“Half of you into the buildings,” Bak commanded. “The other half, kill the Mages...except Diason.”
“Thanks, Bak,” I said as we ran past the buildings.
The field in front of us held the Mages in a spread out formation. Evenawk archers in the sky were being shot down by the Mage's Fire Balls, Ice Bolts and Lightning Bolts. The land Evenawks were having an equally tough time. The Mages have set up burning barricades that funnel the Evenawks into a slaughter. The Evenawks let out a group war cry, attracting the attention of the Mages.
Not how I would have done it but ok, Cathy said.
I pulled my robe over my head as my skin changed to scales. The Mages were already shifting into a new formation to address this new front line. I sent Pulses out quickly at the Mages to try and shake them up and buy some time. It didn’t work as the Mages retaliated against the Evenawks. I tried to take as many of the hits as I could as we reached the first wave of Mages.
The sheer numbers of the Evenawks with the continued attack of the archers was enough to destabilize most of the Mages although a couple were still able to launch massive Pulses that sent the Evenawk rebels into the air.
I pulled out my sword and swatted the weak Fire Balls away. I picked a Mage and charged at him. If this was a standard Mage fight, I would have tossed round after round of Magic at him to break his shields down but in this fight speed was our strength. I attacked the Mage with my sword. He tried to push me away with a Pulse but the Harden Skin spell helped me keep my ground. He became desperate as he launched anything he could at me but fell to my sword as I slashed him across the chest.
I searched for my next target and saw a Mage fighting back two rebels. I reached out with my arm and sent a Pulse that knocked him off balance. The rebels took care of the rest.
Something warm hit my back and I turned around to see another Mage preparing another Fire Ball. I quickly sent an Ice Bolt his way and he had to abandon his spell for a Ward. The bolt hit the Mage’s shield and the Mage stumbled back.
Putting more power into my spell, I launched two Ice Bolts in quick succession. The first hit the Mage’s Ward and shattered it with the second piercing him in the chest.
You are getting good at this, Cathy said. Wish I could join you.
You would probably just get killed doing something stupid.
Hey! She exclaimed.
I laughed and scanned the Valley. The second wave of Mages was abandoning the burning blockades to attack the rebel reinforcements. Narrilok’s troops were now free to push past the barricade and join the battle proper.
They would be if those flaming barricades weren’t in the way, Cathy said.
Good point.
I raced towards the barricades sending a Pulse into the direction of any Mage that wouldn’t move out of my way. If they got too close, I just introduced them to my sword.
Finally reaching the barricades, I sheathed my sword and reached out with both hands. My palms grew cold as a continuous stream of ice shot from them and froze the barricade, effectively putting out the fire. I moved onto the next one as the Evenawks started to climb over the frozen one.
Some of them looked at me weird as they were unsure of whether to attack me or not. The taller Evenawk know as Narrilok climbed over the barricade and ordered the troops forward. He nodded in my direction before rushing off to join the rest.
I began freezing the other barricade but was pushed off balance by a Pulse. I looked in the direction the pulse had come from to see a Mage charging at me and readying an Ice Bolt. He launched it at me and I swatted it away with my hand. Holding both hands out to him, I forced a large amount of power through them and a steady stream of fire shot at him.
The Mage raised a Ward but I kept the Fire Stream going until I felt the Mage’s Ward break. The Mage started screaming as he fell to the ground in flames. I returned my attention to the barricade and finished freezing it. The Evenawks would have no problems outnumbering the Mages now.
I took a deep breath and relaxed. The fight with Contee had already left me a little drained but the battle has sapped me out. I did too much too soon and have grown weak. Luckily the Evenawks have strong numbers and won’t need to rely on me to succeed.
I survey the battlefield to see if I was needed anywhere in particular. All around Evenawks outnumbered
The Mages 5 to 1 with more Evenawks pouring out of the buildings. It was now a matter of finding the Mages with the skill to hold their ground against hordes of troops and it looks like I found one. He caught a group of the rebel with a stream of fire and was now advancing on Narrilok, an Ice Sword forming in his hand as Narrilok fought with another Mage.
