by Thomas Rath
Bumping his legs against Chtey’s sides, he willed his horse forward. Chtey responded immediately, no longer staying with the other horses, he kicked forward and was suddenly pulling ahead of the others, outrunning the wolgs as he left them all behind. He wanted to go further, but at a hundred yards ahead he knew he had to make his stand or the following wolgs would soon overtake the others. Pulling slightly back on Chtey’s mane, his horse responded, planting his hooves into the wet dirt. Thane used his forward momentum to jump forward off his horse and landed softly on his feet. Not wasting time to see how fast the others came up, with the jaws of death moments behind, he sent his senses plunging into the soil, letting his need be known as he went.
Almost immediately he was met by what he thought were voices instantly responding to his call. But they were not voices at all. They were feelings, wisps of memories, ancient wisdoms but without a voice as one used to converse. They were the essence of life itself. He felt foolish and insignificant in their presence yet they did not push him away or show anger at his intrusion. On the contrary, they cradled him, welcomed him, and whispered millennia of history and experience to his mind and heart. He suddenly felt as if he were falling into deep pools that continued through time without end. He felt he knew the reaches of eternity, understanding its immensity.
A tremor suddenly crossed over the voices and Thane could hear the distant sounds of horses and men. He felt he should know something about them, but the voices kept caressing his mind, calling him deeper, and showing him more. Then there was another sound; this one not as loud as the thunder of a horse, yet far more dark and foreboding. It approached quickly. He could feel its hatred, its yearning for blood, its need to taste flesh and he suddenly felt rising in his breast a great sense of need. Hold it back, he thought, conversing with the voices. Protect me!
With a jerk, he felt himself cast away from the essence that had seized and cradled him as he came to himself staring at the ground and surrounded by horses. He looked up and saw the others around him, their swords at the ready as the wolgs closed the last few feet to reach them.
Thane shook his head, brushing away the last sweet feelings of eternity as he reached for his swords, knowing he had not the time to regain Chtey’s back before they were once again engaged in battle. One of the wolgs leaped, honing in on the easy prey that was Thane now standing, no longer perched on his horse. He could see the certain death in the wolg’s eyes as it stretched out its claws, its muzzle pulled back in a wicked sneer of teeth, the drool for the kill spraying against its fur. Jne, who sat mounted at his side, was already moving her sword down to intercept it while Erl’s equally wicked and fierce growl emitted from his throat, preparing to spring to Thane’s defense. The wolg reached its peak and then started its descent of death.
The ground suddenly erupted under Thane’s feet pushing him and his friends gently back on a wave of dirt, while a large hand made of rock, soil and grass rose out of the plains and grabbed the wolg right out of the air, pulling it down and disappearing with it back into the loam. Thane watched in astonishment as a second hand shot up and grabbed another one pulling it under to quickly stifle its yelps. Undeterred by the strange demise of two of their own, three more wolgs shot forward, their target still the easy kill that Thane should have been.
Thane and the others watched in amazement, as the ground seemed to scream its anger at the wolg’s impunity in the face of its majesty. But this time, no hand shot from the ground to snatch the wolgs from their prey. Instead, the plains shook as a giant head rose from the soil, roaring its challenge as it did so, catching all three wolgs in its mouth before diving back down into the dirt. The other wolgs suddenly stopped, many growling their disappointment while others howled to the air their rage.
Thane jumped back onto Chtey’s back, not willing to wait and see how much more help the ground would be; convinced that now was their chance to finally get away. Calling to the others, he pushed Chtey into a fast gallop that all could match and they raced headlong toward Haykon. Everyone followed, many heads turning back as they did so to see more hands reaching out of the ground to take down any that dared try and follow.
Soon the sound of frustrated howling was left far behind.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Thane slammed his fist onto the council table. They had been at it for at least an hour now and still he had not been able to convince them of reason. The same members were there as were present when he’d revealed himself and his friends as Chufa excepting for Ranse and Jace. Why they had not arrived yet he could only guess. Probably still in bed, he thought when he came in. Which is really where I should be.
What was left of the men who had been at the wall and the two detachments that had been sent out to relieve them stumbled into Haykon just the night before. It was morning now and Thane had called them to council to address what they were facing. He was still tired. His use of the Tane had taken its toll on his body, sapping him of his strength and leaving him barely able to stay on Chtey’s back. He knew he’d have been left behind if it hadn’t been for his horse’s uncanny ability to keep him securely on his back.
He rubbed his hands across his eyes and refocused on the group. He caught Jne’s eye seeing the blank expression on her face and he somehow felt calmed by it. He was extremely happy to have her close by again to lend her steadying strength in times such as this when all he wanted to do was throw his hands up in defeat and lie down and let fate do with him as it would.
“I will say it one last time, Colonel. We need to start the evacuation now. You don’t understand what comes for us. We will not be able to hold the city.”
