by Sean Clark
“Scar…” Kensley said. “See if you can’t get her to drop that weapon of hers, just like we practiced. I would like to have it brought back to Xiandol.”
Kiaren braced herself. Scarborough quickly ran at her. She blocked the first of the attacks, but the second strike grazed the back of her wrist. Her grip on the weapon faltered, and her own swing to the side missed Scarborough by several centimeters. Scarborough returned with a third slash, making contact just above her elbow. The Katzbalger slipped out of her hands and landed beside her. Kensley approached and sent his elbow into Kiaren’s stomach, knocking the wind out of her and sending her to the ground.
The Xiandolan soldiers had reestablished their formation inside of the camp, forming an impenetrable wall that struck out against anyone that came too close. The bodies of Silvus’ men lay strewn about around the gateway. Silvus waved his arms about, attempting to guide the remaining soldiers through the confusion.
With his strained breath, he called out one last order to anyone still able to listen. “Retreat! Into the tunnels!”
Boughlin entered the settlement upon his horse as the stray Tuleforian soldiers scampered up the slope and into the mining area. The Xiandolan forces remained in the formation, looking to the captain for their next instructions.
_
Shiloh rode just ahead of Zethurus, their horses throwing up chunks of mud as they exited the thick forest. “Slow yourself!” Zethurus finally called out, his horse jostling him violently.
Shiloh yanked on the reins, pulling his horse to a more manageable speed. “Do you really think we have time to take an easy pace?”
“If what Chin said was true, we could already be too late.” Zethurus insisted. He carefully adjusted his legs to grab more properly around the horse’s saddle. “Besides, what could the two of us wish to offer them?”
“Then what would you prefer to do?”
“If we travel to Tulefore City first, we may be able to forewarn our people should Xiandol’s army continue to move eastward.”
“You’re assuming that their attack upon the settlement will succeed.”
“With what Chin described… do you think they stand a chance?”
Shiloh pursed his lips and turned in the direction of the settlement. “For once, you are talking sense. Lady Kiaren, please be safe…”
_
Bently, still in the suit of armor, scanned the surroundings before entering into the building across the street from the main hall of Arkyan. Inside, the walls were lined with cells constructed of hefty tree limbs tied up with thick twine. Bently quietly marched down the center of the room, scanning each cell. He stopped as he spied the compartment containing the familiar dark armor.
“Captain.” Bently said, placing his hands around the wooden bars. He stared at the seemingly lifeless man, knelt to the ground. “You recognize my voice, don’t you?”
The armor moved slightly, the helmet drifting upward.
“It’s Bently. Your ally.” He added.
“Bently.” Mandabus croaked.
“I want to help you.”
“I don’t smell the blood of that mage here, anymore.”
“They let him free.” Bently sneered.
Mandabus continued to sit quietly. The crimson lines inscribed on the armor seemed to glow in the dim light of the cell. “How about your own name? Do you know still who you are?” Bently posed.
“Man…da…bus.” The armor groaned.
“Thank the King. The Arcanus can’t say that you are no longer yourself. I won’t let them keep you here.”
Mandabus shifted. His hands had been bound together uncomfortably with thick, fibrous twine; his feet tied together as well. Bently hurriedly turned back and pulled a length of rope off the wall. He looked again down either side of the hall before forcing the bars apart, shattering the wood to splinters. Mandabus strenuously attempted to stand, but the foot-bindings arrested his movement.
Bently stepped into the cell and ripped the binding holding Mandabus’s feet together. With the length of rope, he quickly secured a loop around Mandabus’s hands and began pulling him out into the hallway.
“Unbind me fully.”
Bently sighed inaudibly and avoided looking back at Mandabus. “We can’t raise any suspicion. I want to keep you secured for your own safety, too. I trust you… but if we run into that mage again… you seem prone to losing yourself to the blood lust. Perhaps we should return to Xiandolan territory to assess where we stand.”
