Earth Bound (19 page)

Talon leaned against a wall in a room that had been taken over in the fortress for discussions. Brianne was seated next to Marshall and Bellamy leaned against the wall in the opposite corner. The room was crowded, many of the people he recognised from fighting along side them. This hadn’t been what he’d expected of the summons. At the front of the room, the officers sat facing the crowd.

Briant held up his hand for silence. He rose from the stool he sat on, officers from his army and those of the Terstens on either side of him, rebel leaders mixed in amongst them. “We’re looking for squads and units willing to volunteer to help us take the Holy City, entering through the hidden passages. Today we learned Elden, the impostor Supreme One, left before the city was locked down. He organised the taking of the Tersten capital before he retreated to the Holy City.”

The moment the crowd realised Elden would be at the Holy City, those seated rose and many called out. The noise was a swell of sound. Talon stepped away from the wall, wanting to be amongst those who captured Elden. He might not have been the only one to mistreat their people, but he was the leader of them on this side of the Feronian Mountains.

Briant held up his hand again for silence. This time it took longer for everyone to settle. They all remained standing. “That isn’t the only task we have that we need volunteers for. We need enough squads and units to hit the eight defensive towers around our ancestor’s capital city, Taeranelle, so our relatives in Iralen can destroy the Prilonians. We need Caelians to carry Wildfire and Terstens to provide cover for them and set it alight once it has been dropped on the towers.” Again Briant held up a hand. “I want you all to realise this is the most dangerous task of all. There is no way to put Wildfire out. It will even burn under water.”

Talon’s eyes were drawn to Brianne as she turned to speak to Conal who had joined her. Like the rest of the crowd, they were both still standing. Brianne nodded then raised her hand. Talon pushed through the crowd, raising his own hand as he stopped between Brianne and Marshall.

“You don’t have to do this,” Brianne said. “You don’t know how dangerous Wildfire is. It’s like carrying death.”

“You’re not leaving me behind.” Talon met her blue eyes, seeing worry and determination in them. He wondered if she could see the same in his. “Besides, someone has to show you they’re glad you survived.”

Brianne grinned, facing the front of the room, moving closer so her side pressed against his, her arm still raised. “Maybe we’ll even get lucky enough not to be interrupted.”

Talon sent a glare to Conal when he snickered. The glare became a look of annoyance when he noticed Bellamy’s hand was also raised. That was all he needed. Couldn’t he find someone else to pester?

“Do you mind if I attack the Holy City?” Marshall asked Talon. “I want to be there when they get Elden.”

“You do what you have to. I’ll keep an eye out for your sister when we attack the Prilonians,” Talon said.

“Thanks.” Marshall turned his attention back to the front of the room.

Talon did the same, lowering his hand when the order was given to separate into two groups. Those attacking the Holy City left the room, more than three quarters of the crowd and most of the leaders.

“What made you volunteer?” Talon asked Brianne as they moved towards the front of the room.

“Conal said Grandad asked me to help. He wants as many people as possible who have handled Wildfire to be involved in the attack.” Brianne sat on one of the stools at the front of the room, Conal and Bellamy sitting on the other side of her.

Talon sat beside Brianne. “What’s it like?”

Brianne nodded towards Briant who was handed a leather bag. “I think you’re about to find out.”

Three men brought in a large metal trough and placed it in front of Briant. Wood was placed inside and two pails were placed beside him. One of water and one of sand.

Briant removed a glass globe from the leather bag. “Wildfire.” He moved the globe from side to side and the liquid within sloshed around, a murky grey filling nine tenths of the globe. He held it over the trough and beckoned two men forward who held a heavy blanket around the trough. Once it was in place, he dropped the globe and stepped well back. The men tipped the blanket into one end of the trough.

“What did he do that for?” Talon asked.

“To catch any splashes when it broke. It burns for days and there’s no way to put it out,” Brianne said.

“There has to be some way. What’s it made of?”

Brianne shrugged.

As soon as everyone was out of the way, Briant took a bow and lit an arrow, firing it into the trough. It went up in a whoosh of sound and flames. Once the initial burst had settled, Briant stepped forward and tipped first water and then sand over the fire. Neither made a difference. Sound travelled around the room as people spoke in hushed tones.

