Chapter 10: Mortesen's Battle
Nymph looked toward the rising sun. She had shape-shifted into a hedgehog and dressed as a castle servant, hiding her face with the sweet beauty of a glamour. Nobody questioned her. One of the soldiers from Atlantis saw her step cautiously onto the dock and hold out a box as though not sure how to give it to him.
"Are you offering that to me, maid?" he asked.
Nymph bit her lip, a little blush touching the creamy fur of her cheeks. "The Royal family is grateful for your people's aid. They sent me with this gift for your king and queen."
"I will see that it is delivered to them," the soldier said, accepting it.
He mistook her pleased smile as a harmless one. The malice didn't truly show itself until she turned away, feet rapping on the boards as she purposefully walked back toward the castle. When she reached the teleportation pavilion, Nymph gave a peculiar cough and then bobbed a curtsy to the king's brother before hurrying off in the direction of the beach.
Rakar's lips pulled upward. Atlantis would be in mourning before long.
Athena helped Mortesen into his armor, not saying anything as he stood there in front of the mirror. When the king started helping her with hers, she felt his fingers pause then begin stroking her quills in a gentle, nostalgic way. A deep sigh dragged out of his chest.
"Athena, you're so strong, but I… I've never…"
"You think I'm strong?" His wife turned to take his face in her hands so that they were looking into each other's eyes. "How many times have you comforted me when I cried? How many times have you held me when things went wrong? Without you I would be a husk of the person I am. You have always been my strength."
He quirked a smile that vanished almost immediately. "If I have ever been strong, it was always because of your influence, love. You've always pulled out the best in me and I can't stand the thought of losing you. Please. Don't go out there."
"If you go, I go."
"I can't stay behind."
"Neither can I."
Without warning he pulled her close. Kisses born of eternal devotion passed between them, overshadowed by the knowledge that the battle would begin in hours. And battles always had casualties. He prayed she wouldn't be one of them.
They had already lingered as long as they could. Three times messages had come saying the troops were prepared to move into position, only waiting on the king's presence. Mortesen finally left, heading off to join the captains in the Royal Hall one last time, but as she stepped out of her chamber a minute later, she was surprised to find two people there. Eliza stood in the hallway, glancing sidelong at Benonic and yet trying not to seem as though that's what she was doing.
"Queen Athena," the pink hedgehog started, pulling herself up straight. "There is a woman in the king's study. She said she wanted to speak with you privately."
This sounded odd, but she followed Eliza there without comment and her adopted son trailed two steps behind. On entering the room, she recognized the one waiting for her.
"Lini?"
The former slave dropped to her knees in a bow so low that her forehead nearly touched the tiled floor. She had opted to wear a long, yellow dress which made her both proud and embarrassed to be garbed in something so high above her station.
"Please, we've been through this several times," Athena sighed, taking her by the hand. "A curtsy is enough. Did you need something?"
Once Lini was on her feet, she timidly indicated a queen chess piece on the map. "You will be…here?"
"Yes. The center is the safest place and Mortesen wouldn't agree to any other position for me."
The magenta fox stared silently for a time, one hand reaching up to touch her bare throat. Finally she whispered, "If you are there when the sun sets, you will die."
The Rofakians were on the east side of the valley, crossing in a slow surge like a mudslide. In the west, Gardford's standard waved above the heads of ferrets, weasels, squirrels, chipmunks and stoats. They came forward in a double-wedge maneuver, inviting the Coizards to come meet the first small ranks of soldiers, but they knew doing so would cause them to be overwhelmed by those behind. The defenders continued to hold firm, not budging from their stations by the trees.
There were a series of noticeable disturbances every so often as the opposing armies encountered deep furrows and trenches along the valley floor. They were forced to climb down, then climb up the other side. And since the shallowest ones were waist-deep, it took time for fully-armored soldiers to get across. It broke the Gardfordian formations, especially their solid blocks of spearmen.
Mortesen watched. His eyes turned westward, noting how late the day was getting. Why had their enemies waited so long before attacking? It was nearly six in the afternoon. There were only a couple hours of full daylight left. He knew many species they faced were nocturnal by nature, but not all of them. What sort of plan did Lugius and Martharine have?
At least the Coizards had been able to effectively use the time bought by blocking the Bantam River. The water channels were ready, and already the foremost lines had reached his men. The king of Coxium took the mirror from his saddlebag, saying, "King Posiden."
Instantly the merhog stared at him from the other side. "Is it time?"
"Yes."
"Very well. Let the tide rise!" he shouted to other merhogs out of sight.
This was a serious gamble. They had been unable to test this plan. As it was, the Gardford-Rofakian army could only see long pits dug into the ground—ones easy enough to cross and were therefore no real threat. It would be completely unexpected and possibly be just the advantage they needed to win against superior numbers. If it worked correctly.
Seawater filled the two trenches, each almost three miles long, sweeping forward with a frightening speed. The merhogs certainly knew how to make a wave wash inland. Enemy soldiers hurried to clamber out and those behind were reluctant to cross now, but their lieutenants urged them forward with curses and threats. The next group who tried to ford it suddenly found themselves facing a cluster of abalone spearheads. Arrows designed to pierce the hides of sharks plunged among them, ripping through thick armor and felling—if not permanently injuring—their victims.
But one thing no one had accounted for was the mud. Loose earth stirred up and created a thick soup that made it next to impossible for the merhogs to stay underwater. It was like trying to breathe in smoke. They had no choice but to stay on the surface, which made them vulnerable to attacks. At least the frond-like pattern of the channels made it easy for them to slip between ranks, attack and then retreat.
Thanks to the information Athena gleaned from Lini, they knew the magic-users would primarily be kept behind the first few ranks of soldiers, and at a certain signal they would fly forward in a blitz assault meant to overwhelm and devastate their enemies, then fall back to wait for the next opportunity. It was a deadly and extremely effective tactic Lugius had utilized quite well since landing. Lightning and fire would spread out in terrifying waves, the earth and tree roots rising up to attack, and even the soldiers' own shadows throttled them. No one could stand against a magical storm of that magnitude.
With the entire force split into three uneven sections by the water channels, the magic-users were left completely exposed to the merhogs. They took full advantage of the surprise, remembering Mortesen's concerns that these were drugged Coizards who were not fully aware of their actions.
Archers located them and targeted the handlers. Within minutes a third of the slaves were standing beside their dead masters, unable to use magic and not sure what to do.
