Skye’s mind was clear and calm, even with the Malirrans soon knocking on their figurative door. Although he saw Lara scrambling to keep up with his long stride, he refused to change his pace. They needed to be at their post before the enemy reached the trapdoor. He had slammed mirrors around him as soon as he brought his magic forward. Skye didn’t know how long the battle would last, and he had yet to control the vast amount of information that streamed through his brain. Until the battle commenced, he dared not use his magic to its fullest extent.
Lara asked, “How long do we have?”
“Not long. The scouts reported in as soon as they caught sight of the three forward regiments. The Malirrans have already split off from the main army. As we predicted, they are headed straight to this trapdoor.”
Eiren queried, Are we certain they will find the entrance?
Lara hurriedly repeated Eiren’s question for the other Ais’ benefit. Skye admitted, “No one told me how we were to ensure they came through this trapdoor. What I do know is that we are tasked with halting the Malirrans from retreating while I send updates to the other Tal’Ais arrayed along the chosen path.”
With a shrug, the woman spoke up, “From what I overheard, they left the door half uncovered. Any scout worth their rank cannot miss the entrance.”
“We’re rolling out the welcome mat?” Lara squeaked. They had mentioned the idea during the long planning session, but to actually hear what they did apparently made it all too real for the woman. He half-heartedly noted that she turned her head toward the trapdoor.
Skye grunted while he watched Lara’s shoulders hunch as they passed the wooden stairs leading up to the entrance. Her worry slithered through the bond, and Skye couldn’t resist laying a hand on her shoulder and squeezing. Even though he knew the Malirrans were still a short distance away, he kept half his magic focused on the closed door until their small group reached the waiting Ais farther down the tunnel. Hearing both Lara and Eiren sigh, he removed his hand from Lara’s shoulder to scratch behind the small paka’s ears.
The humans and pakas either stood or crouched, their shields and weapons within easy reach. Large pockets of space surrounded each Tal’Ai pair, and Skye nodded in satisfaction. The Tal’Ais under his command were veterans of combat. They had allowed space for swinging weapons and the felines to twist and turn.
At yesterday’s meeting, Skye had received a crash course on Kurite maneuvers in the tunnels as well as the number of Kurites ready to fight. Kureto had mobilized approximately half of their forces toward the cities closest to the border, leaving the other half to defend the cities. Each city had sent at least one regiment or brigade, depending on the size of the city. His mind analyzed the number of warriors stationed in the general area of Areth. Malkese, as the reigning seat of Kureto, had sent a legion. Each brigade or legion had a mix of humans, pakas, and Tal’Ais.
Upon learning three regiments headed toward the trapdoor directly in front of where his unit waited, he and the Kurite war council—one councilor from each major city—coordinated a two-prong assault. The idea had come from Amita, the female paka who had questioned him when they stormed the war room. The first skirmish would occur in the tunnels; the second in the desert. A gruff paka, who Skye still didn’t know his name, had argued for the Tal’Ais to launch the underground assault, using their magic to Kureto’s advantage. Unfortunately, due to the desert’s dampening effect on magic, the Tal’Ais became no better than the other fighters in the sands above them, so the council had deemed fit to use them as a special force in the tunnels. Upon the war council’s agreement, each pair had been scattered along the route or in the cavern based on their magical ability.
Skye hadn’t been a part of the planning of the assault to happen in the desert; instead, he coordinated with the Tal’Ai commanders to plan the assault in the tunnels. After orders were handed down, things moved quickly. Although he’d rather be in the middle of the battle, his ability to see everything within a large circumference made him the perfect sentinel. Every move the enemy made, he could relay to the necessary leaders. He and Chion had spent time memorizing the name of each officer and where that officer waited along the designated route. His orders would be less confusing if the Kurite knew which order was for him or her. Skye had no doubt people were about to die. But if he could reduce those numbers by any means, he would.
Hence why the Lan’Ai were stationed as part of the rearguard. The others refused to leave him to fight alone.
Are you ready? Skye asked Eiren. It will be bloody and gruesome. I have no wish for you to see what comes next.
