The Reborn King (Book Six) (23 page)

“Nonsense. What power could conquer us? Only the gods themselves possess such strength. You have allowed the fear that pervades the people here to infect you.” Estrella clicked her tongue. “I pity you, dear sister.”

Her smug, arrogant manner caused Aaliyah's anger to rise. “And you,
dear sister
, speak from ignorance.”

“You see?” she chided. “Your rage comes out so easily now. Your passions govern your actions. No longer can you control yourself…and no longer can you be trusted it seems.”

“That is not for you to say,” she countered. “My loyalty has never been in question. And though you are my sister, do not presume to know my heart…or my motives.”

“Are you not bonded to Nehrutu? Are you not engaged in a war that is not your own? Have you accomplished even a single task assigned you?” A hint of suppressed anger burned in Estrella's eyes. “And where are your ships?” She held out her hand before Aaliyah could reply. “Do not even bother to try and justify the death of so many of our kin. Or that you allowed those who survived to march off to certain death with the husband of this human queen. I am sorry, sister, but you are not worthy of the position you have been given.”

She rose gracefully to her feet and turned her back before speaking again. “You may have wondered why I bothered to come here.”

“I have,” Aaliyah admitted. “Your work with the builders was only just beginning when I left. I am greatly surprised that you would abandon it.”

“I came because I love you,” she replied. Her tone was suddenly tender and kind. “You are my family. And now that mother is gone, my only family. When I was told of your encounter with Shivis Mol and the conflict ravaging this land, I knew I had to come to your aid.”

“Then aid me,” Aaliyah said. “Why berate and insult me?”

“I
am
aiding you.” Her voice dropped to a mere whisper. “You are to board my ship immediately and return home.”

Aaliyah sprang up from her chair. “I will not! You have no authority over me.”

Estrella turned to face her sister again. There was both sadness and pity in her expression. “I am afraid that I do. I was sent by the elders to ascertain the situation and deal with it as I see fit. And given your current condition, I have no other choice. You will return home, and I will ensure that the bond between the elf Kaylia and Shivis Mol is broken.”

Aaliyah let out a scornful laugh. “So that you may bond to him yourself?”

“If I can.”

“Then you are a fool. You do not wield the power to sever their bond. And even if you did, Darshan would never join himself to you.”

“Perhaps not,” she said. “But I will try, nonetheless. And if that means the death of his current mate…” The idea of killing one of her own kind was clearly upsetting to her, and the final few words stuck in her throat for a moment. “Then so be it.”

“None of this matters,” Aaliyah told her. “You will never be able to get close to her. And I will not leave.”

“I am truly sorry, but there will be no more debate. As we speak, a team of elves await my command to force your compliance, though I do hope you will come willingly. And, as far as the elf Kaylia is concerned, the human named Jacob gave us all the information we required. Believe me when I say that I did not enjoy playing on his trust, but it was necessary. And though the people here imagined we have been idle aboard our ships, we have not. I sent scouts out to gather the rest of what I needed to know. Long before you arrived, I knew that you had failed and that another had bonded with Darshan.” She reached out and touched Aaliyah’s hand. “No matter. That has already been attended to. By now she is either dead - the bond broken - or both.”

Aaliyah recoiled at her touch. “You have no idea what you have done. Darshan will....”

The door to the library suddenly burst open, causing the two women to spin around. Approaching them with long, confident strides was Kaylia, her eyes ablaze with unyielding intent.

“Darshan will not need to know of your stupidity,” she said, her voice booming off the walls and startling Estrella. “And before you ask...yes, I am Kaylia,
unorem
of Darshan and mother to his child. And you are an arrogant fool who is lucky I am not the untempered youth I once was. Otherwise, I would burn you to ashes for what you tried to do.”

Aaliyah's face lit up. “How did you know? How did you escape?”

Kaylia’s furious gaze never left Estrella. “It was not
I
who needed to escape.”

