The Indian picked up his sword and began to hobble painfully away, casting venomous looks over his shoulder as he did. Phoenix re-sheathed Blódbál and watched him for awhile before turning back to check on his friends.
“You ok?” Cadoc approached with a strange expression on his face as he eyed the retreating assassin. Behind him, Marcus cradled Jade’s limp form and began to carry her toward their tent. Brynn hovered, looking none the worse for wear. Vasi and a team of his men despatched the few remaining assassins who dared to test their strength. The ground was littered with dead and dying, black-clad swordsmen.
“Sure,” Phoenix shrugged. The action reminded him that he really wasn’t that ‘ok’. His back was on fire and his face stung. Jade would be out of action for awhile, so he’d have to get some doctoring from one of the local shamans. Scary.
Vasi approached, concern mingling with respect and regret on his handsome face. “The Devi Jade,” he asked, “is she alright?”
Phoenix translated for Cadoc and exchanged a knowing look. “She’ll be ok.” He assured the Indian prince. “It looked worse than it is, I’m sure.”
“What about you?” the prince walked around, inspecting the sluggishly-bleeding wound on Phoenix’s back. “You need to see a surgeon. Who sent these men?” He frowned down at the bodies.
Phoenix shrugged again, regretting it. “No idea,” he lied. “One of them called himself Yajat and had a freaky, long, flexible sword, though.”
Vasi’s eyes widened. “An urumi! They are a difficult weapon to master and an even harder one to defeat in the hands of one who has. The assassin Yajat is known far and wide. If you have bested him then you are a hero indeed. Where is he now?” He looked again at the pile of dead bodies.
“I broke his knee and let him go with a warning to his master,” Phoenix waved a hand in the direction the assassin had taken. There was nothing but darkness now.
The Indian prince paled. “You defeated Yajat, the best Kalaripayattu assassin, and let him go? Are you insane?”
Phoenix groaned. “Probably. Was that a dumb thing to do?”
“Only if you like living,” Vasi replied. “You have dishonoured him and he will be seeking vengeance.”
“Oh good,” Phoenix sighed. “Someone else out to get me. How unusual. C’mon, let’s go see how Jade is.”
Vasi opened his mouth to argue then seemed to think better of it. He blinked a few times, raised his brows and shook his head in apparent astonishment. Clearly he wasn’t used to someone dismissing such danger so lightly. Phoenix chuckled, remembering the almost-constant state of adrenalin-rush he’d been in when he’d first arrived in this ancient time. Now, living with the threat of death seemed almost normal. It made his real life seem extremely dull by comparison and his previous fear of his stepfather almost laughable. What were a few threats compared to being skewered, poisoned, shot and squashed? Maybe things would change a little when he got home….
Phoenix shook himself. If he got home. He couldn’t afford to get complacent now. Jade had probably lost another life, which left her with only, what, four? They hadn’t yet completed this level and still had the last to go. She couldn’t risk losing any more and he couldn’t afford to become blasé about his own.
Together, the three made their way to where Marcus had taken Jade. Cadoc went in. Outside the tent, Phoenix paused and looked at Vasi.
“Er.. thanks for your help back there but maybe you shouldn’t come in,” he suggested.
“My father will wish to know the devi is indeed alright,” Vasi’s tone brooked no argument. “Our success in the forthcoming battle depends on her.”
Phoenix hesitated, wondering if Jade had had time to recover; wondering how many lives she’d lost. As he did, the tent flap was shoved aside and Brynn stepped out, looking relieved and cheerful again. He took it as a good sign. Brynn tended to get upset when Jade died. Cadoc came out. Marcus emerged a second later, looking troubled.
“Is she alright?” Phoenix squeezed the boy’s shoulder. He spoke in Breton and rolled his eyes significantly toward Vasi.
Brynn glanced that way then nodded, replying in Sanskrit so Vasi could understand. “Cadoc gave her some wine and that seemed to help. She’s just changing into her own clothes – that sari was pretty mangled. Basically, she’s pretty annoyed but she’ll be fine.” He switched to Svear “She protected the Bag, though.”
