Robert Keller - The Heart of Shadows

Galvia nodded. She stood by Jerret's side, leaning on her war hammer. "This waiting is taking a toll on my nerves."

"I agree," said Daledus, his enormous axe slung over his shoulder. "Standing around like this is maddening."

Jace lit his pipe and leaned against the platform. "Might as well have a smoke before the bloodshed begins. I think Bellis is tuning up its oversized toy there, getting ready to smash us into pudding. Speaking of pudding, I wish I had some-just in case it would be my last meal. I'd hate to die on an empty stomach."

Aldreya gazed at the twenty Thallite giants, shocked by their size. They towered over the Knights on their hilltop. These men were slightly larger than Ogres-and vastly more intelligent. They looked like a race of armored gods standing amongst mortals, engulfed by an aura of invincibility. She couldn't imagine the carnage they would inflict on Dremlock's Knights once the battle began.

"Quite a sight, aren't they?" said Jace, motioning with his pipe toward the giants. "The Thallites were once a widespread race that dwelt in several sprawling cities. Like the Dwarves, they are great weaponsmiths. They were the friends of Birlotes and Noracks and a staunch enemy of Tharnin. Now they are nearly extinct and hopelessly loyal to Bellis. What a shame."

"Too bad they aren't totally extinct," muttered Trenton, "considering how much damage they're likely to do to us."

"I'm not concerned with the giants," said Taris. "I'm concerned with those three siege engines-in particular the one on the hill."

"Yes," said Jace, "they are amazing devices-crafted by the aforementioned Thallites, who also forge the armor and weapons for Bellis' Knights. The siege engines have allowed Bellis to swiftly conquer any kingdom it chooses. There is simply nothing that can stand against them. Dremlock's own siege engines are rather pathetic in comparison."

Furlus frowned. "Ours are much smaller, yes. But nothing to sneer at. And don't forget, Jace, that the Grey Dwarves forge Glaetherin for Dremlock. The Thallites lack the ability to mold that metal."

"Yet Jace is correct," said Taris. "We cannot match the skills of the Thallites when it comes to crafting siege engines. And if we can't manage to destroy these ones, we will likely lose this battle."

"The siege engines will fall," said Prince Vannas. "Hopefully." Even the prince seemed taken aback by the size of The Colossus on the hill.

A Knight on horseback, flanked by two Guardians in golden armor that carried banners bearing the Crest of Bellis, rode down the hill and started toward Dremlock's army. It was Staldor Darvus-the Lord Knight of Bellis.

"Let the Lord Knight come to me," Taris called out, and the crowd of Divine Knights parted to allow the riders through.

Staldor and his Golden Knights rode up the hill until they confronted Taris, Furlus, and Trenton. The Lord Knight bowed.

Dremlock's Knights did not bow in return.

"You know why we have come," said Staldor. He was a stocky, bald man with a neatly trimmed reddish beard. He wore green-and-gold armor with the white Crest of Bellis painted onto the breastplate. "But you should also know that our great King Verlamer is merciful and will accept your unconditional surrender."

"Of course," said Taris, looking amused. "Bellis loves to intimidate its foes into surrender. The best victory is a bloodless one."

Staldor sighed. "I don't have time for nonsense, Taris. Will you surrender or not? If not, we'll proceed to kill all of you-down to the last Orange Squire. You're a logical Birlote, and it's an easy choice to make."

"We won't surrender," said Taris.

"Never!" Furlus bellowed, looking like he might try to smash Staldor right off his horse. But honor held the furious Dwarf in check.

"You may change your mind," said the Lord Knight, "after half of your warriors have been hammered into pulp."

"Don't count on it," said Taris, looking calm. "The Divine Knights are prepared to die if necessary, but we will not be enslaved."

Staldor glanced at Vannas, who glared down at the Lord Knight from his wooden platform. "Consider the prince to be dead already," said Staldor. "You can't protect him. Surely you realize that, Taris. All these men and women-such loyal Knights. Is it worth sacrificing them when surrender would be so easy?"

"Yes," said Taris. "They are Divine Knights and Squires-and they will gladly make the sacrifice to stand against this tyranny."

Staldor seemed genuinely confused. "I don't understand this. I'm not an evil man, Taris. I've always worked hard to provide for my family and do what is right. King Verlamer only seeks to unite all of the kingdoms of Gallamerth under one peaceful banner. Imagine that, if you can! That is what I'm fighting for. I don't want to soak these hills in the blood of Dremlock's servants."

"I have heard of your exploits, Staldor," said Taris. "I believe you're an honorable man at heart-but terribly misguided. You've somehow convinced yourself that you serve a noble kingdom, which is pure folly. And you clearly don't understand what Dremlock is all about. We are bound by our Sacred Laws and cannot violate them, even to save ourselves from death."

Staldor motioned to his army of giants and more than a thousand Knights. "This is a small force that Bellis has sent against you from Brothlor Kingdom. Many more Knights, Thallites, and siege engines are on the way to Silverland even as I speak. We've absorbed the resources of several kingdoms. You just don't understand the size and might of the army you're opposing."

"On the contrary," said Jace, "I think Dremlock knows quite well what it's dealing with. Certainly, the Divine Essence knows."

"A pagan god," said Staldor, scowling. "A bizarre creature that has tricked you into serving its will." He pointed at the sun. "Those who fail to serve Ebros are surely doomed."

"Ebros, the Sun Spirit," mused Jace. "When is the last time he has appeared to you? Hasn't it been more than a century?"

"No," said Staldor. "It was Ebros who ordered King Verlamer to unite all of Gallamerth-in front of many witnesses."

Jace's eyes widened. "Ebros…or someone pretending to be your god? Does this seem like something the peaceful Sun Spirit would command?"

"As I said," Staldor replied, "this is done for ultimate peace, so why shouldn't we believe it was Ebros who commanded it?"

"Because it wasn't!" said Jace. "Of that, I'm thoroughly convinced. I believe Ebros is unaware of what you fools are doing in his name. In fact, I knew Ebros when he was still alive-before Bellis adopted his spirit as a deity-and he wasn't the sort of man to behave this way."

"You speak nonsense," said Staldor. "Ebros died over one-hundred and fifty years ago. You could not have known him."

"Wrong," said Jace. "I was alive then, too. What you're doing would be viewed an abomination to your god."

"Enough of this nonsense," said Furlus, his eyes blazing. "Spirits of sorcerers are not gods, and Bellis is the real pagan kingdom. It doesn't matter if Ebros ordered this or not. You wasted your time speaking to us, because Dremlock does not submit to tyrants. So ride back to your warriors and tell them to prepare to die!"

Staldor's eyes widened. "Fools!" With that, he turned his horse around and galloped back to his army. He signaled to the giants as he rode.

The Thallites fed logs into the siege engine's furnace, and moments later the monstrosity shuddered as steam burst out from iron pipes. Suddenly, the great arm of the catapult started to move downward as the giants pulled on thick ropes. Several smaller arms moved down on their own, also preparing to fire.

Trenton's mouth dropped open. "What sort of catapult is that, with steam emerging? I fear it is going to obliterate us!" Trenton sheathed his sword, a sour expression on his face. For a moment, he was engulfed in shifting shadows-and then he was gone, replaced by the hulking, wolf-like beast. The coarse grey fur bristled on his body, and his muzzle wrinkled in a snarl.