Margaret Bonham - Lachlei

“Redhael had a larger army and more lands than I do,” Redkellan replied. “He was older when he ascended the throne. I don’t have the support he had.”

Lachlei met his gaze. “So, those who can build the largest army and take the most lands are most likely to take the throne,” she said.

“Indeed,” Redkellan remarked. “But what is the Lochvaur army doing on Darkling Plain?”

“You have spies,” she said. “You know we’re being pursued.”

Redkellan leaned forward, his gold eyes glittering. “Yes, by Silren , Eltar , and demons. Very interesting.”

Lachlei frowned. “Then, if you know…”

The Redel prince shrugged. “This is not the Redel ’s fight,” he said. “We have our own problems.”

“Areyn Sehduk killed Fialan,” Lachlei interrupted him.

Redkellan fell silent and considered her. “If that is so, then we should be seeing the Athel’cen .” He shook his head. “This is not a Redel fight.”

“It should be,” Lachlei said. “Join me against them.”

Redkellan chuckled and shook his head again. “This is not our fight, Lachlei.”

Lachlei considered the prince carefully. “I can give you what you want.”

Silence ensued. Redkellan acted disinterested, but Lachlei could sense interest behind his shield. “And what might that be?”

“The throne to the Redel kindred,” Lachlei said, sounding more confident than she felt.

Another silence followed. Lachlei watched as Redkellan weighed her offer. “You’ve piqued my interest,” he admitted. “How would you put me on the Redel throne?”

“I have my ways,” she said.

He shook his head. “No mystery. If I am going to risk the lives of my army I must know how you plan to put me on the Redel throne.” Redkellan smiled sardonically. “It seems odd that a Lochvaur queen who is pursued by two kindreds and demons could offer the crown to another kindred.”

Lachlei hesitated. The support of the Lochvaur would not be enough to give the Redel crown to Redkellan. Her mind strayed back to the wolf-god—how much would Ni’yah willing to do? She could not say. “An Athel’cen fights with us,” she said.

Redkellan’s eyes widened. “Is that so?”

Lachlei nodded. “He would look on those who help the Lochvaur with favor,” she said.

“Favor is not enough,” Redkellan said dismissively. “I need more than favor. I need a victory.”

“Help me and I promise at least one Athel’cen on your side,” Lachlei said, wondering how she might accomplish it.

The Redel prince grinned as he quaffed the last bit of mead. “I don’t believe you,” he said at last. “I don’t think you or anyone has that power…”

“Very well, then you take an awful chance, don’t you?” Lachlei said, standing up.

“Where are you going?” Redkellan asked.

“Back to my army,” Lachlei replied.

“But the demons…”

Lachlei smiled grimly. “I have slain arch-demons, Redkellan,” she said. “I am not afraid.” She walked out of the tent.

“Lachlei,” Redkellan began.

She turned and met the Redel prince’s gaze. “Yes?”

His eyes narrowed and he shook his head. “They said you were a Lochvaur sorceress, but I didn’t believe them. Now I do.”

Lachlei laughed. “Really? I didn’t know I had such a reputation.”

“My own Redel will join you—though only the gods know why.”

“Demons!” the watch shouted.

It was still dark when Cahal awoke to yells and the strident call of the battle-horns. He leapt from his bedroll, still in armor. He nudged Kieran, who lay not far away in the commanders’ tent, with his foot. “Demons, Kieran! Demons, Laddel !”

“Gods!” groaned Kieran. He pulled himself from bed. “This is the third time tonight.”

“They’re keeping us awake,” said Cara. “They’re wearing us down.” “She’s right,” said Laddel . “The demons don’t need sleep.”

“What about the Braesan ?” Cahal asked.

Laddel shook his head. “I don’t know. But I suspect that if they need rest, it is for their bodies in this world.” He clapped a few warriors on the back. “Let’s go.”

They ran outside and stared into the sky. The clouds blanketed the sky, blotting out the light from the stars and the moons. As Cahal heard the last notes of the battle-horns die, he gazed into the sky.

“There!” Cahal said, pointing to the forms that moved against the clouds. There were several.

“By the wolf ’s mane,” said Laddel , his brass eyes gazing at the creatures. He drew his Sword of Power.

The demons shrieked and flew towards them, claws outstretched. The Laddel and Chi’lan archers were ready. A hailstorm of adamantine-tipped arrows flew towards the demons. Some avoided the barrage, but many were hit and fell. The warriors on the ground charged the wounded demons and attacked.

Screams of men and demons filled the night. Another battle-horn rang out and Cahal turned to see fighting along the flank. Even from this distance, he could see the pale warriors attack the Elesil troops. “Damn! Damn!” he shouted, grasping a horse and climbing into the saddle. “Conlan! The Braesan are attacking your men!”

Conlan was already on his horse, riding towards his troops. A demon swooped down, talons bared. Conlan drew his sword, but the demon was already on top of him, ripping the Elesil king and his mount to shreds.

Cahal charged, blinded by fury. He swung his adamantine blade, slicing deep into the creature. It shrieked, trying to rake its claws against Cahal. Cahal jumped back. The demon turned back onto its prey.

“Rhyn’athel!” shouted Cara and leapt at the demon. Together, Cahal and the Silren princess attacked the demon. Cahal’s final stroke decapitated it. The demon collapsed, and they pushed the corpse off what was left of Conlan.

“Oh Conlan!” Cara cried, cradling the Elesil king’s head. The silver eyes were already glazing over. She tried frantically to heal him, but the demon had ripped one of his arms off and huge gouges ran down his body.

Cahal looked at Laddel , who stood by. The godling shook his head. I think this is even beyond my sire’s ability .

Cahal gripped Cara’s shoulder. She looked up with angry blue eyes. “Come on, Chi’lan ,” he said gently. “We can do naught for him now.”

“Cahal, he was my friend.”

“I know, Chi’lan ,” he said. “We’ve lost many friends because of Areyn Sehduk. We’ll build a pyre when this is over.”

“ Chi’lan ,” she said grimly. “I have wanted to be called that all my life. Now, I look on the king of my brother kindred and I am not so certain. Is this what the warrior god demands of you?”

Cahal shook his head. “The Chi’lan ’s way has never been easy. It isn’t what the warrior god demands; it is what we give freely. It is something we do, not because it is easy or painless, but because it is right.”

“Conlan knew this,” Cara said.

“Then I count him as Chi’lan ,” Cahal said. “Just as I count you as one.” He paused. “Come on, Chi’lan . We have a battle ahead.”

Cara led the Elesil to the front lines. Although they had no weapons like the Chi’lan and Laddel longbows, they had archers and stood ready along the front lines. Laddel and Chi’lan mixed between them, fortifying the archers’ lines with long-range defense. Pikemen made a line before the archers, hoping to provide some protection in case of a charge.