Redkellan’s eyes widened. “Is that so?”
Lachlei nodded. “He would look on those who help the
Lochvaur
with favor,” she said.
“Favor is not enough,” Redkellan said dismissively. “I need more than favor. I need a victory.”
“Help me and I promise at least one
Athel’cen
on your side,” Lachlei said, wondering how she might accomplish it.
The
Redel
prince grinned as he quaffed the last bit of mead. “I don’t believe you,” he said at last. “I don’t think you or anyone has that power…”
“Very well, then you take an awful chance, don’t you?” Lachlei said, standing up.
“Where are you going?” Redkellan asked.
“Back to my army,” Lachlei replied.
“But the demons…”
Lachlei smiled grimly. “I have slain arch-demons, Redkellan,” she said. “I am not afraid.” She walked out of the tent.
“Lachlei,” Redkellan began.
She turned and met the
Redel
prince’s gaze. “Yes?”
His eyes narrowed and he shook his head. “They said you were a
Lochvaur
sorceress, but I didn’t believe them. Now I do.”
Lachlei laughed. “Really? I didn’t know I had such a reputation.”
“My own
Redel
will join you
—
though only the gods know why.”
CHAPTER Seventy-Four
“Demons!” the watch shouted.
It was still dark when Cahal awoke to yells and the strident call of the battle-horns. He leapt from his bedroll, still in armor. He nudged Kieran, who lay not far away in the commanders’ tent, with his foot. “Demons, Kieran! Demons, Laddel!”
“Gods!” groaned Kieran. He pulled himself from bed. “This is the third time tonight.”
“They’re keeping us awake,” said Cara. “They’re wearing us down.”
“She’s right,” said Laddel. “The demons don’t need sleep.”
“What about the
Braesan
?” Cahal asked.
Laddel shook his head. “I don’t know. But I suspect that if they need rest, it is for their bodies in this world.” He clapped a few warriors on the back. “Let’s go.”
They ran outside and stared into the sky. The clouds blanketed the sky, blotting out the light from the stars and the moons. As Cahal heard the last notes of the battle-horns die, he gazed into the sky.
“There!” Cahal said, pointing to the forms that moved against the clouds. There were several.
“By the wolf’s mane,” said Laddel, his brass eyes gazing at the creatures. He drew his Sword of Power.
The demons shrieked and flew towards them, claws outstretched. The
Laddel
and
Chi’lan
archers were ready. A hailstorm of adamantine-tipped arrows flew towards the demons. Some avoided the barrage, but many were hit and fell. The warriors on the ground charged the wounded demons and attacked.
Screams of men and demons filled the night. Another battle-horn rang out and Cahal turned to see fighting along the flank. Even from this distance, he could see the pale warriors attack the
Elesil
troops. “Damn! Damn!” he shouted, grasping a horse and climbing into the saddle. “Conlan! The
Braesan
are attacking your men!”
Conlan was already on his horse, riding towards his troops. A demon swooped down, talons bared. Conlan drew his sword, but the demon was already on top of him, ripping the
Elesil
king and his mount to shreds.
Cahal charged, blinded by fury. He swung his adamantine blade, slicing deep into the creature. It shrieked, trying to rake its claws against Cahal. Cahal jumped back. The demon turned back onto its prey.
“Rhyn’athel!” shouted Cara and leapt at the demon. Together, Cahal and the
Silren
princess attacked the demon. Cahal’s final stroke decapitated it. The demon collapsed, and they pushed the corpse off what was left of Conlan.
“Oh Conlan!” Cara cried, cradling the
Elesil
king’s head. The silver eyes were already glazing over. She tried frantically to heal him, but the demon had ripped one of his arms off and huge gouges ran down his body.
Cahal looked at Laddel, who stood by. The godling shook his head.
I think this is even beyond my sire’s ability.
Cahal gripped Cara’s shoulder. She looked up with angry blue eyes. “Come on,
Chi’lan
,” he said gently. “We can do naught for him now.”
“Cahal, he was my friend.”
“I know,
Chi’lan
,” he said. “We’ve lost many friends because of Areyn Sehduk. We’ll build a pyre when this is over.”
“
Chi’lan
,” she said grimly. “I have wanted to be called that all my life. Now, I look on the king of my brother kindred and I am not so certain. Is this what the warrior god demands of you?”
Cahal shook his head. “The
Chi’lan’s
way has never been easy. It isn’t what the warrior god demands; it is what we give freely. It is something we do, not because it is easy or painless, but because it is right.”
“Conlan knew this,” Cara said.
“Then I count him as
Chi’lan
,” Cahal said. “Just as I count you as one.” He paused. “Come on,
Chi’lan
. We have a battle ahead.”
*****
Cara led the
Elesil
to the front lines. Although they had no weapons like the
Chi’lan
and
Laddel
longbows, they had archers and stood ready along the front lines.
Laddel
and
Chi’lan
mixed between them, fortifying the archers’ lines with long-range defense. Pikemen made a line before the archers, hoping to provide some protection in case of a charge.