Talon stared at the flames that hadn’t changed, still eating hungrily through the wood, nothing left of the blanket. “Why didn’t you ever use that against us?” His people wouldn’t have had a chance.

“Because it spreads easily and there’s no way to stop it.”

“Why now?” Talon couldn’t take his eyes from the flames.

“I don’t know,” Brianne said.

“I do.” Conal leaned forward so Talon could see him around Brianne. “The defensive towers have nothing near them and only Prilonian soldiers are ever allowed to enter them or be around them. There’ll be no civilian casualties.”

Talon was finally able to drag his gaze from the Wildfire. “What about the rest of their army? How do we get rid of them?”

“The towers are their barracks. They’ve made protecting them their priority so no one can take the city in the same way they did,” Conal said.

“So we take out the towers and the city is left vulnerable.”

Conal nodded.

“Then what happens?” Talon asked.

“The rebels attack and any of our people who survive the attack on the defensive towers join them,” Conal said.

“And this has a chance to work?” Talon asked.

“Yes.” Conal’s gaze momentarily fell on Brianne. “Do you think Briant would ask his own granddaughter to volunteer if he didn’t think they’d win?”

Talon thought of his parents. “I have no idea.”

“He wouldn’t,” Brianne said. “Not unless we had at least a seventy percent success rate. Below those odds wouldn’t be acceptable.”

“He sent you into the heart of Terst,” Talon pointed out.

Brianne grinned. “He calculated that at ninety-eight percent. I guess your defences weren’t as good as you thought they were.”

Talon shook his head. “No one else could have gotten through them.” He met her gaze. “Any of them.”

She continued to grin, turning back to face the front of the room, her hand reaching for his.

Talon linked his fingers through Brianne’s, his gaze returning to the flames that continued to burn brightly. Briant stood near the flames as he answered questions. The Prilonians were about to find out what happened to those who messed with his people. It might be centuries coming, but it wasn’t going to be pretty. He thought of the woman he’d cut free from the wall. The Prilonians didn’t deserve pretty.

Brianne couldn’t stop thinking of the two globes of Wildfire that were in a pouch at her waist. They were pressed against her stomach while Talon flew her above the forested land below them, headed for the rebel army that was camped outside Taeranelle. It had taken them two days to cross both the Feronian Mountains and the land between them and the rebel army. Now they were less than an hour from their destination.

Conal flew with them, carrying Bellamy. Lyle and his two companions were also with them, each carrying Terstens. There were also nearly a hundred soldiers, half of them Caelians, half Terstens. It would have taken the Caelians less time to travel the distance if they hadn’t carried Terstens and needed regular breaks.

Brianne’s grip tightened on her bow as she fought the urge to check on the globes again. Not far from her she saw Bellamy’s hand brush against the pouch at his waist and she felt a tiny measure of relief that she wasn’t the only one worried about carrying Wildfire.

When the signal was finally given to land, Brianne nearly cheered, then dread rushed through her as she worried over Talon’s next landing. So far they hadn’t crashed. None of them had been perfect landings, but it would be her own fault if anything went wrong since she’d been the one to turn down Conal’s offer to carry her and chosen to go with Talon instead. She tensed as the ground came closer, an army spread out below them. She tried to focus on the soldiers instead of the ground coming closer. It was impossible. They landed in a stumble, both staying on their feet.

Brianne’s empty hand went to the globes, brushing across them as she checked they were still intact. The globes felt smooth and unbroken through the leather pouch and she stepped away from Talon as he let her go.

“I’ll be glad when this is over,” Talon muttered. “I don’t like the idea of you carrying Wildfire.”

“I don’t like the idea of you carrying it through a battle,” Brianne said.

Talon grinned. “I’m not worried, I’ll have you to watch out for me.”

Brianne slung the bow on her back, hoping she didn’t fail him. They had one chance. If they didn’t destroy the defensive towers, there would be no retreat. The Prilonians would destroy them instead.

Lyle joined them. “Do you want something to eat? There’s usually a cook pot of stew at the main campfire.”

“No.” Brianne shook her head. There was no way she’d be able to swallow even a mouthful. She’d probably be starving afterwards. Hopefully Lyle was right and there’d still be a pot of stew cooking once the battle was over.

Talon glanced at the sky. “What are our orders while we wait the couple of hours till the sun sets?”

