Chapter 28
Mahntra was shaking and his legs were still wobbly. With the help of one of the noble’s guards, he actually led the large procession. Sohorkon and the nobles stayed at his side as they moved up the main avenue. They were followed first by the gathered people of the city, then the army that’d come into the gate. So far there hadn’t been any problems. They’d not seen a single soldier in black. Mahntra had been relieved at first, but when he mentioned it to Sohorkon, he’d been advised otherwise.
“If they aren’t out in the city, then where are they?” Sohorkon had asked. Mahntra took his meaning. They must be at the palace. If that was the case, the affect they were hoping to have wasn’t working. And that left most of the guard right where they hoped they wouldn’t be . . . With Siri and the Princess.
Mahntra hoped Siri remembered the passages in the palace. The Princess would know them also as long as they were able to reach her. Mahntra hoped they had.
At a major intersection, Sohorkon stopped abruptly at his side. Then Mahntra saw why. Coming from a cross street was a large group of armed citizens. They spied them and bristled, some visibly gripping their blades tighter, watching them closely. It was clear they were trying to decide if they were friend or foe. From the looks they were getting, it was the latter. Then Mahntra realized the people would not recognized Sohorkon, his army, or the Pontu’ Gi with them.
“Hold a moment,” Mahntra said to Sohorkon. He tapped the noble closest to him on the arm. “Come with me.” They moved out a bit from their own group, and watched the others. “Let them see we are with this group, not captives.”
“Ho there!” a man stepped out from the mob. Mahntra held his breath. His eyes were a bit blurry, but he thought . . . yes! It was Mier’ Shu, another noble that’d been missing.
“Come,” Mahntra called. “We have to talk.”
The man recognized him and his companion. The noble with Mahntra moved forward to greet him. “We’re on the way to the palace. These are from the gates the Mulda’ fi said would be there.”
Mier’ Shu looked at Mahntra.
“Yes,” he confirmed, “we’re on the way to the palace.”
“As are we. Shall we join forces?”
“Definitely!”
Mier’ Shu returned back to his people, telling them to fall in with Mahntra’s group, and they were on their way again.
After a time, Mahntra began to think. This is going too well. They were passing the final cross street before coming onto the grand plaza at the main palace entrance. He strained his eyes to see if there would be any further obstacles. The plaza seemed deserted.
Sohorkon must have had the same thoughts. Just then one of the Pontu’ Gi moved forward to whisper to him.
“Hold!” Sohorkon’s voice sounded loud enough to reach the whole group. Mahntra started to turn to ask him why they were stopping, when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shimmering of movement in the square.
The shimmering stilled into a large formation of Pontu’ Gi blocking their way. They were holding short staves made of a crystalline material that glowed red. Then another shimmering caught his eye from the buildings on either side. The roofs and windows were filled with more Pontu’ Gi. They were holding the same object two handed across their breasts. Weapons! Mahntra felt a sinking in the pit of his stomach.
“Something is wrong with them,” the Pontu’ Gi leader was saying to Sohorkon. “We cannot touch them. They are . . . blocked.” The warrior seemed confused, and Mahntra thought he saw signs of the man being in pain. His eyes were squinched, jaw tense, and his words were clipped.
With a single movement, the formation of blocking Pontu’ Gi flashed their weapons forward, pointing them at the gathered crowd. The Pontu’ Gi in the buildings pointed the staffs down, gripping them tighter, leaning forward. The red glow of the weapons seemed to darken. A strange hum started to fill the air, but it was a noise Mahntra felt more than heard.
Mahntra looked back over his people. They were staring, wide eyed, all around. They started to fidget.
Sohorkon came to him.
“We have to get through!”
“We will!” Mahntra said. “Will your people stand with us . . . The Pontu’ Gi too?”
“They will,” Sohorkon said with conviction, though his eyes also held concern. It was one thing for a warrior to fight, but city people?
“This is our city!” Mahntra said.
“My warriors will fight!” The Pontu’ Gi leader said, his voice hissing strangely. “We must be free!” He shook his head as if trying to shake something off.
Again Mahntra looked back over his people. Those closest to him had heard. They looked nervous, but determined.
He took a deep breath. It would be a slaughter -- on both sides. Would they get through? He eyed the strange weapons. He could see concern in Sohorkon’s eyes.
Even if any of us get through, will we be in time?
“Move your warriors up,” Mahntra said. “We will all fight together!”