Two days later, Aloy gave the call and they assembled.
Varl and Beta would accompany Aloy to GEMINI with the rig designed to transport Gaia and, once the merge was complete, Hephaestus too. They rode on Chargers as fast as they could now that the moment had arrived.
The rest of them were assigned cauldrons to be in the vicinity of to activate their pulse generators.
Erend headed southeast to cauldron MU.
Kotallo, Alva and Zo went north where cauldron IOTA stood not far from Salt Bite, a Desert Clan settlement, seen from across a lake. It was decided that Alva should take IOTA as it was the closest to the base and the least dangerous. She was relieved to have been so considered.
Kotallo and Zo rode west along the north of the Tenakth territory, straight through the Sheerside Mountain ranges to the coast where the KAPPA cauldron was mostly hidden beneath the waves. Kotallo insisted on accompanying Zo for while the Tenakth harboured no ill will towards the Utaru, he didn’t want them to take umbrage for her being in their territory. Now that she knew where all the settlements were and how to get in and out quickly, Zo assured him that she could get back to the base on her own.
Kotallo then rode as hard and as fast as he could, following the shoreline, galloping past Clawstriders and Burrowers, Watchers and herds of Chargers who were all alerted to his presence but could not keep up. He didn’t stop at the Rot, the legendary Tenakth prison, or even Thornmarsh, heading as far as south in Lowland Clan territory as he could before hitting the salt water of the ocean.
There he found cauldron CHI nearly overcome with vines, hidden at the back of a cave. There were many machines about, Clamberjaws and Stalkers as well as Bristlebacks.
Kotallo knew he was the last to arrive and signalled that he was there.
“Thanks Kotallo,” Aloy spoke through his FOCUS, “we’re putting the last connections in place for the merge. I’ll let you know when we’re ready.”
Kotallo hunkered down to wait. He did not have to wait long.
“Erend…everyone,” Aloy called to them all, “fire your pulses and sound off.”
“I’m at my cauldron,” Erend could be heard though he was so far east he was outside of Tenakth territory, “this…thingy…it’s blinking. Did I do it right?”
Kotallo activated his pulse generator and it glowed with a pulsing light.
“In position at my cauldron,” Kotallo announced, “my pulse generator is blinking also.”
“That means they’re working!” Alva’s voice was brimming with excitement. “I’m in position and mine is too.”
“Mine as well.” Zo said calmly.
“Okay. Radio silence until I give the all clear.” Aloy commanded. “Signing off.”
And then…there was nothing.
They’d been warned that the merge could take up to four hours to complete.
Four hours to wait…with no word.
Kotallo studied the sun. It would be high in sky by the time they knew if it had worked.
But then, it was Aloy’s plan…of course it would work.
Thankfully there were no sign of Zeniths. Not that Kotallo was afraid of a scrap but without the means of disabling their shields, even his artificial arm would not be of much use to him. He was also concerned that, should he be killed and the pulse generator discovered, their ruse would be uncovered.
He made up his mind, should the Zeniths appear, to run just as he told Alva. He would take the pulse generator and run and hopefully distract them from the real mission with his taunts.
Coming up with scenarios like this helped pass the time.
The sun rose to its apex and then began to slide down the other side, heading towards the Isle of Spires. Kotallo’s anxiety grew but they’d been told to maintain silence.
Another hour passed and he had worn the verge and grass to mush beneath his feet. Several times he went to tap his FOCUS but each time he put his hand back down.
“Erend, Kotallo…Alva,” Zo’s voice reached them, “I’m sorry…but this is wrong.”
“I’m not the only one who’s freaking out here.” Alva’s voice was on the verge of panic.
“I tried to contact Varl, just the smallest tap but nothing. Then I tried Aloy and Beta…no one is responding. I’m making the decision to abandon the cauldrons and rendezvous at GEMINI.”
“I’m already on my way.” Kotallo announced, sprinting for his overridden Charger, launching himself onto it and kicking it into the fastest run of its life.
The cauldrons were close to equal distance from GEMINI so they made the decision not to go in until they were all at the mouth of the cauldron. Once together, they climbed down inside.
Zo ran ahead even as they jogged after her.
“No!” She cried and darted ahead, her lithe Utaru body streaking across the metal floor.
