Torn By War: 4 (The Death Wizard Chronicles) (49 page)

Henepola arranged his troops in an orderly fashion.

Though most of the city was a dense maze of narrow streets and tall stone buildings, a huge courtyard and garden ten hectares in diameter stood immediately behind the gate, providing enough room to contain most of the large army. The archers, five hundred score, were placed at the front. When Mala’s army emerged, they would bathe its front-runners with arrows and then give way to the black knights and Tugars. Then the archers would retreat into the city and hide in its many buildings, becoming snipers who would loose arrows from windows and rooftops.

“Rather than wait for them by the gate, we should spread our entire army throughout the interior,” Commander Palak argued. “It will make it more difficult for the monsters to defeat us.”

“That would only extend our misery,” Henepola said.

“We draw the line here,” Torg said, as if the debate already were over.

Palak said no more.

“If we are routed, what then?” Kusala said to both kings.

“Whoever’s left will fight them in the streets,” Henepola said. “But eventually, the few who remain should make for the keep and attempt to escape to the mountains. There are many places to hide in Mahaggata. Find whatever safety you can. And pray to God the Creator, all the while.”

“Sire, when will we know when the time is right to run?” Palak said.

“
You
will know,” Jord said to the commander, with a supernal certainty.

“Listen to me!” Utu said. All who stood near fell into silence. “Regardless of what happens, I must be allowed to confront Mala without the threat of ambush from without.”

“Understood,” Torg said. “The Asēkhas and I will surround you. When the time comes, concern yourself only with Mala. We will take care of the rest.”

The snow giant nodded solemnly, then turned to Jord. “As I said before, stay close.”

“What do we do if Mala chooses not to face you?” Palak said. “For all we know, he’ll shy from you, preferring to have his minions do the fighting.”

The snow giant chuckled ruefully. “He wields the trident, the ring, and the chain. He will not be shy.”

“I’ve seen no ring,” Madiraa said.

“Nonetheless . . .” Utu said.

At dusk, the heat relented, and the mass of rubble at the border of the clogged entrance shuddered visibly. Nissayan scouts on top of the battlement reported that the monsters were gathered near the entrance, prepared to charge.

At full dark beneath a quarter moon, the first speckles of golden light shone through pinholes in the debris. The jumbled rock shook like the inside of a door being splintered by a battering ram. Crumbles of stone, dust, and quicklime frittered downward, swirling in the torchlight. Utu grasped Jord’s thin arm and squeezed.

“Now.”

The Faerie complied without resistance—and then stepped away and blended into the throng. Torg, Kusala, and the Asēkhas encircled the snow giant. The entrance rumbled, and a boulder fell away, followed by an explosion of rock and dust.

Utu slid the ring of pure
Maōi
back onto his right middle finger. The now-familiar agony returned, causing the snow giant to cry out and collapse to his knees. Even then, he was taller than the desert warriors who surrounded him.

Once again, the
Maōi
cleansed his mind. His desire to destroy Mala fizzled, an all-encompassing craving to heal him replacing it.

“Purity is the enslaver,” Henepola had said just three nights before, though now it seemed like eons ago.

Santapadam
(Path of Peace) called to him in a voice as crystalline as perfection.

“Utu, are you all right?” he heard Torg shouting, though the Death-Knower’s voice sounded far away. At that moment, the snow giant again realized how much he loved the wizard, though he had spent so little time in his presence. He loved them all: Kusala, Henepola, Madiraa, and the rest. They were wonderful beings.

“If I can get close enough,” Utu mumbled, not certain if his words were even audible. “If I can . . .
touch
 . . . him.”

The rubble gave way, tumbling apart like a dam weakened by floodwaters. From the smoke and dust strode Mala, his trident, ring, and chain aglow. He had a wild look in his eyes. Rage. Hunger. Madness. All in one.

And then the newborns burst around him, snarling like rabid dogs. Henepola’s army was besieged. A battle commenced of horrific proportions.

Torg and Kusala tried to lift Utu to his feet, but it burned to touch him. Nevertheless, the snow giant smiled—and then stood without aid.

“Yama-Deva!” cried Utu in a voice so loud that all action halted. “To slay the others, you must slay me first.” But he did not intend the words in the manner they were spoken.