Bently cautiously made his way outside, Mandabus being dragged just after. A few worrisome glances were drawn their way as Bently returned to the stable and untied the horses that he and Chin had brought to Arkyan.
He carefully helped Mandabus up on top of one horse before he mounted his own. With a tug of the rope in his hands, Bently invited Mandabus and his horse to follow after. Bently gave one last look at the town before dashing down the road and out of the gate, dodging the bewildered watchmen.
Chapter Twenty Nine: The Occupation
Boughlin pensively guided his horse through the ruins of the settlement. Among the fallen men with their blood soaking into the earth were their destroyed tents and bedding, some having been placed upon old piles of ash. The new captain deliberately urged the animal to stop before sliding off beside Kensley and Scarborough, offering their prize.
“What do we have here?” He asked, looking down at Kiaren. She stood rigidly in Scarborough’s grasp; her mouth gagged with a ratty cloth.
“I believe she is the commanding officer here.” Kensley noted.
“Was.” Boughlin corrected. “She was the commanding officer here. This settlement belongs to Xiandol now.” Kiaren struggled within the thin man’s grasp, her kicks fruitlessly pounding back against the hard shin plates of Scarborough’s armor. “Why have you brought her to me?” The captain asked.
Kensley leaned the Katzbalger in his grip forward, its bare point sticking into the dirt. “This was wielded by her. Unique, isn’t it? I doubt you would be able to lift it, sir.” The lieutenant said, taking the hilt in his grasp with great effort. “It seems it is enchanted.”
“Like your own?” Boughlin asked.
“Perhaps… not.” Kensley replied. “It does not feel the same as the one I wield.”
“We shall have Mr. Chin examine it when he returns from Arkyan.” The captain said, shrugging his shoulders. “You may dispose of the woman.”
“You don’t want to keep her as a bargaining piece, sir?” Kensley stopped Boughlin as he was ready to turn away. “Despite the dirt from the battlefield, she appears fair. Likely someone from a high class.”
“For what end would we require diplomacy?” Boughlin huffed. “We have an unstoppable army beside us.”
“Edrian may have other orders he wishes to carry out besides just killing everything from here to Tulefore city.” Kensley asserted.
Boughlin scoffed and grabbed at the reins of his horse. “Tie her up in some place where she won’t be in the way. Go shove the sword away some place as well.” The captain slowly guided his horse back towards the gate, where the army had stopped to rearrange their formations.
“C’mon.” Kensley mumbled to Scarborough. He flung the heavy Katzbalger over his shoulder, while the thin man pushed Kiaren along. They marched up the dirt road, close to the face of the mountainside. Kensley looked around for any signs of the Tuleforians who had fled into the tunnels, then back to the encampment and its collection of deteriorating buildings.
“Over here shall work?” Scarborough spoke up, nodding to a half-collapsed house.
“Anywhere.” Kensley shrugged. “Stick with her to make sure she doesn’t fare poorly.”
Scarborough nodded and pushed the commander slightly, urging her forward. The building had suffered damage to its wall, but the roof still held intact. Inside was a roughly made bed, the sheets stained with mold and dirt. Scarborough forced Kiaren to the ground and gathered up a bunch of the sheet to wring up into bindings.
He tightly wrapped up her arms and affixed the makeshift ties to one of the building’s support pillars.
As he knelt down in front of her, he removed his helmet and peered into her green eyes. He clumsily tugged at the gag tied behind her head with his gloves, pulling it off. Kiaren spit in his face and struggled against the tight bindings digging into her forearms.
Scarborough wiped the saliva off his face with the leather fingertips of the glove, smearing his cheek with dirt. “You’re hardly a lady, as Kensley seems to think.” He grit his teeth and stood, head shaking.
“You’ll just keep me around to violate me.” Kiaren hissed back.
Scarborough turned around and placed himself in the missing area of wall. “What’s your name?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Never mind.” Scarborough replied. He placed the helmet back on his head and took a seat in place. “I’ll likely not get hungry, but Kensley would probably have you fed.”
