Army of the Dead

by Richard S. Tuttle

HawkShadow closed his eyes and tried to calm his body. Within moments his limbs ceased shaking, and he sighed with a small measure of relief. He forced himself to sit up and felt light-headed. Opening his eyes slowly, he saw dark shadows racing through the night. He shook his head and stood up. He looked over the tent in search of StarWind, but he could not see her. A mage ran behind the tent and stared questioningly at HawkShadow.

  “Nothing here,” HawkShadow said groggily. “Do you know what area the alarm came from?”

  “No,” replied the mage as he turned and ran.

  HawkShadow turned and went in the opposite direction from the mage. He joined the growing crowd searching for the intruders, while his eyes scanned the crowd for the Sakovan spymaster.

  “We may not get out of this,” StarWind whispered as she came up behind HawkShadow.

  “Stealth certainly isn’t an option,” nodded HawkShadow as he watched hundreds of black-cloaked mages milling around.

  “Quiet!” a bald-headed mage shouted to the compound as the alarm horns ceased blaring. “Everyone shut up and listen.”

  It took several minutes for the mage campsite to quiet down, but it eventually fell silent.

  “I want everyone to go and stand in front of your own tent,” ordered the bald-headed mage. “Make sure that everyone standing with you belongs in your tent. If there is someone that you do not recognize, shout for assistance.”

  The mages started quietly moving towards their tents. HawkShadow and StarWind were the only ones standing still. StarWind quickly grabbed HawkShadow’s hand and led him along the fence as if they were heading for a tent.

  “We are dead,” StarWind proclaimed. “There is not tent for us to stand in front of.”

  “And soon we will be the only people not in front of a tent,” nodded HawkShadow. “What do you want to do?”

  * * *

  The blaring horns caught SkyDancer’s attention. She immediately turned her choka and raced through the forest towards the noise. As she reached the top of a small rise, she saw the mages’ well-lit campsite. She slowed her choka and rode along the crest of the rise as her eyes scanned the fenced-in area. A black cloth fence ran for hundreds of paces to each side of a gate, and the area beyond the fence was dotted with black tents. Hundreds of black-cloaked mages milled about, apparently in search of intruders.

  SkyDancer’s eyes were drawn to one of the mages who was not moving. She stared in disbelief as she recognized StarWind. Her eyes continued moving as SkyDancer searched for HawkShadow, but she could not find him. When she looked back for StarWind, the spymaster was gone. SkyDancer immediately wove an air tunnel and directed it to where she knew Goral was waiting.

  “StarWind is alive,” SkyDancer said softly. “I just saw her. She is in the mage compound and not under guard. I think she is trying to escape, but the whole compound is awake and alert.”

  “Don’t do anything foolish,” warned Goral. “I am on my way.”

  “I will wait for you,” promised SkyDancer, “but I cannot see HawkShadow. I suspect it was he who triggered the alarm by trying to get out. I think they have gotten themselves into a losing position this time.”

  Goral did not answer as he was already mounting Bertha and racing towards SkyDancer’s position. SkyDancer dropped the air tunnel and gazed down at the encampment. She noted that the two sentries outside the gate were looking into the compound and not away from it. Their attention was drawn by the alarm and the ruckus inside the fence.

  Suddenly she heard one of the mages shout loudly. The man’s voice carried through the night air, and SkyDancer heard his instructions to the mages. She watched as the mages moved towards their tents. That was when she noticed StarWind and HawkShadow standing together. For a brief moment, they were the only two black-cloaked figures standing still. Even though the two Sakovans eventually started walking, SkyDancer knew that in mere moments they would be discovered as imposters.

  Without a second thought for the consequences, SkyDancer grabbed two stars from her pouch and urged her choka into a gallop. She raced down the hill and headed for the gate in the black fence. The soldiers never heard the approach of the racing warbird. SkyDancer threw her Sakovan stars, one at a time, each of them striking one of the soldiers in the head. As she passed the falling soldiers, SkyDancer directed the choka away from the gate and towards the fence where she had last seen HawkShadow and StarWind.

