Warbringer - Chapter 11
Standing on the banks of the Illmoor, Erika wondered if she had ever experienced such a bittersweet moment...
★★★★★ "Great start to a new series! Interesting characters and a unique storyline set in a world that begs to be explored or in this case survived. Definitely worth checking out!"
Centuries ago, the world fell.
From the ashes rose a terrible new species—the Tangata.
Now they wage war against the kingdoms of man. And humanity is losing.
Recruited straight from his academy, twenty-year-old Lukys hopes the frontier will make a soldier out of him. But Tangata are massing in the south, and the allied armies are desperate. They will do anything to halt the enemy advance—including sending untrained men and women into battle. Determined to survive, Lukys seeks aid from the only man who seems to care: Romaine, the last warrior of an extinct kingdom.
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Standing on the banks of the Illmoor, Erika wondered if she had ever experienced such a bittersweet moment. Somehow, they had made it. Despite signs of the Tangata all through the forest, despite Romaine’s injuries and their treacherous prisoner in tow, they had reached the border of Flumeer.
There had been no sign of the other Perfugians on the way but…Erika had little hope any still survived.
No, all that left to be seen now was whether the cursed general would send the ship.
Lukys stood alongside her, a red flag hanging from his spear tip, waving in what she presumed was some predetermined signal for the watchers on the other side. They weren’t at the rendezvous point and were a day late, but with forts placed at regular intervals along the Illmoor and regular patrols on the opposite banks, surely someone would spot them.
Thankfully the day was clear, and though the light was fading fast, Erika could just make out the distant shapes on the opposite banks. So close, even a simple rowboat would have been enough to carry them safely across. But all such vessels had been taken or destroyed long ago, when northern Calafe had been evacuated.
So far, there’d been no visible response. She flashed a nervous glance at the trees. In the forest, she’d at least felt protected, concealed by the dense vegetation. It didn’t feel safe, standing out here on the riverbanks, exposed. She wondered if that was the Calafe in her.
No, Erika had left that part of herself behind long ago. This past week had proven it. These endless forests, the jagged mountains—they were no longer her home. Perhaps they never had been, though many times as an adolescent, she’d longed to return.
Facing the waters once more, another realisation struck her. Despite its vast wealth and luxuries, despite all her work to climb the echelons of its society, Flumeer was not her home either.
So where did that leave her?
“What was that?” Lukys gasped beside her.
Blinking, Erika looked from him then back to the distant banks. Light flashed, once, twice, three times. From such a distance, it was difficult to identify the source, but she thought there might be something…
“Three means yes!” Lukys exclaimed, dragging her into a hug in his excitement. After his sombre mood of the last few days, she was surprised to see his sudden levity. “We’re almost saved!”
Erika swallowed, wishing she could share in his joy. So close to salvation, and yet Flumeer offered her no true freedom. The queen’s words rang in her mind, their threat, and Erika suppressed a shudder.
For the first time in weeks, she thought again of the stranger that had accosted her camp, to the offer from the King of Gemaho. She still had the map. There were other sites that had not yet been explored, even…even that remote site in the Mountains of the Gods.
But could she trust the Gemaho, after what they’d done?
Did she have a choice?
Movement came from the shadows as Lukys waved to the others. Cara appeared first, struggling to walk with her bindings, followed by Dale, then Romaine bringing up the rear. The axeman seemed to have stirred from his grief now, though he still walked with his head down, bandaged arm clutched to his chest. No doubt it would take time for him to come to terms with the injury.
So few.
A shiver ran down Erika’s spine at the thought, and guilt twisted at her heart. So many souls lost, all because of her ambition.
No, because of her! She thought, glaring at Cara.
Her anger flared, though it was short-lived. Treachery might have brought about the failure of her expedition, but it had always been madness to come here. The Perfugians deserved better than what the general had given them, than where she’d led them.
“They’re out there, Archivist,” Lukys said beside her, as though reading her mind. His eyes were on the trees.
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Erika whispered.
