The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Twelve





The Stühocs shoved through the broken gate, without regard for who they cut or maimed; they did not care whether they were Dunarians or Soldiers of the Dead. It didn’t matter. To them, as long as all the Humans were dead on the ground, it would be a victory.

Alric stayed close to Lorcan and Coffman, but kept even closer to Nalani. For some reason he felt more responsible for her than he did anyone else. The fight had been easy against the Soldiers of the Dead, but the Stühocs began to break them all apart.

Dunarians spread in every direction, doing everything they could to hold on to life. The sarians helped a little, but there were only a few of them against thousands of Stühocs and Nestorians.

Alric moved without thought. Every motion he made saved his life and ended another’s. He glanced at Nalani from the side and saw her watching the Stühocs beginning to break into the fortress through a wooden door on the east side.

He knew her concern. The elderly and the children were in that building toward the top, completely defenseless. After taking down five or more Stühocs, Alric grabbed Nalani by the arm and nodded toward a separate entrance to the fortress at the ground level.

“Come on!”

There was no time to explain but he knew he couldn’t let her die like this out in the open. He yelled for Lorcan and Coffman, swinging his arm, telling them to follow him into the stronghold.

Emma saw this too and she grabbed Dink and followed behind the Erellen and the large man. The six of them slipped away from the fight, unnoticed. A few of them rested their heads against the stone wall of the dark room when they entered the bottom of the structure. Their labored breathing seemed so loud, yet the room remained eerily quiet compared to the bloodletting only feet from them.

Coffman stood wary with his sword pointed at the door, knowing that the enemy could come bursting through at any moment.

“Hiding in here won’t stop them from beating us,” Dink said to Emma.

“We’re not hiding,” Alric corrected. He wiped the sweat from his eyes and looked around at each individual. “Is everyone all right?”

Each of them nodded, saying nothing as they waited for Alric’s plan.

He stood in silence for a long moment, knowing that they had to catch their breath. He looked at Nalani and he knew she would never expect him to make good on his half-hearted promise to keep her and her family alive, but he intended to do just that.

“Stühocs have come into the stronghold,” he said. “I know it’s just a matter of time before they take it over completely, but there’s no one here to protect the older people and the children.”

Lorcan raised an eyebrow at this. “You’re worried about the children?” He looked at Coffman. “What do you want us to do?”

“Just follow me,” Alric said.

He moved past the others and to the door on the other side of the room. He opened it carefully with one hand, and with the other he gripped his sword tightly. He didn’t know how many Stühocs had gone into the fortress, but he knew there would be more to come.

He nodded to the others that the hall was clear, and they tiptoed into the passage.

“Does anyone know exactly where they’re hiding?” Alric asked.

“I know that many were placed in the council chamber,” Nalani said, “but I don’t think there is enough room. I imagine that some are out in the hallway too.”

Alric knew exactly where to go. Though he was not part of the council, or the Dunarians for that matter, he had been to many meetings over the past three months.

When he had been hired by the Dunarians to help get the white medallion from Timugo, he never thought he would be staying with them this long.

Inga had wanted to stay because of Silas. Lorcan stayed, probably because of Inga; and Coffman, because he had always wanted to be part of something that was noble and true.

Alric’s reason was the redheaded woman running next to him.

She had caught his eye before he and the others had left to help Silas save Kaden in Mudavé. Of course he had heard of her shaky courtship with Julian, but they soon had a falling out.

He had learned of her planned trip to Voelif, and one particular mission had placed him there before, so he knew a little about the area. He didn’t hesitate in offering up his services.

He found her entering his thoughts at the most random moments. When the two of them had stood in front of the Sphere in Voelif, all he could think was…

He glanced at her as the others jogged behind them.

Usually, his work was the only thing that consumed his mind this much, but thoughts of Nalani had replaced it.

The six of them climbed several flights of stairs until they finally came near the council chamber.

Nalani’s stepfather, Patrick, stood with a shaky weapon drawn.

“I’ll cut you bloody Stühocs to pieces!” he yelled.

“Father it’s me!”

“Nalani?” The man squinted in the darkness of the hallway. “What are you doing here?”

“The Stühocs have entered the stronghold,” she told him as they came near. “They might come here soon. Where are the others?”

“Most of them are locked in the chamber.” With his head he motioned down the hall behind him. “The others are hiding down that way.”

“And you thought you’d stay out here alone?” Alric asked. “I’m impressed.”

“Thank you, Sergeant,” Patrick smiled.

“I’m going to have to ask you to step into the chamber,” Alric ordered.

