The Godling Chronicles The Shadow of God

chapter 17





Linis had returned just before dawn, as the armies were readying to march. He and his scouts had found the cliffs unguarded, though they had seen Vrykol lurking.

“The Vrykol fell back the moment we approached,” Linis told Theopolou.

Theopolou nodded and left to inform the king. Linis joined Kaylia and Selena, who were made to join the rear guard. Kaylia clearly was unhappy about this.

“I don't like being treated like I'm some helpless child in need of protection,” complained Kaylia.

“We can't afford for you to be harmed,” said Linis. “If you are killed or captured, what would happen to Gewey?”

“Besides,” Selena added, “you may not need protection. But I do. And I feel better with you at my side.” She smiled. “And didn't you promise your husband that you would stay safe until his return?”

Kaylia grumbled angrily, but said nothing.

Soon the army began to march. Nehrutu, Mohanisi, the elf bowmen and human shield bearers, led the way. Theopolou led the elf soldiers just behind the front line, along with Chiron. The other elders scattered among the elves serving as captains. The Althetans were just behind Kaylia, Selena, and Linis, led by King Lousis.

Selena was surrounded by what was left of the Valsharan guard along with a few knights that had arrived after the siege. Ertik had refused to let her out of his sight, and spent most of his time seeing to her every need.

“How are you faring?” Came a boisterous voice from behind. It was King Lousis, astride a great black warhorse.

“We are well,” replied Selena. “And you?”

“I long for battle, High Lady.” He leaped from his horse with the vigor of a much younger man. “I hope that the elves don't win the day before I arrive.”

“I hope they do,” said Selena. “I would not see you in peril. Your people need you. As do all free people of the world. In these times a stout heart and firm resolve is in short supply.”

“I think they need you far more than they need me, my lady.” His friendly smile was a welcome respite from the nervous tension of men and elves preparing for war. “Your name will become a battle cry after today, and Valshara, a symbol of hope for victory.”

“I hope not, your highness,” said Selena. “I would not have men and women going to their death with my name on their lips. Though I fear it may be so.”

The entrance to the road leading to Valshara was a half-day’s march. Soon the men began singing songs of victory and glory, and though the elves did not join in, it seemed to lift their spirits nonetheless. Theopolou had sent a small advance force to secure the road and paths leading to the cliffs, and reported that the way was clear.

“Whatever they have planned, it is to wait until we are within the cliff walls,” said Linis. “They know we come, yet refuse to guard an easily defensible road. Our numbers would count for nothing in that narrow passage.”

“Are you worried?” asked Selena.

“I am,” he replied. “You should stay near me at all times.” He tapped Kaylia's shoulder. “You, too. I will not explain to Gewey why I allowed you to be hurt.”

“He knows full well that I can look after myself,” Kaylia shot back. “If something happens to me, the fault will be mine.”

“That will not matter to him.” He looked up and saw the Stone of the Tower come into view. His face grew solemn. “Frankly, at this moment, I wish he were here with us.”

All nodded in agreement.

Word came back that the advance force had secured all access points to the cliffs and that the road was abandoned. The temple, however was not. From the cliffs they spotted dozens of archers lining the battlements, and smoke billowed up from within.

Slowly, the army funneled into the narrow valley, guarded from above on each side by fifty elf archers. It took a full hour before the Althetan soldiers began to creep forward.

The king rode up, face hard, with sword in hand. “I'd ask you to halt here and allow my men to pass.”

Kaylia opened her mouth to protest, but Selena held out her hand and bowed to signal her compliance. She and the others made their way to the cliff-face, so that the army could pass. Nearly half the Althetans had entered the passage when a low horn blast sounded in the distance. Not from the temple, but from the north, behind the human lines. Another blast rang out.

“What is that?” asked Selena.

Linis drew his weapon. “I believe we are flanked, high lady.”

