Island of Darkness (47 page)

“I think they will give the chokas a wide berth,” nodded StormSong. “The warbirds have claimed almost as many Omungans as we have.”

“I have done the best I can for her,” announced the healing mage as she rose from SkyDancer’s side. “She needs rest, lots of it.”

“She isn’t likely to get any today,” frowned StormSong. “We are moving out in a few moments.”

“I will be ready,” SkyDancer said with determination as she stood up. “It was just a scratch.”

“A scratch?” HawkShadow asked incredulously. “I am amazed that you can stand. You know,” he hesitated, “I think it would be good to have SkyDancer along with me and Goral. She will be able to take over for me if I run into trouble.”

StormSong gazed at HawkShadow and was about to argue with him, when she suddenly smiled and nodded her head knowingly. “That is a great idea,” she said. “Do you need help getting her up in the tree?”

“Goral and I can handle it,” HawkShadow replied with a smile directed at StormSong. “Teach them a lesson when you depart, warrior.”

“They will be sorry that they ever entered the Sakova,” StormSong smiled back. “Mount up,” she shouted loudly to the rest of the Sakovans. “We are breaking out of this trap and returning to StarCity. There will be no waiting around for stragglers, so when we attack, ride through them as fast as you can.”

StormSong turned and headed towards the group mounting their chokas. She quickly checked on the wounded and then mounted her own choka. She led the way out of the clearing towards StarCity.

The chokas padded softly and quickly through the forest. Within half an hour, StormSong held her hand up for a halt. She strung her bow and held it high so everyone could see it. The Sakovan warriors immediately mimicked their leader. One of the healing mages rode alongside StormSong.

“Are we close?” she asked softly.

“Very close,” StormSong replied. “I can hear their horses in the distance.”

“I was thinking,” said the healing mage. “Several of us could use air tunnels as a diversion as we charge through. We will be making quite a racket when we charge. If we can spread that noise out to the flanks, the Omungans will be confused as to where we are attacking.”

“I like it,” grinned StormSong. “Find another mage and direct the noise as far off each flank as you can. Make sure that you keep up with the rest of us. I do not want you falling behind.”

“We will keep up,” promised the healing mage. “There is no need to be real accurate with where the air tunnels go so we will not need to concentrate on it.”

“Good,” nodded StormSong. “Get ready quickly. We are about to attack.”

The healing mage swiftly talked to another mage and divided the task. StormSong inhaled deeply as she pulled three arrows from her quiver and held them in her bow hand. She nocked one of them and looked around at her fellow warriors. With a nod to those behind her, StormSong started forward. The chokas picked up speed until the Sakovans were charging towards the Omungan army. When the Omungans came into view, StormSong let out a war scream. The rest of the Sakovans also roared as they charged into battle.

The mages wove their air tunnels and spread them far to each side of the charge. The Omungans reacted with confusion. The charging Sakovans fired off a barrage of arrows as soon as the enemy was within range. After the third barrage of arrows, the Sakovans dropped their bows and switched to Sakovan stars. After three Sakovan stars, the warriors pulled their swords.

The projectiles had created a large hollow in the Omungan force as rider less horses ran away from the battle. StormSong led the charge into the gap. Her long sword swung from side to side felling the nearest Omungans. The choka used its claws to slice into anything that got close, man and horse alike. The rest of the Sakovans followed in a wedge formation. As StormSong broke clear on the other side of the Omungans, the wedge collapsed as the Sakovans raced through the hole.

The Omungans immediately gave chase, but their horses could not keep up with the Sakovan warbirds. StormSong rode for half an hour before she called for a halt. She took a quick count of her fellow Sakovans and frowned.

“How many did we lose?” asked one of the warriors.

“Sixteen more,” frowned StormSong. “It is a much smaller war party returning to StarCity than the one we left with. Check and see if anyone needs a healer. We rest for five minutes.”

* * *

HawkShadow watched the Omungans pass the clearing below. As StormSong had anticipated, they gave a wide berth to the group of chokas in the clearing. He waited for over an hour before deciding to climb out of the tree. He dropped to the ground and walked to the tree that Goral and SkyDancer were in. No sooner had he arrived then SkyDancer was lowered on a rope. HawkShadow untied the rope and Goral dropped the other end. The giant soon appeared on the ground as he dropped from a low branch.

