Fang Shway in LA (21 page)

No matter what happens you are and have always been the great love of my life.

Traygen

I sent for Fargon and directed him to send the scroll only if I did not return. He nodded gravely and took the letter. It was time to take to the skies and to drive the Vikings back into the sea. Our ranks had thinned, but we still mustered enough troops to form the four teams necessary to carry out our plan.

Gazing out at the assembled troops, my heart swelling with pride for the sacrifice these brave men were making. It would not be easy facing their immediate families if they did not return. The kingdom was one large extended family making it was nearly impossible to find a family I didn’t know.

“Friends and compatriots it is time to drive the invaders back into the sea. It will take every ounce of skill and determination, we have. May God ride with us this day. Men you have my word, I’ll give every breath I have to bring you safely home.” Yelling and cheering the men changed and took to the sky. Their numbers and sheer sizes were large enough to momentarily eclipse the sun. Changing and leaping into the air, I directed my men south toward the sea. My squadron would attack the main force. Our assignment required us to push the invaders back toward the cliffs. The narrow channel to the ocean provided a perfect shooting gallery for the archers. Herding the retreating army into the narrow channel wouldn’t be easy. There were several paths leading back toward the beach and we couldn’t be certain which they would take.

I feared that if the Vikings didn’t start to retreat to save their ships they might overrun us. This would cause the archers to lose their strategic advantage, which is why I sent the first group ahead. I wanted to make sure the invaders knew we were burning their ships. Gambling isn’t something I normally engage in.
Today, I gambled with all our lives.
Rolling the dice and praying for us all.

“King Traygen, our scouts have spotted the main army of invaders. They vastly outnumber us nearly two to one. They’ve filled their ranks with demons and vampires.”

“Have they hesitated at all? Or, do they still advance?”

“Sir, they are advancing and our scouts have not yet seen any smoke from the ships, in the harbor.”

“Call the men to a halt. We’ll land and give the first team a little more time. Have everyone eat something and drink water. No fires, we don’t want to give our position away.”

“Yes, King Traygen. I’ll see to it right away.”

How in the world had my life taken this turn? Our lands had been at peace for years. Why now? Warren how could he? He could have gotten our father killed. He knew I never wanted to rule. Why didn’t he wait?

“Begging your pardon, sir, the men we sent to scout have returned.”

“Bring them in. I want to hear what they’ve seen.”

Two mud splattered men trooped into view. Errol and Leglus, I’d known them both, my entire life. “What news do you bring?”

“Sir, the invaders ships are ablaze. One has already sunk to the bottom of the bay.”

“Leglus, thank you, this is welcome news. Errol, what have you found?”

“King Traygen, the main force of invaders is sending a detachment of their rear guard toward the sea.”

“Do you know how many troops left for the sea? Errol, could you tell or do we need to send out another scout?”

“Sir, I counted about a third of their forces. There was movement within their ranks. My guess is more may be preparing to move. In addition, sir, the vampires and demons are still pressing their forward attack.”

“Thanks men, send for General Wingo. Then get some food and water. You did well.”

“Yes, sir,” they said.

The men headed out and I let my mind sort through the important information I’d just received. Stretching to ease the tension in my neck, I heard General Wingo’s approach.

“King Traygen, you sent for me.”

“Yes, I just received the scouts report. Our plan has been partially successful. The ships are burning and part of their main force is returning to the beach. Our archers will have no trouble cutting them down.”

“This is good news. How many men have gone back?”

“That’s the problem. They only sent a small force back to the ships. The main force is comprised of vampires and demons and it is preparing to advance. The odds are still long and the enemy outnumbers us.”

“What do you suggest? We could pull back and wait to see if more of them retreat.”

I didn’t answer the general immediately. Fragments of an idea were germinating in my mind. Risky, if I was wrong our forces faced certain defeat. Weighing the pros and cons I decide on a course of action.

“General Wingo, it is my fervent hope they will send more men back to their ships. The smoke from the burning vessels will continue to grow. This I believe will siphon off more of their men.”

“What if it doesn’t? Then what?”

“This is the second part of my plan. I propose sending small raiding parties to harass and draw off smaller bodies from their main force. We will try to lure them into the canyon so the archers can finish them off. I need you to send someone to alert our archers. We don’t want to risk killing our own men.”

“At once. Who do you propose? We assign to lead these groups? Aaron and Glynn are fearless warriors and the men respect them.”

“I agree. We will give each man a dozen fighters and I’ll lead a third-party.”

“Begging your pardon, King Traygen. Do you think it wise to take such a risk with your life?”

“Perhaps not, but I can’t ask my men to do anything I am not willing to do. Will you make the appropriate arrangements? I want the teams assembled within the hour. Please send Aaron and Glynn to me.”

Bowing, General Wingo left. My mind raced, flooded with the details for planning the raid. It made the most sense to send Aaron’s group back toward the castle and then have Glynn’s group attack the pursuers from behind. Then I could oversee the main attack and adjust things as I needed to.

I briefed Aaron and Glynn. They started off to set the plan in motion. I ordered General Wingo to advance the main force straight at the invaders. Marshaling my small contingent of fighters we moved to higher ground to find a better vantage point.

Watching in silence, our hearts alternately cheered and broke. The main force made steady progress, while the demons chased Aaron’s men. Glynn’s men waited, following the demons, waiting to engage them. Fierce fighting ensued. I couldn’t tell which side was winning and unwilling to sit still any longer I took to the air.

