by R A Oakes
Lord Grenitar and his big cats had been so eager to attack that many had leapt from the walkway crashing down upon the winged apes below like roaring feline meteors, some weighing well in excess of 600 pounds, and all of it solid muscle.
Fortunately, the gargoyles had softened the big cats’ landing in what many human warriors had felt was a dangerous, even suicidal, jump requiring enormous courage. This display of heroism had proved effective, with Grenitar and his tigers literally crushing the life out of their enemy while sustaining surprisingly few injuries from the long drop. A half-dozen giant tigers had suffered fractured or broken legs, but the gargoyles had fared much worse.
Being highly territorial, the big cats had unleashed their fury upon the gargoyles with a rage akin to madness. Having come from the past where Dominion Castle had still been under human control, Lord Grenitar and his big cats were fighting to regain what was theirs, what had always been theirs, and what would soon be theirs once more.
Along with Lord Grenitar and his big cats, Chen and her warrior women had hacked their way through the gargoyles with a tiger-like ferocity, turning the tide and forcing the winged apes back.
Immediately behind Chen and her warrior women, King Tarlen and King Ulray, fighting for a castle that had been the Kardimont’s home for hundreds of years, had thrown themselves into the battle with a vengeance. Desperate to protect their kings, Captain Polaris and his men had swung their swords like men possessed cutting down gargoyle warriors without hesitation, while being equally proud of the two kings’ swordsmanship and valor.
Remaining on the walkway above, Tenacity and her village women had proven their worth as archers, having unleashed volley after volley of arrows at the gargoyle males below. After the winged apes had begun retreating, the village women’s only regret was that the gruesome creatures were getting out of range of their bows. The women couldn’t seem to get their fill of punishing the vile creatures for the degrading, humiliating way they had treated human females during the long and dreadful years of gargoyle occupation.
Faced with such human and feline determination, even the best gargoyle warriors were finally unable to take it any longer, breaking and running away in confusion and disarray.
And now, with the front entrance secure, White Angel 19 shouted, “I’m going to get my father!”
“No, Aerylln, please, you’ll be burned to a crisp,” Marcheto protested horrified at the thought of losing his girlfriend to the raging fire.
But the youngest White Angel appeared not to hear the warning. With her wings spread wide, adding to her aura of power, she shouted, “All White Angels follow me!”
“Aerylln, please!” Marcheto cried.
“Let her go,” Eldwyn said putting a restraining hand on the young wizard’s shoulder.
“But she’s throwing her life away. It’s certain death for anyone to attempt to cross that bridge.”
“Certain death for anyone but White Angel,” Eldwyn said attempting to reassure the young wizard, though still far from sure of the outcome himself.
Upon hearing her boyfriend’s anguished cries, White Angel 19 turned to Marcheto and said, “How about riding with me? I’m certain I can do this. Let’s cross the bridge of fire together.”
Without hesitation, Marcheto ran to his giant girlfriend clasping her hand as she pulled him up onto Zorya’s back. Sitting behind her, and feeling quite small by comparison, he clung tightly to her white leather jacket and said, “Dean Tenaray has taken Balzekior prisoner. She’s being banished to the farthest reaches of the wizards’ parallel universe.”
“Good, with her eliminated and Swarenth’s army in disarray, the warlord’s hold on the castle is faltering. If we can just get my father and his warriors across this bridge, we might seal Swarenth’s fate and achieve victory.”
“Then, let’s go for it,” Marcheto said wrapping his arms around his girlfriend’s waist and holding on tightly.
“For the king!” White Angel 19 shouted as she plunged into the flames with the White Angels from the future following close behind.
On the other side of the ravine, Lord Pensgraft was patiently waiting for the daughter he knew would not fail him. The giant warrior realized that in bombarding the bridge, he’d been acting out of a desire to protect Aerylln, putting the well- being of his family ahead of the crown’s interests. Yet looking into the fire engulfing the bridge, Lord Pensgraft was confident Aerylln would help him out of this dilemma. He thought, She’s White Angel, and according to the prophecy, it is she who will lead the king’s army to victory.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide and gasped, for charging through the flames was the youngest of the White Angels astride her magnificent warhorse, Zorya.
