After several minutes of winding through the bowels of the citadel, the black knight stopped them in front of a wooden door at the bottom of a circular stone stairwell lit by a single flickering wall-torch. Again, he paused to survey their surroundings and listen. Satisfied they were safe, he took the ring of keys from his belt and unlocked the wooden door. It swung open to reveal cobweb shrouded brooms and buckets and a pile of polished black metal on the floor.
The black knight pointed to the heap of armor pieces. “Put it on, quickly!” he commanded.
Sitrell repeatedly glanced from the connecting corridor to the landing at the top of the stairwell and back again as he hurried to don the glossy, black armor. After what seemed like a frustrating eternity, he pulled a varnished, charcoal-colored gauntlet over his left hand, the last piece of armor to be donned save for the red plumed helmet lying at his feet.
The black knight gave an approving nod. “It will do. But remember, your fair skin and northerner’s speech will give you away just as easily as would your Amigus uniform, so keep that helmet on and your mouth shut.”
The black knight fished a wax sealed scroll out of his leather satchel and displayed it to Sitrell. “This writ contains orders from the emperor that will allow you to pass out of the west gate unquestioned by the Aukasian contingent stationed there.” He deliberately flashed the side of the scroll that was affixed with the red wax seal, one imprinted with the likeness of a rearing lion. The symbol of the imperial crown from Emperor Lorta’s own ring!
Although Sitrell had never actually seen the emperor’s signet, he knew that seal could’ve come from no one else. The black knight stuffed the scroll back into his satchel. “Now remember, the Imperial Guard is feared above all other soldiers, save the ranking generals themselves. That will allow you to get away with a lot if you play to it, but don’t over play it. Any soldier has the right to arrest even an Imperial Guard if they feel they have cause. Understand?”
Sitrell nodded. How did he secure a writ endorsed by the emperor? Did he steal it? Even so, he would need to be someone close to Lorta to have the opportunity.
The black knight continued his lecture, “Remember to speak as little as possible. The Imperial Guard are extremely arrogant and no one will think it odd if you communicate to lesser soldiers by condescending scoffs and commanding gestures.”
Sitrell stared hard at the black knight, as if the intensity of his gaze could somehow penetrate the slotted helmet. “Who are you?”
“We don’t have time for that.” snapped the knight. “And if I wanted you to know, do you really think I’d still be wearing this helmet?”
“Then why are you helping us?”
The black knight stepped in closer to Sitrell, his tone exasperated. “All you need to know is that a force of fifty thousand Aukasian soldiers now occupies Lisidra, personally commanded by Emperor Lorta himself. And in in three week’s time they will begin marching toward your capitol city!”
Sitrell shook his head. “That is a large force, but the capitol is a virtual fortress. It would take a much larger army to effectively prosecute a sei…”
“The Aukasian soldiers have been armed with thousands of guns just like this!” The black knight shoved the barrel of his alien pistol into Sitrell’s face. “It’s called a Niazeride weapon!”
Sitrell recognized the name as being from the ancient language, a word compound that he thought meant something like, deadly light? A fitting name he thought as he stared into the weapon’s open maw.
The black knight continued, “After seeing only a sample of what this can do, are you really so arrogant as to believe your armies can stand against such technology?”
“No,” Sitrell said.
Having made his point, the black knight lowered the weapon and turned it so as to proffer the handle to Sitrell. He hesitated a moment before receiving the device and examining it.
“There are varying degrees of the weapon’s destructive power,” the black knight continued as he again dug into his bag, “from the lowest which will merely render a person unconscious, to the maximum which can tear apart stone walls―but you’ll have to learn that on your own.” The black knight pulled another technological oddity from his leather satchel, a sphere about the size of a child’s playground ball, apparently made of the same material as the Niazeride weapon and likewise dotted on its top with glowing jewels. “Take the weapon to your leaders as proof of these things and warn them of the invasion.”
Sitrell motioned to the strange sphere. “And what is this?”
