by Candy Crum
Those men wouldn't stand a chance in one-on-one combat with a Kemetian soldier or Queen's Guard, but they'd do fine in groups. The queen's army was much stronger fighters, but he had her outnumbered nearly two to one.
He liked those odds.
"Everyone, listen up," Zuri said as he addressed his people. "I know many of you never imagined you'd be in a situation like this, where you have to fight for your right to live. Your family's right to live. But here we all are."
He paused, allowing his men who had dispersed through the crowd to reiterate what he'd said.
"We're caught between two enemies, the demons from the south and our queen to the north. She is the one person we are supposed to be able to depend on in times of crisis and danger, and she's failed us. All of us." He paused again, watching the expressions change on the men's faces. Some appeared sad, while others looked more determined.
"For months, we've feared the monsters to the south, and what help have we received? Some of you have said you received a letter telling you the city would close but you were always welcome." He laughed. "How did that go? How many of you have been turned away from the city? She has betrayed all of you! She protects only those within the castle walls, those who worship her without question!"
Mumbles of agreement erupted from the crowd, and Zuri heard several men support his claim.
"Those people are sheep. They follow her like lost puppies, like toddlers holding onto Mommy's skirts so they don't wander too far. We are not those people, which is why she closed us out! Who are we? Farmers. Armorers. Blacksmiths. People who are disposable until she needs us. She can replace us just like that," he said as he snapped his fingers.
"The queen and her men hunted me because she discovered I had enough intelligence to think for myself." Several men looked at one another before looking at Zuri again. Their expressions were inquisitive and concerned. "Over the last several weeks, I've gone from home to home, recruiting those I thought might help when the time came. I never expected that to happen so soon.
"Unfortunately, the queen somehow got wind of my growing popularity, and she couldn't have that." He paused again, watching them hold on to his every word. "She decided to hunt me down, and what did she find? My son. I sent my son on a mission to speak to a farmer about fifteen miles from here. When he arrived, the queen's men were there."
Zuri's throat tightened as he spoke. Though he'd wanted all the leverage he could get in his speech, this part wasn't faked. It was all too real, and he allowed the emotion to flow through him because he wanted them to see what she'd taken from him. More than anything, he wanted them to believe she might take it from them, too.
Still, embellishing wasn't a bad idea.
"Her men didn't give my son or our men the opportunity to speak. There was no chance for them to explain they were afraid of what was to the south. No. Her men just killed him. They killed all of them and dumped their bodies in the desert. They couldn't even be bothered to give them a proper funeral. My innocent son's body was not wrapped. He was not shown any respect, and they left him to rot in the Kemetian sun."
The men before him were overcome with anger. He could see it in their eyes. He wasn't about to let the heat in their hearts settle. There was fire there, and he needed to stoke it.
"When my son didn't return home to me, I took several of my men to the last place I knew he'd been. When I got there..." He cleared his throat. Some of his emotions were real, and he did his best to make them more dramatic. "When I got there, I was met by a seemingly nice couple. I spoke to them, and they lied straight to my face. Told me they knew nothing about my son. They'd never seen him."
He shook his head. "My men found blood all over their porch and along the side of their house. It was then that they said the queen's men had threatened their lives. That farm had a lot of resources, and she needed those. They had somehow followed our path and predicted we'd be there, and they killed my son to protect their resources and their precious queen, the woman who would see the rest of us die to save the rich people within her city."
"She'll pay for this!" a man shouted from the front, others cheering behind him.
"Yes, she will!" Zuri shouted back. "She's getting scared of the monsters to the south. I have no doubt she's heard of the most recent attack this far north. It won't take much time for her to come take the resources she needs. I'd imagine she's gathering her men right now, coming to take our lands!"
"She ain't takin' shit!" another man yelled as others yelled out similar sentiments.
"We need to strike now while we have a chance. If our queen is out to get us, to steal from us and let our parents and children die, what other choice do we have? We must take Jadid. We must save ourselves! Who's with me!"
Everyone screamed and shouted their support, and he was filled with excitement. Though he had no idea what would happen and what to expect, his plan had worked. There had been some bumps along the way, but he'd made it.
Now it was time to head north.
It was time to go to war.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It took nearly twenty-four hours to get everything fully ready. Everyone was armed with brand new weapons and equipped with brand new armor. Unlike in Arcadia, the clothing here was much lighter because of the heat. While Kemet didn't get as hot along the great river as it did farther out in the desert, the peak temperatures could reach over one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.
Because of this, they relied on wrist and shin bracers, shields, and their expertise. Like the druids, the Kemetian soldiers wore tight-fitting clothing with either no sleeves or short ones, and their pants did not cover their legs. Some ended just above the knee and some just below.
Twenty wagons were loaded with rations and barrels full of water for their journey. No soldier would carry more than his weapons and shield as they marched to the south.
The past twenty-four hours had been interesting for Arryn because Bast and Cleo had demanded she join in their pre-battle ritual. In the Dark Forest, Arryn had introduced them to many new things, and the tables had turned. It was their turn.
