by D. L. Kramer
A couple of days after crossing the meadow, they stopped and Lord Bavol ordered everyone to start setting up camp. Kile and Lady Bavol took Paki and Bear with them when they went ahead to see what shape Valin Hold was in.
It took them another hour to reach the edge of the woods. Valin sat ahead of them in a wide valley. Its' walls were blackened with soot and its' battlements had borne the weight of many battering rams. The small village outside Valin's walls was burned to the ground and the church guards had set up camp on its' site. Paki could hear the river flowing nearby, though he couldn't see it immediately. There was no sign of Mo'ani or his men.
"Where's Lord Mo'ani?" Bear asked, obviously noticing the same thing.
"The marshes are that way," Kile pointed to the south. "On the other side of Valin. They were only a day ahead of us and it could take 'em longer than that to move through the marshes and up to the hold." He turned and looked at Lady Bavol. "Warn the archers that Adie'll probably be comin' to find us sometime soon," he said. "I'll let 'er know we're here after nightfall."
"I doubt they could hit her," Evaine said. "But I'll let them know." She slipped away from the group and went back to her horse. Leading the gelding away, she waited until she was a safe distance from the edge of the trees before riding back toward the camp.
Kile continued to watch the church guards below.
"There's the mine," he said after a few seconds.
"What mine?" Paki asked.
Kile pointed to a roughly built wooden shack sitting against one of Valin's walls. It was partially hidden by the men around it, but Paki could make it out.
"They're tryin' to dig under the wall so they can get it to collapse," Kile explained. "They'll try to dig about half way under, addin' support beams as they go, then they'll fill it with kindlin' and light it. When the fire burns through the supports, the walls are supposed to come down."
"Then they'll get in," Bear said. "Isn't there anyway to stop them?"
"I wouldn't worry about it," Kile assured them. "The first Lord Valin had more enemies than most men. No one's been able to get inside it, and there've been some valiant efforts."
"But what about the mine?" Paki asked.
Kile chuckled. "The outer walls are sunk ten feet underground and sit on bedrock. They won't be able to get under it. If they try diggin' on the other side, the marshes fill the mine up with water and drown the men." He motioned to the scarred battlements. "The walls on the battlements are fifteen feet thick. The entry doors look like they're wood, but they're mostly solid steel in the middle and on the inside."
"And I thought the Stronghold was well-protected in the mountains," Paki said, looking down on Valin Hold with a new respect.
"I've never seen a hold built like this one," Kile said.
"How long did it take to build?" Bear asked.
"Close to twenty years to build the whole thing," Kile answered. "Lord Valin built the outer wall first, then took to buildin' the inside." He looked down at Valin again. "It took Mo'ani about ten years to build the Stronghold," he added for comparison. "Then again, he didn't sink his foundation to bedrock either."
They settled down to watch the guards below. Work continued on the mine and at any sign of movement from within Valin, archers sent hundreds of arrows towards the walls. Kile pointed out significant officers to Paki and Bear. It was obvious they would have to fight their way past the church guards to get into the hold. With Mo'ani attacking from the south, Lord Bavol from the north, the river to the east and thick trees to the west, it was obvious to Paki that there was no place for the church guards to run.
Kile waited until well after nightfall before he took out his flute. The church guards lit their campfires and they could see a few torches light, then go out, within Valin Hold. The melody Kile played was simple, but flowed down toward Valin in unbroken purity. Paki would almost swear he could see the music as it made its' way from the flute. After playing for several minutes, Kile stopped, tucking his flute back into his belt.
"How will they know its' you?" Paki asked.
"I use that tune to let Adie know when I'm nearby," Kile explained. "She'll recognize it."
"Won't the church guards know where we are though?" Paki was sure they'd be able to figure out where the music had come from.
"They couldn't hear it," Bear said. "He didn't pause after any of the notes, so only the people he wanted to hear it could."
"Very good," Kile complimented Bear. "Ye 'ave been payin' attention."
"I always pay attention," Bear returned.
