Chapter Twenty Five
For The Earth On Which You Stand

In the wake of Ramades' assault on the city and subsequent defeat, the regular running of the city had been suspended, with the regular day-to-day routine of life waiting as the monarchy hung in the balance. No scouting party had brought news of the movements of the Kairin army. Rael had indeed been the first to sight the approaching legion from his high tower in the tallest reaches of Shaylin, approaching from the south east.

In a matter of hours the entire soldiery currently residing in the city had been mobilised. So soon after fighting each other they would have to fight side by side to defend their land or else be conquered by Kaira. This was the day Rael knew was coming. Already they had narrowly avoided being completely crushed and today they were still hopelessly outnumbered.

The Southlands of Hyrule would be completely under Kairin control now' from the ocean to the grey forest, from the western waste to the far eastern marshes. The Kairin were moving again, pushing north and west into the desert to bring the Gerudo people under their banner as well. The Kairin generals clearly feared Hylia after Zelda and Link's display of power there, but they would not stay away forever.

Rael was now to lead the defence of the beleaguered Shaylin. The city walls were battered and broken, towers crumbled, the city gates still in disrepair. Due to Ramades' bombardment, the city would not function as a defensive fort for many months. Jaendral and General Jevilla were in agreement that if they engaged the Kairin from within the walls the battle would flood into the streets, and afterwards the streets would be soaked with the blood of townspeople and fighters alike, no matter who the victor was. There was no choice but to march out across the hard earth and meet the Kairin head on.

The Kairin stopped moving in the afternoon, setting up camp in the desert three miles from the city walls. Evidently no army could march so far in this heat and remain battle-ready. They had erected their temporary outpost with the intention of launching an assault the next day. Jaendral suggested to Rael that they attack at once and catch the Kairin off guard. Ramades disagreed with Jaendral, and reminded him that inside or outside the city, they were best fighting near the walls where they had their own catapults, and that the walls could still be used for strategic placement of archers and crossbows.

No ambassador came from the Kairin, no terms or treaties to be put forward. Their goal was clear: annihilation of any resistance.

And so, the next morning, Rael was mounted on horseback, in full Gerudo-style armour, at the head of the Gerudo army. The entire Gerudo army. Ramadesians, Jaendralites and Shaylin women, massed upon the desert plains around the city's eastern wall. Jaendral's estimate was that there were nearly fourteen thousand Gerudos gathered here today, armed with spear or sword or bow.

The Kairin army had indeed early in the dawn and begun the final march towards Shaylin, a thick mass of deep purple cloaks and broad iron shields. Rael looked out towards them. He knew that his enemy who was not evil. These were just following commands and doing what they believed to be right, no different to the Gerudos. The guilt of war was upon the King of Kaira, whose guilt could not be represented even by an ocean of dead men's blood.

The size of the Kairin army was far greater than that which had assaulted Hylia. There were was around twenty thousand Kairin in the legion. Though the Gerudos had the city on their side, Rael feared it would not be enough. He would do what he could with his magic, but his was time was running out.

Rael heeled his horse, pulled on the reins and tightened his grip on the saddle as his horse spun around to face the Gerudos. His heart raced as he saw them, hundreds, thousands of faces watching him as rode his horse past them at a brisk trot, taking them all in. Jevilla, Jaendral and Ramades rode their horses along their own frontlines, shouting words of support out to their vast hordes of kinsmen.

The Gerudos were afraid. Though they stood with weapons of steel and iron and wood, sharp and keen, and despite their warlike tendency, at this hour they were frightened. Rael drew upon his power, and as he had done during the battle with Ramades, projected his voice loudly across the army.

"Gerudos!" he shouted, with a powerful and authoritative voice, "Men and women of mighty Shaylin! Hear me now! You stand here today, a proud, strong and united people, bound together by both banner and blood. One race. One people. One kingdom. Yes… this land has been cut apart for many years, and there has been pain and bleeding, yet now there is healing. There has been difference; there has been contest over thrones and rulers; but I ask of you: if crowns and titles have such value, then how much more value does your very freedom itself hold? Today all the lines drawn in the sand, all the walls that have kept you apart, are, blown away, knocked down, exposed as insignificant in the face of a true and real peril!"

