by Joe Jackson
Kari let out a biting sob that was halfway between relief and unrestrained emotion, and she hugged Grakin and Little Gray tight. Kyrie wrapped them all in a hug of her own, even squeezing a little with her wings for extra emphasis. “And our coming child?” Kari asked when she was able to wriggle free.
“We will test the little one when they’re born,” Brother Thomas said. “But I suspect that if your son is fine, your next little one should be as well.”
“Thank you,” Kari said, and the priests bowed their heads and then excused themselves. Kari looked skyward, her thoughts on Zalkar and Sakkrass, and she closed her eyes, letting the tears run free. She said silently in her mind, “Gods, thank you all.”
Chapter XIV – The Last Demon War
The Barrier Mountains were visible for a couple of days before the Silver Blades even reached the foothills. The impressive range of rocky crags and snow-capped peaks separated the heartlands from the western coast, and had served as a defensive bastion through the Apocalypse. It seemed strange at first that the Tilcimer would flee to the mountains, but Aeligos began to suspect that it might be headed toward the holy city of Sarchelete. If that was the case, the Silver Blades had no time to lose.
The Tilcimer continued in its flight from them, staying far enough ahead that Sonja wasn’t able to get a glimpse of it with her eagle eye vision. The Silver Blades had come across a few groups of travelers or farmers that needed minor help, but no casualties. The demon threw a fireball here and there, and killed a horse, but it seemed too focused on its westward trek to take the time to kill any people. Even with their haste paramount, Erik had the group stop and take the time to lend aid where they could.
The eastern foothills of the Barrier Mountains were fairly barren this far south, but to the north, the group could see the edge of the Sandur Jungle. The southern tip of the sierra was rumored to be the home of giants and dragons, and was often a popular destination for all sorts of adventurers and explorers. No real proof had ever been discovered that any such giants actually existed, and though there was at least one dragon living in the Barrier Mountains, she was a solitary creature that lived much farther north. Erik had never seen her, but travelers and merchants that walked the mountain passes often traded stories about seeing a grand ivory dragon flying overhead.
Erik would be just as happy to never encounter another dragon in his life. Certainly not all of them were vicious, evil, or just plain feral, but that was a distinction he was happier to make in the pages of a book or over supper than on the battlefield. The green dragon he’d seen on Tsalbrin thanks to the knowledge of the brys, Makauric, was the biggest thing he’d ever laid eyes on in his life. Kari had mentioned killing dragons in her prior life a couple of times, and Erik found that even more impressive than her having defeated an erestram. Erestram were large, quite strong, and highly skilled, but they were at least humanoid and not that much taller than Erik. A dragon, by comparison, had a head that was larger than Jol. How did one even fight such a creature?
They crested the first rise as they ascended into the foothills, and Gabrius dismounted to look around for tracks. Even Erik could see signs that the area was teeming with life, all sorts of tracks of varying sizes criss-crossing the area, some of them given longevity in dried mud. The demonhunter glanced around and imagined that the scrub and hardier vegetation in the area made for good camouflage for warrens and dens. He was pretty sure some of the tracks were from foxes, and rabbit tracks seemed to be the most common.
“It passed through this way,” Gabrius said, gesturing toward the mountains. “However, if I know my geography right, unless this creature is adept at mountain climbing, it is not headed toward the holy city. It is not going in the right direction to reach the Southern Pass, and I find it unlikely it will swim around the southern peaks.”
“Makes sense,” Erik said, glancing at his father.
Corbanis nodded. “Indeed. As I said, I believe it is leading us into a trap, but that trap may also lead us to where it came from. These mountains have long been rumored to be full of all manner of strange things: giants, dragons, wyverns, ice nymphs, trolls, and gods-know what else. Perhaps we’re about to find out the truth of some of it.”
