“Thank you.” Tonya leaned closer and looked into his eyes.
Rikki found her soft pink lips brushing against his. He closed his eyes and kissed back, enjoying the taste of her despite the wine. Tonya’s arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer, her lips hungrily kissing his.
Rikki was surprised to find his hand caressing her cheek, his fingers stroking her silky tresses, his tongue probing her mouth, tasting her tongue. He broke away and began caressing her cheek and neck with his lips.
“Why didn’t you come last night?” Tonya asked.
“I had things to do and I needed to get some sleep.” Rikki kissed the small of her throat. The scent of her was intoxicating. He pressed his nose into the hair at the base of her neck and breathed deeply as his lips enjoyed the softness of her skin.

Ch. 38

Rikki shifted some saddle bags he was holding as he walked down the short hall to where Kama Takar stood in front of the door to the private dining hall.
“Did you get something to eat?” Rikki asked.
“No, sir.”
“How are you holding up, Takar?”
“Sir?”
“You’ve been through hell the last few days, being ambushed, losing a comrade, being attacked by Lupidae, and still standing guard.”
“I was ordered to protect Princess Tonya.” The large warrior stated.
“You are doing a fantastic job, Takar.” Captain Kalhoun didn’t know if he should clasp the Mul’s arm or pat him on the shoulder. “Takar, I have additional orders for you.”
The half-dwarf’s eyes snapped to the cavalry Captain.
“I need you to help protect Monyka as if she were the Princess.”
“Sir?” the Kama questioned.
“I . . .” the Captain didn’t want to explain himself. “I just need you to promise me that you won’t leave Monyka unprotected if you can help it.”
“Yes, sir.” The questions that the Mul had were written all over his face, but he kept them to himself.
“Who is in there with her?”
“Sergeant Takoda, Lady Monyka and the little maid.”
“Annyka.”
The Kama gave a slight nod.
“Thanks, Takar.” Rikki opened the door and entered.
Two empty bottles of wine lay haphazard on the table. A third bottle mostly full stood between Tonya and Takoda. Monyka took a long sip from her wine glass and set it in front of her.
“Captain.” Tonya greeted.
“What are you three doing in here?” Rikki left Annyka out of his stern look that swept the three.
“We were just talking.” Tonya defended.
“Sergeant Takoda.” Captain Kalhoun addressed the war veteran harshly. “We are expecting an Elven attack with in a few hours and you are drinking on duty? Did you even finish your orders?”
Takoda gave a mocking salute, “Yes, Captain.”
The hairs on the back of Rikki’s neck rose in irritation. The once venerated Sergeant of Arms was acting like a drunken, spoiled, self important buffoon. “Sergeant, you will leave this room and go sober up. I expect to see you manning the town’s defenses in half a candle mark.”
Takoda shoved the chair back hard and jerked unsteadily to his feet as he glared at the Captain. “Please excuse me, your Highness.” He softened his voice, but kept his icy glare on Rikki.
Rikki stood his ground, even as Takoda pushed past him leaving the room in an awkward silence.
“That was a bit harsh, Captain.” Tonya’s words were slightly slurred. “We were only talking.”
“He is also on duty.” Captain Kalhoun defended. “I have decided that it is too dangerous for us to remain in Lyonsgate any longer. We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”
“I thought we needed to rest some of the wounded a little longer.” Monyka sat forward.
“It’s too dangerous. This small fort was not built to fend off a large elf attack. If we stay here much longer, they will attack in mass, if they don’t tonight. There are four princesses in this tiny timbered post. We need to get all of you to Malden as soon as we can.”
“Okay, Captain, we’ll be ready tomorrow.” Tonya nodded.
Rikki softened his tone. Tonya, I believe that the elves are planning on attacking us as we leave. We may need to make a run for it. I need all of you. . . ” Rikki included Monyka and Annyka in his gaze. “to pare down what clothes you bring. If you don’t need it in the next two weeks then leave it here. We can always pay someone of Lyonsgate to bring it later, when it’s safe.”
“I am to leave my gowns here?”
“You can bring one nice gown for when you meet with Queen Sakira. I think you can live with only one nice gown.”
Tonya sighed heavily.
Rikki remembered the saddlebags in his hands. “Monyka,” he paused. “These were Kadyr’s. I think he would want you to have them.” He stepped forward and set them down on the table, his hand lingering on the worn leather. He didn’t know what else to say. “I. . . I. . . I guess I’ll go check on some things.” He backed up to the door. “Remember. Only take what you absolutely need for the next week or so and be ready to leave in the morning.” He paused. “Only one gown, your Highness. I’ll be back later to check in on you.”
Rikki closed the door behind him and went in search of his scouts.

