Natalia felt the arch connect to the one at the standing stones, then Galina stepped through, followed by Stanislav and Belgast. Natalia broke the connection, letting the arches shatter. “All went according to plan?”
“It did,” said Belgast. “Though I was a little worried for a moment. Veris Stormwind showed up without his companions, and I had to keep him occupied so he wouldn’t suspect a trap.”
“What he means,” added Stanislav, “is he had to continue talking, hardly a difficult task for a master storyteller like him.”
“And they’re now prisoners?” asked Natalia.
“Veris is, as is Irinushka, but I’m afraid Yaleva tried to make a run for it. She was killed by arrows.”
“You did what you could. Now the court of Rhuzina is free of their influence. Just out of curiosity, how did you convince them to take the magebane?”
“We toasted the king. Who could possibly refuse that?”
“It was a terrible gamble.”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” said Belgast.
“He’s being modest,” replied Galina. “The entire escapade was quite frightening.”
“They couldn’t have done it without you,” said Natalia. “Did you meet with the king afterwards?”
“We did, then I opened another arch to the standing stones, though I’m afraid I have little energy left.”
“And did His Majesty have anything to pass on to us?”
“Yes. He’s issued orders for the Army of Ruzhina not to interfere with us in any way, and those stationed in the city are to keep at least five blocks away from the Volstrum until further notice. Naturally, it will take time for those orders to trickle down to the companies, but everything should be in place by morning. How are things going here?”
“We halted within sight of Karslev. I thought it best not to proceed until we heard back from you.”
“Will you march tonight?”
“No,” replied Natalia. “Better to leave that for first light. It’ll let us enter the outskirts while people are still asleep.”
“Wouldn’t that be true if you marched in the dark?”
“It would, but our people are unfamiliar with the city's layout, so I can’t risk them getting lost. We have a few volunteers showing us the way, but they’re still weak from their time in Zurkutsk, so I don’t want to push them.”
“Did you bring the mages from Ard-Gurslag here while we were at the Palace?”
“No. I thought it best we leave them where they are for now. If we need them later, then so be it, but I’d prefer to limit their knowledge of Ruzhina, just in case.”
“You still think they’ll turn on us?”
“On us?” said Natalia. “No, but once we’re gone, there’s a good chance they might try taking Ruzhina. Did Yulakov mention an alliance?”
“I’m afraid not,” said Galina. “To be honest, I don’t think he likes mages.”
“He needs to understand the danger Ard-Gurslag represents.”
“I tried to impress that upon him, but he wouldn’t listen. Perhaps he’ll be more receptive once our army is no longer within his border.”
“Let’s hope so,” replied Natalia. “The last thing we need is to find ourselves in the middle of another war.”
“Isn’t that where we are now? I know it’s not a war in the traditional sense, but let’s face facts; you’ve been at war with the family ever since you left the Volstrum, not that anyone’s blaming you.”
“It feels like I’ve been pushing back at them since I ran away. It’s hard to believe it’s almost over.”
“I have my doubts about that,” said Galina. “Can we truly destroy the power of the Stormwinds by capturing the Volstrum? Couldn’t they set up an academy elsewhere?”
“Certainly, but it would take years, and by then, word of their treachery will have spread throughout the Continent. I’ll make sure of it.”
“That’s always assuming there are still Petty Kingdoms to warn. Who knows, the Halvarians might have conquered the entire Continent by then.”
“They won’t go down without a fight,” said Natalia, “and I can’t imagine Athgar letting the Petty Kingdoms fight a threat that large without sending aid.”
“You’d help save the very kingdoms that condemned the descendants of the Old Kingdom?”
“If it ends the cycle of hate, yes. We will never see peace if we seek to punish those who oppressed us. We must forgive our enemies and work to build a better, more secure Continent where the threat of war no longer hangs over everyone’s head.”
“A noble sentiment,” said Galina, “but I fear one that will only lead to disappointment. The Petty Kingdoms are driven by greed and a never-ending quest for power; very few kings would see it otherwise.”
“Still, we must try, if only for the sake of our descendants.”
“We’ve certainly made a good start, assuming we capture the Volstrum. I have some doubts about that.”
“We will win because we have to,” said Natalia.
“But at what cost?”
Cordelia led her company through the early morning mist, riding two abreast, leaving scant room on either side in the narrow confines of the city streets.
“Are you certain we’re heading in the right direction?” she asked.
“I am,” replied Felix, following behind her on a much smaller horse. He was so weak he had difficulty remaining upright in the saddle. “Another block, and we’ll come across a considerably wider street, which will take us directly to the front entrance of the Volstrum.”
“And you’re absolutely certain?”
“Most definitely. Although I’ve been away from Karslev for a few years, I spent my childhood amongst these streets. I know them like the back of my hand.”