The black knight raised the device to eye level. “A counter measure to the Niazeride weapons.” He pointed to a circular blue dial on the top of the sphere. “Turn this clockwise to charge the device.” He then pointed to a red button semi-encircling the bottom of the dial. “Press this button to emit an energy pulse, one that is harmless to humans but will permanently disable all active Niazeride weapons within a fifty mile radius. Because the weapons have to be activated in order to be affected, it is imperative that you don’t use the counter measure until the Aukasian army opens fire. That way, you’ll be sure that all of your enemy’s units are destroyed. Also, know that the counter measure uses an obscene amount of power, which means you will only get one use out of it so the timing will be critical.” The black knight buried the sphere in his leather satchel, cinched the drawstring, and extended the bag to Sitrell.
“I recommend confronting the Aukasian army as far away from your capitol as possible, probably outside Hirath. Lorta thinks it’s weak and won’t expect to meet a large Amigus army there. With this counter measure you’ll be able to bring both armies onto equal footing. The rest is up to you.”
Sitrell gratefully bowed his head as he took the satchel. “You have done a great service to the kingdom of Amigus this day, a deed that will not be forgotten.”
“Don’t think me your ally, Commander Trauel,” snapped the black knight. “I have no love for Amigus. It only serves my personal interests to help you.”
Sitrell was taken aback, but recovered and asked, “My army?”
The black knight shook his head. “The imperial forces were ordered to put down all armed resistance. I’m afraid none of your men survived.”
Sitrell nodded.
Yuiv jumped as accented voices echoed from a connecting corridor. The black knight shoved his spear into Yuiv’s hand, but addressed his anxious whisper to Sitrell.
“Go quickly, Commander. Use the Niazeride weapon to defend yourself if necessary, but leave no witnesses or all will be for naught. Understand?”
Sitrell nodded.
The black knight scooped up the red plumed helmet lying at Sitrell’s feet, roughly fitted it over his head, and then pointed up the stairwell. “Go!”
Sitrell wordlessly exchanged the leather satchel in his left hand for the spear Yuiv held, and dashed up the flight of warped wooden steps. As if he were Sitrell’s shadow, Yuiv followed close behind, the two flying up the stairs in two heartbeats. Sitrell paused to glance back down at the base of the stairwell.
Gone.
Just as he expected, their anonymous benefactor had already disappeared, and with him the answers to Sitrell’s two most burning questions: who and why?
As if reading his thoughts, Yuiv whispered, “Who wassee?”
Sitrell shook his head as he deposited the Niazeride weapon into the leather satchel before taking the bag from Yuiv and slinging it over his left shoulder. “Come on!” his voice reverberated through the helmet, and the two resumed their sprint up the stairwell.
Then came the day when Yaokken placed the black metal crown upon his own head and the world changed.
Chapter 6
Whisper on the Wind
Every second seemed an eternity to Sitrell as he and Yuiv wound their way up from the citadel basement and onto the main level. Although they had passed two Aukasian patrols, no one thus far had dared question a member of the Imperial Guard about what he was doing, where he was goi
ng, or why his companion was a teenaged Amigus peasant. This bolstered Sitrell’s confidence in what the black knight had told him concerning the Aukasian military hierarchy, which in turn diluted the panic coloring his thoughts. Thus far, he had been acting on adrenaline and instinct alone, which he knew would not suffice if they were to get out of Lisidra alive. He needed a plan, and for that he needed a moment to stop and think. As soon as was not suspicious, he ducked into an empty corridor where they both could rest a moment, and where he could assess their situation.
“We need horses.”
Yuiv nodded. “I’as know’d where they kept.”
“Is it far?” Sitrell shot a vigilant glance into a connecting hall.
Yuiv shook his head. “But we’as gonna hafta walk the courtyard.”
“Lead the way, but act like I’m forcing you to guide me. Act like you’re scared.”
“I’as am scared!” Yuiv mopped his sweaty brow with the back of a hand.
“Just stay close and stay quiet.” Sitrell continued. “If anyone stops us, don’t panic. Let me deal with them. Understand?”
Yuiv bit his lower lip and nodded.
“Remember, don’t panic,” repeated Sitrell.
