Lord of Ashes (Steelhaven: Book Three) (39 page)

‘I won’t leave them,’ Janessa said, as men flocked all around, milling in the square awaiting their orders.

Kaira began forming the defenders into ranks, ordering an upturned cart be made into a meagre barricade and that archers take positions to the rear.

‘Your safety is paramount,’ said Garret more forcefully. ‘I cannot protect you if this is what you insist on.’

‘Then don’t protect me,’ Janessa replied. ‘Protect my city.’

It was not an order, which she knew he would obey without question, but a plea.

Garret stared at her, the rain soaking through his hair and beard. The days of fighting had left him looking smaller somehow, his face matted with dried blood from half a dozen wounds.

‘Always, Majesty,’ he replied.

Janessa glanced back towards the battlements. Already the Khurtas had breached the wall, flooding over it, the noise of their arrival rising above the pounding of the rain on the square.

She urged her horse forward, still holding the flag in her hand, raising it aloft.

‘Men of Steelhaven!’ she cried. ‘I don’t ask that you fight for your city and never that you fight for me. Only that you fight
with
me this one last time.’

There was a cry from every man. A cry that filled Janessa with pride. For a fleeting moment she only wished that her father had been here to see this, to see her one last stand. But he was not here. There was only her. Queen Janessa Mastragall. Sovereign of Steelhaven and the Free States. Protector of Teutonia.

The Khurtas had reached the bottom of the wall now and were charging towards the square. Janessa spurred her horse, drawing the Helsbayn from its scabbard once more and riding forward. There was a cry on her lips, something feral, something from the dark empty pit inside her. Kaira spurred up beside her, as did Garret and half a dozen Sentinels – all that remained of her retinue. They smashed into the Khurtas like an axe hitting rotting wood, splintering the enemy charge. The Helsbayn hummed through the air, delivering Janessa’s fury.

As they fought there was a thunderous smash. Janessa pulled back on her reins, her horse rearing as in the distance she saw the Tower of Magisters had been struck by a massive boulder. The ancient stone at its base suddenly gave way, the tower lurching back violently. It toppled, crushing rooftops and houses beneath its vastness, but Janessa had no time to lament the loss as the battle still raged around her.

Arrows whistled overhead in both directions whilst the rain beat down relentlessly. Janessa’s red curls were plastered to her head, the rain running in rivulets within her armour, but it did not weigh her down or hinder her as she swung that sacred blade.

Something struck the haft of the flag she held, jarring it from her grip, and it fell amidst the press of Khurtas. She parried a swing of a sword, raising the Helsbayn to counter when her horse stumbled beneath her. With a squeal of anguish the stallion collapsed to the ground, Janessa crying out in anger and frustration as she fell. The impact jolted the sword from her grip, her head hitting the cobbled ground. Her vision swam as Janessa made to stand but her leg was pinned beneath the dead animal. Panic gripped her as she realised she was helpless.

The melee continued to rage all around as the Sentinels did their best to protect her, but she was held fast. The Helsbayn was just beyond her grip, tantalisingly close as she reached with outstretched fingers.

Janessa looked up in time to see the sneering face of a Khurta bearing down on her but his expression twisted from anger to agony as a sword blade pierced his chest. Garret withdrew the blade with practised ease, reaching for her as the Khurta fell. She gripped his arm, crying out as he dragged her from beneath the horse, her leg numb from being crushed beneath its weight. She still had the presence of mind to grasp the Helsbayn as Garret helped her to her feet, despite the pain. In an instant Kaira was also at their side, her own horse forgotten.

‘Get her out of here,’ snarled Garret. ‘To the temple.’

Kaira nodded, dragging Janessa away from the battle as her Sentinels and bannermen blocked the Khurtic assault. She was about to protest but the pain in her leg stifled any objections. As they retreated Garret turned back to face the Khurtas, his sword held high as he proclaimed his loyalty to the Crown for all to hear. She could only stare at Garret – brave, loyal Garret – as he was consumed within the mass of savages, his blade still swinging.

Janessa held onto Kaira as they backed away from the fighting. ‘Retreat!’ Kaira barked to the rest of the men, cowering behind their barricade. ‘Into the city, hide yourselves!’

