A Fistful of Dragons

by Hypatia

    

Part 4

  

I spent the morning walking amongst the troops that waited for orders to march. I walked amongst all races, laughing and joking with soldiers whose humour was a defence against the fear of that which awaited them. It didn't matter what I did, be it helping a dwarf prepare his kit, loading wagons with men or even just talking…often with those who were the youngest and most scared, it was not what I did that mattered. It wasn't even how much use my efforts were either; it was the fact that I was out there amongst them, not sat in some high hall dining with my nobles. I didn't pay much notice to those who were following me at first, my usual companions and my uncles; they knew what I was doing. They took their lead from me, soon I could hear Fredrick swapping stories with old soldiers, Thomas bargaining and haggling with Clive.

And then there was Yedda…

I do not know how many of these preparations Yedda had seen in her many years, but it must have been many. I think she amongst all of us knew what we would face and how few were likely to return. Unlike Shakwell she did not spend her time in splendid isolation contemplating far loftier things, that such as we could not understand. I could hear her singing songs, songs from ages past…songs that made little sense to me or to anyone who had been born in the last thousand years. They were songs which touched peoples hearts though.

She was in her element, talking, singing and teaching songs to so many new people, not the aristocracy, not those who were supposedly important, but to those who were important to her…the people…all people. She was patient, explaining to one dwarf that it made little difference that he had been born in a mine, the song was still 'Born in The USA', trying to make the voices of men more used to screaming orders harmonise in the intricacies of 'Hot In The City'. Tensions evaporated as men and dwarves made fools of themselves willingly, more than once a blast of flame was sent into the air as Yedda's mirth became too great to contain. Her presence and her humour swept through the huge camp, like a stiff breeze.

It was with the Drow though, that I think she did most for all, a people who appreciated her and her music to the full. I feel that music is important to the culture of the Drow, as much as books are within our own culture. A race that is displaced so often, cannot afford to carry a written history. In some ways I feel that this void is filled by a legacy of songs passed down through the generations. Singing with those who revered her most Yedda played upon the hearts of all there. Whose mother this Mary was and why came around whispering to people I never actually found out. Personally I have never trusted people who whisper their opinions however wise they think they are, it usually means they will be far away when they are proved wrong. But it was a nice song.

"Cyrena Hon," Yedda called me after one song, I waived and made my way over to her. "After you get hitched tonight I am going to have to piss off for a bit."

"Why?" I asked suddenly feeling the one person who actually understood what I was going through was deserting me.

"I have to see a man about a dog and go collect on a few very old debts," she replied.

"That doesn't exactly explain why you are leaving now," I protested.

"I need to do some things, but I don't know if I can pull it off. Long ago I had some clout, now though it's different…too long has my race lived in fear of man to change their opinions overnight. I don't need them to change their opinions of you, I just need them to pay their debts to me," she said quietly.

"What do you mean, debts to you?" I asked.

"Some nasty shit went down during The War of the Magicians, playing around with minds is not nice. It never quite worked on me though, or I fought that little bit harder than the rest of my kin. They owe me and I intend to collect, no matter how many problems it causes."

"Problems…"

"Too right, I am an embarrassment to everything that they stand for. Draconian culture is supposedly aloof, impenetrable and any reminder of how they were used, or were even complicit in the terror and horror that was brought to this world is unwelcome. So as such I am unwelcome."

"Are you going to be in any danger," I asked suddenly realising the implications of what she said. This was the reason that all who had pursued the magical arts had been persecuted for so many years; a fear of a return to the days of terror was the only thing that had ensured the continuity of my line. Yedda being part of those days suddenly brought the age of my friend into stark relief, she had been there at the very birth of my kingdom…now she was here at what might be the end.

"Possibly," she answered honestly. "It's nothing I can't cope with though, I have been in worse situations and got out in one piece."

"I want a promise off you before you go," I said.

"I should be back before the shit hits the fan," she said, rather sharply for her.

"No," I replied quickly. "Not that, I want your promise that you will take care, watch yourself…you are out there without us to watch your rear."

Yedda chuckled, but only a few flames escaping her mouth before replying. "I promise I will watch my arse…and its nice to know someone is concerned enough to think of it. Though I had thought it was I who was watching your arse…"

"And here is me thinking I was safe, the wrong sex and wrong species," I said, Yedda tilted her head back and let loose a jet of flame.

"I think I might be corrupting you kid," she said when she had recovered. "People aren't exactly going to get what they expect from a queen with you."

"Good," I replied honestly. "I never intend to be what they expect…"

*****

All good things must come to an end and the freedom I found outside the walls of my city was soon to be snatched from me. Tara was the one who came bearing the bad news, that Gwinn required my presence…NOW.

Reluctantly I obliged, though deep in my heart all I wanted to do was take the first horse I found and ride like the wind for the battle, but duty and responsibility are strange creatures and once infected with them it tends to be a lifelong affliction. I made my way back through the city, listening to the sounds of my people, something I had never taken the time to do before. It may have just been my reluctance to go ahead with the wedding that made me listen, but it had the effect of stiffening my resolve. These people knew what was coming; yet they trusted implicitly that I would do what was necessary for them. They were right too. Yes I had made my choice the day I went out to meet Yedda, a choice to die that had been for me rather than my people, but I had to wonder how much of that choice had been mine. As such I had to wonder had Lizzie tried to take her own life, or had those forces at play in our lives intervened. Both our actions were against our nature, both of us reached a turning point in our lives with those decisions…my path was clear, I had to wonder what the future held for our king to be.

Though it was still many hours until the time of the wedding, Gwinn was displeased about how short a time she had to prepare me. I ignored her complaints, did as I was told, despite the fact that I had bathed already that day and stood around ignoring all considerations of my modesty. I was dressed in flimsy white articles that were supposed to be underwear, tied up in a corset, then sat down as Gwinn, Tara and a woman I had never met before began working on my face and hair. Nothing was beneath their notice and I even received complaints about the state of my fingernails. It irritated me, both that they found fault and they seemed not to understand what I had been doing over the previous weeks.

Eventually though it was done and Gwinn declared me presentable and I was left alone, still in my underwear, with a gown around me. They had decided that the dress would crease with me sat around waiting and they would be back to help me finish when they were ready. I could have made their lives easier, allowed some of the castle girls to help me dress, but I still felt that there were sniggers behind every smile. So I sat there alone, miserable and wondering what my father would have thought of this situation. The seers who he had been so trusting of had seen none of this, not that they had been any use since my change. It was supposedly a time when all was in the balance, as if we didn't know, and nothing could be foreseen until this time had passed. It reinforced my own poor opinion of those who said they saw the future, if the future were clear why would we want to know it?

I could hear the noises outside, noises of happy people waiting to celebrate my wedding. A day that should be special for them, if things did not go well it may be the last happy day they had. For some, no for many, they would not see its like again, for many would die before all this was over. They would give their lives for me, so I would give them this day and a king who was worthy of them. I would smile and I would be the perfect bride for my people and my husband, most especially for my husband, for had he known how scared I was it would hurt him. I loved the person he was before, I still loved the person he was now, but the change in roles…the change in my role especially scared me. While on the road I was still myself, doing the things that I would have as Clifford, but as Cyrena. In battle my sex meant little beyond a change in techniques; in the bedroom it was another matter. I wondered what I had lost, never knowing Lizzie as a woman before I rode to battle; would it make it easier or had I missed out on something so very special?

Outside in the courtyard people were gathering, waiting for me to appear. The unseasonably warm weather meant that all would be done in the open air, allowing Yedda to be a part of the day as I first envisioned it. What it actually meant was far more people than I had ever imagined would be there, judging my abilities to rule and lead my men into battle on how I looked and behaved today. Gwinn was right everything did have to be perfect; everything this day mattered, even the breakfast that had been arranged. I had made a poor decision that morning at breakfast, but I had also made the right decision. I had the men who would fight for me on my side, but when this was over there would be more than a few problems with the nobles. I needed the support of my men to survive the next few months, but to run a kingdom I would need the support of many Lords. This morning was for my men; this evening was for my nobles and tonight would be for my husband.

The women eventually returned, dressed in all their finery and I think they must have felt my sombre mood. This might have been a wedding, but to me it was also a funeral, the death of all that I had been. Both Tara and Gwinn were virtually silent, speaking only when it was utterly necessary to ask me to move or to lift my arms. Eventually though I was ready, dressed in a style that I believe came from the time before my kingdom. Long white flowing dress, lots and lots of lace and a veil to hide my face. Flowers were placed in my hands and then the two women stood there looking at what their hard work had produced.

They seemed pleased, so I smiled for them and together with the women arranging the train of my dress I walked out to be what was expected of me, a perfect bride.

*****

The next morning I was confused. Very confused.

William had been gentle, attentive and considerate of me and despite my prejudices I had not disliked it. To be honest it had been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life…and it shouldn't have been.

I wanted to get far away from this man who seemed to have an unnatural hold on me, yet part of me didn't want to leave him. I wanted him so very close to me.

I could have done with Yedda to talk to, to help me understand my feelings…but Yedda had left only minutes after our vows of love were exchanged. Now on the first day of my new life I had to leave my new life behind, to fulfil the responsibilities of my old life. Part of me wanted my new life, something had awakened deep inside me and it yearned to stay here and be with my William.

Many though would leave loved ones behind today and many would not return, the only difference in my situation was the way my life was lived in public. I am sure there was more than one smirk as it went through people's minds what I had been doing so few hours before.

In private I kissed William goodbye, many times, as he helped me dress, for outside no weakness could be shown. Once outside though, the emotions were almost tangible as both human and Drow women wept for those who marched to war. Even the Dwarven component of my forces seemed very subdued for dwarves heading into battle, though that might have had something to do with the ale that they had drank in celebration of my wedding.

"I leave my city and my kingdom in your hands my beloved…my king…" I said loudly, the formalities slightly changed with William's new status.

"NO," William replied forcefully, causing me some surprise. "Your city, your kingdom and all of your people are in your hands and though we may not be with you in body our hearts are there with you. Come back to us safely, come back to me safely."

"If I can, I will," I promised. "James, lets move it out."

"All companies, prepare to march," James roared, to be echoed by commanders throughout the massed troops. "If you will take the head of the column, Your Highness?"

I snatched one last glance at William, who mouthed the words 'I love you', to me and turned my horse to face the road. Once I had started I could not look back, a king…or a queen going into battle looked forward, to what was to come and as I set out symbolically at the head of the column of men I could hear the orders being shouted for my army to fall in behind me. Unlike the last time I had marched to war, with my father at the head, there was no cheering. It was almost deathly silent, with just the weeping and the sound of marching feet reminding me that probably half a million people were standing outside the city walls watching our departure…or following me.