The Temple Knights rode on, keeping the horses at a steady walking pace to preserve their strength. It made for slower progress but ensured they’d arrive ready to fight, should that be necessary.
The streets remained eerily empty as they drew deeper into the city, but once the mist dissipated, it revealed people staring out of windows at the sight of the knights.
Cordelia wasn’t worried, at least not about the city folk. The actual danger lay in the mages waiting at the Volstrum. Would word reach the Stormwinds before her knights could trap them? She berated herself for her lack of faith. Natalia was one of the most skilled generals in the entire Continent, and she knew what she was doing. Cordelia said a silent prayer to Saint Agnes and kept riding.
“They’re nervous,” noted Sister Carmen.
“Wouldn’t you be if the situation were reversed? We are an outside army marching down the streets of their capital. Hardly the type of thing that endears us to the population.”
“But we are Temple Knights of Saint Agnes. Surely they’re happy we’re here?”
“Our order has never had a presence in Ruzhina, nor any of our brother orders, for that matter. These people mistrust outsiders. To them, we represent a threat to their way of life.”
“But we’re here to protect them!”
“They don’t know that.”
“Then we should take pains to ensure they understand.”
“Well-spoken,” said Cordelia, “but I fear that takes considerable time, time which we can’t spare.”
“And after we’ve rousted the Stormwinds from their fortress?”
“It’s not a fortress, it’s a school, and as far as the future goes, that’s not our concern. I intend to rebuild the order in Therengia, then help spread our message across the Continent.”
“Even if we’re the only ones left?”
“Have faith,” said Cordelia. “We may be isolated in the east, but we are not alone. All across the Continent, others seek safety in the hopes of building a better future for our order.”
“How do we accomplish that without the Church’s approval?”
“By working with those realms friendly to our cause.”
“Even if it means war with the other Temple Knights?”
“You may not be aware of this,” said Cordelia, “but Carlingen wasn’t the first time we were in conflict with the Cunars. Years ago, we fought them in Krieghoff. I even arrested a father general—not that much happened to him. They sent him to the Antonine, but you know how it is with the orders; they always protect their own.”
“It’s Human nature,” replied Carmen. “Any time you gather over ten people, you enter the realm of politics.”
“Spoken like a true pessimist. Don’t you want to bring about change?”
“That’s why I joined the order, but that doesn’t change how things work.”
“There are advantages to being free from the Church’s jurisdiction.”
“Those being?”
“We are no longer bound by their rules of non-intervention.”
“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”
“We’re here to eliminate a threat to the Petty Kingdoms.”
“We’re almost there,” called out Felix as they reached the crossroads. “The front entrance of the Volstrum will be on the right.”
“I don’t see it,” said Carmen.
“That’s because these buildings block your view. You’ll see the place as soon as we turn.”
Cordelia wheeled the column to the right, and there it was, a massive building with six towers, almost as big as the Palace. She’d been told it was hexagonal, though you wouldn’t know it from her current point of view. It was set back from the road with marble steps leading up to two statues, a man on one side of the entrance and a woman on the other, although Cordelia didn’t recognize them.
Unlike the road they’d come from, people on foot went about their business. As the column proceeded towards the Volstrum, the sound of their hooves drew attention, and someone shouted a call of alarm. The pedestrians quickly cleared the street, rushing for the safety of nearby shops and closing the doors.
Cordelia gave the order, and the column split into two, Carmen taking half the sisters to secure the side streets while the rest remained with Cordelia, blocking the entrance to the Volstrum.
Temple Captain Gabriel was doing the same around the back, isolating all within the enormous structure. A pair of guards stood beside the two statues as if they, too, were anchored by stone.
“You there,” called out Cordelia. “Surrender in the name of Saint Agnes!”
The guards stared back, aghast at the sight of armoured knights riding towards them. She couldn’t hear what they said, but they exchanged words, then turned and ran, rushing into the building and slamming the doors shut behind them.
Cordelia slowed her horse, letting her knights take up their assigned positions. “No windows,” she noted. “I thought this was a school. This place looks harder to assault than a commandery.”
“And so it is,” replied Felix. “They built it to withstand attacks by magical forces, or so we were all told.”
“And the students study with no windows?”
“Yes. It was designed to force them to look inwards instead of out.”
Cordelia shook her head. “This does not bode well.”
Kargen peered around the corner at a locked iron gate blocking the entrance to the Volstrum’s stables, the target of their attack. He pulled back, avoiding the gaze of the distant guards who wandered back and forth across the cobblestones.
“This is unexpected,” he said. “I had hoped to get through the gate before they raised the alarm.”
“Do not worry about what is done,” replied Garag. “Concentrate on what needs to be done. We must take the gate if we are to proceed.” He glanced back at his glaives, standing ready to launch their attack. “I need your warbows to keep those guards busy while we bring down the gate.”
