The New Guard (Crossroads Book 1) (28 page)

General
Kolk was showing signs of strain, and his blows were losing some of their
strength. However, he still fought quite well. Though David felt Kolk’s
lessening strength, he was not sure he could use it to his advantage. His own
arms were now numb from the constant barrage of hits and the death grip he had
to keep on the Sword of Truth so it didn’t fly out of his hands. It seemed the
only thing keeping him in this battle was the grace of God.

Kolk’s
men, who had not made an attempt to join the fight, were noting the skill of
each fighter and pointing out that neither had been able to draw first blood.
For his part, David knew that if the general could land a blow anywhere it
would likely be first and last blood. Often the same could be said for the
Sword of Truth. Most beings could only stand a slight touch; a cut brought
forth painful, undeniable truths about the person’s life choices and their
creator. Though this was true, David had seen people of free will eventually
convince themselves otherwise if they were determined. This was how it was with
God; He forced none to follow him, He wanted all to come willingly.

Sweat
rolled down both combatants’ faces and bodies. The sword fight was lasting
longer than either man had predicted. David continued to note the signs that
Kolk was tiring, but knew it was not as much as he. There was a determined
madness in the general’s eyes that seemed to be fueling him. This, coupled with
his greater skill, was going to prove David’s undoing. Thus David was so
concerned trying to stay alive and the general was focused on destroying his
enemy that neither heard the battle beginning to rage about them as the council
forces fell upon the general’s idle contingent.

With the
general taken out of the fight by David’s interference, the Misfit Illdwar
proved his battle acumen against the lesser officers who were not skilled at
combatting the seemingly random tactics employed by the veteran campaigner. The
king’s forces were harried into retreat as the band pushed into indefensible
areas. Traps quickly erected under the guidance of Illdwar were sprung, and
more and more soldiers were taken out of the conflict. The king’s forces that
collided with Kolk’s distracted troops had no time to warn their compatriots
before the full mercenary force of the council’s men were upon them. The
battle, like all battles no matter how well planned, dissolved into a mass of
chaotic carnage as individuals and groups of troops tried to fight off the
opposing forces.

There
were three events that saved David’s life. The first was the coming of Illdwar
himself, when he took control of the council’s forces and brought the conflict
to where David was fighting Kolk. The second was caused by an inexperienced
young private freshly inducted just a week before. This young soldier of the
king’s army had a great deal of practice with his sword, yet he was completely
unprepared for the battle he was thrown into. He was panicking, turning to
address every nearby clank of steel and any person bumping into him. Though at
the outer fringes of the general’s troops he had been watching the duel, he was
now right on top of the general’s and David’s struggle, though he did not know
this until David bumped into him. David, having been thrown back by yet another
of Kolk’s powerful blows, collided with the private. The boy turned and slashed
wildly, cutting the back of David’s left thigh. Though it was a shallow cut,
David fell to his knees as the general charged, howling with blood lust.

The third
event which saved David’s life was a mixture of the general’s roar as he
charged and a deep seated need for revenge. Shortly before the king appointed
Kolk as general of his army, the elf led a force of troops to subjugate a local
lord who had hired a gang of brigands to attack the other lords’ holdings. In
his typical style, Kolk addressed the problem brutally and swiftly. The
landlord’s manor was attacked and all within were put to death, even the
servants. Only three young boys were left alive after being savagely beaten.
They had been left alive so they could tell others what had transpired. One of
those boys had watched as Kolk personally killed his family. As the years went
by, he survived by selling his skills out until finally he was hired on as a
sell sword by one of the council members. Now in the midst of battle he heard a
primal roar and looked up to see the man who had impaled his sister, beheaded
his father, and gutted his mother. White hot rage burned through his veins and
like a magnet drew him to the manic general. There was no screaming, no shout,
no vocalization crying out for revenge. There was only vengeful retaliation
against a long-ago nightmare.

Kolk did
not see the young man, as he was solely focused on David. When he first knew of
the attack, the haunted-looking-boy was drawing his sword out of the general’s
side. Kolk could not comprehend what was happening. He could not control his
body to counter the attack. Blow after blow, the general was hacked and stabbed
until his muscles would no longer hold him up. Still the young man attacked. He
only stopped when David took hold of him.

“Stop,”
David spoke calmly, “he’s dead.” The words penetrated the boy’s vengeance. He
dropped his sword as silent tears streamed down his face and he wordlessly
mouthed the names of his family.

Shortly
after the general’s death Avrant’s forces began to surrender or flee outright.
Those forces on loan from the other kingdoms regrouped themselves, cut their
losses, and began the long retreat to their home kingdoms. David stayed with
the still silent young man who had saved his life. The council forces had begun
to bind the surrendering troops. Each soldier had his hands tied behind his
back, and then they were roped together in order to form a single-file marching
line. David was wont to leave the traumatized warrior, yet felt a burning need
to return to his family, or at least the hunt for Deborah and Hogan. Before he
could make a choice either way, a shadow fell over him and the boy. David
looked up as the man spoke.

“Several
of the king’s men point you out as the Sword Bearer.”

David
studied the older man. He was of mixed parentage; that much was certain. The
man had the cat-like pupils, sharp pointed fingernails, and multicolored
pigmentation of the weald. His ears were flat to his head though slightly
higher than his gaeder ancestors. When he smiled, as he did after speaking to
David, his teeth were all flat, lacking any of the pointed incisors typical of
the weald.

David
stood, pulling the young warrior up with him. The boy didn’t seem to notice.
David nodded and answered, “I indeed bear the Sword of Truth. My name is David
Koen. Who might you be?”

