Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

StormSong turned and headed towards the group mounting their chokas. She quickly checked on the wounded and then mounted her own choka. She led the way out of the clearing towards StarCity.

The chokas padded softly and quickly through the forest. Within half an hour, StormSong held her hand up for a halt. She strung her bow and held it high so everyone could see it. The Sakovan warriors immediately mimicked their leader. One of the healing mages rode alongside StormSong.

“Are we close?” she asked softly.

“Very close,” StormSong replied. “I can hear their horses in the distance.”

“I was thinking,” said the healing mage. “Several of us could use air tunnels as a diversion as we charge through. We will be making quite a racket when we charge. If we can spread that noise out to the flanks, the Omungans will be confused as to where we are attacking.”

“I like it,” grinned StormSong. “Find another mage and direct the noise as far off each flank as you can. Make sure that you keep up with the rest of us. I do not want you falling behind.”

“We will keep up,” promised the healing mage. “There is no need to be real accurate with where the air tunnels go so we will not need to concentrate on it.”

“Good,” nodded StormSong. “Get ready quickly. We are about to attack.”

The healing mage swiftly talked to another mage and divided the task. StormSong inhaled deeply as she pulled three arrows from her quiver and held them in her bow hand. She nocked one of them and looked around at her fellow warriors. With a nod to those behind her, StormSong started forward. The chokas picked up speed until the Sakovans were charging towards the Omungan army. When the Omungans came into view, StormSong let out a war scream. The rest of the Sakovans also roared as they charged into battle.

The mages wove their air tunnels and spread them far to each side of the charge. The Omungans reacted with confusion. The charging Sakovans fired off a barrage of arrows as soon as the enemy was within range. After the third barrage of arrows, the Sakovans dropped their bows and switched to Sakovan stars. After three Sakovan stars, the warriors pulled their swords.

The projectiles had created a large hollow in the Omungan force as rider less horses ran away from the battle. StormSong led the charge into the gap. Her long sword swung from side to side felling the nearest Omungans. The choka used its claws to slice into anything that got close, man and horse alike. The rest of the Sakovans followed in a wedge formation. As StormSong broke clear on the other side of the Omungans, the wedge collapsed as the Sakovans raced through the hole.

The Omungans immediately gave chase, but their horses could not keep up with the Sakovan warbirds. StormSong rode for half an hour before she called for a halt. She took a quick count of her fellow Sakovans and frowned.

“How many did we lose?” asked one of the warriors.

“Sixteen more,” frowned StormSong. “It is a much smaller war party returning to StarCity than the one we left with. Check and see if anyone needs a healer. We rest for five minutes.”

* * *

HawkShadow watched the Omungans pass the clearing below. As StormSong had anticipated, they gave a wide berth to the group of chokas in the clearing. He waited for over an hour before deciding to climb out of the tree. He dropped to the ground and walked to the tree that Goral and SkyDancer were in. No sooner had he arrived then SkyDancer was lowered on a rope. HawkShadow untied the rope and Goral dropped the other end. The giant soon appeared on the ground as he dropped from a low branch.

“What now?” asked SkyDancer.

“Now, you two head for Campanil,” ordered HawkShadow.

“That was not the plan,” frowned Goral. “I was to be your diversion. Remember?”

“That was before,” HawkShadow shook his head. “I do not want SkyDancer to be a diversion. She needs to heal. Take her with you to StarWind.”

“If you did not need me for something,” scowled SkyDancer, “then why did you keep me from returning with StormSong?”

“Because you would not have made it through the Omungan army,” answered HawkShadow. “I pray to Kaltara that some of them made it through. You say it is just a scratch, but I saw your wound before it was healed. You are lucky to be alive. Go with Goral and heal. Your talents will be sorely needed in the future.”

“For what?” retorted SkyDancer. “I have sworn my life to protecting the Sakova, and you are treating me like I am an invalid. I am a warrior.”

“You have shown your battle prowess,” countered HawkShadow. “No one doubts your commitment. Why must you throw your life away? The Omungan army will be outside of StarCity for weeks. Your talents will be needed to harass them from the outside. Go with Goral.”

HawkShadow turned and mounted a choka. He gazed fondly at his friends and waved goodbye. Tears came to SkyDancer’s eyes as she watched him ride off.

“Why does he treat me as a child?” pouted SkyDancer. “I held my own in the battles. I am not a frail woman who needs to be protected. I am a Sakovan warrior.”

“Do you think he does not know that?” Goral asked softly. “You more than held your own. I saw you in several of the battles. Your skills are impressive. Listen to HawkShadow, and heal for a spell. He is right in saying that this war is not over. Your skills will be needed.”

“That still doesn’t explain his attitude,” scowled SkyDancer. “I thought he had more faith in me.”

“Faith?” chuckled Goral. “He adores you. HawkShadow has taken every death of a Sakovan as his own failure in leadership. To lose you would break him entirely. Are you so blind that you cannot see that?”

“He loves me?” SkyDancer asked with confusion. “You are just making that up.”

“You are blind, little one,” laughed Goral. “He worships the ground you walk on.”

SkyDancer stared at Goral for a long time before her eyes turned to gaze at the edge of the clearing where HawkShadow was last seen. Finally, her eyes returned to the giant.

“What were you supposed to do for him?” she asked.

“I wanted to be a diversion for him,” answered Goral. “I don’t think HawkShadow was keen on the idea, but I figured that I might be able to help get him out of a sticky situation.”

“Then that is what you should do,” SkyDancer declared adamantly.

“That is not a good idea any more,” objected Goral. “HawkShadow has put you in my care. I dare not endanger you now.”

“I will not endanger HawkShadow’s life,” SkyDancer stated. “If you can be a diversion to help him escape, then you should do so. If you do not want to go, then I will. You will be forced to come along.”

“You are going to try to get away from me,” grinned Goral. “You may be a mighty warrior, but even you can not get up if I sit on you.”

“If you sit on me,” chuckled SkyDancer, “I will die. Then HawkShadow will really be mad at you. Help me onto a choka.”

“Will you stay away from the Omungans?” Goral asked without moving.

“I will stay away,” promised SkyDancer. “I can hold the three chokas ready for when HawkShadow disengages. He will probably be in a hurry.”

“I am sure he will be,” nodded Goral. “Very well, but do not cause HawkShadow to be distracted from his task. Any distraction in his concentration will mean sudden death. I will not be a party to that.”

“Agreed,” grinned SkyDancer. “You won’t even know that I am there.”

HawkShadow silently circled the huge Omungan encampment looking for an entry point. He kept well away from the sentries and moved in the darkness of the fargi forest. When he had made a complete circuit of the perimeter he halted. The hairs on his neck rose as if someone was watching him. HawkShadow suddenly dropped to the ground and merged into the landscape. He changed direction and began crawling towards the place where he had tethered his choka.