Upon reaching her father and the other warriors, she shouted, “Swarenth’s gargoyles are fleeing, and the College of Wizards has taken Balzekior prisoner. All that separates us from victory is this bridge. I can guide you across but only if you believe in your heart that fire, flames and smoke cannot harm you,” White Angel 19 said pausing for a moment to allow the warriors to absorb her words.
“Whether such things can hurt me, I don’t know. But if they’re all that’s keeping us from ending gargoyle domination, then of one thing I’m certain,” Lt. Nantaric said.
“What?”
“For years, King Tarlen, Captain Polaris and our men have been running and hiding from Swarenth. If my king’s enemy is still alive, then I want to ride across this bridge no matter what the cost.”
“Besides Swarenth, you’ll be seeing someone else,” White Angel 19 said.
“Oh, please tell me King Tarlen’s back in the physical world.”
“Yes, he’s back.”
“Then with all my heart, I will believe that the flames cannot touch me or my men.”
“That’s perfect, but there’s one more person you’ll be eager to see.”
“Who?”
“King Ulray.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tarlen’s father has come from the past to help us.”
“I know he provided the means for us to conquer the mountain-trail fortifications. It’s almost as if he led us up here himself.”
“I don’t mean King Ulray’s simply here in spirit. He’s here in the flesh.”
“What are you saying?” Lt. Nantaric asked not comprehending what White Angel 19 was trying to convey.
“Your former king is alive and directly on the other side of this bridge.”
“Ulray, alive?”
“He’s much older than when you last saw him, but you’ll recognize him instantly.”
Lt. Nantaric looked at the members of the king’s personal guard behind him who were all as shocked as he was. Turning to Lord Pensgraft he said, “You told us that the old dispatch courier informed you that King Ulray would be waiting for us at the top of the mountain trail.”
“That’s what he said.”
“Do you believe King Ulray is on the other side of this bridge?”
“If my daughter says your former master is at the front entrance, then that’s where he is.”
“But do you believe it?”
“Yes.”
One hundred of the greatest warriors the kingdom had ever known reared up on their horses shouting at the top of their lungs, “King Ulray! King Ulray! King Ulray!”
“But gargoyles are still all over the place,” White Angel 19 cautioned them.
“Not for long,” Lt. Nantaric said as he and his warriors unsheathed their weapons.
“Daughter, lead us across the bridge, please,” Lord Pensgraft said pride readily apparent in his voice.
“You must put any thoughts of these flames out of your minds,” the youngest White Angel cautioned them once more.
“What flames? There are no flames, only a bridge leading to King Tarlen and King Ulray,” Lt. Nantaric said.
Wheeling around on Zorya, with Marcheto continuing to hold on tightly, White Angel 19 faced the raging fire and shouted, �
��White Angels clear our path.”
All ten versions of Aerylln, ages 20 to 29, and in White Angel form, were spread out along the length of the bridge. Leaping into the air, they began flapping their majestic wings cutting a wide swath through the fire.
“For the king!” White Angel 19 shouted as Zorya leapt forward, the battle cry spreading through the 3,000 warriors behind her.
Back at Dominion Castle’s front entrance, King Tarlen and King Ulray both wept for joy as they saw the youngest White Angel leading the army through the flames and across the bridge.
“I’ve waited so long for this day, father, so very long,” King Tarlen sighed.
“When others would have crumbled, you kept the faith,” King Ulray said patting his son on the back.
“I never thought I’d see you again, but even so, I wanted to make you proud of me.”
“You did.”
“How can you be proud of me? I stayed in hiding for decades. I refused to stand up and confront my enemy. What kind of man does such a thing? Am I a coward?”