I think it was Millandra who broke the silence, the voice sounded like hers though bound by convention I could not turn to see. While my home and my people were in view I could not look back…despite her absence, a song of 'The Singer' led us on our way.

"Let me sail, let me sail, down the Orinoco Flow," the solo voice sang out, to be joined by instruments and other voices before the first line had finished.

"Let me reach, let me beach on the shores of Tripoli," many thousand voices joined in, male and female, all working in harmony.

"Let me sail, let me sail let me crash upon your shore, let me reach, let me beach far beyond the Yellow Sea."

I didn't know the places they spoke of, and to be honest I doubt any of those who sang the song did. But knowledge wasn't necessary; it was a song that filled the silence. The Drow though had other ideas rather than just filling the silence, the song started rolling up the column as only those in a specific area sang, then it would roll back down to be picked up by those who remained behind.

It changed its tone, straying far from the happy sound that had started us on this journey, to a more sombre melody.

"Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up…adieu," rolled along the column, only to be echoed from the city. Again and again, it kept repeating, until the voices left behind had begun to fade; long after other voices far less talented had picked up the words and joined the Drow in song. As a finale it swung back to the happier melody, just when I thought the voices at the city were too far to hear. I found that tradition had its place in our lives, at the front of the column unable to look back, no one saw the tears in my eyes…though I doubt mine were the only ones.

*****

It was almost two weeks later that preparations were ready. The ground was as Yedda had suggested, a better natural defensive position may not have existed in my kingdom. However even with the three rows of embankment and ditches, the open areas between for the archers to use to the full and the stakes lining each trench we could be beaten by pure weight of numbers.

Intelligence was sketchy at best, numbers of our enemies were now sounding far beyond the realms of possibility. If I mobilised every man woman and child within my kingdom we would have still been outnumbered. I had to believe the reports though, before Berlin I wouldn't have believed that a force of that size could have existed. No one knew how many lived within the Dark Lands and even how far they stretched was a matter of debate. They couldn't be just a small area on the fringes of my kingdom, there were too many of them. They were a force that before Silvinas had been long underestimated.

"What's his game?" I asked Michael and James before Michaels' departure.

"At the moment he seems to be intent on sitting in the middle of nowhere, causing as much trouble as possible and doing very little," Michael replied.

"Yes but why, what does it achieve?" I asked again.

"It gets our army out here, he wants a battle and he wants it on his terms," James answered. "However we will choose the ground and let him come to us."

"Here yes we can fight this battle and win. What about Waterloo, besides the name I know nothing of that place?" I said and Michael and James were silent.

"Damn Yedda for not being here and damn Shakwell for never answering a question," I shouted loudly.

"Do you trust them?" Michael asked and for a moment or two I thought about it.

"Yes," I said.

"Well Waterloo is a good a place as anywhere," Michael said. "We cannot destroy Silvinas from up here, if he is down on the plain below us. For that we need a battlefield and Waterloo is as good as any."

"Are your men ready?" I asked.

"We just await your word…"

"Bring them to us then, as many of The Bastards forces as you can. Let's see how many we can wipe out here, there will be that many less at Waterloo," I told him he saluted with his sword and was gone.

"Now we just have to be ready," I said to James.

"We are as ready as we are ever going to be, but it doesn't hurt to make sure…" James said and made his way off in the direction that Michael had gone.

Now all we had to do was wait.

*****

None of us knew how long we would have to wait, Michael least of all. His view was that if a large enough force kept harassing the main body of the enemy forces then eventually they would have to respond. Without cavalry they would have to outnumber Michael and his force many times. If they were unwise enough to send a small force after him Michael would wipe them out.

We had daily reports, from scouts, as to Michael's position and the day's engagements and sent men and horses to fill in the gaps in his force due to casualties. The enemy though seemed unwilling to respond. The waiting created other problems too, dissention within the ranks was growing and only Tara had anything to fill her time, dealing with a trickle of casualties. Inaction was destroying the readiness of my troops, much longer and we would be hitting supply problems…we were going to have to make a grand gesture, something to really get their attention. I gave the order, another two and a half thousand cavalry was to join Michael and Michael was to use them to maximum effect.

It was almost a month after leaving Des Moines, two weeks after we were ready that Michael made his grand gesture and we at last saw the results.

*****

"HORSES! I see horses…" came the shout from the easternmost end of our defences.

"How many?" I screamed back as I fought my way past my guard to get to where they had been sighted.

"I can't tell Your Highness," the man answered quickly.

"Effru, can you make them out?" I asked.

"No more than three thousand, possibly less," The Drow answered solemnly.

"Make ready, get those planks ready," James shouted. The men knew the routine; in moments a bridge of planks was over the ditches of our defences, wide enough for five horses to cross at the same time. These same planks would be used to allow our retreat as each line of trenches was overrun.

"Can you see if they are being pursued?" I asked The Drow. The Drow just shook his head.

We watched them approach, at least ten miles away at first. They were riding hard though, too hard for a force expecting to fight again. These were men riding for their lives, it was clear that Michael had been successful.

"Your Highness, on the horizon…" Effru whispered, a hand pointing out across the green landscape. Though the sky was cloudless, a brilliant blue, on the horizon was a shadow.

"It can't be…it isn't possible…" I whispered back. The shadow was spreading, taking up more and more of the visible horizon. It was a horned beast, trying to reach around and capture the fleeing men.

"Believe it," Fredrick said. "It is real and it is coming this way. If all else fails, if we cannot hold them here then you are to run."

"No…" I protested.

"Listen to me Cyrena, while you live your people have hope. While you live there will be one more battle," Fredrick said. "This was never meant to be the final battle of this war, you are not to die here."

"No," I said. "This is my place."

"Your Highness," James said intruding into the conversation. "Shut up and do as you are told. If the time comes and this battle is lost, you will run or I will tie you to a horse personally. Forgive me for being rude…" he hesitated a moment and looked out, "but I haven't got the time to piss around. John will be part of your guard with four men, keep them close and remember…use that brain when you have to fight."

"I will James," I said, still somewhat in awe of this man.

"Fredrick, please remember you are no longer the young man you once were. Pace yourself," James said turning to Fredrick. He looked out at the horizon again. "This is going to be a long, hard battle."

"I will Sword Master," Fredrick said "and James, while you are taking care of everyone else, watch yourself."

"I will, I always do," James said, his eyes though remained on the horizon.

"This is it," he shouted turning his attention back to our forces. "All commanders ready your men, we'll have company before noon. Get ready lads, we have guests for dinner."

We watched Michael's cavalry approach, along the way stragglers could be seen losing contact with the main force as their horses were unable to continue. Even with the pace that Michael had his men moving, the dark shadow was closing on them. A lone figure separated from the main force heading back towards the stragglers and even from this distance I knew it had to be Thomas. Michael could not and would not abdicate his responsibility to the majority of his men and to me. Thomas was another matter; Thomas was my kin and would feel responsible for those men.

"They move so fast," I said to no one in particular. The hoard was clearly advancing on us, even faster than the horses still galloping.

"That they do," Thurn said alongside me. "They have the fear of The Bastard spurring them on, and that is motivation…you have never seen an orc army on the move before?"

"No, at Berlin they were there already, we just attacked them," I admitted.

"That is no small thing," Thurn said with a smile. "An Orc army runs, they do not have the stamina that a dwarf squad has, but speed they have in abundance."

"How many of them are there?" I asked unable to grasp the scale of what I was seeing.

"More than us, many more than us. I think Michael and his men stung them."

"Have we got enough men here?" I asked.

"We will find out soon enough," Thurn answered.

Dwarves accompanied by human and Drow archers were taking their place on the foremost defensive embankment, the second embankment was manned by my infantry and dismounted cavalry and the third embankment was deserted. Those left alive would man this final defence; if the battle got to there it was likely to be little more than a delaying action, allowing some of those left to escape to fight another day. Out on the plains it was now obvious that though Michael's force would make it to the comparative safety of our defences, the fate of the stragglers and of Thomas was in doubt. From my elevated position on the ridge I could see what those on the ground couldn't, the stragglers were now flanked on either side by the shadow that was the enemy force, the main body of this beast was closing the distance relentlessly. The few hundred men, and their horses were struggling valiantly. I could see the occasional glint of sun on metal, as armour was stripped and left behind, anything to reduce the strain on the horses. Thomas though seemed to have no such problems with his mount, dressed in the fashion of my father and I the weight of his armour was negligible…but some of those lords were dressed in as much armour as Fredrick. Thomas could be seen rounding up the stragglers amongst the stragglers, occasionally there was a hesitation as a horse that would go no further was let loose and the man was forced to share a comrades horse. Each time this happened though that horse would be that much slower, reducing the chances of both men escaping…reducing the chances of Thomas escaping.

He was my kin; he would not abandon a man on the field while he lived.

Michael's men were close now, though not yet beginning the long climb up to the ridge. From this distance we could tell that probably more than a quarter of those who had rode with him had not returned. There would be no wounded arriving later, those who were not with him or Thomas, were dead. The last mile, the long uphill slog was hard on the horses, I saw Michael dismount and order others to do the same. Some though ignored his orders, risking their tired beasts on the loose ground. I saw one horse tumble, obviously breaking a leg on the way down and bring down at least five other horses on the way.

"EVERYBODY DISMOUNT," I heard Michael's shout, "AND THAT MEANS EVERYONE."

Those that hadn't dismounted did so, except for a small group who Michael seemed to be in discussion with. Michael having enough of the discussion reached up and dragged one of the men off his horse, throwing him to the floor. The others of the group soon dismounted and the cavalry came up the hill at a sprint, leading their horses. I saw Michael pass the reigns of his horse to another and stand there looking out, looking for the rest of his men and Thomas.

Looking out, the enemy was now possibly four miles away, Thomas about two miles obviously struggling and Michael at the bottom of the hill waiting for him. It was going to be a close thing, the horns of the mass of dark creatures was closing. They had realised that there was but one way they were going to scale the ridge before them and it was through us they would have to come.

"Move it man, come on move it," Fredrick shouted down to Michael. Michael turned and looked before turning back towards his remaining men. Michael had chosen his ground and would not be moved before he was ready. The cavalry was now crossing the makeshift bridge, bloody and dirty men, horses gasping for breath, steaming, the sweat lathered on them. These were men that had run for their lives rather than an orderly retreat. Michael would not have allowed horses to get in this state unless the situation had been desperate. I looked down below just in time to see Michael give mercy to one of the horses that had fallen, it was a clean cut across the neck by his knife, but the beast was strong. For a second or two it struggled kicking out in its desperation, until Michael's sword found the back of its neck. I looked away, despite my experiences in battle; this necessity sickened me, so instead I fixed my eyes on Thomas and the men with him.