  SkyDancer aimed the choka squarely at the fence, knowing that the choka would raise its sharp claws to shred whatever was in front of it. As the impact became imminent, SkyDancer drew her sword. The choka’s claws ripped into the black fabric of the fence, shredding the material easily. The sudden jolt of energy that was magically woven into the fabric surged through the choka’s body, but it did not repel the beast. The choka’s speed carried the bird and SkyDancer into the mage compound.

  The choka was tossed into the air as the magical energy seared the bird’s nerves. SkyDancer felt the warbird slipping from beneath her as she started falling to the ground. The Sakovan hit the ground hard, her sword flying from her hands. She immediately reached for more Sakovan stars as she looked around for targets. That was when the first fireball slammed into her body. She was vaguely aware of the wounded choka, not far from her, lashing out with its sharp claws. She heard the screams of the mages who had been unfortunate enough to be in its vicinity.

  SkyDancer hurled stars at the closest magicians and then another fireball slammed into her. Her body screamed in pain as her flesh burned painfully. Her last thoughts were to aid the escape of her fellow Sakovans. Acting as if she were holding an air tunnel, SkyDancer spoke loudly.

  “Diversion complete,” she croaked. “Attack from the north.”

  SkyDancer’s world grew dark as two more fireballs slammed into her already failing body.

  * * *

  StarWind and HawkShadow had just reached the end of the fence and had turned towards the center of the compound. They heard the shouts and spun around. HawkShadow’s jaw dropped as he saw the choka thrown into the air. He recognized SkyDancer as she fell to the ground. The assassin dropped StarWind’s hand and raced towards the conflict, his hands scrambling for Sakovan stars. StarWind was right behind him, also reaching for her weapons.

  The two Sakovans were half way to SkyDancer when the first fireball slammed into her. Other fireballs soared into her as they ran and before they could get close enough to come to her assistance, SkyDancer’s body was in flames. They heard her dying words and saw the baldheaded mage take charge of the situation once again. They slowed to a walk.

  “You,” the head mage bellowed as he pointed at another mage, “run and inform the premer of a possible northern attack.”

  The baldheaded man stood and surveyed those around him. Several mages had been attacked by the warbird and were screaming loudly as they writhed in pain. Two more had been hit by Sakovan stars. One of them needed no medical assistance as he was dead, but the other was losing blood rapidly.

  “I need some mages versed in the healing arts,” shouted the head mage, “and I need them quickly. I also want several dozen mages near the northern perimeter. You organize the party,” he added as he pointed at another mage.

  The mages scurried to follow orders while the head mage watched everyone. HawkShadow glanced at the gaping hole in the fence and nudged StarWind. The spymaster nodded as her eyes scanned the area to see who might notice them escaping, but HawkShadow grabbed her hand and squeezed. He then let go of her hand and marched up to the head mage.

  “Why didn’t the sentries outside warn us of this attack,” scowled HawkShadow. “They are either traitors or dead. I am going to find out which.”

  The baldheaded man turned and stared with narrow eyes at HawkShadow. Slowly he nodded his approval.

  “Do not stray from the immediate area of the fence,” commanded the head mage. “There may be more of them out there. And take someone with you.”

  HawkShadow nodded and turned to StarWind. “Y
ou,” he said with authority as he pulled his hood up to cover his head, “come with me.”

  StarWind nodded dutifully and followed HawkShadow through the gap in the fence as she covered her own head. They turned towards the gate where the sentries were supposed to be. As soon as they saw the bodies of the sentries, they turned and ran up the hill towards the safety of the dark Sakova. Within moments they were on top of the rise looking down at the encampment. HawkShadow immediately fell to his knees and bowed his head in prayer.

  “She was a brave woman,” StarWind said softly when HawkShadow was done praying. “I know that you will miss her greatly. My heart cries for you. I know the feeling of losing a loved one.”

  “Yes,” HawkShadow nodded sadly, “but you were not the cause of LoneBadger’s death.”

  “And you were not the cause of SkyDancer’s death,” retorted StarWind with confusion. “Do not blame yourself this way.”

