The Dromost Gate

The Dromost Gate

by

Matt Heppe

Published by Matt Heppe

2019

Copyright © 2019 by Matt Heppe

No part of this book may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form or by any means without

permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 9780463236666

Contact:

MattHeppe+EternalKnight@gmail.com

Cover by Dallas Williams

In loving memory

of my friend and mentor

Ann Emery

Chapter One

The demon’s screams echoed off the cliff face, only slightly muffled by the howling wind and falling snow. Ayja leaned out from behind the boulder sheltering her and cast her gaze up the mountain valley. A futile effort in the night’s pitch darkness. She saw only a few feet of the snow covered trail leading up the East Pass. She couldn’t help herself, though. She wanted to catch one more glimpse of the demon she would fight in the morning.

They’d seen it that afternoon before the sun had disappeared behind the peaks — a terrible, hunched figure that had once been a man but was now a horribly twisted monster. Telea warned them that the demon would be a powerful foe. Stronger than Akinos’s giant capcaun or Morin’s undead pyren. The Belenese healer would know. She’d spent a year with the army of the Empire of Belen fighting the demon armies of the Summoned Lands.

Ayja’s companions — twenty-six Saladoran knights, two drovers, three Landomeri, and Telea — rested in the shelter of a mountain way station some fifty strides down the path. There were four mules and their handlers there as well, but they’d turn back before the company crossed into Belen. Together they made up the Company of the Shield. Ayja would have been with them, but she wanted to be alone for a while and had left them to go out into the cold of the night. Now she had only the demon to keep her company.

She was safe enough. Telea had explained it to them. It was a bound demon, able to stay in Helna’s world but tethered to the pass by an aetherial connection to a spike driven into the cliff face. The blood of a dozen victims would keep the demon in this world forever but trapped in this one place. An eternal guardian blocking the pass.

Ayja rested her back against the boulder behind her. The Godshield, Forsvar, leaned against the rock, just an arm’s length away. If she was going to survive the coming battle, it would only be through the magic of the shield. If they were very lucky, Forsvar’s aura might destroy the demon without a fight. Perhaps the Godshield’s aura would sever the demon’s connection to this world just as it had severed the connection between the Eternal Knights and the Orb of Creation.

The wind whipped around the boulder, sending a chill up her spine. Ayja picked up a perfectly round stone sitting at her feet. Perfectly round because she’d formed it that way with her magic. She let her vision enter the aether and instantly became aware of the lines of magic swirling around her. With a thought and the merest twitch of her fingers, she caused lines of heat to twist and turn and enter the rock. For a dozen heartbeats she fed the round stone until it was nearly glowing.

Any other person’s hands would have burned, but she turned the lines of heat away from them. The effort — both heating the rock and protecting her hands — drained her, but not much. Then she gently placed the rock on the ground where it gave off the heat of a small campfire.

Ayja closed her eyes and took a deep breath as the stone warmed her. Just over a month ago, her sheltered life had been shattered by the arrival of ghuls and their masters, the pyren and the lyches. They’d slain everyone in her village. Only she and Cam had escaped.

Back then she would have thought it impossible for any creature to be more horrible than a ghul. No longer. The demon was far worse.

Telea knew more than any Saladoran about the demons and the summoners who called them from the world of Dromost. She was the only survivor of a party of Belenese ambassadors who’d crossed the East Pass. Unfortunately, the summoners who were with the embassy turned against the Belenese and called demons to slay everyone.

Her mission had been a desperate one. Beyond the Empire of Belen lay the Summoned Lands. There one could find the Dromost Gate, a portal leading to a world of demons. The world of Dromost. The gate was locked, but not for much longer. The wards that closed it were about to fail. When they did, a horde of demons would be unleashed on Helna’s world.

It would be Ayja’s task to destroy the guardian of the gate — a demon of far greater power than the one they’d face tomorrow. She wouldn’t be alone, though. Telea had promised her that the Imperial Chorus would be there supporting her with the power of song. There were also supposed to be friendly summoners, but with the treachery that had occurred crossing the pass, Telea was no longer certain of their support.

All I have to do is kill the guardian. The singers, summoners, and scholars will figure out the rest. It’s their job to close the gate.

The demon roared again. She shivered as she recalled her first sight of it. The only remnants of the demon’s former humanity were the scraps of a red robe hanging in tatters from its body. The demon was far larger than any man but not so tall as the capcaun Ayja had seen at the Battle of Sal-Oras. The creature’s back was twisted and deformed, and it hunched over so that its long arms reached the ground. It limped on twisted legs and used its clawed hands to support itself. The flesh of the demon was rotting and corrupted and had thick patches of fur growing where there was no rot. Heavy scales covered its back and shoulders. The face was utterly inhuman with no eyes and a gaping mouth filled with jagged fangs.

Ayja shivered as another roar boomed forth. She felt the creature’s fury through the trembling of the rock. Just a few strides away, the edge of the path gave way to a drop of thousands of strides. How many years had it taken to carve the road into the face of the very mountain itself? And what force of nature or magic had shattered the path, cutting off all contact between Belen and Salador?

A cold wind brought swirling wet snowflakes to land on her exposed face and hands. They quickly melted in the presence of her hot stone. She glanced up as someone approached out of the darkness.

