Chapter 22: An Army of Pigs

With her child safely in one of the wagons, Raina and Airk set off with their few thousand men to Tir Asleen. Despite giving birth only moments ago, Raina was fiery and determined as ever. They were so close to defeating Bavmorda's forces and that meant everything to her. Every gallop closer was a step towards defeating Bavmorda's evil and protecting her child.

Stopping for a brief moment, Airk was concerned for his wife. "Raina, are you sure you're well enough for this journey?"

"I just stabbed a Nockmaar soldier in the heart for you," Raina fiercely. "If that doesn't show I'm ready, what does?"

"I do not doubt your heart, my love," Airk replied.

"But there is something else that troubles you," Raina said wisely.

"This war has already cost me a father. I won't let it take anyone else from me, let alone our daughter," Airk said fearfully.

"Well, that is unfortunate because I have no intention of sitting by the fire waiting for Bavmorda's lackeys to finish us off," Raina chuckled. "And that is what will happen. Our numbers are few. We need every sword we could get. If that means me, than I'm willing."

"But our daughter needs her parents," Airk protested. "Is it worth orphaning her?"

"My love, you know the answer to that question," Raina replied. "I want to see our Willow grow tall. I want to see her making men fall to her charms and spirit. But that will not happen if we don't give everything to defeat Bavmorda. Even if we are gone, all that matters is our girl is loved."

Airk nodded, considering Raina's words. He did not want to leave his daughter an orphan of war, but he knew no other alternative. If he did not fight, that would tip the scales in Bavmorda's favor and his daughter would have no world at all to grow up in. Knowing this, Airk was resolved.

"Then if we both have to give our lives for the sake of our daughter, so it shall be," Airk declared. "I pray for we both will survive this, but our girl will be loved and see this world changed."

"Now that we got that settled, let's go kick some Nockmaar a**," Raina declared.

"Well said, my love," Airk agreed. "After you."

Raina spurred her horse and rode hard beside her husband, set in her will to bring a storm to the Nockmaar army. Airk smiled as he galloped alongside his wife. He did not know what lay ahead, but he knew this much was true: Nockmaar was bound for a storm. Nockmaar's forces did not know a mother's love, but they would certainly feel the fury of it after they met Raina.

For miles, Airk and his army thundered along the road, desperate to see the end to their journey.

Ronan rode alongside his friend. "General, I suggest that we take time to rest."

"No," Airk replied. "We are on the heels of Nockmaar. If we stop now, we will lose them."

"The men are exhausted," Ronan replied gravely.

"I know, but we have no choice," Airk replied. "We are on the brink of taking out Nockmaar's forces. We can end this war."

"I hope you're right," Ronan replied. "If we die, I will be kicking your a**."

It seemed an eternity before Airk and his company reached their destination. Airk looked up and saw a glimmering castle, like a spike of pearls. Its banners flying high in the breeze.

Tir Asleen, Airk thought.

Airk observed that castle and its grounds were on fire as Nockmaar forces surrounded the keep. He then saw him: General Kael amid the fires of the battle, a wailing bundle caught in his arms. Airk knew there was no turning back now and he was prepared.

"Sound the charge!" Airk cried to his lieutenant.

With the bellow of a horn, Galladoorn's war charge filled the air. The Nockmaaar armies seemed to be filled with dread as Airk's forces charged them. As they approached, they turned their steeds and ran back to the castle keep. Alas, their forces rallied as General Kael flew out on his steed with a fierce cry.

"No mercy!" Kael bellowed.

Galladoorn and Nockmaaar collided, their armies seemingly becoming one amidst the chaos. Side by side, on horse, Airk and Raina fought, meeting sword against shield. Raina felled many foes alongside her husband as they fought through the red chaos. In the midst of the chaos, Raina saw Kael cutting through Galladoorn soldiers as he would a cake. Raina had barely any time to duck as Kael's blade nearly met her head. Raina blocked his deadly blow and parried back, the fury in every strike she made. Raina advanced on the general and lunged forward, determined to end Kael. Their blades met with a ring of steel as they were caught in a furious embrace. Kael was cunning. With a hidden knife, he pierced Raina's shoulder before she could finish him and galloped off.

Coward, Raina thought as she held her shoulder and watched the general ride away. The chaos quickly died down as Galladoorn's forces overwhelmed what was left of Kael's men. When the chaos died, Raina found Airk. He had a cut lip and his head was bleeding, but he was strong.

"Raina, are you hurt?" Airk asked, riding to his wife's side.

"It's not bad," Raina said, her voice strong as she showed Airk her wounded shoulder. "I had him on the ropes."

"I don't doubt that," Airk replied.

Just then, riding to their side came Willow, Madmartigan, and Sorsha.

"Madmartigan, fancy seeing you here," Airk greeted.

"Same to you," Madmartigan returned. "I thought you weren't coming."

"And let you get all the glory?" Airk jested. "I don't think so."

Raina's blood boiled at the sight of Sorsha. Last she had seen her, Bavmorda's daughter had taken her prisoner. Raina advanced on Sorsha, her sword raised.

Madmartigan rode between her and Sorsha before she could land a blow. "Raina, no! Sorsha is with us."

"Bulls***," Raina retorted. "How do we know this isn't a trick?"

"The people in Tir Asleen are under my mother's spell," Sorsha replied. "I saw my father there. I won't let that child die on my watch."

Raina looked into Sorsha's eyes and considered her words. Finally, she believed her. "Welcome aboard."

Airk nodded as he noticed Willow, who was bleeding from the head but still sturdy on his horse.

"Madmartigan, what happened?" Airk asked.

"Kael has Elora Danan," Willow spoke up. "He's taken her to Nockmaaar. Bavmorda is going to banish her spirit if we don't stop her."

"Then let us waste no time," Airk said resolutely. "We must ride for Nockmaaar."

With great speed, Airk and his forces rode off to Nockmaaar, with Willow, Sorsha and Madmartigan in their company. By dusk, they had reached the black gates of Nockmaar. Seeing that the castle was impregnable, Airk had resolved to set up camp.

"We need towers and a battering ram! Break out the tents, make camp!" Airk commanded before turning to Madmartigan. "We'll assault at first light."

Raina looked up at the dark castle and her heart caught in her throat. She only hoped they were not too late.

By nightfall, Airk's army had surrounded Nockmaaar's castle. Suddenly, they heard an echoing, taunting cackle. Airk and Raina looked up and saw Bavmorda roaring with laughter as she looked down on the encampment.

"This is not an army!" she jeered.

A sudden fear gripped Airk as he looked up at Bavmorda and he turned to Raina. "Go into the tent with Willow and the peck."

"What? Why?" Raina protested.

"Raina, please. We don't know what that witch is capable of. I won't let her torture you. Go!" Airk pleaded.

"Only for your sake and our daughter's," Raina agreed.

Raina entered the tent and found Willow, Larissa and her daughter and a goat named Raziel huddled together.

"Willow, cast the shelter chant. Protect us," Raziel said.

Willow nodded and spoke in a language Raina did not understand. Despite not understanding his words, she could feel the magic around her. She could feel the shield surrounding them like a fortress. Willow continued on until his strength gave out and he collapsed. It was quiet outside. Too quiet for the liking of anyone in the tent.

"I don't like this," Raina said with a shudder.

Raina and Willow stepped outside the tent and found not soldiers, but an army of grunting, squealing pigs.

"Bavmorda turned my husband into a pig," Raina gasped. "That b**** is so dead now."