Mindbender (67 page)

Isabel smiled fiercely and released her spell. Light shot forth from her hand and burned through the sails and into the deck of the ship, opening a hole in the hull to let in the sea. Two flashes of light lanced out of the sky from each of Isabel’s escort riders and burned two more holes into the deck of the ship.

As they floated over the raging battle, Abigail killed three more sailors. They coaxed their wyverns into an ascent to gain altitude then wheeled and lined up for the next pass.

Isabel watched Bianca and her escort rider float over the next ship in the line. Her escort rider cast a light-lance spell that burned a hole through the hull, while Bianca brought a small bubble of liquid fire into existence and cast it down onto the ship. It splashed magical fire across the deck, igniting the sails with a whoosh. Trailing behind her were three squads of Sky Knights lined up to attack the next three ships.

A group of fast-attack boats flying Southport’s flag used the opening to guide their vessels toward the weak spot in the enemy line. Isabel surveyed the battle. Several of the larger Southport warships were taking on water and listing badly. Two had been rammed and become entangled with attacking vessels. Fierce battles were unfolding on their decks. The Angellica caught her eye. It was holding back and directing fire from its heavy ballistae and catapults toward a cluster of enemy ships that were engaging a number of fast-attack boats. An enemy warship was building speed for a battering-ram attack against her.

Isabel pointed it out and began her attack run. Abigail fell in on her lead, sending arrows out ahead of them. Isabel was focused on casting her light-lance spell when she saw a bubble of liquid fire streak up toward her from the deck of the warship. She abandoned her spell and rolled left, diving sharply out of the path of the enemy wizard’s spell. It passed within ten feet of Asteroth’s wingtip. She pulled hard on the reins and brought her wyvern into a steep rolling dive, corkscrewing around to bring her in line for an attack.

Arrows lifted off the deck of the ship toward her but she was moving so fast that they passed just behind her. She pulled up at the last moment and Asteroth brought his claws into strike position. As they crashed into the side railing, the sudden weight of the wyvern crushed a huge section of the ship. The ship listed and sailors lost their footing, many flying overboard. Asteroth pushed off and launched himself into the air with a mighty downward thrust of his wings. The ship capsized under the sudden assault. Isabel watched over her shoulder as it slipped beneath the waves. Abigail and her escort formed up above her and covered her ascent as she gained altitude for another attack run.

The three squads of Sky Knights made attack runs against three ships on the flank of the Andalian line. One after another they dove toward the ships, pulling up at the last moment and whipping their wyvern’s bone-bladed tails into the enemy vessels. Isabel watched two wyverns take a volley of arrows from the deck of the ships they were attacking, falter after their attack runs, and then splash into the ocean. The Sky Knights that came next were clear to strike, one after the other. When the last of the squad had passed, the three ships were taking on water.

Two Sky Knights broke formation to provide overwatch for the two Sky Knights that had splashed into the ocean while two fast-attack boats moved toward their position to rescue the riders.

The Angellica adjusted her sails, put her oars into the water, and turned toward the fleeing troop transports. She shifted her ballistae and catapults to guard her escape while providing cover fire for a small force of fast-attack boats that were taking advantage of the opening to head for the transports.

Several of the Andalian warships fell back and regrouped to give chase after the Southport attack boats.

Isabel shifted her focus to covering the contingent of the Southport fleet heading for the transports. She turned and began her attack run. Bianca followed her lead, picking the ship off the port flank of the lead ship to target with magical fire. Her spell streaked past from high overhead and the ship went up in a whoosh as Isabel released her spell and caught the lead ship afire. The archers on deck released a volley, but she was too high to be in danger.

Three squads of Sky Knights followed, each taking aim at another ship in the group. Two more fell into the water from a barrage of arrows. But most of the warships racing to catch up with the Southport fast-attack boats were damaged badly and taking on water.

Isabel signaled to provide overwatch for the ten ships racing toward the battle raging between the transports and the bulk of the Sky Knights. Bianca and her wing circled over the small fleet of attack boats, gaining altitude with each pass.

As Isabel neared the scene of the other battle she saw that several of the wyverns were in the water and struggling to get enough distance from the transports to avoid further attack. The rest of the Sky Knights had changed strategies to attack from much higher. When she got closer, she saw dozens of Lancers on the deck of each ship pointing their magical lances at the sky. She understood immediately why so many of the wyverns were in the water.

Those still airborne were making higher passes with javelins and concentrating their fire on one ship at a time to thin the ranks on the deck before the final squad in the formation made a tail-strike run at the ship. Nearly two-thirds of the Andalian troop transports had been disabled and were moving under oar power as they struggled to flee the battle.

Southport’s fast-attack boats gained on them quickly and when they were in range, they didn’t waste a moment. The first volley of fire pots rose into the air in a long arc reaching out to the limits of the ballistae range and crashed into the decks of ten ships. Flame flashed with each strike and grew quickly. The Southport ships abandoned caution and raced forward, trusting the wyverns overhead to cover their flank.

The refined strategy of the Sky Knights was slower at disabling the enemy ships but it was also much less risky. After fifty or more javelins peppered the deck of a ship, sending the Lancers scattering, a squad of Sky Knights would strike with their wyverns’ tails and break the masts, then escape out of range.

The battle lasted for over an hour. Isabel was exhausted by the time she landed Asteroth on the field north of Southport but she was also exhilarated. They had sunk the entire troop transport fleet to a ship. All of the Lancers bound for Northport were drowned and gone.

Her two flights were landing all around and tending to their wyverns’ wounds when Bianca and Constance found her.

“Well done,” Isabel said through the fog of fatigue. “Report.”

