The Darkness of Dawn

by Braden Michael

  Asher walked back to Vai, who looked at him concernedly, but he held out his hand, maintaining his satisfied expression. “We should get some sleep tonight, love. We’ll only win this war well-rested.”

  “Um, of course.” Vai said, grabbing his hand.

  Asher led his wife out of the Council tent and towards their own. Once inside, Vai gently grabbed his arms from behind and gently turned him towards her. She took a moment to look into his eyes.

  “Asher, I need to ask you something,” she told him.

  “Yes?”

  “Do you blame me? For Miles?” Vai asked.

  “Of course not,” Asher reassured.

  “Well, about Adrian…” Vai began nervously, breaking her eye contact.

  “Why are you even mentioning his name?” Asher said impatiently.

  “I need to tell you…” Vai grew increasingly nervous.

  “Tell me what?” Asher grew increasingly impatient.

  “He—” Vai stopped a moment. She bit her lip, then looked back into Asher’s eyes. “He was a good man, once. I don’t know what made him… why he did those things…”

  “Who can know for certain why a madman is mad? All I know is that he needs to be put down,” said Asher.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Vai said, rather quickly.

  “Good.” Asher lightly kissed her. “I could never blame you for what he’s done.”

  Vai held onto his hand and smiled at him with a glimmer of relief in her eyes. “I’m happy to hear you say so.”

  “C’mon, let’s get some rest before our march begins.”

  As they dressed into their bed clothes, Asher remembered the one thing that had consistently mattered to him the entire time: unity.

  CH 56 – Black Eyes XIV

  Never had Black Eyes felt such a catharsis as when his thumbs had occupied the Archon’s eyes. Never had the sight of a man’s blood been so satisfying. When he’d effortlessly ended the remaining Bargemen and seen the terrified look on the Archon’s face, he had known he may never find another moment to match.

  Black Eyes had snatched the Artifact from the beaten and begging Archon while Viktor and Griffin tried to break into the doors. The moment his hand had grasped it and felt the tingling, burning, and freezing sensation shoot into all of his body, he had become overwhelmed with a sense of absolute control.

  The Artifact was so unlike the one at the Village. The Blue Artifact had administered a wild and outrageous control and influence over those it enthralled, but Black Eyes felt a strange connection to this one. His grasp gave it power, and it returned the favor. The Artifact allowed him to rest his finger on the pulse of Hivemind, instantly knowing most of what was happening in the city. When the fighting had begun to calm down, he’d instantly known it. When he’d seized influence over most of the city’s Bargemen, he had known it. He could not explain or articulate this connection to himself, but it was more real than anything.

  Black Eyes occupied the palace’s throne room, looking down at Hivemind. It was one thing to feel the city, but seeing it, truly seeing it was entirely different. Viktor, Griffin, Helena, and an unknown man joined him.

  “My name is Michael. I helped coordinate the resistance on the street level. I worked with Helena closely.” He was middle-aged, with a stern yet semi-friendly face.

  “Ah, yes. I remember Helena mentioning your name back in the Conduit room.”

  “Deposing the Archon was something we had been working at for years. Then, you and Viktor come along and finish the job in, well, I don’t even know how quickly. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that,” said Michael.

  “Well, from what I’ve gathered, Viktor accidentally started a revolution when he killed a few Bargemen, while disguised as a Bargeman, in front of a bunch of Exiles, who joined in a city-wide riot where a shit ton of people died. As they say, a crisis is an opportunity,” said Black Eyes.

  “Who said I did that by accident?” said Viktor.

  Black Eyes chuckled. “You aren’t smart enough to deliberately start a revolution, Viktor. And I have to say, I think somebody smart enough to do it had it done on purpose.” He looked over at Michael, Griffin, then Helena. “You people haven’t clarified who you are, not really. From what Viktor has told me, Griffin showing up to introduce himself was strangely convenient.”

  “It sure was,” said Viktor.

  “Definitely. So, I want you three to answer me honestly. Who are you, really? Your revolution went as smoothly as it possibly could have gone. Clearly it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

  “I told Viktor, but I used to be the elected ruler before the Archon came along. Helena and Michael? They were on the council,” Griffin answered.

