Ch. 11
The Walls of Gandara
The seas had been kind to the Sunspear fleet, just as Kinya Kela had promised. Strong winds belled the great sails overhead as the deep ocean currents sped them on their way. There was little chatter amongst the troops as the Istani sailors bustled to and fro to keep the ship under way. It was only a few hours voyage from Kamadan to the shores of Kourna, and with the aid of the elements the grayish horizon soon gave way to the distant looming hills that lined the Kournan shores. A roll of thunder overhead announced the coming rain, as tiny droplets began to fall from the sky. Tension hung in the air, the soldiers on board staring intently into the distance as the shadowy silhouette of the Moon Fortress slowly inched into view. Kormir strode calmly across the deck of the ship, glancing down at her forces on either side as they gripped their spears tightly.
"Steady men," she said calmingly, as she passed one young recruit who was literally shaking in his boots.
For her part Rakiv seemed quite relaxed, leaning her back to the railing and closing her eyes. Beneath the bench Butter was even more relaxed and the tip of his tail flicked back and forth as he dozed on the floorboards. All was quiet across the waters save for the ruffle of sails, the creak of wood and the wash of waves. The fortress grew steadily closer, its outline coming into focus and its lights made visible. The tension grew as Kormir leaned over the starboard bow, peering out into the distance.
"Tell everyone to get their heads down," Dunkoro's voice came over their emblems, and Kormir turned to face her crew.
"All spears, heads down!" she ordered, a command that was immediately followed.
Rakiv opened one violet eye, glancing out across the water. The rain was falling harder now, plunking across the wood deck and singing against the Sunspears' armor. The fortress grew ever closer, now as its size began to consume the horizon around it. Alendra peeked up and bit her lip nervously, unable to shake the feeling that the fortress was like some great sleeping giant that they were about to poke at with sticks. Butter raised his head and gave a loud hiss as he waddled further beneath the bench. Rakiv immediately sat up and clamped both hands onto the ship's rail.
"Better brace yourselves," she said to the girls next to her.
"What?" Alendra blinked.
"Incoming!" Kormir shouted loudly from the bow.
A high pitched whine caught their ears and Alendra and Anicara had just enough time to grab tightly to the bench before the projectile struck the water and exploded just off port bow. A shower of water washed up over the ship, pelting the Sunspears with briny seawater.
"That was awful close…" Rakiv muttered.
"I thought he said they weren't accurate!" Anicara exclaimed.
"I think they've been practicing," Alendra whined, throwing dark curls from her face.
"Another one!" Kormir shrieked, this time ducking herself as the explosive hit the water to starboard and sent a gyser of seawater high into the air, "All hands! Evasive maneuvers!" she demanded.
The Istani sailors went to work, dashing about to trim sail and tack lines as the coxswain spun the helm like mad. Around them more bombard shells impacted around the Istani fleet, sending heavy booms through the air as the ships sailed forward. Anicara looked up, watching as pillars of brine were blasted skywards by the bombardment and then gasped in horror as one hit its mark. An assault boat filled with soldiers was struck dead center, the explosion so powerful it snapped the vessel in two and sent men flying through the air. The aft section of the ship actually lurched out of the water, its rudder flailing in the air before it crashed back into the ocean in a burst of wooden planks.
"Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods…" the water mage whispered to herself.
Alendra grabbed Anicara's shoulder and pulled the girl's head to her chest, protecting her sight from the horror around them.
"Focus," she whispered to the girl, "We'll be there soon, just focus."
Rakiv paid the pair no heed, her eyes busy tracking the projectiles as they came hurtling across the stormy skies. Her vision locked on one in particular, instinct calculating its trajectory and she immediately jumped to her feet. Notching an arrow to her bow she focused all her determination into the shot and let fly. The shaft flashed as it sang forward, the arrow leaving an almost visible trail in its wake as it cut through the rain and struck the falling shell. The enemy projectile exploded, several meters before their main mast, and the Sunspears shielded themselves as bits of shrapnel rained down around them.
"Nice shot…" Alendra complimented in awe.
"Kormir!" Koss' voice came through the emblem, "The formation is taking heavy fire! We… argh! We just lost another ship!"
"Break formation!" Kormir barked back, "Split divisions and run for the docks, we have to get close enough that they can't hit us. Carriers, fall back out of firing range and hold for my signal!"
"Yes, Spearmarshal!" the shouts came back through her emblem.
"Raidmarshal!" Kormir cried across the ship.
"Ahai, Spearmarshal!" Raidmarshal Mehdara called back.
"Get us to that dock! Now!" she screamed over the wind and rain.
"Yes, Spearmarshal!" he shouted back.
The Raidmarshal began barking orders to his crew, shoving aside the coxswain and taking the helm for himself. The vessel skipped forward, the storm producing winds at their backs that sent them forward with yet greater speed. Rakiv grumbled inwardly, Kinya Kela had overdone it. With a terrible crash and a scream another boat was destroyed, this one sailing only yards behind their own. Rakiv did not spare a glance backwards, instead beginning to regulate her breathing as she prepared for the hunt. Butter crawled out from under his cover, sensing his mistress' focus and realizing that the time to strike was close at hand.
Suddenly the bombardment lifted, the last shell striking the water behind them as they closed on the docks. The sailors began furling the sails as the Raidmarshal ordered them to drop anchor. The assault boats slid into the dock harbor, and the sailors sprang to the pier, lashing down ropes and throwing down the gangplanks. Kormir mounted the stern, holding out her shield and thrusting her spear skyward as she cried out in a voice that carried over the storm and all across the fortress.
"SUNSPEARS!" she shouted, amplifying her voice above the din, "PREPARE FOR GLORY!"
The Sunspear Battle Call rang clear over the waters, and an answering cheer could be heard from the troops as they thundered down the gangplanks. Rakiv rose from her seat, tightening her straps and binding back her hair.
"Stay with the Spearmarshal," she ordered the girls, taking a moment to flip over her emblem and deactivate its communication enchantment.
"What?" Alendra blinked, picking up her shield, "Where are you going?"
"Stay with the Spearmarshal!" Rakiv snapped, as she turned away from them.
"Rakiv?" Anicara asked woozily, "Wait… Rakiv!"
The ranger ignored her and skipped forward before breaking into a full sprint. She thundered across the deck, whizzing past Kormir as she mounted the bow. In a show of perfect balance she dashed along the bowsprit and with a graceful leap sprang from the ship to dive into the waters below. Butter was not far behind, flopping off the prow and nose diving after his mistress.
Under the water the sounds of the assault were lost to her and all that mattered now was the mission. Her plan was simple. Eliminate the field marshals to stop the bombards, then find Varesh and end this before any more lives were lost. Straightforward and easy to remember, she decided she liked it. The ranger knew the fortress like the back of her hand, better even than most who had ever called it home. And she knew of the one entrance that no one had ever thought of. She had discovered it in her youth, a very large drain that had been drilled into the bedrock deep beneath the waves. It led up into the fort's kitchens, and carried the cook's various forms of refuse out to sea. The drain was so far down that diving for it was an intensely arduous task, especially for anyone inexperienced with the depth. Even if Varesh knew about it, it was doubtful that she had anyone capable of fixing the fortress' flaw.
Rakiv dove deeper, her arms and legs propelling her down into the deep blue as her crocodile swam alongside her. She had managed to gulp about a minute's worth of air, and she had clocked her fastest swim through the drain at thirty-three seconds. The twenty second mark ticked past as she reached the thick iron bars and slipped between them. Butter followed her, taking point to lead his mistress through the dark tunnel. Rakiv shut her eyes, her vision useless in the dark anyway and focused entirely on her swim as she followed the crocodile's wake. The drain took several turns on its way back up to the fortress interior, and it had only been pure luck that had guided her through it the first time she'd ever tried it.
