“Sorry, Milenthia and I were discussing our timeline. I know it can be unnerving when you’re not part of the conversation. I’ll try to warn you next time.” He smiled. “I would love to join you. I’m sure we have more to discuss.” Ulor nodded with clear understanding.
Ulor wore an excited look. “Excellent! Follow me.” He led them out of the chamber and back into the city proper. They walked across the crowded, stone street and entered another building. Once inside what Raythum presumed to be a private dining hall, he noticed a large rectangular table stretching across the room, surrounded by twenty chairs.
Mouth-watering aromas flooded the hall. His mouth filled with saliva as he recognized each new smell. He identified the scent of roasted pig—the turnok—fresh baked bread, and apples roasted in sugar and cinnamon. A smile crossed his face and he was glad he had decided to stay.
They each took a seat and engaged in small talk as several servants served water and ale. “So Ulor, tell me, how has your transition been since the passing of Hirig?”
“So far everything has gone as well as can be expected given the circumstances…” he replied. The conversation continued over their long lunch, both parties pleased that new alliances were being formed.
Gauging the Enemy
Raythum found Milenthia waiting for him early the following morning at the entrance to Drognard. The air felt cool and crisp in the morning hours, but Raythum had been prepared and donned his thick wool coat.
He climbed up onto her back and she launched out of the opening. She gained altitude and they both welcomed the heat from the morning sunlight as it passed over the snow-covered peaks of the mountains. They were both just glad to be out of the shade provided by those same tall peaks.
They traveled in relative silence high in the air for several hours before they reached the eastern coast of Askabar. Milenthia climbed even higher in the air until they flew above the lower level of the clouds. They didn’t want to raise any suspicions from the Kahloom marching far below. Raythum couldn’t see anything from this altitude and relied on Milenthia’s razor-sharp eyesight. She looked below and relayed images to him.
The Kahloom were dark-skinned, having evolved over several millennia of living in an arid desert. They stood tall with muscular builds. Most were nude from the waist up with no hauberks or mail to speak of. Many carried simple spears with metal tips in one hand, and wooden bucklers in the other. While they might seem primitive to the naked eye, he felt sure they would make noteworthy adversaries. They had honed their skills with these weapons for generations, and the long reach provided by the spears could prove deadly.
They continued to circle to gather as much intelligence as possible. Several soldiers rode on horseback. Unlike Human soldiers, they didn’t ride in saddles and instead rode the creatures bareback. Raythum couldn’t begin to fathom how uncomfortable it must be. Unlike the foot soldiers, the cavalry troops carried bastard swords and sabers. A couple even seemed to be equipped with lances. Raythum took note so he could relay the information later.
Following the cavalry were a dozen catapults pulled by horses rolling up the road. The whole procession moved slowly, held up by the weight of the catapults. They watched for a while to gauge when they would arrive. After an hour or so, they ran through the calculations and determined the current rate of movement would have them arriving at the wall a day later than they originally presumed.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, which provided relief to Raythum and Milenthia. They turned around and headed back to Drognard.
It isn’t going to be easy, but I think the odds are in our favor now, especially with the assistance of Melina and Shakiel. He told her.
Yes, but I don’t think we can underestimate them. Although their weaponry may be crude, I believe them to be in better shape. Their strength and endurance will be an advantage, plus a single line of command. We’ll have to rely on several different races, Dragon riders and sorcerers, and we’ll need to ensure we’re well coordinated. I only hope Yordrinn is up to the task, she replied.
Raythum nodded as he listened along. Suffice it to say we have at least another day to prepare. The bulwark will provide a good starting point for our defense. He pondered his next thoughts. I think we should have a long conversation with Yordrinn to relay all we’ve seen today.
They headed west into the glaring sun as the temperature increased. Raythum shed his coat as they continued their conversation and came up with a strategy to describe everything they had seen on their scouting trip to Yordrinn, Ulor and the Elves.
