Chapter 45

Year 163 – Fall – Quintus Mensis – 15th day

Avem, town of House Valmai, land of the Vale

The sun was leaving the horizon, with the sky covered by the shades of the forgotten. Hiding behind their barricades, the Valmai and the Kalator were exchanging looks of hatred and anger, yet reigned a quiet peace so thin and fragile that the voice of one man could have broken it.

The Valmai citizens were so clumped and close to one another they could feel each other’s breaths on the back of their necks. They could feel the fear within their daughters’ minds and the anger resonating in each of their sons’ pulses. Nearly two-thirds of those they knew had perished. The Vale was armed with tools and spears, awaiting their end.

The town council had formed in Lord Valmai’s apartment to discuss the future of their people.

Marcus – “Quintus Mensis 16, year 363 of–”

Lord Krain – “Pass the formality for now. What can we do to save our people?”

Marcus – “He would have wanted us to do it. If we are to leave this world tonight, we may as well keep our formalities in order!”

Lord Valmai – “Proceed then, but quickly.”

Commissary Marcus – “Quintus Mensis 16, year 163 of the second era of the Union. Thirtieth session of this year’s town council.”

Lord Krain – “We need to escape Avem.”

Lord Valmai – “We can save Avem.”

Lord Krain – “But at what cost? They barricaded themselves, and even if we achieve the impossible, how many will die in the process? What will there be left of what was once Avem?”

The Eagle – “You want all these deaths to have been in vain?”

Lord Krain – “If we survive, we’ll live to fight another day.”

The Eagle – “My lord, if we want to take back the town, we’ll need all of our people, and we’ll need to act fast.”

Lord Krain – “We should try to negotiate a peace while the hostilities are on hold.”

General Arnold – “I’d recommend not to trust the words of a man who hired thieves and mercenaries as he marched south to betray his own kin.”

The Eagle – “We have nearly 900 citizens.”

General Thorkel – “And how will we deal with that witch? She killed Morgan, and as far as I can tell, none of our men could stand their own against her.”

The Eagle – “She hasn’t taken part in the battle since Morgan assaulted her. He might have taken her down in his demise.”

Lord Krain – “And if he hasn’t?”

The Eagle – “Then we will avoid her and move elsewhere. The town is vast, and we know it. In the middle of the night, they won’t be able to follow us.”

Lord Valmai – “What plan would you propose, Ethen.”

The Eagle – “I will lead an assault to the north against their wounded. They’ve docked their ships to the northwest. We’ll fight their wounded and head to the ships. We’ll take back our ships and move south. When their attention is on us, the other half of our army will take the southern fort. We’ll come from the south as reinforcements, and from there, we’ll use the wall to get behind their barricades to the west and finish them off.”

General Arnold – “It could work on paper, but I highly doubt your untrained citizens will have the guts to follow through with such a plan.”

Lord Valmai – “They’ll follow their lords. I will lead one army, and Lord Krain will lead the other.”

Lord Krain – “I . . .”

Lord Valmai – “Be careful with your words, as the gods will judge them, Bilfrith Krain. The kind of man who would hide when the fate of his people is at stake will be looked down on by the gods.”

Lord Krain – “What kind of lord would hide inside the castle of another lord while he fights? I’ll lead the army to take the southern fort. I fear for the life of my people, but I won’t forsake them.”

Lord Valmai – “Then I’ll lead the north.”

The Eagle – “General Arnold, I’ll need your hand up north.”

General Arnold – “You can count on it.”

General Thorkel – “If you’re willing to risk that much, I’ll trust your words! I’ll guide our people through this assault.”

The Eagle – “Then it’s decided! Don’t make a sound, only share words with whispers. At dusk, when the last rays of daylight shall leave the town, we shall turn the tide.”

As the sky was slowly turning into the same blue as the deepest sea, the Silver Lining was giving a burial for their lost companion.

Lanaya – “Aya, Mother of Hope, allow him a place among your Lux. Don’t let his soul suffer in the land of the forgotten. His name was Egon Kautner, son of Adam Kautner and Marga Kautner. He fought for the Ponterona during the war with the East. He hoped that one day his life would be worth the many sacrifices. Let’s remember his name as one who fought for a better world.”

The members of the Silver Lining picked up the shovel one after the other to lay the dirt above their fallen companion.

Lanaya – “Tally, Jowrik, Tomos, bring Jurren and Petra north with Leo and Elgan. Take care of them until we’re done.”

Tally – “You can count on us!”

Jowrik – “Good luck.”

Tomos – “All of you better still be alive tomorrow!”

Lanaya – “Let’s get into that fort and raise the drawbridge.”