by Kal Spriggs
“Can we hold them?” Aerion asked.
“A day, maybe two,” Lady Katarina said. She felt so tired, and so out of hope. A part of her realized that came from the sudden reversal of their situation, from the victory of finding the treasures they sought to the disaster that had followed. “But they will attack night and day and with only twenty we could never hold out for long.
“Can we slip out?” Eleanor asked.
“The north trail is impassable,” Gerlin said. “And they have us encircled. They fill the valley... and once they recover from the battle, they'll establish pickets to prevent us from slipping past.”
“So we act before they have a chance to recover,” Eleanor said. We make a dash for the horses and we leave.”
“We'll have to leave most of the treasure... and the wounded,” Arren said.
“The treasure we can do without,” Katarina said. “Treasure can't be spent if we're dead. But can the wounded be moved?”
“Not fast,” Arren answered. “Not through a running battle, like this will be. It will take two men to carry each or four with any speed, that's two or four less to fight. They would survive the movement, but the Armen and Norics would kill us all in the open.”
“What about the sally port?” Aerion asked.
Katarina turned, “What?” She saw all the others stare at him.
“There is a tunnel, that runs down under the mountain,” Aerion said. “It connects to a network of passages, one that opens up near the old harbor to the north, near the vale we left the horses.”
“How do you know that?” Gerlin asked.
“He melded with the Southwatch, like Katarina and I,” Cederic said.
“But I don't know about those passages,” Katarina said. She shook her head, “I wish I had. Maybe we could have retreated there during the attack. Maybe then more of us would have survived.”
“It's not your fault,” Bulmor said. “If anything, it's mine. I should have secured the gate and posted sentries there first. Though I could never have foreseen this scale of attack.”
“So this sally port opens to the north...” Gerlin said. “We could reach the horses, but then we can't get back to the south, not past the army. And come sunrise, they'll be after us.”
“We need a distraction,” Aerion said.
“We need an army,” Eleanor answered.
“No, listen,” Aerion said. “If we could find some way to convince them that we had gone a different direction, like to the south, then we could get ahead of them, at least enough that we stand a good chance.”
Gerlin nodded slowly, “Yes, but we have nowhere to go. The old trade road runs to the ruins of the Ryft Watch Towers. We'd be trapped there, just as we are here, but with less in the way of defenses.”
“No,” Arren said, “The Armen must have ships there, that's the only way they could have reached here. If we get there, we can capture a ship, sail it down the Ryft.”
“Do you know how to sail?” Katarina asked.
“I know some things,” Arren said with a slight smile.
“I can sail a boat, or at least one of the Armen light craft. We'll have to leave the horses, if we take one of their smaller boats, but we should be able to take most of the treasure and weapons,” Eleanor said.
Bulmor nodded slowly, “It's a plan... but we lack one thing. A distraction.”
Cederic spoke, then, and Katarina heard the hesitation in his voice, “There is a way.” The white-haired man frowned and Katarina saw his fingers stroke the runes on his staff, as if to reassure him.
“Why do I get the idea that you don't like it?” Arren said.
“Because it will require someone to do it... and to draw an entire army down on them,” Cederic said. “I can inscribe a rune of energy. It will act like a beacon to the shamans, spirits and demons in their army, which should convince the rest to follow.”
“What happened to not using magic to help me win?” Katarina asked.
“This is something different, a trick, of sorts, but the Norics demons and the Armen have already used their own magic. Whatever I do at this point is just an attempt to tip the balance in our favor.” Cederic shrugged.
“Couldn't you just...” Gerlin waved his hands, “You know, kill them all then?”
“Even if I wanted to, they have protections, both from their shamans and the demons and spirits that they worship. Besides that, it would leave me weakened if the other wizard returned,” Cederic said.
“You think he survived?” Katarina asked, shocked. She remember the explosion which had hurled them all from their feet. For that matter, she still had a headache from it.