What are you still doing out here? Calen asked. The Landomeri held his hornbow in the crook of his arm. He held it so easily that it seemed an extension of him. A heavy cloak of mottled greens and browns shielded his tall, lanky frame from the snow. Come back inside, he said. You’ll freeze out here.

Ayja smiled up at him as she picked up her stone. I’m not too worried about that. I have bigger things on my mind.

His eyes widened as the warmth of the stone touched him. You did that? he asked. Then he laughed to himself. Of course you did.

I’ll have to do a lot more than heat a stone if we wish to defeat that demon.

Still, it will do you no good to stay out here all night.

It will do me no good to go back to the shelter and pretend to sleep, either, she said. I don’t even know if I can defeat it.

Calen glanced in the direction of the demon. You killed the varcolac king, Cragor. You defeated Prince Morin. Why do you think you can’t defeat this demon?

It is a thing not of this world. I don’t know if my magic will be enough.

Calen crouched down close to her. Telea thinks it can be done. She would know.

I know. It’s the thinking about it that’s the worst. When I’m in a fight, I don’t think about fear. There’s no time for it. It’s this time… the time before the fight that’s terrible.

You don’t have to tell me about fear, Calen said. My own fear almost cost your mother her life on more than one occasion.

Ayja glanced at him. That’s not what I’ve heard. Orlos has told me of your bravery. He says you’re a famous Landomeri ranger.

He doesn’t know the whole story. I learned how to be brave from your mother. Hadde’s bravery was unmatched. She never let fear stop her.

Ayja swallowed. Maybe it should have, she said. Maybe she would have lived.

Calen shook his head. Nothing would have stopped her from going after you.

Cam—Nidon, I mean, almost made it to her in time. Just a few moments sooner and he would have saved her. She paused just for a moment. Maybe that’s my problem. Cam’s not with me. He’s been my rock my entire life.

He taught you well though, Calen said. You fought heroically at Sal-Oras. You will do this. As if to counter his words, the demon let out a roar that shook the mountain. Calen glanced in the direction of the roar and then turned back to her. You have Forsvar also. That’s no little thing. Won’t the shield protect you from harm?

Forsvar protects you, but it doesn’t make you invulnerable. Cam has done nothing but remind me of this for almost a month now. King Boradin was nearly slain by Akinos’s bodyguards at the battle of Kings Crossing. The shield protects you from all magical harm, at least as best as anyone can tell. Physical harm is something different.

We have faith in you, Calen said. And while I know the path is narrow, we will be there to help you. Sindi and I will be right behind you supporting you with our arrows.

I hope Telea is right and the arrows do more harm tomorrow than they did today. So much rested on Telea’s knowledge of summoning and of demons. Earlier that day, the Landomeri had loosed nearly a dozen arrows at the demon. Every arrow but three had bounced off of the demon’s scaled shoulders and thick hide. Those three arrows had pierced deeply into the demon’s flesh. It had wailed out in pain, but then the demon had plucked the arrows from its own body, and its wounds had healed.

The magic of song would stop the demon’s wounds from healing, Telea had said. She also told them it was possible to wound a demon so grievously that it couldn’t heal itself. Even Forsvar’s aura might prevent the demon’s healing.

Please let it be so.

Calen sat down, pulling his heavy wool cloak close around his shoulders and placing his bow across his lap. He was much older than Ayja, maybe thirty, she thought. He was handsome even though he was very serious and his brows were often furrowed.

They both looked up at a demon roar. Ayja leaned over for a look before pulling back. Sometimes it wanders closer, she said. It never strays far from its spike, though. Just as Telea told us. Ayja had seen the magic tether binding the demon to its spike, although it was invisible to everyone else but Telea. She knew it only stretched so far, but still she couldn’t stop her fear that it might break loose.

I think if it could break free, it would have done it a long time ago, Calen said.

I’m sure you’re right.

Calen pointed at her stone. Might I see it?

Ayja gave it to him. It had cooled some and wouldn’t burn him now. He gave a rare smile as he held it. How amazing it must be to be able to do this.

I’ve been an elementar all my life. I don’t know anything different. She took the stone back from him and bent her will to it. Soon it began to radiate heat and then to glow red.

Even better than a campfire, Calen said, holding his hands up to it.

Ayja shook her head. No, not really. A piece of wood will burn and burn, but I have to feed the stones heat with my own strength. With each passing day I’m learning better and better how to control the use of my own energy, but eventually, I would exhaust myself keeping the stone hot.

A look of concern crossed Calen’s face. Then don’t do this for me.

Don’t worry, she said. I’ll recover my strength well before tomorrow morning.

From out of the darkness, Sindi approached. Like Calen, the Landomeri woman held her bow as though it was a part of her. She was much shorter than both Telea and Ayja but very strong. Ayja had seen her saddling her horse and carrying heavy packs around camp. Orlos said she drew a bow heavier than his.

Come back to the shelter, Sindi said to Calen as she approached. It’s cold without you there. You should come back as well, Ayja.

Calen smiled, nodding at the stone. We are very spoiled. Not everyone has someone to curl up with under their blankets.

Oh? What’s this? Sindi knelt down by the glowing stone. It’s warmer here than it is in the cave.