Kotallo could see a body on the ground.
It was Varl.
Zo knelt by his body and cradled his head in her lap. “No…Varl…no…”
Kotallo gazed at him, his heart sinking in his chest. Varl was at least several hours gone. He’d been fatally stabbed through the abdomen and chest by a weapon that was wide and sharp.
“The rig is gone…” Alva whispered. “Gaia…Hephaestus…”
“Screw that!” Erend roared. “Where the hell is Beta? Where’s Aloy?” He kicked over machine debris. “What the hell happened here!”
Kotallo watched as Zo eased the FOCUS off Varl’s temple and held it up.
“Zo,” he blurted, knowing that whatever it showed, would only wound her, “let me…”
“I have to know…” She said, her expression stricken with grief and her jaw trembling. She tapped her FOCUS and scanned Varl’s. Her eyes widened, her lips trembled and tears poured endlessly down her cheeks. She stood up and turned away, her whole body quaking.
“What is it? What happened?” Erend cried.
Alva moved forward and put her hand on Zo’s shoulder.
“The Zeniths…they came…” Zo looked up at the broken ceiling showing stars above. “They struck Aloy down…killed Varl…that’s all there is.”
“That’s it?” Erend shook. “That’s all?”
“The FOCUS doesn’t record unless it’s on a living body.” Alva tried to explain.
“Where’s Aloy? Is she dead or captured?” Kotallo’s heart twisted in his chest, frightened of the answer to the Oseram’s question. “What are we going to do?” Erend was beside himself.
Zo was lost in her sorrow. Alva was indecisive and unsure and Erend was emotional.
“We’re going to take Varl’s body,” Kotallo said softly, taking charge, “and go back to the base. If…there is any hope…we will discover it there.”
He leaned over to pick Varl up but Erend stopped him. “Please…he was my friend…”
Kotallo knew that pointing out that Varl was his friend also was an inappropriate challenge. Erend had to do something, anything, to keep from falling apart. He scooped Varl’s body into his arms and between them, they climbed out of GEMINI and began the silent trek across Desert Clan territory to the base.
The Chargers did not need to gallop. They walked calmly, carrying the stricken crew, Zo riding as close as she could to Erend on his Charger so that she could hold Varl’s cold hand.
As they rode past the Tallneck, Alva trotted over to Kotallo. “Ah…there’s someone hiding in those bushes over there.”
He turned and tapped his FOCUS. There was someone crouching by a body.
“How’s your aim?” He asked Alva.
She drew her bow and shot an arrow at the ground. A lone Tenakth scout, bloodied and wide eyed, appeared.
“Hold,” Kotallo held up his hand, “Tenakth, I am Marshal Kotallo.”
“Marshal…” The scout staggered towards him. “I…the rebels…Regalla…”
Kotallo dismounted and came close. The scout was a mess.
“What about Regalla?” He asked firmly.
“She’s marching on the Grove.” He whispered. “With dozens of machines…”
Kotallo’s blood ran cold like ice. “Are you sure?”
“My fellow scout and I came across the convoy,” he was nearly in a state of pure panic, “sir…they have Tremortusks and Ravagers…all manner of machines and they’re not the only convoy. There are more, all of them advancing on Hekarro. We tried to slip away but one of them saw us…and their Bristleback riders ran us down…my friend…”
Kotallo closed his eyes. “You must make for the Grove with all haste.”
“But…you’re a Marshal…”
“I,” he looked at Erend and Zo on their Chargers, still moving away, “have a previous commitment…”
“Sir, I cannot run.”
“Why not ride?” Alva got down off her Charger. “If you ride this machine, you’ll reach the Grove before the rebels.”
The young scout looked at her in astonishment. “Me…ride a machine?”
“Yes…go.” Alva insisted and helped him to mount it. “I would dismount before you get in sight of the Grove…you know…in case they take you for a rebel rider.”
“Understood.”
“Tell Hekarro I will join him as soon as I can.” Kotallo vowed.
“Yes sir.” The scout looked at his friend. “I…”
“I will take him back to Scalding Spear for you.”
The scout nodded and, after a hesitant start, began to ride towards the Grove.
“I hope I didn’t speak out of turn…” Alva said shyly.
