Dragons' Onyx

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “Right,” Caan added enthusiastically. “You can charge us with treason, but not until you are safely back in Tagaret. You don’t rule here in Trekum.”

  “Well,” smiled King Arik, “I plan to change that. Shall we go see the general?”

  The Rangers grinned and nodded. Harod eased the door open and stuck his head out. He signaled that it was all right to proceed, and the Rangers slid out of the building with King Arik. Steffan and Harod immediately slid into the night and disappeared. Caan increased his pace and strode away from the king, while Randi walked alongside him.

  “I will move away from you when we get to the wall,” explained Randi. “It would not appear uncommon for two men to be walking together for now.”

  King Arik nodded and let his mind drift to what he would say to the general, if he got the chance to approach him. Movement all around him dragged the king from his musings. King Arik looked up to see dozens of men heading for the wall. He looked at Randi with a questioning glance.

  “Every morning,” Randi replied softly. “The general keeps only enough men on the wall at night to sound the alarm. During the day, the wall is packed with men. Some come early to claim a favorite spot.”

  King Arik nodded and glanced around in an attempt to find the other three Rangers. He could not see them and smiled inwardly. Randi Witzak led the king up a long flight of steps. He walked to a crenel and paused. King Arik followed and gazed at the Lanoirian army. He gasped involuntarily.

  “It is one thing to talk about a hundred thousand man army,” the king whispered as his eyes roved over the huge encampment before him, “but to actually see it is something entirely different. This must be depressing to the defenders of Trekum. I would not like to arise every morning and view this over my wall.”

  “This could be Tagaret,” frowned Sergeant Witzak. “In fact, if Emperor Hanchi has his say about it, it will be coming to Tagaret soon. I guess they are serious about attacking today. I see siege engines being moved forward.”

  “Let’s find General Mobami quickly,” suggested King Arik. “Where does he normally stand to watch the Lanoirians?”

  “There is no normal for the general,” answered Randi. “He abhors predictable patterns. We will just have to walk the wall until we find him. We will try to the left first.”

  King Arik pulled his eyes away from the Lanoirian encampment as he followed Randi Witzak along the wall. Many of the soldiers nodded as they passed by. Several of them smiled and hailed Randi as one would hail a friend. The Rangers acted friendly and courteous to all of them. Many minutes later, Randi stopped and frowned.

  “I chose poorly,” he sighed as he pointed towards the sea. “That is the end of the wall. The general must have gone to the right this morning. It is even possible that he chose a tower today instead.”

  King Arik shrugged and moved along the wall with the Ranger as he observed the Sordoans swarming onto the wall. His glanced once more at the Lanoirian encampment and stopped walking. The Ranger instantly stopped and stared at him.

  King Arik pointed and frowned. “They are getting ready to attack,” he announced.

  Randi looked through a crenel and saw the catapults moving forward. “We had better hurry,” he shook his head. “Once this battle starts, the general will have no time for talk.”

  King Ark nodded and together they strode along the wall at a crisp pace. As they passed the stairway that they had used to climb the wall, a huge fireball flew through the air far in front of them. Several more followed immediately. Shouts rang out along the entire wall as hundreds of Sordoans clambered up the stairways. King Arik picked up his pace to a slow run and the Ranger stayed with him.

  The Lanoirians appeared to be centering their attack on the main southern gate to the city. As the king approached the area he saw large clumps of men ducking as another fireball was catapulted over the wall. It smashed to the ground inside the city. Men below scurried around with buckets of water. Others braved the flames of burning buildings to rescue their fellow soldiers. There was some confusion among the Sordoans, but King Arik noted that it was minimal. The men manning the fire brigade appeared to be ready for the next fireball when it smashed into a building.

  Randi slowed down and grabbed the king’s arm. “That is General Mobami,” he announced as he pointed at a tall, baldheaded man with a large mustache.

  King Arik stopped and stared at the imposing figure for a moment. There was a group of men huddled around the general discussing something. The king watched as heads bobbed or shook. The general had runners coming and going as he dispatched new orders. General Mobami appeared calm and organized in the face of the Lanoirian assault. King Arik walked calmly forward.

