Cyrus It was a slaughter, Cyrus knew, as night fell. The dragoons had filled the air with the smell of horses, of manure, so thick that he could scarcely breathe it without thinking of stables and wet hay. The sky had been clear, and when the sun set, the first fires to the east had been easy to see, the sight of spellcasters burning ground to slow the scourgeas advance and cover a rally. They had come an hour or so after that, the army on a march. He had seen them from a distance, faint heads and bodies blending into the outlines that were illuminated by the fires behind them, but the number was few enough. It was an army of thousands, and now it is half or less what it was when last I saw it. Actaluere, Galbadien, Syloreas and Sanctuary combined. It was hard to see detail, silhouettes against the only light source; when the moon came up the picture became clearera"but no less disheartening.

The sound of the horses was heavy too, hoofbeats, rallying, the soldiers burning off nervous energy as they waited. The trouble was coming, it was close at hand. The dragoons formed up, and the horses snorted in the still, warm night, the first Cyrus could recall in what seemed like years. How many have we lost of Sanctuary? How many have we left? He felt the pull of worry at his innards. How many have I lost? They are mine to command, after all, even if I have abdicated that responsibility a great deal of late. The touch of the warm night air on his skin was palpable, a reminder that winter had subsided and spring was roaring through with intent to carry summer with it.

When the armies drew closer, it was near to midnight, and the full moon gave them a clearer idea still. aWere there so many missing when last you saw them?a Cyrus asked Longwell, who was alongside him on his horse.

aAye,a Longwell said. aThe flanking action was terrible, and the Actaluereans were caught on the march by the scourge when they swept through from the west. They were separated from us and the Sanctuary army by too wide a distance; they had to flee without fire spells to cover them and lost three-quarters of their men before they met up with us.a He shook his head. aYour Baron Hoygrafas ambitions cost a great many lives, it seems.a My failure to kill him, you mean. But Cyrus did not voice the thought, true as it was. What good can I do here when all I seem to be able to achieve are failures that embolden the enemy and turn every silly mistake of mine into another thousand or hundred thousand dead? How many must die before I stop giving these things more room to kill us?

There was movement at the back line of the retreating army, the leading edge of a few wagons and men carrying the supplies. They came out of the darkness, speaking little to the dragoons as they passed, trying to edge around the army on horseback. He saw tired faces, downturned, going about their labor. Some seemed more familiar than others, and he knew they had been part of the wagon train at Enrant Monge and perhaps earlier, at Filsharron. One of them came out of the dark on a pony and approached him, face cracking into a smile. It was a young man who looked vaguely familiar. aItas you,a the lad said. aI knew youad be back.a aOh?a Cyrus looked at him until something clicked in his mind. aYou tended the horses at Enrant Monge.a aAye, I did,a the young man said. aBeen doing it for the army since, taking care of the ones that haul the wagons. The Brothers had me leave before the castle fell.a He shook his head. aNever thought it would happen. Theyave taken it all, havenat they? The whole land?a aAye,a Cyrus said with greatest reluctance, athey have.a The boy seemed to absorb that. aItas all right. Youall save us.a There was such a moment of absurd intensity that Cyrus felt almost compelled to laugh. aI havenat exactly done a bang-up job of that so far, kid.a The boy shrugged as if to say no matter. aI believe in you. Youare him, after all. Youare him, returned, like me mum used to talk about.a Cyrus quelled a deep sigh. aKid, Iam not your aBaron Darrick,a or whatever his name is.a aLord Garrick?a Longwell said from next to Cyrus, raising an eyebrow at the warrior. aYou speak of the legend of Garrickas return?a aAye,a the boy said with a hint of pride. aItas him, I tell you. Heas the one. Heall save us.a Longwell gave Cyrus a pitying look of understanding then a nod of surrender. aIf ever there was a man who could find a way where there was no way, this would be the man.a Cyrus frowned. aYou cannot be serious.a Longwell shrugged. aNo, I believe it. Youave done impossible things in the past. Youare a human man who brought down the Dragonlorda"a aThrough luck,a Cyrus said.

aa"you led a nearly untested army into the Trials of Purgatory and came out a victora"a aThrough some good fortune and the skill of my comrades.a aa"you broke the Goblin Imperium and threw one of the most prestigious guilds in Arkaria into shamea"a aThanks to a sword forged by a god.a Longwell shrugged. aHeld a bridge against an army of a hundred thousand.a aWith your help. And a Varaas.a aKilled a god,a Longwell said. aSomething that hasnat been done in living memory.a He paused. aExcept Curatioas.a aBecause of Alaric,a Cyrus said, annoyed. aAnd also the cause of all our current problems.a Longwell locked eyes with the stableboy, ignoring Cyrus. aYouave got a good eye, lad. If ever there was a man born today who embodied Garrickas dauntlessness, his fighting ability, his indomitable spirit, this is the one.a aAye, Your Majesty,a the stableboy said, and bowed so low he nearly fell off his horse.

aRun along now,a Longwell said. aTake care of yourself, and stay clear of the fighting. You get to that bridge and stay well out in front of everyone else, do you hear?a aYes, Your Majesty,a the boy said again, and started his horse forward, looking back with awstruck eyes at Cyrus and Longwell.

Cyrus waited until he was out of earshot before turning on the King of Galbadien. aYou didnat have to feed his delusion.a Longwell let out a mirthless guffaw. aDelusion, nothing. All I did was recount a piece of your legend.a He waved in the direction of the stableboyas retreating back. aTell me what harm it does to give that lad a hope in a land that has nearly had it struck out of it. Weare about to surrender our last foothold here. I would have him believe as we do so that weare not retreating just so we can die on the other side of the sea. I would have him believe he can have a future free of these things. I would rather surrender our last square of land here a thousand times over, to feel the pain of that loss, than surrender our hope. Hope is a powerful thing. Belief is a powerful thing, too. It hurts him little to believe that you are the legend of Lord Garrick returned to us.a Longwellas face darkened. aAnd it certainly is our darkest hour, when it was said he would return. We all could use a little hope right now.a Cyrus took a long glance at Longwell, the King. aAs you wish,a he said simply. The last of the suppliers had passed now, and it was down to the army, clumped ahead of them, lines of fire on either side.a aWould you like to argue it further?a Longwell said with an impish smile as he started his horse forward.

