Ella saw Lord Aidan slump. His head fell and his arms dropped to his sides. Ella didn't know what Killian was saying, but she saw him take the revenant's arms and shake him.
Lord Aidan's fists suddenly clenched at his sides, and Ella's eyes went wide as she remembered the warnings of Aldrik and Barnabas.
Aldrik's words came back to her now.
"It happens only once in a while, and only to the draugar we bring back with more of who they were. Sometimes the eyes turn entirely red, and the life leaves them." The necromancer's voice had turned ominous. "But before they go, they become berserk."
Ella looked again at the revenant. She'd had to bring back much of the man he had been, using the forbidden lore Barnabas had taught her, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to cross the portal.
Lord Aidan straightened, and a shudder went through his body. His body tensed, and Killian took two steps back.
Ella opened her mouth to cry out, when she heard a series of shrieks behind her, sending a chill through her body.
Turning, she saw a black cloud fill the twilight sky. Wraiths. Dozens of them.
Killian had turned also, and Ella saw him point at the wraiths.
At that instant, with Killian's attention diverted, Lord Aidan attacked.
46
WITH the horde thundering towards the walls of Emirald, a rope was finally lowered, and first Amber and then Miro were hoisted up to the walls.
"Quick!" Miro felt a hand shove him. "Get out of here!"
The revenant army crashed into the walls and beneath him Miro felt the stone tremble. A soldier herded Miro and Amber down from the walls even as ladders slapped up against the battlements and the defenders carried buckets of boiling pitch up to the walls in the opposite direction.
"Do you know the way to the palace?" the soldier asked when they were down.
Miro nodded. "I can find it."
"Good. You'll have to talk your own way in. I'm needed here."
The soldier turned around and ran back up to the walls, sword in hand. Miro admired the Veldrin's courage.
"Come on," Miro said to Amber, taking her by the hand. "We need to hurry. This city won't last."
The climb up the sloping streets was arduous after the sprint to the city walls. The roads were deserted as Miro led them continuously upwards and towards the heights.
Miro was surprised to see there weren't any soldiers at the palace. He simply walked in, remembering the last time he'd come here under guard, marvelling at the ivory spires and turquoise domes, the tranquil fountains and grassy courtyards.
"I'm going to look over the harbour," Amber said. "There's a good view from up here, and there must be someone ready to flee the city on a ship."
"Good idea," Miro said.
She squeezed his arm. "Good luck."
As he watched Amber head to the seaward side of the palace, Miro wondered where the Emir would be. He decided to look for a place that afforded a view of the landward side of the city. He saw a marble-columned structure at the rear of the palace and sure enough, a lone figure stood with his white-knuckled hands on a rail, looking upon the unfolding battle at the walls below.
"Emir Volkan!" Miro called.
The figure turned.
The Emir's flowing robe was deep blue this time, the colour of the ocean, and belted with silver. His sharp nose and dark eyes were as penetrating as ever, but Miro could see the lines of care around his eyes. Together with the grey in his beard his worried eyes made him look old.
Emir Volkan was afraid.
"Ah, look who it is, the man I sent north to gather information on the enemy. Tell me, Miro of Altura, what can you tell me about the enemy's numbers?" the Emir asked with heavy irony.
Miro joined the Emir at the rail. The Veldrin soldiers were fighting valiantly, and for now their numbers were holding back the dark tide.
"We now meet under very different circumstances," Miro said.
"What are those creatures?"
"They're called revenants. The dead are given a semblance of life and made to serve in the army they died fighting against. One of the Evermen leads them. He calls himself the Lord of the Night."
"So," Emir Volkan said, "it seems we were both right. Your ancient enemy is here, and lore has destroyed my land."
"We can fight them," Miro said.
The Emir barked a laugh. "How do you fight a multitude of warriors who will not die? They say this ruler is a man no blade or ball can harm. We're doomed."
"There's something I can offer you that may help."
Emir Volkan turned and looked at Miro. "Look at you. You've got nothing. You've been beaten, I see it in your eyes. I don't need to see the bruises on your face to tell me. What can you offer me, Lord Marshal Miro? Can you make this Lord of the Night pass us by?"
"No." Miro shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Veldria was the target all along. Here in Emirald you have the ships he needs to take this army across the ocean. He won't stop until your harbour is in his hands, and your people have been butchered or enslaved just as those in the north have."
"My people will never be slaves," the Emir bit the words off.
"You won't have a choice. You will serve in death."
"No. I will destroy my corpse before it serves my enemy. I will destroy my body, my city, and as many of my people as I can before I allow us to become slaves. I will not allow us to serve the army that comes to destroy your homeland, as it has mine. You have my word on that."
"There's another way for your people," Miro said, "some of them at least. I have something I can offer you."
"What can you offer me?"
"Safe haven... Refuge…. In my land. For as many of your people as we can get out of here aboard your ships."
The Emir turned to Miro, looking deep into Miro's eyes. "You would do that? You would welcome my people, feed them, and shelter them? You have the power to offer me this?"
