“Those are Saints Cabiel and Loganiel from Narberia.” Said Ertrael as he peered out of the small, barred window. “And it looks like they brought half the Narberian army. That would be more than six-thousand knights.”
“Will Cabiel and Loganiel join us?” asked Rook. “Would they join you over the King?”
Ertrael shook his head, doubtfully. “They command King Dahnzeg’s army. They have it pretty good back in Narberia.”
Kierza stood behind Rook as he peered out the window next to Ertrael, sucking his bottom lip as he mulled things over in his mind. She rubbed her hand down his back, feeling the smooth, black leather of his armor. Her own brown robe was getting uncomfortably hot in the small, crowded chamber of the guard-tower and she took down her hood. Even with her veil and missing nose she could smell the sweat and nervous tension coming off everybody.
Behind her and Rook stood Blake and Callad, and at the other side of the room stood Diotus and the Saints Karinael and Hadraniel. All eyes were on the hoards of knights which were forming up ranks no more than three-hundred yards out to the north, upon the grassy fields of the long valley. At their head was the King upon a magnificent, white charger. To either side of him rode his daughters. A pair of golden-haired Saints upon their own black horses were with them as well, barking orders out to the army. In the western sky the sun held low with the fiery light of a waning day.
“What if they knew that their sanguinastrums were safe?” asked Karinael.
“I don’t know.” said Ertrael. He looked at Karinael and smiled. “Should I walk up to them and start up a friendly conversation?” He chuckled to himself as he turned his head back to the window. Ertrael had been joking, but Kierza thought she could see wheels starting to turn behind Rook’s eyes. Ertrael sighed. “They’d want proof anyway.”
“The fact that you have not been recalled might be proof enough.” said Rook. “If they see other Saints fighting against the King, they might very well join us.”
Karinael nodded. “Sanctuary won’t be able to hide the fact that they no longer have the ability to recall any of us for much longer.”
“Proof what side of the board Aeoria favors.” said Blake.
There was a long moment of silence. Outside the tower, within the city walls, Kierza could hear the people of the city gathering as they prepared for battle. Armor and weapons clanged; people talked. She could hear Grandon Faust shouting orders. Everything felt tense. Kierza pressed in closer to Rook.
“Blake,” said Rook at last, still gazing out at the army. “How many men do we have down there?”
“Two-thousand ready to fight.” said Blake. “Of those, about five-hundred have bolt-throwers. The rest just swords and axes. Less than half our number have armor. Grandon is dividing them up into divisions, trying to balance out weapons and armor. He’s put about two-hundred archers up on the wall as well.”
“I’m changing plans.” said Rook. “Round me up three-hundred willing men to go out there with me to confront the King and his army.” He placed his hand on Ertrael’s shoulder. “And if willing, I’d like the Saints to come with me.”
Kierza felt her stomach lurch at that. Stunned silence filled the room. Blake looked at Rook a little skeptically and Kierza hoped the man might talk some sense into him. “Are you sure? Grandon Faust won’t like that one bit.” said Blake.
“We can’t face those kinds of numbers head-on, Rook.” said Callad. “I hate to admit it, but Grandon is right. We face them in the streets where their numbers won’t mean anything.”
Blake nodded. “I know you don’t like Grandon, but I’m with him and your father on this one. Don’t change the plan now.”
“But out in the streets they won’t be able to look upon our resolve. They won’t all be able to see that Saints stand with us.” Rook turned to Blake. “You’ve done an amazing job turning our enemies into friends. How many of the city guard in this city fight for us because of you?”
Blake smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“And all you did was talk to them.” said Rook. “Maybe that’s all we need to do right now.”
“Rook, those are hardened knights out there. They won’t be so easily turned.” said Blake.
“So were the ones that have already joined us.” said Rook.
Blake shook his head doubtfully. “The craziness of your plan aside, Grandon’s not going to let me just round up three-hundred soldiers for you to take out there.”
