Song of Echoes

by R. E. Palmer

  Elodi drew her cloak around her shoulders. ‘We should go inside. I assume I will receive my summons shortly. When are you leaving?’

  ‘Two days.’

  She groaned. ‘So soon?’

  ‘I will oversee the final preparations of the fleet at Caermund.’

  Elodi’s shoulders slumped. ‘And how long before you’ll be ready to set sail?’

  He shrugged. ‘Just a matter of weeks. The Archon is keen to move fast, following events at the gate.’ They turned their backs on the mountains and strolled towards the city.

  Elodi stopped at the foot of the bridge. She looked up to Bardon. ‘What if…? What happens if you don’t…?’ Her eyes dropped.

  Bardon took her hand. ‘Please don’t worry for me. I’ll make it back, somehow.’

  ‘But there are so many things that could go wrong. If you survive the sea voyage, what’s waiting for you at Umnavarek, then Elmarand?

  ‘No need to fret. We Broon folk are a tough breed, you have to be to survive childhood, especially in Keld.’ He chuckled. ‘Mind you, in the typical manner of my people, preparations will already be underway for the tournament to find my successor. And if it’s as tough as my trials, the realm will be in safe hands.’

  ‘I wish we had the same tradition in Harlyn.’ She spoke to herself. ‘Then I wouldn’t find myself in this dreadful position.’

  Bardon patted her hand. ‘You have the right blood running through your veins. You’re made of sterner stuff than you think.’ He looked her in the eye. ‘And remember, I volunteered to undertake the trial to become Lord of Broon, it’s what I desired. Whereas you had no such choice. Harlyn’s charter thrust the title upon you, but you accepted all the same. I admire that, and when the time comes, I think you may surprise yourself.’

  She tried to smile. ‘I hope you’re right. But I’d feel happier if I knew you were safe. If you manage to make landfall, what next? No one, not even the Archon, can know what you may encounter.’

  ‘Elodi, please. I’ll be with our elite forces, and I can still handle a sword.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘I’ll be fine.’ But his eyes did not carry the conviction of his words.

  23. Fire and Arrows

  The years had fallen from Hamar as the resolute face of the legendary guard replaced that of an old man. Hamar sat cross-legged with his chin resting on the pommel of his sword as they waited for Captain Porek to enter the hall. The surviving guards, miners and tradesmen of Drunsberg totaled little more than a hundred and forty, with another twenty at the barricade. They could not know for sure the size of the force outside, or if more had arrived since the pause in the battle, but all suspected the enemy outnumbered them many times over.

  Toryn searched the faces in the torchlight. All wore the same expression as Hamar, and he did not look like a man about to surrender. They sat in a hall with rough-hewn walls blackened by years of burning torches. Hamar had not exaggerated when he described the old parts of the mine as a brock’s sett. They had passed through a labyrinth of tunnels to reach the main hall deep within the mountain, leading Toryn to hope they could hold out until help arrived.

  Toryn turned to Hamar. ‘You never mentioned you were known throughout the land. You tell many stories, yet don’t speak of the deeds that earned your fame.’

  Hamar chuckled. ‘Hardly throughout the land, just the odd quarter of the guard. Nothing to tell of, really.’

  Toryn shook his head. ‘You’re too humble. It’s an honor to be at your side.’

  ‘Now you’re pulling my leg.’

  ‘No. Honestly, it is. And to think we made fun of you behind your back… sometimes. But don’t you worry. When I get home, I’ll put the lads right. That is, if I make it home.’

  Hamar patted his arm. ‘We’re not finished yet. Look at all these fine men around you. Them scoundrels outside will suffer when we get our act together.’

  ‘Shame about Dorek.’ Toryn winced. ‘What a way to go. And Ox.’ He watched as more men came bearing torches to light the hall. ‘Why Ox?’

  Hamar shrugged. ‘He was captain. Has to lead from the front. Goes with the position.’

  ‘No, not that. Why did his men call him Ox? You’d think with a name like Bulstrow they’d have called him, Bull, judging by his size.’

  Hamar chuckled. ‘Barrack’s humor.’

  ‘Then it’s lost on me.’

  Hamar nudged him. ‘What do bulls have, that oxen don’t?’ He grinned. ‘Get it?’

  Toryn laughed as Captain Porek entered. He strode to the long table at the center and climbed onto its ancient top. Porek’s hushed tone carried to all in the hall. ‘I won’t try to make our situation sound better than it is.’

