Chapter 24 – What Can We Do

Marching towards North Window did not turn out to be a very pleasant experience. The winds had shifted to the southwest, and, even if they did not bring another sandstorm, they were fully as hot as yesterday's. For once, Flik did not long for the warmer clime of Warrior's Village. Even though he'd spent many summers training in this sort of heat, he did not feel comfortable with sweat soaking his bandanna and forehead.

After a few hours of marching, around noon, Flik managed to spot North Window in the distance. By this time, it was clear that they were marching down a peninsula, with the greenish-blue of Lake Dunan to the north and east, and the river Granias -the border between South Window and Two Rivers- to the west. All he could see through the heat haze was the decrepit wall of the empty town. It did not look like the sort of place that was going to be able to support a couple thousand people anytime soon.

As he was thinking this, Flik noticed a man walking down the road, out of the town. He was a very warm looking man, dressed in a huge black coat with brown trim and a wide collar. The coat fell past his knees almost to the top of his black boots. As he approached Flik, he pulled off his brown beret and dabbed at his blond hair.

"Damn heat," the stranger complained conversationally. "Now I understand why the Night Rune couldn't tolerate the Sun Rune."

Questions warred in Flik's head, but he had more important things to ask than pursuing stories about runic lore. "You just came from North Window, right?" he asked. "What's the situation there? And did you run into a man named Viktor?"

The stranger laughed once, though he didn't sound jovial. "I did just come from North Window. I'm a vampire hunter, by the name of Kahn Marley. There was a vampire called Neclord there, but he got away. And, yes, I did run into a man named Viktor, along with his companions. They should still be there; he's busy tending to the upset graves."

Flik tried to digest the flood of information. Since he didn't speak, Apple asked the obvious question. "Isn't Neclord dead? Didn't Viktor kill him two years ago?"

"Neclord is a devious creature," Kahn replied. "He creates shadows of himself and flees the killing blow." The vampire hunter took a moment to drink in the size of the horde following Flik. "I don't think you're going to find food for that crowd in the ruins."

Flik shook his head. "There's little helping it. South Window has fallen to Highland."

Kahn clicked his tongue behind his teeth. "So the war has come this far south," he mused. "I wonder if it will reach west to Greenhill? That'll make my research much more difficult." He offered a gloved hand to Flik. "Well, may we both have good fortune in our travails. If luck is with me, I'll track down that hideous vampire. If so, I'll send a letter to Viktor. Who knows, all of us may end up working together."

Flik shook the offered hand. "I'm Flik. I hope you do track him down. Viktor and I will be glad to put an end to him, once and for all."

That said, Kahn continued on to the south while Flik led the mercenaries and refugees towards North Window. It was half an hour later when he and the first of the people behind him walked in past the tumbled walls. As they did so, he saw Viktor leading Riou, Nanami, Eilie, and Freed out towards the exit. There was a moment where the two groups stared at each other in mute recognition. Flik could hear the surf crashing against the thirty-foot cliffs at the north end of town.

Viktor frowned, understanding what Flik's presence here implied.

Nanami hadn't reached that point yet. Her eyes were wide, trying to see everything at once. "Eh?" she blurted. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Why is everyone here?"

"Rina!" Eilie shrieked, throwing herself into an embrace with her older sister. "What happened? You all look terrible." In a similar fashion, Nanami ran forward to take Pilika from Leona's care, hugging the little girl tightly.

"Yes, what happened to South Window?" Freed choked out, his tone suggesting that he was dreading the answer. Riou closed his eyes; he too seemed to already know what was coming.

Everyone else looked at Flik to provide the explanation, and he suddenly felt very uncomfortable in the direct sunlight. "I…" He had to stop, gather himself, and try again. "I'm sorry, but South Window has fallen to Highland."

Eilie squeaked in dismay, and Nanami held Pilika even tighter. Riou simply nodded, but his hands went to his tonfa. Freed paled and swayed, much as if he'd taken a shot to the stomach. He staggered a few halting steps towards Flik and pleaded, "Is it…really true? What of my Lord? Tell me that Lord Granmeyer still lives." He reached out and grabbed Flik by the arms, his eyes boring into Flik's face. "Please, tell me!"

