by K. A. Lentz
Slowing her sobs and stifling her sniffles Eloise managed to breathe a quick, “Yes, Mama… I… I will.”
The woman gave her child a nod of pride and a kiss on the cheek before trotting off with stately determination toward certain death. Tahlan quickly took Eloise from Kaiyssa and fled toward the encampment with renewed haste. Nearly three hours they ran past the point of exhaustion and into the precarious stage beyond. Stamina failing, Kaiyssa slowed to a stop and sat down abruptly for an undeclared break.
All three travelers sat in solemn silence as both elves eased the pain of exhaustion screaming throughout their limbs. Passing thoughts back and forth in the form of images, Kaiyssa and Tahlan spoke to each other through their soul-bonded connection. Neither elf wanted to articulate their thoughts and fears in front of Eloise; she had been through enough. Both were of the opinion they were being targeted. It was not uncommon to run into a reaper party when traveling overland, but twice in less than three months was very rare indeed. Seeing the truth of their collateral damage sitting slumped before their eyes, the elvish pair made an unspoken declaration of the dangers they posed to gentle folk. If the encampment ahead failed to yield an answer the couple would press onward to the next military outpost, yet remain away from innocents and families until they stopped whoever was hunting them.
Needing to resume their flight, Tahlan walked over to the young girl and lightly touched her shoulder. She failed to respond in any way. Undaunted by her catatonic behavior, Tahlan crouched down and simply presented her with his back. As though guided by an unseen hand, Eloise stood lethargically and slowly climbed aboard. Gripping tight to his morose charge, Tahlan led the dwindling group onward to their destination.
The party of three arrived at the encampment faster than estimated. It had been many years since Tahlan visited, yet it still looked the same. Much like Varmount, the makeshift outpost was positioned upon the confluence of different terrains. Sitting on the eastern side of the same forest, and also along the threshold to the same vast prairie, the camp edged an additional landscape Varmount was safely tucked away from; the heart of a reaper domain. Private lands deep within the territory of each overlord, the heartland of any reaper was not to be traversed without good reason. Crawling with minions and slaves, the abused terrain mirrored the hatred and malice wrestling within the soul of its owner. Repeatedly the humans had endeavored to build a more secure outpost on the spot, yet each time the reigning reaper carefully unleashed just enough force to destroy the camp yet not eradicate the opposing players in his twisted game.
Kaiyssa and Tahlan emerged from the cover of forest and into the mucky open field of the encampment. Setting Eloise on her feet, the trio wearily rounded the fort’s large, pike wall as they made their way to its open southern gate. Without a word, Kaiyssa produced the note given to her by Alderic and passed it to her mate walking forward to greet the guard. Upon seeing the forlorn girl both soldiers insultingly ignored the elvish pair and began vying for Eloise’s favor. Tahlan stepped forward and cleared his throat to gain their attention… barely achieving one. Taking advantage of the boy’s temporary focus, he immediately thrust the open note toward the soldier’s annoyed face. The young man simply grunted as he waved the pair through the open gateway. Loudly clearing his throat once more, Tahlan looked into Eloise’s tearing eyes and said to his full audience, “Her parents and the Captain of Varmount have been murdered by a reaper scouting party. I suggest you take her somewhere to rest after helping the young lady find some long overdue breakfast.”
One soldier was quick to react, “Sir, did you say a reaper party? I don’t understand… the southern tower reported no such crossing, it must have come from another heartland.”
Already their suspicions were confirmed by this casual statement. Both elves spoke at once, but Tahlan gave Kaiyssa the floor. Seeking a denial to her own conclusions, she soberly inquired, “Are you sure none have passed through unguarded terrain?”
“Yes Sir, I’m certain. My dawn duty was bringing the day’s rations to the tower guard. It’s been quiet for a full week. We had a breech early last week, but the troops sent to stop them with our pharmakos returned victorious. The party you speak of had to come from another reaper.”
Amazed Tahlan remarked, “This front has a pharmakos? It’s good to see some dwarves moving forward with their assistance.”
