by Toni Cox
Exhausted she leant back into the bed. Silas draped the blankets back over her and then went to make her some tea; he spoke not a word. When the tea was ready he came to sit beside her and helped her hold the cup to her mouth. Her hands were still shaking from the effort, but now that her injuries were healed she felt much better. The tea helped.
“Where are my clothes?” she finally asked.
“Your mother brought you some yesterday,” Silas said and got up to fetch them.
She got dressed quickly, glad to be out of bed. Once dressed, she went to sit by the fire.
“What time is it?”
“It should be getting dark soon.”
“Thank you for your care, Silas, but I think I would like to sleep in my own bed tonight.”
“I would not have it any other way,” he replied.
“Maia,” Luke called as he entered the cave, “you are up. And healed, I see.”
“Yes, all the fussing was too much for Maia,” Silas said, chuckling.
“I am sorry you had to fetch water, but I would prefer to shower at home,” Maia said to Luke.
“We always need water here,” Luke replied, “mostly for Silas’ tea.”
Luke went to store away the bottles and then busied himself with packing away the rest of the bandages from the bed.
“I want you to get some rest tonight. Tomorrow we can talk about what happened.”
“I don’t really know what happened,” she said. “We were under attack and I fought, just like everyone else.”
“Well, whatever it was it made you stronger and faster, but used a lot of your energy. We will figure it out.”
“How many of our own were injured?” she did not want to ask how many were dead.
“There were a few, but they were all manageable injuries and they have all been sent home for now. No fatalities.”
Maia breathed a sigh of relief. In her mind, she tried to put it all back together. There had been attacks on four fronts; at The Steep, The Crags, Oaken Drift, and The Rise. In retrospect, she thought that they had gotten off lightly; there had been at least one thousand five hundred that had attacked Thala Yll. Why had Shadow Hall only been attacked by so few? It just did not make sense. Maybe she really did need some more rest. Maybe it would all make more sense in the morning.
Saying good night to Silas and Luke, she left the cave. At the entrance, Rothea almost bumped into her.
“They have only just let me know you are awake,” she said, somewhat out of breath.
“Well, you are just in time to see me to bed,” Maia smiled at her.
“Evandeor,” Maia called to Commander Hollowdale as she approached the Elder Hall, “what a pleasant surprise.”
During the night, Midnight had woken Maia to let her know that dragons from Thala Yll had arrived. Jaik and her father had gone to greet Commander Arkenbay and Commander Hollowdale and their warriors and then accommodated them at the Hall of the Guardians for the night. Jaik had let her know that there would be a meeting early in the morning, as the dragon riders had quite a story to tell; everyone who was still at Shadow Hall had been invited to listen.
It was a wonderful summer’s day and Maia felt in an unusually uplifted mood. With a gentle breeze blowing through the trees and the sunlight dappling the ground, she could not have wished for a more perfect day. With her body healed, she had even decided to wear a dress for the occasion of the meeting.
“It is good to see you, My Lady,” he said, inclining his head respectfully towards her.
After some more pleasantries, everyone found their seats in the Elder Hall, where they had gathered.
“If you don’t mind, I would like to re-cap for those who were not present last night when you arrived,” her father said to Commander Arkenbay.
“Of course.”
“After Thala Yll’s successful defeat of the Vampyre army that attacked them, the city spent some time putting things back in order. I believe you burnt the dead Werewolves?”
“Aye, the Vampyres too,” Commander Arkenbay replied.
“Once the city was in order again, they restructured their defences. There are still a few Regiments there, but mostly the Night Watch and the Sentinels have been left to defend the city. Commander Arkenbay does not believe there will be another attack on the city and has come to re-join the rest of his army at Greystone.”
“Yes, it is the least we can do. Had it not been for Lady Maia and her dragon, the fight could have turned out differently.”
“Well,” her father cleared his throat, “yes, I am glad she was able to assist you. Now, why don’t you tell us what happened to you on your way here?”
“We were about half way, when we discovered an army of Vampyres marching towards Shadow Hall. There were few Werewolves, but the army itself was close to three hundred strong. We had the Guard and the first and second Regiment with us, which put our number at fifty-one. Nevertheless, we were all riding our dragons and decided that this was our chance to redeem ourselves. They were out in the open and we just rained arrows down on them until we had no more. By then, their numbers were so decimated, that we landed and took the rest on ourselves. It took us the entire next day to drag all the bodies into one area to burn them. We believe they would have reached Shadow Hall about two or three days ago, had we not come across them.”
“Yes, you have done us a great service, Commander Arkenbay. We were, indeed, attacked three nights ago, and although they attacked us from four different directions, their numbers were low. We managed to defeat them without any casualties of our own.”
Maia listened to the men discuss the topic for a little while longer, but there was no new information, so she eventually turned to her own thoughts. With the three hundred the warriors of Thala Yll had killed, the number of potential attackers on Shadow Hall seemed more likely, but in her mind, it still did not make sense.
