XXXIX. Brush the Dust Away

Aislyn traced the carved images in the throne with her finger, her eyes downcast and quickly filling with tears that threatened to spill. The woman, Siegrun, paced before her with eyes trained on the door. She had one hand on her sword, the other holding a spell ready to be cast. The banners bearing the usurpers crest hung from the ceiling, taunting her more than Laelianus’ smug satisfaction ever would. Now, due to his arrogance, her city was burning and there was naught she could do. She felt the part of the most impotent leader there most likely ever was.

Odell tried to stifle a yawn, but his sentiments were shared. Despite the dire situation, it didn’t change the fact that they were tired, weary and in his case too young to have to suffer such horrors. He crouched down and stretched his limbs before shooting back up, gripping an arrow so tightly it looked about ready to snap. Madden and Taryn stood guard near the door with the five royal guards that survived. It was still unclear how the palace was attacked, since it was situated atop a hill in the center of the city, there should have been no way for a force to reach it undetected. Mages could not simply warp in either, as the city and palace were built with magic negating runes in the stonework, runes meant to disrupt such travel for anyone not carrying a court issued travel pass.

“Princess Dorso,” Siegrun sheathed her gladius, slowly turning to face Aislyn, a warily watching the door from the corner of her eye. “Battle has ceased; I believe it is safe to assume Aichlan’s forces have driven them off.”

“How can you be certain?” One of the guardsmen demanded.

Siegrun dismissed her spell, creating a small gust of wind. “I just am. Attribute it to battle sense or magic. I care not.”

“The sounds have stopped, but there weren’t that many of us here ta start.” Madden said nervously, attempting to rationalize the irrational. “I should go ‘n check it out.”

“Since when the hell d’you volunteer?” Taryn scolded as she bopped him on the shoulder with the back of her fist.

“And leave me outta it ta boot!” Odell shot up with newfound vigor from either bravado or anxiety at their current predicament. “We started this lil’ excursion as a team so I recall.”

Madden sighed and scratched his head. “Light you’re an annoyin’ lil’--.”

“Enough.” Aislyn interrupted, gaining everyone’s attention. “We shall all go.”

“But your majesty!” her guard protested. “We cannot abandon the throne room!”

“Your guard is correct, your highness;” Siegrun added with her usual lack of emotion. “the throne cannot be left unguarded.”

“Just because a man sits upon a throne does not make him a King!” Aislyn spat in response, silencing all opposition for fear of committing treason by responding either way. “We gain nothing by cowering behind a chair. My subjects may need aid. Our soldiers may be without leaders. It is my duty; therefore, it is yours as well Lady Siegrun.”

Siegrun stood in silence for several moments, staring Aislyn down with that indifferent gaze of hers, though they were hardly devoid of thought. “…Understood your majesty.”

“Colonel Phillips--.”

“Don’t fuckin’ call me that!” Taryn snapped, startling the guards by the ferocity and to whom it was directed towards.

“My apologies, Taryn.” Aislyn said with a somewhat forced smile. “I am afraid I can no longer serve as your subordinate—.”

“Obviously.” Taryn snorted.

“—But I understand that you have others that will be in need of your leadership, therefore I am dismissing you all as my guards. Lady Siegrun and the Palace soldiers shall more than suffice.”

“Like hell they will!” Odell suddenly shouted, causing Madden to start.

“By The Dawn! Odell!” Madden chastised, though to little effect. “Calm down lad, can’t always go shootin’ off at the mouth like that!”

“If you don’t see that then go on! I’m stayin’ behind to protect the Princess!”

Taryn growled and stormed over to Odell. “Listen you lil’ twerp! You’re still my bloody soldier!” she jammed her finger into his face and leaned in close. “That means you don’t decide a damn thing ‘round ‘ere! I do! Ya catch scent of a woman and think you got balls bigger ‘n Abigor’s, an’ I’m ‘ere ta tell ya they ain’t!” Odell nearly tripped as he backed away from Taryn’s jabbing finger. “You lil’ shit! B’sides! She’s ten times the archer you are! She’d end up protectin’ you!”

Aislyn giggled in spite of herself and the evident fear Taryn inspired in Odell. “Why thank you Taryn—”

“Shut it you! Ten times be’er ‘n shit is still shit. And where the bloody ‘ell d’you get off dismissing me?”