One merhog had an idea and called out to a hedgehog who stood there, completely lost. "You, slave! I will be your master now. Come over here."
Obediently the slave unwrapped his leash from the dead Rofakian's arm and went to the water. The merhog swiftly carried him downstream and left him on the main riverbank with orders to wait there. Others followed his example, coaxing the slaves away from the battle and out of harm's way. In this manner most of them were rescued.
Because of the loss of so many magic-users, the blitz attack only was able to occur four times on the front lines. Though it threw the Coizards into disarray, it was not disastrous and they were able to rally within a short time.
Magic was not solely used by the enemies either. Thanks to the spread of useful techniques and strategies, even the Coizards who were weaker in magic were able to find ways to defend themselves. Tiny explosions of fire in one's face startled the most stalwart soldiers, others tripped over spikes of rock that hadn't been there a second earlier, and electric shocks traveled along swords, making their owners' hands go numb. The Nature-wielders sent out flurries of leaves with razor-keen edges as Wind-wielders made whorls that carried dust to blind their attackers.
But despite the split armies and element of surprise, the Gardford-Rofakian army was clearly far more disciplined and experienced. Captains and lieutenants steered their forces away from the water, pressing westward where there were no trenches. Lightning-users sent electricity into the water, killing merhogs by the dozen, and Earth-users shoved dirt in so that the soldiers could cross safely.
Mortesen could see the left flank of Gardfordians bulging out as they sought to go around and rejoin the front ranks who were engaged directly with Coizards. It was his responsibility to keep that from happening. Motioning to a blue rabbit, the king gave orders and sent him off.
The runner carried Mortesen's message as fast as he could, reaching the trees half a mile away in just under a minute. He found the deer lieutenant in charge of the mounted forces and saluted.
"The king says you're to send half the cavalry out at the sign of the red flare."
The deer nodded wordlessly, pulling out a covered bucket and calling for his riders to mount. While they obeyed, he went along the line of Kodom lizards, handing out what looked like fur cut into long strips. They were tied to the harnesses, and immediately the lizards began to toss their heads and claw at the earth. Some champed their teeth and made angry noises.
The runner stared in surprise. "I've never seen Kodom lizards act like that. They're always so gentle."
"It's the pelts," a soldier behind him laughed. "Burrow wights are the natural enemies of Kodom lizards. The smell drives them crazy. Don't get too close or you might end up losing a limb."
The rabbit backed off a healthy distance, watching warily as each lizard pranced beneath the weight of two riders armed with spears. Then a red light went streaking into the sky. The lieutenant shouted, making the whole line of twitching reptiles jerk forward. They charged onto the open field, searching for the burrow wights with wild eyes.
Thankfully they were still compliant to the guiding hands of their riders, allowing themselves to be led directly into the rear of the Gardfordian flank. Suddenly faced with the scent of blood and sharp weapons, all the rage building inside the lizards came out in a savage explosion of teeth, claws and warbling cries.
Attacked on two fronts, confusion turned to hysteria. No one wanted to face the giant reptiles or fight with their backs to them. The mounted soldiers laid about with their spears, cutting down men with swift thrusts. One Gardfordian near the edge ran back toward the main army, then two more followed. Others saw them and broke formation too, leaving their comrades' backs undefended. The panic spread until almost all of them were in flight. Those who remained either fought in a suicidal rage or threw down their weapons.
The cavalry hurried back to the trees before a new, more organized force of Gardfordians came out to protect their shattered flank. Those who surrendered were immediately taken captive and ushered off the field to a holding camp.
Mortesen breathed a sigh of relief. The first wave had been repulsed. If not for the suggestion of a stable boy who took care of the lizards, they would have been poorly suited for this attack. As it was, the scent of a burrow wight had been perfect to make them aggressive enough to rival warhorses. This had never been done before, though. No one knew how long the lizards would put up with the scent.
He turned his eyes toward the sun again, growing nervous once more. Not long before dark. At least the merhogs wouldn't have trouble, but he needed a way for his forces to see. He called another runner, sending him with a message for all Light-wielders in his contingent to fall back and prepare to create orbs of light as soon as darkness started to fall.
Lugius stroked Tar'Valon's cheek without looking at her, feeling heat of a blush creeping beneath her skin. She kept the shadows wrapped around their small group, making them perfectly invisible as they moved past enemy lines.
"Well done, Beautiful. Maybe once this battle is over and we're able to relax in the castle, I'll have you dance for me."
The green and tan cat had been an Aes'Sedai once, and the first time he watched her dance with shadows and sing, that haunting melody had lit a fire inside him… He'd felt how incredibly strong she was in Darkness and what a waste her talents had been put to as an entertainer. Besides, the week before another one of his pets had been taken to the "seclusion camp" for wilders with child and he needed a replacement.
She had been difficult—not like most of his pets who were raised in Rofaki and learned to bend properly to the will of those who held their leashes. Even as an Aes'Sedai slave, Tar'Valon was accustomed to a certain amount of freedom, and her expectations after being bought by a king were much different from what she was given. Being collared caused her to devolve into a wretched, miserable thing for over two months, but he refused to make the task easier by dosing her with an addling potion.
This cat was his favorite because she'd been by far the most challenging, but he'd still tamed her in the end. He fully trusted her with his life.
The center of the Coizard formation was just ahead. He'd been observing their movements all afternoon, finally pinpointing the most likely place from where King Mortesen was directing his forces. It had been simple to skirt the rings of "moonlight" created by Light-wielders, but though he knew his objective, every time he came close to a particularly strong magic-user Lugius could not pass up the opportunity. He'd knock the soldier unconscious with a fist of Wind to the back of the head and collar him, wholly unnoticed in the confusion. There would be time to come fetch them later, but he didn't want to risk any of the best getting themselves killed because they were fighting a losing battle.
Sounds of weapons clashing faded slightly. They were past the rearmost rank of Coizards, leaving no one between him and the army's commanders. The jackal saw someone coming from behind and stepped aside with his three pets as another runner went by with information. After a pause, he slipped forward, following the trail.
Kill the king, conquer the country. It was simple. Without leadership the army would dissolve into a chaotic mess, easily picked apart by his men and Martharine's.
They found their quarry within a couple minutes. More than ten soldiers were clustered around a table covered with maps. They murmured in low voices, moving clusters of stones that represented different forces on the battlefield.