Some of them ran immediately, needing no further encouragement, but some raced forward, helping Kaira lift Janessa to her feet.

Her leg throbbed, a stabbing pain shooting through her knee with every step, but still Janessa moved. She had wanted to fight the Khurtas to the end, but now that seemed like madness. This whole thing was madness. In the distance something brayed to the night, like an angry herd of bulls had been unleashed upon the city, only adding to the insanity.

The Khurtas were rushing forward now, their fury unrestrained, cutting down anything in their path. Kaira did her best to help Janessa move south, away from the carnage, but with her leg the way it was she knew they’d never get far.

Two Khurtas burst from the pack, charging forward with blades raised. Janessa pushed herself away from Kaira, stumbling slightly but still finding her feet. She raised the Helsbayn as Kaira had taught her, holding it poised to strike. It felt good in her hand, it felt ready to kill.

A shadow dropped from the building next to them, pouncing on the two Khurtas like a leopard on its prey. Janessa watched in horror as the beast caught one of the savage’s heads in its mouth, gripping the other by the throat. With a snap of its jaws the head came free. A squeeze of talons and the throat was ripped out. For a moment it took the time to feast, tearing flesh from its victims with abandon, and all Janessa could do was watch in horror. Then the beast’s black eyes looked about as it sniffed the air.

Janessa felt Kaira’s grip on her arm, pulling her back, and slowly they moved away until the monster was out of sight.

‘What was that?’ Janessa asked, her heart thumping in her chest, the hand that did not hold the Helsbayn shaking uncontrollably.

‘I have no idea,’ said Kaira. ‘But we can only hope it hates the Khurtas more than it hates us. Now come, I must get you to safety.’

‘Where are we going?

‘The Temple of Autumn. It is our last line of defence,’ said Kaira as they stumbled south through the deserted streets.

Janessa saved her breath, moving as quickly as she could and biting her lip against the pain in her leg.

The sky was lightening. She could only hope that when the new day dawned there would still be a city to defend.

H
e had no idea why the Elharim woman had set him free, but River was not about to waste time thinking on it. All that mattered was finding Jay, but first he had to survive long enough.

The Khurtas stood before him on the plain in their thousands but their focus was on the city. River was stripped to the waist, his face a mass of bruises and blood; it would not be difficult to go unseen amongst this savage horde.

There was a huge breach in the wall and Khurtas stood before it, awaiting the order to attack. It would be impossible to enter there. To the west the Khurtas were assaulting the wall in a vast mass of bodies but to the east River could see the giant gate had been smashed in, the ram that had done its work now discarded. Through the rain, in the light of a thousand sputtering torches, River saw the Khurtas were urging on their war beasts, whipping them into a frenzy.

He ran towards them, passing waiting warriors, patient to take their turn in the slaughter. River didn’t care now if they recognised him, this was no time for caution.

As he drew closer he could see the beasts were chained, their handlers burning their flanks, whipping their hides. The creatures cried out in fear and pain, thrashing against their bonds. Then, as one, the chains were struck, a chorus of clashing steel ringing out above the sound of thumping rain. The beasts began their stampede, rushing forward towards the open gateway, corralled by fire-wielding Khurtas.

River sprinted after them as the Khurtas charged in the wake of the rampaging beasts. All around him the flood of bodies ran for the gate but not one of them tried to stop him, not one was concerned with yet another madman sprinting after a herd of feral monsters.

He passed beneath the gateway, coming out into the city and seeing a smashed barricade ahead. Warriors were fighting valiantly, despite what the stampede had done to their defences. For a moment River felt a pang of sorrow that he could not join them, could not take up arms in defence of Steelhaven. It had, after all, been his home. He had lived amongst these people all his life, but it was clear now the city was lost. There was little one man could do to save it. There was only one life he was determined to save. And if he was unable to save her, then there was yet one life he was determined to end.

River sprinted across to a gap in the barricade as Khurtas flocked all around him. The ground was scattered with detritus and River scanned the battleground for any sign of a weapon. A dagger lay discarded nearby and he stooped to pick it up, barely breaking his stride. No sooner did he have the weapon in his grasp than he stopped in his tracks.

