In the end, it was Hob who arrived first, his fangs already dripping venom. Kane appeared out of the darkness right behind him, his sword drawn and ready to fight. Gideon had never been so glad to see his friend, despite his worries about Merewen.
“Did she make it back safely?”
Kane nodded. “She was nearly to the gate when I passed her. She promised to send Kestrel back for you.”
Kane’s eyes glittered in the darkness, his excitement at the prospect of a battle all too clear. His need for violence was a constant companion, one he could suppress for only so long.
“Do we run or make a stand?”
Rogue pawed the ground, picking up on his rider’s restless nature. Kane controlled him easily, but the stallion wasn’t happy about it. Clearly the horse and his rider were both in the mood for a good fight.
Still, he started to say, “Rogue can bear us double if you want to—”
Before Kane could finish the offer, Hob screeched a warning. Out of the darkness charged the first handful of foot soldiers. Gideon vaulted over the boulders to meet their charge as Kane fought from horseback. Scim dove down from above to attack with talons and beak, drawing blood before climbing back to the sky for another attack.
Gideon lined up against three of Fagan’s men with his shield on his left arm and his sword in his right hand. He swung hard, hitting the first fighter’s sword with enough force to send the man stumbling to his knees. Another blow removed him from the fight permanently.
The second warrior took his place, this time making room for the third one to join him in the lethal dance. From somewhere behind Gideon’s right shoulder, he could hear Kane taunting the enemy, his deep voice echoing through the night.
In past battles, facing the Damned and their avatars was enough to send most human soldiers into a panic. These, however, fought in grim silence. Even when Gideon slashed open his current opponent’s leg to the bone, the warrior continued to fight without even a whimper until his leg gave out completely.
Something to ponder later. Right now, it was all Gideon could do to keep from being surrounded as more of the enemy swarmed into the clearing on horseback. Kane joined him on the ground, assuming his usual position at Gideon’s back while Hob and Scim harried their enemies from above and below.
Even Rogue joined in the fighting, using his weight to knock other horses aside. If he succeeded in unseating the rider, his hooves ensured the man didn’t get back up.
The rocky terrain at that part of the trail limited how many of the enemy could approach at once. If they found a way to circumvent the narrow passage and come up from behind, things could go badly for the two warriors.
Gideon prayed Kestrel would arrive soon. Even their god-enhanced strength wouldn’t hold up forever against this many opponents. He bellowed out his rage, laughing when Kane screamed out his battle cry, his words rough and grating on the ear. Hob joined the chorus as he darted in and out of the mass of panicky horses and their oddly quiet riders.
It was getting difficult to move without tripping over the dead and dying. Gideon had suffered a few nicks but no major injuries. He blocked a blow from a mounted fighter and then pulled him from the saddle. After finishing him off, he backed away, hoping to gain a few seconds to catch his breath.
In the moment of stillness, he noticed the ground beneath his feet shook with the vibration of pounding hooves. If it was Kestrel, he’d brought company. If it wasn’t, then both Gideon and Kane would be surrounded; eventually someone would get in a lucky swing and take them both down.
Rogue reared up again, bugling a challenge, as a band of riderless horses appeared in the clearing with Kestrel leading the charge.
Once again, Kane’s battle cry split the night as Rogue and Kestrel formed up side by side to challenge the enemy’s horses. It was instant chaos as the two stallions forced the others to retreat. Several panicked and unseated their riders before bolting into the night as the rest of Kestrel’s band did their best to block the relentless approach of more of Fagan’s forces.
The chaos gave Gideon and Kane just enough time to mount up again. Neither stallion needed to be told to run full tilt for the keep, with Kestrel’s band following close behind. When they were clear of the fray, the mares and bachelor stallions veered off the trail and headed back toward the mountains, leaving the enemy behind to retreat and regroup.
The first skirmish was over, and they’d survived.
Kestrel barely slowed down enough for Merewen to jump off outside the gate before he cut away from her to tear back off into the night. She landed awkwardly and went down to her knees hard. She wasn’t about to complain, not if Kestrel’s speed meant getting Gideon to safety that much faster.
While the stallion was carrying her toward the keep, she’d sensed the mare’s increasing pain and knew exactly when Gideon had been left afoot. Knowing he was back there alone to face off against who knew how many men sent Merewen’s fear soaring to new heights. Only the knowledge that she would’ve been more hindrance than help had kept her from turning back.
At least she’d been able to convince Kane that her cause would be best served by his going after his captain. In truth, it hadn’t taken much persuasion on her part. As he and Hob had charged back out into the darkness, she sent heartfelt prayers flying up to the night sky for their safekeeping.
She pushed herself up to her feet and was dusting the bits of dirt and gravel off her knees as the gate swung open. Murdoch and Duncan caught her by the arms and dragged her into the safety of the keep.
Murdoch grabbed a nearby torch and held it close to her. “I smell blood. Are you hurt?”
“I fell after getting off Kestrel and scraped my knees. I’ll be fine.”
She leaned against the palisade, grateful for its support as the effect of everything hit her all at once. She needed to sit down—now, before she fell again. What she really wanted to do was climb to the walkway overhead and watch for Gideon and Kane, but when she tried to take a step forward, her legs buckled and refused to support her.