Myles Braxton regarded Thane with a stern look and then sighed. “And I will repeat myself one last time. I cannot move without the order of the king. And at this time, his orders are to hold the city and not evacuate unless we are overrun. I cannot disobey that order.”
“I understand that,” Thane continued, trying to maintain his patience. “But the question of whether or not we are overrun is moot. It is not whether, but when. The king will be none the wiser if we evacuate now or when those things come pouring over the wall like a flood. The only difference will be whether we get away with most or only some.”
“Thane is right,” Dor spoke up. “We failed at the wall. There is no hope of holding the city. We must get everyone out.”
“I can’t!” Braxton yelled, rising to his feet. “It is not my decision!” Looking to Jack for support he leaned on the table. “Tell them, Jack. Tell your friends what I’ve been trying to be polite about all this time. Tell them what we face at our backs.” He spit the words out like venom, the frustration and pressure he felt spilling out.
Jack stared at the table nodding. “I understand more than any, Myles. But the boy has a point.”
Just then the door opened and Ranse and Jace strode in and took their seats. “A point about what?” the prince asked, sliding into his chair.
“We need to get the people out now before the enemy gets here,” Dor volunteered.
Ranse glanced at Braxton sensing the discord in the room. “But your orders are?” he asked the colonel in a soft tone.
Myles dropped back into his seat and sighed. “To hold the city. To not evacuate until we are overrun.”
Ranse nodded and then took a deep breath. “Captain Dainz,” he called, “start organizing the evacuation of the city immediately. I want all non-fighters out of here now.”
Braxton looked up. “But…”
Ranse raised a hand to cut him off. “I will take full responsibility, Colonel. We all know my father is a…” He paused, almost as if he’d forced down what he was about to say. Then he sighed, unable to completely mask the anger he felt. “Let us take care of the living now and worry later about what it will cost us in the end. I think you would agree that the lives of our people are worth more than an order that is unfounded and ludicrous. I have witnessed firsthand the strength of our foe and I fear that none of us may live th
rough this to even meet the anger of the king.”
The colonel smiled and then bowed his head, a deep sigh of relief escaping his lips. “As you command, m’Lord.” Looking at Dainz, he nodded his head and the captain shot from his chair and quickly left the room. Thane, Jack and Dor all smiled, content to finally have a voice of reason, with the power to back it up, on their side. “Now,” Myles continued, looking at Jne, “maybe we could have your report on your people’s ability to help us?”
Jne’s face suddenly looked pale, raising a feeling of dread in Thane’s heart. Never had he seen her look so…so…afraid? “My people will not be coming,” she said simply, though Thane could sense there was more to it than that. Myles looked like he would ask for more information, at least a reason why, but Jne cut him off. “That is all I have to say. My swords are yours to fight for your people.” Myles looked to the prince and then to Thane but finally just nodded his head.
“Thank you, Mistress Jne,” Ranse said softly, “for your willingness and your speed to fulfill our request. We welcome your aid.” He then bowed his head slightly. Jne did not make any response.
* * *
Thane and Jne stood on the wall just south of the western gate and looked out onto the plains. The wind had picked up and a heavy rain was now falling mixed with low clouds that settled over the area where the enemy would approach. It made it almost impossible to see more than a hundred yards out. After being turned down by Jack to help with the evacuation—he felt that two Tjal would only add to the chaos—Dor and Tam had asked to come with them, but Thane held them off by telling them it was important that he speak with Jne alone. It wasn’t a complete lie, he did need to ask Jne about what had happened on her journey, but he really needed to be away from Tam right now so he could better settle his mind for the battle ahead. Part of him still wanted to keep her close at all times so he could protect her, but he knew that that was ludicrous. He had trained her well and his doting over her during a battle would only cause both of them to be easily killed. He’d thought of suggesting she leave with the long line of people now exiting the east gates and taking to the road headed toward Calandra, but knew better than to voice such a thought. The city was emptying quicker than he figured possible but it would still take some time before all of the people were out. And time was no longer a luxury.
His heart also sorrowed for Chtey. Thane knew what was coming. He knew that retreat would not be an option once Zadok’s army reached the city. He had convinced Jne of the same and both had just come from the stables where they had gathered their mounts and released them with the escaping townspeople. They would have a much better chance of survival on the plains then trapped behind the walls of the city.
There was no way of knowing how long the earth would hold back the wolgs or the rest of the army, if it was, in fact, still holding them back at all. It was something completely new to him, what he’d done with his TehChao Tane to defend against the attacking wolg pack. It wasn’t the same as using any of his other gifts. With the wind he felt he had some control over what happened, where it blew, how fast it went. And with fire it was almost just point and call it forth, though it required the most out of him. With his TehChao Tane he had asked, like Gelfin had instructed, but he had no control over the response. He had not directed the hands where to fall, or even knew that was what would be manifest. It was, however, something he would not hesitate to use again. He only wished he had the time to investigate Gelfin’s other counsel that it was easier to pull water than fire.