“Most of those rumors are utter rubbish,” Serenjols said, surprising Erik, but only a little. Jol was the most knowledgeable when it came to the fauna of different areas they traveled to. If he was satisfied that there were no such things as giants, wyverns, trolls, or…ice nymphs – Erik almost shuddered to think what those would be like – then the demonhunter would be, too. “I have heard of only one dragon in these mountains, but then one must bear in mind that they do all sort of look the same from a distance. It is possible there are several white dragons, though most sightings have all been closer to Atrice.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” Erik agreed.
“It would seem a little strange for the dragon to be completely solitary. Why stay here if she’s the only one?” Katarina mused.
“They were once more common,” Serenjols explained. “They were hunted out, though. Dragons were long a legend among humankind, and when they found that such creatures truly existed here, hunting them became a sport. Certainly, the dragons gave as good as they got – better, really – but with their limited numbers, they have become extremely rare, at least here on Askies and on Terrassia. I have heard they are quite numerous on Dannumore, but the veracity of any rumors coming from Dannumore is hard to ascertain.”
Erik stared at his brother, and he wasn’t the only one. The eldest Tesconis sibling turned and looked back at his companions, and held his hands out to the sides. “Jol, I think you’ve said more in the last five minutes than on the entire trip to and from Tsalbrin,” Erik said, chuckling. Jol looked embarrassed, and let out a hmph as he turned away, and Erik chuckled again. “Don’t get me wrong, Jol. I much prefer you this way.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Sonja said, smiling.
“You all apparently missed his conversations with Sherman,” Katarina said as she had her horse trot past to go help Gabrius scout. “It’s not how much he talked, so much as who he talked to.”
“I’m surprised he talks to you at all after the tail incident,” Corbanis muttered.
“Oh, please do not bring that up again,” Jol said, throwing his hands in the air. He didn’t wait for anyone’s agreement, though, but picked up his pace and followed their half-brys and human companions.
“What ‘tail incident?’” Aeligos asked with a laugh of his own.
“Not now, we have work to do,” Corbanis said, his own chuckles trailing off as he fell into step behind the others.
“No, no, no, you don’t get to bring it up and then say ‘not now,’” Sonja interjected.
Erik smirked but walked along. He, of course, knew all about the “tail incident,” since it directly involved him. The continued demands from Sonja and Aeligos made it even funnier, especially when added to the curious looks from Katarina and the normally quiet Gabrius. All Erik knew was that he didn’t want to be the one to explain and possibly hurt Serenjols’ feelings. Jol hadn’t said anything about it in decades, so Erik didn’t think it still bothered him, but Jol clearly didn’t want to bring it up.
“Well, you brought this up; it seems it falls to you to explain,” Katarina told their father.
“I do not understand why you think this is so funny,” Jol grumbled at his father.
Corbanis laughed despite himself, which clearly perturbed Jol even more. “Someday, when you have children of your own, you’re going to find it a lot more amusing,” he said with a placating gesture. “If it hadn’t happened to you, you’d find the absurdity of it funnier.”
Jol let out another hmph and kept walking. He hadn’t mentioned his intention to marry Damansha to anyone else, and Erik wasn’t going to spoil the surprise. Jol had been quiet for so many years, it was odd to Erik to think of him getting married, let alone having children. But Erik liked Damansha, and the t
wo seemed like they would make a good couple. The thought of how large their children might be almost made Erik laugh aloud again; he could only imagine the shenanigans that their kids would pull on them.
“So who’s going to spill it?” Aeligos asked.
Corbanis shrugged. “Erik and Jol were wrestling around when they were younger, and Erik…broke Jol’s tail,” he said, muffling a chuckle when he finished.
“Broke it?” Jol barked incredulously. “He damn near ripped it off!”
Erik couldn’t help it; he burst out in laughter. It wasn’t that hurting his brother was funny, but Jol’s boisterously indignant response was so uncharacteristic and unexpected that Erik couldn’t hold it in. Apparently, neither could anyone else, though there were apologetic nods any time Jol’s gaze fell across someone snickering. When Jol finally glared directly at him, Erik simply shrugged. “It was an accident,” he said.
“An accident? I distinctly remember you saying it was so I would stop growing, and you’d be the taller one,” Jol huffed, a crack in his indignant armor.
