In this chapter; Edwin and the raiders are advancing toward enemy lines. Taviin attempts to use the key that Edwin has brought from the ancient vaults only to find out that it’s a fake and they are unable to open the secret entrance to get inside the kingdom’s walls. Then the Ammoreith soldiers ambush them and they are fighting against the odds of thousands. Why did the key not fit and who betrayed their plans to the king, putting them all at risk. Will they make it out alive?
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Edwin breathed deeply as the night’s chilly breeze swept around him bending the grass like ripples over the water; the hills rising and falling like the waves on a vast ocean broken only by patches of wiry trees. The pale moon shifted in and out of view behind dark, purple clouds which covered the rolling plains below in large, inky shadows. As he took in the dark scenic plains of Ammoreith it seemed to Edwin just like any other night. He gazed up at the sky, its innumerable stars having witnessed everything since the dawn of time. Nothing looked or felt different about tonight than any other that he had experienced and yet, the times of change rode on the air, swift and silent in its advance.
He prayed for their sake that their own advance on the castle would turn out to be just as swift and silent. He had entertained for so long the thought of himself flinging heroically into the battle fighting with a zealous passion for a righteous cause but never had he considered what came in between the fighting. The tedious preparation of armor suiting or the gut clenching nervousness that consumes when waiting in the calm before the storm; knowing nothing of what lies ahead but sure of the fact that pain and death are sure to follow.
However righteous their own cause seemed, Edwin did not feel justified as he looked down on the double edged blade that he held in his grasp. The swords sharp edges glinted white in the moonlight as he turned it over in his hand, wondering how many men had been robbed of their life with this weapon and how many more he would add to that number tonight. How could he look into the eyes of the miracle that man—that any life form—is and decide that it is right to end his life, his dreams, his ambitions, and his potential.
Was this really the only way to gain peace? Edwin thought as he looked at the valiant men and women marching alongside him. Peace had always ended the story of a great battle but people seemed to forget about all the blood of war after the stains had long washed away. When does it ever end? He thought grimly. Was more killing really going to bring them a time of uninterrupted life and prosperity or would this deadly cycle just continue on generation after generation? This war that consumes all who cross its path; indifferent to age or gender.
He glanced sideways at Nela who was walking beside him in the front of Taviin’s ranks knowing it was possible that one of them might not have the chance to see the rise of another sun. Edwin marveled at how just how much his actions would affect this nation as their ranks marched toward the Castle of Ammoreith?
The Raiders had been grouped according to skill set with a row of archers in the front followed by one containing far and close combat spearmen. On the sides and in the middle were the swordsmen, with another row of archers who protected the back of their orderly brigade. Edwin didn’t get assigned a specific skill but Taviin seemed to think he was important enough to bring along and so he was handed a sword and told to keep in the front ranks should he be needed.
He had agreed, and even looked forward, to the chance of fighting the men who had taken so much from him but the reality of what he faced had not yet hit him then. It was just beginning to dawn on him the possibilities that this night could hold and half of them began to feed the fear that was slowly seeping into his body. As they crested the hill it came into view; the castle which was smaller than his fist at this distance its dark stone wall had torch lights around the perimeter.
As they approached Edwin saw to his left a sea of mist blending to the bleak shadow in the west. But to his right, great mountains reared their heads ranging from the eastern coastline, going around the great city to create a towering barrier. They steered clear of the populated farmland villages and instead veered towards the western edge of the kingdom near the base of the dense mountains that loomed overhead.
When they finally arrived at the place of the entrance, Taviin ordered them to remain here while he went to open the way in. Edwin stayed crouched behind the bush watching, along with hundreds of others, as Taviin’s figure grew smaller across the short plain. When he had finally reached the small ornate door in the side of the white stone wall, Edwin tensed ready at any moment to receive the signal for the attack. But Taviin seemd to be stuggling with something and he after a while he signaled for Edwin to meet him.
