by Ben Hale
Gaze kicked his horse and reached upward again, this time causing a sheet of lightning to cascade across the morning sky. Looking back he felt his stomach plummet as he saw thousands of Sipers pouring over the hill in an unending stream—and the other fiends were right behind them. Screaming in rage, the man-sized creatures bounded into view, and for the first time Gaze was able to see their blood-red manes.
Quare.
Slapping his horse again, he urged it even faster as all around him riders did the same. Streaking forward, the faster horses took the lead, while the slower ones began to fall behind. More screams lanced through his heart as the trailing horsemen were dragged to their deaths, vainly trying to bring their weapons to bear. A heartbeat later they were in the trees and dark trunks flashed behind them as they raced west.
“Gaze!” the king roared, “light the trees!”
Gaze gathered himself and reached skyward once again. Bolt after bolt, lightning exploded into the forest. Trees and fiends alike snapped and tore asunder as the powerful energy struck, spending splinters lancing into black flesh. The ensuing thunderclap almost knocked Gaze from his saddle.
But the forest had begun to burn.
Now spurred by the fire, the horses panicked and galloped even faster. Gaze fought to maintain his seat as he cast a look backward. Thirty foot flames engulfed the forest and blanketed the road in heat—but many of the dogs, and a few of the Quare—had made it past before the blaze consumed the road.
Surging forward, the cavalry burst from the trees into open country. Behind them the sun had crested the horizon, but its rays barely penetrated the vast plumes of smoke rising from the raging inferno. The light of the fire shimmered, casting shifting shadows on the ground.
“That should slow them down,” the king shouted. “Captain, send a hundred north and a hundred south to flank the few that got through.”
In moments the group split as a lieutenant peeled off on either side. Gaze, still in the center group, wheeled his horse when the order was given and followed Prince Anders. Fighting his mounting fear, Gaze drew his sword and raised it high with the soldiers, joining in their battle cry and calling down three more streaks of lightning into the center of the pack. As dark corpses littered the air, all three cavalry groups attacked as one, dodging the rain of shattered bodies to plunge into battle.
Gaze charged into the fray, fighting his terror with a battle cry. Swinging his sword low he sliced the back of a dog as it sprang for another rider and it dropped to the dirt, but another flew over its body and smashed into the horsemen. They tumbled out of sight and Gaze winced at the shriek of agony—but he was already defending against a quare, its mane shimmering in rage. Snarling, it leapt towards him with its fingers outstretched. On instinct, Gaze swung his weapon with all his might, cutting into the attackers’ chest, wounding him and knocking him howling away.
Without warning, a massive dog crashed into his horse, sending Gaze tumbling to the ground hard enough for him to see stars. Whinnying in terror, his horse disappeared from view as the demon’s lunge carried it to the ground. A moment later the horse went still and the dog whipped its snout in his direction. Its silver eyes pulsed as it caught sight of Gaze and it whirled, lunging for his throat with a snarl.
Gaze scrambled to reach for his fallen sword, knowing it was too late—but then he heard the dog howl in pain. Mortally wounded, the huge form brushed past him to crash into the ground, a long spear in its side. Looking in the direction of the thrower, he caught a fierce smile from Prince Anders before he was forced to look away and deal with another threat.
Relief washed over him as he snatched his weapon and rose to his feet, trying to get a bearing on his surroundings. On every side dark forms leapt in the fire light, clawing and tearing at the human riders trying to slay them. Unholy dogs howled and lunged, dragging men to their screaming deaths. Men threw spears or swung swords, piercing dark skin and leaving bloodied corpses in their wake.
Gaze fought just as hard as his companions, fire coursing through his veins as he raced to help a spearman fighting two Sipers. Coming from behind, he plunged his weapon into the back of one of the hounds. The other dog flashed across the ground and leaped. In a heartbeat the soldier fell backwards, throwing his spear up to catch the animal in its belly and using the momentum to toss it behind him.
