by Rosie Scott
“That's what I was thinking,” I grumbled tiredly, finally fluttering my eyes open to let them get used to the light spilling through the windows. We had been expecting an attack in High Star, and here we were in the midst of Red Moon. The Sentinels and I had spoken many times about why Hammerton hesitated to retaliate. The theory we'd settled on was that the country had probably filled its two coastal cities with the majority of their army in anticipation of a naval assault. Those two cities were Olympia and Hallmar. Because we'd left Hallmar alone and had taken Olympia, most of Hammerton's remaining army might have been across the country by the time they'd received news of the invasion. Griswald might not have had the forces to send.
We had not yet received reinforcements from Eteri. If they were on their way, they would have only recently left the other country's shores. But another army's worth of reinforcements had come from the underground just weeks before. Calder's casualties were quite low from the takeover, but Olympia was large, the threat was great, and the Alderi were eager for blood.
Cerin and I hurried out of the home minutes later. We'd been staying in one close to the northwestern wall. Most of the Seran Renegades and Sentinels had decided to stay close to the wall so we could react quickly to news of attack. It certainly had been a good idea, for as my lover and I rushed to the nearby keep tower where Azazel stayed, I noticed many of my friends stumbling around the streets trying to prepare.
It was a beautiful day for battle. Then again, it often was. The air was brisk and windy, indicative of the cooler season we found ourselves in. The fields of crops along the river were tinted with hues of gold and red as the plant-life prepared to face the upcoming cold. The sun shone happily from the east, its rays fighting to regulate the temperature.
Azazel busted open the door at the bottom of the keep just as Cerin and I reached it. A war horn was in his right hand, unattached to his belt. I knew then that he had been the one to give the signal.
“They are here?” I asked tersely.
“They are here,” he affirmed, keeping the door open with an arm as Cerin and I rushed in.
We arrived at the top floor of the tower, and Azazel briskly walked to the open windows. I did the same to survey the open land beyond Olympia's walls.
The southern edge of the Griswald Forest was a beautiful mixture of colors. Many pine needles were tinted copper with the chilly weather, making the plant-life a contrast of green and red. Spread across the long grasses of the plains between the forest and Border Mounts were tens of thousands of dwarves clad in blue and gold, their armor adding stark color to an already diverse landscape.
The majority of the enemy soldiers were infantry, but there was also an entire army of mounted units. The dwarves did not use horses like Chairel; instead, they were mounted on giant boars. The animals were heavily armored, steel plates gliding over each other with every movement. The boars grunted and squealed with a lust for battle, reminiscent of the way the Naharan hyenas would become enthused. At the front of each animal's face were two thick tusks prepared to gut and skewer.
My eyes scanned across the land toward the east, where the Griswald Forest appeared mostly empty. It was possible the dwarves would also send armies to the towns in the north. I saw no evidence of this, but I couldn't discount it.
“They have many types of ammo separated into crates,” Azazel said, pointing to rolling wagons full of stone and clay balls. In various places on the field, onagers and different types of ballistae were pulled slowly over the thick grasses with steel wheels. “It's possible they have alchemical ammo among them.”
“Probable,” I corrected.
Azazel turned to me. “You said that you recently developed a spell to pull toxins out of the air, but you hadn't yet taught it to Dax.”
“Shit. You're right.” I started to back away from the window toward the steps. “Continue guarding, Azazel. I will come back to you when I am able.”
Azazel nodded, and Cerin and I hurried from the tower and back into the streets. Throughout Olympia, many dwarven civilians were curiously watching our army prepare for battle. Undoubtedly many of them hoped this was the day Hammerton would reclaim the city. It was more than possible that if the walls were breached, Olympia would devolve into open rebellion once the dwarves took the opportunity to fight amongst their army.
“Kai!” Altan's voice called out to me, and I skidded to a stop in the middle of the intersection of two main streets. The first Sentinel was standing just inside of Olympia's large western iron gate, fully dressed in his prestigious armor. His spiky red hair shone with shades of copper as he grinned at me without a care in the world. “I was wondering where you were at, woman.”