“Thank you.” Kotallo looked at her firmly. “You have given the Tenakth at the Grove a better chance at defending themselves.”
She smiled timidly. “What of the deceased scout?”
“We are not far from Scalding Spear. If we put his body on the remaining Charger and hasten to the Desert Clan capital, we can then ride the Charger together to the base.”
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Yarra accepted the body of the scout and vowed to rally her soldiers to help defend the Grove and Hekarro. Kotallo joined Alva outside Scalding Spear where she waited with the remaining Charger and galloped for the base.
There they found Erend and Zo carefully arranging a burial site on the eastern side of the base on a small plateau that looked out over Plainsong and, in the far east, the Nora sacred lands. Zo seemed to have reached a state of emotional numbness, possibly in response to Erend’s emotional upheaval.
When Varl’s body was covered so that no machines or scavengers could defile it, they said their farewells. Zo knelt and put her hands on the stone, tears dotting the ground. Alva sat with her, unsure as to how to comfort her by staying by her side nonetheless. Erend thumped Kotallo on the shoulder and they went inside.
“I…need a drink…” Erend poured them both an ale and tried to hand it to Kotallo. “Hey!”
“Regalla is marching on the Grove with the full might of her machine army.” Kotallo ground his teeth. “Hekarro will be killed and the Tenakth will be forced to serve Regalla’s vision of vengeance upon the Carja.”
“Who cares!” Kotallo’s head snapped up and his eyes blazed furiously at Erend. “According to Gaia, the earth is going to be past the point of no return in a matter of months…and that’s if the Zeniths don’t ‘clean slate’ us first. What havoc do you really think she can do before then?”
“So what? You’re just going to lay down and die?”
“I just lost my two best friends!”
Kotallo’s heart ached with a revelation that he wasn’t willing to look at or acknowledge. Yet, as he opened his mouth to cry that he understood Zo’s grief at losing the one that they love, Erend’s FOCUS glowed into life.
“Aloy?!” Erend exclaimed. “Aloy, is that really you?” There was a pause, Kotallo unable to hear her side of the conversation. “We’re all…we’re back at base. What happened?” There was another pause. “Okay. We’ll wait here for you.” He shivered with relief. “It’s good to hear your voice, Aloy.” He looked at Kotallo and sagged against the counter. “She…she’s alive. Kotallo…she’s alive…”
Kotallo could feel the taste of his words, the way he’d almost confessed something he knew he could never take back and swallowed down his grief. “I’ll tell Alva and Zo.” He offered and escaped the moment, inexplicably terrified of what was going on in his heart.
By the time Aloy walked through the doors into the base, Erend had been drinking steadily for two hours. Kotallo had forced his attention to the march of Regalla’s rebels on the Grove and Alva slumped nearby, adding to the nervous tension with her own uncertainty. Only Zo remained calm even as Kotallo stabbed at the counter, feeling even more helpless than when he’d first lost his arm.
“When you’re wounded, you have to strike back,” he snarled, “draw blood!”
“Hey!” Erend said, slurring more from sorrow than the drink. “Can’t I get one damn minute to mourn my friend?”
“Regalla is going to slaughter my tribe to overthrow Hekarro, the Zeniths have Beta and Gaia!” Kotallo advanced on the drunken Oseram. “We can’t sit around wallowing in our losses!”
“Kotallo’s right,” Zo said tremulously with a voice quiet with rage, “we must fight.”
“Oh right, so what are we gonna do? Take on all Regalla’s rebels?”
“Not to mention the Zeniths,” Alva said urgently, “what can we even do? Throw ourselves at their base?”
“Something like that.”
They all turned and saw Aloy walking towards them, thankfully unharmed. Kotallo’s knees quaked. At his newfound revelation, he was careful to keep his distance lest he give himself away. Zo walked straight to Aloy even as the red haired warrior maiden said her name brokenly. Zo embraced her warmly and Aloy’s eyes closed, her eyebrows oblique, giving a hint to her internal grief.
“After we lost contact with you,” Zo said gently, “we regrouped at GEMINI. What happened? The recording we found on Varl’s FOCUS cut off when that Zenith, Erik…”
Aloy didn’t let her finish a sentence she was clearly reluctant to speak.
