Coryn gave a slight smile that vanished when her eyes fell once again to her mother’s corpse. “She didn’t deserve to die. She was innocent in all of this. She died merely for loving a man - my father.”
Dawyn nodded solemnly. “Hers was the first innocent blood spilled, but I expect not the last.”
Coryn gazed into Dawyn’s eyes. “I will make these abominations pay. I swear on the Founders I will, or die trying.”
We still might die, Dawyn thought, though he did not voice his thought.
* * *
So, are we going to talk about what happened? Jason asked through the link as they walked down a hall in the Celestial Palace. Doesn’t that concern you?
You mean the fact that if one of us dies, the other may very likely die of an internal explosion in their brain? Bridgette asked, irony being conveyed through the link. Yes, that concerns me. Are we certain it will happen to us? Perhaps the nanites will prevent that reaction from happening?
I don’t know, but I’m not sure I’m ready to find out. Jason shuddered. Don’t do anything dangerous, alright?
He got the impression she was laughing, as a sense of mirth was transmitted across the link. You know I can make no promises.
Chapter 38 - Freedom
“Oh, where will we go?” the frantic screeching voice of a slave woman said. “We’re all going to die!”
“Be quiet, all of you,” Boris said. The eyes of the slaves assembled in the sewers beneath the city focused on him. “We are not all going to die. We have the upper hand down here. If the soldiers or slavers want us, they have to wade through the sludge and the rats and winding tunnels in order to find us. For now, we are safe. It is starvation and disease that we will be fighting, not men.
“Now, if any of you wishes to leave, now is the time. Those that remain will work with my companions and I to prepare an escape plan out of the city. You have more safety, however, if you remain here in the sewers with us.”
After departing House Helgstad, Boris had led the slaves into the sewers, knowing it would be suicide to try and walk out of the city. Such a large group of slaves walking down the street would draw attention, with guards trying to kill them and slavers trying to capture them, mountains of gold the subject of their fantasies.
“What about the other slaves in the city?” a voice asked from somewhere in the crowd.
“We cannot free every slave,” Boris said. “We must look to ourselves first.”
“But my son is out there,” a woman cried. Her sentiment was echoed by many slaves. The Empire did not care if families were broken apart, and the slavers probably broke families up on purpose to make slaves hopeless and malleable.
Boris held up his hands in an attempt to restore order. “Alright, alright. When we are making our escape from the city, we may, I say may, be able to free other slaves on our way out. I will make no promises, though. Everyone should get some rest while possible. My companions and I will take turns standing guard for now, until some of you are trained to fight.” He would make no promises he could not keep. Although he disagreed with the institution of slavery, what could he, one man, do? For now, his focus was survival.
Chapter 39 - A Plan
“Thank you all for coming,” Coryn said to the assembled group. The same people who had been in the chamber when her mother died were assembled again now, in the antechamber of her bedchamber. The furniture had been moved aside, and a large table carried in. A massive map lay upon the table, depicting the continent of Tar Ebon, which included the kingdom of Tar Ebon and six others.
“As you are all aware, the Krai’kesh have struck a devastating blow against the kingdom of Tar Ebon. Our army was destroyed, and we are left with naught but city watch, militia and rangers now. Though I do not doubt the bravery of such men, I fear they shall not be enough to face the coming threat. To this end, I am appointing Dawyn Darklance as Supreme Commander of Tar Ebon’s military forces and placing him in charge of the tactics surrounding the defense of the city and defeat of the Krai’kesh.” She gestured to Dawyn. “Dawyn, would you please outline your proposed plan?”
“Thank you, my queen,” Dawyn said with a bow and stood as the queen sat. “My plan relies on the cooperation of the other kingdoms on the continent. As all of you know, there are seven kingdoms on this continent. Tar Ebon has fought against most of the lands at least once, but in this time of need the hope is that they will set aside old grudges and come to our aid.”
“So then we are sending out ravens?” one of the noblewomen asked. “To ask for their aid?”
