XXXVI. Blood of Nations

The front lines had been lost long before Eth and Aichlan arrived with the reinforcements. Laelianus was nowhere to be found, neither were the officers that should be giving direction to the disorganized soldiers that fled in terror and confusion. Fiora’s soldiers ran forward where others fled, fresh and eager to reclaim their honor as knights of the now fallen kingdom of Sorn.

Outside of the initial push, the beasts of dusk showed no interest in military targets and went about mauling and devouring any and all living things in their paths. The human soldiers employed by the opposition seemed more discerning in their targets. It was as if they had a purpose, while the beasts were only distractions. Having picked up on this early on, Aichlan took a detachment of soldiers to follow and intercept them. His tactic did not go unnoticed however. The fiends of dusk slowly encircled him as the human warriors offered themselves as bait.

Ambushed, and in an envelopment, Aichlans soldiers fell one by one. Fearing a repeat of Arlien, Aichlan issued a retreat, surprised at how easily the fiends made it for them to escape. One by one, his escort, a squad of elves and several Sorn infantry, were picked off by humans in strange garb hurling bolts of fiery magic from tubes and crossbow like weapons. It was too late to do anything by the time Aichlan realized that it was he who had been tracked and ensnared. He fled down an alley, hoping to regroup with a passing unit or his own soldiers. He rounded a corner and slid to stop on the frozen cobblestones upon reaching a main road. He was alone, his followers had either been picked off or diverted down an alley or side street. Aichlan swore and prepared to double back, but caught something out of the corner of his eye.

The air shimmered and the figure of a man formed from the vapor. He wore a dark grey overcoat with strange emblems and writings upon his chest and shoulders. Underneath he wore a chest plate made of a semi-glossy fabric; his trousers were baggy and tucked into his rawhide boots. The man saw Aichlan, but did not acknowledge him as he removed a small package from his coat pocket and took a seat on the curb. Aichlan drew his sword as he slowly circled the man. The man laughed softly to himself and shook his head before lighting a cigarette.

“Who are you?” Aichlan demanded.

Snow began to gently fall as the man smoked, seeming to ignore Aichlan’s demands. Aichlan glanced over his shoulder, his route of egress was blocked by two snarling creatures of the dusk, dogs with taloned arms sprouting from their shoulders and smoldering eyes like burning coal. The man stared vacantly ahead, a distant look in his eyes as he smoked. Aichlan stepped forward, crushing shards of glass beneath his boot.

“Who are you?” Aichlan repeated.

“Does it really matter?”

The man spoke something akin to Aes Sidhean, but it was incomprehensible. Despite this, Aichlan was able to gather from his tone that the answer was a question.

“Yes.”

“Alden, there was a rank attached to that at one point, but I think I got demoted some time ago.” He replied with an ironic chuckle.

The only words Aichlan could comprehend sounded like a proper name, as the man tapped an insignia on his chest, likely referring to rank or affiliation. “I am Aichlan of Westfaire towers, this nation is an ally and I will not allow you to continue.”

Alden drew a small handheld device and inserted a tube into the bottom hand grip. A short high pitched whine sounded for several seconds, and Alden pointed the black weapon at Aichlan’s chest.

“I got like, one or two shots at best, so I’d suggest you stand still and get this over with quickly.”

“How did you become entangled with this madness?” Aichlan asked as he slowly circled in, still not sure of who the man was or what he was doing in Marquez.

Alden adjusted something on his belt and spoke into a box affixed to his shoulder, the words he spoke were still incomprehensible,but a voice that was not his own spoke over him inAes Sidhean. “Can you hear me?”

Aichlan nodded. “Yes, now answer my question, why are you here?”

“That’s a long, tragic ass story, but if you insist…” Alden took a final toke from his cigarette and flicked it into a gutter.

“I do.”

“I was a General in the Agrardyan military. When war engulfed the planet, I was on the front lines against those savages of Rhode and their bastard cousins from Alfheim. My nation was decimated by the cowards in Thiudoricus, so I gathered the remains and led them on a rampage. Our retaliation was so severe that Eurithania’s jungles were reduced to desert, Thiudoricus will remain in perpetual winters and I ordered a weapon to carve off a slice of this planet that spanned two hemispheres and three continents.” He paced slowly, gently bouncing his weapon on his shoulder.

“It was me who severed a nation from the continent, creating a rift of wastelands and death.” He stopped, and looked into his reflection in a shard of glass.

“I murdered entire generations, tortured women and children before their fathers and husbands so they could taste my anguish and know my hatred for taking from me all I had ever loved. I killed so many; I knew not nor cared who it was. All were enemies in the end. That is who I am.”

The far-off look returned to Alden’s eyes as he retrieved and lit another cigarette. If this man’s tale were indeed true, that would make him ancient beyond anything else in the world. The knowledge he held regarding the lost chapters of human history were as enticing as the crimes he had admitted to were heinous. Alden turned his gaze on Aichlan, sending shivers down his spine. He casually shrugged off his overcoat, and trained the weapon on Aichlan again. Aichlan readied his own weapon; his curiosity would have to wait until he held Alden at his mercy.

