Chapter 13

They rode hard, stopping only long enough to eat and rest their horses. There was no sign of any forces. No Isenore or Dreach-Dhoun soldiers waiting to ambush them or impede their progress. Alixa was thankful for that. Ever since finding out that Trystan and Anna shared the same dream, he had been acting like a feral dog with a thorn in its paw. She knew his irritability was due to his worry for his sister and best friend. She understood that. She worried for them as well. Edric too.

They had made camp at sundown. They were close, Wren had told them that, but traveling in the dark was not a good decision. The troops were weary. The horses worn out from the unforgiving ride. They had no choice but to make camp.

The decision only seemed to raise Trystan’s ire. If it were up to him, he’d probably continue on in the dark by himself. While the rest of the camp was settling in and looking forward to something hot in their bellies and a few hours rest, Trystan prowled restlessly about the camp. She watched him now as he paced back and forth in front of the soldiers waiting in line for their chance to grab a bowl of rabbit stew.

One of them caught his eye, and he leaned into the young man’s face. “I remember you from earlier. Your horse was hobbling and slowing us down,” Trystan snapped at the soldier and Alixa could see the young man’s face flush even in the moonlight. He glanced around in unease as the surrounding soldiers moved slowly away, not wanting to be the next to garner Trystan’s attention. The soldier ducked his head in apology.

“I’m sorry, your Majesty. My horse has a broken shoe I think.”

“You think?” Trystan snapped. “Then why are you standing here doing nothing? Find the farrier and get it fixed, boy!”

“Yes, your Majesty.” The boy slunk away, looking back over his shoulder at the two crudely erected fire pits and their steaming pots of stew. He was hungry, but too terrified to defy the king. Alixa looked down at her own bowl of stew and sighed. Trotting after the boy, she caught up to him.

“Hey,” she called softly, and he glanced back at her. “Here, take this with you. Last time I saw the farrier he was working on a horse at the west side of the camp.”

She handed the boy her bowl and an awkward smile lit up his face. “Thank you, milady. Are you sure?”

She patted his arm in reassurance, then turned back to go after Trystan. That man needed a talking to.

It was easy to find where he’d stomped off to. All she had to do was look for the spot the soldiers were avoiding. She passed Avery on the way. The sword master had kept enough distance between her and the king to give him his privacy but still keep him in sight. Always the loyal watchdog.

“Is he sulking like a child?” Alixa asked.

Avery stared back with her stoic look. “The king has much on his mind, my lady. Perhaps you should give him some time.”

“Thanks for the warning, Avery, but the only thing I aim to give him is a piece of my mind.”

Alixa swore the moonlight played a trick on her for she thought Avery’s lips twitched in amusement. “I don’t think that wise, Lady Alixa.”

“Yes, well, I’m not known as a wise decision maker, now am I, Avery?”

The sword master chose not to respond, and Alixa passed on by without another word.

He was standing at the edge of the forest, peering into the darkness like he could see straight through to the other side. He didn’t hear her approach. As if a sudden weight settled onto his shoulders, he leaned over and rested a palm against the nearest tree. At the precise moment he looked more like an overwhelmed boy than a powerful king, and her heart ached for him. She swallowed the angry reprisal sitting on her tongue for his earlier action. This wasn’t the time for anger.

“Trystan.” She said his name softly so as not to startle him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. He stiffened for a moment, then relaxed again and covered her hand with his own.

“I know. You don’t have to say anything.”

“So you mean I don’t have to tell you what a jackass you’re being? Good.”

He snorted. “I’m sure you’ll tell me anyway.”

“If you insist.”

She stepped around to face him and he lifted his head, so she was staring straight into his eyes. “You are being a jackass. You’re distancing yourself from your people. You cannot afford to do that. Now is the time when you need their support the most. You are asking them to go to battle for you, yet you criticize them with your surliness and coldness. I don’t recognize this Trystan from these past two days. It is not the Trystan I’ve come to know. Everyone is trying their hardest, but you can’t push them. They need to rest. They need to eat. They need to have the support and care of their king behind them, else you are no better than Calis.”

He sucked in a breath at her words and Alixa feared for a slight moment she had gone too far. She was talking to her king after all.

He closed his eyes and released a deep breath. The air tickled along Alixa’s cheek. “You’re right. I know that. I know I need to rally them. It’s just…”

She waited for him to continue, but when nothing else was forthcoming, she urged him on. “It’s just what?”

“I can’t do this again.” His face twisted in pain.

She softened her voice. “Do what? Come on, talk to me, Trystan.”

He closed his eyes as if trying to hide from her. What he didn’t realize was that no matter what he did, she saw him, every broken piece of him that matched her own.

