Ashener's Calling

by David Partelow

  The Vallance heir motioned to the gathered civilians. “Everyone, down the ladder,” said Norryn in hushed tones, again checking the streets. “These tunnels will take you to safety. Now please hurry!” Norryn enlisted the help of an able-bodied gentleman and, standing on opposite sides of the ladder, they began to help people into the tunnel. He then motioned to his friends. “Serra, you and Vonack watch the streets for soldiers.”

  “Will do,” she said, nodding to Vonack before they hit the street.

  Serra and Vonack monitored the streets intently as the group continued to enter the tunnels in an orderly fashion. So far, the coast was still clear, but Serra would not bet on their luck holding out for long. From behind, she could hear the gratitude of weary town folk thanking Norryn as he helped them down the tunnel.

  Before Serra realized it, Norryn was calling to her. “Serra, Vonack, it’s time to go.” She turned to find that only the three of them remained.

  Serra and Vonack immediately went to Norryn, grateful that their luck had held. Serra could hardly believe they were safe. Checking again, Norryn motioned for Vonack. “You first, Vonack.” Norryn extended his hand to the larger boy. Serra was relieved to see there was no more animosity between them then. Taking Norryn’s hand, Vonack nodded to him before heading down the ladder. He was momentarily stopped as Norryn continued to hold to him. Their eyes met. “And keep Serra safe, please.”

  “What?” Serra could not hide her surprise.

  Vonack was reluctant at first. Almost immediately his mouth opened to protest, but something in Norryn’s face stopped him. Nodding again, he squeezed Norryn’s hand a final time. “You have my word. Good luck.”

  “Thank you, Vonack. I wish you the same.” Norryn watched as Vonack disappeared down the ladder.

  “What did you mean by that, Norryn? You’re coming with us,” said Serra.

  Norryn shook his head. “I can’t, Serra. I need to get to the keep and I don’t have time to explain.”

  “Well make time!” she yelled.

  “Serra, you are going to have to trust me for now. I promise I’ll explain later. Please, you need to go now. I can’t do this unless I know you are safe,” said Norryn as he looked over her shoulder. Suddenly his features sharpened, and Serra knew that their time together was growing short. Norryn squeezed her hand, leading her closer to the tunnel. Serra was almost numb to the thought of Norryn leaving her.

  Serra said nothing as she made her way down the ladder. Nevertheless, before she was all the way down, she stopped. Serra couldn’t stop from clenching tighter to her best friend. “Norryn, come with us. I don’t want to lose you. Please stay with me.”

  Serra could see that her words pained him. Kneeling by the ladder, Norryn took her other hand as well. “Serra, I’m sorry. But I must go. I’ll find my way back to you, that I promise. Please go now. I’ll see you soon.”

  Before she could stop herself, Serra buried her arms around his neck. Squeezing tightly, she kissed him quickly on the cheek before clutching to him once more. “I’m holding you to that, Norryn Ashener.” She was crying now. Something in her heart told her not to let him go. The fact that she had to crushed her heart completely.

  Reluctantly, Norryn found her hands again, pulling himself slowly from their embrace. He looked at her with an intense honesty, and both knew then just how important the other was in that moment. Helping her down further, Norryn smiled softly, squeezing her hand for a final time. Gently, he let go as he stood. There were no more words to be said as he activated the switch to close the passageway.

  With grim certainty, the passageway closed. Serra watched as long as she could, until all that met her eyes was the growing darkness. She prayed to herself then, hoping beyond all hope that when this night was over, she would see Norryn once more. Looking down, she made her way to Vonack and the others. They all made their way down the hall then, each unable to burst the silence that enfolded them.

  {39}

  “Everyone, please, remain calm! Head to the basement for the safety of the tunnels below, everything will be fine. Just keep moving!” Enora Ashener had hoped that she had sounded more confident than she felt. Things had gone from bad to worse and then from worse to catastrophic in under an hour’s time. She had no idea how this happened, and the fact that she could not find her chosen or sons compounded the issue to no end. The unknown troubled Enora greatly. Yet she knew the three men in her life could each fend for themselves and that would have to suffice for now.

