Attack on the city

Kairios

There had been no word from Aurelia or anyone who had seen her. We couldn't wait any longer. The plans were set. It would happen tonight. We had practiced and planned as best we could in the sights of the castle. My wounds had healed enough that I could walk around without wanting to lay down and die, but I was still weak and couldn’t use my magic.

The army we had was not enough to take the city. Lyanna sent word into the city to a few trusted people that when the time came, they would need to fight with us. We didn’t say a time just told them to be ready. The hole in the wall remained unguarded, working in our favor. The gate, however, was at a stale mate.

Archers on both sides of the gate made sure that no work had been done on their end. And no one on our side was able to advance. We would get into the city tonight and we would get in through the broken-down wall. From here it would be a long trek to the gate without being noticed. Taking the gate from the inside was our only hope.

I didn’t have the strength to go through the city. I could barely lift the sword and was days away from drawing a bow-string. I had no choice but to wait here. No choice but to follow the group as they fought for me, following my orders. Over the last few days, we put together a small group of quick footed thinkers. They had the responsibility of locating those who would help and make to the gate.

Such a simple plan in theory, but it could all go so wrong so fast.

“We are ready to go.” Jaxson said from behind me.

“I wish I could go with you.” He would lead them through the city. Being someone that they knew, they would be more willing to help us.

“Good luck. I'll see you when the gate is ours.” We clasped hands around the other forearm. I sign of trust, and the promise of a strong friendship in the future, should we both survive this.

He strode off, the look of boredom that he usually whore had turned to one of determination. I turned and walked to do one more pass through the ranks of men and women. All looked ready and full of a fire that gave me strength to walk taller, my pains falling back into my mind so I could focus.

Archers were ready to begin the distraction. We needed all their eyes watching us, not the streets behind them. Begin to soon and that would allow one of them to get to the castle and ready their force. Start too late and the risk was high that they would turn on our hunting party, ending our chance again to get into the city without a larger force coming down on us.

No signal could be given either. One hour that was all they had; all we could give. Each minute that passed was harder and harder to bare. The need to be strong for those who stood with us was all that I needed to remain standing. I had no inspirational speech to give them, no words nor the strength to deliver it. We all knew what we had to do, that would have to be enough.

“The hour has passed.”

I wanted to wait a moment longer. I had faith that they would be here. Stick to the plan. That’s what I had to do.

“Begin.”

A wave of the hand and a volley of arrows fell on the gate. Men started screaming; screaming in pain or screaming orders to guards on the gate to return fire. “Where are they?” One of the generals beside me asked.

Where were they indeed. Late, something had happened to them. Had we lost already? I saw one of the guards grab another by the scruff of their armor, yelled something in their face and then tossed him towards the city. A messenger. I was about to yell for an arrow to stop his deadly message, he was about to get away, then a slash of silver stopped him in his path.

Jaxson stood where the boy had fallen. Blood dripped from his sword. Without hesitating he waved a hand and a group larger than went in started on the guards from behind their lines. Relief flooded into me and I couldn’t hold back the grin on my face. They had no idea what creeped into the city in the night. The rest of the guards fell quickly, either by arrow or sword. It took moments and the gates were clear and our lines rushed towards it. A small victory, the promise of more to come lingered on the air.

They ran as silent as a force their size could, flowing into the city like a swarm of angry bees. Each and every person had been shown on a map where they needed to go, they all charged together. Pride swelled in me at their progress. When they were clear it would be my turn to follow. When I passed through, I saw three horses standing in wait. Blackfire, Scorch and Star.

I walked up to Blackfire; I had missed him so much. I tried to climb up on his bare back but I was too weak and it hurt too much. He noticed my difficulties and got down on his belly so I would be able to swing a leg over and wrap my fingers into his mane. As he stood each movement sent a shock of pain through me, then he was standing and I could breathe a little better.

“Follow them,” I said to him, “we have to stay back for this fight.” I hated the words as they came out.

He whinnied in acknowledgment and set a soft pace behind the horde of men and women charging to the castle. Saira’s and Aurelia’s horses followed behind us, flanked on either side. By the time we made it to the castle gate, I could see our force had near doubled by the citizens of the city. They came to fight for their freedom and homes.