  “A two-person council? Unlikely,” Black Eyes retorted.

  “There were nine. We’re the only two that the Archon couldn’t kill,” Helena clarified.

  “So, there’s three people who planned for a rebellion to take back the throne and install the old guard government, and were largely successful because Viktor and I showed up?” Black Eyes questioned.

  “We’re simply the planners. We had people on the ground to help us, they armed the Exiles and are helping to regain order in the streets right now,” said Griffin, snidely.

  The Artifact pulsed in Black Eyes’ hand. “It seems they are having a little trouble right now… The Bargemen aren’t eager to surrender, running around like frightened animals.”

  “Probably because you killed the Archon!” Griffin shouted.

  Black Eyes stared at him, contempt filling his eyes. “There was a blood bath in those streets while he was alive. Now… well, it’s not nearly as bloody.”

  “Still doesn’t change the fact that you murdered the Archon even though you weren’t supposed to,” said Griffin.

  “And yet, here we are, your revolution a victory,” said Black Eyes.

  “Or that you attacked me and Viktor,” Griffin persisted.

  “You did shoot an arrow at me. So, if anything, you should be grateful I didn’t kill you in self-defense,” said Black Eyes.

  “That was because Viktor stopped you in time,” said Griffin.

  “You were lucky I was there, and that I have a soft spot for annoying little fuckers. Still, you shouldn’t have expected him to just let the Archon live, not after what happened,” said Viktor.

  Before Griffin could speak, Michael cut him off. “What did happen?”

  “That’s not your concern. It doesn’t matter, he’s dead now.”

  Griffin cleared his throat. “It obviously is our concern. You went rogue, and you think you can just shrug it off as not-our-concern?”

  “Why not?” Black Eyes contended.

  “Why… not?” Griffin stopped, confused.

  “Yeah… Why… Not? Why should your concerns be my concerns?”

  “You—what are you—”

  “Let me guess… You’re used to everyone giving a shit about you, being a former dictator and all,” said Black Eyes.

  “Dictator? What are you—”

  “I don’t care if you had some council to keep you in check. You had power, and you were important. Now that I’m here and I don’t give a shit about you, it makes you angry.”

  “Fuck you. Stop spouting bullshit,” Griffin retorted.

  “Feel free to bury your head in the sand… I really don’t care,” said Black Eyes.

  Black Eyes looked down at the Artifact in his hand, nestled tightly in his grip. Its scalding and freezing touch continued to inform him of the city’s happenings. The Bargemen, the Exiles… They are all lost down there. They don’t have any guidance, he felt.

  “I need to get down to the city. I’m needed,” said Black Eyes. He walked past the interrogators, ignoring their confused gazes.

  “Where are you—” Helena began.

  “I’m going down there. They need me,” said Black Eyes.

  “Who needs you?” Helena interrogated.

  “Everyone.”
r />   Black Eyes pulled the throne room’s doors open and went down the hallway. The others followed, despite their hesitance and confusion. He continued down the stairs and into the lobby. The head-spikes had been removed by that point, which was satisfying for Black Eyes to see. He approached the main doors and opened them, only to be greeted by a crowd of quizzical Exiles who had gathered below the steps. When they spotted Black Eyes coming towards them, they instantly appeared at ease. They need me.

  “You… killed the Archon?” one of the Exiles asked.

  “Why yes! How did you know?” Black Eyes inquired.

  “I don’t know… I just, kinda, uh, felt it,” the Exile answered, his face plastered with confusion.

  In the crowd was a young girl who reminded Black Eyes of Becky. They both had the same hair style, eye color, and complexion, but this girl in the crowd was much more somber than Becky ever was. She was so filled with kindness and joy, but this girl has had it taken away from her. He walked up to her and knelt, reaching eye level with her. She looked into his eyes with fear, but she shortly became visibly assured.

  “What’s your name?” Black Eyes asked.

  “A—Alana,” she answered.

