A New Dawn

by J. J. Johnson

  “It’s all right, Khaleena. What has happened is for you and him to know,” Imari said, placing a hand on her back. “But his command to me was to lead our armies to Sahra.”

  “You know what my sister will think with an army marching to our home,” Amira said.

  Imari cast his gaze downward. “I know, but I have to believe Eloy would send us there for a reason.”

  “How do you know you didn’t just see a mirage?” Henry asked. “How do we know this can be trusted? It is more than a great risk to walk our armies through the desert to fight a battle when we have walls and fortifications right here.”

  This time it was Lancelin who spoke up, “Imari tells the truth. There has been more than one who has seen our High King.” He gave Imari a reassuring nod. “If Eloy has decreed it, then we will take our forces to Sahra.”

  Without protest Henry bowed in obedience. “Very well, then.”

  “It is settled?” asked Imari.

  “If this is to be our plan, let me ride ahead. Perhaps I can help persuade my sister of the danger that encroaches on us all,” Amira said.

  “We will meet you at the Grand Wall,” Imari said with an approving nod.

  “The wall?” Amira asked.

  “It was there our ancestors repelled these foul creatures once. Who’s to say we cannot do it again?”

  A fateful glance was shared between them knowing that the future of Islandia rested in their care. Imari cleared his throat before issuing the order, “We make our final stand together. Prepare the armies to march.”

  “One last thing, Khosi,” said Henry.

  “Yes?”

  “Queen Lydia led half our force to New Valkara to depose of Jorn. I told them to gather with us here when they were victorious.”

  “Send out a messenger bird with new orders. Have them meet us at The Grand Wall.”

  “I will at once.”

  With that they dispersed to prepare for the journey ahead. As the others shrank in the distance, he turned to Khaleena. His eyes betrayed the anxiety that gripped him not only for their journey but what awaited them in Sahra. Would Nabila finally stand with them? Or would they be facing two armies instead of one? Khaleena seemed to know his thoughts and placed a comforting hand on his back.

  “Whatever we face, brother, we will do it together.”

  They exchanged a somber look. “It is good to have you at my side once more, sister.”

  “Don’t get soft on me, Khosi. I still need a hardened warrior when we face these hordes of darkness.”

  “Don’t worry yourself, sister. You will have one,” he said with eyes ablaze.

  Amira had left them with details of a secret path used by the Sycar through the Endless Wastes. The path had led their company through the parched land of red clay and rock in record time. All among them gawked at the depth of the chasm that lay in the heart of the wastes. A void that scarred the land, reminding all who would gaze upon it what it had cost their ancestors to stand against these Felled Ones. He reflected once more on both the danger and beauty of such a place. Chiseled arches of stone stood as markers along their path. Their towering pillars of stone were an ominous companion to the void below. Mesas of tremendous splendor dotted the red horizon ahead, guiding them further into the wastes.

  Such a place would consume even the hardiest of warriors carrying an adequate supply of water. After all their careful measurement the constant threat of low supplies still prowled at the back of their minds. Yet, the threat chasing them surpassed all others. It was the catalyst needed to keep them pressing through this valley of death.

  The barren rock held no trace of life except for the occasional shrub or a patch of cacti. Even the sighting of a small lizard or snake was a rarity in such a place. He fought the constant reminder of thirst clinging to the back of his throat. It was evident in the eyes of all that the journey was taking its toll. As the cycle of starry heavens and blazing sun continued on their unending path those below started to lose heart.

  Even if we arrive at the wall in time, will we still have the strength of a fighting force? he wondered.

  He could sense in the nightly meetings between Henry, Lancelin, and Khaleena that all of them feared what this journey would do to morale. On the fifth day hope broke through the dire journey. The edge of a dark structure peaked over the crowded skyline of mesas. As they drew closer, the full grandeur of the Grand Wall came into view. Its presence dominated the open valley before it. The sandstone surface built deep into the Sahra Mountains stretched westward far beyond Imari’s vision. Massive towers stood as sentinels against any foreign invader. On their ramparts something new had caught Imari’s eye. Each tower was now equipped with large ballistas. Each held within their drawstrings bolts of devastating size. Alongside these, trebuchets lined alternating segments of the wall.