There are some advantages to spending time with an elementar, Calen said.

Hmmm… are you saying Princess Ayja is warmer than I am? Sindi said, narrowing her eyes.

Hmmm… I’m saying that Princess Ayja can make rocks burn.

Sindi laughed. I’ll make some rocks burn, she said, with a wink.

Ayja blushed. She was uncomfortable enough around the two Landomeri lovers as it was. Worse yet, neither had any sense of modesty. Cam had warned her the Landomeri were not known for it. He’d even said that her mother had once been nicknamed Hadde the Naked.

It was so unfamiliar to Ayja. She’d grown up Saladoran. Perhaps not with the prudish customs of the Saladoran court, but the Landomeri were more open than she was used to. Some of the Saladoran knights had noticed as well. There were only three women in a company of thirty-three, and not all were pleased to have to observe Calen and Sindi’s familiarity. Ayja wondered if she should say something to the couple, but the very idea of speaking up made her uncomfortable. And now certainly wasn’t the moment to say anything.

I was just telling Ayja stories of her mother and her bravery. I’ve never said it to her, but I think of Ayja as a niece. He turned to Ayja and gave her a rare smile. You know I held you in my arms when you were just a newborn baby?

No, you hadn’t told me, Ayja said, returning his smile.

I wish I could have gotten to meet your mother, Ayja, Sindi said. She’s a legend in Landomere.

Ayja looked away for a moment. She wished she could have gotten to meet her own mother as well. She’d been just an infant when her mother died and Cam had taken her into hiding. Ayja picked up the stone, twisting the elements and cooling it slightly. She hadn’t known that Calen thought of her as a niece. Wrap the stone in your cloak, Ayja said to Sindi. It will stay warm for a little while at least. Long enough to warm your blankets.

Sindi did as Ayja suggested, wrapping the stone in several layers of her cloak. Thank you, she said. Are you coming back? You should rest.

Yes, I’ve had enough of demon roars for one night.

Ayja followed the two Landomeri down the path towards the way station. It was impossible to completely leave the demon roars behind them, but it was better here. The way stations were carved right into the mountain face. Not all were identical, though. Some had stone and mortar facings built into the overhanging cliffs while others were natural crevices that had been modified by the work of miners.

Despite their differences, each way station shared some common features. All seemed to have accommodations for both animals and humans. Given the narrowness of the path over the mountain, Ayja imagined trade must have consisted of mule trains that had stopped every night in the stations. The path was just too narrow and dangerous for wagons or large carts. It must have been a slow, expensive affair.

The door to the shelter had long ago rotted away and in its place the Saladorans had rigged a heavy blanket to keep out the worst of the wind and the cold. As Ayja and the Landomeri approached, the blanket was pulled aside by someone inside. Squire Parham put his knuckle to his brow and saluted as Ayja and the Landomeri passed through. Valet Hap stood just inside the door and saluted Ayja as well.

Ayja gave them a nod as she and the Landomeri made their way past sleeping bodies. The squire and the valet were fully armed, at Captain Danalon’s insistence, and at the moment were the only other members of the company not sleeping.

The way station was crowded with thirty-three of them, as well as four mules. The company had five lances of five soldiers, and one of six. Ayja’s lance included the three Landomeri, Sir Rayne, who was her squire and bodyguard, and Telea. The two drovers and their mules would return to Salador tomorrow or the following day at the latest. They wouldn’t be able to pass the rope bridge beyond the demon.

The main room was lit only by the light of a dying fire in the large fireplace. They had plenty of wood — torn from the ancient, unused stables. Ayja went to the fireplace and piled more wood over the flickering coals. The old, dry wood immediately caught flame.

She made her way to her own blankets at the very back of the room. Calen and Sindi weren’t far away, already curling up together. Ayja stepped over Telea to get to her own spot. Taking off her boots, she wrapped herself in the thick blankets.

Telea was close enough to Ayja that their shoulders touched. The Belenese woman stirred but didn’t wake. Even after several weeks together Ayja was still not used to Telea’s dark skin — it fascinated her. As did Telea’s hair. She wore it in dozens of tiny braids she often tied back into one big ponytail. Everything about the singer was fascinating. Ayja loved the way the Belenese woman spoke — it almost seemed that every sentence was a song.

Ayja shuddered as a chill passed over her. She’d selected a sleeping place well away from the others, hoping that she, Telea, and Sindi might have some privacy from the many men in their company. Unfortunately, the spot was also well away from the fireplace. Ayja looked into the aether and twisted the strands of magic. Warmth flowed into the stone floor under her.

What are you doing? Telea whispered beside her.

I’m sorry, did I wake you? Ayja asked.

I saw the glow of music.

Ayja gave a quiet laugh. I’m so sorry. I forgot that you can see into the aether. To Telea the glow of the aether was the glow of music.

It’s very bright when it’s right in front of your eyes, Telea said. But now that I feel what you’ve done under me, I’d have to say I don’t mind.

It’s my pleasure, Ayja said, enjoying the heat. Go back to sleep, Telea. We still have half the night to go.

Telea snuggled deeper under her blanket and yawned. I’ll sing for you tomorrow, she said. We’re very close to home now.

In the distance, the demon howled.