“It is very possible,” Cederic said. “In my business, it is unwise to count someone or something dead until you have seen the body and drained the spirit of energy.”
“You can do that?” Aerion asked.
“Yes... when the situation warrants,” Cederic answered.
“Well, back to the issue at hand,” Arren said. “Someone would have to carry this charm, this beacon, to draw them away. And it is best if they do a little damage on their way through the camp, right?”
Bulmor nodded slowly, “Yes, if they can sow confusion, kill some of the enemy, it will draw attention to them. A small group might be best, in case one man falls.”
“No.” Katarina said. “I forbid it. I won't send one person on a suicide mission, much less a group. We will find a way out of this together.”
She looked around the room, and saw discomfort on the faces of the men and woman she had come to trust as her advisers. “Promise me that you will not try this.”
No one spoke.
“Let me make this clear,” Katarina said. “I am in command or I am a figurehead. If you go against me now....”
“My Lady, don't be foolish,” Bulmor said, his voice gruff. “We follow you, yes, but there is no point in all of us dying when one or a handful might do. I will lead the distraction team...”
“No!” Katarina shouted. “I cannot afford to lose you, Bulmor. I can't afford to lose any of you, not when we are so close to success!”
“I have a better option,” Arren said. He lifted up a horn, which he'd had over one shoulder. “We... well, Aerion found this. It's the Horn of the Viani.”
“The what?” Katarina asked.
“The Horn of the Viani, from their ancient empire,” Cederic said with a nod of understanding. “It is powerful and it would do much to assist whoever took the beacon to distract our enemy. It draws upon the spirit of the man or woman who blows it. The more determined they are, the more energy it puts out. It affects emotions,” Cederic said, “according to the thoughts and intent of the user. Anyone who hears it will be affected, though it is said that the Viani King could blow it and cause different effects upon those who heard it.”
“So, you're saying someone takes the beacon, runs down into the enemy camp and blows this horn... to do what?” Katarina asked. She didn't think that ancient magic artifacts were a good basis for a battle plan.
“To make them confused, or angry, or afraid,” Arren said and Katarina saw the old man seemed somehow younger, as if the answer solved some terrible dilemma, instead of dooming someone to death. “If they wreck havoc in the enemy camp, all the better. The Norics and Armen will follow and the rest of you can make your escape.”
“Wait, rest of you?” Aerion demanded. “You can't think to go, we need you!”
“I've done my task, boy,” Arren said. He looked at Katarina and his brown eyes seemed calm, “Lady Katarina, I'm old, I have served your cause and I have accomplished much in my life. Let me do this one last thing. Let me serve you... all of you, in this.”
Katarina shook her head, “I can't send you to your death.”
“It's not certain,” Gerlin said. “He might escape, particularly once the Norics and Armen realize they have been deceived. It will become obvious sooner or later that they follow only one man's tracks. At that point, they may well turn back, and try
to find the others.” He gave a smirk, “And though I admire your dedication, old man, that task should go to a scout. I'm better able to find my way through the mountains and still young enough to outrun warriors in their prime.”
“I will not allow this,” Katarina repeated. “And I won't listen to you all volunteer to die. There must be another way.”
“Listen,” Gerlin said. He pulled a map out of his pack, and unrolled it on the stone table. “Look here,” the halfblood pointed at a faint, dotted line on the map that intersected the old trade road. “We passed this trail only a few miles south of here. It leads east, down out of the Ryft Peaks. It's rough terrain, but that would work best for a man on foot, by himself. They won't be able to use mounts to run me down.”
“It would work just as well for me,” Arren said. “Better, in that with my knowledge of blood magic I could heal any injuries I take, whereas if you twist your ankle on that goat trail, they'd catch you.”
“I have a ring,” Cederic said. “It can hide the wearer from the perception of both men, beasts and spirits, if only for a short time. It takes charge like the light stones, placed in a fire for six hours it will be good for an hour.” He smiled, “Truthfully, it is how I managed to get so close to Moratha.”
