“High lady,” said the soldier, trying to catch his breath. “The king commands that you retreat into the passage. We are out matched, and I fear our line may soon collapse.”
“How many are there?” asked Linis.
“Nearly a thousand,” he replied. “They came from nowhere. We were only just able to form ranks when they reached our lines. They fight like men possessed.”
“Hold fast,” said Linis. “I've sent word to Theopolou. Help is coming”
No sooner had the words left his mouth when dozens of elves came pouring out of the passage, weapons drawn.
“What is your name, soldier?” asked Linis.
“Mitchis,” he replied.
“Come with me,” he ordered, then turned to Selena. “As soon as the elves clear the passage, you and Kaylia go inside.” Without waiting for an answer, he and Mitchis ran to meet the elf warriors.
Bellisia’s was the first face Linis recognized. In each hand she wielded a thin, short-sword. When she saw Linis approach she rushed to meet him.
“What has happened?” she asked, urgently.
Linis nodded to Mitchis, who explained the attack.
“Our left flank is nearly gone. If it collapses, we are undone,” said Mitchis.
“Go and tell them help is on the way,” said Bellisia. She pointed the sword in her left hand to an elf bearing the symbol of her tribe on his leather armor, carrying a longbow. He nodded with understanding and shouted for the other archers to form a line. Bellisia reached in her belt, pulled out a small silver horn, and blew. The high-pitched sound pierced the air like the cry of an eagle.
“The humans need us to reinforce their left flank.” Her voice rose above the sound of the battle. “It is time to prove our worth.” She pulled three elves aside. “See that the king is unharmed. Get him to pull back to the wall if you can.” They bowed quickly and obeyed. Lousis was atop his horse urging his men forward, and his personal guard was still struggling to keep him from riding to the front line.
Bellisia and Linis raced to catch up with the others. As Mitchis had said, the left flank was nearly demolished. Warriors, in black mail with the symbol of broken scales in bright red across their chest, were starting to push through. The bodies of the dead and dying littered the ground. The elves cut a path through the advance, and quickly the enemy panicked and fell back. The Althetan soldiers began to pursue, but their commanders wisely called them back and reformed the lines.
Linis looked to his right. The elves had arrived just in time to prevent them from crushing the Althetan center. They met Angraalwith fury as the clang and clatter of steel sang its deadly song.
For nearly an hour the battle raged as more elf reinforcements arrived. On three separate occasions, it looked as if the Althetan center would break, but they managed to hold long enough for more elf support to arrive and push the Angraalsoldiers back. Linis had slain at least a dozen men, and Bellisia just as many. Linis was impressed with her fighting skill and smiled every time he caught sight of her.
By mid-morning the Angraalforces were routed and in full retreat, with the men of Althetas on their heels. Nearly half of the elf force had come out of the passage to aid in the battle. Hundreds had died. The king had injured his right leg when his horse reared, throwing him from the saddle, during the final surge forward. His personal guard had pulled him to the cliffs beside Selena and Kaylia.
Bellisia was cleaning her sword on the tunic of a dead enemy soldier when Linis approached.
“You fight well,” he remarked. “As well as any seeker.”
Bellisia smiled, looking prideful. “My father was a seeker. He trained me until I came of age and chose the life of a scholar and healer.” Her smile vanished and she cast her gaze on the battlefield. “A skill I believe we need at this moment.”
Theopolou appeared from the passage with half a dozen elves. Linis waved his arm in greeting and went to meet him. Bellisia walked beside him.
“What are your losses?” asked Theopolou.
“I cannot say,” replied Bellisia. “Substantial, I would think. The enemy was well-prepared.”
Theopolou led them to where the king was being tended. Lousis smiled as they approached and sat up straight.
“Are you badly injured?” asked Theopolou.
“No.” The king looked at his leg with disgust. “But my fighting is done for now. Were your elves assaulted in the passage?”
Theopolou shook his head. “No. I believe they counted on breaking through and assaulting our rear.”
“If you hadn't sent your elves, they would have,” said Lousis. “I mourn the loss of those who died in our defense.”
Theopolou bowed. “As I mourn the loss of your soldiers. They died bravely facing overwhelming numbers.”
“What will we do now?” asked Linis.
“We will do what we came here to do,” said Theopolou. Determination burned in his eyes. “Nehrutu and Mohanisi are with the archers and shield bearers, one-thousand yards from the gates. They await my return.” He turned to Linis and placed his hand on the elf's shoulder. “You should know that the bodies of three of your seekers hang from the walls.”
Linis lowered his eyes and clenched his fists. “I will come with you.”
Theopolou nodded. “What are your plans, your highness?”
King Lousis shifted uncomfortably, digging a rock from beneath his thigh and tossing it aside. “The wagons are being emptied to carry the wounded back to the city. Those that can't be moved will be cared for here.” He looked out on the battlefield riddled with bodies. “I will have my men take care of the dead. Rest assured the elves will be taken care of as well.”
“Are there captives?” asked Bellisia.
“A few,” the ting replied. “I suppose I must see to them until this is over. I'm hoping that we can learn something useful from them.”
Selena approached, blood covered her clothes from treating the wounded. Kaylia was at her side.
“I will remain with the High Lady and Kaylia,” said Bellisia. “I believe my healing skills will be of greater use than my skills in battle.”
“Your help is most welcome,” said Selena.
“I will join you and Theopolou,” said Kaylia.
“No,” shot Linis. “My heart is full of vengeance. I am told that bodies of my kin hang from the walls of our enemy. I cannot promise to protect you as my fury may blind me. You will stay here.”
Kaylia could see Linis would not be moved and stepped back.
Theopolou bowed to Lousis and Selena. “We must hurry.” He spun around and headed back to the passage, with Linis and the guard close behind.
“It is done,” said Selena.
“What is that, High Lady?” asked Kaylia.
Selena lowered her eyes. “Human and elf have bled together. Whatever our destiny may be, we will meet it together. I only wish the cost of peace was not so high.”
Chapter 18
The wind whipped between the tall cliff walls, blowing the banners tight. Linis and Theopolou pushed their way through the ranks until they reached the vanguard where Nehrutu and Mohanisi awaited. Linis fixed his eyes on the tall, thick walls of Valshara. Just as Theopolou had said, three bodies swung in the breeze from just left of the main gate. He boiled with fury as he recognized Sitrisa, Prustos, and Santisos. Their faces were swollen, bruised, and caked with dried blood and grime, and their clothes tattered and stained.
“They will pay for this dishonor.” Linis drew his long knife and grabbed the blade tightly. Blood trickled down to the hilt. “I swear this.”
