by kubasik
..."
I mustered whatever strength I had left and stood myself straight up, stretching my muscles painfully to do so. "No, I'm fine. I'm going. They're my children." My voice was deep and pained, and the others stepped back and looked at me carefully.
"AII right," the woman said. It was clear she didn't want to waste time arguing. "Let's go."
As we made our way through the streets of the city, I took a count of the raiding drakkars and realized they numbered close to twenty ships. Either the trolls had stolen ships from another clan, or they'd forged an alliance of some kind. I remembered the Overgovernor saying an expedition had been sent to Twilight Peaks. Perhaps they'd presumed too much when dealing with a crystal raider clan, and had sparked enmity with them. Certainly Krattack, if anyone, could exploit such a situation, drawing the clan into an alliance with the Stoneclaws against the Therans.
Some of the drakkars attacked the two Theran airships, some deposited trolls onto the city's walls, and the rest of the drakkars, along with the Stone Rainbow, approached the Preserver.
This last group rushed The Preserver from a high angle. The castle was still docked at the palace, high enough to be seen from anywhere in the city, and still had no maneuverability. The Stone Rainbow led the attack, using its stone hull to shield the wooden drakkars as best it could from the fire cannons.
The sailors manning the castle's fire cannons turned their weapons up, but in the moment it took them to do it the troll ships had gotten much closer. The crystal raiders nearly dropped out of the sky onto the castle. The air filled with fireballs, but only a few struck the troll ships, and even fewer did serious damage.
Just when it seemed the ships would crash into the castle, they began to pull up again, leaving behind a trail of trolls jumping from the ships down onto the castle walls.
Meanwhile, my group raced through the streets. Clashes had erupted all over the city.
Theran guards and city guards battled citizens in leather armor and armed with old swords. A full uprising was underway.
We reached the palace. The castle floated overhead, casting its huge shadow over us. The trolls had pulled their drakkars a safe distance from the castle. I searched the sky for the Stone Rainbow, but could not find it.
"Come on," one of the rebels said. "We've got to find the Overgovernor now!"
We rushed inside ...
Or rather, the others did. My weeks spent in the "box," as well as the torture I had just suffered, made it impossible for me to keep up with them, and they forgot about me in the tumult of the moment. Still, I hobbled along, leaning on walls as I went. I felt a wet stickiness under my hand and realized that the blood from my wounds had run down my arms and now trailed along the walls.
Around me echoed the sounds of combat — clashing swords, screams of agony, shouts for help. Down one hall I saw cooks fighting guards with long kitchen knives, down another I saw slaves overwhelming guards with their sheer numbers and beating Therans to death. I moved on, not drawing much attention from either faction. The seriously wounded were not the main concern of anyone present.
I reached the base of a massive stairway. The Overgovernor's voice drifted down from the balcony above me. “I don't care how! Just clear a path! Get me to The Preserver!" I stumbled across to the other side of the broad stairs and saw him standing with several guards — a few trolls and an elf. Drops of blood covered their red armor and their faces.
All had nicks and scars over their flesh. The Overgovernor shouted to guards on the other side of the balcony, separated from him by the stairs.
"Yes, Overgovernor," the guards across the stairs from him called. "We'll gather some more troops." They ran off.
"I can't wait for them," the Overgovernor said to the four guards around him. "We've got to get to the castle now. She might have to leave without us. Come on. If we get to the other tower, we can signal them to pick us up. The rest of the guards will create a diversion."
He turned to move, and I saw that two of the guards each held a child — the two of you.
Torran, you fought with all your might against the grip of the troll. Samael, you let yourself be held, but kept your gaze moving, always looking for a means of escape. Then you saw me. You almost cried out, but I raised my finger to my lips.
As the Overgovernor's group walked on I climbed the stairs as quickly as I could. My legs felt as if they had not moved for eternities, as if I'd been recently raised from the dead and had not yet acclimated myself to life.
By the time I reached the top of the stairs, you and the Therans were out of sight.
However, I saw the glitter of silver on the floor. I remembered the silver flakes on your faces. Moving down the corridor, I found a few more flakes.
Following the silver trail, I walked on.
15
The fighting had become sparser, the sounds of combat coming from only a few areas. I passed through the corridors unhindered, sometimes going down the wrong corridor, but always, eventually, finding the telltale sign of silver glitter — sometimes just a few flakes that caught the red torchlight — on the floor.
Eventually I reached the base of a stairway that spiraled up into a tower. Though I saw some silver sparkle resting on the second step, I no longer needed the trail. You both were crying, and your shrieks rushed down the stairway to my ears. I could have cried myself in frustration. You sounded so, so far away and I had no idea if I'd be able to catch up to you in my weakened state. To have traveled so far to reach you, and then fail only because I no longer had the strength to move seemed too cruel.
I felt someone behind me.
She was back. No longer a giantess, but still pregnant, and still wearing her silver armor.