“That... that could make a big difference,” Bulmor said. “When Arren runs out of camp, he uses the ring. Then when they get close, if they catch up at all, he uses the ring to hide, and then makes his escape when they try to backtrack.”
“That gives me a better than even chance of survival, Lady Katarina,” Arren said.
Katarina met his gaze and she saw Aerion beside him, his face intent. She thought of how impulsively he could act. Would he try to convince Cederic to give him the beacon, Katarina wondered, and take the horn? The thought made her stomach churn. She didn't think she could take that. Yet to lose Arren Smith, the old, eccentric man who had made so much possible...
Katarina looked down, “This is what it means to be the commander... isn't it?”
“It is, my Lady,” Bulmor said. “And when you are the Duchess, you will face such decisions on a large scale.” His gruff voice was somber, but there was a tone of respect to it, almost as if he knew she was capable.
“I don't want that... but ruling is not about what I want, is it?” Katarina said, her voice grim. She looked up, “Arren, I will allow you to do this, but I beg you to do everything you can to remain alive. I will need your council in the future.”
“Trust me, my Lady,” Arren said dryly, “The last thing I want right now is for some Noric demon catch me. I will move like a man of younger cycles.” For some reason, Cederic and Eleanor found that comment amusing enough for laughter.
Katarina felt tears well up in her eyes. “Very well. Make your preparations.”
She saw the others rise and she spoke before she could stop herself, “Aerion, please stay.” Katarina saw Aerion's mother give her a sharp look and a single raised eyebrow. Katarina felt her cheeks heat with a blush, but stood tall. The others left, all but Bulmor and Aerion. “Bulmor... please wait in the hall.”
Her armsman hesitated, gave a single look over at Aerion, and then followed the others into the hall.
“My Lady?” Aerion asked.
Katarina took a deep breath. “Aerion, I have put this off for too long.” She sighed, “I think we both know, at this point, that we have come to have... feelings for one another.”
Aerion flushed, “I... I guess you could say that.” He smiled slightly, “Everyone else just thinks we're a pair of moonstruck children.”
“Yes,” Katarina said, and despite herself she gave him a broad smile. Her smile faded as she chose her next words as carefully as she could. “But we can't, I can't, afford to give into those feelings, you realize that right?”Aerion's smile died. He stared at her for a long moment, and Katarina felt her will erode away by the second. She almost called Bulmor back in, so that under his stern glare she would remain strong.
Aerion finally spoke, “I understand, my Lady. I've known from the beginning, but... I hoped. I shouldn't have, yet I did.”
“I'm so sorry, Aerion,” Katarina couldn't stop the tears that formed. “I want... if things were different, I would want nothing more than... nothing more than you.” Katarina got the words out, finally, and she felt as if a dam had broken.
Aerion gave her a sad smile, “I feel the same way. What do we do then, though, continue on as we have?”
“I think that is best,” Katarina said, even as she wiped the tears off her cheeks. For a moment, just a moment, she allowed herself to imagine Aerion holding her gently in his arms, and wiping those tears away. “But, when this is done, I will need to rebuild the Ducal Guard. I want... I want you close. We could never be more than friends, but I would like to keep you with me.”
Aerion nodded slightly, “I can understand that. I will think on it.” He looked up and his one blue eye met her gaze, “But I tell you, Katarina, that I wish you had simply told me you didn't feel anything for me. It would have hurt less.”
Before Katarina could answer him, he turned and left the room.
***
Aerion Swordbreaker
Aerion found Arren, Cederic, and Bulmor on the lower level of the gatehouse.
The three looked up on his entry, but if they guessed at what Katarina had told him, they did not speak of it. “I told Gerlin where to find the entrance to the sally port, and he's gone to scout it out. I thought I'd see if you needed any help here,” Aerion said.
He saw Aramer nod, “Of course. I wish I had your youth, lad. It will be a long journey through the mountains, and then back south again.”