"It is time for you to move now," a voice by my side said. I turned to see John there, no longer my childhood friend, now my protector. I hadn't seen much of him since Berlin, I think he was having as many problems with my change as I was, but in that absence the child had gone and only the man was left.

"Not yet, I need to see this," I said dismissively.

"Yes now," he said grabbing my arm. I looked at him surprised at this action; this went far beyond acceptable behaviour.

"No," I repeated shaking his hand off and moving along the embankment. The first of the stragglers had reached Michael, who was shouting and directing them. The group was spread out though, Thomas at the rear was still minutes away, as were the enemy. One horse in particular was flagging and Thomas was not leaving the man. He wheeled his horse and headed back, paused by the side of the beast as the man climbed onto his horse and then began making his way with the stricken beast in tow.

The enemy let out a roar, seemingly spurred on by the sight of the two men and surged forwards even faster. The last of the stragglers made their way past Michael, only Thomas and his companion remained, still far away from the slope. To my right, on the makeshift bridge there was movement, I looked across and saw Thurn and his men, making their way rapidly over our defences, accompanied by a large number of Drow archers.

The enemy was closing too fast, it now looked doubtful that they would reach Michael before they were overrun, let alone the safety of our lines. At the bottom of the slope there seemed to be an argument between Michael and Thurn for a moment or two, though the Dwarves and The Drow accompanying him ignored it and made themselves ready. A solid line of Dwarves stood awaiting the enemy; twice that number of Archers were arranged behind them. A large number of Drow were also making their way down the slope carrying more arrows for their comrades down below. I hesitated for a moment, an inexcusable sin in my fathers' eyes, as I tried to see how I could support those down below without risking everything. Even to my limited experience it soon became clear that those below had made their choice, only their skills could save them.

The Drow let loose their first arrows and the line of orcs nearest to Thomas fell; the enemy didn't hesitate though, their comrades being trampled underfoot. Again and again the Drow fired, more and more creatures being dropped behind Thomas, he had more room now. The Drow were opening a column within the enemy forces, keeping them off his back…giving him a chance. The Drow and Dwarves split, half of them making their way to a position partway up the bank, these Drow now began firing at the limit of their range. Thomas had reached the Drow lines, though he was far from safe, the creatures which had flanked him were making their way up the slope. Arrows from the Drow on the defensive embankment now joined the battle, creatures died by the hundreds, but they kept coming.

"You leave now," John said firmly, his hand again grabbing me.

"No," I said angry at this repeated digression and brushed off his hand.

"He wasn't asking Your Highness," Drurn said from the other side and the firm grip was not going to be brushed off.

"You are our responsibility," the gentle voice of Effru said behind me. "You can walk back to a safer position, or you can be carried."

I glared at John then at Drurn, though I could tell there would be no arguing with them. James had entrusted John with my safety and if nothing else fear and respect of James would overcome any fear of me. I began making my way back towards the comparative safety of the open ground behind our defensive lines, I saw James give John a nod, again my rank was against me. Again things such as duty and responsibility curtailed my freedoms. I headed for my horse with just a glance towards Tara already working on some of the wounded from Michael's raiders. Once on horseback I again had some visibility of the enemy, though Thomas and Michael were still hidden from my sight.

Along the line as contact was made with the enemy it was announced by a roar from the Dwarves, the bows of the Drow sang out and the enemy fell by the hundreds. The momentum though kept them moving, pushing the Dwarves back. They held for a moment or two but soon had to retreat to the second line of defences. I saw Thomas, Michael and Thurn make their way to the safety of our lines, with only seconds to spare as the final section came under the onslaught.

"James, we have to make the men stand; it must cost them for every foot of ground they gain…otherwise we are finished," I shouted down to James.

"I will take one Flank, Fredrick can take the other," James replied. "The rest of The Archdukes can work between us."

"They have to stand," I said desperately.

The second line of trenches was overcome quicker than the first, the mass of creatures behind pushing the foremost into the trench, to be impaled on the stakes that lined the bottom. Then without thought they just climbed over the bodies of their fallen comrades.

"Your Highness," Drurn said, as the creatures began to cross over the bodies of the dead, "it is time for you to fall back. The third trench will hold them but a minute."

"No," I shouted down to him angrily. "If this battle is lost then all is lost…here we stand or here we fall."

The bows of The Drow were still proving costly to the enemy, as the dwarves battled on the edge of the third trench shoulder to shoulder with my men, arrows passed through the smallest gap between them, invariably finding their targets with a deadly accuracy.

"Michael," I shouted above the roar of battle. "To me."

He appeared in moments, obviously irritated by my proximity to the battle, I ignored his expression.

"How are James and Thurn doing on our flanks?" I asked.

"They hold, only because this enemy has little imagination," he answered. "They send the mass of their force directly at us, towards our most defended position, they do not worry about the cost…they just keep sending more to die."

"When the third trench is crossed we will have to hold them here," I told him indicating the clear ground on the crest of the ridge.

"Bollocks," he said loudly. "When that third trench goes, the battle is lost. Nothing in The Kingdom could hold back that force if they break our lines."

"Then we must hold it then. Dismount your men, cavalry is no use here, we need everyone fighting on the line, that includes the nobles," I said with some derision in my voice.

"I will explain the error of their ways to them," Fredrick said with a grin. "But you dear niece will stay up on that horse."

"Everyone is needed," I protested.

"Exactly and you are needed there, visible to all. Now stop arguing, time is one thing we do not have," Fredrick said turning and shouting orders down the line, I could hear the echoes of the other Archdukes as they each took control of their own section. If our line broke then they would stand till the end…they knew their duty.

It suddenly became a static battle, without the option to fall back further the dwarves fought like creatures possessed. They had the advantage of height too, ducking beneath a blade to bury an axe deep in a foe's belly. However pure weight of numbers was against us, they would finish us by attrition, if they lost ten for every one of my men who fell they would still win.

"James requests reinforcements on the flank," an unknown young nobleman shouted to me from a horse.

"Tell James he has to hold alone, they can't take much more of this slaughter…they have to break…they have to…" my voice trailed off as I looked around, in a few places my lines had pushed forwards retaking the second trench, in others it had fallen back a few paces. The battle was not going to be won, there were just too many of them. I stood up in the stirrups, looking down at the plain below, there were less creatures, a lot less, but they were too many for us…when they forced their way up to the ridge it was going to be a massacre.

"Michael, Fredrick," I shouted and the two men emerged from the line, Michael with blood dripping from claw marks down his face.

"Your Highness," Michael said as Fredrick bent over to catch his breath.

"We need to fall back, this battle is lost; there is nothing more to be gained here. Order the officers to divide their units, one fifth to stay the rest to run for Des Moines. With the remainder of our forces there we may hold them for a while," I said my heart struck cold with the realisation I had doomed my kingdom and my people.

"I'm too old to run," Fredrick said standing up. "It would be an honour for me to remain and command those that are staying."

"Fredrick…" I whispered barely loud enough to be heard over the roar of the battle.

"Listen, it has to be Thomas, you or I who stay; who else can inspire these men, who else can give the rest the time they need?" he demanded.

"Very well, good luck Uncle," I said tears filling my eyes with the emotions I felt.

"Luck has nothing to do with it, we are of the same blood and this is what those of our family do. It is what you will do if it is necessary at Des Moines…now prepare your men as I prepare mine," he turned again and began to walk the line shouting orders as he went.

"Your Highness…" Michael began to say and I interrupted him.

"No Michael, the cavalry will have one last action in this war and it will be in front of the walls of Des Moines, you will lead that action. Now tell the nobles and the officers that we retreat on my order and I will personally kill anyone of them who turns before the order," I said with venom in my voice.

"Yes Your Highness," Michael said with a smile.

As orders were relayed I could see how thin our lines were in places, orcs and goblins were beginning to break through the lines, still the arrows of The Drow felled them but with the numbers increasing it was a temporary measure. More than once my guard leapt to my defence and though my blade remained dry the battle was getting closer and closer to me.

"We just await your order," Michael said returning back astride his horse.

"Thank you Michael," I replied, sickened by the fact I was condemning so many of these good men to death.

"Your Highness," Drurn said pulling at my leg to get my attention. "I hear drums."

"What?" I said confused by this.

"I hear drums, listen," he said. I did and for a moment I heard nothing, then just above the noise of the fighting was the boom of a huge drum. I looked around trying to figure out where this sound was coming from, could it be more troops coming to our aid…or even the enemy's aid. I needed to know the situation before I ordered the retreat. If we were already cut off then the only option was to fight here.

"What is it and where is it coming from?" I demanded. Effru pointed over the heads of my troops and the force that besieged us, I looked and could see nothing.

"Are you sure?" I asked; he just nodded.

I looked again, letting my eyes drift across the blue cloudless sky, how I wished it had rained, we could have held them off forever with rain. As it stood it would take a miracle to save us now.

Then I saw them, our miracle…

Five specks were in the sky, at first I was sure I had imagined them, then as my eyes found them for a second time I realised that they were very real. After a moment or two it became very clear that they were getting closer.

"What are they?" I demanded of Effru.

"The Singer, she comes in our time of need," he shouted back.

I looked again; the centre one of the five beasts was smaller, a reddish colour and even at this distance I could see her wings were beating frantically to keep up with the other four. The booming noise was the sound of the wings of the other four, like an army marching in step; their wings were announcing their arrival.

"The horses will panic," Michael said turning to me.

"Then we dismount," I said to him.

"Your Highness…" he said pleadingly.

"No Michael," I told him. Then I shouted so all could hear, "HERE WE STAND, EVERY MAN TO THE LINE AND FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF ALL THAT YOU LOVE."

I dismounted and ran forward, taking a place vacated by a soldier who lay dying, an orc blade having opened him from throat to groin and took the foul beast that stood over him through the throat. I could see either side of me the Drow, Dwarves and Men of my guard jockeying for position alongside me.

"The standard," I shouted back, "I want my standard here, let the bastards know who they face."

"Cyrena, no," Michael said by my side once more. "They will attack here in force."

"EXACTLY," I told him. "James and Thurn need relief we shall give it to them."

I glanced up at the dragons again, the sound of their wings was louder, but they were still far off. Only their monumental size meant that they were visible. If they were to be our salvation, we would have to pay for it now.

"STEADY…HOLD THAT LINE…" I shouted after glancing to my right and seeing the men falling back slightly, the order was echoed along.

"You heard the order," Michael bellowed. "The Queen stands here, so we stand here, now show her you deserve a queen such as her."