Quick to reply the soldier stated with pride, “Indeed Sir, the construct has been invaluable against raiding parties slipping by the frontline. In the past our only option was to lure them back to an ambush, losing valuable troops in every encounter, however now we’ve had the same regiment on border-guard for three years.”
His voice full of obvious respect Tahlan replied, “I am glad to hear it. With such progress we can hope to gain ground. Now as I said, this young lady needs attending.”
He gave the officers a curt nod before falling in step with his mate leading the way through camp. Rising like mountaintops from beneath an ocean of stained canvas, two fire-ravaged buildings stood in a tight crowd of short, standard issue tents. Signaling the residence of Alderic’s superior, a flag of command hung like a sign above the door leading into the slightly more intact structure. Kaiyssa and Tahlan could smell the scorched wood as they approached and began to feel their stomachs turn in response. Preparing for the forthcoming discomfort, both elves unwound lengths of cloth from their wrists and used them to cover their mouths and noses. Braced for the onset of illness Tahlan headed in first. It was worse than they had feared, the oppressive scent of charred wood clung stubbornly to the structure’s stale, damp air. Kaiyssa’s eyes began watering as small coughs erupted from her constricting throat. Tahlan worriedly glanced down at his mate through water-filled eyes.
The room sat empty except for its meager contents. Two chairs and a table were stationed like sentinels in front of a door diagonal to the entrance. Tahlan’s throat was tormenting him with the agonizing urge to cough when a middle-aged soldier exited the back room. Taking one look at the masked, coughing elves, the man hastily blurted, “Oh… I’m sorry, please let us step outside. I’ve heard your kind get ill from the smoke of a tree.” The man continued explaining as they followed him out, “We’d been informed of your arrival by message of the wood-elf king. Someone should have stopped you at the gate and shown you to the meeting tent we prepared.”
Once outside Kaiyssa and Tahlan thankfully breathed in lungfuls of fresh air. The officer leading them maintained a constant stream of chatter as he eagerly showed the pair to a moss-green tent awkwardly standing out amongst its surrounding, dirty-white peers. The front flaps were tied back, allowing a light morning breeze to eddy around the tent’s sparse furnishings. Without missing a step, the soldier deftly ducked through the low entrance and sat down at a table waiting inside. Settling in around his full armor and weaponry, the man casually waved a hand toward the remaining chairs. Clearing their itching throats a few more times, Tahlan and Kaiyssa sat opposite the suddenly quiet soldier. Leaning in on his forearms, the man began with concern threaded into each word, “As there have been no other elves traveling through these parts in a long while, and also given your arrival three days after the message, I’ve assumed you’re Tahlan and Kaiyssa.” After pausing for each to nod their agreement, he continued on, “A message arrived for you via our echo-crystal. It was delivered by the voice of esteemed King Elvor of the wood-elves.”
Suddenly unsure of himself, the soldier furrowed his brow as he stared down at the table’s pock-marked surface. After a moment’s pause he looked back up at Tahlan and began speaking in a consoling voice, “I’m sorry son, but your cousin Nasshta was found murdered… in the rear gardens of reflection; it appears as though she had been dead a while. Also, the King’s beloved niece Ifrah went missing the same day your cousin was found. King Elvor and his council wish you both to return at once. He cautions that you may have a reaper’s minion after you… a shadow-elf.”
Already worried over how they woul
d take the news, the soldier’s concern grew when his audience exhibited only a mild reaction to his disheartening statements. The couple exchanged a brief look of understanding before Tahlan asked in an emotionless tone, “Does the crystal still have the king’s echo?”
Clearly caught off guard, the soldier breathed like a fish for a moment before coming to his senses, “I’m not sure Sir, my commander has the crystal with her… back in the officer’s building.”
With a sober nod Tahlan stood and stated, “Then I shall accomplish two quests at once. I wish to see your commander.”
Taking his cue from the elf’s response the soldier adopted a business-like tone and replied, “Of course… if you’ll wait here, I’ll let her know she’s needed… uh, when she is able.”