“The Zeniths were tracking Hephaestus,” Aloy explained, “when Gaia trapped it in GEMINI they…knew where we were. After Varl tried to stop them…they took Beta and Gaia.” She breathed in and out. “I only survived because one of the Zeniths turned against the others to save me.”
“One of them?” Zo said hollowly. Aloy nodded. “Well…at least we didn’t lose you, too.” She licked her lips. “So, what do we do now?”
“We’re going to defeat the Zeniths and get Beta and Gaia back.” She turned and looked at Kotallo. “But first, we’re going to stop Regalla.”
Truly? His tribal civil war? Aloy was going to focus on it? Though Kotallo was relieved, he was unsure why it took precedence.
“How?” Kotallo asked.
“Back in GEMINI Beta gave me…a gift. There’s something I need to do first to make it work but it could put an end to the bloodshed.”
“Word is Regalla is readying her army for all out assault on the Grove.” Kotallo was torn between his loyalties, his people…or the woman who had come to mean so much to him. “I…need to be there.” If she asked him to stay, he would.
“I know. Go. Stand with Hekarro,” Aloy pointed upwards, “and keep an eye on the sky.”
“Strike true at the Ten.” Kotallo thudded his chest with his fist and headed out the door. He found the first Bristleback he could, used Aloy’s trick of overriding it and kicked his heels deep into its flank.
He couldn’t think about Varl.
He couldn’t think about Gaia or Beta or the Zeniths.
He couldn’t think about Aloy.
Or else he’d turn around and go back to base.
He was a Tenakth Marshal…and his tribe was in danger.
His own heart…it meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
And perhaps he was relieved that battle was imminent, and the risk of death was high.
Then he wouldn’t have to confront the ache in his chest.
His Bristleback thundered along the paths, charging towards the Grove as fast as its legs could carry it. While not as fast as a Charger, the Bristleback was perfect for slamming into smaller machines that tried to get in his way, knocking them down without pausing in its stride. He saw the lines of rebel machines advancing on the Grove. He had to take a more southerly approach in order to reach Hekarro without taking on dozens of machines and their riders alone. When he crossed the river that ran around the Grove, he dismounted and hit the ground running.
Dekka saw him and cried out a greeting, “Marshal Kotallo!”
“Regalla advances,” he bellowed, “she is at my heels.”
“And we’ll be ready for her. Go to the chief!”
He sprinted inside and made his way to the throne room.
“Kotallo,” Hekarro greeted him, “I thought your new command would cause you to miss out on this fracas.”
“Aloy heard of your plight and sent me to you with a message.” Kotallo breathed heavily. “Keep an eye on the sky…”
Hekarro studied him. “What does that mean?”
“Knowing Aloy, it could mean anything.” Kotallo shook his head. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t provide yet another miracle.”
“Despite the rallying of the clans…we are grossly outnumbered. We may require more than one miracle.” Hekarro looked at the other Marshals with him. “But I have faith in my tribe. We are warriors and we will not surrender willingly to the command of a tyrant.”
“We are with you, Chief Hekarro.” Ivvira said strongly.
“As are we all.” Kotallo bowed.
“Then ready yourselves…for I hear the sound of battle.”
The machines charged the outer defences, allowing Regalla and a forward invasion party to drive through the Grove. The rest of the soldiers battled it out with the rebels and machines at the front while Regalla wasted no time with such paltry skirmishes.
She had only one body to slay today.
Kotallo heard the sounds of falling soldiers and grasped Hekarro.
“We must get back to the Arena.”
“I will stay and fight with my Marshals.” Hekarro vowed as most of them ran forward.
“I will drag you if I have to,” Kotallo warned him and Ivvira paused and looked at him in astonishment that he would speak so to his Chief, “Hekarro,” Kotallo said softly, “the Tenakth will not follow me, nor do I want them to. We lose all if Regalla is slain and you fall.”
“He’s right, chief,” Ivvira insisted, “the tribe needs you. Come.”
The three of them bolted for the Arena just as Regalla charged into the throne room, flinging curses at Hekarro’s heels. Kotallo hoped rather than believed that one of the other Marshals would land a lucky blow and deal with Regalla for them.