“Twenty-three wyverns dead, seventeen injured,” Bianca said somberly. “Nine Sky Knights dead, and twenty-eight injured, though none seriously. All of the witches are accounted for. Scout riders report that the troop transports have all been sunk and what remains of the fleet of warships has withdrawn south. Southport’s fleet took heavy losses with several of their larger ships sunk but most of the smaller attack boats still seaworthy.”

They heard the sound of horses approaching and turned to see a platoon of Rangers coming fast. Some of the Sky Knights looked on with concern as they calmed their steeds. Isabel waved to the Rangers, smiling broadly. When she saw Kevin, she broke into a run and met her brother with a fierce hug as he dismounted.

“It’s good to see you, Little Sister,” Kevin said as he held her tight. “We’ve been so worried about you ever since we got word you’d been taken.”

“I’m all right, Kevin. Better, even.”

Abigail walked up with Bianca and Constance flanking her. “Hi Kevin, it’s good to see you,” she said with a smile.

“You too. Your abduction took its toll on our parents, so I sent word last night of your plan to attack the Andalian armada,” Kevin said.

“Kevin, I’d like to introduce Flight Commanders Bianca and Constance,” Isabel said. “They led the Sky Knights in the battle against the troop transports.”

Kevin bowed formally to the two formidable women. “Thank you for your timely assistance. Without you we wouldn’t have been able to stop those Lancer transports. What do you need for your people and your steeds?”

Bianca smiled slightly. “To the point, I like that. Our steeds need food. A small herd would do nicely, say fifty head.”

“I’ll see to it right away,” Kevin said, then turned to his Second and nodded. The man saluted and spurred his horse into a gallop. “I can offer barracks for your people tonight and better accommodations tomorrow.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Constance said. “We will remain with our wyverns tonight and be on our way tomorrow.”

Kevin frowned, “Where are you going?”

“Back to the fortress island,” Constance said. “We have accomplished our mission and so we will return home.”

“Then you don’t know?” Kevin asked, turning to Isabel.

“Know what?” Isabel asked.

“Alexander is back on Ruatha. He led four Legions from Ithilian through the Gate five days ago,” Kevin said. “He’s gathering his forces for an assault on Northport tomorrow. Two legions from Blackstone Keep are moving south with the four Ithilian legions while the remaining ten legions in northern Ruatha are moving west from New Ruatha. They’re planning a coordinated assault against Northport at dawn tomorrow morning.”

Isabel and Abigail shared a look of hope and fierce triumph. Isabel hugged her brother again. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a very long time. I can’t wait to see him.”

“What are you considering, Lady Reishi?” Constance asked with a little concern.

She turned to the two Flight Commanders and drew herself up. “We’re not going back to the fortress island tomorrow. We’re going north to help Alexander against the Regency Army.”

“This is most unusual,” Bianca said. “The triumvirate has not approved this plan. Are you sure it’s wise without deliberation?”

“We’re at war, Bianca,” Isabel said. “You’ve lived your whole life protecting the Sovereign Stone. Now I’m asking you to protect the one wearing it. He’s fighting for the people of the Seven Isles and we can help him. I’m not going to order you to go against what you believe to be your duty, but I am going to leave you with a hard choice. Tomorrow, I’m flying north to find my husband. I’m going to fight at his side no matter the cost. I hope you’ll come with me, but I understand if you decide to go home.”

Constance grinned a little at the choice they’d been given.

Bianca chuckled.

“We can hardly let you go into battle alone,” Constance said.

“I imagine Magda and Cassandra have their hands full with you,” Bianca said. “They’re not accustomed to bold moves and they will not be happy about your decision but I’m duty bound to stand with you.”

“Good,” Isabel said with a grateful smile. “See to your Sky Knights. We’ll send Magda and Cassandra a message tomorrow morning when we leave for Northport. I’m going to spend some time with my brother. I need to know what’s been going on during the past few months.”

Chapter 36

Alexander stood next to his command tent on top of a little hillock. His forces stretched away in all directions, sprawling across the plain to the northeast of Northport. It was late in the afternoon of what had been a fine summer day until about an hour ago. Now there was a dark and angry cloud swirling over Northport. Lightning flickered and danced in the angry darkness. Alexander frowned. He’d seen this spell before.

“What do you make of it?” Duncan asked.

Alexander’s reunion with his parents had been tearful and joyous, but now they were focused on the task that lay ahead. The Regency had withdrawn into the walled city and fortified it heavily. This battle wouldn’t take place out in the open where cavalry charges and shield-walls decided the day. It would take place in the streets and buildings of Northport. Alexander knew it would be a deathtrap for all concerned.

“One of their wizards is preparing to call lightning from the sky,” Alexander said. “If we send troops in under that dark cloud, he’ll kill them by the thousands.”

“I agree,” Mage Gamaliel said. “But I suspect he’s just providing us with a demonstration to give us pause. I doubt he can wield such power except directly over his position, so we have nothing to fear from his spell as long as we aren’t under those clouds ourselves.”

“So is he trying to stall us because he knows we have the strength to destroy him or is he expecting help from somewhere?” Duncan asked.

“When I looked in on them this morning, they were working on the docks,” Alexander said. “It’s a good bet they’re expecting help.”

“Probably more of those Lancers,” Hanlon said. “That could be a problem.”

“If it’s Lancers he’s expecting, Kevin will be the first to face them,” Duncan said. “Hopefully those boats he’s been building will work. From General Talia’s report, it sounds like the Andalians could do some serious damage if we let them set foot on dry land.”

“He’s right about that,” Alexander said. “We can’t let more Lancers make landfall. Any word from Kevin?”

“I sent him a message letting him know you had arrived but I haven’t heard from him since,” Hanlon said. “Given the time it takes to make the trip, I don’t expect a message rider for a day or two though.”