Queen of Swords 9


    Suddenly, a door near the barricade swung open and a squad of Herads men started pouring out. The armed bandits immediately raced towards the archers. However, the saboteurs didnt stick around to fight. They took a few seconds to fire off onest volley, and then disappeared back into the alleyways.


    Some of the lead members of the bandits tried to give chase, but they were soon called back.


    You bloody idiots, get back here! Unless you''ve got a death wish get back here, their leader yelled.


    Just as the group of Herads men started to turn around another group of archers appeared on the other side of the street and loosed another volley of fire arrows at the barricade. A few of the saboteurs shot at the bandits out on the street instead of the wall, and one of Herads men went down with an arrow in his side.


    The leader of the group froze for a second and looked around hesitantly before springing into action.


    Grab the injured and lets get back to the wall. Were not doing any good out here, he yelled as he started organizing his squads retreat.


    By this time the mes from the first enemies arrows had started to spread across the wooden barrier. There was a loud crack and a shower of sparks as a particrly dry section caught me.


    We should get down there and help, Saeter told the hobgoblin as he started down the stairs.


    cknail nodded happily in reply. He wanted to see the fire from closer up anyway. The dancing reds and oranges were always so pretty, and he liked the crackling noise the mes made.


    The hobgoblin and his master quickly rushed back down to the road behind the barrier. It was a mad bustle of activity there. Bandits were running around everywhere as they tried to fight the fire, keep a lookout for the next attack, help the wounded, and move mmable supplies out of the way.


    Herad was in the very middle of the street shoutingmands. At her direction the barrels by the wall that some of the bandits had been standing on were opened, and water was scooped out into buckets. cknail was impressed; apparently, Herad had predicted that the enemy would use fire.


    Saeter immediately headed for the chieftain to get orders, but before they got there Mahedium stepped out of a nearby crowd and drew her attention. The mage was carrying his usual staff, and cknail eyed it with new respect. Hed seen the damage it had inflicted on the enemy.


    The mage wasnt alone this time, though. A scared looking older boy was at his side. He was carrying what looked to be a spare mages staff and had short blonde hair. Herad grinned excitedly as she noticed the mage.


    Are you ready? she asked him.


    Yes, a ze this size should be no problem. Im well prepared for much worse, Mahedium replied, as the boy at his side shied away from Herad.


    Then get to it! The mes arent getting any smaller, and my barrier isnt getting any stronger, the bandit chieftain told the mage dryly.


    Just make sure there arent any snipers hidden anywhere nearby. Id hate to get an arrow in my back as Im working. That would be inconvenient for both of us, Mahedium replied coolly.


    cknail and I will take care of that, if thats what the boss wants, Saeter exined as he joined the other two bandits.


    Thats fine with me, just hurry up, Herad told them.


    Good, you two are the best, the magemented as he calmly, but vigorously, started walking towards the barricades entrance.


    All four of them hurriedly passed through building that led to the other side of the wall. The boy following Mahedium stayed as far away from cknail as possible. cknail was curious why the boy was with them, but every time he so much as nced at him the boy hid behind Mahedium. The hobgoblin made a mental note to try againter when he wasnt wearing his scary mask.


    My staff, please, Mahedium told his aide as soon as they got back outside.


    The boy immediately handed the staff he was carrying to the mage, and the mage exchanged it with his own. Mahedium then stared at the staff head for a few seconds, before making a few quick adjustments. When he appeared satisfied with the result the mage aimed the tip towards the wall.


    There were bandits atop the barricade throwing water down, but they were barely keeping the mes under control. ming arrows would asionally appear from an alleyway or rooftop down the street, and hit previously untouched spots on the wall. These new mes distracted the men trying to quench the fires, and were preventing them from getting things under control.


    As Mahedium leveled his staff at the wall cknail felt the air swirl around him, and everyones clothes began to stir as newborn air currents pulled and tugged on them. cknail had to reach up and grab his hood to keep it from slipping off.


    The hobgoblin jumped in surprise as a white icy spray burst forth from the mages weapon and mmed into the wall. Frost formed instantly wherever it hit, and within seconds every me had been extinguished.


    The wooden barricade was still charred in quite a few ces, and covered with patches of ice, but seemed mostly intact. Saeter raised a surprised eyebrow as he regarded the mages work.


    That was no measly magic trick. I dont think Ive seen that before, he remarked.


    Huh, Im not surprised. A staff like this isnt something manybat mages get their hands on, outside the navy anyway. Its delicate and requires three different stones to power it. Theres no better way to put out fires, but the guilds dont like handing out staffs with more than one stone in them tobat mages, Mahedium replied.


    Whered you get it from, then? Saeter asked curiously.


    Avorlus had it, as well as the stones to power it. I didnt ask where he got it from though, because Im not sure Id like the answer, the mage replied.


    And he just gave it to you? Sater asked in disbelief as his eyes hardened at the mention of the blood mage.