"We can load your women and children into some of your ships and take them to my land. Once there, I will ensure they are fed and clothed and given a place. I am second only to the High Lord, and I can speak for him," said Miro. "Later, when we have defeated this enemy, we can help your people come back to these lands to rebuild. Veldria can live again. As long as the memory of your civilisation exists, it can live again."
"I need your word," Emir Volkan said.
"I give you my word. But there's something I'll need in return."
"What do you want?"
"I want your help, and that of your men. Those of your ships that don't make it out of here, we need to destroy. Destroying your ships, all of them, will give us the time we need to escape, and to prepare my homeland's defence."
"And I have your word that you will treat my people well?"
"You do. You can come yourself to make sure of it."
"No." The Emir turned his gaze back to the surging battle at the walls. A boy raced a bucket of pitch up to some soldiers, who instantly poured it onto the revenants below. The viscous oil was proving to be the main reason the walls had not yet been overrun. "Do you see the men with their buckets of pitch?" Emir Volkan suddenly asked.
"Yes." Miro's heart went out to the courageous soldiers, who surely knew to a man that to lose the walls was to doom everyone and everything they held dear.
"It comes from the catacombs that worm the hillside this city was built on. The oil seeps from the ground underneath and we collect it and store it in the tunnels higher up. I have had our reserves of black powder also taken to the catacombs, to be stored alongside the oil. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I think I do," Miro said, seeing the resolve in the Emir's eyes.
"I will stay here, and take as many of the enemy with me as I can. I will watch as my ships leave the harbour, and as you destroy those vessels you don't take with you. Then, when the time comes, I will destroy this city, and everyone in it."
Miro nodded, knowing there was nothing he could say.
"You have my word,"
Emir Volkan said.
47
SHANI looked at the oval mirror, and then crouched down next to the device Ella had placed over the three Lexicons.
Bartolo and Jehral looked at her with concern. The three of them had guarded the portal day and night, and the tension was affecting them all. What would they do if someone crossed, and their combined efforts couldn't prevent some evil force gaining entry?
The ancient chamber within the Sentinel wasn't a pleasant place to sleep, eat, and share each other's company. There was something about the light that came from all places and none. The decayed wall was a mystery that no one could explain, and made it appear as if a dark force had permeated the chamber, melting all in its path. Shani and Bartolo bickered, while Jehral retreated into himself, becoming silent and moody. They had all put their faith in Ella, and each of them secretly wondered if they'd done the right thing.
"They're fading," Shani said, looking at the Lexicons.
"Are you sure?" Bartolo asked.
Shani glared at Bartolo. "I'm sure."
"Just asking."
"How long do we have?" Jehral asked.
"Opening the portal the first time must have taken more power from the Lexicons than Ella planned."
"How long?"
"I don't know. Perhaps there's some loredrain… I've been monitoring them closely. We can't chance it…" Shani made a decision. "I'm going to open the portal."
"Shani," Jehral said, "Ella said to wait exactly three days."
"Do you want to leave her stranded there?"
"What if you open the portal and she's not there?" Bartolo said. "What if you open it and whatever power is left goes, so you can't open it again?"
"If we wait much longer, I can promise you there won't be enough power to open the portal at all."
Jehral and Bartolo exchanged glances.
"Ella said…" Jehral began.
"I know what Ella said! She's my friend too. I'm telling you, we have to open it now, while we still can!"
Jehral spoke to Bartolo. "I'm no loremaster."
"Nor am I."
"What if she's right?"
"I'm telling you I'm right!" Shani said. "Men! Jehral, if Ilathor was here you'd do as he asked without a second thought. Bartolo, you'd be the same if Rogan gave you an order."
"Are you ordering us now?" Bartolo said, smiling to take the sting out of his words.
"I'm telling you what I believe. We need to open the portal."
"I can't let you do it," Bartolo said, growing serious again.
Shani scowled and straightened, placing her hands on her hips. "Let me? You can't… let me?"
"Please, both of you," said Jehral, his hands held out in placation. "Calm down. We need to make the right decision here. The wrong decision could leave Ella stranded on the other side."
"Opening the portal now is the right decision," Shani said.
"It's the wrong move," said Bartolo.
Jehral sighed, as the elementalist glared at her husband and the bladesinger returned her glower.
What was happening on the other side of the portal?
They had no way of knowing.
48
WHILE battle raged on the walls of Emirald, the sailors amongst the defenders were recalled and asked to convene in the harbour.
Commodore Deniz was fighting to close a breach when the order came. A skilled swordsman, the Holdfast champion three years running, he fought like a man possessed.
His blade was perfectly straight and custom-made from Narean steel. He had been a lieutenant for six years and a captain for ten. He'd crushed the pirate fortress of Gaskar and defeated Zafra the pirate king in personal combat. The Emir had personally promoted him to commodore, a rank he'd held for five more years. Deniz had seen his fair share of combat.
Deniz didn't understand this enemy, but he believed all creatures could be killed. The defenders had quickly learned that flame and heat were the best weapons against these unholy warriors, and pitch came up to the walls in a steady stream. Deniz discovered removing the heads was the most efficient means of despatching the creatures with a sword, and had made sure the men were instructed accordingly.