She started as a bugle cry carried across the Illmoor. Hairs stood up on the back of her neck and she swung back towards the water, wondering why the Flumeerens would sound a horn. If there were any Tangata in the area, it was bound to draw their attention.
Her heart lurched in sudden understanding, and she spun to face the trees. Shapes darted amongst the shadows, then the Tangata emerged, one by one, until five stood at the edge of the forest. They did not move to attack immediately, though the grey eyes watched the humans with terrifying intensity.
No, they’re not watching us! Erika realised, following their gaze to where Cara stood bound.
Romaine and Dale were already pushing the girl to the ground and fastening her bindings. Then they strode forward to join them, though the Calafe would surely struggle to wield his axe with one hand. And that was if he could ignore the pain from his severed hand.
Catching movement from the corner of her eye, she swung back as one of the beasts suddenly rushed them. Instinctively, Erika’s arm came up, the magic spilling from her palm, lighting the growing darkness. The Tangata staggered as the light fell upon it, its headward rush faltering. A scream echoed in the twilight as it collapsed, thrashing against the damp ground.
“Kill it!” Erika screamed as another leapt towards her, forcing her to divert the magic.
Too late, Lukys and Dale responded. Lifting shields and spears, they charged the fallen creature. Snarling, the beast clambered to its feet and leapt away, carrying it out of range of Erika’s magic. The second had only made a feint, coming close enough to draw her attention, but not enough to suffer from her power.
Erika cursed beneath her breath. Even after all these weeks, she didn’t know enough about the gauntlet—how far its magic stretched, how long it took to kill. She should have tested it long ago, despite its potentially fatal effects.
Lukys and Dale joined shields and extended their spears, then moved between Erika and the Tangata. It was a brave gesture, though futile—without her magic, they couldn’t hope to resist the creature’s strength. Heart pounding, she stepped forward so she stood beside them. Romaine joined on their other side a moment later.
“I’ll do my best to keep them back,” she whispered, “if you can kill the ones that drop…”
The Tangata watched them from across the clearing. Erika’s magic seemed to give them doubt, though that could not hold them back long. If they attacked all at once, she and the two recruits would be overwhelmed. Maybe if…
Screaming their rage, the Tangata rushed them. They moved with a deadly grace, seeming to slide across the earth rather than run, though even amidst her terror, Erika noted they were far slower than the creatures they had awakened beneath the earth. What about the passage of time had so weakened them, made them more…human?
Then the beasts were upon them, and there was no more time to think. Raising her gauntlet, Erika drew on its power and swung her hand in an arc. A brief touch would not be enough to seriously harm any one of them, but she hoped to at least slow them for the soldiers to fight.
Her hunch was proven correct, as each of the beasts reeled beneath the magic light, momentarily stunned. Seeing their opening, Lukys and Dale roared and leapt forward as one, targeting the beast at the centre of the Tangata line. Their spears flashed out, catching their foe in the chest and throat just as it recovered.
Shock showed on the beast’s face, and snarling, it reached for the spears that had impaled it. But Lukys and Dale were already retreating, dragging back their weapons and presenting their shields to the enemy. The injured Tangata made to follow, but only managed a step before blood loss dragged it down. The remaining four retreated out of range of Erika’s magic, their movements cautious now.
“If we could do that four more times…” Lukys said lightly, though he did not smile and his eyes did not leave the remaining creatures.
“Time to trade Cara for our lives, you think?” Dale asked.
“No,” Lukys said.
Erika might have argued, but at that moment the Tangata attacked again. This time two angled directly for her, moving with terrifying speed. She had only enough time to direct her magic against one of the beasts. It collapsed with a scream of agony, while the other kept on, eyes locked on Erika, fingers raised to tear out her throat…
Dale and Lukys leapt between her and the beast, and a sharp thunk followed as it struck their raised shields. A groan came from Lukys as he staggered back, but Dale remained standing, and with a thrust of his shield he threw the beast back. Straightening, Lukys lanced out with his spear, catching the Tangata a blow to the hip.
Howling, the beast retreated, blood running down its side. Screams came from its companion, still pinned by Erika’s magic, but Dale silenced them with a thrust of his spear.