Cyrus drew Praelior as he watched Longwell heft his lance. aNot at present,a Cyrus said. aBut I expect youall be whistling quite a different tune when weare on the other side of the sea.a aI dearly hope not,a Longwell said as the army before them opened ranks to channel the horses through as they fell back. Cyrus rode past the Actaluerean army, through its midst, three short rows before he hit the scourge, coming forward in the darkness, advancing into the last hundred miles of Luukessia that was left.

Chapter 102.

aWell, that was effective,a Terian said beside the fire as the sun was rising nearby. Martaina was there, as well as Curatio and Nyad, who was sacked out already. Calene Raverle and Scuddar Inashara shared the fire with them, the desert man strangely quieta"though not strangely for him, Cyrus reflected. The battle had lasted most of the night. aIave never seen that many scourge die so quickly.a aYet, we still find ourselves a mile back from where we started the night,a Curatio said, studying a book draped across his lap. aTens of thousands of the enemy dead but ultimately irrelevant. Even with the effectiveness of the dragoons, weall be seeing the Endless Bridge inside of a week.a Cyrus sat staring at the fire in front of them. aThat means weall see the end of the bridge in a week or so after that. And after that aa He let his words trail off. aThereas no holding them back at that point. They can flank us in the jungle and weall have a hell of a time doing much other than forming a line on the beach and fighting with our backs to the waves.a A thought occurred to him. aActually a we might try that here, on the shores of Luukessia.a aNot a bad idea,a came a voice from behind him, and Longwell trudged up, lance in hand, his helm under the other arm. He threw down his weapon, careful not to hit anyone. The smell of activity came with him, the strong scent of sweat. Cyrus knew it well, having smelled it on himself earlier, but it had faded away now, blended into the background behind the smell of the logs burning. The crack and pop of them owned the air while they waited for Longwell to speak again. aA last stand against the shores of the sea might just produce some killing results.a aFor the day or so you lasted,a Curatio agreed, ayes. Then, when you became too tired to fight any longer, youad likely be up to your chest in water already, and left with no options save one: drown.a aPerhaps,a Longwell said. aBut to take as many of those things down with you as possible before the end, to have them keep coming and to refuse to yield, to not leave Luukessiaas shores and lay down your life for the country?a He gave a subtle nod as he fixed on the fire. aI could think of worse ways to go. Besides, if those things do make the choice to crawl over the bridge,a he waved a hand behind them in the direction of the Endless Bridge, aour days are over soon enough anyhow. I donat expect drowning would be much worse than being devoured by one of them.a Curatio looked up from his book with a raised eyebrow. aDrowning is agony.a aAnd being ripped apart and crushed in the jaws of one of those creatures is a fun and easy way to leave this life?a Calene Raverle asked, looking at the healer.

aPoint,a Curatio said. aThe only thing I was suggesting was that of all the ways I could pick to go out, drowning is not a good one. You struggle for breath for agonizing minutes, fighting to get air, and it lasts what seems like forever.a aDrowned to death once or twice in your life, have you Curatio?a Terian asked.

aJust the once,a Curatio said. aI wouldnat do it again.a aIam now taking recommendations for ways to die,a Calene said. aI will say that hanging wasnat terrible,a she shuddered, athough what came before it was a bit a much.a aDo you remember it?a Martaina asked. The rangeras eyes were on her counterpart, and Calene Raverle seemed to focus on a distant point behind them.

aSort of,a Raverle said. aI mean, yes. But itas almost as though it happened to someone else. It feels a very long ago, very far away.a Cyrus did not say anything; he just kept his head down and watched the fire.

aI believe itas time for me to sleep,a Terian said as he stood, and his spiked profile receded into the darkness.

aNot staying by the fire?a Martaina teased as she stood, disappearing into the black as well.

aGods, no,a Terian replied. aToo hot.a aI kind of figured that out for myself,a Martaina said with a roll of her eyes.

aI mean Iam too hot,a Terian said with a wicked grin. aWouldnat want any of the rest of you to geta"a aAll right, thatas enough for me,a Curatio said as he stood, and then walked off in the other direction.

aIt seems likely weall be awakened in the middle of the night,a Longwell said, and grabbed his lance, using it to push himself to his feet. aTo move back or come to the front. The advance is harsh, and the dragoons are doing great damage, but not nearly enough, I think.a aHow much more flat ground do they have to fight on?a Cyrus asked.

aA dayas worth, perhaps,a Longwell said with a shrug. aAfter that, the land becomes swampy, the grasses hide water and soft ground, and weall need to withdraw. aWeall do as much damage as we can for as long as we can, but in another day, we might as well be infantry for all the good weall do.a aYour day will come again,a Cyrus said. aOn the other side of the bridge, I think. Weall need to move you out to flat ground if weare to carry on. Perhaps use a wizard to teleport your men to Taymor or one of the portals northwest of there. You can assemble on the flatlands north of the Inculta desert and make another defense there as these things come north.a aI donat love the turn of inevitability this conversation has taken,a Calene said from across the fire.

aNor do I,a Scuddar said quietly from behind his cowl.

Cyrus stared at the two of them; though he had shared a fire with both of them on numerous occasions, he could hardly say he knew them well. aIam sorry. But this is not going well, and I think we have to conclude that we need a plan to deal with whatas about to happen.a aAnd whatas that?a Calene asked. Scuddaras eyes watched as well, silently accusing.

aWeare going to get pushed back to the bridge,a Cyrus said. aAnd once weare on the bridge, weall be pushed back all the way to Arkaria.a aWhy?a Scuddar was the one who asked this time.

aBecause,a Cyrus said, feeling as though he were explaining the concept to children, athere are more of them than there are of us. Because the viciousness of their attack inevitably requires us to give ground.a aWhy?a Scuddar asked.

