Wall of Spears (24 page)

Instantly she responded, scattering barrels of hatchets, mattocks, horseshoes and a dozen other items across the road. This was less successful — one horse lost its footing and slipped, spilling the rider, while another trod on something sharp and pulled up in the space of a stride, catapulting its rider over its head. But the others kept going, jumping and skipping past the rolling objects.

Despite Rhiannon’s best efforts, one was close enough to take a swing at Cadel. He ducked and the trooper’s sword bit into the wooden side of the cart. Cadel sliced upwards, his blade aimed not at the trooper but at his horse. Struck in the mouth, the horse screamed and reared, hurling the trooper into a baker’s.

On the other side, Bowen blocked a blow with ease, then the trooper flung himself at the cart, landing on a pair of shouting clan leaders. Before he had a chance to strike a blow or even get his balance, Bowen grabbed his shoulder and flipped him off the back. He hit the cobbles hard and rolled under the hooves of one of his comrades.

‘They’re trying to get past on the left!’ Huw shouted at Rhiannon, as a pair of troopers spurred their horses wide, staying clear of Bowen’s and Cadel’s swords.

Rhiannon glanced over her shoulder and clicked her tongue. Instantly the donkeys swerved to the left, the cart swaying out until it struck the forequarters of one horse, forcing the beast to screech to a halt. The other trooper urged his horse wider but Rhiannon’s donkeys followed, forcing him wider still — until he looked up to see a terrified stallholder ahead. The trooper tried to jump over the tables out the front but landed heavily, he and his horse flipping head over hoof.

‘Watch out!’ Rhiannon roared as the donkeys swerved back, hooves skidding a little, forcing Bowen and Cadel to grab at the sides and low gate on the back of the cart to stop themselves being thrown out.

Sendatsu looked down to see Mai cuddling Cheijun, clutched tight between Retsu and Noriko.

‘This is fun! More!’ Mai laughed.

‘Faster! Faster!’ Cheijun agreed.

Sendatsu exchanged a look with his bemused mother, then jerked back to what the troopers were doing as a sword carved out a chunk of the cart right next to him.

Asami clenched her fist and the trooper’s horse suddenly forgot to gallop. For a moment it tried to run on two legs, then they folded and down it went.

‘How many left?’ Retsu called.

‘One!’ Cadel shouted.

This rider had survived all they had thrown at his comrades but was now outnumbered and backed off as Cadel and Bowen waved their swords at him. Rather than end up like the rest of the squad, he reined in his horse.

‘We showed them!’ Cadel crowed.

‘We’re away!’ Gaibun grinned.

‘Not yet,’ Rhiannon said grimly.

They all turned to face the front, seeing a barrier across the road, a jumble of tables, seats and stalls, whatever could come close to hand. Behind it a dozen guards waited, spears poking out.

‘What do we do?’ Huw asked.

‘Grab on tight!’ Rhiannon howled, steering the donkeys towards where the barrier was highest.

The guards responded, clustering there with spears bristling.

Sendatsu looked down at Asami, at the dark shadows beneath her eyes, her pale, sweating skin, and listened to her harsh breathing and dared not ask her do any more.

Then he felt the astonishing push of magic as Rhiannon made the donkeys turn abruptly, the cart skidding around, only magic keeping the creaking wood together and holding the wheels on. Now she was steering for the lowest part, where a timber stall leaned sideways. With a nod from Rhiannon, the stall slid further down and around, until it made a ramp up and over the barricade.

Gaibun fended off a spear thrust, while another spear punched through the side of the cart, missing Lord Ichiro by a hand’s breadth. Then the donkeys charged up the ramp Rhiannon had made and jumped over to the other side, their speed and momentum dragging the cart after them. The wheels hit the stall ramp, tossing the whole thing up and over, lifting the cart into the air. The donkeys stumbled a little on landing, while the cart crashed down heavily, sending everyone into each other and flipping Cadel and Bowen onto the shouting clan leaders. Again, the cart only held together with magic as it raced away again, the donkeys barely skipping a beat.

A hurled spear soared towards the cart but Sendatsu flung himself at it, knocking it away with his sword before it could skewer anyone. Cadel helped push him back up and off a groaning clan leader and he made it back to the side of the cart in time to stop Asami falling.