Aislyn flinched involuntarily. “Well, I just...”

“Beat the bloody door down Madden! We’re leavin’.” She turned and aimed her finger at the guards. “You piss ants take up the rear; get her highness in the middle with the Mage broad. Now ‘urry up!”

Taryn slung her quiver over her shoulder as she stormed out, followed by Madden and a very red faced Odell. Siegrun waited for Aislyn to step down from the throne dais before following as the guards dutifully took up the rear of the formation. Despite Taryn’s abrasive personality, Aislyn knew the woman’s intentions were good. Both had taken Odell under their proverbial wings as older siblings might, and even though her identity was no longer a secret, Aislyn as well.

* * *

Aichlan decapitated one of the faceless that lunged at him from the right. His blade ran red and emerald with the blood of the slain monstrosities. The flames of the Colby-Nau erupted several blocks away; Aichlan slew another faceless demon and charged off in that direction. He had discovered that the human attackers had all but vanished. In fact, the entire army seemed to be in retreat; odd considering they were on the verge of victory. Only the mindless and beastly continued their assault.

After crossing several streets littered with the dead, Aichlan finally reached the reclaimed line. Curious however was that it was his army, not that of Marquez, present and spearheading the defense efforts. He scanned for a commander, or anyone who could tell him what was going on, but found no one he knew. The shoulder pads they wore were those of Donough’s faction, but he could discern little else. Aichlan sighed and hoped they were easier to converse with than their commander.

“Oi! Who is in command of this unit?” Aichlan inquired as he jogged over.

“Gen’ral, we were sent to retrieve ye.” A dark skinned elf replied with a stiff salute.

Aichlan returned the salute, surprised at the level of discipline. “Yes, well you’ve found me. Are you the commander?”

“Nay Gen’ral. We follow Captain Vesuvius.”

“Where is the Duvachellian Army?”

The soldier pointed off towards the palace. “They fled, asking that we cover their retreat. Lieutenan’ Gen’ral Eth agreed, an’ we’ve lib’rated this city as a result.”

Aichlan smirked, there were certain details left out if Eth was involved. “A fine job, a fine job indeed.”

“Shall I be leadin’ ye to Gen’ral Eth sir?”

“No…where did the Marquez army flee?”

“Tae Silver Lake Gen’ral.”

“Good, we shall follow.” Aichlan clasped the man on the shoulder and urged him to lead the way. “Send a man to inform Eth that he is to secure the gates, nothing is to enter or leave.”

The man summoned one of his subordinates and relayed the orders to him in Elvish. Aichlan eagerly drained a ladle of water that was passed to him, and wiped his brow in the wintry chill. No doubt, the armies fled into the Gojira Mountains, but it was unlike Laelianus to abandon the city so easily. Even given the ambush at the palace, such a catastrophic loss should not have occurred. He cursed and gazed off at the ancient peaks, hoping against hope that the fool had not gotten himself killed. Aichlan looked to find his soldiers ready and waved them onward towards the palace and the frozen lake beyond.

* * *

Órfhlaith yawned as she absently played with Enyo’s hair. Alice’s mages were either on high alert or bored and uninterested as they patrolled the palace atrium and portico. Donough had regained consciousness, and grumbled angrily as the healings continued, demanding drink and herb to dull the pain. Staff members that hadn’t died or fled congregated with them, uncertain of their fate. Nearby, Maleah moaned as she balled up in the fetal position, still suffering the effects of the previous night’s indulgence, more so now that the adrenaline wore off.

Séverin returned with Clarissa and several of her attendants, discussing matters Órfhlaith felt she ought be party to. As she attempted to rise, Enyo stirred and tightened her embrace, leaving Órfhlaith with no alternative but to abandon her attempt at gathering information. She felt as trapped as one who had a cat decide to nap on their lap.

***

Madden’s soldiers continued holding their positions outside, forming a perimeter at the main entrance. They had remained in relatively the same positions for nearly two hours, it was deemed too risky and ineffective to wander through the city in search of a fight, and there was always the threat of another attack. If this battle truly was lost, the palace would be the rally point, and fresh soldiers would definitely be needed to mount either a last stand or fighting retreat. But as time slowly ticked by and silence remained, both of those options seemed unlikely.

