The sound of hooves and the whine of horses broke the silence of our wait. Rain began to fall from the sky, just in time to add to our lack of visibility. I took a few deep breaths, cursing at my nerves to stay strong.
Their pace changed, and we felt every horse as it slammed its hooves against the ground, speeding toward us. There would be no reasoning this time; no negotiations. They only wished to slaughter us in their search for the gem. But here it was, and here I stood. I was not about to let them have their victory; not tonight.
“Archers!” Lord Arden called out from the blackness. “Fire!”
A storm of arrows flew over our heads, raining down on our enemies as they approached. Wall after wall of arrows came down taking out horses and slowing their advance but few fell.
“Light the trenches!” another voice called out. Those same words echoing back in the dark.
Fire erupted at our backs, lining the village like a flaming fence to keep them out. I felt the heat on my backside but I wasn’t willing to flee. I wouldn’t let it make me afraid, not here, not now.
Kiyne took aim, carefully awaiting one man to grow closer. I grew nervous watching him, the enemy nearly on him. He winked, the arrow firing off and hitting the man in a gap between his chin and neck. It was a small slot, no larger than the crack in a doorframe but he’d hit. The novelty quickly wore off, and Kiyne unsheathed his sword, ready for close combat.
I moved inward, my back pressing against his, “ready?” he asked.
I nodded quickly, “ready.”
Steel crashed around us, the world seemingly slowing as I tore through shields and armour with my small weapon. I was unexpected, and unassuming, leaving me open to attack whomever I wished. I wasn’t a worthy opponent in their eyes but that gave me the advantage.
I felt a wind at my front and arrow split my hair, striking a man in the face of his helm as he had barreled toward me from the night. I looked back to see Mara’s silhouette in the dark, and I swore she was grinning. She drew another arrow before disappearing into the mist.
The Arcanon fought swiftly, their experience in battle a welcome contribution to our efforts. They’d sworn not to involve the Dragons, not when they were so vital to our way of life; one that dwindled with our own survival. This was our fight, my fight, and I would keep it that way.
The battle raged, and slowly I could feel ourselves becoming surrounded; backs against a wall of fire and enemies on either side. That’s when he appeared again, rolling through the darkness like a giant, his horned helmet like the shadow of a Demon against the flame.
He drew his hammer, stepping through the slaughter without worry. A man dove to attack but was quickly batted away like a fly from the force of his weapon. A sickening thud broke from the impact and I felt my stomach turn.
“You need to run,” Kiyne said through gritted teeth. “Round up the others and fall back.”
I looked at Kiyne in disbelief, “I’m not leaving you!”
“We don’t have a choice, Alina,” he stated. “I can distract him long enough but, you need to go now!”
Mara arrived, rushing in on enemy horseback. It was quite the entrance. “Alina, your fire! Cover the others!”
Right! My power! I’d forgotten all about it in the chaos. I closed my eyes, tucking my axe away and trying to free up my mind to think only of what I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to save everyone but, I wanted to stop Kiyne. I couldn’t choose both. I could only pick one.
I opened my eyes, flames bursting from my palms. I spun my hands around to grow the flames, I’d caught the leader’s attention and I felt his target shift from the battle to me.
Kiyne intervened as he marched toward me, his sword hammering down with ferocity but, our opponent was quick to defend. His hammer raised to counter Kiyne’s blade. I had my clearing, and I wouldn’t let his distraction go to waste. I thought of a wall, a tower of pure flame far greater than the one lit at our backs. It would force them back, and give us the time we needed to withdraw into the town.
“Kiyne, hurry!” I shouted, flames beginning to grow at my feet and spread on the ground.
Kiyne was pushed back, away from my shield, my wall. The Marauder Leader kept hammering down on him with powerful blows, forcing Kiyne to defend. He was crouched and I could see his strength fading as he took hit after hit to his body; his sword his only defense.
“Alina! Now!” Mara cried out.
I felt tears in my eyes but I forced the flames around us, pushing the enemy back from us. Large flames thrust into the mist, higher than the rocky outcrops spanning the land and splitting the enemy from our people.
I could see Kiyne through the wall of flame, and I wanted desperately to reach out and pull him to safety. He wound up from his crouch, a last-ditch effort to attack but the leader was far too quick. He dropped his elbow down when Kiyne opened to attack, his armour striking Kiyne in the side of the head. I could see his movement stop, his body dropping down to his knees.
I screamed in terror, rushing forward.
Mara pivoted around me, holding me back from running through the flames to his aid.
The Marauder leader took Kiyne by his hair, dangling him in his grasp like bait at my wall of flames.
“Please,” I sobbed, “don’t...”
He took his helmet, removing it to show his face. Emerald eyes stared back at me, filling me with fear. I knew those eyes, the ferocity of that stare down. It was just like my mother’s...
“It cannot be,” I heard Arden whisper as he came to our aid, his eyes wide with shock. “Odaer...”
“Kiyne!” I cried out.
The fire grew in response to my emotions, my sight beyond the flames disappearing as it grew in intensity. I heard the sound of a body hitting the ground and my heart sank. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks and a scream of pure terror erupted from the pit of my stomach in utter despair.
Kiyne was gone.
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Ignite Page 8
