Theodore ducked, raising his sword above him at the last moment. He felt the chain grapple his blade and rip it from his hand as the horse rode by, leaving him unarmed.
The Kinshra warrior turned again, swinging his weapon in anticipation. He hurled Theodore’s sword into the earth in contempt.
“Your life is mine to take” the black-armoured warrior said, goading his horse onward.
Theodore jumped to one side as the iron ball swung toward him, missing him by inches. But the Kinshra officer was uncannily calm. He did not bother to turn his horse for another charge.
Down the morning star came again, slamming into Theodore’s back, and knocking him to the ground with a cry. He tasted blood in his mouth.
He knew he did not have the strength to continue. Too weak to move, he could only await the end as he heard his enemy swing the morning star again, leaning down to ensure he had enough reach to deliver a killing blow.
Theodore closed his eyes in prayer, grimly accepting his death.
SEVENTY-FOUR
Castimir saw Theodore collapse under the impact of the morning star. He saw the Kinshra officer lean down and prepare for the killing blow.
He advanced hurling one ball of fire after another to buy his friend a few more seconds.
The Kinshra officer cantered aside quickly, avoiding his magic. Then, faster than Castimir had expected, he galloped forward, swinging his morning star.
Castimir had one chance. If he missed again…
The Kinshra officer was fifteen yards away when he cast his fire strike. The flame exploded in front of the horse, causing it to tumble and sending its rider flying with a yell.
Castimir rode closer as the man struggled to stand.
“This is for my friend!” he called as the tip of his fire staff connected with the runes in his hand. The fireball struck the officer’s breastplate and fire enveloped him. He screamed as his skin blistered underneath his armour. With one hand he tore at his helmet to prevent it from scalding him, whilst with the other he drew his sword.
Castimir cantered away, distancing himself from the screaming man. He had to finish it now, for his enemy would not stop. Coldly, the wizard once more ignited the runes in his hand with the tip of his staff. He gazed toward the flailing man calmly, making sure he could deliver a clean end. Then he hurled his second fire strike, straight into his enemy’s exposed face.
The force of the blow bent metal already softened by heat, tearing flesh and cracking bone. The Kinshra officer fell backward without a cry.
Castimir gazed at the body, feeling neither triumph nor shame. Then he rode toward Theodore, who was slowly staggering to his feet.
“Kara! I must find Kara,” the squire gasped.
“Then you must follow me, Theo” the wizard replied. “But Kara might not listen to anything you have to say, for she is enraged, cutting unarmed men down before her.”
“What I must say to her will curb her anger” Theodore said through teeth gritted against the pain. “Come, lead me to her.”
To Kara, it seemed as if this moment was everything she had lived for. Her life had been ruined by the Kinshra and she had vowed to destroy them. It was simple justice. As she exacted her terrible revenge, she imagined she could smell the burning smoke of her village and hear the cries of her neighbours.
She never hesitated, sundering their blades as if the Kinshra fought with mere toys. She tripped an enemy onto his back and dispatched him with a swift stab of her blade.
She had just beheaded a dying man, her eyes already looking to her next enemy, when a familiar voice carried through the red haze. Theodore.
“Kara! Enough of this” he said. “Our victory is complete. But a friend has fallen. Even now, in his last moments, he wishes to speak with you.”
Kara noticed how pale Theodore looked, and she knew instinctively that he had been injured. The squire saw her concern and waved his hand dismissively.
“It is Bhuler,” he explained. “I shall take you to him.”
Commander Blenheim looked to her in concern. It was she who had commanded them so far, inspiring them in a way he could never have done.
“Continue the fight, commander,” she instructed. “Push the Kinshra into the wall and crush them!” Then she climbed up behind Theodore, placing her arms loosely about his waist. Despite her delicacy, the squire grimaced from the pain of his injuries.
Gar’rth and Doric followed also, the dwarf leaping up onto Castimir’s horse while the werewolf ran behind.
“They are coming, old friend” Sir Vyvin’s words were faint and far away and Bhuler knew his end was imminent.
“Have I done ill, Sir Vyvin?” he asked with a painful sigh. “Have I condemned us all?”
“You commanded us as no other could have, my friend,” the knight said earnestly. “This is your day, a triumphant day for our order and for all who would call themselves free. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.” Sir Vyvin held Bhuler’s hand and wept, his tears falling on his stained breastplate.
“Tell Sir Amik that I am sorry for what I have done.” the valet whispered.
But Sir Vyvin calmed him.
“Do not speak, Bhuler, Knight of Falador. Save your strength, for Kara is here.”
Kara dropped to the ground at a run, unclasping her helmet and discarding her sword and shield, the battle forgotten. She looked to Sir Vyvin first.
“It is Bhuler in Sir Amik’s armour” he explained. “The men do not yet know, although we can tell them now. You can open his visor if you wish, Kara-Meir.”
Kara did so, raising it as gently as possible. When she saw her friend’s pale face she sobbed.
“Do not cry, Kara,” Bhuler said, reaching up with one hand and wiping away her tears. “You have made us all so very proud, for you have saved us.”
“I cannot lose you too, Bhuler!” she said through gasping sobs. “Master Phyllis is gone, and if you go also I will not have anyone left.” Her face rested on his chest.
Bhuler breathed deeply.
“You are not alone, Kara. Falador owes everything to you. You have your friends-Theodore and Gar’rth, Doric and Castimir, and that crazy old alchemist…” Then his voice changed, and his eyes grew serious.
“You must promise me something, Kara.”
Kara nodded.
“You must promise to let go of your anger. You cannot be angry all your life. It will destroy you in the end. Promise me that, Kara, so I can die in peace.”
“It is not something I can promise!” She wept, for she did not want to disappoint the man who had offered her friendship when she had needed it most.
“Then you must learn to forgive. You must let go of your hate and accept your history. Promise me you will do it, Kara!”
Kara looked suddenly at the faces of her friends and she knew then what they had each seen in her on the battlefield-the hatred that had driven her to cut down any man who stood before her.
“Very well, Bhuler” she said, turning back to him. “I promise. I shall do it for your sake.”
And with her oath given, Bhuler died.
Sir Vyvin raised the broken banner and rammed it into the ground at Bhuler’s side. All about him knights and