  A fireball struck the outer wall sending slivers of flame into the defenders. Men cried out in alarm, but others quickly doused the flames. One man fell off the wall into the city as he frantically tried to extinguish the flames on his own clothes. The general growled something loudly, and soldiers scurried back to the wall.

  “They are trying to perfect their aim,” Arik heard the general say as he approached. “They want those fireballs to land right on us. It would clear this area of the wall. That means that we can expect the ladders at any moment.”

  “We are ready for them,” replied a man with recent scars upon his cheeks.

  “We shall see,” General Mobami replied without emotion.

  As predicted, just as King Arik reached the group surrounding the general, the tops of ladders appeared along the wall. Defenders with long poles grunted with exertion as they pushed the ladders back. Even as the attackers were being repelled, another fireball soared over the heads of the general and his small group.

  “Emperor Hanchi has little regard for his own men,” commented Captain Azule, who Arik recognized from his previous trip through Sordoa.

  “He has plenty to spare,” replied the scarred man.

  “Get that ladder,” shouted the general as he pointed to a ladder that was disgorging Lanoirian soldiers.

  Sordoans rushed to obey their leader’s command. Bows were dropped and swords were pulled as another ladder found a spot along the wall that was not well tended. King Arik took his eyes away from the general’s party and drew his sword. Randi Witzak stood alongside his king and drew his sword.

  “I need to get you off this wall,” Randi vowed as he sliced into a charging Lanoirian. “You are in harm’s way.”

  King Arik cut into the Lanoirian before him as three arrows struck at the rest of the small group of invaders. A quick glance over his shoulder showed King Arik that the Rangers were keeping watch over him. He smiled to himself as he ducked and took the legs out from under another Lanoirian attacker.

  Screams of wounded and shouts of fighters filled the air. Lanoirian ladders kept popping up along the wall and disgorging Hanchi’s soldiers. King Arik and the Rangers rushed with the Sordoans to meet the invaders with steel. Sordoan soldiers swarmed from other areas of the wall to help repel the attack. The Lanoirian catapults continued to toss large fireballs.

  Two hours later, the attack suddenly stopped. No new ladders appeared and the catapults ceased. The battlefield grew deathly quiet except for the cries of the wounded. King Arik looked around himself and saw large heaps of bodies. Blood was splattered on his clothes as well as on the four Rangers surrounding him, but none of them had been wounded during the attack. The Sordoans in the area began dragging the bodies of the Lanoirians and throwing them over the wall.

  “How long before they come again?” King Arik asked Randi.

  “Hard to tell,” shrugged Sergeant Witzak. “I have never fought Lanoirians before.”

  “Well you fought them well today,” congratulated the general as he approached the small group. “The five of you fought like demons. I am proud to call you Sordoans.”

  King Arik spun around and looked the general in the face. “I need to talk to you, General Mobami,” he said. “It is important.”

  “Everything is impor
tant today, lad,” smiled the general. “Survive the day and you can dine with me this evening.”

  General Mobami turned and started to walk away as runners came looking for him. King Arik hurried after him.

  “I am not sure that this can wait until evening,” protested King Arik.

  “Hey, I know you,” Captain Azule said with recognition. “I met you in Forgum. You were with Garth Shado. Glad to see that you decided to join us.”

  The general stopped short and turned around. He stared at Arik for a long moment before speaking. “You ride with Garth Shado?” he asked.

  King Arik swallowed hard, not knowing if riding with Garth was a plus or a minus. “I was with him in Forgum,” he finally nodded. “Captain Azule? Isn’t it?”

  “Good memory,” beamed the Sordoan.

  “Is Garth Shado in this city?” asked the general while shooting Captain Azule a quieting glare.

  “No, he isn’t,” answered King Arik. “He is up north.”

  “Pity,” sighed the general. “While he may have eliminated a few Sordoans in his travels, he would be an asset to us today. Is that where you learned to fight?”

