When the retreating cavalry had passed, Natia leaped out of the tent and started running again. She looked up and saw Tedi and his friends bearing down on her. The entire cavalry of the Army of the West was charging behind them. Tedi extended his arm and grabbed Natia as he approached. He pulled her up behind him. Twerp turned his attention to the rest of the battlefield.
With the campsite in total disarray, the Red Swords, seeing the Army of the West charging, also charged. The cavalries descended upon the fanatical survivors. The archers ran behind to set up a new line if it was needed. As Twerp hovered, Tedi passed underneath him. He listened to the banter of the charging warriors.
“Azmet is mine,” yelled Wylan.
“I have a score to settle with Achmed,” countered Tedi.
“I need more knives,” pleaded Natia.
“Arik is charging too,” pointed Bin-lu.
Tedi pulled two knives from his belt and handed them to Natia. He unstrapped his staff and held it ready as he charged into the enemy’s camp. Azmet’s remaining men scattered as the cavalries of Alcea bore down on them. Men ran in every direction, but Tedi headed straight for the small group trying to rally the fanatics.
“Time for you to get off,” Tedi yelled to Natia. “Work your knives around the edges of the enemy, not in the center.”
Natia nodded and swung both of her legs to one side of the horse. “Head towards that tent,” instructed Natia. “I will get off there.”
Tedi nodded as Natia rose to a standing position, her hand clutching at Tedi’s head. Tedi slowed as he came up alongside the tent. Natia leaped off the horse, and Tedi raced to catch up to Wylan and Bin-lu. He saw Alex and Jenneva riding into battle, the horns of their unicorns already dripping with blood. To their right, Arik and Tanya hacked their way through fleeing fanatics.
Tedi swung his staff viciously as he entered the circle of stalwart fanatics. Heads flew and upraised arms disintegrated. His eyes scanned the group of Azmet’s men until he saw the large brute that he was looking for. He charged towards Achmed.
Wylan leaped off his horse as he rode past Azmet. His body collided with the evil prophet, and they tumbled to the ground. Wylan rose swiftly and grabbed his sword, which had been jarred from his hand. Azmet rose to run away and Wylan called his name. The prophet looked over his shoulder and saw Wylan running after him. He scooped up a sword from a fallen follower and turned to face Wylan.
Wylan clashed swords with the prophet. The doomed fanatic slashed viciously, but Wylan parried each stroke. Seeing his opening, Wylan dropped to his knees and thrust his sword into Azmet’s stomach. As Azmet screamed, Arik swung his sword and decapitated the prophet from behind. Azmet’s body tumbled to the ground.
“Well met,” grinned Arik as he looked down at Wylan. “There is no need to bow on the battlefield.”
“Your Highness,” Wylan grinned back. “About time you showed up, but you are a bit late. This one was already dead.”
A fireball screamed across the campsite from the edge of the forest. The huge flaming ball burst on the shield surrounding Arik. Arik immediately turned towards the source of the fireball and saw Nassar running towards him with three men. He strode forward to meet Nassar, never hearing the scream Wylan let out as he collapsed on the ground. Tanya moved with Arik like a constant shadow. Tanya moved up to stand by Arik’s side as they met Nassar and his men.
“The boy king,” snarled Nassar as he nodded to his men to attack.
“That boy king is about to send you to paradise,” Tanya quipped as she struck out at one of the men.
Arik’s swing was waist level as he sliced through one of the men and thrust into another. Nassar saw his opening and lunged forward, only to fall face down in the dirt with a Lanoirian Star imbedded in the back of his head.
“Quit playing around,” chuckled Alex. “I want this battle over with quickly so I can get a decent night’s sleep.”
“As you wish,” grinned Tanya as she hurled a Lanoirian Star at Alex.
Alex dropped to the ground and swiftly rolled over in time to see the fanatic behind him fall to the ground with the Lanoirian Star buried in his throat. Alex grinned and nodded to Tanya as he jumped to his feet. He looked around the battlefield and shook his head. The only follower of Abuud that was still fighting was Achmed, and Tedi appeared to be having no problems with him.