"The merhogs had to retreat because the middle of their channel was blocked, but the captain told me they plan to send a new wave in a few minutes. That should clear the path."
"Good," a woman said clearly, full authority in her voice. "I've been worried about that. See to it that the enemy Lightning-wielders are pushed back to give the merhogs room to breathe. I want more of those handlers dead in the next attack. They're too elusive. They must be disguising themselves somehow and getting close without being seen."
Lugius nearly cursed aloud when he realized it was not King Mortesen. But then a crown glinted in the lamplight and he realized he'd found Queen Athena. Smiling at his good fortune, he slowly made his way behind her. The short, thin figure at her side (a bodyguard perhaps?) kept scanning the area, more than once looking back almost directly at them, but he never appeared to see past their Shadow Cloak.
They were within a dozen feet of her when he placed a hand on his pet hedgehog's shoulder, signaling that it was her task. The masked glow of Fire magic coated Cinder's hands, ready to kill the queen who stood there, oblivious to her impending death.
Then the earth dropped out from beneath their feet!
The girls cried out in alarm even as he shouted for them to do something—but he lost grip on his magic and it caused their collars to tighten, preventing them from using it. The ground sealed above them and their voices went silent.
Everyone darted forward to protect their queen, but no attack came. Athena took several deep breaths, trying to slow her wild hearts. It had been frightening to set herself up as bait this way, but Lini's warning possibly kept her from being murdered. Benonic's knives were still drawn. He'd been ready to kill the assassins if the trap hadn't sprung soon enough.
"Lini, how deep is the hole?" Athena called out into the darkness, just beyond a stand of cottonwood trees. When there was no answer, she started to grow concerned. "Lini? Are you out there?"
Benonic hurried to place where Lini told them she would hide, but though he detected her scent, she had not been there in more than an hour. He followed it, finding the entrance to a tunnel she'd made earlier so that they could access the trap if anyone fell into it. But the entrance was blocked by a single face of solid rock. Athena stopped behind him, staring in disbelief.
"No… She didn't…"
Farrell. She was doing this for him. He would be alive now if it weren't for the king and his ambition to take over Cosium. Queen Athena told her she was brave. From now on she would be. No matter how hard it was, she had to be strong.
Lini felt footsteps above her. There were several and they crept slowly toward Athena from behind. She knew it was him. He had been training her to do this very thing alongside his other pets: slip in under a Shadow Cloak and assassinate anyone in a position of authority.
The brittle surface cracked beneath their weight. Rubble flowed down into her self-made cave, carrying four people along with it, then she closed the ceiling to prevent them from escaping. The only light came from her hands and she was able to see Lugius lying there, tangled among the leashes as they all tried to figure out what happened. He managed to help Elmindreda, the bobcat Lightning-user, to her feet. Tar'Valon was alright too, but Cinder's leg had been hurt in the fall and she couldn't stand. The king removed her leash from his wrist, reassuring his pet that he'd get a healer soon.
Then he laid eyes on the one who had set the trap. "Lini?!"
"Lini is free," the magenta fox said, her voice barely above a whisper. Remembering Farrell again gave her the strength to continue. "Master will never be able to leave this place. It was made to be your grave."
The king of Rofaki looked around, noting that there seemed to be no exit. The walls were perfectly smooth, not so much as a hint of where the door out could be. His tone grew soft, tempting.
"Come now, Lini. You've known the truth since you were a child. This 'freedom' you think you have is an illusion. Where will you go? What will you do? And how do you think everyone will look at you when they find out where you are from and what you have done? You will become a victim of your own fears." He opened the satchel that hung diagonally across his chest, taking out one of many collars he'd brought and holding it toward her. "This is where you belong. I can take away all the unpleasant choices. Don't you remember how easy it was for you?"
"Lini remembers." A hand had reached up to cover her cheek. "She remembers being afraid, and because of that you slapped her. Lini will never go back to you."
He paused, then what looked like regret flashed across his face. "Sometimes we hurt those we care for very much. We make mistakes. I made one that night and I have wanted to fix it ever since. You have made mistakes too. I'm sure you understand."
Her resolve seesawed dangerously between the way she'd been trained and her newborn ability to make decisions.
"I know it can be hard, Lini, but being collared kept you safe and secure. Your life was simple and everything you could ever need was given to you. Have you known a single moment of peace since you left?"
She wavered, not realizing he had been inching forward all this time. Her eyes fastened on the collar, pulled to it as his voice guided her thoughts like a snake-charmer with a snake. He understood the turmoil and confusion that always hung over her, so often making Lini cry bitterly in secret. Maybe…maybe he was right after all…
"You didn't really want me to die trapped down here. You wanted to see me again, didn't you? Why else would you have waited in this place all alone without any defense?"
Now the black jackal was nearly close enough to reach out and touch her, but he refrained. It was too risky to startle her. He wanted her to voluntarily return. His Element and those of his pets were no use getting out of here, so the only way to escape was by using her.
"Come back, Beautiful," he murmured, coaxing gently as he extended his fingers to her just a little. "You can be mine again, this time forever. Let me love you and you'll see."
His words reminded her of Farrell. He'd warned that Lugius would use her until he grew tired of her.
Lini's eyes flashed and her resolve tightened once more. "If you truly love your pets then why do you call them by your wife's name? What happened to all the others you have had? How many of them did you promise to love 'forever'?"
In the pale light she saw the other girls' eyes widen with painful realization as their master stood stiffly, unable to find an answer. Cinder and Elmindreda started to cry—forced to face the truth they never wanted to admit to themselves—but Tar'Valon only looked blank.
Blue light flared over Lugius's hands and a solid club of Wind struck Lini in the side of her head. She felt herself flung to the ground, the whole world a mass of white and blue sparks that faded in and out of the darkness. When her eyes were finally able to focus, she saw him over her. A snarl had transformed him into a beastlike creature, fangs bared and fur bristling.
The fox shook, terrified. How could she have been so foolish? Did she really think he would quail in front of her or hang his head in shame just because she was free? He had complete power over her even when there was no leash. She shielded her neck before he could put the collar on her.
"You are a slave and nothing more!" the king growled. "Whether you submit or if I have to force you, the end will be the same. You will be mine, you little—!"
The words he bellowed at her were vulgar, making Lini shrink back. Invisible binds of Wind yanked her hands away and he placed the collar around her throat, the snarl turning into a wicked, triumphant grin. Tears coursed down her cheeks.
