\u201cUtgar! Utgar! Wake up!\u201d It was Kirav.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar sat up. Sound assaulted him: screams, explosions, the clash of arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Ahnvad,\u201d Kirav said. \u201cHe\u2019s attacking Nearv!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRuna,\u201d Utgar muttered. He rose, grabbing his sword. There was no time for armor. He and Kirav ducked out of the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smoke was in the air. A patch of tents at the very edge of Nearv was on fire, sending black clouds over everything. It was still night, but the stars and moon were drowned by the thick smoke. Kyrie were rushing in every direction. Women and children were fleeing away from the fires; Vraen\u2019s soldiers were running towards them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on!\u201d Utgar called to Kirav. He pushed his way towards Vraen\u2019s hall, where he knew Runa would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, the hall was cut off by a line of Imperial soldiers. They were keeping Vraen\u2019s men at bay, and Utgar saw more soldiers darting into the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo!\u201d he cried. \u201cRuna!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He flung himself against the line of soldiers, knocking aside their spears. For the first time since Runa had been taken, cold calm did not fill Utgar. Now he felt panic rising within him, and it blurred his vision, making his attacks chaotic. Twice he nearly hit Kirav by accident. A spear grazed his side; he too distracted to have blocked it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first the wall of soldiers seemed impenetrable. But as Utgar attacked again and again, caring little for his own injuries, they began to back up. The line wavered. Soldiers fell. Finally, the line broke entirely, as blood sprayed and bodies collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Past the soldiers, Utgar finally looked up, and saw a dark figure emerging from Vraen\u2019s hall, clutching in its arms a small struggling figure, which could only be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRUNA!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar knocked down the last soldier standing between him and the hall, and raced towards the figure holding Runa. Behind him, Kirav also won free of the soldiers, and followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The figure was Ahnvad. Utgar could make out his face in the flickering light of the fires, which had spread to more tents. He turned, and recognized Utgar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour daughter is mine!\u201d he said. \u201cI will\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kirav slammed into his side, tackling him to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRuna!\u201d Utgar shouted. \u201cFly!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa was already in the air, soaring out of harm\u2019s way. Utgar leapt to assist Kirav.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahnvad was not easily dealt with, but Utgar was filled with panic for Runa\u2019s safety and fury at Ahnvad for taking her. The last time they had met, Ahnvad had been in control; now he was forced to back up beneath the storm of attacks Utgar made against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ahnvad was skilled. Every time Utgar swung his sword, it was deflected. Every time he moved forwards, Ahnvad moved out of the way. But Ahnvad could neither advance nor attack. He was kept on the defensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, far above them, Runa had sent a dark cloud of red smoke into the main body of Imperial soldiers. They crumpled as the poison hit them, clawing at their chests or faces, gasping for breath or twitching as the toxic cloud washed over them. Below her, Vraen\u2019s men pressed forwards. They outnumbered the soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar knew they were winning. As soon as he reached this conclusion, Ahnvad finally succeeded in attacking. His axe came flying towards Utgar from nowhere, the flat of the blade catching him full in the face. Searing heat blasted him, and Utgar was again lifted off of his feet briefly. He crashed to the ground a moment later, stunned, sight and sound all blurred together. Looking up, he saw a vague shape which might have been Kirav being flung from Ahnvad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRetreat!\u201d Ahnvad bellowed, his voice clear in Utgar\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He saw Ahnvad unfurl his wings, and leap upwards. As one, the soldiers who remained alive also rose into the air, many being cut down by the kyrie they had been engaged with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFall back to Srung!\u201d Ahnvad shouted over the rushing of the flames. And with him at the head, what was left of his force turned west, and flew into the dark night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The night was still deep with darkness when Runa landed, and found Vraen\u2019s hall full of the injured. She set to healing them at once, starting with her father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the injuries they had sustained, the mood in the hall was good. They had thwarted a night attack by trained Imperial soldiers. Several of the men thanked Runa as she healed them, their faces full, not of the fear Runa had once seen there, but gratitude, even hope. They might be outnumbered by the vast army of the Empire, but they had her. They had the Valkyrie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Runa healed them, many began to speculate on why Ahnvad had attacked. Some said he must have been desperate to attack Nearv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not desperate,\u201d said one, a soldier who had deserted the Empire to join Vraen. \u201cAhnvad is many things, but desperate is not one of them. He had a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat was it?\u201d Several voices asked. \u201cWhy did he attack? To take our Valkyrie? To slay her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAhnvad wouldn\u2019t slay her,\u201d the soldier said. \u201cHe needs her.