Tedi swung his staff to block Achmed’s sword thrust. The staff connected with Achmed’s hand. The sword flew through the air as Achmed’s hand disappeared in a flash of blood. The large fanatic howled and reached for Tedi’s head with his other hand. Tedi swung his staff again and Achmed’s other hand disappeared is a blaze of red. Undeterred, Achmed charged Tedi with his body. Tedi thrust the staff hard into Achmed’s chest. The giant fanatic halted abruptly and stared down at the staff passing through his body. He shook his head and fell to the ground. Tedi pulled his staff free and walked over to Bin-lu who was picking up Lanoirian Stars.
“You made it, too,” grinned Tedi as he slapped Bin-lu on the back.
“Yes,” nodded Bin-lu, “but I still must learn to master the sword if I am to do many more of these battles. Carrying forty Lanoirian Stars around with you is a lot of weight.”
“How many did you actually use?” chuckled Tedi.
“All of them,” shrugged Bin-lu. “Why carry them if you do not use them?”
“You don’t need to learn to use a sword then,” Tedi shook his head. “Come on. Let’s go see how the warrior king fared.”
They walked over to the large knot of men standing around King Arik. Arik was on his knees alongside Wylan.
“What happened?” Tedi asked nervously.
“He was blinded by a fireball,” Tanya explained.
“A fireball meant for me,” sighed Arik.
“Get this man to a wagon,” ordered General Gregor.
Arik let go of Wylan’s hand and turned to Tanya. “Isn’t there anything that you can do?” he asked pleadingly.
“If there was,” Tanya frowned as Red Swords lifted Wylan’s body and carried it off, “I would have already done it. I do not have any knowledge of healing sight.”
General Gregor extended his hand to King Arik and helped him to his feet. “Some of Azmet’s men escaped,” the general stated. “I do not want you exposed out here in the center of this field. We need to get you back to the city.”
“I am not returning to Tagaret,” replied Arik. “I have a task to perform for the Sword of Heavens.”
“Where are you off to?” asked Bin-lu.
“We are heading south to get the Book of Things,” answered Arik. “You are welcome to join us, Bin-lu.”
“I want to make sure that Wylan gets safely to a healer,” Bin-lu stated before turning to look expectantly at Tedi.
“I will go to Tagaret,” Tedi decided. “I wish to let my mother know that I am alright. I also want her to meet Natia.”
Arik gazed at the gypsy girl standing alongside Tedi and grinned. “I look forward to getting to know Natia myself when I return,” he said warmly. “We should not be long. Look after Wylan for me.”
“I will,” frowned Tedi. “Is this the last of Azmet’s threat to Tagaret?”
“Some of the followers of Abuud escaped into the trees,” replied Sergeant Trank. “We have men chasing them down, but Azmet is finished. His disease will not kill anybody else.”
“Call off our men,” ordered King Arik. “The followers are no longer a threat with Azmet dead. I do not want to chance losing even a single one of our men chasing those who fled.”
Sergeant Trank nodded to one of the Red Swords who had heard the king’s instructions. The man ran off. “What about the statue of Abuud?” he asked.
Arik turned and gazed at the wagon carrying the statue. “Remove it from the wagon and leave it here,” he stated. “Let it mark this field of blood where an evil prophet met his doom. The wagon is something that we can use, though.”
“What of the Army of the West?”
asked Reese. “Where do we go? Do we return home? Do you want us in Tagaret?”
“I see no need at current for them in Tagaret,” General Gregor said to Arik.
“Nor I,” agreed the king. “I think for now that you should all return to your homes. Keep the army organized for when we need it next.”
“If I may make a suggestion,” interjected Alex. “The farm is only a few hours ride from here. I think it would be good for the Army of the West to spend some time there. It will make an excellent staging ground should Tagaret need to recall the Army of the West. They can rest their men up before returning home.”
