Chapter 23
Time was running out. All the enchanted ammunition had been used up and the Warlock and Keeper were both exhausted. Even the protective wards on the walls were weakening allowing the Fortress to shake from each boulder impact. Ladders were being raised in many places at once now that the threats of explosives were over. Up the middle came a huge battering ram. A storm of flaming arrows found purchase in the timbers but were quickly dealt with before the ram could catch fire. Most of the defenders had very little close range combat training, and it was quickly coming to that. It was not hard to see Wikkid felt the same way but it was Anja who voiced that concern first.
“Dredrik I think it is time to withdraw,” Anja said as if reading his mind. It is a good distance from this wall to the next and we will want to be as far away as possible when I present my final solution.”
“What final Solution?” Dredrik asked.
“Another enchant Eertu helped me weave into the outer walls on the basis that you did not want to leave anything behind for the enemy.”
“Trust me,” Eertu said. “You are going to love it.”
“Alright, signal fallback to the second wall.”
Eertu shot a spell into the air that burst into brilliant blue and red colors lighting up the sky. As rehearsed the troops at the furthest reaches of the wall began to withdraw. As one section would clear then so would the next. Already enemy troops were making purchase on the abandoned sections of the battlements as resistance faded. A few stayed at their posts buying precious time for their comrades to escape but were quickly overrun.
“Our turn,” Dredrik shouted.
None of them had to be told twice racing down the steps like hell itself was about to encompass them. No more than a dozen paces from the wall the sound of solid impacts on the main gate could be heard. Mareth had wasted no time in ordering his men forward when the evacuation of the outer wall began.
At one hundred paces the great gate exploded in a shower of fire and splinters. Mareth emerged from the still settling debris claymore in hand leading the charge. The name “Dredrik!” bellowed from his lungs. Enemy forces continues to flow through the archway like a tidal wave while even more clambered over the wall eager to get at the enemy that had cost them so dearly already.
Dredrik turned toward the voice to see Mareth pointing his claymore at him in an obvious challenge mirroring Dredrik’s own challenge at the gates of Galnath. The mage next to Mareth launched a fireball not at him but at Eitreen who at turned to stand beside him. “No!” he shouted as he quickly stepped into its path shield at the ready. Something unbidden kicked in. His chest scar burned as an unknown word spewed from his lips. The blast hit his shield full force only to dissipate in a sphere around him. Dredrik barely had time to register his shock when Eitreen stepped up beside him and loosed and arrow hitting the dumbfounded mage square in the chest sending him toppling backwards.
Quickly Dredrik took stock of the situation. Barnes had followed his orders to the letter, the gate on the second wall already closing rapidly. There was no way most of these soldiers were going to make it to the relative safety of the second wall before the gates slammed shut. Enemy forces continued to flow through the archway like a tidal wave while even more clambered over the wall eager to get at the enemy.
“Anja the final solution you mentioned, now’s the time.”
“We are still dangerously close.”
“Do it!”
As Anja began to cast Dredrik realized that the troops were looking at him waiting for a sign of what they should do next most coming to the same conclusion as he about their chances of reaching the second wall. So be it, if this is how it had to end then so be it. At least Mareth would know he was in a fight.
Dredrik looked toward Eitreen and mouthed the words “I love you,” which she returned then he raised his mace high above his head. “Charge!”
At once the defenders surged forward having nothing to lose. Those carrying only bows and crossbows opened fire. Enemy troops were falling prey to deadly accurate projectiles as the two forces converged.
Dredrik noticed that the outer wall had lit up with lines of angry red energy that resembled a spider web of cracks in the ancient stone. A low hum began to emanate as the ground began to vibrate. He considered it only briefly as Mareth barreled toward him claymore raised ready to strike as soon as he was within range. As Mareth’s Claymore came down on Dredrik’s shield the great wall exploded.
Thousands were slain instantly as rock was violently thrown in all directions. Those upon the walls were shredded by shear concussive forces while those further away fell prey to shrapnel of all shapes and sizes. Pieces the size of houses crashed to the ground crushing scores.
Anja and Eertu had done their craft well as most the destructive force was projected outward into the bulk of the enemy forces but still shockwaves and tremors sent most in the interior crashing to the ground.
Dredrik and Mareth however continued their duel without pause.
Dredrik stayed in close battering away at Mareth with both hammer and shield not giving Mareth the room he needed to properly use his weapon. The seals and etchings upon his armor shield and hammer began to radiate a soft blue light. He could feel an energy flowing through his body giving him strength and speed he did not believe was possible.”
Frustrated Mareth kicked out forcing Dredrik in jump back. Instead of pressing the attack he rolled away discarded his claymore and drew a long sword and dagger in one deft motion.