The two resumed their flight, and within twenty minutes arrived at a large set of double doors painted white and decorated with blue floral patterns. Yuiv shot him an uncertain glance as Sitrell pushed open the door at his right. Crisp pre-dawn air flooded into the corridor as the door swung wide, revealing a quarter mile’s stretch of moonlit lawn between them and a large A-framed building with a set of hangar doors: the stables! Then he saw a sight that made his stomach sour. Dozens of Aukasian soldiers paced the top of the walls that enclosed the grounds, and several more patrolled the courtyard itself. He gritted his teeth, as if crossing the open courtyard wasn’t risky enough!
Sitrell caught Yuiv inching away from the door, a panicked look on his face. He reached out and patted the boy on his trembling shoulder before motioning for him to lead the way. Yuiv nodded and turned to stare fixedly on the palace stable. Sitrell inhaled and then strode out onto the lawn.
The early morning sky was still as dark as midnight, though it seemed a shade lighter just beyond the Tuchian Mountains. As they made their way over the frosted lawn, Sitrell kept an attentive gaze on Yuiv who was shaking, whether from the cold or fear he wasn’t sure. Probably a mixture of both. But, he had to be ready in case the boy lost control and tried to run, and he wasn’t sure he would blame him if he did. Fortunately, they had crossed over half the courtyard and no one had done more than salute him, to which Sitrell made sure to give curt nods. He glanced again at the trembling Yuiv and wondered if he was shaking too. He certainly was on the inside.
The Creator is the light and protector of all. He looks down upon all his children and keeps the faithful from evil, he mentally quoted from the Salia Kitha each time they neared an Aukasian soldier. He wasn’t really praying―he didn’t really pray anymore―so much as he was using an old habit to help him keep his focus. He had begun to believe they would make it across the courtyard unmolested until he caught sight of one of the soldiers moving to intercept them. Not us. He’s not walking toward us he told himself, but to his horror it became apparent that the man was moving to intercept them.
“Sitrell” Yuiv whimpered as the soldier in the leather jerkin quickly closed the distance.
“Don’t panic!” he hissed through the helmet.
The olive skinned man with messy black hair halted them, his face contorted with anger. “You!” he threw finger at Sitrell. “Where were you when the fighting started?” The man tottered on unsteady legs and for the first time Sitrell noticed a half empty liquor bottle in the man’s right hand.
Drunk. The fool was drunk, and he was going to make a scene that would draw every eye in the courtyard!
“Betcha were hangin round the emperor’s carriage while the rest of us were doing all of the work!” he slurred. “Think you’re better than us soldiers?” The drunken soldier hurled an Aukasian obscenity at Sitrell and then spat at his feet.
Sitrell’s eyes darted around the courtyard and he saw what he was afraid of, Aukasian soldiers stopping to gawk at their drunken comrade insulting one of their infamous Imperial Guards. He knew he had to act fast to diffuse the situation and strained to imagine how an Imperial Guard would react.
Yuiv chewed his lower lip as his nervous stare vacillated between the drunken soldier and Sitrell.
“You’re not better than anyone and I’m going to prove it!” The drunken man dropped his half empty liquor bottle and raised his fists.
Sitrell brought the butt of his spear up and struck the man hard between his legs. His face paled and he crumpled to the ground, whimpering as he crunched into a ball and held his crotch. The watching soldiers chuckled and many shook their heads as they returned to their patrols.
Relieved, he whispered, “Come on!” to Yuiv and the two side-stepped the balled up man.
Several horses whickered and snorted as Sitrell cracked one of the large barn doors and stepped inside the stable. The interior was near black, the light of the moon from the open door illuminating only the smallest area around him. Yuiv bumped into him as he followed, hastily apologizing before flattening himself against the door to give Sitrell more space. Sitrell propped his spear against two stacked bales of hay before handing Yuiv the satchel. He removed his helmet so as to better see and scanned the dark walls for the silhouette of a lantern. After spotting one, he moved to grab it, wincing as he knocked over a shovel and pitchfork in his attempt to grab it from the wall. It took him another minute to trim and light the lantern.
