The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1) (27 page)

“Manipulator,
Falsifien, in the name of. . .”

The demon
turned burning eyes upon her and without verbally speaking shouted, “No!” The
word slammed into Deborah and she nearly blacked out. The word crawled all over
her and sought entry into her head. She struggled in a panic.

Meanwhile,
the demon’s human form burst into black and red flame. It swung the angel away
from itself and out the window. The Manipulator turned its full attentions to
Deborah. She struggled and managed to croak out, “Jesus, author of my
salvation.”

“
Burn,
you
parvenu harlot!
” The unspoken words pierced
Deborah with fire and she passed out screaming as Falsifien exploded, bathing
the room in fire.

General
Kolk was unyielding, determined, and enjoyed his work. The prospect of facing Illdwar
the Misfit did faze him at first. Who in their right mind would want to go up
against a legendary fighter who stood toe-to-toe with demons, Dark Riders, and
an infestation of vampires? Then the general saw opportunity in defeating the
famed Illdwar. Thus, the general marshalled his forces, created a strong
defensive line, and assigned his best and most malicious fighters to his left
and right flanks. His plan was to keep sending these two side forces out to
continuously hit Illdwar, in hopes of bringing him into the center. The Misfit
proved not to be stupid. He knew the general was baiting him and did his best
to hold his line against Kolk’s strikes. This back-and-forth maneuvering
continued, creating a virtual stalemate with neither side losing or gaining
much. The battle raged on.

Yero and
David found the tree where Deborah and Hogan were ambushed. Yero snarled and
turned to David in disgust. “Hellfire and demon magic stink up this entire
area.”

David reached
for his sheathed sword. “Can we still track them?”

Yero
didn’t answer right away. He closed his eyes and sniffed around. He took little
steps in each direction. Finally, he opened his eyes and pointed. The direction
seemed to pull them back toward the direction they came.

“Their
scent is faint. I will have better luck if I try and track the demon. From the
general direction we will no doubt be heading right into Ven.”

“Let’s
get going.”

“David,”
Yero cautioned him, “either we have to skirt the plains or go right through the
battle going on between here and Ven.”

David
scowled and then said, “Either option will delay us.” He turned toward where
Yero had pointed and drew the Sword of Truth. “However, we can make the second
option shorter.”

Yero
grinned at David’s back, drew his own sword, and jogged to catch up with him.

David’s
and Yero’s timing could not have been worse. General Kolk was returning from a
sortie he had been observing. His left flank had taken more losses than
Illdwar’s forces and now the Misfit was trying to push his advantage. Kolk’s
position had become compromised and he rallied his forces into a strategic
retreat. Kolk’s retreat ran right into David and Yero.

There
were just over a hundred troops and Kolk was mounted on his heavy war steed.
The general spotted and identified the two as they came into range. Some quick
redirection of an already fast moving force brought Kolk face-to-face with
David and Yero before the latter two could veer away from the oncoming company.

General
Kolk ordered the two men surrounded and the traitor Yero killed on the spot.
The soldiers responded instinctively. Yero was a fast, brutal fighter and met
the attacking forces with a ferociousness that gave many of the
warriors
pause. Many of them chose to begin to make a wide
circle around him in hopes of caging the man in. David was a skilled but
reserved fighter. He was able to easily keep most of the soldiers at bay with
minimal force. When he engaged in battle he tried to end it quickly and cut his
opponent only when it was necessary. Many fell to the hammering blows he
delivered with the flat of his blade. Those cut ended up burning with regret
and realizing the wrongness of their cause.

Yero saw
the strategy of those staying out of fighting range and called to David, “They
seek to hem us in.”

David
grunted, “The circle is yet closed.”

David
peered over at the small gap in the circle that several soldiers had also noted
and were trying to shore up.

“We might
both make it,” David said doubtfully, “though our rescue will become a running
battle.”

“Go,”
yelled Yero, lunging at those just outside his blade reach. “I’ll keep them
busy.”

“No,”
David responded, “that will only get you killed. I have the best chance to be
taken alive, and you are better at tracking than me. Find Deborah and Hogan and
get back to the group. I’ll take care of matters here.”

Yero
didn’t wait to protest; he saw the wisdom of David’s plan and the narrowing of
his escape route. The gap was nearly closed by the time Yero turned and ran to
it. In a frenzy, he attacked the three soldiers closing in and powered through
with a volley of sword slashes. Just as they were recovering from this blitz, a
humming filled the air.

