by Toni Cox
“I am, but I have faith. I have seen what your people…our people…can do and I believe in your father’s leadership. He is a great man and a strong leader.”
“Aye,” Rothea said.
Maia cast a quick glance sideways at Aaron. He had changed so much since they had come here; she hardly recognised him anymore. She knew he had become quite accomplished with the sword and she had no doubt that he was brave enough to engage a Vampyre in a fight, but Aaron still lacked the speed of the Elves and Vampyres were as fast; if not even a little faster. She was worried that Aaron might be over confident in his abilities and she worried for him. Jasmin would also be right in the middle of the fighting, as she was posted as one of the archers on the outer defences. Luke would be stationed in Silas’ cave, where he would see to any wounded. It would be Silas’ job to collect the wounded from their posts and deliver them to Luke. At least one of her children would be in a relatively safe place.
“I wish I had your confidence,” she said to him. “Promise me you will look after yourself.”
“I promise,” he said and took her hand and kissed it.
Strangely, she didn’t mind. She felt it was done with respect and his promise had been sincere. He let go of her hand immediately afterwards and they carried on walking side by side, Rothea following at a respectful distance.
She wanted to go to the Galassan’s workshop to collect her things. Midnight’s saddle had already been hoisted into position with the contraption they had built to get it onto his back. All she needed to do was ask Midnight to walk beneath it and, by pulling one lever, the saddle would drop down onto his back. All she then needed to do then was tighten the straps. Her own armour, though, was still at the workshop. Jaik had asked Galassan to make some alterations; extra padding for the chest, more protection for the neck, a broader kidney belt and fine chain mail to go underneath it all. Even her gloves had been fortified with knuckle plates. She appreciated her brother’s concern, but she found the new design a little too bulky for her liking.
They reached Galassan’s workshop and Aaron waited while Rothea helped her into her new outfit. It fitted well enough and she was surprised to find that, even with the extra padding, she could still move freely.
“You look breathtakingly beautiful,” Aaron said as she stepped out from behind the screen.
“It is my battle armour; it is not supposed to be beautiful,” she replied, feeling somewhat taken aback.
“Then you were born to be a warrior, for I have seen you wear many beautiful things, but never has anything ever looked as perfect on you as this.”
Maia blushed. How were you supposed to reply to something like that? She wished there was a mirror in the workshop but, if Galassan had one, he kept it hidden. She tried to see her reflection in a shield resting against the wall, but it only showed her a hazy, distorted version of herself and she was unable to see what Aaron could. She cast a glance at Rothea, who nodded as if agreeing with Aaron.
She had to admit that everything fitted her perfectly and the leather conformed to her body well. It was tough enough to protect her, yet supple enough to allow her free movement. And, as always, Galassan had been creative with his design and generous with his decorations and accessories. Each section of leather had been carved with dragons and scenes of battle. She now also had new straps to hold her bow and extra quivers, her Twin Blades, her sword, her hunting knife and two extra pouches, one on each leg, for throwing knives. It was certainly comfortable and practical and ideal for the purpose for which it was intended. Now all she needed to do was to collect her weapons from home and strap them to herself.
“Well thank you, Aaron,” she finally managed to say. “Now that I am done, where is it that you need to go?”
“I am to report to my post within the hour. I just thought I would spend some time with you before you took to the air.”
“All right. I need to collect my weapons. Will you walk with us then?”
“I would be delighted to,” he replied.
They stepped onto the Workers Lanes and walked beneath the silver trees of the birch forest. They had just crossed the bridge over the river when suddenly the alarm horns started blaring. They froze for a moment and looked at each other.
“It is time,” Maia said and put her hand on Aaron’s arm. “May the Mother be with you.”
“And you.”
Maia and Rothea took off running, leaving Aaron to find his own post. They sprinted up the steps to her home and into her room to strap her weapons to her outfit. Rothea grabbed her own extra weapons and Maia was still fastening the last buckle as they ran back out the door. They could hear commotion coming from the forest to the south of the city.
“I am going to get Midnight. See what you can do to help on the ground.”
Rothea nodded and sprinted away, taking the stairs that connected to The Median. Maia took the fastest route to The Crags, running as fast as she could. She heard Midnight roar in the distance and she knew he was ready. Sprinting up the last steps, she broke from the trees and into the open. Midnight was standing beside the contraption with his saddle, but Maia did not take the time to lower it onto him. He knelt down and she ran up his leg and settled into the crook of his neck. He was airborne immediately and swooping away over the forest.
Through the trees, she saw people running towards the southern side of the city; towards the water mill. The trees were thick there and she would not be able to help from the air. The Steep, which was the road that led down to the city from the water mill, came from high up a cliff and ran down steep steps and ladders to reach the city. If the Vampyres were attacking from that direction, they would have the advantage of the high ground.
She asked Midnight to circle the city once to make sure they were not being attacked on multiple fronts.
Shadow Hall was built within a horseshoe-like formation of one of the lower cliffs of Shadow Peak. It had a wide opening to the east; wide enough to harbour the entire Silver Forest, as well as two of their main roads into the city. She asked Midnight to fly there first. It was the easiest access point to the city, but they had taken precautions and had barricaded the entire section and stationed archers every ten paces. They looked up at her now as she flew overhead.