He didn’t answer her, but he didn’t need to.

“This isn’t like before. We aren’t going to lose them.”

He snapped his eyes open. “How do you know that? I couldn’t stop it when Davi plunged that blade into his chest. When the dreams showed me their presence at the village, I saw it again. My own helplessness. I am a king.” He bit off the last word and ripped his hand from the tree.

He lowered his voice and repeated himself. “I am a king. This feeling… this clenching in my chest… it won’t do the kingdom any good and yet I can’t escape it. I had to be strong when Davi died because if I broke, Rissa wouldn’t have had anyone to hold her together.” He shook his head. “I have an entire kingdom on my shoulders and the only thing I can think of is losing one of them. Because if I break this time, I’ll take the entire kingdom with me, and I won’t allow that.”

“Trystan—”

He released a loud breath. “And you know what was missing from all of that? What I didn’t mention? The villagers who will be slaughtered or homeless. They weren’t the first concern in my mind. My father would be ashamed of me.”

Alixa closed the distance between them and grabbed his shaking hand. “No. Trystan. No. Even a king is human. Just look, we’re almost there and not delayed thanks to your worry for Rissa. It was tight, but we managed to gather the supplies and men we needed. That’s the kind of leadership we need in this war.”

She glanced over her shoulder to where the others settled in for the night. “We aren’t going to beat Calis by strong organization and waiting for the right moment. There is no right moment. We’re going to beat him because we’re fighting for something, for each other. We need to push beyond our limits whether it be time or abilities.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I thought you said I was being an ass?”

She shrugged. “I said jackass actually, and I stand by that statement. Your decision to override advisors and make haste was a good one. Your decision to yell at unsuspecting people who’ve done nothing wrong was not.”

He wrinkled his nose. “I need to apologize, don’t I.”

She laughed. “No. That boy will never delay care of his horse again.” She wrapped an arm around his waist. “Just remember, you’re not the only one who’s scared. We have no idea what we will find. We may be too late, or we may have a battle on our hands. If it is battle, then for some here it will be their first taste of war. But even with not knowing what awaits us, they do this because they believe in you Trystan. You brought magic back to their lands. You gave them back hope. They do this not because you order them too, but out of gratitude and loyalty. Show them you’re worthy of it.”

He reached out and gripped her forearms, as if he could gain strength just from her touch. They stayed that way for a bit, neither of them saying a word. Then the corners of his mouth lifted a little. It was the first time she’d seen him smile in two days. “Have I ever told you how happy I am you’re on our side.” He kissed the corner of her mouth.

“Yes, but I never tire of hearing it.” She smiled against his lips.

“What would I do without you?”

“Not sure but let’s hope we don’t have to find out. Your head would probably swell and burst like an infected wound.”

His nose bunched in disgust. “Charming.”

“I try. Now are you ready to go back and act like the king you are?”

He nodded and released her. He took a few steps and stopped to turn back to her. “Thanks, Alixa, for… just thanks.”

* * *

They set out long before sunrise. Alixa had not slept a wink. She was positive none of them had. At least the horses were rested.

She rode alongside Avery and Mira. Trystan and Wren led the way, but no one spoke. Even listening to Wren’s incessant chatter would have been better than the deathly quiet that accompanied them.

Just as the sun painted the sky in beautiful shades of coral, screams rent the air, carried on the slight breeze from the east. Off in the distance, atop the ridge and highlighted against the glowing sky, were rising columns of smoke.

“No,” she heard Trystan whisper before he yelled back over his shoulder. “Ride out!”

They rode through the valley at breakneck speed and crested the rise. The fear churning in Alixa’s gut turned to lead and she felt as if she would vomit. Were they already too late?

She topped the rise directly behind Trystan, and almost went headfirst over her horse as he pulled up short, causing her mare to do the same. His expression suddenly changed. She drew abreast of him and finally saw what he saw. The large village spread below them was awash in blue flame, just as expected. As they watched, it leapt from cottage to cottage as if it had a mind of its own. People and livestock alike screamed as they jammed the tiny pathways trying desperately to get away from the intense heat. Even atop the rise Alixa could swear she felt the heat searing her face. An almost perfect circle of blue surrounded the village, encasing it in a ring of flame. But that wasn’t the worst of it. What was worst was the vast army of foot soldiers surrounding the village on all sides. Rows upon rows. Soldiers led into more soldiers. They had to be two thousand strong at least.

And there at the head of the road was the statue of Marcus Renauld encased in flame, just as Anna and Trystan had seen.

“Mother earth help them,” Mira prayed as she too caught sight of the slaughter below. “It is the blue flame, Wren, just as Trystan foretold. Extremely powerful magic,” she called out louder to Wren and he turned back to her, eyes filled with fear.