“That is an excellent suggestion,” nodded General Gregor. “The farm would make a good staging point in the future. Let all of the men of the Army of the West know where it is and how to get to it.”
“Let it be so then,” agreed Arik.
“What of the captives?” asked Baron Timor. “They are mostly women and children.”
“I think you should take them with you,” declared Arik. “Southland is in need of people to repopulate it. I do not think that the women and children will be a threat, but I leave that to your discretion. There is not enough food in Tagaret to support them right now.”
“Some were taken from Cleb,” noted Baron Timor. “I shall let those from Cleb return there, if that is what they wish. The rest I will care for in Southland.”
“I think that is all that the king needs to decide on tonight,” Alex stated impatiently. “The general is capable of managing the battlefield and the return to Tagaret. I suggest that we get moving southward. The sooner we retrieve the Book of Things, the sooner the sun can return to Tagaret.”
Arik nodded and called for Chaco.
Chapter 19
Personal Darkness
Sheri sat in the small office in the Royal Palace of Tagaret. Her eyes gazed out the window as she worried about King Arik. She knew he was not supposed to come back from the battle, and the returning soldiers all assured her that he was fine, but she could not help worrying about him traipsing around the countryside alone. Well, not exactly alone, she conceded to herself. Of course Tanya would be with him.
“Have you heard anything I said?” asked Alan Markel.
“Huh?” responded Sheri as she looked at the councilor. “I am sorry, Lord Markel. My mind was wandering again. Forgive me?”
“What were you thinking about?” asked Alan.
“King Arik,” Sheri confessed. “I worry about him.”
“We all do,” nodded Alan. “He is a smart and able lad. Plus he is in good hands.”
“With Tanya, you mean?” snipped Sheri.
Alan smiled as he recognized the jealousy. “Actually,” Alan said comfortingly, “I meant Alex and Jenneva Tork, but Tanya is a capable lass as well. From what I know about Prince Darok, he is also a capable fighter. They have traveled all over the world, and Arik is still alive. I think you should not worry.”
“You are probably right, Lord Markel,” sighed Sheri. “I apologize for taking up your time. You must have more important things to do.”
“Actually,” smiled Alan, “there is little more important than meeting with you. You have done a wonderful job with the people of Tagaret. You should be very proud. I will admit that today is special to me though. My son, Tedi, has returned from his travels, and I look forward to spending some time with him. Let’s get this meeting wrapped up.”
“Alright,” smiled Sheri. “What were you saying?”
“I was saying that we have received two ships full of fish from Tice,” Alan stated. “They are larger than what we are used to here in Tagaret. I guess the sun shining up there again is starting to reverse the ill effects of the Darkness.”
“That is wonderful,” responded Sheri. “Are they at dock now?”
“They are being unloaded as we speak,” nodded Alan. “That should go a long way towards easing the food shortages, at least for a short while. I am having most of it smoked so it will last longer. It will be ready for distribution tomorrow.”
“I will see that it is distributed properly,” promised Sheri. “Some of the older boys want to know if the age for joining the army is going to be lowered. They are quite anxious to fight.”
“I am not sure about that,” frowned Alan. “I do not think the general has any objections to the boys being trained, but I do not expect that he will lower the age any. There is already more work in the city than the citizens can do. Your lads are performing valuable services.”
“Still, they are anxious,” countered Sheri. “If the war comes to Tagaret, we may need these boys ready for battle.”
“I will discuss it with General Gregor,” promised Alan, “but only if you do me a favor on the way out of here.”
“I am always willing to do a favor for you,” smiled Sheri. “What do you want?”
“I want you stop at the healing center on your way out of the palace,” Alan stated seriously. “I want you to see the men that were brought back from the battle wounded. Too many times we tend to glamorize war. I know. I was a soldier in my youth. I thought it was a gallant profession. A walk through a healing center can really open up your eyes to the horrors of war. You will find it educational.”
“Alright,” frowned Sheri. “If that is what you want, I will do it. Is there anything else?”
“That is all for today,” smiled Alan as he rose and opened the door for Sheri. “Keep up the good work.”
