The Reborn King (Book Six) (20 page)

Before anyone could protest, they were gone.

Nehrutu was the first to speak. “This is madness. You cannot undertake this alone.”

“What choice is there?” Gewey countered.

“None,” stated Felsafell. “And you will prevail.”

“How can you know this?” Nehrutu demanded. “It took both me and Gewey together to hold off the last Ajagara we faced. And still you had to help us. You heard what Cloya said. That was just one of its young. Without the
flow
, what chance does he have on his own?”

“I know this because I have faith,” Felsafell replied. “Gewey has not come this far to fail now. He will conquer all that is set before him. This he has proven time and time again. I will not begin to doubt him now.” He turned to the young godling and smiled. “But that is not to say I think you should be reckless. If you find yourself over-matched, you must run.”

A nervous laugh slipped from Gewey's mouth. He steepled his hands under his chin. “If the adult is anything like the offspring, I don’t think I’ll have any other choice
but
to run.”

“There is one other thing you should remember,” Felsafell told him. “Grunyal said that you are to
tame
this creature, not kill it. This may be important, or maybe not, but do keep it in mind all the same.”

“I will,” he promised.

He did his best to calm his nerves and clear his mind.
I will not fail
, he thought repeatedly while setting out a bedroll from his pack. Even after laying down, these same four words still continued to echo in his head. Eventually, he could feel his body relaxing. Soon sleep would come as a welcome respite from his worries.

At least in the world of dreams he would be able to find peace, if only for a short time.

It had been many years since King Lousis had traveled so far east. The demands of ruling had kept him a virtual prisoner in his own city. Often he had desired to take time out to revisit the people of distant lands – to taste their food, sing their songs, and to drink their wine. But never had he imagined that his visit would take the form of a siege.

The walls of Kaltinor loomed high in the distance: the ramparts heavily manned, the gates shut, and the portcullis down. A thousand soldiers all bearing the crest of Angrääl were standing at the base of the curtain wall looking as lambs to the slaughter. Whoever defended the city was a fool. The elves could massacre every man outside the gates without even drawing a sword. Mohanisi alone could scatter them like leaves in a storm with balls of fire.

Still, caution must rule the day, Lousis warned himself. In the past, the enemy had proved to be both cunning and ruthless. Sacrificing a thousand men might easily be a ploy to gain a later advantage. Or perhaps they simply wanted to test the power of Darshan. They would certainly have heard the rumors deliberately sent ahead that it was the son of Gerath, not King Lousis of Althetas, who was leading the approaching army.

“What are your orders, Your Highness?” asked a young lieutenant that Lousis had assigned as his personal messenger.

“Send word to Kaltinor that I wish a parlay with the enemy commander,” he replied.

The man bowed and sped away. Lousis drew a deep breath. With luck, the sight of well over a hundred-thousand men and elves would be enough to convince them to surrender immediately. 

The pounding of approaching hoofs had him looking over his shoulder. He spotted Lord Chiron, his face beaming with confidence. The king raised a hand in greeting.

Chiron returned the gesture, together with a bow. “Do you think they’ll see reason, Your Highness?”

“I think we’re in for a fight,” he replied darkly. “Have you seen Mohanisi?”

“He is with Lady Bellisia. She and the other healers are preparing tents and beds.”

“Let us hope they will not be needed.”

Mohanisi arrived a short time later on horseback, causing Lousis to raise an eyebrow. Normally, the elf much preferred to walk or ride in the supply wagons. More than once the king had teased him, saying that he feared horses. This invariably produced a look of irritation.

“As you can see, Your Highness,” Mohanisi said after halting his mount, “I am quite comfortable atop this animal. I trust this will end your remarks.”

“I am impressed,” Lousis responded, smiling broadly. “It is not easy to conquer one’s fears.”

Mohanisi frowned at the light-hearted jab. “Do you have orders for the elves?”

“What do you suggest?”

“Their greatest power is in controlling the winds,” he replied. “Should the city choose to resist, they can ensure that enemy missiles are deflected. Even the heavy explosive bolts will not be able to fall through once they combine their strength.”

“And you?” asked the king.

Mohanisi surveyed the enemy lines. “I should be able to deal with the majority of those outside the wall. Archers can take care of any who flee.”

