Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls (73 page)

‘Once more a great army seeks us out, and they have the best position,’ Anderlorn had said grimly before leaving Rema to ponder what action must take place that day. ‘But we have water. That well you see in the compound below was the life blood of this once great city. This is why we came here, for it will never run dry. There is no water out there on the plains under the shadow of the
Vaudim
. This perhaps is knowledge that you as commander of these forces should think upon, for I have agreed that you shall lead us. If the prophecy is to be true then this is how it must be. I will go to my army now and will await your orders.’ He paused but a few paces distant and turned back to add. ‘And our fate.’

And with that the proud Elder of the
Edenwhood
was gone and Rema had stood alone upon the ramparts, filled with dread at the mighty force which stood waiting to utterly destroy them.

Rema scanned the vast force which was arrayed before them. Rank upon rank of foot soldiers stood patiently waiting. Hundreds of Lancers before them made a seemingly impenetrable wall of lethal sharp tipped spears. He knew each lance, twice the length of the tallest man would have a solid base prepared for it in the hard earth to hold it firm against the charging force which must impale themselves and hope only by sheer weight of numbers to break through. He could see archers further back, and horsemen to the south, gathered ready to charge on command and sweep through any who came on foot. Spread through the mighty tide of death were many coloured  banners, and hundreds of small fires, he presumed for warmth still sent columns of bluish smoke toward the heavens; columns which seemed to hold up the very sky, for not a breath of wind moved across the plains.

High above Rema saw eagles circling, and he knew that whatever happened that day, it would be retold in AlGiron that night.

Against this vast force he knew they were too few. Despite the amazing skills which the
Edenwhood
possessed, and whatever the magic of the
Equin
, it was beyond hope. Even Sylvion’s deadly blade could not seduce such a great number.

Surely there was no way?

  He looked anxiously about at what was his to send out against this mighty foe. Back in the trees, at the very southern limit of what was once the ancient edge of Wildwood forest were the mysterious and impressive
Equin
. He remembered the moment these great creatures had emerged from the forest behind the ruins of Sylvion’s home. Three score had answered the plea which she had made to these mighty creatures, and when they came the earth had shaken. All who had watched had been rendered speechless for none had seen such an impressive sight. They came as one, lead by a huge white stallion named rightly Thunder, for when he reared, as tall as a house, his hooves alone upon the earth brought down a chimney standing unsupported in the ruins.

Rema recalled that day in the orchard when Sylvion had spoken of these beasts and how she loved them so dearly and what cost it had been to ask of them for help. She knew it would be death to those which responded, and yet her words had told of a deep need that some of the Equin had to be released from the magic which governed their eternal existence as beasts of the forest. She had come upon the idea that the mighty Wildwood forest once stretched further than its present boundaries and that if the
Equin
passed quickly between the remaining southern stands of timber they would not suffer greatly from the magic which ruled them, which meant that by leaving the forest they would die. This and silver arrows were all that they feared. These two were death to the
Equin
, and Sylvion had given days to convince her forest dwellers that they would be safe enough in travelling some distance south. In the end she had succeeded.

  But now the trees had ended, and there was no protection out upon the Plains of Amrosi where they now stood and waited to go to war. The
Equin
could travel no further without great peril, and none knew how they might fare. The mighty creatures rested easily enough, hidden by the trees which grew up to and throughout much of the ruins of Fellonshead. And Rema feared for them against such weapons which stood before them, despite Sylvion’s claim that they could not die except by denying the ancient spells which ruled them, for although huge in size and mighty indeed to behold, they seemed no more than horses in the end. He knew that Sylvion was with them at that moment and he marvelled at the bond which she had with the mighty Thunder, for he seemed to listen to her words and understand her meaning.

