The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations (2 page)

             
The cavalry, surrounding the Silther army closed in around them, killing at will, but even the horses were sought after by the creatures.  The sound of their screams was even more chilling than the sound of the falling men.  After nearly half an hour of slaughter, the cavalry broke their circle.  From out of the cloud of dust, the infantry came marching in.  Their officers on horses urged them on and then they charged into the mass of bodies.  With their axes and spears, they too easily began to kill Silthers.  But the very size of the Silther army meant that even with their primitive tactics, many Walechian men died.

             
The men stabbed and slashed at the Silther troops, cutting them down one by one.  Some killed as many as twenty by themselves, but the Silthers would not stop or retreat.  It took hours, but eventually the last Silther was dead.  After the carnage was over and the job done, Krall inspected the field.  He could see that all the Silther were gone, but he could find no hint of enemy human officers or soldiers.

             
In the battles with Wolfen armies, human officers were needed to lead them and keep them in line.  They fought with the beasts.  But with the Silthers, their officers only gathered them together in large formations and then unleashed them in a general direction as they stood behind and watched from a safe distance.  In the two years of war, no Silther army had ever won a battle.  However, they had taken a horrible toll in human lives, slowly wearing down Krall’s grand army.  New fresh troops often came in, but never enough to replace the soldiers lost.  This was a war of attrition and Krall wondered if Wallechia had the numbers to outlast this horrible enemy.

             
As the dead were being gathered and prepared for battle, Krall looked for and found the young messenger who had come for him.  He found him seated on the ground near his fallen horse and crying like a child.   Clearly this boy had never fought in a battle before. 

             
Another soldier grabbed the messenger by the arm and helped him to his feet.  Krall looked down on him from his own mount.

“Alright,” he told the young man.  “Now I will go to the King.”

Chapter Three

              Krall, Krypt and Loren the messenger rode hard through the night.  At just before dawn, in the dim light, they reached the main road to Kallesh.  At that point, Krypt stopped his horse, jumped off and examined hoof prints he found in the gravel.

“What is
it?” Krall asked.

Still looking down at the tracks, Krypt answered, “Rider.  At least a half day’s ride ahead of us.”

“One of the King’s spies, no doubt.” Krall added.  He then turned to face Loren who suddenly looked panicked.

“You’d better go back to the
encampment.” Krall ordered.

“My orders are to return with you to Kallesh.” Loren said shakily.

Krall’s eyes then flashed with anger.

“Do you want your parents to see your head on top of the Iron Gates?” Krall growled at the boy.

“No sir.” Loren answered.

“Then get your ass back to the encampment.  You just joined my cavalry.”

As the boy began to turn his horse around, Krall called to him again.

“And give up that sword when you get there.  Only officers carry swords and you haven’t earned that rank yet.”

              “No sense killing our horses over this now.” Krall told Krypt.

“The King won’t be happy.” Krypt replied.

“He’ll live.”

             
They rode at a much more relaxed, but still steady pace throughout the day.  By the end of the day, they could see the white walls of Kallesh gleaming in the setting sun.  Rather than ride on through the night again, the two exhausted men camped next to the road.

             
“His Majesty really isn’t going to be happy about this.” Krypt told Krall.  He handed him a cup of coffee he’d just made fresh from the campfire.  Krall took a careful drink and nearly spit it out.

“Where the hell did you learn to make coffee?” He said with a grimace.

“Your mother.” Krypt replied, almost matter-of-factly.

Krall looked at him angrily at first, but then softened.

“If you were anyone else…”Krall said, almost smiling.

“Yes…” Krypt interrupted.  “You’d probably draw that sword of yours and get your ass kicked.”

The two men laughed.

             
“Aren’t you going to wash that face of yours?” Krypt asked.

“No.” Krall answered grimly.
“This is the blood of both men and Silthers.  I want the King to see it.”

“You really are pressing your luck with him.”

Krall took another sip of the awful coffee and then stared thoughtfully down at the ground.

“I’ve given my life in defense of this coun
try.” He said in a sad tone.  “I’m proud of my service and the men I’ve served with past and present.”

“I’m happy to hear you say that.” Krypt added.

Krall then looked his friend in the face with raging eyes.

“But I tell you, I do not serve this King.  I s
erve my country and my people, but not this King.”

             
Exhausted, the two men fell quickly asleep, but then rose again at dawn to continue their journey.  By mid-day they were within the gates of the White City.

They passed through the streets, around the giant pool and fountain and to the steps leading up to the Palace of Justice.  Two soldiers in the uniform of the King’s guard then approached the two Generals.  Krall noticed them and glared at them in an expression that forced both men to take a step back.

             
“General Krall?” One of the soldiers said nervously.

Krall glared at him even more intently.

“If you mean to arrest me, it’s going to take a lot more than two of you today.”

The soldier politely bowed.

“The King is in the High Courtroom.” He said to the General.  “He’s expecting you.  If you’ll follow me…”

“I know the way.” Krall interrupted him.  As he passed the young soldier, he called back to him.

“And next time you forget to salute a General, I’ll cut your arm off!”