He tried to struggle out of Freed's grasp, turning his head so that he didn't have to look Freed square in the face. "Solon Jhee," Flik answered, voice almost a whisper. "Solon Jhee killed your lord."

"No!" The anger in Freed's voice was terrible, causing Flik to flinch. Then Freed's face was broken by a sob. "It can't be." He could no longer control his tears, and sank down to his knees, letting go of Flik. "My Lord, what will become of us now?" That was the last coherent thing he spoke before his emotions overwhelmed him.

They watched him for a moment, no one making a move. "Let him be," Apple finally said. "He'll need time." Flik agreed with that sentiment; bitter personal experience had taught him that it was true.

Apple shook her head. "We've got lots of things that need to be done." With that, she set about organizing people. The strongest men, including Bolgan, Tsai, and Rikimaru, were sent off to clear rubble out of the main keep. Hanna, Anita, and Millie went to organize the children that had lost their parents. Barbara entered the main building as well, looking to see if there was anything useful in the storehouse. Kinnison, Gengen, and the wolf Shiro went as an escort. Viktor and Flik ordered their own men, sending a few of the most glib off in search of any nearby villages, with orders to negotiate for food and water.

After a while, the two of them ended up helping on the debris removal squad.

"I heard the monster was Neclord," Flik said, heaving a large chunk of rock towards the side of the entrance hall.

"It was," Viktor affirmed. "Damn beast, I thought I'd killed him for good two years ago."

"You underestimated him," a booming, bass voice announced. "It is one of your many flaws."

"His sword," Rina shrieked, "it talks!" She and her sister had just arrived with water for the workers.

Eilie laughed at her sister's unease. "Yeah, spooked me the first time, too. It's sort of cute, when you think about it."

"Cute?" the bass voice thundered.

Tsai squinted, muttering, "A most unusual weapon."

Flik wandered around to Viktor's back, trying to get a good look at the jet-black blade rattling around in the sheath. "Oh, it's you," he said, when he finally saw the glowering little face that resided at the joining of the blade and hilt.

It wasn't a particularly human looking face, with a wide mouth and a tiny, cleft chin. The face took on the look of utter outrage. "Is that all you have to say?" it demanded. "I…the Zodiac Sword, do not tolerate such insolence from my vassals." To emphasize this fact, the sword began sliding out of it's sheath under it's own power.

Alarmed, Viktor clamped both hands over the hilt. "Hey, Flik, let's not make him any angrier than he already is. He's a little…temperamental right now."

Flik asked the next question that popped into his head. "Zodiac Sword? Aren't you the Star Dragon Sword?"

Incredibly, the Star Dragon Sword looked abashed. "Yes…well, that's another one of my names," he answered, in a much quieter voice. "I shall permit you to refer to me as the Star Dragon Sword, if that suits your fancy."

Flik nodded. "So, Viktor obviously had to retrieve you in order to fight Neclord."

"That's correct, and I have every right to be angry," the sword declared, this time distinctly in a shout. "You left me to rot in the Cave of the Wind," he said to Viktor.

"I thought you needed a little break," Viktor replied, a bit nervously. "You know one of those…what's the word…um, a sabbatical. Yeah, that's exactly what you needed."

Flik grinned. "I thought your exact words were, 'Run like hell, Flik! I've finally managed to ditch that old windbag. I'll never have to listen to his griping again.'"

Dark energy began to coalesce around the sword. "Did you really say that?" the Star Dragon Sword thundered. "We'll see who's still able to gripe to whom after I'm done with you!"

The sword thrashed about on Viktor's back, jerking the large man back and forth across the room. However, Viktor retained his grip on the hilt, and managed to keep the sword from freeing itself. After a while, the sword stopped its convulsions. Viktor, panting, continued to keep both hands on the hilt, even as he said, "There's no reason to get so upset. Besides, if you killed me, who would you get to thump all those nasty vampires on the head?"