A cry from their left reminded Erika of the remaining Tangata. Gasping, she swung the gauntlet towards the sound. Fatigue struck her as she summoned the magic once more, and she staggered, but thankfully the threat had passed for the moment.
Romaine crouched nearby, shoulders heaving, great axe buried in the chest of a dead Tangata. The second was retreating with its fellow, a knife embedded in its shoulder. Shocked, Erika stood gaping at the Calafe warrior, unable to believe her eyes. Injured and alone, he had fought off two of the Tangata?
Then she saw the blood seeping through his shirt, and knew the skirmish had not been without cost.
A thunk came from nearby as something hard struck the ground. Lukys still stood beside Dale, eyes on the remaining Tangata, but he had let his shield fall. She saw with shock it had been split in two by the last attack. Ignoring the loss, Lukys took a two-handed grip on his spear, then shared a glance with Dale. The second recruit tossed aside his spear and gripping his shield, stepped up beside Lukys.
“Romaine, get back to the shore,” Lukys hissed as the recruits moved to put themselves between the axeman and the remaining Tangata.
Erika followed them, though her vision swam with the movement. Her eyes were drawn to the gauntlet, and she saw now how its glow had dimmed. She’d used too much of its magic, too quickly. Again she cursed her lack of experience. Would it kill her, drain all her strength, if she continued using it?
Coming to a stop alongside the axeman, Erika fought to clear her mind, to bring back the magic. The gauntlet brightened somewhat. She prayed it would be enough. Beside her, she could hear the rattling of the axeman’s breath. She didn’t need to look beneath his shirt to know the injury was bad.
“Can you walk, Calafe?” she hissed, eyes still on the Tangata.
A groan whispered from the axeman, then movement came from alongside her as he staggered to his feet. Somehow he had managed to drag his axe from the Tangata corpse, though he didn’t seem to be strong enough to lift it any higher. Blood dripped from the steel tips.
“Must…fight,” he rasped.
“Get to the riverbank, soldier,” Erika snapped, flashing him a glare.
Romaine grunted. “Don’t take…orders…from you.”
“By The Fall, you’re stubborn,” Erika gasped. She grabbed him by the arm and shook him. “But by the blood of my father, your Gods-cursed king, you will obey!”
“Your…father?” the warrior mumbled. His eyes were bloodshot, face growing pale. He swayed on his feet, managing to look confused. “That’s…what?”
“Let’s discuss it over tea sometime, shall we?” she snapped. “Go!”
Finally, miraculously, he obeyed. Erika watched him as he staggered away, and couldn’t help but think how like her father the man was—or perhaps it was all Calafe men. Stubborn, proud to a fault. Determined to stand their ground no matter the cost. Maybe if her father hadn’t been so foolish, he might have survived, might have returned from that disastrous southern campaign…
She shook herself, returning attention to the Tangata pair. What did it matter to her? Erika’s mother had only ever been the man’s courtesan. They would have been sent away eventually, regardless. His death had only hastened their fall from grace.
“You okay, Archivist?” Lukys said, glancing over his shoulder. “Don’t think we can defeat these two without your magic.”
“Thought you were superstitious, soldier?” she snapped.
Regardless, she looked again at the gauntlet. Its light had died again, and silently she ignited its glow, then stepped up on Dale’s other side. Somehow, he would have to protect them both with his broken shield. A low growl sounded from across the clearing as the Tangata approached again, slowly now, testing their own resolve. They flinched as she raised her gauntlet, eyes drawn to the device, but they did not stop.
Then their foes split apart, one sliding to their left, the other two the right. Erika shared a glance with the two recruits.
“You take the one to the left,” she whispered.
Lukys and Dale nodded and she turned away, attention focused on her enemy, the female of the pair. She clenched her fist and was satisfied to see the light grow brighter. A smile touched her face. It seemed at least some of her energy was returning. Lengthening her stance, she beckoned the creature forward.
Smiling back, it raised a fist.