There was a loud and sudden crack like thunder, and a bolt of red light shot from the weapon and whizzed by Aichlan’s head. The bolt blew a hole through a thick stone wall, leaving a small, burning hole in its wake.

“Shit.” Alden swore. “Seems I only get the one.”

Alden whipped into a back spin, leaping off the curb and clashed swords with Aichlan. He immediately pushed off, and circled just outside of Aichlan’s range. His movements and technique were at once foreign and familiar. The blade's single edge and his footwork were reminiscent of Lyresia, but everything else about his style appeared to be a mimash of various Runandian disciplines. Regardless, he was a better swordsman than Aichlan had initially anticipated. Aichlan charged forward, swinging several times, each blow nimbly dodged by Alden. The unenthused look in his opponent’s eyes began to irritate Aichlan more than anything else. Alden had drawn him out with the first strike, now he was gauging his opponent’s strength, Aichlan played right into his hands with each blow. Angered more by his own mistake, Aichlan struck out viciously, causing Alden to step back several beats. Aichlan retreated as well and stared down his opponent. The man’s guard was near impenetrable, despite the half assed way he wielded his weapon.

“You give?” Alden bounced his sword on his shoulder as he watched Aichlan from the corner of his eyes. “I really ought to be going…”

Aichlan took up a low guard, creating a standoff in the chill air. Alden sighed and took a drag from a cigarette that was inexplicably still in his mouth. A gust of wind whistled through the lane, causing the snow to drift across the road. Despite the man’s seeming disregard for the battle at hand, Aichlan knew better than to underestimate him by advancing to force a bind. Alden cleared his throat, and looked to a silver bracelet strapped to his wrist.

“Step up or stand aside, I really gotta get going.”

Seeing no other alternatives, Aichlan leapt forward, covering the distance in a single bound. As Alden leaned in to riposte, Aichlan lashed out, throwing himself further off balance. Alden raised his sword, barely blocking as Aichlan allowed himself to fall to the ground. He swept at Alden’s legs and rose to a crouch in a single fluid motion. Alden nimbly leapt out of the way and Aichlan sprung forward with a wild swing which also failed to connect. Aichlan charged again, this time less haphazardly, seeking to engage Alden in a duel, but his opponent merely blocked and danced around the strikes. After several openings went unseized, Aichlan realized it went beyond gauging, either Alden was mocking him or there was a reason he wouldn’t kill him.

His thoughts were quickly put to rest as Alden dashed towards him. Aichlan raised his sword, only for Alden’s afterimage to distort and fade away. Such techniques were also used by the Lyresians, a form of magic built around their own unique martial arts. Aichlan stood in stunned awe, only just managing to whip around in time to block Alden’s effortless blow from behind. He stumbled back as Alden quickly followed with three more consecutive strikes, he swung his sword as if it were weightless. Aichlan braced his sword against his forearm and shoved Alden back, following up with a swing across his chest. Alden skipped back, and traced the gouge cut into his armor with disinterest.

“You asshole…” Alden examined his torn coat lapel. “You don’t know how long I’ve had this damned jacket.”

Aichlan raised his sword and dashed forward. Alden raised his sword with a resigned sigh and a curse under his breath. At the last moment, Aichlan dropped and slid on the ice, toppling Alden. Aichlan scrambled to his feet and mounted Alden, striking him with the pommel of his sword several times as he clutched Alden’s collar. Alden kneed Aichlan in the tailbone, and struck him in the jaw before he flipped Aichlan off of him.

“Son of a bitch!” Alden kicked Aichlan hard in the ribs. “I should kill you right here and now you sylph fucking bastard!”

Aichlan rose to his hands and knees as he struggled to catch his breath. “Then do it.”

Alden sneered, realizing Aichlan had caught on to him. “She will deal with you. I have no claim to some no-name such as you. I’m late as it is.” Alden kicked Aichlan once more before leaving in the same manner he appeared.

Aichlan clutched his sides as he gasped, the man’s boots must have had steel toes. Aichlan smiled as he stood. He had accomplished one thing, he tested the man’s strength and determined that Morana had some history with him in a way that she now laid claim upon his life. The man’s preoccupation with the time was something else entirely, there was some ulterior motive that brought them to this city. Aichlan dusted himself off as he stood. Steel toed or not, his opponent kicked like a child.

***

Maleah led Ashe by the hand through the halls of the palace as she searched for a secure room to hide in per Aichlan’s request. She attempted to kick in a door, but failed to even splinter the heavy oak. She let out a stream of Xanavien curses as she slammed her lance into the door, only realizing the room would no longer serve their purposes after the fact. She grabbed Ashe and took off again.

“Maleah, I daen’t need ye tae do this--!”

“Quiet! I was given a task and I’m gonna see it through!”