Now I really am explaining to a child. aYouave fought them,a Cyrus said. aThey come at you, they lunge, you kill one, you parry another, the next comes, you have to take a step back to avoid getting hit. Thereas push. Itas a natural part of the battle.a aItas a natural part of losing a battle, seems to me,a Calene said quietly, avoiding Cyrusas eyes.

aWhich makes sense,a Cyrus said with as much patience as he could find, asince we are losing this battle. This war, really. As much as Iad like to rail against the inevitability of loss, I canat find an example to point to of when weave ever pushed them back. Weave only seen the opposite happen.a aIt would seem we lack only belief and hope,a Scuddar said quietly.

Cyrus tried to avoid rolling his eyes but only succeeded in looking to Longwell, who shrugged in some agreement. aReally?a he asked the King.

aHe makes a point,a Longwell said. aWe retreat because we accept the inevitability of their advance. We donat fight to push them back because we believe theyare going to keep coming long past the point when weare willing to stand and die to push them back. Because thatas what it would takea"a full-blooded, mystic-bladed warrior with the conviction that they could singlehandedly cut the enemy down if they advance one step further.a He shrugged. aYou put someone like that in front of the scourgea"on a bridge, no less, where all their myriad numbers count for lessa"I believe theyall buckle before the warrior.a Cyrus hid a foolish grin, a patronizing one, behind his hand. You cannot be serious. aI donat know where youad find this warriora"a aItas you,a Calene said without hesitation, causing Cyrus to freeze in place. aItas always been you.a He pursed his lips and felt the guilt well up. aI appreciate that, really I do, more than you know. But thatas a vote of confidence I donat think I deserve. If anyone on this expedition should be skeptical of me and my ability to command effectively it should be you, after what you went througha"a aAfter what I went through?a She bristled. aI got captured by the enemy, a cruel, vicious and subhuman one. He did some nasty things, things that made me feel like less than a person.a She leaned forward. aBut you werenat him. And you didnat let him get away with it, either. You came for me, and you didnat have to. Anyone else would have left us behind, or struggled to get us back. You saved me. You saved the othersa"a aBut not until aftera"a aAfter what happened had already happened,a she said, and Cyrus heard the razored steel in her voice. aYou saved us. Led us out and made him suffer.a She sat back and looked at him coolly. aI believe in you.a Cyrus put a hand against his face. aEveryone keeps saying that. Iam not even sure I know what it means anymore.a She stared back at him, quiet, then looked at Scuddar, then Longwell. aHavenat you ever had someone you knew you could count on before? That no matter how bad it got, you knew theyad be there with you, no matter what?a Cyrus felt an icy chill run through his gut and a memory flitter. They all left, one by one. Left me alone. Father. Mother. Imina. Narstron. Orion. Niamh. He looked around the fire. And this lot a theyare the ones counting on me. Who am I supposed to count on?

Vara. He blinked away the thought. aI donat know,a he said at last, almost mumbling.

aBelief in others is a powerful thing,a Scuddar said, his quiet, deep timbre. aHope is sometimes all we have. Thereas an old legend among my people, the story of the Ark. Have you heard it?a aNo,a Cyrus said with a shake of his head.

aWhen the world was first new,a Scuddar began, athere were only two gods who ruled over ita"the God of Good, and the God of Evil. They divided among themselves all the attributes and aspects that each prized. Courage, Light, Knowledge, Lifea"these were but a few of the virtues held by the followers of good.a His countenance darkened in the firelight. aDarkness, Despair, Death and Wara"those and others were held high in esteem by the God of Evil. It was a mighty struggle, waged day and night over the surface of the bare land. But the forces were too evenly matched, as evil had captured the hearts and souls of mortal beings to even the score. Mortals began to despair, so wracked were they with the darkness sent from evil. And so the God of Good sent forth his last gift to mortalsa"the Ark. It was to be what they looked to in times of trouble, as within they could find that most ephemeral of all the virtues.a Cyrus stared across the fire at the desert man, heard the pop of the logs, felt the smoke fill the air around him as though the words were taking on a mystical quality of their own. He took a deep inhalation through his nose and the smell of the wood fire took him back, as though he were around a campfire in the days when the story was happening. He listened on as his skin prickled from the back of his neck and up his scalp, and he watched through the flames as the man of the desert moved his hands in time with the story, as though he had told it numerous times before. aWhat was it?a Cyrus asked, and realized that if Scuddar had, in fact, told this story numerous times before, he had paused and was waiting for someone to answer.

aHope.a Scuddaras hands came down. aIt is in our darkest hours that we let despair creep in, let it drain us of any faith in ourselves. Hope is our respite, the answer to our cries. The belief that darkness can be destroyed by the light, that despair can be turned back if we believea"if we have hope for a brighter day ahead.a Cyrus ran his hand up to his long hair, tangled and matted. How many days has it been since I bathed? Since I breathed? Since I slept in my own bed, lived in my own walls, breathed air that didnat have even the slightest tinge of decay and wondered if these things would be coming? How long since I first started to lose a hope? The thought came easy: It was the day I carried her to her room and listened to her say that we would never be togethera"could never be together. Everything since has made me question every action taken, every consequence Iave set loose. aHow can you dare to hope aa Cyrus began, aa when you know that all you have wrought is a darkness a and despair a and death?a Scuddar leaned forward over the fire, and his eyes caught the light; they were yellow, and Cyrus had never noticed that before, but they glowed. aBecause darkness a and despair and death a these are things all rooted in your past. Hope a is about a future. You need not live your whole life governed by them. That road is despair. Futility. Hope is the idea that no matter what evil you might have done, willing or unwillinga"it can redeemed.a Cyrus felt the gut clench of emotion. aI fear that there are some things so wrong, so dark, that there is no redemption for them.a Scuddaras yellow eyes narrowed. aWell, that is not really up to you now, is it?a aDidnat you believe in the God of War, once upon a time?a Longwell asked, breaking Cyrus out of his trance and turning his head away from Scuddar. aIn battle and chaos, destruction and death?a aFor combatants, yes,a Cyrus said. aNot for the innocent. For those who wanted it, for those who thrived on battle, the clash of blade, the evangelism of the trial by fire.a aThose things are combatants,a Longwell said, pointing him toward the field of battle, somewhere ahead in the darkness, barely visible beyond the fire-lit camp. aYou donat believe they deserve to die?a aTheyare already dead,a Cyrus said, abut yes, they deserve to die. And Iall kill as many as I can.a aAh,a Scuddar said. aSo you believe in something, at least. Even something so minor as that. Itas a start.a aAnd what do you believe?a Cyrus asked, watching the smoke waft between him and Scuddar, between the night and those yellow eyes.

aI believe that when you come to the moment when you believe all hope is gone,a Scuddar said, ayou will be forced to reach down inside yourself, to touch whatever remains within you. I believe in that moment, General a youall find the embers of whatever is left. Youall find what you truly believe in. And I think aa the desert man smiled, aa that whatever it is, our enemy will have cause to fear. Because a man can only live with despair for so long before hope resurges.a

Chapter 103.