Move! Cathy exclaimed. If Nerrilok falls then the troops might lose their hope.
I sprinted across the field towards the Mage.
You’re right. Harik isn’t enough of a leader for this rebellion yet.
Then start pumping those legs, she said.
I pushed myself harder and as I drew near the Mage, I reached out and sent a Pulse to distract him. It hit him and he just ignored me as he continued on. He reached out towards Narrilok and I quickly sent an Ice Bolt at him. The ice Bolt connected with the Mage’s shoulder and he dropped his Ice Sword. He sneered at me but raised his other arm and launched an Ice Bolt at Narrilok. I watched in horror as it sailed through the air.
The shot was off target as it hit Nerrilok in his left shoulder. It was enough to knock him back but Nerrilok kept fighting on. I reached up towards the Mage and launched a Fire Ball. The Mage threw up a Ward that blocked it and I pulled out my short sword. Crossing the remaining distance, I plunged the sword into his chest.
With the Mage down, I turned my attention to Nerrilok who was down on his knees having taken another Ice Bolt in the stomach from the Mage he was fighting. The Mage was preparing for a final strike when I launched an Ice Bolt into his back. I approached Nerrilok breathing heavily. His shoulder and stomach were bleeding but it didn’t look like he would let that kill him.
“Lie down, I’ll heal you,” I said.
“I’ll be fine,” he groaned as he tried to stand up.
I sent a small Pulse at him that knocked him onto his butt. He looked up at me with a mix of pain and anger.
“And that was my weakest spell,” I said. “I’m not playing around, lie down and let me heal that.”
Nerrilok twisted his face but lay down and I fell to my knees and immediately held my two hands over the stomach wound. Power slowly transferred from me to the wound as his muscles and tissues repaired themselves.
“Well I’ll be,” he chuckled. “Looks like I owe you a life debt. A life for a life.”
“On the battlefield there is no reason to keep count,” I said as I started healing his shoulder. “I will however accept your respect and friendship.”
“I’m not usually into that sissy stuff,” Nerrilok said looking at his healed shoulder. “But for you, okay.”
“Excellent,” I said as I smacked his shoulder and he hissed in pain. “It will be a little tender but you’ll be fine.”
“So why did you smack it?” he asked confused.
“For that sissy comment,” I smiled.
He looked at me then chuckled. “You know. You’re alright, Mage.”
“Yeah, I’m not so bad once you’ve gotten to know me,” I said as I helped him back to his feet.
The remaining Mages were falling quickly as I helped Nerrilok towards the buildings. When the final Mage was chased down by the archers the entire rebel army cheered and celebrated. It was an inspiring sight to see the looks of relief dawning on their faces as they slowly realised they had gained their freedom from oppression.
Their cheering grew louder as I noticed them drag something out of the largest building. I couldn’t make out what it was until they pierced it on a spear and raised it above their heads.
It was the body of one of the Mages.
You don’t see THAT anymore, Cathy said. I didn’t think the Birds
were that savage.
“That’s not good,” I said to Nerrilok.
“You haven’t gone soft on me because it is a Mage, have you?” Nerrilok smirked.
“I don’t care who it is, it is the action that is wrong,” I replied.
“They are excited,” Nerrilok smiled. “They are winning their freedom. We haven’t had much to celebrate in a long time.”
“And there is nothing wrong with a celebration,” I said. “But you have to be careful how you celebrate. Putting your enemies on the top of spears and parading them around sends the message of savagery. Like your group isn’t here to liberate the land but just kill the Mages. If you want the Evenawk people as a whole to be reunited and drive the Mages out then you have to do it as a civilized and just society. Even the Evenawks that support the Mages will join your cause if you plan to establish a civilized culture for your people.”
Nerrilok looked over the group before nodding and looking back to me. “There is nothing I want more then to drive the Mages out. But if we succeed in that only to fight ourselves because we have let ourselves become savages...that’s a world worse then the one we live in. Help me to the group quickly. We must stop this before it goes too far.”