Orders were shouted by commanders as the army slowly turned. Another horn echoed against the cliffs, followed by a low rumble. Kaylia, Linis, and the Valsharan guard stepped in front of Selena. The rumble grew to the roar of hundreds of frenzied voices. The king rode up, fury in his eyes.

“We were out-maneuvered,” yelled the king. “Linis. Inform Theopolou.”

Linis nodded and pushed his way through the soldiers into the narrow passage. Althetans were still trying to turn and exit. Linis had to knock several to the ground to get through. Once he cleared the lines, he ran full speed to the elves who were less than a quarter mile ahead. He grabbed the first elf he reached and ordered him to relate to Theopolou what had happened, then raced back to Selena and Kaylia. By the time he reached them he could hear that the battle had begun.

The king was shouting orders and waving his sword wildly. He tried to spur his horse forward, but a dozen men surrounded him, and wouldn't allow him to move. Selena was still against the cliff face clinging to Kaylia's sleeve.

“Are you all right?” asked Linis.

Selena nodded. “I'm—“

The hairs on the back of Linis' neck stood up. He spun around to see the sky was streaked with incoming arrows. The guards raised their small round shields and pushed back, hiding Selena and Kaylia. Kaylia squirmed and struggled, but Selena tightened her grip. Linis backed away. There was no room and he carried no shield. The air filled with high pitched whines, and dozens of loud thuds and cracks as the arrows sank into the ground and smashed into shields. Linis moved, barely in time to avoid being skewered. One guard fell screaming, the shaft of a black feathered arrow protruding from the top of his shoulder. Two guards reached down and pulled the man to the rock facing. Selena bent down and immediately began tending his wound, but a knight dragged her back to her feet.

“How dare you!” she shouted.

“We will see to him,” said the knight. “You stay behind us.” But as she looked down she realized it would be useless. The guard was slumped over, eyes closed, with a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. The arrow had pierced his lung. There was no hope.

Linis could see that the Althetans were being forced back, though he could still not see the enemy. A tall soldier ran up, his breast plate covered in blood.

“High lady,” said the soldier, trying to catch his breath. “The king commands that you retreat into the passage. We are out matched, and I fear our line may soon collapse.”

“How many are there?” asked Linis.

“Nearly a thousand,” he replied. “They came from nowhere. We were only just able to form ranks when they reached our lines. They fight like men possessed.”

“Hold fast,” said Linis. “I've sent word to Theopolou. Help is coming”

No sooner had the words left his mouth when dozens of elves came pouring out of the passage, weapons drawn.

“What is your name, soldier?” asked Linis.

“Mitchis,” he replied.

“Come with me,” he ordered, then turned to Selena. “As soon as the elves clear the passage, you and Kaylia go inside.” Without waiting for an answer, he and Mitchis ran to meet the elf warriors.

Bellisia’s was the first face Linis recognized. In each hand she wielded a thin, short-sword. When she saw Linis approach she rushed to meet him.

“What has happened?” she asked, urgently.

Linis nodded to Mitchis, who explained the attack.

“Our left flank is nearly gone. If it collapses, we are undone,” said Mitchis.

“Go and tell them help is on the way,” said Bellisia. She pointed the sword in her left hand to an elf bearing the symbol of her tribe on his leather armor, carrying a longbow. He nodded with understanding and shouted for the other archers to form a line. Bellisia reached in her belt, pulled out a small silver horn, and blew. The high-pitched sound pierced the air like the cry of an eagle.

“The humans need us to reinforce their left flank.” Her voice rose above the sound of the battle. “It is time to prove our worth.” She pulled three elves aside. “See that the king is unharmed. Get him to pull back to the wall if you can.” They bowed quickly and obeyed. Lousis was atop his horse urging his men forward, and his personal guard was still struggling to keep him from riding to the front line.

Bellisia and Linis raced to catch up with the others. As Mitchis had said, the left flank was nearly demolished. Warriors, in black mail with the symbol of broken scales in bright red across their chest, were starting to push through. The bodies of the dead and dying littered the ground. The elves cut a path through the advance, and quickly the enemy panicked and fell back. The Althetan soldiers began to pursue, but their commanders wisely called them back and reformed the lines.

