by A R Maloney
Kumar placed Cyrus under the care of the others and together we approached the elder, placing our hands upon his trunk. We leaned forward to press our cheeks against his thick bark. I let the tears run freely down my face as I felt him draw the reports of the events from my mind. A long shudder passed through the body of the great tree as the information hit him. The elder Kauri opened his mouth, blowing a calming breeze through our group as he stretched his boughs out wide and low so we could all be seated. As he lifted us up into the air, he began to teach the truths of our past, along with the memories of the others. Memories which we hoped, would bring the peoples of our world together once again.
Nearly an hour had passed. The discussion was deep. Many questions were asked by the sentinels we had brought, the most common being, “Why did we not know of this sooner?” or, “What does this mean?” “Will the white-wings care anyway?” Some gave Cyrus cold glares after learning of his part in the losses of so many lives. Many had already known the basics of how our race came into being. We were all descended from the devastation which followed the Great Break. Gently, Nabaru answered each question the best way he could. He shared image after image. Eventually a feeling of hope began to pass over the group.
“You are but one of the first groups to receive this knowledge. These memories… it is our hope that they will be the glue which will bind us together.” I said as I gestured for Nabaru to return us to the ground once more.
The sounds and shadows came from overhead as we were nearing the ground. Lluren, jumping from their battleship with axes in hand caused our hasty retreat to the forest floor. We readied our weapons. I watched them falling from the skies. One after another. Just as had been told. Beside me, Kumar cursed loudly while nocking an arrow.
“Ready yourselves, Sentinels!” he called out loudly. “Clarissa! See that the magus goes now to alert our General! Have him return with reinforcements immediately!” Kumar’s eyes were filled with crimson fury as he drew back on his bowstring. He aimed for the weak spot under the arm of a Lluren who was raising a battle-axe high into the air, readying to strike.
I turned to the magus, “Go now! Send back reinforcements from the platform and then find General Lancer yourself. Tell him I sent you! Tell him we need help now!”
The magus nodded and began casting his return to Morland Fortress. I held a shield over him until he disappeared. “Sentinels! Circle Nabaru! Protect our elder Kauri!” Gods… how many enemies were before us? They were still dropping down from overhead. There had to be close to forty. I looked at Kumar, feeling sweat dripping down my forehead. I spread my arms wide and began to call up a shield… I prayed for a miracle.
The Lluren demons saw we were ready. They began to spread out around us. They were looking for the weakest targets. They were looking for the healers. I watched as a large one pointed at me. He growled out something in their guttural language. The words flowed into my ears and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
“Vines!” I called out, “Stop them from coming closer!” There were too many. Around me I could hear the calls of rangers blessing their bows, entangling the feet of the enemies, but they were closing in on us. They were taking their time, taunting us. We were outnumbered at least three to one, probably more. Finally, they began to attack. Two of the behemoths jumped into action, leaping towards me.
Then something happened which I never would have foreseen. Kumar stood; his bowstring taut as he looked for a soft spot. But it wasn’t Kumar who moved. It was Cyrus. At first it appeared he was dropping to the ground, cowering. But in that same instant he had pulled Kumar’s blade into his hand. Cyrus had launched himself into the air, landing on the Lluren which was closest to me. He was grasping the Lluren round the neck with one bent arm, the knife still in his grip. His other hand worked the helm off of the beasts head. The blade of the knife drove deep into the side of the beast’s head as another invader drove an axe deep into Cyrus’ spine. He fell to the ground, dying, with a smile on his face.
A loud pop and a bright flash caused a pause in the battle. My gaze temporarily drawn from the beasts, I watched in astonishment as a Lucenian war party teleported in several yards behind the Lluren demons. I heard one of the sentinels to my left say, “We’re fucked.”
Kumar’s voice rang out loud, “Stand strong, sentinels of Morland! Our prayers have been heard!”