‘How much further?’ he called to Huw.

‘See for yourself!’ Huw pointed to where the gate loomed.

This was the busiest part of the city but the crowd divided for the runaway cart propelled by four stamping, snorting donkeys. The crowd saved them, forcing the guards away from the path, the sheer crush of people and animals preventing the men in red tunics from getting close enough to do more than jab uselessly at the cart with spears from afar.

‘The gate!’ Rhiannon cried.

Sendatsu looked at her and saw the sweat pouring off her, the strain of what she was doing draining her by the heartbeat. Then he looked up to see the huge wooden gates begin to swing closed and saw there was no way they could get through it in time.

‘I can’t do any more! Asami, help me!’ Rhiannon called.

Sendatsu grabbed hold of Asami and pushed his little magic into her, trying to restore her. The others felt what he was doing and those closest grabbed Asami’s arm or leg, giving her what they could. Her breathing eased and her eyes cleared and she gestured at the gates. Instantly they caught on the cobbles, the base of them swelling so that even the huge winches that moved them could not shift them.

The cart raced towards daylight for another ten paces before the officer at the gate realised the doors would not close.

‘Crossbows!’ The order was roared.

A volley was loosed from the wall above and dozens flew down, converging on the cart.

Ward inspected his defensive positions with a smile, keeping his fears to himself. He had anchored his centre behind a tangle of stakes, which would break up any elven attack while leaving his flanks clear so the cavalry could sweep in from either side. From what Edmund had told him, the elven archers would destroy a cavalry charge, so he would only use it when the elves were locked with his own soldiers and any arrow storm would hit their own side as well.

He knew this was all sensible, and kept his men busy, but where were the elves? He had expected them to be initially furious but for that to die down to a reluctant resignation. Where was the Elder Elf? Why had they not sent a delegation to him, to make a treaty to get their prisoners back? He had seized the Elven Council and the Elder Elf’s wife, for pity’s sake! But while his head was filled with worries, he projected only confidence.

‘Sire,’ Edmund said.

‘Yes, Edmund?’

‘Why have they not come before now? Surely they want to know the fate of their leaders?’

Ward kept his back to Edmund, allowing him to grimace. His son, Wilfrid, had not thought to ask that question. In fact, despite trying to involve Wilfrid as much as possible in the planning and preparations, his son had been running away as soon as the meetings were over. It was almost as if he was trying to avoid being with Ward. He had heard Wilfrid was sending regular messages to his mother back in Cridianton. What possible use they would be, Ward had no idea. He wished there was some way to break the barrier between them but it seemed impassable. He would give up, except, each time he thought about it there was a sharp little reminder at the back of his mind.

‘A good point, Edmund,’ Ward admitted, forcing his mind away from thoughts of his son. ‘I don’t know why they have not sent anyone. I expected something yesterday. I want our scouts sent further out. I want eyes twenty miles to our flanks, in case they are planning to slip around us, trying to cut us off.’

‘Of course, sire.’

‘Where are they?’ Ward muttered. He glanced to his left, where Wilfrid was staring out across the fields vacantly. He felt his temper rise and controlled it with difficulty. It was all very well to make a vow to restore his relationship with his sons but, by the skies above, it was hard work!

‘Father! Look!’ Wilfrid pointed.

Everyone followed his finger to see a small party riding towards them. Ward shaded his eyes. It was elves, no doubt about it — there was no mistaking their bright armour. They rode beneath a plain white flag, and he grinned.

‘They are late, but better late than never!’ Ward chuckled. ‘Get a tent set up just outside our defences and have refreshments prepared for our guests!’

He clapped Wilfrid on the shoulder and patted Edmund on the back. ‘This is the day when men rise to stand equal with the elves. This is the day when we fulfil our destiny,’ he told them.

But less than a turn of the hourglass later, the smile was wiped from his face.

The party of elves had been led by a warrior in magnificent blue armour, which Edmund recognised from the battle outside Dokuzen as the leader of the elven army. From what he had been told, this must be Lord Jaken. He was accompanied by half-a-dozen impassive guards — as well as the two traitors, Sumiko and Oroku.

Ward had been unsure whether their presence was reassuring or disquieting. The fury in the leader’s eyes, accompanied by his silence, was more disturbing.

