From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [191]
Shung gripped Achan’s arm and tugged. This way.
Achan followed Shung through a gap in the fighting. As they neared the tower, the enemy defense came into view. A wall of rectangular shields and mantlets circled the bottom of the tower. They were decorated with three black stripes or painted gowzals. All had a slot or hole of some kind at the top. Arrows and balls of green fire flew out from those openings. An occasional boulder sailed over the top.
Achan lifted his shield to his nose. They’ve got mangonels, Sir Caleb. They’re hurling stones.
I see that. Where are you?
Shung and I are straight out from the entrance. We need a way past the blockade.
See if the duchess can aid us. I’ll gather the men to you.
Agreed. A boulder flew through the air straight at Achan. With no time to dodge it, he crouched and braced his shield. The rock hit, though not with the force he’d expected. He peeked over his shield to see a man’s head rolling away.
A jolt of nausea gripped him. He closed his eyes and focused on Duchess Amal’s pleasant face. My lady? We could use your assistance.
An enemy soldier charged. Achan pushed to his feet and raised his sword, but Shung darted forward and met the attack. Achan turned in a quick circle and saw only Sir Caleb and a handful of his squad approaching.
Duchess Amal’s voice filled his ears then, music to his anxious soul. How can I be of service, Your Highness?
If Sir Eagan can spare you, we need help accessing the watchtower. They’ve barricaded us out.
I see it. I will take out the men at the entrance. Be ready.
Sir Caleb reached Achan’s side, panting. “What news?”
“She’s attacking now. We must be ready to charge.”
Sir Caleb gathered the men into three lines. The center line consisted of Sir Caleb, Bran, Cortland, Achan, Shung, and Toros. “We all charge together. The outer lines protect the center. Once the center enters the watchtower, do what you can to take the shields and guard the door.”
Now, Your Highness! Duchess Amal said.
“Now!” Achan yelled.
The men charged, shields before them, swords ready. They met no resistance, thanks to Duchess Amal’s storming, and Achan’s line ran inside the tower and up the stairs. Sir Caleb, Bran, Cortland, Achan, then the rest. Shadows on the wall preceded three New Kingsguard knights coming down from above.
Like all towers, the stairs rose on the left, circling to the right. This gave the defender the advantage as his right arm faced the outer wall. Sir Caleb struggled a moment as his blade was obstructed by the center pillar. He switched his sword to his left hand and pressed upward. Achan already held Ôwr in his left hand.
But the narrow stairs allowed for no more than one battle at a time. And when Sir Caleb managed to fell one opponent, only Sir Caleb was able to meet the next. There was nothing the others could do but wait.
Sir Caleb killed the second man and stepped over his body to meet the third.
An external force shook the tower. Sir Caleb’s opponent stumbled and slid down a few steps on his back, his plate armor gliding over the stone. Sir Caleb darted aside and bashed his boot against the man’s head as he went by. Shung finished him off.
The tower shook again. This time the wall cracked at an arrow loop, right where Achan stood.
A snakelike head bashed through the wall, sending bits of whitestone and dust over the stairwell. It knocked Bran down, curled up the stairwell and snapped at Sir Caleb, then swung back, pushed over Cortland and Manu, and screeched.
A tanniyn!
The creature’s breath was a hot putrid wind in Achan’s face. He cowered against the central pillar, hiding behind his shield. Duchess! The tanniyn!
The tanniyn’s next screech was laced with pain. Achan peeked over his shield to see Shung wrench his sword out from the creature’s neck. The tanniyn