The two dashed down the straw strewn aisle in between pens until Sitrell found his large black stallion. He handed Yuiv his helmet before opening the pen and slipping inside. Sitrell deposited the lantern on a low shelf and gave the horse a reassuring pat on the neck before removing an oiled black saddle from the wall. After saddling the beast, Sitrell glanced at the horse in the neighboring pen and then at Yuiv. “Can you ride?”
Yuiv shook his head. “I’as stoled a horse once, but didn’t ride’d it.”
Sitrell assessed Yuiv’s wiry build. “I don’t guess you weigh more than seventy pounds. My horse should be able to bear us both.” He scooped up the lantern with his left hand and grabbed the horse’s bridle with his right before leading it out of the pen.
“Do not move!” commanded a voice in a sharp, choppy accent.
Sitrell’s blood chilled as he turned to see an Aukasian soldier stepping through the open hanger door, a flintlock pistol aimed at him.
“I knew something was out of place when you did not kill that drunken fool.” The Aukasian soldier closed the distance between them, keeping his weapon trained on Sitrell and sparing only a glance for Yuiv. “I have never seen a member of the Imperial Guard deal so mercifully with one who insulted and challenged him like that. Especially when he did it front of so many. How did you get that armor?” The Aukasian soldier stopped a few feet away.
Sitrell didn’t move, staring defiantly at the Aukasian soldier as he mentally grasped for a course of action.
The soldier raised his flintlock pistol so that it was level with Sitrell’s face. “Answer me!”
Time seemed to slow as Yuiv watched Sitrell hurl the lantern in his left hand at the Aukasian soldier who, out of reflex, deflected it with a sudden wave of his pistol. The lantern spun end over end until it struck a wall and shattered, raining fire down on a pile of straw which burst into flame. Seeing the soldier distracted, Sitrell rushed and tackled him to the ground. Yuiv heard the flintlock pistol discharge as Sitrell clamped his hands down on the soldier’s throat. The Aukasian soldier battered Sitrell’s head and kicked his feet for a moment before stopping and falling limp.
Horses rolled their eyes, danced, and tossed their manes as the fire raced up the barn wall. Sitrell looked as though he were straining as he worked to stand. He clamped his hand on the left side of his abd
omen.
“Out the back way.” He pointed to a smaller door at the opposite end of the stable aisle.
“You’as hurt?”
“Come on!” growled Sitrell as he shuffled forward.
Sitrell led the muscled black stallion out of the burning stable and made Yuiv replace his helmet before helping him climb into the saddle. Yuiv scrambled up behind him, snuggling the satchel up against Sitrell’s left side so that it concealed the blood oozing onto his armored thigh. As they left the palace grounds, Yuiv twisted around in the saddle to see the night sky silhouetted orange around the stable and flames breaking through the barn’s windows, licking upward as they climbed the outer walls.
As if he were reading his thoughts, Sitrell spoke, his strained voice echoing from inside his helmet. “With any luck, they’ll think it an accident.”
As they rode through the streets of Lisidra, Sitrell grunted each time they passed the rubble of a burned building or the body of an Amigus soldier. He felt rage rise within him upon seeing a pile of bodies being amassed in preparation for cremation. Not just soldier’s bodies, but the corpses of men, women, and even children. His eyes caught the lifeless stare of a little boy appearing only a few years younger than himself and realized that he knew that face.
Olan was his name, a resident of Yuiv’s former orphanage. He had been five when Yuiv had run away, but it was definitely him; the boy’s cauliflower ear making him easily recognizable. This is all my fault! Yuiv accused himself as he fought the hot tears threatening to spill from his eyes. He knew he would never forget the sight. It would be forever burned into his mind as long as he lived―Olan’s lifeless face.
It took nearly an hour for them to reach the west gate, whereupon they presented the emperor’s writ to the Aukasian sentries and, as promised by the black knight, were allowed to leave Lisidra unmolested. It was another tense hour before they cleared the thousands of Aukasian soldiers setting up camp on the west of the town, and by the time they were able to ride at more than a canter, the morning sun was blazing from behind the Tuchian Mountains.
Heroes of the Crystal Star (Valcoria Book 1) Page 6