“No,” King Ulray said firmly. “You were prudent.”
“That doesn’t sound very heroic,” Tarlen said almost laughing, thinking how ridiculous it sounded for a leader to be complimented on being prudent. “History rewards those whose deeds are bold, not timid and cautious.”
“Possibly, but prudence requires maturity and a strong sense of responsibility.”
“Thanks a lot. Now you’re really making me sound boring.”
“It takes great courage to be mature, responsible and prudent.”
“Really? Then I must be very brave,” Tarlen chuckled nervously fearing that his innate sense of caution was a result of a hidden flaw in his character, some inner weakness.
“Those who take bold action that is ill-advised are sometimes exhibiting a lack of patience and self-restraint.”
“Oh, now I’m not only prudent, mature and responsible, but also patient and full of self-restraint,” Tarlen smiled ruefully. “What kind of man is that?”
“A man who’s fit to be king.”
“Am I truly fit to be king, father?”
“Look,” King Ulray said pointing to White Angel 19 leading thousands of warriors across a bridge engulfed in flames. “White Angel chooses to serve you, doesn’t she? And look there,” King Ulray added pointing at Chen and her warrior women. “Those are the most dangerous women I’ve ever known, and they’ve chosen to serve you.”
At that moment, White Angel 19 finished crossing over the bridge and stood before them. Directly behind her were Lt. Nantaric and his men, all of whom had been in their late teens and early 20s when Swarenth had overrun Dominion Castle. They were so shocked to see King Ulray standing before them alive and in the flesh that they were unable to move and sat on their warhorses in stunned silence.
It was Captain Polaris who broke the spell shouting, “All hail the king!”
Chen and her warrior women knelt down on one knee, while keeping a careful eye on the area surrounding them in case any gargoyles hadn’t retreated along with the others. Captain Polaris and his reunited warriors, over 120 members of the king’s personal guard, dismounted and went down on both knees touching their foreheads to the ground.
Grateful for this display of loyalty, King Tarlen and King Ulray stood there basking in the respect being bestowed upon them.
“They’re bowing to you, father,” Tarlen said quietly. “You’re the true king.”
“You’re wrong, my son,” King Ulray said going down on one knee. “They are bowing to the king who led them through the darkest decades in over 500 years of Kardimont rule. They are bowing to you.”
King Tarlen’s eyes filled with tears, one spilling over and streaming down the length of his right cheek. “Oh, father, don’t leave me when all this is over. Don’t make me live without parents again.”
King Ulray looked over at Eldwyn, who for years had been his best friend, and spoke sharply. “So, what do you plan on doing about your king’s request?”
At first Eldwyn was taken by surprise and appeared flustered, but upon seeing the stern look on King Ulray’s face, the elderly mystic said, “I’ll speak with Dean Tenaray, sire. With Balzekior gone and her lake of fire destroyed possibly something can be done.”
Standing back up and facing his son, King Ulray said, “Now let’s take back our castle.”
“With pleasure, father, with pleasure.”
Looking at those kneeling around him, King Tarlen said, “Everyone may rise.” But no one moved. All continued kneeling paying homage to their kings.
King Tarlen smiled and said, “We need to hunt down the remaining gargoyles, and you must admit that we can’t do that on our knees, so everyone please rise.”
As they were getting to their feet, King Tarlen turned to White Angel 19 and asked, “Aren’t the warriors waiting on the bridge feeling uncomfortable from the heat?”
“No, sire, my White Angels are keeping the flames well away from them. Anyway, for the chance to depose Swarenth, they’d gladly walk through hell.”
At the mention of the warlord’s name, King Tarlen rested a hand on his sword and said, “I’ll deal with that one myself. But first, let’s head over to the tower beyond the tiger compound. That’s where most of the gargoyles are hold up, isn’t that correct, Gwendylln?”
“Yes, sire.”
“Lord Pensgraft?”
“Yes, sire?”