Edwin jogged across the field feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. Though it was out of his control, he still felt responsible for whatever was going wrong as it had been up to him to get the key, but he had no idea how to fix whatever problem this might be. Taviin was glaring at him with arms crossed until he reached the door. Edwin looked from the key to Taviin and then to the door.
“Yes—Sir?” He asked tentatively, dreading the worst.
“When you got to the vaults, Edwin, how did you find this key?” Taviin said his voice falsely sweet.
Edwin quickly ran through the order of events during his escapade in the vaults only leaving out the personal bits when he had ventured into the well.
“Then will you please tell me why this key is not unlocking the door?”
“I—I don’t—” Edwin stuttered, his confirmed fears rendering him incoherent.
“You don’t what?” Taviin towered even higher as he spoke. “Edwin look out there and tell me what you see? He pointed to his right though his glare never left Edwin’s face.
Edwin turned to the sea of faces that stared intently at the both of them and the red deepened in his cheeks. He couldn’t speak. He was sure he had gotten the only key in the vaults it had fit the description Nela had given him perfectly. Now he and hundreds of others were treading on foreign lands at the foot of danger without a plan
“I have an entire army here on the battle field, Edwin, and they are waiting on my signal to attack. But your key is not—you did not do your job! All you had to do what bring it back and we all have put our lives on that pretense tonight. If this— if I don’t— what should I do?” Taviin yelled in his face. “Should I just march back to the group and tell them, ‘Sorry! Edwin got wrong key! Maybe some other night he can try this again… We’ll just come back another time—”
Taviin’s rant suddenly faded away. Though his mouth continued moving Edwin couldn’t hear anything he said. Confused, he froze; the whole night seemed to have been muted… Then the voice of a small boy spoke through the silence.
“Edwin…”
The voice sounded far away as it brushed against his consciousness, like a finger trailing over his skin. He spun around; unnerved, trying to locate where the voice was coming from but it was everywhere at once.
“Edwin…” The voice was louder this time. “You won’t get in with that key… Leave now while you can… Before it’s too late…”
Then Edwin recognized the voice; it was the young prince who had called for help a few days again the forest. He had heard the same voice pierce through the confusion of battle once before just as it had silenced the world around him now. Edwin closed his eyes and raised a hand to his head trying to push his own voice through the mental connection.
“What do you mean ‘before it’s too late’? Can you see us? Can you help?”
“I could sense you as you approached the door…” The boy sounded anxious. “I like you Edwin, you’re different like me… But you need to leave now!”
“Why what’s wrong? What’s going to happen—?”
Before he could ask anything else, yells shot through the night air breaking through his mental concentration. His sense of hearing rushed back as his mind cleared and Edwin opened his eyes to look around. The Raiders were scurrying to position their defense as hundreds of Ammoreith soldiers came streaming out onto the field in an ambush.
Edwin was barely able to grasp the scene before someone grabbed him roughly from behind and jerked him around. Edwin only got a glimpse of Taviin, his face contorted with rage, before his fist collided hard with Edwin’s nose; the force of impact sent him crashing backwards into the grassy hill. He had felt it break and hot blood now spurted down his face as he stared up at Taviin trying to catch his breath; his astonishment and confusion leaving no room for fear.
“Why would you betray us?” Taviin shouted down at his sprawled figure. “These are your own people, your family even! Don’t pretend to look confused, you knew this was a trap for us!”
Edwin spat blood out of his mouth as he tried to speak but he could think of nothing to say that would convince Taviin that he was just as shocked by all this. He rolled over as Taviin aimed a kick at his side which only just missed him. He sprang to his feet and pulled his sword from its sheath holding it defensively in front of him.
“Wrong move boy! You won’t be getting out of this trap either as easily as you thought.” Taviin said, unsheathing his long black sword. “Each death out there is on your hands traitor.” He snarled and flung himself at his opponent swinging his sword horizontally to hit Edwin’s left arm. Edwin reacted but Taviin ducked underneath his sword and twisted his own arm so that his blade changed direction and shot straight up, nicking Edwin just under his right elbow.