"Stop that!" he shouted, collar still poised to snap shut.
But then Lini realized he wasn't talking to her. His head was turned toward Tar'Valon…whose hands glowed deep purple. Black tendrils had wrapped around his wrists and torso, keeping him motionless.
"I said release me."
"No more," the cat said, an undertone of stubbornness there. "Tar'Valon was happy once. She loved to sing and dance, and she dreamed of being free someday. Ever since you bought her, that dream shattered. She—I—will no longer live this way. If I must die to finally be rid of you, so be it."
Lugius couldn't move to take her leash from his wrist, so he let go of his magic to cut her off from hers. Darkness descended over the little cave, then there was an infuriated scream. Lini used the distraction to roll out of reach. Sounds of a struggle echoed through the black, then the king gagged as though he was being choked. His rattling breaths were far too loud, then they stopped completely. The sudden silence was frightening.
Lini took hold of her magic, the earthy glow illuminating enough to see him sprawled on the ground, his own knife jammed through the collar bone and partly into his chest. It was a surprise to see that Tar'Valon hadn't been responsible. She lay several feet away, just beginning to sit up with a deep bruise near her temple. Blood stained the young bobcat's hands instead. Her eyes met Lini's, tears continuing to spill down.
"Elmindreda was always scared of him too," she said as well as she could between whimpers. "She knew he was lying all along. But what could she do? He would have taken what he wanted even if she refused. Pretending to love him made it…easier."
The magenta fox swallowed before going over to them, using her Earth magic to crack their collars. They waited, furtive eyes glancing at the jackal who had violated them countless times. The girls had no idea what to do with themselves now, not even Tar'Valon.
"Come with me," she said with an authority she didn't feel. Lini helped Cinder stand, supporting her so that the injured leg didn't take any weight. "I can take you to a safe place."
A portion of the stone wall dissolved, leading them from the king's crypt and into a world of alarming but long-coveted liberty.
The lady-in-waiting, Carla, sat upon a roan mare that had been taken from an abandoned farm, watching over the battlefield from a high position in the rear. She resisted the urge to massage the side of her head. The queen never would have done so in front of her subjects.
"Keep our soldiers from splitting off to the west. They must stay together," she said in Martharine's voice.
"My Queen," the leader of one House said with a trace of concern, "it may be advantageous for our men to go around the merhogs and come at the Coizards from a different angle."
"No. Separating from Lugius's forces makes us too vulnerable. We outnumber them. Breaking into pieces will weaken us and the Coizards will…"
She stopped, unable to avoid putting a hand to her forehead. The headache had been growing worse all day, now so severe that Carla had difficulty focusing. Perhaps the transformation potion was not meant to be used for such a long period of time.
But if she could just last an hour longer, it would mean the success of Lord Rakar's carefully-laid plan to destroy the Gardfordian army without any of them understanding until it was too late. Then the Houses would be crippled without their soldiers, leaving the peasantry free of their overbearing rule. With no military force to impose their will, the nobles would be stripped of power and reduced to figureheads. That was a worthy goal to her.
"My Queen, are you well?"
She snapped upright, bracelets jangling as she assumed Martharine's countenance once more. "I am capable of directing this battle, Lord Felltree. Do not assume a mere headache will incapacitate me."
"I am only being mindful of your health," he hurried to assure her. "Ever since this morning you have looked strained and you seem moreso now. I worry you are overtaxing yourself."
"My stamina will outlast yours!" Carla snapped, jerking the horse's reins so that the animal mouthed the bit irritably. "This battle is too important for me to leave in the hands of—"
Pounding swelled behind her eyes, forcing the false queen to shut them tight. An anguished cry escaped her mouth and she drooped in the saddle. Several House nobles leaped forward, helping her to lie flat on the ground. Unveiled pain covered her face as she clutched her head and gave a moaning sob.
"He lied to me…" she whispered too low for anyone to catch.
Carla lost consciousness, then several minutes later her heart ceased beating. The potion's effects melted away, leaving every noble and general to stare at a brown ferret in stupefaction.
"Who is she?"
"The queen's servant, I think."
"Where is Queen Martharine?"
They stared at one another, not sure if this was some other test orchestrated in secret by their liege or if Carla had killed and replaced her. One House leader excused himself, rushing toward the men under his direct command. Within moments the others realized he was trying to take control of the battle. If he won the victory, he would be within legal rights of claiming the throne afterward.
The remaining nobles dashed away, determined not to let themselves be outmaneuvered. Carla's body lay on the earth, adorned with Martharine's dress and bracelets. Nobody thought to mourn her.
No one suspected this reaction was part of a plan. Rakar's knowledge of their mistrust in each other worked in his favor. A divided army could only win a battle by accident, and things were going badly for the invaders already.
In Atlantis…
Sapphire watched her mother accept the beautiful box from a servant. The seven-year-old princess swam closer, reaching out to feel the wood and marveling at the strange way it felt compared to clamshell boxes.
"Is it really made out of a tree?" she asked, continuing to stroke the side.
"I'm sure it is. We don't have many land-baubles, do we?" Queen Marissa laughed. She slowly opened it to see the contents. "A necklace and an armband. I suppose that one is a gift for your father."
"Mama, can I wear the necklace? Please?" the little merhog begged, her fingers sneaking toward the bright, teardrop-shaped ruby.
She was within a quarter-inch of it when her mother sighed and pulled it away. The box closed with a muffled, underwater snap.
"It's polite to wait until your father returns. Half of this is for him, after all, and it's not good manners to play with someone else's gift the day they receive it. Perhaps tomorrow. You can have the box if you like, Saph-fish," the woman smiled, hugging her around the shoulders to show that she didn't hold her daughter's eagerness against her.
"But Daddy might not be back for hours and hours! Can't you just try it on real quick? You can put it back again and he'll never know!" Sapphire's eyes sparkled.
The merhog queen set the box down on a carved shelf of her bedroom, but her hands still rested on the wood as though reluctant to let go.
"Well… I suppose it's alright."
The necklace slipped out and Sapphire swam in tight circles, giggling excitedly. Marissa clasped it behind her neck and looked into the mirror. Pride and admiration filled her eyes. It was the most lovely jewel she had ever seen—clear and vibrant, almost lit with an inner flame.