"Could've fooled me," Kile said evenly. "C'mon, let's go wait for Adie. The watch should be out 'ere by now, they'll let us know when she's comin'."
"If they even see her," Paki reminded, following Kile back to the horses.
"Ye've noticed that, huh?" Kile led Paki and Bear back to the camp.
A couple of hours later, Adie appeared next to Paki as he sat by the small campfire outside his and Bear's shelter. Bear and his brother had both gone to bed, but Paki was unable to sleep.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" she asked, sitting beside him.
Paki jumped, then looked at her. "Don't do that," he admonished.
Adie smiled. "Where's Kile? I don't want to have to pick my way through this whole camp looking for him."
"He was over that way earlier," Paki motioned in the direction of Lord and Lady Bavol's shelter.
Adie looked off in that direction, than at the shelters surrounding them. "How many men did he bring?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," Paki admitted. "But I'm pretty sure it's just about everyone from Bavol Hold."
"Guess he didn't want there to be any misunderstanding of his intentions," she sighed. "Grandfather has everyone crossing the marshes right now. They should be across shortly before dawn." Adie paused, looking back towards Valin Hold. "Something's going on in the hold, Paki," she said. "And I don't know what yet, but I don't like it. Do me a favor and both you and Bear stay back tomorrow." She frowned, seeing the argument in Paki's eyes. "At least until we reach the hold."
Paki sighed. "Do you think it's that bad?" he asked.
"Yes," Adie nodded her head slowly. "I do." She stood up and dusted herself off. "Now try and get some sleep. Tomorrow may be the longest day of your life." Giving him a nod goodnight, Adie disappeared through the trees, making her way toward Lord and Lady Bavol's shelter.
Paki sat outside the shelter for some time before he finally decided to go back to bed. Climbing into his bedroll, he was finally able to fall asleep.
Paki woke a short time later. He sat up and pushed his hair back away from his face. It was still dark outside and would be for a couple of hours yet. He could hear the hurried sounds of the camp as they prepared for the battle. He looked over at Bear, who was pulling on his boots. Tuketu had already left the tent.
"About time you woke up," Bear said.
"What's going on?" Paki asked, standing up. He had fallen asleep in his clothes and boots, so he didn't have to worry about dressing.
"A messenger came from Lord Mo'ani's forces. They're attacking at sunrise."
Paki pushed his hair back again. He remembered Adie's visit the night before.
"I think we should stay back here," he said. "Adie says there's something going on in the hold and it might be a problem if we get too close."
"How would she know what's going on?" Bear asked. "Unless she knows of a way into Valin." He picked up his vest and put it on.
"She didn't say," Paki shrugged his shoulders. "But she--" his voice trailed off when Bear left the tent, Tiimu at his heels. He should have known nothing he said would make Bear stay behind. Sighing, he left the tent and followed after his friend.
While the Mo'ani readied themselves and their horses, Lord and Lady Bavol were discussing tactics with Kile, Arlend and a couple of other men. Bear had disappeared somewhere in the rush of people and Paki soon found himself standing between Kile and Arlend.
"I want the archers here at
the north and to the east," Lord Bavol said. "Mo'ani's heavy cavalry'll come from the south with ours here at the north to hold the hill."
"It shouldn't take long to trample them all down," Arlend agreed with his father's tactics. "What are the chances any of them could cross the river?"
"Current's too fast," Kile said, adjusting his sword belt. His red cloak seemed much brighter against the cold grey of his armor. "If they're even wearin' chain, they won't be able to get across it." Nicho pawed at the ground behind him, nodding his head as if in agreement.
"Most of the foot soldiers will come from the east," Lord Bavol continued. "On my mark, the archers will fire five rounds first, then I want our cavalry to ride up to the trees. Mo'ani will force any survivors of the charge toward the hill, then we'll both push so they're backed up against the river. Once they're trapped, tell any remaining church soldiers if they turn over their officers, they can leave here unharmed."