Gasping, Edwin backpedaled frantically. He winced clutching at the tear in his sleeve where blood dribbled down his arm but Taviin charged at him once more, leaving no time to dwell on his injuries. Edwin reflexively parried the stab at his ribs but as their swords met the vibrations crashed through his arm like a hammer pounding a nail he already began to feel his energy drain. Sword drooping in his hand, it was all he could do to keep the black blade from piercing his body as their sinuous forms wove around each other like twisting smoke.
Taviin’s superior swordsmanship forced him to exercise his agility but with each blow he was forced closer to the wall. Too preoccupied to notice the roots sticking out just below his feet, his ankle came down on the point of one causing him to fall back; his sword flying out of reach. Taviin gave a victorious shout and brought his sword right over Edwin’s chest. Time seemed to slow in that moment as the blade traveled downward, toward his frantic heart. This couldn’t be it… It couldn’t end like this, not after all they had done…
Instinctively, Edwin grabbed a hand full of dirt and threw it in his assailant’s eyes at the same time kicking at the back of his leg so that Taviin knees buckled and he fell backwards; unable to catch himself in time. They both rolled away from each other panting and wiping sweat from their brows. Edwin grasped the hilt of his weapon but it felt so heavy in his hand that he struggled to lift it. He stood there gasping for breath knowing he wouldn’t last much longer in this battle. He was untrained and inexperienced. He couldn’t go on— couldn’t…
A wave of another’s consciousness suddenly washed over him; obliterating all other thought—one that wove through his mind like a mesmerizing serpent. Edwin recoiled at the intrusion but it continued weaving throughout his thoughts examining his inmost being; the flashes of past memories blinding him from the battle around him. Unable to prevent its advance, Edwin fought himself as he laid open his past, his ambitions, and his intensions to the creature. He thought of the prince who had contacted him this way and suddenly feared that he was falling prey to the king’s attack.
But something told him otherwise; this was not an enemy… His eyes were closed and he felt its unavoidable pull on his mind. But he could not lay there to follow it. He was in a battle, wasn’t he?
“Come…” Its voice rang throughout him like musical chords as deep as the earth itself.
Everything was wiped from his mind and Edwin obeyed without question; walking where the summons lured him like the helpless pull of a magnet. Vaguely, Edwin watched in his mind as he got up from where he was laying and crossed the moonlit field until he came to a piece of the towering wall where a isolated willow tree grew. Edwin went past the tree and came up to the wall putting his hand out to touch it but nothing happened. He turned to notice a small drakasaur insignia that was carved into the lone tree and started to reach toward it…
Instantly the creature withdrew from Edwin leaving him to his self; laying on the ground feeling exposed and vulnerable. Opening his eyes, he first saw the pale moon through the branches of some scraggily trees then began looking around and then sat up surprised. He was not on the battle field anymore… He could hear it off in the distance but he was alone—alone in a small clearing that was surrounded by a circle of thick, dense trees. Standing up he walked around the clearing to check for any sign of a trap but nothing presented itself. How did I get here?
The clearing contained nothing else but a carved stone in the center of the grass. The moment his eyes fell on it Edwin sensed a strong draw emanating from it and he cautiously approached the stone noticing the odd silence that hung around this area. Weeds had grown over the weathered rock but the top had been smoothed flat and Edwin pulled off the growth with a mounting apprehension.
There, on the old stone pillar, sat an exact replica of the drakasaur insignia that was carved in the tree in his vision. … He looked down at the green amethysts which were the Drakasaur’s eyes and he had the horrible feeling that it was watching him. Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck began to prickle and Edwin swerved around searching the impenetrable blackness beyond the ring of trees. Something snapped to his right and Edwin backed behind the stone his heart racing; waiting…
“Edwin…?” Nela’s slim figure stepped cautiously into the pale light.
