Was this Rhyn’athel?
Like many Lochvaur first-bloods, the newcomer bore a resemblance to the warrior god. But, did that mean he was the warrior god? Areyn tried to sense what lay beyond the man who sat on the gray charger. He was abruptly slapped back.
“I grow weary of your games,” the Chi’lan spoke.
Areyn hesitated. It might be Ni’yah. If so, Areyn knew that although he could defeat the wolf-god, it would take much of his energy. He would lose his form and expose himself to Rhyn’athel.
Suddenly, the wall of flames disappeared. They stood now facing each other as the Silren army charged towards them. Rhyn’athel paused for a moment.
Another time, Areyn… Rhyn’s voice rang clearly in the death god’s mind. He turned his horse and urged it back towards the Lochvaur lines.
32
Lachlei held onto Rhyn’athel from behind as the god urged the horse back to the Chi’lan lines. The smoke and fog were dissipating. Much to Lachlei’s surprise, the Silren did not pursue them much further, nor were there any living Silren ahead as they rode through the battlefield. Dead Silren warriors lay everywhere, only occasionally did Lachlei see a flash of red from a Lochvaur.
The archers did their work, Rhyn remarked in mindspeak. We lost far fewer because of that.
They fell silent as they rode towards the Lochvaur lines. Thank you for getting me out of there, Lachlei said at last. She knew if it had not been for Rhyn, she would have been dead. Lachlei doubted she could have killed the demon horse, let alone its rider.
You shouldn’t have confronted him, Rhyn replied tersely. You could’ve been killed.
I didn’t mean to go so far behind the enemy’s lines, she replied. The demon was there.
Rhyn hesitated. What did you see?
What do you mean? She paused. Do you mean the demon steed?
You saw that.
Yes.
And the Silren warrior?
Lachlei paused. What had she seen exactly? Now that Rhyn mentioned it, there had been something peculiar about the Silren who led the charge. But, what it was, she couldn’t be certain. It was as though she had looked at two different creatures. One, a Silren; the other, a dark and sinister being. I saw something, she said hesitantly. It was Silren, but it was not.
The watch fires along the hillside glowed red. Lachlei stared at the encampment as they rode towards it.
Where are we? What happened? she asked.
After the demon brought up the wall of fire, he was so focused on destroying you that he neglected the army, Rhyn said. We were able to drive the Silren into a retreat.
Lachlei shook her head. How can that be? Only an hour has passed.
Look at the sky, Rhyn said.
Lachlei looked up and saw that the sky was lightening in the east. She gripped Rhyn harder. What happened?
The demon thought you were using your power against his army. While you were in the wall of flames, time slowed down. Or sped up, depending on your perspective. We were able to charge while he was focused on you.
Then, the fight was a delay—and he was toying with me, Lachlei said. He would’ve killed me. But I thought only a god could affect time.
Rhyn made no reply. They rode in silence for some time as they drew closer to the watch fires.
As they approached, Rhyn mindspoke to the guards. It’s Rhyn and Lachlei—don’t shoot!
The sun just crested the hill as they rode into the Lochvaur encampment. Cahal greeted them. “Lachlei!” he said. “We thought you were lost.”
“No,” she said as Rhyn reined the stallion and she slid off. “Just a little misplaced.” She glanced at Rhyn, who had a thoughtful look on his face. “I just wish we had the ability to take on the demon.”
“You saw the demon?” Cahal asked. “The one that killed Fialan?”
“Yes,” said Rhyn, abruptly cutting them off. “We gave the Silren a good swat, too—something they’re not likely to forget for some time.”
“Our casualties?” Lachlei asked.
“A score dead,” Cahal said. “About twice that many wounded, but few seriously.”
Lachlei stared. “Is that possible? How many slain on the Silren side?”
“My estimates may be conservative,” Cahal said. He glanced at Rhyn. “How many would you say? Five thousand?”
Rhyn nodded. “I would say that. Maybe more. The archers did most of the work.”
Five thousand! Lachlei shook her head, trying to grasp the enormity of that number.
“We pushed them back to the other side of the valley—scouts say they’re still in retreat.”
“We should pursue them,” Lachlei said.
“We will,” said Rhyn. “But not now. Our army is exhausted, and we can’t go much farther.”
“But the Silren…”
“The Silren will not get much farther today.” Rhyn smiled as he dismounted his horse. “Trust me.”
Lachlei hadn’t realized how exhausted she was. Now that the battle was over fatigue set in, and Lachlei found she could barely stand. She felt Rhyn’s strong arms catch her as she teetered. For a moment, she turned and gazed into his steady silver eyes, her arms around his neck. Then, realizing her position, she pulled away and shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
Rhyn nodded. “You need rest.” He led her to a tent.
Lachlei noted that the Lochvaur had raised a wall tent for her in her absence. Rhyn nodded to the guard at the doorway as he led her inside. Oil lamps burned smoky and hung from the tent’s supports. There wasn’t much in the tent save a cot, a table, and some low canvas chairs. A small stove sat in the back with a small flue that extended out of the back of the tent. The warm air made her feel drowsy.
“It’s not much,” Rhyn said as he slipped a small kettle of hot water on top of the stove and tossed some herbs into it.
“All the comforts of home,” Lachlei replied wryly, noting that the cot had thick moose and elk hides as blankets. They looked warm and inviting. She nearly collapsed as she sat in one of the chairs. “Are you sure that the enemy is still fleeing?”
“Quite,” he said. “They won’t stop until they reach North Marches.”
“We should pursue them.”
Rhyn shook his head. “No—we need to wait for reinforcements.” He handed her a mug of steaming tea that he poured from the kettle.
“Reinforcements?” Lachlei sniffed the water. “Tea?”
Rhyn nodded. “It’ll help you rest.”
She scrubbed her face with her hands. “I don’t think I need help with that,” she said. “I can barely stand as it is.”
Rhyn chuckled. “I know—I’m tired, too,” he admitted. “What reinforcements, Rhyn?” she asked. “Laewynd isn’t sending me more soldiers.”
“No, the warriors are coming from the Laddel.”
“The Laddel? My mother’s kindred?” She took a sip of the tea, which tasted faintly of cinnamon and cardamom. “Why would they come to the Lochvaur’s aid?”
“I’m calling in some old debts the Laddel owe me,” Rhyn replied. “Debts? What could you have done to make an entire kindred in your debt?” Lachlei looked at him, intrigued. “Are you a Free-lancer?”