Patrick shook his head. “Sorry sir, the door is locked from the inside. I told them not to open it for anyone unless there was a knock with a specific pattern.”

“Well, what’s the pattern?”

Patrick stood for a moment. “I uh, I forgot to make one.”

“Well, I’m sure they’ll let you in,” Alric said as he moved to the door to knock.

“Stop!” Patrick said. “Please. I want to fight with you. I am a Dunarian as much as you.”

More than me.

“I think I deserve the right to defend my city!”

Alric looked at Nalani and she nodded.

There was no more time to discuss it. Patrick would fight with them, and that time would come soon. The sound of warring Stühocs had been outside before, but now they could hear the soldiers rushing through the stronghold. The grunting and screeches became louder as a warning that the Stühocs were coming straight for them.

Alric glanced at Patrick, then Nalani. He wasn’t so sure how long the chamber door would stay locked anyway. The Stühocs were there to destroy everyone.

*****

The battle below them raged like one Julian had never seen before. Eden flew invisibly under his legs and this provided the perfect view to see all that was happening in the city before they glided into the east tower.

He tried to see if any of his friends were still in the fight, but it was impossible to discern who was who.

When the three sarians landed inside the tower, the invisibility that covered them instantly lifted. Julian felt out of place in the sarian pen. As a Dunarian, Julian felt as though he had visited the enclosure more than any other member. Seeing it empty, for the rest were surely fighting to help their Human riders, felt odd to Julian.

Before he had been used by Holden, he had felt this place was welcoming. Now, he felt like an intruder.

He and Inga dismounted and moved to the door at the other end. Julian drew his sword and Inga readied herself for any enemy to come.

As they walked down the stairs, Julian couldn’t help but notice how dark the stone passageway seemed. Normally at this time of night, flaming torches all along the walls would light the hallways of Jekyll Rock. Now the bare rock was as black as the night.

The battle in the city below them remained a distant noise, adding to their feelings of separation from their overwhelmed allies.

They walked as noiselessly as possible through the winding corridors until Inga finally broke the silence.

“Thank you for what you did with Daewyn,” she said. “It really means a lot to me.”

“Believe it or not, I’m not here to kill off the Dunarians and their allies. Though, betraying Daewyn could come back to bite me in the future.” He looked at Inga from the side. “When this battle is all over, I want you to remember that I’m not the enemy.”

“I know you aren’t,” Inga said. “Can’t say the others think the same way. I can’t say you aren’t a fool. But you aren’t the enemy.”

He couldn’t argue with her. Julian had been a fool, but tonight he would redeem himself to the Dunarians. He would win this battle for them. He would win the war.

The only person he imagined would be unforgiving was Darius. The look of hatred the man had given him when Julian came to the realization that he had been wrong about the council members was haunting.

Kaden might forgive him. Nalani might forgive him. Wouldn’t she? Maybe when this war was finished he could win her back. Maybe she could love him again.

Before that could happen, he had to get to Marenon’s Map. He just hoped the others had been successful in getting the orange medallion to the pedestal.

Inga followed Julian closely. They could now hear both the battle raging outside and another confrontation inside somewhere. Julian guessed it came from near the council chamber. He noticed Inga’s worried look.

“The best way to help them is to get to the map,” he said.

They began to jog until they finally made it to the statue of King Harold. Julian bent down low and placed his hands on the statue’s feet.

“Shelinsa.”

The statue and door opened, allowing them to move forward. He reached a hand inside his cloak and felt for the medallions. One…two…three…four…five…

He was sure. This was the right thing to do.

He led the way down the stairs. The last time he had been here, he had taken the medallions from the Dunarians because he had thought the corrupted members would give them to the Stühocs. He had been wrong then, but he was not wrong now. If the orange medallion were there, he would have the weapon. Today would be the end of their troubles.

He shoved open the door and stormed into the comfortable living space of the underground bunker. To the right and left were various rooms. Past the center, however was a hall with one small door at the end.

At the door, Inga waited patiently behind him. He placed his fingers on the handle and held them their firmly.

“What if it’s not there?” Julian asked. “What if someone else still has the orange medallion?”

“You won’t find out by standing here,” she chided.

Julian took a deep breath and nodded. It was time.

He swung the door open. The room was as bare and cold as he had left it just a week before. That is, except for one item.

The orange medallion sat in the pedestal and its chain dangled over the side. Julian smiled stupidly, expressing his elation at this discovery. He reached inside his cloak and pulled out five medallions that were individually wrapped in silk pouches.

“What are we supposed to do?” Inga asked.

