Chapter 24: Battle on Nockmaar

Dawn had not yet come and there was an uneasiness about the camp as Work's forces prepared for their attack on Nockmaar. Many were afraid of Bavmorda's power, as she had turned them into pigs. If they did not destroy her, there would be a worse fate for anyone who opposed her. No one knew this better than Raina and Airk. Raina could sense her husband's distress as she sat with him by the fire.

"You look grim, even for a general," Raina commented.

Airk glumly eyed the meager forces. "We're going up against a sorceress who can turn armies into pigs."

"You heard Raziel. She can't do anything to us with her magic," Raina reassured him.

"It's not just her magic I fear," Airk said fearfully, as he glanced anxiously around the camp. "What if Raziel dies? What if we lose? Bavmorda will do worse than turn us to pigs. And then there's Kael. If he could beat a little girl to death, what do you think he could do to us?"

Raina smiled and then began to laugh uproariously. Airk's brow furrowed and he thought Raina had gone mad as she laughed long and loud.

"We're facing certain death. Why the hell are you laughing?" Airk asked, aghast almost shaking.

"You're forgetting that Raziel saved you from being pigs. A simple Nelwyn changed a goat to a woman again," Raina replied, the hope sparkling in her eyes. "And you forget that Kael didn't kill that little girl. That little girl is a woman, and she is coming to kill him."

Airk was shaken and amazed by Raina's determination and fierceness. She was not the same person she was when he met her. Yet what she said was true. Willow had performed powerful magic. They had an equal witch on their side. Considering Raina's words filled Airk with a new determination. "There's a bit of hope in there."

"I was hoping so, that was my point," Raina laughed.

Airk glanced to the tent where Larissa and their daughter Willow dwelt. "Do you think our girl will remember this?"

"If we survive, she will know what we did and how badass her parents are," Raina said confidently, wearing a smirk.

Airk held her hand. "If I die, don't let Willow forget me."

"You think I'm gonna be sitting here knitting?" Raina snorted. "Willow will know what her parents fought for."

"Perhaps she should have someone to tell her if we can't," Airk said.

Raina furrowed her brows. "What are you getting at?"

Airk called across the camp. "Madmartigan, Sorsha!"

Madmartigan and Sorsha joined Raina and Airk by the fire.

"What's the trouble, Airk?" Madmartigan asked.

Airk took a deep breath. "There's a high chance one of us could die tomorrow. And we have a daughter who needs looking after. As much as I cannot believe the words are coming out of my mouth, you two are the best guardians for her if we fall."

Madmartigan could do nothing but stare open mouthed at Airk. "You're serious?"

"If I'm coming to you, yes!" Airk replied.

"I agree with Airk. Willow will need someone. Might as well be you," Raina reasoned. "And you've taken care of Elora so I know you'll do the same for Willow."

Madmartigan clapped Airk on the shoulder. "I always wanted a little girl."

"She will be loved with us," Sorsha added.

"But you have to survive. Promise me you will," Airk said.

Madmartigan chuckled. "Well, I'll do my best."

"Okay, now stop being so cheerful or we'll forget we have a battle!" Raina laughed.

Dawn arose at the camp which was as lifeless as a graveyard. The tents were scattered and barren. The horses were nowhere to be seen and armor scattered the field, as if discarded out of lost hope. Seeing the camp so desolate was a welcome sight to the Nockmaar forces as they gazed down at two lone figures.

"We call upon you to surrender!" cried an old woman.

""We're all powerful sorcerers. Give us the baby, or we'll destroy you!" shouted a lone Nelwyn.

Kael and his men roared with laughter at the meager demands of the two and the desolate camp.

"Kill them!" Kael commanded.

With the thunder of horses, Kael's army rode out to dispatch the two. Suddenly, the Nelwyn pounded on a great drum and the dead camp sprang to life! With shouts and cries of joy, the soldiers of Galladoorn sprang on their steeds as they engaged the forces of Nockmaar. Airk gave a long, loud cry as he led his men on with Madmartigan and Raina at his side. As they entered the fortress Airk helped Willow down from his horse as the Nelwyn crept into the castle with Sorsha and Raziel. From horseback, Airk and Raina felled many foes. Suddenly, Airk was unhorsed and he fell to the ground. He looked up and saw a Nockmaar soldier high on the battlements firing arrows down at the soldiers. Airk knew what he had to do to even the odds. Clashing through many enemies, Airk fought his way to the top of the battlements. Sneaking behind the soldier, he crept up and slit his throat. With a loud cry, Airk pulled a rope and sent oil careening down on the crowded Nockmaar soldiers, scattering them. With a confident smile, Airk climbed down from the battlements and clashed against many foes before he heard a booming voice.

"Now you die!"

Before he could be split in half, Airk managed to block the evil General Kael's sword with his shield before parrying him away. Airk was a seasoned warrior and he fought with all his might as his sword rang against Kael's. Alas, Kael was no less cruel and cunning a killer. With a fierce malice, Kael bashed Airk's shield, making it sing before head butting him. Airk was crushed against the weight of the ferocious killer as he was tackled over and over again. Before he could react, Airk was met with Kael's fist as he crumpled to the ground. Airk staggered to his feet in a last stand. Unfortunately, Kael's cruelty knew no end. With a fierce kick, he shattered Airk's leg, making him cry out before his blade collided into his body. With a defiant sneer, Airk spat in Kael's face before he was ruthlessly kicked to the mud. Airk gazed up around him as he lay in the cold mud. Before he could react, he saw Madmartigan at his side.

