At the Grove, Chief Hekarro was speaking with Dekka, discussing the battlements that needed to be in place when the Kulrut was held, when Kotallo arrived.

They both looked up and Hekarro’s eyes narrowed. “Though I will want to know every detail of how it was done…I can already see that your mission was a success.”

Kotallo paused mid step. “How is that possible? Have the challengers already arrived from the Sky Clan?”

“No, it is the way you are now, compared to how you left.”

“And how did I leave?”

“Like a prisoner of war,” Hekarro stood up, “yet you have come back to your Chief, triumphant.”

Kotallo stared at him, still utterly confounded by what he had witnessed.

“She…the outlander…she brought down the Bulwark.”

Hekarro was not one to let an idle emotion slip through and be exposed upon his face…yet even he had trouble keeping his jaw up.

“Dekka,” he turned to his chaplain, “food and drink…and when you return with it, you will stay for this story is one I suspect should never be forgot.”

Around a small feasting table, Kotallo relayed what had happened. Both Hekarro and Dekka listened, enraptured by his story.

“If you were a man given to storytelling, I might have suspected that the facts were somewhat…exaggerated for the sake of legend.” Dekka finally said at the end.

“For my witness, you need only look at the Bulwark.” Kotallo shook his head. “She did what armies of Tenakth and machine sieges could not. A single outlander with a single Tremortusk cannon…”

“And a single Tenakth Marshal.”

Kotallo recalled his behaviour towards the outlander, his lack of respect or courtesy…his self centred frustrated and even his hope of perishing in the attempt…

“I may have played a part but it was small.” He admitted. “Without her…I had already assumed we would fail.” He went to eat but put the morsel down. “She…she never imagined that we could fail, though I warned her, almost threatened her with the hopelessness of the mission. To her, failure was not something she would entertain or accept.” He lifted his gaze and looked between them, still astonished at what he had witnessed. “She brought down a mountain…what kind of person does that? What is she even doing here?”

“She wants something of me.” Hekarro admitted. Kotallo eyed him and his Chief chuckled. “She does not seek me out as a husband and I am a confirmed bachelor. Rather, she wants something only I can give which she swears will saves countless lives and only she can utilise.”

Kotallo glanced at Dekka who was as interested in this as he was.

“What could possibly do that?”

“Something in the chamber below,” Hekarro gestured to behind the throne, “she needs to gain access…and I needed Tekotteh brought to heel. If she can help defend the Kulrut against Regalla’s undoubted attack, I will allow her to go where only Clan Commanders and myself have gone before.”

Kotallo studied Hekarro. “Do you believe her? About saving lives?”

“I confess, I had my doubts. It seemed an obscene claim from one so young that I put it down to the inaccuracies of youth…now, however, I am not so sure.” Hekarro gulped ale from his stein. “What are your impressions of her?”

Kotallo wondered where he could begin. “She is as brave as a Marshal, as smart as a chaplain, as tough as metal, as mad as the reports of a Banuk who drinks machine blood…yet as soft as…”

“The kiss of a lover before rising for the day.” Dekka offered.

“Perhaps.” Kotallo shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.” He gazed at the ale in the stein. “I…she did all this, she put up with me, she delivered the Sky Clan’s challengers and brought down the Bulwark…I don’t even know her name or where she came from.”

“Her name is Aloy,” Dekka informed him, “and she has come from the east.”

“Aloy,” he tasted her name on his lips, feeling it roll off his tongue with simple elegance that suited her fluidic grace and sharp mind, “She does not look like any Carja or Oseram…or even like a Banuk.”

“Her tribe, the Nora, are from beyond the Sundom, south of where the Banuk cut their homes out of ice, snow and stone.”

“Why have we never heard of them before?”

“It is my understanding that they consider all land beyond their territory to be tainted. None travel beyond their sacred land unless they must.” Dekka paused. “The only reason I know of the Nora at all is because a single warrior, a man searching for foul trespassers who had kidnapped and brutally slaughtered his own daughter and other members of their tribe for nothing more than sport, had tracked them into the west. The Tenakth should have killed him immediately but he saved an entire squad and was granted safe passage and eventually permission to seek out the killers. I never saw him again. It was over the circle of twenty seasons ago now.” She sighed. “I don’t even recall his name. I’m not sure he gave it. He seemed possessed by his mission to the exclusion of all else.”

“Given how long ago it was that he was here and the youthfulness of this…Aloy, I doubt she would recall the man.” Hekarro remarked. “Now that I know just how far it is she has come and the boundaries she has traversed to get here, I am becoming even more convinced that she is sincere in her mission.” He cleared his throat. “However, until she arrives and the Kulrut can begin, we have preparations to make.”

“Where do you want me, my Chief?” Kotallo asked.