Cara rode behind the archers, in front of the warhorses and infantry. Cahal, Laddel, and the other commanders rode with her. “Damn,” she said. “I wish the wolf-god was among us.”
Laddel smiled grimly. “Indeed. But I, for one, wouldn’t argue if Rhyn’athel fought beside us.”
She looked at him. “You look much like your sire. I didn’t have much time to thank him when we entered this war.”
A howl echoed through the line. Laddel stiffened; his brass eyes narrowed as the howling continued. Cara felt an involuntary shiver run through her.
“What is it?” Cahal asked.
“Areyn’s Yeth Hounds.”
“Yeth Hounds?” Cahal repeated.
“The demon hounds of Areyn. Dire wolves.”
“We’ve seen them,” Cara said. “They’re very tough to kill.” She looked into the night. Slowly, thousands of red glowing eyes appeared, one after another. “By the warrior god’s sword, how many are there?”
Laddel shook his head. “Could be as many in number as our army. Maybe more.”
Without warning, the demon wolves attacked. The
Eleion
sent a barrage of arrows into the creature’s lines, and the wolves screamed as the adamantine tips of the clothyard shafts penetrated and pinned them down. Some ran through, only to be waylaid on the pikes. The pikes were not adamantine tipped and did no damage, but it kept the demons at bay. Those that came through the pikes, the foot soldiers and cavalry made short work of.
As the bodies of the dying demons began to pile up, Cara grew fearful. They would soon run out arrows. How many demons were there? She glanced at Laddel and Cahal, who looked grim.
“Yeth!” shouted the archers.
A white wolf leapt through the lines, its eyes glowing red as it headed right towards Cara. Her horse reared as the demon leapt for her. She slashed at the beast as it threw itself on her, but it knocked her from the saddle. For a moment, everything was teeth, fur, and claws as the demon tried to rip her throat out. She felt the crushing jaws around her gorget. and she slashed and stabbed.
Then, everything was still. Cara could hear her name called out and felt strong hands pull her to her feet. She was covered in blood
—
demon blood.
“Are you all right?” Cahal asked. He and Laddel were standing beside her. She nodded, staring stupidly at the demon’s body as it turned to dust before her eyes. “Are you wounded?”
“No,” she said. “Watch out!”
More demon wolves broke through their ranks. The archers were out of arrows. Demon wolves were everywhere, suddenly materializing inside the ranks. The
Eleion
fought back, but they were weary and the demons were fresh. Cara wondered now if perhaps this might be their last stand. She looked in the sky; dawn was breaking. Even so, she doubted she would see midday.
Then, I die as
Chi’lan
, she thought.
*****
A battle-horn rang out, and there was a pause in the fighting. Cara turned and saw another
Eleion
army charge forward. She and Cahal glanced at each other. “What in the gods’ names?” she exclaimed.
Cahal stared. “They’re
Redel
,” he said, noting their armor and surcoats emblazoned with a sun.
“
Redel
? What are they doing in this battle?”
Cara’s gaze fell on a lone rider at the thrust of the attack. Her red-gold surcoat emblazoned with a dragon of Rhyn’athel shone even at this distance. “There’s a
Chi’lan
among them.”
Cahal began laughing. “Lachlei! Lachlei!” Soon all the soldiers picked up his cry.
CHAPTER Seventy-Five
“Admit it; you’re still in love with her.”
Rhyn’athel sat on his throne in the Hall of the Gods. The great mead hall was empty, save for the two. The firepit sat cold, and a breeze blew through the vast room. If either had been in their mortal bodies, they would have felt the wind’s bite much more. It echoed Rhyn’athel’s dismal mood.
Admit it; you’re still in love with her.
Ni’yah’s words stung, but like most of his barbs, the words held truth. That was why most gods detested Ni’yah
—
indeed, that’s why Areyn despised the wolf god. Rhyn’athel suffered his brother’s tongue, because despite the harshness, Ni’yah had a clarity that sometimes Rhyn’athel lacked. And, although Rhyn’athel wouldn’t admit it, he had brotherly affection for the wolf-god.
Rhyn’athel glanced at Ni’yah, but refused to meet the wolf-god’s gaze. “Love is a foolish mortal emotion…”
Ni’yah grinned. “Brother, you’re not the only god to have fallen for a mortal woman.”
Rhyn’athel stood, towering over his brother. “You
—
you dragged me into this! I should skin your miserable wolf-hide and hang it on my door as a warning for those who dare to meddle.”
Ni’yah chuckled. “I’d probably deserve it, too. But this doesn’t alter the circumstances, my brother. The
Lochvaur
are at Areyn’s mercy without you. And Lachlei will become his…”
A muscle twitched in Rhyn’athel’s chiseled jaw. He turned his silver eyes away. “Lachlei doesn’t love me.”
“She loves you
—
but she also loves a memory.”
“I can’t give her what she asks. It is not in anyone’s power, save Areyn’s.”
“Then, Lachlei is lost to you.” Ni’yah shook his head. “And with her, so shifts the balance.”
“Lachlei would be Areyn’s when she died,” Rhyn’athel replied. “I can do naught.”
