I’m not a dog that can be summoned like the piss boy! Kade thought as he stormed through the double doors into the Great Hall.
Tanyl stood frowning in front of the throne with Daylor at his side. Ryul entered the room with Darkstrider knights, blocking any chance of escape.
Kade saw Ryul grinning. Not good. “Why have I been summoned?”
“Daylor told me a cute little story. Want to hear it?” Tanyl asked.
Kade shook his head.
Ryul grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing him to sit at the large table in the center of the room.
I have to use my wits, Kade thought. He smiled. “Thank you for getting my chair, Ryul. I never knew you were so cordial.” He motioned to Tanyl. “Please, I love a good story.” They’re going to kill me.
“I understand that you plan to kill me,” Tanyl said. “Is that true?”
What do I say? He obviously knows the answer. Kade smiled at Daylor. “Yes, it is. When Daylor came to me with the idea, why wouldn’t I? Your close, personal advisor must have a good reason for it, especially when he came to me with the idea.” He leaned forward. “What would you do, Tanyl?”
Daylor’s mouth hit the floor as Tanyl glared at him. “I didn’t . . . I swear, he came to me.”
“Kade, why would Daylor betray me? It seems like you’d say anything to save your skin,” Tanyl said.
It’s working. Kade nodded. “Yes, and so would you. But, I know you’re going to kill me anyway. So, why bother? You don’t have a reputation for forgiveness to humans—or to Dark Elves, for that matter.”
Daylor swallowed. “Kade, it’s over.”
Kade laughed. “Really? The castle is under siege and they have a dragon on their side. You can’t leave Port Eldham unguarded until reinforcements arrive and you can’t just run outside to fight them because you risk them getting inside the castle. Not to mention that they’ve been bombarding the castle walls all night. Hell, they could be through those walls before sunrise.” What a bunch of crap! He studied Tanyl’s quivering face. “You know what I say is true, Tanyl”
A thin smiled slithered across Daylor’s face. “Not quite. You do know Shadow Mage? Yes?”
Kade blinked. “The Sorceress?”
“Yes.”
“I do, so what? She’s neutral in this, always has been.”
“She was given a . . . proposal that she couldn’t turn down,” Tanyl said.
What the hell are they talking about? Kade thought.
“While our forces kill Galin’s dragon and the rest of his pitiful army, she’s sending five hundred necromancers with their . . . pets to attack them from behind,” Daylor said. “It’s going to be beautiful, don’t you think?”
Kade shook his head. “What do you mean . . . pets?”
“Liches,” Tanyl answered. “It was Daylor’s idea, some six months ago.”
Kade’s heart nearly stopped. Daylor was planning this all along! His stomach twisted as he finally realized that he was played for a fool by the Dark Elves once more. “They’ll be killed.”
Daylor smiled. “Worse. They’ll become liches themselves.”
“A fitting end to your family, don’t you think?” Tanyl asked. “And you’re wrong, we’re not going to kill you, yet.”
“Why not?”
“I still need a human face for ruling the kingdom, for now. But, if I hear any more rumors of betrayal, you’ll become a lich yourself, understand?” Tanyl demanded.
Kade’s eyes fell to the floor. What choice did he have? As a lich or in the cell next to them, how could he help Galin? He wouldn’t. Kade was going to die tonight, but he’d make sure it was a good death. “I understand.” I can’t wait until I slit his throat with his own dagger!
Sunlight crept through the small barred window, tugging at Galin’s eyelids. He yawned. Yeah, today he was going to die. He promised Jena that he’d figure something out, but he couldn’t think of anything. Wing it? He snickered to himself. Did he really have a choice? Perhaps Kade would help them, maybe?
Galin felt a faint tingle from his heart. It was like the tingle when he summoned his dragon magic but different, somehow. He hadn’t brought on horrific images; no it was more . . . constant. More natural, maybe? Was this the beginning of the Transformation? Well, that ruled out one of the three possibilities. What was left? The Transformation would either kill him or . . . mature his powers. Galin looked down at Jena, sleeping on his chest. If it killed him, she would be destroyed. They have to survive the day first, then he could worry about it later. He’d have to wait for the right moment, when his powers returned a little more. He stroked Jena’s hair.
The door burst open. Tanyl, Daylor, Chalia, and four guards came through the door.
Galin, Jena, and Ellis jumped up.
A smile stretched across Tanyl’s face from ear to ear. “It’s time to end this false prophecy.”
Tears streamed down Jena’s face. “Please don’t. Please don’t. I don’t want to die.”
Chalia licked her lips. “Is this how a priestess of Odella is supposed to act?”