Despite the Arena being a place to retreat to, there was no where to go after reaching the pinnacle of the newly repaired lookout. Kotallo turned, Silent Kill in his hands, Ivvira grasping her spear and Hekarro brought forth his blade.
“If she challenges me…”
“I think the time for honourable combat is over.” Kotallo muttered.
To his dismay, Regalla and half a dozen rebel warriors made it through the throne room. Kotallo knew he and Ivvira would not be able to defend Hekarro against all of them. She advanced, her eyes glittering with dark victory.
“End of the line, Hekarro,” Regalla taunted, “on your knees…and I’ll give you the death you didn’t have the spine to give me.”
One more inch and they would fall to the Arena floor.
It was now or never.
Suddenly a rebel ran forward, sprinting towards Regalla.
“They’re down!” He cried. “The machines…all of them, they’re down!”
Hekarro shot a look to Kotallo, his mouth curving up.
“What? How is that possible?” Regalla demanded weakly.
“Regalla!”
All eyes turned upwards and Kotallo’s skin prickled with almost painful yet wonderful awe as he saw Aloy on the back of a Sunwing, swooping through the Arena before landing on a perch above.
She was glorious.
Regalla’s rebels took a step back, shocked and dismayed by her entrance.
“Enough bloodshed!” Aloy commanded. “Let’s settle this, you and me.”
“Easy to say when you’re atop a machine!” Regalla mocked.
Aloy kicked the Sunwing into flight, leaping off it and landing in front of Hekarro.
She smelt of wind, of victory and of freedom.
“That was just to get your attention. I don’t need any help to take you down.”
Regalla huffed. “Fine. I accept your challenge,” she stepped back, the rebels making a space around them even as Kotallo, Hekarro and Ivvira made sure to keep close to Aloy’s back, “and once I’m done with you…I’ll get to finish the slaughter.”
“We’ll see about that.” Aloy rebuffed her firmly.
“The duel is set!” Hekarro announced. “Let none interfere!”
Already in Kotallo’s mind, he had made a decision.
Should Aloy look to fall…he would take the blow instead.
For while he had confidence in Aloy, Regalla was the most dangerous killer he’d ever seen.
Proving that point, Hekarro’s last syllable had barely rung out before Regalla swung her blade down, striking Aloy’s spear then knocked her backwards so that she landed on the level below. Regalla immediately leapt down, fast as a Stalker and hitting as hard as an Oseram. Aloy took several blows before finding her footing, her aim with the bow something to be marvelled at.
Regalla fumed at the way Aloy was able to keep her back with her flurry of arrows. She threw her spear and in mid-air, it separated into a half dozen spikes that struck the landing then exploded. Aloy gasped, flailed her arms and slid down the broken platform. Kotallo nearly leapt off the landing after her. He couldn’t see her for a moment in all the haze of dust and smoke but then her body could be seen getting some distance from Regalla, ramming her arrows into her armour until it shattered. When Regalla did get close, Aloy ducked out of the way, striking several times lightly with her spear before winding up for a powerful blow, causing Regalla to stagger and swear even as Aloy followed up her attack with more arrows.
Kotallo leapt onto the lower platform, Hekarro and Ivvira following, watching from the broken edge as Aloy brought Regalla, former Marshal and rebel leader, to her knees in the sand.
They dropped into the Arena as Regalla snarled, furious at her defeat.
“Here I am…on my knees before bootlicks and cowards!” She looked at Aloy. “Go ahead! Run me through!”
“Shut your mouth,” Kotallo advanced to her, his blade lowering to her throat, “traitor.” She spat in the sand at his feet.
Hekarro looked at Aloy. “It was you who flew in on the Wings of the Ten. You who challenged her. By our rights, you must decide her fate.” He looked back at his former and most trusted Marshal. “I spared her once…it only made things worse.” He shook his head. “She was the best of my Marshals…what a waste.”
Aloy nodded. “She’s dangerous alright…but maybe that’s exactly what I need.”
“Cowards!” Regalla beat the sand with her fists. “What more do you have to conspire about?”
“Whether you live or die.” Aloy returned to stand over her. “I’m not here to forgive you for your crimes,” she began to pace in front of Regalla, “but there’s another battle ahead…against an enemy more powerful than anything you can imagine. And I need people, a squad, that’s willing to do whatever it takes.”