“I'm on my way to see Dax,” I replied.
“Dax? Why?” Altan chuckled. “I rarely see you speak to him.”
“I rarely see Dax speak to anyone,” I retorted, to which Altan shrugged with a smile. “I have to teach him a spell before this battle gets started in case the dwarves engage in alchemical warfare.”
“And here I thought your 'spell-building time' was just a euphemism for 'sex with Cerin,'” Altan teased me, using both hands to make quotations in the air.
“Sometimes it is,” I replied, to which he chortled while Cerin grinned.
“Go on, then,” Altan said, waving a hand in the direction of Dax's home. “But when you're done, come back here. They'll probably send someone to the gates to beg us to capitulate. I'd like you to be here when that happens. Just the sight of you will make 'em shit their pants.”
I promised Altan I would return before continuing on my way. Dax's home was a small cottage just east of the western gate, and it was but one in a whole line of similar stone structures, only notable due to the yellow and black Eteri flag he'd posted just outside the wooden door. Within seconds of knocking, he appeared before us.
Dax stood shirtless in the doorway, the morning sunlight calling attention to just how pale he was for a Vhiri. A variety of black tribal tattoos ran down both sides of his chest and torso, where they proceeded to disappear under the hem of his trousers, which hung so low on his hips I was surprised they didn't reveal more than pubic hair. His silver-blonde hair was damp and dripping water over his shoulders, though one hand scrambled to dry it with a rag. His turquoise eyes appeared surprised to see us.
“I apologize for disturbing you,” I offered.
Dax scrunched up his nose. “Don't apologize for that. We're being attacked.” He lifted up a pale eyebrow toward a group of soldiers rushing by on the street. Then, as if just remembering he was half-naked, he smiled. “Many of our allies fight in the buff. It's nothing you haven't seen.”
“No, but I'm not sure it's something you want everyone else to see,” I replied, motioning to the street just behind me.
Dax chuckled softly and backed up from the door. “Do you want to come in?”
Cerin and I walked in, and Dax closed the door and started to pull his armor from a table at the end of his bed. The small cottage was immaculate. I was reminded of how nice Uriel kept his own living space and wondered if life mages tended to like cleanliness and order more so than others.
“I like your tattoos,” I told the Sentinel.
“Got them in Killick,” Dax replied, his voice so scratchy it was a wonder it didn't hurt when he spoke.
“Killick's a long way from Eteri,” Cerin mused.
“I was a mercenary sailor until just a couple of years ago,” Dax told us.
“And you've already been promoted to Sentinel?” I found that surprising.
Dax raised his eyebrows at me as he started pulling on his armor. “That's what I said. Wasn't gonna turn it down, though. Kirek told me she suggested me for promotion, and I knew it came with a hefty raise in gold. Gold's the reason I joined the army when I did, anyway. Tilda was offering more than usual for recruits given the war, and life mages make more than most. Helped that I was a dual caster, too.”
“I find it interesting that you are a life mage
with a penchant for ferris,” I commented.
Dax stilled and stared at me in silence.
I finally chuckled. “I won't say a word about it, Dax. I could just tell from your voice. I can see now why you love being on the seas. You were a sailor, and Calder's men probably gave you ferris for free during the trip here.”
Dax was quiet a moment as he appraised my non-judgmental tone. Finally, one side of his mouth rose slightly. “They say it flows freely through the underground from the wildlands now.” He paused and added, “Ferris doesn't hurt the body. Quite the contrary.”
I nodded. “So I've heard.”
“I'm just explaining how I can justify smoking it if I'm a life mage,” Dax said before he glanced at the door. “Don't speak a word of this to Kirek?”
“I don't speak many words to Kirek,” I replied. “I certainly wouldn't say anything that would endanger the rapport you two have. Kirek likes you.”
Dax chuckled dryly as he started to pull his shoulder-length hair back into a stubby ponytail. “Does she?”
