How many would die tomorrow, he thought, clutching the quiet sword at his side. The sleeping darkness was waiting patiently for the blood it knew would come.
Kian thought that maybe this time K’xarr had bitten off more than he could chew. He didn’t see how their defenses would ever hold the enemy back. K’xarr was no fool, he knew as well as anyone that neither the barricades nor the wall would hold. Kian didn’t know much about tactics, but he did know K’xarr. The Camiran had a plan and it didn’t involve holding the district, at least not for long.
Dwelling on the workings of K’xarr’s mind was a futile effort. When morning came, he would fight alongside his friends, and what the mercenary captain had planned would not alter that. He heard Endra before she came up the steps to the battlements. She slowly moved down the wooden walkway and joined him on the wall. “I went to check on you at the hospital, but Rhys said you had gone,” he said.
She shook back her thick raven locks, dark eyes looking out beyond the wall.
“I am fine. It was nothing.”
Kian didn’t question her, it would do no good. If Endra wanted him to know what ailed her, she would tell him.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she looked down at her feet. “It looks like we will fight tomorrow. At least, that’s what everyone is saying.”
“I would say that is true,” he answered.
“I know that all that has passed between us is far from settled, but I would like to fight at your side tomorrow,” she said, giving his leg a soft kick.
He felt a great pressure lift from his heart. “It is your place. It will always be your place.”
“I am sorry for everything that has happened, and I am sorry I blamed you for Vadin. It wasn’t you fault,” she said quietly
The words were what he had wanted to hear, Kian just wasn’t sure if they were true.
“I will never endanger them again, Endra. I was a fool to think I could protect them from the things I must face.”
She sighed heavily. “What happened to us, Kian? No matter what you might think, my heart belongs to you and I have no doubt you love me. What still keeps us apart? Here we stand on this damn wall when we should be somewhere sharing a bed together.”
He felt his face warm. “I love you beyond all else, but there are secrets between us. We have always shared everything, but now it is the truth that has come between us. Till we are honest with ourselves and each other, there will be a wall of distrust separating us.”
She moved closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. “Then can we pretend that there is no wall, just for tonight?”
Kian slid his arm around her strong body and pulled her close. “Tonight we will leave the truth hidden and let the darkness in us sleep.”
“And if we die tomorrow?” she whispered.
“Then it will be together and the truth doesn’t matter to the dead.”
***
The first barrage hit the wall at sunrise. The day was cool and overcast, but the flaming spheres lit up the dismal dawn like small suns as they pounded against the wall. K’xarr and the Sons crouched down behind the short merlons of the Masarian wall. They held the center with the Wardogs to the west and east of their position. The fireballs didn’t have the force of a siege engine or a catapult, but given time, they would hammer the wall down.
After several minutes of attacking the wall, the pope’s sorcerer’s adjusted the bombardment. Now the spheres streaked over their heads, arching high into the air only to crash into the district itself, splattering flames in every direction. Several buildings quickly caught fire and men screamed as the magical fire engulfed them. K’xarr could see smoke from the barricades on the three streets that led into the harbor. The monks were blasting away at their improvised defenses. He had thought the barriers would hold for at least a day, but now he wasn’t sure if they would last an hour.
He needed to signal Rufio now, there would be no tomorrow. “Kian, can you get to the watch tower down at the docks and light the fire on top?”
The swordsman nodded, looking at the mercenary captain quizzically.
“I will explain later, just go.”
Kian jumped down from the wall and ran towards the harbor, sprinting through the buildings like a deer. He hoped Rufio was watching. He told the Dragitan it would be tomorrow before he signaled.
“Cromwell, we need to spread the word that once the Quintarans get inside, everyone should head to the docks.”
“I will do my best, Captain, but those damn wizards are making it hard to even raise our heads.”
“Just see it done. The men can pass the word down the wall once you start it. Send Beck to the barricades to let Achillus know.”