“I know what you would ask me,” Jne suddenly said, pulling him out of his thoughts. “But first, I must confess my dishonor of not having fulfilled my promise.”
He looked at her while searching his memory. “What promise?”
She turned toward him, her deep blue eyes taking him in. “The svaj,” she said simply. “I promised that I would return with one for you, but I have failed.”
He suddenly felt uneasy, remembering his conversation with Jack. Smiling weakly he said, “There is no dishonor, Jne. We can worry about that later; after the war.”
Jne shook her head. “I made a promise and did not keep it.”
He felt like he was on the top of a very small precipice and the wind was picking up in strength. “What about the rest of the Rena’ja?” he asked, abruptly changing the subject.
He thought, for a moment, that she might try and force the other issue but then she just suddenly turned away. It sent a chill through his heart to see her act so. He had always leaned on her strength and determination and now all that seemed to crumble away.
“I do not know what happened to them,” she finally said, just barely louder than the pressing wind. “I went to our village but nothing was there. No one was there. There was no trace of anyone. I found many tracks leading away from the area in all directions but did not have time to follow any. It was as if they had just suddenly gone mad and run off.
He put a hesitant hand on her shoulder and to his surprise she reached up and grabbed it. It was warm. He felt its warmth filling his whole body and he had the sudden sensation of never wanting to move again; he wanted to just stand there and let life wash over them.
“There is more,” she said, gripping his hand tightly now—almost painfully. “The ground was eaten away in places. Large patches of ground seemed…well…seemed like they had…melted.”
“What?”
She turned, releasing his hand, to his chagrin, and stared at him as if daring him to question her sanity. “I can’t explain it.” Her voice almost quivered, sending a chill up his spine. Never had he ever seen her look so…exposed. Her voice strengthened. “Something deadly and evil happened there. I know it. Not one body remained to mark a battle, but I can feel it in my bones that one took place. I fear my people may be no more,” she ended in a whisper.
Thane grabbed her shoulders forcing her to look at him. “You don’t know that. You said yourself that there were many trails leading away from the area. Whatever happened there, it would seem to me, from what you said, that many escaped.”
Jne shook her head. “That is what worries me the most. My people do not run. They would have all died fighting.”
He was terrified to guess what Jne’s story might mean. He felt he might have an idea but did not want to imagine that it could be true. It couldn’t. He felt his heart beating fast and hard in his chest, the sound of it pounding in his ears. Then he realized that what he heard was not his heart at all, but the banging of distant drums.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
The alarm had been sounded and all available soldiers had been summoned to the walls. The east gates had been shut, closing in half the city’s occupants who had not been swift enough or who had been bogged down in the rush to quit the city. They stood by the gates now, many demanding that they be let out not caring that the enemy was already upon them. A hundred soldiers had to be dispatched to the area to keep the people from rioting.
“They should consider themselves lucky,” Dainz commented to Jack, who had offered his help with the evacuation. “Many of those who left may not get very far if the enemy overtakes them.”
“At least they’ll have a chance at getting away,” Jack replied. “The rest of us are trapped like livestock waiting to be slaughtered and eaten.”
“But what can we do?” Dainz shot back. “To let them out would only bring them certain death while opening the door for the enemy to come in. We can’t risk either.”
Jack pulled at his beard gazing at the crowd without really seeing them. How do we get them out? No longer were they there to defend the city from breech. Everyone knew that the city would eventually be overrun. But they needed to hold back the enemy as long as possible so the innocent could escape. Their war had been turned into a rescue mission.
Do we all ride out together and take our chances? For a moment, that seemed to be the best answer but Jack shook it from his mind. That might work if everyone were mounted. Those without a horse would just s
low the rest down and all then would be goblin fodder. There must be another way. Then it came to him. “The tunnel!”
“What?” Dainz stared at him as if not comprehending what he’d said. Then it hit him. “The king’s road?”
Jack nodded. “Yes. Get your men on it right away. I want these people filing into the tunnel in ten minutes.”
Dainz grabbed his arm. “But that road is for the king’s use only; you know that.”
Jack shot him a withering look. “If the king had not been such a pompous idiot to begin with, we wouldn’t need to soil his precious road with commoner’s feet now would we? Just get on it. We don’t have much time, unless you’d rather just turn them over to the enemy now and be done with it, because there is no way we will have the strength to hold off the force that comes. Do it! The sooner we get them down there and on their way, the sooner we can follow and possibly save our own lives.”
Dainz nodded slowly, knowing all too well what they faced having barely escaped the battle at the wall. Jack was right, and he knew it. Calling to his lieutenants they got the crowd turned and then walking in single file to the city center and the colonel’s office where the metal plated hole and ladder waited—the king’s road.
All the major cities and fortresses had a hole like it somewhere in the city. They had been dug centuries before to allow the king and the royal family to escape should they ever come under attack. The hole and ladder dropped into a catacomb of tunnels that spilt off into many different directions meant to mislead any who might follow.