Chapter Two

Ayja didn’t really wake up so much as she gave up pretending to sleep. She opened her eyes to near darkness and the sounds of shuffling feet and whispered conversations. Slowly, she sat up and looked around.

Someone had built up the fire, and two squires knelt there cooking over several pots. She recognized them — Sinn and Hegen — both from Captain Danalon’s lance. As usual they were chuckling at some joke one of them had made. The captain, Baron Vermien, and Earl Jef stood nearby talking quietly amongst themselves. These men were all strangers to her. She’d known most for less than a month and some for only a week.

There were none among the company she truly counted as friends. She knew Telea perhaps the best. Ayja looked down at Telea as her eyes blinked open. Good morning.

Is it morning already? Telea asked.

The full meaning of Telea’s words struck Ayja, and the smile faded from her lips. She would fight the demon soon.

Ayja took a deep breath and looked past Telea to where Orlos still slept. The spiridus was the most optimistic person Ayja had ever met. Never once had she heard him express a moment of doubt about the eventual success of their journey.

Beyond Orlos was an empty space where Calen and Sindi had slept. Their blankets were rolled up and their packs prepared for the day. Ayja glanced around the room but caught no sight of them. Had they gone out to spy on the demon?

Someone pulled aside the blanket that covered the door, and bright light flooded into the room. Squire Dramm brought in a bucket from outside. Snow to be melted for washing and cooking.

Ayja stood and stretched before making her way over to the fire. Captain Danalon greeted her as she approached. Good morning, Your Highness, he said. Did you sleep well?

Did I sleep at all? Ayja asked. She gave him a rueful smile. It was hard to sleep knowing the task we face today.

Would you like something to eat, Princess? Earl Jef asked. We have split peas and salt pork. I apologize for the poor fare.

I didn’t grow up a princess. This is fine food. Thank you, she said. Telea says that the food is wonderful in Belen. I’m looking forward to trying it.

We can only hope.

Ayja stepped closer to the fire where Squire Sinn offered her a bowl of pease pottage. It smelled good, but she didn’t think she could eat it. She thought only of the demon that she would soon face. This was her task, and there was no turning back. Ayja moved away from the fire as more men roused themselves and came to eat. Some washed first while others went to the garderobe where someone had thoughtfully set up a blanket for some privacy.

Ayja returned to her blankets to find Telea up and pulling on her heavy coat. This is it, Telea said. Today we cross the mountains.

Rayne approached, saying, Your Highness, we must see to arming you once you’ve finished your meal. Rayne had been Sir Nidon’s page and then later served as Prince Handrin’s valet. Handrin had knighted him and made him commander of the company, but Rayne had deferred to Captain Danalon, choosing instead to serve as Ayja’s squire.

Thank you, Sir Rayne, Ayja said. She hurriedly ate a few more spoonfuls of pottage before guiltily handing the bowl back to Squire Sinn. It still felt odd to have others take care of her. She would have happily washed the bowl, but the squires would have nothing of it.

Rayne brought Ayja’s quilted aketon to her and helped her into it. He left the lacing of it to her. He’d started lacing it once before, but both of them had flushed so furiously as his hands had approached her bosom that she’d been forced to take over for him. While she finished lacing, he fetched her mail hose and helped her step into them and lace them to her belt. He then lifted Ayja’s mail hauberk and helped her pull it over her head. All around the room squires and valets similarly armed their knights. None of them had coats of plates, their heavy armor having been deemed too much to bear on the high mountain journey.

After they finished arming the knights, the valets and squires turned to assist each other. Nearly all were ready by the time Telea pulled Ayja’s hair into a long tight braid. As she finished, one of the men-at-arms approached. Tharryl was a huge man, blonde haired and openly proud of his Tysk ancestry. Ayja thought him an angry man. He had no friends in the company except for the two men-at-arms in his lance.

Tharryl paused a few paces away from Ayja and waited for her to acknowledge him. What is it, Master Tharryl? Ayja asked.

Princess Ayja, he said in his deep voice. I ask that you allow me to carry Forsvar in the battle against the demon today.

Silence spread across the room at his words as everyone turned to face them. I will be carrying Forsvar, she said. It’s my duty.

I am the best soldier here, Tharryl said. I can defeat the demon.

Ayja’s brows furrowed. Are you saying that I can’t do it?

You are a princess. It isn’t right that you should face danger. You are also a woman.

The room was completely silent now; the only sound being the crackle of burning logs in the huge fireplace.

Master Tharryl, you do not know your place, Earl Jef said. The eldest member of the company, he’d brought his twin sons, Matus and Jaek as members of his lance. Our princess defeated Cragor the Varcolac at the Battle of Sal-Oras. She defeated the lych Morin there as well.

You saw this, Earl Jef? Tharryl asked.

No, Jef said, his voice calm. I heard Sir Nidon, Champion of Salador speak of it. He saw it.

Tharryl snorted. And he had no interest in glorifying the actions of his adoptive daughter — now a Princess of Salador?

Anger flared within Ayja, and she stepped forward to confront the ignorant man-at-arms. Before she could speak, Captain Danalon said, If you doubt the word of the Champion of Salador, Master Tharryl, I suggest you depart and make your challenge to his face.