Dawyn gave a thin smile. “If only it were that easy, m’lady. I fear that ravens will be insufficient to convey the gravity of the situation. We must send emissaries - people we trust - to visit each of the other kingdoms and garner their support.”
“Who is going?”
“Many of the people in this room. As the trusted confidants of the realm, it is clear that you each share a desire to see the kingdom, and the world, remain standing. Each group will consist of an emissary and a small escort of rangers. When a nation agrees to aid us, have them send all available military forces to Henry’s Crossing. It is there we will assemble our combined military forces for a strike on the Krai’kesh.
“What follows is the assignment of who is going where. You do not have to go if you do not want to go, but know that if you refuse, the likelihood of our success decreases.
“Jason, you are being sent by boat to the Citadel, in the kingdom of Kalandor far to the southeast. They are known for their heavily armed and armored knights and have always been a staunch ally of Tar Ebon. Bridgette, you are to go to the desert lands of Shar’Hai, to the west. Be cautious, for they have fought Tar Ebon in centuries past. Their warriors and ninjas are known around the world for their discipline and swordsmanship. John, we are asking for you to go northwest to the Rovarkian horse lords. They are a fierce, proud people, who may have already encountered the Krai’kesh as they traveled south. I suspect it will be easy to convince them.
“Anwyn, you are being asked to return to your homeland - the forest lands of Volandir to the east. There you are to ask the druids and the woodland people to come to our aid. Relations have not always been good between our lands, for they constantly skirmish with the Citadel, but I hope that the druids will be wise enough to see that they and their people are needed. Ashley, you are to go to the southeastern kingdom of Valnaria. They are known for their pikes and crossbows, a valuable core to any army. I will go southwest to Mara Damare and entreaty their king to support us. They take pride in the swordsmanship and discipline of their soldiers there - a suitable place for me to go in the event they wish to challenge me.
“Our queen will be remaining behind to hold court and help the city remain steadfast in the face of our foe. Are there any questions?”
“What of me?” Alivia asked.
“I wouldn’t presume to give you directions, Alivia, you being a master of the Tower. But, considering that most of the masters were slain in the recent battle, it would make sense for you to remain behind to oversee the operation of the Tower and assist Coryn as needed.”
Alivia did not look happy at Dawyn’s words, but nodded all the same.
“Ranger-general, how many rangers do you have in the city?” Dawyn asked.
“A few dozen, sir.”
“Draw back as many as you can from the surrounding countryside prior to the Krai’kesh arriving here. Send some north as scouts - hopefully we can get some advance notice - and send any others who cannot make it before the siege begins south to Henry’s Crossing. On their way, have them gather any able-bodied men who are willing to fight. Such recruits can be trained at Henry’s Crossing while we wait for the other kingdoms. Any other questions?” There were none.
“Alright, you are all dismissed for now,” the queen said, standing. “Make preparations - you will leave as soon as possible for your destinations. May the light of the Founders shine upon you in your journeys.”
Epilogue
As the north wind blew across the fields beneath the walls of Tar Ebon, Coryn watched as a procession of people exited from the eastern gates. The last hope for Tar Ebon, nay, for the world, rode forth in an effort to prevent the coming apocalypse. Her hair billowed in the wind and she reached back to pull the hood of her cloak up.
“Do you think they’ll succeed?” Alivia’s melodic voice was raised to be heard above the howling wind, but still it sounded as if she were far away.
Coryn did not take her eyes from the procession. “If they do not, then everything will have been for naught. I pray to the Founders that they will succeed. The scouts tell me that the Krai’kesh stopped. They are,” she choked back tears and cleared her throat, “feasting on…the spoils of victory.” She could not bring herself to say “the dead”.
“What will we do when they arrive?”
“Pray for a miracle.”