He felt her press against his leg, offering him comfort. My Lord, my place is at your side, always. I know I am small, but I will protect you to the best of my ability. Have you not thought about how much effort it will take to process the battle with your magic?
Skye jerked in surprise, straightening his back. What do you mean? he asked.
You are a swordsman of great skill, far superior to any I have seen. However, you will be too busy processing the actions of the enemy and sending off updates to fight. If you are to act as the sword that strikes our enemy, I am your shield.
Skye took a moment to consider Eiren’s words. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of how vulnerable he’d be. No wonder Eiren had been so adamant. He had no doubt that if he had more control of his magic, he could fight and coordinate the attack simultaneously. Just not yet. He was nowhere near ready. You are right, Eiren, which means I must rearrange the Tal’Ais around us. Skye started to face toward the twelve Tal’Ais waiting for orders before turning back around and giving Eiren the bow she deserved. Aloud, he said, “You honor me with your wisdom and bravery, My Lady.”
Facing the Kurite warriors once again, he said, “Eiren has brought to my attention a weakness in our current strategy—one I should have already reconciled. I cannot stand at the front as planned; I would endanger us all. This means I must stand either to the middle or at the rear. The small distance will not make any difference in regard to my ability.” He pointed to the Tal’Ai whose magic created illusions. “They will be one of the few in the front due to the wall they will create as an illusion for the enemy. Think how your magic could enhance or hinder our goal in herding the Malirrans to the cavern. Let me know where you think you best fit. We do not have much time before the Malirrans reach the entrance, but we have enough to create a better strategy.”
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
A young man and a female paka stepped forward. “Our ability is to suppress sound. As much as My Lady hungers to slaughter the Malirrans encroaching onto our lands, we best fit toward the back. I can ensure every step we take forward is either muffled or silent.” With that, the two Ais shuffled to the back.
A paka spoke up for his Ai in a deep voice, My bondmate has the ability to enhance other Tal’Ais’ energy reserves. If any Tal’Ai feels their magic flagging, we can provide a short-term boost. He looked up at his silent partner. Perhaps the best position for us is toward the middle, making it easier to reach any Ai in need.
Skye nodded as each Tal’Ai gave a brief description of their ability. He already knew their abilities as they had been chosen to act as the rearguard. However, the others might not have known. They sorted themselves without waiting for confirmation. He felt a mixture of relief and gratitude for how the Kurite commanders divvied up the magical gifts along the corridor.
Finally, Chion and Lara were the last to speak, and Skye regarded them with an eye toward her ability. When he glanced at Chion for his opinion, the paka merely gave a feline shrug, ruffling the hair along his spine. For this battle, Chion remarked, you give the orders. I will protect Solara wherever she goes.
“As much as I dislike splitting us up, I believe you are best suited at the front of the rearguard.” He swept his gaze across the others. “As instructed this morning, all my orders will be relayed through Chion. Once the Malirrans open the door, all talking will cease except through the Tal’Ai bonds. Chion, with you in front, we can see your body language before you can relay my orders. Every moment counts. Also,” he turned to Lara, “your ability to emanate emotions will bring havoc to the Malirran ranks. Keep your shields up until I tell you otherwise.”
Lara swiped a hand across her face. “I can’t control who will receive the emotions.”
One of the pakas huffed. Do not despair, Goddess’s Chosen Lady. Tal’Ais are a hardy group. Your comment is warning enough. Any emotion we feel that is not our own will be ignored.
The woman standing beside him lifted a shoulder. “Granted, it might take us half a beat to recognize what is happening, but if Chion can give us a warning before you release your magic, I believe we will overcome the initial response with little problem.”
Chion nodded and said, I will keep the bond open for all pakas. Any order I give My Lady you will also receive.
The dull stomp of hundreds of feet reached their ears, and every head tilted up. Dirt from the ceiling fell in small clumps, and Skye shook out his clothes and hair. He whispered, “It is almost time. Silence from here on out. Those of you in front, prepare to use your magic. As soon as the door opens, no needless movement. Let us not make our fellow warriors work harder than necessary.” Stifled chuckles filled the tunnel. “I pray the God and Goddess protect you and hold you in their embrace.”
