The Fallen Guardian (The Guardian Chronicles 2) (6 page)

While
the giant leader slept, his siege warriors killed thousands of orcs and injured
numerous others. Dead bodies lay everywhere a short distance from the outer
wall. Even with the persistent rain, the smell of the deceased was rank and
fetid. After a few hours, the protective barrier that Marcello had created gave
way and the huge ballistae moved into place. Even after suffering staggering
losses, the orc armies continued to push so that they were close enough to
begin using their siege weapons. Massive arrows the size of a small black oak
began to whirl through the air. The outer wall was hit repeatedly with these
flying battering rams, and cracks began to appear. The magical shielding was
beginning to erode, and the bulwarks were beginning to crumble as a result of
this weakening. Large numbers of orcs rushed forward at the site of the failing
magic with their huge ladders in hand. They were going to scale the
now-unprotected walls, and they were going to make the pointed-eared fairies
pay for their losses. They had not been confident because of the unexpected use
of magic by one of the giants, so they were ecstatic with the opportunity
before them.

The
southern wall was engulfed in a war of attrition over the next several days
resulting in large numbers of orcs being killed or injured. The home guard was
reduced to half their original numbers before their defenses gave way. The
giants had suffered very few deaths and were the only reason why the southern
part of the city was not yet overrun with the ugly brutes. Lord Marcello
finally awoke from his slumber after four days and rejoined the battle. His
return helped to push back the tide of orcs, and the wall was again enchanted
with his protective magic, which prevented another breach for a time. The rains
finally subsided, and the sky was blackened by the smoke from the forest
burning in the southwestern part of the forest.

It
was at this point that General Verandos appeared out of nowhere. He had been
missing since arriving at the southern gates. He had been scouting in his bear
form and had learned just how big this army was that was attacking them. He
also learned of the source of the fire away in the south. He had returned on
the fourth day when Lord Marcello had awakened from his rest. As he approached
the wizard, he had a look on his face that did not hide the severity of their
situation. Any news that this druid had was not good. The giant warlock looked
down at his co-commander with a look of distress on his face. Marcello was not
like other giants because of his magic capabilities and his inability to hide
his emotions. He attributed the lack of control to his use of magic.

“What
have you learned?” asked Marcello at once.

“There
are three orc armies out there. I would have never thought that unity like this
was possible with their kind. You have managed to put a dent in their numbers,
but they are still over three hundred thousand strong,” reported the druid
darkly.

“How
have they managed to put that large of a force together?” asked the giant
rhetorically. “They were supposed to be limited in size as punishment from the
last war. What about the forest?”

“It
appears that someone has set fire to it on purpose. They were trying to create
a buffer between the armies of orcs and the Seda. At least, that is what I have
deduced.”

“Is
that all you were able to accomplish on your trek?”  Marcello was a little
perturbed about the current situation and immediately regretted his
insinuation.

“I
attacked several different areas of the rear, which helped slow their approach.
I must say that your attack did more good than any of my efforts or the home
guard for that matter. I salute you, master.” General Verandos snapped to and
saluted Lord Marcello. The giant’s features eased, and a smile came across his
face.
It pleases me greatly that a druid recognizes my powers and respects
them. We are going to get along just fine.

“Please
go to your troops and reposition them. They have taken heavy losses and are a
bit dejected. I think that the archers are crucial at this point because they
can protect my siege warriors from attacks while they continue their aerial
assault.”

“I
will station my archers in a protective pattern around your soldiers. I will
also try to inspire them to greater heights and encourage them to not give up
hope.”  General Verandos smiled warmly at Lord Marcello and hurried off to his
carry out his various tasks.

As
the druid made his way to the troops, he stopped on the main thoroughfare
momentarily to see a massive number of elven troops heading his way. Once the
people had heard that the warrior druid was leading their army, a large number
of people volunteered for service. They all respected him and knew that the
situation must be dire when a peaceful elf would lead an army. Verandos smiled
inwardly at that shear number that had joined up. Lord Marcello would not
question his friend’s use of time anymore. Before he went on his mission
outside the walls, he had recruited several people to join his army. He had
instructed them to be ready in three to five days and to meet him at the southern
gates when they had gathered together everyone that they could muster. There
were one hundred thousand elves in the army marching toward the orc armies.
General Verandos looked over at his stunned counterpart and winked.

“Why
didn’t you tell me you were recruiting?” boomed the giant’s voice, half
irritated and half relieved. He always knew that the general would be the one
to save the day, and this massive elven army was just what they needed.

A
beautiful guardian flew through the air with the grace and ease of an angel
atop what looked like an eagle. She was on the guardian’s errand and would not
fail to complete the tasks given to her. She was heading toward the north face
of Mount Lamont to meet with someone very important. She knew that her master
had already met with her quarry, but she was there to give special instructions
to him. She was to inform this formidable ally to wait to intervene in the war,
which was all but inevitable by now, until the very end. The guardian would call
for him and his kind to get involved in a more direct way when the time was
right. Khalida knew that the others had already spread out amongst the land
because she had been receiving reports from them for weeks now. She knew that
Mount Carrick was under attack as well as the Black Forest. She also knew that
the battle for the Nairi Canyons was hot and getting worse with each passing
moment. She even knew that there were two orc armies heading for Mount Adem.
She was impressed that her spies had not become involved and had limited
themselves to merely observing these events. She was especially impressed that
the fire in the southwestern part of Renshaw had not goaded them into action.