Linis looked to his right. The elves had arrived just in time to prevent them from crushing the Althetan center. They met Angrääl with fury as the clang and clatter of steel sang its deadly song.

For nearly an hour the battle raged as more elf reinforcements arrived. On three separate occasions, it looked as if the Althetan center would break, but they managed to hold long enough for more elf support to arrive and push the Angrääl soldiers back. Linis had slain at least a dozen men, and Bellisia just as many. Linis was impressed with her fighting skill and smiled every time he caught sight of her.

By mid-morning the Angrääl forces were routed and in full retreat, with the men of Althetas on their heels. Nearly half of the elf force had come out of the passage to aid in the battle. Hundreds had died. The king had injured his right leg when his horse reared, throwing him from the saddle, during the final surge forward. His personal guard had pulled him to the cliffs beside Selena and Kaylia.

Bellisia was cleaning her sword on the tunic of a dead enemy soldier when Linis approached.

“You fight well,” he remarked. “As well as any seeker.”

Bellisia smiled, looking prideful. “My father was a seeker. He trained me until I came of age and chose the life of a scholar and healer.” Her smile vanished and she cast her gaze on the battlefield. “A skill I believe we need at this moment.”

Theopolou appeared from the passage with half a dozen elves. Linis waved his arm in greeting and went to meet him. Bellisia walked beside him.

“What are your losses?” asked Theopolou.

“I cannot say,” replied Bellisia. “Substantial, I would think. The enemy was well-prepared.”

Theopolou led them to where the king was being tended. Lousis smiled as they approached and sat up straight.

“Are you badly injured?” asked Theopolou.

“No.” The king looked at his leg with disgust. “But my fighting is done for now. Were your elves assaulted in the passage?”

Theopolou shook his head. “No. I believe they counted on breaking through and assaulting our rear.”

“If you hadn't sent your elves, they would have,” said Lousis. “I mourn the loss of those who died in our defense.”

Theopolou bowed. “As I mourn the loss of your soldiers. They died bravely facing overwhelming numbers.”

“What will we do now?” asked Linis.

“We will do what we came here to do,” said Theopolou. Determination burned in his eyes. “Nehrutu and Mohanisi are with the archers and shield bearers, one-thousand yards from the gates. They await my return.” He turned to Linis and placed his hand on the elf's shoulder. “You should know that the bodies of three of your seekers hang from the walls.”

Linis lowered his eyes and clenched his fists. “I will come with you.”

Theopolou nodded. “What are your plans, your highness?”

King Lousis shifted uncomfortably, digging a rock from beneath his thigh and tossing it aside. “The wagons are being emptied to carry the wounded back to the city. Those that can't be moved will be cared for here.” He looked out on the battlefield riddled with bodies. “I will have my men take care of the dead. Rest assured the elves will be taken care of as well.”

“Are there captives?” asked Bellisia.

“A few,” the ting replied. “I suppose I must see to them until this is over. I'm hoping that we can learn something useful from them.”

Selena approached, blood covered her clothes from treating the wounded. Kaylia was at her side.

“I will remain with the High Lady and Kaylia,” said Bellisia. “I believe my healing skills will be of greater use than my skills in battle.”

“Your help is most welcome,” said Selena.

“I will join you and Theopolou,” said Kaylia.

“No,” shot Linis. “My heart is full of vengeance. I am told that bodies of my kin hang from the walls of our enemy. I cannot promise to protect you as my fury may blind me. You will stay here.”

Kaylia could see Linis would not be moved and stepped back.

Theopolou bowed to Lousis and Selena. “We must hurry.” He spun around and headed back to the passage, with Linis and the guard close behind.

“It is done,” said Selena.

“What is that, High Lady?” asked Kaylia.

Selena lowered her eyes. “Human and elf have bled together. Whatever our destiny may be, we will meet it together. I only wish the cost of peace was not so high.”