“What now?” asked SkyDancer.

“Now, you two head for Campanil,” ordered HawkShadow.

“That was not the plan,” frowned Goral. “I was to be your diversion. Remember?”

“That was before,” HawkShadow shook his head. “I do not want SkyDancer to be a diversion. She needs to heal. Take her with you to StarWind.”

“If you did not need me for something,” scowled SkyDancer, “then why did you keep me from returning with StormSong?”

“Because you would not have made it through the Omungan army,” answered HawkShadow. “I pray to Kaltara that some of them made it through. You say it is just a scratch, but I saw your wound before it was healed. You are lucky to be alive. Go with Goral and heal. Your talents will be sorely needed in the future.”

“For what?” retorted SkyDancer. “I have sworn my life to protecting the Sakova, and you are treating me like I am an invalid. I am a warrior.”

“You have shown your battle prowess,” countered HawkShadow. “No one doubts your commitment. Why must you throw your life away? The Omungan army will be outside of StarCity for weeks. Your talents will be needed to harass them from the outside. Go with Goral.”

HawkShadow turned and mounted a choka. He gazed fondly at his friends and waved goodbye. Tears came to SkyDancer’s eyes as she watched him ride off.

“Why does he treat me as a child?” pouted SkyDancer. “I held my own in the battles. I am not a frail woman who needs to be protected. I am a Sakovan warrior.”

“Do you think he does not know that?” Goral asked softly. “You more than held your own. I saw you in several of the battles. Your skills are impressive. Listen to HawkShadow, and heal for a spell. He is right in saying that this war is not over. Your skills will be needed.”

“That still doesn’t explain his attitude,” scowled SkyDancer. “I thought he had more faith in me.”

“Faith?” chuckled Goral. “He adores you. HawkShadow has taken every death of a Sakovan as his own failure in leadership. To lose you would break him entirely. Are you so blind that you cannot see that?”

“He loves me?” SkyDancer asked with confusion. “You are just making that up.”

“You are blind, little one,” laughed Goral. “He worships the ground you walk on.”

SkyDancer stared at Goral for a long time before her eyes turned to gaze at the edge of the clearing where HawkShadow was last seen. Finally, her eyes returned to the giant.

“What were you supposed to do for him?” she asked.

“I wanted to be a diversion for him,” answered Goral. “I don’t think HawkShadow was keen on the idea, but I figured that I might be able to help get him out of a sticky situation.”

“Then that is what you should do,” SkyDancer declared adamantly.

“That is not a good idea any more,” objected Goral. “HawkShadow has put you in my care. I dare not endanger you now.”

“I will not endanger HawkShadow’s life,” SkyDancer stated. “If you can be a diversion to help him escape, then you should do so. If you do not want to go, then I will. You will be forced to come along.”

“You are going to try to get away from me,” grinned Goral. “You may be a mighty warrior, but even you can not get up if I sit on you.”

“If you sit on me,” chuckled SkyDancer, “I will die. Then HawkShadow will really be mad at you. Help me onto a choka.”

“Will you stay away from the Omungans?” Goral asked without moving.

“I will stay away,” promised SkyDancer. “I can hold the three chokas ready for when HawkShadow disengages. He will probably be in a hurry.”

“I am sure he will be,” nodded Goral. “Very well, but do not cause HawkShadow to be distracted from his task. Any distraction in his concentration will mean sudden death. I will not be a party to that.”

“Agreed,” grinned SkyDancer. “You won’t even know that I am there.”

HawkShadow silently circled the huge Omungan encampment looking for an entry point. He kept well away from the sentries and moved in the darkness of the fargi forest. When he had made a complete circuit of the perimeter he halted. The hairs on his neck rose as if someone was watching him. HawkShadow suddenly dropped to the ground and merged into the landscape. He changed direction and began crawling towards the place where he had tethered his choka.

SkyDancer heard him coming and silently signaled Goral. Together they moved and stood in the small clearing so HawkShadow would know that they were there. They did not have long to wait. HawkShadow rose and stared incredulously at the pair of Sakovans.