“Make yourself at home. Relax,” Lyle said.

Brianne was tempted to tell him he was an idiot if he thought she could relax. Her hands brushed across the globes again, unable to stop herself. But she wasn’t the only one doing so. Many Terstens around her regularly did the same. And yet it would be the Caelians who had the most dangerous task. The Caelians and Talon.

When Lyle wandered away, Brianne turned to Talon. “You will be careful tonight.”

“Stop worrying.”

“Seventy percent chance of winning still means there’s a thirty percent chance you won’t make it.”

Talon reached out and tugged her to his side, keeping his arm draped around her shoulders. “You focus on taking out any soldier who even looks like he might be thinking of attacking and I’ll drop the Wildfire on the south-west tower as planned. We’ve gotten through worse.”

“There would be nothing worse than being drenched in Wildfire and lit up. Your body would burn long after you were dead.” Brianne shuddered at the thought.

“Everything will be fine.” Talon spoke again, “Except for the Prilonians.”

“I hope so.”

They found somewhere quiet to sit and eventually Conal and Bellamy joined them. No one seemed to be interested in talking. They were tired from the journey and dozed fitfully until night fell. At the call to fall in, they gathered into the groups organised to attack each of the eight defensive towers while the rebel army prepared to attack in their wake.

Brianne pressed her back against Talon’s chest, her bow held tight in one hand, the other once again brushing across the globes. Talon launched into the air and Brianne tried to focus on the joy of flying. Fear and worry prevented it. She could focus on nothing but the attack ahead. Talon landed in bow sight of the tower, Bellamy and several other Terstens were dropped next to Brianne.

She undid the pouch and handed the two globes to Talon. She started to step away from him, then came close instead. “Be careful.” Her lips brushed across his before she stepped back, her grip tight on the bow.

“Just be ready to set the place on fire once we’re out of the way.” Talon launched into the air, five other Caelians joining him, including Conal.

Brianne readied her bow. A glance to her right showed Bellamy had his crossbow ready, and to her left four Terstens had their crossbows aimed at the tower. Behind them was a shaded lantern, ready for her to touch the specially prepared arrows to it so she could set fire to the tower.

Her eyes flickered between the shadows in the sky and the tower they aimed for. Then a shout rang out in the night and she let loose her first arrow, the second not far behind. She wasn’t about to let the Prilonians get anywhere near the tower weapons. Not while Talon was headed straight for them.

Talon held a globe in each hand, flying as fast as he could to the tower, the five Caelians spreading out in the sky around him in the hope that at least one of them would get through. He could feel the movement of the liquid inside the globes as he flew through the night sky, staying above the height of the defensive tower and hopefully out of friendly fire. The tower was lit with lanterns and so far not a single Prilonian had been able to get near the three overgrown crossbows in the south-west tower.

A slight smile formed as he thought of Brianne, on the ground, keeping him safe. It was hard to believe he trusted a Caelian with his life, but he did. He trusted her as much as he trusted Marshall and Garnet. The thought of his sister brought to mind the short time he’d spent with her the day before he’d left Terst. He’d taken her to see the trough of Wildfire, still burning that afternoon. It had chilled him to see those flames leap across the bottom of the empty trough, looking for something to devour and finding only metal. He had planned to show her that the Prilonians would soon be dealt with and out of their lives, but all he’d done was cause her to worry about his survival.

Talon swore as one of the Prilonians fired a tower weapon and he swerved out of the line of fire, nearly crashing into a Caelian. The Prilonian was quickly pierced by an arrow, only to be replaced by one of the many Prilonians now pouring into the top of the tower. It was going to be impossible for Brianne and the Terstens to take them out before there were casualties.

The air was filled with large bolts, but he wove his way past them, feeling the rush of metal as one passed close by. His grip tightened on the globes and he had to force himself to relax. He didn’t want to break them before he reached the tower.

There was a roar as the Caelian to his left was hit and he tumbled from the sky. Talon fought against the urge to help the man. He continued to fly towards the tower. Then he was above it, a Prilonian was hanging out from under the edge of the roof that covered the open area at the top, firing his bow at them. Talon dropped one of the globes onto the roof, making sure he was high enough that the liquid didn’t splash him. Around him he saw several of his companions do the same before they flew out of the way of the attacks.