“Is she annoyed because of what happened, or because her sari got wrecked,” Phoenix asked in Sanskrit.
“Er…” Brynn considered it, “both, I think. Who did it, anyway?”
Phoenix grimaced and switched languages again. “Our old friend, Zhudai. He’s now calling himself ‘DragonMaster’ and has hired some new friends.”
“Oh good,” Marcus sighed, “we needed more of those sorts of friends.”
Phoenix quirked him a lopsided grin. “I do believe that was sarcasm. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I save it for special occasions,” the Roman retorted. “She lost one more, you know.” He eyed Phoenix’s life-dagger.
“I’d guessed as much,” he returned. Turning to Vasi and ignoring his puzzled frown, Phoenix smiled a polite dismissal. “Looks like the fun’s over for the evening. We’ll stick with Jade and make sure she gets rest. See you in the morning.”
Vasi hesitated, obviously reluctant to go without seeing Jade for himself.
At that moment, Brynn let out a squeak of delight and pointed toward the sky. “Look, shooting stars – lots of them.”
Everyone looked up. Sure enough, dozens of shooting stars were arcing across the night sky in a spectacular light-show display.
Marcus laid a hand on Phoenix’s shoulder. “I don’t think…” he began.
At the same time, Vasi gasped and Cadoc murmured, “Uh-oh, looks like you were wrong about the fun being over. I think it’s just starting.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Seconds later, the first fire-arrow hit a tent nearby and flames began to eat their way up the canvas wall. Someone inside screamed. Five, half-dressed men came running out, yelling and pointing. More arrows rained down; more blazes erupted. Fires blossomed all over the camp, sending sparks high into the air. Horses whinnied in fear and elephants trumpeted their distress. More voices joined the cacophony until everything was a babble of noise and confusion. Acrid smoke began to pour into the dark sky, blotting out the stars.
“Marcus, get Jade and our things out of there, fast,” Phoenix ordered. “I’ll go find the horses. Brynn, you’re with me. Cadoc, help Marcus.” Marcus nodded. He and Cadoc plunged back into the tent.
Vasi collared a nearby officer and issued rapidfire orders.
“Know where they’re keeping the horses, Brynn?” Phoenix scanned the darkness, watching.
“You’re kidding, aren’t you?” the boy said. “Of course I know. I also know where they store the water. We can get some buckets and start people putting out the fires.”
“No,” Phoenix grabbed his arm just as the boy turned to dash off. “That’s what they’re expecting. Help me get the horses, Jade and our gear to safety then we need to arrange a defence.”
“That’s what who will be expecting.”
“Probably Bhumaka’s men,” Phoenix had a feeling this was going to be a long night. “They obviously don’t have the same problem with using guerrilla warfare that Marcus does. If I were them, I’d be positioning for an attack about now – to take the camp while it’s in chaos.”
Vasi appeared at his elbow. “I need to get the men organised to put out these fires. Will you help me?”
Phoenix shook his head and repeated his theory. “I think the fires are the least of your worries. You need to be mustering a defence. This is the prelude to an assault.”
The prince stared at him in disbelief. “An assault? In the middle of the night? Surely even Bhumaka is not so dishonourable as that?”
Phoenix raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s honourable to one man is stupidity to anot
her, your highness. It’s up to you but I’m not wasting my time on fires. If you decide to organise protection, let me know.” Turning on his heel, he followed Brynn into the smoky darkness. Behind, Vasi wavered for a moment then growled and ran off, presumably to report to his father.
The horses were close by. Corralled with several cavalry animals, they were bunched up in one corner of the pen; eyes rolling and heads tossing in fear as flames jumped high around them.
Brynn found their tack and together they managed to get all six of their remaining beasts saddled and bridled. Phoenix tried to ignore the burning pains in his back and face as the cuts there got pulled wider each time he moved. Healing would have to wait.
Riding back through camp was faster but fraught with danger. Scared soldiers and panicked servants dashed in all directions, achieving little but adding to the general chaos. The wind picked up and black smoke swirled in strange eddies between the tents.
