Fort Hanning

Lyla dragged the unconscious bounty hunter deeper into the alley. To think so many would come after her in Eden. Harnessers were respected in these parts and that offered some immunity.

Maybe I should guise myself as an Harnesser. I don't have to blurt out like Alkoni. Maybe then they'll stop coming after me.

She sighed. He was the third one she'd beaten down since she entered Flowyn. To think they'll come after here. Where Harnessers were respected. Though they didn't know she was one. She heard the army was marching tomorrow.

"You all leave me no choice," she said to herself. "I should pass for a camp follower. Leather maker perhaps." She hurried out of the alley before a guard patrol came sauntering by. She was not about to get into a misunderstanding with that lot.

********

Kristal poured red wine from the porcelain pitcher into his glass. It was no longer chilled. He pursed his lips. He harnessed moist in the air to ice and mist appeared on the glass.

He moved away from the table, sipping and eyed his window. It was open. He shook his head.

"What do you want Bren?"

A ginger haired — square faced man stepped into the light.

"Sneaking isn't your finest suite."

"I believe that depends on who I'm sneaking on," he clasped his hands behind his back. "Besides I wasn't sneaking."

Kristal watched him over his wine glass, "Why are you here?"

"I'm marching for Hanning."

Kristal tilted his head at the man, "So that's your handiwork. No matter. You do know he'll be expecting results. That's a lot you're moving. A hundred thousand?"

"More than. I intend to test their strengths. They'd have seen them by now. Eden's forces would be marching to meet them. I'm confident the Fort will fall." Bren said, confidently.

The man was always so confident in himself.

Kristal ran his free hand through snowy curly hair. "What if it doesn't? What if Fort Hanning holds? They'd have Harnessers. Unless you are using suppressers."

"That's why I need you. I'll need Harnessers on the field."

Kristal stared at him, "It can't be me. You have no hold over me."

Brennen stepped forward, "You have darkhands and Harnessers. I need them. This is all I ask."

"And what's in it for me?"

Bren smiled. The sadistic fellow actually smiled. "Part of the glory. Then we can move to the next phase. Knowing we have his trust."

"What if it fails?"

"It won't. I'm certain."

"What if it fails, Bren? No man has absolute certainties in war," Kristal said calmly. Yes, he would be calm.

Bren didn't look pleased, "None of the shame rubs on you. I led the attack. How's that?"

"Sounds fair enough. You came to me after all. I'll contact as much darkhands and Harnessers you'll be needing."

Bren nodded, "Enchantment as well."

"Seriously?"

"Air-domes. Nothing else," Bren made for the door.

"What are you doing?" Kristal asked.

Bren didn't break stride, "Going out. What does it look like?"

"You didn't come in through them. Use the window." Bren was already slamming the door close.

Kristal sighed and shook his head. That man is obsessed with … with what exactly? Sometimes he raves about his hatred for the system, other times it's about conquest and salvation. Maybe both.

********

The armies of Eden camped around and within the walls of Fort Hanning. Hanning was a small military stronghold city in Eden's southern border. The monstrous horde were just beyond the grass fields inside the woods. Little more than two thousand metres apart.

Alkoni exhaled softly. He stood at one of the open towers with railings. The air wasn't particularly fresh. He started climbing down. He wasn't nervous.

He found Zkel on his way down. "Ah, it's you."

He fell in step with Alkoni, "We didn't speak much last time. Must have made a bad impression."

Alkoni laughed, "Don't worry about it. Happens to the best of us."

Zkel chuckled, "I was wondering. I don't think I've seen you in the army before."

A brown haired Harnesser was coming from the opposite direction. "Well, it's a bit complicated. More of a sword for hire sort of thing."

Zkel rubbed his chin, "Hmm… I get you." He moved aside for the Harnesser. He bumped into Alkoni. Fancy pants!

Alkoni got a hold of his coat. Zkel eyes widened. "Watch were you're going, pal," Alkoni said, looking him straight in the eyes.

The Harnesser glared at him. Light brown eyes threatened to burn holes into Alkoni's soul. "What did you say?"

Zkel held Alkoni's hand, "He's not … doing too well at the moment." Alkoni glared at him but released the coat. The Harnesser had a sneer on his lips, "You tell your friend to mind the way he speaks to Harnessers or he'll be hanging from a fifty foot drop. Am I clear?"

Zkel nodded slowly.

He sauntered off arrogantly. "What was that about?" Zkel said when the Harnesser was out of earshot.

Alkoni breathed. "He was being a goat head. There was enough room for him to walk by yet he bumped into me."

Zkel gave him a flat stare, "He could have wiped the floor with us and no one would questioned him." They continued walking in awkward silence.

"I almost wished he'd tried. He would have regretted it."

Zkel laughed out loud, "I'm sure he would have." He patted Alkoni's back. "The others are in the camps. I'm sure they'll want to hear your story over an evening camp fire. What you say?"

"Sounds good."