Sheri nodded and smiled as she left the small office. She started thinking about the delivery of the fish as she made her way down the stairs. Sheri stepped into the healing center. It was a large rectangular room with six rows of beds running the length of it. There were no empty beds, and Sheri stopped and stared at the rows of men.
“Can I help you?” asked an old woman. “Is there someone in particular that you have come to see?”
“No,” Sheri shook her head. “Lord Markel asked me to stop in and see the men. I won’t stay long.”
“Don’t say anything to upset them,” warned the old woman. “It is bad enough trying to keep their minds off their injuries, without someone reminding them about it.”
“I promise,” Sheri nodded as she started down one of the rows.
A sudden chill ran through her body as she started viewing the men. Some had heavy bandages wrapped around their heads. Some were missing arms or legs. A few of the men watched her as she passed by, but most of them averted their eyes when she looked at them. She got the distinct feeling that these men were ashamed of their condition. She wondered whether she wore an expression of pity upon her own face and how that would affect the men that saw her. She concentrated on keeping her face neutral.
She passed a couple of healers working feverishly on one patient and walked quickly by. At the end of the row, she turned and started up the other side. A sick feeling invaded her stomach, and she wondered if Lord Markel meant that she had to view all of the men. The way she was feeling, Sheri had the desire to run out of the room. She could not imagine the terror of being a healer and coming to this room every day. Suddenly, it dawned on her. This was the feeling that Lord Markel knew she would encounter. He wanted her to see the other side of war so that she would not press the issue of the boys joining the army. She began to wonder if she shouldn’t bring some of those boys into the healing center to see for themselves.
At the end of the row, Sheri stopped and let out a little gasp. She looked at the man in the bed and recognized him. Tears started to form at the corner of her eyes. She moved closer and stood next to the bed as her eyes ran over the body on it. She saw that he still had both legs and both arms. There was no great bandage upon his body, but the man appeared to be sleeping. Gently she reached out and took the man’s hand. He immediately pulled it back as his lips curled into a snarl.
“Go away,” the man said. “Just leave me alone.”
“Wylan?” Sheri said hesitantly. “I thought you were sleeping.”
Wylan opened his eye
s, and Sheri gasped loudly. His eyes were solid white orbs, and Sheri shivered.
“Sheri?” Wylan asked tentatively. “Is that you?”
“It is me,” Sheri replied softly. “What happened to you?”
“I cannot see,” Wylan replied. “A fireball exploded before my eyes. It was bright, and then nothing. My own personal Darkness.”
“Have the healers been by to see you yet?” Sheri asked. “Maybe they can fix you up.”
“They have already discarded me,” scowled Wylan. “I will never see again. What use is a fighter who cannot see? I wish I was dead.”
“Don’t say that,” scolded Sheri as she reached out and took Wylan’s hand again. “Don’t ever say that.”
“Why not?” retorted Wylan. “I am useless now. All I can do is take up space in the healing center. I hate it here. They put the torches out so the other men can sleep. It doesn’t matter to me. The torches are always out for me.”
The old woman coughed to get Sheri’s attention and waved her over. Sheri thought she was about to be scolded for getting a patient riled up. She let go of Wylan’s hand and walked over to the old woman.
“Do you know him?” the old woman asked.
“Yes,” answered Sheri. “He is a friend. Will he ever get his sight back?”
“Not a chance, lass,” the old woman shook her head. “Kind of useless for a man, isn’t it?”
“I don’t think that is a very nice thing to say,” scowled Sheri. “What did you want me for?”
“No need to get in a huff about it,” retorted the woman. “The fact is that I was hoping you could take him home with you. We have other wounded that could use that bed. The only reason that he is still here is because he is a friend of King Arik’s. Otherwise he would be put out in the street.”
“Out in the street?” growled Sheri. “Is that how you take care of men who have given everything that they have to fight for this country? People like you are the ones who should be put out in the street. Better yet, when the next attack comes, why don’t you grab a sword and go out to fight the enemy?”
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