I watched in amazement as the short Lucenian general gave a battle cry worthy of any Ustenian warrior. They jumped in at once, attacking the Lluren from behind. The increase in our troops morale was immediately palpable. The battle was brutal, but the injuries were minor. The odds were finally evening out. Moments later a group from Morland Fortress arrived, attacking from another side. We were boxing them in. The Lluren were the first targets, the Lucenians… well… I had a feeling this was going to get interesting really quickly.
Over the cacophony of the battle raging I could hear Kumar shouting instructions in the old language. He was urging our sentinels to not attack any Lucenian. The call was passed down the line. I prayed they would heed his command. He was the highest-ranking officer here currently. As the last demon was brought down, we faced off in an uneasy silence. Each side giving the other a wary berth. The only death was Cyrus.
Angry, distrustful gazes passed from one side of the field to the other. General Eno had resorted to the old language as well. I could hear him instructing his men and women to lower their weapons. Kumar responded in kind, insisting swords be sheathed and spells ceased.
“Elder Nabaru,” Eno called out, “we have come to check on your well-being. It is with great sadness that we bring news of your kin in DuPage. Please, would you allow sentinel Sonarim to approach?” His question was directed more at us than the Kauri.
Kumar gave a nod, “Please, Sonarim, show Nabaru what you will.”
I watched… we all watched, as Sonarim removed a package from her pouch. She held it low with both hands and approached the Kauri with her head hung down. I could see the tears falling freely from her eyes, sliding down her tiny nose and dripping to the earth as she knelt before the great elder. She placed the package on the ground and opened the top. Reaching in, she pulled out huge handfuls of sappy splintered wood. Sonarim spread the sap over the base of Nabaru’s wide trunk, reaching in over and over, until there was nothing left in the package. She then lay her body on the ground beside Nabaru’s trunk and began weeping in earnest. All the while the elder Kauri took in the account of the battle, straight from the sap of his fallen kin.
Gasps rose up from behind me as Kumar jogged over to Sonarim and sat on the dirt and detritus beside her, pulling her into his arms. He held her gently, letting her grieve for the lost Kauri, Pramta of DuPage and her copse.
I stepped forward and turned to the Ustenians who had responded to the call. I raised my arms wide, pointing to both the Lucenians and to Kumar and Sonarim, who were grieving together with Nabaru. “So many of you have now seen the truth. These ones… they are not the enemy.” My voice rang out louder than I could recall. I felt strong, empowered. “This… this is only the beginning. A change is happening. We are this change. Together, we will reclaim all lands… not for Ustenia or Lucenia… but for Eluna!”
Another flash blinded us momentarily as General Lancer appeared with several others. Skye, Cole, Gema, Naofa, and Mera. They walked among us, in the space between both groups, eyes searching over the battlefield as they stepped around the bodies of the fallen Lluren.
“You did well.” General Lancer’s voice was calm as he addressed his sentinels. I watched as he approached the Lucenians. “General Eno, I welcome you to Morland. And I thank you for your assistance, surely we would be arriving to a much more dismal scene had you all not arrived.” Then he held his fist over his heart and bowed deeply to Eno. “We are in your debt.”
I watched as Eno approached Lancer, who seemed to tower over the Lucenian general. Eno didn’t seem shaken in the least. He held his hand over his heart and bowed as well. “G
eneral Lancer. I have been hearing the most curious stories. We had no choice but to come check them out for ourselves.”
The sighs of relief were audible as around me the men and women from both forces began to relax. One voice though, was anything but relaxed.
“ENO! Please tell me it’s really you!” The one who was known as a witch by many, a hermit, a recluse. Mera. She was done watching the polite exchange between the two leaders. I had to shake my head and hold back a happy laugh when I watched her push her way past Lancer. Mera stood in front of Eno.
“My Mera?” Eno’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears as he removed his gloves from his hands, letting them fall to the ground. He reached up, cradling the face of his wife for the first time in decades. He looked into her eyes. “It’s you.” His voice was a whisper. “I knew you were here… but gods… how I have missed you.” He kissed her gently then grasped her hands. “Your daughter….”