  “Nice to meet you, Alana. I’m Black Eyes, as you can probably tell by my eye color, but my real name is Duncan.”

  “H—Hi, Duncan,” Alana replied.

  “Where are you from?” Black Eyes asked.

  “Here. But, my father was from Ashguard,” Alana replied meekly.

  “Ashguard?” So, you got Emberland blood. I’m from a farm a few dozen miles south of Steeltower. I spent the latter half of my life in Steeltower itself,” said Black Eyes.

  Atop the steps, Viktor, Helena, Griffin, and Michael appeared confused.

  “Steeltower? I’ve always wanted to go there,” Alana said, smiling.

  “Perhaps you can someday. You know, I have a friend back there. You remind me of her. Becky, her name is. I’d wager you two would get along,” said Black Eyes.

  Alana’s smile instantly morphed into a frown. “My father always wanted to take me there.”

  “Where… is your father?” Black Eyes asked.

  A tear ran down Alana’s cheek. “The bad men… k—killed him.”

  She lost her father, just like Becky did, Black Eyes reflected somberly. “I’m so sorry. I’m on my way to make those bad men stop being bad. I promise you that you’ll be taken care of. You, and all the good people in this city.” He stood up and looked at the rest of the crowd. “I know you’re feeling confused, lost, even. Even I don’t have all the answers right now, but I want you to know this. The Archon is dead. You’re free, and you’ll be looked after,” he assured.

  Beyond the crowd, a dozen or so Bargemen emerged from the slope just before the palace grounds. They cautiously shambled towards the crowd, all of whom looked on with great terror and confusion. Helena, Griffin, Viktor, and Michael also took up defensive stances. The Artifact’s pulse let Black Eyes know that there were no threats to be found.

  “Bargemen! Coming this way!” Viktor called out.

  “A dozen from the north! More are emerging from the east!” Helena shouted, drawing her dagger.

  “Relax, everybody! Stand down!” Black Eyes commanded.

  Everyone in Black Eyes’ vicinity looked at him, desperately uncertain. The Bargemen continued to shamble over and, based on their faces, seemed disassociated from themselves and their environment: mindless. When Black Eyes marched out to greet them, they diverted to him, looking at him with almost child-like wonder.

  “What the fuck is wrong with them!?” asked Griffin, panicked.

  “Something ain’t right, man! What’re you doing!?” Michael pleaded.

  “Won’t you all just calm down, huh?” Black Eyes shouted back. He turned towards the Bargemen, who stopped and gawked at him. “For a while, you men were not yourselves. The Archon used a dangerous weapon to influence you, and who you thought you were, but no longer. You’re all feeling quite unusual, believe me, I know.”

  The Bargemen appeared to slowly have more life return to their faces. What were mindless blank-faced expressions at first were now mildly intrigued.

  “I know you’ll have tons of questions, and you won’t know everything. You will be yourselves again, for better or worse,” Black Eyes reassured.

  The Artifact pulsed in Black Eyes’ hand again, but it was of his own free will this time. The Bargemen seemed to react, their faces instantly becoming alive, and full of intrigue. They seemed to have a renewed sense of purpose. Their faces were wrought with guilt, then they turned around towards the paths leading to the rest of Hivemind.

  “Bargemen! We need to secure the city! We need to stop any violence that is persisting in the streets! Move!” the eldest Bargeman announced.

  “Aye sir!” the rest of the Bargemen affirmed loudly and proudly.

  The Bargemen immediately filed out of the courtyard and proceeded down the streets they had come up from, barking out more orders and affirmations as they went. Viktor, Helena, Griffin, and Michael immediately rushed through the crowd of Exiles and caught up to Black Eyes, deeply concerned.

  “What the fuck is this? What are they doing?” Griffin squealed.

  “More Bargemen will only make things worse down there!” Helena protested.

  “They won’t,” Black Eyes replied stiffly.

  “How can you be so certain?” Michael inquired, more politely than the others.