The foe showed little skill, a creature was dispatched with minimum effort even a wound making it susceptible to falling beneath the feet of its kin. Each time my opponent fell though, there was another ready to take its place. It was an almost hypnotic rhythm, slash, slash, block…slash, slash, block…it was only when two orcs suddenly took the place of a larger goblin that I had to think about what I was doing. I glanced upwards again, they were closer, but it would still be minutes before they reached us.

In a few minutes a battle could be won or lost; in a few minutes a kingdom could be lost. The standard though was serving my purpose; it was drawing the mass of the enemy onto the centre of our forces. There was less chance of them flanking us now, but in the centre we were under pressure and around me I became aware of screams of pain amongst the roar of the battle. As I was distracted for a moment, an Orcish blade skidded off my breastplate piercing the leather armour on my arm, the pain reminding me that it was the situation here and now I had to concern myself with, if I wanted to survive this battle. I countered low bringing my blade up into its upper thigh, the creature fell and another took its place, not concerned by the still moving bodies underfoot.

The Drow were joining us on the line now, arrows gone they were quick to join the fray. It was a blessing and a curse, a well-placed arrow allowed a brief respite before the next foe. Their presence though filled the gaps in the rapidly depleted line of my men. A hand on my shoulder suddenly pulled me out of the line and the battle, Michael effortlessly slipped into the gap I vacated and I found myself facing Fredrick.

"You are needed along the line," he shouted.

"What do you mean?" I demanded, angry to be dragged from the battle.

"There," he pointed towards where the horses had been left; some half dozen people were making an attempt at mounting the skittish beasts.

"You deal with it," I shouted angrily.

"No, we deal with it," he replied and was suddenly pushing me towards the horses.

"Duke Wilfred," I shouted as we got close enough to recognise the man. "May I ask what you are doing, there is no use for cavalry here."

He turned around with a shocked look on his face, the men with him turned in what was obviously an aggressive manner then stopped as Fredrick sort of growled at them. The growl was echoed on my right hand side, I looked down and saw Drurn standing there fingering his blood covered axe almost lovingly.

"Should you decide you must leave the field, Syracuse will have a new Duke before the sun sets," I said to him.

"Rather I would relinquish my title and lands than stay here, this is not a battle it is a slaughter and it is we who are being slaughtered," he shouted at me.

"At least here you have the option of a quick death, a blade in the belly is a long lingering death," I said.

"You wouldn't," he replied.

"No, Her Highness wouldn't, however all she needs to do is say the word," Fredrick replied before I had a chance. "Now get back to your men before I do the job myself."

"The man is a coward," Drurn said the contempt in his voice obvious. "Kill him and leave his body as a warning, then at least he will be some use to us."

"The option is yours," I said. The man hesitated a second or two before making a move back to the battle. "Let his horses loose," I told Michael. "He may not be so quick to run, if it is on his own feet that he has to depend for his salvation."

"I wouldn't like to have to depend on anything about that man for my salvation," Michael replied as he slapped the horse.

I looked back over our lines towards Yedda and her unknown companions. We only had to hold them back mere minutes now and the sight of The Singer seemed to strengthen the resolve of those who fought. I made my way back to my place in the line, but was unable to force my way through the solid wall of men fighting. I waited a moment or two and a dwarf stepped back, stunned by a blow that had caught his helm, I slipped into his place and dispatched the goblin before it realised what had happened.

I could see on the plain that many of the creatures no longer had their attention on us; they were now staring at the approaching dragons. In some places gaps were appearing where no enemy took the place of those that had fallen.

The five dragons were close now and though Yedda may have been impressive in size, the other four were at least a third larger. They gained height, and wheeled as if they were a military formation, so that they were running parallel to our lines. As they dropped in height they gained speed until they were a mere twenty or thirty feet off the ground, this meant that the dragons furthest from us were far below us due to the slope. With a sound like the roaring of a thousand furnaces, they let loose the flame deep inside them…and the creatures on the slope were obliterated.

I could feel the heat roll up the slope to my position, if we had been closer to the edge at the first line of trenches we would have lost men. A thick acrid smoke filled the air blocking my view for a second or two, as the smoke blew away I was able to see that the slope had been cleared, only a few creatures remained alive on the slope.

"Come on let's finish the job," I shouted. We now only faced those enemies who had overrun the trenches, now we outnumbered them many times over and my men took the battle to them with relish. At the end of their run the dragons again climbed and again wheeled around and began to rain destruction on the plains below.

The battle was won and if I was honest all the forces that The Kingdom, The Drow and The Dwarves had mustered had little to do with it. Our salvation was entirely due to the dragons…and with those on our side we had a fighting chance, no matter what 'The Bastard' threw at us.

*****

It was dark by the time the battle was finally over, dispatching hideously burned dark creatures was not a pleasant task and to a certain extent it tempered the celebrations of our victory. Our casualties also tainted the joy; almost two thousand cavalry had perished before the battle itself started. A full third of my men were dead or so badly wounded that they would be no further use to us. It was a callous way of assessing casualties, but this was just the first battle and in such a defensible position we had faced only a small fraction of the forces that we would yet have to face.

The sadness though didn't stop the singing and drinking, people who had been expecting to die before the day was out, still lived and in their minds that was a reason for celebration. With how dire the situation had been I could understand their joy, however I could find no joy from this battle. Shakwell had played no part in the battle and he played no part in the celebrations, the ancient wizard seemed to blame himself for the death and destruction. Yedda and her companions continued their offensive long into the night, seeking out small bands of Orcs and Goblins in hiding and destroying them with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of flame. When eventually they decided to rest, they settled on the plain below far from our positions. I waited for Yedda to come to see me, but after an hour it became obvious that she wasn't. So I made my own way down on my horse.

The five dragons were silent as I approached, only accompanied by my guard. I knew that they had seen my approach; the glowing embers that were their eyes were fixed on my party from the moment we began down the slope.

"Yedda?" I said as we got close to them.

"Go back Hon, this is not exactly a healthy place for you," Yedda answered.

"Yedda, what's wrong?" I asked.

"That has nothing to do with you," one of the other dragons answered swinging a huge head around to block me. For a moment or two my horse tried to shy away, when I eventually brought her back under control the members of my guard had placed themselves between the dragon and me. For a moment I am sure the dragon was about to attack, until Yedda intervened.

"Some of those are my kids," Yedda snarled. "You touch them and you will be answering to me and believe me, you might be a big bastard, but I have a thousand years of nasty tricks that you don't and that makes me one bitch you don't want to fuck with."

"We are your kin, not these," the dragon replied swinging it's head around to look at Yedda.

"Kin, you call yourself kin?" Yedda said. "I come asking for a debt to be paid, a debt long overdue and what do I get? I'll tell you what I get shit, delaying tactics and when I do eventually get away four bloody youngsters after a thrill to help me."

"What unnatural hold do you have on the mother of my mother?" the dragon demanded bringing it's head back down to my level.

"Hold, who could hold her if she did not wish it?" I asked. "She is here because she cares and loves, no other reason."

"How can one such as her care for one such as you? You are here too short a time for their to be bonds between you and you are a creature of magic…perhaps if I kill you my kin will be released from this servitude?"

"I wouldn't do that," Yedda replied with some of her humour back in her voice.

"Would you stop me, do you think you could?" the dragon asked.

"No, I wouldn't even try," Yedda admitted. "But up there at the top of that slope is Shakwell and he quite likes this kid, sees her as the salvation of the land and possibly the one thing that can ease his guilt for letting Silvinas loose. If you touch her I put your life expectancy at less than a day…if you are really lucky."

"You wonder why you were not welcomed, this is the company you keep," the dragon replied angrily.

"I only came down to thank you for your assistance," I said trying to bring some order back to the situation.

"We neither require nor desire your thanks," the dragon answered. "This we do for her and her alone. Though others of our kind may question the debt that is owed to her, we do not. Now that debt has been paid and if nothing we can say will change her mind then we will take our leave of you."

"Nothing will change my mind," Yedda replied. "Just as nothing would change my mind back then; I do what I feel is right and always will."

"I doubt you shall be welcomed next time you venture to see your kin," the dragon replied stretching its great wings. With a massive downbeat it launched itself into the air, followed quickly by the other three dragons.

"Welcomed…I have had warmer welcomes from farmers whose cattle I have eaten," Yedda shouted after them. "I've had more enthusiasm suggesting a pig roast for a Jewish wedding…I've know more sociable hermits and though they were covered in crap at least their brains weren't full of it too."

"Sorry," I said after the dragons had been lost in the darkness. "I didn't mean to cause you problems."

"There are problems in my life, many of them associated with you," Yedda said seriously. "None however are caused by you."

"I have messed things up for you here though," I protested.

"No, you probably got me out of a rather sticky little situation. They would quite happily drag me off against my will, they would have killed you without a second thought, but they wouldn't fuck with Shakwell," she replied.

"Drag you off, why would they drag you off?" I asked.

"Because you my dear are supposedly a bad influence on me, corrupting me and all that crap."

"Me corrupt you?" I said aghast at the suggestion.

"Exactly, they don't know me very well, do they?" she replied, sounding like the old Yedda again. "Lets head up to the gang, they are a hell of a lot more fun than the company I've been keeping this last few weeks."

"Yedda, thank you," I said with all seriousness. "You saved us, another few minutes and the battle would have been lost."

"I'm just sorry I wasn't here earlier," she said sadly. "It might have saved a few more people. Besides you saved me from a life of boredom when you came to me in the forest, you helped me save the ones I had to leave behind and you gave me the chance of getting back in with the Dwarves."

"But we still owe you far more than…" I began to say, but Yedda interrupted me.

"It is what friends do and as a friend you don't keep score," Yedda said firmly, her head levelling with me and causing my horse to panic again. "We are in this shit together and if you want to talk payback, lets hear all the dirt about your wedding night…"

I hesitated a moment, I wasn't too happy about discussing such things with Yedda, let alone in front of my guard.

"Listen you guys," Yedda said regarding my protectors. "How's about you lot pissing off back to the party, Cyrena and I will take a slow walk back and have a gossip on the way?"

Drurn hesitated for a second as did John, neither willing to leave me out on the plain with only Yedda to protect me. Effru seemed to naturally defer to Yedda and began leading his men away.

"Look she is safe here and you can watch us from the top of the hill…or we can just go elsewhere…" Yedda told them. "Far away from where you are…"

John and Drurn led their men away without argument, though I could tell that neither was happy about the situation. Yedda made no move though; she obviously wasn't in too much of a hurry herself.

"Come on then," she said. "I can tell that something is on your mind."

"Well," I said embarrassed by the subject. "I didn't hate it…and to be honest I didn't want to leave William, I love the person who he was and I think I love the man too."

"In these times that alone is a blessing," Yedda replied. "You have found someone to care for, who cares for you too. When you get back, hold him tight and never let him go."