Butter rounded the final left turn and immediately pointed his nose upwards as he swam for the surface. The ranger carefully kicked her way upwards, taking care not to rise too quickly as she slowly released her breath. Her lungs burned and screamed as she ascended, but the huntress kept her wits about her until she finally broke the surface. Rakiv gasped as she rose from the water, throwing her head back and sucking in deep lungfuls of air. She shook her head, panting as she clutched at the chamber wall, wiping water from her eyes as she took the moment to catch her breath.
The ranger sat in a large basin that collected water from a number of drains that ran to different parts of the fortress. This, fortunately, was not the sewage chamber, but there were plenty of other unpleasant things that came down the pipes. With a grunt she began to claw her way up the wall, climbing out and using the ledges and pipe mouths as foot and handholds. The roof of the chamber was a wide grating that made up a large part of the kitchen floor, with a single wooden hatch acting as the access to the water chamber. Rakiv made her way to the grating and peered up through it, glancing around the kitchen for any signs of activity. The mess room was empty, all men having been called to the front to deal with the invading Sunspears. A small, smug smirk played across her features as she pushed against the hatch… only to find it locked.
"Dammit…" she grumbled, pushing again and rewarded only with the telltale clink of a heavy padlock that held the hatch shut.
Reaching up through the flat, iron bars she explored the lock with her fingers, brow furrowing as she tried to determine its nature through touch alone. It was a simple device, a single shackle bar fitted into a sturdy bolt mechanism. The keyhole was actually a broad round hole, likely crafted to accommodate the castle's skeleton key. Obviously it had not been created with security in mind, and was likely placed there to prevent children or fools from finding their way into the chamber and drowning. Rakiv couldn't help but wonder if it had been placed there long ago with her in mind, as she had swam this chamber before as a child.
"I'd like to think I'm not a fool though," she muttered to herself, grunting as she tugged at the lock.
The mechanism refused to budge, and she sighed as she realized it would have to be picked. A simple task, but annoying nonetheless. Drawing a bow from her quiver she unbound the arrow head with her teeth, pocketing the sharp stone in her cheek as she bit at the end of the wooden shaft, fraying a few bits of wood from its tip. Satisfied with her makeshift pick she reached up through the bars and inserted it into the lock, wiggling it until the frayed wood popped into the divet inside. Carefully she turned and the lock creaked as its gears shifted, the tumblers having rusted with age.
Finally it gave a click and the padlock released the shackle allowing Rakiv to pull it free from the hatch and toss it aside. Once unlocked the hatch obligingly swung open and the ranger climbed through, rolling onto the cobblestones of the kitchen floor and giving a sigh of relief. A croak of dismay echoed from the chamber, and she remembered that her crocodile had followed her. She looked down into the chamber to see Butter had managed to claw his way up the wall, clinging desperately to the stones, but did not have the reach to make it past the lip of the chamber. Rakiv chuckled apologetically and unsnapped her belt, curling it around both her fists and hanging the loop down into the room.
"C'mon boy…" she grunted, waving the leather strap at him, "Grab it."
Butter looked up, taking a moment to brace himself with his tail before he made a lunge upward, managing to snap his jaws onto the strap. Rakiv gasped and grunted immediately, nearly pulled over the edge by her companion's weight.
"Oh for Pete's sake!" she grunted, planting one foot against the stones and struggling against him, "You are one fat reptile!"
Butter snorted indignantly, but dared not open his mouth to respond. Rakiv huffed, closing her eyes as she pulled hard, slowly lifting almost two thousand pounds of swamp water crocodile through the hole. She could feel the adrenaline rush take over immediately, the beast within giving a bark that sent superhuman strength rushing through her limbs. It had come early, earlier than she'd expected it to. Still, it was proving useful as she dragged Butter's snout up through the hole. As soon as the grate's edge came within reach the crocodile grabbed at it with his claws, wiggling as he finally made it on to firm ground. Rakiv let go and stumbled back, grunting and giving a small snarl as she struggled for control. She didn't need a blind rampage now, she needed focus to complete her objective. Still, the extra boost couldn't hurt could it?
A snapping croak from Butter brought her back to her senses and she growled lowly, closing her eyes and controlling her breathing to quell the power pumping through her veins. Finally calm settled over her and she straightened her back, picking up her belt and looping it back around her waist. Her crocodile waddled past her, giving her boot a smart smack with his tail as he went.
"I know, I know," the woman shook her head as she turned to follow him, "Don't worry, I've got it under control."
The reptile gave a small hiss but made no further objection as they made their way across the empty mess hall. Rakiv repaired her arrow, binding the head back to the wood shaft and unslung her bow from across her back. Raising her weapon she notched her arrow as they approached the mess hall doors. The ranger pulled up her mask, securing it over her nose before leaning forward to peek into the corridor beyond the door. Voices echoed up and down the narrow hall, though with so many reverberations it was difficult to tell where they came from. The mess hall was northwest of the central dock, putting her close to the fortress' western wall. The spotters would need vantage points from which to call out the firing positions for the bombards, and she could think of three that would serve their purpose. The western dock was overlooked by the customs gate, where all goods passed through for inspection and documentation. It also commanded an excellent view of the western markets, making it a prime spotting position.
"Let's go boy," she muttered as she slipped into the hall and headed left.
The interior of the fortress was largely empty, though she was forced to duck into a larder to avoid a small unit of soldiers that dashed past on their way to the front. The ranger took the first stairwell she came to, heading up to the higher levels of the fort to make her way towards the wall. A thundering boom from somewhere outside warned her that the bombards had already begun firing, she had to move faster. She paused as she passed a storeroom and gave a satisfied nod, the customs gate was just ahead. Loud shouts and calls echoed down the hallway to her ears, and good deal of clinking from armor warned her that there were more than a few soldiers in that direction. From the sounds of it, the spotter was in the observation booth, used by security to watch the usual crowds that moved through the port. Tightening her mask the ranger drew back her string and made her way to the end of the hall. Peeking around the corner she spotted three Kournans, two Elite Guards and an Elite Spear. She leaned her head back against the stone wall, taking a few deep breaths for focus, and then spun into the hallway.
"Hey!" she barked down the corridor.
The guards turned their attention to the woman, and the spearman managed a surprised gurgle just as her arrow took him through the neck. The remaining pair gave a cry of alarm and raised their shields to ward off her arrows. The ranger dashed forward, sprinting down the hall and digging a hand into one of the pouches on her belt. The first warrior charged, swinging his scimitar angrily. A swing of Rakiv's arm sent a cloud of dirt into his eyes, causing the enraged guard to miss his target and screech as he was immediately blinded. The second guard lunged with a precise swipe of his gladius, seeking an artery to sever with his blade. Rakiv pirouetted, deflecting the blow quickly and jamming an elbow into the unprotected space between the guard's helmet and breastplate. The Kournan choked and vomited, as the ranger spun and notched an arrow to her bow.
The first guard had recovered, but screamed in pain again as Rakiv pinned him down with an arrow through his ankle. With the first warrior crippled, the ranger turned to slay the second guard, locking an arm around his head and brutally jabbing an arrow through the side of his ribcage and up into his heart. Wrenching the shaft from him she let the Kournan fall, and spun on her heel to thrust the bloody arrow through the eyeslit of the first elite's helmet. The exchange had been swift, so fast that just as she let the first soldier fall, the door to the booth burst open and the rest of the spotter's protectors charged into the hallway.
They numbered three as well, and the ranger was ready for them. Two Elite Zealots and another Elite Spear shouted at her, and the spearman reared back to throw. Rakiv stomped on the fallen warrior's shield, catching it by the edges and bracing herself just as the spear struck. The Kournan's throw was powerful, enough to cause the ranger to physically slide backwards down the hallway as the shaft struck her defense. Fortunately, the attack had also served to increase the distance between her and her enemies, and she was even deadlier at a range. She threw down the shield and whipped an arrow to her bow, eyes narrowing as she took aim. Three twangs later her enemies were either dead, dying, or incapacitated. The surviving Zealot howled in pain, her Pin Down having attached him to the wall through his shoulder. Rakiv snapped her fingers as she walked past him and entered the observation booth. There was a hiss and a snap behind her as she closed the door, and the Kournan screamed as Butter went to work.