“Captain.” One of the scouts greeted as he approached.
The eight men and their mounts were outfitted lightly but ready for battle.
“I have a feeling that Lyonsgate will be attacked by elves tonight which means that they have eyes and ears out there. I want you to be careful.” He looked to each of the scouts. “You four going to Evalynton, go ahead and be off. Remember, get boats to take us and our mounts to Malden. If We aren’t there in four days, just go and meet us there.”
The four nodded.
Rikki clasped each man’s arm. “Good luck and good riding.”
“May the Gods bless you, Captain.” One murmured followed by the others.
“May they bless you.” Rikki returned. “See you in Malden.”
He turned to the other four. “Here is what I want you to do. . . “

--o0o–

Tonya sat in her sparse chambers as Annyka pulled one gown after another out of her chests and showed them to her one by one.
“That one can stay.” Tonya directed half heartedly. Annyka laid the gown to one side and dug out another. “That one goes with me.” Tonya decided.
“Are you sure, your Highness?” Annyka questioned. “You’ve already got eight gowns that you want to take.”
“Just put the gown in the keep pile, Annyka.” Tonya growled.
“You should get some of the Malden trousers and blouses.” Adiah suggested. “They are good for riding and they don’t take up as much room.”
“I’m the Princess of Riponia, I won’t show off my legs like a common woman.” Tonya snapped.
Chastised, Adiah remained quiet as Annyka pulled out another gown.
“That one can stay behind I guess.”
::Queen Sakira wears trousers.:: Ka’mya inserted with a tired voice.
::I am representing Riponia, not Malden.:: Tonya snapped.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Enter.” Tonya called.
“Your Highness.” Rose greeted.
“Hello Rose.” Tonya greeted.
“I just stopped by to bring Princess Adiah some clothes.” She looked to Adiah. “They aren’t much and definitely not fancy, but they will help to get you to Malden.”
Adiah got up and smiled at Rose. “Thank you, Rose. They will be more than perfect, since I don’t have anything except the clothes I was wearing while taking care of the horses.”
“You’re welcome, Princess.” Rose dipped a curtsy as she released the small bundle to Adiah. “The Captain says that we are to travel light and fast between here and Malden. I had Nevyre procure some saddlebags for each of you for your clothes. They should be delivered shortly.”
‘Thank you, Rose, is there anything else?” Tonya asked slightly irritated. It had been a very trying day, she was beyond exhausted with the lack of sleep of the past few days, her gnawed on hand was tender and her slashed ankle hurt almost as bad as the ache in her leg. On top of it, Rikki had asked her to abandon her possessions in a back country outpost. She really just wanted to crawl into bed, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t do anything but thrash around in bed wide awake stressing out about treaties, the news of Monyka being her half-sister and able to do magic on top of it all. She had elves and their magically created creatures chasing her for her blood.
“No, your Highness.” Rose curtsied stiffly and backed out of the door.
“That was a bit rude.” Adiah directed at Tonya.
“I’m just very tired.” Tonya tried to excuse. It had been rude and there was no excuse. She needed to rein in her snappiness.
Adiah laid her bundle aside, “I am going down to the common room.” She stated before leaving.
Tonya sighed heavily. “Annyka, pack my lavender gown with the silver trim and my deep blue gown with the gold trim. Everything else can remain here to be sent later. Oh, and pick me a few traveling dresses and chemises. I’m too tired to care.”
“Yes your highness.”
Tonya finished another glass of wine before pouring herself another.
“You don’t normally drink do you, your Highness?” Annyka commented.
“No, but I need to dull this pain I’m in and try to knock my self out so that I can sleep. I’m so tired, Annyka, but I can’t seem to sleep.”
“Shall I get one of the healers?” Annyka offered.
“No, they are busy enough with the wounded.” Tonya shifted her position and took another long sip of her wine.
The Princess watched her young apprentice as she began repacking and separating clothes in and out of the chests.

--o0o--

Monyka closed the door to Gemma’s front door and wiped the mud off of her boots the best she could.
“Here, let me help you with that, dear.” Gemma came from the fireplace.
“I’ve got it.” Monyka assured.
“I mean with your boots.” Gemma stated. “Watch.”
A glow surrounded Gemma. “Only do this when no one else is watching. It tends to give us away.” She smiled at the young woman.
Monyka watched as Gemma magically gathered every splatter of mud from her boots and floated it across the entrance to be deposited it in a spittoon next to the door.
“We can empty that later.” The glow dissipated
“That was incredible.” Monyka gaped.
“Just one of the reasons why we call it the gift. Now, what is going on out in Lyonsgate? I take it that the elves haven’t attacked yet?”
Monyka shook her head. “Did Captain Kalhoun talk to you today about coming with us?”
“Yes he did.” Gemma guided Monyka into her small house.
“Will you come? Please?” Monyka pleaded.
“I told him that I would.” Gemma nodded. “I have much to teach you before I hand you over to Kaniel.”
“Who is Kaniel?”
“He is the strongest person I know with the gift — well, he was before you came along.” Gemma looked at the saddlebags. “What do you have there?”
Monyka looked down. “These were Kadyr’s belongings. Captain Kalhoun gave them to me.”
“I’ll finish making us some dinner; you go into the bedroom and pack for tomorrow.”
“Most of my stuff is mixed in with Tonya’s.” Monyka stated.
“All the same, go on.” Gemma shooed. “You’ll just be in my way out here. I’ll fetch you for dinner.
Monyka took her load into the bedroom and placed it on the bed then sat heavily down next to it and just stared. “Kadyr.” She whispered. Tears filled her eyes. Before she knew what she was doing, she opened the saddlebags to see what she had left of her husband.
Monyka’s pulled out a long beautifully finished box. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as her fingertips stroked the satin finish. She unlatched the lid and pulled out the crystal flute that she had given him. Memories of sitting next to him as he played the enchanted instrument over looking the hole city of Hobro came flooding back. The sparkle in his eyes as he played in the cavernous cave of Lakeview while his men, his friends joined him in song and merriment made her heart ache. She clasped the flute to her chest and soaked up the memories not ever wanting to forget.
Monyka forced herself to replace the flute back in its box and set it aside. She reached into the bag again and pulled out one of his shirts. Monyka held the shirt to her face and inhaled the scent of Kadyr. She buried her face into the fabric and lie down on the bed in fetal position holding the smell of her loved one close to her nose and sobbed.