I smiled and shrugged. Part of the reason I'd said it was to gauge Dax's opinion. If a fight ever broke out between the Sentinels, I wanted to know which ones I needed to be leery of.
“Kirek doesn't like anyone,” Dax went on after a moment, shoving his feet into boots before sitting on the edge of his bed to tie them. “Or anything.” He grimaced and looked up at us. “Forgive me. You clearly came here for a reason. I didn't mean to take up your time to speak ill of the Sentinels. I promise you I'm grateful for my position in this army. I was promoted quickly, so I'm eager to prove I have what it takes.”
“You've done well so far,” I complimented him. “I need to teach you a spell before we get dropped into the chaos of battle.”
Dax stood up from his bed, fully dressed. “I heard you were working on developing more. What is this one for?”
“It removes toxins from the air,” I replied. “Breathable toxins. The kinds of alchemical agents that create a fine dust.”
“Then I won't be able to learn it,” Dax replied. “I am a dual caster of water and life. I don't know air.”
“You don't need to,” I informed him. “I was having trouble figuring out a combination spell of air and life that would work. I realized I was looking at it the wrong way. With life magic, removing toxins from the body's systems uses bodily fluids themselves to flush them out through perspiration or phlegm. The toxins must be bound to be cleansed. By combining water and life, I figured out a way to mimic that process for the atmosphere using rain.”
Dax raised one eyebrow at me. “Wow. Smart idea.”
“Thank you. You summon the spell just like other rains. I have tested it before. The rains appear teal. Slightly greener than energy rains in case you need to identify it on the field. I can't guarantee it will work for everything because I haven't yet had a chance to test it in battle.”
“What's the spell?” Dax questioned.
“Generat le shouer del bind y flud toxin de viral,” I replied.
Dax smiled charmingly. “Let me get a quill and parchment,” he jested, before holding his hands out and repeating the spell. When the energy was summoned, he dispelled it. “It's a mouthful, but I'll remember it. Thank you, Kai.”
“You're welcome.” I took a step toward his door. “Good luck in battle if we miss each other.”
“You as well,” Dax said politely.
In the few minutes since going indoors, the streets had become twice as busy. Eteri soldiers were gathering in the roads closest to the wall. There was a constant murmur of chatter that seemed to rise from the whole city at once. I caught a glimpse of Calder and Mirrikh walking to the front gates from the harbor. A significant portion of our defenders were Alderi, but they were coming forth from all over the city, having been in the midst of exploring or enjoying the trouble they could find.
When Cerin and I met up with Altan, he was surrounded by most of the Renegades and Sentinels. Marcus towered nearby, leaning his giant arm on the wall beside the front gate. Azazel was still in the tower, and Zephyr was missing.
“Kai. Good.” Altan glanced over my shoulder. “And Dax. Everyone's here.”
“Where is Zephyr?” I asked.
“Preparing the griffons for a reconnaissance mission,” Uriel replied.
“To survey the land between here and Monte and Pisces to check for additional armies,” I surmised, and the healer nodded.
“And Azazel?” Cyrus questioned, looking to me for the answer. I replied by pointing to the nearby tower.
“Okay...first things first,” Altan started, before finding Calder's eyes as he and Mirrikh finally reached the group. “How in the hell did your scouts miss this?”
Calder raised an eyebrow. “There's a delay in reporting. You know this. Most of my scouts have been using the back route through the mountains, and that path takes a day or two to run back from. Either my last scout is dead, or she hasn't reported back yet.”
“Do you not keep track of your own people?” Kirek asked, her voice tinged with frustration.
“Not usually, no,” Calder retorted. “I let them wipe their own asses. As for these people, yes. Like I said, she hasn't reported back. I don't know where she is.”
“Out of all the tasks to fail—” Kirek began.
“I don't even know if mine did fail,” Calder argued. “She could still show up just to tell us what we already know.”
“That doesn't help us now,” Kirek retorted.
“Yeah? Well, send out your own fuckin' scouts then,” Calder spat, before digging in his pocket for ferris.