The next day was a long battle, one that grated and dragged along him, like a whip taken to flesh. He could feel the pain in his muscles at the close of the day, the smell of death fixed in his nose as though he had swallowed it, the stench hanging in the back of his throat and threatening to gag him with every breath. The sound of swords tearing flesh was in his ears as was the guttural screaming of the scourge, their cries echoing in the night even now, far behind the lines. Cyrus was arrayed in a council, Curatio and Martaina with him along with Terian. Opposite him were Longwell and Ranson, directly across, Briyce Unger to his left and Milos Tiernan to his right, a fearsome scarring present on Tiernanas face.

aBefore we begin,a Tiernan said, nodding in acknowledgment to Cyrus, aI owe you my thanks for saving my sister.a aI only wish it hadnat cost you Caenalys in the process,a Cyrus said. Tiernanas jaw clamped shut; he said nothing.

Silence reigned for almost a full minute. aWell, weave come to it at last,a Unger said. The mountain Kingas shoulders were slumped, as though one of the fabled avalanches had finally come down on him.

aAye,a Longwell said. aOur flat ground is done; from here to the bridge itas a swampy corridor of peninsula. Our last advantage is gone.a He made as if to turn and look to the fields of recent battle. aIt was a good fight while it lasted, though.a He turned serious, sober. aWe could have the dragoons dismount and fight as foot infantrya"a aFoolish,a Unger said, shaking his enormous head.

aA waste,a Tiernan agreed. There was a somber spirit of dejection upon them, but Tiernan seemed to brush it aside. aThe time has come to plan the next phase. To see our people safely across to the west. We have the foot troops to hold the last of the peninsula for a time.a The King of Actaluere set his jaw. aIave discussed it with my men, and many of them have no desire to leave these shores. I mean to stay, to water these last miles with my blood and tears, and to give our people as great a head start as we can.a The silence filled the air. aI never thought an Actaluerean would leave aside merchant sensibility for something so aa Unger smiled, aa deeply felt. Iave lost my homeland. Few enough of my people have made it over that bridge.a He shook his head. aI have no desire to keep fighting this battle into a new land when Iave already lost my own.a His eyes flicked toward Longwell.

aAye,a Samwen Longwell said, and Cyrus saw the full weight of a crown that wasnat there, weighing down his head. aI have seen things a done things a to try and save this land a things I donat wish to carry with me to the west. I was born in Luukessia, and I wish to die here.a He looked up at Cyrus. aWill you lead my mena"my dragoonsa"into the west and help them to protect our people as best you can? We will buy you as much time as our bodies allow,a he said with a grim smile.

Cyrus looked from Tiernan to Unger then to Longwell. aI obviously canat stay with you gentlemen, much as I might like. My land has yet to be hit by these things, but we all know itas coming. Yes, I will protect your citizenry in their retreat with everything I have left,a he said, without much feeling. aIall take whatever men you have who donat wish to die in the last defense of Luukessia and into battle in Arkaria.a He settled in, a glum feeling hanging over him. aAnd perhaps weall a find a way, over there, to stem the tide of these things. If they follow.a aThereas no guarantee they will, after all,a Longwell said, but with enough of a kernel of disbelief that Cyrus knew that the dragoon didnat believe it either. aIf we give you enough time, perhaps the smell of life will be lost among their fear of the waters.a aA faint hope,a Cyrus said with a slight smile, abut one Iam clinging to right now.a There hung a moment of silence as the four of them all looked to one another. Tiernan broke it when he stood first, and gestured toward Cyrus, who stood and stepped closer to take the King of Actaluereas outstretched hand.

aI trust youall continue to see to my sister,a Tiernan said, aand make certain sheas kept well out of the danger that comes?a aI will,a Cyrus said.

aYour word,a Tiernan said firmly. aIad like it, please.a Cyrus felt a pinch inside. aI give you my word Iall protect her for as long as Iam able.a He smiled tightly. aThank you.a He shook Cyrusas hand hard and stepped aside.

Unger stood and stepped over to Cyrus. aThank you for believing me when no one else would. Without your help, wead not have gotten much of anyone out of Syloreas before the fall.a Cyrus felt a clutch of pain inside. If not for me, youad still have a Kingdom. aIam sorry we couldnat do more.a Unger gave a slow shake of his head. aYouave done quite enough. More than I likely would have done were our situations reversed. Iad have fled and not looked back.a Longwell stood last and his crossing was slow, the King of Galbadien looking down at his feet, his helm clutched under his arm. When his head came up, Cyrus saw him biting his lower lip. aI owe you great thanks for all youave done. Youave shown me a world I never would have believed. That you came here in the name of our friendship, out of loyalty to me, when you didnat need toa"it means everything.a aI wish Iad had purer motives in doing so,a Cyrus said.