--o0o--

Rikki made his way up the stairs of the inn to the Princess’ room. The scouts had been sent out. It was up to the Gods whether or not this endeavor would succeed.
Takar still stood watchful at his post.
“When are you relieved of your post, Takar?” Captain Kalhoun questioned.
“In the morning, Captain. I believe Cavalryman Johnak will be relieving me.”
“Can you sleep in a saddle?” the Captain asked.
“I don’t ride, sir.” Takar shook his helmeted head.
“Can you sleep while sitting or lying in a wagon?”
“I believe so, Sir.” The Mul shrugged slightly.
“How much longer can you go before you have to sleep?” Rikki asked.
“I can go another day if need be, Captain, but my reaction time will be diminished.”
“I am planning on us leaving in the morning. Could you hold off sleeping until tomorrow night?” The Captain asked.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Thank you, Takar.” That was a bit of stress off of him. He needed let this soldier get some rest soon, but he also needed him to protect the valuables behind the door.
One of the reasons he had picked this inn for the Princess was because of it being nearly in the middle of the fort town as well as its comfort. The tiled roof would help prevent stray fire arrows from catching the roof on fire, and the walls were made of a mixture of clay and straw that was plastered over making this particular inn one of the safer places for Tonya to be.
Rikki knocked on the door and gave the Kama an approving look before entering the Princess’s small suite.
Tonya, reclined in a chair next to the fire, greeted the Captain with a red nose and a grin that looked to be painted on her lips. “Captain.” She greeted.
Rikki not knowing what kind of mood she was in made a bow before he took two steps into the room.
“Annyka has just finished packing my things. I am only bringing two gowns but you must promise me that the others will be delivered to Malden shortly. I can’t go around the capital of Blaire with only two decent gowns. I don’t want Riponia to look like a pauper kingdom.”
“I’ll have them sent to Malden as soon as I can, your Highness.” Rikki promised. “How are you doing?”
“Tired and sore.” Tonya’s words were slightly slurred.
“Have you eaten?”
“No.” Tonya admitted.
Rikki looked up to Annyka. “Annyka, you go down and get some dinner. Then bring some up for her highness.”
Annyka nodded and started for the door.
“And another bottle of wine.” Tonya instructed.
“I think you’ve had enough wine, Highness.” Rikki admonished. He caught Annyka’s attention and shook his head. The Young apprentice nodded understanding and left the chambers.
Rikki walked over to the lounging Princess and stood over her. Her blonde curls were dishevled, her nose and cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly glazed, but to him, she was still the young woman he was in love with and she looked beautiful.
“Have you been drinking this whole time?” he asked.
Tonya nodded, her eyes half lidded. “Have to dull the pain. I want to sleep.”
“Shall I get Brother Tagyrt or Midwife Gemma for you?”
Tonya shook her head. “It would only take care of some of my problems.”
Rikki knelt to one side of his Princess so that she wouldn’t have to look up at him. “What problems?”
Tonya sighed heavily. “There are so many people counting on me; people dying because of me. Zareb is dying. I don’t know anything about treaties. I can’t get those wolf creatures out of my mind. My leg burns from my bite wound. I have the fact that Monyka is my half-sister swirling around in my brain. . . I just can’t seem to get any sleep.”
Rikki nodded knowing exactly what she felt only multiply that by one hundred.
“How do you deal with this kind of stress?” Tonya leaned forward.
“I used to drink a lot, but I discovered that drinking never solved the problems.” Rikki admitted. Her eyes were so blue. Only Ka’mya had bluer eyes than Tonya. “You just learn to take on one problem at a time and do the best you can with it. I have also learned how to delegate. I’ll have my officer’s take on some of the smaller problems so that I can concentrate on the larger ones.”
“But I asked for Monyka’s help with the treaties and I was told that she was too busy.” Tonya protested.
“You also have to learn when others are able to help you. Monyka is a bit overwhelmed right now. If you had asked her in Truno or even in Sherstone, I’m sure there wouldn’t be an issue, but she just lost her husband after only a few days of marriage. Ka’mya has offered to help which is good, but I’d feel better with a Riponian helping you out.” Rikki thought for a moment. “Have you thought about asking Takoda?”
Tonya shook her head, tossing her mussed curls about. The smell of lavender wafted from her hair.
“Sergeant Takoda has been at your father’s side for a long time. I’m sure he’d know how your father felt about some treaties. Takoda also needs something to occupy his mind.”
“Thank you.” Tonya leaned closer and looked into his eyes.
Rikki found her soft pink lips brushing against his. He closed his eyes and kissed back, enjoying the taste of her despite the wine. Tonya’s arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer, her lips hungrily kissing his.
Rikki was surprised to find his hand caressing her cheek, his fingers stroking her silky tresses, his tongue probing her mouth, tasting her tongue. He broke away and began caressing her cheek and neck with his lips.
“Why didn’t you come last night?” Tonya asked.
“I had things to do and I needed to get some sleep.” Rikki kissed the small of her throat. The scent of her was intoxicating. He pressed his nose into the hair at the base of her neck and breathed deeply as his lips enjoyed the softness of her skin.
Tonya grabbed his head and guided his lips back to hers kissing him with a new ferocity, her fingers falling to unbutton his blue coat.
For years had had dreamed of holding her in his arms of caressing her, feeling her warm silky skin against his. For years he dared not think of such a thing except for in his dreams. He could never really be worthy of a Princess. . .
With effort, Rikki slowly pulled away his heart told him that he was an idiot but his head had to rule. His kisses slowed and trailed away. Tonya smiled up at him, her face flushed, her lips plump, her eyes sparkled with desire.
Rikki took a deep breath and pulled back even farther. He kissed his forehead and sat back. ‘I’m sorry Tonya.” His heart ached as he watched her radiant face darkened to hurt. “There is nothing I want more right now than to continue this, but I can’t. You are the Crown Princess of Riponia. I am a mere Cavalry Captain.” Rikki pushed to his feet and looked down at Tonya. “You are meant to marry noble blood, not a commoner.”
“Who said anything about marrying you?” Tonya threw back. “Typical man!”
“Tonya. . . “ Rikki started.
“What?”
“This is just not how I want us to be.” He pleaded. “You’ve had too much to drink and we are both tired. We have along day ahead of us tomorrow.” He backed towards the door.
“Just. . . Just get out!” Tonya sputtered.
Rikki made a hasty retreat before Tonya started throwing things.