Those not
directly engaged with David were compelled to draw in closer to find out what
was going on. The general had a good view of David, yet he still pushed his
warhorse forward to be at the center of his men and nearer David.

In the
time David had spent in the Crossroads as a young man, he had become a fair
swordsman. David was thrown into a time of many battles and learned by
necessity. When he returned to Earth he had continued to practice with the
Sword of Truth under the guidance of the Beagle. Some of the practice had
seemed silly to David, and the Beagle admitted that it was merely artistic
sword play that served no practical purpose in combat. Now, however, as he
swung and twirled the blade around him it began to hum. Those surrounding him
froze in confusion and became captivated by the sound and artistry. Finally, David
stopped and held his sword in front of him.

“I am,”
he spoke with deep authority that caused many to take a step back, “the living
extension to the Sword of Truth, a blade forged by angel’s hands using forces
and materials not present in reality since the early moments of creation. Stand
down and withdraw.”

More than
a few soldiers took a step back. The several were thrown aside as General Kolk,
now dismounted, moved forward with a massive broadsword in his hands.

“Come,
Truth Bearer,” he said mockingly, “I don't fear your blade.”

Kolk was
quick and his blows felt like a car slamming into him. David was put on the
defensive from the first strike, which came quickly after his words. After only
a few hits David knew he couldn’t keep up such a battle long. He prayed for
help as he fended off more and more strikes.

The
building was on fire. Every wall was aflame and the heat was intense. Deborah
was gagging and felt sick to her stomach. She heard a voice screaming her name.
The sound, which she thought was distant, came into focus, close. . . behind
her. She recognized the voice as Hogan’s and tried to call out. Her head was
spinning and her mouth was full of blood, so when her words came out they were
garbled and slurred.

“Hogan. .
. the demon. . . it fled.”

There was
a pause before Hogan responded, “I hate to seem negative; however, we are still
tied up and the building is on fire.”

“Try. . .
to. . . have faith.”

Hogan
smiled a bit mockingly at the words, “Faith is not a strong suit of mine.”

Suddenly,
the wall in front of Deborah fell into the adjoining room. The fresh air
invigorated the fire. Sparks swirled and flames took hold of the ceiling.
Creaking and popping signaled the continued weakening of the other walls.

“I wish,”
Hogan began in a desperate rush of words, “the two of us had more time. I know
one person’s feelings pale in comparison to what is happening. I just wanted
more time with you. Deborah, I love you.”

Deborah
was racked with pain, exhausted from the various trials, and still overwhelmed
by the new course her life was supposed to take. Yet, all this washed away when
Hogan spoke those last three words. A giddy warmth spread through her body.
Hopes and dreams of the future quickly flashed through her mind. Hogan loved
her and she loved him back. She was about to give voice to these thoughts when
the floor off to the side began cracking loudly.

Through
the noise of the conflagration Hogan and Deborah heard the sound of a massive
impact from below. Again and again there came a fierce pounding. With each
jarring hit the floorboards cracked. Within a few repetitions a massive paw
broke through, followed by a primordial roar of triumph. Another claw broke
through the floor and gripped the edges of the small hole they had created.
Then there came a blood freezing roar. The long, thick nails dug into the wood
and the plate sized paws pulled down a large section of the floor, creating a
larger hole.

Deborah
realized she wasn’t breathing and began to take small, shallow breaths as she
silently prayed, “Dear God, please no more.” Then, as a section of the roof
began to collapse due to the fire, two human looking hands gripped the enlarged
hole in the floor. There was a grunt and the hands were quickly followed by
Yero’s head and torso as he pulled himself up through the hole.

Confusion
and fear over what she had just seen mingled with relief at seeing Yero. As he
heaved himself up and moved over to them she kept her eyes on the hole, wondering
at what might still be down there.

“Cut
Deborah free first.” Hogan’s words cut through Deb’s thoughts. She looked
slightly behind her, as best she could, and saw Yero kneeling there. She felt
his hands and the steel blade he was working with to cut the bonds.

“There
should be enough time to free you both,” Yero stated, “just stay still.”

As if to
prove his words false, the roof started to sag further and the central beam
cracked. Bits of burning wood began to fall down, adding to the flames that
were crawling around and eating at the floor. The cracking and popping was
becoming louder, and Deborah could swear she could feel the entire structure
swaying.