  ‘We’ve been in worse.’ A few of the old soldiers chuckled.

  Porek forced a smile. ‘I wouldn’t be so sure, Walda. But we’ve had one piece of good fortune. When the attack platform collapsed, it sent the second ballista over the edge into the ravine. This means as far as we can tell, they have only one left, but of course we don’t know how many bolts remain, or if they’ve since brought in more battle toys.’ He put his hand on his chest. ‘But let’s not worry about them. Let them be fearful of us. We’re not a foe to be treated with disrespect.’ His chest expanded. ‘Remember.’ He turned to face each man as he spoke. ‘We are the Archonian Guard, and we have miners who are the bravest, hardiest fools I’ve ever met.’ He continued to circle the table. ‘And who here would want to come between Elwold and his next meat pie?’ More laughed. ‘And let’s not forget our new arrivals.’ He held out his hand to Hamar. ‘We have amongst us young Hamar of Darrow who’s won more fights than old Walda has had women.’

  ‘But that makes it only two!’ Elwold beamed at Walda as the room erupted.

  Porek held up his hand. ‘Settle down, lads. Our time for deciding is running out. The skinny runt offered us an ultimatum, but I for one don’t trust a single word coming out of that crooked rake’s mouth. How can any of us believe the likes of him… it, whatever you call a wyke. I can’t trust a devil who takes the life of a young boy and my dear brother to deliver a message he could have delivered in person. We know little about these creatures, but I think we can assume he’s not a man of honor. And it goes without saying, you can’t trust a Ruuk further than you could throw his ugly mother.’ All heads nodded in agreement with the captain. ‘Hence, for that reason, I for one will not surrender to his command. But I will offer you the choice.’ He held out the palm of his left hand. ‘If you so wish, you are free to walk out of here and take your chances with those outside. Or’ — he raised his other hand — ‘you stand with me and we hold our ground and show these brigands they can’t take us lightly.’ He folded his arms. ‘What is your choice? Leave or fight?’

  All stood, raised their weapons and yelled. ‘Fight!’

  ‘Good. But, if there’s one promise from Skin ‘n Bones I do believe, it’s his threat of a sticky end for survivors. So, let’s vow to deliver a swift and honorable soldier’s end for each and every one of us left standing should the worse outcome become inevitable.’

  Toryn turned to Hamar. The old man’s jaw tightened. ‘No need to worry, Tor. I’ve got your back.’ Toryn did not need to ask what he meant.

  Porek clapped his hands. ‘Whatever awaits us outside will learn a tough lesson tonight. You do not take the Archonian Guard and the miners of Drunsberg lightly.’ He lowered his voice. ‘And, we still have a few surprises of our own.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘I’ve sent three miners to bring up a barrel of Shreek’s Rage.’ The hall filled with a murmur. Porek raised his voice. ‘Only as a last resort, mind. We all know that black stuff is not fussy about who it blows to pieces. But let’s see the smirks torn from their Ruuk faces if they gain the main entrance and we ignite the powder, eh!’

  The men cheered. Porek drew his sword, holding it high to catch the flames in its blade. ‘We’ll make them pay dearly for every foot of the mines they try to take from the Archon. And I promise a year’s s
upply of ale to the man who separates that wyke’s maggot-riddled head from his scrawny neck.’ Porek jumped from the table. ‘To your positions.’ He cried out over the cheers. ‘For Ox, for Dorek, and for the Archon!’

  Hamar put his arm around Toryn as they marched tall from the hall. ‘You’ll do fine, Tor. We’ll be well out of harm’s way on the parapet.’

  Toryn still had thoughts of the promised honorable death. ‘But should they break through, we’ll have little time to fall back and reach the second line of defense.’

  ‘Trust me, lad. You’ll soon find the speed in your legs with those rogues on your heels.’ Hamar grumbled. ‘Now I’ll have to stop talking if I’m to make it up all those steps.’

  After two short stairways and a few tight bends in the tunnels, they reached the stone spiral stairs leading up to the parapet. Ahead, Hamar puffed as they climbed the steep steps. He chuckled. ‘Should the worst happen, at least it will be easier coming down.’