“Only the most powerful can exert this much magic. Calis must be near.”

Trystan turned in his saddle to look at Wren and Mira, their fear mirrored in his eyes. “Can you both do this? You are our strongest wielders.”

Wren’s grip tightened on his reins, but a look of determination replaced the fear. “Just get us through the soldiers to the flame. We can do the rest.”

That seemed to be what Trystan needed to hear. He maneuvered his horse to survey his troops.

“Men,” he yelled, his voice bold and strong and echoing down the rise. “Our plan will not play out. We are too late to evacuate the villagers, but we will not allow them to die. Not when we still have breath in our bodies. It takes a lot of magic to fuel that circle of flame. They outnumber us greatly, but their magic consumption will make them weak. Those of you that have been trained, attach magic to every strike. We will fight well and win, for today we not only fight for Briarwood. We fight for every other village that Calis will attack in reprisal. We will not let anyone else suffer this same fate. This stops here today!”

As one they let out a huge battle cry. Alixa joined in, the screams ripping at her throat like claws. She was still screaming as they charged over the rise, rushing at their enemy. Their intent was simple; get Wren and Mira close enough to the ring of fire so they could quell it and allow the villagers a chance to escape the circle of flames holding them hostage.

Even as she raced down the hill with the others, Alixa knew most of them rode to their deaths. There was no way four hundred could defeat two thousand, even with magic. They wouldn’t stand a chance. And everyone knew it. But that did not stop their attack. For as Trystan said, they were not fighting for just the villagers. This village meant nothing to Calis. It was under attack for one simple reason: it was closest to the border of Dreach-Dhoun. But Calis would not stop here. There would be another village. And another. They were not just fighting for their own lives, but the lives of their families.

By now Calis’ men were aware of their presence and prepared for the attack. Soldiers clamored together, tightening the circle. Shields were raised and spears stuck out at every angle. But still they advanced. The war cry became a roar, deafening Alixa to any other sound. It thrummed through her head and vibrated in her bones. A flash of energy coursed through her as she called on her magic. It jolted through her arm and into her blade as she leaned low in her saddle, still screaming, and sliced through the first wave of soldiers. Warm blood splattered her face, and the taste of copper filled her mouth. Her blade turned from dull gray to bright crimson. She kept slashing, for as much as the killing appalled her, she knew it was an instance of us or them.

Trystan was right and although the array of men slowed them down, they were weak and no match for the magic of Dreach-Sciene troops. They plowed into Calis men, both with blades and magic, clearing a path. Alixa leapt nimbly from her horse, following suit as Trystan and Wren and Mira did the same.

“Alixa, Avery, protect the wielders and get them close to the flame. We will keep Calis’ men off your back.” Trystan screamed above the roar of shrieks of anger and wails of pain.

“Trystan, no,” Alixa tried to argue but the king had already disappeared into his throng of troops, helping to cut a pathway covered in blood. She turned toward Wren and Mira. “Go!” she yelled.

They ran. Alixa tried not looking at the carnage, but it was unavoidable. Bodies blocked them at every step. Soldier or villager, it did not matter. Every mutilated body made her heart wither a bit more. Life was a gift, and it was needlessly being taken away by both sides.

She didn’t even realize she was crying until she felt the heat scorching the wet tracks down her cheeks. The blue flame rose up in protest as they approached, as if it wanted to deny them access.

“Close enough,” Wren called to Mira and they both fell to their knees. He looked over his shoulder long enough to yell to Avery, “Mistress Payne, I know I’m not your favorite person, but please do all in your power to keep us safe.”

Avery did not get a chance to reply. A barrage of Calis’ men pushed through the Dreach-Sciene troops. They knew what Wren and Mira were attempting to do and were determined to do everything in their power to stop them. As Avery took on three soldiers, two more charged Alixa, swords swinging for her head. Alixa turned her blade sideways, grabbing the tip with her free hand and blocked one blade, sparks flying at the impact. Pulling magic to help her, she pushed the soldier back and pivoted on her heel to block the other blade coming her way. Back and forth she wove, blocking the blows and trying to keep the soldiers away from Mira and Wren.

The soldier on the right attacked again, but he swung too high and Alixa saw her opening. Raising her sword, she stabbed into his exposed armpit. The soldier screamed and dropped his sword as he toppled sideways.

Whirling before the next soldier’s blade found its own mark, she sidestepped the attack and kicked at him, sweeping his feet out from under him. He fell hard on his back and Alixa leapt high in the air and brought her blade down across his neck.

Gasping for air, she closed her eyes to block the sight of what she’d just done. She swallowed the bile in the back of her throat and whirled, blade ready, as a hand gripped her shoulder.