Marissa swayed, covering her face with the onset of severe dizziness. Something didn't feel right. The fingers that had touched the jewel felt limp and her chest had gone numb, making it harder to breathe.
"Mama, what's happening to you?!"
Her eyes went back to the mirror and she froze. Blisters had appeared on her fur directly touching the necklace, a terrifying shade of red. Marissa tried to scream as she realized what this was, but something had already begun to close on her throat. Her muscles started to jerk, sending waves of lightning along her bones.
"Mama!" Sapphire cried, holding onto her arm as the queen collapsed to the floor, shaking and twitching. "Help! Anybody!"
A dozen servants piled into the room, all trying to find out what was wrong. But Marissa knew they could do nothing. It was rhapsor oil—the deadliest poison known to merhogs. The numbness was only on the surface. Fire now spread from the place where the ruby touched, forcing her heart to pound harder as her gills struggled for air.
Marissa was suffocating!
As she lay on the floor surrounded by faces, one stood out as much as the terrified eyes of her daughter, unnoticed by anyone else. In the mirror she could see someone laughing… someone she had once called a friend… someone she had falsely accused of betraying her… someone whose present torment was Marissa's fault…
Nymph's cackle was silent, but she grinned at Marissa's increasing agony as the merhog thrashed on the floor of her bedchamber. One hand clawed at the necklace, managing to rip it off before a new flood of intolerable pain swept over her body and a shrill scream finally made its way out.
Sapphire clung tightly to her, crying for her mother over and over. The minutes dragged on until at last Queen Marissa's body stopped its violent shuddering and stilled forever. Then the arms of her nursery-maid folded around her. Sapphire's tearless sobs shook every fiber of her being, all thoughts devastated and self-blaming.
"I asked her to wear it! It's all my fault, Nanny!"
"Sapphire, you did not poison her," the old merhog said, stroking her quills. "You bear no guilt in this. Do you see that armband in the box? If your mother had waited, both she and your father would have died. The Trident still sings his name. He lives."
The princess turned her gaze to the three-pronged weapon in the corner of her parents' chamber. He'd purposely left it behind to reassure his family of his well-being. It remained bright gold, untarnished. Yes, he was alive. That at least was one thing she still had.
But her mother…her beautiful, perfect mama…
Sapphire's wail of grief nearly broke the hearts of those who heard it echo throughout the palace.
Mortesen accepted the message from a runner and read it quickly. "My brother's troops are being pushed back and he thinks Athena may be in danger too." He paused. "I want four units to break off and go to their assistance."
At his side Lieutenant Horatio gaped. "But Sire—that's over five hundred troops you're sending away! That leaves you with barely three hundred soldiers here. What if they try to flank us again?"
"We'll move inward and join forces with Captain Gawain. The main bulk of our enemies is in the center and we ought to focus our defenses there if we can."
Nothing could dissuade him from this decision, and five hundred men marched farther east to assist other troops. The first line of cavalry had to retreat because the Kodom lizards were growing overly violent and thereby unmanageable from being exposed to the scent of burrow wights for so long. A second group was brought forward, but Mortesen ordered them to attack the rearmost troops trying to skirt the merhog channels. Now they were nearly two miles away from his position and he could not follow their movements in the darkness, but they had a good lieutenant and he trusted they would take care of themselves.
"How long have we been out here, Lieutenant Horatio?" he wondered, feeling the pressure of many hours weighing down on him.
"I cannot say, Sire," the Light-wielding mink by his side said with a shrug. "It feels as though it ought to be daybreak soon, but I would not be surprised if it was barely past midnight."
He shook his head tiredly. "How many times have we repulsed the Gardfordians?"
"Eleven as of the last attack. They have no place to retreat thanks to the merhogs, so the rear ranks simply trade places with the front when they can. It's the only way they can regroup and they do it quickly, but each time it seems easier to repel them."
"They must be near the end of their strength," Mortesen sighed in relief. "But it's best not to let our guard down. We're vulnerable. Let's stay here a little longer to make sure there won't be another attack and then move inward. We should be grateful we aren't facing the Rofakians and their leashed magic-users."
The runner returned to Rakar a short time after with the news. Once he was sure the troops had been shifted into the main body of their army, he spoke to one of his personal lieutenants, entrusting the direction of his contingent to him.
The red-brown hedgehog slipped through the enemy ranks without being seen thanks to a Shadow Cloak. He stopped, coming across a dead captain. Kneeling down, he inspected the collie for several minutes. When he stood up again, no one could have detected a difference between him and the dead canine. Tying off the illusion using a sophisticated technique that kept it in place without needing to hold onto his magic, he went toward one of the more sheltered areas where some Rofakians were gathering to mobilize themselves for a new attack.
"My scouts and I have located the Coizard king. We'll be able to rid ourselves of him with a well-organized strike force," he told them.
The news was so exciting that no one suspected that he may not be one of their own. Rakar described the defenses on the southwest flank, saying there were only three hundred soldiers. A plan immediately took form. With the lizard-cavalry focused to the north, the path southward was clear as long as they were careful not to be spotted.
They followed the false captain to an empty segment of the waterway between two merhog bands. Using one of the wilders to create a temporary bridge of solid air, they crossed a few at a time. All thirty soldiers plus several handlers and their eight wilders made their way to the very edge of the battlefield, then the handlers conferred with each other in low voices to determine their strategy.
During their conversation, the "collie" stepped out of sight without anyone noticing.
Darren watched his brother disappear through the window, taking Grandmother Amuera's bracelet with him. The younger prince rubbed his wrist, missing it already.
Lying in bed and thinking about what could be happening out there only made him worry. After a little while he got out of bed and lit the lamp with a tinderbox. There was no going back to sleep now anyway, so he might as well occupy his mind with his notes. Or rather his uncle's notes.
Pulling the bundle of papers out of his desk's hidden compartment, Darren sat down, put on his glasses and flipped to a worn set of pages. Several times he went over the same passage that he'd been reading for days.
"Cosmos Diamonds have so much excess energy that it leaks out. The one who holds it absorbs most of this, but supposedly other members of the Royal family can as well to a lesser extent. This can enable them to utilize the phenomenon known as 'Chaos Control' under certain circumstances—far different from teleportation in its power to bend space and time. Not enough is known about it to fully determine the extent of its limitations or risks."
