Stars' Light, page 45
Sarannya waited for the right moment, and then struck, moving first. She had done this to draw out her enemy. She was hoping that the Fallen would use the Essences against her, and then she could spring her trap.
Chenda darkened her blade and her skin to protect herself. She was caught off guard when the girl moved in, War Blades attacking. Light streaked by her as she evaded one and parried the other. The flash of light as the swords clashed made her squint. This did not appear to be the same girl who she had faced before. The movement was similar, but it was not quite the same. It was smoother, more confident.
Sarannya smiled to herself. It would not be long now, and this animal would attempt to use the Essences against her, and then it would be over. She could almost feel the moment of shock that was fast coming. It was an anticipation that was building within her.
“Do not anticipate it. Let it happen naturally,” War Bringer instructed her gently. He did not want to break the merging of the three of them.
Sarannya relaxed, circling her enemy.
Chenda frowned. The girl was good, but not that good. There were holes in her movements, holes in her attacks. Holes that no knight would actually have. She was hesitant to take advantage of them, because she could not tell if this young girl was leading her into a trap. She felt that something was off, as if the girl was waiting for something.
Kiril was fighting a losing battle. The light kept streaming through him, but he also knew that it was only a matter of time, and he would not be able to use anymore. He was fast tiring. Scores of the dead shifted and blew around his feet and into the air. There was not much left of the wall. Large sections had come down, not only to his right, but to his left as well. It was done, and he knew that the men and women still left on the center of the wall would not be able to escape.
“We could pick them up with us in the wind,” Kiril said in the merging of himself and Wrath.
“Their bodies would not survive the forces placed upon them. They would be crushed. You do not have the control, nor the ability to take them and you. They are not infused with light the way you are,” Wrath answered.
Kiril surveyed the situation around him. Only about twenty of his group were still alive. He caught the eye of a middle aged woman. She had been fighting by his side for the last twenty minutes. She smiled at him and nodded her head. She leaned in to speak with him.
“You should go. There is nothing more that you can do here, and it is important that you not die with us.” Her voice was rough with emotion. The enemy was in front, behind, and on both sides. They were completely surrounded. Yeva knew there was no way out for her.
Kiril did not have any words, but stared back at her for a long moment. A deep sadness settled over his heart. He knew that she was right. It was very hard for him to put his life before another’s. He had spent his life in his father’s house being told how he was worth more than everyone else. That he was an heir to the throne, and how the Toshe family was the second greatest family in the Ten-Thousand Nations. That all hit him in an instant.
Yeva knew the Colonel was hardening himself to continue the fight. “Colonel! Please. You must leave. You must live to tell our stories, and to let our loved ones know that we did what was needed. That we would be slaves to no one.”
“Yeva, is it not?”
“Yes.”
“I will not forget you.” He looked into her hazel eyes, at her brown hair and the soft, round features of her face. The wind grabbed him and whisked him up and away as the enemy took the wall. The farther he sailed away, the harder it was to maintain the protections he held for them against the Essences. At the top of his arc, he could no longer hold them.
The sound of explosions and flashes of light from fire erupted. The roar of the wind and sheets of water crashed down, sweeping the remaining center of the wall clean. Bodies were blown everywhere. Some on fire, some clawing for air as their faces were covered in a sheet of ice, only for their bodies to topple over moments later. And some were blown clear off the wall as the wind threw them down, breaking them on the rocks of the pass.
The enemy surged forward towards their General, who was fighting in the middle of the road between the second choke point and the broken wall. Kiril landed softly on the downhill side between Chenda and her units, which were starting to rush towards her. He turned to them and brought his sword up. Light emanated from him, slowing their advance. He could sense that their protections were up, as were his. Kiril began to back up slowly towards where Sarannya was engaged.
Chenda felt the wall break, and she knew her units would be rushing forward. She also knew that she needed to take this girl before her units arrived, as they would try to kill her, and her master wanted her alive. She moved forward, striking with her swords, and charging her body with the Essences to make herself stronger and faster.
Sarannya used shadow to diffuse the light Chenda was using. She used shadow to break down the darkening of her enemy’s body, making her enemy slower and weaker. Sarannya evaded, moving around Chenda’s sword. War Bringer cut down, cutting the sword in half. Retribution sliced through Chenda’s armor, ribs, and her right arm.
Chenda felt her strength and speed rush away from her. Her sword was cut in half, followed by a sudden burning in her body. She looked down in shock to see her right arm gone, cut completely through just below the elbow. She took a half step back and fell to her knees. She immediately pulled light in around her to shape her and to fortify the darkening of her body, but it did not seem to be helping. There was just too much light coursing through her from the War Blade that had cut her.
Kiril turned, seeing Chenda fall. He could feel that something was off with Sarannya. He could feel that she was about to make a decision that would forever be with her. He moved towards Sarannya as fast as the light could move him.
Sarannya brought Retribution around and positioned for the cut that would end Chenda’s life.
Chenda gasped in pain and looked up at Sarannya. “Who are you? Are you her?”