    Herad sent him an eloquently written letter asking him for his aid, and so he graciously agreed to help us in our time of need, as any gentlemen would, Mahedium exined sarcastically.


    Ah, Saeter replied as he scowled darkly. cknail didnt get it.


    He also gave me several other crystals, and the use of half a dozen of his men, the mage added.


    One of Saeters eyebrows rose and he gave the mage an incredulous look, before making an impressed whistling sound.


    Herad must really have him by the balls. That sounds like a small fortune, the old scout remarked.


    Indeed, it is. Avorlus has his own reasons for wanting Zelenas ns foiled, though Herads rather direct letter certainly motivated him further, Mahedium exined.


    This conversation was just making cknail more confused. He didnt really understand what his master and the mage were talking about.


    Ha, I imagine it did, Saeter replied. She certainly knows where to stick the knife. Although, I imagine youre right about him not liking the idea of Werrick taking over, or anyone else for that matter. Chaos suits people like him much better than order.


    I dont get it. Why is Herad grabbing Avorlus balls? cknail suddenly interjected.


    Saeter wheezed loudly and began coughing hard enough that he had to bend over. The fit only stopped after he hit himself in the chest a few times, and even then he still looked pale. The corner of his mouth was also twitching.


    Mahedium nched, grimaced, and seemed to be struggling to keep a spasm that had developed in his left eye under control. The boy at his side just looked shy and scared, so basically the same. None of those responses answered the hobgoblins question. In fact, they raised several more


    cknails master threw a quick nce over his shoulder, and when he saw no one was there he gave a quiet chuckle and smiled at the hobgoblin.


    Its just a saying, cknail. It means shes threatening him and he has to do as she says, he exined.


    Ah, alright-ss, cknail replied uncertainly.


    Any further conversation was interrupted by someone yelling down at them from the wall.


    You four may want to stop gabbing and get back on this side of the wall. Weve got iing, a bandit that was leaning over the top of the barricade told them.


    Immediately, they all looked down the street. cknails ears went back against his head as he saw what was there. It was a lot more enemies, and they looked meaner than thest ones.


    Coming down the street towards the wall, and the hobgoblin standing in front of it, were two formations of soldiers. Unlike thest attackers these men werent a mob; they were organized.


    They were also better equipped. The smaller group on the left looked a lot like Herads own men. They had rough looking armor and an assortment of wicked looking weapons.


    The group on the right was even more dangerous looking. Each man in it was equipped in exactly the same way, with a brown tabard, chainmail shirt, metal cap, short sword, and a small shield. They were also walking in step and moving all together, like some sort of gigantic bug with a hundred little legs. cknail had never seen anything like it. On one hand it seemed sort of pointless to him, but on the other it was more than a little terrifying.


    Thatll be Werricks regrs on the left, and the mercenaries to the right. Now the real fight starts, Saeter mused aloud.


    We should head back inside, Mahedium quickly replied.


    The mage then started for the door without waiting for a response. cknail eyed the iing troops anxiously. They didnt look weak, and together they outnumbered his tribe by a fair bit.


    We should-ss run away. Its stupid to try and fight-ss them like this, he told his master.


    Herad knows what shes doing, cknail; we can win this. The chief has a n, and if it doesnt work, well shes never been too proud to run before. Probably, she even has an escape n allid out just in case, Saeter replied as they both headed off the street.


    You wouldnt happen-ss to know this escape route, would-ss you? cknail asked him curiously.


    A derisive snort from Saeter was the only answer the hobgoblin got. The pair then quickly hurried after Mahedium, and back through the building to the other side of the barrier.


    Are we going back to the uh ce we were before? cknail asked his master.


    Its called a balcony, and we may as well; the other option is to take a spot on the wall, Saeter answered.


    No thanks, cknail remarked quickly. That seemed like a horrible idea; a lot of the people that had been protecting the barricade had gotten themselves killed! What kind of idiot would want to go there?


    The old scout and the hobgoblin then made their way back to the balcony were they had overlooked the first part of the battle. As cknail was climbing thest stretch of the creaky wooden stairs that led up the side of the building he caught another good look at the approaching enemy.


    The two enemy formations were still moving separately and advancing slowly. A small group of horsemen rode between them, and seemed to be the leaders.


    Its too bad none of those riders are stupid enough to get within bowshot. I wouldnt mind putting an arrow in someone more important than a grunt, Saeter remarked as he gazed towards the enemy.


    Yes, then I could-ss shoot those horses, cknail replied viciously.


    Saeter rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation, but didnt say anything.


    What-ss? Theyre mean ugly things that trample-ss and bite people! cknail exined.


    Lets just concentrate on the battle, his master replied dismissively.


    The hobgoblin scowled in fustration. Why couldnt all these humans see that horses couldnt be trusted? One day cknail knew he would be proven right! Then everyone would know how smart he was and all the horses would be ughtered. What a glorious day that would be.