The Star Dragon Sword seemed to absorb this for a moment. "A point. Not much of a point, I'm sure any of these large men would serve just as well, but a point nonetheless. I'll let you live, for now. But know this: I'll pay you back for every slight. You'll wade through oceans of monsters before I'm done with you." Amazingly, the sword shifted its glare to Flik. "You will suffer too, blue peon. I am the Night Rune, and I know all of your hidden weaknesses. I'll teach you to know better than to let my servant handle me so."

Flik gulped, not sure how to respond to that threat. At that moment, Apple, Riou, and Nanami walked in. Freed, his face still very much white, shuffled after them. Leona and Pilika came in last.

"I'm sorry about Lord Granmeyer," Flik said, wondering if that would be an consolation to the stricken aide.

"I want to-" Freed hesitated, warring internally with himself. He came to some sort of decision, shifted his posture upright, and continued. "I want to hear how it happened. All of it."

Apple looked around at the mess. "Not in this room," she declared. "Viktor, do you know of a place where we could gather and talk about this, away from everyone else?"

"I think there's a room just above us." Viktor pointed to the stairs at the end of the great hall. "I remember that the militia commanders used to gather up there."

"That's a good place," Apple replied. "Lead on."

Viktor stepped over some of the strewn junk and walked towards the far stairs. Flik could hear everyone's footfalls echoing off the stone. The staircase ascended up to a large landing that turned to the left. Evening was creeping into the sky outside, and two slit windows served to choke off most of that light. There was an empty torch bracket between the two windows.

The landing opened through a large portal into a fairly substantial corridor. Not that Flik saw much of it; he simply gauged it by the way the sound bounced around in the darkness. There was also a lot of dust. People started hacking and coughing on it. Flik collided with somebody. By his bulk, it had to Bolgan.

"Maybe somebody should go and get a light?" Apple asked.

"Nah, just a little farther," Viktor replied.

It seemed he was right, for Flik could see the outline of a doorway and light beyond. A moment later he stepped into a large room, with a bank of windows off to his right which let in the red glare of evening. He also noted a long, slightly raised dais to the left.

The group gathered in a rough horseshoe, people glancing nervously at each other. Nobody seemed to want to begin. Finally, Freed took a breath and said, "Tell me exactly what happened."

"Yes," Flik replied, but held off for just a moment, trying to read Freed's expression. Also, he needed that moment to swallow his own feelings about the events. "After you left, things got interesting. The mercenaries showed up, followed by Solon Jhee and the Second Highland Army. Lord Granmeyer must have judged that the Jowston Alliance wouldn't come to his rescue, and that he couldn't stand on his own, so he surrendered without fighting." Flik steadied himself, keeping his voice neutral. "They cut off his head; it was hanging on the gate this very morning. We got away using the crowds to hide us. Even so, it was a narrow thing; I thought for sure that Culgan was going to ride us down."

Rina laughed languidly. "Yes, and who should you thank for getting you out of that situation?"

"Quiet," Flik's mouth snapped, before he'd thought about an answer. He nearly slapped himself at his own rudeness, but he didn't want Viktor rubbing that in all night. Flik glanced over at his friend and saw the knowing smile that confirmed that he had registered the whole exchange. Rina arched an eyebrow and smirked, apparently letting the discourtesy slide, or maybe storing it away for another time.

Flik resolved to thank her…later, when fewer people were watching to embarrass him about it. He continued the story. "Anyway, after we got away, we decided to come to North Window. It seemed to be the safest place for now."

Freed was upset again, sniffing loudly. "My city," he moaned. "My Lord…"

Apple clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "As distressing a time as this is, we need to think about our next move. Highland will be moving to squelch any rebellion before it gets started. They'll be drafting South Window soldiers into their forces, and arresting anyone who resists. The question is; what do we want to do about it?"