Before Gaze could react, another tall fiend appeared, tearing into the now weaponless man. Sprinting to his side, Gaze tried to strike the fiend down, but it angled its body and tore his sword from his grasp, gouging deep cuts in his arm as he clawed the handle free. Bellowing in rage, the fiend lunged towards him but halted midair as the mortally wounded man grabbed its heel.
Gaze drew his dagger and plunged it into the fiends chest. Screaming, the creature clutched at the weapon and fell to the ground. Gaze dodged forward and snatched up his weapon, grabbing a dented shield as well. Sparing a quick look at the soldier, he received a reassuring nod before rejoining the battle.
Bodies of fiends, horses, and humans were strewn everywhere, with some wounded, but most dead. In the thinning crowd he spotted the king immediately. Still astride his stallion, he swung his longsword valiantly at the dwindling fiends, the guards at his side doing the same. Satisfied that he would survive, he looked for the prince—but didn’t see him.
Panic gripped him, and he raced through the thinning battle. He found Anders just as a demon hound knocked him sprawling. Gaze sprinted across the battlefield and with a roar drove his shoulder into the animal, leading with the point of his weapon.
At the last second the dog shifted and the weapon, intended for his side, imbedded into his hind leg. Yelping, it turned towards Gaze, yanking his weapon out of his hand with its teeth. As it lunged, the wounded leg gave out, causing it to stumble and knock Gaze down. Before he could recover, the Siper limped forward to stand above him—its maw bared a foot above his throat.
Gaze yanked his shield up and caught the open mouth before it could rip into his throat, but the weight alone threatened to crush him. Wood cracked and shattered as the animal chewed through the shield, sending sharp splinters lancing into Gaze's cheek. With nowhere to go and only moments before the shield crumbled, Gaze almost considered striking them both with lightning, but the suicidal thought proved to be unnecessary.
A rope appeared, and wrapped around the animals neck. Just as the shield gave way, the rope went taught as it jerked the animal away. Gaze gasped for breath and watched as the horseman dragged the still snarling dog for several paces before Anders walked forward and plunged his broadsword into the animal's side, ending its life in a quivering whimper.
Gaze looked around him and saw that there were no more black creatures left alive, so he dropped his head back to the ground and tried to catch his breath. For the first time, the pain from his cheek and bleeding arm registered and he winced. Looking down, he saw his arm had four long cuts that ran from his elbow to his hand.
Anders appeared and kneeled down to examine his wounds. “Your cheek looks fine,” he said, “but we’d better get your arm bandaged. Lucky for you it didn’t hit something worse.”
Gaze shook his head. “There are men with worse injuries, and you should check on your father.”
The prince glanced around him and said, “My father is fine, and there are already quite a few helping the wounded.”
Gaze cringed as he felt the cloth tighten on his arm. “Thanks for the spear earlier. I knew I’d be grateful for your spear skills someday.”
Anders snorted. “You owe me five silver for that one.” Then his voice softened. “And thanks for coming to find me.”
The sudden sound of tearing cloth caused Gaze to look down and see the prince ripping the sleeve off his tunic. Before he could protest Anders lifted his arm and began wrapping another layer. Growling, Gaze clamped his teeth against the pain and tried not to cry out. A moment later the pressure eased the pain and he sat up.
Looking around at the carnage he asked, “How many did we lose?”
Anders shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I would say . . . almost half.”
“They killed half?!” Gaze asked. “There couldn’t have been more than a couple hundred of them!”
“I know,” Anders exclaimed, worry stealing into his voice.
Gaze tried to fight against the hopelessness that threatened to overwhelm him. Two hundred and fifty experienced cavalry had been taken down by two hundred fiends—when they were outnumbered—and there were millions more. How can we possibly win? He thought, but a splash of red distracted him.
“Anders, you’re injured!” Gaze said and was instantly on his feet.