Kotallo watched as Regalla sneered at her, his mind in a whirl at what Aloy was proposing.
“I don’t want your mercy.”
“It’s not mercy,” Aloy said in a hard voice, “the battle I’m talking about…we’ll be charging into a nightmare.”
She was offering this to Regalla?
“A better death than this? Yes…” Regalla nodded then got to her feet, Kotallo dancing on the edge of tension, ready to cut her down. “My blood is yours.” Regalla met her gaze with fierce determination. “Your enemies are mine.”
“Meet us at our stronghold, in the mountains near Plainsong.”
Kotallo could no longer remain silent. He strode to Aloy’s side.
“You mean to send her alone?” He demanded. “Without even an armed guard?”
“She does not need it.” Hekarro said from behind them.
“I will be there,” Regalla nodded, “you have my word.”
Kotallo had to remember that, despite her treachery, Regalla was a Tenakth. In her mind, Hekarro had broken his word first by making peace with the Carja. But Regalla had never stopped being a Tenakth who abided by the rules of combat. She had not cut Aloy down after Grudda’s defeat and she had accepted Aloy’s challenge of single combat.
But that didn’t mean he would let down his guard around her.
“I’ll hold you to it.” Aloy said almost as a threat and from the look in Regalla’s eyes, she took it as one. Kotallo knew if Regalla failed to show up, Aloy would hunt her down and give her a shameful death for betraying the trust she placed in her.
“Chief,” Ivvira said, interrupting the conversation as respectfully as she could, “there’s something you both need to see in the throne room.”
Kotallo gave Regalla one more dangerous look, which she returned with equal severity, before turning his back on her and walking with Hekarro and Aloy as the shouts of the Tenakth of the Grove rang out with greater victory than he’d heard even at the Kulrut.
For today, they had witnessed a true miracle.
The Wings of the Ten reborn.
In the throne room, Hekarro sank onto his chair while Aloy and Kotallo stood nearby as Ivvira gestured and two soldiers brought an Oseram before them.
“He surrendered to our guards outside the Grove. Claims he has an urgent message for the Outlander who defeated Regalla.”
“So…state it.”
“It’s for her alone.” He said, his voice muffled through the mask he wore. As he reached into a pocket, the soldiers nearly ran him through. He held up his hands then retrieved the message very slowly, holding it out in front of him. Kotallo peered at it.
It was a FOCUS.
“From an interested party.” He said as Aloy stretched out her fingers and took it.
She held it up and nodded then turned to Hekarro. “I’m gonna need some privacy.”
Kotallo swallowed down a smile. An outlander in the throne room of the Tenakth stronghold of the Grove had just asked the Chief if he’d mind stepping outside.
Hekarro was gracious and grateful. He stood up and gave the order to clear the room.
“And put him,” he pointed at the Oseram, “with the rest of Regalla’s soldiers.”
As the soldiers led the Oseram out, Kotallo approached Aloy. He did not presume to stay. She looked at him and opened her mouth.
“I’ll see you back at base.” He said, answering the question she was possibly going to ask.
She put her lips together and nodded. He struck his chest and strode out of the throne room.
Outside, he flexed his muscles and breathed in deeply.
“Marshal.” Dekka greeted.
“Chaplain,” Kotallo nodded at her then viewed the machine carcasses strewn about, “a day that will go down in Tenakth history.”
“A warrior maid with hair as red as blood riding on the Wings of the Ten…” Dekka breathed. “I wish I could fashion a vision to capture her deeds.”
“She doesn’t need a vision…she needs her own Grove.” Dekka looked at him and smiled. Kotallo wondered if his tone was too praiseworthy. “Do you require any help with the rebel soldiers?” He asked, quickly changing the subject.
“I am not some invalid, despite my years, Marshal.” Dekka teased. “Go, you have more important matters to attend to. And as your mount was destroyed in the attack, you’ll be doing so on foot.”
“Blast.” Kotallo sighed then shook his head. “I’ve gotten used to travelling fast on a mount that does not tire. I’d better put some speed into my stride.”
“Walk with the Ten, Marshal Kotallo.”