"Yes, M'lord," the two men said. Turning, they led their horses back towards the readying army. Soon after, the foot soldiers set out for the dense, eastern edge of the woods.
"The cavalry won't leave much for the foot soldiers," Kile pointed out. "If the archers even leave enough for the cavalry." He nodded faintly at Evaine, who smiled back at him, accepting his compliment.
"As for you," Lord Bavol turned his attention to Paki. "Go find Sewati, take your horses and ride to the river. About a quarter of a league north through the woods, you'll find someplace to cross. Go to the other side of the river and ride back down to the edge of the woods. Stay there until someone comes to get you."
Paki nodded his head. He hadn't thought anyone had noticed him. "I don't know where Bear is," he said. "But Chase should."
"Go find him then," Lord Bavol said. "I want you two on the other side of that river before the first round of arrows fly."
Paki turned and left the group. Reaching out for Chase's mind, the horse soon told him their location. Pausing to get the mare, he led her to meet Bear and Chase.
Bear was helping his brother finish saddling the horses for the cavalry. Other students followed behind them, helping to put either full barding on the horses, or at least a chanfron over their heads.
"We're supposed to go wait on the other side of the river," Paki said, coming up behind Bear.
"I'm not going over there," Bear refused, turning to face Paki.
"Lord Bavol said he wants you to go over there with me," Paki insisted. "Neither one of us is ready for a fight like this." He didn't know why he was trying to reason with Bear. It had never worked before, why would it now?
"You should go," Tuketu agreed as he finished with the last saddle. "It won't do anyone any good if anything happens to you."
"Nothing's going to happen to me," Bear insisted.
"No, it's not," Lady Bavol said, appearing beside Chase. She stroked the big horse's nose. "Your father entrusted us to keep you and your brother safe until you could return to him as cloaked Mo'ani warriors. Your fight lies on another day, Sewati."
"I'm not staying behind!" Bear's eyes hardened and Paki realized he was settling in for a long argument. He started to say something, but was silenced by Evaine's raised hand.
"I have a request for you," she said to Bear.
"What?" Bear asked suspiciously.
Evaine took Bear's hand and pressed something into it. "Keep this safe," she said evenly. Should anything happen to Matthios and Arlend here, take it to Tonek." She smiled at him. "I think you're the only one stubborn enough to keep going until it's returned." Nodding to Tuketu and Paki, Evaine turned and disappeared between the horses.
"What is it?" Tuketu asked.
Bear opened his hand. The signet ring of Bavol Hold glinted at him in the growing pre-dawn light.
"Why'd she give this to me?" Bear wondered, his resolute stubbornness falling away.
Paki shrugged, smiling to himself. Lady Bavol apparently knew Bear better than most people, and knew the best way to get him to cooperate. He found himself respecting her even more.
"We should get going," Paki mentioned.
Bear put the signet ring into his pouch, tying the drawstrings tightly closed. With a silent nod of good luck to his brother, he took Chase's reins and followed Paki towards the river.
Paki followed Lord Bavol's directions and they soon found the spot where they could cross. The river was shallow, but the current swift. Bear tossed Paki a rope and he tied it to the mare's saddle. Paki waited while Bear and Chase crossed to the other side. When he was sure Chase had a firm footing, he nudged the mare forward and she started across. Paki could feel the current trying to sweep the mare from her feet, but she kept her footing and they were soon on the other side of the river. Not long after, they reached the edge of the woods again and found they had a clear view of Valin Hold and the land around it.
There was nothing on this side of the river except what remained of a ferry's dock. Up by the hold, the river flowed right against Valin's walls.
Paki watched the woods to the east along the north, but could see no sign of any movement. He could see the edge of the marshes to the south of Valin, but could see no sign of Mo'ani's army.
"It's almost dawn," Bear pointed out, sliding from his saddle and taking Tiimu from his saddlebag. He was looking down at the church soldiers. "You'd think they'd get tired of this and want to go home."
