by TJ Reynolds
Standing in the middle of the road, out of reach of our forces and, for the time being, unnoticed, stood a single enemy. His tail whipped around him in fury. I ran around and through the mess of the battlefield until I stood at the beginning of the second bridge, with Tejón bounding beside me. I stared at the ratkin, his armor shining brightly. He had a massive, curved sword at his hip.
The figure was too far away for me to inspect, but I knew that this was not an enemy who would go down lightly. We stared at each other for a while until rage pushed me to raise my axe. I screamed at the ratkin, wishing I had the strength to chase him down and kill him.
Instead, he turned and sprinted away from the city, heading for the countryside. And though he was no longer an immediate threat, it was not at all lost on me that the commander was headed for Taelman’s Pond.
3: “Defense is the best defense. Everyone knows that.”
— Wardeen Sevenhalls
HANA
The first thing I wanted to do was find a place to store our gear and get some food in both of our bellies. Thankfully, as soon as I left Quinn’s shop, Pachi handled one of those tasks for me.
“I’d say she’s grown, but that would be an injustice,” Adalee said as she stroked Pachi between the ears. The enfield was dining on a skinned deer the hunter must have brought for her. Seeing the questions in my eyes, she explained, “Abra found me and said you both were probably hungry. Here. This is an interesting type of food one of the travelers has told us about. It’s bread with meat and a slice of cheese between. It’s called a sandwich. Though the food is still quite queer to me, I must admit it is delicious.” The woman handed me a thick sandwich, and I chuckled to myself. “What? You’ve heard of this before?” My continued laughter caused her to deliver a solid punch to my shoulder.
“Sandwiches have, and will always be, awesome,” I said and took a bite. It was delicious. Not only had the bread been soaked on the inside in some grease or cooking fat, but a few slices of peppers filled the inside as well. I moaned and took another bite, stuffing myself happily before the huntress.
“Right?” she said. “So, you’ve spoken with Quinn already. I’m sure you want to take a look at our defenses. A few of the players that are here gave us some tips, but if you have anything to add, we’d love to hear them.”
Adalee was still as beautiful as the last time I’d seen her, but dark rings were tucked under each eye and she had a haunted look about her. It made me sad to think that just a few weeks ago she’d been so much younger-looking. Still, Taelman’s Pond needed strong leaders like this, regardless of the price.
When I finished, she led us to the great tent that had been erected in the town square. Little more than freshly chopped trees buried in the ground, a series of tarps stretched over their tops, but it was cover, at least.
She held a hand out, gesturing to the structure. “Here is where many of those who live in the outskirts will be sleeping. There is still plenty of room, as many more were invited into the homes in town. For now, set down your gear here. Then we can walk the perimeter.”
We began at the gates. When we got there, I admired the extensive work that had been done. To either side of the road, sharpened stakes had been driven into the ground behind a trench. It was only a few feet deep but would act to slow any troops who wished to find their way through our defenses.
A stack of barrels were lined up and a man was removing a stopper from one. “What are those?” I asked, the fumes giving me some clue.
Adalee answered, “Those are all the quick pitch we could afford to make in the last few weeks.”
“Quick pitch?”
She grinned, her white teeth flashing mischievously. “Aye. You take the clearest, strongest booze you can find, and mix it with the tar that seeps from the ground north of here. The tar will burn on its own, but when it’s mixed with the alcohol, the results are a lot more… impressive.”
The man looked to be dragging it toward the gate, and I called out to him. “Hey there, where are you taking that?”
The soldier looked grumpy for a moment, but when he saw I was standing with Adalee, his expression changed rapidly. “I’m just following orders. We were told to soak the ground in front of the gate and to either side for fifty feet.”
I thought about it for a moment, and a few ideas flitted through my mind. I smiled, but commanded him firmly, “Hold off on that. I’m sorry, but Quinn will back me. Just let me look around the perimeter first. Thanks.”