  “Nabila has made some upgrades since our last visit,” Khaleena said, striding up beside him.

  “More for us to use against The Felled Ones,” he said. He kept to himself the fear that the defenses might be used against them. Khaleena shared this hidden thought not in words but in a look.

  Slowly their army filed out from the cover of the mesa filled landscape and into the daunting shadow of the Grand Wall. Above, Imari could just make out the scurrying activity of Sahra soldiers. He desperately hoped Amira had reached her sister in time to prevent a response from the defenses. A horn bellowed out into the gray sky from behind the wall. Lancelin and Henry simultaneously raised a hand to halt the army at their back. This was the moment of truth.

  The loud creaking of a gate sounded out into the valley. From beneath the fortification a small party came riding forth to meet them. While Imari could not distinguish who the riders were, he had a feeling he knew. Soon the royal decor displayed on the mounts spoke of one person. Nabila. The small band stopped a short distance away, waiting for Imari and the others to ride forward to meet them.

  As they approached, a royal guard proclaimed, “All hail the Sulta of Sahra. Who rides forth to speak with her wise council?”

  The radiant Sulta sat on a gold encrusted horse of bronze coloring. She adorned herself in her favorite crimson sari embroidered with gold. Jewels of dazzling splendor hung loosely from a chain around her head. The crimson lips he loved did not part in a smile at the sight of him. The warriors escorting her wore the golden turbans of the elite city guard, their dark faces like stone. Their warhorses beneath stood like tanks covered in shining armor of rose gold complexion. Beside Nabila was Amira, her olive skin wrapped in simple black cloth, a solemn look covering her face.

  “It is Khosi Imari and with him Khaleena, princess of Khala, the esteemed prince Lancelin, and Henry commander of Kingshelm.”

  Nabila prodded her mount forward. “And why does the Khosi along with his esteemed guests bring an army to our sacred lands?”

  “Enough, Nabila!” Imari cried. “You know exactly why we have come.”

  “You will not speak to the Sulta in such a way you Khalan dog!” One of the royal guards barked.

  Nabila raised a hand to silence him.

  The same old roads of mistrust and prejudice will be the death of us, he thought before Nabila spoke again.

  “Amira has informed me of the threat. Although, this sounds like a danger to Kingshelm, not our own people. We have no quarrel with these outsiders.”

  “Nabila, this is far more than some outsiders. The Felled Ones have returned and they march on our heels. If we do not stand together we will all die!”

  “No!” she snapped. “You have brought this enemy to our doorstep to make it our concern, but you will be marching in the opposite direction very soon.” A coldness Imari had never seen filled her eyes as she spoke.

  “So you would doom us all?” Imari asked.

  “You have doomed yourselves by coming here. I cannot be held to account for your poor leadership.”

  Imari looked back at the host behind him. It was
not only soldiers who accompanied him, thousands upon thousands of Khalans had left their homes because of the trust they had placed in him. He knew already there was no Khala for them to return to. It was either the defenses of the Grand Wall or death.

  “We will not turn back.”

  “Then I cannot be responsible for what happens next.”

  “I know you, Nabila, and you would never drench your hands in the blood of women and children. If you give the order to attack us, that is exactly what you will be doing.”

  He could see the tension within her eyes, the fight for who she wanted to be and what her kingdom demanded of her. The question was, who would win? She bit her lip before speaking again.

  “You may have one night to rest. Then you and your army must leave these lands. If you do not… then I cannot say what might happen.” She turned to leave, casting a glance at her sister.

  “Come, Amira.”

  Amira turned, rage burning within her dark eyes. “No, sister, I will not.”