aWhatever your motives when you started,a Longwell said, ayou stayed when you didnat have to. You went north to Syloreas when you had no reason to think you were responsible in any way. And youave foughta"ancestors! How youave fought.a He seized Cyrusas hand, hard. aI believe in youa"that if anyone will find a way to stop them, itas you. If anyone could hold that bridge aa Longwellas face tightened. aWell. Iam sorry I wonat be there to help you this timea"a There came a crack from behind Samwen, and the dragoon slumped, falling abruptly to Cyrusas feet. Ranson stood behind him and unclenched his gauntlet. aEnough of that,a the Count said. aTake him with you, would you please? This is not a place for a young man to die, especially one whom you know could help you hold that bridge.a Cyrus looked at the fallen figure of Longwell, out cold on the ground. aYou could have a made your case to him about that.a Ranson scoffed. aIave served his family for all my life. Served Galbadien for my entire life. Iall die here, willingly, but Iall not have the last vestige of our old ways destroyed because heas got a foolish desire to spend himself before his time. If he truly wants to die, he can do it across the seaa"after heas ensured the safety of our people. Itas his last duty as King of Galbadien.a Ranson cocked an eyebrow. aYou tell him I said that, when he wakes up.a Cyrus looked between the Kings of Luukessia. aAll right. Weall pull back to the bridge with the dragoons and any men you want to send our way, and weall hold there until the last are on it. After that, weall go and cover the retreata"and hope that we make it far enough, fast enough to leave those bastards behind.a aWeall give you all the time we can spare,a Milos Tiernan said. aWeare placing the last of our Kingdoms in your handsa"the last of the Luukessians. I dearly hope youall save them.a He looked from Ranson to Unger, then back to Cyrus. aAfter all,a the King of Actaluere said with a smile, ayou are our last hope.a

Chapter 104.

With the dawn they were headed west, Cyrus and the Sanctuary army, on a slow march along the road. The sound of combat faded behind them as the morning wore on, and they set out pickets that night after sunset. The territory was familiar in appearance, the coastal ground theyad trod in their first days in Luukessia. The crickets sang in the grasses, the winds blew sea air fresh across them from the south, a salt breeze that reminded Cyrus of the boat, or of a day on the beach long agoa"the first day he had been in Luukessia. The swaying grass and short sight lines reminded him of plains, just briefly. Of home. Or whatever Sanctuary is to me now.

There was a sound, a low moan. Cyrus turned to look and saw Longwell clutching his head nearby, stirring from the place where he was bound with rope. He had been thrown unceremoniously on the back of a horse and left there for a good portion of the day after a healing spell from Curatio. Cyrus had looked at the damage done by Ranson before the healing spell had been cast; privately he did not envy the dragoon.

aWhat happened?a Longwell said, trying to sit up and struggling against the rope.

Cyrus looked him over. aRanson knocked you out and asked me to take you with us.a Longwell blinked and looked at the ropes that bound him. aYou must surely be joking.a Cyrus shrugged. aI think youall agree I havenat been in much of a joking mood of late. More brooding, I think.a aAre you going to let me loose?a Longwell said, struggling against the bonds that bound him under his armor.

aIn another day or so,a Cyrus said, taking a drink from a skin of water and then holding it up to Longwell to let him sip from it. aWouldnat want you trying to escape and go back to throw yourself into a massacre, after all.a Longwell finished his drink, giving Cyrus a measured glare. aSo this is how you would treat me, after all this time? Bind me like a criminal?a He eyed Terian, who sat nearby and cocked his head at the comment. aSorry.a He switched his gaze back to Cyrus. aYou would strike my ability to choose for myself?a aYep,a Cyrus said. aI hope you understand. Iam going to need your help on that bridge.a He favored Longwell with a look, a cool, understated one.

aI a what?a aThe bridge,a Cyrus said. aI need someone at my side who can handle this situation. Someone whoas been in a fight like this before because if these things end up crossing, weare the last line of defense. Your horsemen are going to be useless in a fight of this sort. The Sanctuary army can do some good if we fail, but we need to be the stone wall upon which the scourge breaksa"for as long as it takes to get your people off that bridge and headed north to the portal, where we can evacuate them quickly.a He took another sip. aHopefully some of them have already reached the other side and started to head that way.a aYou want me by your side for this again,a Longwell said, letting his bound hands hang in front of him.

aI need your help,a Cyrus said. aYou, Scuddar, Odellan,a he darted a look backwards, aTerian, probably. This could be days of fighting. I have a lot of veterans thanks to our army being in a near-constant battle these last few months, but I need an elite, a front rank that wonat buckle, no matter what.a Longwell settled, his struggle with the bonds done. aIt almost sounds as though you mean to try and drive them back; to stand and fight and make them feel the pain and blink.a Cyrus looked at Longwell out of the corner of his eye, just for a moment, then back to the dark, swampy night. aMaybe I do. Maybe I do.a Longwell gave a short nod after a moment of thought. aVery well, then. I cede the wisdom of your proposal. I will fight alongside you on the bridge.a He held out his hand. aYou may release me now; I wonat go anywhere.a Cyrus pulled the water skin from between his lips. aI know you wonat. Because youare going to stay roped until we get to the bridge.a Even in the dark, Cyrus could see the disbelief as Longwellas face fell. aWhat? But I gave you my word.a aYeah,a Cyrus agreed. aBut a man desperate to die in the defense of his homeland might be possessed to say some untruths. After all, whoas gonna care if he lied after heas dead?a aBut,a Longwell said, sputtering, looking around for some sort of support. aIam the King of Galbadien!a aRight you are, Your Majesty,a Cyrus said, and bowed his head. aWould you like some more water?a Longwellas expression turned from disbelief to fury, then slowed to irritation, then finally to a long, sustained eyeroll. aVery well.a

Chapter 105.

Two days later, they crossed the berm to see the bridge spanning the sea before them. The last of the straggling refugees were already upon it, barely visible on the horizon. At the base of the span, though, waited a familiar partya"two blue-skinned figures at the side of the bridge along with another, her brown hair above her shoulders. Cyrus rode up to them, felt the salt spray of the tide hitting his face, and gazed upon Jaandaas face in shock. His own gasp filled his ears, and a feeling like someone had jammed a rod into his spine set him upright in the saddle. After a moment it subsided, as he got closer, and looked at the lined, worn skin on the enchanteras face. aYou burned through your magical energy,a Cyrus said, aand started trading your life for bread.a There was a nod from the enchanter, whose hair was now streaked with a faded grey. aWorth it, I think,a he said, voice raspy. aA few hundred years of my life to spare thousands of lives.a He shrugged. aIn mere days, it may not matter anyway.a aVery laudable,a Curatio pronounced as he arrived.