The mood quickly changed as Taryn, Madden, and Odell led Aislyn down the grand staircase. Immediately the surprised and relieved staff scrambled to attend her every whim and desire. Initially she was overwhelmed by them, until Taryn stepped up to swat them away. The chefs ran off to their kitchens as maids ran to fetch clothing for her. The fear and hopelessness that befell them was quickly forgotten in the face of a new task.

“So where’s my archers?” Taryn demanded as she stood over Maleah and surveyed the group assembled.

“For Dawn’s sake, can you not see I’m dying here?” Maleah slurred almost inaudibly.

Taryn smiled as she sat down and massaged Maleah’s shoulder. “Take it as a lesson; it’s amazing you were able to fight at all.”

“Is that your way of saying ‘glad you’re okay’?”

“Possibly…”

“Your archers were sent to the front with Fiora.” Séverin leaned against the banister and held out a mug of coffee for Taryn. “It seems that Laelianus requested our service from those stationed in The Missions. Unfortunately, she was the only commander staying there.”

Taryn blushed embarrassed that another had to take over in her absence, and meekly thanked him for the coffee. Maleah groaned and rolled over, seeking to block out all light and sound with her torn jacket. Séverin sighed, not looking so well himself. Everyone had been too deep into the cups last night. Taryn shook her head with a bemused smile, returning the cup to Séverin.

“Here lad, seem’s ye could use it more’n I could.”

“You’re too kind…” Séverin nursed the mug of steaming liquid, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Séverin looked up to the dull light that filtered in from the clerestory windows, his breath coming out as vapor. The sounds of battle had become more distant, meaning things either were going well or the enemy had no one left to stand in their path. Taryn followed his gaze, shivering in the crisp air, wondering what their next move should or could be. Due to the suddenness of the attack, the furnace and fireplaces weren’t lit; in fact, the only fires were those Enyo created which had been quickly doused.

“Oi, Taryn,”

Taryn looked up at Madden as he handed her a blanket. “Aye?”

Madden jerked his large thumb over his shoulder. “We got a bunch o’ the rangers that came out fer us, I was gonna take ‘em out to do a lil’ recon.”

Taryn bit her lip as she tapped her fingers in thought. “I’m not sure…”

“We haven’t heard from the General since the outset of this mess. I feel it’d be prudent.” Séverin added upon seeing her indecision.

“It could be dangerous; we don’t know for certain what’s going on out there.” Taryn shook her head definitively.

“Such is the way of combat Colonel,”

Taryn bowed her head and pulled the blanket up towards her face. “Please don’t call me that.”

“But that is the rank you hold,” Séverin said sternly, “and Madden is your subordinate. I feel there could be no better choice than your second in command.”

“Ha, you just got scolded by Séverin.” Maleah taunted, receiving a stiff shot to the arm.

“…You can go,” Taryn held out her hand for Madden to help her to her feet. “But I am going as well.”

“I am afraid I cannot allow that.” Siegrun interrupted as she joined their conversation.

“You’re not in this army, so tough titty!” Taryn snapped.

“We require your skills as a master bowman.” Siegrun said in a placating tone, “The safety of the last heir takes precedence I am afraid.”

Madden laid his hand on Taryn’s shoulder and squeezed gently. “Taryn, it’ll be fine. Just a quick patrol o’ the grounds is all, t’ain’t like we can stay ‘ere forever.”

Unable to find any logical arguments to the contrary, Taryn nodded. “Be back in an hour, try an’ bring back some survivors or wounded that were left ta die. We can’t be sure those beasts won’t return.”

“Odell! Yer wit me lad!” Madden called in a booming voice, startling the young man as he attempted to flirt with the Princess.

“Right o then!” he said hastily as he stood. “Uh, where to?”

“Why’re ya takin’ the boy fer?” Taryn whispered as she pressed against Madden.

Madden shrugged.“He could use the experience.”

Taryn was about to say more when Odell appeared besides them. “Where’re we goin’?”

“On a patrol, be sure to mind what I taught ye boy.” Taryn nagged in an almost motherly tone.

“‘Course chief, who the hell d’ya think I am?”

“A smart mouthed little shit, now get outta here.” Taryn growled as she massaged her temples. “An’ fetch me a tea before you two takeoff, I feel a headache brewin’.”