In the distance, Phoenix heard the sound of war-trumpets but there was no way of knowing whose side was being called to arms. If Vasi had not taken his advice, this could be a very short, very brutal battle.
They reached the tent just as a flaming projectile smacked into the bottom edge of one wall and fire began licking its way up the side. Marcus and Cadoc emerged, laden with packs and gear. Jade followed, looking ghastly. She was pale and still smeared with streaks of her own blood.
Reaching down a hand, Phoenix helped her up onto her horse. “You ok?” He asked anxiously.
She nodded. “I won’t be much help in this, though,” she admitted, waving a hand at the destruction being wrought around them. “I need time and rest. I’ve lost too much blood and strength to perform any major magic.”
Phoenix gripped her arm. “I figured as much. Leave this to us. You and Brynn get out of here. Cadoc!” he yelled over at the other Player. “Find them a safe place to hide nearby, will you?”
The Player nodded and slumped in his saddle, leaving his digital body behind while he searched Google Maps for a hiding place. Moments later, he straightened.
“Ride north-north-east for about a kilometre and you should find three low hills,” he said to Jade. “The middle one has a narrow ridge up the western side with a path on it. There’s no trees but you should be safe up there. It’ll be easily defensible and you’ll have a great view,” he added with a smile. “Good luck.”
Jade laid a hand on his arm. “You too. All of you. Be careful, Phoenix.”
Phoenix nodded then frowned at Brynn when the boy looked mulish. “Just go, please Brynn,” he pleaded. “I know you want to stay but we can’t leave Jade alone when she’s so weak. Please?”
Sighing, the boy nodded and gathered up the reins.
Phoenix watched them vanish into the gloom and wondered if he’d done the right thing. Jade was in no state to help and if she stayed, he and Marcus would spend their whole time protecting her.
Cadoc nudged his horse closer. “You do realise we all could have gone, don’t you?”
Phoenix blinked at him in shock. It had never occurred to him to run away. “We made a deal with Guatamiputra. We promised to help him win this war.”
The Player shrugged. “I just don’t see how this is going to help you finish your Quest, that’s all. Hard to win if you’re dead.”
“Maybe it’s not just about winning,” Phoenix muttered defensively.
Cadoc laughed. “You really are nuts. What else would it be about?” He didn’t stay to hear an answer but kneed his horse into a trot and headed off toward the Raj’s tent. Around him, smoke and flame swirled.
Marcus came alongside, controlling his nervous horse with an iron hand. “You’re right, he’s not.”
“Thanks.” Phoenix wasn’t so sure. It was nice to hear but he could see Cadoc’s point, too. From the outsiders’ viewpoint, Phoenix’s choice would seem insane. There was nothing to be gained from staying and fighting someone else’s war. Then Jade’s words from the previous level came to mind and Phoenix wavered again. She had made him realise that every decision they made could have either positive or negative results. In Svealand, they had opted to help innocent villagers and had won a shortcut to Asgard and the end of their quest. Something similar had happened when Brynn had convinced them to go treasure-hunting in Egypt. For Phoenix and Jade, there were no clear-cut paths through this game. Like real life, every decision had consequences – their path was the product of their choices; good and bad.
Phoenix shook himself. “Let’s go find the Raj. We have a skirmish to win.”
*****
Jade bent low over her mare’s neck, clutching the mane with one hand and the reins of Cadoc’s spare horse with the other. Ahead, Brynn cast anxious glances back at her as he picked a way through the frenzied camp. Twice men jumped out at them, intent on stealing the horses and escaping fiery death. The first time, Brynn landed a kick and the would-be thief fell back, unconscious. The second time, Jade’s horse reared and this man backed away fearfully as she clung to the reins.
By the time they reached the northern edge of the camp, Jade’s whole body shook with exhaustion and she could barely stay in the saddle. So when a third, dark-clad man leaped from the shadows and swung himself up onto the back of Cadoc’s second horse, she was powerless to prevent it. He jerked the reins from her hands and flashed her a grin, his teeth white in a soot-blackened face. Turning, he kicked the animal into a gallop and vanished into the night, leaving Jade to thump her fist on her thigh in weak frustration.