"I was worried it was all part of the gods games," I admitted.

"Possibly, but most of their games tend to be a lot more obvious and less subtle. I don't doubt that you marrying William was part of the game, but love I think is beyond them. They wouldn't have needed you to fall in love either, you know your duty and would have done it without question."

"Is it wrong though?" I asked. "I was a man, I was a prince and for a short time a king."

"Nah, no such thing as right and wrong in matters of the heart, all that counts is yours and Williams happiness, anything beyond that is all a load of crap. Are you happy?"

"Yes," I admitted. "Though I wish I was there, or he was here."

"Let's get this war won then and you can have many happy years together, but you better not start neglecting me…"

"Neglect you, never," I told her, I wanted to slip off my horse and hug her tightly.

"Good," she said. "Because you have a long term houseguest, it looks like you have another disowned female on your hands."

"With the deal you and Clive have going, you can pay rent though," I said with a smile.

"Pay rent, by the time Clive and I have finished, I intend to buy your little castle…you can pay me rent dear," Yedda chuckled. "With a decent marketing campaign I might just be able to buy this kingdom…then after I put my own man in charge you and I can piss off and have some fun."

"What about William?" I asked.

"No men, it will be a girls only trip; perhaps bring Tara and Millandra along too and we can see what trouble we can cause. I think I can corrupt all three of you given enough time."

"I wouldn't think anything is beyond you," I told her.

*****

The next morning we had our last war council. The loss of the other four dragons had affected the morale of my men and the confidence of those present at the council. With those four we could have guaranteed victory, the enemy would have stood no chance. Without them, all hung in the balance again.

"We have two choices," I said. "We finish this at Waterloo as was planned…or we go home and wait…"

"Is that a question?" Thurn asked. "Is there a choice? We finish this or die trying."

"We have suffered grievous casualties," Fredrick said. "Many will have to remain here or make their own way back to Des Moines, but beyond that there is no other course. We finish this now and forever."

"We die with you by our sides, or we fight alone," Millandra said.

"You will not fight alone," Thurn replied. "Never will The Drow fight alone, for they are my allies."

"Not alone," I agreed. "Alone all will perish, together we have a chance."

"That then is that," Yedda said. "Wake up Shakwell, get your men together and lets go."

"Shakwell doesn't sleep," I told her. "He is preparing himself for the battle."

"Hoarding his strength has done nothing before, he has faced Silvinas again and again only to fail. It's time for him to trust in others, time for him to risk everything. It's time for him to put his arse on the line too, then maybe we can win this," Yedda said.

"I know that my friend," Shakwell said joining us. "But it brings so much death, when it is just Silvinas and I there are far fewer innocents caught up in the battle."

"They give their lives for what they believe, for their families and freedom," I told him. "The thing is to make sure that others do not have to make the same sacrifice, to make sure that we finish it."

"Yes, we finish it," The Wizard said. "Too many people have died because of Silvinas, it is time for the killing to end."

"Well its three days march to Waterloo, lets move it out and finish it," I said loudly.

*****

It was a subdued march; we had too much on our minds for it to be anything but subdued. Tara had one of the most difficult decisions, to stay with the wounded or to see this through to the end. She chose to come with us, though I could tell that she was uneasy about her decision.

I kept Yedda close, which meant I spent a lot of time with Shakwell. I learned a lot about the man, rather than the legend he had become. He shared one thing in common with Yedda, beyond his long life. He cared about everyone and every death because of Silvinas, he considered his failure. He was not a sociable man, he was not a happy man…but deep in my heart I knew he was a good man. That though was the revelation, that he was a man and so very flawed.

The others, who I considered my companions, spent most of their time with their men. I think they needed the closeness of kin at this time and as for the Archdukes, they like I did their duty…it was what we did.

We camped early on the third night; reports were coming in that a force already awaited us at Waterloo. So a mere hours march from the field, behind the safety of a low ridge of hills we camped and let the men rest. I wonder how many, like me, found sleep something that eluded them that night. Company was far more important than conversation that night…

I spent the night in the company of Tara and Yedda. Others joined us for a while as we joined other groups for a short time eventually though the three of us were alone, except for my guard, ever present but slightly more discrete than they had been.

"I am here because I have to be, as is Yedda, why must you come with us tomorrow?" I asked Tara.

"Because someone has to be there to see it and because I have to see this through to the end," Tara said. "Most importantly though, because my friends will be facing danger and if they face danger then I should be by their side."

"That is a good a reason as any that I have heard for being here," Yedda said.

"Fear, duty and responsibility are the reasons that most people quote," I said. "Love of friends is a reason I can believe in. I'm sorry about the situation with you and your father, I shouldn't have put you in that situation. Will you forgive me?"

"It is forgiven and forgotten," she said with a wistful smile. "My world has got so much bigger since we met, it takes a while for the scale of the things happening to sink in."

"Don't I just know it," I told her. "This world is changing so fast, I don't know how anyone can grasp it all."

"You don't," Yedda said. "You go along for the ride and enjoy it. Things should be changing for the better after tomorrows battle, then we can sit back and take a long look at the world we helped create."

"And if we don't like what we create?" I asked her.

"Well change it, believe me the first time is the most difficult after that it gets easier," she said. In the darkness could be heard a far off noise, the noise of the enemy waiting for us over the hills.

"Do you hear that?" Yedda asked. "That is our destiny awaiting us, after we face that we have nothing to be afraid of."

I believed her.

*****

A small group of us crested the last hill before the majority of our forces, to assess the situation. The dark hoard awaited us; from this vantage point, we could see the immensity of the forces arrayed against us.

"How many do we face?" Tara asked with fear in her voice.

"Just one," I replied, "in the middle there with the clear area around him. He is the only one we face, the rest are but mere inconvenience."

"We will not ride through this force, like we did at Berlin, they are too tightly packed together," Michael announced suddenly.

"Are you sure?" I asked, as this seemed to be the least costly way of attacking The Bastard, himself.

"Believe me, if we hit that force at the gallop there is nowhere for them to break to. In their desperation, they will turn and fight and we will lose," Michael replied.

"James, any suggestions?" I asked.

"You need only to get to that man there?" he asked pointing to the clear area about a third of the way into the force, perhaps a mile from the edge.

"Get me there and protect us while we do what must be done, if you can do that then the battle is won," Shakwell said turning to face James. "Beyond that nothing matters as all that holds this force together is the fear of him, without it they will turn on each other or flee."

"I can think of only one way," James said, "we do not fight the army, we just fight our way in to Silvinas. If we have the infantry in a wedge protecting the cavalry and the Drow, we might get there. Though without Silvinas dead, escape will be impossible."

"That sounds like a plan to me," I said. "Lets mount up, Tara you stay near John at all times. John keep an eye on her, please."

"I don't need a…" Tara began until she saw the look in my eye.

I turned away from the view across the plain and faced the people who had meant so much in my short life.

"If we do it here and now, we finish it for good. Fail and if we are lucky it will be something our children or our children's children have to face, if we are unlucky it is the end for all we love. You all know the objective of this, what must be done. If I fall who will take my place and do what must be done…no matter what the cost?" I looked around the faces waiting for an answer.

"I will!" came a shout from Fredrick. "Should you fall, I will give my life for the opportunity to take him with me."

"As shall any of us, brother of mine, the ties of blood bind us strong, as does marriage…we know our duty we will not fail you," Thomas shouted loudly, getting a cheer from my other uncles.

"As shall The Drow," Millandra announced and turned to look at Thurn.

"I must decline this honour, I never liked magic and I will not make a promise my lads or I cannot keep," Thurn said looking around at all of us.

"Why couldn't you keep it?" Michael asked. He was as confused as the rest of us were by this comment.

"Because, if you want to stand a hope in hell of getting anywhere near him, you are going to need an edge on this chisel of yours. The Dwarves are that edge, we will crack this rock wide open, if you James and your men can keep them off our backs as we go?"

"My men will hold them, while they live," James assured him.

"Then let us do battle and lets make it something worthy of a song or twelve," Thurn said with a huge grin.

"What about Silvinas and his magic?" I asked remembering the devastation within the cavalry, as we became the object of his attention at Berlin.

"That is something I can help with," Yedda rumbled, "I can divert his attention for a while and also soften up this rock that you feel you must crack, Thurn. Who knows I might just get lucky."

"Do not underestimate him Yedda," Shakwell said in a serious voice, "his powers have grown over the years, he is a foe far more powerful than you."

"Ah well, he has to hit me first and I guarantee I know some tricks that The Red Baron never thought of."

"Who is this Red Baron?" I asked, "another dragon?"

"You just keep doing your thing kid and when we are done you and me are going to have some long talks, I deserve some fun after all this shit."

"We will," I promised her, "good luck all of you and may your gods be with you this day. Lets move it out."

*****

As a solid phalanx of men we began moving, the Dwarves at the apex led by Thurn and his men, infantry on the outside, archers and cavalry inside. It was a huge lumbering formation; all the benefits of being mounted were lost. Michael had me surrounded by the largest men on horseback at the centre of the formation with Shakwell, James was somewhere near the apex of the formation. The five miles, or so, to the leading edge of the enemy was covered more by the enemy moving rather than us. A roar from above, moments before Thurn's men made contact announced Yedda's entry into the fray.

"Watch your beard Short-stuff," she shouted and I looked up just in time to see the flame erupt from her and impact somewhere ahead of me unseen. A sizzling ball of flame passed over us through the place where Yedda should have been, except that she had rolled onto her side and turned at a right angle to her original direction of flight.

"Too old and too slow, Silvinas," Yedda roared, flame escaping her mouth in her amusement. "My turn now."

She was gone from my sight within seconds and I turned my attention back to the battle around me. I couldn't see anything, deep in the centre of the formation, I was as safe as if I had remained at home, an unacceptable situation while my men fought and died. I at least needed to know how the battle faired. I urged my mount on and began to push through the mass of cavalry towards the Dwarven apex and James.

"James what is the situation?" I demanded on seeing him just at the rear of the Dwarves, despite his supposedly secure position behind Thurn's force his blade was wet with blood.

"Yedda gave us an entry into the mass of the enemy, though we have achieved little since. They keep throwing their heaviest forces against the Dwarves, not just individual Ogres and Trolls but squads of them. The dwarves will not break, but soon they will be gone."

"Get Millandra up here," I shouted, within a few minutes Millandra was with us, Michael keeping close to her.

"We are floundering," I told her, "the Dwarves cannot make any headway, can some of your men give them some room up there?"

"Arrows will do little against a Cave Troll or an Ogre," she replied looking out over the Dwarves, "but an arrow in the eye may make them think twice before getting too close. I will have my hundred best archers here immediately."