Jena looked away.
“Leave her alone, Chalia,” Galin said.
“I still love you,” Ellis said, staring at Chalia. “Even though you betrayed us all.”
Galin glared at Ellis. “She’s using the damn ring again.”
“No, I’m not,” Chalia said. “Why should I? When you are all going to be executed today. Ellis, you were fun to be around, but that was it. You were a nice pet to me, nothing more.”
“I’m going to kill you!” Ellis shouted.
“Doubtful.”
Tanyl crossed his arms and stared at them like a father disciplining his kids. “Children, please. No more fighting. Let them die with dignity.”
“I look forward to that,” Chalia said.
Galin stared at Daylor. Did he suspect that his spell was wearing off? “Nyna will avenge us and kill you.”
Daylor tugged at his chin. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I killed her, so . . . she will not avenge you.”
“What? When?”
“Does it really matter?” Daylor gave a tired glance at Tanyl. “What are we waiting for? The sooner we place their heads on the wall, the sooner this wretched siege will end.”
Nyna dead? No, can’t be. Why would he lie? He wouldn’t. Not now. “You will pay with your life, Daylor,” Galin said.
“Not likely.”
Tanyl motioned to the guards. “Get them out of here.”
“Yes, sir,” one of the guards said as they grabbed Jena, Galin, and Ellis by the arms.
“Let’s go,” Tanyl said as he left the dungeon.
Where’s my uncle? Galin thought.
The guards dragged the trio out the door, following Tanyl.
After navigating through the corridors within Staerdale Castle, they emerged onto the courtyard. Galin squinted his eyes, trying to block the blinding sunlight. He blinked. His nose itched from the smoke from the burning, demolished buildings inside the walls. Did his forces do this? Yes. Had to be.
“Incoming!” a guard yelled from the tower.
Galin’s eyes widened as a flaming stone flew over the wall, decimating a small house. The flames spread. The people screamed. Human and Dark Elf a like. This was the ugliness of war, of his quest for the throne. Was it worth it? He glanced over at Jena, sobbing quietly. Her life was worth it. Their baby was worth it.
“As soon as they see your head, this carnage will stop,” Tanyl said.
Galin closed his eyes. Come on, damn you! The slight tingle grew and grew and . . . withdrew back into his heart. Damn it! I can’t fail now. No, not now! He looked up. Just ahead was a platform with three raised logs on top. They were notched in such a way that . . . a person’s hands and head would be secured to—.
“Did you hear me?”
“What are you doing?” Daylor demanded. He frowned. “He’s trying to use his dragon magic.”
Tanyl waved him off. “Don’t be stupid. You surpassed it, remember?”
Daylor nodded. “Kade’s by the platform. Do we need to worry?”
Tanyl pointed to the enormous Dark Elf standing next to Kade. “With Ryul right next to him? No. Besides, once his nephew is dead, isn’t it honorable for the uncle to follow suit?”
Daylor grinned. “I can’t wait.”
Ellis looked up at Chalia, but she wouldn’t return his glance. He turned away.
“Are you sure you are not fulfilling the prophecy by killing us?” Galin asked.
“Be silent, boy. You know nothing about our prophecy,” Tanyl said.
“Perhaps I unite the world against you in death. Perhaps, your trophy is what destroys the Darkstriders, not my little revolution,” Galin said.
Daylor smacked Galin in the back of the head. “Shut it.”
The guards led Galin, Jena, and Ellis up the stairs along the side of the platform. Galin swallowed as the guard forced him onto his knees. A loop came out of the log, where both ends burrowed into the log on either side of the large notch. This was it.
“Get down there!” the guard said as he slammed Galin’s neck into the notch. He slipped the loop over Galin’s neck and yanked the rope tight.
“Ahh!” Galin felt the rope tearing into his flesh, immobilizing his neck. His eyes looked up to see his uncle, Kade.
Kade’s eyes welled up and his face twisted, as if trying to hold back a cracked dam. “I’m with you.”
Ryul smacked him on the shoulder. “What did you say?”
“I’m trying to comfort my nephew. Do you mind!?” Kade demanded.
Ryul growled at him.
Tanyl, Daylor, and Chalia joined them. “Ah, Kade, glad to see you made it,” Tanyl said. “Did you make the preparations I asked for?”
Kade nodded. “Most of the forces are near the wall.”
Why are they doing that? Galin thought.
“As soon as Brock’s forces throw up a white flag to retrieve the bodies, we’ll charge out and overrun them. They’ll never know what hit them,” Ryul said.
Tanyl licked his lips. “Brilliant.”