  Nabila whirled to face her. “Do not be foolish, sister. You belong to Sahra.”

  “No, I belong to those who have not forgotten what is truly important.” Amira moved her horse toward Imari and the others.

  “Ishmar stop her!” Nabila ordered. The royal guard ushered his horse forward but was stopped by Amira’s voice.

  “Ishmar, we both know what I can do to you. Do not try to stop me.”

  The guard looked nervously at his Sulta and breathed a sigh of relief when Nabila waved him off.

  “Fine, sister, if you wish to perish with them, go.”

  “We will all perish sooner or later. I wish to do so with my integrity intact,” Amira said coolly.

  Nabila turned in silence and beckoned her guard to follow.

  “Now what?” Henry asked.

  “I’m… I’m not sure…” Imari muttered.

  The camp broke into a frenzied panic at the news of Sahra’s rejection. Voices rang out from all the assembly.

  “We left everything to come here!”

  “Where will we go?”

  “You’ve led us to our doom! At least we had walls to defend in Khala!”

  It took everything within him not to run and hide, but he was their Khosi and the task belonged to no other.

  “We will not leave! Sahra must know that they belong to the same kingdom as us. We will make our stand here.”

  A voice cried out once more from the crowd, “So we let them stab our backs while we wait to be slaughtered by these outsiders?”

  “How do you know Sahra hasn’t been in on this plot the whole time?” inquired another.

  He searched and could find no answer. “We will speak more on this in the morning. Until then, trust that we will find a solution.”

  Grumbling washed over the crowd, but all in attendance knew there were no other options. It was stand here or die. Perhaps both would be upon them soon. As he stepped away from the dispersing crowd, Lancelin approached him with the Dreadwood girl named Izel at his side.

  “Imari, a word?” Lancelin asked.

  Imari gave him a tired nod. “What is it, Lancelin?”

  The Leviatanas prince motioned to Izel.

  “Esteemed Khosi, I wish to share a story with you,” she said.

  “We have many pressing matters…”

  “It’s relevant to us,” interrupted Lancelin on her behalf.

  “Sorry, I’m just tired. Go on,” Imari said rubbing his forehead.

  Izel showed no sign of offense as she continued, “In my home when the Sombrios arrived, our people were divided. Some families served him, while others resisted.”

  “What did you do to come together?” Imari asked.

  “We didn’t,” she said with a sternness in her eyes. “And it was because of that many became enslaved to these Felled Ones. Those that didn’t… we lived on the run like hunted animals.”

  Izel let the silence hang between them a moment before continuing. “I do not know the quarrel between your peoples but if you allow it to stop you from standing against what is coming, all of Islandia will be enslaved.”

  “We must do something, Imari. Can we gain another audience with Nabila? Surely there is something that can convince her?” Lancelin pleaded.

  He felt the weight of doubt fill his mind.

  “I will see if I can speak with her in private. Maybe I can convince her of some sort of action.”

  Both Lancelin and Izel smiled at his words, but they felt hollow even as they left his lips. With a polite nod he retreated to his tent. He took care not to catch the stray eyes of those around. The last thing he wanted was to field more questions he had no answers to. With a breath of relief he pushed back the flap of his tent and entered the sanctuary in relief. Attendants hesitantly approached him seeing the worn expression he carried. Behind them stood Impatu, waiting to be summoned.

  “I am fine,” Imari said waving off the attendants. With begrudging steps he moved toward Impatu.

  “My Khosi… that cannot have been easy.”

  “If words could express,” he replied shrinking into a nearby chair. The dim evening sky cloaked the pale sand colored tent in shadow. Flickering torches danced on the canvas sheets and the quiet yawns of neighboring occupants pierced through the thin fabric. All was quiet now, if only his mind could enter the silent chorus. Impatu shuffled awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

  “Lost for advice my friend? That is unlike you,” he said, letting out a tired chuckle.

  “The shadow of fear and confusion grows thick over us all, my Khosi.”

