Tristan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Get us inside and I can promise that the city will be ours.”
Though it was obvious that Bevaris didn’t agree, he simply bowed and began gathering the sand masters. Battle plans needed to be made.
Gewey was acutely aware that their success would hinge entirely on his ability to bring down the walls and gate. There was a time when he would have held doubts over this, but ever since returning from Shagharath he’d had a much greater understanding as to the extent of his powers. He was now confident that he could destroy the wall, regardless of how thick it was.
The sun was breaking the horizon when Kaylia led him back to the pavilion. She insisted that he sleep for at least a few hours. The elves needed only a short time to prepare and seemed unconcerned that they would be marching with very little rest.
Just as Kaylia pulled back the flaps to usher him inside, he glanced over to where he had seen Lee and Millet talking earlier. Their bedrolls were now gone. Jacob was sitting there alone, looking very displeased.
Gewey smiled inwardly. Better angry then dead.
* * * *
Lee was humming a tune that Millet had taught him when he’d first arrived as a scared yet excited young boy in the home of Dauvis Nal’Thain. The road they were riding along was easy for now, almost entirely because Gewey had frightened the enemy away for at least a hundred miles.
Lee’s mind drifted back to those early days. He had been so excited to explore the world around him. And though his escapades then had only ever been in the close vicinity of Hazrah, they had still seemed like a never-ending series of wild adventures to a boy who had spent most of his time before that locked away in a temple.
“You still remember that one,” remarked Millet with a lopsided smile. “I sang it to you when you were young.”
“It made me feel safe,” said Lee. “The manor was so big and imposing. I was crying that night, just before you came into my room.”
“I know,” said Millet. “You tried to hide it…but I knew. You may not have missed the temple, but you missed your mother much more than you were willing to admit.”
“You always knew me better than I knew myself. And you knew what to say when I was alone and afraid.” Lee sighed. “You know, I don’t think I’ll see the end of this war, old friend.” His tone wasn’t dark or ominous. Instead, it was accepting…almost welcoming.
Millet chuckled. “I’m amazed that you’ve lived this long.” He then looked at his friend and realized he was not jesting. “Why do you say such things?”
“I don’t know.” Lee shrugged. “It’s a feeling, no more than that. It’s like an itch just out of reach. The more I try to ignore it, the more it bothers me.”
Millet pretended to scowl. “In that case, I’m glad you asked me to come with you. I assume your intention is that we die together.”
Lee laughed merrily. “That was indeed my plan. Why else would we be riding into an enemy stronghold, just ahead of an elf army, led by an angry god?”
Millet joined in Lee’s laughter. “You know, since I became Lord of the House Nal’Thain, it seems as though I’ve become as big a fool as you.”
Chapter 15
King Lousis rode beside King Victis at the vanguard of their magnificent army, backs straight and heads held high. Age and weariness had fallen away from both men, leaving only two fierce warrior kings riding boldly to meet their fates.
Mohanisi had chosen to walk at the rear with Lady Bellisia, who, along with the other more gifted of the elder healers, had continued to work herself far beyond her normal measure of strength. It was only after no small amount of persuasion that she eventually agreed to ride in a wagon rather than continue on foot. Even then, she was reluctant to rest. Most of her time on board was spent with other elders examining the enemy weapon. Mohanisi suggested that perhaps Aaliyah might be able to further the investigation should they see her again. She was by far the most learned among them and had studied for many years on a myriad of subjects.
The Angrääl army was moving far more swiftly than Lousis would have thought possible. He had managed to close a little on the enemy, but remained fearful that he might not be able to catch up with them before they were reinforced. If that happened, the battle would be fierce…and very short.
On a brighter note, Lord Chiron and his forces were only a few hours away and would be joining them well before nightfall.
“They’re giving us quite a chase,” remarked Victis, maintaining his optimistic tone.
“They must sense that death is on their heels, my friend,” Lousis joked.