“You’re lucky he didn’t tug on the other side,” Corbanis said.
The entire group exploded into laughter, and Jol shoved their father roughly, though now he, too, had to try his hardest not to laugh. Even Katarina was turning a lovely shade of crimson and chortling into her gloved hand. Her and Gabrius’ horses were about the only two amongst them not laughing or making a serious effort not to, though Erik imagined if they understood what was being said, they’d be laughing too. Then it occurred to Erik that Gabrius’ laughter was conspicuously absent, and he jogged up next to the half-brys.
“What do you see?” he asked the paladin.
“Your sister will be better suited to determine details, but I can see traces of smoke in that direction,” the half-brys said, pointing deeper into the foothills.
The rest of the group went quiet. Erik’s eyes were fairly sharp as a half-guardian, but nowhere near as strong as those of a half-brys. “Is it–”
“No, not destruction from the Tilcimer,” Gabrius said, preempting Erik’s question. “This looks more like smoke from chimneys, as though there is a settlement nestled near the mountains ahead. I believe I can also see what may be a cave up the side of that mountain there, but it is too hard to tell for sure at this range.”
“Let me handle that, then,” Sonja said, coming forward, her eyes already glowing golden.
Erik turned to his father. “I see two options here: either this possible settlement is where the Tilcimer is headed to hide, or it’s going to destroy it on its way through,” he said.
“Or there are more of them there,” Corbanis said, putting his hand to his chin. “Though that doesn’t strike me as likely. This is certainly cause for investigation; I don’t know of any settlements near the mountains this far south. If they’re keeping away from civilization, they may not be friendly.”
“They’re demons,” Sonja blurted, shaking the enchantment from her eyes. She looked pointedly at Jol. “Serilis-rir, whatever. A whole village of them. If the Tilcimer passed through, it didn’t do any damage that I can see. But I also don’t sense its presence in the village itself.”
“All right, let’s move,” Erik said. “Dad, do you think we should approach the village and find out if they’re friend or foe?”
Corbanis nodded. “If this is a hidden settlement, there’s likely a reason for it. Better that we find out now, and either destroy it or establish diplomacy with them on behalf of the Order.”
“That may be a tall order; there’s at least a hundred of them there,” Sonja said.
“Well,” Gabrius said, rising to his feet from his position inspecting tracks, “at least we can be reasonably sure there will be no women and children.”
Erik glanced at Sonja, and she shook her head. “Not that I could see. Full-bloods only.”
“All right, let’s approach cautiously. We’ll leave non-essential supplies a couple of miles outside the village; you two can keep your mounts if you’d rather fight from horseback,” Erik ordered. “We’ll see if we can get close enough to talk, but if they’re hostile, we’re going to take them down in formation. Priority will be to keep Sonja protected and let her handle the bulk of the damage. With her spells, she should be able to manage the battlefield and keep us from getting overwhelmed.” He turned and looked pointedly at his sister. “And as far as killing, I trust you to do what you need to.”
Sonja nodded, and the others began to prepare for battle as they continued toward the village. It would still be afternoon when they arrived, but with the mountainous wall cutting off the light, it wouldn’t seem like it. Only Katarina would have issues seeing in the dark, but it would still be light enough for her to see sufficiently, so Erik wasn’t worried about it. If they had to go spelunking, then things might be different, but he decided to worry about that when it became necessary, and not before.
Erik wished Sherman and Sharyn had caught up to them, but he couldn’t concern himself with the two of them right now. He hoped they were all right, but trusted that if they weren’t going to rejoin the rest of the group, there was a reason for it. He found a suitable location to leave their non-essential gear, and Gabrius left his mount tethered to a stake there as well. Katarina was better suited to fighting from horseback, but Gabrius seemed to prefer to have his feet on the ground, whether he was going to fight with swords or his bow.
