Richard Tuttle - Army of the Dead

“Are they?” retorted Lady Mystic. “I have seen Kaltara perform miracles in this last year. I have to believe that He would aid us in our mission. In any event, we will never know if we do not try. Are you up for a new challenge?”

“You are the only challenge that I need,” chuckled Xavo as elven mages started rushing into the throne room, “but yes, I am up for a new challenge. Let’s make sure that Lyra will survive and then we can quietly slip away from all of this.”

* * *

Marak and Lyra sat on the steps outside the front doors of the temple. Thousands of campfires lit up the night sky, but the Torak eyes were glued to the one he loved.

“How are you feeling?” Marak asked softly.

“Marak,” the Star of Sakova sighed with mild exasperation, “you have been asking me that every few minutes. My answer will not change. I am feeling fine.”

“But you said that you felt weak,” frowned the Torak.

“I am weak,” chuckled Lyra. “I will probably feel weak for some time, but I am fully healed. There is nothing wrong with me. I just need some rest.”

“Maybe I should find a tent for you to lie down in,” mused Marak.

“The tyriks are done removing the webs,” announced Rejji as he strode in from the darkness. “It seems the skeletons all collapsed suddenly while we were in the throne room. I am having the bones buried deeply just in case.”

“That was probably the moment of Vand’s death,” Lyra responded. “He controlled the skeletons, and without his will supporting them, they could no longer exist. Hopefully they will stay buried forever now.”

“I hope so,” nodded the Astor as he turned to leave. “I will leave the two of you alone.”

“Wait,” Lyra said quickly. “Why don’t you bring the Torak up to speed on how our armies made out in the battle? I think he needs to get his mind onto other things.”

Marak looked hurt and confused, but Rejji chuckled and nodded.

“Our losses were severe,” he reported, as his face grew serious. “The Jiadin suffered the worst. They lost about half of their men, but there is a bright spot in their loss. The free tribes admired the courage of their Jiadin brothers, and I suspect that there will no longer be a division within Fakara. The Jiadin proved to be true brothers when they were needed. All of the tribes will work together to rebuild this country.”

Several sets of feet approached as the Three spoke on the steps of the temple. Marak looked up and saw many familiar faces, faces he had hoped that he would see again after the battle was over.

“How did the Khadorans do?” the Torak asked Lord Chenowith.

“Not too bad,” shrugged the member of the Lords’ Council. “I am disheartened to report that the Aritor clan is but a remnant of its former glory. Lord Faliman died in the initial attack and most of his clan died with him. We will need to elect a new member to the Lords’ Council. The other clans had heavy losses as well, but not nearly as bad as we had feared. Khadora will survive. A lot of good men died to rid this world of Vand, but he is gone and we are not. All in all, that is a satisfactory result.”

“It is,” Marak sighed with sadness. “Lord Chenowith, I want the Lords’ Council to select another Emperor of Khadora. If they were interested in my views, I would propose that you replace me. Your father served Khadora well, and I see him and much more in you.”

“We have no need for a new emperor,” balked Lord Chenowith. “You have started us down a path that should have been taken centuries ago. We are not ready to relinquish that task. The Lords’ Council will not accept your resignation.”

“I have other plans,” Marak said curtly.

Lyra and Rejji stared at Marak in confusion, but the Torak’s eyes fixed on Rejji with a look of determination.

“Will you marry us?” Marak asked Rejji. “You are Kaltara’s Astor and someone that I am proud to call a friend.”

“Marak!” exclaimed Lyra. “Couldn’t you at least ask me first?”

“But I thought…” Marak said haltingly. “Don’t you want to marry me?”

“Was that a proposal?” Lyra asked seriously.

Marak shook his head in confusion, but he quickly nodded, “Yes. Will you marry me?”

“Let me think about it,” Lyra said as if considering some serious dilemma.

Marak stood wide-eyed and horrified that her answer might be negative, but Rejji started laughingly hysterically, and Lyra could no longer maintain a straight face. She started laughing, and Marak knew he was being toyed with.

“I will take that as a yes,” chuckled Marak. “Will you do it, Rejji?”

“I would be honored,” Rejji replied, trying hard to control his laughter.

“It need not be anything elaborate,” continued the Torak. “Just a simple ceremony and then we are going to leave for some place quiet and far removed from this destruction. I hope you understand,” he continued as he turned to face Lord Chenowith. “I need to be far away from all of the responsibilities of leading Khadora. We need time alone in peace.”

“What about the Sakova?” asked Lyra. “I cannot just leave them. They have waited for a thousand years for their Star. They would never allow it.”

“I think they can manage while you are gone,” offered Temiker. “There is not likely to be any crisis other than integrating the Motangan soldiers who have decided to stay in the Sakova. Your people can handle that.”

“And the rebuilding of Alamar,” added StarWind, “but Temiker is correct. We now understand why you were sent to us when you were, Lyra. You have done more than anyone had a right to expect. Go with your husband and find peace somewhere. We will be fine until you come back.”

“The same is true of Khadora,” offered Lord Chenowith. “There is no need for resignations. The Lords’ Council will carry on while you are gone.”

“You do not understand,” Marak shook his head. “We may never come back. You must choose my successor. Khadora must have an emperor.”

“Why must they have an emperor?” asked King Avalar. “You have taught the Lords’ Council how to work together, and you have introduced them all to Kaltara. Lyra has made peace with the Omungans, and the Fakarans have united. All of your countries still have access to Kaltara’s Astor if the need arises, and the humans now have the elves as friends and trading partners again. Go off and discover each other in peace. If and when you return, your people will stand ready to welcome you back.”

“Well said,” agreed StarWind. “We can manage with Kaltara’s help, and if the need arises, there are still air tunnels.”

“It is settled then,” smiled Rejji. “Let’s gather thousands of your followers and have that little celebration you asked for.”

“In the morning,” smiled Marak as he rose and helped Lyra to her feet. “For now a walk in the dark will have to suffice.”

“Where are we going?” asked the Star of Sakova as they moved away from the crowd at the front of the temple.

“I don’t know for sure,” pondered Marak. “I just want some place where we can be alone without people constantly coming to us for answers to questions we would rather not hear.”

“You seem to be taking me someplace certain,” replied Lyra. “I know that forceful step of yours.”

“Oh,” laughed Marak, “you mean where are we going right now? We are going to the one creature that can take us to places we have never been before. Where she takes us will be a mystery.”

“Myka?” Lyra brightened. “I could not think of a better way to travel.”

The Torak led Lyra around the side of the temple to where Myka was resting. They found the dragon napping, and Marak playfully slapped Myka’s snout. Smoke curled from the dragon’s nostrils and one of Myka’s eyes opened. It promptly closed again.