"Oh gods wait!" came a cry from within the room, "Please… please just wait!"
Rakiv's violet gaze pierced the Kournan field marshal before her, who had dropped his telescope and held his hands up pleadingly. She reached back for an arrow from her quiver, and then paused as she looked out the window behind him. The spotter had called his shots well, and she could see broken Sunspears in the plaza below, members of the First Division having fallen to the bombardment. Inwardly she cursed herself for not moving faster, but her eyes narrowed wrathfully on the Kournan before her.
"Look I… I just call positions, okay!" the field marshal reasoned, "I'm sorry I just… just please… don't…"
The ranger did not listen, though she lowered her hand from her quiver. The field marshal gave a sigh of relief , which quickly turned to a choke of fear as the flame haired huntress advanced on him.
"Wait… what are you doing…" he demanded tremulously, "No… wait!"
Rakiv strode forward purposefully, fingers curling into firsts. The field marshal retreated from her until his back was pressed against the glass window of the observation booth. He glanced back, and horror filled his eyes as he realized what she was about to do.
"No! No please!" he screamed.
Rakiv hopped forward, dashing towards the man and jumping at the last moment. Turning in the air she delivered a punishing flying-back-kick to his chest, a blow that propelled the field marshal through the window and out into the open air beyond. The Kournan screamed as he tumbled through the air, a rain of glass following in his wake until his cry was silenced with a sickening thump. Rakiv glared coldly out the window at her handiwork, and watched as Sunspear healers rushed into the plaza to rescue their own wounded. Kormir strode into the plaza, directing her troops to charge now that the bombard had ceased fire. The Spearmarshal stopped at the body of the field marshal and raised her shield over her head to ward off the rain as she peered at the broken window above. Rakiv stared back down at her, before lifting her emblem to her lips.
"First target eliminated," she reported, "Wait for the bombardment to lift before proceeding."
"Move quickly sister," Kormir's replied, kneeling down to retrieve the spotter's guild emblem, "Nerashi has reported bombardments on her location."
"Moving," Rakiv responded and promptly deactivated her own emblem.
She opened the door, to find Butter busily cleaning his snout on the garments of a slain zealot. He looked up at her and she whistled back to him as she turned and took off down the hallway. She would be swifter this time, she would not let anymore Sunspears fall to these men.
The second spotter was stationed high in the tall lighthouse that overlooked the central dock. It was the most logical place to put a spotter, as it gave him the best vantage point of the port and its many piers. Rakiv found resistance inside the lighthouse to be minimal, as the Kournans had focused much of their defense on the outside of the tower, never guessing someone might have infiltrated from inside. The field marshal at the top of the lighthouse did not plead for his life as the first one had. Indeed, he might have succeeded in killing her had Rakiv not tripped him over the lantern room's access hatch. The man fell, but managed to catch himself at the last moment. The field marshal grabbed the edge of the hatch opening as he tumbled backwards, saving himself from the fall below, though he was left practically laying on his back over open space. He looked up and his eyes widened as Rakiv raised her boot and delivered a heavy stomp to his pelvis. The force of her kick sent him straight down, and the Kournan shrieked, before bouncing off of a railing and plummeting down the center of the spiral staircase below.
Rakiv found the third field marshal in the port authority's office, a very spacious room that overlooked the majority of the southeastern docks. This man was faster than his colleagues, and Rakiv defeated his guardians just in time to watch him slip out the office's side door. The ranger sprang after him and the spotter ran for his life, dashing through corridors, leaping down ladders and scrambling up stairs. Rakiv knew the fortress well, and recognized his route as the path towards the walls of the outer keep. The outer keep of the Gandara Fortress provided a secondary line of defense against intruders seeking the center of the fort. It was guarded by heavy gates that faced the southern markets. In peace time these gates were usually left flung wide, allowing goods and trade to flow freely into Kourna. But now they had been cranked shut, sturdy enough to withstand onslaughts from most siege weapons.
The field marshal smashed his way through a door, and dashed outside into the rain. Rakiv followed him, finding they were running across the keep wall and rapidly approaching the gate. The field marshal sprinted into the wall-mounted gatehouse, locked the door behind him and climbed out the gatehouse window to run across the top of the great iron doors. He looked back at Rakiv, who smacked her fist against the door angrily and scowled at him as he made his escape. The field marshal laughed, exhilarated that he'd actually managed to get away from her, now he only had to make it to the other side before she could shoot him. Rakiv moved to do exactly that, mounting the rampart next to the gatehouse and notching an arrow to her bow. Suddenly Butter gave a loud hiss, and his jaws snapped onto the lepord skin at her waist as he tugged her backwards.
"Butter, what are you doing!?" she exclaimed angrily.
The crocodile continued to pull, giving a hard jerk to pull her down behind the rampart. Rakiv turned to scold her companion when a very loud noise caught her attention. Her eyes widened as she recognized the unmistakable boom of a bombard firing and threw herself against the rampart, clutching her hands over her head. Atop the iron gates the field marshal blinked in surprise, wondering which bombard had fired and on whose authority it had done so. It was only then that he noticed the Sunspear battalions standing in the market plaza, and the heavy siege weapon they had commandeered from the docks. The bombardment shell struck the gates with terrific force and the explosion blew them from their hinges. Cacophony reigned supreme, the resulting destruction drowning out the howl of the storm as the gates tumbled inward. Rocks and bricks flew everywhere as the iron doors tumbled end over end before sliding to a stop inside the keep. Thunder rolled overhead and Rakiv hesitantly peeked over the edge of the rampart, looking down into the settling dust of the gates' demise.
"Third target eliminated," she reported, considering it to be a reasonably safe assumption, "Orders Spearmarshal?"
"Stand by," Kormir replied.
The deep bass of a horn belled out over the fortress, a Kournan retreat signal. Bayel had sounded a retreat? Rakiv hadn't known the word even existed in the man's vocabulary. But with the keep compromised and their bombards blinded, they didn't have many options.
"Spearmarshal, reinforcements have arrived," Koss reported over the emblem, "What are your orders?"
"Varesh has holed up in the Plaza of the Five Gods, the center of the fortress," Kormir broadcast, "Order all troops to form up and move in on the Plaza! All units, forward!"
Rakiv rose from her crouch and picked up her bow. It made sense, the Plaza was basically a large vault with heavy doors barring entry from all sides. If the Sunspears moved quickly, they might reach the Plaza while the Kournans were still retreating inside, before they had a chance to shut the gates. There were, however, other entrances to the Plaza of the Five Gods. There were at least three service doors that Rakiv knew of, too small to march an army through, but perfect for an individual.
"This is a trap Kormir…" Dunkoro's voice came over the emblem's officer-only channel.
Rakiv switched off the device and headed back inside the fortress. Of course it was a trap, the entire operation was. Varesh was a master tactician and a cunning adversary. If she had seriously intended to defend the port, the Sunspears would have faced far more formidable opposition. She was luring them in, allowing them to conquer her 'defenses' to spur them into her web. Rakiv knew this, but she also knew that this was the flaw in Varesh's plan. No matter what her strategy was, Rakiv could best the Warmarshal in single combat. It had always been so, and though the years had honed both their skills, the ranger was confident that her abilities remained superior. Rakiv knew it and Varesh did too.