I walked out the front of the gate and called a few soldiers over. It felt awkward giving orders, but not as uncomfortable as I’d feel if the whole town was razed to the ground. “I want five of you to come with us as we walk around the town.”
One made to argue but Adalee gave him a sharp look. Emboldened by her support, I asked the one obvious question that was driving me nuts. “Why does the trench not run through the road itself?”
“Our captain says it will make the enemy more likely to attack at the gates,” the man replied. “Don’t want them sneaking around us.”
I nodded, showing the man that his point was valid. Then I told him to dig the trench anyway.
“But miss, what if they just avoid the gate then? We want them to come in this way. That was why we were gonna soak this area in the quick pitch. Might kill a great many that way.”
“Perhaps, but I think they’ll attack the gate anyway, as it presents the widest path into our town. And they will no doubt be sneaking around us regardless of what we do here. Dig the trench and dig it quick.”
I turned away and gestured for the soldiers to follow as Adalee led us onward.
Little had been done to the south side of town facing the pond. A Pond Gate, as it had been named, was built to block the narrow path that ran around the town. It was just an up-jumped fence, yet it would most likely be enough. The western side of town, where the jail stood, was blocked by a sheer cliff. It was possible for the ratkin to march all the way around the town and try to descend the scree-covered cliff, but it would be near suicide to try.
We crossed through the middle of town again, this time heading for the northern border. This was the most vulnerable part of Taelman’s Pond, and when I saw the flimsy wall that had been thrown up, a cold fear filled my stomach. The homes were closely built, and the gaps between had been boarded up, creating a sort of wall. On each house, a platform had been built with just enough cover for a few soldiers take shelter behind.
The idea was as good as it could be, and I had to remind myself of the short amount of time everyone had in getting the town where it was. But the boards that ran between the houses could be climbed. The houses themselves were only seven or eight feet tall, the edges of their roofs often lower still. In all, the northern border of Taelman’s Pond was several hundred feet of feeble defense.
I looked to Adalee and said in a voice too quiet for the soldiers to hear, “If we fall, it will be from this direction.”
“I agree, and so does everyone else, but there is little more we can do about it.”
I chewed my lip for a time, then gave the soldiers who’d escorted us several orders. Their eyes went wide as they heard my plans, and even stout Adalee looked concerned, but they listened to me nonetheless. We had a short time to make the changes, but the day was still young enough to make it happen.
That night Pachi and I slept fitfully in the great tent. I dozed off a few times, but the noise of fell voices and the occasional tree crashing to the ground in the forest beyond was enough to ward off any good rest.
The enemy army had arrived just after dark. They had been busy setting up their camp since. Overlooking the fact that we were near enough to hear voices and occasional laughter, I was concerned about the felled trees, which could only be needed for one thing: siege equipment.
I doubted they’d be building legitimate catapults or trebuchets, but who knew? So far the ratkin had outperformed and conducted themselves in a chillingly sophisticated manner.
Pachi and I rose for our shift of patrolling the town and joined with the dozen guards who were to accompany us. The watch had been heavy since the enemies arrived, and around one third of all the soldiers in town were awake, scanning the woodline for trouble, at any given time. But it had been my idea have another contingent patrol the perimeter of town, hoping to ensure that nothing snuck past our defenses.
I pulled my katana free of its new scabbard, moonlight glinting off the exposed steel. I still couldn’t believe how much it had improved since Quinn had rebound it with the pieces I’d received over the last couple of weeks. It had been a serious weapon before. Now its stats were overwhelming.
Katana Kotoba
Quality: Legendary: +50% to damage
Durability 500/500
150-650 damage - 3/9 bindings found
Quinn’s Silver Elm bindings: +10% movement speed when using a sword, +25% Health Regeneration, +10 Stamina, +10 Dexterity.
Samurai’s Last Stand (Active): When activated, the user’s Health Regeneration increases by 400% and movement speed increases by 25%. Duration: 1 minute. Ability has a cooldown of 24 hours.