The man
flashed his teeth once more, “I am Illdwar, nearly the last of the Misfits.”

David
sighed. “That news saddens me. I fought with a great many of your order in the
Season of a Thousand Crossings.”

Illdwar
looked at David critically. “I do not remember tell of a Truth Blade during
those times or after.”

“I gained
the sword during a battle, crossed back to my home world shortly thereafter,
and have been there until just recently.”

Illdwar
gazed at David in silence before he grinned. “Now I hear, you bring into the
Way World twelve new crowns.”

David held
the other man’s gaze, then spoke quietly, “They are not yet made, though I am
told they shall be.”

Illdwar
got a distant look in his eyes. “They will be indeed. Some shall be crowned in
ways yet imagined, and you and I will not live to see them all.”

David,
taken aback by these words, was about to ask Illdwar about them when the Misfit
turned to the silent young elf standing next to David. He put his arm around
him.

“I have
heard of your deeds, as well. Come, lad; let me help you to a drink, and we will
talk of days past and things yet to come.”

The two
walked off, leaving David alone with Illdwar’s words chilling his blood.

David
arrived back at the council tent to find that Yero had returned with Deborah
and Hogan. Yero bore many severe looking burns that were being treated. Hogan
and Deborah showed signs of treatment already; their wrists were bandaged as
were several patches of their arms and legs. When Deborah saw her father, she
ran to him and embraced him.

“Thank
God you’re alive,” David breathed. “Are you alright?”

Hogan,
now beside them, answered for her. “We were captured by a demon. It cut her
tongue when she tried to banish it. The healer put a chap compound on it and
said she should not try to speak for the rest of the day. She may need surgery
to fully heal it.”

David
stared at Hogan and then his daughter. “A demon?”

Deborah
nodded.

“Are you
okay?”

First she
nodded, then shook her head, followed by another nod. David took her into his
arms again and just held her for a time. After a few brief minutes they were
interrupted by a
councilor
.

“Truth
Blade. “Though there seemed to be an apology within Duke Dweller’s tone, there
was also a note of superior triumph. “We have reports stating all pockets of
fighting have ceased. Upon hearing the news of the conflagration in Ven, we’ve
sent several squads to act as firefighters. General Kolk’s body has been
recovered from the field. We have many reports of Lord Avrant fleeing North on
horseback. He is most likely to seek refuge in his wife’s land holdings in the
Third Kingdom.”

David did
not like the last bit of news. Avrant would continue to be a problem and
possibly a rallying point for those elves not willing to give up power. Still
there was nothing he could do about it now; he had to see to the safety of his
children.

Dweller
continued when David made no response. “I think it most prudent that the
council take control of the daily governing until such time as Lord Avrant
tries to return or the High King Insur brings forth a suitable heir. . .”

Dweller
was cut off by Count Merrin, “How do you propose the council lead?” he asked
with disdain. “We could hardly agree on a course of action to our tax and
harvest issues. Several council members have apparently chosen to flee with
Avrant. Then there is the new inheritance issued in regards to the throne. Lest
we not forget it is being contested.” This last statement was said while
indicating the Koens.

Another
councilor stepped forward, “I don’t believe council government would be out the
question, at least until the throne matter is resolved. I was thinking we could
easily set up a trilateral governorship consisting of a speaker, a minority
leader, and a prime councilor.”

The
councilman's suggestion was greeted with nods of agreement and cheers, as well
as riotous objections. Loud debate on the merits and faults of the suggestion
quickly overtook the council tent. Rock herded the children, save Deborah who
was still next to her father, out of the way. Yero bellowed for quiet and very
nearly got it. However, his words were quickly drowned back out as those around
him began to object to his addressing the council and what he was saying. None
of the councilors wished to be further reminded of the rumors of David’s
children, for none of them wished to lose power. It was not their plans that
would bear fruit this day.

A
blinding bright light exploded above everyone’s head. They all ducked as a
cacophony of melodious voices sang out. The light lessened marginally, and
sight returned to the people within the tent. They looked above them and were
greeted by a host of angels. The angelic throng sang as each person watched.
When every eye was upon them and every ear was attending to their song, they
spoke in unison.

“These
are the words of the
Most High
; hear them, heed them.
Twelve crowns upon elven heads have been rescinded. Human heirs The One has
called forth. Pass unto them the rights of rule until such time as they no
longer faithfully follow His will. The hand of the Creator is upon them. Woe be
unto those who oppose them.”

As they
finished speaking, all except one angel began to sing again and slowly fade
from sight. The lone angel descended and alighted near Deborah. The iridescent
messenger reached out its hand and laid it upon the young woman’s head. Light
flooded through Deborah and her bandages fell off. Then the angel rose above
the crowd once more. All was silent when the angel spoke again.

“Here
stands your new queen; attend to her and her chosen groom who shall crown her
head upon their wedding day.”

Then, as
quickly as they had arrived, the last of the angels disappeared. Silence
reigned as never before in the council tent. Slowly all eyes fell upon Deborah.
As shock wore off, the councilors began to clamor for attention. Several
quietly slipped out of the tent. Those pushing forward were held back by Rock,
who was using his
bo
staff as a barricade.

“Enough!”
he bellowed about the rising hubbub of voices; nearly instantaneously the crowd
grew quiet once more. David broke the silence.

“Hear me
now. Know once and for all that I speak with the authority of God. As in days
long past and days yet to come, the thrones of the twelve kingdoms of the
Crossroads are to change hands from one race to another. I wish deeply it were
not my children who were to take up this burden. However, thrice now I’ve been
confronted with the truth of the deed to be done. I call upon you to aid in the
will of the Creator and hinder us here no more.”