Estrella's look of surprise quickly faded, to be replaced by an imperious smirk. “So, you evaded my people, only to deliver yourself to me. And you think to call
me
a fool?”

“I did not evade your people,” Kaylia corrected. “I allowed them to live. That they were my kin and thought they were doing right was the only thing that saved them.” She took hold of Aaliyah’s hand. “And what saves you now is that you are Aaliyah's sister. She is as a sister to me as well, so I will confine my wrath.”

Kaylia looked deep into Aaliyah's eyes. “Are you all right?”

She smiled and nodded. “Though for a moment, I feared that you had been killed.”

“Those she sent did not possess the power to harm me.”

“But how did you know they were coming?” Aaliyah asked.

The corners of Kaylia's mouth turned up into a tiny smile. Pride washed over her entire aspect. “Jayden told me.”

Aaliyah gasped, then laughed loudly for several seconds. After calming herself, she looked at her sister. “Forgive me, Estrella. But you really should do as Kaylia says.”

Estrella closed her eyes, but they quickly shot open again, filled with frustration.

“You will not summon your people to come here,” cautioned Kaylia. “I will not allow it. It would only result in needless deaths.”

Estrella’s face turned red with fury. “Just because you are able to block my connection to my kin, that does not mean you have the strength to prevent me from doing what I came here to do.”

“I can do more than that,” Kaylia warned. “I can trap your spirit, and the spirits of all your people, should you threaten me or those whom I love again.”

Estrella snickered. “You lie. No elf possesses the power of the spirit.”

“You think not? Aaliyah does. Nehrutu and Mohanisi as well. All of them have learned to use the
flow
of the spirit.”

Estrella looked to Aaliyah. “Is this true? Have you achieved such power?”

Aaliyah nodded.

“How is this possible?”

Kaylia’s face softened. “Through the same love that you would seek to destroy. You are so like Aaliyah was when she arrived on these shores. And had I not been so immature, I would have known what to do when we first met.” Suddenly, the room lit up with a million tiny lights, and the tinkling of bells and laughter filled their hearts with unrestrained bliss.

“Behold – the spirit of this world,” Kaylia continued. “It has been denied to you for far too long. Its beauty and majesty has been just out of reach. But no longer.”

She paused to smile at Estrella. “You did not come here because you need the power of Darshan. Nor have you come to enlighten your kin. Though your powers are great and your spirit a match, you are really no different to the elves…or even the humans....of this land. And soon you will see that. And when you do, you will know the joy that both your sister and I feel when we imagine the future.”

For a while, Estrella was unable to speak. She reached out to touch the lights with her fingertips, a tiny laugh escaping her lips each time. “How is this done?” she asked finally.

Kaylia took both of her hands. “Through love. Nothing else can bring you to this place. And you have it within you. We all do. It is the one thing all people, be they human or elf, have in common. But unlike humans,
we
are fortunate enough to be able to see it manifested.”

Kaylia drew Estrella’s spirit into her own. “Can you feel it now?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Kaylia let the
flow
slowly subside and helped Estrella into her chair. She and Aaliyah then sat close beside her.

After a few minutes, Estrella looked up at Kaylia, her face awash with regret. “Can you ever forgive my ignorance?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Think no more about it. We are all guilty of ignorance at some point. And as I said. Aaliyah is as a sister to me. So I will think of you in the same way.”

“And you, Aaliyah. Can you...?”

“There is nothing to forgive. I love you, and I know that you acted because of your love for me – and for our people.”

“So what should I do now?” Estrella asked. “If the battle is already joined, we can be of no help to Darshan, or to King Lousis. What use can we serve?”

“War has ravaged this land,” answered Kaylia. “Your people have skills that are desperately needed and would be most welcome.”

“You shall have all that I can provide,” Estrella assured her.

“The queen and Jacob will know where you are most needed,” Aaliyah said.

“Then I will see to it at once.”