Cromwell ducked and closed his eyes as another sphere hit the wall below them. “You better be quick, I don’t think those wood piles on the streets will last long against their magic.”
Endra came down the walkway. The sheildmaiden had donned her armor and carried her bastard sword over her shoulder. She seemed heedless of the magic tearing at the wall. Crouching down beside K’xarr, she looked at him through the spectacle helm she wore. Her black hair spilled out from beneath it, giving her a ferocious look. “Where is Kian?”
“I sent him to the docks. He will be back soon. Just stay here, we could use the help.”
The Quintaran archers let loose a volley of arrows. The shafts arched over the wall and struck men in their heads and shoulders. Five more volleys came over before their infantry charged the wall, carrying hundreds of ladders taken from the city.
K’xarr signaled his own archers to fire. Three volleys ripped into the Quintarans before the ladders slammed into the wall. Cromwell and Endra stood to either side of him, their huge swords at the ready. The enemy didn’t look to be holding many men back. K’xarr could see they planned to overwhelm the city’s defenders with their superior numbers.
Drawing Crimson Wave, he realized he had completely underestimated the power of the Church’s sorcerers. He had been smug and arrogant thinking he had outsmarted the Church’s leaders. When in reality, he had only outsmarted himself. He should have told everyone what he intended from the start. At least they would have had a chance. Now he would be lucky if anyone survived the day.
By the time Kian returned to the wall, the pope’s sorcerers had begun to concentrate their fire against a spot on the wall seventy yards to the east of their position. Deafening blasts of force shook the wall, as well as the persistent thumping of the flaming spheres. Defenders in the area of the monk’s bombardment were thrown from the battlements, knocked down by the repetitive waves of the magical assault.
Using their power in unison, the monks meant to bring a section of wall down. K’xarr grabbed Kian by the shoulder. “Did you get it done?”
“Aye, the flame is lit but there are many fires throughout the district now and the smoke is getting heavy.”
“I know. If any more fires break out, I don’t know how long we will be able to stay in here. The heat is already terrible,” K’xarr said, gazing back towards the blocked streets.
“I take it that you are signaling the warships sitting out beyond the harbor?” Kian asked, blinking his golden eyes.
K’xarr looked at him guiltily. “Yes, Rufio is out there.”
Kian said nothing as he took position next to Endra on the wall.
“Did I hear you say Rufio was with the ships?” Cromwell asked, his lips pressed tight.
“Yes, damn it, that's what I said.”
The light of understanding dawned in the Toran’s eyes. “May the gods forgive you.”
“I don’t need their fucking forgiveness or anyone else’s,” K’xarr spat.
Cromwell shook his head angrily as he cut the head from a man at the top of the wall.
There wasn’t anything he could do now but wait. The witches wouldn’t attack until they saw the ships come in. The only trouble was that neither Rufio nor his mother planned to join the battle today, and there was no w
ay they could hold until morning. If Rufio didn’t see the signal fire, K’xarr knew he would die by nightfall.
***
“The attack is going splendidly, we will have them beaten by dusk. I don’t even think I will need to send in the reserves,” Cullen said arrogantly.
“I hope you're right, my prince.” Clovis was optimistic, but he wasn’t fool enough to think the battle would be over that quickly. Their soldiers had yet to get into the harbor in force or gain the wall. He would feel much better when they could bring their greater numbers to bear. He was also very aware that Cullen had yet to strike a blow.
The prince had sat on his large warhorse beside the grand inquisitor since the battle had commenced. “Will you lead the men inside when the wall comes down?” Clovis asked mockingly.
“Yes, that’s what I am waiting for, Eminence. Unless the troops don’t need me, then I plan to let them have the honor of the day.”
He glanced at the prince, but the noble wouldn’t look in his direction. Clovis shook his head.