That thought gave her pause. Varesh knew Rakiv could defeat her. She knew what the ranger was capable of, perhaps better than anyone else. The Warmarshal also knew that Rakiv and Kormir were working together. What then could Varesh possibly have up her sleeve that she believed could counter Rakiv Maelstrom? The ranger shook her head. Whatever it was, it was bound to be one hell of an ace in the hole… but if Rakiv could stop the Warmarshal before she could play her hand, it wouldn't matter anyway.
Renewing her resolve Rakiv made her way down through the fortress interior, skipping down stairs and heading through the servants' halls. The sound of tromping boots forming battle lines drew closer as she approached her destination, sliding down a ladder to reach a tool storage room with a single wooden door. With a hard strike Rakiv kicked the door open, a flash of lightning accompanying her entrance as she strode into the Plaza of the Five Gods.
"Varesh Ossa!!" she roared, and a dramatic peal of thunder followed her cry.
Kournan spears leveled at her as the battalions tightened their formations around the shrine at the center of the Plaza. Atop the stone dais stood the purple clad figure of Varesh Ossa, Grand Warmarshal of Kourna. The last time Rakiv had seen Varesh standing on the shrine had been at the other woman's commissioning, when the title of Warmarshal had been thrust upon the shoulders of an unprepared fifteen-year-old girl. Ten years had passed, and now Varesh stood in the Plaza for quite a different purpose. A colossal black cauldron sat before her, bubbling and belching as whisps of black smoke were blown about wildly by the stormy winds. Varesh slowly turned to face the ranger, a wave of her hand ordering her troops to stand down. The spearmen stood to attention and their formation parted, granting the Warmarshal an open avenue as she strode towards the ranger.
Rakiv looked around herself, small memories racing back to her. The Plaza of the Five Gods was the heart of Gandara, built when it had still been a Dervish Temple. During her time as Warmarshal, Varesh has turned the Temple into a port and a fortress in response to the corsair raids that had harried the early days of her rule. The Moon Temple had been a place where the dervishes of Elona had learned the philosophy of the five true gods, the history of the world, and the discipline that honed their skills. The walls that hedged in the gates supported the massive murals for which the plaza had been named. Giant mosaic workings depicted each of the Five True gods, each mural facing the center shrine. In homage to the past, and that their disciples might never forget the history of the world, a sixth mural adorned the far northern wall of the plaza. It bore the image of Abaddon, fallen god of Water and Knowledge. Constructed during the days when he too had been among the great pantheon, the mural had been allowed to remain standing as a memorial to the once wise and benevolent patron god of the sea.
"Sister Rakiv Maelstrom," Varesh called, drawing the ranger's attention back to the Warmarshal, "I had hoped you would come."
Rakiv's eyes narrowed over her mask as she watched the other woman. Varesh stood unarmed a few yards in front of her, her golden armor and headdress gleaming as water poured over her.
"This ends now Varesh!" Rakiv snarled, "You've gone too far this time!"
"Perhaps," Varesh allowed, slowly striding closer, "Perhaps I have… and I admit that these measures have not been to my satisfaction. It was my wish that all people might have a place in the new world…"
"New world?" Rakiv balked, and threw her hands wide, "Varesh you're ending the world! People have died for this! Died over ancient rituals and evil creatures! Innocent blood has been spilled by your orders!"
"I know!!" Varesh barked back, a roll of thunder following her outburst, "I know…" she admitted more gently.
Rakiv stared at the Warmarshal, sensing a genuine feeling of remorse within her. Varesh had always been ruthless, but never murderous… never so cold as to cause so much death.
"But I swear to you sister, it was the only way," Varesh said, stepping closer to Rakiv, "I asked Kormir, pleaded with her to allow my scholars to enter the First City. But she remained adamant that her Sunspears face whatever dangers lay within. Like the others Kormir did not understand what I wished to do… what I am doing."
"What you're doing is bringing hell to earth," Rakiv responded, staring up at the taller woman, "What you're doing is leading countless men… both Kournan and Istani, to slaughter."
"Because they would not listen!" Varesh cried, "Because they do not see… they are blinded by their faith, blinded by their devotion to cruel deities and petty immortals! They do not see that I am about to set them all free!"
"… what are you talking about?" Rakiv finally queried.
Varesh gave a small sigh, spreading her arms peacefully and slightly bowing her head. The ranger felt something nagging within her. She shouldn't hesitate, she should kill this woman now… for all the evil she had done. But Varesh had been her friend once… perhaps not the most trustworthy, but a friend nonetheless. And so Rakiv lowered her bow, allowing her one time friend to speak.
"I was among the Khel Varr, just as you were," Varesh said, "I devoted myself to the teachings of the gods. I devoted my life, my very existence to their service. Our sisterhood was to understand the things of heaven as no one had before, to commune with our makers and serve them with all our being."
Rakiv nodded slowly, it was indeed true. She and Varesh had spent much of their formative years in this very fortress, training and learning night and day.
"But as I sought their favor I found that none of the Five would look upon me with grace," Varesh continued, "Though I applied myself with enduring asceticism, they would not grant me their favor. I dug through the scriptures, seeking their knowledge, searching for what I might do that one… just one might call to me as Dwanya did to Kormir, or Balthazar to Yurukaro… or Melandru unto you."
Rakiv flinched, but her mask shielded her expression. Varesh gave her a small nod, but continued on.
"Yet among the sisters there was no place for me, and the gods scorned my pleas for guidance," Varesh sighed, "And so I dug deeper… deeper into the ancient texts, searching for answers to my anguish… to why I should be deemed so unworthy. And then I found it… naught but a scrap of parchment it was, but it held greater wisdom than I had ever read before. I poured over it, a tiny surviving fragment of the Scriptures of Abaddon, lord of Water and Knowledge… and I came to understand the truth."
"And what is this 'truth'?" Rakiv asked, unable to remove the scorn that seeped into her voice.
"That we serve false gods!" Varesh proclaimed, lifting her hands and face to the heavens as the rain splashed down upon her, "In the beginning we were made by their hands, and sent out upon this earth that we might command it. And when we cried out to heaven for relief from the hardships of this world, only Lord Abaddon answered our pleas. To ease our suffering he gave us the secrets that would help us to conquer the tribulations before us. His favor saved us."
"He gave us Magic," Rakiv responded, "Magic that almost destroyed us all."
"For man is imperfect, and his greed is endless," Varesh admitted, "But my lord saw a way to save us, a way to make all of us as brothers, united to wield our power for the common good of all mankind. And he bestowed this gift upon the first of his people."
"The Margonites," Rakiv guessed.
"Yes," Varesh nodded urgently, "The Margonites followed Abaddon with unflagging dedication, and were given his greatest gift."
"He turned them into demons!" Rakiv exclaimed.
"He united their people!" Varesh countered, "And he would have bestowed this favor upon us all… were it not for the Five who stopped him."
Rakiv did not respond as thunder grumbled in the clouds above.
"For his efforts to ease our pains," Varesh spoke slowly, her voice laden with sorrow, "For his attempts to redeem us from our sins… for the favor that he lavished upon us… My lord was cast out, bound to an existence of complete solitude and endless torment by his own flesh and blood. The heretical Five, foolish and fickle immortals that they are, banished him from the very world he had tried to save."
The Warmarshal paused, closing her eyes and tilting her head back again, reveling in the water that splashed against her features.
"And I understood his plight," Varesh sighed softly, "For though I had shown love and devotion to these petty gods, I too had been cast out and sentenced to solitude. It was then that I realized the truth… that the gods do not love us, and they do not watch over us. We are but pawns to them, toys to be manipulated for their own amusement. We earn their favor only by overcoming insurmountable odds and undertaking unreasonable tasks far beyond our ken. Their blessings are few and their wrath is cruel… "
"And so I chose a new path," Varesh said, turning her eyes back to Rakiv, "A new god to follow. One who spoke to me and guided me on my journey. He has granted me his eternal favor and shown me the way to be his disciple. Kormir could not understand this, nor could any of the others. But I am glad that you have come sister… because though I have suffered greatly in my loneliness… no one has felt the gods' betrayal greater than you."