\u201d Nearly everyone turned to listen. Finished healing, Runa stood still, not wanting to hear, but held to the spot by the soldier\u2019s words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAhnvad needs the Wellspring,\u201d the soldier said into the silence. \u201cOur Valkyrie is the only key to its location. If he kills her, he kills his only chance of finding it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe meant to capture her, then,\u201d someone said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerhaps,\u201d the soldier admitted. \u201cBut an attack is not what Ahnvad would do. He is cunning. He works with spies and assassins. If he really wanted our Valkyrie, he could have taken her in the dead of night without waking a soul.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Questions erupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean he could take her at any time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would he let her destroy his soldiers, then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean there are spies here, right now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf he hasn\u2019t taken her, then what\u2019s his plan? What\u2019s he trying to do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d the soldier said, holding up his hands. \u201cI\u2019m not Ahnvad; I can\u2019t think like him. All I know is that you should not underestimate him. He always has a plan, he\u2019s always one step ahead. You\u2019ll think you know what he\u2019s doing, but always it\u2019s the same: the real battle is happening behind your back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are you here, then?\u201d someone asked. \u201cIf Ahnvad is so powerful, why did you join us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have the Valkyrie,\u201d the soldier said simply. \u201cIf there\u2019s only one thing which can defeat Ahnvad, it\u2019s her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa didn\u2019t want to hear anymore. She had healed everyone; she didn\u2019t need to be there any longer. She had been standing close to the doorway, half hidden in the shadows, and she slipped out easily, as new questions erupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stretched her wings once outside the hall, and jumped up, taking to the air easily. Since she had discovered she could do it, she had come to enjoy flying. Something about the air slipping past her cleared her mind, and made her feel like any worries or doubts were below, down on the ground where they couldn\u2019t reach her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She flew once around the hall, and then she rose higher, making a wide circle around all of Nearv. The fires were out by now, the smoke cleared by a soft rain which had begun to fall. As she flew, she tried to forget what she had heard. The way the soldier had spoken had left her with a cold feeling in her stomach. More than ever, she wanted her old life back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flying over the edge of the city, she saw someone sitting alone on the stone wall. It seemed odd that someone would be out here, when everyone was gathered at Vraen\u2019s hall. She let herself drop a little ways, and recognized the kyrie: it was Taelord. She considered for a moment. Her own thoughts were poor company; if she were to talk to anyone, it would be someone who didn\u2019t seem to care if she was Valkyrie or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She landed lightly next to him. He looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I join you?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He watched her for a moment, and then nodded. He turned back to looking out across the dark Volcarren, and she sat on the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI got tired of the soldiers counting their kills,\u201d he said. He didn\u2019t look at her. \u201cWhy are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wanted to get away,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn\u2019t answer, but Runa could almost feel his curiosity growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAway from what?\u201d he finally asked. He still didn\u2019t look at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom all of it,\u201d Runa said. \u201cThe Wellspring, the fighting, being a part of everyone\u2019s games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He finally looked at her, surprise registering on his shadowed face. \u201cYou\u2026 You don\u2019t want to be Valkyrie?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never wanted it,\u201d Runa said shortly. \u201cAll I want is to go back to my old life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou were happy there?\u201d Taelord said. \u201cI heard you lived in the desert. There\u2019s no food, no water\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was my home,\u201d Runa said. \u201cI was happy\u2026 At least happier than I am here. There were no battles, no plots, no one ordering me to kill\u2014\u201d She broke off, not wanting to go on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord watched her silently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Runa\u2019s turn to look away. She looked across the blank expanse of rock stretching away from Nearv, and saw again the soldiers she had poisoned, dying, shaking, grasping for breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy father,\u201d she whispered, \u201cwould say I had to kill those people. That it was me or them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No answer. Runa looked at Taelord. He looked back at her, as if silently agreeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you believe that?\u201d she asked. She had thought that he might have understood, after he let the bully go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo I believe they had to die?\u201d Taelord said. \u201cYes. I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa stared at him. \u201cYou do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cThe world is too full of people who can\u2019t make hard choices.