  “Because they’ll do my bidding…”

  CH 57 – Asher XV

  The march south was long and anxious. Vai seemed closed off, the senior officers were especially irritable, and the tension among the soldiers was palpable. Asher had overheard a few soldiers talking about how eager they were to be part of the upcoming siege. “If we count by number of men involved, then it’ll be the largest siege in Dawn’s history!” a young Rockland archer said enthusiastically. “Don’t be too excited. Some sieges can last for years,” a Rockland infantryman pointed out. “Like the Siege of Furakuhold?” an Emberlander joked, met with laughter and approval from all the Emberlanders who overheard.

  During the march, Asher and Vai were barely intimate. Perhaps it was the nature of the military camp environment or the wounds from Miles’ death yet to be healed, but whenever they shared in their embrace it seemed almost mechanical, like it was out of necessity.

  Archard had been sending and receiving messengers to and from Lord Gorman in the South. Under Vai’s guidance, they agreed to rendezvous near a small forest and lake just a few miles west of the city.

  The forest and lake were particularly unremarkable in both size and aesthetics. Archard and Schafer had surmised that it would have a great deal of wood to harvest and use for Asher’s siege towers, so the army proceeded to work: with tens of thousands of men, it took very little time.

  Amid the tree chopping, Asher briefly remembered Kano and his work ethic: to make your situation better, you must make habits out of productive behavior. He felt a certain sense of pride, reminiscing on how he had lived by Kano’s wisdom throughout his campaign. There was never a moment wasted, and that was why he was winning, and why he would win. Howell is gonna sit in his fortress and wait for us. Doing what, exactly? Asher chuckled to himself at the thought.

  Andy and Asher stood together, monitoring the progress.

  “So, this is for siege towers?” Andy asked.

  “For fires. The men gotta stay warm during the siege. Don’t ya think?” Asher answered somewhat sarcastically.

  “But we’re in the center of the Midlands. I was about to comment on how damn hot it is.”

  “Won’t Howell’s men be particularly warm if we light them on fire?” Asher joked.

  Andy chuckled. “It’s too seldom I see you crack jokes, ya know…”

  “Yeah. Well, I’m just in a good mood, knowing the war will be won soon,” said Asher.

  “It’s been rather tough on you. Most of the men might not gather it due to
your series of victories, new marriage, and all that, but you’ve lost a lot,” said Andy.

  “Yeah…” Asher looked downwards, reflecting sorrowfully. Miles.

  “You seem better off since—well, since we left Sturgeon.”

  Since Miles was killed. “I’m confident in our siege plans.”

  “The ones you’re being vague about?” Andy asked smugly.

  “There’s quite a few ears around us. And a lotta loud-mouths. I wouldn’t want Howell to know how Habwaken can be brought down.”

  “Most don’t think it can be,” said Andy.

  “So long as Howell is one of them…” Asher smirked.

  Asher felt the ground beneath his feet rumble slightly. He pinched his face curiously, then looked at Andy, who noticed it too. The rumbling started to gain, now apparent to most of the nearby soldiers. Asher thought fearfully. Where’s Vai? I need to find her…

  “Movement incoming!” someone shouted.

  Fuck! What do I do? Asher hesitated, darting his eyes all around.

  OOOUUUHHHHHHHHHHHH! Immediately, every man stood at attention, their formations organized according to the terrain. The rumbling beneath the ground continued to deepen and gain volume.

  I know the feel of an approaching army, Asher thought, grinding his teeth. He refused to allow his men to see his hesitation. They were organized into a formidable wall of spears, shields, and swords, while he stood behind them, pretending to be triumphant.

  “Wait! That’s a Rockland flag!”

  Asher turned curious as he narrowed his eyes and peered beyond his men and through the tree line. Surely enough, a tan flag peered over the horizon, instantly putting Asher at ease.

  “Stand down!” Asher bellowed.

  The soldiers immediately stood at ease.

  “Andy, go find Archard and Schafer. I need to find my wife,” Asher ordered.

  Andy went off to carry out his orders while Asher ran back to his tent. The men around him scurried to clear a path. I have to find Vai… I have to find Vai… Asher reiterated as he ran.

  Asher reached the Royal tent. He burst through the flaps, “Vai! They’re here,” he told her, full of energy.