Below him in the crumbled compound of the once mighty city were twelve score
Edenwhood.
Each were mighty to behold but so few in number. Anderlorn had stood by his promise and had arrived unseen a day before them. Of their number threescore were mounted on Scythercats, and Rema had kept them apart from the
Equin
, for he had no idea what harm these different beasts might do to each other. Of the two the Scythercats seemed far more likely to take war to the enemy, but unlike the
Equin
they had no magic protection, just speed and power and mighty jaws and massive claws which could tear a normal horse in two with but a single swipe. He had dared not ask Anderlorn what food they might feed these creatures for he knew that question could only be answered by the fallen on the battlefield. He shuddered at the thought.

It was then that an idea suddenly came upon him. The thought of food and Anderlorn’s direction that they had water and their foe did not...

Perhaps there was weakness here that he could use?

He immediately turned and called for Reigin, only to find the giant man was close by, as too was Serenna. They had approached quietly and unannounced and now stood looking out upon the field before them in silent contemplation.

‘So many Rema,’ Serenna spoke quietly in awe of what she saw.

‘Too many Serenna’ he replied. ‘Too many to be defeated by mad bravado.’  He turned to Reigin and gave his first command.

‘Call the eagle Reigin for I have use for it now.’

And so Reigin obeyed, and took the horn which he had been given and blew upon it a note which rustled the trees and grasses around them with a gentle shudder, but which went high up into the sky, and as they watched an eagle turned and swept gracefully around toward them. It did not flap its wings but fell from the sky with deadly intent.

‘It comes Rema, the eagle comes!’ Serenna cried in delight for it was wonderful to behold. The creature grew ever larger until as Reigin blew once more it circled over head, and all could see it carried upon its mighty back a youth of the
Edenwhood
, thin of body yet strong and able, at one with his airborne steed. The great eagle stretched out two huge talons and alighted on the parapet before Reigin. With a flap of its huge wings it steadied itself and then folded them back and stood eyeing them all with such a stare as only an eagle can offer. Its huge hooked beak looked easily able to tear a man on horseback limb from limb and it clearly had no fear of any.

The young
Edenwhood
leapt nimbly from the leather seat which carried him, holding a thin thong which guided the eagle as he chose.  He stood proudly before Reign and spoke,

‘I am Rhyander son of Rhynos, this is Estreedian. She heard your call. We have come as commanded.’

Reigin smiled. ‘Welcome Rhyander. You and your bearer are a mighty sight to behold. I have called you indeed but it is to my commander Rema Bowman that you must answer,’ and with that he turned and indicted where Rema stood. The youth smiled and spoke.

‘What task would you have me undertake sira, for I will do it?  Have no fear for there is none so swift and able as Rhyander and Estreedian upon the air.’

Rema smiled too and spoke warmly. ‘Well spoken Rhyander, I fear we have great need of your confidence this day. Indeed I have a task which might be worthy of your skill.’

‘What sira would you have me do?’

‘I want to you to fly low over the enemy’s encampment, but above where any arrow might reach and find where they have placed their food and water. Such a large force needs great provisions, and water in particular. I would think it kept at the rear. I need to know all you can spy of these things, in particular what numbers guard these things and how far distant they stand from the trees. Can you do this Rhyander?’

‘I will return within two span,’ said the youth who sprang eagerly upon his eagle. With a sharp command the mighty bird flapped once, gave a fearsome shriek and then leapt high into the air.  With a slow and powerful motion it climbed ever higher and circled the ruins upon which they watched; then with a sudden roll it went like ana arrow toward the enemy.

‘And so we go to war,’ said Rema solemnly. ‘This day will be a great test for all.’ He paused and took a deep breath.

‘Reigin, call the
Edenwhood
and all who hold command over other men and women. I will tell of my plan as soon as the eagle has returned. We have little time now. Let us get this done.’