Rook slapped Blake on the shoulder a couple times. “The men out there aren’t going to care what Grandon says if you ask them for three-hundred willing souls to follow me through those gates.” said Rook. “The ones who stay behind because of Grandon aren’t the ones I’ll need anyway. I want only those who truly believe in what we’ve started here. Out there on the field I’m going to need their unwavering spirit. And if all goes well, we won’t even have to draw swords.”
Blake smiled, shaking his head. “Well, I’m going with you. I don’t like Grandon Faust anyway.”
“Then go get me those men.” said Rook.
Blake nodded at Rook. “Hic Sollas Lumin.” He headed out the door.
“Son, what insanity do you have planned?” asked Callad, very much the wary father. Kierza knew that Callad was the last line of defense in talking sense into Rook. If he failed, Kierza knew she might have to step in.
Rook looked at him. “I’m going to go out there and meet them upon that field. Are you with me, Pa?”
Callad folded his big arms over his chest and sighed. “As ready as I’ve ever been, I suppose. You’re lucky your Ma isn’t here to talk some sense into you.”
Kierza’s heart sank. She turned Rook to face her and took his hands into hers. She peered up into his eyes. “Rook, this is insanity. You can’t go out there against that many knights.” She brushed her fingers down her scarred cheek. “You’ve seen what the Sisters alone can do.”
Rook smiled softly down at her. “Go be with Ma at Diotus’s shop. I’ll be with you soon.”
Go be with Ma? Anger percolated in her, manifesting in a sudden scowl and she stepped back from him. “I’m not letting you go out there by yourself!” said Kierza. Then bitterness entered her voice, “You can’t just keep hiding me away in that shop! What good were all those times you showed me how to wield a sword or fight with a dagger if you just planned to keep me locked away for my safety?”
“Kierza…”
“No!” Kierza stomped her foot.
Saint Ertrael placed a hand on Kierza’s shoulder. “Men fight boldly to see their loved ones safe. Sometimes it is the promise of a safe return that sees a victory through.”
Kierza was taken off-guard by the Saint’s comment. She looked at him. There was something raw hidden behind the soft smile he showed her; something sad and troubling behind those ruby eyes of his.
“At Sanctuary there is one I love.” said Ertrael, his gaze became almost dreamy as his eyes fixed on Kierza’s hair. “She has eyes like the purest amber, and her hair is like strands of honey.” At that Kierza suddenly felt shy under his stare and she brushed her amber locks back. Ertrael seemed to become aware of his gaze and now more directly spoke to her. “Although I miss her, I am glad she is not with me. It is not because I think she is weak or incapable. It is because I know that to see her die would break me. And I need to know I can see her again. She gives me something to return to; something to win for.”
Saint Karinael looked at Hadraniel and smiled as she gripped his hand in hers, but Kierza could see that Hadraniel seemed uncomfortable with what Ertrael had spoken and forced only a small smile in return.
“The hearts of men and Saints can be frail things,” continued Ertrael, “but the thought that one day I might return to her emboldens my heart. I promised her that I would return to her one day. It is that promise that has seen me through dark times.”
Callad nodded at Ki
erza. Kierza sighed. She looked at Rook, peering deep into his eyes, and he into hers. “You better come back.” she said, and she threw her arms around him.
“I will.” promised Rook as he embraced her. He spoke softly into her ear, his warm breath ruffling her hair. “Ma still needs you. The wounded will need you. And I will need you when I return.”
Kierza tightened her arms around him. “I love you,” she whispered into his neck.
“I love you too.” he said, kissing her. He released her from his arms and then turned his attention to Karinael and Hadraniel. “Where are the other Saints? Have they returned yet? Any news on Ovid?”
“We haven’t heard anything.” said Karinael.
Rook pursed his lips. Kierza knew he was thinking the same thing she was; the same thing everybody was. Asteroth, Raziel and Sodiel had been gone nearly four hours. What was taking them so long? Kierza had already started to fear the worst. And if the worst had happened, that meant Ovid was still out there, perhaps waiting and watching for Rook. “I could use them out there.” said Rook. “Just having them with us could help turn the others to our side.”