I will not quit this mission, Tharryl said. He turned to face Ayja. I know you are an elementar, but that doesn’t mean you should face battle in the front ranks. Let me be your shield, and you can wield your elemental magic from behind me.

Why you, Master Tharryl? Sir Galan asked. The handsome knight stopped brushing his hair and faced the big man-at-arms. Why is this your place?

Because I defeated you in the tournament last year at Ost-Oras. Tharryl looked around the room, glaring at the other men. And I defeated both of you, he said, pointing to Sir Matus and Sir Jaek. And you as well Sir Aten. I should carry Forsvar because I am the greatest warrior amongst you.

A tournament victory or even ten does not make a great knight in the heat of battle, Earl Jef said. There are many among us who have seen real battle.

What? You think you would fare better than me, Earl Jef? At your age? What are you, forty? Tharryl asked with a mocking smile.

Our father has three tournament victories to his name, Jaek said.

Local tournaments fighting slack-jawed men-at-arms on nags? Tharryl said. How many grand tourneys has he won? I’ve won five.

Enough of this, Danalon said. I will decide who fights the demon and in what rank.

There is no choice to make, Tharryl said. I challenge everyone here. The honor is mine.

I will fight you, Ayja said. The man’s arrogance was unbearable. Tharryl laughed, and she felt the spark of her silver fire within her. Forsvar is not yours to demand, Master Tharryl. And Forsvar isn’t yours to give away, Captain Danalon. Forsvar is my burden. I will take Forsvar into battle.

Tharryl shook his head. I am twice your size-

Enough, Captain Danalon said. He faced Ayja. I apologize for the lack of discipline, Your Highness.

She might be a princess, but you command this mission, Tharryl said.

Watch your place, Master Tharryl, Danalon said, facing the huge man-at-arms. You will fight from the back rank today.

Outrageous!

Another word from you and I will dismiss you from this company, Danalon said, his voice cool. Never once had he let his anger rise. Your behavior is not fit for a knight or a man-at-arms.

Tharryl glared at Danalon. You nobles have denied me the knighthood I’ve deserved for years. You won’t be rid of me so easily. King Handrin promised every man-at-arms, squire, and valet here a knighthood should this mission succeed. You will not take it from me. He paused and faced Ayja, his face still flushed with anger. My apologies, Your Highness. I only offered to wield Forsvar for the good of this mission.

Ayja bit back the sharp reply she wanted to make. How she wished to let her silver fire fill her. How she wished to teach the arrogant man-at-arms a lesson. She took a deep breath, trying to let her anger go. You see a girl in front of you but only see a shadow of what I am. You will fight from the rear rank, as Captain Danalon has ordered. After the demon has been defeated, I will decide if you may remain in my company.

Tharryl clenched his jaw, bowed his head, and took a knee. I am at your command, Your Highness.

Prepare yourselves for battle, Ayja said, letting her gaze take in the company. This is our first great task.

To arms! Captain Danalon called out. The men of the company returned to arming as Tharryl marched out the doorway. Danalon faced Ayja and said, My humblest apologies for cutting you off, Your Highness. I meant only to keep things from coming to a head.

I could have taken him, Ayja said, still fuming at Tharryl’s insults.

Of course, Your Highness, Danalon said, but by the cast of his eyes Ayja wasn’t certain that he meant it. And… I understand if this display might have caused you to lose faith in my ability to command. I shall step down in favor of Sir Rayne or Earl Jef if that would be your desire.

Ayja shook her head. I have faith in you, Captain Danalon.

Thank you, Your Highness, he said. Saluting with hand on heart, he turned away and returned to arming. Ayja slowly let the air out of her lungs. It wasn’t how she had wished to start the day on which she’d fight the demon.

Rayne stepped in front of her. Let’s finish arming you, he said. He tucked her hair under an arming cap and then pulled her mail aventail over her head. After buckling her into her boots, he stood, her helmet under his arm. She wore a mail gauntlet on her right hand, freeing her left to touch the strands of magic without hinderance. Nidon had never approved, but he’d never known what it was to touch the aether.

Finally, when the entire company was armed, Captain Danalon called them all back into the way station. This shall be the order of battle, he said. Princess Ayja, Sir Rayne, and Sir Aten shall fight in the front rank. Telea shall be in the second rank with Master Elden and Master Laban. He raised his hand to stave off any objection. She must be as close as possible to the demon in order for her magic to have the greatest effect upon it. I shall take the third rank with Sir Lyam and Master Ostman. The Landomeri, Calen, Sindi, and Orlos shall follow me and harry the demon with their arrows. Baron Vermien, Sir Galans, and the Hammer come next, followed by Earl Jef and his sons. Master Tharryl, Master Jamien, and Master Fenel will be followed by the squires and valets. Do we understand?

The men and women of the company nodded their assent, except for Tharryl and his lance who stood stone-faced.

The demon has shown that it is not so stupid as to stand out in the open where we can shoot it with our arrows, Captain Danalon said. It will fight at the corner where the path turns sharply. We must push it back if we wish for the Landomeri to be able to shoot it.

It will be hard to push such a large beast back, Rayne said. It may push us back or even throw us off the mountain face.

I will use fire to drive it back, Ayja said. Maybe then Calen, Sindi, and Orlos will be able to shoot it. And with Forsvar on my arm even the demon will have a hard time driving me back.