She turned and was gone, with Michael following; I pretended not to see his disapproving look at my present position.

"You should be somewhere safer," James said, some form of unspoken communication passing between them.

"No I need to be here, I need to see what is happening as I am supposed to be in charge here. Back there I would not believe I was in a battle."

"The battle will be on us soon enough, the rate of attrition of the Dwarves means that within ten minutes or so, they will be on us," James said grimly

"All the dwarves gone?" I said aghast at such a thought.

"Gone to the halls of their fathers, their axes wet with the blood of those who fell before them and what an honour guard they take with them."

I looked out over the apex to the fighting in the distance, if it was not for the fact that the enemy had swarmed around the formation, the rear half would have not yet engaged them. The sounds of battle though were louder now and I realised that the hope we had of getting Shakwell and I to Silvinas, was now a vain hope. The weight of numbers was just too great and all my forces would be long gone before we reached them.

"We need to break out the cavalry, in here they are no benefit at all, only a small proportion of our forces are actually doing the fighting," I told him firmly.

"There is no room though," he protested.

"We make the room then, make them step back and then we can let Michael loose. Here at the moment we will be swamped and still not get to The Bastard."

"If you can get the room, Michael will use it," he said after a moment or two.

I turned my horse and began moving back through the tightly packed formation, it was barely moving at all. I spotted Michael and Millandra.

"Michael," I shouted loudly getting his attention.

"Yes Your Highness," he said the two of them approaching me.

"I am going to get you some space on the right. I want the cavalry to use that space and make their way up to the head of the formation clearing the way. We are bogged down here and at this rate we will die here."

"All cavalry make ready to advance on the right," he boomed above the even closer sounds of battle. "Get me that room and we are ready."

"Millandra all your men not supporting Thurn's men are to start clearing our right flank. Then they are to support the cavalry, tell Fredrick to provide infantry support and have Shakwell speak to Yedda," I told Michael.

"He will not want to, he is hoarding his powers," Millandra said.

"He can hoard them all he wants, but it will do him little good if he is dead," I shouted back at her, this was a desperate situation; all could be lost here so close to a possible victory.

"I shall explain the situation, personally, Your Highness. What message do you want passed to Yedda?" Michael asked.

"Clear the ground on the right flank, get us some space to work in."

Movement began within the restrictive formation, the cavalry like me moving over to the right with the Drow. This thinned out the defending infantry on that side leaving us in a precarious position if there had been thought on the side of the enemy. As it was, though they carried on throwing themselves at us in the same fashion. A whoosh of wings announced Yedda's flight over us, one side of her body seemed to be scorched and her left wing was tattered in places. Obviously, she had caught the edge of one of those blasts of power, which Silvinas seemed to produce so effortlessly.

She let loose a blast of flame again, I was close enough to the edge of the battle to see the effects, even the largest Ogre was reduced to a charred heap in the fire that came from deep inside her. The Drow opened up with their bows preventing the space being filled by new enemies, taking row upon row down under the onslaught of arrows.

Yet they still came.

Yedda made a second pass, possibly giving us two hundred and fifty yards of space now and the bows continued their merciless cull.

The enemy hesitated…the gap remained open…we had them.

"All cavalry CHARGE," I shouted urging my mount on to breach the gap first. The men and Drow on horseback keeping pace easily, the dwarves of my guard, though struggling to keep up.

"Move it or we die here," Michael screamed, appearing by my side unbidden Millandra close to him.

"Lets teach these vermin how we dance, here on the kingdoms land," he said with a grin.

We began our charge up the right flank, our way clear and only the right hand side having any contact with the enemy. Though this was not to last, the Dwarves were too soon on our left and the enemy was ahead. Arrows from the Drow following us, and those within the formation of the Dwarves, were taking their toll, dropping row after row of creatures in front of us, giving us some room for when we hit…and then we hit them…hard.

The battle blurred, into a struggle for my life, one creature after another fell beneath my sword and after a while I realised I had no idea what was happening to the battle. I needed to assess the bigger picture.

"Are you hurt?" Michael asked as I suddenly fell back, where he appeared from I had no idea.

"No I need to see what is happening, how far have we penetrated?"

"We are deep within them now, maybe two thirds of the way to Silvinas, if he hasn't retreated," Michael answered.

"He is confident and arrogant, he will stand to the end. Keep them moving, I will be back soon."

"Your Highness, watch yourself," he said and turned back to the battle.

I fell back to the first of the Dwarves.

"Where is Thurn, does he still live?" I demanded of a Dwarf leading a small squad.

"He lived but a short time ago," he said with a grin that broke through his blood-matted beard.

"How fare you?" I asked concerned that some of the blood might be his.

"Tis a fine day for sport such as this, Thurn is that way," he said gesturing with his axe.

I headed in the direction indicated and soon came across Thurn and only a few of the faces I had come to recognise, he must have seen my expression at seeing so few.

"Do not worry, losses have been grave, but not as bad as it would seem here. They are elsewhere taking charge and adding support where needed," he shouted up to me.

"How are we doing, I have lost track of things since the charge?" I asked him.

"I have told you before about hanging back, to get a view of the whole picture."

"And what exactly have you been up to then?" I indicated his blood-spattered appearance.

"Well I had a few disagreements with some orcs…" he replied his grin getting even bigger. "We have gained some decent ground with your little charge, but now I think they have the measure of us, they are now just trying to stop us gaining ground."

"What of Yedda?" I asked, her form having been absent for a while.

"She has retreated to lick her wounds, she caught a couple of love taps from Silvinas that though they hurt her, she shrugged off as if they were nothing. But she took a big blast, nearly knocked her to the ground, she made for safety, though she wasn't flying too well."

"I hope she isn't too badly hurt…"

"So do I, her presence here is something that has been invaluable," Thurn replied seriously.

"How do we get to The Bastard now, have you any tricks up that rusty mail sleeve of yours?" I asked him.

"I have plenty of tricks, but none fit for here," he replied his grin evaporating from his face. "We get to Silvinas over the bodies of the dead, theirs and ours."

"Well let us make sure it is their dead, not ours," I said making his customary grin return to his face.

"Aye, let us do that. Lets move it out lads and take this battle to them."

*****

Now comes the time, that must I speak of the deeds of hero's and the many ways they died. All who braved that battle were heroes, many died unrecorded in their valour, but some as the Dwarves say died a death to sing about.

Sword-Master James, known as Jimmy the Lance, leading at the apex of our forces was cut off, as the men following him were slaughtered. Alone, outnumbered and knowing what he faced he stood tall and proud. Individually at first they attacked him, blade met blade and all who stood before him fell. They then fell on him in a pack, attacking from all sides, wounding him again and again. Yet, when they stepped back he still stood and the dead at his feet had grown. A squad of ogres approached, called by whatever authority there was in that force, huge beasts armed with spears more akin to a tree trunk than a spear. They were to kill him from afar, so no more would fall beneath his great blade.

"My life for my kingdom and my life for my Queen," he shouted loud enough for his men to hear and charged them. Six ogres stood before him, four found death before his body was spitted and thrown to the hoard.

 

Michael of the Horses, dancing with the devil, found his fate and his place next to the Lady Melinia. Though she will be disappointed at his early arrival, she will not begrudge him his place, for it was well earned. It was earned as he lead yet another cavalry action to clear the way ahead.

The cavalry, so few by then, rallied again and again to his call, knowing full well that each time might cost them their lives. But that was the measure of the man; his men would die for him, for they loved him. At the apex again, that place of death for so many the Lady Millandra's horse fell beneath her, in that mass of creature's intent on death, she fell and there she should have died. Michael and a few of his men, fought around her, as she was trapped beneath the beast that she had ridden. Michael dismounted and despite the blades, teeth and claws that tore flesh from his body, he pulled her free and placed her on his horse with the last of his strength.

The Lady Millandra looked imploringly at him and shouted, "Michael no!"

"The choice is mine and mine alone. I give my life for you now, as I would have for your mother. Keep her safe lads, now don't fail me," he answered, slapped the horse and turned to face his fate. They kept his wish though many fell protecting her, for they would not fail him while they still lived.

 

Thurn of the Dwarves, died with his axe wet and there is no doubt of his entry into the halls of his forefathers. His force stripped to help others and by the grievous losses, that he had taken, he concentrated on reinforcing our beleaguered right flank. The enemy, seeing the weakness that was caused by our cavalry using that side to launch their attacks again and again, were concentrating forces there. There as men turned and fled against the relentless onslaught, Thurn and less than one hundred dwarves stood.

Goblins and Orcs fell beneath the relentless rhythmic pounding of the axes, the cave trolls so far from their deep holes in the earth, as were the dwarves, were a different matter. Cave Trolls, they haunt the nightmares of all dwarves and one who encounters one in a deep dark shaft is unlikely to escape. His men almost turned and fled as the beasts approached…almost. The trolls were clustered together, unwilling to associate with the other creatures of the hoard, only brought here by some tie to Silvinas. They fought as a group, maybe as many as four hundred of them, but many times the number of dwarves that faced them.

Thurn stepped forward to challenge the leader; a strange truce seemed to form over the section of the battlefield as the two of them squared off.

"My, aren't you a big bastard," Thurn said the grin never leaving his face despite the fear that these creatures must have invoked in him. The troll being a simple creature just grunted in reply, understanding of Thurn's speech was within its grasp, but acknowledgment was against its nature.

The Troll swung its blade at the figure of Thurn and he ducked under it effortlessly, though had it made contact no armour would have protected him. As the great beast regained its balance, the axe of Thurn made contact deep in its belly and it fell. For a moment or two none moved, the swiftness of the fall of the Troll surprising all, then the truce broken the battle started again with a roar.

"Lets show these overgrown cave maggots what it means to face a dwarf in the open," Thurn shouted launching himself at the approaching Trolls. His men as one followed him, men and Drow joining them, though still vastly outnumbered.

As he fought his way through the mass of trolls dodging the blades as they swung at him, his men were spurred on, as were others. It seemed as if none could stop him. Then as he faced, yet another of the great creatures a sword tip pierced him, driven through the mail shirt he wore and out the rear stained with blood. The Troll lifted him up, thus impaled to regard him closer and with the last of his strength the axe of Thurn claimed its last victory, thrown it cleft the skull of his tormentor. As he lay on the floor dying, his nephew made sure he had his axe in his hand, not that any would question the honour of Thurn in the next life. But to list the battles he had won would have wasted much good drinking time and yes, his death was worthy of a song or twelve.

*****

"Cyrena…" someone shouting drew my attention away from my grief and the battle, I looked down from my mount and it was Uncle Fredrick. His huge figure seemed slick with blood.

"I have failed us all, I have killed everyone in my arrogance," I shouted down to him.

