Steel and Sorrow (54 page)

The three mages worked a series of spells that helped the soldiers become better versions of themselves—adding strength to their limbs, making it easier to breath, increasing their determination. Krytien had only recently picked up the new spells from notes he found in Amcaro’s writings. He had worked diligently over the last several days trying to perfect the sorcery, pushing Nora and Lufflin to do the same in order to cover a larger area than the original spell intended. The young mages helped him greatly, but he could feel them beginning to waver under the resistance of both physical and sorcerous forces around them.

The sound, smell, feel, and even the taste of such close-quartered fighting strained Krytien’s concentration. He spared a glance to the two green-robed mages next to him.

An invisible gust of power assaulted Krytien’s senses and he fell into the soldier next to him. Thankfully, the large man caught him before he hit the ground where even among allies, he would surely be trampled. Nora and Lufflin suffered similar fates—the girl most of all. Her eyes rolled back in her head and Lufflin squirmed his way over to her as he tried to stand her up.

He shouted at Krytien to be heard over the chaos around them. “What just happened?”

“We’ve been targeted,” said Krytien. “Conroy’s mages must have found us.”

“How can they worry about us? The others have been dropping stones over them the entire time.”

Krytien hadn’t been able to see what else had been going on. However, it was hard to miss the boulders flying through the air that proceeded the pounding rhythm of the engineers’ machines. He had worked with Raker to time the shots with the other mages so they could catch the airborne rocks and redirect them midflight if necessary. Krytien had hoped that such swift changes of trajectory would keep the enemy’s mages too busy to pay Krytien, Nora, and Lufflin any mind.

“Apparently, they’re even stronger than we thought,” said Krytien as he tried to refocus.

“What are you doing?” Lufflin called out again, his voice sounding frantic. “Nora’s hurt bad. We need to get her out of here.”

He glanced down and saw her coming around.

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

“Don’t be crazy,” said Lufflin. “You need medical attention.”

“No,” said Nora. “Our orders are to stay here.”

Krytien didn’t catch the next series of exchanges as Kaz turned for a moment and yelled. The commander had been blessed with the voice of a leader and even over the cacophony of battle, Krytien could hear him. “Krytien, we’re losing ground too quickly.”

The attack from Conroy’s mages had broken his spell. Fatigue had returned to the battered soldiers and they struggled under the full might of the enemy’s disciplined forces. The grunting strain of the men around him drowned much of the clashing steel.

Another wave of sorcery struck, but thankfully Krytien had some protection this time and wasn’t affected by the worst of it.

Lufflin cried again. “One Above, Nora!”

Krytien looked over and saw Lufflin holding the young woman’s body. Blood dripped from her eyes and nose, over her cheeks and lips. A solider next to Lufflin tried to take the body away from him.

“Drop her to the ground! She’s in our way!” the gruff man shouted.

“Get your filthy hands off her. She’s not dead, yet!” Lufflin yelled back.

“Lufflin! Control yourself!” called Krytien. He saw the young mage’s hands had begun to glow as if ready to attack one of the men he should have been protecting.

“Then help her! She’s dying.” The arrogance had dropped completely from the young mage’s face as he pleaded with Krytien. Another wave of sorcery struck and this time he felt the power permeate through his body and into his bones. His very bowels twisted. Unlike before, the soldiers around them felt it too and buckled under the weight. Conroy’s troops surged forward.

“Krytien!” yelled Kaz again.

“I’m working on it,” he shouted.

“Work faster,” came another voice. This one much deeper and Krytien saw the Ghal looking back at him.

During the brief exchange with Kaz, Lufflin continued to plead with Krytien while the gruff soldier howled at him to drop the woman and get out of the way.

Three short rapid blasts from Conroy’s mages struck their spot again. A rush of the enemy followed and the army was flung back a solid ten feet before the men slowed the retreat.

Now the yelling came from everywhere as soldiers around him began to panic. He smelled their fear.

“Just give me something,” cried out Kaz. “I need to reestablish our lines.”