The ranger froze, her jaw tightening and her throat constricting. Varesh gently lifted her hands, placing one on each of Rakiv's shoulders and pulling the younger woman closer.
"You loved your goddess, perhaps more than any of us ever loved the gods," Varesh said to her, "Your devotion surpassed us all, you inspired us… and for much of my childhood I could not help but envy your zeal. And for a time you were rewarded, Melandru's gifts were strong in you and your skill was unmatched. You gave everything to the mother of the earth, and she in turn loved you as her own."
Rakiv couldn't move, and though she tried to work her tongue she found that her throat would not allow her to speak. Her extremities were numb, and she felt somehow cold inside. She could do nothing therefore, when Varesh gently embraced her and drew the young woman's head to her bosom.
"You were destined for greatness sister," Varesh whispered, "Destined to be greater than us all… until the gods betrayed you. For their own amusement they clouded the truth, and turned your gifts into something awful… something terrible. And for their deeds, you were cast out… discarded and abandoned… sentenced to endless solitude in a world where the very presence of the gods was to be your daily torment."
Rain water stung Rakiv's eyes, and she shut them tightly as a single salty droplet traced its way down her cheek. Varesh held her friend close, closing her own eyes as well.
"Oh… how I have wept for you sister… wept for the injustice you have suffered," Varesh sighed sorrowfully, "But it is my wish that you should suffer no more."
Rakiv opened her eyes at that, a creeping suspicion breaking through the sentiments that had begun to cloud her judgement. She was silent for a long moment before finally speaking.
"You're about to ask me to join you… aren't you?" she queried.
"Come with me sister," Varesh offered eagerly, "Turn away from these cruel creatures that call themselves 'gods'. Walk my path… and discover the love of a new god. Once he is free, Abaddon will remake us all, bless us with is favor and the world will begin anew."
Rakiv did not speak, a cold shiver running down her spine. Finally she pressed a hand against her one-time friend's shoulder as she pulled away from the embrace.
"I have seen these… 'blessings'," Rakiv said slowly, "I have seen the suffering that Abaddon has caused… seen the horrors that his servants have called forth."
A look of deep dismay slipped across Varesh's features, her eyes gazing imploringly into the ranger's own. But Rakiv only stared back steadily as she slowly took a step backwards and away from the Warmarshal.
"And I will not trade one cruel god for another," Rakiv stated firmly, "This has to end Varesh. And it has to end now."
The Warmarshal of Kourna let her arms fall to her sides as lightning flashed over the plaza. A shout came from the gates as Kournan soldiers came pounding into the courtyard.
"Sunspears are at the gates!" came the cries of a Kournan commander, "All troops into the Plaza! Fall in formations! We will hold them here!"
"Warmarshal!" a captain called, "The men await your orders!"
Varesh continued to watch Rakiv, searching for some sign that ranger might change her mind. But there was no hope to be found. Rakiv had made her decision, and Varesh had made hers. The Warmarshal turned away and began her walk back toward the shrine.
"Varesh?" Rakiv called, "Varesh you have to stop this! This is madness!"
"No sister!" Varesh shouted back over the storm, "Madness is the ritual of a priest who prays every night to gods who do not heed his words. For though he applies himself to the same task over and over, the results do not change. I walk the path of Truth, that by the revelations of Secrets I might expose the great lie that the Five have taught this world."
"You'll damn us all!" Rakiv snapped, "Nightfall will mean the deaths of millions! You're going to release demons Varesh! Demons!"
"The servants of my lord will cleanse the land of unbelievers," Varesh responded, mounting the dais and raising her hands to the cauldron, "Fear not my sister, those who repent and turn from their sins will be spared, for the mercies of my lord are without end!"
The ranger raised her bow, notching a red feathered arrow to the string. The Kournan soldiers closed their ranks and raised their shields, as a pair of spearmen rushed up to the altar to defend their Warmarshal. Varesh pushed them away, spreading her hands and calling to Rakiv.
"This is the path I have chosen Sister Maelstrom," Varesh shouted, "If you would stop me, then you must kill me."
Rakiv squinted against the rain. The shot would be perfect, she could land her arrow directly between the Warmarshal's eyes ending her quickly and painlessly. The ranger's arm tensed, her breathing coming in pants as turmoil raged within her. Varesh smiled smugly and turned back to the cauldron, snatching up her scythe from the shrine's pillars and closing her eyes as she began to pray.
"Warmarshal Ossa!" Kormir's voice rang out through the Plaza, "Stand down!"
Sunspears poured in through the gate, the Spearmarshal's reinforcements greatly outnumbering the Kournan phalanxes that surrounded the temple shrine. Rakiv did not move or relinquish her aim as Sunspear battalions rushed past her to surround the Kournan soldiers. The pitter-patter of familiar footsteps approached and soon Alendra and Anicara stood behind her.
"Miss us?" Anicara asked dryly, tugging wet bangs back behind her circlet.
"I told you to stay with the Spearmarshal," Rakiv grumbled.
"And she told us to rejoin you," Alendra snapped back, "So… so there!"
Rakiv released a small snort, but maintained her aim. The Sunspears formed their battle lines, hundreds of spears leveled at the Kournan defenders as the noise of marching, armor and weapons finally ceased. A peal of thunder followed a crack of lightning as rain pounded the Plaza, and Varesh continued to pay no heed to the white-clad warriors that had surrounded her.
"Grand Warmarshal Ossa!" Kormir called out, "In the name of the Five Gods, stand down!"
Varesh stopped in mid-prayer, whirling around to face the Spearmarshal and point a wrathful finger at her.
"Fools!!" she shouted over the rain, "Your gods are weak! But my god gives me strength!"
The Warmarshal lifted her scythe high, reveling in the chaos of the storm. The rain intensified, beating down on the gathered soldiers as Varesh shouted to her forces.
"Who among you would serve your Warmarshal's will?" she called.
"I!" a burly elite guard shouted, raising his great axe over his head, "I would serve the Warmarshal!"
"And your faith shall be rewarded! Let all here witness the favor of my god!" Varesh announced, and turned back to the cauldron as she cried out in a loud voice.
"Abaddoooooon!!"
With an burst of black smoke the cauldron split apart, brackish black liquid flowing down over the steps of the shrine. The pillars of the shrine shattered as a great twisting orb of purple and black energy rose from the cauldron's destruction. The orb rose higher, ascending above the crowd before delivering a bolt of purple lightning to the volunteer soldier.
The man gave a shout of pain and alarm as violet energy consumed him, roiling over his frame and lifting him into the air. Before the eyes of the entire assembly he began to change, his limbs growing longer and his muscles expanding. The skin flayed from his body in ribbons and he screamed in agony as rushing cords of purple energy took the place of his muscles, tendons and sinew. His clothes melted away, replaced by heavy armor plates and a helmet of strange black metal as heavy ragged cloths rolled over him. Slowly he descended, great metal boots clunking against the ground as the energy left his form and he stood as a being transformed. Seven feet tall, broader than any of the Kournan men and bearing a mace with a cruel spiked head. The soldier turned his head towards the Sunspears and slowly opened three pairs of blazing purple eyes.
"Gods above…" Alendra whispered in horror.
"Cry out my warriors!" the Warmarshal shouted, "Show your faith that Abaddon will find favor with you!"
The Kournan's shouted aloud, shaking their weapons high as the brackish black ooze seeped between their ranks. The thick liquid was rapidly approaching the Sunspear lines and Rakiv watched it carefully, slowly stepping away from it.
"Get back…" she muttered, "Don't let that touch you."
