Invasion (12 page)

“Very good. Once I have secured the Gate I will send reinforcements up there and we’ll push our border further north, eventually wiping the Red Axe out.” Sylestra spoke with confidence.

Biv’rak’s eyebrows rose. “You sound so sure of that.”

“That’s because I am. Look how quickly we drove through the Black Skull. Now with the two tribes united, the Red Axe stands no chance. I need secure borders on this world as my sights are on another.”

“You plan on taking control of Ka’ton?”

“That is all I will speak of my plans for now. So how are things going around here?”

“Pockets of resistance are springing up all over the place. The City Watch is working overtime to quell it. Reports are coming in of the same thing happening in all our cities as the word of your — ah — conquest spreads.”

“Then be sure to make it well known that I promise to destroy the Red Axe once and for all. Use the stationed army to assist the City Watch in all cities. The sooner we have the resistance under control the sooner we can focus on more important tasks.”

“I will see that it is done, Supreme Mistress.”

The door opened and a female orc brought in her food and placed it on the table. Another followed her in and put down a goblet and poured wine into it. She left the decanter behind and padded from the room.

“Is there anything else I should be aware of?” asked Sylestra.

“Well, perhaps just one more thing. There is talk about how you are going to manage ruling two tribes as you can’t be in two places at once.”

“We are not two tribes,” shouted Sylestra. “We are one.”

“I’m sorry, Supreme Mistress. I simply repeat what is being said. They are not my thoughts.”

“Go on.” Sylestra softened her voice and took a sip of her wine.

“Well some are saying that a regent should be put in place to rule when you are absent.” Biv’rak looked at the table.

“And you were hoping this could be you?”

“By Gr’guck, no. I would not want that job at all.” He looked her in the eye as he spoke and Sylestra could tell he was sincere.

“But you have been effectively doing that job so far.”

“Yes, and have been fearing for my life every minute. If I am viewed as leader, some may be of a mind to challenge me for rule. While I can fight, I’m not delusional enough to believe I am the best or strongest.”

Sylestra couldn’t help but chuckle. Biv’rak looked petrified by the idea of ruling.

“Your modesty and clear thought make you ideally suited to lead and yet I agree that it has not ever been that way for the Black Skull. The very title you bestow on your leaders states that they need be fierce. I think I know the perfect orc for the job but it may be a few days until he can be spared. Can you manage in the meantime?”

“I’ll do my best, Supreme Mistress, and I am honoured by your kind words.”

“So you should be,” she said firmly. “Now unless there are any other matters to discuss I need to finish my meal and get back to the Gate.”

“That is all that is pressing, Supreme Mistress. I will leave you be.” Biv’rak rose, bowed his head and scurried out the door.

Chapter 11

Caged

Master Pilk awoke with a start. He didn’t think he’d even sleep propped up against the tree trunk as he was, but he had been more exhausted than he thought. It took him a moment to gather his senses in the evening twilight, but the growing sound of battle soon had him alert.

Using the rope he had hung earlier, he pulled himself up into the tree to afford him a better view. The charred remains of Fort Dega, lit by small fires still burning and glowing coals soon became crowded with the enemy. Volleys of arrows streamed into the masses but it did little to hinder the progress of the invasion.

The pikemen were doing their best to keep the enemy confined to the fort, but they would not hold out for long. Meanwhile orcs with crossbows were scaling the walls from the inside and firing back at the archers. Arrows and spells of all descriptions shot out from high in the trees around Pilk to take them down but for every one killed, another two would replace them.

Pilk sent off a powerful lightning bolt which threw his target back off the wall, but they could not hope to hold out for long. He did a quick scan of the battlefield until he spotted O’tukka. The intimidating orc finally showed what his staff could do as he pointed it at orc after orc and released its power. A giant incorporeal hand would shoot out and wrap around its target and squeeze the life out of them. The formed hand gripping the purple gem at the head of that staff now made a lot more sense to Pilk.