Then there was The Ascent, which was the path that led up from the stables. It was a gentle rise from the Grazing Grounds on the other side of the cliff, but it wound its way through thick forest and rocky ridges. It was fairly easy to defend and they had barricaded the road there too, posting archers within the trees. Maia was unable to see through the trees, but Midnight assured her all was quiet there.
Then there was Hallows Entrance; it was a steep and dangerous path that ran almost parallel to The Steep. One had to pass through a narrow gorge to reach the city from this point and it was probably the most unlikely road the Vampyres would take. They flew over it quickly, but again Midnight confirmed that he sensed no Vampyres below.
Then, on the northern side of the city, there were five different roads that led from the forest into the city. One of them, Blackwood Drop, led past The Crags. Maia knew there were no Vampyres there now, as she had just come from there. As she circled she saw that The Rise, Hollow Hill, Cedar Path, and Oaken Drift were all clear of any Vampyres.
Maia was confused; why would the Vampyres only attack through such a narrow entrance as The Steep, even if they had the high ground there. At best, only two would be able to fight alongside each other and anyone daring to come past the second waterfall would be shot by their archers.
They flew over the water mill again. It was one of the few places where she could see the ground, as the area around the mill had been cleared. If there were Vampyres there, they were smart enough to stay out of the open. But Midnight knew they were there and estimated their number to be around twenty. They were raining arrows down on the people who were protecting the bridge.
“Something is not right,” Maia whispered to herself and asked Midnight to circle again.
This time they flew a bigger circle around the city, covering more ground over the forest surrounding it and even out into the plain leading towards the mighty oak the river junction. Daylight was fading fast and although her eyesight was good even in the dark, she relied mostly on Midnight’s senses to tell her what was happening below.
As the sun finally dipped completely behind the mountains, Maia discovered what she had been looking for. Horrified, she urged Midnight to land within the Gathering Grounds; something he had never done before, but there was simply no time.
The moment he touched the ground, she jumped down and was running. As she had suspected, she found her brother by the bridge that spanned the river that flowed from the water mill. The twenty or so Vampyres up on the ridge had been keeping them busy, but had not been able to inflict any damage.
“Jaik!” she shouted as she ran towards him. “Jaik!”
Finally, he heard her and he turned, meeting her in the middle of the bridge.
“It is a distraction. They have been trying to keep us busy here so we would not notice them coming in from the other side. There are three separate groups of about fifty each, mounted on Werewolves coming our way now. They are moving fast and should reach the city within the next few minutes. Dispatch your men to The Crags, Oaken Drift and The Rise immediately, or those archers there will be overrun.”
Jaik did not waste a moment; he knew his sister’s information to be accurate. He bellowed his orders and immediately every Guard was running. Commander Ridgewell kept a small detachment of five archers with the ones protecting the bridge, but the rest he withdrew, ordering them across the city immediately.
“I am going to The Crags,” Maia said before she left her brother. “There is some open ground and maybe Midnight will be able to help.”
Before Jaik could answer she was on her way. Midnight was still where she had left him, but he was facing towards The Crags and there were thick plumes of smoke rising from his nostrils; she knew he was rearing to go and only waiting for her.
She ran up his leg and before she had even settled, he was in the air. It took him only a few strokes of his wings to see them over the city and to The Crags. Maia could now hear the baying of the Werewolves as they ran towards the city. The sound was strange to her ears; a mixture between wolf and something else, something that sounded somewhat like a person howling. It gave her goosebumps.
Midnight reluctantly dropped her off in the clearing.
“I am more help on the ground, than up on The Crags.” She said as he took off.
Her father would be mad, but she did not want to hide from the Vampyres; she wanted to help her people. She watched as Midnight took position on top of The Crags. Anyone taking the path that wound around The Crags would get incinerated from the top.
Quickly she sought out the archers stationed along Blackwood Drop and asked them to fall back to Stony Lane. Together they raced back towards the city and almost ran into the men Jaik had assigned to this area.
“Midnight is on The Crags. Do not use the path. He will burn any that might come that way. Hold your ground here and all along this ridge,” she said. “Do not let them enter the city.”
Stony Lane was a short, narrow lane that led to Blackwood Drop, which wound around The Crags. On either side of Stony Lane was a low, but stony ridge. It was heavily wooded and brambles thrived up on that ridge. It was an area difficult to get through, but not impossible. Maia hoped the Vampyres would concentrate on either getting through Stony Lane, or making it past them to The Rise.
“Yes, My Lady,” one of the warriors replied and repeated her orders.
The strange howling was getting louder and she noticed some of the men look at each other with worry in their eyes. Maia assumed the howling was a scare tactic; and it was working.
“Do not be afraid,” she shouted to them. “We have fought them before and won. Our families are in those homes behind us. Protect them.”
The men nodded to her and a tense calm settled over them as they waited in the dark. They had discussed the use of lanterns, but Elves saw as well in the dark as Vampyres and lanterns would only give away their positions. So now they waited as the howling became louder.