Too late, Erika noticed the rock it held. Snarling, it hurled the projectile at her head. Instinctively, Erika raised her spare hand. A sharp crack followed as the rock struck her wrist and a scream tore from her lips. Red flashed across her vision and the magic died. She staggered back, and for a moment, pain washed away all thought, all reason.
Her senses returned.
Fighting through the pain, Erika forced her eyes open, just in time to see the Tangata leap. Adrenaline swept through her as she raised the gauntlet. Light burned in the gloom and a bloodcurdling scream rent the air as her magic struck the beast.
But the Tangata was already airborne, and though her power drained it of reason, she could not avoid the blow it struck as they collided. The weight of its impact drove the breath from her lungs and toppled them both into the mud.
The magic flickered out again.
Howls came from alongside Erika as the Tangata thrashed, free of her magic’s grasp but momentarily disorientated. Its fingers reached for her, trying to stop Erika from summoning the power again.
Gasping, yet unable to inhale more than a whisper, Erika scrambled away. Her vision spun and pain seared up her broken arm, threatening to steal away her consciousness. Cries seemed to come from all around her, but she could no longer tell which direction was the forest, which was the river.
Air brushed against her neck and instinctively Erika threw herself to the side. A boot slammed into the mud where she had lain and she clambered backwards, staring up at the Tangata. Red streaked its eyes and its face twisted as it started towards her again, yellowed teeth bared.
Erika screamed and opened her fist, directing everything she had left at the beast. Its shriek mirrored her own as the power struck. The Tangata staggered back, clutching its ears, shaking its head in violent convolutions, as though something horrible were trying to drill through its skull.
Erika did not relent. Pushing herself to her knees, she kept the gauntlet poised, bathing her foe in its ghostly light, until finally the Tangata collapsed and lay still.
Gasping for breath, she sat back on her haunches and looked around, expecting to see the final Tangata approaching. Instead, she was shocked to find Lukys and Dale still standing, though the beast they faced had retreated once more, apparently deciding it could not face the three of them.
“The ship!”
A cry came from Romaine behind them, and Erika spun to see the white sails of a ship rearing overhead. A thud came from the riverbank as a plank slammed into the earth. Soldiers stood at the railings, shields and spears at the ready. Her heart soared to see them.
But they did not advance.
Erika frowned as she realised they were not coming to their aid. The soldiers were only going to defend the vessel. If those on the shore wanted rescuing, they would need to reach the ship themselves.
Following her orders, Romaine was already staggering towards the ship, Cara somehow swung over one shoulder. But the ship had landed some thirty yards downriver. They needed time, needed to ensure that the last Tangata did not pick them off as they retreated.
Heart pounding, Erika came to her feet and faced the beast. Dale and Lukys still stood strong, but the two were little more than boys. They wouldn’t even be here, fighting for their lives, if not for her.
Light ignited in the palm of her hand.
“Get to the ship,” she said softly. “I’ll hold it off.”
Blood pounded in Lukys’s skull as he watched the last Tangata. He still couldn’t believe they were alive, that they had managed to defeat four of the things. Sure, the Archivist’s magic had helped, but still…
He risked a glance over his shoulder. Romaine was staggering towards the ship, but his injuries and Cara’s struggling hampered him. Lukys glimpsed the desperation in her eyes as she looked at the last Tangata. He shook his head—how had he ever thought of her as a friend?
“Get to the ship,” the Archivist said suddenly, striding past them. “I’ll hold it off.”
“What?” Lukys asked, swinging on her. “Not a chance, Erika. We stand against it together.”
“Together,” Dale agreed, joining them.
Death, death, death.
The Tangata’s eyes narrowed as it looked past them to where Romaine was nearing the ship. Lukys could see the longing in its eyes. For whatever reason, these creatures wanted Cara back. Well, they couldn’t have her. She would answer for her crimes against humanity.
A growl came from their foe as it started towards them. Lukys realised it was trying to put the two recruits between itself and the Archivist’s magic. He stepped sideward to join with Dale, while Erika shifted to the right so that they stood apart. Whether the Tangata attacked Dale and Lukys, or the Archivist, it would be exposing its back to someone.