The prince winced as he lifted up the armor on his thigh to reveal a bite mark that had penetrated both the chain link and the leather. Fortunately it wasn’t too deep, and Gaze cleansed it with water from his sack. To his credit, the prince didn’t make a sound until Gaze poured some alcohol into the wound.
“Ow! What was that for?” the prince demanded.
“I don’t want it to get infected, and the drink will help with that,” Gaze said, and tore off a strip of his own clothing to tie a bandage. “I don’t think you want to risk any infection that might come from these things.”
Anders winced again as Gaze tightened the strip, then said heartily, “I can’t dispute that. Now let’s go take care of the wounded.”
Gaze agreed, coughing through the smoke that had begun to drift in their direction. “I’ll go find some cloth and more water and ale.”
Anders nodded his head, but before he could leave the king called out, “I need two volunteers for a dangerous mission, preferably fast riders.”
“What’s your father doing?” Gaze asked, but Anders just shrugged.
After a moment’s hesitation, several men stepped forward in answer to his call and the king selected two. “I want you to go south. Circle around the fire and get over the hills to Orláknia. Get it burning at all costs. There is no way anyone could reach the forest on the northern end, so it will be up to you.”
“But that’s a suicide mission,” Gaze gasped, keeping his voice low so just the prince would hear. “Orláknia is miles east of here—and deep in enemy territory now. They will cut them down long before they can accomplish their mission.”
Anders spoke with no emotion in his voice, “But it would delay them for days. The dark forest is immense, much larger than that strip of trees you just lit.”
Gaze shook his head but he couldn’t argue with the prince’s logic. It also explained why the king had asked for volunteers instead of issuing orders. Each of the men that had stepped forward knew what they were riding into, and they were doing it anyway, to give their brethren a small chance to survive. He shuddered at the supreme courage being displayed by these two men, and wondered if their sacrifice would ultimately make a difference. As he watched the two men ride away from the battlefield, he prayed fervently that it would.
All their lives might depend on it.
Chapter 14: Rising Walls
Over two weeks had passed since Braon had appointed Newhawk, and all the men and women that had arrived were already placed into strategic commands. The druid leader had been a godsend, and under his charismatic leadership a firm organizational structure had been implemented. Even as the last of the Griffin refugees were placed and humans from the southern kingdom of Talinor began to arrive, Newhawk incorporated them into their defensive plan according to Braon’s instructions. Few of the arrivals knew of the young man’s role, but every person benefited from his guidance, and the six battalions along the cliff and Lake Road were beginning to take shape. The framework had been laid, and not a day before another race arrived.
Braon watched from the battlements as the massive dwarven caravan wound its way towards the city. More than ten thousand had already appeared and he’d been informed that more than a hundred thousand dwarves would be there within the week. Heavy footfalls behind him caused him to turn and find a dwarf walking towards him with Newhawk at his side. About Braon's height, the dwarf carried a wide battle axe and wore high quality armor. A long black beard fell from the dwarf’s chin and had been braided and tied.
Mentally Braon smiled, satisfied with what he saw. The dwarf was ordered, and would be of high rank. His firm expression as he approached showed he was determined. A good leader, Braon thought, maybe even one of my generals.
Stopping in front of the young man, the dwarf evaluated him before grunting. “Braon, I’ve been told that you are our commander.” His voice scratched in a deep gravelly way as he reached out to clasp Braon’s hand.
Resisting the impulse to wince at the stone grip, Braon smiled. “Welcome to the gathering. I have been told that most of your nation is coming.”
The dwarf nodded. “All except the commander of the northern defenses and fifteen hundred from his battalion. They will remain to direct any more allies towards us and shut the gates if anything else comes that way.”
Braon accepted the report with a curt nod. “What is your name and rank?”
“Onix,” the dwarf answered, “High Captain of the southern defenses and first stratum of the engineering guild.”
Braon’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I was under the impression that soldiers didn’t gain ranks in the Stratas.”
Onix’s lips cracked into a grin under his beard and he snorted. “You are well informed for a human, and correct. Soldiers don’t learn engineering, but engineers are allowed to transfer to the army if their clan grants special consideration.”