Cyrus shook his head at Jaanda. aItas your life, I suppose.a aI did what I thought was right,a Jaanda said with another shrug. aI regret nothing.a Cyrus waved toward Longwell, who sat at the front of a line of horsemen. aStart them across. Theyall be able to catch the back line of those refugees fairly easily. Tell them not to hurry, not to push. We donat want to start a stampede, and weave got some time.a He paused. aI think.a Longwell tossed him a mock salute with only a little acrimony and motioned for the horsemen to start across.

aHow many horsemen do you have?a Cattrine asked, with a look of slightly shocked awe as she looked at the perfectly formed lines, moving up the bridge at faster than a walk.

Cyrus dismounted and landed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. aMore than ten thousand. Enough to give the scourge a fight if we can get to open ground on the other side of the sea. Transport will be a problem because you canat teleport nearly that many in one bunch with one wizard, but if we can get to the portal two days north of the other side of the bridge, we can transport everyone fasta"in half an hour or soa"back to Sanctuary.a aYour magic still amazes me,a Cattrine said with a shake of the head.

aI donat have any magic,a Cyrus said. He gave Aisling a nod of greeting, which was returned with some reserve. He looked Cattrine in the eyes. aIam sending you with the second regiment of dragoons.a She looked to him, and her head went from leaning forward, eager to see him, to relaxed and falling back as her face did the same; it fell. aI wouldnat want to be a bother, I suppose.a aNot a bother,a Cyrus said. aBut I promised your brother I would see to your safety, and I need to keep my word.a aVery well,a she said. aDid he send any other message?a He let his jaw relax. aJust to see you to safety. His last worries, aside from wanting to die fighting the good fight for Luukessia, were about you.a She gave a slow nod and started to turn away toward the horsemen marching up the bridge. aI donat suppose he gave a thought to what would happen to our people in this new land? Of how he should have stayed to lead them?a aI donat think he much wanted to contemplate a new land,a Cyrus said. aI believe the pain of the loss of the old was the sort of wound he would not ever have been able to put aside.a There was a sting in his words, as though he were rubbing salt on a wound of his own. aThatas my suspicion, at least.a aIam certain you have no idea what that feels like,a Cattrine said, her eyes warm, but her tone slightly sardonic. She knows. aIall take my leave of you now, Lord Davidon, so you might fight whatever battle comes without concern for my safety.a She stepped to him, gave him a peck on the cheek, then a longer, fuller kiss on the lips. aI do hope to see you on the other side.a She lifted her skirts and trod across the beach, her feet leaving impressions in the sand.

The horsemen went on for the rest of the day. As the night began to fall, the Sanctuary army moved onto the bridge at last, the back ranks going firsta"the most wearied, in Cyrusas eyes, along with Windrider and the other horses. Curatio and a few of the others came toward the end, with their spellcasters, and finally Cyrus himself, along with Odellan, Longwell, Martaina, Scuddar, and Terian.

After the first hour, Terian eased over to Cyrus. aYou havenat asked me to fight alongside you.a aYouave been fighting alongside me on and off since Enrant Monge,a Cyrus said, unimpressed. aWhatas different now? You finally going to try and kill me again?a aNot today,a Terian replied. The clank of his boots and Cyrusas, and countless others, was soft in the night, and somewhere far below the splash of water against the pilings of the bridge could be heard. aMaybe tomorrow, though,a the dark knight said with a wicked grin.

aYou donat even really believe it anymore,a Cyrus said.

aHm,a Terian said with only a trace of amusement. aI think itas more accurate to say I donat know what I believe anymore.a aLot of that going around.a aIndeed there is,a Terian said. aWeare still not done yet though, you and I.a aNo,a Cyrus said, aI suppose weare not. Iam fine with that, so long as it doesnat bleed into this.a aNo,a Terian said somberly, aI wonat let my personal vendetta against you stop us from saving these people as best we can.a aaAs best we can?aa Cyrus mused. aI donat know, Lepos, maybe thereas some hope for you yet.a Terian shot him a scathing glance. aWhy? Do you think thereas some chance for redemption for me, even after I tried to kill you? Because if you say ayes,a I may have to kill you now, outside of my promise, just on the principle of it.a aI donat know about that,a Cyrus said. aRedemptionas a funny thing.a aOh?a Terian said with a scowl. aWhatas so funny about it?a aI donat know.a Cyrus looked back over his shoulder, into the darkness, to the long, empty stretch of stone behind him. aThe Kingsa"Unger, Tiernan, Longwell,a he looked to the side and gestured to Samwen, who trudged alone quietly to their left, aand Ranson, I suppose. They thought theyad failed to protect their Kingdoms, the places they were sworn to serve. They failed their lands, their people. They were Kings, supposed to be the most exalted, but they understood that basic truth that they were supposed to serve their people. Their redemption for that was to stand at the last edge of their land and die trying to stop these things from coming any farther.a Cyrus shrugged. aI donat know. Maybe the willingness to fight that hard, to die for what you believe in a maybe that brings its own sort of redemption. And peace, I would hope.a Terian looked back now, as though he could see the scourge behind them. aI donat know what peace death brings, not after all weave seen this year. Those things. I donat know what sort of redemption there is out there for those of us who have aa He bowed his head. aErred, letas call it.a aI donat suppose youad consider your attempt to kill me in that category, would you?a aDonat push it, Davidon,a Terian said irritably. aIam already having the sort of conversation with you that I donat comfortably have with anyone else.a aBut because youare going to kill me, itas almost like youare not talking to anyone at all, huh?a aNo one keeps secrets like the dead,a Terian quipped.

They walked on in peace for two more days after that, a solemn, quiet, cool breeze coming off the sea of Carmas in gusts that ran through the cracks in Cyrusas mail. The salt air was good, a pleasant smell, but it left a film on his armor. The nights were long and he spent them alone. Aisling looked at him from across the army a few times, as though she were waiting for him to beckon her forward. He did not, though, and instead lay awake staring at the stars until his eyes finally drooped into sleep.

It was at the close of the third day that the wind shifted directions, from out of the south. Cyrus could feel it, tangible, a change in current. The stone bridge went on into infinity before him, packed tightly with men and horses as far as he could see. When he turned back, as he had every few minutes for the entire journey, afraid that his next moment would be the one when a scourge jumped onto his back and dragged him down, he still saw nothing but the faint distortion of a mirage in the distance. The sun was falling in the sky but it was surprisingly hot, the southern breeze doing little to shift the air. Early summer weather? Itas not even finished being spring yet.