“By my side, Marshal Kotallo.” Hekarro said firmly. “As my remaining Marshal, I want you to witness the Kulrut…and I trust you to protect me.”

“By the Ten, I shall.”

Between Hekarro and Dekka, the battlements were almost already in place and soldiers were stationed within the Grove and without. It was with no little pride that Kotallo was informed that, not only had the Sky Clan challengers arrived, but Tekotteh himself with a contingent of soldiers, had descended from the broken Bulwark to witness the Kulrut.

He might have come just to see Regalla cut Hekarro down so that he could gloat.

However, Kotallo was determined not to let that happen.

As he and Hekarro went over the preparations for the Kulrut, on the Chief’s lookout over the Arena, a soft step was heard in the sand behind them and one of the guards greeted the outlander and said the Chief was waiting for her.

Kotallo turned, his eyes immediately resting on her face.

“Aloy,” Hekarro’s voice was deep and serious, “it seems you’ve had to move mountains to bring the Sky Clan to heel…literally.”

“Kotallo helped.” She insisted.

“Yes,” Hekarro nodded, “Tekotteh reprimanded for all the clan to see. You’ve both served well…but now the Kulrut is at hand. Some have come to compete, others to bear witness. They know Regalla will come for me.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to hold up my end,” she said, turning to him and speaking as an equal with the Chief of the three clans of the Tenakth, “as long as you remember yours.” Kotallo felt his jaw twitch and he swallowed his smile. She was as brazen as her hair. “So what’s the plan?”

“Kotallo.”

He stepped forward. “There are only two viable ways to attack the Arena. Through the throne room you just passed and by the trail on the North end. We’ve set up barricades at both, but, if Regalla means to assault the Kulrut with machines, she will have to attack by the trail.”

“You will join our defenders there,” Hekarro turned to her, “hold the line and I’ll have my Marshals. You will be free of my service and receive your reward. Make whatever preparations you must. Once the Kulrut begins, you must see it through. You will find Dekka at the north barricade with the rest of our defenders.” He held up his fist. “Strike true as the ten. I’ll see you when this is done.”

She nodded and stepped away from him, her eyes meeting Kotallo’s. He felt like he should say something but had never been particularly good with words. She bowed her head, one warrior to another and he did the same in return, knowing that she was to her post and he was to stand by his Chief.

When the horn sounded, the Kulrut was begun. Captured machines had been dragged and herded into the Arena, tethered to an unmovable block in the middle of it. Plowhorns and Clawstriders snapped and snarled at the clamour of the crowds that crowded the bleachers around the Arena.

“Tenakth!” Hekarro greeted and the three clans roared. “The Kulrut is upon us! Our struggle demands new blood!” Kotallo kept back from the edge, by his Chief’s side and able to defend him but knew his place was not to be seen, but to be effective. “New leaders! Release the quarry!”

Archers loosed their arrows, severing the tethers and allowing the machines to break free, storming around the Arena, unable to escape and ready for a fight.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Challengers! Approach!” Five new warriors strode to the edge where they would make their ascent. “All who take down a machine will be named Marshal. Remember the Ten.” He looked back at Kotallo who lifted his chin, remembering the time he plunged into the Arena. “Strike from the air as they did and seize your glory!”

The challengers didn’t hesitate. They leapt into the air, twisting and throwing hook and rope at the platform, rappelling down into the Arena. They landed on the sand and immediately picked out a machine to kill. They were fast and agile, some using the platforms to gain a height advantage and others sliding beneath to cut at the unprotected underbelly.

The Tenakth roared and cheered.

Kotallo knew he should be watching the fight but his eyes kept lifting to the barricade at the north. Over the noise and the dust that was kicked up, he thought he heard weapons fire and saw glints of metal.

Regalla had come.

And for a time, the barricades held…

…then the ground inside the Arena churned and shattered, the walls splintering and the earth itself erupted as a Rockbreaker, one of the hardest machines to bring down, burst into the Arena. Kotallo and Hekarro stepped forward, astonished and horrified as the Rockbreaker leapt into the air with the force of its motion, its claws slashing at the platform.

“Chief!” Kotallo grabbed Hekarro and heaved him backwards, stumbling away from the edge.

The Rockbreaker didn’t reach their position but its claws tore through levels below it and the walkways and platforms exploded into splinters of deadly wood, caving in even as the Rockbreaker dove back down again, digging deep into the ground and vanished.

Kotallo helped Hekarro to rise and as they looked down, Regalla and her rebels used the tunnel the Rockbreaker had made to swarm into the Arena. There were dozens of them, all armed to the teeth and already clambering up the ruined platforms, thirsty for blood.

“We must get back.” Kotallo barked, knowing that they were cut off from reinforcements from the north and had to make it to those that guarded the front of the Grove.

“The Tenakth!”

“Chief, we must retreat!”