  Enora had just enough time to throw on clothes when the madness had started. Explosions had rocked the foundations of Bannar’s Gate. She did not want to think of how many people currently lay dead in the streets below. Instead, Enora focused on what she could do. I must clear the keep. That is what Alderich would want. Whoever is out there doesn’t have surrender as an option. Let’s just hope that the passages under Bannar go undetected long enough to do some good, she thought intently as kept her focus.

  Enora hovered by a staircase for a moment, urging others onward. The only chance remaining was to get the people downstairs and into the secret corridors underneath the town. Luckily, all the Vallance leaders had survived so far, though Hanser and Turlin were injured. Turlin’s arm had been badly burned in the assault while Hanser had taken shrapnel to his face. The right half of his head, including his eye, had been bandaged. The dressings were soaked with blood, but Hanser was still able to stand on his own. With everyone accounted for, Enora motioned for Azhan to lead the way.

  The journey downstairs had so far been uneventful albeit the storm of frantic people starved for safety. Sparse flames spat about, but thankfully the walls of Bannar did not burn easily. Yet the terror that seethed inside the walls was tangible. Because of it, Enora had difficulty focusing. Trying to shake this overwhelming assault from her thoughts, she continued downward to the possibility of safety.

  The keep was sheer pandemonium. People fled in frantic disarray after the initial bombardment. Bannar’s Gate had held strong but had received an intense amount of punishment already. Enora and company had made it down to the first level unmolested. Azhan brought up the front of the entourage as Geyre Windfalls protected the rear. A handful of Azhan’s personal guard surrounded the group, flanking the entourage with weapons drawn and at the ready.

  To Enora, something was dreadfully amiss beyond the obvious. Looking amidst the growing flood of people, she realized that many had been streaming into the keep at an alarming rate. It is as if they are being herded here for slaughter. Could it be our enemies wish to end it all here and now? Obviously, they know the leaders are here, that such an attack could cripple any rebellion that we could offer in return. But we can’t let that happen. Fortunately, we have our means here in Bannar as well. Know that you will not have the heart of Vallance tonight.

  Enora noticed that she was not the only one to be affected by the overwhelming emotion that engulfed the room. Her sister Esaundra was also muddled by the emotional barrage. For those atuned to the feelings of others, the carnage unfolding was madness. Enora prayed that Norryn was alright. She was relieved to see that stairs to the basement were almost upon them. Curse of the winds, what is that?

  From several feet behind the group came a dreadful answer. A wall some 20 feet away erupted in explosive red. Debris spat about indiscriminately as Enora and company were knocked to the ground. Immediately, she heard orders being barked as Thorne Lance regimens and infantry began streaming into the fire-born mouth, attacking everything that moved. Enora watched as a young woman took a blast in her back before she was caught in the arms of her chosen. This is madness! How can they be so merciless? We have done nothing to deserve such rancor. “Keep going! Reach the passages! Azhan, Geyre!”

  Swiftly, Azhan Glansayer called his men to him. Charging forward, they deflected shot after shot with shields to engage the enemy. Geyre Windfalls trailed in their wake, daggers drawn. He had waited until they were within close range before bursting to the front. Alm
ost delicately his knives danced in his hands, finding all the vital areas through his opponents’ defenses. Blood sprayed on his hair as he smiled mockingly to the assailants.

  Azhan was no less deadly with his dual swords. Where his men had chosen sword and shield, Azhan preferred the feel of two blades in his hands. The two swords were death dealing demigods, going for blood and finding it with little resistance. As he avoided surging laser fire, Azhan was more businesslike than Geyre. His face revealed no anger or remorse, only his blades spoke as they hissed through the air with pure precision. In terms of demeanor, Windfalls and Glansayer were night and day. However, in combat, the two might as well be brothers.

  Geyre ran a bloody knife into an attacker just as his weapon ended the life of one of Azhan’s guard. Azhan and his men fought as they backed toward the stairs. Enora was busy getting the group to their feet and down to the safety below. Some were not as easy to rouse as others, but everyone still lived somehow. She had Turlin and Esaundra left to go before she could tell Azhan and Geyre to call off their defense. She was already certain of the difficulty of getting Geyre to stop his assault.

