The Eternal Darkness (7 page)

His scarred face tight and bright eyes shining, Dominic threw himself forward and slammed into the human followers that stood in front of the demon.  The impact scattered them and knocked one back into the demon, which caught its balance and flung the man away.  But that slight delay was all the time that Dominic needed.  He drove his sword into the demon’s chest as he slashed at its neck with his dagger.  The demon staggered back, trying to gather its dark power, but Dominic wrenched his sword free and continued to strike.  The demon tired to turn and flee, but a flurry of blows dropped it to the ground, its dark blood staining the stone.

Out of the corner of his eye, Dominic saw an enemy, sword raised, closing on him and spun to face him, knowing he would probably not make it in time.  Before the man could strike, an arrow suddenly appeared in his chest, the arrowhead sticking out of his front, his sword tumbling from suddenly limp hands.  As the man fell, Dominic saw Sergeant Stonebuilder leading a group of twenty soldiers up the steps from a nearby entrance.  Several of the soldiers, armed with short bows, had climbed nearby steps and were sending arrows into the crowd of enemies.

Stonebuilder’s men charged into the enemies’ rear, wreaking havoc.  Dominic urged his forces forward as he cut into the suddenly panicked enemies.  The demons, seeing their advantage dissipating, called out to their followers and retreated through the gap between Stonebuilder and Dominic.  The clerics continued to strike at the demons, but once the demons cleared the soldiers, they turned and ran, their followers close behind.  They slipped out of the arena through the same openings that they had entered.

Stonebuilder sent half his force to harry the few remaining enemies still fighting in the arena, and then joined Dominic with the rest to make their way back to the queen’s box.  Dominic saw that the queen was unharmed.  The clerics looked tired as they healed the surviving soldiers.  Halana came over to him, but he held up his hand before she could lay hands on him.  “Save your strength for those who need it, cleric,” he told her.  “None of my injuries are serious enough to worry about.”

“Nonsense, Lord Dominic,” she replied.  “I have strength enough to heal you.”

“I said no,” Dominic growled.  “I am done with healing.”

Her face took on a stubborn expression, as if she was going to force her healing on him, but Taric appeared at her side.  He placed a gentle hand on her arm.  “Let me deal with Dominic, Halana,” he told her softly. “See to the other wounded.”

She gave Dominic another frosty look, but nodded and walked away.

“Are you sure I cannot entreat you to accept healing, Dominic?” Taric asked cautiously.  “We do not know if the fighting is done.”

“If you wish to help, you can sew up the deeper of my wounds,” Dominic told him.  “But that can wait until I have spoken with the queen.”  When Taric nodded, Dominic climbed up to the queen’s box.  Stonebuilder was already there, giving his report to Farrious and the queen.

“When I heard the horn sound the distress call, I gathered my platoon and headed to the arena, knowing that Her Majesty was here,” he said.  He shook his head slowly in disbelief.  “On our way here, we encountered a large group of soldiers wearing the emblem of the Oceansong family.  Not knowing what was happening, I called on them to join us.  They came over, but before we could react, attacked us.  We fought a pitched battle in the street and eventually overcame them, but I had lost nearly half the platoon.  Having just killed my own countrymen in the capital, I feared for the queen’s safety and ran the remnants of my platoon here.  Thanks to the One that we arrived in time.”

“You have my thanks, Sergeant Stonebuilder,” the queen told him.  “When we have secured the city and put an end to this plot, I will speak with you about a suitable reward for your bravery and loyalty.”

“That you are pleased is reward enough for me, My Queen,” Stonebuilder replied with a bow.

“How is the rest of the city?” Farrious asked.

“I heard the sounds of fighting in many places, Commander.”  He glanced at Anatan.  “I also saw smoke rising near the Temple, Sister.  I’m sorry, but I do not know what has happened there.”

“It will be as the One wills,” she replied, though Dominic saw the worry in her eyes.

“What now?” Moshanna asked, standing nearby with his arm around Sharin.  “Based on what Sergeant Stonebuilder just said, we do not have enough soldiers to attempt to return the queen to the palace.”

“I will take a couple of men and seek out loyal soldiers to reinforce us here,” Farrious said as he hefted his warhammer.  “A small group can move more quickly and attract less attention.”