Arryn and Corrine joined the twins and their mother in the queen's chambers. When they arrived, they were all in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, and the queen's hair was loose. Corrine and Cleo had both recently had their hair re-braided, but it had been quite a while since the queen had, and Arryn had never had hers done.
"This is how we spend time together before battle or before we do anything overly important. It helps us center ourselves and allows us to bond before we face hardship or threats," the queen had told her.
"We wear our hair like this because it's protective for our hair type, especially out in hot temperatures and around a lot of sand and dirt. Your hair is too straight to hold braids like ours properly, but there are other types we can do."
Cleo took to cleaning and brushing her mother's hair, putting special oils in it to keep it healthy and shiny. Bast went to work on Arryn. She first washed her hair and combed it, skipping the oils because it would have made her hair too slick to hold whatever style Bast chose for her. Then she sectioned off her hair and went to work.
It took hours for them to work through the queen's hair, but it was no different from Cleo's or Corrine's braids. Arryn was always grateful to take part in their braiding sessions by sitting with them and keeping them company, but she'd never been included in such a way before. She felt it was wrong to intrude, given that Corrine's heritage was so much different from her own.
Being invited to join them before a big battle meant more to Arryn than she could express.
Just before Arryn left the queen's chambers that night, Asim had stopped Arryn to speak with her alone.
"The girls told me about your plans for Amara."
Arryn nodded. "Yes. I think it's important. I'm worried about her safety, and I don't think she should be sent out on a battlefield at thirteen years old."
"Where you're from, you have many traditions. I have to say
, learning about your homeland gave me a greater appreciation for you. It's not too far from what we have here. Once this battle with Zuri is over, I'd like to show you." She paused. "We have a lot of traditions here, too."
"I hope this doesn't come off as rude but are you saying there's a tradition for sending a thirteen-year-old girl into battle with no experience?"
The queen shook her head. "No, there isn't. We have orphaned children all over Kemet. I'm sure you've met your fair share of orphans from the city of magic. Arcadia, was it?" Arryn nodded and Asim paused, then, “The orphans here have no families, but we care for them as much as we can. There are carts of food and water just for them, and they're taught where they can go so they don't have to steal.
"That girl is an orphan now. She has no one and nothing. She lost everything, and the only request she has is to avenge her fallen family. Like you, I'm not happy to send a thirteen-year-old girl into battle, but I'm confident she can take care of herself. She's capable of using powerful nature magic, and she can also use Kemetian magic. Not only that, but she knows how to use a knife and a bow."
Arryn thought about the queen's words, and she knew what was coming. "Are you saying you want her to join us?"
Asim nodded. "Yes. I've never been one to stomp my foot and make commands, but I believe this will hang over her head for a long time—maybe even forever—if she isn't allowed to go." The queen stared into Arryn's worried eyes. "Do you plan to bring Corrine?"
A tingle went down Arryn's spine as her body stiffened. She didn't want to think about that any more than she wanted to think about Amara going in. "No."
"Even though she's the most powerful healer we have and could save countless lives?"
"She's a child," Arryn said quietly. "Or so I keep telling myself." She sighed. "She's seen enough blood and death to last anyone a lifetime. Somehow, it doesn't seem to bother her."
Asim smiled. "That's because she's a warrior, just like her mother. You've taught her well in the short time she's been in your life."
"There won't be trees and plants out there to save her. She can't hide high in the branches when things get bad. This is very different from anything she's been part of."
"Being a mother means balancing what is necessary for your child and what they need for themselves. You're not a rich noble, worrying about which foods are best and what her attire will say about her personality or station in life. Those things don't matter to her. Being useful and being able to save lives and fight for what's right is what's most important to her. You will have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks."
Arryn smiled. "I'm not sure she wouldn't sneak off in one of the wagons."
Asim laughed. "Mother to mother? Both Corrine and Amara have been caught in the wagons already. Twice."
A hand on Arryn's arm startled her out of her thoughts, and she looked over to see Corrine standing next to her. She had a small shield on her back, along with daggers on both hips. She looked like she was ready to take on the world.
"I'm ready," she said, confirming Arryn's thoughts.
Arryn nodded. "You know the risks, right? And Cathillian went over everything with you?"
Her daughter nodded. "Yes. I know what to do." She squeezed Arryn's arm. "I know this hurts you. I can see it in your face, but I'm ready. I know what happened at the beach scared you, but we weren't prepared. This time, we are. We've had nearly two weeks to rest since then, and neither of us has used much magic. I've trained with Bast and Cleo, but that's it. Nothing else."
"I'm not hurt, I'm terrified. I haven't used any magic for training aside from mental magic to connect to Margit, and also to look into Amara and that prisoner. I've been too scared to touch it or even train. I was scared I might not recover enough before a big fight happened if I didn't. Those are the things I'm afraid of for me. My fears about what could happen to you?" Arryn shook her head. "They don't compare."