Her black hair trailed down around her neck. Her curved, armored body reflected me, so that I appeared not only ruined, but monstrous.
"Who are you now?" I croaked. I feared her, for I was sure she would expect too much of me, or accuse me of failing.
She smiled. "I am Thystonius. Who else would I be?"
"Garlen came to me, and she looked exactly as you do now."
Her eyes twinkled. "You must be a very confused young woman."
I felt anything but young, and said so.
"Thirty," she replied. "You are but a child. The Passions are still alive in you ..."
"My children?" I said, interrupting her. I began walking up the stairs, clutching the railing, dragging myself up.
"Wait." She touched my face, and in that touch all the weariness in my body melted away. More than that, I longed for more weariness, I hungered for the exhaustion that I had just endured. I wanted to compete with the Overgovernor and his guards and exhaust myself in the process. I looked down at the scars and cuts and blood on my body. All remained. This was the Passion of conflict, not healing or comfort.
"Thank you."
"What will you do when you get them?"
"Go home. Raise them," I said in a harsh whisper as I began racing up the stairs.
As I turned the spiral she stood waiting for me.
"And the Therans?'
"What of them?" Just then I heard you two shouting for me to come and I ran faster, the thrill of the potential fight growing stronger and stronger in me. : I turned another spiral, and she stood there again. "Don't you need to protect your children from them?"
"Others will do that. I just need to raise them."
I turned the spiral again. "Oh, really," she said, and vanished.
All my pain returned. I staggered a few steps forward, collapsing to my knees. I saw that the top of the tower stood only a short way up the spiral staircase. Sunlight painted itself on the wall above me. Your cries came loud, and I heard the gruff voices of the trolls calling, "Here! Here!"
"Thystonius," I mouthed.
Nothing.
I whispered her name, allowing just enough air to escape my mouth for sound.
Still nothing.
"Please."
I realized I was whin
ing. Passions do not respond to pleas. There was nothing to do but go it alone.
I stood and with one heavy step after another, walked up to the top of the tower. I heard many voices — the sound of battle. I moved more quickly. "Hurry!" the Overgovernor shouted.
With the last few steps I came into the center of a large, round room surrounded by windows. Large glass doors opened to the west onto a curved balcony. At the balcony floated the castle, its drawbridge extended, offering access to the Therans and you.
You were all walking across the drawbridge. Beyond the gate of the castle I saw many corpses lying about the courtyard — Therans and crystal raiders. But the crystal raider attack had been routed. Trolls were abandoning the castle, leaping off the walls into drakkars that risked cannon fire to pick up their comrades.
But the battle was not yet done. Just as you all walked onto the drawbridge, the Stone Rainbow sailed down. J'role and a half dozen trolls dropped onto the drawbridge, blocking the path of the Overgovernor and his guards.
"You," J'role said, pointing at the white skinned man, "have something of mine that I want back."
The Overgovernor looked J'role over for a moment as everyone drew their weapons and hefted them. "You're the father?"
"That surprises you?"
"I would have expected someone a bit sturdier. You don't do justice to your wife."
I moved toward the balcony. I had traveled only half way across the room when more guards ran from the courtyard of the castle. I expected a blood bath, all the weapons, combined with the crystal raider's indifference to children, could result in your deaths from a few sword strokes.
Putting the last of my energy into getting to the drawbridge as quickly as possible, I arrived just as the fight began. None of the Therans noticed me, for their backs were turned to me. The trolls who'd been carrying you suddenly dropped you, and the Overgovernor grabbed your hands and held on tight. The thought of that pale, soft flesh touching my children so repulsed me that I charged into him from the back, knocking him to the ground.
The drawbridge shook. The Preserver was leaving.
I grabbed each of you by the hands and looked around for the Stone Rainbow. It floated several hundred yards off from the castle in an attempt to avoid cannon fire. But it sailed closer now, coming to pick us up from the drawbridge. The problem was that the Overgovernor and his troll guards cut us off from your father and the crystal raiders.
The Overgovernor stood, pulling a silver dagger from up his sleeve. "I ordered you killed," he said with distaste. He stepped toward us. Your small hands clung desperately to mine. "Momma! Momma! Let's go, let's go, please, let's go!"
The Stone Rainbow was not yet near enough. I turned around. We were only a few yards from the tower. If only I been able to copy the metal wings spell into my grimoire so I could cast it at will ...
My legs buckled as the Overgovernor slammed into me, driving his dagger into my right thigh. I rolled over, slamming my fist into his face, sending red blood streaking over his white flesh. You two helped by jumping on him. I screamed for you to look out for the blade, but Torran, you who had been working so diligently to remove it from the Overgovernor's hand, almost took a cut across your right arm.