--o0o--

Grymm sat next to the small fire eating some beans and sausage with a piece of bread that he had to tear up to fit around his bandages. The past few days had been very eventful as well as stressful.
“We have a flare going up to the North!” a voice ran out. “Elves!”
Grymm almost dumped his plate in his haste to get to the ladder to the fortified wall of the town. “Which diwection?” he asked as soon as he was up. His speech was still slurred and hard to understand at times but it was a hell of a lot better than it was yesterday.
“Out that way.” A soldier pointed off to the west a bit.
Grymm squinted his good eye to look out into the darkness looking for moving silhouettes in the grass.
Nervous soldiers brought bows up and began nocking their arrows.
“Don’t draw until they are within range!” Grymm shouted. He hated being in a defensive position. That was just one of the reasons why he joined the cavalry; most of the time they were used for offensive. He wanted to be on a horse riding out to meet the enemy not hiding behind a timbered wall waiting for unexpected arrows to find him.
“Any movement yet?” Grymm asked.
No one said anything; everyone was straining to see as far as they could in the dark, straining to see a warning before it was too late.
An arrow hit the top of the wall four paces to the left of him. “Dyrk, go warn Captain Kalhoun. I think he ‘s with the Princess.” Grymm ordered. He turned back to what was outside the wall. “Fire arrows!” Grymm called.
He could hear oil soaked rags wrapped around arrow heads flaring up. A couple more arrows hit the wall. Two finding men.
“Draw!” He called out. He could hear the sound of bows flexing as soldiers pulled the arrows back. “Loose!”
Four dozen flaming arrows arched through the night sky and came to abrupt stops out in the grass. Two small human shaped figures erupted in flames. One screamed and fell to the grass rolling; the other waved a flaming arm about before a dark shape tackled him.
Dark silhouettes became visible against the light given off by the flaming arrows. Flames spread from the arrows to the nearby grass. Grymm was surprised since the grass was so wet and it had rained hard just two days ago.
“Wait until they are in range and fire at will!” Grymm ordered.
The defensive wall became alive as bow strings hummed and arrows sailed out into the night.
A barbaric scream erupted from the tall grass as the dark figures rushed at the timbered walls with scaling ladders. An arrow lodged into the wall six inches from where Grymm was standing causing him to swear and duck slightly.
Where are the other officers? Grymm was uncertain of what he should do other than keep the elves from breaching Lyonsgate defenses.
“Fireball!” a voice yelled a warning.
Grymm’s attention was ripped away from what was directly in front of him to watch as a large ball of fire slammed into the wall exploding and catching soldiers nearby to catch fire. Fortunately there were several buckets of water at hand and their comrades quickly doused anything burning. The empty buckets were tossed down and boys, too young to get involved in the immediate fighting, raced full buckets up the stairs and ladders to replace them.
Grymm, seeing the focus of the attack was forty or so paces away began moving down the wall towards the action.
Flaming arrows from outside the wall came soaring over the timbered defenses and into the buildings near the wall. Some slapped into thatch and began to smolder, having a hard time catching in the roofs that had been doused that afternoon by bucket brigades. Other arrows clattered harmlessly on tiled roofs. Seeing that they were not in danger of flaring up, where left to burn themselves out.
Down below, men too old to fight, young boys and women rushed about dousing flare ups and creating bucket brigades. Some looked to be farmers who had been through this before; probably burned out of their farms by these very elves.
“Pick your targets!” Grymm called out. He didn’t know why he was telling most of these men their jobs. Most had a few years more experience than he did.
Where was Captain Kalhoun or Captain Dobry. He’d even welcome the help of Sergeant Takoda or Sergeant Galyway right now.
Grymm grabbed a long pole with a short cross bar at one end hauled it up. “Someone help me with this repelling arm.”
Two nearby soldiers grabbed the pole and readied it. As soon as the ladder was swung with in a pace of the wall, the soldiers helped him catch the ladder with the cross bar and shove, levering the ladder back onto the elves below.
“Good job. Keep those ladders away!” he commented. “How many do you recon are out there?” He asked a soldier who just fired an arrow.
“I only see about fifty or so, Corporal.”
Grymm shook his head. “Keep your eyes peeled; there are probably twice that many out there. They may be coming in waves!” he called out. He couldn’t figure out why the elves would attack in such small numbers. Fifty elves to attack Lyonsgate would be a suicide run.
“Fireball!” some one called.
“Heads up!” Grymm cried out as he watched a fire ball soar over the wall and slam into a thatched roof. The roof engulfed in flame caught and began to spread as towns people worked to put it out.
What would Captain Kalhoun do? He couldn’t think of an answer that he wasn’t already doing. He took a loaded crossbow from one of the wounded men whose sole job was to keep loading the weapons. He brought it up over the wall and followed a shape below. He squeezed the trigger and tossed it in a small pile next to the wounded soldier who was cranking back the string and loading a bolt into it as fast as he could.
“Fireball!” the call went up again.
Grymm looked up to see the ball of flame coming down on his position.
“Heads up!” he screamed. He grabbed the wounded soldier and pulled him off of the wall and fell ten feet with him. The soldier landed on top of him knocking the wind from his lungs. The Corporal tried not to panic as he tried to get air into his lungs. The soldier on top of him was having the same sort of difficulty. Seeing spots on the edges of his vision, Grymm tried to get out from under the soldier.
Finally separated, Grymm concentrated on getting his lungs to work properly. He glanced up to see that the spot that the two of them had been standing was engulfed in flames. Grymm lay back and after a few more tries was finally able to draw a decent breath. He drew a few more before getting up
“Are you okay?” he asked the soldier.
The soldier, one of Galyway’s men nodded as he gulped in some air. “Thank you corporal.”
Grymm nodded.
“Let’s get that fire out!” he ordered. A few seconds’ later towns folk raced in with buckets of water.
Grymm quickly climbed a nearby ladder and surveyed what lay before him.
“Fireball!” the call went up again.
“Someone find and shoot that blood mage!” Grymm ordered.
“Watch out Corporal!” Someone slammed into him as fire engulfed both of them. Grymm rolled to the side and nearly off the platform again. There was still fire all around him. He wondered if he himself was on fire. He changed the direction of his roll and slapped at his body.
Cool buckets of water splashed down on him, one hitting him right in the face.
“Your face was on fire, Corporal a townsman explained.
Grymm began to panic. His face? He reached up and found chard bandages. He tore the bandages off and gently probed at his face. “Am I okay?” he asked a boy running up the stairs with a bucket of water.
“You’re a bit singed, sir.” The boy shrugged and went on his way.
Grymm got to his feet and ducked as a fireball exploded twenty paces away.
“Find that blood mage!” Grymm ordered.
“Corporal.” Dyrk called. “Corporal.”
Grymm spun and glared at the cavalryman. “Where is the Captain?”
“He’s on the South wall, Grymm. This is a diversion. They are getting hit hard over there.”
“This is the diversion?”
Dyrk nodded. “They’ve pulled reinforcements from the East and West walls. We’re on our own. The Captain said that you would be able to handle it.”
Grymm stood dumbfounded for a moment as that processed. He snapped out of it when an arrow bounced off of a breast plated soldier nearby. “Grab a crossbow or long bow and try to get rid of that blood mage.”
“Yes, Sir.” Dyrk nodded understanding and grabbed a nearby crossbow.