She
had arrived at the north face before she knew it and immediately began her
search for Master Mahdi. She did not have the same abilities of her master, but
she could sense the presence of the dormant being by her connection with the
earth. She relayed to the guardian’s most trusted ally precisely what would be
required of him in much greater detail than Mahdi had heard previously. They
reached an understanding, and she left the mountain by taking off into the air
and circling around the snowcapped peak of Lamont, and then she made for the
cliffs of the High Plains of Landen.
I will walk in so I do not cause them
alarm. I am sure that they have heard of Kana’s flying demon and would not take
kindly to an aerial approach.

Khalida
alighted on the ground and walked resolutely toward the cliffs on the
northwestern corner of Landen as the sun began to set on another clear day. The
eagle like creature she had been on disappeared.  It was crazy that the weather
was so clear here while unnatural storms were blanketing the rest of Tuwa.
Everywhere there was a conflict there were black clouds. She could also sense
the traces of magic in the air from its heightened use over the past few weeks.
The elements will be unavoidably altered by this war; that much is certain.
I must work swiftly now if I am to save any part of the lands.

She
saw the sentry guards at their posts stiffen as she approached. The guards were
trying to figure out who or what she was as she continued to walk toward them.
She could sense their fear and trepidation, so she sent out a soothing magical
web to calm their heightened senses. She did not want them to act rashly and do
something they would regret. Just because she was visiting King Leroy Ishrafle
to discuss the alliance of the races of men, elves, dwarves, and giants did not
mean that she particularly cared for the people of Landen. They had always
abused their position in Tuwa and had not done their part to prevent this war
and would most likely blame the guardians as they always did.

“Hail
guards of Landen; it is I, Mistress Khalida.” She introduced herself to the
sentries. She bowed as she uttered her pleasant greeting.

“Halt! 
Stay where you are!” ordered one of the guards timidly. He was shaking in spite
of himself.

“You
have no need to fear me. I am not the one you were told to watch for. Do you
really believe that she would just walk right up to you?  She would probably
swoop down out of the sky on her winged beast and let it eat you both for
merely being at your posts,” replied Khalida pointedly. She did not have the
patience to placate these fools, and time was of the utmost importance.

“What
are you saying?” stammered the other guard.

“I
am saying that I am on your side. Now, please do not waste any more of my time.
Inform your king that I am here to speak with him. I am representing the
guardian council,” she said with an icy edge to her voice.

“We
will notify him at once!” shouted one of the guards out of fright. He had not
meant to yell, but his nerves were on edge, and he could not control his
volume.

“Thank
you,” replied the powerful guardian smoothly. She walked toward a chair by the
sentry post and took a seat. She stared off into the distance and pondered
exactly how she should approach King Leroy about what would be required of him.
These high plains are the perfect natural defense against the hordes of
Kana. The king must let us use his land as a defensive shield for the besieged
peoples of Tuwa.

After
a few minutes of silence, the guard who had shouted returned from sending the
message from Khalida to the king. He had sent the message with a rider and
instructed them to make haste. He wanted the situation to sound urgent because
he wanted desperately to be out of the presence of this mysterious lady. The
guard had heard tales of the guardians before, and they all depicted them as
violent creatures that did not care one bit for the races of Tuwa. His view was
not the popular perception of the Elementals, but it did represent a segment of
people who would not help a guardian in their cause. She simply ignored the
sentry as he resumed his post with his back to her. She laughed softly at his
childish mannerisms and turned her attention away from the brooding guard to
the other sentry who had managed to keep himself composed in her presence.

“What
news has reached your ears regarding the events taking place outside your
country?” she asked him quietly.

“The
word is that demons from the north have begun to take over the lands. They say
that devils have attacked our neighbors in Nairi,” the guard replied in hushed
tones. He had a much higher opinion of the powerful guardian than his
counterpart.

“Devils
indeed…,”replied Khalida thoughtfully.
The aggressors in these attacks are
definitely displaying devilish traits. I wonder if the demons in the north have
ventured outside their realm and decided to try and take over the lands again.

“Malady,
could you tell me what is going on out there?” he asked hesitantly. “I do not
share my friend’s view of you, and I would like to hear what you have to say on
the matter.”

“I
will tell you this much. You need to be prepared for anything. War is brewing
again in Tuwa, and once again your country will need to be the stronghold for
the races of good. I do not believe you need to worry yourself about demons or
wraiths of the north. Beware the exiled races,” she said ominously. She gave
the sentry a very meaningful look that told him very plainly that difficult
times were on their doorstep.