Grip of the Elders (Passive): When affixed to the Katana Kotoba, prevents the weapon from slipping free of the user’s grip. Trait only fails when user is unconscious. All Slashing Damage with weapon increased by 20%.
Second Life (Passive): When affixed to the Katana Kotoba, automatically restores 20% of total HP when HP is reduced to zero. Cooldown: 48 hours.
The attribute bonuses and base damage had skyrocketed, and the addition of more Health Regeneration would make lengthy battles much easier. But what really blew my mind were the two passive skills that I had access to now. Grip of the Elders was something that was literally tangible. It felt like the sword’s grip was glued to my hand. I could still slide my hands where I needed them, shifting my grip when needed, but I knew that nothing could pull the blade away. Thankfully, I’d even tried out a few dual-wielding forms with my Finger of God Wakizashi, and the skill applied to the short sword as well.
Feeling ready to take on an army on my own, I nodded to the soldiers that flanked Pachi and I, and we began our patrol.
The murmuring of whispered conversations and an entire village of restless sleepers filled the air like the muffled pleas of ghosts. Somehow, now that the enemy encampment was more or less quiet, their presence was more oppressive than ever. It was almost as if they were listening to us, and every shadow I passed fought to take form in my mind.
Pachi interrupted my thoughts. Do you think the wyverns will be here in time?
I don’t have a clue. They have a long way to travel, but they are fast. I think it just depends on if they have left yet or not.
Pachi continued, Well, I hope they have. From the sound of it, there might be hundreds of enemies facing us. I do not see how we can stand against them with so few at our side.
We passed the alley where I’d been bullied by Cassio just a few weeks ago, and my hackles rose. How weak I’d been, so prepared to receive the boy’s hatred.
As I peered into the deep gloom beyond, a flicker of movement caught my eye. It looked like a bird had fluttered by on swift wings. I stopped, and those who stood with me waited for me. One tried to speak. “What…?” I raised my hand and cut him off.
Then Pachi growled, low and menacing. I smell wet nezumi. We are under attack.
I shouted, hoping that my call would wake a few more defenders. “Sound the alarm! You two, run and warn the gate guards! We are under attack!”
I walked ahead, Pachi at my side, and the ten soldiers that were with us walked behind us as we entered the backstreets of the houses near the shore of the pond. A few more flickers of movement told me there must be more than a few invaders ahead, but the cloak of shadow was so thick that I could make out very little.
It was time to try out my fancy bow. Pulling an arrow out and nocking it, I felt the energy of the god Citlali. A moment later I felt a rush of warmth flow through my limbs and into the bow. The arrowhead lit up like a beacon. It streaked back into the shadows where I’d seen movement, and though the arrow quickly started to diminish, the initial burst of light revealed at least a dozen ratkin in leather armor, holding only swords. A few more were descending the embankment from the pond.
Pachi, use your Solar Burn! I shouted. Her wings spread wide as she activated the spell.
The soldiers fell back, alarmed at the fire glowing in her eyes, then a pillar of light fell from the heavens and landed in the mass of enemies. They burned under the assault, and several jumped away from the area. Since it was easy to see them, I let fly, dropping three of the ratkin who were howling in pain as their bodies burned.
Solar Burn lasted a full minute, so I continued to fire until the enemies were no longer in sight. With the help of a soldier who was carrying a bow, we killed at least seven enemies. Unfortunately, a group of the ratkin had disappeared down a side alley, and several more ran along the lip of the pond and found a new place to enter the town, their silhouettes disappearing in the dark before I could take another shot.
Pachi took point, seething with the anger she always felt when she faced ratkin. I could feel the emotion bristling off of her and through our bond.
I drew my sword and ran, desperate to keep up with Pachi’s swift advance. Around another corner, I saw a ratkin jump out and sink a pair of knives in Pachi’s side. There were two more swinging long swords. I dashed forward, hoping to block the attacks, but I was too far away. My fears were nullified, though, as Pachi used Wing Storm, rising up on her hind legs and knocking the enemies back with torrents of wind.