"It doesn't look like they're doing much," Paki agreed, joining his friend in sitting on the grass on the hill. They could see where work was still progressing on the mine and several men were working on repairing a battering ram, but other than that, none of the church guards seemed to be serving any purpose.
Minutes later, the sounds of Kile's flute drifted to them. Paki didn't recognize the song, but as he watched the land below, he saw a lone figure on horseback winding through the trees in the east. He realized it was Kile and Nicho and watched, amazed, as they rode without being noticed. Several minutes after disappearing back into the forest below Valin, the flute switched to another song. This time, Paki recognized the same tune Kile had played the night before to let Adie know they were there.
Paki glanced at Bear and smiled faintly. Bear was obviously concentrating on the songs Kile played and Paki could see him picking the tune apart in his mind.
Shortly after the song died away, the first volley of arrows sailed through the air, taking the church guards completely by surprise. Many of the arrows found their targets. When the second round flew, those still able scrambled for cover. The third and fourth rounds found fewer targets, but were just as frightening as they rained down on the cowering church guards. After the final volley, the Bavol cavalry appeared from the trees while Mo'ani's cavalry appeared to the south. Squinting in the bright morning sun, Paki made out Kile at the center front of the line of horses and cloaked warriors.
It took only seconds for the church guards to realize what they were faced with before they scrambled for their horses. By the time they reached the corrals, Kile had raised his sword and shouted his order. The cavalry from Mo'ani's Stronghold thundered towards the trapped church guards.
A few tried to stand against the onrush, but found both themselves and their horses trampled under the hooves of the better-trained Mo'ani army. Some tried to make a run for the woods above Valin, but Lord Bavol's army quickly changed their minds.
Paki watched, part in horror, part in fascination, as the Mo'ani swept through the church army. A few tried to find an escape in the river, but as Kile had promised, between the weight of their armor and the current, they were quickly pulled under.
The cavalry finally cleared the field, leaving behind them a bloody trail of men and horses. With another shouted order from Kile, they turned and took their places ahead of Lord Bavol's army. Any church soldier who tried to flee to the south would be trapped within the marshes since the Mo'ani knew the only safe path through, they would be little trouble to find and eliminate.
As the cavalry waited, Paki saw the silh
ouettes of the infantry as they made their way from the east. The few remaining church guards were still in a state of confusion and only a couple of them noticed the second army marching down on them. Their shouted warnings to their comrades went unheard and these last church guards were driven to the river as Lord Bavol had instructed.
Judging by how few men were able to retreat to the river, Paki guessed that over three quarters of the church soldiers were killed.
Paki watched as Lord Bavol's offer was given to the remaining church guards. There seemed to be a moment of indecision, then three of the church guards were grabbed by their fellows and pushed forward. An opening between the infantrymen appeared and with little encouragement, the last of the church guards fled through it and headed for the trees to the east. While some of the Mo'ani watched to make sure the retreating church guards didn't circle around, Lord Bavol's officers bound the remaining church guards, then removed their cloaks. Pushing them ahead, the prisoners were led to where Lord Bavol had come out of the woods and sat waiting on his horse beside Kile.
"That didn't take long," Bear said, standing up. His eyes danced, and Paki knew he could hardly wait until he was included in battles like this.
"No, it didn't," Paki agreed. His own heart was racing from watching the battle. The Mo'ani cavalry was obviously better trained than the church guards. As he stood up and dusted himself off, Paki stopped when two figures appeared on the top of the tower by Valin's keep. One was a boy of about twelve or thirteen years and the other a middle-aged man holding a sword. "What's going on up there?" he asked, pointing out the two people to Bear.
Bear followed where Paki pointed. "I don't know, it looks like--" he stopped when the boy suddenly jumped on top of the wall.
The boy looked down, then back at the man behind him. The man lowered his sword and was yelling something at the boy, but Paki couldn't hear what he was saying. A split second later, to Paki's horror, the boy jumped from the tower, plummeting down into the river. The man paused to watch the boy disappear under the water, then turned away. He didn't see the boy resurface and begin fighting the current as it swept him downstream.
