Chapter 9: Battle of Cashmere
As the small forces of Galladoorn thundered into the besieged city of Cashmere, the sight would have taken the heart of any soldier. Smoke billowed high into the clouds, and screams echoed from the nearby villagers as they were slaughtered in their own homes. Bodies of Cashmere soldiers and villagers lay scattered in the field, wetting the grass with their blood. This would have given any soldier pause, but the knights of Galladoorn knew there were more important matters than fear. As Airk looked at the chaos, he could only think of Raina and getting back to her. He did not know how long he had drifted into his thoughts when Ronan rode up beside him.
"Wakey, wakey, soldier," he laughed. "Other things on your mind?"
"Surprisingly, yes," Airk replied.
"Lucky butthole," Ronan laughed. "Anyway, might I ask what, before we all die?"
"I think you know that," Airk said.
"I knew it!" Ronan said. "Let me guess, she just happened to pledge your love to you right before you left?"
Airk nodded.
"Well, can't say I didn't tell you so," Ronan said.
"Did I hear right? Airk and Raina got together?" Madmartigan chimed in.
"Yes, not that it's much of your business, Madmartigan," Airk said.
"Well, good for you," Madmartigan said. "I really wish you the best of luck. However, if you don't come back from this, at least you can die a happy man."
"Thanks, Madmartigan," Airk said.
"Always happy to help," Madmartigan said. "Now, if we could get back to the subject at hand, I believe that there are a thousand Nockmaar soldiers about to kill us."
"Don't worry, I'll protect you," Airk said.
"Me? I was referring to you. You're gonna need all the help you can get if you wanna get back to that woman of yours."
"And you'll need all my help if Nockmaar doesn't kill you before I do."
"Airk, Madmartigan, to the front!" Cayne shouted.
Airk, Madmartigan and Ronan rode to the front beside Cayne, as the Galladoorn army prepared to charge. Airk kept his mind on Raina, not knowing if he would would live or die in this battle.
Little did Airk know, Raina was by his side on the front lines. She watched him as he charged up beside his father. She knew there was no going back now. Airk was not going anywhere without her. Whether Airk knew it or not, Raina was going to fight by his side and die, if it came to that.
No going back now, Raina thought
Raina lined up in the charge. She could only hear the hoof-beats thundering on the ground and her heartbeat in her ears. Whatever happened during the battle, Raina only hoped Airk would make it, and she would do anything to ensure it. With a fierce cry, she charged forth with the rumble of horses behind her.
The forces of Galladoorn smashed against the Nockmaar army. The Galladoorn army did their best to push the Nockmaar army back. In all of the confusion, Raina lost sight of Airk. Mounted atop of her horse, she pushed her way, hacking her way through wave after wave of soldiers.
Where is Airk? She thought. Please tell me he's still alive.
As she cut her way through the Nockmaar soldiers like blades of grass, Raina caught sight of the imposing Kael. Suddenly, her blood began boiling. Memories of her destroyed family, ruined village, and her torment came back to her in that moment. Raina turned her horse and raised her sword to go after him. Suddenly, she finally caught sight of Airk. He was surrounded by soldiers, struggling to fight them off. Although she was filled with hate when she saw Kael, she could not turn away from Airk. She turned her horse and galloped on to Airk's side, fighting off as many enemies as she could.
Airk looked up and saw the soldier who had come to his rescue. He saw the man was tall and slim, with golden hair hidden under a great helm. He gave the soldier a nod of appreciation and turned away.
As the battle got more fierce, the tides were grim for the Galladoorn army. The Nockmaar army was driving them back to the fortress of Cashmere.
"We need reinforcements!" Ronan said
"Tell me something I don't know!" Airk said. "Wait, where's Madmartigan?"
"I thought he was with you!" Ronan said.
"He abandoned us! I knew it!" Airk said. "Where are those reinforcements?"
"I think we're on our own," Ronan said.
As Nockmaar pushed back Galladoorn, Raina rode up and saw the reinforcements from Cashmere trying to push through. However, Kael was at the front pushing them back. Cayne at the head of the Galladoorn army was doing his best to rally the troops and lead the Cashmere reinforcements into the city, but to no avail. Seeing the problem, Raina raced forward, slashing her way through the Nockmaar soldiers. Charging at full speed, she rammed her horse into Kael's, throwing him off his horse. Raina began slashing her way through as many soldiers as she could, clearing a path for Cayne and the Cashmere reinforcements. Cayne and the few hundred Cashmere soldiers charged into the city, driving back the Nockmaar army.
As Cayne led his soldiers to victory, Raina was ambushed by Kael. After she unhorsed him, the nefarious general would not be humiliated. As Raina cleared a path for Galladoorn and Cashmere, Kael stabbed her horse, sending her flying. Cackling, Kael raised his sword to her. Raina screamed at him and knocked away his sword with her shield. With furious anger, Raina kept bashing her shield into Kael. Then, she stabbed him in the knee. But Kael was a strong enemy for Raina. Before Raina could strike another blow, Kael knocked her sword away. Kael began bashing her shield, breaking her arm and sending her to the ground. With a cackle, Kael lifted her off the ground by her throat. Before he could strike the killing blow, he was struck from behind by Airk. Raina saw his golden hair standing over her and then knew no more.
"Nockmaar's pulling out! We have victory!" Cayne shouted!
As the triumphant soldiers marched into Cashmere, Airk and Ronan emerged out of the fortress to their amazement.
"I can't believe that we're alive. I thought we were dead," Ronan said.
"I heard there was a soldier who cleared a path for the reinforcements," Airk said. "If it wasn't for that lone soldier, we'd be dead."
"Whoever it is, I'd like to kiss his butt," Ronan said.
"And I shall personally arrange that," Airk laughed.
Ronan and Airk searched among the wounded. Suddenly, Airk stopped dead in his tracks when he came across a golden head he knew all too well.
"Raina!" he cried.
Raina lay pale in the middle of the ground, her arm was broken and blood was splattered on her face. Her breathing was shallow, so Airk could barely hear it. Airk's heart smashed when he saw her in this state.
"Raina! Why are you here?" Airk cried. "Raina, please. Not again. Stay with me."
Ronan knelt by her side. "She's alive. Looks like she put up quite a fight. We gotta get her into the fortress. She won't make it to Galladoorn."
As Ronan and Airk carried Raina into the Cashmere fortress, the Galladoorn and Cashmere soldiers were celebrating the victory. Although they had a victory , Airk did not feel victorious. He promised to come back to Raina . He only hoped he would get to uphold that promise.