Even though a little contrived, the two monarch’s jovial mood as they set off that morning had done much to raise the morale of the soldiers. Combined with a bright cool day, it wasn’t long before songs of triumph – of both elf and human composition - were ringing out from the ranks.
They were well into the afternoon when the sound of trumpets calling out from the west was first heard. Lousis scanned the horizon and was soon able to see the column of haggard and war beaten soldiers led by Lord Chiron coming into view. He immediately ordered a halt, at the same time calling for healers to attend the newly arriving wounded.
Lord Chiron rode up astride a black mare, his leather armor so beaten and damaged that it looked as if it could fall from his body at any moment. Nonetheless, his familiar, good-natured smile was still very much in evidence. Despite having come straight from a hard fought battle and a long ride, his eyes sparkled with energy.
“It’s good to see you are still amongst the living,” called Lousis.
“Am I?” Chiron shouted back, glancing down at the sorry state of his attire. “Until just now I couldn’t tell. I guess the fates still have business with me.”
Both Lousis and Victis let out a hearty laugh.
“I’m afraid that may be to meet your end here with us,” said Victis.
Chiron positioned his horse alongside the two kings. “Then I could not ask for better company. Tell me what goes on here?”
Lousis told him of their intention to catch the enemy. Chiron approved enthusiastically. But the mood instantly darkened when the subject turned to the death of Theopolou. The news hit Chiron severely and he remained silent for several minutes.
“How did Bellisia fare?” he finally asked, swallowing back his tears.
Lousis shrugged. “She appears to be managing. Though there is no doubt that she feels the loss keenly.”
“As do I,” said Chiron. “But there is no time for mourning. We must be swift if we are to catch our prey.”
“Can your people march?” asked Victis.
“We are not spent yet,” Chiron told him. “Though our ragged appearance may cause you to believe differently.”
“We think that we can catch them by tomorrow if we press our pace,” said Lousis.
“We can halt long enough to treat your wounded,” added Victis. “But no longer.”
Chiron nodded sharply. “Then I will tell my captains to make ready.” Excusing himself, he set off to find Bellisia.
Lousis couldn’t help but feel pity for the elf elder. He had been every bit as close to Theopolou as Bellisia - possibly even closer. From what Lousis had been told, Chiron had been Theopolou’s chief supporter when Darshan was first revealed to his people. The two of them had even fought together in the Great War. It boggled the king’s mind to imagine losing a friend you had known for five hundred years. He remembered how close to utter despair he had come when Lord Maynard was slain outside his manor. Chiron must be hiding unfathomable pain.
But, so are we all, he told himself.
The mood in the camp that night was light and cheerful. Both humans and elves were aware that the next day would likely be their last, but it didn’t seem to matter. After having been through so many trials together, they were now happy to meet their destiny among comrades both old and new. Two widely conflicting peoples had originally entered the crucible, and they had emerged as one, solid
in their unity.
At least some good has come of this horror, considered Lousis.
He decided to sleep in the open air that night, much to the chagrin of his guard. The danger of the enemy sending an assassin still existed, and the Vrykol could be as stealthy as they were deadly. But Lousis would not be dissuaded. Soon, Victis, Chiron and Bellisia elected to join him.
Chiron and Bellisia looked to be in better spirits. Lousis guessed that perhaps their mutual friendships with Theopolou was in some way helping them to heal each other. He watched as they sat close, reminiscing with lighthearted tales of Theopolou in days long past. He couldn’t help but think the two elders would make a good match. These thoughts quickly brought High Lady Selena back to his mind. Lousis wondered if he would ever see her again. He promised himself immediately that, should he return safely, they would wed as soon as possible. And if she said no, then he would spend the remainder of his days trying to convince her to change her mind.
As dawn broke, the seekers returned. Angrääl had ceased its march and was apparently turning to fight. A mixture of fear and elation swept over King Lousis.
If they could win this day, then perhaps they could push on to the coast and engage the enemy there as well, catching them off-guard. And if not completely off-guard, at least soon enough to prevent them from setting up solid defenses.
