Sea of Souls, page 31
Toryn did not relish the thought of the battle. ‘What about their saliva? You say they spit.’
‘That is to be avoided. While not poisonous, it’s unpleasant and will sting. Its purpose is to blur your vision. If that happens, you’re in trouble. And note, their spit will easily reach you from the base of this wall, so stay on your toes. But they only get one shot. It takes a good hour for them to produce the amount needed for a second volley.’
Toryn’s stomach turned. ‘You have an interesting way of describing such foul things, Eryn.’
She grinned. ‘I’ve only just started. Now, on to where it gets physical. When the beast has launched its juice at your face, it’s chosen you for its special attention. Regardless of whether it hits you, it’s committed to the attack. And it will spring up this wall with a speed and accuracy that is truly something to behold.’
Amyndra groaned. ‘That is something I could happily not see and still go content to my grave.’
Eryn laughed. ‘But if you live to tell the tale, there’ll be plenty willing to buy you dinner to hear it.’ She glanced to the torches. ‘To return to their tactics, we are lucky in one respect.’
Toryn scoffed. ‘I cannot imagine what that could possibly be.’
She ran her fingers up his arm like a spider. ‘Aralaks are very possessive of their prey. Once marked, they will not allow another to take you. I have seen them stop an attack to fight off a fellow spinner. They will actually defend you against the others, then eat you later. But let us hope it doesn’t come to that.’ Eryn set her stance with the weight on her back leg, then leveled her blade. ‘When you see the spider crouch, you do the same. Squat, rock back and keep the tip of your sword above eye level. But only use a one-handed grip. You’ll need to keep your other hand free. If you get lucky, the creature’s flabby belly will land right on the tip of your blade. If that happens, hold firm and twist. In defense, its legs will snap around your wrist. And believe me, it grasps with such strength it will feel like it will be severed. The spider will squirm, aiming to pull you off balance. Now’s the time to use your short blade and stab at anything within range. Eyes are best as it causes them the most pain. If you can hold your position… and nerve, it will soon drop and scurry away to die.’
Toryn repeated the move. ‘And if I’m not lucky?’
‘Its forelegs will be at your throat and its pincers will be coming for your eyes. But that’s not the worst part. It has a spike at the base of its abdomen. Avoid that, and you’ll have half a chance of wrestling it to the ground. If you can flip it onto its back, drive your blade deep into its belly. You’ve won that fight… but get ready for the next one. But do not turn and run. You’re finished if you try to outrun a spinner.’
Toryn looked along the wall. ‘What about our shields? Could we push them off the parapet?’
‘Shields are only useful for deflecting a volley of spit. Once they’re on you, a shield takes one arm out of the fight. They’ll land on it, then twist and wrench at it to take you off your feet. Shields should be used by the second line to protect the first from the poisonous volleys, but not in the fight. If you lose your footing, you’re as good as done. They’ll wrap you up in their web faster than your mother can tuck you into bed.’ She winked at Amyndra. ‘The flurry of their legs as they spin you a blanket is yet another sight that has to be seen to be believed.’
Toryn lowered his blade. ‘And you’ve given the same talk to all the defenders?’
Eryn nodded. ‘It’s a grim prospect, I’ll grant you that. But as I said, you’ll only have to fight one at a time. Duck when they spit, set your stance, then impale the leaping spider. Then look for the next and repeat it all over again.’ She sheathed her sword. ‘Of course, the unknown is how many will attack. That will determine the outcome.’
Amyndra caught Toryn’s eye. ‘Have you seen them fight in large numbers before, Eryn?’
‘My ancestors will have faced an army at the height of Ormoroth’s power, but I have only seen them operate in small bands. Few have the strength to control them.’ She frowned. ‘And that is a concern. Who commands them?’
Amyndra pressed. ‘But you obviously have experience in fighting these creatures.’
Eryn’s eyes wandered to the sky. Toryn thought he saw a slight shudder. She recounted her story. ‘I came across a nest in a forest in Lunn… long before it was called Lunn. I faced ten or maybe a dozen, I did not count them. It wasn’t easy, and I admit I had begun to tire as I finished off the last.’