Corrine gave a small smile. "I've fought Nika. I've fought you, Cathillian, and some of the best fighters my age and older back in the Forest. I've also trained with the twins. A lot. Believe it or not, I'm pretty good at learning magic. You haven't tested me in a long time, so you're not aware of what I can do now."
Though she knew the girl hadn't meant to, those words cut her. As her caretaker, she felt as though she should know everything about her child. She'd been so worried about everything else going on that she’d missed some of Corrine growing up and how she'd blossomed with her abilities.
"Trust me, Mom. When you see me out there, you won't doubt me—or yourself. We can do this. You're Arryn. You eat bad guys for breakfast. Don't let them take that confidence from you."
Arryn smiled and pulled Corrine into a hug. "I'm doing this for you since you and everyone else thinks you're ready. I don't doubt you, not even a little, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared as hell."
"And that's why nothin's gonna happen ta any of our lasses," Samuel said from behind them. Arryn turned, wiping stray tears from her cheeks. The rearick handed her the Heilig tree bow and quiver. "Suit up, lass. It's time ta get ta work."
Slinging the quiver over her shoulder and then her bow, she said, "You're damn right it is."
Chapter Twenty-Five
This part was familiar to Arryn. She'd marched toward battle many times. It felt natural to her, and she welcomed it. Riding on Snow's back with her warrior daughter beside her on an even larger Dante somehow braced her. She didn't feel worried. That was gone, replaced by determination.
The fat moody rabbit sat behind Corrine on the enormous tiger's back, riding into battle with his human, but it was obvious the girl had yet to realize it. Cathillian told her it was rare for kids as young as her to bond with an animal, though many kids had a deep connection to a specific animal until they were older and a bond could form.
He'd said it was possible she might not feel it or understand it, but she would. The bond was different for everyone, and it presented in different ways. It had taken Arryn several days to connect to her tigers, maybe longer. She honestly couldn't remember, but she remembered worrying she might not wake up every time she fell asleep in that cave with them. It wasn't until she began accidentally seeing through their eyes that she’d realized what had happened.
Corrine had been in the process of bonding with Not-Rodney for over a month. She and Cathillian could tell because of his increased size and the random changes in the colors of his fur. Corrine's magic had somehow changed him in a way that allowed him to subtly camouflage the bottom part of his legs and his paws.
Arryn planned to have a conversation with her daughter once this battle was over and there was time to calm down.
The army stopped just before daylight and rested for a few hours. They had no idea how much longer they would have to travel, and the soldiers needed food and sleep before the sun rose too high.
After about six hours, the heat began to climb inside the tents, and the camp was quickly broken down before getting back to traveling. While Arryn was grateful for the Zen time before battle, she was also miserable. She just wanted to get it all over with.
The answer to her silent prayers came a few short hours later when the first line halted, and everyone else responded the same way. As leader, Arryn rode to the front. Heat rose from the sand, making the air look wavy, but in the distance, she was able to make out a distinct line moving across the desert.
The queen rode up beside Arryn, and she turned. "Is that the horizon playing tricks on me, or is that a line of soldiers?" Arryn asked.
Asim nodded. "I don't think it's a trick. I believe that is the army we were warned about. It also looks as though the letters we sent out didn't reach the men."
Echo and many other messenger birds were sent out to deliver the word that anyone was welcome to come to Jadid for safety. Asim had warned them that war was about to break out, and she wanted to keep her people safe. Hundreds of people fled to the city, and like anyone else who sought shelter within its walls, they were given temp
orary housing until everything blew over.
"Either that or they didn't believe it. I couldn't imagine sending their families to a place they believed they were going to conquer," Arryn said.
"If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say those who showed up at the gates were north of Zuri's men. These poor souls believe they've been forgotten."
"My Queen," Faraj said to Asim's left. "They're running."
Asim looked Arryn in the eyes. "Are you ready for this?"
"Absolutely," she said, though she wanted to say something else. She was as ready as she could be. Regardless of her fears, she was ready to test herself again. It was time.
"Say something," Asim directed, gesturing.
Arryn nodded and silently urged Snow to turn so they could face the soldiers. "It's time to fight for Jadid. For all of Kemet," she called out. "Everyone stand ready. I want shields up and archers to move forward. Remember, some of those men are innocent, so let's see if we can intimidate them before killing them. Protect who we can, but don't risk yourselves. Let's go!"
Snow ran back through the men, and they closed the gap behind her, creating a shield wall as the archers stepped forward. Though she couldn't sense the vibrations in the earth like the Kemetians could, she did sense the enemy's collective life force rushing forward before they stopped.
"Hold!" Arryn called, confused as to why a large army ran so quickly, only to stop. Her eyes flashed white as she reached out to the man closest to her on the enemy side. It took only seconds to learn their plan. "They have archers!"
Two shadows covered the area as Bast and Cleo leapt in front of the shield wall. They landed hard in the sand but recovered quickly and moved in unison as they forced their fists into the sand before thrusting them into the sky. A massive wall of sand lifted and obscured each side's view of the other.