Maybe they thought Thala Yll was more important. Maybe they had wanted to take Thala Yll for the meat it provided from their herds. It seemed plausible, which would also explain why Alea Yll, which only grew crops, was attacked by so few. Braérn, trading hub of Grildor, had also been attacked by a larger force, as had Stoneloft as per the reports they had received. Maia was starting to believe that each attack had been with a certain target in mind. It was most likely gems and metals from Stoneloft, trading goods from Braérn and meat from Thala Yll. A relatively small number of about two hundred of them had besieged Tarron Heights and the people of Tarron Heights had been keeping them at bay for the past few Quarters. There was still no news from Dragonfort or Rathaés, but she knew that both cities had stocks of raw materials that were potentially important to the Vampyres.
The more she thought about it, the clearer the picture became. The Vampyres had been threatening with war at the Gate for Moons and thus had drawn out the armies from the cities, so that they would be easier to take. Their country was in pandemonium, with armies spread all over the country, travelling to or from Greystone. The cities were at their weakest, their armies were divided and no one knew what was going to happen next. Now was the time that they were at their most vulnerable. Now would be the perfect time for the Vampyre army to attack at Greystone.
Maia gasped as the thrill of premonition ran down her spine. She shivered, even in the thick heat of the Elder Hall.
“We need to speak to father right away,” she whispered to Jaik. “Get him and the Commanders to finish off this meeting immediately and ask them to come to the Hall of the Guardians.”
“What is it, Maia?”
“The Gate is about to be breached.”
He shook the dust off his fur and then stretched. His injuries still pinched him here and there, but he would be all right now. His nose told him he had spent two days beneath the brambles and, besides an inquisitive fox, nothing had disturbed his slumber.
He looked up at the mountains, back-lit by the sun setting behind them. He could not see Shadow Hall from here, but he knew it was but a fe
w miles to the west. He took his first few steps towards it. He was not far now from the place where he had hidden his clothes and weapons; he would go there first. He would also need to clean up if he wanted to present himself to Lord Longshadow. Strangely, the thought of seeking out Maia’s father terrified him more than anything ever had before.
He had gathered a lot of valuable information in the time that he had been away and he hoped that it would be enough to sway the Lord Regent in his favour. The fact that he had just killed another fifty or so Vampyres and their Werewolves might also prove to be helpful.
Thinking of the General that had taken the other half of his troop on to Shadow Hall made him lengthen his stride. He wondered if they had attacked the city yet and, if so, how the city had fared.
It was dark by the time he reached the outskirts of Shadow Hall. He could smell the stench of Vampyre in the air, but the city was quiet. Carefully he circled, keeping well away from the sharp eyes of the Night Watch, and found that the city had indeed battled the Vampyres. There were signs of the battles in numerous locations and he soon discovered the place where they had burned the dead.
Taking the long way around the city, he eventually reached his hiding place and then changed form. Now naked, he dug up his bags and slung them over his shoulder. There was a little stream somewhat higher up in the mountains; a place the people of Shadow Hall seldom went; and he headed there now. He would clean himself up and then present himself to the Lord in the morning.
The night was long and he struggled to sleep. In his mind, he kept repeating the words he would say to Lord Longshadow over and over. It was almost morning when his eye lids drooped and he cursed himself for not having been able to rest. He still felt a little weak from his black rage and he could really do with some sleep. He promised himself only an hour or so and then he would be on his way. His chin sank onto his chest and, before he could stop himself, he fell into a deep sleep.
It was the sound of horns sounding an alarm in the distance that eventually brought him to. It was mid-morning and he had slept longer than he had wanted to. Shadow Hall had to be in trouble if the horns were sounding. Quickly he strapped on his weapons and then made his way back down the mountain. This might be his chance. This might be the day that he could prove to Lord Longshadow that he meant them no harm and that he was fighting on their side.
His heart was racing, but his spirits were high as he ran through the forest towards his salvation.
Maia smelled the stench the moment she stepped into the hallway. There was a small tunnel system below the Hall of the Guardians that contained a hallway with ten cells leading off it. She could not remember any time that there had ever been a prisoner in those cells, but the rank smell coming from the cell furthest from the entrance confirmed its content.
“He has refused to speak with us,” Jaik said as they walked down the hallway.
“He said he would only speak with you,” her father said.
“Yes, he knows who I am.”
“How?” Jaik asked.
“I don’t know,” she said as she stepped in front of the iron grate.
They stood there for a moment looking at the General, defiantly leaning against the far wall. The cell was clean and the Generals’ clothes; although torn in places; were unsoiled. Vampyres had always smelled different to Elves, but they had never had such a rancid smell. She wondered if it was just this one that smelled like this, but then remembered that the others she had fought had also been offensive to her nose. She wondered if the others could smell it too.
“Ah, thee lady ‘as finally come to talk, dje?”
“What is your name?” she asked.
“I am Lord Draken, cousin to great leader, Lord Drakul.”
“And do you know who I am?”
“Dje, you are Princess of Light. I vas to kill you.”
Maia raised her eyebrows at the Vampyre’s strange statement. Princess of Light?
“Well, you have failed. Now tell us about your army. When will they breach the Gate?”
The General laughed; a haunting sound in Maia’s ears.
“Princess, you are too late. It is done. And your Prince of Darkness ‘as fallen.”