“We might win...” I said to no one.

The spear group moved towards the wooden gate. We called them this because they carried two giant metal spears. Made up of a long, smooth shaft and a sharp tipped point. They would have to hammer them into the wood doors, then we would pull them down with the massive length of chain attached to the ends.

We fitted a small squad with long shields that went from shoulder to ankle. They would stand cover for those who worked on the giant spears and chains. The formation was perfect, just like they had practiced. Stones and arrows rained down on them, none finding flesh to sink into. The sound of the hammers beating against metal rang over the shouting of men and women. I wished I could be down there with them.

I watched from horse back as men fell from the wall. I had to remain as I watched our ranks fill the empty spots as countless fell to arrows or stones. I began to worry if we would have enough left to face what else lay beyond those doors. Hated that we had to lose so many of them. If Aurelia had been here, they might not have had to die. Then finally, I could hear that the giant spears had made their way through.

Jaxson found me then and gave me a quick report. Thay had slain a few guards on their way to the gate, that’s why they were a bit late, then as they charged on to the castle, they laid waste to any that had the misfortune of crossing their path. When I scanned the wall once again, I saw a group of them, carrying buckets of what had to be heated oil. I could even see the heat rise from the liquid within.

“Oil!” I yelled as I saw them get ready to dump the contents onto the shield group below. Disgust washed though me as I watched it pour out of the iron buckets.

Too late to move out of the way, hot oil cascaded down the shields and dripped through any gaps. Horrid screams erupted from the shield shelter. The wall of shields broke and people with burning oil running down their flesh. It looked like they were being consumed by invisible fire!

Fear froze me for a moment. The sight of their skin burning had my skin burning at the memory. They fought on while I sat in my fears. Was I a coward? I felt like it. When I looked out, I could see that we were going to lose if we didn’t get that gate opened now!

I watched them pull at the chain. There were less of them then we had planned. The oil had done its work well.

“We need more men at the gates!” I yelled.

Those who heard me over the screams reluctantly ran over to the chains and pulled. The wood groaned in defiance. Heave! I could hear someone yell over and over.

“Inform the archers to make sure no more oil is spilled on this side. If it ignites then we will be finished.”

Jaxson ran off to spread the message and I saw the group of archers ready their shots for anyone ese daring to carry heated oil. It was in vain though as we saw burning arrows arch over the walls and fall in the middle of our lines. Some of the oil that had dripped of the burning flesh, now splattered on the ground, caught fire. We were separated in two.

Fire raged in the middle of us. What do we do now? It would be a matter of moments before those trapped on the other side of the fire would fall. I could hear the screams as the fire found more and more oil to ignite. Burning flesh filled the air with the black plumes of smoke given off by the burning oil.

There was nothing I could do; my magic was still hidden beneath the pain of my burns. I tried to find it. I closed my eyes. It was there. I could sense it, but I couldn’t touch it, couldn’t wield it. I seemed to fail at everything lately. We were finished.

I opened my eyes to look for Jaxson. I spotted him running towards me. A part of me was happy to see that he was still alive. Behind him a wave a sand stirred up and fell upon the flames. Trying to extinguish them.

I stared at the magic, puzzled for a moment. I remember this magic. I searched for her, half enraged that she came to such a place, half relieved that we were saved. Another wave of sand rolled up and crashed down on another pile of flames.

My eyes finally found her, Mistress Elnora. She was a sight to behold. Never had I seen her like this. Sweat beaded her forehead. Her arms out to her sides, fingers curling into claws. Her stance was animalistic, and she was wearing pants!

The castle gate still stood but the fires were starting to die out. Our men rallied and pressed on to the gate again. I could see the wood start to bend. Then finally it started to splinter apart. One more hard pull and the one door ripped open. Success!

Until a squad of guards rushed through from the other side. They charged us. Whatever ground and moral we had gained was gone in the blink of an eye. They surged through our scattered ranks, killing with such proficiency that even I faltered at the sight of them. Nothing stopped them or could stand in their way for more than a few seconds.

They cut through us only stopping when the air was filled with the greatest roar I had ever heard.