Rael turned his horse and rode back along the line, looking into the eyes of many as he thundered across the sand. "No more shall you look to things that divide you, but instead to the things that unite you! In this hour, your right to live is under threat. The survival of this nation is in the utmost danger. Is there a man or woman here who will fight for their freedom? Is there a man or woman in Shaylin who will rise up to say 'No! We will not give in, nor fade away, nor forsake the land of our fathers!'"

A tremendous cheer went up the crowd, boots stamped the earth, swords were clanged against shields. Rael raised his right fist into the air. "Rise up now! Stand proud, stand together and you shall stand unbreakable!" The cheering grew, men roaring out battle cries and waving their weapons in the air. "In the name of Shaylin! In the name of the Amethyst Throne! For Lana, for Jaendral, and Ramades! For the earth on which you stand!" The noise grew to a climax, Rael shouting louder and louder, projecting his voice so that it could be heard in every backstreet and high hall of the city. "For the majesty of Queen Zelda and this Kingdom of Hyrule, take up arms, fight with me today, and show the world that you will not be destroyed! With one voice, we will shout freedom! And you shall be heard in every corner of this world!"

The crowd of soldiers became a frenzy, loudly declaring "Shaylin!" and "Freedom!" and "The Amethyst Throne!". Rael drew out his sword and lifted it into the air so that it shined in the sun. He let the soldiers' enthusiasm continue, sitting up tall in the saddle and surveying the army. How many of these brave warriors was he sending to their death? So many. Such a waste of life. Yet there was no other way.

Rael looked over his shoulder towards the advancing Kairin army. Against the weight of the burden of death, Rael had barely taken a moment to contemplate the possibility of his own demise. It was considered bad form for a commander to lead his troops into battle from the front. A leader was no good dead. Yet these people needed a uniting figurehead, and knew he could be such a man.

"Gerudos!" he shouted, "to battle!" The Gerudos at the front of their line hoisted up their spears, and with a steady determination marched outward from the city towards their enemy. With a great heaviness, which gradually built up into a smooth flow, rank upon rank of soldiery tread out across the dry ground. Rael heeled his horse around and set his sights upon the Kairin. He gave the reigns a quick tug and his horse began to trot slowly across the hard earth.

……

Elane looked out from her window towards the massed army far below. How could Rael have forbidden her from fighting? He knew that she could fight, and had done so before. He was completely unjustified. He spoke of the horrors of battle as though there were nothing so terrible in the entire world. How could that be, when she had suffered pains and hurt that went so deep nothing could compare? The man had reached too far beyond himself. He said he was saving her from not only danger, but a constant living nightmare that she would never forget as long as she lived. Yet already her life felt like a waking fear and torment. Rael did not understand. Looking on from a distance as he risked his life in battle brought her great guilt.

If he died today, what then? What would she do with herself, alone in a foreign land with no-one to call a friend, no-one to protect her. In the brief moment she and Rael kissed she had wondered if she loved him. She still did not know, but she did know that she still loved Tabett. It was as though he was just in the next room, waiting to come through the door and throw open his arms to embrace her, and say he would never leave her. Rael was different. In his heart Rael was gentle, caring and giving, but through the days and weeks spent in this city he had become hard of spirit, fierce, and distant, as though disconnected from his true self; but she believed now that this had drawn her to him. In a world that was no longer safe, where there was no loving hand to hold her, she sought refuge in a man of strength, a rock to anchor soul to.

"Prince Rael is a courageous man," said a voice behind her. Elane turned to see Queen Lana standing in her doorway. She dropped into a quick curtsy and dipped her head.

"Your Majesty," she said, with the barest respect in her voice permissible.