The Overgovernor cried out, for he had almost blemished one of his prize slaves. During his moment of anguish I kicked him in the face and sent him reeling back to the edge of the drawbridge. He nearly fell off, and the two of you rushed over to knock him off. Your small bodies had adopted the warrior's tough stance — fists clenched, faces with solid grimaces. It might have been comical had I not been so terrified for your safety.
Both the Overgovernor and I cried out — he called for his guards, I calling to the two of you. One of his trolls turned around, the guard's sword smeared with blood, saw what was happening and rushed toward me. Seeing this massive, battle lusting warrior rushing toward us, you two immediately retreated to my side. I scrambled up. To the right, the Stone Rainbow approached. We would be dead before it arrived. Behind us —
"MOMMA!" It was you crying out, Torran. "We gotta jump!" You tugged on my arm, pulling me toward the edge of the drawbridge that faced the tower. Seeing no other choice I scooped you both up, which made my shoulders almost seem to pop out of their sockets. I nearly lost my balance. But I didn't, and made a swift run for the tower. We were about ten feet from the balcony now, and moving further away with each step. No matter that I thought we didn't stand a chance — I had to try. I had to keep the two of you safe. You had your small arms wrapped around met and Samael, I remember you kissed me on the neck.
I reached the edge of the drawbridge and jumped off.
That was when I saw her — I do not know which it was — Thystonius or Garlen — just for a moment, floating in the air, her massive hands under my feet, supporting me as I jumped the distance to the balcony.
We tumbled to the floor. I looked back and saw the troll who'd been pursuing us stop at the edge of the drawbridge. His momentum carried him forward as he tried to stop. He waved his arms for a moment, flapping like a bird, then fell, plunging to his death.
J'role craned his neck, trying to see through the swordplay if we were all right. I waved to him. He smiled. The Stone Rainbow sailed under the drawbridge, and he and crystal raiders jumped down onto the quickly moving ship.
The Therans rushed into the castle, dropped the portcullis, and sealed the drawbridge. As they sailed away, I dragged myself into the tower, seeking shelter in case the Overgovernor decided to fire the cannons at me out of spite. We made out way into the tower, and I collapsed on the landing at the top of the spiral stairs.
You asked me if I was all right. I told you the truth. The two of you knelt down on either side of me, touching my forehead gently, as I had done so many times when one of you had a fever.
16
The looting began immediately.
I found out later that over the previous three months — the time I had spent in the "box"
— J'role had set up the crystal raider attack with the rebel groups of Vivane. He had actually been in the city during my imprisonment, but had no idea I was so close.
Krattack had arranged for the Bloodrock crystal raiders to join in the attack.
Now there were dozens of trolls in a city they considered conquered. According to custom, they set about taking whatever they wanted. They gave considerable attention to the palace, whose halls contained all manner of splendid baubles, some brought in before the invasion of the Therans, some after.
The citizens of Vivane, however, considered themselves freed, not conquered, and the actions of the trolls caught them completely by surprise. Soon both sides were fighting over treasures each considered theirs.
As this new conflict raged, I led you two through the streets, looking for the gate of the city. I had fill enough of trolls and raiders and Therans and simply wanted to go home.
Numerous fires lit the darkening city, and I heard the screams of Theran soldiers and those who'd betrayed their city to the invaders. The streets were oddly empty, for most of the inhabitants of the city were hiding behind the safety of their locked doors.
The one thing I did not want was a confrontation with your father. I was too weak to put up with his words and his logic and his exhausting pleas for affection. Somehow my mind had twisted events so that everything that had happened in the last few months was his fault. You might remember how tired I was.
A swath of deep violet covered the sky, the stars began to sparkle.
Suddenly, there was your father standing before us, framed by a huge bonfire. Smoke coiled upward, twisting and turning, then vanishing into the night. First he looked at me, smiling, so happy I was all right. Then he noticed you, and his face softened so much I thought he might cry.
"Where did you go, Releana? I've been looking all over for you."
"Let's not talk now. I want to get them home."
"We can fly there." He laughed derisively. "What were you going to do? Walk bac
k?"
In fact, I had planned to walk back. But flying certainly seemed like a better idea. Easier.
Weariness soaked into my flesh the moment I weakened to the thought of flying. Yes, flying would be better.
I realized that both of you had become tense. You did not recognize this man, and you wanted to protect me.
"Shhh, shhh," I said, trying to soothe you. "This is ..." I faltered, uncertain how to go on.
J'role stepped forward, the fire behind him casting a red aura around his body. His arms outstretched, he said, "I'm your father."
You both froze, then looked at me for confirmation or denial of this startling announcement. I don't know what possessed J'role to suddenly confront you with this fact. Perhaps he was just so happy you were still alive. Perhaps it was the fact that he'd finally been given the chance to save your lives — or at least play a part in saving you. It has long been my suspicion that your father, and all men, believed love had to be earned with spilled blood and a deliverance from mortal injury. Maybe now he thought he could claim your affections.