“Trystan,” she breathed in relief as familiar brown eyes scrutinized her face, checking for injury. His gaze averted over her shoulder and his lips tightened into a thin line as he took a stance against the new wave of Calis’ troops about to overwhelm them.

And then time and the universe froze. That’s the only way Alixa could describe it. As she turned to face the new wave of attacking soldiers with Trystan, she felt the ground shake under her feet. All sound ceased to exist. The screaming of thousands of people suddenly stopped. The noise of the marching soldiers disappeared. Alixa had never truly understood the meaning behind deafening silence, but it truly was deafening.

The shaking under her feet intensified and she stared in disbelief as Ramsey ran toward them, arms held out to his sides and exuding waves of magic that had the soldiers toppling like dominoes. He cleared a path through the troops as Rissa ran behind him. The soldiers were picking themselves back up and trying to attack, only to bounce off and back into the crowd. Alixa finally understood. She wasn’t deaf after all. Ramsey had them encased in some sort of protective shield.

“Ri!” Trystan yelled in disbelief, but Rissa ran straight past him without acknowledgement. Falling to her knees, she joined Mira and Wren, planting her hands deep into the soil.

“Pull it back into the earth as soon as the barrier goes down,” she yelled at them, and Wren nodded in understanding. “Ramsey, on my signal drop the shield.”

“Get ready to fight,” Trystan growled Alixa’s way as he raised his sword once again.

Strain creased Rissa’s face as the wielders struggled to control and bind their magic as one.

Alixa wiped the sweat out of her eyes. The soldiers bared teeth at them outside the barrier, awaiting their chance. She raised her sword and prayed once more.

“Now!” Rissa shrieked.

The noise stuck them like a slap to the face. Soldiers that had been battling to break the barrier fell over with their momentum. One slammed into Alixa and she stumbled back with him toward the wall of flame. Both screamed as they braced, expecting to feel the excruciating pain of being burnt to a crisp. But nothing happened. They both hit the ground, the soldier on top of Alixa and staring into each other’s eyes with incredulity.

“They did it!” Alixa yelled and the soldier actually grinned at her, animosity forgotten as they reveled in still being alive. A sword came out of nowhere, the hilt plowing into the young soldier’s temple. His eyes glazed and rolled back into his head as he fell over. Avery stuck a hand down to Alixa and pulled her to her feet.

Alixa glanced around. The blue flame was gone. Extinguished. Villagers stumbled around as if dazed, calling out to loved ones. Crying and shrieking as if they didn’t even realize they were no longer in danger from the flames. Silver smoke hung heavy in the air and Alixa coughed as her eyes watered. Pulling her cloak over her face, she ran through the smoke toward the three still kneeling on the ground.

She held her hand out to Ri, pulling her to her feet.

“You did it,” she beamed at Ri as she crushed her to her chest. “I am so happy to see you, you beautiful creature.”

“No time for hugs, Alixa,” Ri snapped as she pushed Alixa away.

“It’s not over yet,” Avery interrupted, pointing over Alixa’s shoulder with her blade. She turned in fear. Now what?

Avery was right. Their army may have disposed of the first wave of Calis’ men but there were plenty more to take their place. There was no way they could take on the throng headed their way.

“Come on, Lorelai and Davi. Let’s hope this works,” Ri muttered as she raised her muddy hands to the air. She closed her eyes, her wild red hair hanging over her shoulders, making her appear more madwoman than princess. Alixa could feel the power emanating from her. It had heat, almost like the blue flame. A horn blasted through the air, startling Alixa. As she watched, soldiers crested the hills all around them. Soldiers carrying Dreach-Sciene banners. There had to be hundreds. Thousands maybe. They kept coming in waves, running down the hill toward the Dreach-Dhoun troops.

Another bugle call joined the first, only this one was followed by a command. “Retreat!”

The Dreach-Dhoun soldiers wasted no time. One look at the attacking army sent them scurrying in the opposite direction. It didn’t seem possible that so many men could disappear into the hills and forest so quickly, but they did. Amidst the cheers and whoops and jeering from the Dreach-Sciene troops, Calis’ men ran with their tails between their legs. And then a more peculiar thing happened. As Calis’ men disappeared, so did the advancing Dreach-Sciene soldiers. The hillside appeared covered with troops but as soon as they hit the bottom, they faded into nothingness.

“Magic,” Alixa whispered as she finally understood. Ri was doing this. She had created those soldiers. They weren’t real. It was all an illusion.

Alixa ripped her gaze away from the unbelievable sight back to their three saviors just in time to watch Ri tilt and fall to the ground.