Mala’s face twisted. “Who
are
you?”

“I am the end of all things,” Utu said, “and the beginning.”

Then he strode toward the Chain Man, arms spread wide.

So ends Book Four.

(Excerpt)

Fall of the Fortress

HEEDLESS OF THE quicklime dust that poisoned the air, a company of monsters tore through the portcullises, boulders, and debris that clogged the entrance of Hakam. But it was taking longer than Mala expected. Some of the stones were too heavy for the Kojins, trolls, and Stone-Eaters to lift. And the iron gratings of the largest bulwark were crafted in such a way that not even the three-headed giant could break them.

Again and again, Mala was forced to blast the most difficult obstacles with golden beams from the tines of Vikubbati. The thick iron gratings, never before assailed, put up an admirable fight. But eventually they grew red hot, liquefied, and pooled on the ground. The most troublesome boulders also succumbed, splattering like clods of dirt. Even then it took from midafternoon until well into the evening to clear a sizable opening through the long tunnel.

When only about twenty cubits of debris stood between Mala and his enemies, he impatiently unleashed a continuous stream of power that seemed to shake the very bedrock of the fortress. Finally the rubble could no longer tolerate the abuse, and it blew apart.

With the ruthlessness of a conqueror, Mala entered Nissaya. Behind him came the snarling newborns, angry and oh, so hungry.

At first the smoke and dust obscured Mala’s view, but soon it became evident that a great force of Nissayans was strategically arranged in a courtyard that lay beyond the gate of Hakam. Thousands of torches were raised in challenge. Polished blades glimmered in the moonlight. Much to his dismay, Mala sensed little fear from his enemies.

The defenders loosed a locust-swarm of arrows, dozens of which struck him. Even without his magic to protect him, the arrows would have done Mala little harm, but the essence of Carūūl formed a magical sheath over his flesh that was impregnable to ordinary weapons. The newborns also were unharmed, their metallic flesh tougher than the finest armor.

The arrows signaled the beginning of a ferocious battle. Mala stomped forward, prepared to crush anything in his path. In no way would he be a passive commander, cowering behind his troops while they did the dirty work. What pleasure would there be in that? Murder and mayhem were Mala’s favorite pastimes, and he would take on any and all challengers, including the Death-Knower, if he dared to show his annoying face. With the addition of the trident and the ring, Mala had grown beyond all but Invictus. None among this pathetic rabble could stand against him.

Unexpectedly, a milky illumination formed before his eyes, so bright it was blinding. Then a proud voice rose above the rising tumult.

“Yama-Deva! To slay the others, you must destroy me first.”

Once again the unease he had experienced when he had first heard the sounding of the horn reared its ugly head. How dare this fool attempt to thwart the glory of his coming?

(Please continue reading for much more information)

Author’s note:
Many character and place names are English derivatives of Pali, a Middle Indo-Aryan dialect closely related to Sanskrit but now extinct as a spoken language. Today, Pali is studied mainly to gain access to Theravada Buddhist scriptures and is frequently chanted in religious rituals.

Aarakaa Himsaa
(ah-RUH-kah HIM-sah): Defensive strategy used by Tugars that involves always staying at least a hair’s width away from your opponent’s longest strike.

Abhisambodhi
(ab-HEE-sahm-BOH-dee): Highest enlightenment.

Adho Satta
(AH-dho SAH tah): Anything or anyone who is neither a dragon nor a powerful supernatural being. Means
low one
in ancient tongue.

Akando
(ah-KAHN-doh): Eldest brother of Takoda.

Akanittha
(AHK-ah-NEE-tah): A being that is able to feed off the light of the sun. Means
Highest Power
in the ancient tongue.

Akasa Ocean
(ah-KAH-sah): Largest ocean on Triken. Lies west of Dhutanga, Jivita, and Kincara.

Ancient tongue:
Ancient language now spoken by only Triken’s most learned beings, as well as most Tugars

Anna:
Tent City of Tējo. Home to the Tugars.

Aponi
(ah-POH-nee): Biological daughter of Takoda. Younger sister of Magena.

Appam
(ah-PAHM): Tugar warrior.

