Finley shook his head, “No, not all of them, but we saved the town, and we got the leader. The others just turned and ran. I don’t think we’ll be seeing them in a hurry again,” he added feeling quite proud of what he and the dragon had actually achieved now he thought about.
Prince James congratulated Finley on his deeds, although it was still plainly visible the young royal was not impressed. However, Finley did think his story had taken the focus off the fact he was there to protect the prince, and the others now had something else to talk about. Finley was about to speak again when the doors to the Waygate opened, and several familiar faces appeared behind them. “Mother!” He said sounding surprised.
“Let me introduce you to everyone,” Finley said quickly as he spotted Galdrac, Mazen, Karesh and Akeev quickly follow her through. While Galdrac had evidently met the prince before, Finley did introduce him to the others anyway, although he did think the Mage was not overly impressed by him doing so.
“A troll!” Alvin shouted almost ignoring the fact he was being introduced to others. In all fairness, even James appeared far more interested in Akeev, although he did quickly and politely greet them first.
Akeev, as per usual lapped up the attention being given, causing Galdrac to roll his eyes back and shake his head. With the city on the brink of attack, everybody was suddenly interested in the troll. However, the old Mage let them all have their moment before asking the Prince if he could have a word. James naturally nodded and happily let himself be led over to one side just a little away from the others.
Out of earshot of the group, Galdrac explained to the young Prince of his plans and view of how they should proceed. While he thought the city of Carison was indeed now the target of Abalyon, he referred back to the picture James had shown him. “I have all the pieces, I just need to get them all in place. If as I believe that painting is some kind of pre-defined future set out by the Gods, then our battle is not here.”
“Are you going to leave us again? Surely we need everybody to help defend the city,” James said not yet sure of the old man’s plans.
“No, we are not leaving you because you are coming with us Sire,” Galdrac replied stopping the Prince before he could speak again. It was immediately evident to Galdrac that the suggestion of leaving the city to fend for itself was causing some kind of internal conflict, and that the Prince needed to be reassured the city was not as poorly defended as it probably first looked.
Firstly, is was probable that the attack would not yet be happening for several hours if even that day. While the flying balgraf had the advantage of getting there sooner, the regular type had to make their way across the land, passing through thick forests which would mean they took far longer to arrive. Secondly, Galdrac explained his purpose in going to see the Orcs, and although he knew the two races did not always get along, it was their best chance at succeeding.
“How are the Orcs getting here and when?” James asked. Galdrac just pointed back to the way he and his group had entered the city.
“Waygate?”
“I know it’s not ideal having several hundred screaming Orcs appearing in the heart of your city, but fingers crossed Coltas will do his bit.”
James nodded, although did say that perhaps it might be wise letting his father and the Commander know of the plan. “I’m not sure he will permit me to leave the city Galdrac,” James added as the pair hurried off, leaving the others behind. James’ group went to follow, but the Prince turned about and asked them all to remain at their posts and that he would be back shortly. As they walked, Galdrac explained to the Young Prince that perhaps it might be wise not to mention the part about leaving the city. “No need to worry your father any more than we need to,” he added with a wink. The prince smiled and nodded his agreement; perhaps he was not going to be hidden away after all.
As the first of the flying balgraf was spotted circling high above the city, the reality that they were indeed to be subjected to an attack finally hit home to the people of Carison. With the gates shut, and the majority of civilians now having moved off the streets as requested, the soldiers waited for the inevitable. Having been updated on the latest tactics of the enemy by Galdrac, the Commander had moved some of his troops about. While he still kept the main bulk of his men on the west side of the city wall, he managed to have enough in number to position some around the other sides as well. With his Elite Royal Guards at the palace, and a small retinue of civilians who had volunteered to defend the city kept back to patrol the streets should the balgraf try dropping in beyond the walls as they had done in Neylarin, it was hoped all bases were covered.
Finley felt a shudder as he was waiting with the others for something to happen. Several of the flying balgraf had been spotted circling above the city, but as yet not shown any aggressive movements towards them. With the beasts flying so high and far beyond the range of any bow or magical spell, there was very little anybody in Carison could do to stop them.
“Arach is awake,” he said suddenly turning to his mother, as felt the dragon ready and moving about again through the link between them.
“Is he okay?” she asked knowing just how deep the link between her son and the dragon went.
Finley nodded, “As far as I can tell he is fine. I feel fine,” he added touching his chest with his hand as if doing so might detect the pain he had felt there.
Leyna knew that her son sometimes did or said things without actually thinking them through, and quickly asked that he keep the dragon away from the city.
“Oh! Okay,” Finley replied feeling and sounding somewhat disappointed.
“Look Galdrac and James are coming back, remember do not put Arach in danger!” she said pointing her finger his way, before quickly walking over to where the old Mage and Prince were approaching.
Chapter 23.