“Not yet.” Aaliyah gently squeezed her sister's arm. “We have some time, and I have missed you dearly. Will you sit with me and talk for a while?”

Estrella gave her a loving smile. “Yes. I would like that.” She looked to Kaylia, who was about to rise. “And you should stay too.”

“You must forgive me,” she said. “But I left my son in Valshara and am anxious to return to him.”

Estrella nodded understandingly. “Of course.”

After exchanging embraces with the two of them, Kaylia left the room.

“I did not want to ask her,” said Estrella, once they were alone. “But are you certain that Darshan will prevail?”

Aaliyah smiled. “Certain? No. But I do have faith.”

King Lousis wiped away the blood dribbling down his face and steeled himself to face a fresh wave of attackers. Never before had he seen the armies of Angrääl moving with such alacrity and precision. The enemy’s constantly repeated battle cry of “Never to Kratis” rolled across the field like ominous claps of thunder.

Their first battle had gone well. Mohanisi had been absolutely correct about the enemy's location, also their relatively few numbers. In less than a day they'd had them on their heels and in full retreat. This new and unexpected engagement however, was something completely different.

Whereas before they had easily outnumbered the enemy, this time it appeared as if the Reborn King had sent every soldier he had out to fight. Even so, with the elves easily able to navigate such obstacles, the rocky terrain should have given an advantage to Lousis' men. Only it wasn't working out that way. The positioning and adjustments of the enemy was uncanny.

“Fall back, Your Highness,” shouted one of his guards. “They’re coming again.”

But Lousis knew there could be no retreat. He could hear the clashing of steel close behind him. Their right side had collapsed and they had been flanked. To go back would only put him in greater danger.

“Then let them come!” he yelled.

It was almost with a feeling of relief when he saw that the soldiers bearing down on them were clad in the typical armor of Angrääl. The native barbarians also fighting for the Reborn King wore animal skins and carried giant axes or swords as long as a man. Their savagery had already gained them a fearsome reputation.

His guard took the brunt of the assault. The sound of steel clashing on steel, together with the crazed shouting of the combatants, combined to create a deafening demonic symphony. Hard as Lousis' guard fought, it wasn't long before two enemy soldiers slipped through the line and ran straight for the king.

He gripped his sword and broadened his stance. The first attacker to reach him swung his blade in a high arc, threatening to split him in twain. But it was a clumsy movement. Lousis had time to step aside and ram his shoulder into the man, sending him stumbling to the ground. Without hesitation, the king then crouched low and was just in time to thrust his sword straight into the second onrushing attacker’s gullet. 

He spun to finish off the first soldier, but one of his own men had already stepped back and plunged a knife into his neck. The king gave the guard a quick nod of thanks, but there was no time for him to return the gesture. Inch by inch they were losing ground. Three more Angrääl soldiers forced their way through and came after Lousis.

Furiously, the king fought to keep them at bay. The flashing of blades and loud grunting of men straining every sinew to gain an advantage was growing ever more intense. Again and again the enemy pressed Lousis back, several times finding his flesh and opening shallow wounds.

Using his superior experience and sheer adrenaline to outmaneuver his foes, he did his best to ensure that only one soldier at a time could get through to him on the rock strewn ground, and then only with the opportunity to attack directly from the front. This tactic was working for now, though he knew they would find a way of getting behind him soon enough. Either that, or more of them would break through and simply overwhelm him. Continuing like this was merely delaying the inevitable.

Well, I’ll take at least some of them with me,
he told himself.

Abandoning all further attempts at mere defense, Lousis lunged forward, slashing down hard. There was a moment of grim satisfaction when his blade cut deep into an enemy thigh, but almost immediately after that, a loud hiss of pain escaped his mouth as cruel steel pierced his armor and cut into his ribs. This had been expected though. Fighting through the pain, he pushed himself further forward. The soldier who had struck him was now too close to use his sword again and was scrambling back. In his haste, he stumbled on a small rock. This was all the invitation Lousis needed. His blade swiftly took the man's head.