Kiaren struggled again to judge the security of her bonds. The bottommost rib on her right side felt as if it had been bruised from the strike earlier, and with each shift of her body, she could feel a sharp pain shoot through her side.
Kensley ripped an uneven length of cloth from one of the fallen tents before wrapping it around the hefty sword. The group of soldiers had settled down and began to examine their weapons for any signs of wear from the attack. Kensley placed the sword leaned up against one of the rear posted walls and slowly covered it with a pile of wooden rubble to hide it.
The sun had begun to head eastward over the mountain. Kensley removed his helmet and stared out at the settlement’s walls hiding the horizon. He could see the silhouette of the captain standing at one of the guard towers. Kensley slowly made his way up behind the defenses and climbed the ladder up to the post.
Boughlin turned to him as he reached the top rung. “Do you see that, Kensley?” He said, motioning out at the thickly forested land before them. “All this rich land that Tulefore has, and yet they still have want for more across their sea. They could stand to lose some.”
“Sir, I should inform you, if you don’t already know.” Kensley said, changing the subject. He slowly turned to look at the mountain, bathed in the sunlight.
“Go ahead.”
“Some of the Tuleforian forces escaped into the system of tunnels after we attacked. None of them men could split off to pursue them.”
“I’m aware of that.” Boughlin nodded slowly.
“Then?”
“If they went to hide out and get lost in those dark tunnels, I won’t hinder them. Even if they were to find a way out under our noses, it is too late for them to do anything.”
Kensley sighed and turned back to the horizon. For a moment, he believed he was able to see the city far in the distance, but the glare from the sun was too quick to blind him.
The old mine shafts in the rock of the mountain were rich with dampness and the odor of mold. The dripping of water finding its way through the rocks echoed through the long dark passageways. The sole torch flickered as the cold humidity fought back against its warm glow. Silvus pushed people by him in the darkness, counting each set of shoulders in his mind.
“Any sign, yet?” He called up to the front of the line where the torch holder slowly progressed forwards.
“We must keep heading north.” The man replied, his voice reverberating off the hard surfaces.
Silvus’ hand passed over the last person, and he joined the end of the line. Ahead of him, he could see the torch flicker again and pass behind a corner, leaving behind only a slight glow against the damp, shiny rock face. He held his breath and kept tentative contact with the soldier just in front of him.
As they rounded the corner, Silvus looked up just in time to see the torch roar for a moment before dying out suddenly. The men murmured loudly. He could feel the movement of the air as they jostled uncomfortably. “Captain!” Someone whispered loudly.
“Silence!” Silvus called out. His voiced traveled through the tunnels before fading out. With the return of the cold peace, he could hear the whispers of wind creeping their way into the rock pathway. “Keep going, slowly. Follow the right wall.”
The slow grind of cautious footsteps took them forward. There was a sound of boots meeting the small puddles in the floor of the tunnel. In the distance a roar could be heard growing as they inched closer. Silvus blinked his eyes quickly as he caught sight of dim daylight casting its glow upon the walls of the tunnel.
The roar outside was the sound of water rushing through a ravine carved into the side of the mountain from the runoff of snow melt. The end of the tunnel had collapsed slightly after the miners had pierced the wall, leading to the deep, natural formation. Silvus squinted up at the sky as he exited, following the last of the men out. The ravine was coated with moss, carrying frigid water among slippery boulders.
The few remaining soldiers from the attack slowly made their way down the slope, avoiding the icy eddies and deceitful pools of water. The ravine slowly eased outward, and in the distance, they could make out the tall trees and the river being fed by the mountain.
“I believe this is the Arkadian forest.” One of the men spoke up, peering up at the overhanging branches. “Just the edge of it.”
Silvus marched forward along the bank of the flowing water. “If nothing else, we can ask for aid from the Order. Horses, maybe. Some may ride to Tulefore city and warn the Emperor, the guard, anyone.” He looked around at the tired men, damp, some injured. “For Tulefore, we cannot stop here.”