Suddenly the night sky lit up with Midnight’s fire and the screams coming from The Crags were terrible to behold.
“It is time,” Maia said. “Here they come.”
He had traded the weapons he had collected from the Vampyres for some proper boots, fresh clothes, and food. At first, he thought the homestead just outside Braérn to be deserted, but the owners had been hiding in a sandstone cave just below their home. It had taken him a while to convince them that he meant them no harm, but they had finally come out. He had given them the news about Braérn and the relief on their faces gave Blaid great joy. He did not tell them who he was or his part in the war at Braérn; he did not want to frighten them, they were good people.
He was now travelling light, with only Kanarel’s sword, a hunting knife, and a water bottle. He had eaten and rested for a short while and he now had enough energy to shadow travel. Seeing Braérn attacked increased his urgency to get to Shadow Hall.
He made good time that afternoon and soon reached Peak View Lodge. He was so close now; another few jumps and he would be there. He took a moment to catch his breath and drink some water, then he channelled his energy again and was on his way.
When he landed at Eldenar Forest, he took another sip of water and then jumped again. He was so close now. A feeling of apprehension was making him feel uneasy and he was on his guard when he landed again. He was now about twenty-five miles from the city and the feeling of unease was getting stronger. The next jump took him within five miles of Shadow Hall and right into the middle of a group of Vampyres and their Werewolves.
Blaid had been able to smell them just before he materialized, but he had not been able to stop. They were riding fast and he was almost knocked down as they raced past him. At first, he thought they might not have noticed, but then a shout was taken up and they all reined in their mounts. Soon Blaid stood surrounded by a group of at least a hundred Vampyres, all atop their beastly companions.
“Vat ‘ave vee ‘ere?” one of the Vampyres asked in strongly accented Elven.
The others laughed as Blaid turned in a circle to find the one who had spoken.
“You are thee one they call Death, dje?”
Blaid narrowed his eyes at the large General now climbing off his Werewolf. He was well dressed in a uniform that looked like it had been made by Elves. He noticed again how different these Generals looked from their common warriors; they had faces that looked nobler, their skin was not as grey and their mouths did not have a snout-like appearance. He wondered what the difference was between them; these Generals still looked like the Vampyres of old, yet their underlings bore a closer resemblance to monsters, than people.
“Dje,” Blaid answered, assuming the word meant yes.
“Ah, vee ‘ave been looking for you,” the General said as he stepped closer to Blaid, but just out of reach. “You ‘ave been causing many troubles.”
“I could say the same about you,” Blaid retorted.
The General laughed; a haunting sound that rang in Blaid’s ears.
“I vould love to stay and talk, but vee ‘ave business to attend to,” the General said and then gave a command in his own language.
Blaid briefly got a glimpse of the net that was thrown over him as his body dissolved into shadow. He heard some shouts of surprise and then all was silent as he travelled. But he did not go far; he landed about a mile ahead of them and waited. It was dark by now, but he did not need to see them to know they were coming. Another four miles behind him lay Shadow Hall and if this Vampyre knew what he was, then he was surely aware of what Maia was too. Over his dead body would he let them pass.
He had no time to prepare; the Werewolves were fast. It was open ground here, with only a few trees dotting the countryside. There was no shelter and no high ground
.
The ground started to vibrate as the horde drew closer. Blaid drew his weapons. Soon he heard the Vampyres shout as they caught sight of him. The General gave some kind of order and the group split up; half of them circled him, while the others, including the General, rode on past him to Shadow Hall.
Blaid did not get a chance to consider his options; this time the Vampyres attacked immediately. Their Werewolves charged and he was immediately dodging their snapping teeth, as well as the Vampyres’ swords. He was hopelessly outnumbered and now in no position to shadow travel; it required concentration and the Vampyres were attacking relentlessly.
He hacked and slashed at the Werewolves, trying to unseat their riders. He got bitten on the arms, his legs, and his shoulders, but he kept fighting. A sword flicked past his head, nicking his ear. Another sword found its mark and skewered his left hand; the hunting knife dropped to the ground. He retaliated by driving his own sword through the Vampyre’s throat. He died instantly, but there were already ten more confronting him in his place.
Bleeding, hurt and now seriously angry, Blaid felt his black rage take over. This time he did not try to stop it; all of them had to die. He was vaguely aware of the snarl that escaped his throat and then his vision went dark. He was Death.
It seemed to take forever before they saw the first Vampyre ride his Werewolf through the trees, but after that, everything happened within the blink of an eye. Midnight had taken care of about a third of the horde with one blast of his fire; the rest were now storming towards them. Maia heard Midnight roar in the distance, but the trees were too tall and dense here for him to help.
All along the ridge, the Werewolves fell on the Elves, while their riders jumped off to attack on foot. Maia realised that her group was outnumbered at least two to one, but it only fuelled her rage. Somehow, she was angry beyond anything she had ever felt before. For a moment, her vision went dark; as if a black shadow had passed over it; but then it cleared and the first Vampyre fell before her as she lopped off his head.