Being so close to the attack, they fell away, one even slamming its head on the side of house and going limp. I dispatched the others with quick cuts of my katana.
Another was running from us, sprinting toward the town jail, and Pachi ran it down in three long bounds. I saw her take its skull in her mouth and I shouted out, “Stop! Keep the beast alive!”
I gave orders for the other soldiers to keep searching around, but no other ratkin were nearby. We needed to question this one.
Hold it down, I said to Pachi. I felt the rumble of her growling, keeping her rage in check only by hard-earned discipline. I promise, we will kill it when we’re done.
I reached them and kicked the sword from the ratkin’s grasp. Then I hoisted the creature up by its leather armor. “You are going to speak when I ask questions. And if you lie or try to keep quiet, I’m going to have my friend here eat you. I’ll have her start with your legs.”
Pachi shook her head in disgust. I will not be eating any such vermin. I’d rather eat my own tail!
I know, Pachi, but it doesn’t know that.
The ratkin searched my eyes, then glanced at Pachi. For a few moments it looked to be hardening its resolve, so I kept the ruse going. “Okay, then. Pachi, eat your fill, but save enough for me to speak with after.”
On cue, the enfield opened her mouth and placed one of the ratkin’s scrawny legs in her mouth. Blood welled from the cuts her razor-sharp teeth made, and even my stomach did a flip inside at the sight.
The ratkin soldier squealed, then began talking. “Okay, okay. I speaks. But it does not matter. We distracts you, and the old man will be dead, his heart source stolen by now.”
Fear gripped me, but I pushed it away. I had to get this information. “What do you mean, it does not matter? Who did you send after Quinn?”
The rasp of laughter filled the dark corridor we occupied, and chills ran along my arms. “You know less than you should. Doesn’t matter, because Karinon was called, and he will make sure the old man does not survive the night. The Karinon never fails.”
Pachi lashed out, quick as a snake, and crushed the ratkin’s head in her mouth.
I made to yell at her, but her voice erupted in my mind. The Karinon are as ancient as they are evil. We must go to Quinn now!
She turned and flashed away ahead of me. All I could do was sprint after her
in hopes we could arrive in time.
As I struggled to catch my companion, shouts of pain and the clash of steel could be heard from different parts of town. A few fights had broken out near the gate, and more along the long fence to the north of town.
I glanced up, seeing movement in the sky, and gasped as a black humanoid figure dropped down toward the roof of Quinn’s shop, the unmistakeable shape of wings silhouetted by the silver moon.
Pachi! Do you see that thing? What in the nine rings of Saturn could it be?
She kept running until she skidded to a halt outside the shop’s front door. It is as the nezumi claimed. Only one of the Karinon, a race and an order alike, could have done so. I cannot go inside, so you need to be quick, Hana.
I reached her a moment later, and though I was breathing hard and my hands felt clumsy with fear, I pulled out my bow again and drew an arrow.
The sound of fighting came muffled and erratic from inside the building, and some unlucky defender was tossed out the window on the side of the shop. I opened the door and saw bodies scattered around the front room, a few still writhing in pain, but the door leading to the workshop in the back, where Quinn slept, was wide open.
I wove my way around the counter and sidestepped toward the door. Just before I peered back into the darkness, a wave of energy pulsed through the entire building. A ring of gold motes pushed me back a step. The few other windows in the front and rear of the building shattered outward. I shook my head and stepped through the doorway, arrow drawn and the light of Citlali already pouring into its point.
A blinding golden light came from the far corner, and I heard a quiet screeching sound. As my eyes adjusted, I saw an obsidian horror, its form vile and grasping, attempting to crush the golden sphere. Inside the dome of resistance, with hands held up and a strained look on his ancient features, was Quinn.
I loosed my arrow and it plunged into the side of creature’s neck, a spark sinking into an inky void. The Karinon howled.