Sarannya did not answer, but stared down at the azure skin, golden horns, and slightly yellow, glowing eyes of the Fallen. Sarannya noticed the scar on Chenda’s face. She put Retribution into motion for the killing blow without a word.
There was a resounding crack and a flash of light as Wrath intercepted Retribution. Kiril interposed himself between Chenda and Sarannya. “No!” Words came flooding to him through his merging with Wrath, and he could feel that Sarannya had merged with her blades. “Not like this, again. We are here to choose differently this time. Remember what you told me deeper in the pass when you first emerged.” His silver illuminated eyes narrowed slightly, seeing the anger on Sarannya’s face. Anger he had seen all too many times in the past.
“I made a deal for one last fight against them,” Sarannya said in a husky voice.
“Instead of being separate from her, join her. Enjoy her mistakes and successes. Enjoy the different decisions. We have a chance again. Don’t ruin this with your anger and wanting for revenge. That’s what destroyed you, us, the last time.” Kiril felt the anger and raw emotion leave Sarannya. He felt the merging slip away, not only for her, but for him as well.
Sarannya relaxed, letting her anger go, staring down at the Fallen before her. She looked up at Kiril, noting that Wrath was still pointing at her. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and opening them slowly. “Lets go,” she whispered, once she found her voice, sheathing War Bringer and Retribution, who were conspicuously quiet again.
The two of them quickly retreated to the second choke point, where Masamiria and Lubos were waiting for them. From behind their new barricade, they watched the enemy move forward and collect Chenda. She was still alive, writhing around in pain as cracks of light appeared against her darkened skin.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Analia stood patiently outside her home, high in the pass. She knew that Asenath was coming to her. She could feel the Fallen getting closer, and then she took in a deep breath and set her face into a pleasant expression, seeing the carriage come around the bend. It was more difficult than she thought it would be. She had chastised her husband about his thoughts on this, and here she was doing the same thing.
She was dressed in a simple pair of divided pants, with a loose top that was layered twice against the evening cold. It would probably snow in the next day or so. Grace Winds was resting on her hip, and Analia’s hands were tucked in the folds of her top to keep them warm.
The carriage came to a stop, steam billowing about the horses’ mouths and nostrils. They had not worked too hard, but they were tired. Kaerk was immediately on hand to steady the horses and help Acilius down. Kaerk’s salt-and-pepper hair was in direct contrast to Acilius’s solid head of grey. The carriage door opened and Bran jumped down. He nodded to Analia, who nodded back at him. Acilius unhooked the small wooden steps and placed them, so the ladies would have an easier time in getting out of the carriage.
Ivana stepped out first. Her red hair was tied up in a bun on top of her head. Her green eyes flashed, and she smiled, seeing Analia for the first time. She stepped aside as Maarika came next, pausing for moment on the steps, taking Analia in. Maarika noted the sword and the posture. This was clearly the General’s wife; there was no mistake there. Analia was a singular beauty, with hair that was so blond it was almost white, and dark purple eyes with the same gold flecks that Masamiria and the General both had as well. That, more than anything, made her hesitate before she continued stepping to the ground.
Maarika came forward and bowed low from the waist. “I am Maarika Kalina, formerly of Bosc City in the Borderlands. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Your husband has told me so much about you.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you. My husband has very much enjoyed working with you, and financing your ventures. I am sure that we will be able to find you a suitable establishment for you to move into.” Analia looked up as Asenath stepped out of the carriage, with Koios behind her. “If you will excuse me,” Analia said to Maarika, and stepped past her.
“Lady Asenath Seffora at your service, my…” Asenath halted her speech, noting the War Blade. “My General.”
“Just Analia will do. Social formalities need not be followed. We have more pressing concerns.” Analia turned to Bran. “Bran. Please take Maarika and …”
“Ivana,” Ivana said, blushing, since she had not introduced herself.
“…Ivana to the Tatara residence, for baths and food. Lady Seffora and I have much to discuss.”
“Of course, General. Ladies, right this way, please.” Bran motioned for them to follow him down the small path that would lead to the Tatara manor house. He made sure to walk next to Ivana.
Analia and Asenath sat across from each other. Asenath had assumed her true form after the humans left. She felt uncomfortable in the Generals’ home, sitting on a very nice couch. Koios was next to her, and he also was in his true form. Her chimes rang out with the slightest movement, and it was the only sound filling the space of the room.
This was the first time a Fallen had ever entered Analia’s and Jorian’s home. It was the first time she had ever sat to talk to one without drawing her sword. They were all clearly on new ground. She felt exhilaration. Events did not always happen exactly the same. It made her smile at her doubts.
Asenath, seeing the General’s wife smile, started to speak, but stopped as Analia also started to speak. They both stopped and began to insist the other go first. An uncomfortable silence followed.
“Welcome.” Analia said finally, smiling at Asenath. “I remember you from the earlier days.”
Asenath frowned. “And I remember you, Golden General, but I wish that you did not remember me. I am trying to move past those days. It has been a difficult transition, and, as you can see, it is not done yet.” In her nervousness, she found Koios’ hand on the couch and gripped it, never taking her eyes from the General’s wife.