Throwing Nerrilok’s arm over my shoulder, we hurried to the group and they moved out of our way as Nerrilok took centre stage. I released his arm and stepped out of the way as he held himself up tall despite the tenderness of his injuries.
“My fellow Evenawks,” he started. “Today marks a great day for us. We have gotten a taste for victory and I don’t know about you but I LOVE it!” The crowd cheered. “Each victory takes us one step closer to liberating our home. But we MUST remember who we are!” The crowd grew quiet to hear him. “We were slaves; miners and farmers who toiled night and day for the Mages. But we are NOT savages. The Mages may have thought us such but we will prove to them that we do not need them to tell us how to live. We can do it on our own.” The crowd started nodding in agreement. “We are worthy of our own society.” The crowd agreed louder. “We WILL free this land. We WILL take back our homes. And the Mages will be held on trail for their crimes because we are not savages. We ARE EVENAWKS!”
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Now there’s a leader, Cathy said. He almost makes me want to not kill everyone I see.
Only almost?
Well he’s no miracle worker, Cathy said playfully.
“Take the Mages bodies and put them in their buildings. The bodies can burn with their oppression.” Nerrilok finished.
The Evenawks took down the Mage from the spear and placed the body into the large building. All around the battlefield the other Evenawks did that same. I walked over to Nerrilok and he leaned on me.
“Nicely worded,” I said.
“We’re going to need more than that to take back the capital,” he replied.
“Just tell me what you need me to do,” I said. “We’ll get Harik onto that throne if it kills both of us.”
Nerrilok chuckled. “I’d rather live to see that day.”
“Are you going to be able to fly back to the camp?” I asked.
“I’ll get Bak to carry me,” he said. “Are you ready to be behind enemy lines again?”
“I take it you have a plan?” I smiled.
“Just a little something I’ve been playing with,” he smirked.
Chapter 32
Garok dropped me on the bridge to Harik’s house in the rebel camp. The Evenawk miners and farmers were getting fitted for better weapons as everyone prepared for the next battle. Many Evenawks questioned the quick succession of battles but were easily won over when told of the alternative: giving the Mages time to call for reinforcements. A quick strike was needed and the Evenawks were going to have to push on.
Nerrilok and Bak escorted me into Harik’s house so we could talk with the Last Chieftain and plan the next move. Nerrilok had been closed lipped about my portion of the plan but I was sure it would be messy.
That is a safe bet, Cathy said. You are like his new toy. He will keep using you until you break or he becomes bored.
Whoa, whoa, ease back on the positivity there.
It’s true, Cathy chuckled.
Harik greeted us with a smile. “This day continues to be surprising. We have victory on two fronts and there is talk of a third battle.”
“That is correct, Chieftain,” Nerrilok said, trying to hide his soreness. “Speed is our ally. If the Mages regroup they will reinforce Scert’chak and bring even more suffering to its citizens.”
“And the citizens have suffered enough,” Harik said. “I assume a plan is in the works.”
“Yes, Chieftain,” Nerrilok said.
“Then walk me through it,” Harik responded walking over to the table with the large map stretched across it.”
Nerrilok, Bak and I joined around the table and Nerrilok pointed down to the capital. “The plan is as simple as the last but something I’ve been hoping to do for cycles,” he started. “Infiltration and assassination during a major battle. I’ve worked tirelessly for a long time trying to get an inside man to take down Desroche and I think I’ve found it in Diason here.”
“Diason?” Harik asked looking my direction.
“If it means the Evenawks won’t see me as just another Mage and attack me, I’ll accept it,” I said.
“This is good,” Harik mused. “Something that can be turned into a folklore and inspire the troops. Just like Blackbeak during the Mage Invasion.”
“You’ve been reading the books,” Nerrilok smiled.
“I figured it was long overdue,” Harik smiled back.
“So I walk in and work my way into their main government building and take down Desroche while you guys attack?” I asked.