“Can you reach out to them with your Caliber?” asked Hadraniel. “Perhaps we should go find them.”
Karinael closed her eyes. Her body began to shine with Caliber light. It swirled with golds and whites, but Kierza also saw dark rays within it. Karinael opened her eyes, her face seemed pale.
“What is it?” asked Hadraniel.
“I… I’m not sure.” she said. “I… I think they might be in pain.”
Rook looked to her. “Go to them.” he said. “Go help your friends.” He walked up to her and put his hand on her arm. “I’m sorry. I should never have asked you to stay. I… I don’t know what I was thinking.” He turned to Hadraniel. “I’m sorry.”
Karinael smiled softly at him. “I understand. But it’s not your fault. They’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.”
“Will you see Kierza back to the shop with you?” asked Rook.
“We will,” said Karinael, her amber eyes turned to Kierza. She smiled. “I feel we must pass that way. I feel the others beyond the shop, near the docks.”
“Thank you,” said Rook. He gave Karinael a hug and then wrapped his arms around Hadraniel. “Thank you both. Go find your friends.” He turned to Ertrael as Karinael took Kierza by the shoulder and escorted her out of the room with Hadraniel. “Ertrael, will you ride with me?”
“You know, I was only joking about going out there and starting up a friendly conversation with them.” said Ertrael with a smile.
“I know.” said Rook. “Will you join me?”
“I will.” said Ertrael.
“Diotus,” said Rook. “Man the wall and command the archers. And keep an eye on Grandon Faust for me.”
“I will.” said Diotus. He patted Rook on the back. “Hic Sollas Lumin.”
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Outside the tower Kierza made her way with Karinael and Hadraniel through crowds of men, knights and soldiers. The people packed the streets and avenues, all of them wondering and waiting on what would happen. Through the barred gates could be seen the King and his army preparing to attack. Fear, excitement and adrenaline filled the hot, summer air. None of the people here had ever seen a war. Nobody here had ever been in a large battle. Kierza knew that some of the knights and city guards had quelled small uprisings or unrest, but none had ever been party to a true war.
As they pushed their way further and further into the city the streets began to clear until there was nobody left upon them. All available soldiers were up front, awaiting the battle. Those who couldn’t or wouldn’t fight were hiding in their homes. The docks would have plenty of activity as ships still struggled to flee, but those were upon the opposite side of the city.
“Do you think Ovid is still out here somewhere?” asked Kierza as they walked.
“Yes.” said Hadraniel, without hesitation. Somehow his certainty didn’t sit easily with Kierza. He looked at Karinael. “The others should have been back by now.”
“We’ll find them.” said Karinael.
“You said you thought you felt them in pain.” said Hadraniel. “Did you feel Ovid? Did you feel any other Saints?”
Karinael didn’t say anything, but it was clear to Kierza she was withholding something.
“Ovid is dangerous?” asked Kierza.
“Very.” said Hadraniel.
“Is he the most dangerous Saint?” she probed.
“No.” said Hadraniel. “The most dangerous Saint is Nuriel.”
Kierza saw Karinael squirm even as she walked. She didn’t seem to like Hadraniel’s remark. “No she’s not. She’s just lost her way.”
Hadraniel shook his head but didn’t say anything. Kierza got the impression that this was a subject of bitter contention between the two; a subject that neither of them would yield their views on but whose ultimate answer would one day be an inevitability for them.
“Who is the one Ertrael spoke of?” Kierza decided to change the subject, and deep inside she knew it was a subject that piqued her curiosity. Piqued it in a way that made her feel somehow guilty about it, to the point that she started to regret having started this subject. “In a small way, I… I think I might remind him of her.” she said as they made their way to the avenue which led to Diotus’s shop. It was a long, straight stretch of brick-paved avenue lined on either side by houses and shops. It was devoid of any people. Kierza had never seen this part of town so deserted. It was a surreal and eerie sight.