The fires beyond the wall looked dreadful and the Quintarans on the ladders were being cut down by the stout Masarian defenders. If gambling wasn’t a sin, he would have bet all that he had that Cullen had no intention of going anywhere near the wall if he didn’t have to. The grand inquisitor was just glad this battle would soon turn into a rout and the prince’s battle prowess would not need to be tested.
***
Ashlyn’s eyes slowly opened. She had been gagged with a dirty rag that smelled of fish, and was bound hand and foot.
Upton was quietly talking to himself and peeking out a crack in the door. He had taken off his leather armor and had a large knife in his hand. The air was hot inside the shack and she could smell smoke. Men outside were screaming and she could hear the clash of steel. The battle had begun.
Wiggling her hands and feet, she tried to free herself from the ropes. Upton quickly turned at her sound. His light hair fell loose on his bare shoulders and his handsome face was twisted in a spiteful sneer. “Well, the little princess is awake.” The mercenary spoke in a female voice and moved in a strange, womanly fashion. He squatted down and casually pointed the knife at her. “I bet you thought that I was just a figment of my brother’s mind, but as you can see, he is the figment. Oh, of course, Upton didn’t tell you about me, did he? Or any of the things I did for him.”
Ashlyn shook her head. The man was mad.
“Well, I guess growing up in the slave brothels of Pantorini was something he wanted to forget. Upton never could come to terms with what we had to endure. Tell me, Ashlyn, can you imagine being used by men and women, often at the same time?” Upton grabbed at his groin and jumped up. “This…this monstrosity was the cause of it all. I wanted to cut out the deformity but my cowardly brother was too afraid.” The mercenary stomped his feet and pulled at his hair. “By the gods, we were just children. They had no right to do those things to us.”
Ashlyn watched as the pathetic man began to cry. “It was me that freed us from that hell. Upton was always so weak. If it had been up to him, we would still be in that stinking whore house being raped by those depraved dogs. I had to kill them. It was me that made a life for us…me. I let Upton do as he pleased, even encouraged him, but when I found someone, my brother took him away from me, just to save your wretched life.”
He flipped his wrist back and forth, waving the knife like a silk handkerchief. “Now I’m going to take away the thing he loves, but first, I’m going to do things to you that you couldn’t begin to imagine in your worst nightmares.”
Ashlyn tried to scream as the insane man came towards her. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth as he pushed her down and straddled her small body. Smoke rolled in and the fires outside became much louder as the door to the shed crashed open. “Upton, what in the hell are you doing?” Beck’s voice rang out.
Upton put his knife to her throat. “Get out, you bastard, or I swear I will slice her wide open.”
“I don’t care what you do, you crazy shit. You left your post and if you cut that woman’s throat, you’ll pay for that too.”
Upton looked down at her, his spittle dripping on to her chin. “I guess you’re not very popular.”
Ashlyn set her feet on the shack's floor and bucked with her strong legs. The slight mercenary flew off her, the force of the unexpected move catching him unaware. Upton screamed and came to his feet. She rolled across the floor, hitting the wall of the shed and trying to get as far away from the madman as she could.
Beck grabbed the lunatic and the two mercenaries began to struggle. Beck drew a large knife from his belt and the two feinted left and right, both with a crazed look in their eye.
Upton swept up with his blade and sheared Beck's ear off. Blood ran down the bigger man’s neck as he hammered his fist into Upton’s face and quickly brought his knee up into insane man’s groin. Lucan’s killer doubled over and Beck kicked him in the head, knocking him onto his back. Upton struggled to rise, but the mercenary kicked him in the face before he could get to his feet. Upton’s eyes closed and he lay still.
The mercenary reached up and touched the bloody hole on the side of his head. His ear dangled there from a thin piece of skin. “Son of a bitch,” Beck said, ripping the ruined ear from his head and flipping it casually to the floor. He tossed his knife over to where she lay. “There, cut yourself loose. There’s going to be hell out here soon, so you better find a place to hide, unless you want to help us?”