Lukys didn’t allow it the chance.
“Now!” he hissed.
Dale responded immediately, and they surged forward together. Lukys aimed his spear for the creature’s chest, hoping to run it through. The Tangata were hardy and such a wound might not prove fatal, but it would at least slow the beast long enough for them to escape.
A rumble came from the Tangata as it leapt to meet them. Apparently, it had no misgivings about tackling two humans—it was the Archivist’s magic it feared. Its hands snatched for the spear and almost caught it, forcing Lukys to retreat half a step. Snarling, it chased after him, but Dale blocked its path, thrusting out with the steel brim of his shield.
The blow connected with the Tangata’s forehead, staggering it for a brief second, and Lukys attacked again, this time aiming for its throat. At the last second it twisted, avoiding the blow, though the spear tip still scored a mark on its arm.
Its hand swept down again, and this time it managed to catch the haft of Lukys’s spear. Before he could react, the Tangata pushed back, driving the butt of the spear hard into his chest. Breath exploded between his teeth and Lukys felt something go crack. He stumbled, struggling to keep his feet, even as the spear slipped from his fingers.
Looking up, he saw the Tangata leap—then Dale was there, shield slamming into the creature and hurling it aside.
Death, death, death.
Dale leapt back as the beast swung on him. A smile spread across its lips as it saw he was unarmed. Snarling, it started towards him.
Pain radiating from his chest, Lukys wanted nothing more than to lie down and surrender to the release of oblivion. But the thunk of flesh striking wood drew him back to his feet. Dale was retreating from the beast’s fury, his shield now splintered and broken, useless. A sound like laughter came from the Tangata as it advanced.
Seeing his spear lying nearby, Lukys swept it up and followed them. But the pain from his chest slowed him and he couldn’t keep a moan from escaping his lips. The creature swung at the noise, eyes widening to see him back on his feet. Then the smile returned and it drew itself up, preparing to spring…
…and collapsed to the ground as the Archivist finally managed to unleash her magic.
Face gaunt, glowing hand extended towards the creature, she advanced past Dale. A tremor shook her, then a second. Realising she was close to collapse, Lukys staggered forward and drove his spear through the creature’s chest.
Silence.
Unable to believe they had truly won, Lukys stood gasping for breath, spear still clutched tight. Staring at the dead thing at his feet, he found himself unable to look away. With its eyes closed, the thing could have been human, might have been a young man little older than Lukys.
If he had not been cursed by the Gods.
Finally Lukys tore himself away. Dale had slumped to the ground nearby, face pale as he sucked in great lungfuls of air, though he seemed unharmed. The Archivist met his gaze and offered a nod, her face grim. They had won—but what did it matter, when so many others had been lost?
Stop, stop, stop.
Silence had fallen over the riverbank, and looking back at the Illmoor, he saw that Romaine had made it onboard with Cara. Despite their victory, his heart sank. They had succeeded, but he still could not shake his sadness. They would have to hand Cara over to the general. It just didn’t seem…right.
“Lukys!”
His gaze was drawn back to the ship as a voice carried to them on the breeze. He frowned. Why…were the soldiers pulling up the gangplank? The danger had passed, hadn’t it?
Spinning towards the forest, Lukys watched in horror as more Tangata emerged from the trees. Dozens at least—more even, as he glimpsed movement further into the shadows. The hope that had swelled his chest evaporated. An army. Too many to fight, even with the soldiers on the ship.
The creatures advanced in a line, and now he could see the fury in their eyes as they watched the escaping vessel. Aboard the ship, Romaine stood at the railings, his face contorted with grief. Tightening his grip on the spear, Lukys offered the axeman a final nod.
Then he turned to face the Tangata.
Movement came from nearby as Dale and Erika joined him. The Perfugian had reclaimed his spear, but without a shield between them, and exhausted as they were, they stood no chance.
Not that they ever had, against what marched towards them.
Only the Gods could save them now.
Romaine staggered up the gangway, forcing Cara before him, his breath coming in painful gasps. The Tangata had struck him hard enough to break bones and he could taste blood in his mouth. Liquid burned in his chest, dragging at his strength, adding to the agony of his arm. He continued on, though he could not have said why.
