***
Mahntra’ Bhu stood beside Sohorkon’ Bho and the Pontu’ Gi leader, Preegha. On his other side stood the two nobles who’d been freed from the dungeons. At their backs stood their combined army, ready to rush forward overwhelm the Pontu’ Gi and move on to the palace.
The Pontu’ Gi army blocked the way, and ringed them from the buildings on each side. Their weapons were raised, glowing with destructive menace. It was as if they were waiting for a signal before commensing to reign destruction upon them. Mahntra knew many would die today.
“Ready!” Sohorkon called out, raising his hand high. The soldiers tensed, the citizens grasped their makeshift weapons more firmly. Mahntra held his breath. He heard a humming growing in intensity. The people looked around. They heard it too. Sohorkon still held his hand aloft. When he brought it down they’d all charge into the face of the Pontu’ Gi and whatever strange weapons they were holding.
That’s it! Mahntra thought. The sound is coming from the weapons. He watched as the crystalline lances the Pontu’ Gi held turned a deeper red as if building up in power. The warriors held them up, pointing them toward his army.
Mahntra looked at Sohorkon. His face was set. He knew what he was doing commanding these soldiers. Any second his arm would drop . . .
Then from behind in their ranks came a piercing scream. Mahntra turned. Another stab of red lightning flew from one of the strange lances held by a Pontu’ Gi in a side building and hit one of the nobles at his side square in the breast. Mahntra shouted in surprise, watching the noble pitch backward. A burned scorch of what used to be his chest was now a bleeding wound.
More cries erupted from their makeshift army, as more red lightning rained down. They were being decimated! They had to move now! He looked at Sohorkon, still holding his hand aloft, eyes steeled to what was happening . . .
Then Mahntra’s eyes suddenly bleared and a complete hush that fell over the square. Something, a wave of powerful energy, ripped across Mahntra’s mind. It passed through as if searching, though not meant for him. He stiffened with immobility for just an instant. Then he was released.
All around were gasps of surprise. People shook their heads in wonder. Then all the Pontu’ Gi collapsed, crumpling to the ground as if dead. On both sides the warriors fell. Their strange lances clattered to the ground turning an inert milky-white color.
Mahntra watched as Sohorkon knelt and felt the throat of the Pontu' Gi leader who'd collapsed at his side. "He's still alive," he said to Mahntra. "What happened?"
"I don't know," Mahntra said. "But it appears our way is clear."
Sohorkon nodded and turned to the gathered soldiers and citizens. "Hear me!"
The murmuring ceased and all eyes fell on Sohorkon. "We don't know what's happened, but we can't allow it to stop what we've begun. Move forward and keep a sharp eye!"
Mahntra cast a last glance at the fallen noble and moved with Sohorkon towards the open gates of the palace. They moved fast, avoiding the fallen bodies of the Pontu' Gi. At one point, he stopped, curious, and touched one of the strange lances held earlier by their enemies. It had a slight buzzing feeling. There wasn't a sound, just a tingling.
"Leave it," Sohorkon had said. "We don't understand them. They could go off and cause more damage than they could possibly be worth."
Mahntra nodded and they continued on as rapidly as they dared. It was odd that the doors to the palace were wide open. He didn't question. Perhaps they'd been left open to entice them into the trap. Little did their enemies realize they didn't need any enticement. Then Mahntra wondered again at the fortuitous event that had caused all the Pontu' Gi to collapse. Is it another trap? He wondered. What would it accomplish? Mahntra guessed they'd find out soon enough.
Moving through the palace, Mahntra guided them. They encountered only a few guards here and there; nothing that stopped their progress. Usually when they were seen the guards either ran the other way or stopped and surrendered.
At a certain point, Mahntra stopped and turned to Sohorkon. "There's two ways to go from here. Take your men and follow this hall. It will turn to the left and continue for a bit until it comes to large double doors at its end. Those are the doors to the main audience chamber. That's where Tranthra' Joh most likely is if he's still here. He could also be barricaded in. I"ll take my people and go a different route that will enter into the audience room from behind. When you reach the door, if it's locked, start pounding for all you're worth. It will create a distraction. That should allow us to take the room then let you in."
Sohorkon looked at him a moment and Mahntra thought he was about to object, then nodded. Mahntra was relieved. If there was going to be fighting Mahntra would rather it be his people that fought than an invading army. It was going to be tough as it was to restore peace after this was all over. From the look Sohorkon gave he could see he understood.
"Hurry. I'm starting to worry that we haven't had as much resistance as I expected. I think something's wrong. Pray that we're not already too late!"
Mahntra nodded and yelled at his people to follow. He lead them at speed down the intersecting hall to the small, little used corridor that would lead to the back entrance of the throne room. It too, may be locked, but he knew the secret to the latch where he didn't need a key. As he was running, he mulled over what Sohorkon had said. He had been hoping that things were just going well, that their plan was working as it should. Now his thoughts were troubled. What would Tranthra' Joh do if he thought he was trapped? Mahntra almost stumbled as the thought reached its logical conclusion.
He held the princess! He would do anything to save himself!
There were also others that Sohorkon and the nobles had talked about. They were already in the palace -- to try and save the princess before Tranthra’ Joh suspected. Yet the evidence of the waiting Pontu' Gi indicated Tranthra' Joh had been expecting them.
Mahntra speeded his way, becoming more worried with each step. Would they make it in time?