The ebony hedgehog sighed. This part wasn't hard. It was the next that seemed more confusing. Rakar's notes devolved into scribbles written in such a way that they seemed to have been jotted down while he was upset. The only explanation he'd been able to guess for this sudden change in Rakar's rigid, concise hand was that he discovered something personally unsettling about the information.
"Does it require a certain amount of Royal blood?" "Does constant exposure rather than occasional exposure make a difference?" "What does it feel like?" "Is a pure lineage crucial?"
Judging by the questions scrawled in the margins and partly-crossed out, Darren thought perhaps he might know the answer… It was possible Rakar had tried unsuccessfully to use "Chaos Control".
But there was another section that was not so much confusing as fascinating. He turned to a different page, red eyes taking on a glint of excitement as he read the words yet again and tried to imagine it.
"Unconfirmed records in the Academy archives describe a connection between Cosmos Diamonds and legends of the 'prime-class Elemental'. Years of influence and close contact with a Cosmos Diamond could cause the magic-user to becomean Elemental rather than summoning one. The last supposed occurrence was two generations ago during an attack on the Royal family of Emeralias. …Doubtful reports. If it was true my father ought to have been able to use it to defend himself and my mother."
Darren ignored the last sentence and the way it had been written with harsh, angry letters. What must it be like? Turning into an Elemental…?
The few dozen soldiers who were left crowded around Mortesen protectively, more than two hundred of their comrades scattered over the field and drenched with their own blood. The attack had come out of nowhere, decimating their forces within a single minute. If they'd even had ten seconds of warning—!
The first thing he'd done was grab the Atlantian mirror and shout Posiden's name, but he had to let go to avoid a streak of Lightning and it shattered on the ground.
Mortesen had drawn his sword, but stood there almost helpless against the barrage of arrows, spears and magic projectiles. He hardly knew any magical techniques, but he couldn't simply fade away and leave his men behind! Kicking up sand in a whirlwind, he tried to help, only to see it blasted apart by a different wind that spun in a perfectly opposite pattern. Recovering quickly, Mortesen tried again, but the same thing happened.
"Sire, go!" Horatio yelled, sending up another flare for help, but a great cloud of darkness hanging over the entire area blotted it out. He'd had to banish the light globe to keep from illuminating themselves as targets, but the darkness hardly seemed to hinder their enemies.
Mortesen shook his head. "I can't leave you!"
"We're dying for your sake!" he insisted as another pair of soldiers fell victim to a giant ball of red fire. "Don't make us regre—get down!"
Mortesen felt the mink bowl him over. He shoved himself back up, realizing the Light-wielder had taken an arrow shaft in place of his king. Suddenly remembering a skill one of the Wind-users had described, the black hedgehog made a blue sphere materialize around them in an attempt to shield the injured soldier. …But nothing could be done. Already there was no life in his friend's eyes.
"Horatio!" he cried out uselessly.
Mortesen gently lowered the body to the ground. His eyes swept the small clearing, seeing the last few Coizards fall beneath swords. Corpses littered the entire area. Loyal, good men who had died for him…
Fierce anger blistered inside, darker and deeper than anything he'd ever experienced in his entire life. Arrows beat against the barrier, only adding to his rage.
The blue Wind magic swirled as though agitated, glowing brighter until many of the soldiers had to turn away. An instant later it exploded, sending hundreds of glasslike shards in every direction. They sliced through armor and flesh, killing most of the Rofakians on impact.
But not all. Four wilders had hung back, protected by the trees. Their handlers grew cautious after they'd lost half their magic-users in an attack several minutes earlier by the remaining soldiers. One turned to the two slaves whose leashes he held.
"Greyling, Riyah, do either of you have enough energy to summon Elementals?"
His mongoose and the female tiger stood up straight, nodding vigorously. They were both from Rofaki, some of the strongest wilders left after the Coizards' escape. Greyling closed his eyes, focusing on all the Wind he had left, and something like smoke pooled in Riyah's hands.
A long, white snake with dozens of wings along its length appeared, arching its head and letting out a hiss that sent a blast of wind through the trees. The Dark-user was impressively strong, able to keep the dense, coal-like cloud covering the area while also summoning a creature like a black phoenix whose eyes fastened on Mortesen.
The two remaining wilders looked to their handlers, each of whom nodded. A creature like a cheetah took form, electricity traveling all over its body as it gave a loud growl. The final slave called upon every last scrap of his Fire which coalesced into a monstrous horned thing that vaguely resembled a bull.
The few Rofakian soldiers left backed away, knowing Elementals often accidentally killed allies who were too close. It was why they were so seldom used in the midst of a battle.
Mortesen turned to confront them, all the authority and power of his station reflected in his stature. No trace of his easy smile and relaxed disposition could be seen now. The king of Cosium tightened his fists, glaring at the Elementals who spat, hissed and growled as they advanced on him arrogantly. No one had ever survived against an attack from one, and here were four.
"I will not let myself be killed so easily."
Mortesen could feel his scepter miles away in the throne room. Not once since he'd become king had he tapped into the Cosmos Diamond's power. He hadn't even thought to use it the night he and Rakar adjusted the castle wards. But at this moment—faced with the deaths of so many who sacrificed their lives for him—Mortesen felt something swell inside, clawing to get out.
He freed it.
Light washed over his body, changing the fur golden, his markings standing out like bloody flames. When he opened his eyes again, the irises had turned violet and the world appeared to move a few heartbeats slower, allowing him to see everything before it happened.
The Wind-snake coiled, then shot forward with a flurry of many wings. Mortesen moved. One second he was directly in its path, the next he had grabbed hold of its tail, making it come to a sudden stop. A burst of air flattened everything in the clearing as it hissed in surprise, but then electricity wrapped around him, sending every limb trembling with the shock and he released the snake.
For the barest moment he dropped to his knees, but it didn't seem to harm him. He had the advantage of being able to see the weavings of magic. When a new spear of Lightning streaked toward him, the king snapped a hand out and grabbed hold as though catching an arrow in midair.
He felt rather than saw the Shadow-phoenix dive toward him at the same time that the Fire-bull charged. Mortesen threw the harnessed Lightning at the bird (not paying attention as it gave a surprised, musical shriek) and turned to meet the other with hands outstretched. When the Fire Elemental impacted him, the creature felt as though it had just slammed into a mountain. The gold-furred hedgehog gripped it by the horns, teeth bared. It bellowed, trying to shake loose but unable to.