Edwin relaxed and let out a deep breath of relief. He started to walk toward her but stopped when she backed away from him looking scared. Her black hair was disheveled and her chain mail hung lopsided around her as she peered at him from a distance looking slightly confused.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” He asked gently, trying to calm her.
“Your…Your eyes. They were— glowing green.”
“They were?” Edwin said nonplussed, glancing back down at the gem-like eyes of the carving.
“Back there.” She motioned, after a moment, toward the battle field. “Soldiers started ambushing us from both sides and we were a flung into confusion. When I looked around, Taviin and you were fighting…” She paused staring intently into his eyes as if trying to find an explanation for herself. “How did they know we would be here tonight?
“I don’t know.” Edwin said quickly, trying to avoid her wrath as he had barely escaped Taviin’s. “Someone must’ve… tipped them off…” Then Edwin grew silent; an illuminating idea having just occurred to him.
Nela stared expectantly at him. With a suspicious voice she asked, “Why did Taviin attack you? What happened between you two at the secret entrance? Edwin…?”
He looked over at her, his eyes widening with comprehension. “The prince! He was the one who told the king! He must have been!”
Nela looked confused as she implored, “The boy?”
“Yeah, he called to me in the forest with his mind. I mean, he yelled for help and I heard him inside my head!” Edwin explained feverishly, as her scared look was replaced with one of concern. “He could tell I was a Rider because I was the only one who could hear him! He must have told the king and that how they knew that you had found me. That’s how they knew you were planning something.”
“So you’re telepathic now?”
“I guess.” Edwin shrugged. “It must be part of the powers Taviin was explaining.”
“Right…But even if they knew we were planning something with you,” Nela said, shaking her head, “how would they know we were coming tonight? It could have been any night.” She sounded skeptic.
“I’m not sure… Maybe the boy can read minds too?”
“So you didn’t contact him?” She asked quietly.
He looked her in the eye, hurt. Why was everyone turning on him all of the sudden?
“No! I didn’t even realize we were communicating telepathically until a little while ago. I thought I had just sensed his distress back in the forest, not his thoughts.” Edwin voice faded putting them in silence, as he thought.
“Where are we?” Nela asked, changing the subject. “I saw you running across the field in the opposite direction and I thought you were—well, I thought I’d better see what you were up to. She said, her cheeks reddening.”
“Well,” he said, hesitant to explain since she already thought him slightly mental.
She raised her eyebrows daring him to try and keep something from her.
“Ok,” he said, “there someone who contacted my mind while I was fighting. I couldn’t resist it—I couldn’t even think for myself and as it started to bring me here. It gave me a vision of this same Drakasaur insignia,” Edwin pointed towards the stone, “that is carved into a tree beside the kingdom wall. I tried to reach it but didn’t have time. Then it was gone and I woke up here.”
“So, where is here? And what is this thing supposed to do?” She asked walking closer to the stone pillar.
“I’m not sure. But it’s got to do something right? It felt like it would open to a door or entrance of some kind.” Edwin bent over and started searching the pillar for secret knobs or levers. “What if I tried staring at the gems again? You said my eyes were glowing yellow like its gems right?” He gestured toward the stone carving.
“Wait how do you know this is safe?” Nela grabbed that back of his tunic and pulled him back to look at her. “Glowing eyes is not exactly normal, what if it’s a trap?”
“Nela, being a rider isn’t normal.”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“Nela stop! If the king isn’t stopped then everyone out here is going to die; both the soldiers and the raiders. We have to try something!”
Nela started to argue again but Edwin turned from her and stared intently at the stone drakasaur. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the edges of the pillar and focused on extending his thoughts out toward contacting the creature’s consciousness. After a moment of nothing, the creature finally acknowledged him. Once again he felt the touch of its powerful grip on his mind as a snake would wrap around its victim. Then it loosened its hold and slithered on pulling Edwin along its memory.