Images flashed in his mind and suddenly Krytien relived his nightmares.
Glacar and Ronav fought near him as the few remaining members of the Hell Patrol defended the narrow street in Asantia while the others escaped. Sorcerous assaults blasted into him and blood sprayed across his black robes from a man his commander, Ronav, killed.

Death knocked at the door. He had to do something. He tried to access more power. It worked initially, but when he needed to access more as The Hell Patrol’s odds worsened, he found the power too much to control.

He panicked while fighting to control the swelling sorcery. His limbs shook and the air changed.

An explosive blast erupted as the power slipped from his grasp. Bodies flew up into the air from both sides. Despite his best efforts to shield the Hell Patrol, many went up in flames. The ground rumbled and buildings crumbled. The pain nearly drove him insane.

Then it was over. Death and destruction were all around him. He spotted Glacar kneeling over Ronav’s lifeless body.

Jonrell seemed to materialize from nowhere and dragged Krytien safely out of the city.

Krytien’s gut wrenched. That had been the last time he stood so close to the physical fighting. And just like then, he felt the pressure all around him. People begged for his help and he had a responsibility to act.

I swore never to access such power again.

He recalled his recent readings. Amcaro’s writings and ten years of practice had greatly improved his control.

Kaz said he doesn’t need me to stop the tide by myself. Just enough to stabilize the army.

Krytien calmed himself and despite the jarring motion from the men around him, he blocked out the sounds of battle. The roar faded to a dull hum. Sweat poured from his body, but none of that mattered. He recited a small cant and slowly opened himself to the natural forces of the world. He felt it almost instantly—a well of power ready for him to do as he pleased. As Phillik once told him and Amcaro’s writings confirmed, a mage must learn how to break down the barriers separating him from each level of power and control what is given to him.

Since the sorcerous attacks from Conroy’s mages had first struck him, all his efforts went to defending himself rather than helping the army’s resolve. Now, as he dipped into the energy waiting for him, he recast the original spell to support the soldiers while also maintaining his own defenses. Conroy’s mages must have felt him try to do two things at once. They pressed him harder. Krytien accessed just enough power to accomplish what he needed.

He felt the sudden shift in the lines and heard Kaz shout out orders to the men. He opened his eyes and saw that the army’s confidence had returned and though the retreat of the center continued, it did so on their terms.

He spared a glance over to Lufflin where the young mage stared teary-eyed at Nora. Krytien knew he shouldn’t push things, but he did so anyway.

Just a little. Never again will I be so greedy.

Krytien had never been much of a healer, but the few spells he knew could at least return Nora to consciousness. He worked the spell quickly so he wouldn’t be tempted to hold onto the power longer than he needed to. The girl opened her eyes and he saw Lufflin’s face light up. Lufflin embraced her and then turned to Krytien and mouthed, “Thank you.”

“She should be able to walk on her own. Get her out quickly and return to me. I still need help.”

Lufflin nodded and hurried Nora through the ranks. Krytien winced as Conroy’s mages sought him out again. He felt their frustration by his ability to turn them away. He was on the edges of power so immense he wondered if he could turn the battle solely by himself.

No.

He shook the thoughts from his mind.

I will not make the same mistake again.

* * *

Elyse watched the battle from a small hill. She wiped at the tears streaking down her face. The tears had come when she saw Conroy’s men surge forward. She knew that could not be part of Kaz’s plans.

Her army seemed to find itself again and the center retreated in a much more deliberate manner. She clung to the small amount of hope that remained.

Bloodied men with limp limbs dangling from stretchers passed by her on the way to the infirmary. Their moans added to her distress.

When will this end?

Conroy and Markus were her enemies, yet she felt no ill will toward the men they commanded. They simply followed orders. If only she could destroy the leaders and leave the innocent alone. Those thoughts reminded her of the naivety she once had. Life was not fair and war was part of life.

Blue tendrils of sorcery arced across the battlefield, boulders smashed in the air, and fires burned in small patches.