It was the weakest of them all. He could feel it. Mortesen dug his fingers in deeper until he felt something crack, then heaved it toward the Lightning-cheetah. It exploded into fiery liquid that dissolved the other Elemental into a sizzling pool of light. Then there was not even that.
The two magic-users cried out beyond the trees, their connection forcefully broken. The effect left them lying on the ground, unable to think of anything except the excruciating pain inside.
The last two Elementals could fly, but Mortesen swept a hand toward them, calling the air. Within seconds a stormwind dragged both downward. Before anyone knew what he was doing, he leaped to the giant snake's back. It writhed and twisted, trying to reach him, but a blazing air blade extended from his hand to strike at the many wings along its length. Wild with fury, the snake opened its mouth to swallow him whole—and felt a sword pierce straight through its head.
The last hung back, watching and measuring with its obsidian eyes as its fellow diffused into fragments of air. Then it raised its wings, disappearing into a new darkness that spread outward. Mortesen found himself coated in it.
Nothing existed in this emptiness except himself. Every time he turned, there came a strike from behind that threw him down. If not for the power of the Cosmos Diamond, even one of those attacks would have killed him.
But the phoenix was only casting an illusion, he knew. Shadows always gave way before the sun. So he let the Diamond's light shine.
In the clearing, the sphere of darkness that contained Mortesen cracked. A flare of brilliant light caught the Elemental in the face, melting away half its body. It flapped one wing and gave a cry of terror just before a glowing sword severed its head.
The gold of his fur dimmed as the king of Cosium stood victorious over the creatures that supposedly could not be harmed. He swayed on his feet, feeling every ounce of strength granted by the Cosmos Diamond leave him.
Then he looked up. Eight Rofakian soldiers stood there, glaring with merciless anger.
A prime-class Elemental… It was real, and Rakar had witnessed it with his own eyes.
He watched the soldiers corner Mortesen. Every particle of fraternal sentimentality he possessed urged him to defend his brother, but he kept himself in check. All he had to do was wait, then plant the evidence that Atlantis was responsible.
But then a massive wave crushed the enemy soldiers and the magic-users, leaving Mortesen unharmed. Posiden rose up from the shallow gully behind the clearing. How could he have possibly known?! The two monarchs exchanged words before the merhog left.
Rakar's heart clenched. This was the last chance. There was no way to avoid it now. He wove an illusion, covering his body with the likeness of scales and pale fur, then tied it off.
The king had dropped wearily to his knees but one ear twitched as movement came from the brush. He looked around, pinpointing Rakar at once. Confusion crossed his face.
"You… You're not a merhog." He stared fixedly as the stranger approached without a word. "Rakar?"
He froze. How could his brother know—?! His aura. Why had he been stupid enough to overlook something so obvious? Of course Mortesen would recognize it.
The beginning of a tired smile tugged at the black hedgehog's mouth, making Rakar feel even worse, but then he grew puzzled again. "What kind of fool joke is this? It isn't the time or place for—"
Rakar darted forward and seized hold, an unnatural stiffness preventing Mortesen from doing anything more than breathe. He wanted so much to rewrite the impulses in this soul so that he wouldn't have to end it—but the same thing happened as before. Just as he started to try, a million needles mentally stabbed him.
The disguised hedgehog hesitated, not wanting to look into those confused, horrified eyes but not able to do this otherwise. Not without saying one last thing. Explaining.
"Mortesen, I never wanted this! I would have done anything to keep from standing here—but I have to do it for the survival of Cosium. What you've done will already take so long to fix, and if I don't stop you now, our country will break apart from the inside. I should have killed Athena long ago before she poisoned you, but you seemed so happy with her and I knew you were the only one who…who could supply any heirs for the throne. You won't change. Not willingly. And I won't take that choice from you. It…it shouldn't have happened this way."
Teeth gritting, he stepped behind him. The spear's tip pressed into the king's back and he could sense Mortesen struggling to speak. Rakar leaned forward, forehead resting against the other's shoulder as he whispered, "I promise this will all be over in a minute. I'm sorry, Brother… Forgive me…"
Closing his eyes tight, he shoved. Hot blood poured over his hand and he heard Mortesen choke as the air was driven from his lungs.
Then he took the soul. Not all of it—that was impossible—but more than he'd ever tried to take from anyone before. Moments of Mortesen's life sprang into his mind from his older brother's perspective, but most clear was the disbelief, denial and desperate concern for his family he was presently feeling.
Noise nearby caught his ear. A little figure stumbled toward them. Rakar jerked in surprise as he saw Kaze.
What was he doing here?!
The illusion of scales and white fur kept him from being recognized, but Rakar still panicked at being caught in the middle of this heinous act and let go of his brother. Mortesen collapsed the moment he was released. His murderer dove into the water.
Kaze hurried to his father's side, gasping as he saw the wound. Without a thought his wings spread wide, but though they attempted to heal the wound, they couldn't do so with the weapon still embedded in the flesh. When the young prince's trembling hands reached out to touch it, his father spasmed, pain flashing across his face.
The blue hedgehog's mind went numb with terror. He wanted to help his father, but anything he did would only cause more agony. Tears flowed as he watched his father cough out blood.
He wished his big brother was here—he would know how to treat Papa's wound! Thoughts of bringing back help or dragging his father to the healers' camp faltered, half-imagined and impossible. He wasn't strong enough to carry him, and if he left now…his papa would die alone…
That made Kaze sob harder at the cruel reality before him. There was only one way to keep this from happening, but again he couldn't make himself touch the spear.
"I can't! Papa, I can't do it!" he cried, covering his face.
Mortesen's half-lidded eyes turned toward Kaze, slowly beginning to lose the spark of life. Despite his fatal injury, his heart hurt even more to know his son was here watching him die. The ebony hedgehog had so many things he wanted to say, but his strength was drifting away like the wind. It pained him to feel the tears of his son showering his face, knowing full well his time was near.
Mortesen could see a looming figure behind Kaze. The trickling sand of her hourglass was louder than it ever should have been, and he could see how little was left.
Kaze knew his father was fading. He couldn't give up now! He still needed him! His father was the strongest man he had ever known. He had to live!
Knowing his father's life hung in the balance, the young prince clamped down on his emotions and tried one last time, but as he took hold of the spearhead a hand suddenly gripped his wrist. Mortesen's mouth moved soundlessly for a moment, as though he had so much to say and no breath to say it, but he met Kaze's eyes steadily, trying to convey something important. The whole world had disintegrated into a bleeding abyss of torture.