"Stop being so bloody stupid," he shouted back at me.

"They are dead, Thurn, James and Michael," I tried to explain, looking around only the guard of the Dwarves and the Drow were keeping them off me at the moment. I couldn't tell how many casualties were in their ranks.

"Silvinas lives, as do you and Shakwell," he shouted back to me. "You are my kin and my kin does not give up, while there is still breath in their body, let us put an end to this slaughter and do what must be done."

"Yes," I said pulling my thoughts back together, "yes, let us end this now, it can't be that far to The Bastard. Where is Shakwell?"

"That's more like it, we have a little escort for you and Shakwell, though your mount will be no use to you."

I slid off the mare and around me the Drow seeing this did too, the Dwarves moved in close to protect them as they did. Fredrick led the way over to where all my uncles were clustered around Shakwell, with some of their men and a number of the Drow.

"We are ready Shakwell, have her do it." Thomas said making me wonder what they had planned.

"Silvinas is that way," Fredrick said indicating with his sword, blood and flesh clinging to it. "Don't stop for anything, Thomas will make sure Shakwell gets there, you are my responsibility. If I fall keep going, don't fight just keep moving...do you understand?"

"Yes," I replied, my mouth dry and my heart pounding.

"Here she comes," came a scream from behind me and a shadow passed over us. It was Yedda her flight lumbering and much of her body burnt, she was barely twice the height of a man off the ground and if a troll or an ogre had reached up he would have touched her. Her flame though was as strong as ever, though uncharacteristically she made no comments.

"Move it out now…" Fredrick roared, "Archers support us, everyone else protect the queen and Shakwell with your lives."

The bowstrings of The Drow sang as arrows began flying down the corridor that Yedda was opening, I glanced back at them they were virtually unsupported, this was their last act, they could gain us a matter of moments before they were swept away. Someone pushed me and I began running, up ahead a crackling blue sphere of energy hit Yedda square on, she didn't even try to avoid it, I doubt she actually saw it and she was gone from my view.

We were running, I have no idea how many of us, Fredrick up ahead barged an Orc out of the way with his shoulder. The creature staggered for a moment and attacked the man on my left, he disappeared and someone replaced him. The arrows were still flying past us fewer now and Fredrick's great sword cleared the way for me without slowing us down, the creatures knocked out of the way without resorting to finishing them off. One goblin I did slash at but the man on my left intervened, his heavier blade knocking the creature down and away from me, I mumbled my thanks, but he too was gone, to be replaced again.

Suddenly the formation came to a crashing halt, we had hit the outer ring defending Silvinas. I tried to make my way forward to attack the enemy but Fredrick pushed me back, back to safety where I could see little. I looked around trying to find a place where I could be of use, but it was too tightly packed. A hand grabbed me and I was thrust forward into a clearing, through a gap before me stood Silvinas a crumpled mass to one side of him was Yedda.

"Oh my aren't you a pretty one?" Silvinas said leering.

"I am going to kill you," I answered gripping my blade tighter.

"But you have to be able to move, to do that pretty one. I think we will celebrate my victory together."

I tried to move, my body was out of my control, I watched as I allowed the blade I held to slide from my fingers.

"That's better, why don't you come over here with me?" he asked.

To my horror, I did, I walked over to stand next to the enemy of everything good, the creature who had destroyed a world to make his own fantasies come true.

"Leave her Silvinas," Shakwell shouted being thrust into the clearing.

"Why, because The Great Shakwell decrees it? I think not." Silvinas replied, there was a hum in the air, my skin tingled for a moment, and I was free. I looked around the circle we were in was closing rapidly behind Silvinas, my men and my family just holding one section.

"Quickly Shakwell," I screamed, "they come."

"He needs to batter down my defences first, that will take time and by then you will all be dead." Silvinas said with a grin and I realised it was a trap. This is what he had wanted.

"Not you though, you are too pretty to die too soon." Silvinas added.

"Kill him now!" came a shout from what I had assumed was the dead form of Yedda, her head raised and flame erupted at the mass of creatures closing in on us, Silvinas turned to face her and my hand found the dirk that Lizzie had insisted I carry.

I thrust it deep in his back, upwards underneath his ribcage; he twisted pulling the blade from my hands.

"Do…you…think…you…can…kill…me?" he asked panting out every word in his pain, his hand reached behind him and he pulled out the blade.

"That hurt you little bitch," he said advancing on me blade in his hand. He clumsily thrust it at me but the ceramic plate turned it.

I knew this man could be hurt now and I intended to make sure he knew it

I grabbed his arm under my armpit as the blade skidded off, lifted my knee to his groin hard and as he dropped down I slammed my head into his nose. I felt little pain from this, but the helm on my head made a firm contact. He pulled me down with him and we were wrestling on the floor, I tasted blood as I bit deep into his fat cheek.

"Cyrena move," I heard Shakwell shout and Silvinas rolled me over so he was sat on top of me.

"You can't do it with the girl here can you Shakwell?" Silvinas taunted.

"Do it now…" I screamed at him.

He hesitated…

"Do it Shakwell, or more will die," Yedda shouted at him, "finish him for us."

I glanced in the direction of the sound and realised that we were right by her and the burnt smell filling my nostrils was her flesh.

Shakwell still hesitated…

"DO IT, OR THEY ALL DIED FOR NOTHING!" I screamed.

"See he can't do it," Silvinas said looking down at me. Then his look of joy changed to fear and his eyes fixed on Shakwell, I looked up in time to see a ball of violet light approaching us at a fantastic rate…and my world went black.

*****

I awoke to blackness, a cold blackness and darkness without form. I tried to move, but I could feel nothing.

I started trying to panic, I screamed and no sound could be heard.

It was dark…

It was cold…

I wept without tears or sound.

Time means nothing in the dark; I know it was a long, long time I was there screaming and crying unable to do, see, hear or feel anything.

It was so dark…

It was so cold…

I was so scared…

"Whatcha crying for?" came a voice in the darkness.

"Who's there?" I tried to scream, but no sound broke the silence.

It was dark…

It wasn't silent though; I could hear someone singing…a melody without words, then words as well.

"Jungle life, I'm far away from nowhere.

On my own like Tarzan Boy."

"YEDDA…" I tried to shout.

"Hide and seek,

I play along while rushing cross the forest.

Monkey business on a sunny afternoon."

The voice was getting further away, I began to panic again and scream and still nothing came out. Eventually the voice was gone again and alone in the dark and the cold I wept silently for an age.

"Hitler, has only got one ball,

Goering, has two but very small,

Himmler has something similar.

But poor old Goebbels has no balls at all."

Sound again broke the silence, it was nonsense, but it had to be Yedda.

"Yedda!" I screamed as loud as I could the sound faded for a while then came back.

"Maybe there's a God above

And all I ever learned from love

Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.

And it's not a cry you can hear at night

it's not somebody who's seen the light

it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah"

"Yedda!" I shouted again as the singing stopped.

"Is that you kid?" came her distant voice.

"Yes," I shouted, with what I shouted I don't know, I couldn't feel anything of my body and I know I hadn't breathed for the months I had been here. The most unnerving thing though was the fact that I couldn't hear myself talk, the only thing that broke the silence was Yedda's voice.

"Are you sure?" she asked, "I did go mad for a while, you might just be another of my hallucinations, trying to make me stop singing so I can go mad again."

"Its me I promise," I wept.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, its me, where are you?" I pleaded.

"An interesting question that, I was going to ask you the same thing as I have no idea where I am or even where my body is."

"Yedda I'm scared, it's so cold and dark here…"

"Well I'm here now," she said her voice a lot fainter.

"Yedda?" There was no reply.

"DON'T LEAVE ME!" I screamed, but she was gone again and I screamed and wept again.

*****

My grief was interrupted after a long time by another song of Yedda.

"You get a shiver in the dark
It's been raining in the park but meantime
South of the river you stop and you hold everything
A band is blowing Dixie double four time
You feel all right when you hear that music ring."

"Yedda!" I shouted again.

"Ah I wondered where you had got to," she replied from the darkness.

"I didn't go anywhere…" I protested. "You did."

"I wouldn't know how to move, let alone leave you," she answered sounding close now.

"I didn't move…" I protested, crying again now.

"Easy Cyrena," she said gently, "it is probably this place, rather than either of us."

"I don't want you to go again, please don't leave me." I begged her. "Please don't leave me in the dark and alone again, please promise me…"

"I can't promise Hon, I don't know how to stop it." She replied her voice full of sorrow, now further away.

"Yedda you're going again…"

"Don't worry I will sing louder." She shouted back, but she was gone before she could start.

*****

It was a long time before she came back, as she did often for what seemed to be many lifetimes. She sang and we grabbed a few words of conversation in the dark and for a few moments that her unseen presence was there, I was not scared and I was sure I wasn't mad. Other times when she was away there was the silence…and worse than the silence the half heard whispers of unknown things living or existing within that void. Once I was even sure I heard Silvinas, screaming in his rage. While Yedda was there though I was safe.

When she was gone though…

"Cyrena…" a different voice broke through my tears and madness.

"Who's there?" I asked, scared of this strange intrusion into my hell.

I was falling and I hit the ground with a thump, breath being forced from my body. I gasped a lungful of air something on top of me restricting that breath and I opened my eyes.

Light…I could see light and I could hear sounds…people around me in panic.

The weight lifted off me and I was able to stand up. People were around me and the weight that had lifted off me was Shakwell. I looked around trying to recognise people, I could see no faces I knew.

"Cyrena?" someone shouted, I turned and saw John, older and bearing a scar on his face, a faded scar.

"John?" I asked unsure, scared, I reached down for my blade, but it was on the field of battle as was the dirk that Lizzie had insisted on. I backed off and suddenly strong arms grasped me lifting me off the ground. I fought and kicked as hard as I could to get away.

"No Cyrena," a voice said behind me, "its me William, you remember I was Elizabeth."

The arms released me and I turned around, there was William…my Lizzie.

"Am I back?" I asked unsure.

"Yes, we thought we had lost you…" he said anguish on his face.

"I was so scared," I replied, tears forming in my eyes and a great sob escaping me, "I was so scared and alone."

He held me tight, even through my armour I welcomed it and cried in his arms for a long time.

"I never gave up hope," he whispered to me, I looked up and he was crying too.

"Never leave me alone again…promise me…" I pleaded.

"I promise…" he said pulling me tighter.

"Yedda couldn't promise me…how can you…where is she?" I looked around I couldn't see her. "She was with me in the dark, she kept coming where is she?"

"She lives?" Shakwell asked.

"If that is living yes," I answered, looking at the frail figure of the man I had known.