Viktor took a few steps towards the window, the harsh light casting his shadow, twisted and enlarged, on the far wall. "It's only a matter of time before the Highland Army occupies this place as well. All we've got are the men and this abandoned old castle. What can we do?"

No one spoke. Time seemed to slow, and Flik heard his own heartbeats thudding in his ears. Standing against the might of Highland seemed like suicide, but fleeing wasn't much of an option either. Where would they go? Was Two River willing to fight? Was Greenhill able? Would Matilda or Tinto even intercede to save the Alliance? He didn't even want to think about retreating to the Toran Republic, because that would be very much like surrendering all of Jowston to the enemy. Viktor would never stand for it.

Suddenly Riou answered, his clear voice shattering the silence with its pure confidence. "We should fight. There must be a way."

Nanami, of all people, frowned noticeably her brother's boldness. She clutched Pilika tightly to her side.

All eyes were suddenly on the young man. "Riou," Viktor said, trying to make an argument, but he stopped with just that word said.

"Can we stop the whole Highland Army?" Flik asked. "Think about it logically. They'll outnumber us in any fight, possibly by as much as ten to one. Maybe more."

Eilie glared at Flik, silencing him, and walked forward to stand next to Riou. "When did all of you become such cowards? Is flight the only thing running through your heads? What about all those stories where the hero's outnumbered army triumphs over the bad guys? Riou is right! We have to find a way to win. We have to!"

Flik wanted to remind her that the stories were simply that, but memories of the Liberation Army flashed through his mind, putting the lie to that point.

"Fighting for its own sake, especially when there is no chance of winning, is the height of folly," Tsai responded, frowning.

Apple walked out into the center of the group, light glaring off her glasses as she turned and faced Riou. "There is a chance," she declared.

"You think so?" Viktor asked. "How?"

"As Master Mathiu would say, 'When an inferior force is confronted by a superior force, a sound strategy is the key to survival.'" She smiled. "The strategist must dictate the battle such that the strengths of the inferior force are matched against the weaknesses of the superior force. This is how victory is achieved."

Viktor grinned, flexing his hands into wrists. "That's great. What's your strategy then?"

"I don't have one," Apple averred, which caused everyone in the room to look at her, startled. There was a tightness to her smile as she continued. "I've learned the hard way that I'm not able to see all the permutations in a battle. But I know someone who can see that deeply. Someone who won't make the mistakes that I have." She swallowed and almost reached up to clean her glasses, but blushed and said. "His name is Shu, a speculator in trade goods who now lives in Radat. He and I studied under the Master, but he was expelled." She gritted her teeth in frustration at her own babbling. "Never mind that! He's a spectacular strategist, nearly as good as the Master. We'll need his foresight if we are to win the next battle."

Flik looked from Apple to Riou, noting the determination in their eyes. It was infectious, filling his heart and making him smile. "All right. We can't allow Highland to keep pushing us around, or they'll run us right off the edge of the earth."

Bolgan whooped and jumped up, both impressively large actions for a man of his girth. "That's right," he said gleefully. "That's right."

Viktor made a much more modest nod. "Good. We'll all do our best to drive Highland back." He looked at Flik. "You and I should focus on training troops and gathering new recruits. Hopefully some of these people from South Window will still want to fight." He turned towards Apple, Eilie, and Riou. "As for this Shu, that's your responsibility, Apple. You and Riou figure out some way to get him to join us."

Apple also looked at Riou. "This is critical. We must get him if we are to continue fighting. I'll come with you; between us, we should be able to convince him."

Nanami, after a moment of deliberation, chimed in, "I'm going too." Her earlier unease about her brother's actions seemed to have been set aside.

Leona, who'd been sitting on the steps of the dais, stood up and said, "Don't worry about Pilika. I can keep an eye on her."

Nanami finally released her grip on the younger girl, guiding her over to Leona's side. "Thank you, Leona." Then she walked back to the group, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Hey, Apple, is this strategist of yours good looking?" she asked.