*

King Petros stood proudly in full battle armour as he surveyed the battlefield before him. He had slept well and eaten a huge breakfast of freshly poached wild duck eggs and well grilled revelhare. The wine was still good quality although the steward had said a further day would see it exhausted and then a poorer fermenting would have to suffice. But the air was still, the sun warm and he felt at last in control, for his army was vast and they had reached the mountain
Vaudim
before his enemy. It’s tangled undergrowth and impossible rock falls stood behind them as a mighty barrier to any who would choose to sneak up from behind. The gatherers had done well in providing the information which allowed him to steal the initiative. He now controlled the field of battle. Finally things seemed to be going as they should.

‘Commander Leander has done exceedingly well Zelfos,’ he said to the bald advisor who stood with him.   Zelfos too was impressed with the mighty force which stretched away down the slope, for they were camped on high ground.

‘The enemy will have to come at us up the hill, and although it is a gentle rise it gives us the advantage.’ Petros continued, ‘The Lancers are first, the horsemen to the south ready to sweep in from the flank. We have five hundred archers who can quickly put four times that number of arrows into the sky. We can rain death upon any before they impale themselves upon our spears. Surely Zelfos we cannot be defeated this day?’ He took a deep breath and felt his pulse surge in triumph and pride.

‘It is a hard to see that any can stand long against us my Lord.’ Zelfos spoke honestly for the dull spark of humanity which remained within him was awed by the power which stood ready to do their bidding. At that moment he lifted his eyes and caught sight of the eagles circling high above. He shivered uncontrollably as though some greater power looked down upon his smallness.

‘Those eagles do not bode well my Lord, that is the only omen which seems to stand against us.’ He spoke with a quiver in his voice which he found he could not disguise. The king was immediately irritated. He did not want anything to upset this great feeling of superior strength and power which burned so mightily within his chest.

‘I wish you would stop worrying yourself over those damn birds. They have been with us many days. They do nothing but circle, perhaps they wait for carrion, I do not know, but should they come lower I have given orders to the Captain of the Archers to shoot them from the sky. He has six men ready at all times for this. They can do little but foul upon us from up there, and I am sure we will survive such a deadly attack.’ He spoke with great sarcasm and Zelfos bristled angrily at his words but spoke no further. The king’s steward standing to one side noticed once more Zelfos’ narrowed eyes and superior demeanour and felt a shudder of fear; he wondered why his King could not see the evil within this loathsome sorcerer.

At that moment a cry went up.

‘One is coming, the eagle, it travels fast. Shoot it down.’

The king and Zelfos watched in fascination as a huge eagle swooped above them. It had flown in from the east, low down and not from those circling high above. The rush of its mighty wings cowed many of those who watched and its huge talons which could be clearly seen sent a shiver through them all. 

As it passed overhead a volley of arrows rose quickly toward it but none came close for it was still too high and travelled too quickly. Indeed the only damage came when two men died further down the slope as the deadly shafts fell back to earth amongst them.

‘It carries a rider!’

The call sent a chill through Zelfos, as King Petros stared heavenward with renewed interest at the majestic creature. Sure enough he could see a tiny figure perched upon its back and some deeper sense told him and all who watched that this was no ordinary eagle, and those higher up were likewise the bearers of some power which till then had been dismissed too easily.

Zelfos resisted the temptation to say as much to his king and indeed it was not necessary for they both knew what the other thought.

The eagle put on a great show. It swooped and circled as though looking for some prey. The whole vast army watched in awe as it moved about unchallenged above them, shrieking and flapping its enormous wings, with talons extended in a mighty show of strength, until it moved a little north and toward the tree line where the many wagons carrying the provisions and water barrels were arranged well back from the battlefront. It circled there three times, and then with a final shriek climbed high and flew fast back toward the ruin of
Fellonshead
which stood but three leagues distant on the southern edge of the forest.

The mighty bird was last seen as it disappeared into the fallen stones and trees which marked the lost city of the
Edenwhood
, and Zelfos found he could not restrain himself further.

‘That bird had reason for such a show. It has carried some knowledge to our enemy.’