Toryn looked back to the town. ‘We have close to three hundred able to handle a sword or bow. Let’s hope we don’t have to take a dozen each.’ He recalled the gruesome scene within the North Forest. ‘And their nests will soon churn out more.’
Eryn gazed out from the stockade. ‘They’re breeding to establish a new home. Unfortunately, the sturdy trees of this region offer them the perfect place for a productive nest.’ Her jaw clenched. ‘If left unchallenged, their spawn could overrun Ormsk within a year.’
Toryn clenched his sword. ‘Then we must keep them out of the South Forest. But even if we defeat them here, I don’t relish the thought of attacking their nest.’ He watched the flames flickering in the gloom. ‘Is it too simple to burn them out?’
Eryn shook her head. ‘Only if you can set the whole forest alight with a thousand torches simultaneously. It’s unusual for them to act as one, but they’ll throw their bodies on a fire to protect a nest.’ Eryn let out a long sigh. ‘But it may have to come to that. If they overrun the region, the forest is lost regardless.’
‘What of the Nym? Are they in that forest?’ Toryn recalled how they had guided the boat when he and Nyomae had escaped Uleva.
Amyndra frowned. ‘You speak of the little folk?’
Toryn smiled. ‘They’re actually quite tall close up.’
She gaped. ‘You’ve met them? This world gets stranger by the day.’ Amyndra glanced to the trees behind the town. ‘And they’re here? In Ormsk?’
Eryn nodded. 'Not in the North Forest, but they’re here, deep into the heart where the ancient trees yet stand. This was once a single forest. The folk of that time tell of the troubles when the area was cleared for the Borrund road. Most of the trees over there were planted for their timber supply. But on this side, the trees are ancient, and the ground here still retains the potency of the old days. The locals stay clear of the center, having learned long ago it did not bode well to fell those trees.’
Toryn turned. ‘Will the Nym tolerate the aralaks?’
‘The Nym will not intervene while they cause no damage to the trees.’
‘Yet they offered us assistance in the Foranfae.’
Eryn shrugged. ‘What the Nym promise, and what the Nym deliver may differ. They have little love for us, but they may help if we can convince them it’s in the interest of the trees.’
Toryn peered over the stockade. ‘Yet first, we must convince ourselves we can hold this town.’
42. THE COMING STORM
The conical roof of the East Watchtower rose over the horizon. Though dwarfed by the highest peaks of the Kolossos Range, it stood proud, and Elodi was relieved to finally set her eyes upon it. Beyond hope, the guards had held back the aralaks’ onslaught. But holding the pass had cost the defenders dear. Many fine soldiers had fallen, and many more lay injured, never to bear arms again, and perhaps not all due to physical injuries. Elodi gave a silent thanks to the Three that the spiders had retreated. Had her company fought the aralaks after a grueling ride, the casualties would have been high; casualties Elodi could ill afford.
The mound of the tangled aralak dead, turned her stomach. Even in defeat, they presented a hideous sight. And the defenders’ gaunt faces confirmed what an appalling struggle they had endured. Yet it appeared the inexperienced reserves had suffered the most. The glazed look in their eyes had chilled Elodi as she rode through the gate. The ancient wood bore the scars of the ferocious attack. She had flinched at the sight of the claws embedded in the gate, unable to imagine the fear the young reserves had suffered.
Elodi dismounted and greeted the commander. ‘Captain Waldryn, I believe.’ The Archonian was the same age as Gundrul, yet he too looked shaken by the battle. She clutched his hand. ‘I congratulate you on what must have been a hard-earned victory.’
The old guard tried to stand to attention, but failed. ‘Hard-earned indeed, ma’am. But I’m not sure I can claim a victory.’
‘How so? The pass still holds.’
Waldryn glanced to the injured. ‘Just when I thought we were done for, they suddenly stopped. Some fought among themselves, the rest scurried away as if called elsewhere.’
Elodi remembered the morning after her first so-called victory at Calerdorn. ‘Then let us give thanks they have gone, regardless of the reason.’ She turned to the east. ‘But we must remain ready in case they return.’