Julian’s mind was too preoccupied to comprehend her question.

He let the medallions dangle from his fingers by their thin chains as he stepped in front of the pedestal. When he came close, the top right corner of the map illuminated, revealing a night view of Voelif and the surrounding land.

He grabbed the red medallion and placed it in its designated slot, causing the map to show the midnight-shadowed Reemlock Mountains surrounding Mudavé.

His hands trembled with anticipation. He didn’t even notice Inga’s open-mouthed stare as she silently cherished the display of magic happening before them.

He placed the white medallion in its slot to reveal the land surrounding Timugo. Farlaweer came next with the purple medallion. The green showed the Erellen territory. The two of them could see each region, every square inch of Marenon. The thought overwhelmed them both.

Julian held the blue medallion in front of his face, not knowing what might happen when he placed the final one into the slot. He turned his head to Inga.

“You might want to step away.”

She did as he suggested and set her back against the wall behind them nearest the door.

Julian gripped the pedestal with his right hand, and with his left he set the blue medallion into the sixth and final slot. The last piece of the map’s puzzle was in place. All of Marenon was visible to them.

He waited for the power to flow through him, the energy to burst forth, but nothing happened.

“Why isn’t it working?” he said angrily. “What am I supposed to do?”

With frustration, he gripped both sides of the pedestal.

It was as if a silent explosion went off right in front of his face. He felt himself floating high above Marenon, and could see any part of it that he wanted. The entire landscape sat quietly, hundreds of feet below him.

What he felt was very similar to the sensation he had when he had explored the memory orb. He could almost feel his body standing in front of the pedestal below Jekyll Rock, but in his mind he was outside, exposed to the world below him, though he was sure no one could see him.

What do I do?

He knew he had to get to the battle, but how?

Before he could finish the thought, he found himself floating above Jekyll Rock. Thousands of Dunarian soldiers fought to keep their lives, while many thousands more of their enemies waited outside of the city walls to take their turn against them.

Julian had failed to plan for this moment. He had often thought about using Marenon’s Map as a weapon, but now he wasn’t sure what to do.

What would make fighting more difficult? He racked his brain for inspiration then…Rain.

The very thought of it brought clouds to the sky within moments and then came the torrential downpour.

Some of the soldiers seemed distracted by the unexpected drenching, but the fighting continued without being hindered.

This isn’t enough, Julian thought. He moved his floating body to the eastern wall and over the edge. Thousands of Stühocs and Nestorians waited patiently for their chance to punish the Dunarians. Julian lifted his hand and slapped it downward. Instantly, a clash of lightning burned through several Stühoc soldiers. He did this ten more times before stopping.

This isn’t enough!

He descended to the ground, somehow knowing that the enemy could not sense his presence, for no part of him was actually there except for his mind. His spirit body stood on the ground among the soldiers, and he wondered what he could do.

What storm could wipe them out?

Like the lightning he had created, the idea struck him.

He lifted his arms into the air, moving them in a circular motion. The clouds started to churn and spiral downward until three funnel clouds touched the ground. The wind howled and the enemy soldiers began to look around frantically, most of them unable to move because of the dense crowd.

The tornados picked up hundreds of Stühocs and Nestorians at a time and threw them to a quick death.

Though hundreds were dying, Julian wasn’t satisfied.

He reached down to the mud beneath his feet and gently caressed it. The ground responded to his touch by rumbling beneath him. Julian had never seen the Stühocs so terrified. The earth shook violently and cracks snaked all across the vast field. The shaking became so severe that the cracks turned into huge crevices, swallowing the enemy by the hundreds.

Julian concentrated harder until a geyser of liquid fire erupted from the depths of Marenon’s core. The lava clung to the enemies’ skin even though they tried to do everything to extinguish the pain, but Julian did not relent in his action. He called up more fiery springs in various locations across the field.

Many of the Stühocs and Nestorians tried to retreat, but Julian only called more liquid flames to block their escape.

Two of the twisters caught the fire, sucking the flames toward their centers. The tornados lit the sky as though it was midday.

Julian scanned the field until he spotted the enemy leader, Mintuk, the Nestorian Sleeper. Julian flew at a blinding speed until he stood feet from the General. He felt a smile form at the corners of his mouth because he knew the Sleeper had no indication of Julian’s presence. The Nestorian was moments from a painful and shocking death and didn’t even realize it.

Mintuk tried to give orders, but with the deafening sound of the storm and the soldiers screaming in pain, none heeded him. With only a slight thought, Julian conjured a lightning bolt, striking the Nestorian through the top of the head and out his feet.