After sending off two more fireballs into the throng, Pilk scurried back down the rope and zigzagged his way through the crowd until he came across O’tukka.

“We must be ready for our last hoorah.” Pilk hurled a magic missile at an orc archer who aimed his bow at O’tukka. O’tukka looked in that direction and back at Pilk giving him a nod of thanks.

“We’ll need a good vantage point and a wizard able to get us out of there in a hurry,” replied O’tukka.

“I have a tree over there rigged with a knotted climbing rope, a comfortable perch and a great view.” Pilk pointed to the tree he had been sitting in moments earlier and smirked. “Meet me there in fifteen minutes. I’ll go find Master Tayer and have a quick chat to Duke Angus.”

“A lot can happen in fifteen minutes,” said O’tukka.

“We’ll hold. Just don’t be late.” Master Pilk hurried off to find Master Tayer.

He was leading a small group of wizards around beside the fort where the wall had been destroyed. They were magically shielding the pikemen to help stem the flow.

“Could you please come with me, Master Tayer?” asked Pilk without preamble.

“I’m very busy here Master Pilk, as you can see,” replied the old wizard.

“We can’t hold. We have to prepare for the final retreat and for that I need you.”

Master Tayer looked at him with concern. “What are you planning, Pilk?”

“I’m planning on giving this army the time they need to retreat, and I need you for my own get away.”

“Understood” — Tayer turned his head away from Pilk — “can you take control here, Mistress Cali?”

“Where are you off to?” she shouted back.

“To keep Master Pilk out of trouble.” Tayer shot Pilk a cheeky smile.

“That seems to be a full time job.” Mistress Cali laughed.

“Hold as long as you can but don’t do anything too heroic. Get yourself out of here as quick as possible when things get too heated,” shouted Pilk as he caught sight of her.

“You’re the only one allowed to be heroic are you?” she retorted.

“I do what needs to be done.” He started to walk away.

“Pilk,” Cali shouted.

He stopped and looked back at her.

“Be careful.”

“You too.” He continued on his way.

“She really cares for you, you know?” said Master Tayer as they navigated their way through the mass of bodies. “Perhaps even loves you.”

Pilk snorted. “We are good friends with high mutual respect. That is all.”

“For someone so intelligent, you really are dumb,” mumbled Master Tayer.

Pilk ignored him, but his thoughts turned to Mistress Cali. Did she perhaps have feelings for him beyond respect and friendship? If so, what were his true feelings toward her? He shook his head and quickened his pace. This was not the time to be dwelling on such matters.

Sylestra checked her inside pocket one last time to check its contents. She had this nagging feeling that she had forgotten to bring the special wand or she had misplaced it, but she hadn’t. She felt the distinct ribbing around its circumference and by focusing her mind a little she sensed the rare spell it contained — a mighty gift from her gracious goddess Nefari.

The Gate was crowded but they would all make way for her, so she strolled confidently toward the swirling magic.

“I would really like to know what you’re doing, Supreme Mistress,” said General Jak’ho as she neared it. “The other side is not yet secure.”

“Your concern for my welfare is touching, General, but I assure you that I will be safe. As for my intentions, they are not for you to know.” Without waiting for his reply she marched on and entered the Gate without pause.

While her vision adjusted to the dimmer light of Ka’ton, she stepped to the side, pulled a small vial from her belt and drank its contents. The magic flowed through her immediately and converted her body to an incorporeal form.

Attempting to stay away from the well-lit areas of the fort, she floated to the western wall and continued on right through it. By the fearful looks on the soldiers’ faces it was obvious they could see her as the light of the burning fort behind would highlight her, but she whizzed into the tree line before they had a chance to react. Amongst the darkness of the grove she would be all but invisible in this form, but it would not last forever and so she made haste in skirting the perimeter of the fort to find her target.

Just as she approached the eastern edge of the demolished fort a horn sounded, followed soon after by another and then another. Glass canisters were thrown against the remaining segments of wall, shattering their liquid contents all over the wood. Archers lit up their arrows and fired them at the oil soaked timber, setting it aflame.