“They are three miles to the southwest,” reported a young seeker.
“Good,” Lousis acknowledged. “Then let’s not keep them waiting.”
“Indeed,” agreed Victis. “We would not want to be discourteous.”
The two men shared a short laugh before urging their horses into a slow walk. Trumpets blared as the army advanced, battle cries and songs heralding their approach.
They had only traveled a mile or so when a long series of massive explosions were suddenly heard in the distance. Though unseen, the resulting tide of shock waves that swept into their ranks was powerful - strong enough to have the men wobbling on their feet and the horses rearing with fright. Minutes later, columns of thick, black smoke began rising up from beyond the hilltops.
Lousis halted the army immediately.
“We should send scouts,” suggested Victis.
Lousis nodded in agreement and began ordering the captain of his guard to locate the elf seekers who had brought him the earlier report.
“Do not trouble yourself, Your Highness,” called Chiron, who was already making his way through the ranks. “I sent three of my elves the moment I heard the disturbance.”
Bellisia was at his side. Her eyes were now bright, and she no longer had the appearance of someone on the brink of collapse. In one hand she gripped the staff gifted by Darshan, in the other a long sword.
“It’s good to see you looking better, My Lady,” remarked Victis. “It would seem that you’re more than ready for battle.”
Bellisia smiled and sheathed her sword. “Sometimes the words of a good friend can help where sleep cannot.”
It wasn’t long before the seekers returned. A tall, dark haired elf approached, a perplexed look on his face. For a moment he just stood there in silence.
“What’s happened?” demanded Lousis.
“I do not know,” he admitted, shaking his head. “They’re…they’re all dead.”
“Who’s dead?” asked Victis.
“The Angrääl army,” he replied. “Every last one of them. Some burned to ashes, others ripped apart, hundreds piled on top of each other…but all dead.”
Lousis and those around him exchanged looks of utter confusion.
“Show me,” the king ordered.
The elf bowed and quickly set off, with Lousis, Victis, Chiron, and Bellisia all following close behind. They had only gone a few yards when Mohanisi joined them. The king’s guard sprang to life, surrounding the entire group.
“We should use caution,” said Mohanisi, troubled by the news.
All nodded in agreement.
The tension was high as the seeker led them to the edge of a large open field. By now, acrid smoke was already burning their eyes and choking their breath, while the stench of burned flesh and charred earth was almost unbearable. Some three hundred yards ahead, a tall hill spanning the entire breadth of the field rose up. The seeker stopped and pointed, but it was unnecessary. The carnage was easy to see.
Beginning at the base of the hill and rising all the way to the top, mutilated and charred bodies were scattered literally everywhere. At the crest, possibly thousands of corpses had been unceremoniously thrown together and heaped into giant mounds more than twenty feet high. The catapults at the rear of these mounds were still smoldering, causing the air around them to ripple from the heat, so giving the horizon an even more disturbing appearance.
“They picked a good spot to fight,” was the only thing Lousis could find to say. But his words went unheard.
“What could do this?” gasped Bellisia.
“Only Darshan possesses such power,” said Mohanisi.
“Apparently not,” corrected Victis.
“We should leave,” said one of Lousis’ guards. “Whoever – or whatever - did this may still be nearby.”
“We are no safer in our camp than we are here,” countered Lousis. “It would seem that our army is no protection at all from whatever danger is out there.”
“Look!” exclaimed Chiron, pointing to the top of the hill.
At first, only the elves could see what Chiron was pointing at through the ripples of intense heat. Then Lousis and the other humans saw it as well.
From amongst the monstrous piles of bodies, a lone figure emerged. It descended the hill with slow, deliberate steps and headed straight toward them.
