“Yes, Nightlord.”
“Renrik, I must ask you: Will the Akari, who were once my people, join in the fight against me? Or will they serve again?”
“They will side with the Empire, Nightlord.”
Sentar frowned. “Against me? Even in the face of inevitable defeat?”
“Those necromancers who would follow are already with us. But I have a plan, Nightlord. There is one in their number I have turned to our cause. The Akari will be neutralized.”
“Excellent, Renrik. You are ahead of me for a change.”
“It is my will to serve.” Renrik bowed.
“And Renrik?” Sentar frowned down at the plain. “Those shining lights offend my senses. Send some men to those towers; knock them all down.”
“I will see it done.”
42
Ella and Shani rode into the border town of Mourie, located between Halaran and Loua Louna, the hooves of their horses clattering on the cobbled stones, fatigue pulling at their shoulders.
It was market day in Mourie, a scene of strange normality as men and women in a variety of costumes hurried to and fro with goods in their hands and pouches of gilden at their belts. The scurrying townsfolk turned and stared in astonishment as Ella pushed her mount in between the drudge-pulled carts and picked her way around the stalls. Most had never seen a horse before, and the two women gathered attention as they rode to the market’s heart.
The town square was framed by a tower and a cluster of buildings. Ella rode directly for the center and pulled up, her horse whinnying as she pulled on the reins to draw it to a halt.
“Oh no,” Shani muttered under her breath. “Here we go again.”
Ella pointed her hand in the air, and a beam of bright golden light shot out of her wand. The townsfolk screamed and gasped; she had their attention.
“People of Loua Louna and lands far from here, I have news,” Ella called.
Soon there were hundreds of people around them as the crowd gathered to see what this strange young woman had to say.
“You may have heard about the enemy from across the sea. If you have not, then be warned, for this enemy is unlike anything our Empire has faced before. I come directly from Altura, my homeland, which has only survived a great onslaught by the barest margin, thanks to the combined efforts of the houses. The free cities are gone. Sarostar is partly destroyed. I am Ella Torresante, and Miro, high lord of Altura, is my brother.”
The people gasped as they heard the news, exchanging glances as women pulled children close, and all wondered how this affected them.
“We fight a force of ultimate evil, bent on destroying every house, not just Altura, but Loua Louna as well. This enemy will not rest until the Empire is gone.”
Ella paused to take a breath and frowned as she caught Shani rolling her eyes.
“We now know that the battle for Altura was just part of the struggle. We believe we only faced a part of their forces in the west. A second force traveled by ship to the lands in the east. Their next target became clear when Aynar sent a call for help, but it was a call we were unable to answer. By now the enemy has undoubtedly conquered Stonewater.”
The gasps were clearly audible now. Faces turned white and men growled.
“Soon my brother, the high lord of Altura, and the high lords of Vezna and Halaran, will pass this way. With them is Killian Alderon, your emperor. They go to stop our enemy before he can conquer Seranthia. I don’t need to tell you, if Seranthia falls, the rest of the Empire will soon follow.”
Ella’s gaze swept the market, roving over the growing crowd. These people would pass the word, and soon everyone in Mourie and beyond would hear the news.
“When they come, I ask that you help. Gather your weapons and your men, and follow where your emperor leads. We don’t battle for Altura, nor do we fight for the survival of Seranthia. We fight for the Empire. Please, I beg that you do your part.”
“Who is this enemy?” someone called.
Ella considered her words. “It is an army of revenants, led by rebel Akari necromancers. Their leader is a man of the utmost evil.” She paused to let her words sink in. “Which brings me to my next purpose. The Akari are our allies, and their own revenants may help to hold back the tide. Have they been seen in this area?”
As before, Ella saw only shaking heads and blank looks. She would have to continue her search.
Ella reared her horse back, sending the hooves kicking at the air before her mount once more regained its footing. She nodded at Shani, and they sped from the market, all eyes on them as they left.