by J. M. Kearl
Boaden keeps glancing down at the note in his hand. His thumb glides over the Queen’s seal. She’s taken back Sanlaiya and will hold there until word of the next battle in Filda. Which is good news and he is happy for that, but the latter part of the letter brings him unease. He turns the parchment over and over in his hand thinking on what to do.
Reading the note sent by the queen, Boaden figures someone apparently isn’t as loyal to Warlord Asger as they all thought.
Boaden,
Word has reached me that Asger intends to challenge my throne. Anyone is welcome to try, for I am not afraid. I don’t know where you stand on the matter but I hope you are still loyal to who made you the man you are today. Win the north. We’ve taken back Sanlaiya.
Kyria
Either the informer didn’t mention Daelyn or Kyria chose to leave that part out. Yet the current Queen of Delhoon is clever, cunning and will know Daelyn is at the center of this rumor. Boaden isn’t sure why Kyria chose to tell him she knows. Is she cautioning me to squash this queen challenge with my wife before it goes too far?
Boaden doesn’t wish Daelyn to be pushed with the responsibility of being queen. The young, former farm girl would much rather live a simple and quiet life. Part of him thinks that life would suit him too, but he knows he’s meant for much greater things. He hasn’t worked this hard to stand by and forgo his potential to be one of the greatest in Delhoon to ever live. Whether she wants it or not, he believes that is Daelyn’s destiny as well. What scares him is that if Daelyn were to lose the challenge, he’d be an outcast, they both would. King and Queen or not, he hopes that their deeds will be worth history remembering.
The fall of footsteps draws him out of his thoughts and he turns to Ehvas walking his way along the top of the wall. She stops at his side and looks out over the field of warriors. “Enden is a few miles from here with around seven thousand soldiers. Our scouts just reported.”
“That means we will win in the north as well as the south. We outnumber them with our ten thousand. Kyria wrote and said they’ve taken back Sanlaiya.”
Ehvas pulls her cloak tighter around her. “I fear that only means Enden will make use of his alliance.”
“He also has more soldiers he can call upon. But have faith, Ehvas.” Boaden says, watching the tree line in the distance for movement. “I do not believe we will lose this war.”
“How can you say that when we know their advantage?”
Boaden tucks the note from Kyria into a pocket beneath his cloak. “Are you forgetting our advantage? We have magic. Even if they have dragons, I have it on good information that dragons weakness is magic.”
Ehvas rests her grieve covered forearms on the wall. “We also have Daelyn, and my brother who seems to never lose.”
Boaden smiles. “Yes, we do.”
A bright red orb flies into the air drawing their attention. “That’s the signal. They are marching on us.”
Horns blast from all around the city and the camp as both a warning and a call to arms. Soldiers run along the walls lining up with their bows and arrows. The soldiers outside move toward the battlefield. A wave of anticipation spreads through the air.
“Where is Daelyn?” Boaden asks, hurrying toward the stairwell.
Ehvas keeps pace at his side. “I think she is at Colden’s, resting.”
Catching four riders emerging from the trees, Boaden halts. They bear the Delhoon flag but the rider in the back is on a Hesstian horse. The blue and gold dress of the horse is apparent. As they get closer, he’s taken aback. “I think that’s Madison and Jordane.”
“Daelyn’s parents?”
Boaden nods wondering what they are doing as they stop in the center of the field and dismount. “I belong on the battlefield but I don’t want Daelyn—”
“You know she won’t let you leave her behind the walls.”
Boaden glances back out to the field. Jordane and another large man are hammering a crossed piece of wood that might have a word written but from here he can’t see. “Get Daelyn. I need to see what is happening down there.”
Ehvas gives him a pleading look. “But—”
He spells off the wall and appears on the field below. Soldiers from the camp are maybe fifty yards behind him, marching in lines. From here he can just make out the lettering on the sign: “Traitor”. He looks to the rider. Bruising covers most of his face but there is no mistaking it’s the man who betrayed Jordane.