Hadn’t he wanted to die?
Reaching the deck of the ship, he stepped from the gangplank and almost crashed to the floor. As it was, he fell to one knee, desperately straining for a breath he could not quite find. Men shifted around him, Flumeeren soldiers taking up positions along the railings. The vessel bobbed against the river currents, shifting in its berth…
Groaning, Romaine forced himself to his feet. Somehow he made it to the railing, but it was already too late. The ship was pulling away from the shore, though three figures still stood in the clearing, their shoulders slumped in exhaustion.
“What are you doing?” Romaine tried to shout, but the words came out more as a croak. He swung on the nearest soldier and grabbed desperately at his coat. “We can’t leave them.”
The man shook him off. “We don’t have a choice, Calafe,” he said. There was no anger in his voice. He only pointed back at the shore.
Still struggling to regain the breath he’d lost from speaking, Romaine followed the gesture. Despair wrapped its icy hands around his stomach as he saw the reason for the soldiers’ fear.
Tangata. More than had been seen in months. Several raced towards the ship, but when it became clear they would not catch it, they turned back, leaving the three lonely figures surrounded.
“No,” Romaine whispered.
Something died inside him as Lukys met his gaze from across the waters. The recruit gave a simple nod, then turned away, spear raised to the hoard.
No, no, no, not again!
Helpless, Romaine could hardly bear to watch as the Tangata closed on his stranded companions. But neither could he turn away. He owed them that much. Abandoned and left behind, the least he and the other soldiers could do was witness their final stand, to tell the world of their courage.
“No!” a voice screamed from amongst the ranks of soldiers.
Romaine spun at the sound, recognising Cara’s voice. Had she gotten free? His vision blurred at his sudden movement, but he forced himself to search the deck, determined she would not escape. Not after everything they’d been through to bring her to justice.
Two of the soldiers were trying to get a handle on his former friend, but even bound, Cara was proving to be a handful. Thrashing on the deck, she had somehow managed to dislodge her gag. Another scream tore from her throat as she kicked out with both feet, catching one of the soldiers in the chest and hurling him across the ship. Shouts came from others as they were struck by the falling man.
Agony wrapped its thorny tendrils around Romaine’s heart as he watched the woman struggle. Lukys had made them spare her, had said they would trade the traitor’s life for their own if it came to it. Instead, Lukys had sacrificed his own life to save this creature.
A tremor shook him as the familiar rage ignited in his chest. Reaching up with his good hand, he drew his axe. Despite the pain and exhaustion, the weapon felt right in his hand. He stepped towards where Cara still lay struggling. Another kick sent a second soldier flying. Someone should have done this long ago.
She froze when she saw him approaching, axe in hand, and her eyes widened.
“Are you going to kill me?” she whispered.
Romaine swallowed. Those eyes, that voice. Somehow, this young woman had found a place in his heart he’d thought long dead. Steeling himself, he clenched his fist tighter around the haft of his axe. Nausea wrapped around his stomach at the thought of what he must do, of plunging his terrible blade through her chest…
“No,” he croaked, opening his eyes. The axe slipped from his fingers, the twin points striking the deck and lodging in the timbers. He shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Then free me!” Cara shrieked, struggling to sit up. “I can save them!”
Romaine frowned at her words, unable to understand. “Save them?” he murmured.
“Please!” Cara gasped again, still struggling at her bonds. There was something about the way she lay that seemed wrong, the way her arms pressed against her back as she fought to free herself. “Oh please, quick, Romaine, if you ever cared for me at all, let me go!”
“Why?” Romaine whispered. Taking hold of the shaft of his axe, he dragged it from the timbers and stepped towards her. “What are you going to do?”
Amber eyes met his. “Trust me.”
For some reason, he did.
Falling to his knees, he turned her so she was facedown and carefully sliced the cords that bound her arms, then her legs. Dropping the axe, he stepped away, the last of his strength gone. Even as he watched her come to her feet, Romaine sensed he had made the wrong decision, doomed them all with his foolishness. Cara was Tangata. She would slaughter them all.