Dredrik did not wait for Mareth however charging straight into the man giving him no chance to recover.
. . . . .
The Lord General Kuzzak howled in fury as he watched the outer wall explode from his vantage point at base camp. All of his plans were unraveling before him at the hands of a few thousand pathetic peasants. No, he thought, at the hands of five or six individuals. “Merca!” he barked. “Do you still have the ability to call down the sky?”
“Yes, Milord but the effect will be weakened greatly without the focus of the legion. It will not destroy stone, but should inflict great harm upon flesh.”
“That will suffice.”
Merca bowed than began the incantations needed as he weaved his hands leaving trails of light as they moved. It was a good bet the warlock and the keeper were in no position interfere with him now. His body grew warm as the power began to grow within his body, slowly at first but then faster and faster. The green haze began to form and spread toward his target. Just as he could feel the spell was about to reach its apex something went horribly wrong. The power was ebbing from his body instead of building for release. Like a smack in the face it hit him. “The Coven!” he did not wait for permission from the lord general before sprinting toward the tent where his coven was housed.
. . . . .
“What the blazes was that?” Vessa asked as the ground stilled at last.
“Seems the outer walls were destroyed,” Lesley informed them. “Pitched fighting has broken out this side of the second wall. That’s all Nichole sent, she seemed a bit busy.
Hadrenn felt a sudden pang of guilt about not being with his friends when they needed him most. Though he doubted one more sword would make much a difference it was a matter of honor. “Looks like we are about out of time,” He said gesturing toward the pitiful souls strapped to the cots.
Vessa simply nodded. It was a despicable job but one that would have to be done.
Hadrenn stepped closer to one leaning in to examine the woman before him. His previous perception remained. These people were suffering and being used for something foul. Suddenly the woman spoke, eyes lit up with a green glow. Hadrenn jumped back fumbling for his sword knocking over the few items from a small table behind him that the tremor had not already taken care of.
Vessa laughed as Hadrenn recovered his balance and tried hopelessly to stop the remaining glass beakers from crashing to the ground. Her laughter quickly died when she realized the chant was al
l too familiar.
“Oh, I recognize that.” Hadrenn said.
“I think we all do,” Lesley added drawing her dagger and looking toward Vessa for conformation.
Vessa gave a quick nod and drew her own as Hadrenn did the same. The course was clear now, these people had to die. As one the three plunged their daggers into one victim after another, none of them feeling particularly proud of the act they were carrying out.
“We better move,” Hadrenn said. “You can bet somebody is noticing what we just did.”
“That would be correct,” an angry voice snarled for the entry portal hands and eyes already aglow with power.
All three ducked for cover as the sorcerer released his spell, not single bolts but multiple strands of green energy ripped through the tent striking anything and everything in their path turning whatever the tendrils of energy touched into flaming shrapnel.
Vessa cried out as a large shard of wood embedded itself in her right leg. Quickly she rolled to her back and brought her crossbow to bear forcing the sorcerer to duck back outside the tent as a bolt sped past his head by just a fraction of an inch.
Lesley grabbed Vessa by the collar and pulled her toward the back of the tent while Vessa hurled obscenities in the general direction that Merca had retreated. The tent began to fill with smoke as fire began to spread from the sorcerer’s assault.
Merca reappeared ready to strike again only this time Hadrenn was ready for him. No sooner had he appeared than Hadrenn flung a small wooden stool. It spun end over end crashing into the sorcerer’s face sending him sprawling unconscious on the ground.
Quickly Hadrenn raced to the back of the tent and used his great sword to cut a new exit then picked Vessa up off the ground cradling her in his arms. Lesley made sure to grab the satchels of supplies they had gathered then exited first signaling Hadrenn the way was clear. They slipped away as the sound of heavy boots raced toward the tent.
At last they made it to a nearby makeshift stable were horses were kept ready in case they where needed by the cavalry. Then men who had come to check out the disturbance had pursued in the wrong direction just leaving them two more obstacles to take care of before they could make their escape. Hadrenn stayed back with Vessa as Lesley snuck up on the first of two guards slitting his throat. The second guard saw his fellow drop but before his brain even registered what happened a bolt pierced his throat strangling out the warning he was about to shout.
Hadrenn helped Vessa onto a horse than handed her the reins. Her face was pale and she sat wobbly on the saddle. After a quick glance back toward the fortress and the friends he could no longer help he mounted behind Vessa deciding she would not have the strength to ride far on her own.
Lesley secured the supplies on a second horse and fastened its reins to the back of her saddle on the third. With a deft leap she was mounted and the three disappeared northward.