Nyomae spoke. ‘They’ve retreated. I doubt they’ll come back. They occupy the North Forest.’ Elodi recognized the look as she used her farsight. Nyomae’s knuckles paled as she clenched the reins. ‘They assemble for an attack on Omstrad.’
Elodi’s shoulders sank. ‘How many?’
‘It’s difficult to be exact, but they easily exceed five hundred.’
‘Five…? How can the town possibly defend itself against so many?’
Nyomae dismounted. ‘Toryn and the Amayans are with them. I also see Archonians and First Horse.’
Elodi let her gaze wander towards Omstrad, but she had yet to master the farsight and saw only shadows within the fog. ‘Then I dearly hope they can hold out. If only we could ride to their aid, but both horse and rider need time to recover.’ She looked to the north. ‘And we have to prepare for what I believe will be the main strike.’ Elodi turned. ‘Captain Waldryn. Do those barrels over by that wall contain Shreek’s Rage?’
‘Correct, ma’am. We felt it best to keep them out of harm’s way.’
‘Then I shall place them somewhere they can wreak all the harm we need. Please, Captain, have them loaded onto the wagons. We’ll take them to Roth’s Doom where they’ll serve us better. If Ruan and our forces in the west make it through the pass, you will be hard pressed to set the charges if they’re pursued. And I think it best we keep the way open for now. If our forces make it through, accompany them and ride to Roth’s Doom. If we fail there, the pass becomes irrelevant. That is where we’ll make our stand. Now, are you able to walk me through your defenses? But I’m happy to wait until you’re rested if you require time to recuperate.’
‘Now is fine with me, ma’am. It will take less than an hour to complete a tour this side of the pass, but perhaps… I would be grateful if you allow time for a light supper.’
◆◆◆
Elodi and Nyomae had accompanied the captain as he showed them the gate, the inner wall, and then finally the watchtower. Dozens of aralaks had breached the wall to clamber up the ancient tower. But the scars of their attack reached only a short way from its base, perhaps testament of the fine craft of its builders as the spiders had struggled to find a hold. The archers had done well to hamper their ascent, yet many had been dragged out of their windows and tossed to their deaths.
Elodi had visited the west side of the Kolossos Pass on her first journey to Archonholm, but she did not have the time to ascend the tower. Now, despite the situation, she had found a childish delight in the thought of reaching the top. The watchtowers were built in the early days of Draegelan’s reign as Archon, reaching a lofty five hundred feet above the pass. With great effort, the slopes had been hewn to establish a line of sight between the pinnacles of the east and west towers. Thus, in times of trouble, a beacon could immediately warn its twin of danger either side of the Kolossos.
The captain escorted them to the uppermost lookout, then excused himself to oversee the recovery operation below. The two stepped out onto the narrow balcony. Elodi was pleased to see it was fashioned from stone, unlike the precarious wooden structure of the Archon’s Tower. She placed her hands on the low wall and looked out along the pass. While the east was in twilight, the sun still shone brightly in the west, daubing the peaks the same orange as an Amayan blade when stirred. On a day in early spring, and another in late autumn, it was said the sun rose in line with the watchtowers. At dawn, those with a keen eye could see the shadow of the east spire upon its twin in the west. And likewise at sunset, those in the west could look back to see their spire return the honor.
But Elodi had not come up to admire the view. She calculated the birds from Eldamouth should have delivered her message two days ago. She peered as far as she could along the road, hoping to see spear tips catching the setting sun, or glistening bridles of the First Horse, but it was a forlorn hope to expect they would arrive so soon. She turned to Nyomae. ‘How far to the north can you see?’
Nyomae turned. ‘From this vantage point, I should see well into Lunn, possibly as far as the marshes of Lumreek.’ She took Elodi’s hand. ‘Steady yourself. I will take you. We won’t linger long. I sense the presence of warlocks, and they may attempt to influence you to do something you would not live long to regret.’ She nodded over the side. ‘It would be easy for them to convince you to jump.’
Elodi edged back to the wall. ‘Then I would appreciate a brief visit.’ Her vision blurred as they skimmed the steep mountain slopes, flying north through the twilight. They passed the broken fences of Aralak Gorge, then hurtled on towards the Lunn border.
