21
T he leaders of both angel and human armies met within the giant tent, mere days from Veldaren. They had encountered little resistance, spotting only the occasional scout tracking their progress.
“Time is on their side,” Azariah said as he paced the area. “More and more of Thulos’ soldiers pour into our world with every passing moment.”
“How do we close it?” Antonil asked, sitting between Sergan and Tarlak. “Is it something we can destroy? Is it even physical?”
“Two ways,” Azariah said. “If I can make it to the portal, I believe I can close it with a spell. The only other way is to kill those that are using their strength to keep it open.”
“Velixar,” Harruq said. “He is certainly one.”
“Your brother, too,” Tarlak said.
“Killing just one of them should be enough,” Azariah said. “If it is just the two, the strain must be enormous. The other will break if he tries holding it open on his own.”
“What about the castle?” Judarius said. “We have both ground and air to assault. If we can split their forces, the advantage will be ours.”
Antonil motioned to a drawing in the dirt that represented the castle and its walls.
“Karak’s forces destroyed both gates before we fled, and let’s not forget the third door Harruq made for us to escape through.”
“What, you want me to pay for repairs?” Harruq asked with a grin.
“The demons will have rebuilt the defenses by now,” Ahaesarus said, his arms crossed and his right hand tapping the hilt of his sword. “The walls are no difficulty for us, but Antonil’s troops need to enter, and quickly.”
“Then fly us over,” Lathaar said, the first time he had spoken during the meeting. “Drop us behind the gates. We’ll open them and let the rest of the troops through while you distract the demons in the air.”
“The strategy is sound,” Judarius said, nodding in appreciation to the paladin. “If we drop troops at both gates, your greatest fighters and casters, then we are certain to open one of them.”
“I can make sure it opens,” Mira said, nestled against Lathaar’s side as if she were hiding. “They won’t be able to stop me.”
“That’s reassuring,” said Tarlak.
“Your magic is strong,” Ahaesarus said to her. “They will try to kill you first. Are you prepared for such pressure?”
The girl said nothing, only smiled and nodded.
“So be it,” Ahaesarus. “Antonil, you will lead your troops outside the walls and wait for an opening. I will lead my angels in an aerial assault on the castle. Judarius, you will be in charge of dropping soldiers within the gates.”
“I’ll arrange the groups,” Tarlak said. “Just get us through, and we’ll bust you some holes to march on in.”
“Ashhur be with all of you,” Ahaesarus said, disbanding the meeting. “Stay sharp. The battle will be upon us soon.”
“So what are the groups?” Harruq asked once they were outside the tent.
“Well, I figured the paladins would work well together,” Tarlak said. “And I think Mira’s rather attached to one of them, so she goes with.”
“You’re too kind,” Lathaar said.
“I personally appreciate having a goddess on our side,” Jerico said.
“That leaves us Eschaton for the other,” Tarlak said. “Me and Aurry should handle the demons no problem, and I think even you can handle a simple task like opening a gate.”
“That’s pushing it a little,” Aurelia said. Tarlak laughed at Harruq’s frown.
“Aye, but we’ll just have to take the risk.”
“Too funny,” Harruq grumbled.
“I’ll try to do well,” Mira said. “I don’t want to disappoint you all.”
“Mira, my beautiful girl,” Tarlak said, bowing to her. “I find that nearly impossible to believe that possible.”
“So eloquent,” Aurelia said with a snicker.
They scattered about the camp, but before Tarlak could leave, Harruq tapped his shoulder and motioned for him to stay.
“Can you give me a moment, babe?” he asked Aurelia. The elf shrugged.
“If you need it,” she said. She kissed his cheek and joined Mira as she headed for the nearby stream for a swim.
“What’s so important?” Tarlak asked.
“It’s about my brother,” said Harruq.
“Isn’t it always?” Tarlak said, rolling his eyes.
“You and Aurelia will handle the gate fine,” Harruq insisted. “I need dropped further into the city. I need to find Qurrah.”
“It’ll be dangerous letting you run off on your own,” Tarlak said. “And I doubt he’ll be alone. That Tess girl is always at his side.” He shifted his hat, remembering her displays of power, like some dark angel with ethereal wings. He and Aurelia had assaulted her with everything they had, only to be brushed away like gnats.
“I’ll be fine,” Harruq insisted.
“If she’s with him, you’ll be dead,” Tarlak said.
Harruq grabbed Tarlak’s shoulders.
“A risk I’m willing to take,” he said, tilting his head down so they could stare eye to eye. “I can end all of this. You heard what Azariah said. If either he or Velixar goes, then the portal’s finished.”
Tarlak sighed. He glanced toward the stream and chewed on his lower lip.
“Your wife will kill me if she finds out,” he said.
“Another risk I’m willing to take,” Harruq said, grinning.
“I’ll talk to Judarius,” Tarlak said. “But Ashhur help you when you see your wife afterwards.”
Harruq tried to laugh it off, but he was right. He wasn’t frightened by the prospect of facing his brother alone. He was, however, terrified of what Aurelia was going to do to him if he survived.
“Perhaps it’ll be best if we kill each other at the same time,” Harruq said, nodding.
“Good luck with that,” Tarlak said. “Let me know how it goes.”
O n the other side of Dezrel, Haern ran through the streets, his sabers drawn and coated with blood. Cloaked figures ran on the rooftops to either side of him. Not far behind, Deathmask chased, bits of shadows sparking from his hands.
“Cut him off,” Haern shouted. The two figures above him vanished, veering off to their respective sides. Further down the street ran a paladin of Karak, barreling his way through anyone foolish enough to be in his way. When a man didn’t move, the paladin gutted him with his sword and shoved him aside as if he were nothing but a nuisance. Haern shook his head and ran faster.
They reached a crossroads. Haern expected him to cut to either side, where one of the twins waited, but instead he kept going, heading straight for the walls to the city.
So be it, Haern thought. No one could outrun him. He leaped and fell with sabers curled, like a bird descending on its prey. The paladin did not hear his silent approach. Sabers crashed through the creases of his armor, deep into the arteries of his neck. The paladin garbled a last cry and then collapsed, Haern’s knees on his back. The assassin twisted his sabers, still furious at the dead man.
“They’re like roaches,” Deathmask said between gasps as he caught up. “They’re slipping in and out like our walls are nothing.”
“How many guards did he kill?” Haern asked as he shook his head. “Eight? Nine?”
