beside Puri and wrapped his arms about her. Uncharacteristically, she put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Brock felt terrible for her, feeling ashamed that someone he had brought to the battle had turned against the Tantarri and killed their leaders. He expected that Cam felt the same, but tenfold.

  CHAPTER 33

  Cam held Puri, not wanting to let her go. Ever.

  After leaving the others and retreating to Cam’s tent, she had uncharacteristically let her emotions show. He had remained silent, holding her as she sobbed over the loss of her father and brother. After some time, exhaustion took its toll and she drifted to sleep. It was only then that Cam let sleep take him.

  He woke to her shifting within his arms. Although he expected that she was awake, he didn’t acknowledge i
t or dare to disturb her in case she was still asleep. With her beside him, wrapped in his arms and her head on his chest, he felt that he had everything he needed.

  She stirred again, this time turning her head to rest her chin on his chest. Her dark eyes examined his in silence. After a moment, she spoke.

  “I must go to my people.”

  Though he knew those words were coming, he had hoped otherwise. “I know.”

  She sat upright and sighed. “We will take my father and brother to Mondomi, where we can honor them as they deserve.”

  Cam sat up, glancing down as he sought the right words. His gaze shifted to Puri. “What about you? What about…us?”

  Puri put her hand on his cheek and leaned in to kiss him. When she pulled away, she gave him a sad smile. “I expect that I will be appointed head of the clans. It is not a sure thing, but when the clan leaders meet to select a new leader for the Tantarri, my name will be among those mentioned. Yuranni will have a say, since he must approve the appointment, which is another peg in my favor.”

  She stood and grabbed her empty baldric, eying the spot where her blade should be residing. Cam knew that much of Tegan’s Chaos-charged strength had remained when she attacked Puri, enabling her to break the sword. Puri sighed and slid the baldric over her shoulder before turning toward Cam, still seated on the bedroll.

  “As for us…that is up to you, Cameron.” Her eyes were intense, drawing all of his attention. “I have made it clear that I care for you. We are a good match and I would willingly give my heart to you. However, I cannot leave my people. They will need me more than ever.”

  The words turned over within Cam’s head as he tried to reconcile his desire and his duty. He climbed to his feet and took her hand.

  “I must return to the Academy with Brock and see the survivors back safely.” He stepped close to her, his eyes never leaving hers. “Once my duty is complete, I will join you if you’ll have me. I belong with you, Puri.”

  Puri smiled, and Cam felt as though the tent interior had brightened by three shades. She leaned against his chest and kissed him. After a long moment that seemed far too short, she pulled back and responded.

  “Come to the Tantarri camp in an hour to say farewell before I go.”

  She opened the tent flap and the light of dawn brightened the tent for real, falling dark again as the tent flap closed.

  * * *

  Parker paused to catch his breath, weary from the climb. He grabbed his water skin, opened it, and took a long drink before looking down at the canyon below. He swallowed, gasping for air at the exertion of scaling the steep incline. He turned toward his companions, who climbed the hillside ahead of him.

  “Why are we going up here again, Brock?” he shouted. “It seems like a waste of time.”

  Cam climbed past Parker, shaking his head as he patted Parker’s shoulder. “His mind is set, Parker. Why bother?”

  Brock stopped on an outcropping of granite and looked down toward Parker. “We have to make sure he’s dead, Parker. We can’t risk leaving an enemy Arcanist behind. He might gather the remaining banshees and attack again.”

  Parker knew the answer, but he had hoped that Brock might change his mind. He watched Brock reach his hand out to help Ashland climb atop the same rock. Tenzi stopped just below the rock, pausing to look downhill.

  “Come on, Parker, don’t be such a baby,” she chided. “I thought you were tougher than that.”

  Parker became alarmed. He certainly cared what Tenzi thought of him. “It’s not that. I just don’t want us to waste our time.”

  He resumed the climb, bringing up the rear of their small group now that Cam had passed him. As he climbed the steep slope, he reflected on the morning’s events.

  After a brief night of sleep, Brock had met with Cassius and Budakis, agreeing that the two men would conduct the striking of their camps and would lead their army back toward the Academy. Brock and his small retinue would verify the death of The Horde Arcanist and would then catch up to the army near the pass that led to Sarville.

  Brock then led them over to the Tantarri camp to bid Puri and the remaining Tantarri farewell. Puri had taken Cam’s arm and walked some distance before stopping for a brief conversation. Parker couldn’t help but watch, feeling embarrassed by it when the two embraced in a long kiss. When he turned away, he found Tenzi staring at him. His cheeks turned red, and she smiled before taking his hand. When he looked back at Cam, Puri climbed atop her horse and rode off to join her people.