His words barely had a chance to fall within the tent before he was exiting out of it. Tahlan and Kaiyssa wore expressions of grief as they silently transferred a conference of pictures between them. We need to leave, Kaiyssa informed Tahlan. Taking his seat once more, Tahlan countered with visions of staying and finishing what they had come to accomplish. Kaiyssa showed him what few options would be available to their families should the two of them refuse a council order. Tahlan pressed on with the idea that they see this quest to its end. Kaiyssa felt the need to repeat her image of the council’s actions regarding that decision. Just as Tahlan was about to try another approach, the middle-aged soldier ducked back into the tent. Sitting unceremoniously, he said a bit winded, “She’ll meet you over dinner; if it’s possible you can stay that long. She’s sorry, but she’s unable to meet with you now. There’s an emergency at the frontline.”
Ever a curious and helpful breed Tahlan asked, “May I inquire as to the emergency, and is it possible we may be of any assistance?”
Again the soldier was unprepared for the fastidious elf’s unexpected questions and stammered through an answer, “Uh… I wasn’t able… to gain that information, but… uh, I don’t think you…”
Tahlan gave Kaiyssa another quick glance before rushing from the tent together. Coming to his senses the soldier lumbered after them, calling for their attention as he puffed along. Replacing his face covering, Tahlan hurried into the charred building and found the main room nearly empty as before. A lone, winter-aged carpenter ignored him entirely as he assessed the structure’s extensive damage for repairs. Acting out of habit, Tahlan gave the man an unseen smile of welcome and listened hard for even the slightest sound coming from the back room. Nothing… it was only him and the old man now glaring at Tahlan with an expression of high-handed suspicion.
Gratefully waiting outside, gazing at the military landscape, Kaiyssa spotted a woman rounding into view. Striding with confidence and determination, she commandingly made her way to a paddock in the camp’s northeast corner. Only just catching up, the pursuing officer breathlessly looked on as Kaiyssa lightly knocked on the side of the building and ran off in the direction of his commanding officer. A few seconds later Tahlan emerged from within, turned toward his mate and sprinted after. The winded soldier breathed a heavy sigh and watched with relief as the elves sped from his jurisdiction of responsibilities.
Having already gained a mount, the camp’s commander was riding hard through the east gate and onto the open prairie. Exhausted but determined, Tahlan resolutely headed toward the corral. Both knew what they needed to do, somehow talk the horse-master into trusting a couple of strangers with two mounts… from the supply camp of a warfront. As they approached the young woman in charge, Tahlan hung back and watched as Kaiyssa obtained their horses, “We need two fresh mounts to catch up with your commander.” The girl gave her a suspicious look prompting Kaiyssa to hastily add, “She may be riding into a trap. Hurry, girl!”
Her last declaration had the possibility of being true, but likely wasn’t. Still, Kaiyssa thought to add it for good measure. She could see the young woman’s sympathies rapidly waning and felt it might help her cause if she injected a hint of urgency into the situation. Her ruse worked. The horse-master’s eyes widened on the word trap and she immediately turned to retrieve a pair of mares from the nearby enclosure. As the young woman prepared to saddle them, Kaiyssa walked up and stayed her hand, “There’s no need; we shall ride them as they are.”
Without another word the couple mounted up and rode off. Exiting through the same eastern gate, Tahlan and Kaiyssa quickly spotted the lone rider steadily progressing toward the horizon and pushed their mounts hard to catch up. Three horses raced at a breakneck pace as the landscape of rolling grassy knolls turned into a vast wasteland of earthen materials. Rock, gem, mud, crystal, sand, dirt, and ash mixed into a paste of solid terrain beneath their feet.
Nearing the relative safety of her warfront, the commander decided to come about and face her pursuers. Charging her horse forward, the fearless woman unsheathed a sword resting at her back and prepared for combat. Seeing the offensive nature of her course correction, Tahlan and Kaiyssa immediately stopped their mares and threw both hands into the air. Not fully reassured by their display of surrender, the commander kept her blade at the ready and aggressively advanced on the solemn looking elves.
Glaring at the pair, she demanded in a hardened military tone, “I’m Commander Aginaeus, what business do you have with me or my command?”