    So, we''re just going to stand here and shoot people like before? cknail asked his master.


    The hobgoblin didnt mind doing that. Except for the part at the end where the enemy had started shooting back it had been both fairly safe and rather amusing.


    Pretty much, Saeter answered as he readied his bow.


    Why doesnt Mahedium just-ss blow up all these idiots like before? Then-ss we could all go back to base and eat, the hobgoblin remarked.


    Maybe he will. Well have to wait and see, the old scout answered distractedly.


    The first rank of soldiers entered the edge of bow range, and Saeter aimed and drew his weapon back. There was a familiar twang as he released an arrow, and secondster it pierced the shoulder of one of Zelenas men.


    Stop showing off, Saeter! We get it, youre a good archer. Why dont youe down here and shoot with the rest of us? aughing man yelled up from below, which was quickly followed by amused snorts and chuckles from the rest of Herads men.


    cknail leaned over the edge of the balcony, spotted theughing man, and threw a small rock at him. How dare he make fun of cknails master! The stone bounced off the bandits steel cap with a noisy ng.


    Ow, that hurt, you sted green wretch! the man cursed in response.


    There was more mutedughter and cknail smirked smugly to himself.


    Save it for the enemy, theyre almost here, Saeter ordered the hobgoblin, but cknail noticed he was grinning slightly.


    A sharp clear trumpet st drew everyones attention towards one of the horsemen, and as cknail watched Zelenas men stopped moving. The mercenaries quickly marched ahead and all together they raised their shields. The first rank of soldiers held them in front of themselves and the ones further back lifted them above their heads. The shields were unpainted wood with thin steel bands around the edges and were shaped like rounded triangles.


    cknail eyed the moving mass of protected soldiers in annoyance. That was kind of cheating; how was he supposed to shoot them now?


    "Well, that will help protect them against archers, but how are they nning on dealing with our mage and the wall? Saeter mused aloud.


    The enemy was within easy bow shot of the balcony now, so cknail loosed an arrow their way. Unfortunately, it mmed harmlessly into one of the soldiers shields and stuck there. The hobgoblin growled in frustration.


    More of the defenders started shooting and a shower of arrows descended upon the advancing enemy. Almost all the arrows failed to find a soft target though, and only a few mercenaries fell. Meanwhile, the enemys quick march brought them ever closer toward the wall.


    Cease fire, the hobgoblin heard Herad yell.


    Immediately, her men stopped firing and the rain of arrows ceased falling. The hobgoblin saw Mehdium climb up onto the barrier and level his staff at the enemy. He watched wide-eyed as a wave of force once again appeared at the end of the mages staff, and then like a massive invisible snake it shot hungrily forth.


    Any second it would collide with the mercenary formation. cknail waited eagerly to see these new enemies get smacked violently aside like rats hit by a boot. Their fancy shields wouldnt stop them from being blown up!


    The mercenary formation finally stopped, and their shield wall suddenly parted. A tall armored man stepped out from the front rank and raised a steel amulet on a chain.


    Fuck, Saeter cursed unexpectedly from beside cknail.


    The hobgoblin was then surprised further when his master hurriedly fitted an arrow to his bow and took a shot at the tall man. Herad had told them to cease fire so why was his master ignoring that order?


    As both the magical st and the arrow raced toward him, purple light red forth from the mans raised amulet. The air began to churn and a vortex burst into being and began sucking in everything in front of the mercenaries mage. The air churned and whirled as dust and grime from the street was picked up and pulled into the amulet.


    Mahediums st and Saeters arrow were also tugged aside and sucked into the unnatural vortex. There was a sh of purple light and then the other mage dropped his amulet and the vortex disappeared. The enemy formation waspletely unscathed.


    Thats not good-ss, even if it was sort-ss of pretty, cknail remarked nervously.


    No, it seems Mahedium has somepetition, and this battle will be ufortably close, Saeter replied darkly as he scowled at the figures below.


    At least that guy isnt throwing any magic back at us, cknail remarked hopefully.


    The enemy mage gestured and one of the men behind him passed him a staff. It looked exactly like Mahediums staff. The tall man then leveled it at the barricade that blocked hispanys progress, and a familiar looking ripple shot forth.


    This new st mmed into the wooden wall and smashed through it. Splinters and bits of wood filled the air as arge section of the barricade exploded noisily. Mahedium and several other bandits were thrown off the wall and disappeared, as a loud crash roared across the street.


    A few secondster cries of rm and pain filled the air. At least a few of the hobgoblin''s tribesmen had been wounded, and a huge easily traversable hole had been punched through Herads barricade.


    The tall enemy mage stepped back into rank, and the mercenaries began to march inexorably forward again as wreckage rained down from above.


    Huh, cknail grunted as he felt a sinking feeling in his gut. This wasnt good