The darkness soon became overwhelmed by the light of the rapidly growing fire, illuminating the retreating army while screams of the orcs too slow to react rent the cool evening air.

Sylestra was about to give up the hunt, expecting her prey to be fleeing with the masses until her eyes were drawn to movement high in a tree. She made out three distinct silhouettes and it didn’t take a genius to work out they were magic casters.

One wore a pointy hat and another held onto a long staff, while a taller form sat in between them. Judging from the shape of the silhouette of the one holding the staff, she had found her target.

She floated closer while she still possessed her incorporeal form and waited behind a large tree as the last of the retreating soldiers ran by. Her magical potion expired, returning her to solid form. She would need to be in this state for her next action anyway so it did not bother her.

Taking a quick glance around the tree, she saw that the defending army had fully retreated beyond her position and by the movements up in the tree the spell casters were preparing a powerful spell.

The time had come for her to act.

She pulled a wand from her belt and pointed it at the branch they sat on and released its power. The black bolt of anti-matter struck the joint of the branch and immediately started to eat away at it.

The branch came crashing down a moment later and she pointed her special wand at the three scattered bodies. A dark purple line of energy spewed forth and formed a cage around two of the three figures. The third one — the tallest of the three — fell a short distance from the other two which happened to be enough to prevent being caught in the magic binding cage. She had another wand pointed at him in a heartbeat, ready to finish him off but he vanished. Knowing she had her troublesome son in her clutches, she gave it no further heed.

As she approached the cage the light of the roaring fire lit up O’tukka’s confused expression as he pointed his staff at her.

“Your magic will not work inside that cage, my son.”

“Son?” asked the little wizard. “His father must have been ugly indeed.” He chuckled, but it was cut short by O’tukka’s warning glance.

“So you have not told your new friends of your heritage, O’tukka? I am disappointed that you would be so ashamed of your mother.”

“Just kill me and be done with it,” replied O’tukka.

“It is not that simple. If I wanted you dead you would be already. However, I have need of your skills. If you do this one last thing for me I may yet let you go free.”

“You expect me to believe that lie,” he spat.

“That is irrelevant. You have little choice in the matter.” 

Chapter 12

Rescue Plans

“Where’s Pilk?” asked Mistress Cali as Master Tayer opened his door. The sullen expression on his face made her heart race.

“He was captured. It all happened so quick.” Master Tayer put a hand on her shoulder.

She dropped her face into her hands and cried. “How — how did it happen?” She followed Master Tayer inside and sat on a chair the old wizard pulled out for her.

“We were high up” — he walked around the table and took a seat opposite her — “in a tree. The plan was simple enough. O’tukka and Pilk were going to combine their powers and create a massive earthquake, collapsing the remains of the fort deep within and making it hard for the enemy to continue on through. Knowing they would be exhausted after doing such a thing, I was there for an expeditious escape. Halfway through the spell-casting the branch collapsed from under us. I rolled backwards as we hit the ground while Pilk and O’tukka rolled forwards. Before I had time to react a glowing purple cage formed around them. I tried to teleport inside it to get them out, but powerful magic prevented me. She pointed a wand at me and I didn’t want to test my shielding against her powers so I teleported back here before she fired.”

“Her? You mean Sylestra?” Mistress Cali looked up at the old wizard and wiped the tears from her eyes. Master Tayer handed her a fresh handkerchief.

“I assume it was. She was in the dark. A glint of firelight struck her face and I could see that she was human — a beautiful woman — and that cage is well beyond my own powers.” Master Tayer rose, walked the short distance to his kitchen and poured two drinks.

“We — we have to go back for him,” stuttered Mistress Cali.

“That would be suicide and I’m sure Master Pilk himself would not approve of that.” Tayer placed the goblet of wine in front of her and then sat down again.

“Pilk would return if it was any of us,” shouted Cali. “And besides, O’tukka assured us that Sylestra would not have all her power on Ka’ton as her goddess is not present here.”