“No,” said Lousis. “Any who flee will be left alone. Darshan allowed those who surrendered in Baltria to live. We will learn from his example.”

“As you wish. I will gather my people.” Turning his horse with surprising ease, Mohanisi trotted away.

“Do you intend to surround the city?” asked Chiron.

“No,” Lousis replied. “I will allow an avenue of escape. If the enemy sees a way out they may well break ranks and shorten the battle. If we trap them, they have no choice but to fight on.”

Chiron nodded. “A wise strategy. And one in keeping with Darshan’s own actions.”

“I’m not sure I would have done the same in Baltria,” Lousis admitted. “I have watched those who serve the Reborn King ravage my home and slaughter my people. Mercy is a lesson I am forced to constantly teach myself.”

“And yet you spared so many when we fought in Skalhalis. And I have seen you give many pardons since then.”

“Yes. I have been merciful. But what I do as king, and what the ire in my heart wishes me to do, are often very different.”

“I understand that all too well,” said Chiron. His smile had vanished.

“Tell me,” asked Lousis. “When the war ends, do you think peace between elf and human will last? Or will we return to our baser instincts and fall prey once again to hatred and vengeance?”

Chiron thought for a moment, then shrugged. “I don’t know. But lately I have often thought it might be best if the fears that I and the other elders once held do actually come to pass.”

“And what would that be?”

“We feared a mixing of the races. That should we live alongside humans, in time our race would simply be absorbed until the elves were no more.”

Lousis tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “And now you think this
should
happen?”

A tiny sigh slipped from Chiron's mouth. “I look at Celandine. She is proud and strong, with all of our grace and none of our flaws. She personifies what is best in both elf and human. She is not burdened by hatred and prejudice. If that is the future, then maybe we should embrace it. Perhaps you and I are destined to fade.”

“Perhaps.”

With a brisk movement of his hand, Lousis then shook off the sudden melancholy that Chiron’s tone had created. “But for now, it is our task to ensure that such a future has an opportunity to happen.”

The messenger returned a short time later. “The enemy commander has agreed to meet and hear your terms,” he announced.

A few minutes later the city gate and portcullis opened. Three men on horseback emerged and proceeded to a point about a hundred yards beyond their own lines.

Lousis’ guard was gathered in seconds.

“You will still be within the range of their bows,” warned the guard captain. “You should not go to meet them.”

“Then we will wait for Mohanisi,” Lousis said. “He will be able to protect us should there be treachery.”

Mohanisi was quickly with them. With him riding alongside, Lousis and Chiron spurred their horses forward to meet the enemy. As they drew nearer, they could see more details of the three men waiting to talk. They were clad in fine polished armor and carried well-made swords, their hilts set with gold and precious stones. This finery was in stark contrast to the soldiers standing in front of the city walls. Most of these looked ragged and terrified, though it was difficult to see beyond the first row of men.

When they were only a few yards away, the man in the middle raised his hand in salute. Lousis returned the gesture.

“I am General Kylio Merwood,” he announced. “These are my captains.” He looked across to Mohanisi and Chiron and frowned. “But where is Darshan? I was greatly looking forward to meeting with him.”

“I am King Lousis of Althetas,” the king replied. “And if you know what is good for you, you do not want to meet Darshan. More importantly, he has no desire to meet with you.”

“I see,” said the general. “Well, little matter. Speak your terms.”

“Lower your flags, throw down your arms and surrender the city at once. In return, we will spare your lives and allow you to return to your master unharmed.”

Merwood rubbed his chin and nodded. “A generous offer, Your Highness. Only a great fool would turn down such kindness. But then again, my mother always said that I was a fool.” The two other men chuckled at his levity. “So now, allow me to counter your offer. Turn your army around and
march back to where you came from as fast as you can. Once there, await the judgment of the Reborn King.”

Lousis’ anger began to boil. “Do you not see the forces arrayed against you? Do the lives of your people mean so little that you would see them slaughtered?”

“I would see you and the rest of your rabble be gone from my sight,” Merwood responded brusquely. “Soon the mighty Darshan will be no more, and you will come to understand the price for defying the true ruler of this world.”

Lou
sis glared at Merwood, who only smirked back at him. “You will pay for your stupidity,” the king said. “And your people will pay with you.” Sharply turning his horse, he galloped back to their lines with his companions hurrying to catch up.