Then
Deborah’s hands were free. They fell limply to the ground and her brain quickly
registered a new pain where the ropes had been. Yero quickly cut her feet free
and pushed her gently yet quickly aside so he could better reach Hogan’s bonds.
Deborah turned to see him, while at the same time try and rub her hands
together to stop the spikes of pain she was feeling.

Hogan had
been tied up in a similar fashion to Deborah, though his feet were bound
together in front of him. Within moments Yero had slashed through Hogan’s
ropes. The captain sheathed his knife into his boot with a smooth, practiced
motion. Then he was on his feet and pulling both of them with him. Deborah and
Hogan were both having trouble standing, and it was evident that they were in
pain from their tight bonds. Registering this subconsciously, Yero kept ahold
of the two and began to guide them to the hole in the floor. However, before
they could proceed and before Deborah voiced her objections about what was down
there, the roof beam attached to the very column they had just been tied to
broke and fell with a section of the roof into the hole.

Yero
quickly pulled them back and they all stumbled and fell backwards. There was
more loud creaking and popping. Then the other half of the shattered beam
started to fall inward bringing more roof and the exterior wall in with it.
Yero was up on his feet in a flash and unceremoniously threw his two charges
clear of the collapse. They skittered through flame, but none seemed to take
hold of them. Yero jumped free just as the ceiling and wall hit the floor and
broke those boards. Within seconds there was a large chunk of the building hewn
away, leaving a view of Ven. There were many other buildings on fire.

The three
stood, with Yero helping the other two. Hogan limped to the edge of the new
crevasse in the building and asked, “Where is the fire brigade?”

Yero
looked over at his lieutenant and shook his head. “Everything's in chaos out
there, Hogan. General Kolk moves against the council forces. Rumors of the
king’s displacement are rampant; thieves and other brigands are taking
advantage of the confusion. Most people have fled. There will be no fire
brigade. Come, we’ve no time for this.”

Yero
turned to Deborah. “I’m sorry if my actions offend you, lady Deborah. I must
act to save you.”

Without
further preamble he grabbed her and swung her around so she was cradled in his
arms. He took a step back as she was registering what was taking place. Then
before she could protest he ran forward and leapt into the air. Deborah
screamed, pushed tight to Yero, and closed her eyes as they sailed out of the
building, dropping two stories. Yero landed with minimal jarring, and it was
over as quickly as it had begun.

Yero’s
leap brought them clear of the building and the surrounding wreckage. When he
hit the ground he took a few steps forward and knelt, setting Deborah down. As
he stood he took hold of her once more and helped her to standing too. They
both turned back to the burning building. Once again, Yero was acting in a blur
of motion before Deborah could even fully assess the situation.

Yero scrambled
up the flaming wreckage. Fire tried to hold onto him, but was quickly doused by
the speed of his movement. With a visible effort he lunged and vaulted back up
to the second floor. The wood he grabbed hold of began to break. Before it
could completely shatter, though, Yero managed to swing himself onto more
secure boards. He righted himself and stood next to Hogan.

The two
men exchanged words that Deborah could not make out. Hogan backed off from
Yero, shaking his head. However, Yero’s hand flashed out and grabbed hold of
the elf. Hogan was pulled into Yero’s arms and the captain manhandled him to a
secure position before he leapt from the second story once more. For his part
Hogan didn’t scream, though a look of fear was plastered on his face. This time
Yero didn’t completely clear the wreckage. He hit the edge of it and lost his
balance. As he began to fall he threw Hogan forward. The lieutenant tumbled
several times, then came to a stop near Deborah.

“Are you okay?”
she asked as she went to his side.

Groggily,
he nodded. They both then looked up as Yero limped over to them, slapping a
flame out that tried to take hold of the cloth of his pants.

“Well
now,” he said. “that is quite enough of that for one lifetime. Though I do fear
hanging out with you two may bring me more opportunities like that.”

Deborah
smiled at the man’s blasé attitude and helped Hogan to his feet. Once up, Hogan
put his arms around Deborah and didn’t let go. She responded in kind.

“Good,”
interjected Yero, “we have that settled. Shall we disengage and get you two
back with the rest of the Koens?”

Not
waiting to see if they were going to follow, Yero turned and headed back toward
the council tent. Hogan kissed Deborah gently on the forehead, took her hand in
his, and the two straggled after Yero.