To Darkness Fled (65 page)

A man's scream brought him back from the dark place. He jumped off his bed and ran to the window. The bailey smoldered with grey smoke. Achan could barely make out the shapes of men fighting. His men against black-cloaked New Kingsguard knights.

Sir Gavin! Why didn't you tell me we were under attack?

Shung told me you were sleeping. I felt it best to leave you. Stay in your chambers, Your Highness. We will deal with this rabble.

Unbelievable. If Achan's men heard he had slept through a battle, they might lose any thread of respect he had fought to earn. He ran into Sir Caleb's room and found the trunk containing his new armor. He had no way of securing the breastplate by himself, but he could manage the chain coat. He lifted the heavy chain out of the trunk.

Cole! Ready Dove and Shung's horse to ride.

Your Majesty?
Cole sounded confused.
Where are you?

In my chambers.
Achan carried the chain coat back to his chamber and spread it out on his bed. Cole likely thought he was going mad.
Do not fear, Cole. I am speaking to you with bloodvoices. I will meet you at the stables in a moment.

Uh, okay, Your Majesty.

Achan scrunched up the chain and ducked his head through the neck opening. His hair snagged and the chain hung heavy around his neck. He struggled and finally managed to get it on. It hung heavy over his clothing. He should probably put on another shirt, but there was no time. He seized
Eagan
's Elk from and the knife from the Roxburg family. He threaded the knife's sheath onto the belt and buckled it around his waist.

Achan prayed Sparrow hadn't been hurt. He pulled open the door to find Shung standing outside. "Let's go, Shung. We've a battle to join."

* * *

Achan and Shung exited into the castle courtyard. The air was thick with smoke. Cole stood outside the stables between their horses. Achan started toward him.

"Your Highness!" Sir Eagan's head peeked over the top of the inner gatehouse, looking down. "Come up and take a look."

"I've no time for that. Atul has taken Sparrow captive. He's holding her at Esek's camp. Shung and I must ride."

Sir Eagan raised an eyebrow. "Her?"

"Please. She's not answering my bloodvoice calls."

"That is wide of the point, Your Majesty. We cannot open the gate just yet. Come up to the tower and you will understand."

Achan blew out an angry breath. Every second he lingered, Sparrow could be dying. He stormed to the gatehouse, Shung at his heels, and up the narrow, spiral stone staircase to the tower roof above the inner portcullis.

Sir Eagan stood with Sir Gavin looking over the crenellations. From here, Achan could see the entire bailey. Three tents along the southeastern curtain wall were on fire. The outer gate was shut. The forest outside the curtain wall blazed. But the wooden structures within the stone stronghold had not caught fire. Too moist, perhaps. The smoke had faded, leaving only a few pockets coiling up into the sky, burning the shaft of arrows they flew in on.

Dozens of men lay on the ground, some motionless, some writhing, some with arrows protruding from their bodies.

"It is over?" Achan asked.

"Not yet," Sir Gavin said. "We've pushed them down the road and they have retreated somewhat. Yet their cavalry has yet to come. Once our men are ready, we'll take the battle to them."

Achan watched his army readying their horses. "What happened?"

"When we left Tsaftown, we sent scouts ahead. Those who went to Carmine tell Gavin they've seen no sign of Esek's men. Those to Berland have not reported. Without their eyes, we could not know how close Esek's men were."

"Take my hand, Your Highness," Sir Eagan said. "I will show you."

"I don't understand."

"Open your mind and you will."

Achan held out his hand and opened a connection with the knight. He felt Sir Eagan's fingers grip his palm. Images flooded his mind's eye.

Sir Eagan explained what Achan was seeing. "I was returning from
Temple
Arman
, paused at the northern tower, and saw men climbing onto the sentry walk. While I notified Gavin, they took out the guards at the outer gatehouse."

Achan saw the scene unfold, felt Sir Eagan's racing heart and sense of urgency.

"I befuddled a few with bloodvoicing, but many of them had shielded their minds. Gifted."

In the recitation of the event in his mind, Achan saw the New Kingsguard knights lower their weapons and look up to the sky in a daze.

"By the time Gavin made it out here, our men had already taken arms against the intruders. We took back the gatehouse before they managed to raise the portcullis."

Achan watched his men sprint across the lawn and enter the gatehouse. He recognized Bazmark at the front of the pack.

"Archers shot fire arrows over the wall. I moved down here with Gavin and searched the minds of the attackers to see what I could learn. A squadron--likely the ninety-plus men Kurtz saw leaving Tsaftown--came upon us unaware from the north. From Darkness."

Sir Eagan released Achan's hand.

Achan shivered as Sir Eagan's memories faded. "How did you do that? Give me your memories?"

"You saw my thoughts, but I chose which to show you."

"I too have looked into the minds of these men," Sir Gavin said. "From what I can tell, Esek is not with them. They answer to a Captain Keuper."

"I know him," Sir Eagan said. "He trained under Sir Kenton. Arrogant fellow."

"He's a fool," Sir Gavin said. "Why does Kenton not point out that shooting fire at Mitspah is a bootless errand?"

"Is Sir Kenton out there?" Achan asked.

"Not that we can sense," Sir Eagan said. "Nor is Lord Nathak. A shame, really. Many good men fight for Esek. I sensed their discord with this mission."

"Why do they fight for him if they are conflicted?"