“Next time I will be sure to do that.” Kirek crossed her arms over her chest.
Calder lifted up a hand to mock her words. Kirek noticed but said nothing as a nerve above her right eye twitched.
“Now that Mom and Dad are done bickering, let's plan,” Altan said.
“Let me at 'em,” Marcus spoke up from the wall. We all looked over and up to meet his gaze. “Send the giants out there, and we'll snap those siege weapons like twigs.”
“They will use them on you,” I pointed out.
Marcus twisted his lips to the side before smiling. “Then cause a distraction for me, little lady.”
“They also have armored boars,” Kirek added. “We have no mounts other than the griffons, and Zephyr's sending them north. Whoever goes out on that field will be run down. Those are flat grasslands. Perfect ground for cavalry.”
“The dwarves use boars because they travel well on any land,” I told Kirek. “Forests, mountains, and grasslands.”
Kirek frowned. “How do you know this?”
“I've done my research,” I replied. “We have lived in Olympia for nearly two moons. That's plenty of time to learn about how things work here.”
“Do not get friendly with the dwarves, Kai,” Kirek warned. “They aren't stupid. They know an army of their peers is outside the gate. They will rebel in this battle.”
“Many will, yes,” I agreed, “but befriending them and learning their culture harms no one and may create bridges.”
Kirek stared at me but decided to say nothing.
“Maggie and her group should be on the walls,” I went on. “She has trained many of our soldiers how to use the defenses.”
“Aye,” Maggie agreed, before pointing up at the wall, where hundreds of Vhiri soldiers were preparing ballistae. “They've already started without me. Trained 'em real good, like.”
“I made you some toys,” Mirrikh told Maggie excitably.
“Did ya?” Maggie asked, smiling at his bubbly presence.
“Well, I made the poisons. Someone else put them in clay. For your thrower weapons.” Mirrikh bit his lip and giggled. I'd gotten better over time at figuring out which personality Mirrikh had depending on his demeanor. He thought he was a child at the moment.
Calder pointed to the nearby tower. “We gathered it all for you in crates. I had them labeled.”
Maggie leaned do
wn to look at Mirrikh as if she was speaking to a child. “Liquid or powder, love?”
“All liquid,” Mirrikh replied, grinning happily at her. “I can make powdered ones next time.”
“Nah, love. I'd rather have liquid poisons. Easier to keep track of on the field so I don't hit friendlies.” Maggie winked at him and stood up to leave. “Thank ya both.”
“I'm coming with you,” Nyx piped up, waving goodbye to the rest of us. “Until I can use my daggers, I want to play with Mirrikh's toys.”
“You've already done that,” I called after her as she laughed at the innuendo.
Leura spoke up next. “What's the plan, then? Let them approach the walls with the siege ladders?”
“Best plan there is,” Altan told his former protege. “They have thousands of men out there, but we outnumber them. Climbing a wall while under a barrage of arrows and magic won't fare well for them at all.”
“About that,” I started, as Uriel held up a finger from across from me. I hesitated and said, “Go ahead, Uriel.”
The healer shook his head. “I'm pretty sure you have the same concerns I do. About the lack of siege weapons.”
I nodded. “Yes. These are dwarves we're fighting. Where the hell are their trebuchets? Cannons? They have onagers and ballistae for anti-infantry. We have taken Olympia. They know we won't open the gates for them. They should be trying to get through this wall.” I motioned to it. “But they have nothing with which to do it. As you said, Altan, we outnumber them. A smaller army should know better than to assault a wall of a greater army. They are at a severe disadvantage.”
“The dwarves no longer use trebuchets,” Cyrus informed me. “They phased them out with the invention of cannons years ago. If they have brought anything with them to take down the wall, it will be cannons.”
“Easier to transport,” Uriel added. “Easier to hide.” He nodded toward the Griswald Forest.
“You honestly believe the dwarves have hidden cannons in the forest?” Kirek asked. “It is rough land there. Cannons are hard to maneuver as it is.”