--o0o–

::The elves are attacking!:: So’ryn broke into Rikki’s thoughts.
The Captain stopped mid-stride in the hall of the inn. ::Where?::
::North and South walls.:: So’ryn explained. ::The North wall looks to be a diversion.::
Rikki spun towards Kama Takar. “The elves are attacking Lyonsgate. Get the Princess to the private dinning room.” He ordered the Mul. “Takar, protect them with your life.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rikki spun and raced down the stairs to the common room.
“Captain!” Annyka greeted wide eyed with fear. “The elves are attacking.”
‘I know. Help Takar move the Princess to the dining room in the back.”
Annyka nodded and raced up the stairs.
Rikki scanned the room and found Adiah sipping some wine absorbed in thought. “Adiah!” Rikki called. Startled, the Princess snapped her eyes to his. “Go into the private dinning room. Tonya and Annyka will join you in there.
The Trunonian Princess nodded and grabbed her drink. Rikki didn’t wait to see if she followed his orders. He raced out of the inn and looked to the North wall as well as the South wall.
“Captain!” Dyrk called breathless as he raced towards him. “Captain, Corporal Grymm sent me to fetch you, the North wall is being attacked by elves.”
“It’s a diversion, inform Corporal Grymm that I have every confidence in his ability to repel the elves. I am needed on the South wall.”
“Sir?”
“Grymm is in charge of the North wall.”
Rikki turned and raced down the street, holding his saber so that it didn’t bounce or catch on anything or anyone.
:: Looks to be a little more than one hundred of them.:: So’ryn detailed.
::That is all?:: Rikki questioned. ::Do they not realize that we have four Princesses in here?::
::I’m sure that they must, but that is all that is out here.::
::Could this be a double diversion?::
::They are elves. Of course it could be.::
::Where is Dobry?::
::West wall.::
::Have him send the South wall reinforcements, but have him stay there in case it is another diversionary.::
::He wants to be where the fighting is.:: So’ryn stated.
::Ask him to hold. I’ll take the South wall. Where is Galyway?::
::Markys is already on the South wall.::
::Takoda?:: Rikki inquired.
::Sober and with Captain Dobry on the West wall.::
Rikki could see manic movement on the South wall as men fired arrows and tried to push back scaling ladders.
“Fire ball!” a soldier warned.
Rikki looked up to see a ball of flame come down over the wall and explode against a building. Town’s people ran forward with buckets and quickly put out the flames.
Rikki quickly climbed a ladder and scanned the battle field before them. An arrow whizzed by practically unnoticed. So’ryn was right, close to one hundred and fifty elves were in various stages of waging an attack on this wall.
A bright flash of violet light lanced out of the sky quickly followed by a deafening boom. Rikki was horrified to see one of Captain Dobry’s heavily armored men cooked inside his armor.
The Captain looked up into the night sky to see that it was cloudless. The lightening had to have been called down by a blood mage.
“Get some fire arrows out as far as you can. We need to see that blood mage.” Captain Kalhoun directed.
::Where are you, So’ryn?:: Rikki asked.
::Circling around behind the elves.::
::You’re outside the walls?::
::I have several of my Horse Lords out here, some scouting, some looking for and scattering elf mounts.::
A second bolt of lightening lanced out of the sky hitting the timbered wall, but still throwing three men three or more paces onto their backs.
“Captain, we’ve got the arrows out as far as we can.” One of Skot’s archers informed him. Rikki squinted through the night at the small flames and looked for silhouettes near any of them that could have been a blood mage.
Rikki grabbed a crossbow and quickly wrapped oil soaked rags around the bolt’s head. He then aimed and fired.
The bolt skittered out of sight in the grass. “Damn!” Rikki swore. “Take this and keep firing bolts out as far as you can. We’ve got to see if we can find that blasted blood mage.” Rikki thrust the crossbow at the archer and dodged wove his way down the walk way. He grabbed a few more crossbows and thrust them at men along the wall and instructed them in what he wanted.
A slight pressure squeezed gently at his brain. It was more of a nuisance than painful. ::Was that you?:: Rikki asked So’ryn.
::I just sonic blasted some elves.:: I think one might have been a blood mage, but he took off before I could tell.::
When Rikki surveyed the battle field again, he could see small grass fires out at the approximate range of the crossbows.
Lightening began to stab at the walled town more frequently. It didn’t seem to be as focused as it was before. It began striking buildings in the town as often as it hit the wall. A few even struck in front of the wall; one even killed two elves with one strike.
::I think you might have moved him nearly to the limits of his range. The lightening is still coming, but it’s not targeting.::
Rikki saw a blur moving at him. He ducked his head just as an arrow clanged against his helm. The Captain picked up a loaded crossbow and shot down into some tall grass two hundred paces way. A dark body rolled to one side clasping its side. Rikki smiled as he watched the wounded elf stagger off into the night.
“They’re breaking!” Sergeant Galyway bellowed. “They’re breaking!”
Rikki looked down to find discarded scaling ladders and dead elves laying about. Here and there an elf was crawling or limping away. “Watch for another wave!” he ordered.
“Watch for another wave!” Galyway echoed down the line.
::I don’t sense or see any more out here.:: So’ryn stated.
::None?::
::I’m circling around to the East to see if there might be any over there.::
“Re arm your crossbows and be at ready.” Captain Kalhoun ordered. “Those who need to seek medical attention may leave your post.”
No one moved.
Rikki looked down the line to see a few shoulder wounds or bleeding scalps. “Symon go get that cut looked at. It looks like it needs stitches.”
Symon wiped blood away from his forehead and sighed. “Yes Captain.”
“You too, soldier.” Rikki tapped a Lyonsgate soldier on the shoulder.