Archbishop Bernard:
Highest-ranked Jivitan clergyman.

Arupa-Loka
(ah-ROO-pah-LOH-kah): Home of ghosts, demons, and ghouls. Lies near northern border of the Gap of Gamana. Also called Ghost City.

Asamāna
(ah-sah-MAH-nah): Senasanan bride of Invictus.

Asava
(ah-SAH-vah): Potent drink brewed by Stone-Eaters.

Asēkha
(ah-SEEK-ah):
Tugars of highest rank. There always are twenty, not including Death-Knowers. Also known as
Viisati
(The Twenty).

Assarohaa
(ASS-uh-ROW-huh): White horsemen of Jivita.

Asthenolith
(ah-STHEN-no-lith): Pool of magma in a large cavern beneath Mount Asubha.

Avici
(ah-VEE-chee):
Largest city on Triken. Home to Invictus
.

Avikkhepa
(ah-vih-KAY-puh): King of Jivita during the war against Slag.

Badaalataa
(BAD-ah-LAH-tuh): Carnivorous vines from the demon world.

Bakheng
(bah-KENG): Central shrine of Dibbu-Loka.

Balak
(BAH-luk): First wall of Nissaya.

Bard:
Partner of Ugga and Jord, trappers who lived in the forest near the foothills of Mount Asubha.

Barranca
(bah-RAHN-chuh): Rocky wasteland that partially encircles the Great Desert.

Bell:
Measurement of time approximating three hours.

Bhacca
(BAH-cha): Chambermaid assigned to Laylah.

Bhasura
(bah-SOOR-ah): One of the large tribes of the Mahaggata Mountains.

Bhayatupa
(by-yah-TOO-pah): Most ancient and powerful of dragons. His scales are the color of deep crimson.

Bhojja
(BOH-juh): Mother of all horses. Magical being of unknown origin or lifespan.

Black mountain wolves:
Largest and most dangerous of all wolves. Allies of demons, witches, and Mogols.

Bonny:
Female pirate from Duccarita who has joined the forces of good.

Boulogne’s
:
Out-of-the-way tavern favored by Jivitan locals. Owned by “Burly,” a Gillygaloo enchanter.

Broosha
(BREW-shah): Female vampire from Arupa-Loka. Daughter of Urbana.

Bruugash
(BREW-gash): Pabbajjan overlord.

Bunjako
(boon-JAHK-oh): Stone-Eater; son of Gulah, grandson of Slag.

Cariya River
(chah-REE-yah): Largest river west of Mahaggata Mountains.

Catu
(chah-TOO): Northernmost mountain on Triken.

Cave monkeys:
Small, nameless primates that live in the underworld beneath Asubha.

Chain Man:
Another name for Mala.

Chal-Abhinno
(Chahl-ahb-HIH-no): Queen of the Warlish witches.

Che-ra
(CHEE-ruh): Svakaran name for a fat possum.

Chieftain:
Desert gelding befriended by Tāseti.

Churikā
(chuh-REE-kah): Female Asēkha.

Cirāya
(ser-AYE-yah): Green cactus that, when chewed, provides large amounts of liquid and nourishment.

Cubit:
Length of the arm from elbow to fingertip, which measures approximately eighteen inches, though among Tugars a cubit is considered twenty-one inches.

Daasa
(DAH-suh): Pink-skinned slaves captured on the western shore of the Akasa Ocean.

Dakkhinā
(dah-KEE-nay): Sensation that brings on the urge to attempt
Sammaasamaadhi
. Means
holy gift
in the ancient tongue.

Dalhapa
(dal-HAH-puh): Tugar warrior.

Death-Knower:
Any Tugar—almost always an Asēkha—who has successfully achieved
Sammaasamaadhi
. In the ancient tongue, a Death-Knower is called
Maranavidu
.

Deathless people:
Monks and nuns who inhabit Dibbu-Loka. Called deathless people because some of them live for more than one thousand years. Also known as noble ones.

Death Visit
:
Tugar description of the temporary suicide of a Death-Knower wizard.

Dēsaka
(day-SAH-kuh): Famous Vasi master who trained
The Torgon.

Dhutanga
(doo-TAHNG-uh): Largest forest on Triken. Lies west of the Mahaggata Mountains. Also known as the Great Forest.