* * *
The north wind blew across the broken battlefield as the leader of the Krai’kesh surveyed his horde. They feasted on the corpses of those they had slain. As the leader watched, two of his minions began to fight over one of the corpses. Soon they would grow restless, and they would move on. A hum, ever-present in the back of his mind, indicated the direction of the human power source that they so desired. They would destroy any humans that stood in their way, claiming the pitiful world they were on in the name of Rae’shela and the Krai’kesh Empire.
Shadows Fall
By: Dayne Edmondson
Chapter 1
A bitter wind blew from the north, causing Alivia O'Leary's hair to stream behind her. Autumn had begun to lay claim to the land. Looking to her right, Alivia studied the face of Coryn. Ties restrained her hair while a black polished breastplate gleamed beneath the autumn sun. She looked more like a warrior than a queen. Her face was set, her eyes determined, as they studied the northern horizon. Her lips formed a thin line, being neither smile nor frown. A sword in its scabbard hung at her side, a shield hung on her back. Studded leather gloves and trousers protected her hands and legs, while knee-high leather boots completed the outfit. Over two dozen guards, attendants and servants surrounded her.
“You seem worried,” Alivia observed. “Why else would you be up here?”
Coryn nodded without looking at Alivia. “The scouts did not return today as expected. I fear they won’t return.”
Alivia turned again to the north, closing her eyes. Death. The memory of the pain she felt at the loss of her mother, father and most of her mage family rose up to assail her. Nightmares plagued her by night, while ghosts haunted her by day. Three weeks had passed since Dawyn and the others had departed, but no respite had come for her. She might walk into a room and hear the voice of her mother scolding her as a child. The voice of her father lecturing on the basics of magical manipulation seemed to echo when she entered a classroom. She knew of course that the voices were memories, not their actual voices, but it did not make dealing with the loss any easier.
“How lies the mantle of command on your shoulders?” Coryn asked.
Alivia sighed and opened her eyes. “Heavy. I am not ready to lead an entire order, no matter how diminished its numbers.” The decision for Alivia to be the leader of the Tower had been simple - the remaining eleven master mages had not wanted the task and it fell to her to bring order to the chaos left by the death of so many. She knew that without guidance the Tower, a thousand-year institution, could cease to exist. This had compelled her to accept the responsibility.
Coryn nodded. “I am sure you will be a fine leader, Alivia. I…” her words cut short as a horn sounded from the northeast tower.
Alivia followed the gaze of Coryn, who had straightened in alarm. Cresting a ridge to the north, a mass of dark creatures, Krai’kesh, began to surge down the incline. They raced like a wave of flesh, picking up speed as they came, toward the black walls of Tar Ebon.
“Sounds the alarms!” Coryn shouted, sending attendants scurrying away. Her guards moved closer to Alivia and Coryn as if to shield them from the coming horde. Horns echoed from the other towers of the city. Drums began to beat from the rear of the battlement, calling the city’s defenders to assemble. Archers stepped to the edge of the wall, stringing their bows and preparing to release their arrows. Armored soldiers stood behind the crenellations, ready to step into the gap when the archers fell back.
Only a few moments had passed, yet already the creatures were a mere hundred meters or so from the walls. “Archers, loose at will!” the commander of the archers, Marketh, shouted. Archers took aim, releasing their arrows as they fixed on a target. Alivia watched as the arrows streaked toward the first of the Krai’kesh. She winced as the arrows bounced off the armored carapace of the creatures. A few lucky arrows found chinks in the armor of the Krai’kesh, causing them to stumble.