As the Kournan's shouted the black orb began spitting purple lightning bolts, striking the individual soldiers and transforming them. As the Warmarshal's army rose into the air the dark sphere trembled and released a burst of evil purple energy into the black ooze beneath it. As coils of wicked energy sprang across the ooze, forms began to rise out of it. Nightmare creatures, twisted by ancient and nameless evils, burst from the black liquid and raised claws, fangs and scything arms to the sky as they roared triumphantly with release. The Kournan army settled back to the ground, their transformations complete and they brandished their weapons… reborn as an invincible army of evil.
"Gods!" Dunkoro cried, "She has demons!"
"Forward my disciples, my Margonites!" Varesh shouted, pointing her scythe at the Sunspear divisions, "Destroy these unbelievers! Forwaaaaard!"
"Stand fast! Here they come!" Kormir shouted.
The Sunspear lines raised their shields and braced themselves as the demonic army charged. The first demon struck their defenses, his massive mace shattering the shields of the Sunspears in his path. With absolute savagery he thrashed into the Sunspear forces, ignoring the spears that stabbed at him and smashing his way into their lines. He was followed by more, nightmare creatures who charged in after the transmogrified Kournan army, leaping upon the Sunspears who screamed as their formations were shattered.
"Regroup!" Kormir called her orders, "Don't let them get behind you."
"Backs to me," Rakiv ordered Alendra and Anicara, "We're in for a fight girls!"
The trio of women formed up, Anicara summoning an ice spear as Alendra raised her shield high. A scythe wielding soldier thundered towards them, his footsteps so powerful the ground shook beneath their feet. The blade of his weapon whistled as it swung towards him and the three women rotated to defend against the blow with Alendra's shield. The strike was so powerful it knocked the Sunspear off her feet, and she tumbled to the ground with a pained cry. Anicara immediately began tracing a green diagram in the air as Rakiv loosed her arrow into the demon's foot. The creature yowled and struck at Rakiv with the butt of its scythe. The attack landed at the ranger's feet as she sprang back and away from the creature just as Anicara finished her spell.
"Mortal cold rise from within to afflict thee with Chiblains!" she chanted.
The Margonite yowled as the curse struck it, large ulcerous welts popping across its shimmering body and spilling forth brackish black ooze. Anicara grunted, feeling the backlash of the curse take effect. The dark magic had poisoned her, but even this would be to her advantage and she dashed forward to make use of it. The demon wrenched its foot free of Rakiv's Pin Down and raised its scythe to strike again. Unable to block such a blow Alendra tackled Anicara aside as the scythe came crashing down, the impact sending shards of stone flying in all directions. The water elementalist rolled and reached out to grab the demon's foot as she chanted her second curse.
"Be ye fouled by my Plague Touch!," she grunted.
The creature's response was a choking grunt as the mystical poison rushed through it, and it reacted quickly to smite the offending female. Alendra was quick to defend her fellow officer and raised her shield to block another blow from the butt of the scythe. This one came much harder than the first and the Sunspear shrieked in pain as felt her bone snap, the sheer force of the attack breaking her arm. The evil soldier raised his scythe to finish the job, when five arrows pincushioned his back in rapid succession. The demon fell to its knees, trying to reach for the arrows embedded in its fleshand howling in agony. Alendra grit her teeth, adrenaline and rage overcoming her pain and she raised her spear as it crackled with lightning.
"Die!" she shrieked as she thrust her spear into its head, twisting violently and wrenching it back.
The Margonite fell lifeless to the ground and the girls rose, throwing their backs together and panting heavily with the effort. Around them Sunspears screamed and cried out as the demons laid into them with axe, mace, spear and scythe. Alendra brushed a swift Healing Touch over her arm, grunting as the limb mended itself and hefting her shield once more. It had taken all three of them just to bring down one, and there were still hundreds left to go. All semblance of order had been lost, as the cries of dying soldiers were swept away on the wings of the storm. Finally Kormir's voice broke above the noise of the slaughter.
"Fall Back!" she cried, "Retreat! Save those you can!"
"Do not let them escape!" Varesh shouted her counter order, "Close the gates!"
With heavy creaking the gates began to crank shut, the massive iron doors barring all escape from the Plaza of the Five Gods. Rakiv swore darkly under her breath, this was not going to end well. Terrible booms sounded all across the Plaza as the gates closed shut, sealing them inside with the demon army.
"Now Abaddon!" Varesh called out, "Grant your prophet invincible servants, that I might do thy bidding!"
"To me Sunspears, to me!" Kormir cried, the remainder of the white-clad forces rallying behind the Spearmarshal.
Kormir raised her spear high and golden light enveloped her as white fire surged along the shaft of her weapon. The Holy Spear blazed in her grip as she charged in among the demons. The woman attacked with deadly accuracy and righteous fury, her spear burning through the demonic hordes that attacked her. A Margonite soldier was laid low by a blow from her shield, as a nightmare creature was impaled by her holy weapon. The Spearmarshal became a one-woman counter-attack, her holy infused blade driving back the evil forces to give her Sunspears a chance to regroup.
Though the Spearmarshal fought off Varesh's soldiers, the Warmarshal's reinforcements had already arrived. Three shafts of malicious energy poured from the black portal, their intensity searing the stones that they struck. Out of each shaft emerged a shape, as Varesh called forth the names of her harbingers.
"The Hunger!" she shouted.
The first creature had the shape of a colossal boar with a ridge of massive, cruel looking spines extending from its armored back. Its eyeless head was framed by a pair of huge mandibles that surrounded a gaping maw filled with razor sharp teeth. It pawed the ground savagely and gave an earsplitting roar.
"The Drought!" Varesh announced.
From the second energy beam emerged a gigantic edifice of rock and stone. For a moment it appeared to be some kind of land formation, before it extend four insectoid legs of sharpened stone and rose from the ground. It reared a head of graven bedrock, carved in the shape of a dragon and it shrieked wrathfully as it stomped its granite legs.
"And the Blasphemy!" the unholy prophet proclaimed.
The third energy beam died away to reveal the form of a man made entirely from shimmering and shifting purple energy. An iridescent horned crown adorned his head and shining armor plates sat on his shoulders. His hands grasped a scythe made of twisting purple lightning and he shook his weapon mutely at the Sunspear remnants.
"Now my servant's," Varesh ordered, the rain flying from her arm as she flung her palm outward, "Kill them all!"
The demons charged forward, The Hunger moving the swiftest and knocking Margonites and nightmares aside as it thundered straight towards Kormir. The Spearmarshal ran to meet it, raising her white burning spear and shouting a war cry at the top of her lungs. The combatants clashed, Kormir sliding beneath the Hunger and scoring its underbelly with the blade of her spear. The demon stomped at her and she rolled aside, shouting again as she dove for its head. The creature caught her in its mandibles, pulling her towards its teeth as Kormir shoved her shield into its mouth to brace its jaws. Her spear stabbed at its head again and again, opening searing wounds in its flesh. With an angry shake of its head the Hunger threw her, his teeth wrenching her shield from her grasp. Kormir hit the pavement, rolling and sliding to her feet. She skid to a stop, brandishing her spear and looked up with a grimace of pain. The demon crushed her shield between its jaws, spitting out the hunk of metal and pawing the ground as it charged again.
"Kormir needs help!" Koss cried, as he dragged his machete out of a Margonite's chest.
"We need help!" Alendra responded, as she slid to Rakiv's side.
"We must retreat!" Dunkoro called, panting heavily and throwing a wash of blue light over the nearest soldier, "We have to escape!"
"How!?" Anicara screamed, "The gates are closed! There is no escape!"
Rakiv's focus remained on the battle, as she mounted a downed demon and fired an arrow into its head. Kormir needed help, and she had to reach her friend in time. A flash of instinct tore through her and her reflexes kicked in as usual, allowing her to nock aside an incoming arrow that a Margonite archer had fired. The demon sneered as he loaded a second arrow and loosed it at his target. The human ranger hardly flinched as stepped aside and caught the arrow just as it flew past. Notching the demon's shaft to her own bow she fired it back, knocking the Margonite down as the arrow struck its chest. The woman threw wet hair from her eyes as she quickly took stock of her surroundings. Anicara was right, there was no escape.
