Howie felt like a conquering hero as he flew over that wall. The look on the ol’ captain’s face was priceless, a mixture of terror and awe. He flashed Keely and Leo a thumbs-up, as if he rode in on a giant wolf every day. Behind him, Damarius had his paws spread out, holding on for dear life.
“Howdy, everyone. I’m back,” he said, sliding down to land on his feet, Damarius following. He turned to the wolf, wagging his finger. “Be good, Fenrir, or no more goats for you.” Howie pointed to a spot near the wall. “Go on. Our deal’s not done yet.” The humongous wolf growled at him softly, but he followed Damarius over and lay down with a loud thump, licking at his wounded paw.
“Is that really Fenrir?” Keely said, giving Howie a hug as Leo slapped him on the back. “And why is he so—tame?”
“Aw, he’s just doing me a favor because I saved his life and all,” Howie bragged. A flash of feathers made him flinch as Lingas greeted him, nearly biting his ear off. “Back off, bird-face,” Howie said, and then he relented as the bird perched on his shoulder, rubbing her face up against Howie’s cheek.
Captain Teren strode over, his face tight as a drum. Howie had been dreading this.
“Did you really bring that bloodthirsty creature inside the sanctuary of our walls?” Teren blasted. “He could devour half my men for his morning snack.”
Howie flushed, turning red. “Er, Captain, I—”
“Not to mention you deserted your post.” Teren folded his arms.
“I know.” Guilt made Howie squirm in his boots.
“A squire never leaves his post,” Teren said sternly.
Howie cleared his throat and nodded. “You’re right. But I couldn’t let Jey go after his father alone. I’m sorry. You can fire me.”
Lingas flared her wings, cawing at Teren like he could fire her, too.
Teren glared another moment, and then he snorted, “Fire you? I was thinking of extending your time as my squire. My shirts have been a mess since you’ve been gone. No one irons them like you.” He clasped a hand on Howie’s shoulder. “Tell us, did you find Beo?”
Howie nodded, diving into his story. “We found him, all right, and a nest of Safyre Omeras. I came back to let you know they’re coming as soon as they can raise the rest of the Falcory.”
Bells began ringing, clanging loudly from the far sentry post.
“What is the alarm?” Teren shouted up to the sentry.
“Smoke, Captain, on the horizon. They’re coming.”
Howie’s knees went weak. They had run out of time.
War had come to Orkney once more.
Teren ordered the horses brought up. “The vanguard will leave immediately on my command. Time to see if Howie’s plan is going to work.”
“I’m coming along,” Howie said.
Teren nodded. “I figured you’d want to see it through. Rego, get the boy some fresh armor and be sure to keep him from harm.”
Rego snorted loudly. “Those red devils are not going to get the best of us. They’ll be hightailing it back to that lump of lava before they can spit in the wind.”
A line of witches trailed silently behind Abigail up unto the ramparts and took position. Howie counted nine, with Abigail. They could have used a hundred or two. He marked the clusters of white-haired Eifalian archers along the posts. Not as many as Howie would have liked to see.
Gael stood impatiently as Keely came over to say goodbye. Leo hovered behind her.
“Don’t get fried to a crisp by one of those fire giants,” she said, hugging Howie tightly.
“I won’t. You be safe. Are you on the wall with the archers?”
Keely shook her head, her hand going to a strange pendant. “I’m to stay clear until I’m needed. Howie, we really need Sam to come back with Odin.”
“Fingers crossed,” Howie said, raising both hands and crossing all his digits.
Gael called to her, and she left them.
Leo hovered, looking uncertain. Howie could tell he wanted to fight along his side, but he was more worried about Keely. He gave the boy a shove. “Stay with her and keep her alive. She needs you more than I do. Besides, you’re a better shot with a bow than any of those elves.”
Leo smiled slightly. “When did you get so brave?”
Howie snorted. “You mean, when did I get so dumb? I’m heading into what’s looking like certain death.” A wave of emotion choked his throat. He looked at Leo, his eyes blurred with tears. “Look, if something, you know, happens to me, when you get back to Pilot Rock, you tell my mom, well,” he swallowed the lump lodged in his throat, “you tell her I loved her. Promise?”
Leo grasped his shoulder. “You’ll tell her yourself when we all go home.” He squeezed Howie’s shoulder and then hurried after Keely.
A stable boy brought them horses. Rego slipped a set of chain mail and a breastplate over Howie’s shoulders and clamped a helmet on his head. Howie mounted amid a flurry of activity as the front line assembled, prepared to face Surt in the first wave.
The frost-giant queen had assembled a small group of oversized boys. Even Howie was in awe of their muscled arms and broad shoulders. Each had a sword strapped to his back and a fierce look of determination on his face as he followed his queen.
Surveying the men on their horses, Howie wondered how many of them would make it back. But not one hesitated or looked doubtful. They were ready to die. If it meant saving this realm, they would lay down their lives.
Immensely proud, Howie held up the flag of Orkney, and they let out a resounding cheer. From the ramparts, the sounds echoed as every soldier raised his or her voice in support.
To Gael, Teren said, “Wait for our signal to attack. If it doesn’t come, then the gods be with you.”
Howie waved goodbye to Keely as he followed Teren out.
Outside the walls, Howie felt exposed, like at any second Surt could fire a flaming arrow from the sky and burn him to a crisp.
The smoke-pots had been lit. Speria and Heppner had their men hidden in the forest along the opposite side of the battalion of dummy soldiers. A light winked at them from a mirror. The Orkadian forces were in place.
Their job was to mingle among the fake soldiers to add movement and make it look real. A dangerous job. They would be in the line of fire when the battle started.
“Now don’t go being a hero,” Rego said. “The moment the battle begins, you hightail it to the rear and get to safety.”
“Sure, you bet,” Howie said, not meaning it. He wasn’t going to turn and run. Not a chance.
A scowl crossed the dwarf’s face. “You’re a worse liar than Sam,” he muttered. He drew one of the swords lashed to his back and handed it to Howie. “Whatever you do, take some of those ugly fire giants with you.”
Howie grinned, tapping the sword to his forehead. “Ten at least.”
“Only ten?” Rego kicked his horse forward. “I plan on taking twenty-five before they roast my innards.”