Julian’s smile turned into a laugh as he watched the flames dance wickedly on Mintuk’s wooden mask. Mintuk fell to the ground lifelessly, but Julian called for another bolt, then another until all that remained of the disgusting creature was a blackened, charred body.

The Nestorians and Stühocs were in a complete panic.

Now that their leader was down, and retreat would be impossible. It was time for Julian to finish the battle.

He moved himself over to the city where many Dunarians still fought for their lives. All of them had to know that something strange was happening outside the city walls. Julian sent bolts of lightning on Stühocs, Nestorians, and what remained of the voracious Humans that only wanted flesh. He had to be precise here, for he wanted no Dunarian to suffer the same death as the opponents.

From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Darius Umar. Stühocs had surrounded the battle commander, and no other soldier was near to help him. One blade against ten. If Julian didn’t help him, the man wouldn’t stand a chance.

Julian floated near him, but stopped. Darius wanted Julian’s head. He wanted Julian to die for what he had done to the Dunarian Council. Darius might be the only person who would still stand against Julian after he helped them win the battle.

Julian had no obligation to save the man. If Darius was going to try to kill Julian later, why should he save him now?

Julian watched as one of the Stühoc’s blades caught Darius’ shoulder, and the man fell backward. It was almost as if they moved at a slow pace, allowing Julian to think about his decision longer. The sword fell from the commander’s hand as his body hit the ground. Each of the ten Stühocs raised a weapon in an effort to bring down the defenseless warrior. Julian shook his head. He had let men die before. He couldn’t travel this road any more. He knew it would destroy him.

With a thought, the ground rumbled beneath the crowd and a stone pillar formed out of the city street raising Darius’ body twenty feet into the air and knocking the Stühocs backward.

Darius lay safely at the top of the newly formed column, injured but out of reach. If the man wanted Julian to die, then that was something Julian would have to face at a later time.

He scanned the city for more victims. His work was not finished.

*****

Alric shouted like a madman as he cut down the Stühocs, one after another. The gray-skinned monsters had found where the Dunarians hid their old and young, and they attacked with intensity.

Though Patrick attempted to step up and fight against the Stühocs, Alric made sure to stay in front of the old man to keep his promise he made to Nalani. None in their small band had been taken down yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Coffman held two swords and swung with his mighty arms, cutting through the Stühocs like blades of grass. Lorcan stabbed and slashed, but focused more on magical defense for the group. Nalani, Dink, and Emma had taken to bows and arrows to stave off the Stühocs from a slightly safer distance.

Hundreds of Stühocs had found their way to the council chamber and were doing everything they could to destroy what was left of the Dunarians.

Alric had no idea what was happening outside of the fortress walls, but he doubted it was good. Were the Dunarians already finished? Were Alric and his group all that were left of the force fighting against this dark enemy?

His arms moved freely, blocking, cutting, and splattering blood against the stone floors and walls of the hallway.

The ground started shaking long before he actually noticed it. With the bodies beginning to pile, it was difficult to see the enemy coming for them, though the Stühocs also had to climb over their fallen companions.

When the floor shook more violently, Alric found himself reaching out for balance.

Cracks formed across the floor only feet in front of him, but the Stühocs never saw it coming. The quaking knocked them all to the ground as the cracks turned to larger gaps, and the outer wall to their left began to shift to the side until it crumbled to the ground at the foot of the stronghold.

The attacking Stühocs tried to hold on for their lives, but they could not maintain their stability as the rock crumbled beneath them.

Alric and the others held tight to the floor as the wind whipped at their hair, and they could see the flaming tornados spinning along the field full of burning Stühoc, Nestorian, and undead flesh. Alric was as stunned as everyone else to see the upheaval on the battlefield below them.

As the ground steadied, Alric moved to the edge of the outer wall and could see that there were now more Dunarians alive than there were enemy combatants.

A disbelieving smile crossed his face as he realized that they actually might not die this night.

Nalani crawled up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

Alric shook his head, unable to take his eyes from the spectacular sight. Never in a thousand years would he have favored the odds of the Dunarians in this fight, but somehow their enemies had been destroyed. He finally looked at Nalani and sighed.

“I don’t believe it,” he said, then laughed.

Nalani held Alric’s face in her hands as she stared deeply into his eyes. “You saved my father’s life. You saved all the people in the council chamber.”

Alric tried to shake his head. He tried to say that he had nothing to do with it, but he didn’t have a chance before Nalani pressed her lips firmly against his. He quickly forgot his protest as he reached out and held her close.