They approached the village slowly. It was a collection of a couple of dozen crudely-fashioned homes crowing one of the higher hills near the mountain wall. Plumes of smoke rose from chimneys, and though the village lacked a wall, they still couldn’t see anyone moving around. Erik agreed to let Katarina ride ahead and act as first contact; a human on horseback would likely be a lot less threatening to a village of serilis-rir than any of the serilian-rir present. Her horse’s hooves pounded out a steady rhythm as she put a little bit of distance between herself and the rest of the team.
Katarina ducked to the side in her saddle, and Erik’s senses just barely perceived an arrow or crossbow bolt flying past her mount. Before he could even react, Gabrius pulled the bow from across his shoulders, nocked an arrow, and let it fly. He passed the weapon and his quiver to Aeligos immediately after, and ran toward Katarina. Erik looked for their assailant, but saw no one; had Gabrius killed him already?
“Rally around Katarina!” Erik barked. Aeligos seemed happy to take up the rear with Gabrius’ bow, which eased a tiny bit of Erik’s tension. Though Aeligos was a very capable fighter, he didn’t like his brother’s prospects fighting numerous serilis-rir hand-to-hand with his katars.
“They don’t seem to be very hospitable,” Katarina muttered when the rest of the group reached her. She pointed up toward one of the buildings. “There was one on the roof there; he shot a bow at me as soon as I got into range, but Gabrius got him.”
“From that range?” Erik asked, glancing over his shoulder incredulously toward where they were just a few moments ago.
“He did not see me shoot,” Gabrius answered casually with a shrug.
There were shouts within the city, and all but Katarina could clearly understand what was being said: it was serilian, and it was a call to arms. Erik glanced around but hardly had to issue an order. Corbanis took point with his shield raised, and Erik and Gabrius flanked him. Jol took up a position behind them with his greatsword, Sonja stood beside him, and Aeligos brought up the rear with his borrowed bow. If all of the residents came out at once, things would go badly right quick, but Erik was confident Sonja could manipulate the ground and whatever else she needed to in order to erect defenses.
Almost as if she’d read his mind, Sonja gestured, and walls of earth grew up around them, forming a funnel. If the serilis-rir wanted to fight, they would have to either approach through the funnel, limiting their numbers, or else run around or fly over the walls. Even while she manipulated the ground around them to form defensive barriers, Sonja’s eyes glowed that golden hue: she w
as taking stock of the reaction.
A number of serilis-rir came to the edge of the village, but they seemed indecisive about what to do. They were elite, which was concerning; while Erik knew his companions wouldn’t be fighting any guardians, elites were still very powerful, capable fighters. Most of them had defected to Kaelariel’s service well before the Apocalypse, but their reaction seemed to point to these being leftovers from Seril’s army. If there were enough of them, elites could cause Erik and his friends no end of trouble.
“They’re running,” Sonja said, shaking away the golden glow from her eyes. “Not all of them, but a good deal of them are either fleeing or flying north, well away from us.”
The first wave came forward, splitting into multiple small units. Three elites came through the air, while two went around Sonja’s fortifications west and two more went around them east. Three more prepared to attack from the front, but they hesitated, waiting for their companions to get into position. Erik was hardly surprised when the airborne serilis-rir flew over and then landed behind.
Aeligos fired off an arrow but missed, and he backed defensively into the center of the group while he worked to nock another arrow. He wasn’t a terrible marksman, but the bow was not Aeligos’ preferred weapon, and it showed. Once he was with his companions, he tossed aside the bow and strapped on his katars quickly while Serenjols stepped in front of him. Erik turned back toward the village, and was dismayed to see nearly a dozen corlypsi forming up behind the elites. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any brys among them.
Katarina put on her helm and spurred her horse forward. Her steed reached considerable speed in moments, and the paladin’s greatsword cut a silver streak through the darkening sky as she held it aloft. Most of the demons seemed smart enough to get out of her way, but one of the elites tried to claw at the horse’s head. Katarina deftly guided the mount with her knees and ran the elite over with a violent crash, sending it airborne into some of the hesitant corlypsi. The horse barely slowed in its charge, and Katarina laid low two corlypsi with a mighty, momentous swing as she rode by with all speed.