********

Beredith stared down at the fields. The fields were a bit sodden from the light rainfall. The generals are revising their attack strategy. Alkoni had told them a calvary charge would be disastrous down there. They agreed, if reluctantly. She tried speaking with him earlier. It almost felt like he was avoiding her. Perhaps her tone was too fierce last time. He must have bought the wrong meaning.

Maybe I'll talk with him before they form lines.

Nhoni sat beside her. "You look lost."

She forced a smile for her friend. Nhoni had her hair tied at the nape. Her blue riding dress was similar to Beredith's cream one.

"Tomorrow carries a lot. He'll fight tomorrow. We'll get go to see what he can do."

"Alkoni?"

Beredith nodded, "He has to be enough, Nhoni. I can feel it. He's what we need. It's why I didn't let Elders try to use him as a pawn."

Nhoni watched her with clear blue eyes, "I wouldn't cast my lot entirely with him though. Don't get me wrong. I like the fella. But how far can we trust him?"

Trust.

"I mean that Ashmen talk is one of the wildest I've heard. I'm not sure the Elders bought it." Nhoni said flatly.

Beredith sighed inwardly, "What if he isn't lying? What are the odds he's telling the truth?" Nhoni shrugged.

She leaned forward and touched Beredith's knee, "Why don't we try talking with him, again. Together."

"Alright. These men are boring anyway. Making lives look like chess pieces on a board." Nhoni rolled her eyes at them.

*******

Bullon threw his head back and roared with laughter. "So the man asked the shopkeeper," Zkel was saying, "how much for your flowers?" He was gesticulating for emphasis. "The shopkeeper said 'A gold crown'. The man shouted. 'A gold crown? For flowers? Why don't you charge for breathing while you are it?"

Bullon was still laughing hard. Alkoni passed him a handkerchief. He collected it gratefully.

Dune closed the book he was reading. "Isn't a gold crown way too outrageous for flowers though? Besides in Eden these things should be free." He said it with such a straight face. Alkoni couldn't tell if he meant it as a joke.

"Don't think on it too much, Dune. Keep reading that book while humans tell human jokes," Bullon said dabbing his eyes.

Alkoni choked with laughter. Pendrick covered his mouth it was obvious he was laughing. Zkel didn't bother to hide his.

Dune didn't look perturbed by the comment. "Right." Just like that he went back to reading. The man was impossible.

"Hello boys," Nhoni said, stepping around their fire. Bullon let out another gauntlet of laughter. Alkoni found himself joining him.

Nhoni frowned. Zkel held out his hand. "Believe me, my dear, they aren't laughing at you."

"It's quite evident," another voice said. Roses filled the air. Beredith. Alkoni's laughter cut off slowly. Pendrick got up and bowed. Dune gave the ladies one that even Alkoni doubt he could have bettered it. Beredith smiled at him. Her eyes found Alkoni. They locked gazes. Bullon rested his weight on Alkoni, forcing him to turn away.

"Ladies, please. Share the fire with us," he said in that deep voice of his.

"Formal as always, Bullon." Nhoni said as she sat beside Zkel. Beredith sat between Alkoni and Pendrick. "You look like you're enjoying yourself."

Alkoni licked his lips, "You'd rather I don't."

"No. Not at all. About last time —"

He waved his hand, "Ah, don't worry about it. Let's not spoil the mood." He gave her one of his best smiles. She returned a lovely smile. Sands but she was beautiful.

*******

The men had broken camp. Soldiers in mail and plates ran about. Blacksmiths' anvils rang in the air. Alkoni held his sword in hand. It belonged to his father. Work of a master blacksmith. He wouldn't be using it today. A battle-axe and shortsword were going to be his weapons on the field. He wore simple mail, a light breastplate with The Golden Tree of Eden crested on it and leather gauntlets.

The Elders watched him. He gave Beredith his blade. "Could you keep it for me?"

"What would you be using then?" He hefted a battle-axe in his other hand. "This."

"Won't you be needing more armor out there? You look exposed," Sagie said. The silver diseased Elder.

Alkoni rounded on him, "If those drawings are half as accurate. Then I'm not going out there looking that," he pointed at an officer in heavy breastplates, cuirass and gauntlets. I don't understand how he expects to fight in that thing. The ground would likely be muddy.

"I need to be quick on my feet. 'Sides, I've never fought heavily armored before. I'll be expecting your signals." With that he left them at the armory. Sparing a glance for Beredith she nodded.

Shortly, he stood in the mid-lines. Most of the foot at the front lines — wore green tabards with breastplates over it — carried halberds, pikes, spear and lances. Those at the mid and back-lines were armed with swords, sword breakers and small axes at the waist and shields strapped on the back. Some carried war hammers, maces and large axes. Bullon was one of them. The heavy shouldered man wore a grim expression.

Alkoni did a breathing exercise. In and out three times. Just ahead at the other side he could barely make out a river of blackness.

Those things can't be men. Men around him shifted nervously.

Are you ready, wolf?