Ni’yah leaned back on the armrest of his own throne. “Are you so quick to relinquish the battle?” He shook his head. “And I thought you were always the more powerful. I guess I was wrong.”
Rhyn’athel turned to him. “What are you saying?”
“For a victor, you’re a coward!” Ni’yah said, his voice dripping with scorn. “I’m surprised that the great warrior god cowers in the face of a lesser deity. Perhaps I’ve overestimated you…”
Anger flashed in Rhyn’athel’s eyes, and before Ni’yah could respond, he held the wolf-god off the floor by the neck and shoved him against a wall. The tip of
Teiwaz
pressed into Ni’yah’s throat. “I should cut your tongue out,” Rhyn’athel said.
Ni’yah’s brass eyes glanced at the Sword of Power. “For speaking the truth?” he said, his voice strained.
“For your annoying prattle.”
“For the
truth
,” Ni’yah croaked. “Areyn has you cowed. He will take the Nine Worlds from you bit by bit, until there is nothing left and you can no longer stop him.”
“But the Nine Worlds…”
“The Nine Worlds were ravaged before and we managed to rebuild. Is our power so weak, we cower at creating again? Are you willing to let Areyn gain the upper hand in this war?” He paused and a gleam entered his eyes. “Do you want him to make love to Lachlei?”
Rhyn’athel’s fist closed tighter around Ni’yah’s throat, but he did not move the Sword. He met Ni’yah gaze with fierce determination. “Areyn wouldn’t dare.”
“Areyn would defile her. He’d rape her and force her to bear his demon offspring
—
the sons that should be yours…”
Rhyn’athel released Ni’yah. The wolf-god landed unsteadily on his feet and ran his fingers over his sore neck.
“Has your time as a mortal made you Wyrd-blind?” Ni’yah said, still rubbing his neck. “Her godling sons will change the balance.”
Rhyn’athel shook his head. “There’s a fork in the Wyrd strands.”
“Your sons may bring Areyn’s ultimate destruction or Areyn’s sons may bring yours.”
“But Lachlei is the junction,” he said at last. “She doesn’t love me, Ni’yah. She loves Fialan, and I can’t even bring him back.”
“Perhaps not now,” said Ni’yah. “I think when this war is over there should be some changes, my brother.”
Rhyn’athel nodded, sheathing his sword. “I won’t take her as Areyn would, but I won’t have her be the pawn of the gods or the pawn of the Wyrd. It must be her choice.”
“We are all pawns of the Wyrd in one way or another,” Ni’yah said. “But you are right, my brother. Lachlei must decide. And so a mortal woman holds the fate of the Nine Worlds and the destiny of the gods.” He grinned wryly. “I couldn’t have thought up more mischief if I had tried.”
Rhyn’athel chuckled. “Indeed.”
“Go to her, brother. I think she’ll surprise you.”
*****
The sun rose above the Darkling Plain, casting all in its red glow. Lachlei rode forward with Redkellan at her side. She swung
Fyren
, her full anger unleashed on the demon hounds. Several tried to attack her, but she gathered her power and flung them away in a blast of supernatural fire. All around her, she could hear her name as a battle cry. The
Lochvaur
,
Laddel
, and
Elesil
took up the cry and began slaying demons, renewed by her presence. The demon hounds and
Braesan
fled and disappeared as the warriors converged.
Lachlei raised her hand, amid the shouts of victory. She was covered in blood and looked weary. Cahal rode towards her, a grin on his face. Following him were the other commanders. “I thought you might need some help,” she said.
“Yes, we could use a little help,” Cahal said.
“It looked like you might,” said Redkellan.
Lachlei nodded. “This is Redkellan. He’s agreed to aid us.”
Cara looked at the
Redel
prince in mistrust. “I didn’t know that the
Redel
were so eager to aid the
Lochvaur
.”
Redkellan gazed coolly on Cara. “A
Silren
? I thought you served Areyn.”
Cara drew her blade and lunged. Cahal pulled her back. “Easy, they just saved our hides.”
“I don’t care,” she snapped. “
Redel
dogs!”
“Enough,
Silren
!” Lachlei snapped. “If anyone should be angry, it should be me for your kindred’s role in nearly destroying mine. I take it you’re one of the dissenters?”
Cara nodded. “I am Cara, daughter of Silvain.”
“Good, we can use you,” Lachlei said. “I see
Elesil
here
—
where’s Conlan?”
A silence followed.
“Conlan’s dead,” Cara said. “A demon killed him tonight.”
Cahal looked at Lachlei. “Where’s Rhyn? He was supposed to rescue you.”
A shadow crossed Lachlei’s face. “I don’t know,” she said. “He left.”
Laddel stared at her. “Will he return?”
Lachlei met his gaze. “I sent Telek to find him. It depends on how persuasive he is.”
Then, you know he is Ni’yah,
Laddel mindspoke.
Yes
, she replied heavily.
And I know who Rhyn is.
You don’t know if he will return?
No.
Laddel’s face became grim.
Then, we are lost.