Heads now piled the walls in numbers, so that between the waves of attackers the defenders threw them down from the walls to clear space to fight.
As revenants poured onto the walls, Deniz came forward and took a barbarian's head from his shoulders in a single blow. He ducked a slashing sword and thrust into a throat, amazed again when no blood came out. His opponent's white eyes stared at him, and no cry of fear or pain came from the creature's mouth. Deniz hacked at his enemy's neck, once, twice, before the creature fell down. He narrowly avoided being skewered by a spear, and turned to face a new threat. Soldiers poured in to join him in closing the breach, and soon the scaling ladders were pushed back. Deniz despatched two more of the creatures and then the wall was clear.
Deniz lowered his sword and stood panting. The defenders around him cheered, though they knew it was only a matter of time.
"Water!" Deniz cried.
Instead, a soldier came forward and handed the commodore a hastily scrawled note.
The order from the Emir came as a mystery. Deniz could only assume they were going to try to assemble a naval force and flee. But where would they go?
Deniz turned to the men around him. "I've been ordered to the harbour. Any sailors on the walls are to join me there, pass the word around."
"What's happening, Commodore?"
Deniz decided truth was best. "I don't know. But I promise you, I'll send word when I find out."
The orders had been short.
All naval personnel to report to the harbour. Follow the instructions of the man who carries my signet ring. His name is Miro. Do as he bids.
Signed. The Ruler of the Seas, the Protector of Veldria and the Bearer of the Seal: Emir Volkan.
Miro. The name was familiar, but Deniz couldn't quite place it.
49
MIRO was with Amber at the harbour, looking for some leaders amongst the growing numbers of confused Veldrin sailors when a familiar figure came forward.
"You," Commodore Deniz said. "What's going on?"
The well-dressed captain of the Seekrieger was covered in blood and still carried his fine sword in one hand. He'd obviously come straight from the walls, and Deniz glowered at Miro, evidently believing he was needed elsewhere.
Miro displayed the signet ring the Emir had given him. "I need your help, Commodore."
"Explain quickly."
"You said my origin was a mystery. I'm from a land called Altura, in the east, across the sea. It's a long voyage to Altura, but not an impossible one. I am a leader in my homeland, and I have come to an arrangement with the Emir."
"What arrangement?"
"Right now there are women, children, the old and the young cowering in their homes. The city is lost, and the walls will fall. There is nothing any of us can do to prevent that. There is, however, something we can do for those people. I have offered refuge in Altura, my homeland, for every man, woman and child who can make the voyage across the sea. In return, the Emir has promised me your help in destroying those ships we don't take with us."
"You want our help in destroying the fleet?"
"This enemy is led by a man who has come to your city with one objective only. He wants these ships so that he can fill them full of warriors and take them across the sea. He cares nothing for your nation, this objective consumes him. He will come, nothing can prevent that, but if we destroy as many ships as we can, we will delay his arrival, and give my people time to prepare."
Miro could see Deniz was uncertain. "Look, Commodore, your city Emirald will fall. Veldria will fall, as the nations in your north have already fallen. But if we can take some of your people away from here, they can return one day to rebuild. Their memories will keep Veldria alive, and the future will be brighter for your people than the death that awaits them at the hands of these monste
rs."
"I see," Commodore Deniz said. "You gave the Emir your word, I presume?"
Miro smiled. "As a man of honour. I will see your people safe."
Commodore Deniz nodded. "I will do as you say."
He suddenly leapt into action, and Miro recognised a kindred spirit. This was not a man used to sitting still.
"Lieutenant Mustaf." He addressed a man in the crowd. "Do any of the ships still have powder aboard?"
"The Emir's ordered all the powder to the catacombs, Commodore."
Deniz swore. "Lieutenant, take fifty men and keep bringing powder kegs down to this position. Don't stop. Keep them coming."
"Yes, sir!"
Deniz pointed to another man. "Captain Atan, get fifty men together. Send them throughout the streets. Get everyone out of their homes. Tell everyone you can find we're taking them to safety. Send them down to the harbour."
"Yes, sir!"
"Captain Drefan, oversee getting them into the ships. Load up the warships and cruisers first. Start at the vessels closest to the harbour mouth."
"Aye aye, Commodore!"
Deniz addressed another man. "Lieutenant Oster, send ten men to the walls. Spread the word as quickly as possible. Tell those who fight that we're taking their women and children to safety. By the stars, if they weren't fighting before, they will now."
Deniz turned to Miro. "Do you know how to scuttle a ship?"
"I can start a fire."
"That'll do. Start here, close to the city."
Commodore Deniz raised his voice. "You know what we're doing here. Be prepared to act on your own initiative. We're sending our women and children to a new land, while we destroy those ships we aren't taking with us so that our enemy cannot follow. When a ship is full, assemble a crew, and set sail immediately. This is our only chance, men. Don't let me down!"
"Aye aye, Commodore!" the sailors chorused.
They quickly dispersed, and Miro realised he had ten men looking to him for orders.
The Path of the Storm (The Evermen Saga, Book Three) Page 35