But what did he care?
Cara rose slowly, fists clenched, a growl building at the back of her throat. Around the ship, several soldiers retreated a step, though they did not know what it was they faced. Only Romaine knew the doom he had unleashed.
He did not flinch as the grey eyes met his. The terrible rage of the Tangata stood amongst them, but he was past caring. Let her slaughter them all—
Cara winked.
What?
Before he could react, she was sprinting towards him. Powerful legs sent her bounding across the deck, past soldiers and sailors, over the twisted ropes and canvas that had tripped her just a few short months before, when he’d first brought her to Flumeer. Romaine flinched, yet Cara’s eyes were fixed not on him but the distant shore. Tearing the heavy winter coat from her shoulders, she bounded onto the railing, and leapt…
…and flew!
Romaine froze where he stood, unable to believe what he was seeing. Out across the waters, great wings spread from Cara’s back, auburn feathers sweeping down, sending her soaring...upwards! It wasn’t possible, couldn’t be…
Suddenly everything clicked into place.
Cara had spoken the truth—she wasn’t Tangata.
She was a God!
Falling to his knees, Romaine watched the winged woman race through the sky. Sharp intakes of breath came from others as realisation struck them, then they too were falling to the wooden boards, struck down by awe—and terror. Had they truly tried to restrain one of the Divine, set hands upon a God?’ Prayers whispered across the decks, begging for forgiveness, for salvation.
Romaine could not tear his eyes away from his friend. The wings that had hidden beneath her coat for so long beat down again, stretching wide across the waters, ten, twenty, thirty feet. Each stroke sent her soaring upwards, higher and higher above the swirling waters, towards the distant riverbanks.
Romaine’s fear came rushing back as his eyes fell upon the shore, where Lukys and the others still stood surrounded. Thankfully, the Tangata had frozen at Cara’s appearance. There was a hunger in their eyes as they watched her approach, and Romaine remembered then how she had drawn the others’ attention. What did the Tangata want with one of the Gods?
Several of the creatures seemed to realise she was coming for the humans in their midst. Crying their fury, they rushed at Lukys and the others. Several went down as the Archivist’s gauntlet flashed, but there were too many even for her magic. She threw herself aside as a Tangata leapt, avoiding its outstretched fingers, then disappeared into the throng.
Lukys thrust out with his spear, trying to bring a creature down, but it batted aside the blow and swung on him. Romaine’s heart palpitated in his chest as the beasts closed on his friends. Without shields or room to manoeuvre, they didn’t stand a chance. His eyes returned to Cara, but not even the sight of her auburn wings slicing the sky could bring him hope. Even if she had the power to face so many Tangata, his friends would be slaughtered before she could reach them.
Cries came from the shore and he watched as first Dale, then Lukys, had the spears torn from their grasp. Before they could retreat, the Tangata were upon them. Romaine held his breath, waiting for the slaughter, but instead the beasts only caught the men and held them fast.
Nearby, a cluster of the creatures had gathered around where Erika had fallen, but now they suddenly leapt back. The Archivist struggled to her feet, light pulsing from her gauntlet as she directed it at any Tangata that grew close. Step by step, she retreated towards the river. The rattling laughter of the Tangata carried across the waters as they followed her. The creatures were toying with their prey.
Then with a scream and a flash of red and gold, Cara arrived. Descending from the heavens, she struck the Tangata with the fury of a storm. With fist and boot and wing, she hurled the creatures from their feet. The breath caught in Romaine’s throat as she fought her way towards his friends.
But few of those that Cara struck stayed down. With so many aligned against her, the Goddess had no time to strike mortal blows, and growling, the Tangata clambered back to their feet. As the fallen returned to the battle, their greater numbers pressed her back. Cries came from Cara as they grasped at her wings, tearing at the auburn feathers.