  “I am the cause of her death,” asserted HawkShadow. “I killed her.”

  “Nonsense,” balked StarWind. “She was a trained infiltrator. She saw a chance to rescue us and took it. She could not have known what effect the fence would have on her choka. We should be glad that she happened to be in the vicinity. Her love for you may have driven her harder than normal, but that is not the same as saying that you killed her.”

  “You do not understand,” explained HawkShadow. “I took away her reason for living. She came here tonight to rescue me, knowing that she would die.”

  “You are right,” StarWind said with a puzzled look, “I do not understand. What do you mean that you took away her reason for living? You both loved each other. I can easily understand her sacrifice under those circumstances, but your words confuse me.”

  “I did not love SkyDancer,” declared HawkShadow. “She loved me. Last night she found out that truth. I should never have let her discover that. For a long time I have kept that truth well hidden. I knew that she could not handle my real feelings.”

  “You love another?” frowned StarWind.

  “I love you,” HawkShadow smiled thinly. “I have always loved you, but I have kept it hidden. I know what LoneBadger’s death did to you. I could not make you go through that again. As long as I roamed the Sakovan frontier, my life was forfeit on little notice.”

  “And when SkyDancer expressed her love for you,” StarWind said with teary eyes, “you had one more reason to keep it hidden? Why did you reveal it?”

  “I had to,” admitted HawkShadow. “She could not understand why I had to free you from the Motangans. She thought I was going to throw my life away in the attempt to help you escape. Don’t you see? She did exactly what she thought I was trying to do. I killed her.”

  “You did not kill her,” Goral stated as he led Bertha and another choka into the clearing. “She might have acted that way early last night, but we talked about it the whole night. In the end, SkyDancer wished you and StarWind great happiness together. If she had not come around to rational thinking, I would not have let her out of my sight.”

  “Perhaps she fooled you,” scowled HawkShadow.

  “Hardly,” smiled Goral. “She sent an air tunnel to me when she spotted StarWind in the mage camp. She was going to wait for me before taking action. I can only assume that something made her act before I got here.”

  “She probably heard the orders for the mages to stand in front of their tents,” interjected StarWind. “That would have driven me to action. Besides, HawkShadow, SkyDancer had no idea that the cloth fence was magically enhanced. I am sure that she merely expected to tear a gaping hole in the fence and then retreat. The choka was fast enough to whisk her away to safety if surprise was on her side, and it was. It took a while for the mages to react and they were already alert. I think her plan was clearly justified. It was not a suicide rush.”

  “Is that what got her?” asked Goral. “What does the fence do?”

  “It produces a searing jolt if you touch it,” answered HawkShadow. “One little touch threw me to the ground. It threw SkyDancer and the choka into the air. She never had a chance.”

  “I think the truth is there for you to see, HawkShadow,” stated Goral. “Please do not remember SkyDancer as an irrational woman on a suicide mission. While she loved you dearly, she did eventually accept your love of another with the grace of a true Sakovan. Remember her as a fine warrior who gave her life for her brothers and sisters.”

  Goral handed the reins of one of the chokas to StarWind and then mounted Bertha. Without a further word, he turned and rode out of the clearing.

  “His words are wise,” smiled StarWind. “It is how I wish to remember SkyDancer. She was indeed a Sakovan hero.”

  “I will remember her as a hero as well,” frowned HawkShadow, “but I seem to have messed everything up.”

  “How?” asked StarWind.

  “First I burdened SkyDancer with my feelings,” answered HawkShadow, “and now I have done the same to you. I hope we can still be friends after this.”

  StarWind grinned and wrapped her arms around HawkShadow. She kissed him affectionately and nibbled on his ear.

  “I have loved you for some time, HawkShadow,” cooed the spymaster. “I was afraid to get involved with you because of SkyDancer. I also did not understand your true feelings for me. Now I do. Let’s forget about the worry of causing each other grief. Neither one of us may live through this war, but I am not willing to put my life on hold because of it.”

  “And if I die tomorrow?’ frowned HawkShadow. “You will not feel deserted?”