--o0o–

Once the main battle was over, Grymm saw to the men who needed medical attention. Some wounded in the elven ambush a few days earlier had wounds that reopened during the squirmish. Brother Tagyrt along with a few healers from Lyonsgate were on hand to escort the men back to the infirmary to be tended to.
“Are you coming, Corporal?” a voice asked. Grymm looked up to see a young woman with short hair and trousers.
“I should probably stay here and make sure everything is cleaned up and ready for another attack” Grymm explained.
“The scouts will alert us if there is another attack. You’ll have plenty of time to return. You should get your face looked at.”
“Is it bleeding again?” Grymm reached up to probe it with fingers.
“A little. It should be cleaned and checked out. It’s too dark here.”
“You’re the midwife’s apprentice, aren’t you?”
Melana nodded. “Mistress Gemma sent me to bring you to her.” Melana explained. “She wants to check on your wounds.”
“Johnack.” Grymm called up to the cavalryman.
“Yes Corporal?”
“I’ve been summoned to the infirmary. Please notify me if the scouts detect anything.”
“You’ve got it Grymm.” Johnack nodded.
Grymm followed the apprentice to the infirmary. Several men with arrow wounds and burns from fire balls waited there turn on barrels and crates to be seen by the healers.
Mistress Gemma came out of the infirmary and spotted Grymm and Melana. “Have a seat Corporal, I’ll be with you as soon as I get this arrow out of this soldier’s leg.”
“I can come back later.” Grymm turned to leave.
“Nonsense, Corporal. Take a seat.” It was an order.
Grymm sat down and avoided the other men’s eyes. They were hurt. He just had a messy face.
“I’ve got to go.” Melana excused her self.
Grymm glanced around at the other men; some sweating and clenching their teeth against the pain of arrows sticking in their bodies. Grymm forced his way into the barracks next door and emerged with bed sheet that he was tearing into strips.
“What are you doing, Corporal?” One of the men inquired.
“I can’t just wait here while you are all in pain and bleeding.” Grymm stated. “I’ve got to do something.”
“I’ll tear, Corporal.” One of the soldiers with a badly burned leg offered. Grymm nodded and accepted several of the torn strips from him. He began tying bandages around arrow wounds, trying to slow some of the bleeding. The burns he left alone. Grymm felt the men’s eyes on him. They were all wordless and silent as their eyes stared openly at his face.
“Thanks Corporal.” One of the men smiled.
Grymm just nodded.
“Okay Grymm.” Gemma called from a doorway.
“These men are more seriously injured than I am.” Grymm protested.
“I know, and they will be seen shortly, but I want to see you.” Gemma demanded.
Grymm looked around at the soldiers who were watching him or avoiding him. “I’m sorry guys.”
Gemma led him down a hall and into a very brightly lit room. The Corporal had to squint against the brightness.
“Have a seat, dear.” Gemma’s voice softened. She brought a bowl of steaming liquid and several cloths which she set on a table next to him.
“You called me?” Monyka asked entering the room. She spotted Grymm and immediately looked away a mask of stone sliding into place.
“Yes dear. I need your help cleaning up the Corporal.” Gemma seemed not to notice Monyka’s discomfort. Gemma dipped a rag into the hot water which smelled of herbs and very lightly dabbed at Grymm’s face.
“See how light I’m touching him?” Gemma asked.
“Yes.”
“Good, you do it.” Gemma handed the rag over to Monyka.
Under the guide of Gemma, Monyka lightly dabbed at his face. The princess’s assistant refused to make eye contact with him. He felt like a piece of meat that she was seasoning.
“Lighter.” Gemma cautioned. “Good.” The midwife stood back and studied both his face and Monyka’s ministrations.
Grymm sighed, softly letting the air out and trying to hold still as Monyka concentrated at what she was doing.
“Good.” Gemma nodded. “Verry light. “Now take some cool water and lightly work on the burned part.
“Did I burn my face too?” Grymm asked.
Monyka ignored the question.