In a flash, the third enemy moved in, stabbing hard at Lousis' chest. But fortune was with the king. He twisted sideways, and the point of the blade merely glanced off his breastplate. His armored elbow then shot out and smashed into his attacker's mouth, sending blood and teeth flying.  Roaring with battle lust, he drew his dagger and sank it into the soldier's sword arm.

He glanced over his shoulder to see where the first man he had wounded was, only to find that he had now backed away, to be replaced by five more Angrääl troops racing into the attack.

Snarling, Lousis removed the head of the third soldier while he was still staggering about and clutching at his profusely bleeding sword arm. He then glared at the five new aggressors closing in on him.
So ends King Lousis
, he thought. He began to laugh.
I should have never made it this far anyway.
Raising his sword high, he charged forward to meet his fate, the name of his queen springing forth loud and clear.

“Selena!”

He had taken only a few paces when searing heat suddenly hit Lousis dead in the face, bringing him to an abrupt halt. Just ahead, flames exploded from the earth, engulfing all five of the advancing Angrääl soldiers and yet more of the enemy behind them. Their screams of agony overcame even the desperate clamor of battle. Some victims began running wildly around in circles, while others were rolling on the ground in futile attempts to extinguish the flames.

Gasping from his exertions, Lousis scanned the area. It took him a moment, but eventually he spotted Mohanisi walking toward him.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Do not thank me yet,” Mohanisi replied. “The enemy is still at our back. The left flank is holding, and the desert elves are reinforcing the right. But the day is far from over. Luckily, they have not yet unleashed their explosive bolts, but I suspect they do not want to risk killing too many of their own men. Once we re-establish the
lines, that may change.”

Lousis could see several deep gashes in the elf’s armor, but thankfully no blood. “Suggestions?” he asked.

“First of all, I need to get you clear of the battle.” He looked to where the king’s guard were still fighting. Some had been killed, but the ball of fire had taken a deal of the spirit from the Angrääl soldiers. They were now giving ground.

“Help them,” ordered the king. “They risk their lives to protect me.”

Mohanisi thought to object, but could see that Lousis was determined. Holding out his hand, he caused a threatening wall of flames to hover immediately above the battling men. This terrified the enemy still more, driving them back at an even faster rate. In a flash, Mohanisi made the fire descend, so creating a barrier between the guard and the Dark Knight's soldiers.

“Protect your king!” he shouted.

The guard responded immediately and ran toward their monarch. Once they reached Lousis, Mohanisi led them to the rear. As they moved along, Lousis could see desert elves pouring in from the left and center.

“If they can clear out the enemy and reform the lines, we will last the day,” Mohanisi remarked. “But we cannot sustain many more assaults.”

The healing tents and the area surrounding them had not been breached. For this mercy at least, the king was grateful. “They surprised us,” he said. “But that will not happen again.”

The only people within this relatively calm area were the wounded and the healers. All others were battling in the fray. Guilt gripped Lousis. He should be fighting with his people.

“You must stay alive,” insisted Mohanisi, as if hearing his thoughts. “Your soldiers need you.” He gave the king a sideways grin. “And I promised your wife that you would return safely.”

Very little news came from the lines, but as dusk approached, the stream of wounded began to significantly lessen. Once Mohanisi was confident that the enemy would not again threaten the rear, he left to join the healers. He tried to persuade Lousis to go with him, but the king flat out refused. “I am not so hurt that I need healing,” he stated emphatically. “If I cannot fight, I will at least be here in open view so that my people know I am still with them.”

The explosions Lousis was dreading to hear, never came. They had some of their own explosive bolts that had been captured in both the west and in Baltria, but the supply was fairly limited. It had been decided that they would only be used as a means to cover their retreat, should it come to that.

As the sun sank below the horizon, the sounds of battle faded away to virtually nothing. Only the cries of the injured and laments
of those mourning the fallen could be heard above the howling of the stiff north wind.