Chion, spread word to the others that the Malirrans are at the trapdoor.
A short time later, the paka replied with a short, Done.
As they waited, Skye was certain time slowed down before he heard muffled voices above the trapdoor.
He barked to Chion, Illusion of wall and sound suppression, now. He heard the paka repeat his order.
Instantly, he went deaf—or it felt like it. Those around him were cocooned in silence while he could still hear noise from the area by the trapdoor. As soon as the door opened with a slow creak, he dropped the mirrors and closed his eyes against the light streaming down into the tunnel. With each inhale, he rebuilt the mirrors to exclude any extraneous information outside the immediate tunnel.
He watched with his second sight as four scouts came down into the tunnel with torches. Once they determined there was only one direction they could travel, the scouts had a brief consult and headed deeper into the tunnel. At the first intersection, a scout took up watch while the others disappeared around the corner. A short time later, one of the scouts returned and waved for the Malirran army to enter the tunnel. Squinting up into the light, the man, using the common tongue, yelled up to the men above him, “Commander, the tunnel is empty of Kurites. Surprise is on our side. We need the torches.”
None of the Tal’Ais around Skye flinched as Malirrans flooded the tunnel, bringing with them lit torches. The unending thud of footsteps coming down the wooden stairs became a pulse, a steady beat that drilled into his body. Lara gasped through the Lan’Ai bond, and he funneled out the other details until he found the cause of her reaction. In the torchlight, a man wearing silver earrings walked toward where they waited, studying the walls.
The Malirran officer wasn’t holding a torch, but he didn’t seem to have any issue seeing in the dark. The officer said under his breath, “The scroll said nothing of a cave-in.” Moving back toward the stairs, he shouted, “Men, formation, three men across. Only one torch for every row. The man holding the torch takes the middle. Keep your eyes peeled for an assault. Now, move!”
Why the reaction? Skye demanded of Lara as flames and bodies cast shadows on the tunnel walls and ceiling. He never took his attention away from the increasing number of enemy troops crowding the tunnel.
Lara whispered back, He is one of the cannibals. He has power. I can feel the evil living in him. It practically oozes from his pores even through my shields. It is almost as bad as the king’s aura. He felt her revulsion through their link.
Eiren’s gentle voice entered the link. Lara, stay calm. Take a few deep breaths.
When he felt her panic subside, Skye turned his attention back to the man in question. Chion, he commanded, tell all the pakas along the path to beware the Malirran wearing the silver earrings. He has powers that we do not yet understand. We do know he can see in the dark. Warn everyone to not underestimate him.
The other pakas are sharing the information with their Ais, Chion replied a little later. I told them to kill him first if possible. If nothing else, it will cause panic within the ranks.
Skye grinned. Around him the other Ais looked at each other, though their expressions were hidden from his second sight. He could only imagine their smiles or grimaces at learning they were close enough to a flesh eater to kill him with a spear. Unfortunately, the action would have left their position vulnerable.
As the tromp of feet continued, Skye lost sight of the first group of Malirrans with his magic. They wanted as many in the tunnel as possible before setting their plan in motion. Time passed, and the Tal’Ais around him shifted into more comfortable positions.
Good God, Lara complained, how long is this supposed to take? It’s been at least a good hou— She said in a more serious tone, Uh, guys, there’s another cannibal. He isn’t quite as bad as the first officer I saw.
Skye searched the information streaming through him, but he couldn’t find him. Where is he? Describe him for Chion and me.
He just came down the stairs. He is standing two men forward, looking back up the steps. She took a shuddering breath that Skye felt through their bond. Okay, now he is wading through the men around him and coming to the left side of the tunnel.
Skye slammed mirrors around the area she described, feeling immediate relief. He rolled his shoulders to loosen the muscles. He hadn’t realized how much strain he was under until it lifted. He is taller and more muscular than the others around him?
Yeah. That’s him. Lara paused for a moment, and Skye could feel her concentrating through their bond. He is also wearing small, hooped earrings in both ears.
I see him, Chion said. I have relayed the information to all the pakas.
Skye noticed when everyone around him heard the news because every head turned to seek out the officer’s location.