             
Inside the palace, Krall and Krypt weaved their way past the crowds to the High Courtroom.  Krall remembered the last time he had been in that court.  He had been accused of ridiculous charges that wasted valuable time.  Had it not been for the timely arrival of the young Kenner and Terri, a key battle would have been lost and perhaps the war itself.

             
As he and Krypt neared the large doors of the Courtroom, two guards snapped to attention and raised their spears in salute to the two Generals. They entered the Courtroom where the King was already seated in his throne.

             
King Melkur looked pale and sick.  He was shaking and his eyes searched the courtroom.  His fingers played with the grip of his sword that he was leaning on in front of him.

“Whe
re is the defendant?” He said impatiently.

The prosecutor stood up and bowed to the King.

“He’s being brought now.” He answered.

Moments later, a young man bound in chains was almost dragged into the courtroom.  His hair and beard were matted and dusty.  H
is clothes were torn and he was covered in filth.  It looked to Krall as if the man had been in jail for some time, perhaps even months and his face was covered in fresh cuts and bruises.  He was almost carried to the chair directly facing the King and almost fell out of it when set down.

             
“The prosecution may begin.” The King ordered.

As the Royal Prosecutor rose to speak, the Defense stood at the same time.

“Point of order, Your Majesty.” He said, addressing the King.

“How dare you interrupt these proceed
ings.” The King hissed.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I’m afraid I must point out a Constitutional conflict in the process of this trial.”

The King stared hatefully at the Defense.  This was not the first time this peasant lawyer had interfered with him.

“
What Constitutional conflict would that be?” King Melkur almost spat.

             
Kirallis, the same attorney that had successfully defended Krall two years earlier took a calming breath. 

“As Your Majesty is aware, this defendant is also a witness in a case of
alleged misconduct in the Kallesh prisons, allegations that directly relate to Your Majesty.  According to article four of the Constitution…”

“What are you telling me?” The King yelled as he almost jumped from his throne.  “Are you saying I can not judge t
his trial?”

“According to article four of the…” Kirallis attempted to continue.

“Don’t tell me of the Constitution, lawyer!  Have you forgotten to whom you speak?”

“No Your Majesty, I have not…”

“I am Melkur, King of Walechia!  My word is law!”

             
Kirallis took another deep breath and focused on keeping his voice strong, but respectful.

“You are King, Your Majesty.  However, in addition to your own rule, this nation has a Constitution…”

“There you go with your Constitution again.” The King said mocking him and almost falling back on to his throne.  “You and all of your lawyer conspirators are always telling me, ‘Constitution this’ and ‘Constitution that’.  Well, let me tell you something you disloyal, lawyer scum.  It was I who was chosen by the Spirits of Land and Sea to rule this nation.  It was I who was given this crown by the Great Lady of the Sky.  I am King here.  Not you.  Not your laws.  Not your Constitution.  I sit on the throne.  And I say that it is time for some changes in the way this Kingdom is governed.  I say it is time for some alterations to this precious Constitution of yours and unless you want to end up like this traitor here,” he said pointing at the defendant, “I suggest you consider carefully to whom your loyalty belongs.”

             
“My loyalty belongs to the people of Walechia, Your Majesty.” Kirallis answered defiantly.

“I am the people!” The King shouted back.  “I am their voice!  I am their strength!  I have been chosen by destiny to lead my people into a new era of greatness and I swear to y
ou and all your kind that you will not stop me!”

             
King Melkur then wheeled and pointed at the pitiful defendant.

“You!  You horrible, treacherous wretch!  I find you guilty and sentence you to immediate execution!”

A horrified gasp filled the courtroom and then the prisoner was dragged, nearly lifeless from the court.”

The King nearly jumped from his judgment throne and, almost running toward the door, he saw Krall and stopped directly at him.

“You!” He spat at Krall.  “Throne room!  Now!”

Chapter Four

              With Krall following, the King and his entourage made their way down the halls towards the royal throne room.  The King’s guards shoved those who didn’t immediately make way to the walls and ground.  Krall scowled as he saw this.  King Philas was never this rough with his citizens; only those who were close to him.  There was a long line of citizens of all classes and stations and from all over Walechia and beyond lining the halls towards the throne room.  They were all waiting for their turn to try and pull the Silver Axe, still embedded in the throne room floor.

             
The King hobbled slowly through the halls, almost using his sword as a walking stick.  He limped badly and he was hunched over, grunting nearly with every step. 

“All of you get out!” He yelled as
he entered the room lined with statues.  His voice sounded almost as if he were crying.

“Where’s my doctor?” He demanded.  “Where is the bastard?”

“I’m here, Your Majesty,” Said a man in fine clothes stepping forward. 

He was wearing a white tunic, black
trousers, elegant leather boots and a bright purple robe over his shoulders.  He was short, but thin and had shoulder length, thick silver hair.

“Medicine!” Melkur demanded.  “Where’s my medicine?”

The doctor moved so smoothly he seemed to glide across the floor to the throne upon which the King was now seated.

             
He handed the King a small, white bottle which the King quickly took from him and drank greedily.  Almost instantly the King’s entire visage changed in front of everyone’s eyes.  He straightened up on his throne and the color returned to his face.  His previously weak and panicked eyes regained their piercing gaze and his smug smile returned to his thin lips.