  “Garth taught me much,” King Arik nodded. “I can truly say that I would not be who I am today without his help and guidance.”

  “I am not sure who you are,” smiled the general, “but I am glad that you are here today. Whose company are you with?”

  King Arik fidgeted as he worried about the Lanoirians killing either the general or himself before he had a chance to present his offer. He looked around to see where the Rangers were stationed and how many Sordoans were listening to the conversation. Finally, he inhaled deeply and looked the general in the eyes.

  “I am from Alcea,” King Arik stated. “I come with an offer to discuss with you.”

  “Alcea?” echoed the general as his eyes narrowed. “Hard to imagine a Targan coming down here to fight alongside Sordoans. What is the offer you were sent to present to me?”

  “I would prefer to speak in private with you,” replied King Arik.

  “There will be no private conversations today until the darkness of night comes,” declared General Mobami. “I will not turn my back on Lanoirians, and I will not leave my men to stand alone on this wall. Speak now or wait until night.”

  King Arik sighed and nodded. “Very well,” he said, “I have come to present a plan to you for defeating the Lanoirians.”

  “You have, have you?” the general responded with amusement. “It is wonderful to see that our old enemies are so concerned with our well being. What is this plan?”

  “I do not see Sordoans as my enemy,” retorted King Arik. “Whatever happened before the Collapse is ancient history. We share common enemies now. Why shouldn’t we work together for the good of all people?”

  “Well,” chuckled the general, “you are barely old enough to have been around during the Collapse. For old soldiers like myself, Targa has always been our enemy.”

  “Is it Alceans that are attacking your home?” questioned King Arik. “Was it Targans that occupied Toresh and caused the famines that have plagued Sordoa during my lifetime? Let old hatreds die, General. This world is not like the one from before the Collapse. Alceans and Sordoans have much in common. We should be united.”

  “All right,” nodded the general. “Let’s assume that we can work together against the Lanoirians. Is Alcea going to send troops down here to fight the Lanoirians? Or are the Sordoans meant to die to stall the Lanoirian advance on Tagaret?”

  “The Lanoirians are meant to die,” retorted the king. “Do you think you can accomplish that here in Trekum?”

  “Well, there is little choice in that matter,” sneered the general. “The time for leaving Trekum is well past now. You said you came bearing a proposal from Tagaret, let me hear it before the Lanoirians attack again.”

  “Very well,” agreed King Arik. “I propose to starve the Lanoirians into submission. I want your help in this matter.”

  “Starve them?” questioned Captain Orteka. “I have been in their camp. They have no shortage of food. Trekum will turn to dust before the Lanoirians starve.”

  “You?” questioned General Mobami with a curious look on his face. “You said that you propose. Do you dare to speak for your king now?”

  “I am the king of Alcea,” announced King Arik. “I would not expect anyone else to discuss this issue with you.”

  King Arik felt the Rangers behind him stiffen. Looks of disbelief flooded the faces of the Sordoans. General Mobami’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  “You ask too much of me to believe this story,” the general shook his head. “No king would march into an enemy city alone and declare himself. How did you get through the Lanoirians that surround this city? Why shouldn’t I suspect that this is a Lanoirian attempt at tricking us?”

  “You have a right to be suspect,” sighed King Arik as he nodded to Sergeant Witzak. “Ask yourself though, who else would come to Trekum and be protected by four Alcean Rangers.”

  The four Rangers immediately stepped forward and flanked King Arik. General Mobami’s head moved from side to side as he gazed at the black-suited warriors.

  “I have seen your men in the city all week,” the general commented. “If you have been here, why didn’t you speak to me before the attack began?”

  “The Rangers have been here,” answered the king. “They were sent to keep me informed of what the Lanoirians are up to. I am aware that their destination is Tagaret. As for me, I just arrived this morning. I did not come through the Lanoirian lines. I came from the direction of the sea.”

  “I was not told of any ships arriving today,” countered the general, still full of suspicion.