A
mounted messenger returned the following day with the request for an audience
with Khalida immediately. The graceful guardian stood up and smiled at the
messenger turned escort. Another horse had been brought back with the king’s
messenger so that the guest could ride in haste to the meeting. King Leroy had
sent his own steed to carry Khalida back to his court. The stallion was lord of
all the white stallions in Tuwa. He was a beautiful beast that espoused grace
and power. She was impressed by this gracious gesture. Her feelings about
meeting with the king became much warmer and more positive in light of this
token.
This king surprises me with his generosity and his acceptance of the
magnitude of the current situation. He is much more intelligent than I would
have thought for a man.

As
she rode toward the heart of Landen, they passed several villages and towns
that were bustling around as though everything was normal. They had no real
idea what horrors awaited them. They did not know that all of the races of Tuwa
were drawing closer to an all-out war. She pitied them because their simplistic
lives were about to be altered at her request. The fair plains of Landen were
going to be full of refugees and armies from other countries. If the raging
battles developed into war, the High Plains would be the place where the future
would be decided. That was why she had to come now instead of later. In order for
the outcome to be in her favor, and in favor of the good peoples of Tuwa, she
would need to have the country of Landen prepared for all-out war before any
army even drew near its borders.

After
traveling for some miles, a huge city rose high on the horizon. A massive
castle that looked more like a citadel gleamed in the sunlight as it sat
imperiously in the very center of Brel. That was the name of the capital city
of King Leroy’s domain. Before too long Khalida and her escort passed its outer
wall and entered the main thoroughfare. There were little shops lining both
sides of the street, and merchants were calling out the specials for the day.
Little groups of children were running back and forth across the road and in
between the stores. The sight of such normalcy and youthful joy caused the
guardian to feel more hesitant about the information that she was going to
impart to their king. Their lives would be irrevocably changed from this war,
and those that lived to see the end of it would never be the same again.
I
will make sure Kana pays for what I am about to do. She will be made to suffer
for destroying the lives of the good peoples of Tuwa. They will never have the
same peace they have known their entire lives.

The
sun burned brightly overhead, and there were birds flying high above in the
air. In the west, dark clouds covered the Black Forest and smoke was rising
into the sky in the region where the Seda were purported to be. None of the
citizens of Brel took notice of the strange weather or burning forest. Everyone
that Khalida passed smiled genuinely and waved as she passed. The eastern gate
to the castle was the only part of the city that seemed to be heavily guarded.
They were stopped by a small group of soldiers armed to the teeth and were
asked to wait while they confirmed that their presence had been requested. Many
of the king’s guard eyed the beautiful lady wearily. She knew right away from
the looks on their faces that they believed her to be the rogue Elemental that
had been rumored to be about the lands. She could see it in their eyes that
they believed her to be that witch and that she had come here to bewitch their
good king into taking up her wicked cause.

Only
a few minutes passed before one of the king’s servants came running at top
speed toward the castle’s gate. He skidded to a halt and bowed deeply while
trying to catch his breath. The servant stood up and offered his hand to the
elegant lady. She took his hand and dismounted the gorgeous white stallion with
a smooth, swift motion. She nodded to the bewildered guards with a slight smile
as she followed her new escort into the king’s court. She took heart at the
protection the king had employed to protect his household, but she wondered why
he had not imposed such strict protection throughout his kingdom. As she walked
toward the main entrance to the court, she noticed that the people had tense
looks on their faces. It was as though they were collectively holding their
breath, waiting to see what she would do. She smiled warmly to try and ease the
tension in the air about her.

The
double doors burst open before they had even touched the doorstep. The king
himself stood before her in a deep bow. As he stood up, it was clear that he
was anxious to speak with her. He took Khalida’s hand in his and led her into
the throne room. He did not take his kingly seat but sat at a table to the side
of the throne. He seemed to recognize his place in her presence, and this, more
than anything else, really put her at ease. She knew that her meeting with King
Leroy would be very productive. She eased gracefully into her seat across the
table from the king and waited patiently for her gracious host to begin their
private meeting. All of the king’s guard left the room, and all of the doors
were sealed. They were all alone in the king’s throne room to discuss the
matters of war. There was intensity in the air as she waited on the king to
break the silence.

“Mistress
Khalida, I have been expecting you,” started the king suddenly.

“How
is it that you have been expecting me, King Ishrafle?” queried the Elemental
kindly.

“I
have received news from Arnaud of your coming. He tells me that you are
representing the guardian and that it is Kana who is causing all of the strife
in the lands,” explained King Leroy.

“I
did not think that you spoke to the eagles. I thought that you and your people
let them make their homes on the cliffs as long as they did not make their
presence known to your subjects. Has that changed in the past few years?” she
asked sincerely.

“It
has changed within the past few weeks actually. Arnaud felt that we would need
each other considering the increasing number of confrontations that were
breaking out all over the land of Tuwa. I agree with him whole-heartedly. What
I would like to know from you is exactly what is going on?”  He did not want to
mince words
.
He felt that time was a
commodity that was too precious to waste on pleasantries.

“You
certainly do not waste any time in getting to the point. I appreciate that,
Leroy. The Elemental you know as Kana has indeed broken from the guardian
council and has made it her ambition to rule Tuwa and the peoples who inhabit
the lands. She has gathered together the banished races plus a splinter group
of elves to assist her in gaining control.”