There was something in the dark shadow of a nearby building. What gave it away he couldn’t tell but even from this distance he could sense it was fetid, evil.

A screech rose above the city and it struck River deep, almost chilling the blood in his veins. From the shadows stalked a beast neither human nor animal. It glared at him with dead corpse’s eyes and for the first time in an age River knew fear.

Instinct made him move, his legs pumping fast along the ground. He knew the creature would give chase if he ran but there was no way he was about to stand and wait for death to take him.

The nearest street was empty, darkness consuming it as he ran, as though he were sprinting into the hells themselves. A stairway to his left led upwards and he dashed towards it, taking the stairs four at a time. If he could make the rooftops, his familiar domain, perhaps he would stand more of a chance against this creature.

Reaching the top of the stairs he vaulted onto the rooftop. The rain made the tiles slick, and his usual sure-footedness seemed to flee him as he slipped across the roof. A quick glance back revealed the creature was indeed in pursuit, its brow furrowed in rage, teeth dripping with ichor. Its limbs were impossibly long and it made for him on all fours.

River turned back to the south, making the roof edge and leaping through the dark. He landed badly, slipping across the roof of the next building, but he was back on his feet immediately. He sprinted on blindly, hearing the thump and crack of the beast landing on the roof behind him.

As he ran, a tile betrayed him underfoot, cracking beneath his weight, and River went stumbling, sliding to the edge of the roof but managing to stop himself before he tumbled into the darkness below. He glared down into the black, knowing there was no escape that way. Glancing back he saw the creature was stalking him more carefully now, its talons scraping on the tiled roof. River dragged himself to his feet, brandishing the dagger which looked as though it would be useless against this beast.

Your time is over. There is nothing you can do against such a fell creature. You have failed her.

As the beast made to pounce the tiles beneath its feet gave way. Its flank disappeared as the roof collapsed, talons scraping for purchase but finding none on the greasy surface. It fell into the building, and River took a deep breath in relief. Giving himself three strides’ grace he ran to the roof edge and leapt again, landing on the next roof and making his way towards the palace.

His route was a familiar one; he had taken it many times, but never with a heart so heavy. The Khurtas had breached the wall and now there were beasts from the hells abroad, unleashed by the gods knew what. Jay was in more danger than ever if he could not protect her.

By the time he reached the palace screams of woe and violence were echoing across the city like the knell of death. It seemed Steelhaven was damned and he along with it.

The gates to Skyhelm lay open, and the place looked deserted. River ran inside, across the gardens with abandon where previously he had taken such pains to remain hidden. The main doors were ajar, and he pushed them open before rushing inside. Lanterns flickered within and he paused, listening for any sound, but he heard none.

He ran up the main stairway, past a dozen empty rooms, through chambers and hallways until he eventually reached a massive room where he stopped. There was a stone throne at one end, and sitting upon it was a man, robed and hooded, his head cradled in one hand.

River made his way across the hall, not even trying to hide his presence. If the man heard him he gave no reaction.

‘Where is she?’ River asked as he reached the bottom of the stairs that led up to the throne.

The man looked up, tears in his eyes but a smile on his face.

‘Where’s who?’ he answered, as though he didn’t care.

‘Your queen,’ said River. ‘Queen Janessa.’

The man shook his head, his tears still flowing, his smile growing wider. ‘What the fuck does it matter where she is? Dead, in all likelihood, just like the rest of us.’

River drew his dagger, pressing it to the man’s throat. He seemed little concerned that he might be about to die.

‘Where?’ River said, pressing the blade against flesh and drawing blood.

The man giggled. ‘I was a powerful man in this city once. I was respected. And I did my duty to the Crown … to my king. What am I now?’

‘You’re dead if you don’t tell me where she is.’ River twisted the knife, pressing the point into the man’s chin and drawing another bead of crimson.

‘All right,’ he struggled to say. ‘She’s at the temple. The Temple of Autumn. That’s where I was told to send her. That’s where I ensured would be the last safe place in this city.’ River released the man, turning to leave. ‘But you won’t save her. It’s a trap.’ He dabbed at the blood at his neck with the sleeve of his robe, staring down forlornly.