Ashlyn hurriedly cut the ropes loose and tore the nasty rag from her mouth. “What about him?” she said, pointing to Upton with a shaky hand.
The mercenary shrugged. “What about him? He killed another brother and he will answer for it, but his punishment is the captain’s decision.” Beck looked at her a moment, his lips pressed crookedly together. “Damn it,” he said, taking a bit of rope from the fishing shack’s wall. When he finished tying Upton’s hands and feet, he kicked him in the face once more. “There, if that makes you happy, he won’t get away. I have to get back.”
Ashlyn shook her head, wide-eyed. “You can’t just leave me with him.”
“Yes, I can. I don’t have time to deal with this now. If you want revenge for that bastard killing Lucan, slit his throat. None of us will hold it against you.” Beck picked up the smelly rag from the floor and tied it around his head to keep his earhole from bleeding. “Think it over and decide quickly, or before long, the Quintarans will make the decision for you.” The mercenary jogged away without another word.
***
Three hours into the battle, the first of the three barricades fell. Achillus and his Wardogs plugged the street, holding the Quintarans back with sword and spear. Not long after, a section of wall crashed down. The gap wasn’t more than five men wide, but it would still let the enemy in.
K’xarr looked towards the harbor. It was hard to see if the ships were coming or not, the smoke was too heavy. He guessed a quarter of the district’s buildings were ablaze, and now their defenses had ruptured.
He had sent Kian to hold the breach, and Endra had followed the swordsman along with a company of Wardogs. Cromwell and the Sons still stood the wall with him. They cut the Quintarans down as fast as they came up the ladders, but the monks made them pay for it with their damnable magic.
Cromwell fought like a great bear, hurling men from the wall like they were children. Scowling and bare-chested, the big Toran’s two-handed sword wreaked havoc among the Quintarans. Gods, what he could do with a hundred men like the Toran Bull.
K’xarr heard one of the barricades explode. He could just make out the Masarian soldiers as they careened through the air like pinwheels. The monks were using their magic to destroy the obstacles that held their troops back. It wouldn’t be long now.
***
The breach wasn’t wide, but it was choked with enemy soldiers trying to get through the debris of the ruined wall. Those in the rear pushed their fellow soldiers forward in an attempt
to get clear of the fissure. When they broke free of the gap, Silence was there to meet them. The ebony blade cut man after man down with gruesome efficiency. The chainmail Syann had given him turned aside several spear thrusts, but he could still feel the trickle of blood inside the mail shirt from several shallow punctures.
There were simply too many men coming at him to stop every thrust and slash. Even he wasn’t that quick. Endra fought beside him, her bastard sword chopping at the enemy with deadly precision. Kian knew she had been wounded, but he didn’t know how badly. Her armor was covered with too much of the enemy’s blood.
The Wardogs with him were dogged and relentless, and for the time being, they held the breach. A strange satisfaction came over him. He felt the sword coil around his mind as it slaughtered the men before him. A roar ripped from his throat and he pressed his attack. Another section of wall fell and the breach’s gap widened. Broken stones tumbled down, crushing men from both sides.
Kian ripped the cloak from his back and jumped into the gap, heedless of the enemy. His sword flashed left and right, weaving a lethal path through the Quintaran infantry. The monster was free and it wanted blood.
***
“Cromwell, we are going to abandon the walls. Head for the docks. Pass the word as best you can.” He would have to hope for the best. Achillus had lost the streets and the Quintarans were inside the perimeter. If he didn’t pull back, the men on the wall would be cut off from the dock.
Arrows and spears fell unseen from the smoke-filled sky and bodies flew high into the air as the monks brought their magic to bear at close range. The Quintarans were pouring in and the Wardogs met them head on. The entire district would become nothing but a disordered mess in a very short time. “Cromwell, let's go. There is nothing more we can do here,” he shouted at the Toran.
Song Of Fury (Gods Of Blood And Fire Book 2) Page 43