Lowering his arms, Tahlan replied in a voice to match, “I am Tahlan and this is Kaiyssa, we are here by order of King Elvor to aid in the fight against Lesdaeonna. We were informed of your urgent departure and felt compelled to follow with the hope of lending assistance.”
Without pause Aginaeus succinctly replied, “Fine, follow me.”
Less than a minute later the trio climbed an odd rise in the terrain. As they crested its trampled apex, three rows of troops, weaponry and siege engines spread down the hillside before them. Along the front’s hindmost border rested an unexpected survivor from a previous incarnation of this battlefront; a squat little tower leaning into the hill with the comical appearance of happily sleeping, mouth agape. Standing just inside the structure’s open maw was a mirror image of the stable-master back at the encampment. Aginaeus graced her with a formal thank you as she dismounted and sped off with a single-minded stride. The commander’s mere presence created a wave of sound. Cheers rang out as she made her way down the rear trebuchet line to a man barking orders at those around him. Aginaeus tapped her first-officer on the shoulder and waited for him to respond. Accustomed to being addressed in such a manner, the soldier simply tilted his head to one side and waited to receive the offered message. It was then he caught a glimpse of Aginaeus standing at his back and promptly snapped around to face his superior. Not wasting another moment he leaned in and shouted his report through a hail of fire. Tahlan and Kaiyssa waited beside her, patiently surveying the frontline’s defenses.
Starting at dawn, two rows of firing siege engines had maintained a constant barrage on the enemy line. Commanding the back row among aisles of tiered machinery, five colossal trebuchets kept themselves busy hurling targeted projectiles of infused earth and fire. Rushing around behind the scenes two mages tirelessly worked enchanting most of the munitions launched. Occasionally the reaper’s battery threw something back. Comprised of primal energy and barely formed elements, the ethereal cannonballs bounced like balloons off allied barricades before shooting back toward their own vanguard with impressive velocity. A seemingly unanimous flaw among all reaper fronts, their horridly inaccurate siege operators seemed incapable of getting more than one decent shot during an entire day, and even then they rarely did lasting damage.
Infinitely more adept at their job, the allied siege operators were often given leave to gauge which threats they deemed most pressing and when to group up on a single target. Despite their skill and effort each knew the futile nature of their daily task. Stationed atop the second best vantage point the warfront had to offer, the host of operators mourned each evening as they witnessed the events plaguing the end of every day. Appearing at the hour of dusk without fa
il, a creeping blanket of mist enshrouded the battlefield to claim, or reclaim, each body felled that day. Reused and reconstructed, all were destined to become fleshen horrors bolstering the reaper ranks come the following dawn.
Another cheer rose up, this time among the infantry gathered just behind the front barricades. A large warrior had joined their ranks, much to the jubilation of the waiting crowd. Quickly engulfed by eager infantry, the warrior’s head remained like a flag of pride visible above the horde. Done speaking with her first officer, Aginaeus marched up to Tahlan and Kaiyssa with purpose gleaming in her eyes. Waving them to follow, she made her way around a scrawny lookout tower sitting awkwardly amidst discharging siege engines. Leaning between them so as to be heard by both, she barked her request in a tone that implied asking, not commanding, “What I need from you two are magics. I need anything you can give me that’ll knock out that far legion. Listen they’re…”
Stopping, she waved once more for the couple to follow her up the spindly barbican. Climbing the tower behind her, Kaiyssa and Tahlan quickly spotted the ominous threat for which the commander had been summoned. Comprised of orcs, shadow-elves, and an unsettling variety of undead creatures, the legion in question was an unusual grouping of foes not normally encountered on a battlefield. At the heart of this disturbing mass of troops was a giant creature standing twice the height of its peers. Rolls of pasty, grey flesh hung over a fat inflated frame while two large, bloodshot eyes revolved in lidless sockets, oozing some kind of green liquid running like tears down its creviced face. Seemingly unable to close it, the vile creature’s mouth hung open adding to the river of viscous fluid dripping from its elongated chin. Reacting to the wrestling infantry crowded around its base, the abomination had begun to brawl with those around it; sending troops flying in varied directions. All of the sudden, and with eerie cohesion, the mass of infantry switched opponents and abruptly charged the allied frontline.