“It’s not bad.” The midwife smiled. “It’ll be red, and raw for a week or so, but you’ll heal so that it doesn’t even show. Of course your eyebrow may take a little longer to grow back.
“My eyebrow is gone?” Grymm inquired.
“And some of your hair along your hairline.” Gemma nodded. “That is what happens when you get in fight with a fireball.”
Grymm was starting to wonder just what he looked like.
“Okay dear, that will be all. Could you go help Melana with some of the others?”
Monyka let out a long slow sigh and nearly ran from the room.
“Am I that hideous?” Grymm asked when she had left.
Gemma measured him for a moment. “It isn’t pretty.” She finally stated. “Monyka is having a hard time. She feels very bad about what happened.”
“Why did you make her clean this. . . this mess.” Grymm indicated to his face.
“She needs to atone for what happened.” Gemma picked up the bloodied cloth and tossed it in a basket and dampened a new one. She wet a new one and held it to his face for a long moment.
“It looks like you have use of your eye.” She smiled at Grymm.
The cavalryman tried to nod.
“I should bandage this back up, but I think that you will have removed it by morning.”
“Probably.” Grymm agreed.
Gemma poured out the water and pulled a hand mirror out of a drawer. “Before I give this to you, I want you to understand that it will take time to heal some of this and although you will carry these scars with you for the rest of your life. A lot of this will heal.”
“Grymm nodded. His heart fluttered in his stomach. He hadn’t seen his face since the accident. All that he had to go on was how others looked at him which hadn’t been too positive.
Gemma handed him the mirror, stepped back and waited.
Grymm took a deep breath and raised the mirror. One side of his face was red, raw and the hair scorched. The other he didn’t recognize. Four deep slashed ran from his hairline to his chin. One crossed his eyelid and cut through a nostril. Two tore through his upper lip. One gaped wide enough to show two teeth even though his mouth was closed. The whole side of his face was puffy, red and oozing around neat rows of stitches.
The Corporal slowly let out the breath that he was holding. A flap of his lip between the two slashes, moved slightly with the escaping air. “For the love of the three, no wonder people were staring at me.” He watched his face as he spoke. The ravaged side of his face barely moved causing his slurred speech. He looked up at Gemma. “Please bandage it.” He closed his eyes to the mirror and handed it back to her.
“Before I do, I’d like to re do the stitches that have popped and do a little more healing on it.” Gemma pleaded.
“What good will it do?” Grymm muttered. “I’m uglier than Sergeant Takoda.”
Gemma pulled a chair over and sat next to Grymm. “Grymm,” She began. “I have some gift in sorcerer abilities which I use to heal. I have used it to accelerate some of your healing already, but I must ask your permission to use any more. I have to ask because I have to use some of your body’s energy to do the healing.”
“What good will it do?” Grymm shook his head.
“It can reduce some of the scarring, and if you’ll let me, I can fix that split lip.”
“Using sorcery?”
Gemma nodded. “I don’t tell many people about my gift, people tend to misunderstand its use.”
“Will it hurt?” Grymm asked.
Gemma nodded. “Because of what I have to do, it will. I will try and block some of the pain. Though.”
Grymm was silent for a moment then nodded.
Gemma gave his knee a squeeze. “I’m going to ask Monyka to assist me.”
“What?” Grymm went on guard again.
“I don’t have the power alone to accomplish what needs to be done, but with Monyka’s help I can get it so that you can eat normally and maybe even talk normally again.”
“Do you have to use Monyka?”
Gemma nodded.
Grymm closed his eyes and thought about it for a moment before nodding assent.
Gemma disappeared for a few moments and came back holding Monyka’s hand. Monyka avoided his eyes. “I want you to lay down on that cot, dear.” She instructed Grymm. She turned to Monyka. “I want you to open your flow to me and direct your gift through me.”
Grymm closed his eyes and prepared himself as Gemma and Monyka hovered over him.