Nyomae’s voice echoed. ‘A fog lies ahead. This is not natural.’ Elodi saw what looked like a great wall dividing the land. At its base, she saw movement along the roads and across the fields. Small bands of wagons streamed south led by the hardy folk who, up until now, had held onto the belief they could survive an assault. But whatever loomed behind the fog had persuaded them it was a false hope.
Elodi knew the answer before she asked. ‘Can you see beyond that wall?’
‘Alas, it is as I thought. Warlocks block the way. I cannot penetrate it unless I call upon my full powers. But I need to conserve my strength for the days to come.’
Elodi groaned. ‘Either these warlocks want to conceal their assembled forces, or… could it be another ruse? We’re all but finished if we assemble at Roth’s Doom while they strike in the west.’
‘Wait. There may be another way. Take hold of the edge. I will bring us out.’ Elodi staggered forward, grateful the wall came up to her chest. Nyomae bowed her head and entered the Song. Her eyes flickered behind her eyelids, but then she also stumbled and grasped the wall’s edge. Nyomae straightened. ‘You are right. They intend to strike on this side. A huge force gathers in Lunn. I sense the presence of three warlocks. And Uleva, Uldrak and Dorlan lead three great armies of Ruuk. And, behind them… a division of Norgog.’
Elodi’s heart sank. ‘Then it will be here. By the Three, Nyomae, if this is a trick to make us believe the main strike comes down the east, what forces gather in the west?’
Nyomae kept her eyes on the north. ‘I am certain this is no deceit. They will attack here. And, judging by the numbers, I cannot think they will see the need to send a force through Borrund to encircle us. They will be confident they have the strength to defeat whatever defense we can mount at Roth’s Doom.’
‘And what of Uluriel? It seems all their commanders are present, except her.’
‘I cannot detect her. If she’s to play a role, it’s not obvious to me.’
Elodi glanced back to the pass. ‘I would rather we knew of her location. If she intends to bring some unknown force…’ Her mind numbed. ‘Can you determine when they will come?’
Nyomae frowned. ‘That I cannot tell. Two of the warlocks are engaged in an act that demands their full attention. I cannot fathom its nature, but it consumes their power.’
Elodi found herself pressing back against the wall. ‘I knew it would come to this, but in my heart, I’d hoped we could stand against them. But I never thought we would face such a formidable foe. And now we must deal with these ghastly spiders. If Omstrad falls and they enter the South Forest, our right flank is exposed.’ She clasped Nyomae’s shoulder. ‘Will we see out the last days of summer? Is this to be our end?’ But Nyomae had no answer.
Elodi turned back to the mountains. The peaks reddened as they caught the last of the sunlight from the west. Movement! She strode around the tower to get a better view of the pass. Less than half a league from the watchtower, a column of knights galloped at speed. At its head she spied a banner. Elodi cried out. ‘Aldorman! Help comes. Our line grows stronger.’
43. THE GRAY WAVE BREAKS
It was as if the sun knew what her arrival would herald for the coming day. She stayed hidden above a thick dome of cloud, not wishing to witness the horror awaiting the defenders of Omstrad. Toryn had risen at dawn to stand upon the parapet and use his farsight to venture into the aralak’s fortress. Reluctantly, he let himself be taken through the gray wall and beyond. Inside, three bulging sacs dangled from a thick strand of web, strung across two great trunks. Toryn winced as the slimy, gray sacs pulsated as their grim contents anticipated the time of hatching. But the eggs were a concern for another day. A dark, writhing line, formed a little way inside the forest. And behind them, a robed figure sat upon a horse. Toryn groaned. Uleva. She had abandoned the winged corvraak in preference for her faithful stallion. Toryn could not help being impressed by the horse’s calm nature in the presence of so many aralaks. The spiders quivered, barely able to contain their glee as they anticipated devouring the fresh meat of Omstrad. But even the sight of the aralaks could not detract from Uleva. She looked taller, more terrible than Toryn remembered. He sensed a warlock, possibly Vordrak, lent her power to command such a large force.