Dibbu-Loka
(DEE-boo-LOW-kah): Realm of the noble ones. Means
Deathless World
in the ancient tongue. Originally called Piti-Loka.

Ditthi-Rakkhati
(DEE-tee-rack-HAH-tee): Current-day Jivitan who is a spy within Duccarita.

Ditthi-Sagga
(DEE-tee-SAH-gah): Jivitan captain who battled druids during war against Slag.

Dracools
(drah-KOOLS): Winged beasts that walk on hind legs but look like miniature dragons. Taller than a man but shorter than a druid.

Druggen Boggle
(DROO-gun BAH-guhl): Druid representative from Dhutanga.

Druids
(DREW-ids): Seven-cubit-tall beings that dwell in Dhutanga. Ancient enemies of Jivita.

Duccarita
(DOO-chu-REE-tuh): City of slave traders, pirates, thieves, and rapists in the northwestern corner of the Gap of Gamana.

Dukkhatu
(doo-KAH-too): Great and ancient spider that spent the last years of its life near the peak of Asubha.

Dvipa
(DVEE-puh): Asēkha left in charge of Anna.

Efrits
(EE-frits):
Invisible creatures that dwell in the Realm of the Undead. When summoned, they voraciously devour the internal organs of living beings.

Ekadeva
(ay-kah-DAY-vuh): The
One God
worshipped by the Jivitans and many other inhabitants of Triken.

Elu
(EE-loo): Miniature Svakaran who is an associate of Rathburt.

Eunuch
(YOO-nuk): Castrated male slaves who reside within the fifth wall of Kamupadana.

Fathom:
Approximately eleven cubits.

Gap of Gamana:
Northernmost gap of the Mahaggata Mountains.

Gap of Gati:
Southern gap that separates the Mahaggata Range from the Kolankold Range.

Gillygaloos:
Enchanters and enchantresses from Kincara. Small in stature, but powerful.

Golden Road:
Road paved with a special golden metal that connects Avici and Kilesa.

Golden soldiers:
Soldiers of Invictus, mass-bred in his image.

Golden Wall:
Oblong wall coated with a special golden metal that surrounds Avici and Kilesa.

Gray Plains:
Arid plains that dominate much of the land east of the Ogha River.

Green Plains:
Lush
plains that surround Jivita.

Gruugash
(GROO-gash): A representative of the Pobbajja.

Gulah
(GOO-lah):
Stone-Eater who became warden of Asubha. Son of Slag.

Gunther:
Son of Vedana, father of Invictus and Laylah.

Hakam
(huh-KAM): Third wall of Nissaya.

Harīti
(huh-REE-tee): Kojin rumored to be in love with Mala.

Henepola III
(HEN-uh-POH-lah): King of Nissaya during war against Slag.

Henepola X:
King of Nissaya during war against Invictus.

Hornbeam:
Ancient trees whose twisted lust for life causes madness. Called
Pacchanna
in the ancient tongue.

Ice Ocean:
Ocean that lies northeast of Okkanti Mountains.

Iddhi-Pada
(IDD-hee-PUH-duh): Series of four roads that leads from Jivita to Avici, passing through Lake Hadaya, the Gap of Gati, Nissaya, and Java.

Indajaala
(inn-duh-JAY-la): Powerful Nissayan conjurer.

Invictus
(in-VICK-tuss):
Evil sorcerer who threatens all of Triken and beyond. Also known as
Suriya
(the Sun God).

Izumo
(ee-ZOO-moh): Dracool from Mahaggata.

Jākita-Abhinno
(JAH-kih-tuh-uh-BHEE-no): Successor to Chal-Abhinno as queen of the Warlish witches.

Jākita-dEsa
(JAH-kih-tuh-DAY-suh): Hag servant of Jākita-Abhinno.

Java
(JAH-vah): Dark Forest that lies east of Nissaya.

Jhana
(JAH-nah):
Father of Torg.

Jivita
(jih-VEE-tuh): Wondrous city that is home to the white horsemen. Located west of the Gap of Gati in the Green Plains. Also called the White City. Known as
Jutimantataa
(City of Splendor) in the ancient tongue.