“Cadoc’s going to kill me,” she moaned as Brynn came alongside.
“Not if I can help it,” the boy glowered. “C’mon, we need to get to that hill before all hell breaks loose here. I hear fighting.”
Jade strained to hear above the crackling of flames and cries for help. Sure enough, Brynn was right. Added to the general noise of confused fire-fighting was the sound of steel on steel. The battle had begun.
Together, they urged their horses into a canter, reluctant to go any faster on the uneven, nightshadowed terrain. Jade managed to whisper a few pathetic witchlights into existence and sent them to bob ahead, just above the ground. They could ride more rapidly after that and it wasn’t long before the horses were picking their way up the bare spine of the ridge Cadoc had found.
Sounds of warfare carried clearly through the cool night air and the scent of smoke stung their throats. The horses huffed and bobbed their heads as they struggled up the slope and Jade shivered with fatigue as she clung to her mare’s mane. She barely remembered climbing the last few dozen metres to the top of the ridge. It was only when Brynn gasped at the view that she managed to sit up and take notice of what was happening.
Far below, Guatamiputra’s camp was a shambles. By the uneven flickering of burning tents and supply depots, it was clear that Bhumaka’s nighttime surprise campaign had devastated the army. How could the Raj possibly win, now? Where were her friends in that milling mass of frightened people and stampeding animals?
With an effort, Jade felt the mental connection of the Binding Spell that linked her to Phoenix and Marcus. It focussed her vision so she could make out Phoenix alongside Vasi, Marcus and Cadoc, rallying troops into a rough fighting formation. In and out of the tents they wove, hacking and slicing their way through any of Bhumaka’s men they found.
“What’s happening?” Brynn asked, tugging on her sleeve. Realising his vision wasn’t as farsighted as hers, she began to give him a running commentary.
“The guys are with Vasi. They’re trying to organise enough troops to fight back. Guatamiputra and his generals are doing the same on the other side of the camp.” She bit her lip. “But they can’t see that Bhumaka’s Saka troops are coming right up the middle between them. If they knew, they’re in perfect position to squeeze them and end this now. Damn!”
Brynn was practically jumping up and down in his saddle. “Phoenix!” he yelled into the night. Helplessly, he turned back to her. “Can’t you do anything? We need to be abl
e to tell them.”
Jade chewed harder on her lip. She had very little strength at the moment but this could be a crucial turning point in the war. If Guatamiputra could wipe out a large portion of Bhumaka’s elite troops now, the big battle would be easier to win. Brynn was right. She had to do something but what?
A thought niggled. What was it Marcus had said that afternoon when they were discussing battle tactics; something that was a problem for all armies but especially for big armies? Screwing up her face, Jade struggled to remember, regretting that she’d zoned out. Of course! Communication. Exactly the problem she and Brynn were facing now. They could see everything but they couldn’t relay it to anyone who mattered.
Or could they?
Galvanised, she sat up straight. “Get me my herb bag, some of that dried fruit and the wine-skin Heron gave us.”
He gave her an incredulous look. “Is now the time for a picnic?”
She glared at him. “Just get them.”
“Alright, alright.” He fumbled in the gear-bags on his horse and handed her what she’d asked for. She stuffed a couple of handfuls of fruit into her mouth and washed it down with a mouthful of wine. It wasn’t the rest and sleep she needed but it would give her enough energy to complete this task – hopefully.
Next she extracted a small ginseng root from her herb-bag. Ginseng was known even in the modern world as a good pick-me-up and she hoped it would do the same thing now. Taking a deep breath, she put it in her mouth and chewed, grimacing at its bitter, earthy taste.
Within seconds, she felt a flood of energy warming her chilled body. It was working. Touching her fingers to the yin-yang amulet at her neck, Jade felt power from it, too, pouring into her. Now she was ready. It might not last long, though, this artificial strength. She’d better make the most of it. Whispering heili-tala, she focussed her thoughts on Phoenix and spoke his name.
The Sudarshana Page 12