Ice formed in Romaine’s stomach as he realised why the Tangata had spared Lukys and the others. With the humans dead, Cara would have retreated, but so long as they lived…
Chaos descended upon the shores of the Illmoor as the Tangata besieged Cara, seeking to use their numbers to bring her down, to overwhelm her. But the Goddess refused to be caught. She moved through the beasts like a whirlwind, a wing sweeping out to strike one aside, a fist taking another in the chest, boot striking yet a third in the face as she bounded clear of the rest.
But there was no safe ground upon which to land. As she hovered, another of the Tangata leapt, colliding with her back and knocking the Goddess from the air. The breath caught in Romaine’s stomach as the Tangata converged on where she had fallen, but a second later Cara was back on her feet. Blood now streamed from a cut above her eye, and snarling, she tossed the creature that had downed her at her nearest foe, sending both crashing to the mud.
Despite himself, Romaine was impressed with how she fought. In the caverns, against those unspeakable creatures, she had been a wild animal, all untamed fury. Now, Cara fought with precision and control. That was all that kept her alive against the hordes.
Even so, it was clear the Goddess could not prevail alone, not against so many. She was already beginning to slow, her divine strength worn down by weight of numbers. Just like the soldiers of Flumeer, the Tangata worked together against her, attacking whenever her back was turned, launching themselves at her wings, her legs, seeking to drag her down.
Romaine’s heart beat faster as he realised the pattern of their attacks—they weren’t trying to kill her; they were trying to take her captive.
Why?
As he watched, Cara caught a blow to the chest. It sent her staggering back, and losing her footing, she sank to one knee. The Tangata were on her in a second, rushing in a group to attack together. But the wings she had hidden all this time snapped open, striking two hard enough to knock them from their feet. Cara surged into the gap, catching the third of her assailants by the throat. Before the others could come upon her, she hurled the beast face-first into the ground. This time the Tangata did not get back up.
But the others would not allow Cara to catch her breath. They pressed closer, robbing her of space to manoeuvre, to evade their blows. She staggered as more attacks caught her, but there was nowhere left to retreat.
Then a voice carried to Romaine’s ears from across the waters, a distant, feeble cry of desperation. A familiar voice.
“Cara, run!”
Romaine’s insides froze over as he found Lukys amidst the mob, still held fast by the Tangata. He still fought, struggling to break the creature’s hold, but there was no escaping the Tangata. His mouth opened wide as he cried out again.
“Please, save yourself!”
“No!”
Screaming, Cara laid into the creatures around her. They leapt back from her fury, apparently happy for the Goddess to expend her energy. In frustration, Cara charged them, trying to break through to the others, but she was flagging now. Hands grabbed at her wings, her arms, her legs. She fought them off, but still more came on. Step by step, she was forced back from the captives.
A shriek tore from Cara’s throat, and Romaine heard the despair in her cry. The Tangata retreated, expecting another assault, but with a whirl of feathers, Cara spun and hurled herself into the air. A beat of her wings carried her over the heads of the nearest Tangata, to where a diminutive figure lay forgotten. Before those nearby could react, Cara had the Archivist over her shoulder.
Too late the Tangata realised what was happening. They raced at her, howling their fury, but with a giant beat of her auburn wings, Cara hurtled skywards.
Kneeling on the deck of the ship, Romaine watched her come, his heart in a vice, the hope of a few moments before crumbling to ruin. He looked again at the riverbanks. The Tangata dragged Lukys and Dale forward and held them there, taunting the humans floating offshore, daring them to return. But there would be no rescue now.
There was a heavy thunk as Cara landed on the ship, followed by a cry as Erika staggered away from her. Face pale, the Archivist crumpled to the ground and began to sob. Romaine and the other soldiers ignored her. Aboard that ship, not a soul had eyes for anyone but the Goddess standing in their midst. Just a few minutes before, they had tried to restrain this creature. Would she now take her retribution?
Cara did not even look at them. The auburn wings drooped, then folded behind her back as she tucked them away. A shudder shook her and amber eyes searched the deck, finally settling on Romaine. He swallowed at the grief there, a mirror of his own. She took a step towards him, lip quivering, a single tear upon her cheek.
“Romaine,” she croaked. “I’m so sorry.”
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