Lousis was greatly relieved when he at first spotted Lord Chiron riding in from the front. But his relief quickly turned to concern on realizing that the elf had been badly hurt. His left leg was soaked with blood that still seeping from a heavy wound to his lower body. Also, his arm on the opposite side was hanging limply down.

“A hard day,” called Chiron. His forced smile turned into a grimace when he pulled on the reins with one hand to halt his horse. “Perhaps tomorrow will be better.”

“Go to the healers,” commanded Lousis. “Or you may not see tomorrow.”

Chiron looked down at his bloody trousers. “Oh, it’s not as bad as it looks. A misstep on my part. I should look after my people.”

Lousis’ face hardened. “You will do as I say. If you don’t, I will send for Lady Bellisia. I’m certain she will have a way of convincing you.”

Chiron sighed. “As you wish, Your Highness.” He pointed to Lousis' own injuries. “But you will accompany me. You have neglected yourself long enough.”

“Very well.”

Lousis grabbed the halter of Chiron’s horse and led it toward the healers. On approaching, they saw Bellisia standing squarely in front of the biggest tent, one hand planted on her hip, the other wrapped firmly around her staff.

“It looks as though she’s been waiting for us,” remarked Chiron with a boyish smile. “I think I will tell her that you would not allow me to come earlier.”

Lousis laughed. “So you would have me suffer her wrath alone? And I thought you were my friend.”

“Even friendship has its limits.”

Both men burst into laughter.

“And what is there to be so cheerful about?” Bellisia scolded. She motioned for two attendants to help Chiron down from his saddle.

“We live to fight again,” Lousis replied, though with less humor. “For now, that is enough.”

Ignoring his words, she quickly examined them both. “Take Lord Chiron inside. I can treat King Lousis here.”

“I will join you when I can,” said Chiron as the attendants led him away.

Knowing that she needed to conserve her strength as much as possible, Bellisia did not attempt to heal Lousis completely. However, she did do enough to close up his wounds and stop any further bleeding. Lousis thanked her and retired to his tent.

Once there, he stripped off his armor and put on a fresh shirt and pants. Shortly after that, just as he sat down at a small table, his commanders began to report in. The enemy had pulled back the moment the sun started to set. It was assumed they didn’t want to engage elf fighters in the dark and lose their advantage. The right flank, once reinforced, had held fast and even gained ground, but the losses were terrible.

It was fully dark when Chiron returned from the healers. He looked remarkably restored, and had fully recovered the use of his right arm. As soon as he sat down, he produced a flask of brandy and pushed it across the table.

“A final drink for a doomed man?” joked Lousis. 

“Maybe,” he replied. “But then again, we might live one more day.”

Lousis took a long drink. The sweet taste of the elf brandy soothed his parched throat and relaxed his tense muscles. “If the only thing we learn from your people is how to make this, I would be happy.” He handed the flask back. “And as you think we might live to see another day, I hope you have more of it.”

Chiron took a drink and sighed. “Only enough for one more night, I’m afraid.”

“Then survive we must.”

After they had finished the brandy, Chiron could see that his friend was weary and in need
of rest. He rose to excuse himself, but just as he was about to leave, a messenger entered and handed the king a folded parchment. As Lousis read, his face became dour.

“The enemy commander wishes to speak with me,” he said.

“Where?” asked Chiron.

“Here. He asks if I will grant him safe conduct to and from our camp.”

“He cannot be serious.”

“It would appear that he is.” He handed Chiron the note.

After reading it carefully, the elf elder tossed it onto the table. “It must be a ploy. More than likely he will send an assassin in his stead.”

Lousis' eyes narrowed “I doubt it. He would know that I am well protected, and will take extra precautions. Besides, killing me under a flag of truce could possibly galvanize the soldiers and make the fight that much harder for him.”

“Then why?”

“I think he just wants to see my face before he destroys me.”