“Yet she still bested the three of us, all well-skilled in our craft, and now no doubt is surrounded by her army.”

“She took you by surprise and you were all exhausted already. We can just as easily take her by surprise. I’m sure she wouldn’t expect an immediate rescue attempt.” Cali continued to wipe her eyes with the handkerchief.

“I have never seen the like of that cage, Mistress Cali. How do you intend on breaking him out of that?” asked Tayer.

“All magic can be defeated or deflected — Pilk’s own words. We just have to determine which and how to go about it.” Cali blew her nose. Actively considering a rescue attempt diverted the sadness within her. Pilk had always told her that a depressed soul would not have clear thought, while a strong soul would continue to seek solutions no matter the situation.

She tried to be strong now. Pilk’s very life depended on it.

“Do you think Sylestra will give you that time? Do you think she’ll just sit back and watch while you try to break into her cage? Try to be reasonable. Rushing into things will result in your own capture, or worse. I care a great deal for Pilk too, but I know that he would not wish us to risk our own lives for his sake when Arthea is in great need of us.” Tayer sipped his wine.

“If you won’t help me I’ll find someone who will.” She stood up, took a deep drink of her wine, slammed it back on the table and marched out the door.

“At least get some rest before attempting anything.” She heard Tayer shout after her while she stormed along the street.

She knew where to get the needed help and fifteen minutes later, she knocked on Master Pilk’s own door. A tired looking Cressida answered.

“Pilk has been captured,” she blurted.

“Captured?” Concern etched Cressida’s face. “Come in, tell me what happened.”

Cali followed her inside, sat at the table and related the story that Master Tayer had told her. Cressida listened without interruption.

“We have to go get him,” said Vik storming down the stairs with Trent hot on his heels. “We can help.”

“Master Pilk would kill me if I brought you two boys along to rescue him. You’ve gotten into enough trouble lately,” said Cressida.

“But you’ve seen how much my powers have grown in such a short time,” pleaded Vik.

“That’s true, but you still only know the one spell,” replied Cressida.

“Plus I’m good with a sword — we both are.” Vik took a seat at the table. Trent sat opposite him.

“Either way I don’t think we can do anything tonight.” Cressida looked Cali in the eye as she spoke. “You look exhausted Cali, and I’ve been exhausting my energies on bringing Decker back to full health.”

“How is he?” asked Cali.

“He’s —”

“I’m fine.” Decker walked down the stairs a little less graceful than his usual self, but otherwise appeared in good health.

“You should be resting.” Cressida got up from her chair and went over to support him.

“You fuss too much. I’m quite capable of walking to the table.” Decker waved Cressida’s arms away from him and continued walking. “It sounds like we should all be resting. We won’t be much use to Master Pilk in our current state.”

“You can’t possibly be thinking about coming along?” screeched Cressida.

“How could I not? I owe it to him. All of Arthea owe it to him.”

Cressida pulled out a chair for him by the table and after a disapproving look he sat.

“Three days ago you were on death’s door. Now you wish to run straight back into danger the moment you can walk? Are you in that much of a hurry to have Arkadi take you?” Cressida stood tense behind her own chair as her tone increased.

“Speak any louder and you’ll announce our plans to Sylestra,” said Decker with a smirk. Cali held her breath, anticipating a screaming match.

None came.

Decker’s humorous comment relaxed Cressida and she once again sat down and reached for Decker’s hand. They looked silently into each other’s eyes.

“So we agree on two things,” said Cali breaking the silence. “We have to rescue Pilk and we all need rest. Knowing that I can count on help, I’ll rest a lot easier. I’ll return in the morning and we can make plans then.” Cali rose from her chair and bid them all a good night.

Sylestra woke and stretched out her stiff muscles. She had spent the night in the encampment on the Ki’arantha side of the Gate. Utterly exhausted she had fallen into a deep sleep almost instantly.