Madison spots Boaden and spells right in front of him. “Come to see the show?”
Jordane ties the Hesstian horse to the sign and turns his back to Midlan. They leave him there and head toward Madison and Boaden. “Where did you find him?”
“With Enden, telling Delhoon’s secrets.”
Boaden glares at the beaten man wearing a Delhoon uniform, the phoenix bright on his chest. He’d take a crack at him if he wasn’t already sorrowful looking. “So not only did he betray his friend, he turned against Delhoon.”
Midlan stares up at the gray sky, not meeting the eyes of anyone.
“And everyone will know that before he dies.” Madison nods towards the trees. “I wanted Enden to see that we took him, so we waited to show ourselves until they were on the march.”
There are many things Boaden doesn’t like about Madison, but he does care for her, and he’s happy that they will get the revenge they deserve. “I’m glad you are here, Madison.”
Madison grows a small smile. “I am too.” Her eyes scan the soldiers around them. “Where is Daelyn?”
“With my sister. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
The Delhoon soldiers begin to gather and read the sign. They inquire about who he is and word spreads quickly of his sins. Many jeer at him, some throw snowballs and laugh when they splat on his face.
“What are we waiting for? Kill the traitor!” A man shouts raising his sword into the air. Shouting from others rise up in agreement. Jordane and Madison watch Midlan with disdain.
The Hesstian’s appear and that changes the atmosphere as everyone readies for battle, lining up, and those in front lock shields.
Jordane pulls his bow from his back and then hands it to Madison. “You should be the one to do it. I think this hurt you the most.”
Madison nods and takes the bow from her husband. Ehvas and Daelyn push through the line of warriors and Daelyn breaks into a run. Her hand grasps Boaden’s arm when she reaches him. “What is happening? Is that Midlan?”
Boaden nods. “He’s about to die for what he’s done.”
Madison stares at the point of the arrow and then knocks it back on the bow string. Everyone watches her hold back the arrow. Midlan lowers his chin and finally looks at all of them, at Madison. Through his puffy face his eyes lock onto hers.
“Goodbye, Midlan.” A tear runs down Madison’s cheek. “I hope the afterlife gives you more mercy than I can.” The sound of the arrow whooshes and then slams into Midlan’s chest.
The crowd behind them cheers as Midlan falls to the side, his horse prancing as he hangs halfway off the saddle.
Daelyn turns away and grabs at Boaden’s cloak. “I know what he did but I can’t watch him like that.”
Boaden doesn’t feel much but satisfaction watching Midlan’s body hang lifeless. Yet he senses mixed feelings of sorrow and fulfillment coming from both Madison and Jordane. They’re justified in killing the man who betrayed them but maybe it was the loss of who he once was that they both mourned.
What Daelyn feels is most unexpected. She’s not at all sorry, she’s happy he’s dead even if she can’t watch him. Maybe she can’t watch him because she feels ashamed taking satisfaction in the fact that the person who took her father from her is now dead.
Madison hardens her jaw and looks at Daelyn. “You aren’t meant to be at the front line. Let’s go.”
56. Boaden
The soldier’s part for them while Nebba leads the way. Ehvas leans close to Boaden. “That felt heavy. What did I miss?”
Boaden doesn’t want to leave Daelyn’s side but he feels she’ll be of best use on the wall. She has a greater vantage point up there for her long ranged magical attacks. They approach the gate where Warlord Asger, Colden and Khanna sit atop their horses.
Colden dismounts, seeing them. “It’s good to see both of you, Madison and Jordane.” He grips both of their forearms in a greeting. “We will crush them in this battle. If you are wary from your travels you can sit this one out.”
Madison shakes her head. “I will fight.”
“And I’ll be by her side,” Jordane says.
Colden rests his hand on his sword hilt. “Here they come now.”