  From the makeshift opening, five more of Thorne’s soldiers entered the fray. Noticing their targets, they turned to the escaping party, each kneeling on one knee. Firing in unison, five scorching bursts poured from their rifles and toward Azhan and his men. They were able to deflect four of the shots, but one made it past unmolested. It seared the back of the soldier helping Esaundra to her feet. Esaundra stumbled as the warrior crumbled on the floor. Esaundra bent forward, checking for life in the man. In that instant Enora saw the imminent danger.

  A second volley is coming. Esaundra is going to be hit! Enora called for her sister, running as she screamed. The second wave of energy flooded through, killing another of Azhan’s and allowing two bolts to pass. Esaundra turned her head in time to see the incoming blasts. Just as death reached her, she found herself removed from its path. Tackling her sister to the ground, Enora took the incoming blast in her back. She instantly fell to the ground unmoving. Esaundra screamed in horror as Azhan and Geyre closed the distance to attack the reloading opposition. Turlin and the others bolted to Enora, who still did not move. Esaundra burst into tears as the leader of Chrone picked up her sister. Enora still had life in her, but just barely.

  Upon finishing their enemies, Azhan and Geyre made it back to the group. Horror filled their eyes and it was clear that each loaded blame unto themselves. Enora lay at peace in Turlin’s arms as blood began to warm his sleeves. Turlin looked at the two warriors. “We must hurry! Enora still lives. Quickly, lead us to the caverns below. Go!” Sprinting forward, Azhan and Geyre burst down the stairs angered and ready for any foe that was foolish enough to tempt their blades.

  In Turlin Dantry’s arms, Enora could hear very little. She could neither speak nor act as the sounds entering her ears seemed to grow distant and irrelevant. Everything soon became a gentle blur. Faintly, she understood her friends were praying for her, but her thoughts were elsewhere now. All that I ask of the gods is to keep my beloved and our sons safe. My life is forfeit without them. Take me if you must, but please, please not my boys. With that thought Enora had no more strength for worry.

  {40}

  “There’s one! Nail’em!” A group of Thorne infantry aimed their rifles at a young boy fast approaching.

  Norryn Ashener was close to his destination. All that stood between him and Bannar’s Gate were six armed soldiers bent on his demise. At a glance, the keep was a mess. Fire spat from its innards as smoke bled from its wounds. Norryn could do more than hear the screams from within. He could feel the pain and suffering that went along with them. Many times, Norryn had stumbled en route to the keep because of it. Yet, time and time again Norryn steeled himself and carried on.

  And now he would have to do it once more.

  Looking past his burning lungs, Norryn somehow found another burst of speed, paving his way to the keep. His sight fixed on his waiting roadblock. Hungry faces bore down metal barrels readied to administer death. The soldiers fired indiscriminately, each anxious to land the killing blow first. Blue torrents spat from the barrels, racing to the approaching quarry.

  Deftly Norryn made his move. Still pressing forward, he managed to evade every shot. Dodging, juking, diving, he made his way further. As he closed the distance, Norryn leaped over the last hail of fire, rolling upon the floor and face to face with the soldiers of Thorne. Before they could reload, Norryn used the confusion to fight his way through their center, avoiding strikes and hungry tips of dual bayonets. Striking two soldiers, Norryn pushed off a third as he made his way past them and on to the keep. That soldier fell, taking another with him as he went.

  “Get him, get him!” The soldiers recovered quickly. Reloading their rifles, they again took aim at the young boy as he made his way up to the stairs leading to the keep. Norryn paused to gain his breath. The doors were only feet away. Six deadly rifles prepared to fire. The men holding them began to squeeze the triggers.

  A fierce explosion erupted within the soldiers. Their bodies flew limply through the air before crumbling upon the streets. Surprise-stained dead eyes now looking at nothing. In their wake stood a young man now fully realizing the loss off his own innocence.