“That will be the easiest part of your job,” Nerrilok said. “The Mages have installed two defensive towers overlooking the forest approach. With the rest of Scert’chak protected by the mountain peaks, that forest is the only way in and you will be needed to help take down those towers.”
Oh, is that it? Cathy asked sarcastically.
“Tell me more of these towers,” I said.
“They are the stuff of nightmares,” Bak said.
“Last time we tried to take back the capital, the towers rained fire down on the forest and torched the very earth,” Nerrilok explained. “Nothing will ever grow there again. They sacrificed the land itself to try and destroy this rebellion.”
“Lovely,” I said rubbing my chin. “What creates the fire?”
“We don’t know,” Nerrilok answered. “We figured Mages but it is too powerful to be a simple spell. There has to be something more sinister.”
Perhaps something is powering the Mages, Cathy suggested. Or the Mages are powering something.
“Will I be sending a signal for your attack?” I asked.
“Too risky,” Nerrilok said shaking his head. “This is a timed attack. We attack tomorrow morning as the sun rises. You will need to be quick.”
I nodded and stared at the map. This was way beyond anything I had ever done.
Everything has been beyond anything you’ve done, Cathy said. We’ll do this together, like everything else.
Thanks.
“When did you want me to head out?” I asked.
“As soon as you gather your things,” Nerrilok answered. “Look for me in tomorrow’s charge. I’ll be leading the troops.”
“Actually, Nerrilok,” Harik started. “I think I should be leading the troops.”
“No offense, Chieftain, but we can’t risk losing you in an attempt at bravado,” Nerrilok said.
“This isn’t bravado, this is sending a message,” Harik replied. “The Mages and Evenawks need to see the Karoik Bloodline isn’t dead. I’m not asking to give orders and plan strategies. That is your job. But you will need a figure for the Evenawks to rally around. With a folk hero like Diason in the city and the Last Chieftain leading the charge, every Evenawk would join us.”
“It is a good point,” I said to Nerrilok. “This is like with the Mages' bodies. Every action and every symbol reflects what you are trying to accomplish.”
Nerrilok sighed. “I’m starting to regret trusting you.”
“But you don’t regret it fully,” I smiled.
“Bak, take the Chieftain out to test his skills and get him armed,” Nerrilok said.
Bak nodded and Harik smiled. “I want armour like my father’s,” Harik said. “A symbol needs to stand out and what’s this about the bodies?”
The voices faded as they left the house. Nerrilok crossed his arms slowly as he gritted his teeth in pain.
“Are you going to be okay for tomorrow?” I asked.
“Evenawks heal pretty quickly,” he said. “All of our hope rests in the Last Chieftain. I hope you know what you’re doing supporting him.”
“With both of us on the battlefield, he’ll live through it,” I said confidently.
“It’s good to see that he’s finally accepting his role,” Nerrilok said. “He needs to be a great leader.”
“With you guiding him, he will be,” I said.
Nerrilok looked at me for a few seconds before nodding. “You nervous?”
“Yeah,” I answered.
“Good, it will keep you alert. You don’t want to do anything stupid while you’re in there,” he said.
Sounds like advice YOU would give.
What, you mean GOOD advice? She said playfully.
***
I was dropped off far away from Scert’chak. I didn’t mind the walk because it would mean my cover would be intact. With my hat on my head and my pack on my back, it was like old times.
Boy, how sad does THAT sound? Cathy asked.
The forest gave way to a blackened a wasteland as the city gates came into view. This was the dead forest that Nerrilok had mentioned. Dead trees scorched and drooping over, the very ground covered in a fine soot from the smaller plants and any animal life unlucky enough to get in the way. The air still smelt of burnt timber despite the battle being many cycles in the past.
A rustle in the forest behind me drew my attention and I stretched out with my mind to see what was around. I couldn’t feel any energy and concluded that it must have been an animal. I turned my attention back to the city of Scert’chak and its two large defence towers.
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 26