"If she lives, I will find her, I owe her that," he said, with a strange tone of voice. This was a man who was accepting the inevitable; this was a man who did not expect to live. I looked around again at the people there, things had changed in my absence and people had changed.

"Why has everyone changed so much?" I asked William.

"Because you have been lost three years…" he answered and my world went black for a while.

I woke up in the kitchen, with Gwinn bending over me, her face tear streaked.

I looked around at the people at the doorway, stood there peering in, not daring to enter and face Gwinn's wrath, William kneeling by my side and the girls pretending to work. Everything was so familiar, as if I had never been away.

"I'm home." I told them all.

*****

For two days I rested, as did Shakwell, he was a mere shadow of the man that I had known. It was the third day before I managed to get out of bed, despite the protests from Gwinn.

"Gwinn you have been as a mother to me for so long, for that I am eternally thankful and always you have my utmost respect. Now though I need to find out what has happened in my absence, I have been away too long."

"Cyrena, Tara said you must rest for at least a week," she said trying to guide me back to my bed. During the day she had not left my side, during the night William was sat there, watching me as I slept.

"I need to see Shakwell, I need to see William, I need Henri and I need some food," I said looking around the room for clothes. "I need something to wear as well."

"You need peace and quiet, you need to rest young lady," Gwinn said firmly.

"I need noise, people and I need some food…please Gwinn, too long have I been alone in the darkness…I can't be alone again."

She relented and once again I was mistress of my home, once again I had an escort of Dwarf, Elf and Man and once again all deferred to me, not that I wanted it. I could see why my uncles had been happy to leave The Kingdom in the hands of William; who would knowingly take on such a responsibility?

Sat down with breakfast people began arriving, Henri unchanging as ever a mere three years making little difference. William, older with worry etched on his face, Tara no longer a girl, but a confident woman with a maturity gained in the horrors of battle. Then there was Shakwell…a mere shadow of his former self.

"Why am I alive?" I asked him.

"It is my fault," Shakwell said wearily. "I could not bring myself to kill you and Yedda. Instead I sent you away."

"Where?" I asked. "There was nothing there, just whispers and Yedda."

"The place where the magic comes from, nothing can exist there, yet energy can never be destroyed. Those who are lost there exist until the patterns of energy that make up a person are lost, even then they are never truly gone, but becoming part of the whole, unable to retain their individuality."

"Shakwell," I said gently, "that means little to me. All I know is it was dark and Yedda was there sometimes. What of Silvinas can he escape?" I asked the thought of The Bastard free on the land once more bringing terror to my heart.

"He is energy without form, without form he cannot escape. For me to find you I had to exist in two worlds, I needed an anchor to hold me in place. Without that anchor I would never escape from that place, even then it was almost beyond me."

"What of Yedda?" I asked.

"If she is there I will find her, but for a short while I must rest and gather my strength," he looked around pleading with his eyes to be allowed to leave us.

"Go rest my friend," I said gently.

"Thank you Ma'am," he replied his voice flat and emotionless.

"And Shakwell…" I said as he started to depart, he stopped and looked at me. "My Kingdom thanks you for doing what had to be done on the field of battle, I though thank you for finding me."

"It had to be done…it all had to be done…how could I leave you there?" he said emotionally and left without waiting for an answer. The others around the table were silent, unwilling to break the silence the wizard left behind him.

"He will find her, even if it costs him his life," William said a hand slipping across the table to grasp mine.

"I know," I replied my mouth suddenly very dry, I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze "Now tell me what has happened in OUR Kingdom over the last three years…"

 

The Kingdom had been grievously hurt by the battle; Fredrick had also died on that field of battle with so many of my friends, with too many men. Thomas, Tara and Millandra had survived the battle and as Shakwell had said, the foe had run at the fall of their leader.

But what a cost…

Things were recovering slowly. My uncles had decided the leadership of William would stand, as I was not dead according to Thomas until my body was seen. It was a technicality, but they were in agreement that William was still the best choice to rule, it gave the people hope that I would return as Shakwell had promised. Few beyond William still had hope though after three years. So I let him continue…as king and he is the wisest king that there has been since the time of Eric.

A week after my return on a autumn evening as the sun was setting, we bade farewell to Shakwell once more. With little ceremony and just a few mumbles a select few saw him vanish to the world and as I slipped an arm around my husbands waist and pulled him close to me, I wondered if we had seen the passing of a legend and perhaps the passing of an age.

I wonder what the new age will bring?

 

EPILOGUE

The sky is lightening now; a dark blue has replaced the black of night. Only the brightest stars still remain visible…it is cold here, yet I wait, for I have known a cold that chilled me far deeper.

I am a creature of magic, as much as my beloved is too, I though have been to the place where magic comes from and though it terrifies me…still it is part of me. In my dreams I am still there.

In the darkness of the night, I still wake up scared, the fear of the isolation and the dark returning in an all consuming terror, I will listen to William breathing next to me. His breathing reassures me that I am not alone, this time. Sometimes I will get up and quietly walk through to where my two children sleep, just to check that they are still safe. Only then, I can return to the warmth of my bed and try to sleep again.

Sleep though is a thing that often eludes me at this time my thoughts are elsewhere. Yes, it has been seven years since I returned, nearly ten and a half since Silvinas fell. I still think of my friend Yedda. Yedda was wrong though, there was something to be afraid of.

I am still scared of the nothing that was that place.

During the day I walk in the woods of the Drow and expect the sound of her singing to greet me or to hear the deep rumble of her laughter. In the dark though I weep silently, unwilling to awaken my husband and cause him worry. I weep with the thought of her being out there alone...in the dark and the emptiness...she so liked company.

I cry with that thought often.

Last night though was different, more real, even intruding on the dreams of William and the children, a dream so powerful that while awake I still heard it. There was nothing to see just voices…voices in the dark. Yedda and Shakwell…out there lost together in the darkness…

"Yedda, my strength is not enough, I cannot do it!" the ancient wizard screamed.

"Come on, your nearly there…I don't think you want another year of 'One Man went to Mow'," Yedda answered as cryptic as ever in her humour.

"Anything but that and those damn green bottles…AGHH…YEDDA IT HURTS!"

Then it was lost to me; it was just whispers again, many people talking too far away to make out what they were saying. Are they the voices of all who are lost in the darkness?

I am sure though I heard Yedda's voice once more, though as I stand here watching the sun rise the doubts assail me again…did I hear it…did I hear any of it?

"That's the way…lets get our arses out of here kid,"

I have been here since I heard that, waiting for her, waiting for my friend to return to me…I am a creature of magic, as is my husband and as are my children, it is their birthright. Their dreams were disturbed as were mine last night, something was happening in that place where the magic comes from.

Now as I stand on the walls I wonder; the pastel colours of daytime are trying to drive away my thoughts of night. Behind me stand a Dwarf, a Man and an Drow, all have lost family in the war that we fought, all have lost loved ones due to me. Why should I expect a loved one to return, when they do not have that hope?

I do hope though.

Shakwell promised, if he could, he would find her, though his strength was all but gone. I wonder, is he still searching for her in the blackness or is he lost to us too.

All I know is that she is not here; is she still lost in the darkness?

Was it all a dream?

Did I really hear them in that place?

Have they escaped that place only to find themselves lost elsewhere?

As the sun rises the questions and doubts of the night will be driven away and answers will be sought for more immediate questions. Few now give thought to those who were lost to us ten years ago and many say I should accept the fact they are gone. Not those who knew The Singer and The Wizard though, those that knew them will never forget.

I hope that she is somewhere, even though she is not here, teaching her songs to a new people, a people that need her and a people who will love her...as we did. For this world will be a sadder place without the songs of The Singer and such as her will always be needed…a little magic will always be needed in this world.

The End

 

 

A taster of 'For A Few Dragons More' (Coming at some point in the future)

 

"Speedbird 472, climb flight level 80, squawk ident," came the nasal tones of Manchester ATC through the headset.

"Climbing flight level 80 now, Speedbird 472," the co-pilot responded almost automatically. At this stage in the take off the senior pilot was doing most of the work, but as Captain Jenson was so keen on saying 'flying wasn't the work it used to be'.

"Should be a quiet trip, they don't look like much trouble and the Atlantic hasn't any weather to speak of," the co-pilot said.

"Hey Dave, don't go saying things like that…you never heard of Murphy?" Captain Jenson said. "Saying things like that is tempting fate, next thing you know we will find we have sixteen aged rock-stars in first class, just waiting for an excuse to kick up a rumpus."

"Nah, the most they will be getting up to is a game of bingo, if they are feeling really frisky. With how old that lot look, it will be a case of seeing how many survive the journey."

"See there you go again, do you realise how much paperwork a sudden death generates?" Captain Jenson asked.

"Speedbird 472, climb flight level 130, no speed restrictions…what the…" the ATC voice took on a worried tone then ceased.

"Speedbird 472, turn right and climb…oh shit climb…" the ATC screamed. Captain Jenson throttled up the engines and turned the aircraft hard right while climbing. The air speed began dropping rapidly as the Boeing 767 tried to perform the acrobatics being demanded of it.

Something big and red passed down the port side, both crew sat there looking at each other for a moment. Only the stall warning brought the immediate urgency of the situation back to them. Captain Jenson let the nose drop and the airspeed again began to climb.

"Speedbird 472, can you identify that traffic…it came from nowhere?" the ATC asked in a slightly relieved tone of voice.

"Are you telling them?" the co-pilot asked.

"Telling them what, that we just had a near miss with a large red dragon being ridden by a geriatric man in a dress?" Captain Jenson asked.

"I'm glad you said that, because if I had I would be doubting my sanity," the co-pilot replied.

"Believe me I am doubting mine…"

"Speedbird 472, can you identify that traffic?" the ATC asked again.

"Negative Manchester," Captain Jenson responded. "It was obscured in light cloud…it's coming your way you should have visual in a moment. Can I suggest calling out the fire and emergency crews…it looked rather pissed off."

*****

When Shakwell risked all to save his friend Yedda, he knew he was weak and he knew that the chances of success were slim, but it is what one does for a friend. What he and Yedda didn't expect though, after two millennia living in The Kingdom, was to find themselves high above the outskirts of Manchester…only two years after they left. More unexpected though was the awakening that Janet Shepard, hairdresser and Liverpudlian socialite had…waking up after a night on the town, with a hangover from hell, in the middle of a field surrounded by Orcs and looking like Sylvester Stallone on steroids. In all things there must be balance, if five tons of dragon and an old man come through the void to our world, then five tons of living creatures are taking their place in The Kingdom…why have the unexpected party of silent Dwarves, that have appeared in Des Moines, taken to sleeping in trees?

Could this have something to do with those damn Elves?

 

COMING TO THIS SITE SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE…

  

  

  

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