  The stairwell opened out onto a narrow parapet cut out of the mountainside with a rampart coming up to Toryn’s waist. He shuddered in the icy breeze blowing down the gully. A red-faced Elwold met them, waving them along to their positions. He put his finger to his lips. ‘Keep the noise down. We don’t want to give the game away just yet.’ Toryn ran his hand along the steep wall to his right. Above, heavy clouds bore down on their heads, resting on the mountain ridges and sagging into the gorge as the sky strived to support their weight.

  Elwold pointed to the end of the ledge. ‘Your rocks are in that pile. That’ll get you started. There’s more in this bunker should you need them. Your job is to drop them on the scum reaching the steps.’ Toryn reached their stockpile and picked up a large stone. He passed it from hand to hand, prepared to take the lives of the raiders below who would never know what hit them.

  Hamar read his mind. ‘It ain’t pretty, but remember, every skull you crack is a Ruuk who’d slit your throat, or worse, without a second thought.’

  Elwold tapped Toryn’s shoulder. ‘You’ll have the least creaky knees among us, lad.’ He pointed to the rampart. ‘Can you take a peek and let me know what you see.’ He took Toryn’s arm. ‘But, I’ll warn you now, it’s a decent drop.’

  Toryn’s stomach remembered staring down into the abyss on their way to Drunsberg, but he gritted his teeth, crouched, and peered over. Flickering torches lined the road running along the side of the ravine. He turned back to Elwold. ‘They’re formed along the road. There’s only a small group in front of the entrance.’

  Elwold nodded. ‘They’re not so daft. They’ll fear we could set fire to the town as a last resort.’

  ‘But wouldn’t that destroy it?’

  ‘Porek won’t care. Towns can be rebuilt, even something as complicated as this, but men can’t.’ He chuckled. ‘Besides, Porek will blame the raiders for the damage.’ He swore under his breath. ‘Ah. I bet the swine have our buckets lined up just in case.’ Elwold rested his hand on Toryn’s shoulder. ‘Take another look. How many torches can you see? To the nearest dozen will do.’

  Hamar tried to joke. ‘Easier than counting sheep, eh. Your dad would want to know the exact number.’ But counting sheep in a green field was preferable to hanging over the hard edge of a parapet slicing into your gut. He peered over. The enemy ranks stretched far back, both up and down the road clinging to the side of the mountains. He tried to count in tens, but it became harder as the torches merged into one further along the road.

  He pushed back. ‘Must be at least two hundred, possibly two-fifty.’

  Elwold gulped. ‘Torches! Oh dear, not good. If four or five share a torch, that’s’ — his lips moved as he counted — ‘that’s a lot.’ He turned. ‘Podge, go tell the captain we reckon there’s around—’

  ‘A thousand… at least.’ Toryn completed the sum.

  ‘So many.’ Elwold lowered his voice. ‘Yeah, tell him, but let him know we’ll try to half their numbers from up here.’ Podge turned, obviously relieved for the chance to leave the parapet. Elwold picked up a rock and patted its smooth surface. ‘They’ll have to come into range sooner or later to attack, and they’ll be closer together. Can’t miss. And it won’t matter if they’ve shields. From this height, our rocks will crush anything. Even the thick heads of those squat fellows.’ He laid the rock on the ledge and glanced below. ‘Stay ready, lads. Won’t be long now.’

  Toryn leaned on the wall. Despite the cool air, his shirt stuck to his clammy skin. He gazed at the clouds and wondered if he would ever see blue sky again. Would this be his last day? Thirty men in total lined the parapet. Older miners and the men from the fire patrol stood ready. But what devilry did the shadowy leader below have up his baggy sleeves?

  Hamar put his arm around his shivering shoulders. ‘The waiting is the worst part. You’ll be fine when it starts. Once the blood’s up, you’ll be surprised at what the body can endure.’ He pulled up the sleeve on his cloak and ran his finger along a scar running from his hand to his elbow. ‘I got this defending a village in Lunn. A blade opened my whole arm. Didn’t feel a thing until I passed out from the loss of blood.’

  Toryn laughed. ‘Thanks, that makes me feel better.’

  ‘That’s the spirit. Tell you what, when this is over, we’ll share a beef supper, washed down with—’

  ‘The sun must be down.’ Elwold waddled back along the narrow pathway towards Toryn and Hamar. He glanced over the edge. ‘Sure enough, here comes the bony fellow.’ Elwold crouched back down. ‘Here, Toryn. Take another peep, lad, and keep an eye open for the signal.’