“I will go with you, Farrious,” Dominic said.  “Just give me a couple of minutes to take care of my wounds.”

“You honor me, Lord Dominic,” Farrious replied with a nod of his head.  “We will leave when you are ready.”

At Dominic’s request, Taric took out the needle and thread that Dominic carried with him and gently sewed up several injuries, the most serious being the wound on Dominic’s arm.  Dominic endured the pain stoically and waited while Taric covered them with bandages.  Once that was done, he took a long drink from a waterskin offered to him by one of Stonebuilder’s soldiers and rose.

“If you are ready, Farrious,” Dominic said.  He looked over at Taric.  “I will try to not undo your handiwork, cleric.”

Farrious chuckled at that.  Leaving Moshanna to organize the queen’s defense, Dominic and Farrious left the arena and slipped into the city.

He and Farrious had not gone far when they found a platoon of soldiers milling around, unsure of what was happening.  Farrious sent them to the arena and they continued on.  Finding more groups of soldiers, they had quickly assembled a force of over a hundred soldiers strong.  They returned to the arena and used that force to escort the queen back to the palace.  The Queen’s Guard at the palace had successfully defended it from several attacks.  Now reinforced with the extra soldiers, they scoured the palace to ensure it was secure.  Once Farrious was satisfied with the safety of the palace, Dominic and Moshanna had ventured into the city to assess the situation.

They discovered that the demons’ had sent most of their forces to attack the Temple.  While the clerics were able to defend against the demons and half-men, there were human followers with that force.  Several dozen clerics and apprentices were killed before a nearby garrison was able to get its soldiers to the Temple.

They also found much of the city in chaos, with fires burning across the city.  It was clear that both soldiers and civilians were confused and panicked by what was happening.  After they had spoken with several officers though, runners were sent to the various garrisons with instructions to arrest or kill Darrius’ men.  Gradually, the army deployed in a systematic fashion and order was gradually restored.

It had taken until the next day, but the demons’ attack and Darrius’ rebellion were finally put down.  The few survivors of Darrius’ men were taken to the dungeons, but, except for some that had escaped in the confusion, all of the demons and their followers were destroyed.

Once the army was in control of the city and the crisis died down, the queen asked them to meet with her.  Dominic, along with Moshanna and Sharin, as well as Taric and Halana, gathered in the empty throne room.  After a few moments, the queen entered with Farrious and Anatan at her side.  She sat down on her throne and called them over

“Lord Dominic, I cannot begin to thank you for your service to my kingdom,” she said humbly.  “You have proven yourself a man of great honor over and again.  I am in your debt.  Is there nothing I can do for you?”

“You once gave me the greatest gift I have ever known,” Dominic replied, giving her a courtly bow.  “It is I who am in your debt.”  He paused for a moment.  “I would ask your permission to leave and return to Sanduas.”

“You are free to leave whenever you like, Dominic Demonhunter,” she responded with a smile.  “If you will consent to carry them, I have letters for your new queen and Brother Jonas.”

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”

She nodded and then turned to Moshanna.  “Moshanna Deepwood, I have already cleared your name.  You may stay in Aletonia and take your rightful place amongst your people.  I would reward you for your actions.”

Moshanna bowed to her, but replied, “You honor me, my queen, but I am sworn to the service of Tomaris.  I must return to him to fulfill my oath.”

“Are you sure, Moshanna?” the queen asked gently.  “Your family is here.”

“I have seen my parents and spoken with them,” he replied.  “They understand my decision.”

He glanced at Sharin, who nodded.  “I do ask one boon of you, Your Majesty,” he declared.  “Grant Sharin permission to leave with me.”

“Do you wish this, cousin?” the queen asked Sharin.

“I do, Nenia,” she responded.  “I have lived years in a joyless marriage to protect Moshanna, but he is here now and I do not wish to be separated from him ever again.  If that means leaving, I will gladly do it.”

The queen was silent for a few moments.  “If that is your wish, Sharin, then you have my blessing.”  She smiled widely.  “I wish you nothing but happiness.”

Halana looked over at Taric, who smiled nervously.  She looked over at Sister Anatan, who nodded.  Halana strode forward and knelt before the queen.  “Majesty, I have spoken with Sister Anatan, but she has said that I must ask you,” she said softly.  “I request permission to leave with Brother Taric when he returns to Sanduas.”