Apple blushed fiercely. "I wouldn't know anything about that!" she replied. "It was a long time ago. Who knows how he looks now?" She waved her hands in a warding motion. "We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. If we're lucky, this whole thing won't take more than five days."

Suddenly footsteps echoed from the outer corridor. Flik was about to reach for his sword, but stopped when he saw who burst into the room. "This is where you all went to," Gilbert declared. "I've searched this whole castle looking for everybody." He took a few hasty breaths and asked, "So, did I miss anything important?"

Nighttime followed soon thereafter. Barbara had located a few usable beds and had them hauled to the large hall on the first floor. The women promptly appropriated every one of them and hustled the men right out of the room.

Even with the darkness, Flik found that he was too restless to sleep. After a while, he got up and wandered rather aimlessly, letting his feet carry him down empty passages. The pale light of the gibbous Blue Moon, which was rising in the distant east, shined in narrow strips through the windows. In the areas without that light, he made his way by feeling along the walls.

Eventually his legs carried him up a set of stairs, into a much larger room. Several windows let in the moonlight, and Flik could see that this part of the castle was in ruins. The walls that had divided rooms had fallen into decay and there were several holes in the flooring. The thought occurred to him that this place was not going to be much fun if it came to rain.

Carefully he crossed this room, making his way to another set of stairs. Like everything else, it was run down, and Flik had to watch every step so that he didn't slip on a loose stone or get stuck in a hole. The stairs went up into a tower, and he climbed all the way to the landing at the top.

The roof of the tower was fallen in, but the platform itself seemed solid enough. Flik paced about, drinking in the view from high over North Window. The Blue Moon was up higher, its light brighter as it rippled and reflected off the surface of Lake Dunan. Countless stars glittered in the night sky, their glory unmarred by any clouds. Below, more than one hundred feet down, waves crashed against the ruins of a harbor facility. There was a refreshing wind off the water, snatching slightly at his cape, smelling just a little of salty tang.

He heard the scuff of a boot against stone, and Flik turned around in time to see Viktor heaving himself up the last couple of steps. "I figured you'd probably go for the most secluded spot in the place," Viktor said. Flik shrugged. Viktor had a bottle of some sort of wine in his right hand. "Barbara found a couple of these laid away in the storehouse. I was going to drink them all myself, but then I thought about you. Just goes to show what a good friend I am." He tested part of the roof for sturdiness and leaned on it, looking up at the sky. Flik mimicked him.

A moment later, Viktor pulled the cork out of the bottle and took a swig. He coughed, gagged, and spat much of the drink back out into the night air.

"That bad?" Flik asked.

"It's awful," Viktor confirmed. "But it's still alcohol." He offered the bottle to Flik. "Here, have a taste."

Flik did; the bouquet was of dust and vinegar. He struggled to keep it down.

Viktor smiled wanly. "Told you. Here, let me have it back." He grabbed the bottle and took another healthy draw. They passed the bottle back and forth a couple more times before Viktor swallowed the dregs. Afterwards, looking up at the stars, he said, "You know, I lived here all of my childhood and never went up to the top of this tower." He paused. "I didn't really think I'd every be back here. It's strange; if Neclord hadn't destroyed my hometown, I probably never would have left. I'd have settled down, married…"

There was a longer pause, long enough that Flik looked over to see if Viktor would continue.

Viktor did. "Anyway, I'd never have participated in the Liberation War. Heck, I'd probably just be some militia captain trying his hardest to figure out how to defend my hometown against Highland."

Flik laughed. "Instead, you're a mercenary captain trying his hardest to figure out how to defend his hometown against Highland."

Viktor also laughed, but it was more somber. "Sure, but I've seen so much more of the world than I'd ever dreamed I would. And made better friends than I'd ever hoped to."

They didn't say much more after that, but simply watched the stars in their imperceptible dance. The Blue Moon crossed overhead and the Scarlet Moon, waxing towards half-full, rose out of the eastern depths. For a time, they were just two old friends, alone under the sky, and the concerns of war receded into the far distance.