Maleah slid to a stop as she rounded a corner, having finally found a suitable room. She backed up and shoulder rammed the door, coming face to face with Alice and her spell ready to be cast. Alice sighed and lowered her spell upon recognizing the two of them as friends. She closed and resealed the door with a glyph after Ashe entered. The door glowed as it was sealed magically and Alice took a seat. The drapes were drawn, and Alice was still in her nightwear as she resumed sipping champagne and eating strawberries.

“What the hell is going on out there?” she asked from behind a hand that covered her mouth full of berry. “Wasn’t someone supposed to come get me?”

“Why the hell didn’t you tell us you had an army of freaks and crazy magic broads?” Maleah waved her finger in the direction of the hall they’d just come from.

“I’m certain I did.” Alice replied and took a sip of champagne.

“Well they’re here now, Aichlan wants for ye tae lead them in the defense o’ the palace.” Ashe interjected.

Alice stood, nearly choking. “Now? Where are they?”

“Ah posted them at the froont entrance. Most have nae idea what’s goin’ oon, so I’d get down there as soon as possible.”

“Seriously?” Alice entreated first Maleah then Ashe with watery eyes and a quivering lip. Well you won’t have me do this alone will you?”

“Of course not.” Ashe tried to sound as reassuring as possible in the face of Alice’s hysteria.

Alice placed her hand to her heart in relief and she clutched her nightgown. “Thank you.”

“But Ashe, Aichlan ordered me to protect you.”

“Since when do ye care?” Ashe retorted, surprised by Maleah’s sudden interest in being a reliable soldier.

Maleah pouted, alook of guilt and genuine hurt in her downcast ruby eyes. “Since he placed faith in me.”

Both Ashe and Alice remained silent in the face of her sincere admission. Ashe sighed as Alice steeled her resolve with the aid of the final sip of champagne. She slammed her fist into her palm and stamped her foot, regaining the attention she had lost to Maleah.

“I shall go alone.”

“Are ye sure?” Ashe asked, hoping to sway the young woman’s mind in the matter.

“Yes, because Aichlan has placed faith in me as well. I gathered those mages, and I shall lead them.”

“In your nightie?” Maleah snickered.

“Yes, in my nightie. Unless you would accompany me up to my room to change…” Alice replied blushing.

“Daen’t push it.” Ashe snapped.

“Right.” Alice took a deep breath, stealing herself for the task ahead. “Going to open the—“

Maleah charged the door with a shout, using her lance as a battering ram, she smashed through it easily despite the enchantments. Ashe leapt back with a startled yelp and Alice nearly collapsed from shock as Maleah stumbled out into the hallway. The door had been sealed with an enchantment to protect specifically against brute force. There should have been no way for Maleah to break through as she had.

“Since when do you break through barriers?” Alice demanded; more upset that her defense had been so easily penetrated.

Maleah looked to the charms affixed to her weapon and shrugged. “I’ve been doing a lot lately…”

“Shut up the both o’ ye! Let’s go!” Ashe barked as she stormed out, dragging Maleah along with her.

The chaos in the halls had subsided, though it was evident that it was due to the death of the palace staff rather than a retreat of the enemy. They slid around the blood slick corners on their way to the front entrance. Maleah came to a sudden stop, causing Alice and Ashe to crash into her. Alice opened her mouth to ask why she suddenly stopped, only to close it in stunned silence. Before them was a horde of demons, feasting upon the recently felled.

“Turn around.” Ashe whispered as she backed away. “Let’s just turn around and run like mad in the other direction.”

One of the creatures looked up at Maleah and let out a loud hiss.

“Aw hell…”

Alice tugged frantically at Ashe’s cloak before she took off running in the opposite direction. Maleah quickly followed, leading Ashe as she launched fire at the pursuing horde. Alice weaved several spells in her hands like a cat’s cradle as she ran and muttered the incantation. She slowed down, and urged Maleah and Ashe to pass her. The young mage took a breath to compose herself as she stopped and whipped around, unleashing hurricane force gales complete with debris from her hands. Despite her efforts however, the beasts dug in their claws and continued their pursuit.

“Here! Take her and go! I’ll lead them away!” Maleah yelled as she pushed Ashe into Alice.

“Are ye mad? Ye can’t do this alone!” Ashe screamed in protest.

“Your feet are swollen and blistered, how long do you think you can run? I’ll hold them off, you two go find those mages and rescue my ass before I end up in some dusk spawn’s gullet!” Maleah slashed at several of the creatures, knocking them back.

Ashe hesitated, but ultimately agreed to Maleah’s sensibleness. She was wiped out and seriously didn’t know how much longer she could go on. She wasn’t out of shape by any means, but right now she was cramped in more places than she thought could cramp, and her feet burned and throbbed incessantly. Despite all of this, the idea of leaving Maleah behind while she fled was not something she could or would be willing to live with. Before she could argue further, Ashe was being led down the hall by Alice.

Maleah spun her lance and flicked her bang from in front of her eye. “I feel like hell, I’ve been running all damn day and I slept for shit last night. The last thing you wanted to do was cross paths with me.”