It’s a good plan, but this fight will not be won with arrows and swords, Telea said. It will be won with magic. You saw how the demon healed itself when it was shot with arrows yesterday. My singing will slow its healing. The closer I am to it, the more powerful my song will be. Our real hope lies in cutting the beast’s magical tether to the spike that binds it here. If the spike is pulled from the earth, the demon will be cast from this world.

That is all well enough, but I don’t see how we get past it to get to the spike. Danalon said.

It can be killed though, can’t it? Ayja asked Telea. We can do so much harm to it that it will be destroyed. Ayja had a secret that she hadn’t revealed to anyone — her silver fire. A fire that consumed her and gave her tremendous strength. She hadn’t told them because it was something she couldn’t control. What if they expected this great strength from her but she couldn’t summon it?

It can be killed outright, Telea said, but better to sever its ties to this world.

Then we shall not rely on any one thing, Danalon said. We will press the demon with the power of Forsvar and with Princess Ayja’s magic. We will have Telea’s song, Saladoran swords, and Landomeri bows. Between them we can defeat this demon.

They took up their arms and headed out onto the narrow road. Wind-blown snow struck them as they exited. To Ayja’s dismay, it was much heavier now than it had been the night before.

We’re out of time, Telea said from just behind Ayja. The snow will close the pass. Unlike the demon, the snow can’t be defeated.

Danalon assembled them on the road. Ayja took a deep breath as the demon’s roar echoed up the valley. This is it. This is real.

She stood in the front rank with Rayne to her right and Sir Aten to her left. Rayne, although short in stature, was accounted to be one of the greatest knights in Salador. Perhaps second only to Master Tharryl, from what she’d been told. Aten had a great reputation as well, being known as a stalwart companion who was utterly without fear. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the hard-faced men of the company. She caught Orlos’s eye and he gave her a wink and a smile. She gave him a smile back. She wished she could be as confident in that moment.

Telea placed her hand on Ayja’s shoulder. You will have my song.

Thank you, Telea.

Your helmet, Your Highness, Rayne said. Taller than him by a handwidth, she had to duck her head so that he could put it on her.

Rayne gave her a nod as he finished fastening the buckle. When you are ready, Princess Ayja, Captain Danalon said. Beside him Herald Lyam unfurled the flag of Salador. The red banner fluttered and flapped in the swirling mountain wind, proudly displaying Forsvar’s crossed silver lightning bolts.

Ayja glanced at Sir Aten. Ready? she asked. She was worried for him. The path was just wide enough for them to fight three abreast, and he stood at the precipice.

I am with you, Princess Ayja.

I am ready as well, Rayne said from her right.

Very well. Ayja raised Forsvar higher and started up the path. Telea sang the Song of Hope and the glow of its magic spread over the company. Heads lifted and the men smiled at the words. Their confidence swelled with the song.

Even the demon’s roar couldn’t penetrate Telea’s song. They marched without fear. Ayja spotted the corner from which they’d first seen the demon. As they reached it, she searched for the demon. She halted the company, her eyes peering up the cliff face. She feared that the demon might have hidden itself somewhere above her, but then it let out a roar. It was further down the path, hidden behind another turn.

It knows not to expose itself to our arrows.

They reached the limit of their previous day’s advance. Ayja spotted gouge marks on the ground and on the stone of the cliff face. She stopped just short of the limits of the demon’s magical tether.

It was here. Lurking. Waiting for them.

Telea’s voice rose up behind them, but her music changed. The Song of Light flowed past them. As its magic swelled around the corner, the demon snarled in anger and pain.

Ayja started forward, crossing the line into the demon’s domain. With Forsvar held in front of her and her empty right hand poised to touch the aether, she turned the corner and came face to face with the demon.

It was upon them in three great strides. Its hideous eyeless head held a giant maw filled with row after row of gleaming teeth. It was the most terrible thing Ayja had ever seen and, if not for Telea’s song, she might have fled.

Rayne and Aten raised their shields with her to form a wall. Forsvar flared and lightning crackled around its rim as the snarling demon charged them. The Godshield’s aura washed over the creature, but had no effect upon it. Whatever magic tether connected it to the spike, Forsvar could not break it.

Ayja strummed the strands of elemental power, twisting fire and air together. She threw her hand forward, and a twisting jet of fire exploded into the demon’s open mouth. It screamed in pain, reeling backwards under her assault.

Rayne and Aten leapt forward, slashing at the demon, but their blades glanced off its scaled shoulders and arms. Ayja stepped forward as the demon backed away, pouring her strength into her fire. The demon raised its long, thick arms to shield itself from fire, and for a brief moment, her fire couldn’t reach its head. The knights advanced again, thrusting their swords at the demon’s unprotected abdomen. It bellowed as the blades sank into its flesh.

Ayja took a deep breath as she fed her strength into the stream of fire. Never had she sustained a single effort for so long. She needed her silver fire. She wanted to touch the strands of pure aether and send them tearing into the demon, but they weren’t there.

The demon retreated further. It lashed out at Rayne with a clawed hand, but the blow was off-balance, and the knight turned it with his shield. Aten took the opportunity to land a heavy cut on the demon’s right leg.