Tears streaked down both their faces. His fingers shook as they reached up to touch his son's cheek, then Mortesen managed to say his name with one final gasp. A smear of crimson liquid stained Kaze's face as the last trace of strength faded and his hand slipped down. Great weights pulled at his eyelids until they closed, though he fought desperately against them.
The complete absence of pain was sudden and startling. Then there was a gentle touch along his brow that made him look up.
"It is over, Little One."
Time had slowed to a crawl and he could still see the realization only beginning to pass over Kaze's features beside him. His voice was no more than a whisper as he tried to deny the truth of what had happened.
"Please…no."
"King or slave, Death treats all equally. None receive special favors."
Mortesen reached forward, touching yet not feeling the face of his son. It was pointless to argue with her, he knew. "I wish… I wish I could say something. Just one last thing so that he knows how much I love him."
"He knows already. You must be content with that." The mistress of death held out her hand. "Come. Your parents have been waiting for you. I will take you to them."
The former king of Cosium hesitated, an immeasurable sadness filling his soul as he knelt there, watching Kaze clutch at a lifeless body. He didn't want to go. But the knowledge that he was going to see his mother and father again tugged out a secret yearning he'd suffered for years. He rose up and took Lady Death's outstretched hand.
When Rakar surfaced a little ways downstream, cries echoed from behind…torn, broken cries born of a splintering heart.
He hadn't meant for Kaze to see!
The sight of his parents played before his eyes, swords rammed through their bodies. Rakar couldn't tell if the water dripping from his face was from the river or his own tears. He knelt there in the shallows, making fists in the mud and attempting to keep the misery trapped in that hollow space.
He banished the illusion, letting it drift away so that he could be himself for a moment instead of hiding behind a mask. He'd hidden from Mortesen too. The scars were his disguise and he knew it. Without them he would have no defense…
Rakar found himself walking without paying attention to where his feet were taking him. Nothing seemed to matter for the longest time… It was with a note of shock that he suddenly recognized the beach and its cave nearby. Had he really been wandering about for hours?
A familiar voice pulled him toward the cave entrance. Nymph hovered over a still pool, cackling with delight. When she saw his shadow, her eyes met his with the light of triumph.
"Marissa put on the necklace without a drop of suspicion. Her daughter was there to watch. Seeing her gasp and suffer was far better than I could have dreamed!" Then her tone soured. "But Posiden won't wear the armband now. He still lives, and I doubt I can send anything else to him coated in rhapsor oil. They'll be too wary."
"He may yet die in battle," Rakar said, but his voice was hollow.
"…Did you accomplish your goal?"
"Yes. Mortesen is dead."
The octopus sensed something not quite right in him. His eyes were focused on nothing, but every muscle stretched taut. "Surely you aren't feeling guilty about a job well done."
"I did what I set out to do. I am proud of that. But I hadn't intended…to take his soul…" Images and feelings ran through his mind, pieces of his brother's life, so full of joy and love… His stony exterior cracked and he leaned against a damp boulder, eyes shut. "I can't deal with this…"
She could see the storm of conflict raging inside him. Repeatedly throughout their relationship he had sought to bring her back from anger and despair. Perhaps she could do the same.
Tentacles swarmed over him and Rakar's attention snapped back to the present. "What are you doing?"
"Giving you something you deserve," she murmured into his ear.
He tried to pull back but the lithe, black arms of her lower body kept him from getting away. Her lips met his, not in the seductive way he had grown used to, but with a touch of violent passion that made Rakar wonder if she had been holding back all this time. When she bit his neck hard, he jumped, then clamped his teeth down on hers in retaliation.
They fought back and forth, each kiss more like momentary reprieve during a battle. Her nails would have gouged out handfuls of fur if he hadn't been wearing armor. With a jolt of surprise Rakar realized Nymph had shape-shifted into a hedgehog. He abruptly dragged her close, giving her a kiss so hard and deep that she let out a moan in the back of her throat—a full invitation to do more.
"Thank you for this. I needed it," he whispered, thankful that she had pulled him away from the brink threatening to swallow him. He felt as though he might be able to cope now. "Time for me to get back. Athena will find out what happened and I need to be close by."
But her eyes flashed behind the mask. Rakar felt himself yanked down.
"I refuse to let you get away this time," she muttered, touching his chest with a possessive air. Her fingers fiddled with the buckles. "I'll be delighted to be your first 'conquest'."
His red eyes started to grow angry. "As much as I appreciate the thought, that decision is mine."
"You don't even know what you want. I'll show you—"
He melted into the darkness and didn't reappear. Nymph clenched her fists. Very unladylike words came from her mouth as she struck out at anything within reach. Half a mile away, Rakar regained his form and knelt among the brush, breathing hard and running a hand along his quills.
"Control… Control is everything…"
Horns blared, startling Darren out of a doze. He straightened his glasses and looked around, confused to find himself at his desk. Then he recognized the peal of the Coizard anthem. They…they won? The war was over!
He ran to the window, staring at the sun as it began to rise. The camp outside the city walls was filled with the small figures of men, and more streamed in from the battlefield. Darren breathed in the air that seemed to be steeped in freedom. Finally. Finally life could return to normal.
The door opened and he saw the weary, haggard face of his mother. A deep sadness had enveloped her, making the ready cry of happiness die before it reached his lips.
"…Oh no… Did Kaze…? I shouldn't have let him go!"
"Kaze is with Ben," she said, her voice too soft. "He's fine. It's…"
She couldn't say it. But she didn't need to. Darren dropped to the floor as if someone had broken his legs.
A/N: *sniffle* Where are my hankies?
Well…as you can see, the climax is much different from the original. I got Liyu's direct approval for Kaze attempting to heal Mortesen, but other than that everything here is pretty much my overactive imagination at work. It felt wrong to have him overpowered so quickly which is why I included a battle against Elementals. He wasn't a wimp! But it was more of a last-minute addition, so forgive me if the combat comes across as slipshod. I didn't spend as much time on it as I should have. And yes, Mortesen really did go Super.
I know it can be hard to visualize battlefields (especially when they're wonky like this one), so I drew a map. The link can be found in my DeviantArt copy of this chapter in the author's note - my username there is JanikaCheetah.