He shimmied up awkwardly. When he reached the sharpened tip, he worked the right ring up, for it had wedged between the spike and his body. Once he pulled the ring off the spike, he looped it over his arm like a metal sleeve. He pulled the left chain up and threaded his left arm through it.
Now what?
He was free of the spikes, but he was so high up that a smoky haze from the torches on the platform blurred the floor beneath him. Achan caught sight of a red blur running down the stairs followed by two dark blurs. Not so cocky now that the beast had been distracted, huh, Esek?
He looked out into the grandstands. The knights had successfully diverted Barthos. He could see them now. They wore the clothing Lord Eli had given them-white tunics, leather vests, and brown trousers-and were standing halfway up the grandstands on his left. The beast raged through the crowd, circling Sir Caleb, but never getting too close. People in the crowd screamed and trampled each other to get out of Barthos's path.
The platform was empty but for Lord Falkson and the gowzals that perched on him as if he were a scarecrow. Achan scanned the crowd for Silvo and Sir Nongo. He spied the black knights with Khai pushing through the crowd toward Sir Caleb.
Sir Caleb, three of Esek's men are coming your way.
I see them, Your Highness. How did you manage to unhook yourself? Well done!
Achan didn't answer. His arms shook so hard they'd likely give way and he'd fall to his death. He slid down a bit. A fat sliver stabbed into his thigh like a rose thorn. He clenched his jaw and kept going. Halfway down, he paused to check the knights.
The crowd had scattered, leaving a wide circle where Sir Caleb and Sir Nongo now clashed swords. Silvo gestured toward the platform and yelled the phlegmy language at Barthos, whose head bobbed back and forth as if unsure what he wanted to do next. Achan could still hear Sir Gavin and Inko chanting. What they were saying?
Ignoring the splinters, Achan slid further down. Part of him wanted to just let go and drop to the platform, but he'd probably break a few bones, so he maintained his controlled slide.
Finally, the chains clattered to the platform. Achan twisted around the beam as if coming down off a low tree branch and dropped to his feet.
On guard, Your Highness! Sir Caleb yelled in Achan's mind.
A coarse paw struck Achan's back and sent him sprawling across the platform. He rolled to his side against the supports of the ladder and tried to stand, but he was tangled in the chains.
Barthos stood in the center of the platform, Silvo right behind it. The creature roared, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth.
Achan sat up and untangled the chains. He threaded them behind his back and slid the opposite ring up over each shoulder, hoping to keep them out of his way.
Join us in rebuking him, Achan! Sir Gavin said.
Achan shifted his weight from one foot to the other. But I don't know what you're saying. Speak the common tongue so I can understand.
It matters not what you say but that you believe Arman can deliver you.
Oh. You're calling on Arman?
'Tis the only way to destroy it.
Achan closed his eyes and licked his cracked lips. "O, powerful Arman, father of all Er'Rets. Have mercy on your servants. Send this ugly beast back to where it came from."
Warmth spread through Achan.
Barthos screeched and swiped his paw. Achan backpedaled into the ladder supports to try to avoid Barthos' strike, but he could not. The massive paw descended to cut him in half.
But the only thing that passed through him was swirling wind. Merely a chilled breeze on his sweaty skin.
Barthos looked surprised. The creature's hind legs morphed into a whirling tunnel. The kuon's body spun out of form. No longer a dog-man but only a funnel of wind and dirt again.
Once the head vanished, the funnel scattered into hundreds of gowzals. The black birds soared over the audience squawking and biting. The crowd screamed and ran.
Achan headed for the stairs leading down off the platform, but Silvo cut him off.
Achan lowered his left arm and let the ring slide over his hand, gripping the chain when the ring hung inches from the ground. He swung it up over his head like a mace and ran toward Silvo, screaming.
Silvo's eyes widened. He fled down the steps. Achan stopped and flung the ring. It struck Silvo in the back of the head. The black knight's legs crumpled. He fell down the stairs and lay still at the bottom.
Achan looped both rings over his left shoulder. Master of the iron rings, he was. He scrambled down the steps, tugged Prince Oren's ring off Silvo's hand, and joined the throng.
"Stop him, Sir Kenton! He's getting away!"
Esek's order came from the crowd behind Achan. He ducked his head and squeezed between people, mud from their bodies rubbing onto his. A portly man plowed into Achan's side and knocked him to the floor. The mob stepped over him, on him. He crammed Prince Oren's ring on his finger even as his face was pressed into the dirt floor. The smell of soil filled his nostrils. Pain and fatigue engulfed him, vision swirling, blackening, his breath finally used up.
A voice whispered in his ear, sending an icy chill over his body. "Say the word! Call on me and I shall end this." Hadad.
Someone tripped over Achan, kicking him to his side. He curled into a ball, waiting for the people to pass. But he had to get up. Sir Kenton was coming.
"Say it, boy! Hadad. Call on my name."
"No." Achan mumbled a weak prayer to Arman. This was how the supposed future king was going to die, crushed in a stampede in a temple to a false god.
Strong hands seized his arms. Sir Kenton! He tried to pull away.
"I've got you, Your Highness." Sir Caleb's familiar voice calmed him. The knight draped a cloak around Achan's body and pulled him to standing. The crowd still pushed past, their muddy backs fleeing toward the exits. "Put on the hood," Caleb said.
"Sir Kenton." Achan swayed. The dull throbbing of scratches and bruises fatigued his nerves like a strong drought of Sparrow's tea.
"Inko and Gavin are dealing with him." Sir Caleb pulled up Achan's hood and put an arm around his waist. He helped Achan ascend the stairs.
"Sir Gavin?" Achan's mind was groggy. Had he been told where Sir Gavin was?
Sir Caleb didn't answer.
Inko joined them halfway up and supported Achan's left side. The three exited the pyramid, the knights all but carrying Achan away from the temple.
They darted around mud huts, weaving their way up the hill.
16
Sir Gavin Lukos.
Finally! Vrell opened her mind. It had been hours since Achan had shut her out.
Do you see our light? Sir Gavin asked.
Vrell stood. A cramp stabbed her lower back. At least Mother had advised her how to accommodate her month-blood. She had bided her time crafting compresses out of the linen Lord Eli's servants had given her for her healing kit. Hopefully no one would be seriously hurt until she could get more supplies.
She located the fiery glow of Barth below and scanned the blackness between the stronghold and her position. A prick of red light shone in the distance to her left, lower than where she stood but higher than the city. A ridge must lead to the valley.