There was movement to his left and he turned to see Martaina, her cowl falling behind her head and exposing her hair to flutter in the breeze. She stared into the distance behind them, peering carefully, then dropped to the ground and put her ear against the surface of the bridge.

aInteresting place to sleep,a Terian said with a grin.

She waved at him for silence, and they waited. A moment later she sprang up and looked at Cyrus, deadly serious. aTheyare coming.a He tensed. aAre you sure?a She nodded. aI can hear their claws. Much different sound than horses clip-clopping along ahead of us. Itas faint, but there. A whole bunch of them, too, coming on fast. Theyall catch up to us in a few hours, maybe a half-day at most.a aWeare only two days from the shores of Arkaria. We need to buy time,a Cyrus said, thinking. aNyad!a aBuy time for what?a Terian asked. aOnce those things hit the shore, weare done. Good luck bottling them up again, or beating them in the jungle as they sweep north. Once the cork comes out of the bottle, the wine is going to escape all over your new dress.a aI donat wear a dress,a Cyrus said as Nyad appeared at his side. aGo back to Sanctuary and warn Alaric that these things are coming and we need help, now, at the bridge. No time to waste. Donat take any excuses; these things arenat on Luukessia anymore, theyare coming, and they will destroy our land if we donat stop them. You need to make him understand. Got it?a She nodded, and closed her eyes, lips moving in subtle ways as she repeated the incantation. Her hands glowed slightly, and there was a burst of green energy that exploded over them, causing Cyrus to turn his head and avert his eyes. When he opened them again and looked back, Nyad remained standing in the same place, a look of puzzlement upon her face. She closed her eyes again and began to cast the spell, the glow came forth once more, the light burst with sparkles, and when the spots cleared from Cyrusas vision she still stood in the middle of the Endless Bridge.

aMaybe I should send someone else?a Cyrus asked.

aNo,a Nyad said with a shake of her head. aItas not that. Itas not me. Itas the spella"the portal! Itas not working.a aWhat do you mean itas not working?a Terian asked, his eyebrows knitted together in a deep furrow. aHow does a spell not work?a Nyad seemed to consider this for a moment, staring off at the horizon. aThere are only two reasons why the spell wouldnat work. Either the portal has been shut down, ora"a She stopped speaking and paled, her complexion looking a flushed orange in the light of the late afternoon, as her voice dropped to a hushed whisper. aOr itas been destroyed.a

Chapter 106.

Vara Day 221 of the Siege of Sanctuary The battlements were in motion, a steady flow of people. The smell of them was strong, unwashed after a few days of long watches; Vara could even smell herself from under the armor. There had been only time for a few hours of sleep per night as the dark elves had begun a near-constant assault on the front gates. She looked down on the battering ram they were currently employing, hundreds of arrows sticking out of it in all directions, as the twenty or so dark elves carrying it were surrounded by an additional phalanx with shields to protect them. This situation needs Alaricas touch. I dearly hope heas on his way.

The sound was riotous, a hundred thousand enemies surrounding them, ladders flung upward to the top of the wall every few minutes with a clack of wood against stone and thrown back down only moments later with screams. Of course, some of the screams came from atop the wall as well, Vara knew, as there were volleys of arrows coming at them thickly, like a diagonal rainstorm of shafts, fletchings, and arrowheads. She kept her head down and heard them whistling all around her, the occasional scream close by attesting to another poor soul whoad caught one. One came from beside her, presently, and she heard a scuffle. A ranger had an arrow sticking out of his eye and was shouting, his bow cast aside from where he had been using it to aim at the shielded enemy.

aHealer!a Vara called without looking back. She plucked the bow and arrow off the ground and fired blindly over the ramparts.

aYou called, Shelasaakur?a Vasteas droll voice came up behind her. aOw, this one looks like it hurts. Eyeball, eh? Wouldnat want him to end up as Alaric the Second.a A scream came from behind her but she didnat bother to look, just plucked another arrow and fired. aWell, hold still, damn you,a Vaste said. aThis arrow isnat going to pull itself out, and I canat exactly heal you with it still in your eye, can I? Oh, dammit!a There was a sound of a hard hit behind her and she jumped, looking back, forcing her back against the crenellation of stone. Vaste smiled weakly over the fallen ranger, who was unconscious with a blatantly broken jaw. aSorry. I had to knock him out. Iall fix it now.a aTry not to enjoy yourself too much harming our allies,a Vara said, snagging the rangeras quiver from his back and pulling it free, then blind-firing another arrow over the battlements.

aI canat imagine youare doing much good shooting like that,a Vaste said, his hands beginning to glow.

aI canat imagine Iam not hitting something,a she replied, releasing another arrow, aseeing as the dark elves are filling the ground before us all the way to the horizon.a aMore of a random act of hoping to hit something?a Vaste asked, his healing spell complete, the rangeras eye now open, unfocused, and returned to normal. aSounds like a metaphor for my love life.a aI would have to miss considerably more to make that an accurate metaphor.a aSo cruel,a Vaste said. He glanced to the left and right. aNeed any more healing done here? Other than your bitterness-encrusted heart?a aI would laugh,a Vara said tightly, firing again, abut I seem to be in the midst of a crisis that has my attention. Be assured, though, I am remembering this moment for later, and I will certainly give it due amusement at that time. By which I mean Iall be sitting around later whilst reading and will perhaps spare a moment to frown at your ridiculousness.a aSo long as we all live to see that moment, Iam fine with that,a Vaste said, still on his knees. aIf youall excuse me, I have to crawl down the ramparts a ways,a he pointed toward the gates to the left, aand assist that poor bastard who has an arrow sticking out of his buttock.a The troll sighed. aOne would think that armor would protect against that sort of thing. And who do you think will have to pull it out? Why couldnat it have happened to a short, swarthy human woman? I like those.a Vara rolled her eyes. aI have things to be getting on with, troll. Be about your business.a aOh, Iam sorry,a Vaste said, beginning to crawl left, aI didnat realize it was my presence keeping you from looking at where you were firing, I thought it was the ten thousand arrows that were filling the air like the worst cloud of mosquitos ever visited upon a swamp.a She shook her head as he left. This is ridiculous, this press of the attack. She stuck her head out of the rampart for one second only, and saw that the battering ram was down again, wreathed in flames, and she spared only a little smile. Not today, Sovereign. Not today.