Alivia noticed movement near the rear of the oncoming horde. A large crystal, at least four carts wide and three times as tall as a man, glowed like a hot torch. A dozen enemy soldiers carried it. What is that? she wondered. As she watched, the Krai’kesh thrust the crystal into the ground with a loud boom, throwing up dust. A massive monster three times as tall as the smaller Krai’kesh thundered forward from the back
Pulling her eyes from the crystal, Alivia drew heat from a nearby brazier and formed it into a sphere. The air itself burned, reflecting the glow of the flames it had stolen the heat from. Alivia cast the sphere out from her body and launched it toward the front ranks of the Krai’kesh. The ball of flame arced toward the creatures but the energy dissipated as it neared their lines. It was as if her fireball were a torch thrust into the ocean. Alivia's eyes widened in shock
She tried again, this time forming a line of fire encased in walls of air. The flame flowed, through the channel of air toward the Krai’kesh ranks. As before, the flames ceased to exist after hitting a certain point. No splash indicated where the invisible wall was - the flame was just gone. The last of the stream of fire disappeared and Alivia sighed in frustration. She released her hold on the channel of air.
Next, she looked up and stretched her mind toward the clouds above the battlefield. She charged the particles in the clouds in an attempt to link the clouds to the ground to summon lightning. Yet, her perception could not pierce the veil blanketing the Krai’kesh. A space devoid of anything according to her senses blanketed the Krai’kesh. She could sooner manipulate the moon high above than she could the matter and energy within that void.
Withdrawing her mind, she re-focused her eyes and spoke to Coryn. “My magic cannot touch them. I cannot even see them with my magic. It is as your mother spoke of during the battle. “When Coryn did not speak, Alivia returned her attention to the horde that had reached the walls.
The first rank of creatures leapt forward, front feet pointed toward the stone walls. This must be how they overran the Haguesfort, Alivia thought. But as their feet slammed against the walls, they failed to pierce the stone of the walls, causing a loud clack. The walls repelled the creatures. The second rank of creatures passed the first and tried as well, followed by a third rank. Each attempt was unsuccessful. The creatures began to mill about in frustration. A few tried to slam their claws into the wall, with the same result.
“Their claws cannot pierce the stone!” Coryn exclaimed, stating the obvious. “Archers, redouble your efforts!”
The pace of arrows raining down increased, but the creatures paid as much heed as if it were raining water. Arrows bounced off the armor of the enemy creatures, falling to the ground, like water running off a stone.
The first rank of creatures knelt, while the second rank leapt onto their backs. The third rank tried to ascend the growing wall of Krai’kesh, but could not keep their balance. Several fell backward into the swarm. The attempts at scaling the walls using a siege engine of flesh failed. Minutes later the creatures gave up.
Alivia expected the creatures to continue on their way, abandoning the city and moving to easier pr
ey. Instead, they spread out to the north and south, remaining close to the walls, encircling the city. The gates had been shut for days, or some might have gotten into the city before they could be shut.
“They’re preparing for a siege,” Coryn said, slamming her fist down on the stone wall. “Damn the Founders!”
Alivia studied the formation of the creatures. They moved so fast! Their attempts were futile, though, for the city was protected…a thought struck her and her eyes opened wide. “The harbor,” she breathed.
Coryn heard her words and spun to an officer. “Send word to the harbor. They are to close the harbor gate immediately. I want as many guards as possible sent to the docks until we’re sure none got through.” She returned her gaze to the field below as the officer saluted and descended the stairs.
“My queen,” Captain Galbrath, the head of the Shadow Watch Guard detachment protecting her, began, “we should retreat to the palace. If the creatures manage to get over the walls…”
“If the creatures manage to get over the walls,” Coryn said, cutting him off, “the city will fall, captain. I will not hide in the palace while the Krai'kesh slaughter my people. I will see these creatures driven off or die trying.”
Captain Galbrath hesitated before nodding his understanding. “As you say, my queen.”
“I should return to the Tower, Coryn,” Alivia said. “I will lead a detachment to the harbor to lend what aid they can. Perhaps this magical field of theirs will not extend as far as the harbor.”
Coryn sighed and nodded. “You’re right, I suppose. I will lead our defenders to the harbor.”
Chapter 2
Coryn watched Alivia go from the eastern wall of Tar Ebon, then spoke to Captain Galbrath. “Captain, send every available guard save the archers to the harbor. Until we get those gates shut that is our greatest vulnerability.”
The Complete Shadow Trilogy Page 36