Duncan swooped in to catch her. Her head lolled back against his shoulder as the stars above her spun in circles. She closed her eyes, hoping to stop the dizziness, but it didn’t help all that much.
She was dimly aware of the transition from the outdoors into the warmth of the hall where she was unceremoniously laid out on a tabletop. The worried murmur of voices surrounded her as someone—Duncan?—started issuing orders. Something about food or drink or wet rags. Nothing made sense. She didn’t need their attention.
No, they should all be outside watching for Gideon—or, better yet, riding to his rescue. She fought to sit up, but a strong pair of hands pushed her shoulders back down against the table.
“I’m thinking you’ve gone too long without food and drink, so stay still until they bring you something to eat, Lady Merewen. I’ll return when we have word about the captain.”
Then a calloused hand took hold of hers. “Squeeze my hand if you understand. We’re going to need you at full strength before long.”
She must have conveyed her agreement, because the male voice disappeared, to be replaced by Alina’s. “I’m going to hold you up so you can sip this broth. It’s cool enough to drink, but take it slow.”
She worked her arm under Merewen’s neck and lifted her head far enough so that Merewen could sip the warm liquid without choking.
“That’s enough for now. Let’s see how that settles before I give you more.”
For the next few minutes, they repeated the process until Alina declared Merewen’s color much improved.
“I need to sit up.”
Her aunt helped her, standing in front of her to prevent her from toppling forward onto the floor. “Fine, but let’s go slowly. Sir Duncan isn’t here to catch you this time.”
When Merewen was upright, she reached for the cheese and bread that one of the servants had brought out. Nibble by nibble, she finished it and started on a second piece. The shaking had s
topped, and the waves of nauseating dizziness were tapering off.
She eased off the edge of the table and was relieved that this time her legs supported her weight. “I must return to the gate.”
Alina blocked her way. “Duncan promised to send word.”
Merewen stepped to the side, intending to go around her aunt. “I cannot remain here and do nothing.”
“You’ll only be in the way, Merewen. The men won’t be able to concentrate on defending themselves if they are worried about protecting you.”
True enough, but right now that didn’t matter. She had to be there when the gate opened to let Gideon back in. Nothing less would do.
She raised her eyes to meet her aunt’s. “I’ll leave the gate when Captain Gideon and Kane are back, but not until then. I can’t.”
The tears started then. “What if he doesn’t return? What if they’ve killed him already? My mare went lame, and he sent me back on Kestrel. He was left to face that bastard Fagan and his men on foot!”
Alina flinched at the mention of her husband’s name. “Have faith, niece. At his best, my husband is no match for your captain. I have faith he and Kane will return. You’ll see.”
Merewen gave her aunt a hard hug as an unspoken apology. She couldn’t help how she felt about her uncle, but the path he’d chosen to follow was hardly his young wife’s fault.
“As soon as Captain Gideon rides through the gate, I’ll retire to my workshop to prepare the medicines we’ll be needing.”
The other woman nodded and stepped back. “I’ll pray for the captain, Merewen, and the others who will defend the keep tonight. With the gods’ blessing, the enemy will be vanquished. I have great faith in Sir Murdoch…and in the others, too, of course.”
Alina must have felt torn apart, with her hated husband preparing to attack, and the man who had obviously captured her heart defending the keep. They both knew Fagan had brought this upon himself with his greed and cruelty. For the moment, all they could do was brace themselves for the worst.
With that happy thought, Merewen started for the door with leaden feet to await word of her lover—no, not merely her lover, but the man she loved.
Chapter 27
Kestrel and Rogue ran through the night with Hob keeping pace off to the side. The night was far from over, and the enemy forces were but minutes behind them. There was no point in looking back. Either they reached the keep in time or they didn’t. Such was the life the two of them had been living for centuries and even before they’d taken up the cause of the gods.
But it had all led them to this one moment. Gideon had never waged a more important battle in all his long years of fighting. The fight against the evil in this land would start this night. Too long Fagan and his minions had been allowed to go unchecked, and Gideon would put a stop to it before it spread any further. He wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself and even his men if it meant that Merewen and her people would live in peace. His love for her would accept no less.
Yet Fagan was only part of the trouble they faced. They needed to survive this battle in a much larger war. It would be better to capture Fagan and pry answers from him, but Gideon knew this battle would end in one of two ways—with Fagan’s death or his own.
Even with Kestrel’s great heart and stamina, the stallion was gradually slowing, and Rogue was falling farther and farther behind. Gideon would not leave Kane to face the enemy alone. He pulled back on Kestrel’s reins, fighting against the horse’s instincts to charge forward to safety. The faint sound of other horses carried on the night air.
It was going to be close, but at long last the palisade loomed up ahead. The gods were with them.
Or were they?
From out of the darkness charged a line of mounted fighters. Gideon recognized the one in front immediately—Olaf, which meant the man riding slightly behind him was most likely Fagan.
With the enemy behind them and this new threat in front, he and Kane were surrounded. Gideon didn’t even hesitate. Drawing his sword, he cursed the enemy and called down the gods’ fury on them. He might not survive the night, but he wouldn’t be alone in the long darkness of the afterworld. His enemies, broken and bleeding, would ride beside him.