Nevertheless, they were soon installed in the tent, surrounded by guards from both sides. Ward was accompanied by Edmund and Wilfrid, the elven leader by Sumiko and Oroku.

‘Welcome to my tent. Naturally you are here to discuss the return of your prisoners and I want to tell you they have been treated with honour and kindness —’

‘No,’ Sumiko said harshly.

Ward glared at her. ‘I am talking to your leader. Not you.’

Sumiko smiled mirthlessly at him. ‘I will be conducting this discussion. I speak with the voice of the Elder Elf.’

Ward nodded briefly. ‘So be it. Here are my conditions. You will receive all the prisoners back, unharmed, once you have —’

‘No,’ Sumiko interrupted.

‘You have not even heard what I suggest,’ Ward growled.

‘There is no need. This is what will happen. Tomorrow our army will be here and you will either lay down your weapons and surrender, or you will be slaughtered. We require your entire treasury, as well as ten thousand strong young men and women to serve as our slaves. You will swear fealty to Dokuzen and everything you have, everything you are, will become our property. Fail to do this and we shall lay waste to your entire country, destroy every city, town and village and kill every man, woman and child. You will give up your crown and will be the personal slave of the Elder Elf.’

Ward sensed Edmund shift angrily beside him and held up his hand.

‘And your prisoners? Attack us and they will all die,’ he said grimly.

‘Kill them all. We care nothing for them,’ Sumiko replied.

Ward stared at her but could read nothing on her face. He turned to where Jaken sat, unmoving, almost like a statue.

‘Would you like me to tell the Elder Elf the truth about our attack on Dokuzen?’ he asked, anger making his voice clipped.

‘Why not?’ Sumiko said.

‘Lord Jaken, Sumiko promised to give me the treasures and secrets of Dokuzen. She planned the attack on your city and had her servant, Oroku, lead our men in and out of Dokuzen. Without them, we could not have done it. They even told us the targets to be captured,’ Ward said.

He expected the mask of the Elder Elf to crack and his silence to be broken by fury. Yet he still sat there.

‘Can you hear me? Can you understand me?’ he asked, frustrated.

‘He cannot speak. Can you, Lord Jaken?’ Sumiko said pleasantly.

All eyes turned to Jaken, who sat immobile in the chair, only his eyes burning with anger. Sumiko stood and patted Jaken on the shoulder. His eyes blazed and his body trembled slightly, as if trying to break free of bonds, although there were none visible.

‘Ssh, Lord Jaken. Don’t try and fight. You cannot break free and you will only hurt yourself,’ Sumiko purred, patting him on the head.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ Ward hissed. ‘Why this display?’

Sumiko smiled. ‘I wanted Jaken to hear this. I wanted him to sit here and know humiliation. I wanted him to suffer. And now I want you to understand this is your fate if you defy me.’

‘And your people? Will they be happy you have done this to their leader?’ Ward asked angrily.

‘Thanks to your attack, they now despise him and think I am the one who can protect them. With the Elven Council gone, there is none to stand against me. They fall at my feet and every day makes my position that much stronger,’ she told him.

‘We will never be your slaves! We are a free people and you have no right to rule us,’ Edmund said.

Sumiko’s smile vanished in an instant.

‘This was not for you. This was for Jaken,’ she told them. ‘You can give up or you can fight and die but the end result will be the same. We have magic and you do not and we will crush you utterly. You have used your strength to rule, so how can you complain about me doing the same? Every human country is terrified of you and when they see what we have done to you, they will be swift to fall on their knees before us. You will be the tale that I use to frighten every other ruler into submission.’

‘You can’t fight us all. There are too many of us,’ Edmund said furiously.

‘We have magic and you do not. Numbers mean nothing.’

‘So this was your real plan. We have helped our own destruction by helping you,’ Ward said.

‘Indeed. Very clever. You will make a good slave. Now, this little game is at an end. We are leaving but we will be back tomorrow. Your men can surrender when they see us, or when they are surrounded by the broken bodies of their comrades — I don’t care which. I expect you to be bitter and angry. But think about it overnight and you will realise you must bow to me.’

She nodded to Oroku and signalled to Jaken, who rose at her bidding and moved jerkily away, as if fighting against her the whole time. She did not look back.