Circling inland, I found Aaron’s and Glynn’s men in hand-to-hand combat with the demons. Not waiting to see how it ended, my battalion dove at the demons flanking them, bellowing fire. Flames licked at the demons, distracting and harrying them. It was the opening the men needed and they savagely clashed with the demons. Cutting them down where they stood. It was over in moments and I flew off to see what was happening on the coast.

As I soared above the bluffs, I saw all the invaders ships were burning or sinking. I landed and talked with the man in charge, congratulating them, ordering them to fall-in behind me. It was time to start harassing the invaders from behind.

Soaring over the battle, we searched the area for signs of any retreating invaders. The archers had cut down many and we dove, attacking the rear flank of their army. Fighting fiercely for every inch, our losses were mounting. I ordered the men back to the beach.
While I headed inland to find and bring back the men I’d left earlier.
We needed reinforcements.

Landing long enough to update the men, I got some water and I was about to order the men to take to the skies when Aaron and Glynn’s men returned. Speaking with the two men, I told them to eat and drink before they split up.
I told one team to go to the beach and the other to resupply the archers.

General Wingo and his men were holding the line. Doggedly, they faced a persistent group of vampires that nipped at their rear guard. Huddling with my men, I explained our task. We were going to fly at the vampires and lead them away from our lines.
This was a potential suicide mission. These vampire hunters were the toughest of their kind. Daylight didn’t hinder them and their magical skills were excellent. They weren’t as formidable as Vicor, but almost.

Diving and hurling fire, we lured the vampires into a small canyon. This was a risky tactic, and we could become trapped. Still, for all their skills they couldn’t fly.
We split up.
My group stood facing the advancing vampires. Our second group took off, strafing the vampires from every direction. Shrieks of anger and agony echoed off the walls of the canyon.
Our attack was relentless, ruthless and unrelenting.

Covered in gore and bleeding from too many places to count, I fought on, pressing the vampires, pushing them towards the back of the canyon, trapping them. Just when it looked like victory was possible, the vampires vanished. Stunned, we just stood there, shock reflected on our faces. Where in the world had they gone? We couldn’t kill them, if we couldn’t find them.

Flying and carrying the wounded we rejoined the main force. It was getting dark and we couldn’t risk being caught out in the open by the vampires. They could reappear as quickly as they’d vanished. I pulled our forces back and ordered the men to build large bonfires on our perimeters.

I made sure the wounded men got the treatment they needed and the most seriously injured were flown home. I assembled the men responsible for each division. They reported on their losses, recounting their battles, describing their tactics for controlling the areas they’d been assigned to patrol. The reports were a mixed blessing. We’d succeeded in trapping the invaders and we had killed many. Our costs had been high. It was still anyone’s guess if we would prevail or not. Our biggest concern was the remaining vampires. The demons had been expelled and the humans were no match for us. Unfortunately, the small group of vampires was still missing. I ordered our dead burned to the horror of the men.

“King Traygen, why in God’s name can’t we bury our dead? They are our family.”

“Aaron, if we bury the dead, the vampires will feed off them and then turn them. Do you want them turned into vampires or worse? I’m sorry, there is no other way.”

Aaron’s voice was barely audible. “You know I do not,” he spat and walked away.

“I know this is an abomination but it is necessary. It breaks my heart, now lend a hand, then we’ll pray for their souls.”

I turned and threw more wood on the fire. Then I helped drag the dead to the fire to be consumed.
No one spoke, the fire crackled and spat. The men fed its insatiable hunger. They didn’t stop until everybody had been cremated. No one had an appetite and the air soon resonated with the snores of the exhausted men. I walked around until I spotted General Wingo. Striding to his side, I ask him to accompany me.
We walked out of hearing range, before I spoke.

“General, I’m going to take to the air and search for the vampires. If I don’t return, resume the battle at first light.
You are in command.”

“In all due respect, King Traygen, do you think it is wise to go alone? Take some of the men with you.”

“Probably not, but you need every fighter you have and I know how to handle vampires. Trust me on this. I know what I’m talking about.”

“As you wish, King Traygen, I’ll check on our defenses. Good luck.”

I filled my canteen and ate some stale, cold bread. We hadn’t eaten all day and my stomach grumbled. No sense in tipping off the vampires, by announcing my visit. I drank until my thirst was quenched and my stomach refused to hold another bite.
Next, I checked my weapons. I wouldn’t need the usual weapons. If it came to hand-to-hand combat, I was as good as dead.

Satisfied that I was sufficiently sated and prepared, I soared into the night sky.
My wings pummeling the wind, as I gained altitude. Winds buffeted and rocked my body. There was a storm coming. I had a hunch the vampires retreated to the safety of the caves overlooking the water, a wise idea in this weather. The caves would also shield them from the light. There were several places they could be. I checked the caverns along the coast first because they disappeared in that area. It took me several passes before I found what I was looking for. The area weathered and dotted with openings.

A warren of caves lined the bluffs, making the surface look like a giant honeycomb. Unfortunately, they could be anywhere. I landed at the southernmost tip of land and
 changed. I jogged to gain the protection of the rocky cliffs. I stopped to listen. Sniffing the air, I did not detect any vampires in the immediate area. I put my ear to the rocky surface and listened. I couldn’t hear any movement.

Stepping carefully around the rocks, I searched for an opening. The stars were obscured by heavy clouds and there was no light.
It felt like it might rain. Rain would provide a welcome cover and it would drown out my approaching footfalls. Then I felt the first splatters on my cheek. I almost whooped in joy as sheets of rain battered the rocky cliffs.
The rain soaked me to my skin, causing my teeth to chatter. I needed to find some shelter fast with the wind threatening to blow me off the face of the cliffs, where I was huddled.