Koios visibly frowned. This was the Golden General? He remembered her. She was a killing force on the battle field. No one wanted to face her. Many Fallen units had fled at the sight of her golden armor. The only units that had lived were the ones that had fled. To face her, was to face death. He stiffened, glancing down, not quite knowing what to do, feeling and seeing Asenath’s hand holding his. For a moment, his heart fluttered and then there was a surge of energy throughout his whole body. He felt more powerful and in control with her hand in his. His brows came together; is this what love is like? Is this what falling in love is like? He was trying to remember, but he could not. It was a feeling that was both exhilarating and frightening at the same time.
Analia smiled at her and did everything she could to not notice Asenath’s hand finding Koios’. “You have obviously taken the pledge, and I am sure that my husband sent you here for good reason. Can you give me any information about him, Sarannya, Kiril, and Masamiria?”
“When I left, Markos Penvel was about to lay siege to the city. I am sure that battle has begun. The Gen—your husband was heading to a Niparian ship called the Defiant. He was heading somewhere, but I do not know where. The General sent me here to lay the ground work for a spy network. He said that he wanted it to rival Katerina’s. He wants me to teach Sarannya how to move like a woman; how to use her body as a weapon. And, I agreed to this, but I must say that I am concerned. I may not be able to control myself, and if I cannot, my old self—” her hands gestured to her voluptuous form and horns, “—will take control.”
Analia sat silent for a moment, trying to absorb what Asenath had just told her. Jorian had sent a Fallen here to teach Sarannya, who would more than likely take over the knighthood and succeed him as its head.
“The general also wants me to teach her how to rule, because you and he have never worn a crown before; you have never ruled before.” Asenath whispered the last. She felt like a fool saying this to a woman who had led armies on the field of battle against not only the Fallen, but the Darkness itself. Who had been a scourge to her enemies; the woman who was the Golden General.
Analia blinked, and a slow smile came to her face. “Jorian is correct. We have never actually worn a crown.” She paused for a moment. “Did my husband give Kiril and Sarannya their War Blades?”
“He did.” Asenath smiled, light coming to her eyes.
“You saw it!” Analia said in disbelief, reading the light in Asenath’s face.
“I did.” A peaceful smiled remained on her face, and her skin had a soft glow to it, showing her pleasure at the experience.
Analia let things settle for a moment before returning to their previous topic.
“The spy network is one that we will need. It will be of great importance over the next few years, as this Darkening takes shape. Also, you are not going to teach Sarannya how to be a…”
“A prostitute. No. I am going to teach her how to move her body, so men will enjoy looking. It will give her the advantage in many different arenas. As you know, men see with their eyes, and women hear with their ears. I do not all the way know why the General is so adamant that I teach her this, but that is what he told me.”
Analia was silent for a moment, just taking in what she had heard. “I am looking forward to working with you. As you know, I was the primary agent of Katerina, and she and I performed many missions against Aviel and the Darkness. You were a worthy opponent, and I am happy that you have joined us. I hope that you find what you are looking for.”
“Thank you. That is very kind of you. I look forward to working with you, as well.”
“I have kept you long enough. Also, please do not show your true form to any of the humans here, and please keep your people in check. We do not want any hysterics or craziness to happen.” Analia stood and extended her hand.
“I agree and completely understand,” Asenath said, as she and Koios stood, understanding this was the end to the conversation. She shook Analia’s hand and bowed her head. “Until next time.”
“Ms. Lear will show you to your accommodations for tonight, and where you can freshen up and eat. We are still trying to get the citadel set up for everyone.”
Analia sat alone, just thinking about what she had heard and what she had seen in the light. There was a core of light in Asenath, and Analia was certain that the woman did not even know that it was there. She smiled to herself, knowing exactly why Jorian had sent Asenath here. Not only would she teach Sarannya everything there was to know about the enemy, Asenath was the queen of the succubi. Men could not resist her, and Sarannya would be operating in a world that was run and ruled by men. It was a good strategy, and one that she hoped Sarannya would be able to fulfill. Interesting times, indeed.
Sarannya sat in a tent, holding a hot cup of coffee. It tasted really good, but it would have been better with some cream and sugar. But, some coffee was better than no coffee. She and Kiril were clearly avoiding each other, but she could not quite remember why. She knew that she had been angry with him, and they had spoken words, but she could not remember what they were. I’m so tired of forgetting everything, she thought to herself, getting up from her seat.
Kiril looked over at her, but he was not sure that he wanted to speak with her. He knew he’d been angry with her, but he could not remember over what. It was like the bonding with the War Blades had brought out something that he could not hold on to. He had attempted to speak with Wrath about it, but Wrath would only say it was a side affect of the bonding. Nothing to be concerned with.
He looked up, a shadow falling over him. Sarannya stood over him with a questioning look in her eyes. He nodded to her.
“I’m sorry. I feel like I said some things to you that I should not have. Everything is hazy after the bonding with the War Blades,” Sarannya said, holding her cup in both hands, and her voice was soft and quiet.
