“Help me with this,” the archer cried. Two others dropped their bows and with all their strength began trying to heave the metal arm.
The iron made a terrible screech noise as it began to shift, before sliding completely, triggering the device.
“Stakes!”
A monumental vibration emanated from the Port Tower as the old mechanisms connecting to the lever activated, sounding louder than a stampede of horses. The seawalls shook as a horrific lurch came from within their stony interior.
Cendel had never heard a noise quite like it.
Suddenly, the Akurai ships sitting adjacent to the seawall were thrown backwards into the air with an almighty surge of water and shattered debris.
Imperial soldiers climbing their ladders were flung high into the sky as their ladders shattered into a million splinters.
The stakes.
Colossal, twenty-foot-long, solid-iron spikes, thick as tree trunks, had been activated by the lever. They sprung up from the submerged base of the seawall where they were forced from vertical to horizontal positions.
The Imperial ships on the water’s surface were hurled backwards in an instant from the immense force of the spikes flipping upwards.
Cendel crouched down behind the battlement as an explosion of wood and water came from the bay before him.
Men were flung from the decks. Their ships shattered and sank.
All along the seawall the stakes were activated, raising massive waves of water. Some of the ships capsized as they flew upside down after being hit from underneath by the enormous stakes.
Others were simply split in half like breadsticks under a knife.
Masts collapsed into the watery depths, crushing soldiers who had landed in the water. Broken pieces of wood rained down. Other Imperials below deck were completely pulverised by the stakes, and those who had survived sank with their broken ships.
The soldiers on the walls cheered as the invading fleet was utterly decimated in a single move. The enormous stakes, now pointing out horizontally at sea level, created a new impenetrable barrier against the remaining ships that sat in the bay.
They would not be able to climb the seawall again, but alas, the harbour could not be used again either, until the stakes were all dismantled.
Akurai Imperials in the bay were struggling to tread water, their heavy armour pulling them down within the black depths of the sea.
The ones left on the walls continued to fight but were overcome by the defenders’ newfound second wind. Some threw themselves back off the wall and into the sea.
Cendel arose, a spray of seawater washing his face clean of dirt and blood. It felt calming, relieving.
“They’re retreating!” someone shouted along the wall.
The defending men began howling and banging their weapons as they watched the few surviving Imperial ships turn in the bay, heading back for the open sea.
The remaining Imperials on the seawall were finished off hastily.
Cendel breathed a huge sigh, dropping the sword at his feet and embracing the cool breeze on his wet face.
※
“You there, soldier,” Sergeant Reneda called, pointing at Cendel who was helping other soldiers pile up the dead. His armour was bloody, and his face was so muddy that Cendel did not make out the Sergeant’s curly moustache upon first glance.
“Me, ser?” Cendel asked.
“You are Cendel, yes? Townsguard?”
“Aye, ser.”
“You were the one who warned me about being overrun. You did well tonight, soldier. I appreciate your support.”
Cendel, holding the arms of a corpse, dragged the decapitated soldier into the pile of dead. His hands were still shaking from his frayed nerves.
“Thanks, ser. I was happy to help. None of us want to see Port Denarim burned to the ground.”
“You have family here?”
“A sister and nephew, ser. But they fled before the first attack. I know not where they are now.”
“I will light a lantern to the Creator tonight and recite the Words of Power for their safe return home.”
Cendel bowed at the kind gesture.
Reneda paused before he spoke. While he had the demeanour of a commanding officer, he still appeared hesitant to speak like one. “I need to ask of you a favour.”
Cendel washed away the congealed blood on his hands with some water. “Of course, ser.”
“We have imprisoned a Akurai soldier from the fleet,” Reneda said.
Cendel raised an eyebrow. “Alive?”
“That’s right. Chained in the dungeons, of course. But alive. We need help with speaking to him. He may have some key information about the invasion.”
Cendel did not reply. He went over to pick up the next corpse.
Reneda continued. “As far as we know, of all the attacks along the Broken Coast thus far, no surviving Imperials have been captured.”
“I’m afraid I am of no use to you there, Sergeant. I don’t speak their native tongue,” Cendel protested.
“Don’t lie to me, soldier. We know of your past employment.”
Cendel averted his eyes from Reneda. Dammit. How does he know? Such knowledge could see Cendel hanged.
“You were a smuggler, Cendel. We know you used to have dealings with the Akurai Empire. And no deal can go forward without an exchange of terms and conditions, if I’m not mistaken?”
“That was a long time ago, ser. I don’t have anything to do with it anymore.”
“I am aware, but that is why I need your help now. You can speak Avarwythian, can you not? Such a talent is nearly impossible to find in the Broken Coast. Help us translate what the hostage has to say. He may have vital information on the invasion. Prove to me where your loyalties lie.”
Cendel thought for a moment as he stacked the last body on the pile. He grabbed a nearby torch and threw it atop the dozens of bodies. Their clothing began to burn. The flames spread and soon engulfed the entire mound.
“If we cannot extract anything from the Imperial, he will be executed.”
Cendel closed his eyes,