“I'm sure you'll do fine,” Aerion said, even as he studied the Herald for signs of his exhaustion. He knew that the other man had spent the past hours and much of his energy in healing others. Aerion saw the deep shadows under Aramer's eyes and saw the lines that fatigue had carved into his face even through his disguise.
Cederic held up a ring and a metal pendant. “The energy rune will activate at a touch, here at the center of the runes. It will become warm, almost hot and it will only last a few hours, I'm afraid.”
“And the ring?” Aerion asked, “Arren understands a bit about runes, but he'll be tired, it's not too complex is it?” He bit his lip in nervousness as he looked at the wizard.
“No, it's even more simple, it activates by pressing the rune on the stone here,” Cederic said and pointed out the simple garnet stone held in the broad silver ring. “Nothing more to it, easy enough, right Ara- Arren?”
“Of course.” Arren said. He ignored the near slip.
“How does the horn work?” Aerion asked, with a glance at Bulmor. The armsman didn't seem to have caught the wizard's slip.
“If I understand the legends right,” Aramer said, “it is simply a matter of determination and concentration. And a good set of lungs, of course. I should just have to focus on what I want them to feel, and on how vital it is and the Horn does the hard work.”
“That's it?” Aerion asked. He looked over at Cederic, who gave a shrug.
“It should be. The Viani King was one of the greatest wizards to ever live. I vaguely recognize some of the simple High Magic weaves on it, but most are outside my studies,” Cederic smiled, “I might as well try to figure out how Noth crafted the Starblade.”
Aerion felt his eyebrows rise, “Is it that complex?”
“Well, maybe not that bad,” Cederic said, his voice soft. “But difficult. And never replicated, to my knowledge. So... it is also unique.” The wizard shrugged his shoulders. “In truth, to the right people, it would be far more valuable to the right people than anything we have found here.”
“I'll be sure to bring it back so you can study it,” Aramer said confidently.
“Well, friend, I bid you good luck,” Cederic said, and clasped hands with Aramer. “I will await your return.”
Aramer gave a slight smile, “I may be somewhat delayed. I would apprecia
te it if you... look into the task I told you about.”
Aerion saw Cederic's eyes flick to him, “Of course. Farewell, and the spirit of the High Kings watch over you.” The wizard turned and walked away
“Strange fellow,” Bulmor frowned. “But at least he's useful.” Aerion could tell that Bulmor had caught some of the hints that Aramer and Cederic had left some things unsaid.
“Yes,” Aramer said. “Well, I have a few preparations to make.” The Herald stepped out of the room, headed towards the great hall. From the determination in his step, Aerion wondered if the man had longed for some opportunity like this for cycles.
Did Lady Katarina find the Ducal Blade of Boir?” Aerion asked
“Yes,” Bulmor said. “Right where you said it was, only none of us saw it until the guardian of this place had vanished. It didn't activate at Lady Katarina's touch, but I suppose it's probably attuned to the bloodlines of Boir,” He frowned, “Which reminds me, that was quite a blade you found, might I see it?”
Aerion nodded and drew it out of the sheath he'd found for it. It no longer glowed, though it shone under the light from the light stones, the blade was mirror bright.
Bulmor snorted as he inspected it, “Found yourself a broken sword and figured you can't break what is already broken, eh?”
Aerion shrugged, “It works well enough. I'm surprised the runes on it activated, especially since you can see several of them are damaged where the sword broke.”
Bulmor nodded and turned the sword over in his hands. “It was much longer, once, probably a hand and a half sword, so it could be used with one hand and a shield or two handed. Light, but very sharp... I think this might be starmetal.”
“Starmetal?” Aerion asked, surprised. “I thought that was very rare.”
“It is... as far as I know, the Starborn High Kings only brought so much of it and they recast most of it as weapons and armor.” He passed the blade back, “The sword bears a lot of runes, dragon runes like Aramer's blade, but more of them, more than I've seen on any weapon. It's incomplete at that. You should talk to the wizard about it.”