  Norryn closed his eyes, releasing a pained sigh. He then turned to face the carnage he had wrought fully. Norryn looked in turn at each of the six corpses added to an already horrid death toll. Opening his clenched fist, he tossed its contents to the floor. A lone grenade pin fell to rest before him. The soldier he’d pulled it from had never seen it happen.

  Turning again, Norryn entered the keep in search of his father. Then dread suddenly consumed him as thoughts of his mother invaded his mind. Pain not his own washed over him and for a second the young boy stumbled. His sense of urgency doubled as he recovered, making his way inside. Everything Norryn knew, everything he loved was now in jeopardy as he raced against time.

  {41}

  Alderich Ashener stared down the barrel of a small pistol and then into the eyes of his oldest son. The pain in his heart seared every fiber of his being. For long moments, it hurt to breathe as he realized fully the extent of this treachery. Around him Bannar was dying. He could hear the rumbling explosions and the screams that followed. The smell of burnt flesh and debris permeated his nose as he listened to the steady drum of marching footsteps. And the one responsible for it all was his own flesh and blood. If I had ever envisioned such a day happening in my darkest dreams, I never saw it orchestrated by the hand of my son.

  Sensing the increasing grief within Alderich, Rhoneck offered a grim smile. “Fear not father, it will all be over with soon enough. The pain will end. Despite everything, despite even the truth, I wouldn’t think of killing you. Mother and Norryn shall be safe too. That is part of the agreement. Your burden will end this night and become my own.” Rhoneck relayed no emotion on his face as he spoke.

  Alderich watched his oldest son, still trying to comprehend the knowledge before him. The pistol shook slightly, but Alderich could not tell if it was because of anxiety or the fact that he was truly right-handed. He merely stared back into the eyes of his son, looking for any reason why he would have done this. “This is madness, Rohoneck.”

  Rhoneck tilted his head slightly, smiling sadly. “It’s not so difficult to see is it, father?” Rhoneck continued to call him father with an emphasized conviction that combined love with hate. “I have been fortunate enough to have been set free. All my life I have been nothing more than a second rate. Everything that I have accomplished was so I could be a man you could be proud of. I wanted to rise at your side and one day be chosen to rule when you wished to no longer. Was that too much to ask for myself, too much to ask from your firstborn son? But it was not enough for you, not the work or the devotion. And then for eleven years I have been in the shadow of my brother Norryn and for what? You have forced my hand, father. I know now that I must take what is rightfully mine.�
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  Alderich dimly realized he was grinding his teeth. He fought with his emotions as he spoke again. “You have done nothing but prove everything that I tried to explain.” He swallowed hard, motioning with his hand to the fires in the distance. “What deal did you possibly strike to justify all of this? And what makes you think your allies will honor any bargain you have made?”

  Rhoneck shrugged. “Oh, I know my future is quite certain now. All that I have done is hurry the inevitable. Thorne was going to come anyway and take this land. Thedron Ralick has liberated me from a life that I did not deserve. I wanted Bannar as my own. I deserved it and he has helped me see to that. The capital will be rebuilt. The survivors can be taught again. Our country will be reshaped in the image of Thorne, and I will be here to help usher in a new era. Many will die, but there will be those that will be spared, and that beats the alternative. I don’t expect you to understand that, but maybe one day you will be able to see it from my perspective. I have at least spared the lives of my family. You will live out the rest of your life in exile, but at least you will live. And that is perhaps more than you deserve in the end.”

  Alderich practically shook with rage. “And what was the cost of that, Rhoneck? The lives of everyone you know and love?”

  Rhoneck was unmoved. “It was a just course, father. I have been nothing to these people for the last seven years. I was never right for them or for you. What it would take to change that, I gave up looking for long ago. Besides, the death of this town was assured. All I have done is preserve my life and my dreams. Besides, you are not one to talk. Thanks to Ralick, I know everything you have hidden from me. I know the past you share with him, the one that will haunt you for the rest of your life.” Rhoneck tensed, licking wetness back to his dry lips. “Your time here at Bannar is at an end. You were just too idealistic for your own good to think Vallance was so safe. Perhaps if you had been more inclined to show strength like my uncle once did instead of endless reasoning, all of this could have turned out differently.”