Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [135]
The former captives were horrified to hear the agonized wails from those trapped behind the flames. This was not what they had intended. Men and women rallied, called to each other, and ran to the doorways, attempting to batter their way in. Nira joined them, trying to help rescue the helpless Ildirans.
And then the guard kithmen had come.
Seeing the flames and the mob of humans, the bestial-looking Ildiran soldiers had fallen upon the former captives, hacking with crystal swords. Dozens had died before the rest of the humans scattered in complete panic. Thinking of the half-breed children with her, Nira had run with them to the residence of Designate Udru'h, where she hoped they might be safe.
There, she had not found what she'd expected, but she had prevented yet another murder. Now perhaps she could stop the rest of this madness.
Nira felt sickened as her group left the former Designate's residence. When she had planned this protest, the burning of the breeding barracks, she had only wanted to force Daro'h into more than the token concessions he'd made in order to cover up the larger plan. She had never intended wholesale destruction. The mayhem continued. The flames were brighter, the screams louder, the situation completely out of control. And the Ildiran guards were killing any loose humans they encountered.
On the outskirts of the Ildiran settlement, the barracks had collapsed into smoldering rubble, and Nira watched as the rising wind blew sparks beyond the camp, setting fire to the grassy hills. The rioters had no interest in stopping that inferno and moved inexorably toward the separate residence of new Designate Daro'h, dragging a battered Udru'h with them. Nira guessed he must be in terrible pain, but at least she had saved his life--for the time being. She doubted her former tormentor would appreciate it.
Her half-breed children accompanied them, following Osira'h as much as they followed her. Raised and trained to sacrifice everything for the Ildiran Empire, they had never imagined anything remotely like this. Both repelled and fascinated, their strange mixed eyes missed nothing.
Frantic Ildirans ran outside; some of them tried to extinguish the flames, while others attempted to free those trapped in the buildings. Humans rushed pell-mell from one burning building to another. Guided by her determination, Nira's small group of followers had only one goal. They marched forward in a disorganized group, the antithesis of precisely trained Ildiran troops.
Suddenly, brutal guards carrying long crystal spears charged into the scattered breeding subjects. The former captives fought back with sticks and clubs, furrowers and planting rods, killing two Ildiran guards. But they had no fighting experience, and dozens were swiftly hacked to pieces. Nira urged her group to run forward, calling out Daro'h's name.
Staunch kithmen formed a cordon in front of the new Designate's residence, standing against Nira's approach. They held katanas--sharp crystal blades mounted on poles. With amazing synchronization, the guards hurled the sharp weapons. Every blade flew true as the panicked mob scattered. Katanas plunged into chests, necks, and even the backs of those few who turned to run. A scream rose up, followed by a wave of outrage.
With deep dismay Nira saw that the guards would never allow the mob to enter Daro'h's house. Thinking dangerously, she made up her mind in an instant. She glanced at Osira'h, who quickly understood. Suddenly the girl and her mother stood holding a still-shuddering Designate Udru'h at the forefront, presenting themselves as living shields.
"We must speak with Designate Daro'h!" Nira's words were clear above the screams, the crackle of flames, the shattering of crystal panes. "Bring him!"
The guards stepped forward, raising their weapons. Nira could see that many of the sharp blades were already smeared with blood.
Osira'h called, "I am the Mage-Imperator's daughter. This is former Designate Udru'h. You know