The Hesstian’s run toward the front line with angry cries. Moments later they crash into the shield wall of Delhoon’s front line. Swords ring, and magic explodes as the battle begins. Arrows from above rain down on the Hesstian’s.
Daelyn’s worried expression finds Boaden. “I should be out there with them.”
Boaden catches her arm as she steps away. “No, you shouldn’t.” His grip on her tightens when she tugs against him.
“I can help more than anyone else,” she protests.
“You are not going to the front line. You’re too valuable. You’ll be a target especially if Enden sees you.”
Screams of pain sound and Daelyn’s eyes plead with him. “Boaden—”
Boaden growls under his breath. “If you want to help, get up on the wall.”
“Shields up!” Warlord Asger shouts.
Boaden looks to a volley of arrows coming their way. Daelyn creates a magical shield around herself and Boaden. The arrows turn to dust as they hit. He’s never seen that happen before, but there isn’t much time to discuss it. Daelyn takes Boaden’s hand and spells them up to the wall where they have a better view of what is happening on the front line.
The black and red armored uniforms clash with the blue and white in a sea of warriors that ferociously tear through one another. Boaden longs to be out there where he can do the most damage, but he’s torn. He looks between the battle and Daelyn, anxiety running high.
A sphere of magic builds between Daelyn’s palms. “Are we winning? I can’t tell.”
Boaden pulls his bow and an arrow. “It’s too soon to say.” He charges the arrow to explode on impact, the point of it glows red and launches far into the Hesstian crowd. It’s difficult to see if he hits anyone in the chaos but he keeps firing.
Daelyn propels her attack and it hits the back of the Hesstian soldiers near the trees where the high ranking men will likely be. “Yes, keep aiming there until they bring their catapults.”
Boaden knocks back an arrow and then spots his sister, Madison and Jordane riding through the foot soldiers to the heat of the fight and chills run through his body. He lets the arrow go and turns to Daelyn just as she releases her magic. Grabbing her shoulders he presses his lips hard to hers. “I’m more useful down there. We’re counting on you to take out their catapults so you must stay.”
Daelyn grabs him and snow begins to swirl around them. “No, I want to be with you.”
“You are needed here.”
The soldiers run around them, shouting commands, yelling out spells. “You can’t leave me up here!” she pleads. “I can fight with a sword if I need to. You even said yourself I’m good.”
Boaden’s heart hammers at the thought of her being in the middle of the fight. He shakes his head. “Please.”
“If you go, I’ll follow you.”
Boaden slams his hand on the wall. “Damn it, Daelyn. I’m trying to save your life!”
Daelyn grabs him by the sleeve of his shirt. “I don’t need you to save me anymore.”
Boaden nods slowly and closes his eyes for a few breaths. In many ways she is right, she is strong and powerful but anything can happen. “Stay close to me. I watch your back, you watch mine.”
Daelyn and Boaden slide their swords from their scabbards. “Are you ready?” she asks.
“Yes.” They lock hands, and seconds later are tossed into the chaos.
Moments, that is all he has to get a bearing on his surroundings before an ax is coming down at him. Boaden brings his sword up and hits the blade against the handle, with a forceful push the ax flings through the air. The Hesstian who’d held it pulls a long dagger and comes at him again. Boaden stuffs him back with a thrust of magic and slides the edge of his blade across the man’s neck. He goes on slashing, hacking, swinging his sword with the occasional spell taking down several men, when he turns to see Daelyn frozen and wide eyed with an attacker sprinting her way.
Daelyn
A screaming Hesstian careens toward her, sword raised high as he prepares to bring the weapon down on her. Frozen in the chaos, Daelyn stumbles back a step and waves her hand, a surge of magic drives him away, knocking down several of the enemy. She and Boaden meet each other’s gaze, and she nods to reassure him she can do this.