"I have set great store in his leadership," said Lana, not making eye contact with Elane, but rather coming to the window and looking out towards the armies. The gap between them was narrowing as the Kairin line advanced. "I do not doubt that he has the potential to lead my people to victory," she said, "but he is heavily outnumbered… even with his… abilities."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," said Elane haughtily, "you do not deserve such a great man. Your people would have destroyed each other if it were not for he."

Lana looked at Elane sharply. "You forget your place, Lady Elane," she said.

Elane smiled. "And what powers do you posses that should compel me to remember?"

The Queen smiled back, with equal menace in her eyes. "Do not misjudge me, girl," she said, "do not tempt me to challenge the reach of the Prince's protection. He is not so mighty here as you believe."

Elane shook her head. "Your rule is at an end. Be it Jaendral or Ramades who takes the throne, there shall be no 'glory to the Amethyst Queen' when this is finished. Prophecy does not always have bearing in this world."

Lana's cheeks hollowed as she pursed her lips, her face livid. To Elane's surprise Lana lifted her hand and smacked her across the face with her palm. The shock of the blow left Elane dizzy for a moment. Her cheek rapidly grew hot and started stinging. "Insolent wench," said Lana, "I would wonder why His Highness should keep such a filthy dog like you in his bed," she said, "but then I remember that really, he is just as common as you!"

Elane stood up, furiously fighting the urge to return the blow. "How dare you!" Elane blurted. "I have not touched his bed! Nor him! And you shall face his wrath when he returns from the field of battle in victory."

"Ha!" Lana exclaimed. "He will die just as surely as Ramades and Jaendral will," she said, "and when the Kairin take the city I shall welcome them with open arms. Our new masters will need a loyal governor to rule over this nation. Who better to lead the King's new subjects than someone who already holds their trust and adoration?"

Elane could barely believe the words she was hearing. She knew Lana was manipulative and power-mad, but this was treason and heresy beyond anything Elane could have imagined. She shook her head in disbelief. "You detestable crow," she said. She very much wanted to return Lana's strike now, but she could not bear to bring herself down to her level. Instead, she did what she knew would hurt Lana most. She reached inside her collar for a thin gold chain, and drew out the amethyst snake necklace. For a moment she held the curved jewel in her hand, letting it catch the sunlight. "You aren't worthy of your title," she said, "nor this jewel. Lana."

Before Lana could stop her Elane had turned to the window, and with every bit her of her strength, hurled the necklace from the balcony. The Gerudo Queen cried out in shock, and turned to watch at the jewel soared into the air. It soon disappeared beyond sight as it flew away over the steep walls of the city and down to the earth. Lana turned to look at Elane horrified. "What are you doing!" she demanded.

Elane looked into Lana's eyes and for a moment pitied her for her lack of heart and integrity. "There will be no Amethyst Queen," Elane said. She made for the doorway. "I am going to battle now," she said, "in the vain hope that I may yet do some good with my life before I die. I know, you would not understand." Wanting to cry, wanting to scream, Elane hurried away down the steps of the tower. She could not leave Rael to die without her by his side.

……

The bright eastern sun was almost utterly blinding as Rael advanced upon the Kairin. Faster and faster, his horse raced towards the vast wall of shields and spears before him. Riding with him at either side was a regiment of the city's finest cavalry, joining him in the first charge. They would strike fear into the hearts of their foes. They were six hundred feet from the Kairin line in the full charge, when Rael shut his eyes and stilled his soul within a void of focus. "Send forth the light of the sun," he whispered, "may we burn a path through the shadow."

He opened his eyes as his horse threw high its legs and leaped into the sea of blades. Rael diverted magic from his body into the world around him, and opened his mind to exist as one with the earth beneath him. The ground under the Kairin men immediately erupted. Rock burst up from the ground in an ear-splitting explosion. Soldiers were thrown high into the sky and debris crashed into a wide radius of Kairin. Into that fray he flung himself, leaping from his horse's back and drawing his sword.