\u201d He broke off, but Runa had heard the slight hint of anger in his voice. He looked away. \u201cSometimes you have to,\u201d he said. \u201cSometimes you have to kill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa watched him for a moment. \u201cYou let that bully go,\u201d she said. \u201cThe other day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI let him go only after I did what I had to,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cKilling him would have accomplished nothing more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa had thought talking to Taelord might make her feel better, but she had been wrong. She stood up. Taelord looked up as she did so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought you were different,\u201d she said quietly. She looked at him, willing him to contradict her. He said nothing. \u201cBut you\u2019re not.\u201d She unfolded her wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am different!\u201d he said. \u201cBelieve me, Runa, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She paused. That was the first time he had used her name. \u201cYou\u2019re like my father,\u201d she said. \u201cYou hurt when you need to, and never do you have a thought about whether it was right. Only if it was needed. You don\u2019t care, neither of you. No one in this whole land cares.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She turned away. She hated talking about her father like that. She loved him. He was all she had. But what she had said was true. At times it seemed he didn\u2019t care. Just like everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not like your father, Runa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She turned at Taelord\u2019s voice. He was looking at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hate killing,\u201d he said. \u201cI hate violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen how can you talk about it like\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause it\u2019s all I know!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord turned away. Slowly, Runa sat back down, listening. Taelord\u2019s fists were clenched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKilling, torture, thirst for power, thinking you\u2019re better than someone just because you can beat them \u2013 I hate it all. I hate it!\u201d His voice broke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa realized she was leaning slightly away from him. He turned back to face her, but his face was calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI despise it,\u201d he said, his voice level once more. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 that\u2019s my life. That\u2019s who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat \u2013 What do you mean?\u201d Runa asked, not entirely sure if she wanted to hear the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord looked at her. It was a strange, searching look. Was he weighing the odds, considering whether he should tell her or not? Apparently she was worth the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy father,\u201d he said, speaking slowly, \u201cis an Imperial commander. He has no heart. He kills and tortures because he likes it. Or because it makes him feel powerful. Or something. I don\u2019t know.\u201d He looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hate him,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI hate everything he does; I hate every reason he does it.\u201d He looked at her again. \u201cI tried to run away,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I couldn\u2019t. He caught me. He put me in his dungeons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe imprisoned you?\u201d Runa said. \u201cHis own son?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t care who I am!\u201d Taelord said, a humorless laugh in his voice. \u201cIf I had my way, I wouldn\u2019t even be related to him! Just thinking that he\u2019s my father is\u2026 sickening,\u201d he finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo that\u2019s why you were with us when Vraen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cMy father had caught me and was going to send me back to Ter. If Vraen hadn\u2019t arrived\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Runa asked. \u201cWhy would your father imprison you just for trying to run away?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI knew too much,\u201d Taelord said. He shrugged when Runa looked confused. \u201cI had heard things,\u201d he said. \u201cI knew there was a Wellspring in the Volcarren. He didn\u2019t want that getting out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould you have told people if you had escaped? About the Wellspring?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord raised his eyebrows. \u201cRuin my father\u2019s plans? Absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They lapsed into silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Runa finally said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry for what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry about your father,\u201d she said. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine life without mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at her in surprise. \u201cBut\u2026 You said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know what I said, but there\u2019s more to him.\u201d Runa paused. \u201cBefore all this, he was\u2026 different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa looked down. \u201cHe was\u2026 He would\u2026 He made me happy,\u201d she finally said. She couldn\u2019t really explain it any more than that. \u201cI just\u2026 want my life back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord was silent. He looked at her, then he looked out over the Volcarren. The sky was beginning to turn darkest of blues. \u201cYou\u2019ll get it back, Runa,\u201d he said. She looked at him. \u201cOne day, you\u2019ll get it back. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cUtgar! Utgar! Wake up!\u201d It was Kirav. Utgar sat up. Sound assaulted him: screams, explosions, the clash of arms. \u201cIt\u2019s Ahnvad,\u201d Kirav said. \u201cHe\u2019s attacking Nearv!\u201d \u201cRuna,\u201d Utgar muttered. He rose, grabbing his sword. There was no time for armor. He and Kirav ducked out of the tent. Smoke was in the air. A patch … Continue reading Chapter Twelve<\/span>