“I don’t know.” said Karinael. “To be honest, I don’t know Ertrael very well. He helped us back in Jerusa for a short time. That was the first time he ever mentioned somebody back at Sanctuary.”
“Do Saints often…” Kierza struggled to find the right word. “See each other?”
Karinael smiled at Hadraniel and he made a little laugh. “Sometimes.” said Hadraniel. “Always secretly.”
“Why?”
“It’s frowned upon.” said Hadraniel.
Kierza’s brow furled, puzzled by that. “Why?”
Karinael sighed. “It’s complicated.”
“Can Saints have children?”
Hadraniel shook his head. “No. We are born as blessings from the Goddess, sent into the arms of her statue back at Sanctuary.”
Now Kierza was really puzzled. And intrigued. “So, then, how… why…”
“Sanctuary does not want Saints taking lovers.” explained Karinael, sounding a little uncomfortable with where the conversation had gone. “They’d rather us not be so close.”
“They’d rather us take people.” said Hadraniel flatly. “They train us to objectify you. That your lives don’t matter. We cannot produce children, so sex is not for love. It’s something simply to be taken for pleasure.”
Kierza twisted her lips, simultaneously disgusted by what she had just heard but still curious about Saints and their secret relations. However, Hadraniel didn’t sound like he wanted the conversation pressed any further and she could see Karinael growing ever more uncomfortable with it. “Ertrael seems kind.” said Kierza, redirecting the subject back to the one that, she had to admit, made herself slightly uncomfortable. Diotus’s shop came into view, just up the block. “When he healed me his Caliber was very warm. Loving even.” Kierza felt herself blush and shook her head, smiling and feeling like a little girl for some reason. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just being stupid. I was too young to really remember my mother, but when he held me in his Caliber, it was like I was being held by her. I could feel a gentleness about him.”
Karinael smiled. “He is kind. He’s one of the good ones, I think.”
“When he came to our house with the King and his daughters,” said Kierza. “He tried to warn us, I think. I remember how he looked at me and smiled softly. He mouthed the w
ords, ‘be brave’ to me. I’ll never forget how his eyes looked so much like sparkling rubies in that moment. Even before all this, I think he…”
Hadraniel stopped in the middle of the road and grabbed Karinael by the arm. “Listen!”
Kierza froze behind them. There was silence. Then she thought she heard a scream. It was faint and subdued, but it had to be near, from within a house. Glass broke. Another faint scream. Kierza’s heart leapt. “Ma!” She pushed past Karinael and Hadraniel and took off toward Diotus’s shop.
“Wait!” cried Hadraniel.
Kierza came to the stairs of Diotus’s shop, but before she could make it up the steps, the door opened. Two Saints stepped out. The one in the lead had hair like strands of gold and eyes of the same metal. In her hand she carried a large claymore, its black, star-metal was dark and wet with blood that dripped in a trail behind her. After her came a Saint with white hair and eyes. She wore a black, chainmail veil over her face and carried a star-metal broadsword in her hand. Kierza stopped dead in her tracks. Her blood ran cold. She backed away.
“Nuriel!” cried Karinael. Kierza’s head snapped in her direction. Hadraniel’s face lost all color. His hand slowly went for his sword. Kierza looked back up at the Saints before her.
Nuriel fixed Karinael with molten, golden eyes. Her lips furled into a snarl. She flourished her claymore.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
“I know slaves ain’t the brightest, but boy, you’ve gone mad.” said Grandon. “To win this we have to face them in the streets. Let the archers on the wall take out what they can. Whittle their numbers until they can get through this wall. Let them come for us in the streets where their numbers mean nothing.”
Rook’s grip tightened on his reins.
Callad leaned into Rook from his horse, placing a large paw on his shoulder and whispering into his ear. “Pay him no mind, son. You’ve gotten us all this far. You know what you’re doing.”
Rook grumbled something about Grandon wearing on him. Then he shouted, “Open the gate!” Behind him, Blake’s steed clomped nervously. At his other side, Saint Ertrael sat tall and still upon his.
Here Shines the Sun Page 48