With a waning smile, Airk whispered. "Win this war for me."

Amid the clashing of armies, Raina had lost sight of Airk in the chaos. True fear swept over her. She was not afraid for her life; her life was nothing if Airk was not in it. Furiously, Raina clashed against Nockmaar foes, and cried out for her love.

"Airk! Airk!" she cried, straining her voice.

Raina's cries fell deaf against the waves of Nockmaar soldiers. Raina felt a cold chill run down her spine as she could not find Airk anywhere. Her life would be forfeit if he was lost. Raina came across a body in in the mud. Fearing it was her beloved Airk, Raina ran forward to find the body. Terror swept over her as she approached the figure lying face down in the cold ground. To her great sadness, the body was not Airk, but Ronan. Ronan's body was stained black and red with many wounds, and his shield was broken. From Raina's eyes, he did not die so easily and endured a great fight. Raina's sadness turned to rage as she caught sight of Kael attacking Madmartigan from behind. Raina was filled with a sudden and oozing rage as she saw the wicked general attack.She did not know if Airk was alive, but he was alone. Ronan died alone and this would not sit with Raina. She did not know if she or Madmartigan would survive but Madmartigan would not die alone. Raina fought her way through her Nockmaar enemies up the tower steps where she found Kael towering over Madmartigan with a fierce cry. With venomous rage, Raina took out a dagger and plunged it into the general's knee. The tall and strong General barely registered the wound as he removed the dagger and tossed it at Raina, who barely blocked it, missing her ear by centimeters. Furious, Raina lunged at Kael as Madmartigan attacked from the front. The three enemies slashed their way up the steps to a bridge. It was two against one, but Kael was not deterred. Madmartigan charged forward but Kael punched him and sent him headfirst into a wall. Raina slashed and parried against Kael. With a clash of steel, their swords were crossed as both fought for dominance. Kael gave a wicked laugh as he bore down on Raina. Filled with rage, Raina spat in his face before her sword bit into Kael's leg. Despite his wound, Kael remained strong as he grabbed Raina by the throat. Raina managed to kick free and she was sent backwards. Madmartigan charged forward but Kael hooked away his sword and knocked him off his feet. With a wicked cackle, Kael toward over Madmartigan, prepared to strike. Suddenly, he was stabbed from behind as Raina plunged her sword in his back. Kael cried out and staggered backwards, knocking Raina off her feet. Madmartigan seized the opportunity and plunged his sword into Kael's heart before Raina rose to her feet and slit Kael's throat, spurting blood in a river. Kael's limp body fell from the ramparts and to the damp ground below . Raina gazed down and saw Kael's cold, broken body and at last she had avenged her family. Yet her victory was bittersweet as she did not know if Airk was alive. Raina did not have time for her thoughts as she heard a great cry from high on the dark tower and what looked like red flames shooting into the sky. Fearing the worst, Raina and Madmartigan raced to the dark tower and burst through the door. To their surprise, Bavmorda was nowhere to be found and Sorsha and Raziel lay a foot apart from each other. Madmartigan helped Sorsha to her feet as Raziel crept out from where she lay.

"Willow! Where's the baby?" Raziel cried.

Everyone rounded and scanned the room, fearing the worst. To the great joy of everyone, Willow emerged with Baby Elora safely under his cloak.

"It was just my old disappearing pig trick!" Willow chucked.

Raziel let out a joyful laugh. "Well done!"

Raina, Sorsha and Madmartigan smiled at the clever Nelwyn. Raina's relieved smile quickly faded as her thoughts drifted to Airk.

Raina turned to Madmartigan, desperate for answers. "Madmartigan, I couldn't find Airk. Where is he?"

Madmartigan was grim as he led Raina from the tower to the Galladoorn camp. New fear raced over Raina's body and her heart raced and her palms began to sweat. Madmartigan led her to the infirmary and Raina nearly died as she saw Airk's bruised and bloodied body lying on a bed. His leg had been bound in a splint and he wore a bandage stained red. Raina raced to his side and found to her relief, his breast still rose beneath the blankets.

"Will he live?" Raina asked, her voice shaking from seeing her love in such a state.

Madmartigan shook his head. "We don't know. He was badly hurt. If Ronan hadn't gotten him here, he'd be dead now. He's fighting, but we don't know how great his wound are. Only he can tell us that."

Raina nodded, tears flooding her eyes as her voice cracked. "I see."

Madmartigan took her hand. "Airk's been through worse. He's survived Kael several times before. If Kael couldn't kill him before, I doubt he'll succeed now."

Raina nodded as Madmartigan patted her shoulder.

"Do you want to join us? There's going to be a feast tonight to celebrate the victory," Madmartigan asked.

Raina shook her head. "I'm not brave enough for feasts. I want to be alone with him."

"Of course," Madmartigan replied. "But if you change your mind, I'm always here."

Raina briefly smiled at Madmartigan before she was left alone by Airk's side. Raina held his lukewarm hand in hers and was glad she was with him. He never left her, and she would not leave him.