Chapter Thirty: The Sing Stone
Chin paced around the room of the great hall. Several guards stood by the door, blocking his exit, while the Arcanus sat peacefully at the table. “You must not keep me here, I’ve committed no crime, Lady Arcanus.” Chin complained, eying the two men armored men in his way.
“I’m afraid you must answer to the Order and myself before we can allow you to leave.” Charlstine explained, her normal stony expression turned downward. “As a member of the Order yourself, as well as a conspirator to Xiandol, you will be held accountable for what’s happened today.”
“Charlstine-” Chin exclaimed as he marched to face her. “Mr. Bently clearly acted on his own, possibly persuaded by Mandabus. You must believe none of this was premeditated.”
“Mandabus is one thing. But you- you are Bently’s senior officer, are you not?” Charlstine raised her voice, slowly moving to her feet from the chair. “To allow someone with questionable motivation out of your sight, especially after his altercation with Mr. Shiloh…”
“We are far from our home, Lady Arcanus, and we have had hardly the circumstances to peacefully examine our situation. You must understand why both peoples are on edge.”
“This land is divided by war, Mr. Chin.” The Arcanus leaned in, waving her hand in front of his face. “I understand why you would choose to not come alone, but in doing so, your circumstances have revealed to us that Xiandol has not been transparent with its actions regarding the magical arts.”
Chin glanced at the two guards whose gazes had not left him. He backed away from Charlstine and took a seat upon one of the rough chairs. “There are four of them, those particular sets of armor, and their weapons.”
The Arcanus returned to her chair and stared across the table at Chin. “The magic is potent, intoxicating, isn’t it, Mr. Chin?”
Chin flared his nostrils and continued to explain. “The magi in Xiandolia were attempting to find the ways of the lost art, so that we would be able to lend powers like our own to the battlefield without violating the treaty.”
Charlstine studied Chin’s face as he continued. “When the Order commanded that the governments seek out and kill the non-aligned, it seems we… took liberty with how it was carried out.”
“How so, Mr. Chin?” Charlstine asked in a low, demanding tone.
Chin gulped. “They were held, put into dungeons where they could be retained… as human livestock for o
ther magi’s experiments.”
“Uncouth and vile, but… they knew the repercussions for not siding with their fellow men during the formation of the Order.” Charlstine stated.
“One by one, their blood was slowly drained and distilled until we had their pure magical essence with which to complete the forging of those arms and pieces of armor.”
“And the quality of the enchantments?” Charlstine asked.
“Nothing it seems like those of legend, but more than sufficient.” Chin boasted. “Those four who were given the gear were able to burn more than half the Tuleforian settlement to the ground in an hour, unmatched.”
“The artisans at Xiandolia truly have no equal in this day in age, do they?” The Arcanus praised back, hoping to pull more from Chin.
“Indeed.” Chin said, holding his tongue.
Charlstine stood back up, peering out the door that was still blocked by guards. “Zethurus and Shiloh of Tulefore left in a hurry. Was there some reason, something you told them, that put them at haste?” She asked, her body still turned away. Before Chin could answer, she spoke again. “There is an addition to your story that you still wish to hold back from me.”
“If I tell you this…” Chin said, gritting his teeth. “Tell you of what we are in possession of…I would end up persecuted by my people.”
“We are your people, Mr. Chin.” Charlstine exclaimed, standing and leaning in across the table. Her blue robes fluttered slightly at her ankles. “Should the people of Xiandol wish to chastise you for aiding us with knowledge, then the Order shall grant you asylum.”
Chin held his breath, staring at the hard, uneven surface of the table top. “Do you remember the feeling you experienced when the remnant was delivered to this land from the heavens?”
“I could not forget it.” Charlstine nodded, her arms crossed. “The source of all this conflict. My sources tell me that the energy suddenly disappeared recently.”
“Disappeared, no. I felt it a second time,” Chin reminisced, “just before the first snowfall last winter. Our men were excavating a tunnel that had been dug in the northern tip of our mines.”