Braon’s mind whirled at all the implications of Onix’s statement. Only a great warrior would be allowed to shift occupations, and the fact that the dwarf in front of him had become a first stratum revealed even more. Smart, ordered, and a good warrior would be a deadly mixture as a general.
“Onix,” Braon began, “where is the king?”
“I believe he has not departed our homeland. It was his desire to make sure the evacuation ran smoothly, and sent me ahead to prepare for our people’s arrival.”
Braon nodded and with a sweep of his hand invited Onix to walk down the stairs with him. “There are a few things I would like to talk to you about. Will you walk with me to our command center? Newhawk will see to your people’s arrival.”
Onix hesitated, but fell into step beside Braon, who began as soon as they reached the Ninth Tier. “There are several things that we desperately need for our defenses that I hope your dwarves can help with.”
“What do you need?” Onix asked in his rough voice.
“Allow me to show you,” Braon said and led the dwarf into the House of Runya. He guided him through the now familiar corridors and into his command center. While it still felt like a tree house resting at the top of the great tree, complete with a brilliant sky in the ceiling, there were now people and desks all over the room.
“Many of them are Magi making a map so we can see the battle from here,” Braon explained and led Onix into his office. Instead of sitting, he walked over to a small stone desk that he’d had placed on the side of the room. He’d created a model of various bulwarks and battle formations representing the Giant’s Shelf. Along its edge, he had one of the water mages create some specific defensive structures with a magical ice that didn’t melt.
Turning around he asked, “Do you mind if I get right to the point?”
After Onix agreed he pointed at the model. “According to the Oracle, we have less than four weeks before Draeken’s army arrives. For us to be prepared in time, there are several things that need to be built, and I believe the dwarves will be able to accomplish it better than any other race.”
Without waiting for a response he continued, pointing at the various models on the desk. “The primary concern is the walls. We need to finish the defensive barricades along the cliff. If possible, we need to construct several walls and gates on the Lake Road.”
Onix frowned and swept a hand at the models. "Do you intend to defend the entire plateau?"
"Ye
s. We must draw as much as we can away from our vulnerable points." Pointing at each in turn he said, "The deep, the city, and the Lake Road."
Onix snorted. “Our people built this city boy, and it is not vulnerable.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Braon said, hoping he hadn't offended the dwarf. “If the city is breached, our entire defenses will be lost. It is the center of our command, and is by far the strongest and most defensible location. However, the Oracle told us that the best we could hope to survive is seven days.”
Onix’s head snapped back and he blinked in confusion. “How could anyone defeat Azertorn?” he asked. “It is the strongest citadel ever constructed.”
“And that is the only reason why we will last so long. It is vital that we prepare every possible defense against the fiend army.”
Onix dipped his head and sighed, a sound that rumbled in his chest. “As you say, but so far the things you have told me aren’t too difficult. Even a human could construct the walls.”
“Not the way I want you to build them.”
For the first time Onix’s eyes sparked with interest and he cocked his head. “The Oracle was right about you, wasn’t she?” he said.
“That depends on what she said.”
Onix bellowed a deep rumbling laugh and said, “Fine, now tell me the rest so I can get to work.”
Grateful for the dwarf’s support, Braon pointed to one of the walls along the cliff. “I need the cliff barricade to be built in a very specific way. Every hundred feet there need to be two ballistae next to each other that point down the cliff. They need to be secured in a way that the enemy cannot easily break them off. In between the ballistae posts I want a long pendulum constructed. It needs to have a chain about eighty feet in length, and fashioned of sharp metal. The end can be whatever you deem best, but it needs to be heavy.”
Onix’s stone face cracked again into a wide grin. “You plan on using the pendulum to knock them off if they are climbing.” He laughed again and with a trace of anticipation exclaimed, "You know that type of siege machinery has never been built before—but I know some dwarves that could create it. Anything else?”