aThey come again,a the voice was shot through with fatigue, but the figure appeared in a cloud of smoke, wafting off him in waves. aI see theyave already fallen,a Alaric said, peering over the rampart as arrows flew through his exposed face and upper body. aLet us make this moderately more difficult on them.a Vara leaned her eyes over and felt an arrow clink! off her helm, causing her to blanch. She looked down upon the battering ram as Alaricas force blast hit it and sent it rolling as though it had been kicked by a titan; it hit the ground and bounced five feet into the air and off the trodden road, bowling over a knot of dark elven soldiers, landing on them while still on fire. Their agonized screams blended into the chorus already filling the air. He fired another burst and the ram bounced again into the air from the force of his spell, this time even higher, almost ten feet, before it came down into another thicket of men.

Vara eyed the chaos that the paladinas spell had caused; that injured over a hundred men and killed quite a few of them. aSatisfied yet?a she asked.

aNo,a Alaricas voice was gruff, uncaring. aWizards! Druids!a he called, as though his words were amplified beyond a shout. aSEND THEM RUNNING!a She watched as the flames rose around the walls, a burning, roiling firestorm ten feet high of interconnected fire spells that ate into the dark elven army surrounding them like little she had seen. It was not terribly thicka"not like Motherasa"but it burned with a fury, lancing into the thickest concentrations of soldiers and raising the volume of screaming that filled the air by a considerable amount. Some began to flee, throwing the knot of soldiers around them into disarray and chaos, and Vara watched as a soldier fell and was trampled while attempting to escape. She ducked back behind the teeth of the wall and put her back against it. aNot bad, Alaric.a aI told you,a the Ghost said, athey will not breach our walls.a aThanks to you,a she said.

aCourtesy of our wizards and druids,a he replied. aI have little to do with it save for sending their battering ram off course in a fit of pique. It will take them a few attempts to get it back to the road and in position again. That will cost them a few men.a Vara gave him a nod. aA few men indeea"a she tore her eyes from him at a blur of motion that came out of the tower to her right, a leather-clad figure who ran surefootedly, bent double, keeping her white hair low as she crossed the top of the rampart to reach them. Vara blinked in surprise as she registered recognition. aYOU!a aMe,a the woman said, coming to a rest and kneeling next to where Alaric stood. aAnd you wouldnat believe what I had to do to get here.a Her white hair was caked with dirt as was the rest of her outfit, leather armor and all.

aAisling,a Alaric said mildly, peering down at the ranger. aYou have returned to us. I would ask how, but I suspect aWhy?a is the more important question.a aThereas a waste tunnel that leads to the river over there,a she waved in the distance toward the river Perdaas split, which rolled by outside the walls almost a mile away. aItas a tight squeeze over a long distance, but I managed. Nyad, tooa"she teleported us in behind the army through the portal over there a"a she waved out the direction of the gate, abut sheas a little slower than I am after that trek.a She looked up at Alaric in seriousness. aCyrus sent me to plead for your help. Theyave evacuated the whole of Luukessia.a Alaric blinked at her, but said nothing. aExcuse me,a Vara said. aDid you saya"a aThe whole land of Luukessia has fallen, yes,a Aisling said. aTheyave taken it, from one side to the other, killing aa There was a momentas pause as the dark elf seemed to waver then compose herself. aWeave managed to get the last of the survivors onto the bridge, and Cyrus and the others are staging a slow withdrawal and bridge defense, but aa she shook her head, athey need help. They need an army before the scourge breaks loose of the Endless Bridge a or weall be facing the same fight here that cost us Luukessia.a Alaric stood silent, and Vara looked to him for guidance. He did not react openly, but she could see even in the slight twitch of his mouth that something roiled beneath the surface. aAlaric?a she asked. aThe dark elvesa"a aThe lesser threat, now, I think,a Alaric said quietly. aHow long until this scourge make landfall?a aA day,a Aisling said. aPerhaps two. Theyare strong, Alaric, too strong for us to hold back the tide of them forever.a Alaric nodded. aVery well.a He looked out across the panorama of the army surrounding the curtain wall. The volume of arrows still flying through the air was considerably decreased. aI need you to find Ryin Ayend and bring him to me. He will be just down the wall in that direction, I think,a and the Ghost pointed to his right. aTell him to hurry.a Aisling nodded and was off at a run, bent over and moving at incredible speed and with enough grace that Vara felt a surge of jealousy as she had a flash where she saw Cyrus pressed against the dark elf in her mind, nakeda" aAlaric,a she said, throwing cold water upon that thought, awhat do you intend?a aIt would appear Cyrus Davidon requires assistance,a Alaric said calmly, and he crouched down next to her. aI will go to him myself to render it.a She frowned at him as though he were insane. aAlaric, one man will not be able to turn back the tide of these things that are coming, not if Cyrusas reports or that diseased harpy,a she waved at Aislingas retreatinga"and firm, she noted irritablya"backside, aare to be believed. These things swept our army and the armies of three nations before them. What makes you think that theyall do any different to you?a Alaric stared at her through his helm, calmly impassive, but only for a moment before he smiled. aHave faith, Vara. I will take care of this. It is upon you to hold our home safe until my return.a His smile flickered. aTake care of yourselfa"and the others.a She lay her head back against the wall behind her and caught a sudden waft of death far below. aHow long will you be gone?a He hesitated, an unusual thing for him to do. aAs long as need be and not a moment more,a he answered finally. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and Ryin appeared, led by Aisling. She gave the dark elven woman a sneer, but it was halfhearted and she received only a coldly satisfied gaze in return. Alaric gave Ryin a nod. aLadies,a Alaric said, atake care while I am away.a With that, the winds carried up around them, sweeping like a tornado around the ramparts, stirring Varaas hair and rushing through the cracks in her armor to touch her skin while roaring in her ears. There was the taste of bitterness in her mouth as the wind settled, and Alaric was gone.

Chapter 107.