As it came closer, the features became clear. It was a young man of no more than twenty years old with shoulder length, sandy blond hair. He appeared wholly unremarkable in every way: from his medium build and average height, right through to his commonplace attire of a plain white tunic and tan trousers. A small dagger was tucked in his belt, but other than that he looked to be unarmed. Lousis could see that the man’s eyes were fixed firmly on him.
He halted his guard as they moved to intercept the newcomer. “If he is the cause of this devastation, there is nothing you can do. And if not, then I doubt he is any threat.”
Though still out of earshot of Lousis’ words, the man raised his hand and called out. “I am no threat, my king. Please do not fear me.”
Lousis scrutinized the young man closely. There was truly nothing to indicate he was dangerous. In fact, the most remarkable thing about him was that he appeared entirely unremarkable. He wasn’t ugly, yet not overly attractive – the type of person who could easily pass by completely unnoticed. He stopped a few yards away, as if sensing the tension building.
“Who are you?” inquired Lousis firmly. “And what do you know about what happened here?”
The man tilted his head and smiled. “Who am I? I am a friend. And as far as what happened here, I am happy to tell you. But first, do any of you have any food? I have not eaten in….” He burst into laughter. “Well, let us just say that it has been a very long time.”
Lousis looked over his shoulder and nodded. One of the guards pulled a strip of dried meat from his pouch and tossed it over. The throw fell short, but the man’s movements were nimble. He was able to catch the offering well before it hit the ground.
“Thank you,” he said, tearing off a piece.
He moaned with satisfaction while slowly chewing the meat, savoring each moment it was in his mouth. At last, he swallowed and sighed. “I hope there is more.”
“Indeed,” said Lousis. “And you are welcome to as much as you like if you can answer my question.”
“Which question is that?”
Lousis glowered. “Do not play games with me, boy. I want to know exactly what happened here.”
“You have fed me,” said the man, unimpressed by the king’s display of anger. “And in return I will tell you that your enem
y was slain by the power of heaven. A power sent by the one you know as Darshan.”
The name caused everyone to stir.
“And are you this power?” asked Lousis.
The man nodded. “I am. I am the wrath and the hammer. I am the storm that comes to sweep away those who would destroy you.” He bowed low. “My name is Melek. And I am at your command.”
“You tell us that you were sent here by Darshan,” Lousis said incredulously. “How do we know this to be true?”
Melek glanced over his shoulder at the carnage littering the hillside. “Is that not evidence enough for you? I have defeated your enemy. I have saved the lives of many a brave elf and human who would have undoubtedly died in battle against a superior force. And I will continue to do so - unless you command otherwise.”
Lousis thought for a long moment before taking a deep breath. “Will you accompany us back to our camp? There you can be better fed and we can talk further.”
Mohanisi stepped forward. His eyes denoted mistrust and apprehension. “If Darshan sent you, why is it he has never mentioned your name to us?”
Melek chuckled. “My dear elf. Darshan was only made aware of me recently. His bravery is the reason I am here, and I am deeply in his debt.”
His smile vanished. “And if I was your enemy…” The ground began to tremble, then stopped after a few seconds. “But I am not. And your childish fears are unnecessary.”
All the elves stared in wonder.
“Only once have I felt such power,” gasped Chiron.
“Then you know that I cannot be false,” said Melek. “For I am the same as Darshan.”
“How can this be?” asked Mohanisi.
Melek grinned. “If we can obey our king and return to your camp,” he suggested, not even trying to disguise a demeaning tone. “Perhaps then I can eat and you can hear my tale in full.”
Mohanisi stepped back, his face still awash with doubt.
Apart from Melek humming an odd little tune over and over again, the journey back to camp was made in total silence. During the trek, the fact that Lousis’ guard made a great show of forming a protective barrier between the two monarchs and their new guest seemed to amuse Melek greatly. Frequently he waited for a small gap between the guard’s horses to appear, then lured them into thinking that he was about to dart through it. As they hurried to close the gap, he would back off and laugh softly. The guards were much less amused.
The Godling Chronicles:Book 05 - Madness of the Fallen Page 17