“What?” Angrily she yanked at the iron bars before her.
“’ee is dead. Gone.” The General inspected his sharp fingernails, picking at the dirt. “And your armies will fall before thee night is over.”
“Nooo.” she cried and hammered her fists against the gate.
Jaik took her around the waist and led her away.
“Kill him,” she heard her father say as Jaik took her up the stairs.
She felt the moment the Vampyre’s life was snuffed out and she wondered who had gone to obey the order. She would have liked to do it herself. The anger raging within her was hard to control and her entire body was shaking. Blaid could not be dead; she would have felt it. The General had just been taunting her. It could not be true.
“Sound the alarm,” her father called as he ran up the steps. “We will march immediately.”
“Are you all right?” Jaik asked. “I have to assemble my men.”
“Yes,” she replied through clenched teeth, “I will meet you by the stables.”
Jaik nodded and turned, leaving her alone in the Hall of the Guardians. She fought to control her feelings for a moment and, once she had stopped shaking, rose from the chair Jaik had put her in.
“Lady Maia?” Rothea asked, sticking her head through the door.
“It is time, Rothea. Now we go to war,” she replied, a deadly calm now in her voice.
Together they ran to get their things. Maia’s leather armour was still full of punctures, but it would have to do. They changed quickly and then grabbed their weapons.
“Mother, keep Wolf with you,” she said as they left the house.
Her mother nodded and gave her a brief hug.
“Be safe, my daughter.”
The city was abuzz with activity and they were not the only ones making their way to the stables. She filled Midnight in on what was happening as they ran and asked him to scout ahead. She had decided to ride into battle with the others; Midnight could do more damage if he did not have to worry about her sitting on his back. They now needed all the help they could get.
At the stables, there was pandemonium; warriors were rushing back and forth, horses whinnied in fright and supply wagons were loaded in haste. They went to look for Jaik, but were unable to find him.
“The Guard has ridden out already,” Commander Lavendar, second Commander of the Regiment’s first division said. “Commander Ridgewell is over there, overseeing the loading of the weapons supply train.”
Quickly they made their way over to him.
“When will you be ready to move out?” Maia asked Rowlean.
“In but a few minutes, My Lady, we are almost ready.”
“We will ride with you then,” she said. “How many men do you have?”
“There are three Regiments here,” he replied, “the other eight are already at the gate.”
Maia cursed; sixty warriors was not much to go into battle with. Her brother had ridden out with the Guard, but they were down to ten men as well, although she assumed her father had gone with them. Their Legion, now numbering just over a thousand after drafting the people from the countryside, was also stationed at Greystone.
“What about the Night Watch and the Sentinels?” she asked.
“Most of them will stay here to protect the city, but the rest have left with your brother.”
She nodded to Commander Ridgewell and hurried to the stables to saddle Fire. The stallion was agitated and as anxious to get going as Maia was. Soon both Maia and Rothea were in their saddles and ready to go. Fire snorted and pranced beneath her and she felt his excitement flood through her own body. She was ready.
“Move out,” Commander Ridgewell shouted and then they were on their way.
They rode at a canter; fast enough to cover ground quickl
y, but slow enough for the horses to keep going for a long while. At this pace, it would take them the rest of the day to reach Greystone, Maia hoped it would be in time.
“The dragon riders have flown ahead,” Commander Ridgewell shouted across to her. “They will send a scout back with news as soon as they see something.”
In the heat of the moment, Maia had totally forgotten that the Guard and two Regiments of Thala Yll had been at Shadow Hall when they had sounded the alarm. That was fifty-one extra warriors, plus their dragons and extra eyes in the sky.
Soon all they heard was the wind rushing in their ears and the horses’ hooves pounding the ground. The earlier excitement was overtaken by calm determination and Maia could concentrate on what lay ahead. She thought of all the people already at the Gate; they had been there so long, she hoped they had not become complacent. She wondered about whose armies were still present there. Most Lords had left their Legions at the Gate, but had withdrawn most of their Regiments. She hoped it would be enough. In her mind, she saw again the vast number of tents at the Vampyre compound on Naylera. If all their forces had arrived, then they were about to be overrun by thousands and thousands of Vampyres.
She thought about the last war; they had estimated the Vampyre numbers to have been between thirty and forty thousand. It had also been a surprise attack and it had taken their army two days and nights of solid marching to reach the battlefield. Tired as they had been, they had still won the war. There was hope; always.
Maia tried to remember the meetings they had over the past few quarters; if her calculations were correct, then Shadow Hall alone was providing in the region of about one thousand six hundred warriors. Most of Thala Yll’s forces had now re-joined them, so they numbered around one thousand eight hundred as well. She hoped the numbers of the other cities to be as large but, even if they were, they would still be outnumbered if Naylera sent an army as large as the last one. And, one should not forget the Vampyres that were already in Grildor. They knew not if Dragonfort and Rathaés had been taken and if those Vampyres were now on their way to join the battle. And there might yet be more Vampyres in hiding; her father had ordered a search of the areas on the map that Maia had pointed out after going to Naylera, but only a few of them had yielded results. For all they knew, there could still be hundreds, if not thousands, of them out there somewhere.