  “Of course I will,” admitted StarWind, “but I will treasure our time together and not regret it. My memories of LoneBadger are not of his death. They are memories of wonderful days and wonderful feelings. I want to feel those wonderful feelings again, and I want to share them with you.”

  “You will marry me then?” HawkShadow asked hopefully.

  “As soon as you ask me properly,” grinned StarWind.

  * * *

  Premer Tzargo walked down the gangplank and halted in front of Premer Cardijja in the city of Meliban.

  “Greetings,” said Premer Cardijja. “Have you brought the Emperor to Fakara?”

  “I have,” replied Premer Cardijja. “What are the results of your investigation?”

  “The Jiadin have fled westward,” reported Cardijja. “It appears that they ran over the mountains to Khadora. Perhaps they had word of our coming?”

  “I don’t think so,” Tzargo shook his head. “Clarvoy indicated that they were looking to make peace with the free tribes. He spoke of them going to Angragar. What about the path between here and Vandegar? Is it secure?”

  “It is uninhabited,” replied Cardijja. “Even the small villages are empty. The fields have been burned and the animals have been taken. You will have no food available for your journey.”

  “That is what we have Duran for,” smiled Tzargo.

  “I heard that it was attacked?” frowned Cardijja.

  “It was a tactical error on our part,” shrugged Tzargo. “We only had a single corte protecting it. That will not happen again. We have thousands of troops there now, and they have built strong defenses. They could hold off the mightiest armada now. The enemy will never again threaten our supplies.”

  “Excellent,” smiled Cardijja. “My men will create a safe corridor between here and Vandegar for the Emperor’s passing.”

  “Not just for his passing,” Tzargo retorted. “The corridor will remain in place at all times. My armies must have access to the supplies, and I will not have the supply caravans attacked.”

  “That is a massive area to protect,” frowned Cardijja. “It will require a great many men and dilute the forces available to me to attack the Fakarans. I would prefer to send thousands of men with each caravan for protection. It would require much less troops.”

  Premer Tzargo hesitated before answering. “For now,” he said, “form the corridor. After the Emperor is safely in Vandegar, and I have had a chan
ce to see the countryside for myself, then we will discuss the future requirements for security.”

  “Fair enough,” nodded Cardijja. “I will send out the vanguard now.”

  “First you must clear the main street of this city,” instructed Tzargo. “I do not want any of your men in the Emperor’s way when he disembarks. I also want the city center clear of your troops. I will allow you to select the finest building in the city for the Emperor to rest in until morning.”

  Cardijja nodded as he thought about moving his officers out of the buildings they had been staying in. He turned and marched briskly towards the city center, shouting out orders as he went. Soldiers hurried to vacate their quarters from along the main street of the city. When he reached the administration building, Premer Cardijja ordered his staff to move his headquarters elsewhere. He also issued orders to his generals to start the process of creating a safe corridor to Vandegar far to the north. There were grumbles from the generals, but Cardijja’s icy glare immediately halted any thought of dissension.

  Satisfied that his orders would be obeyed, Premer Cardijja left the administration building and returned to the docks. Premer Tzargo nodded appreciatively as he gazed up the empty boulevard.

  “Your men are efficient,” greeted Tzargo. “The Emperor will be pleased.”

  “It is my goal to please the Emperor,” smiled Cardijja.

  “Then you will have seven wasooki delivered to him after he is settled in,” replied Tzargo. “There is hunger after such a long sea voyage.”

  “Seven?” questioned Cardijja. “You have many men, Premer Tzargo. Surely you must mean more than that?”

  “The seven wasooki are for the Emperor and his party,” explained Tzargo. “My men will help themselves to your supplies.”

  “His party?” asked Cardijja. “Perhaps the administration building will not be large enough for all of them. There is an inn directly across the street. May I suggest that some of the Emperor’s party utilize that building as well as the administration building?”

  “His party is not numerous,” Tzargo smiled knowingly, “but they have large appetites. I will allow you to stay with me and guide them to the administration building. You will learn realities that are only whispered of in Eldamar.”