"We need a miracle…" she muttered under her breath.
The Sunspear numbers thinned as they were driven back, the demons advancing and attacking viciously. Rakiv reached for an arrow, and balked when she discovered she was out. In the two months since she'd returned to Elona she'd never run out of arrows! The woman threw her bow across her back and picked up a fallen scythe, stepping back between Alendra and Anicara.
"This is it girls," she said, eyes hard on the approaching army, "Fight hard!"
"Yes Commander!" both girls responded.
Rakiv steeled herself, this was what she'd come here for… this was what she'd wanted. She hadn't thought that this would be the way but… it wasn't a bad way to die, fighting for a cause. Quite suddenly, an odd sensation pushed her thoughts of death aside. A strange prickle started on the back of her neck, almost like a rush of heat that was now flowing down her spine. It was a familiar feeling… one that she'd gotten quite used to, one she'd even come to find somewhat comforting. For a moment she couldn't quite place it… and then the memory came rushing back.
"No…" she breathed, eyes wide as she turned to stare up at the sky, "It can't be…"
A lull fell over the war in the Plaza as the grey clouds turned red, a rumbling echoing through the skies that was beyond lightning or thunder. The cloud cover twisted, churning in circles as though being drawn about by a cyclone. Suddenly they blew apart, a great hole torn through the stormy clouds as a staggeringly large mass of blazing rock came hurtling from above. Tiny flaming chunks preceded it, pelting the plaza and its walls as the Meteor sped down towards them.
"Brace Yourself!" Alendra screamed her shout, "Everybody get down!"
The battalions heeded the Sunspear's words, throwing their shields over their heads and bracing their legs for the worst. Alendra pulled Anicara beneath her own shield, shouting to Rakiv to get down. The ranger did not listen, only watching in awe as the planetary shard plummeted towards the Plaza. Varesh looked up, raising her scythe and giving a shriek of wrath and dismay as the Meteor slammed into the northeastern gate of the Plaza. The blast was terrific, sending a concussive wave through the courtyard that blew most of the demons off their feet. The iron gates were torn asunder, the sheer kinetic force ripping them apart. With its structural integrity heavily compromised by the blow, the section of wall supporting the gate collapsed along with it, much of the debris following the Meteor as it plowed through the plaza floor and into the depths of the fort below. Rakiv ducked, avoiding shrapnel bits that flew in all directions and spun on her heel to gaze up at the top of the wall behind her, the spot that she was sure the warm prickle had come from.
"Kydar…!?" she gasped in disbelief.
A pair of boots jumped onto the ramparts, and the tall elementalist rose to his full height, staring down into the devastation below. The high winds whipped about the sleeves and leather vest of his newly donned Sunspear robes, and flames blazed on the ends of his wands as he began another cast. On either side of him two more figures mounted the battlements, Melonni and Anorah each uttering a swift prayer to the gods. In perfect synch the dervishes crouched low and then jumped from the walltop, slamming their scythe blades into the mortar lines and sliding down the wall. A moment later the shorter form of Tahlkora stood up next to the fire mage, waving her staff excitedly to the Sunspear troops below.
"Oh my gods… reinforcements?" Alendra exclaimed.
"There's only four of them," Dunkoro huffed, "Hardly enough to help us in this fight."
"He's not helping us fight…" Rakiv said, turning to stare at the destroyed gate and crumbled wall, "He's helping us escape!"
"She's right!" Koss called, "If we can get across that crater we can get out of the Plaza!"
"We have nowhere to go but into Kourna!" Dunkoro cried.
"Then that's where we'll go!" Rakiv shouted, "We have to get these men out of here, save as many as you can!" the ranger whirled and called across the courtyard to the Spearmarshal, "Kormir! We gotta go!"
The Spearmarshal dealt the mandibles of the Hunger a brutal kick, the demon yelping in pain as the woman fended off his teeth and delivered a second blow that snapped off the demon's appendage. The Hunger yowled in pain, retreating from Kormir, who shouted at him challengingly, twirling her spear expertly and preparing for his next attack. At Rakiv's call she looked up, glanced to their newly made escape route and shouted out to her troops.
"Retreat!" she cried, "All forces, retreat! Save those you…"
The Spearmarshal never finished her command. The Hunger, enraged at the loss of his mandible, immediately seized the moment of opportunity and lunged at Kormir. A punishing sweep of his tail struck the woman full force, sending her flying across the Plaza. Kormir spun wildly from the blow, slamming into the pavement with an audible crack of bone and bouncing off as her momentum continued to carry her forward. Her back collided heavily with the unyielding stones of Gandara's walls, and she could not even cry out in pain as the breath was knocked from her lungs. Rakiv screamed as lightning flashed overhead and the Hunger dove after the fallen Spearmarshal. Kormir had just enough strength to lift her spear one more time as the cavern of ravenous teeth descended upon her.
"No!" Rakiv shrieked shrilly with panic, "Nooo! Kormir!"
Hands grabbed at her, Koss and Alendra managing to hold the ranger back as she fought against their grasp. Melonni and Anorah reached the Sunspear party, Anorah dropping her scythe to lock Rakiv's arms behind her back as Melonni relayed their plan.
"The northeastern gates are open," the Kournan dervish explained, "Varesh has called for reinforcements, but if we move quickly we can escape before they get here. Kydar and Tahlkora are moving to clear our path but we have to get out of here. Now!"
Rakiv watched in absolute horror, water streaming down her face as the Hunger howled in triumph over the body of her oldest friend. Anorah's grip remained strong, and soon the ranger's struggles died as she swallowed a sob that very nearly burst from her throat. She knew what she had to do… what Kormir would want her to do. She could not let anyone else die here or the Spearmarshal's sacrifice would be in vain.
"Alendra, rally the survivors," Rakiv ordered, lightly tugging against Anorah's grasp as the dervish hesitantly released her, "We're getting out of here. Anicara, Rojis and Sousuke, we need a bridge across the crater. I don't care how you do it, but make us one. Koss, Melonni, Anorah, lead our standing troops and cut us a path to that crater. Dunkoro, get these men on their feet and moving. Lonai, give us some distractions, as many as you can raise. Nerashi, Jin you're with me, we'll cover the rear and hold them off as long as we can. Go!"
"Ahai!" the officers called out.
Moving with a speed borne of desperation the Sunspears set to the tasks they had been given. Koss gave a loud battle cry and charged forward, the dervishes following as the standing Sunspears gave chase. Alendra dashed to the slain corpse of a Margonite warrior, standing on it and shaking her spear high.
"Let's go everyone!" she cried out, "We Shall Return!!"
Sunspear warriors stumbled to their feet, their sturdier friends helping them along as they followed the brave phalanx that cut a swath through the demonic horde. The Castellan joined Dunkoro in healing as many men and women as they could, helping others as they made their escape. Across the battle field the fallen corpses of demons and soldiers began to twitch and writhe. The bodies burst open and collections of flesh, bone and sinew rose to take on new, morbid shapes. Lonai thrust her idol forward against the pentagram she'd drawn in the air and her minions charged into the fray, harrying the demon troops with sharpened claws and pointed spines.
"Go, go, go!" Rakiv shouted, snatching the quiver of a fallen Margonite bowman and fitting his crude arrows to her bowstring.
Nerashi and Jin joined her and the trio of archers rained flint-tipped shafts into the crowd as the demons battled the undead minions. From the ruins of the shrine Varesh watched wrathfully as the ragged Sunspears retreated from the plaza, tumbling out into the fortress corridors beyond. A flash of lightning illuminated her furrowed brow as she gripped her scythe and turned away from the battle.
"Rakiv!" Anicara's voice carried to the ranger, "Come on!"