Battle with the Kahloom
Raythum paced back and forth on the top of the battlement. Smoke rose from several fires on both sides of the wall. The Kahloom had arrived in the evening the night before. Although they appeared to be savages from the outside, they adhered to the common code of ethics when conducting a battle, and had waited out the night, before beginning the attack.
Raythum continued to pace while looking through his scope. From the air, the number of troops didn’t appear menacing, but he had a very different image from the ground when he stared out at the seventy-thousand now gathered on the southern side of the wall. His nerves were on edge and butterflies had collected in his abdomen. He hated the feeling he felt right before a battle; the suspense was brutal—he just wanted it to start.
He turned and looked at the allied force, surprised to see mixed races sitting by the fire deep in conversation. The spirits of the troops seemed to be high as the battle neared. Too many people gathered in one area, and the scent of sweat filled the air. When the wind picked up, the odiferous smell of feces was carried with it from the remote areas they had used as waste receptacles since they’d arrived.
Yordrinn approached him from the west. He was a stocky, but muscled Dwarf, with thick red hair and a matching red beard stretching toward the ground. It formed a braid midway down into a single, thick mass. The bottom of the beard almost dragged the ground as he walked toward him.
Raythum couldn’t shake the feeling that he had met Yordrinn before—although they obviously had not—it felt as if they had grown up together.. Raythum respected his military prowess and tactical abilities. They had discussed how they would approach the battle, and Raythum agreed with the Dwarf’s plans. Raythum found it both odd and refreshing to have such similar strategic ideas. It didn’t happen much between different races…or did it?
“Well, it looks like the time is almost upon us, ehh?”
“I guess it is. Good luck to you today,” Raythum told the Dwarf as he patted him on the back. “I will be watching your back from the air.” It surprised him how very much he meant the sentiment.
“Aye. And may the gods bless you and Milenthia as you lead your squad into battle as well.” He pulled his double-bladed battleax from his back. The metal shone in what little sunlight managed to climb over the tall peaks of the mountains. The blades were honed from Ruvenkan steel and looked razor sharp. He wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of a blow from the axe in the Dwarf’s powerful arms. “Don’t be too worried about me. I know how to handle myself. I haven’t survived two hundred years and several wars on pure gumption. This blade has served me well.” Yordrinn smiled and chuckled.
“Be that as it may, I still hope you won’t do anything foolish. I have come to cherish our friendship and hope you will be around for many years to come,” Raythum said in a playful manner.
“I’ll do my best.” Yordrinn peered out over the wall.
The Kahloom troops had begun to mass on the other side and prepared to march. Yordrinn motioned with his hands, and two Dwarves pulled horns to their lips, letting loose a bellow which echoed through the camp. The allied troops gathered their equipment and went to their designated rallying points to await further orders from their commanders.
Raythum watched as the troops moved into position in a well-rehearsed and organized manner. He couldn’t help but feel proud of what they’d accomplished in such a short period-of-time. He called out to Mile
nthia, who swooped down from the sky and landed on the ground several feet in front of him. He walked over to her and they made the short ride to meet with the rest of the Dragon riders near the rear of the formation.
He slid down off her back and removed his helm. He took one last look at the preparing army. He focused his attention on all in formation before him. “The time is at hand. The Kahloom have organized and are advancing on the wall. This is what we have trained for; what many of you prepared me for. They have no Dragons of their own, which should provide us with an advantage. We will patrol the sky and attack from above. Be careful for friendly fire. Archers will be on the wall, as will several wizards, led by my brother. Our job will be to draw enemy fire away to provide our troops plenty of time to attack. Are you all ready?” He waited for their confirmation and they raised their voices to the heavens. “To the sky then!”
The riders mounted their Dragons and took off, creating a whirlwind of air on the ground as the beasts flapped their wings and became airborne. They waited there for the battle to begin.