  The somber words from the typically cheerful Impatu left him feeling cold. What could he do?

  He had no confidence in the attempt, but he made sure to keep his promise. A messenger was sent, but even as the evening sky faded to black no word had returned from Sahra. The camp had grown silent as many had retired to sleep. Some he imagined collapsed from the taxing journey they had finished and some for the journey they envisioned ahead.

  Sleep eluded him, however. The anxiety of what tomorrow would bring gripped him. Why had Eloy asked him to journey to Sahra? Would they not have been safer in Khala? Deep down he knew the Grand Wall may be the only fortification in all of Islandia that could hold the Felled Ones at bay, and yet his faith in defenses and weapons waned. Such tools had their limits. They sowed only seeds of destruction in the end, leaving death as their lasting mark. What weapons of war could overcome the agents of death itself?

  The wind rustled against the canvas covering beside him. Only it wasn’t the wind. He sat up with a jolt, Daybreaker in hand. As the sheet of the tent peeled backward it revealed the olive face of Amira.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Word has returned from Nabila. She will speak to you,” she said in a hushed tone.

  “Will you be coming with?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Maybe together we can convince her that this is madness.”

  “Before we go, I must grab one thing.” He shot to his feet. Ushering her to follow they moved discreetly through the camp, avoiding any unneeded attention. At a heavily guarded tent he finally stopped.

  “What is it you want from there?” Amira asked.

  “You’ll see,” he said with a knowing look on his face.

  He pushed back the tent flap and revealed a room full of various armor and weaponry. The familiar personable face of Henry turned from his work to greet them. His muscled arms stopped their work of sharpening his sword.

  “What can I help you with, Khosi?”

  “I need the blade I asked you to keep for me while we journeyed.”

  Without a word Henry moved to a chest that rested near the tent’s frame. With the turn of a key he had pulled from his tunic, the chest opened. He lifted the crimson scabbard with reverence from the container. Slowly he turned and extended Dawn’s Light to Imari. Imari took the scimitar in hand and faced Amira.

  “Kh
osi, I…”

  “This sword belongs to your family. Maybe with this gift Nabila will see we are allies in this war against a common enemy. Much like our ancestors who stood at this same precipice so long ago.”

  “Best of luck,” Henry said turning back to his work.

  Imari smiled at the awestruck Amira.

  “How could you trust us with such a weapon after everything?”

  “Sometimes it takes faith to see the possibility of reconciliation where others cannot.”

  Without another word he turned to exit the tent. The dark of night had taken its place in the heavens. A dazzling array of stars filled the sky. Their shining gems illuminated the dark path until they reached the great shadow that blotted out all around it. The Grand Wall stood as a towering menace in the night. Its ramparts and towers seemed to be a great beast that loomed overhead. The feeling of smallness was never more prevalent to him.

  A crack pierced the impenetrable depths and sent a sliver of light bursting out from the base of the wall. A host of guards came forth to usher them into the belly of the beast. They were escorted up a torchlit set of stone stairs until they came to a small oak door. A pair of guards opened it to reveal a square room filled with simple decor. Nabila stood over a table covered in maps. Her gaze rose to meet them as they were ushered in. She raised a hand for them to step forward and with a look dismissed the guards. As the door shut behind them she began to speak.

  “You wished to see me?” Nabila asked.

  Imari swallowed knowing each word was precious. “I did.”

  “Then speak.” Her captivating face showed no patience for flattery or persuasion. Only a cool calculation lay beneath her dark eyes.

  “First, I have a gift.” He motioned to Amira who stepped forward unbuckling the Dawn Blade at her hip.

  “Dawn’s Light returned to its proper home,” he said.

  Nabila clasped her hand around the decorated hilt and withdrew the sword from its scabbard. A smile crossed her face at the restored blade. No longer did a black mist haunt its frame. Instead a radiant hue of golden light painted the edges. Reverently she sheathed the drawn blade and placed it on the table.