a deep sleep.
Lee awoke abruptly a short time later, and instinctively reached for his sword.
“Don't move!” yelled a harsh voice.
He looked up to see five soldiers, all pointing crossbows at him. He raised his hands.
“What is the meaning of this?” roared Captain Lanmore. “Answer me at once!”
From the stairs, Lord Pollus strode toward them, glaring at the captain. “It would seem, my dear captain, you have brought a spy with you.” His gaze fell on Lee. “Don't bother with denials…Lord Nal'Thain.”
Lanmore leaped from his bunk. “Barath?”
Lee's eyes never left Lord Pollus. “How did you find me out?”
Pollus laughed. “Your son, my lord. How else?”
Chapter 17
Linis had returned just before dawn, as the armies were readying to march. He and his scouts had found the cliffs unguarded, though they had seen Vrykol lurking.
“The Vrykol fell back the moment we approached,” Linis told Theopolou.
Theopolou nodded and left to inform the king. Linis joined Kaylia and Selena, who were made to join the rear guard. Kaylia clearly was unhappy about this.
“I don't like being treated like I'm some helpless child in need of protection,” complained Kaylia.
“We can't afford for you to be harmed,” said Linis. “If you are killed or captured, what would happen to Gewey?”
“Besides,” Selena added, “you may not need protection. But I do. And I feel better with you at my side.” She smiled. “And didn't you promise your husband that you would stay safe until his return?”
Kaylia grumbled angrily, but said nothing.
Soon the army began to march. Nehrutu, Mohanisi, the elf bowmen and human shield bearers, led the way. Theopolou led the elf soldiers just behind the front line, along with Chiron. The other elders scattered among the elves serving as captains. The Althetans were just behind Kaylia, Selena, and Linis, led by King Lousis.
Selena was surrounded by what was left of the Valsharan guard along with a few knights that had arrived after the siege. Ertik had refused to let her out of his sight, and spent most of his time seeing to her every need.
“How are you faring?” Came a boisterous voice from behind. It was King Lousis, astride a great black warhorse.
“We are well,” replied Selena. “And you?”
“I long for battle, High Lady.” He leaped from his horse with the vigor of a much younger man. “I hope that the elves don't win the day before I arrive.”
“I hope they do,” said Selena. “I would not see you in peril. Your people need you. As do all free people of the world. In these times a stout heart and firm resolve is in short supply.”
“I think they need you far more than they need me, my lady.” His friendly smile was a welcome respite from the nervous tension of men and elves preparing for war. “Your name will become a battle cry after today, and Valshara, a symbol of hope for victory.”
“I hope not, your highness,” said Selena. “I would not have men and women going to their death with my name on their lips. Though I fear it may be so.”
The entrance to the road leading to Valshara was a half-day’s march. Soon the men began singing songs of victory and glory, and though the elves did not join in, it seemed to lift their spirits nonetheless. Theopolou had sent a small advance force to secure the road and paths leading to the cliffs, and reported that the way was clear.
“Whatever they have planned, it is to wait until we are within the cliff walls,” said Linis. “They know we come, yet refuse to guard an easily defensible road. Our numbers would count for nothing in that narrow passage.”
“Are you worried?” asked Selena.
“I am,” he replied. “You should stay near me at all times.” He tapped Kaylia's shoulder. “You, too. I will not explain to Gewey why I allowed you to be hurt.”
“He knows full well that I can look after myself,” Kaylia shot back. “If something happens to me, the fault will be mine.”
“That will not matter to him.” He looked up and saw the Stone of the Tower come into view. His face grew solemn. “Frankly, at this moment, I wish he were here with us.”
All nodded in agreement.
Word came back that the advance force had secured all access points to the cliffs and that the road was abandoned. The temple, however was not. From the cliffs they spotted dozens of archers lining the battlements, and smoke billowed up from within.
Slowly, the army funneled into the narrow valley, guarded from above on each side by fifty elf archers. It took a full hour before the Althetan soldiers began to creep forward.
The king rode up, face hard, with sword in hand. “I'd ask you to halt here and allow my men to pass.”
Kaylia opened her mouth to protest, but Selena held out her hand and bowed to signal her compliance. She and the others made their way to the cliff-face, so that the army could pass. Nearly half the Althetans had entered the passage when a low horn blast sounded in the distance. Not from the temple, but from the north, behind the human lines. Another blast rang out.
“What is that?” asked Selena.
Linis drew his weapon. “I believe we are flanked, high lady.”
Orders were shouted by commanders as the army slowly turned. Another horn echoed against the cliffs, followed by a low rumble. Kaylia, Linis, and the Valsharan guard stepped in front of Selena. The rumble grew to the roar of hundreds of frenzied voices. The king rode up, fury in his eyes.
“We were out-maneuvered,” yelled the king. “Linis. Inform Theopolou.”
Linis nodded and pushed his way through the soldiers into the narrow passage. Althetans were still trying to turn and exit. Linis had to knock several to the ground to get through. Once he cleared the lines, he ran full speed to the elves who were less than a quarter mile ahead. He grabbed the first elf he reached and ordered him to relate to Theopolou what had happened, then raced back to Selena and Kaylia. By the time he reached them he could hear that the battle had begun.
The king was shouting orders and waving his sword wildly. He tried to spur his horse forward, but a dozen men surrounded him, and wouldn't allow him to move. Selena was still against the cliff face clinging to Kaylia's sleeve.
“Are you all right?” asked Linis.
Selena nodded. “I'm-“
The hairs on the back of Linis' neck stood up. He spun around to see the sky was streaked with incoming arrows. The guards raised their small round shields and pushed back, hiding Selena and Kaylia. Kaylia squirmed and struggled, but Selena tightened her grip. Linis backed away. There was no room and he carried no shield. The air filled with high pitched whines, and dozens of loud thuds and cracks as the arrows sank into the ground and smashed into shields. Linis moved, barely in time to avoid being skewered. One guard fell screaming, the shaft of a black feathered arrow protruding from the top of his shoulder. Two guards reached down and pulled the man to the rock facing. Selena bent down and immediately began tending his wound, but a knight dragged her back to her feet.
“How dare you!” she shouted.
“We will see to him,” said the knight. “You stay behind us.” But as she looked down she realized it would be useless. The guard was slumped over, eyes closed, with a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. The arrow had pierced his lung. There was no hope.
Linis could see that the Althetans were being forced back, though he could still not see the enemy. A tall soldier ran up, his breast plate covered in blood.