He almost had to drag Hekarro away from the edge, finally forcing him to run for the throne room. As they ran, soldiers loyal to the Chief sprinted past them, throwing themselves on the rebels that were advancing.

“Chief, run!”

“Get to higher ground!”

“We’ve got this! Go!”

“Marshal, protect the Chief!”

The Grove, already shaken by the Rockbreaker’s presence deep beneath and having destroyed half the Arena, suffered another large earthquake from something exploding outside. The ancient walls began to tremble. Large chunks of stone began to fall. They had to pause to avoid being crushed as part of the roof caved in…

…and Regalla was fast on her feet.

Kotallo tried to get in her way but she had a second who knew to drive a wedge between Kotallo and Hekarro. He was strong, slamming Kotallo like an Oseram wielded a hammer. Kotallo held his own. If a Tremortusk hadn’t gotten the better of him, no damn rebel would now!

He fought back, always painfully aware that he was being driven further and further from Hekarro’s side. Though Hekarro had been able to bring her down once, it was a close match, Regalla had not been idle in her exile and she had fury on her side.

More clumps of stone fell.

If this continued, there wouldn’t be anything left of the Grove!

Regalla would be chief of a graveyard!

Kotallo heard something loud creaking, metal straining like it had bones to ache and a voice with which to cry out. He sank his weapon into the rebel’s skull and spun around, running towards Hekarro who was distracted by the sound also. Regalla did not hesitate. She disarmed him, kicking him to his knees. Kotallo’s run skidded to a halt. He was too far to help…and Hekarro had lost the match.

He was helpless.

He was useless.

He just stood and watched as Regalla lowered her weapon, victory in her eyes and blood in her teeth…yet the metal continued to ache and groan…and he was suddenly aware of a blur of red on the far side of the room.

And then he heard his name called out.

Not to get his attention…but as a command.

He looked up and realised that the old world flying machine that had been suspended over the throne had broken free of its restraints and had begun to fall. Yet it had been halted with a single rappel line and there was only one person mad enough to do so.

The machine struck the ground even as Kotallo charged forward, slamming into Hekarro, throwing both of them out of the way of the falling machine, skidding across the stone and sand, scrambling to get to his feet. As he helped his Chief to rise, the outlander joined their side and stood with them as Regalla huffed and snarled, having avoided being crushed by leaping in the other direction. She clutched at her weapons, still deep in the red mist of fury, almost prepared to throw herself on all three of them when the challengers of the Kulrut flooded the throne room behind them, all bearing weapons, ready for the kill.

Regalla barred her teeth and climbed up a mound of rubble, turning at the top.

“This isn’t finished!” She declared. “I’ll be back with everything I have!” She pointed her blade at Hekarro. “Then all who stand with Hekarro will be run red.” She huffed once more, sent the outlander a dangerous look and climbed out of the Grove, vanishing over the edge of the wall.

The tenacious soldiers behind them went to chase her but Hekarro held up his hand and they stopped. He turned to face them.

“At attention.” He ordered and they snapped into formation. “You fought well, proved yourself against enemies both metal and flesh. I name you all Marshals. Your first order is to secure the Arena from any remaining rebels. Go.” They nodded and ran to do as he was bid.

Only then did Hekarro falter, his strength of body and will both at their limits. Kotallo stepped forward but Hekarro waved him back.

“I failed,” he lamented softly, “I should have finished Regalla,” he looked at the outlander, “but now she’ll be back with more machines, stronger than ever.”

“I’ll do what I can to help.”

Kotallo looked at her, astonished.

She had only been obligated to Hekarro’s service because she needed something he had. There was no reason for her to offer, nothing that could compel her…

…yet she did so…sincerely.

Who was this woman?

“No you’ve done enough,” Hekarro refused her offer and Kotallo moved away, recognising that this was not a conversation he was meant to be a part of yet he found himself listening with rapt attention, “far more than our bargain called for.” He looked at the outlander, eye to eye, soul to soul. “When we first met, you spoke of your true mission on which all depends. I…wasn’t certain if I believed you then,” he sighed, “but I believe you now. So leave me and get to your task.”

“What will you do?” She asked softly.

Hekarro looked at Kotallo. “Tend to the wounded.” He pointed to the throne. “What you need is there. Take it. Your deeds today will be remembered like those of the Ten.” He pressed his fist to his chest and the Chief who had done the unthinkable, the impossible and united the three savage, warring clans of the Tenakth, bowed to the outlander. He then walked away, leaving her to go where only the greatest warriors had ever been permitted before.

Kotallo nodded at the outlander and she at him before she turned her attention to the throne. Hekarro was speaking to him but Kotallo’s attention was fractured as he watched her approach the throne and descend into the chamber below.

“I’ve never seen you so taken with any woman.”

Kotallo’s eyes widened and he looked at Hekarro, his face blessedly painted white lest he embarrass himself fully by turning red at his Chief’s assumption.