Horns bellowed as the Kahloom catapults lined up in a neat row—their buckets cranked back, ready for firing. Without warning, the ropes released and the catapults fired in unison, sending their projectiles racing through the morning sky. Several of the large boulders collided with the newly built stone wall, creating divots in the rough stonework. Two of the boulders flew overhead and smashed soldiers, breaking bones and killing several of them.
The unit commanders gave the release to fire. Arrows filled the blue sky—darkening it, and turning it dark brown as the arrows zeroed in on their targets. The Kahloom soldiers in the front lines raised their bucklers to create a shield, blocking most of the arrows. Some still found space and squeaked through cracks to find Human flesh.
When the last of the arrows fell to the ground, the Kahloom dropped their shields and returned fire. Several launched their spears toward the allied soldiers on the wall. Raythum spotted the attack and sprang into action. Milenthia tore through the sky, speeding toward the attacking soldiers and the others followed. Exhilaration surged through Milenthia as she joined the battle. Raythum sensed her emotions, and a wide grin spread across his face in anticipation.
The ground looked awash in chaos as Kahloom soldiers reached the wall. They raised ladders to climb up; others ignored the ladders and tried to scale the stone. Milenthia turned and dove toward them. She opened her mouth and sent fire cascading toward the climbing soldiers. Screams filled the air as the soldier’s skin burned and bubbled from the heat of the flames. The wooden ladders caught on fire and became useless, and the climbing soldiers fell. Many found a quick death on impact. Others received minor injuries and struggled to get away from the growing carnage littering the base.
The Elves guided their Dragons toward large groups of soldiers and also let loose with fire. Milenthia circled and went in for another attack. Raythum searched the wall for Yordrinn. He found him and gave a signal with his head. Yordrinn recognized it and ordered tar to be dropped, and then signaled Tirell. The wizards began their phase of the attack. Raythum hoped his brother would stick to the plan and follow his orders.
Even though their first attempt at scaling the wall failed, they seemed undeterred. More ladders were raised and the soldiers began their climb. Raythum couldn’t believe how fast they scaled the rickety contraptions. The allied soldiers dropped their buckets of tar, covering the advancing enemy. Milenthia waited and picked an opportune time to send fire toward the slick, tar-covered soldiers setting them ablaze.
Raythum looked away from their target in time to see fireballs racing from the wall. They neared their target, and dissipated in mid-air. He looked awestruck and couldn’t understand what happened. He was frantically searching the field for answers when he saw them, and understanding filled his face.
Milenthia dropped altitude to avoid several large boulders launched from the Kahloom catapults, and Raythum almost fell from her back. He’d been too distracted by what he saw to pay any attention to the signals she was sending him.
I can’t believe I didn’t notice them before. You need to fly to the rear of the soldiers. He told her.
I don’t understand. What did you see?
Look at the single soldiers standing in the rear ranks. They are strategically spaced.
Milenthia didn’t quite understand as she scanned the forces, then it hit her. There were several hundred Kahloom soldiers who looked out of place. They were clothed, and many wore extravagant headdresses. Witch doctors? This isn’t something we’d planned on. We assumed we’d be the only force with any magic. Alarm riddled the thoughts she sent his way.
Exactly! How could we be so stupid? He shook his head in disgust. We need to start taking them out, or Tirell’s forces will be useless.
She sent orders to the other Dragons and they all flew in formation toward the Kahloom wizards. The enemy soldiers noticed their sudden change in direction. Several spears filled the air and Milenthia took evasive maneuvers. Being more experienced Dragon riders, Morlidon and Irrian stood and began firing arrows back at the enemy.
Raythum watched in awe—their hands were almost a blur as they fired in rapid succession. He saw a spear flying in his direction. He dodged the projectile and grabbed it out of the air. He spun and sent it back down toward the ground. The Dragons rained fire down on the enemy catching what little clothing they wore on fire. The air stank of burning flesh and hair.