  Parker, Brock, Cam, Ashland, Salina, and Tenzi then headed out, riding mounts provided by the Tantarri. They crossed the open field and entered the canyon beyond the ridgeline that bound the south side of the lower plains. The group followed the canyon as it narrowed until they found a passable route up the steep hillside to the bluff where Brock had last seen The Horde Arcanist. Puri promised that their horses would wait for them if they asked them to but Parker still had doubts. After the arduous climb, he really didn’t want to have to run to catch their departing army.

  As his mind returned to the present, Parker realized he was cresting the slope lip and found himself suddenly atop the bluff.

  The group followed Brock across the small bluff, to an area littered with banshee corpses. Parker was amazed at the amount of dead monsters. He knew that Brock’s abilities had been enhanced by Chaos before fighting the beasts, but it was still astonishing.

  “I didn’t do all of this,” Brock said, as if reading Parker’s mind. Brock turned toward Ashland while he walked. “Ashland and Benny had a lot to do with it. In fact, their flash bombs are what ended it all.”

  Ashland smiled at Brock. Parker guessed that they were using telepathy again. He glanced toward Tenzi, thinking how useful it might be if he could talk to her mentally. She noticed him staring at her, raised a brow, and smiled at him. Parker’s pulse quickened. He didn’t know where their relationship would go, but he was thankful that they had survived and would have the chance to find out.

  He broke his gaze from Tenzi as they neared the northern edge of the bluff, finding the view of the horizon breathtaking. Another distant ridgeline bound the north side of the lower plains, hovering above a lake that reflected the image of puffy white clouds within its tranquil waters.

  Stepping closer, Parker looked over the lower plains. The drop was terrifying, well over a thousand feet. Most of the green grass had burned away, leaving a large black patch that stretched to the north edge of the plains and to the west until it reached the battlefield on the upper plains. Brown smoke hovered in the sky as the burnt fields continued to smolder. Parker stared at the ground far below, imagining how frightening it would be to fall that distance. He looked over at Brock, who was also surveying the view. Brock had somehow survived the fall. Although Parker was aware that Chaos had significantly reduced Brock’s weight and had greatly enhanced his strength at the time, the concept remained terrifying.

  “Brock.” Salina shouted. “Come quick.”

  Parker turned to find Salina and Cam attempting to pull a banshee from a pile. Even with Cam’s impressive size and strength, he couldn’t move the massive beast.

  “Grab onto an arm or leg and help me pull him off.” Cam said as he paused for a breath.

  Parker grabbed a leg while Brock grabbed the arm opposite from Salina. They heaved simultaneously, and the banshee moved almost a foot. They did it again three more times, with similar results.

  Cam dropped the leg he held. “Okay,” he said, pointing. “There he is.”

  Sure enough, a human sized form had been lying beneath the dead banshee. Brock stepped over the dead beast and knelt beside the smaller form, putting his fingers to the neck of the Arcanist. Parker slid around f
or a better look.

  Lying unconscious, the Arcanist appeared to be a man who was perhaps fifty years old. He had no facial hair and his skin was extremely pale, as if he hadn’t seen the sun in years. His long black hair was tied back in a tail and his clothes were tattered.

  “He’s still alive,” Brock said, glancing up at Ashland. “Maybe I can get some answers.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Ashland asked.

  Brock shrugged. “I have to try.” He nodded toward Cam. “Get your sword ready. I’m not sure how this will go.”

  Cam nodded and slid his fluted longsword from its scabbard.

  Brock placed his palm on the Arcanist’s forehead and closed his eyes. After a moment, the Arcanist’s body shook with a shiver. Rather than stop the healing, Brock kept his eyes closed, his hand remaining on the man’s head. Everyone stood still as they watched in nervous anticipation. The Arcanist’s body suddenly shook, his eyes opened wide, and his back arched as he gasped for air.

  CHAPTER 34

  Benny paused to catch his breath as his gaze focused on the horizon. Smoke hovered in the distant western sky, creating a brown haze that partially obscured the setting sun. His eyes narrowed as he considered the possible causes for such a large fire. An entire day had passed since the battle, and he didn’t think that the fires from his flash bombs would still be burning.

  It would be dark soon, yet Benny still faced many hours of travel before he met the western edge of the lower plains. He shook his water skin and felt no movement inside, confirming that it was empty. Already thirsty, he would need water to survive. Thinking back on maps he had researched before his flight from the Academy, Benny recalled seeing a lake at the north edge of the lower plains. Changing his direction to northwest, he resumed walking.

  Only the slightest hint of daylight remained when Benny happened upon the lake, stumbling into it when the tall grass abruptly ended at the water’s edge.