--o0o–
The Riponian Captain, covered in soot, mud and battle sweat took one last drink of a pro offered wine skin. The elves who hadn’t been killed in the battle took off running or snuck off during the fight. The men on the walls waited on edge for over an hour before the Riponian Captain decided to relax the watch. Seriously wounded or dead had already been removed. Only three had been killed. All three were Lyonsgate men. One had been fried in his armor by a lightening bolt. One took an arrow through the eye, the third was unlucky enough to have been in swinging distance of a sword as an elf on a scaling ladder.
“Skot, can you keep order here?” Rikki asked.
Skot nodded.
“Markys can you head over and check on Grymm? See how he fared with the diversion?”
“I’m sure he did just fine. Other wise we’d have heard something.” Markys stated.
“I know, but I’m sure he’d feel better having a senior officer check on him.”
Markys nodded and started off.
Rikki grabbed a bucket of water and splashed it over his head. He scrubbed his hands over his face and shook the water from his hair before heading into the town.
It wasn’t long before he found the temple to the three Gods. He entered and went through the ceremony before each carved interpretation lightening a candle and thanking each in turn for the safety of the Princess and his men and asked for guidance and protection on their way to Malden.
The Captain left a few silvers in the collection box and went back out into the dark, damp, night air.
Rikki trudged slowly through the muddy street. ::Do you think they will attack in mass at dawn?:: he questioned So’ryn.
::Your guess is as good as mine. I would have thought that they would have already. The scouts I have out right now say that there isn’t any more signs of elves.::
::I have got to get some sleep so that we can get out of here in the morning.::
::That makes two of us.:: So’ryn sighed. ::My scouts will wake me if anything changes.::
Exhausted, Rikki made his way back to the inn where his stuff was being stored. He washed as much blood, soot and grime from his face as he could. He leaned his saber against the wall next to the bed and collapsed. Sunrise was only a few hours away and he would need to leave this lonely outpost and attempt to get not one, not two, but four princesses to safety through hostile lands controlled by blood mages and suicidal fighters.
A knock sounded on the door. Rikki groaned before bidding the person to enter.
Brother Tagyrt opened the door. “Captain?”
“Yes, Brother Tagyrt?”
“I um. . . I just wanted to stop by and . . . well. . . Inform you that Ambassador Zareb. . . .Ambassador Zareb has gone to the embrace of the Gods.”
A long silence stood between the two men.
“Thank you, Tagyrt.” Rikki sighed heavily. “We will be leaving here at dawn, be sure to be ready.”
Brother Tagyrt stood there digesting the information for a moment. “Um. . . Okay.” The healer exited the room closing the door behind him.
Rikki lay back down and closed his eyes.