Chapter Thirty-Six
THE DAY PASSES slowly in defiance of the importance of tonight’s culmination. The anticipation sits heavy in the air, a thick almost humid feeling weighing on the shoulders of everyone. Idle chatter picks up here and there, but after a few passes, it dies, hollow and forgotten.
Even Olena is muted today. Normally, she would have been cracking jokes, needling me about Helia, or gossiping about her latest entanglement with one of the priests.
Not today. I don’t blame her though; I roped her into my plan to save Helia and even if it succeeds, there’s a high chance we all end up dead anyway.
Am I cruel to bring her into this? Perhaps not cruel, but using your friends to achieve your goals is manipulative at best. To which, Olena would likely tell me to fuck off with that thinking; something something we’re sisters!
A wry smile sneaks its way onto my face at the thought as I sit outside the entrance of the temple.
Despite everything, there have been beacons of hope and kindness.
Sisterhood, a place to belong, and much more.
There’s a small assembly square outside of the temple entrance, with a barrier made up of waist-high hexagonal rocks.
Just like the plateau that Helia and I spent time at last night.
I stand at the edge, looking over at the Spears dotting the stairs leading upward to the temple entrance.
Hands wring spear hafts, lips drawn tight and eyes flickering across the ruins below.
The tension gives a musty thickness to the air; humid and sticky.
This waiting is worse than an actual fight. We know at any moment, we will be dodging thrusts meant to seek our lives. We know the song of spear and blade will be sung, yet every minute begs the question of when? Now? No. We need to sit longer and stew, existing within a single second forever.
I strain my eyes trying to find Helia in the faint blue light flailing against the encroaching darkness of night.
She had spent most of the day with Andra and Bellius, planning our defense.
We hadn’t had much of a chance to talk after last night, though we had spoken everything we needed to.
I guess my search for her was more to steady my nerves than to get a last word in; some charming remark or somber reflection on our predicament.
No, I just need a bolster of hope and reason to steel myself.
To my dismay, I can’t make her out up here; she must be back in the temple with the priests.
The plan is for Helia and I to join Lyras and the surviving priests in the central room when the full moon reaches its peak.
Until then, we join the fight; though I am not to use any power.
Andra and Olena will stay back to protect the priests as a last line of defense, which works perfectly for my plans… if we make it there.
A whistle trills from somewhere along the path. I search across the ruins, looking for the enemy. The decaying stones cast many shadows, yet the full moon is high enough to shower the area in light.
There!
The rush of finding them stops, yielding for the cold grasp of fear that clenches around my heart.
Golden helms and burnished chest plates gleam under Lunos’s light, revealing a real army emerging from the darkened corners.
Not some hodge podge group of blessed mercenaries sent to ambush in the middle of the night.
No…this is a small army. Razor sharp spears poke above the amassing force, shields poised and ready.
I shouldn’t be surprised; Keppilo would easily have enough wealth and influence among humans to raise an army.
“They must be about a hundred strong.” I jump as Bellius sidles up alongside me, face set and lines furrowed deeply along his brow.
He spares me a glance before returning to watch their lines begin to form in the empty space between the ruins and temple.
“Easy there Itho. Save your energy for them.”
“Can we defend against that? They outnumber us at least five to one.”
Bellius nods slowly, gesturing over the switchback stairs.
“Here’s your strategy session for the day and not your last, if I have anything to say about it.
” I smile at his attempt to inspire. “Defense almost always has the advantage in a straight on attack, especially here. We have a natural funnel with the stairs and sheer rock walls. More than that, we have the high ground and a secondary funnel with the temple entrance and hallways. When you can, take the fight to where their advantage doesn’t matter. ”
“Bellius. Look!” I point down at the now-formed battle line as a lone soldier steps forward. A special plumed helm with gold and white trim catches the light with a tantalizing sway, the steps of the commander confident and deliberate. Spear in one hand and two blades strapped at his side.
“Band of Spears!” A familiar voice of silk and oil fills the air, loud enough to reach us at the top.