"It is their job. It feeds their families. A man must think twice before leaving his only source of income and trailing after a rogue king."

"That's me? A rogue king."

"We have no coin to pay soldiers. For a man to leave his job and join you, he would have to believe the cause was worth the sacrifice his family would be making. Esek sabotages himself, though. He asks his men to die for his personal agenda. Killing you. I am surprised Sir Kenton allows this."

"Indeed. Something is amiss. Kenton, at least, would know better than to shoot fire at Mitspah stronghold."

Achan concentrated on Sparrow's face. Blackness. Hysteria gripped him. Arman, please don't let her be dead. He could tarry no longer. He darted between the men and grabbed each of their wrists, opened a connection, and remembered Sparrow's message, her scream, and how she went silent.

He opened his eyes to see Sir Gavin pale. "She called out to me. Eben's breath: I told her to wait."

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Sir Eagan said.

Achan glanced at Shung. "We must take the road north, into Darkness. She's at Esek's camp."

Sir Gavin frowned. "Achan, we cannot allow you to go."

"I am not asking permission, Sir Gavin. Arman will protect me. I will take Shung."

"And me," Sir Eagan said. "I will go with you."

"Thank you," Achan said.

"Gavin, we will ride out with the men, ride through as they attack."

Sir Gavin sighed. "I'll inform Caleb. He won't be pleased."

* * *

"You could have put on your helmet, Your Majesty." Sir Caleb looked like a sullen child standing at Dove's side.

"Do not worry, Sir Caleb. I am wearing my chain armor. And my Shield and my father's Shield are with me."

"That's one more Shield than Esek has," Sir Eagan said.

Achan grinned. "See? All will be well, you shall see."

Sir Caleb's nostrils flared. He nodded, walked to the gate, and mounted his steed. Kurtz sat atop his horse beside Sir Caleb, looking fierce in armor.

Sir Caleb heaved his sword into the air and bellowed, "For King Axel and his queen!"

In response, the men raised their swords and echoed Sir Caleb's cry. "King Axel and his queen!"

The portcullis rose. Achan's heart raced, expecting to see a melee already in place or arrows flying his way. But the road was deserted. The army rode out behind Sir Caleb and Kurtz, and turned south along the road.

Then Achan saw them. In the distance, Esek's men, on horseback, riding toward them. Two in the lead fell from their mounts. Achan glanced back to see archers on the sentry wall of Mitspah letting their arrows fly to hold back the enemy.

Kurtz roared, raised his sword, and his horse galloped into the lead. Dove raced along in the cavalry. Achan reached out for Sparrow again and received no answer. His muscles clenched at the thought of losing her. How could he feel so strongly, having only known she was a woman a few days? He knew only that his life would not be the same without her quirky comments, her easy banter, even watching her clean her teeth.

The realization struck him like a gauntlet to the gut. She was the one for him. No matter what, he had to bring Vrell Sparrow back. He saw it as clearly as if it had been there all the time. He had to make her his, despite what Sir Caleb or any of the other knights had to say.

Sir Caleb, Kurtz, and Bazmark led the fray. They peeled aside one by one to engage the enemy. Achan, Shung, and Sir Eagan rode straight through.

A familiar voice cut through the clatter of hooves and swords. "There he goes, Sir Kenton! The white horse! The big one!"

Esek would give chase. Achan spurred Dove on.
Faster, boy. We must go faster.

Twilight had fallen and the trees filtered most of the remaining light. Dove did not slow until a mist coated Achan's arm. The horse flattened his ears, his apprehension prickling Achan's arms.

Achan agreed with Dove. He loathed the idea of entering Darkness again.
I know, boy, but we must go back in. Sparrow is there.

Dove slowed to a trot, tossing his head in protest. Achan urged him on, patting his mane.

Yellow light flamed behind him. Sir Eagan now held a torch in one hand.

Achan nodded, holding Dove back so Sir Eagan could lead. "Make haste, if you can. I'm sure Esek is not far behind."

Sir Eagan spurred his mount through the mist, torch fire streaming. Achan and Shung followed.

They found Esek's camp just past the Evenwall, a couple dozen tents erected in a clearing beside the road lit by torches mounted on wooden stakes. Sir Eagan rode into the camp and dismounted where two horses were tethered by a squat tree. Achan and Shung dismounted as well.

They weaved between two tents and stopped before a large, round pavilion that glowed with firelight from within. Judging by the drab tents surrounding it, this extravagant one had to belong to Esek.

Two armed New Kingsguardsmen stood at the entrance, swords drawn. Achan recognized both immediately. Atul and Khai. Achan drew Eagan's Elk.

An itch to Achan's temple preceded a knock.
Eagan.

Achan opened his mind.
What's your plan?

Shung and I will lure these guards aside. Achan will go in and free Vrell. Keep your minds open to each other.

Shung nodded. Apparently Sir Eagan had forged a connection with him as well.

Achan hung back while Sir Eagan and Shung approached the guards.

"Atul, you dog," Sir Eagan said. "The punishment for treason is death, you know."

"I serve my king faithfully."

"Ah, but Esek is no one's king. He is just a poor sap like you. So who is the bigger fool? The insane man who thinks he is king or the man who follows him?"

"It ain't crazy to follow the Council's anointed."

"Again, if the Council is filled with deranged men, I have to disagree. We have come for Sparrow. We believe you took her. Mind if we take a look in that fancy tent?"