“Our daughter…” Mera interrupted, “is perfect. You raised her wonderfully.” They walked hand in hand to where Sonarim and Kumar sat, leaning together against Nabaru’s great trunk. “She is just like us.”
“Hopefully, not just like us… may she walk her path with ease.” Eno added, inclining his head towards Kumar.
Skye had been waiting patiently, watching as the family was reunited in the shadow of the tragedy of the loss of Pramta and the other Kauri of DuPage. My eyes trailed her path to the great elder Nabaru. She placed her hand on the thick bark of his trunk and whispered words to him before turning back to the rest of us. “My friends,” she began, “there are many of you here who have just received a great amount of information.” Many heads nodded and murmurs of assent could be heard. “But there are several here who are missing some of this news. I would ask you all to find a seat here, let’s make sure everyone has the same information.”
Nabaru’s thick limbs reached out again, creating space for all. The sentinels were weary, but once again, the memories were shared. This time visions of the attack on the Kauri of DuPage was included. I gasped in shock and pain as I relived their attack. No one there to protect them, I re-lived each swing of the axes as the Lluren felled the elder Kauri Pramta, then the rest of the copse as well. Finally, the beasts set fire to the remnants of the tree folk, leaving nothing but smoking sticks and sap behind.
After that I watched this newest battle… the one we just fought off. I saw the Lucenians shielding us, trapping the Lluren so our marksmen could take their aim. I watched as General Eno had placed his own body between a demon and our own chanter, deflecting what would have certainly been a hard hit with his bow. The blow would have surely ended our chanter.
Lastly, I watched the battle at Espencheid. Where Kumar and Sonarim had fought side by side, and at times back to back, working together to take down foes. If I’d had any questions or worries about the veracity of their intent, it was gone now. I looked across the clearing at the group who had come to our aid. “I am convinced. I have no doubt that this group shares our goals to create a united Eluna.” As I looked from face to face, I saw everyone in attendance was in agreement.
Nabaru heaved a great sigh. His sadness over the loss of his kin was palpable.
Lancer turned to the elder, “Nabaru, my old friend, what can we do for you? What do you need? Should I hold off, stop sending the sentinels for the memories? Just tell me and it will be done.”
The Kauri blew out another sigh, sending a small shower of leaves and seeds on the breeze. Instead of the normal calm, this breeze was melancholy; filling us with the devastation and loss the elder was feeling. My heart shattered and I struggled to find my breath as I grieved with the Kauri. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face. As I looked around, everyone was suffering the same condition.
“My friends,” Nabaru finally spoke, his voice low and gravelly, “please, keep sending the sentinels which remain. To unite every Lucenian and Ustenian is the only way to avenge my kin. I would ask that you send sentinels to each fortress and the outlying garrisons to spread this message. Fill our limbs with your peoples. And deliver this to Espencheid. Share the message of our losses.” He opened his mouth, producing a deep red sphere of amber sap which had been crystalized and shone with a high polish. “Bring this to Espencheid.”
Sonarim reached over and grasped the memory. “On my life, elder, it will reach Espencheid.”
“No,” Pyro stood, interrupting Sonarim. “You’re exhausted, sister. When was the last time you rested? Please, let me carry this message.”
I watched as Eno nodded in agreement. “She’s right. You’re spent. You’ve done well, soldier. You’ve made us all very proud. It’s time you take a day of rest.”
Skye stood, crossing the limbs carefully, still getting accustomed to her new feet, until she came to stand in front of Pyro. “When you’ve made your delivery, return here to Nabaru. You will be safe, and we will reunite you with your company. We will be moving to Morland Fortress shortly.” General Lancer turned his head questioningly towards Skye as she pressed her new company coin into Pyro’s palm, closing the fingers over it tightly. “Change is in the air, word of this combined battle against the Lluren will spread before the rest of the Lucenians arrive.” Skye then turned towards Nabaru, “You’re about to have a lot more company, old friend.”