An arrow grazed his side and he swerved to avoid another one, losing altitude. A couple of Prilonians fell out of the tower, bolts and arrows protruding from them. Talon tried to take aim to throw his last globe into the tower like he’d been ordered. It was impossible. There was a constant barrage of shots and he was forced to swerve, barely missing Conal.

Conal swore as his last globe was knocked from his hand to crash to the ground below. “I’ll try and distract them. Get your globe in there.” He flew at the tower, drawing his axe to swoop and dive at the Prilonians.

In the distance, one of the defensive towers went up in flames, a second one following. Only another six to go. Talon dived to the side. An arrow flew past him, far too close for comfort. Then he saw his opportunity as Conal cleared an edge of the tower.

Diving forward Talon tossed the globe in, yelling, “Leave. It’s done.”

“Twice done,” a Caelian called from the other side of the tower.

“Follow.” Conal shot into the sky, heading up and away from the tower.

A flare of light had Talon glancing behind him to see another tower go up in flames. He flew harder, wanting to get far enough away so Brianne could light up their tower. Another flare of light and this time when he checked behind him, he saw it was the south-west tower. Shouts sounded around him as another flaming arrow flew towards the tower, this one lighting the ground.

Talon grinned. The globe Conal had dropped hadn’t been wasted after all. By the time he reached Brianne’s side, there were only two towers left to destroy. Still grinning, he reached out for her, pulling her to him. “You happy we’re alive?”

Brianne laughed. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

He pressed his lips against hers, ignoring Conal’s comment to break it up. When he drew back, his lips automatically formed a smile. “Ready to join the rebel army?”

Brianne shook her head. “Once all the towers are alight.”

“You missed it,” Conal said. “It was while you were pawing at each other.” He looked from one to the other. “What am I meant to tell Officer Finnin when he asks me for a full report?”

Brianne grinned. “That there was a great deal of gratitude for our survival?” She turned to Talon. “Let’s join the rebel army and finish taking back Taeranelle.”

“Sounds good to me.” He pulled her close when she turned her back to him, holding her tight, relieved they’d both survived the first part of the plan.

Talon didn’t think anything could be as hard as what they’d already survived. He was only partly correct. When the rebels descended on Taeranelle, the Prilonians’ first response was to fight, but everything soon broke down into confusion. Slaves ran from the city and got in the way of the fighting. Civilian Prilonians joined the soldiers that still lived, fighting for their homes. And fires sprang up in the city, but unlike Wildfire they could be doused with some effort.

Early morning brought with it a clear view of the havoc the rebels had brought to Taeranelle. The dead lay in the streets along with the wounded. Civilians sobbed and pleaded as they were rounded up and the last of the soldiers were incarcerated until their fate could be decided.

Talon stood beside Brianne, his sword in his hand as he surveyed the city. Brianne shifted her sword to her left hand so she could lean against his left side. He reached out to put an arm around her waist, drawing her closer, exhaustion dragging at him. “If I’d known how good you were with a dagger, I would have insisted you hand yours over the morning you cut the rope I tied you with.” She had fought with her sword and throwing darts and when she’d used up all the darts, pulled out her dagger to use with her sword.

Brianne smiled fleetingly. “I wouldn’t have given it up.”

Talon’s eyes searched the area again. “I didn’t see Marshall’s sister anywhere.”

“I didn’t realise there’d be so many people.” Brianne took another slow look at the part of the city where they stood.

Lyle strode towards them, a bow in one hand, stopping beside them in the middle of the street. “This is only the beginning. There are other cities to be taken back. But they’ll be easy now Taeranelle has fallen. The majority of the army was here.” He looked them over. “Glad to see the pair of you made it through mostly unharmed.”

“I am too.” Brianne turned to Talon with a grin. “How about you? I haven’t noticed you showing me you’re happy we’re alive.”

“Maybe it’s your turn to show me, but how about you stick with my method?”

Brianne laughed, but before she could do anything else, Conal dropped out of the sky to land near them. “Officer Finnin needs the two of you.”

Talon groaned. “He has the worst timing.”

“Yep, but too bad.” Brianne reached up to slide a hand around his neck, pulling him towards her with a grin. “He can wait, gratitude can’t.” She pressed her lips against his and he held her tight, not caring for the moment what Briant wanted.