Catching sight of the fort for the first time in daylight showed the extent of the damage caused by the human and dwarf defenders — orc defenders too she reminded herself. Scarcely a building remained standing and besides a small stone section of wall, the rest had been reduced to charred remains. Coals still glowed red hot everywhere she looked.

The clean-up was already well underway and General Jak’ho’s voice echoed around the grove.

“Clear the trees around the magic dampening cage immediately and build a cabin to encase it for extra security,” ordered Sylestra when she had the General’s attention.

“The cage can’t be moved?” General Jak’ho raised an eyebrow.

“No it cannot,” she replied. “At least not on this world — for now. I would need my full powers to perform such a task.”

“And the prisoners?”

“I have a task for O’tukka. The little wizard was a bonus. He may prove useful and if not he will make a worthy sacrifice.”

“I’ll see to it at once, Supreme Mistress.” General Jak’ho bowed his head.

“See that you do.” Sylestra turned away from him and walked toward the cage housing her son. The General once again started barking his orders.

“I trust you slept well.” She approached the cage and stopped within arm’s reach of its confines.

“Perhaps if you supplied two cosy beds for us in here we might,” replied the little wizard as O’tukka gave her nothing but a hateful glare.

“I didn’t catch your name last night when first we met, little wizard.” She looked directly into his eyes and allowed her Gaze of Hopelessness to run free. Whether due to the effects of the cage or a strong will, the wizard didn’t flinch. She would have to find out which in due time.

“Nay, but I know yours along with many of the evil deeds you have done in your time,” he replied with confidence.

“Evil? By who’s reckoning? Have you even bothered to consider the viewpoint from where I stand?”

“What’s to consider? You sacrifice the lives of others for your own gain. You invade lands you have no right to invade.” The wizard counted off each point on his fingers as he spoke. “You wield a power that cripples and corrupts.”

“I sacrifice the lives of others after giving them a better life than they would have otherwise enjoyed and their sacrifice aids the furtherance of the living rather than their life essence going to waste as you would have it.” In mockery, Sylestra also counted off the points on her fingers. “Where you say I invade, I say I liberate and with regard to my power, do you not also wield a power capable of such things?”

“I wield my power to defend the defenceless. You wield yours to destroy such ones and instil fear into them.” The wizard stood poised with hands on hips; such fearlessness and determination by one so small.

She was impressed.

“Master Wizard, we could debate all day long about what is right and what is wrong and still gain very little ground. In my greatly extended lifetime I have learnt a simple truth — right and wrong can often come down to perspective. The ones governing that perspective are the ones with power. In your case it is your king. In mine, well that is me and since I am here and your king is not you would be much better off swaying to my side of thinking.”

“That will never happen,” spat the wizard.

“Time will tell. Anyway, as it happens I have come here to talk to my son, not to you and as always time is pressing.” She turned to O’tukka and put up a hand to silence the over-chatty wizard. “I will state this plain and simply. You know where it is I want to go and you have the best chance of giving me that access. Make it so and I will let you and your friend here go free.”

“Your promises are meaningless,” O’tukka replied.

“Nevertheless they are all you have. I’ll give you one full day to think it over. Should you refuse, you and the wizard will be sacrificed in the most painful of ways. What do you have to lose by helping me?” She realised by his icy stare that she would get no further response from him and so she turned and left. The time had come to hear an answer on another proposition.

Decker opened the door to find Mistress Cali accompanied by Master Tayer.

“Found more help I see,” he said as he beckoned them both inside.

“If you must attempt something so foolhardy you will need all the magical aid possible and a good amount of Shardae’s luck.” Master Tayer chuckled.

“Your help and any luck you bring us will sure be appreciated.” Decker closed the door as they entered and followed them over to the dining room table.

“At any rate, I can get you all to Bilwarks Grove and back in an instant.” Master Tayer took a seat with a sigh.

“That will be a great help in itself. I figure we need to scout the situation first so we know what we’re up against. Ordinarily I’d prefer to do this at night time but with this woman who knows how long we’ll have so haste is needed.” Decker pulled out a chair for Mistress Cali and then sat at the head of the table.