“I want 2,000 warriors deployed on the walkway along the outer walls. Everyone else is to come with me.”
“That tower will be hard to recapture. It was built as a refuge, as a stronghold,” King Ulray cautioned his son.
“Maybe Greystone can do something about it,” Marcheto suggested. “After all, he did help capture Balzekior by causing the tunnel to collapse.”
“And Greystone did cause the rockslide that sent hundreds of gargoyles to the bottom of the ravine,” Lt. Nantaric added.
“For an old wizard, he certainly does liven things up,” Captain Jeriana said smiling.
“Have you looked inside the other castle towers, King Tarlen, especially the main one?” White Angel 19 asked.
“No, why?”
“Greystone might have done that as well,” White Angel 19 said.
“Done what?”
“There are dead gargoyles everywhere,” Chen explained. “It seems they were killed by heavy stone tiles falling from the ceilings.”
“Did you see him doing it?”
“No, but who else could have? Only ceiling tiles fell, which are heavy enough as it is, but no actual structural damage was done to the castle.”
“I’d like to meet this Greystone,” King Tarlen said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s waiting for us at the tower where the gargoyles are hold up,” Chen said. “He despises them even more than I do.”
“And that’s saying a lot.”
“Yes, sire,” Chen smiled ruefully.
“This should prove interesting,” King Tarlen said.
“That’s for sure,” King Ulray added.
“Immediately after dealing with the gargoyles in the tower, maybe we should chase down Swarenth,” Chen suggested.
“The warlord and I finally have our roles reversed,” King Tarlen mused. “For years, I was the hunted, now I’m the hunter. And I want one other role.”
“What, my son?”
“That of Swarenth’s executioner.”
“If I was younger, I’d do it myself.”
“His reign of terror is almost over. That’s what’s most important.”
“Yes, that’s true. Let’s head over to the tower. I’m eager to see how Greystone handles this,” King Ulray said.
“I’ve never given a medal before to someone made of rock,” King Tarlen smiled.
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“How long do you think it’ll take for a wizard made of rock to learn stone masonry and then repair all the damage to Domini
on Castle?” King Tarlen asked.
“Not long, I would think,” King Ulray said smiling.
“I could help dry the mortar,” Flame offered.
“I’m sure that will prove helpful, my friend,” King Tarlen said.
“And I can help haul stone,” Zorya offered.
“I’d be glad to boss everyone around,” Chen said smiling.
“Well, in that case, things should be up and running in no time,” King Tarlen laughed.
“Just leave Greystone to me. I’ll have him working day and night until the job’s done,” Chen said.
“But don’t you think Greystone deserves to be rewarded, not punished?”
“I’ll give him both, but don’t worry, he’ll have a difficult time deciding which he enjoys most.”
Looking at his father, King Tarlen shrugged and said, “I’m not sure whether I should pity Greystone or envy him.”
“If no one minds my cutting in,” Andrina said quietly, “I’d like to remind everyone that the war’s not over yet. We still have hundreds of gargoyles very alive and not far away.”
“I’ll let you handle this, Chen. It’ll give you a chance to get acquainted with our mystical stone mason,” King Tarlen said.
The black leather panther took a deep breath and said, “I’ll have those gargoyles covered in stone rubble in no time.”
“Remind me to always have you as an ally and never as an enemy.”
“I could never get mad at you, sire,” Chen smiled sweetly.
King Tarlen looked over at Lord Pensgraft and gave the giant warrior a questioning look.
“I’m keeping my mouth shut, sire.”
“It appears you’ve trained him well,” King Tarlen said.
“He’s a good husband,” Chen said swaying seductively while going up to her man and giving him a passionate kiss.
“Now that’s what I call true love,” King Tarlen said smiling as he noticed Lord Pensgraft was appearing dizzy, dazed and disoriented from the intensity of the kiss.
“As for Greystone, I’ll have him begging to rebuild the castle, and I won’t even have to touch him.”