  King Arik’s mind reached out and called for Chaco. The king’s eyes scanned the city streets looking for his faithful companion. Finally, he saw Chaco and pointed to him.

  “Gaze upon my mount,” stated King Arik as he instructed the unicorn to come to him and reveal his horn

  The Sordoans watched as the horse approached the stairs and climbed up them. Silence reigned along the wall as soldiers parted to let the horse through. Finally, Chaco halted between King Arik and General Mobami. He dismissed the spell that hid his horn. The Sordoans gasped.

  “Chaco is a Shamta of the Unicorns,” declared King Arik. “That is a prince in our terminology. I flew into the city before the first lightening of the sky.”

  “Incredible,” gasped Captain Azule. “Did Garth Shado know who you were when we met in Forgum?”

  “Garth Shado is Alexander Tork,” nodded Arik. “He knows me well.”

  “Tork?” questioned the general. “Well, that is one thing that you have said that makes sense to me. They both have the reputation of being the best. Still, you exhibit information that is impossible for you to know. We only just found out where Emperor Hanchi is heading. How is it that you seem to know?”

  “Because I am the king prophesized in the Ancient Prophecy,” declared King Arik. “Emperor Hanchi is somehow involved with the forces of the Dark One. I have banished the Darkness from Lanoir and Alcea, the emperor seeks to stop me from doing the same in Sordoa.”

  “Fairy tales,” scowled General Mobami. “I can not believe such nonsense.”

  “It is true,” interrupted Captain Azule. “The skies are clear over Sarga, and I have heard from reliable sources that Southland is also under the sun once again. If not this lad, someone is destroying the Darkness.”

  “Have you never wondered why the Dark Riders abandoned Toresh?” asked Randi. “You may think it is to avoid the Lanoirians, but it is to besiege Tagaret. Right now they work at opening the pass at Tor for their army of ogres and goblins.”

  “If this king can defeat the Lanoirians,” interrupted Captain Orteka, “then I want to hear him out.”

  “As do I,” agreed Captain Azule. “I will stand with any man against the likes of ogres and goblins.”

  Those Sordoans who had gathered around to
hear the conversation all voiced their agreement. The general felt his control over the situation deteriorating rapidly. Slowly, he nodded.

  “How do you propose to starve the Lanoirians into defeat?” asked General Mobami.

  “I have already dispatched armies to interrupt their supply lines,” explained King Arik. “I suspect that they have already lost shipments. You mentioned before that you thought I would ask you to stall the advance of the Lanoirian army. That is exactly what I need you to do, but I am not proposing that you should have to die to accomplish it.”

  “It could take weeks for your ambushes to affect the Lanoirian army,” the general shook his head. “We cannot hold out that long. You are wasting our time and yours. Go home and prepare to defend against Emperor Hanchi. He will not be stopped here at Trekum.”

  “I don’t expect him to be stopped at Trekum,” responded King Arik, “but I also do not plan for you to die here. I want to transport your men out of the city to the north. Once you are free to roam again, I want you to burn the Sordoan fields to the north.”

  “Burn our own fields?” asked the general. “Why should I let Sordoans starve to satisfy a Targan king? Have you no compassion for my people?”

  “Your people?” countered the king. “I am Sordoan myself. I grew up in Lorgo. As far as starving the Sordoans, I plan just the opposite. Alcea will supply a bounty of food to the Sordoans. You will be better fed than you have ever been.”

  Shouts rang among the growing crowd. The promise of food and escape from the city made soldiers cheer, but the most inspiring comment of all was that the king of Alcea was a Sordoan.

  “And where will you get all of this food?” asked the general.

  “From Lanoir,” grinned King Arik. “I have armies on the way there now by boat. They will seize what Emperor Hanchi has abandoned. The food that is now going to feed his army will be shipped to Dalek and distributed from there.”

  “Meanwhile his army will find nothing to eat in Sordoa,” nodded Captain Azule. “He will be defeated whether he presses on to Tagaret or decides to return to Lanoir.”