Again a deafening roar went up, one whose sound far belied its small numbers. The men leaped into action. Rusty armor was dispersed to those who were not already suited. Swords, maces, arrows–anything that could possibly be used as a weapon was passed out to ready hands.
While the men raced to their positions, Stellan turned to Clarysa. “If the sight of blood does not trouble you, I fear the men will need someone to tend to the injured.” He stared at her expectantly.
Clarysa nodded. “I’ll take care of them.”
“Good. Go find Gretchen. She’ll instruct you.”
Clarysa struggled to speak calmly past her trembling lips. “My love, please return safely to me!”
“All the demons of the otherworld couldn’t keep me away from you.” He bent down and crushed her lips with his.
She welcomed Stellan’s rough, bruising kiss with open arms. His hot, thrusting tongue laid waste to her mouth as he cupped her bottom with fingers of iron. Clarysa sensed his adrenaline and power flowing throughout his body.
All too soon he broke the kiss. “I must go.” He strode away, quickly blending into the shadows.
As Clarysa headed to the kitchen, an uneasy fear grew inside her. Battle meant carnage, pain and death. How could hope ever survive against such odds?
Outside, apocalypse waited.
Chapter 38
Overcast skies had spent their abated supply of snow, which allowed Stellan a glimpse of Dungeon Forest on the horizon–a rare event in the Snowflake Kingdom. He surveyed the Aldebaran troops from atop Vandeborg’s eastern tower. Wolfe maintained guard by his side, a place the animal had refused to leave since Stellan’s return.
Stellan turned to Lionel and Hunter, who stood beside him. “How has it come to this? Before me is the brother of my betrothed. Edward and his army are determined to carry the head of this particular ‘warlock’ back to his bigoted people as a prize. The man is hungry for my death, blinded by his hatred.”
A stone missile launched from the trebuchet under Edward’s order. It tore through the wall above the three men.
Edward’s voice followed, amplified by a speaking trumpet. “You cannot hide in there forever, demon! Surrender my sister and I shall grant you a fair trial before your hanging!”
As if Stellan didn’t understand Edward’s meaning, a boulder sailed over their heads and annihilated a nearby parapet.
Lionel sighed. “Stellan, let’s negotiate with him on the fields below.” He gestured to the derelict edifice about him. “I fear if we wait much longer all of this ‘unique’ decor of yours will be destroyed.”
The duke moved to return inside, but Stellan held him back with a firm arm grip. “No,” he said, “for that would be playing straight into our enemy’s hands.”
“Edward is not the enemy! He simply takes his position as heir apparent far too seriously. If you, Clarysa and I march out onto the field in solidarity–”
“I was not referring to your Aldebaran brethren, Lionel, but rather our mutual enemy who lurks below, waiting for your cousin to draw me out before attacking.” Stellan scanned the horizon, then indicated the shadowy edge of Dungeon Forest. “We are not alone here, my friend. See those darkened woods? Keep a close watch on the foliage and tell me what you see.”
Lionel and Hunter exchanged looks and then both squinted at the area in question.
Lionel shrugged as another boulder crashed into the wall beside them. Glancing down in annoyance, he brushed a stray bit of dust from his cape. “I don’t see anything other than the usual trees and bushes.”
“Nor do I, m’lord,” said Hunter.
Stellan pursed his lips. “Your eyes search for the obvious. Use your deductive reasoning.”
Another boulder shook the castle, along with more of Edward’s taunts.
Lionel grunted. “My dear friend, I hardly think this is the appropriate time for riddles.”
Stellan directed their vision back to the forest. “You said you see nothing, correct? But where are the ravens that flock there every morning? Where are the squirrels? Or any other animal? None are there, for that’s where our enemy–no doubt my sister–lies in wait.” Stellan turned back to his friends. “She waits for me to come within range of her magick–and probably a legion of Father’s finest soldiers.”
“So what you’re saying is we now have twice the problem we originally believed?”
Stellan nodded. “It’s a great day for death, hmm?”
Neither of his companions responded. Another stone crashed into the castle wall next to them, shattering the silence.
Lionel leaned over the parapet. “Honestly, Edward, do you mind?” He tossed back his hair and turned to his companions. “Well, should we plan a preemptive attack or wait them out?”
Stellan frowned. “We’re so few in number. I–”
“Stellan, look there!” Hunter pointed to the far edge of the battlefield.
Stellan exhaled sharply. Hundreds of misshapen Pestilence victims poured out onto the snow-covered land. Their number continued to swell. Behind them came the rank and file of his father’s army.
“Surrender now, warlock, lest you suffer the same fate as the dead man you so gauchely dragged into the King’s court!” Edward continued his harangue, unaware of the advancing horde.
“Edward,” yelled Lionel. “Listen to me! Listen to reason! Clarysa is here, safe within the castle. Stellan is innocent of your charges and only wishes to protect us!”
But his voice failed to carry over the sounds of battle. The trebuchet continued to launch projectiles.
Lionel snarled in frustration. “Edward, you blind fool, open your eyes and look behind you!”
But Lionel’s words fell short of their mark. Stellan sucked in a breath. The Aldebaran soldiers were about to be slaughtered by the Pestilence ranks clambering toward them. They were so focused on Vandeborg that the other looming threat escaped their notice.
Stellan spun around. “They’ve grown tired of waiting. Follow me!”
He ran to the castle’s great hall. There, he kicked open a massive chest, one decrepit with rust and age. The chest was filled to the brim with arrows,