“What are you two doing here?” he asked softly, but firmly. “You were told to head west.”

“It was my idea,” confessed SkyDancer. “I understand why you wanted me to come with you instead of returning to StarCity. I am very grateful for what you did, but I will not let it interfere with Goral helping you to survive this night. I will stay out of the way.”

HawkShadow opened his mouth to respond, but the giant held his hand up for silence.

“Now is not the time or place to discuss this,” Goral declared. “I take it that you have already had a look at the enemy’s camp. Is there a way in?”

“There is always a way in,” replied HawkShadow, “although this one will be tight. They have a solid ring of sentries surrounding the camp. They may not have fought like they were afraid of the Sakova, but their encampment belies that. They are very nervous.”

“How will you enter?” asked Goral.

“I am not sure yet,” admitted HawkShadow. “Crawling in is out of the question. While I am sure I can get past some of the sentries, I know that I cannot get past them all.”

“And how will you get out?” interjected SkyDancer.

“One step at a time,” frowned HawkShadow. “First I have to find a way in.”

“I offered to be a distraction tonight,” Goral reminded the assassin. “I meant it. I will go around to the other side of the camp and show myself. Will that give you enough time to get in?”

“It would,” nodded HawkShadow, “but I forbid it.”

“You have no right…” Goral began.

“Save it,” interrupted HawkShadow. “I am not trying to keep you out of the action because I think I can do this alone. You cannot be the diversion for me getting into the camp because I may very well need you to get me out. This is much more difficult than I had hoped.”

“So you need two diversions?” questioned SkyDancer.

“Don’t even think about it, SkyDancer,” warned HawkShadow. “You are far too weak. It is bad enough that I am willing to risk Goral’s life for this lunacy. I will not risk yours, too.”

“She may be able to help without endangering herself,” mused Goral. “What if she used an air tunnel to create a diversion and yet remained far away from the encampment?”

SkyDancer’s eyes brightened as HawkShadow thought about the suggestion instead of immediately dismissing it. Finally, HawkShadow smiled mischievously.

“It will take both of you to get me in,” HawkShadow explained. “The air tunnel is a brilliant idea, Goral, but I need a man’s voice to make it work. You will be that voice. After I am in, you will need to move swiftly to the opposite side of the encampment in case I need a diversion to get out. SkyDancer will be able to communicate with you via the air tunnel to ask for your help if it is needed.”

“I can do that,” nodded the giant. “What is the plan?”

“There is something more important to discuss before the plan,” HawkShadow said seriously. “This is more than male bravado, Goral. I do not want you to endanger yourself by creating a diversion. You are a warrior and I am an assassin. I understand the risks that I take performing my task, but you are a warrior, and an excellent one at that. In the coming days, we need warriors more than assassins. Do not give up your life to spare mine. I must have your absolute promise on that before this goes any further.”

“I am not eager to end my days just yet,” replied Goral. “I know how to create a diversion safely, and I will try to do so, but there is always some risk involved. You understand that.”

“I do,” nodded HawkShadow, “but I worry about you some times. You almost sounded eager to sacrifice yourself earlier today before StormSong left.”

“You misunderstood me,” countered Goral. “I know that someday I will be called upon to give my life for the Sakova. That does not bother me any more. It did before Kaltara sent us the Star of Sakova, but my mind is now at peace with the idea. That does not mean that I wish to hurry it along. I will always do what I think is in the best interests of Kaltara. That does not mean surrendering my life without a fight.”

“Fair enough,” nodded HawkShadow. “Here is what I have planned.”

HawkShadow spent the next half hour detailing his plan of attack. Goral’s mind whirled with awe as he listened to the detailed movements that the assassin would make. He had always admired HawkShadow’s skill at penetration, but he had never realized how much planning went into it. It was as if HawkShadow considered every little thing that might go wrong and then planned what his actions would be if they did.

“Is everyone comfortable with this?” HawkShadow finally asked.

“I am,” answered SkyDancer. “You have thought of everything.”

“I hope that I have,” frowned the assassin, “but no one can anticipate everything. Give me a half hour head start.”

SkyDancer nodded, and HawkShadow immediately slid out of the clearing. As soon as he was gone, Goral caught SkyDancer’s attention.