“For what reason do you wish to leave, Sister?” the queen asked.

“Taric and I have grown close, Majesty.  We do not wish to be parted.”  She paused for a moment.  “Taric is a cleric of Sanduas, so we must also seek Chief Cleric Jonas’ blessing if we are to marry.”

The queen looked over at Anatan.  “I would normally not stand in the way of love, but we have suffered grievous losses in the attack.  Are you sure that the Temple can afford to lose her?”

“I am loath to lose such a talented healer, but I am sure that Jonas and I can work out something to assist us for a period of time as we rebuild,” Anatan stated.

“If Sister Anatan is satisfied, then I give you my permission and blessing, Sister Halana.”

The queen rose from her throne.  “May you all have safe travels as you journey home,” she said.  “All of you will always be welcome in Aletonia.”

…

The sound of an approaching wagon pulled Dominic’s focus back to the present.  It was a simple wooden wagon drawn by two horses, driven by a man in plain clothes, with the look of someone who worked outdoors.  An attractive woman sat next to him on the bench, with three children in the back.  They stared incredulously at him as he rode past and nodded politely to the woman.  He was amused at the children looking agog at Moshanna and the other Aletonians.  He could still feel the children staring at them even as they left them behind.

When they finally reached the city, he saw a line at the gate as the soldiers searched the wagons and carriages waiting to go in.  He approvingly took note of the archers above the gate.  Clearly, the attack on the city had made them more cautious and that was a good thing.

As he halted his group behind the last wagon, he heard a nearby soldier call back to the gate for an officer.  He watched as a soldier, with a patch over one eye and dressed in an officer’s uniform approached.  It took a moment, but Dominic recognized who it was.

“Greetings, Lord Dominic,” the man said warmly.  “Welcome home.”

Dominic had allowed the Aletonians to use that title since he was a guest there, but he was done with that as well.  “Thank you, Lieutenant Jeffreys,” he replied, “but I do not have that title.  Dominic is fine.”

“I have orders, Dominic,” Jeffreys said quietly as he stepped closer.  “All of the gate officers were instructed to greet you with that title.  I am to provide you an escort to the Temple, and then to the palace.”

What has Jonas been up to?
  “We have been on the road for a while and are all looking forward to warm meals and comfortable beds,” Dominic said aloud.  “Please form your escort and let’s get this done with as quickly as possible.”

Jeffreys led them past the waiting people and into the courtyard area.  He released Dominic’s previous escorts, telling them to go to the barracks for rest and resupply, and gathered a half dozen of his men.  They formed up around Dominic’s party and led them into the city.

As they made their way to the Temple, Dominic and Jeffreys spoke quietly about the battle and its aftermath.  Jeffreys had gotten to the coronation by the time they arrived at the Temple.

“I will wait here for you and Brother Jonas,” Jeffreys said as he directed his men over to an area under the trees.

“I will move Jonas along, so we do not take up any more of your time with this foolishness,” Dominic replied with a comradely slap on Jeffreys’ shoulder.

Once the others dismounted, they moved into the Temple.  Dominic grabbed the first apprentice he found.  “Go tell the Chief Cleric that Dominic is here.  I have guests and will meet him at his quarters. Go!” he said with a gentle shove.  The young man raced off.

They were settling in Jonas’ small dwelling when he arrived.  He looked much as he always did, his brown robes neat and his staff gripped in his hand, but Dominic noted a serenity about him that had not been there before.  He went over and quickly embraced Jonas.

“I am glad to see you well, Dom,” Jonas said.

“I hear that you are lucky to be here as well,” Dominic replied.

Jonas laughed lightly at that.  “I was indeed lucky.  Of course, I do have friends in high places,” he said, pointing up.

“What is all of this about titles and going to the palace?” Dominic asked.  “I like the girl well enough, but I don’t need to see the new queen.”

“I will let her explain,” Jonas said, turning serious.  “Remember to have patience.  She is new to the throne.”

He looked past Dominic at the others.  “I know Taric and Captain Deepwood, but I have not had the pleasure to meet these lovely ladies.”

After introductions, Taric stepped forward and told Jonas about his relationship with Halana and asked for his blessing.  Jonas watched him stumble through it with a kind twinkle in his eye.