Galin bit his lip. It was all his fault. Everyone who followed him would die and, even after death, it was still his fault. His tearful eyes glanced over at Jena. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Jena swallowed a sob. “It’s okay. At least we are together.” Her free hand reached for him.
Galin took it and squeezed. “I love you. I love you with all my life.”
“I love you, too.”
“Enough of that crap,” a guard said as he smacked their hands away. “Do I need to tie them up?”
Ryul shook his head. “I want to see them squirm.”
A female Feral Orc carrying a two-handed battle ax with an ornate handle walked up the stairs onto the platform. Her chain mail was polished as if it was more ceremonial than for combat.
Galin looked into her eyes. They seemed . . . sorrowful. No, not possible. Why would an executioner care about the ones she was going to execute? She wouldn’t unless . . .
~Stay on the platform.~ Soreth said to Galin’s mind.
Are you here?
~Not, yet. But, we’re coming.~
Hope! It almost made Galin smile. He just had to survive a few more minutes. He blinked. Did the executioner wink at him? He could only see her out of the corner of his eye. Galin couldn’t quite make out the face. Could it be . . . Yotul?
Tanyl leaned forward. “Do you have any last words you want us to give your adoptive father? Before we gut him?”
A few minutes. He could do it. This was his chance. Galin struggled to look Tanyl in the eyes. “Yes.”
“Well, go on then.”
“Incoming!” a guard called out from the wall. The fiery projectile slammed into one of the three enormous water towers, spilling all the water onto the guards below.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
“Dragon!” the guard yelled.
Soreth swooped down, picking up the guard with his talons. He flew towards another water tower, slamming the Dark Elf into it, knocking it over.
Daylor stepped back. “That’s a blue dragon!”
“So?” Tanyl said. “It’s breath is a weapon. The ground is sopping wet. Get inside the castle. Run!”
Ryul drew his axes as he watched Tanyl, Daylor, Chalia, and several guards run towards the castle entrance. “Cowards!” He looked up at the executioner. “Do it! Do it, now!”
Soreth knocked over the last water tower, drenching several thousand Darkstrider soldiers. In midair he reeled back his head, as if taking a deep a breath.
Galin squeezed his eyes shut. At least it would be over quickly.
The ax slammed onto the log, right next to Galin’s head, severing the rope. “I don’t take orders from you!” Yotul yanked her ax from the log and leaped onto Ryul.
Kade jumped onto the platform, freeing Jena and Ellis. “Yotul, get up here, now!”
Soreth exhaled, blowing lightning from his mouth. All the Darkstriders that were still in the courtyard screamed. Electrical arcs jumped up from the sopping ground and electrocuted anyone not on the wooden platform.
In unison, the screams stopped. Galin looked up. Yotul was dead. The Feral Orc who joined him at Iron Fist Keep gave her life for a human. She will be remembered. “Are you on our side?” Galin asked.
“How do you think they got in?”
“They?” Ellis asked.
Kade pointed up into the sky. Ten Gnome flying ships flew over the walls. Ropes dropped down from their sides and Galin’s fighters slid down to the ground.
“Is it safe to get off here?” Galin asked.
Kade nodded.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait!” Kade pulled Galin’s sword from his hilt. “You’re going to need this. A king must have a royal sword and the honor to wield it. All I ask is to let me help you set things right.”
“For what?’ Ellis asked. “All of this is your fault!”
Kade nodded. “It is. I ask for nothing in return.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” Galin ran towards the gate. With each step, the stench of burnt bodies seared his nostrils. He could do it! A familiar figure stood just outside the gatehouse. It was Brock! He ran towards his adoptive father. “Father!”
Brock hugged him. “I was so worried. I thought you were . . . dead.”
“Almost.”
Brock glared at Kade. “What’s he doing here?”
“He helped us, just like Daylor said he would.”
Brock’s hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. “So? He’s guilty for the death of your parents, Sally, Thea the Loyal, and Odella only knows how many others. We should kill him right here.”
Galin grabbed his adoptive father. “No! Because he’s my uncle.”
Kade stood motionless. His mouth opened but nothing came out.
“Fine. For now.” Brock motioned a soldier to give Jena and Ellis some weapons. “Where to?”
Galin’s head jerked towards the grinding gears of the gate opening. He watched his soldiers begin to pour through. He drew his sword. “We take the castle.”
“I’m with you,” Brock said.
Jena gripped her short sword tightly. “Me, too.”
“Me, too. No one kills that goblin-faced toad but me,” Ellis said, twirling his new daggers before he slammed them into their sheaths.
“Let’s do it!” Galin led the charge towards the castle.