Another enemy soldier rushes her; she swings her sword upward slicing him across the face. When the blood sprays and the hot liquid splatters in her face, she staggers back. The man hits the frozen ground and convulses.
Seconds later there is a blade driven into the man’s chest. Boaden grabs Daelyn by the arm jerking her to attention. “This is war up close, Daelyn. You kill them and move onto the next, you do not hesitate.”
A Hesstian rushes at Boaden’s back and she blasts him with a magical volt, the enemy crashes to the ground several feet away. Then as if a switch flips in her mind she goes on the offense, driving her fist into the ground. A wave of power pulses through the earth causing the Hesstian’s to stumble and fall. Many of the Delhoon still holding their shield wall break through to take advantage. Daelyn charges with them and blast after blast takes down the enemy in countless numbers, but more keep coming. Daelyn pushes back three men charging Boaden and they fly through the air.
With a glance over his shoulder Boaden nods and a moment later sticks his sword through the chest of an opponent. Daelyn whips around at the sound of pounding footsteps, she brings her glowing red hand up and then freezes, as does the man. She blinks a few times and takes in the cinnamon eyes, the handsome face; he looks like any other soldier but it is Enden… and she doesn’t know what to do; killing him seems wrong.
“Daelyn, move!” he shouts and runs past her, driving his shoulder into one of his own men. The soldier hits the ground and Enden commands him to fight somewhere else.
Now they gawk at one another as the turmoil rages on around them, until out of the corner of her vision Daelyn catches Boaden marching toward them. “Go!” Daelyn shouts grabbing Enden with her magic she throws him several feet away.
Boaden turns her around. “Are you alright? Who was that?”
Daelyn’s chest heaves up and down, scared to tell him the truth. She knows what it would mean to have killed him. “Enden,” she breathes. “I didn’t know what to do. I -- I just-- I couldn’t kill him.”
Boaden’s sets his jaw and his eyes bare into her with confusion. “He is the enemy king! That could have ended this war!”
Before she can answer Boaden races off in the direction she tossed Enden. The king is just getting to his feet when Boaden brings his sword down at him. She chases after them not knowing what she’s going to do and skids to a halt when Enden rolls out of the way and springs to his feet.
“I hoped we’d get the chance to meet again, Boaden.” Enden says steadying his sword. “You played me for a fool. I honestly thought you were my friend.”
Boaden growls and they step in a circle around one another. “If things were different we could have been friends but you are Hesstian and I am Delhoon. I am a magic user, you are not.”
Enden’s eyes flick to Daelyn. “I heard you two got married.”
They are interrupted by an earth rumbling roar, and then Enden chuckles. Daelyn and Boaden turn to loo
k where the king now stares into the sky.
“I got married, too.”
On the horizon are four massive dragons, wings beating as they soar toward the battlefield. Just as her mother’s vision had foretold. Daelyn turns back to Enden, wide eyed. “Enden, no,” she whispers.
Enden lowers his sword. “Remember when Delhoon burns and your people die, that you two started this war.”
The first dragon roars a breath of fire, and Daelyn watches in horror as the beasts descend on her people.
∞∞∞
Thank you for reading WRATH! I hope you are enjoying the RISE series so far. If so, please leave a review for this book and RISE on Amazon. Your review will help others find this book and it's so helpful for independent authors like myself! The adventures of the RISE series continue in book III. To be sure you don't miss out on any news of future books, (book deals for members only) and anything else I deem interesting, sign up for my mailing list at http://jmkearl.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.M. Kearl (me) is a wife to a great husband, and mother of a 2 year old daughter. I spend most of my time at home with the little, generally thinking up new ideas for my fantasy books, (honestly I couldn't write anything else), writing when the kid sleeps, dreaming of traveling somewhere tropical and taking breaks to hit the gym.
I've been writing books for close to fourteen years and finally decided it was time to let people read the stories in my head.
Find more about me and my books on my website https://jmkearl.com and on Facebook @ Author J.M. Kearl