With great familiarity he plunged his cold metal into a stunned Kairin man. Speedily withdrawing his blade he swept a wide perimeter around himself, warding away attackers. Around him many men lay unable to fight, some dead, with thick shards of rock protruding unnaturally from arms and legs and heads. Without thought for the pain, Rael brought his weapon to bear upon more soldiers, making light of their efforts to repel him. He cut through his challengers like a fierce animal devouring prey.

The Gerudo cavalry now rushed through, battering Kairin to the ground, swinging blades left and right as they rode. Reserve men who had ridden at the rear of the horse behind the swordsman now joined the fight on foot alongside Rael. Already Rael was sweating heavily in the sun, blood splattering upon his shining armour. As he battled, lost in the frenzy of death, distant words echoed fleetingly in his mind. Daran, in the desert before they parted. 'Never give up hope. Even when your world crumbles around you and it seems that all your efforts have been in vain, do not give up. Believe, Rael, and I will be there. I will come back for you. I will be there for you.'

'Where are you Daran?' thought Rael. In the moment his concentration lapsed, a shield battered his face. He stumbled backwards, losing his footing and crashing to the ground.

……

"Loyal first legion!" Ramades shouted to his fighting men and women. Only the nearest to him could hear as two thousand foot soldiers hurried towards the Kairin front line. "Fight for your King today, and you will be called heroes by your children and your children's children and for a hundred generations!" The Kairin west flank readied for the Gerudo assault, and the two forces collided.

……

Death filled the air as first Jevilla's women, then Jaendral and his men, entered into battle with the invading Kairin. The battlefield flowed with blood beneath the hot sun. In the sky vultures circled, observing the feast below, preparing itself for them to gorge upon. Such a festivity of death had no occurred in these lands for a hundred years.

……

Rael caught his balance and shook his head. His eyes had blurred from the painful blow to his head and his temples were pulsing hard. As his sight shifted into focus he was made aware of the hopelessness of his situation. All around him Gerudos were dying, slaughtered under his command. How could he have sentenced so many to death? He was supposed to unite them and save them, but he had brought them together only to preside over their annihilation!

He threw up his hands to the sky and cried out, "Daran! Why have you not come! Why have you forsaken me!" Of course, there was no reply. The fighting carried on around him. He swung his heavy sword, fending off those who threatened his Gerudo allies. He had to save who he could, though the fight was already lost. They were impossibly outnumbered and overpowered. "Link!" he shouted desperately, and then "Zelda! Mother, save these people from this bloody end!"

Furiously he kept fighting, ending lives as surely as he tried to save others. Was war just a game to people like Lana, Ramades and Jaendral? Were they of a different sort of being, that they could carve the flesh of their peoples as they wished. Rael moaned for the death of his moral soul as man after man was slain by his blade. The faces of fathers and husbands wrenched into horror as they realised they would never see their families again. "Somebody save me!" he cried into the sky. "Anyone!" The pain was unbearable. He knew he would soon pass out from the nausea if he did not rest. He could not rest! "Da!" he cried to his dead father. "Why have you left me alone in this cruel world?" It hurt to speak, to breathe, to even think. "Ralis!!" he exclaimed. "I need you! Ralis!"

As if speaking from the skies above he heard his brother's voice. "Rael," he said, "I hear you brother."

Not caring how he could hear his brother's voice, for no-one else could, and wondering if he had finally gone mad he answered him. "Ralis save me!"

"Come to me," said Ralis.

"How?" Rael cried.

"If we both will it to be, so shall it be," said Ralis. "Together, little brother, we are invincible."

Rael understood. He reached inside the deepest reaches of his soul, pulling harder than he had ever done before upon his magic. He pictured Ralis before him, and then… he was gone. The world before his eyes folded as if it were but a veil in front of his eyes, torn away from his sight and shredded as if it were but spider lace. For a moment he waited, breathless and cold in a black void. He looked around briefly into nothingness, with a strange familiarity with this new world, and then another veil was placed before his eyes as quickly as the previous was taken away. He was in a great hall of stone and steel, before a king seated upon his throne.