The enemy barrage on the wall continued; a steady stream of large boulders flew through the air. The allied soldiers continued to rain down arrows on the enemy forces who continued to work their way to the wall. Tirell and the other wizards could do nothing and stood in their respective areas of the battlement looking helpless. Raythum felt as though they needed to incapacitate the witch doctors as soon as possible. He heard a loud rumble as stone fell from the top of the wall after a projectile hit it.
Milenthia swooped toward the nearest witch doctor and released a stream of flame. She flew a little too close to the ground and an enemy thrust his spear into the air where the metal caught on one of her scales, ripping it from her flesh. She let out a howl as a slow trickle of blood flowed from the wound. She turned and came closer to the ground. Raythum swung down with his blade and severed the soldier’s arm; splattering blood in the direction they flew.
Are you okay? I didn’t see him until it was too late.
I’ll be fine. She replied. If anything, it’s made me angry.
He patted her neck as they stormed off toward the next conjurer. He picked up on her anger and worked up his own to match.
The Dragons sped through the outer ranks of soldiers, leaving carnage wherever they flew, but for all the headway it seemed they made, the enemy numbers seemed to stay the same. They were everywhere, which felt altogether disheartening.
Now that they understood the ruse used to distract them, they slaughtered the enemy wizards one by one, and anyone standing near them. Screams permeated the air. Relief flooded Raythum when Milenthia climbed higher in the air to circle the battle to get an overhead view of how they progressed, and the rhythmic beating of her wings drowned out the screams. They’d made progress and seemed no worse for wear. Raythum had a large cut on his forearm, but the blood dried and grew thick as the clotting process began. He feared it wouldn’t last, though. One swing of his sword would be sure to break the wound open. Milenthia displayed a few cuts from soldiers attacking her from below, but nothing crucial seemed damaged.
Irrian hadn’t been so lucky. A swing from an enemy’s blade ripped through his Dragon’s wing, leaving him unable to fly. He’d been successful and made it back to the wall, where Irrian made good use of his skill with the bow, and picked off enemy after enemy; truly a sight of skill.
Raythum instructed Milenthia to fly closer to the wall. They drew near and he looked for his brother. Raythum feared his brother wasn’t invested in being here like the rest of the allied forces, and had only come because his f
ather had ordered him to do so. Raythum needed to ensure that Tirell would continue to aid them. He made eye contact with his brother—once he located him— and gave him a signal to resume his attack. He then angled Milenthia back toward the enemy forces.
Fireballs and streams of pure energy flowed in steady surges from the edges of the wall where Tirell’s forces accumulated. The streams lasted a second, meant as a test to see if the shield the witch doctors put in place still held. Although it only took seconds, the anticipation built—seconds felt like minutes, even hours. Raythum watched, hopeful the attack would strike, but as the fireballs neared their target, the energy dissipated again, charging the air and filling it with a very metallic scent.
Raythum slouched back on Milenthia’s back looking defeated. I don’t understand. We’ve killed, or incapacitated half of the witch doctors. There is no way the shield could be so strong.
Milenthia growled, letting her frustration show. We must keep killing them then. It’s our only option. I’m happy to oblige.
A loud explosion filled the air, bouncing off the large foothills filling the western flank of the battle. Raythum spun his head around to see what happened. The upper portion of the center wall became an avalanche of stone and debris, cascading and tumbling down to the ground below, killing the enemy soldiers sitting beneath. Hundreds of allied forces were caught in the rockslide and fell to find either injury or quick death. The enemy overcame any injured soldiers, not hesitating to land the deathblow to anyone moving.
The battlement still stood on the western and eastern edges, but two-thirds of the center portion of the wall now stood vacant; an eyesore of a hole with a pile of rubble providing the perfect ramp to breach the defenses. Already, the Kahloom flooded the ramp and engaged the allied forces in hand-to-hand combat.
So far nothing seemed to be going as planned, which frustrated Raythum and it showed on his face. We don’t have any time to waste, let’s go!
The Rising Past: Book 2 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series Page 25
