Margaret Bonham - Lachlei

“No, this time it is between Areyn Sehduk and me,” the god said. “The other gods won’t take sides—not this time. Only Ni’yah has joined my side.” He smiled wryly. “Even now, he’s preparing our troops.” He slowly sat up, keeping her pressed against him. “We shouldn’t tarry long, beloved, even if I have stopped time. Areyn will eventually become wise to it.”

Lachlei sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” She met his gaze. “Rhyn, there is something else that bothers me—Fialan ...”

“I know,” Rhyn’athel said grimly. “I would’ve prevented Fialan’s death if I could’ve, Lachlei. But Areyn killed Fialan.”

The words made Lachlei shiver, and she pressed her head against the god and wept. He held her gently. “Fialan hates it, I know—I could see it when he fought against us. But he was powerless to do anything.” She looked up again to see the god’s eyes strangely bright.

“I know,” he said. “All the dead serve Areyn, even the Chi’lan . Even my son, Lochvaur…”

Lachlei closed her eyes and shook her head. “Your son—Lochvaur. That was Lochvaur?”

Rhyn’athel nodded. “I told you it was hard to explain, but yes, the man who rode next to Fialan was none other than Lochvaur.”

Lachlei felt sheepish. She opened her eyes to see Rhyn’athel grinning at her. “What’s so funny?”

“You are,” he said. “You drove me away and yet were jealous over a nonexistent lover.” Lachlei tried to look angry, but Rhyn’athel pulled her closer and kissed her. “I couldn’t quite explain to you Lochvaur’s existence—it was far too complicated.”

“I see,” Lachlei said and fell silent. “Did you love her?”

Rhyn’athel glanced at Lachlei in puzzlement. “Love whom?”

“Lochvaur’s mother.”

Rhyn’athel chuckled. “Lochvaur had no mother. Lochvaur was a product of my power, Lachlei, just as the Eleion and Ansgar are, only more so.” He shook his head. “Lochvaur is difficult to explain, but he is my son.”

“But he serves Areyn.”

“Not willfully. He is Eleion , which makes him mortal, thus, when Areyn took the dead, he also took Lochvaur. I didn’t want it that way, but Lochvaur and Ni’yah talked me into it.”

“I don’t understand.”

Rhyn’athel kissed her. “Now is not the time for the full explanation. Just accept that because he is mortal, he fell under Areyn’s domain.”

“As do all mortals.” Lachlei shivered again. “I don’t want to serve Areyn,” she whispered, tracing the lines of Rhyn’athel’s face. “I couldn’t bear to part from you again.”

“You won’t,” Rhyn’athel said. “I swear on my sword, Teiwaz , I will never let that happen.” Lachlei kissed him, relishing in his response to her touch. His lips slid from her lips to her neck and down to her breasts. “Shouldn’t we return to the army?” she asked. She pulled away to see disappointment in his eyes.

Rhyn’athel smiled. “Another hour will give them more rest,” he said, pulling her close again. “I’ve waited a long time for this, Lachlei. A very long time…”

Rhyn’athel rode back to the army with Lachlei riding beside him. Gone were the mortal trappings now as he rode his white steed into camp. His fiery eyes were glazed with light, and his adamantine armor shone brilliantly in the darkness. The long, red-gold mane flowed behind him like a banner. The Lochvaur and Laddel warriors paused and stared as the god rode past. Tamar grinned as he saw the god ride past with Lachlei. “Rhyn’athel! Rhyn’athel!” he called out.

Others took up the cry, and soon the entire camp was chanting the warrior god’s name. Lachlei glanced at Rhyn’athel. “I believe you’re enjoying this,” she remarked dryly.

Rhyn’athel grinned back. “I should’ve never agreed to the Truce, beloved,” he said. “These are my people, and this is my world. Ni’yah was right—I’ve been gone far too long from the Eleion .”

Ni’yah turned and saw his brother ride forward amid the cheering warriors. He had been speaking with his son, Laddel , when the warrior god rode up. “You took your time,” he grumbled.

Rhyn’athel grinned and dismounted. “It was your idea, brother,” he said, glancing at Lachlei as she dismounted and stood beside him.

Ni’yah laughed. “Indeed it was,” he said knowingly.

“How many warriors do we have ready to fight?” Lachlei asked, distracting them.

Ni’yah glanced at Laddel . “Sixty thousand warriors, total—completely healed and rested,” the Laddel king replied. “Ten thousand noncombatants, of which we’re able to arm two thousand.”

“But they are not skilled,” Cahal said, striding up. He paused as he met Rhyn’athel’s gaze. “My lord, I am your humble servant,” he said, bowing his head.

“Cahal—no,” Rhyn’athel said, gripping the commander’s arm. “You are my friend, not my servant. Those who fight for me, who serve me as Chi’lan , are my warriors and my friends, not my slaves. I am proud to count you as a friend.” He turned and met Cara’s gaze. The daughter of Silvain stood among the warriors silently. “And you, Cara of the Silren , you wish to ask something of me?”

Cara hesitated, her ice-blue eyes betraying her fear. “My lord, I…” She felt Cahal’s grip on her shoulder and steeled herself. “Conlan is dead.”

Rhyn’athel nodded. “I know; he served me well. There will be changes err the battle is over, Chi’lan .”

“ Chi’lan ?” she whispered in puzzlement, and then smiled as she caught his knowing look. “I am Chi’lan …”

“As are you all.” “Very well, Chi’lan Rhyn’athel, what shall we do?” Cahal asked. “Areyn Sehduk has us hopelessly outnumbered with creatures that can’t die. We can’t kill what is already dead—and many are our own fallen comrades.”

“Areyn may bring the Jotunn here as well,” Ni’yah remarked. “If he brings those into this world, we can assume that the war will spread to other worlds.”

“It’s a risk I’ll have to take,” said Rhyn’athel. He raised his arms and drew a glowing diagram of a battlefield in the air. “Areyn, for all his bluster, is a poor tactician. He holds such contempt for life that he’s willing to sacrifice troops for the most casualties. He uses his warriors foolishly, depending on sheer numbers rather than their skill. We can use that to our advantage…” “But if his warriors can’t die, he has a good reason to rely on overwhelming numbers,” Laddel said.

“Indeed, but he expects the gate to his world will stay open,” said Rhyn’athel, grinning at Ni’yah. “He will have a nasty surprise when he finds the gate shut and guarded.”

“Many of the warriors were our own Chi’lan ,” Lachlei said.

Rhyn’athel nodded. “And the Silren and the Eltar fight for Areyn out of fear. Trust me on this, beloved. We will defeat him here and now on Darkling Plain.”

Lachlei smiled. “Very well, continue.”

“We keep our lines mobile and high on these ridges,” Rhyn’athel continued, pointing to the blue drawings. “Longbow men, here, will be our primary weapon to take out the charge. If any get through, we’ll have to handle them hand-to-hand.”

“What of the noncombatants?” Cahal asked.

“We’ll have to have someone lead them away from the fighting. The two thousand armed noncombatants will have to be their protection.” He paused. “With such small numbers, I can’t afford to lose any more Chi’lan .”