Kane drew up nearby, his curved swords flashing in a glint of moonlight, his voice harsh with hatred and determination. The mage-cursed warriors behind them continued forward, but the human ones in front fell back in confusion as Kane and his avatar charged into their midst.
Gideon yanked hard on Kestrel’s reins and spun the stallion to face the menace approaching from behind. He and Kane had thinned the enemy’s numbers, but they were still seriously outnumbered. At best, he could only hope to whittle them down enough so Murdoch and the others could finish the job from within the safety of the keep.
As his sword connected with the first of the silent soldiers, he remembered the sweet feel of Merewen in his arms. For the first time he had something to live for—no, someone to live for. But if he had to die to keep her safe, so be it.
He screamed in challenge, waded into the enemy, and made them bleed.
Murdoch cursed under his breath. He’d known it was a mistake to allow Lady Merewen to join the men on the walkway despite her promise to return to the hall as soon as the captain returned.
Well, Gideon had returned, but right now he was trapped outside the gates and fighting against overwhelming odds. Both men were on foot. Even with Kane at Gideon’s back, they stood little chance against the two forces closing ranks around them.
Merewen looked up at him with stark fear in her eyes and tears streaming down her face. “Murdoch, do something. Ride to his aid.”
That was exactly what he wanted to do, but his primary duty was to protect the keep and those within. If he and the other Damned rode out to join the fight, who would protect Merewen? And Alina? Never before in his long life had Murdoch felt so torn in his duty.
Duncan joined him, the same need to shed enemy blood gleaming in his eyes. “Well?”
That single word held a world of questions in it. They had all sworn to serve the gods, but their oath of fealty to Gideon predated that. Without Gideon, Murdoch would never have survived the abuse of his foster father. Duncan had his own horror stories; so did Averel.
Without Gideon, they were nothing.
So in the end, the answer was just that simple. “We fight.”
Together they ran down the stairs from the walkway. Averel must have guessed what Murdoch’s decision would be, because he was already mounted and leading two other horses to where the guards stood ready to open the gate.
Murdoch blocked Averel’s way. “One of us has to stay to protect the keep.”
The young warrior tried to shove his way past. “Gideon is my friend, too, Murdoch.”
He understood exactly how his friend felt. Before he could argue the point, Merewen charged down the steps and caught his arm to get his attention one last time. “Let him fight, Murdoch. If the five of you fall, we have lost anyway. Go, but come back. All of you.”
Murdoch smiled down at her. “If the gods ordain it.”
The gate swung open, and the three rode out. If this was to be their last battle, at least the Damned would go down fighting together.
Gideon heard their battle cries long before he saw his friends. He should have known they’d never stand by and watch him and Kane die without throwing themselves into the fray. While he wanted to curse the idiocy of leaving Merewen and the others unprotected, he couldn’t help but be proud of his friends, his brothers-in-arms, for their loyalty.
Shadow and the two dogs acted as harbingers for their human companions. Even Kiva had joined in the battle, the huge owl startling the horses and drawing blood with his claws. Sensing his own avatar’s near exhaustion, Gideon had already sent Scim back to the keep to rest and keep an eye on Merewen for him. That made the reinforcements even more appreciated.
Kane dripped blood from several wounds but continued to fight. Another of the silen
t soldiers dropped to the ground. No time to count the victories, not when the battle still waged on.
Rogue played rearguard for them, forcing the enemy to come straight at them rather than from their blind side. Kestrel bolted in and out of sight, challenging the enemy mounts to fight or surrender. Several had reared up over and over until they unseated their riders. Once free of their burdens, they disappeared into the darkness.
Afoot, the enemy was less of a challenge. Shadow launched herself at another rider. He tried to wheel his horse out of her path, but the cat adjusted her attack in midair, sinking her fangs into his arm and dragging him to the ground. His dying scream ended on a bloody gurgle.
Finally, Murdoch and Duncan broke through the enemy lines with Averel only slightly behind them. In seconds, they joined Kane and Gideon on the ground, forming up beside them, swords already bloody. For the first time since the fighting started, Gideon smiled.
The evil that stalked this land was about to meet its first major defeat. Each of the five gave voice to their challenge to the enemy. As one, they stepped forward, ready to meet death head-on if that was what the gods demanded of them.
Slash and stab. Two steps forward, one step back. Again and again. Gideon risked one glance in the direction of the keep. Even from a distance he savored the sweet taste of Merewen’s love. For her, he would fight to the last breath in his body. For her, he would fight harder. For her, he would send her enemies straight into the darkness of the afterlife to be weighed and found wanting by the gods.
Slash and stab. Another step, each harder won than the previous. Yet they made progress. The enemy lines were thinner now, but the Damned still stood shoulder to shoulder and grimly dealt out death and pain to those who dared oppose them.
Slash and stab. If he survived the night, Gideon would tell Merewen that he loved her with every breath he took and even beyond the day the gods called him to face their judgment for the last time.
My Lady Mage: A Warriors of the Mist Novel Page 28