“It is made of iron,” replied Kargen.
“Even iron will bend if you apply sufficient force.”
“True, but give me a moment to think. We have masters of magic at hand; one might provide a solution.” He spotted Shaluhk waiting in the rear, ready to provide healing, and beckoned her over.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“We must get through that gate,” replied Kargen, “but it is locked. Have you any spells that might help us?”
“The magic of a shaman is of no use here. What you need is a master of earth to manipulate the stone.”
“How will that help us?” replied Garag. “The gates are made of iron.”
“True, but they are attached to posts.”
“Also of iron.”
“Iron set in stone. Soften that, and the gate will collapse under its own weight.”
“Have we a master of earth to spare?”
“Wait a moment, and I shall see,” replied Shaluhk. She moved back, giving herself room to cast.
“I thought her magic was of no use,” said Garag.
“She is contacting Voruhn, who is with the Stone Crushers and, amongst their numbers, are masters of earth.”
Shaluhk stood there, engaged in a one-sided conversation, then the magic in her eyes faded, and she turned her to her bondmate. “It is done. Urumar will be here shortly.”
“I thought he was only an apprentice,” replied Kargen.
“That was ages ago. He has been a master for many seasons.”
Kargen shrugged. “I am far too busy looking after the Red Hand to worry about such things.”
“That is why you have me. Now, listen to me, Garag; this is most important. Urumar requires access to the stonework on either side of that gate for the best chance of success. Your glaives must keep him safe while he casts his spell.”
“It is not me you should tell, it is Kragor’s archers. My glaives cannot touch the men in that courtyard unless they are foolish enough to come within reach of our weapons.”
“I shall keep them busy,” said Shaluhk. “You need only worry about Urumar’s safety.”
“I thought you said your magic was of no use?”
“You should pay better attention. My magic will not help open that gate. It is, however, more than capable of keeping those guards busy.”
“How?”
“Wait and see.”
The young master of earth appeared, his face smeared with mud, giving him a grey complexion. “I am here,” he announced. “Voruhn tells me a gate is giving you trouble?”
“It is,” replied Shaluhk, “although we do not want you to use your magic on the gate itself. If you soften the ground on either side, the posts will no longer support the gate’s weight, is that not so?”
“Let me take a look.” Urumar peered around the corner of the building as Kargen had done. He stood that way for the count of ten before pulling back. “Your idea has merit, but I would need to be closer.”
“Have you no range to your magic?” asked Garag.
“Most certainly, but this particular spell requires me to manipulate the stone directly.”
“Those guards carry bows,” replied Garag. “My glaives would be slaughtered trying to protect you.”
Shaluhk sighed. “I told you I would take care of them. Now, prepare your people to attack.” She closed her eyes as words of power tumbled forth. The air buzzed as if a swarm of bees had been summoned, and then Shaluhk stepped around the corner of the building and pointed.
In the distant courtyard, a faint mist arose, coalescing into the form of Orc warriors. In appearance, they were much like Garag’s glaives but wielded axes and spears rather than the polearms of Ard-Gurslag. They surged forward as one, charging towards the Volstrum’s guards.
“What magic is this?” said Garag.
“Warriors of the past,” replied Kargen. “Now go, while the enemy is distracted.”
The First Glaive gave the command, and his glaives advanced, Urumar rushing to catch up. Weighed down by the heavy mail armour, they were not the quickest of Orcs, but they kept a tight formation, their weapons presenting a wall of steel. They were soon at the gate, formed in a line, behind which Urumar weaved his magic.
“Will this work?” said Kargen.
“It should,” replied Shaluhk.
“But how can he view his target?”
“He only needs to see part of it. He will soften the ground, then begin pushing the gate over. Its own weight will do the rest.”
“Would Garag’s Orcs be able to help?”
“The magic of the earth does not work that way. The stone is softened, but only to the hands of Urumar.”
“But you said the gate’s weight would work against it.”
Shaluhk nodded. “It will, although I am unable to explain why. Our knowledge of magic is still lacking in many ways.”
“You are the most powerful shaman I know.”
“You are kind to say so,” said Shaluhk, “but my magic will not get us through that gate. Look!” She pointed.
Urumar finished his spell and stepped up to the pole supporting the right-hand side of the gate. He knelt, scraping away stone like mud, then grabbed the pole and pushed with all his might. A groaning sound echoed through the courtyard as the gate tilted at an obscene angle.
The master of earth then moved to the other side, repeating the process. Another groan rang forth as the entire gate fell, clanging as it struck the cobblestones.
“He has done it,” said Kargen. He sought out Kragor. “Send in the warbows to support the attack; we shall soon be inside!”