It was late afternoon a further day after the order to defend the city was issued. The first orders were shouted and passed along the line to prepare for the attack as hundreds of huge dark figures moved into view. Despite the creatures of the Darkness having travelled hundreds of miles, it appeared they did not need to rest nor make camps for the evening. Looking no worse for their long journey the beasts immediately took up position readying to advance, as the first of dozens of the flying balgraf swooped into view from above.
Having remained at their post, James, still at the Waygate, turned to Galdrac, “Sounds as if it is starting at last,” he said. The old Mage nodded, and although even he wished he was up on the wall to help, knew his part in all this lay elsewhere. “You still think this Coltas will come and help?” The prince asked beginning to think the Orcs were not going to show. After all, if the humans fell to the Darkness, many of the Orc clans would surely seize the opportunity to take advantage, even though they would only be overrun in some future battle against Abalyon. The God had indeed gone all out to drive a wedge between the races, knowing that a divided world would be one much easier to conquer than one that stood united against him.
The large bows set up on rotating stands to help protect from the flying balgraf fired first as a small group of the beasts swooped down low as if checking the defences of the city. One scored a direct hit sending the creature twisting and twirling through the air before it smashed into a nearby building just inside the wall. Two arcanists standing among the regular soldiers were next to strike as they worked together in bringing down a second of the flying creatures as it veered slightly to near to their position. Both the sorcerers pounced on the opportunity, firing several bolts of blue energy skyward, sending the beast tumbling to destruction.
The victories, no matter how small, at least gave the defenders some encouragement that perhaps they could hold out against such beasts. However, as more and more balgraf came into view, it was soon clear they would not win a war of numbers, and now they were sufficient in quantity the forces of the Darkness made their move towards the city.
Two smaller groups split from the main force, one headi
ng north, the other south and it was quickly apparent to the Commander, from his advantageous viewpoint, what they were heading for. “Protect the gates!” he shouted hoping the order would get relayed as it was passed down the line. Knowing he would not get to both in time to give the order he had to assume the soldiers positioned there would be given warning enough.
The main force of balgraf spread out as they advanced in full as the order was given for the archers to fire their first volley. Hundreds of arrows arced skyward before dipping down at speed towards the enemy. With the balgraf spread out only a handful actually hit anything, and only one creature substantially enough to send it to the ground. However, from range, this was the human’s best defence and a second and third wave of arrows quickly followed.
As was now well practised, the flying balgraf swooped down and picked up their regular cousins lifting the first of them up onto the battlements. The massive hulking beasts immediately tore into the archers trying to fire down on those outside the wall, swinging their powerful, lethal claws out at any person unfortunate enough to be in range. Several infantrymen with shields and long thin spears immediately countered the first balgraf to land, charging straight at it. The beast was skewered and quickly sent backwards off the wall, landing down in a broken heap at the bottom.
From their somewhat secluded position, James and Galdrac tried listening to what was going on. Although they could see parts of the outer wall from where they were standing, they were not areas that were as yet anyway, under attack. Echoing across the city the shouts and cries of battle sounded out, although from those it was difficult to actually gauge how things were going.
It was Alvin who spotted the first of the balgraf being dropped into the streets, and only a short distance from where they were. Abalyon, it seemed was going all out on this attack, committing the bulk of his forces to it. With battles already raging along the wall and now with the enemy in the streets as well, he knew that the future of Carison could be decided on what he and the others did now, not in the future.
Cursing loudly letting out several expletives that made even Leyna surprised, the Old Mage ran towards the first of the balgraf. Naturally, everyone quickly followed, and the two groups quickly dispatched the first beast before it had even gathered its bearings. Both Seamus and Jacob managed to score hits with arrows, but it was evident the killing blow came from Galdrac as he sent forth a barrage of flame, engulfing the beast in fire and causing it to run about flailing its limbs before it simply dropped to the ground in a smouldering heap.
However, their victory was short-lived as they spotted several more beasts being dropped in from the air, and spreading out along the streets. “We cannot chase them all!” James shouted firing his own bow at the nearest one and gaining its attention. “No, but we can do our bit,” Galdrac replied twirling his staff about and sending out another ball of fire towards a creature. Finley was not sure whether he was supposed to do anything but decided he could not merely stand by why the others were fighting.
He may not have had the Sword of Light with him, that he had spotted was packed amongst his Mother’s belongings, still on the steps of the Waygate building, yet he could still produce magic without it. A second balgraf, now on fire and having several arrows protruding from its dark haired, muscular body sprinted directly at them. Charging like an angry bull, it dipped its head and ran, but Finley concentrated and waved a hand out sending it veering sidewards into the wall of a nearby building. “We need to protect the Waygate!” Galdrac shouted realising the enemy was once more seemingly targeting it. He felt angry with himself for not thinking about it earlier, particularly since the balgraf had tried to do a similar thing in Neylarin. Cutting the humans off from any outside assistance would naturally be a priority, and as such he and those with him were soon finding themselves under attack from increasing numbers.