Telea’s voice suddenly grew louder as she turned the bend behind them. As her music touched the demon, a silver haze surrounded the creature, burning its flesh. The demon retreated faster now, almost running from the onslaught.

I have to stop, Ayja gasped. Her head spun from the effort, and her breath came in great gulps. She closed her hand, and the stream of fire disappeared. The demon continued to retreat, seemingly unaware that the fiery assault had ceased.

Forward! We can take it! Rayne shouted. He and Aten leapt ahead, their swords raised high. Ayja took a deep breath to clear her head and then leapt after them.

Rayne struck at the demon, but it deflected the blow with a scaled arm. Aten advanced on her left, attempting to take advantage of Rayne’s attack, but the demon’s other claw lashed out slamming into Aten’s shield. The strength of the blow lifted him from the ground and nearly threw him from the cliff. He landed heavily on his back with the demon looming over him.

Ayja was too far to shield him as Rayne was driven back by a vicious blow. Aten surely would have died if three arrows hadn’t struck the demon then. Two flew into the demon’s open maw, while one sank deep into its chest.

The arrows gave Ayja the time she needed. Before the demon could strike again, she ran to Aten and stood over him. The demon aimed a massive blow at her, but she raised Forsvar and the Godshield took the crushing impact. The blow that drove her to her knees would have killed any other knight.

More arrows struck the demon, and then Rayne’s sword cut deep into its forearm. The wounds aren’t healing. Telea’s song is working!

Ayja drew her sword and leapt to attack. The demon slashed at Rayne, but Ayja blocked the blow with Forsvar. Then she and Rayne attacked it, hammering it with sword blows. As it turned to face them, Aten attacked it from the other flank.

The demon bled from a dozen wounds now. Still, it fought on. Ayja knew she’d have to call upon her magic again. It had taken so much of her strength already. A few more heartbeats and I will try again.

Kill it before it makes the turn! Danalon shouted as the demon fell back under their assault.

There was another bend, just twenty strides behind it. Soon it would be shielded from the Landomeri bows and the full force of Telea’s song.

Despite her fatigue, Ayja touched the aether, pointed her sword at the demon, and sent a wave of fire washing over it. The demon reeled back and then turned and fled.

In just a few strides it disappeared around the corner. After it! Ayja shouted. With Rayne and Aten close behind her, she rounded the corner to find it waiting for her. The demon pounced, snapping at her with its giant mouth. Without conscious thought, Forsvar flew up, slamming into the demon’s face, driving it back and saving her from being savaged.

The demon attacked furiously, stronger than it had been at any time in the fight. Claws and teeth came at her in a relentless, untiring assault. Still, Forsvar held the demon at bay.

How was it so strong now? Telea’s song was weaker, and the arrows couldn’t reach it now, but there was more to it than that. Then she saw it. The twisting line of green lightning connecting the demon to the spike in the mountain face.

It was in direct sight of its source of power now. Even as they landed blows on the demon, she saw its previous wounds begin to heal. They had to drive it back. They had to bring Telea’s song back into the fight.

Ayja redoubled her efforts, keeping her fire alive, although it drew a terrible cost in energy. Just a little longer. She had to push it further back. Or did she? The mountain wall curved here. And the spike was just fifty strides away.

Ayja staggered under a heavy blow and fell back a pace. She couldn’t let it force them back around the turn. She could end it now, though. The realization sent a surge of hope through her. She could pull the spike.

Hold it here! she called out, sending a weak flash of flame into the demon’s face. She dashed in front of Sir Aten and leapt from the mountain cliff, summoning the wind to throw her across the gap.

Ayja pinwheeled her arms as the wind drove her towards the far ledge. She’d jumped further than this before but never over such a deep chasm. She forced herself to look to her landing and her breath went out of her as she realized her leap was short. A final desperate twist of the aether sent a blast of wind into her back.

Her feet struck the path, but she had too much speed and she sprawled across the path, crashing into the far wall. Stunned, she slowly got to her knees and then rose unsteadily to her feet. She dropped her sword and ran to the spike, but just before she touched it, a crushing wave of energy struck her. Forsvar flared with brilliant silver light, absorbing the impact, and saving her from being flung off the cliff.

The demon roared behind her. Ayja glanced over her shoulder at it and saw it turn its eyeless face in her direction. Ignoring the knights fighting it, the demon charged her.

Ayja twisted the strands of the aether and created a blade of fire. She slashed the green strands of magic connecting the demon with the spike, but her fire sword shattered against it.

Someone cried out behind her. Claws scraped on rock behind her as the demon closed the gap. She needed her silver fire, a blade of pure aether to cut the cord. But still she couldn’t find it.

Ayja touched the mountain face close to where the spike was embedded. Pushing her will into the aether, she touched the strands of stone. Her elementar power penetrated deep into the rock. She saw the spike embedded in the rock and twisted the stone itself, pushing it away from the spike.

Fine cracks spread through the rock as the stone snapped and cracked. The demon was only strides from her when the spike fell with a clang at her feet. She’d expected the demon to vanish the moment the spike came free, but on it came. Desperate, she summoned a spear of wind and sent the spike spinning off the edge of the path.

The demon struck Ayja with crushing force, slamming her against the cliff. Pain flared through her, followed by the fierce light of her silver fire. Strength filled her arms, and the lines of the aether glowed bright all around her.