Once again, he crossed the moonlit field until he came to a piece of the towering wall where a isolated willow tree grew. Advancing past the tree, he came up to the wall putting his hand out to touch it but it remained immobile. He turned to notice a small drakasaur insignia that was carved into the lone tree and started to reach toward it… When he did, a tree knot near the middle of the trunk started to soften like clay and it reformed into the shape of a small handle. He could sense his own excitement through the creatures grip now as he turned the handle and—!”
“Edwin!”
He fell back to the ground with a mixture of disappointment and anger. He heaved himself off the ground and turned to round on her for interrupting but she grabbed the front of his tunic and started sprinting into the trees dragging his stumbling body along with her. Disconcerted, he had forgotten that her strength outmatched his own. Her petite body was misleading to her true abilities and it continuously caught him by surprise.
“What’re you doing?” He yelled. But Edwin got his answer before she could reply. Ten soldiers came pouring into the clearing just as they rounded a corner. Edwin then began to help their escape by running as fast as he could.
“Where are we going?” He yelled as they dodged trees in the shadows.
“Well…” Nela replied over her shoulder. “Did that place in your vision look peaceful?
“Er… Yeah…” He answered between gasps of air.
“Good, we’ll go there.”
Nela started to lead them towards the edge of the forest. Checking for the clear they then sprinted across the grassy field toward the place where the lone willow tree grew next to the south side of the wall. Hiding behind its trunk, Nela kept watch as Edwin began to search for the same carved image that matched the pillars.
“Edwin?”
“Yeah?” He answered distractedly, running his hands over the rough wood.
“You are sure this is a door right? This will lead us somewhere else?”
“Er, well I didn’t see it open but what else is a handle used for?”
Nela groaned. “Well, it had better be a place to hide because the soldiers have just spotted us. Edwin jerked up to look but she stopped him and added, “Just hurry!”
Then he spotted it. The drakasaur insignia was carved just under a large branch.
Uh… Edwin paused, unsure of what to do next.
Well? Nela asked, agitated. What now? Please tell me you know what to do!
Look it was you who interrupted me! This isn’t my fault!
Never mind that just try to figure something out! Nela pleaded.
Edwin turned back to the tree and tried to muster his thoughts. It was hard under the pressure but then Edwin remembered trying to reach for a handle.
Edwin! They’re getting closer!
Desperate, Edwin put his hand over the carving trying to find some button that would make the handle appear. When he did he could feel the creature again; lying dormant inside the tree… A willow tree… Just like when he found Estarlia on Haelybi Island. Focusing hard, he called to the creature with his mind and he could feel it begin to move within the tree. Several clicks later, the tree trunk started to crack open and a small archway was slowly formed in the wood.
The trunk opened wide enough to admit a fairly thin person. Edwin glanced quickly down the earthy shaft and then hoisted himself into the hole headfirst, pushing himself forward. He slide a considerable ways down what felt like a steep muddy bank, then landed on cold, damp earth. He stood up, looking around. It was pitch black dark but almost suddenly little lights appeared and he saw that he was in a very narrow, low, earthy passageway. A moment later he heard the cracking of the bark, a scream, and then Nela arrived by his side.
Before he could ask, she said breathlessly, “It closed behind me. They shouldn’t be able to follow us.”
Edwin nodded solemnly and then heart beating fast, both excited and apprehensive, he set off with Nela close behind.
The passage twisted and turned, more like the burrow of some giant animal than anything else. Edwin advanced through the tunnel with caution having no idea what obstacles may lie before then. It was completely silent between them both as they continued along in the low light. Edwin had no idea what was making the light but it was the same like that of a firefly.
After what felt like an hour, the passage began to rise. Panting, Edwin sped up, his face hot, his feet very cold. He came to the foot of some worn stone steps which rose out of sight above him. Careful not to make any noise, they began to climb until they arrived at the top with something just over their heads.
It seemed to be a trap door. Edwin stood there, listening. He couldn’t hear any sounds above him. Very slowly he pushed the trapdoor open and peered over the edge.
Well? Nela said impatiently, somewhere from the darkness behind him.
“This is it. We’re inside the castle wall.”
Leahstps 