  Toryn’s legs trembled as he stepped up to the rampart. ‘Couldn’t we aim a few rocks at their leader? If we take him down, it would give us the advantage.’

  Elwold placed a hand on Toryn’s shoulder. ‘No, lad. He’s come to deliver his message, so he’s not a target. We don’t play by their rules. Which is unfortunate, because on this occasion it would be better for us all to splatter that creature’s innards all over the steps.’ He turned to the others and whispered. ‘Ready, lads. Remember, keep the large stuff for their heavy weapons.’

  Uldrak stopped halfway up the steps. Toryn strained his ears to hear Porek’s pronouncement. But Uldrak’s answer carried to every reluctant ear within Drunsberg. ‘That brings joy to my heart. I shall take great pleasure in relieving your thick heads from your shoulders, after you’ve begged me to end your miserable lives.’ Uldrak raised both arms. A cheer went up from his men as they surged from both directions of the road toward the barricade.

  Toryn searched for the signal. Elwold sensed his unease. ‘Not yet, Porek will wait until there're more heads to split. We won’t want to give our position away too soon.’ Toryn’s leg jiggled as more Ruuk came into range. ‘Patience, lad. The man knows what he’s doing.’

  Toryn yelled. ‘There!’ The flaming arrow shot from the entrance. Its yellow path streaked through the dusk towards Uldrak but struck a Ruuk behind.

  Elwold bellowed. ‘Let ‘em have it!’ They leaped up as one and hurled the first volley of stones. Toryn watched his rock crush one and scatter more. But he had no time to think of the life he had taken. He reached for the next and heaved it over with the same result. But as soon as a gap opened, it quickly filled as more raiders rushed to be the first to storm the barricade. The clash of swords rang below. Elwold yelled. ‘Keep going, lads! We’re hurting the blighters.’ An arrow struck the rampart beneath Toryn and split in two, failing to trouble them. Sweat poured from his brow, but he stuck to the task and shoveled rocks over the edge as fast as his burning muscles could manage. After the eighth, he paused to catch his breath. Below, their efforts appeared to be working. Rubble from split rocks and bodies of the dead and dying hampered the advance of the attack.

  Hamar shouted. ‘Ballista!’ A gap opened as the large wagon rolled out from between the buildings. Hamar swore. ‘It’s twice the size of the others.’

  Toryn’s eyes widened. ‘Could that be the weapon that destroyed Greendell?’r />
  Hamar groaned. ‘We’re in trouble if it is.’ He stared wide-eyed at the weapon. ‘It’s out of range, we can’t sling the heavy stuff that far.’

  ‘Well, they can’t reach us up here.’ Elwold hung over the edge. ‘But they can hit our wagons.’ He turned. ‘Archers! Bring down the crew.’ But the miners were no bowmen. Despite their best efforts, they could do nothing to slow its advance.

  ‘Toryn! You have a go.’ Hamar took a bow from a miner and thrust it at Toryn. ‘I’ve seen you on the square, you’ve a keen eye and a steady hand.’

  Toryn took the weapon. ‘I’ll try.’ He nocked an arrow and aimed at a dark figure pushing the heavy weapon into place. He slowed his breathing, trying not to think about the consequences if he missed. Leveling his eye on the target, he let his fingers open. His arrow shot forth, flew true, and struck home. The creature stumbled and fell; the miners on the ledge cheered. But another soon took his place at the ballista.

  ‘Try using fire.’ Elwold wheeled a pot forward, full to the brim with a flaming liquid. Toryn held the arrowhead long enough for the flames to take. Quickly, he repeated his preparation, aimed and let fly. It hit the intended target, but in seconds the ballista crew dowsed the fire. But Porek’s archers below noted Toryn’s attempt. More flaming shafts streaked from the entrance with many striking home. ‘It’s working.’ Elwold slung another rock. ‘Look, the flames are taking hold.’

  In a race against the counterattack, the Ruuk hoisted a large bolt onto the machine. Elwold bellowed. ‘Take them down, lad. If they hit the barricade, we’re done for.’

  Toryn chose his victim and let loose. The raider stumbled, but the arrow sticking from his leg could not prevent him helping to secure the bolt into position. ‘What they got there?’ Hamar pointed to three men behind the weapon. All wore masks and long leather tunics. Two carried a large barrel, the other held a stick with cloth wrapped around the end.

  Elwold yelled. ‘It’s their fuel. Can you hit it?’