"Let's go!" Rakiv shouted to Jin and Nerashi, the three bow-women breaking into a sprint towards the crater.
The elementalists had constructed a bridge of stone and ice and Rojis stood at the far end of it waving them on. The women dashed past him, the roars and cries of the demon horde close behind. Rojis turned, lifting one hand to the storm above and thrusting out his staff towards the bridge in front of him.
"From the darkest storm clouds, loose the wrathful spears that scar the skies," he shouted his incantation, "And with raging fury surge forth! Lightning Surge!"
A bolt of lightning flew from the clouds above, the jagged path of light striking the elementalist's upturned hand. So broad was the jolt that for a moment Rojis was engulfed by the erratic energy beam, as he channeled the force of nature through his staff and sent it directly into the stone and ice bridge. The peal of thunder released a concussive shock as the lightning destroyed the bridge, sending the demons on it into the flaming depths below. Rojis stomped his foot, ridding himself of the excess charge his body had stored and turned to follow the Sunspear's retreat.
The way through the fortress was clear and the path of their escape was easy to follow. The burning corpses of destroyed Kournan reinforcements led the way as the Sunspears charged through the empty halls. True to Melonni's word the northeastern gate was indeed open and the path was clear to the bridge beyond. Ahead of them Kydar and Tahlkora stood on either side of the great opening, waving franticly for the Sunspears to hurry through. Butter hissed next to Rakiv and the ranger turned an ear to the passage behind them. Roars, wails and shrieks followed their wake, the demons were coming.
"C'mon, everybody through!" Kydar shouted, as the Sunspears thundered past, "Go, go, move, move!"
"Hurry up!" Tahlkora cried out, jumping up and down as she pointed the way, "Everyone across the bridge! Run!"
Rakiv ran with the rest and came to a stop at the gate, looking up at the tall rain slicked elementalist. Kydar looked down at her and gave a rather smug chuckle as he gave her shoulder a rough pat and nodded her along. No words passed between them, but the exchange was enough for her to understand. He'd known she would do this, and had come after them anyway.
"Anicara!" Kydar shouted, "Sousuke! I need your help!"
"Yes sir!" Anicara shouted, skidding across the wet cobblestones to him.
"Hai, senpai!" Sousuke shouted.
"As soon as everyone's across we take out the bridge," Kydar called over the thunder that nearly drowned him out, "I'll throw some cover down at the gate. Anicara you freeze it, and Sousuke you break it!"
"Got it," the other two nodded in response.
"That's the last of them!" Tahlkora called, waving to Kydar, "Let's go!"
The four casters took off after the retreating Sunspears, the roars of the demons growing closer by the second. Kydar stopped in the middle of the bridge, rapidly muttering his incantation.
"Fire Storm!" he invoked, and on his command the blazing brimstone descended.
He turned to sprint the last few yards across the bridge, feeling the temperature drop as Anicara had already begun her cast. He leapt off the stone construct and onto Kournan soil just as the young elementalist completed her spell.
"Maelstrom!" she cried, thrusting the crystal head of her rod forward.
On the other side of the bridge the demon's charge was immediately stymied, the savage onslaught of fire, wind, ice and rain forcing them to halt their attack. Sousuke wasted no time, casting rapidly in his native Canthan, only parts of which Kydar understood. The results however, were indisputable.
"Chilong Bu Zi!" the Zaishen shouted, slamming the end of his wand into the dirt at his feet.
A small tremor radiated from him, causing both Kydar and Anicara to stumble as they watched the frozen bridge. The groan of sliding rock and stone reached their ears as a colossal slab of earth rose from the moat, hovering up over the bridge. The boulder hung suspended for a moment, before crashing down into the center of the bridge, shattering the construct and sending bits of frozen brick, wood and mortar into the river below.
"That should buy us some time," Kydar nodded, dusting his hands.
The elementalists fled from the bridge's destruction, arriving at the ragged Sunspear contingent as Rakiv started barking more orders. The splashing of mud caught her attention and she turned as Nerashi limped back to the group, grunting as she snapped off the shaft of an arrow that had struck her thigh.
"Kournan reinforcements have arrived," she panted, wincing with pain, "We have minutes before they attack."
"And if we run they'll overtake us," Dunkoro cautioned, "We haven't the strength for another fight."
"We have to worry about the bombards first," Rakiv interrupted, raising a hand for silence, "It's only a matter of time before Varesh turns the eastern bombardments on us, and then we'll all be dead."
"Then let us buy you some time," Koss stepped forward, wiping rain water from his face on the back of his gauntlet, "Give me a brigade and we'll hold off the reinforcements long enough for you and the wounded to get out of here."
"You'll die," Rakiv responded flatly.
"We all will if we don't do something," Koss replied.
"The Zaishen will go with you," Jin replied, rallying the remaining servants of Balthazar behind her, "Let us cover your escape Ranger Maelstrom, we must save as many as we can."
Several of the uninjured Sunspears agreed, forming up behind Koss and awaiting the ranger's orders. Rakiv grimaced, it would be a group of about fifty men and women, out of the two-hundred or so that had managed to escape. But Koss was right, if they didn't buy them time then all of the remaining Sunspears would be killed.
"Then go," Rakiv nodded, "The rest of you, split up, no more than ten to a group. Some of you here are native Kournan's, so you know this territory. We're running and hiding now, do whatever you have to but stay alive. When the time is right, we'll find you."
The heavy boom of a firing bombard alerted them, and everyone immediately ducked. The falling shell hit the water of the moat several meters short of their position, far too close for comfort. Koss gave a shout to rally his men and charged eastward, Jin and Sousuke leading the Zaishen as they followed the Sunspear brigade.
"Go!" Rakiv shouted, "Everyone scatter! And remember, stay alive!"
The Sunspears division broke apart, quickly limping for cover to escape the sight of the bombards' spotters. Rakiv rose to her feet and looked around at those who had stayed. Kydar gripped his wands tightly, and Anicara stepped forward as she wiped rainwater from her brow. Anorah stood in silence next to Alendra, who held her shield over her head and squinted at the ranger. Tahlkora huddled next to Alendra, taking advantage of the cover of her shield as she tried not to shiver from the cold and wet. Melonni remained as silent as the Zaishen dervish to her left, but her attention was elsewhere as she stared into the east where the sounds of battle could be heard.
"Any ideas?" Rakiv asked those assembled, "Where are we going?"
"We should head west!" Alendra shouted over the rain, "To Yohlon Haven! It used to be one of our outposts, the people there might be willing to let us stay!"
"Then we're going west!" Rakiv shouted, "Everybody move out!"
The haggard band of six followed her order and summoned the last of their strength for the run ahead of them. They splashed through the red mud of Kourna's shores, and Rakiv paused as she felt eyes on her. Looking up the ranger stared at the walls of Gandara, where her gaze met the enraged glare of the Kournan Warmarshal. Varesh Ossa (now High Prophet of Abaddon) stood on the battlements of her fortress, her body framed against a black and angry sky that flashed with lightning and rolled with violent thunder. Hateful eyes watched as the blasphemous humans scattered before her, just as her god had promised her they would.
This was her land, and her soldiers were everywhere. There was no place they could run, no place they could hide. Her eyes locked with the violets of her ranger sister, her one time friend and ally from days long past. But those days were gone, and each woman could sense the other's resolution. There would be no reconciliation between them, there could be no peace or understanding. Each had chosen her path, and their next meeting would be their last. But for now Varesh had triumphed and she gripped her scythe with both hands as she raised it to the sky. The clouds twisted into a black vortex above the Moon Fortress and violet robes furled dramatically about her as a stroke of purple lightning split the skies.
"Running will not save you fools!" she declared, her voice echoing over the land and striking fear into all who bore witness as she proclaimed her victory.
"Abaddon is strong!" her words rang out, "Nightfall… Is… Coming!!"