At the southern gate, another fierce battle ensued. Soldiers lining up to form a shield wall were struggling to fend off several of the beasts that headed that direction after being dropped into the city from above. Apparently heading for the gate, the forces of the darkness were under constant attack from the archers and sorcerers standing behind the protection offered by those holding the shields. Using longer spears as opposed to swords, the beasts were continually poked and prodded with the tips, kept at bay and allowing those behind to fire at them. Three already lay dead, peppered with a mixture of arrows and crossbow bolts, added to by the magic of a druid and mage sent to guard there.
The gate at the north of the city though was fairing far less as well, as several of the guards stationed there already lay dead on the ground. Amongst their number lay a Mage, one of the few still in the city, and those that remained now struggled to hold back the growing number that opposed them. Despite killing a few of the balgraf, the flying beasts dropped more in behind, and those defending knew it was only a matter of time before they were overrun and the ground around the gates lost. If that happened, the balgraf were now seemingly intelligent enough to know how to open them, and a wave of darkness would be free to pour into the city, with little left to oppose it.
Fortunately, for now, at least, people had the sense to keep off the streets and locked in their homes. Those that did not have homes had decided to take up refuge in the city’s churches and chapels, leaving it up to the soldiers outside to keep the forces of the Darkness at bay. With the balgraf being dropped into the city streets steadily growing in number, Galdrac was beginning to wonder if any help was coming. Although he knew he still had one weapon he could use, it was not something he wished to do, as using it now could create even more trouble.
However, with the increasing number, it was evident something else had to be done, although while he still controlled the Waygate, he also held out hope of aid coming via that particular source. Having taken up a defensive position on the stone steps of the Waygate building, it at least meant the balgraf could only attack him from the front. Although having the Prince with him only added an extra burden as keeping that young man alive was also of paramount importance. As far as Galdrac was concerned he had all people he needed to fulfil the God’s prophecy, but yet he was not yet entirely sure of when he needed to make it happen. If the bulk of the enemy was attacking Carison then this was not the place depicted in the painting; that he was certain was far from here. How the fight was to progress from the human capital city to an area so far away he was unsure but was something that must happen if the picture was to be believed.
With this scenario in mind, Galdrac was beginning to have the first elements of doubt in his mind. Had he read too much into the painting and let it cloud his judgement? He certainly hadn’t foreseen Abalyon by-passing the Elven capital and attacking a much weakened Carison instead. There were also several other doubts now appearing that suggested the picture might just have been something depicted from a bygone age, perhaps something that had already happened as opposed to what might be. The artist had shown a small army of trolls, they had only one, and although it was now apparent others existed, they would not be able to form an army, at least not in time to fight any battle.
His attention was quickly diverted from his somewhat morose thoughts as another two balgraf turned to face them some hundred or so paces further up the street. Once more the Prince and his men opened fire with their bows, scoring a couple of hits, but without causing either beast to falter from its course. A narrow beam of light struck the creature to the left, quickly followed by another, and he knew Leyna and Mazen were adding their skills to the impending fight. Already feeling slightly drained Galdrac once more lifted his staff and sent forth a flurry of smaller fireballs, aiming at the beast to the right as both started picking up the pace and charging straight for them.
With both balgraf wounded but not stopping Finley again decided to intervene, and concentrating swept his hand firmly outwards sending both beasts tumbling backwards, allowing the others to keep up their own attacks and not letting the balgraf get within range.
However, just as they appeared to be getting the upper hand on these two, a dozen or more ambled into view. “You have got to be kidding me!” Alvin sighed from somewhere near the back as he quickly reloaded his crossbow.
Realising that only Finley would likely be powerful enough to stop them, Galdrac knew he needed to act fast. Giving him the Sword of Light now was not what he had wanted to do, yet as even more balgraf came into view, it was evident he had no other option left open to him. Taking a few steps back, he turned to face Leyna, and although no words were exchanged, she knew what he wanted her to do. Without delay, Leyna hurried to her bundle of supplies and untied the sword that she now kept there. Finley would have to use it to allow them to make good their escape back through the Waygate, although she was uncertain as to how her son would react to once more having the weapon.
Chapter 24.
No sooner had Leyna unwrapped the Sword of Light from the burlap sacking when she heard a loud ruckus coming from behind her. The doors of the Waygate building were already open to allow them to fall back if the need arose, and she felt her heart pounding as she realised what was coming. Screaming and charging down the stone steps inside the building came the pounding feet of an army, and although dangerous in itself one she knew might just have saved the day.
Coltas, as leader of the Orcs, emerged first from the building, already holding his massive two-handed sword aloft. Taking just a moment to gather his bearings he shouted loudly and ran, heading straight for the balgraf amassing just ahead of them. Dozens more charged out of the doorway and down the steps, forcing the Galdrac and his group aside. Leyna watched on as a steady stream of Orc warriors thundered down the steps, not stopping as they all joined their leader in engaging the enemy. However, she was helpless to intervene as she noticed Karesh’s face light up. The young Orc, someone she had cared for as her own let out a loud cry, and holding his own sword up in the air joined the charge.
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