“Chief…I only…she just…I wasn’t…” Hekarro chuckled and Kotallo grimaced. “She entered your service under obligation…yet she was willing to serve you without reward in the end. Who does that? Why does she do that?” Kotallo looked at the throne where she had disappeared. “She has changed, challenged…transformed so much in so little time…and I know so little about her and about what drives her.”

The words of Gerrah returned to him.

“Find something…someone to live for.”

In a heartbeat, Kotallo knew what he needed to do.

But how could one as inarticulate as he, explain that to his Chief?

“Hekarro…I…”

Hekarro’s heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Go.”

Kotallo swallowed. “Are you sure?”

His Chief nodded. “She has given me her best. It would be inexcusable for me to give her anything less than mine. Go, Marshal Kotallo.”

Kotallo felt his hand leave his shoulder, his chest tight yet his veins alight with purpose. He went back out to the shattered Arena where he beheld the remains of a Slitherfang in the sand. He gathered his belongings and saw the new Marshals, along with Tekotteh, coming towards him. They entered the throne room together from the back…and their eyes were filled with the sight of a vision they had not seen…yet knew to their core.

“The visions have changed?” Tekotteh breathed as they descended the steps.

The woman from the Lowland Clan who had just been named Marshal darted forward. “That’s the one that inspired Chief Hekarro!”

“More testimony of the old ones.” Was there anything this outlander could not do?

Dekka looked at the outlander who nodded at her. She put her hand on the glowing plate and suddenly the white building disappeared and figures appeared in the vision.

“Hear now the words that reunited a people, following the tragic events of the war. Anne Faraday, the chief architect of the reconciliation effort, addressed a nation in need of hope.”

A woman stepped out from amongst the five that were behind her.

“If we look into the future, the lens of the recent past, our fears loom. Wars waged against machines, scarcity of food and water, storms that drive us from our homes. But true courage means facing those fears with conviction instead of cynicism.” Kotallo couldn’t help but glance at Tekotteh at Anne Faraday’s words and he wasn’t surprised that Tekotteh looked ashamed as he saw his look. “Leading the peace keeping effort with these brave, these Marshals of the new south west has strengthened my conviction,” one of the new Marshals turned to look up, causing all of them to see Hekarro standing on a platform, gazing down at them with the same strength and conviction that Anne Faraday spoke with, “that when we are united we can overcome any threat. Join me. Join us in that conviction as we strive for a nation and a world without want or war.”

Anne Faraday turned to the visions behind her who saluted her and she, in turn, saluted them. Their transparent bodies shimmered and vanished.

Immediately the young Marshals turned and saluted Hekarro. Kotallo did the same.

Hekarro gazed at them proudly and returned their salute.

It was a moment Kotallo knew would never be forgotten…and now the vision had been witnessed by so many. Its testimony would only grow.

Kotallo saw the outlander smile at Dekka and he could see she was making ready to leave.

She was going to walk past him.

He thought frantically about what he would say, how he would offer his service to her.

But everything was too much or not enough.

He cursed his inability to speak in a way that would capture just how deeply the conviction ran in him that he was to serve her and her mission.

She was going to pass him by.

He had to say something.

Anything!

But he was a soldier…and he only knew how to offer himself as such.

“Reporting for duty, Commander.” She stopped and looked at him, the expected question in her eyes. “I’m…coming with you.” He didn’t make it a question. It was a statement, not that he was trying to enforce his will on hers…but that hers was now his.

Curse his inability to speak when it mattered!

“But…Hekarro needs you.” She urged gently.

“Because of you he has new Marshals and a rallying cry the clans cannot ignore.” Did she understand, truly understand just what it was that she had done? When he had warned her that they might need another miracle at the Kulrut, Kotallo never imagined just what it would be that she would perform. “So I will stand with you, on your mission,” he tried not to look at the stump of his arm, “give…whatever is left of my life.” She didn’t look convinced. Kotallo was desperate. He edged towards her, willing her to understand just how much this meant to him. “It is what I choose…”

Though her eyebrows still conveyed doubt, her eyes dropped and she said,

“How can I say no to that?” He was so overcome with relief that he nearly trembled. Instead he stood up straight, ready for his orders. She touched the triangle on her right temple and began talking to someone who wasn’t there yet Kotallo wasn’t afraid of her madness. It was starting to grow on him. “Varl? There’s someone who wants to join us. I need you to meet him in the foothills and guide him the rest of the way.”

She paused for a moment before tapping the triangle again and turning to him.

“Go to the mountains west of Plainsong. A friend of mine will meet you on the ascent. I’ll join you when I can.”

Kotallo studied her expression.

“A friend of yours?” He said with a slight smile. “Should be interesting…”

Kotallo left the Grove that very day.