Chapter 32 - Keeping My Head Down
~Ansker~
I ARRIVED ON THE landing platform at Dusk Fortress. My hands and legs wouldn’t stop trembling, I needed to regain my bearings. I kept looking from one side to the other, my anxiety was through the roof.
I should have reported back to Droghel, but this whole thing stunk. I couldn’t get the thought out of my head that something was very wrong. I’d caught enough of the memories to realize that I’d been lied to for so many years. All this time I had thought the Ustenians were the enemy. That’s what I’d been told from the day I had arrived at Dusk Fortress so many years ago, just a child. I had been raised under the wing of Droghel himself. All these years I thought our actions had been righteous. But now….
Gods forgive me. I had no place to go. I couldn’t return to Espencheid. I couldn’t return to Droghel. He would smell the truth out of me at the first opportunity. I couldn’t return to my home either. I turned towards the bar, I could use a drink, but then I changed my mind. I needed to lay low.
I reached into my pocket and took stock of what coin I had. An idea formed in my mind and I turned towards the edge of the fortress, where an old girlfriend lived. Hopefully she’s still alone. Hopefully she would open the door.
I’d knocked five times. I was just about ready to give up and find a new plan when the door finally opened. Lorra left the door hanging open and I followed inside. I watched her butt swing from side to side as we moved through her small home. “What do ya want, Ansker?” She sat on her wide couch.
“I’m just looking to get away for a few days, I thought you might want to… hang out a bit.” I gave her my best smile, as I sat down beside her.
“You kinda wore out your welcome when I found you with that bitch from the pub.” Ah… that’s right. She was still pissed.
“It was a huge mistake, and I’ve missed you every day since. You’re all I think about. C’mon, give me another chance.” I scooted closer and ran my hand up her thigh. “We were always great together, honey.” I watched her face flush and her eyes dilate with excitement. This was gonna be too easy.
***
I spent the next couple of days enjoying my time with the lovely Lorra. We only left her bedroom to meet our most basic needs. Her window gave me a perfect view of the gates of Dusk Fortress. I could see very clearly everyone who came and went as we lay together. It was late in the evening of the third night back when I saw Droghel and his death squad pass through the gates. I watched them take flight, heading towards the deep center of the badlands.
I pulled my clothes on quickly and snuck out of the house, leaving Lorra asleep on the bed. Covering my head with my clo
ak to mask my appearance, I hurried through the gates. I was careful not to speak to any of the guards, lest there be any message to detain me. I took flight, spreading my alabaster wings and pushing hard to keep Droghel’s party in my view.
I followed them for a good hour as they made their way deep into the lesser traveled regions of the core. The heat was oppressive, and I struggled to stay on track as the heavy air currents threatened to pull me into the molten center of the badlands. In all my years at Dusk Fortress, serving under Droghel in Company Hellfire, I had never been into this part of the badlands. I surveyed my surroundings. Rock and burnt earth, twisted from the Great Break. This was the epicenter of the destruction. I passed several small islands, remnants of the once great capital city.
Droghel’s group began to slow, picking their way from island to island. It forced me to land frequently, seeking cover so as to not be spotted. Finally, they stopped near a decrepit cabin in a large clearing and spread themselves wide in a circle. It was mostly demolished, if by the Great Break, or by time itself, I didn’t know.
I reached down and pushed my hands into the sooty dirt, digging until I found a burrowing moth. Gently, I coaxed it into my cupped hands, and I whispered a spell onto its wings. Finally, I blew it in the direction of the cabin. Gods, please keep my cover, I prayed quietly as I watched my spelled moth rise up into the air, directing it to land on the destroyed roof of the cabin. With luck I will hear what’s happening. I pushed myself deep into the wreckage of my surroundings and covered myself as well as possible.
My timing was perfect… only moments later I watched a Lluren warship pass over me. I watched several of the demon invaders leap from the ship, landing on the ground below. Then one entered the cabin where Droghel awaited… a Lluren Warlord. A heavy chill ran through me despite the near-blistering heat of the core. My first instinct was to get the hell out of there, but I needed to stay. I prayed once more that my presence would go unnoticed.