“Ready your elves,” Lousis instructed Mohanisi. “We attack at once.”

The elf gave a quick nod and rode away.

“This man Merwood is a fool,” remarked Chiron.

“I hope you’re right,” Lousis said. “But such arrogance generally derives from advantage. Have you or the other elves sensed any Vrykol about?”

“No. Not in two weeks. And even then, they fled when we confronted them.”

Lousis frowned. “Yes. Mohanisi also told me that. Most curious.”

The lines quickly formed with the elves just behind the vanguard. Mohanisi then stepped forward and raised both arms. Almost instantly, the air above him burst into a massive ball of flames. The enemy positioned outside the walls began shifting about fearfully.

The air crackled and spat with furious power as Mohanisi sent the flames hurtling directly into the enemy’s center. Instantly, those to the fore scattered, the agonized screams of the burning men behind them tearing the air to shreds. There was no need for another bolt. Not one soldier had remained at his position and the way to the city gate was already clear.

The human infantry surged forward bearing ladders, with the elves immediately behind them preparing to repel an avalanche of enemy arrows. But no arrows came. Almost unbelievably, the ramparts now appeared to be completely empty.

“Forward!” bellowed Lousis, his sword raised high. “The cowards flee the walls!”

The lines moved faster, their cheers increasing in volume with every yard they drew closer. Still, not a single man could be seen atop the wall.
A trick
, thought Lousis.

He continued to watch, awaiting whatever scheme the enemy had devised. “Onward my brave men,” he called out. But just as the line arrived at the point where Mohanisi had delivered the fireball, it suddenly came to a halt. All sounds of cheering also ceased. Lousis frowned. A full minute passed, and still there was no further sign of them advancing further.

A short time later a soldier arrived. His face was pale and his hands were trembling.

“What is it?” Lousis demanded.

The soldier saluted. “Your Highness. They were children...women...old men.” His voice wavered badly. “They are all dead.”

“What in the name of heaven are you talking about?”

“The people that Mohanisi's fire consumed. Only the front line were men of fighting age. The others were lined up behind so we couldn’t see them.”

The king could hardly believe what he was hearing. A vicious knot of anguish gripped the pit of his stomach as he looked around for Mohanisi and then beckoned for him to come over. On being told of what had happened, the elf's ear-splitting cry of rage and remorse severed through the entire clamor of the field.

“Scale the walls,” Lousis commanded. “And bring me the head of the enemy commander.”

The soldier bowed and sped off.

Mohanisi was still clenching and unclenching his jaw and fists, utter fury on his face.

“It was not your fault,” the king said, before Mohanisi could speak.

“No, you are wrong,” he retorted. “I should have been more aware. I could feel the unusually intense fear rising from them, but I chose to ignore it.”

“Even had they been real soldiers, they believed Darshan was coming. Their fear would have been the same.”

Lousis’ words went unheard. Eyes blazing, Mohanisi said: “Do not kill Merwood. Bring him to me.” With that, he spurred his horse and urged it into a gallop toward the rear.

In less than half an hour the men were over the wall, and very soon after that the city gates creaked open.
That was too fast
, thought Lousis.

The king approached at a slow trot, his guard completely surrounding him as they went. One of the captains saw his advance and moved up to meet him.

“The monsters killed everyone, then fled through the east gate,” the officer announced. “So far we have not found a living soul in Kaltinor.” His eyes bore unmistakable rage and revulsion.

This fresh burst of terrible news hit Lousis hard, forcing him to squeeze his eyes tightly shut. It took him several moments to
gather his wits enough to speak. “Send men to round up those who fled the fire. Give food and medical treatment to any who need it.”

He opened his eyes and fixed them on the captain. “And see that none of them are harmed.”

The captain saluted and hurried off. Moments later, Chiron arrived.

“Beasts,” he said in a half-whisper. “What will you do now?”

The king stared at the open gate. “Bury the dead and move on.”

“I’ll send seekers to scout the way ahead.”

Lousis nodded, then turned his horse around and made his way to his tent. After dismounting, he spotted Bellisia and Mohanisi talking quietly nearby. Bellisia was gripping her staff like a club, her knuckles white around its shaft. On seeing the king, the pair walked over at once.