“I salute you for your strength and bravery. But you are on the wrong side! There is no need to die on behalf of a goddess who cares nothing for you!” I’m sure at this point, most of the band has put the pieces together.
My power, Askepollo, Lyras and the Lunite priest…
they might not have all the details, but they aren’t stupid either.
“I will offer a hundred gold pieces to anyone willing to stand aside. All I want is the Conduit; not your lives.”
Silence takes hold, the air stilling with fear. What if they turn? None of them knew what they were signing up for when I joined, regardless of whether or not I did. Sure, I’ve become a part of the family, but is that strong enough when faced with certain death?
“The Spears cannot be bought!” Bellius’s voice booms down to the amassing army, driving back the encroaching fear.
War cries rise up along the ascent to the temple, the band rallying behind their captain’s valor.
As the shouts fade, the commander extends their arms out as if to placate wounded pride.
“I expect no less from such a legendary group. But you need not waste your life today! Bring forth Commander Helia. Let us duel for the fate of the Conduit and avoid this bloodshed.” Recognition hits me like a deep plunge into icy water with no hope of reaching the surface as the words wash over me.
“That’s the Archon of Ionos. That’s Gaius Ionos!
” The puzzle pieces all start to fall in place.
Gaius had all the trappings of Keppilo in his estate, he’s likely one of the wealthiest and most influential people in Thetan; easily able to hire mercenaries and assassins.
My eyes widen; Nolphi! He contracted us to travel to Nolphi; it must have been so easy to set that trap.
The Archon turns his head, looking up toward me and Bellius, though it’s impossible for him to have heard me from up here.
“I accept your challenge!” Helia’s resonant voice surprises me as she appears next to Bellius and me. Bellius and I spin, each clamoring over each other to stop her.
“You can’t! They’ll kill you regardless if you win!” Bellius clamors.
“Bellius is right! We can’t lose you. I can’t lose you.
” Helia turns her gaze to me, the battle-hardened eyes of a commander piercing my heart.
Fine. I’ll try a different tactic. “What about the ritual? If you die, what happens then?” The corners of her eyes soften, a short-lived crack in the armor.
“Helia, I think Gaius might be an Aspect. It makes everything fit.” She just smiles. Smiles. Are you kidding me?!
“Have more faith Itho. Don’t forget what I am.
Don’t forget who I am.” She rests her hand on the hilt of her sword and I remember Olena’s tale of a blood-soaked champion; a woman standing alone atop a hill of slain enemies.
Bellius watches our exchange, having given ground to me, realizing he was out of his depth.
I see his face fall as I exhale, giving in to the fierceness before me.
“Fine. But I’m going with you.” Helia immediately makes to argue.
I slam the butt of my spear into the ground, buying a moment of silence.
“If you’re going to risk your life, I’m going to be right there with you and if I need to save you—” I step closer to her with fire in my belly. “I will burn everything down to do it.”
Helia stares down at me, eyes questing for any signs of cracks in my confidence, my determination.
Without warning, the visage of a commander falls away and she laughs.
Oh how she laughs! Body quaking and joy in every note.
Tears at the corner of her eyes, Helia grabs my neck and pulls me into a kiss.
Fire blooms in my chest, toes curling in my sandals.
Helia breaks off and lays her forehead on mine, laughter still dancing across her face.
“Till the end, Itho.”
“Till the end, Helia.”
“You two are insane.” Bellius grumbles before whistling three times in quick succession. A signal to stand ready.
Helia and I head down to face the Archon while Bellius stays atop the promenade to stay in command; someone needs to survive this and watch for the inevitable trap.
Though, this is but the first trial to pass tonight.
I thread the fingers of my free hand in hers as we descend to the ruins.
Helia carries my gifted shield on her other side as I carry my gifted spear on my other. Two halves of a whole.
Each person we pass salutes, full and complete faith in their commander.
As we approach the bottom, the Spears standing guard move aside to let Helia and I through their shield wall.
We face off directly with the Archon about thirty feet from the line.
Helia squeezes my hand before stepping forward to face Gaius.
I can’t see his eyes shadowed beneath his helm, but the venomous smile is clear as day as he looks between us.