There are so many ways for a man to die today. Yet, none would be as they had hoped. In their home of old age.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Arine.”

“I know this might not be the right time, but have you heard any news from the capital?”

Elyse turned in her saddle, incredulous.

“It’s just that, there have been some strange murmurings that we’ve picked up from the locals a few days ago. I wanted to bring it up earlier, but you’ve been obviously busy.”

“And you thought
now
would be the best time to do so?” snapped Elyse. “People are dying in droves. Whatever nonsense you’ve heard can wait until the day is done. Show some respect to these soldiers. One Above, if we lose today, you’ll be taking your concerns to your Uncle Markus anyway.”

Arine bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I only thought—”

“No, Arine, you did not think. Leave me. I’ll find you later,” said Elyse, appalled at the woman’s lack of sensitivity.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After the woman left, the guard to Elyse’s right cleared his throat. “Your Majesty?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“I beg your pardon, I just wanted to say thank you”

“Thank you?” she asked, turning.

“Yes, Your Majesty. For caring,” said the man as he gestured out to the battlefield.

Elyse nodded and returned to her thoughts.

* * *

Kaz knew immediately when Krytien had regained his control for he felt the change in the attitude of the men around him.

Quickly, he and Crusher solidified ranks, killing in droves. The Ghal’s sweeping cuts knocked men sprawling as he shouted orders. Since they had regained their footing and settled in, Kaz continued the retreat in a more calculated manner.

He called out to flag bearers several rows behind to raise the blue flags on outstretched poles. It was time for the flanks to encircle Conroy’s men.

* * *

Conroy wore a smug grin as he monitored his troops through the spyglass. He reasoned early on that his plant among the engineers had been caught. They tried to fool him with their misses and it would have worked if he hadn’t recognized the pattern in their attacks. He had to give them credit, the men working the equipment were skilled, perhaps better than his own, yet even with the originality of how they employed their mages and engineers together, Kaz would not gain an advantage there.

Ingenious nonetheless.

The unique strategy had neutralized a bulk of his mages as they worked to deflect the attacks. His scouts had underestimated their engineers’ strength. The battle would be decided man against man.

Kaz’s overconfident demeanor had bothered Conroy. The commander actually believed himself to be a superior commander than General Victas.

No one could compare to him. Or if anyone could, it would be me. I know the man inside and out.

Conroy had employed a V formation with his infantry and through the spyglass he saw that Kaz’s center had given considerable ground. Conroy’s troops could be slowed, but not be stopped.

Simultaneous movement from Kaz’s left and right wings caught his eye. The wings began to fan out and creep around Conroy’s formation. His grin disappeared.

He’s more clever than I thought.

“Ventrin!” he yelled.

“I’m here, my lord,” said the man to his left.

“Signal the cavalry. Full charge on Kaz’s right wing. Immediately.”

“Yes, my lord,” said the man as he rode off, shouting orders.

“What’s going on?” asked Markus.

“Kaz baited us. He wanted us to use a V formation.”

“What are you talking about?”

“During the latter half of Victas’s years, a way many tried to counter the great general’s infantry was to allow their center to purposefully collapse and then encircle the enemy. The formation falls apart when attacked from so many sides.” He paused. “But Victas had already determined his formation’s weakness before his enemies had and kept a reserve of cavalry behind. If encirclement occurred, he attacked the weakest wing of his opponent which would prevent them from completing the encirclement.”

The ground shook behind them and the beating of hooves drowned out all other sounds. Over a thousand heavy cavalry rushed past Conroy and Markus.

“So, you’re attacking the wing commanded by the old general.”

Conroy nodded as the dirt-filled air settled and his ears picked up other sounds again. “I’d rather not have my cavalry face Jeldor’s pikemen. He’s a pompous fool, but his men are far more competent than most give them credit for.”

* * *

Raker’s heart raced, his head pounded, his eyes blurred, and he felt ready to vomit.

And I ain’t even drunk.