The demon was atop her now, its long-clawed hands attempting to rip Forsvar from her grasp as its gaping maw lunged for her face. Ayja ducked her head behind the Godshield as fangs scraped at her helm. She felt the demon’s hot, putrid breath on her face as she reached out with her right hand and grabbed the demon’s wrist.

Summoning the pure power of the aether, Ayja sent a surge of silver energy coursing through the demon. It screamed in rage and pulled back, breaking from her grasp. Still, the bulk of its weight was on her, and she couldn’t rise.

The demon raised both of its massive arms above its head to deliver a two handed strike against her. Before the blow could land, the demon’s weight was yanked from her as it flew off the cliff and disappeared from sight.

A long cry echoed up from the canyon below.

Ayja rolled to her feet and ran to the cliff edge. Snow swirled around her, obscuring the view of the valley below. The spike. The falling spike had pulled the demon from the cliff.

Relief washed over her as the silver faded from her sight. Even if the demon wasn’t dead, its tether was thousands of strides below them. The pass was clear.

Master Ostman and Sir Lyam ran up to her. Lyam held the banner of Salador in one hand and a naked blade in the other. Behind them, others knelt over prone figures lying on the ground.

Who is it? Who’s wounded? Ayja asked.

Sir Rayne and Sir Aten, I think, Princess, Sir Lyam said, looking over his shoulder. Maybe more. We ran past them to come to your aid.

Ayja pushed past the two men and raced down the path, but after only a few strides her pace slowed as a great weight fell over her. She staggered to the cliff wall and put her hand on it to keep from falling. She was paying the price for her silver fire. There was always a price.

Just ahead of her Rayne lay torn and bloodied with Telea attending him. Ayja had to get to him. She had to help.

Chapter Three

Ayja pushed herself a few strides further before sinking to her knees. Utter exhaustion dragged her to the ground.

Your Highness, are you wounded? Sir Lyam asked, running up behind her.

No, she said. My magic exhausts me. She tried to rise but couldn’t without taking Lyam’s arm. Slowly they made their way to where Telea knelt over Rayne. Master Laban was there as well.

Ayja watched as Telea took Laban’s hand while drawing her knife. I will use your blood to heal Rayne, she said. Just as I instructed all of you on the journey here. You will feel no pain.

I’m ready, Laban said. Do what you need to. I’m not afraid.

You should be. This is very dangerous. Telea looked up at the men gathered nearby. If something goes wrong, you must seize Master Laban. You must do it right away.

What could happen? Danalon asked.

A demon might come. I should be able to drive it off, but you must hold Laban down before he can do any harm. Before they could reply, she began the Chant of Healing. Rayne, who had been groaning in agony, immediately calmed, and Laban slumped forward in a trance. Telea drew her knife across Laban’s palm. Ayja sucked in a breath at the depth of the cut, but Laban showed no sign of pain as the blood poured from the wound.

Telea grasped his bloody hand and, after handing her knife to Master Jamien, pushed her free hand through the rent in Rayne’s armor and put it over the wound in his chest.

Murmurs ran through the assembled company as Laban’s blood began to glow with golden light. Almost immediately it was drawn into Telea’s hand. There was another flash of light and her other hand began to glow. Rayne, still unconscious, took a deep breath as color returned to his face. Still, Telea chanted.

Telea paused her chant for a moment and said, I’ll need another if I am to save Rayne.

I’ll do it, Ayja said.

No, Telea replied. Your strength is needed to get us across the rope bridge.

Take my blood, Squire Dramm said.

Telea nodded and returned to her chant.

We’ll bring up the ropes and pitons, Princess Ayja, Danalon said.

I must rest first, Ayja said. She wasn’t certain she could even stand without Lyam’s support. She glanced over her shoulder. Just beyond where the demon spike had been driven into the mountain, the road disappeared, collapsed into the gorge. Their plan had been for Ayja to use her magic to help bridge the gap.

Danalon frowned. This could be the storm that closes the pass.

There’s nothing I can do about it, Ayja said. I can do no magic until I am restored. She looked down at Rayne as Telea began to chant again. Life was returning to him even as she watched, but nearby lay the still form of Sir Aten. She’d stood side by side with him fighting the demon, and now he was dead. She’d left him defenseless. She’d taken the protection of Forsvar from them.

She glanced around the company. Did we lose anyone else?

Master Elden, Danalon said. The demon threw him from the cliff.

I shouldn’t have left them. Maybe we could have defeated the demon if I’d stayed.

Let me get you back to the shelter, Princess Ayja, Lyam said. She nodded and let him take her to the way station, angry at her own weakness, but unable to do anything about it.

She fell asleep almost the moment Lyam let her down next to the fireplace. As her eyes closed she was only vaguely aware that he and Ostman were stoking the fire with the little wood that remained to them. And then, it seemed only moments later, her eyes were opening again. Telea knelt over her, chanting with Squire Hegen kneeling next to her.

What are you doing? Ayja asked.

Squire Hegen is giving you some of his strength, Danalon said from nearby. We couldn’t let you sleep longer. I sent men to try and bridge the gap, but it’s impossible without your magic. We have to go now if we are going to cross.

"How long did