Realms of Infamy - James Lowder [150]
"They're splitting up," a warrior said. "Some have bows drawn."
"They won't use them," said Zeth, his face at peace. "They know we have the prisoners."
"They'll charge us," I said, squinting at the distant figures. I made decisions and shouted aloud. "The horsemen will come in first-archers, take out as many as you can. I want everyone with a spear to be ready to meet them. Go for the horses first. Ignore the riders. Once a horse is down, ignore it. Draw your swords and go for the next horses. Cut at their legs and drop them. The riders won't be able to get up right away; we can send a second rank over to finish them. Then get ready to meet the foot soldiers. Use your height and go for the heads and arms as they come up the slope."
"Ever the warrior," said Zeth, quietly so only I heard.
My mouth opened, then closed in silence. Ever the warrior. Perhaps so I was. I had known nothing else. Yet my words were wise, even now. More humans would learn from us as a result. It was better that way.
I watched the humans close in, dust flying against the distant rumble of hooves. Though I could not see their faces, I sensed their hunger for our blood. I could almost smell it. It was natural and right.
"It is a good day," I finally said. It wasn't what I had meant to say, but it was true. I was at ease at last, at peace with all. It would be a good fight on a good day. I looked at the oncoming riders, their pennants flying, and a strange sensation passed through me. It was the purest feeling that had ever touched me. I blinked, forgetting myself, and my breathing stopped.
"You feel it," said Zeth softly. "It is good, yes?"
My lips formed the word yes, but gave no sound. I slowly smiled at the humans coming for us, smiled as a child would do. Welcome, I said without sound, full of that feeling. Welcome to our final teaching.
"They will hear of this in the Dustwalls," Zeth said, as if dreaming. "I can see it happen. My grandfather will hear of this from the gods, then he will teach it to our people, then the gods will release him from his shell of life. We will have found ourselves at last. We will be as we should be."
"It is a good day," I repeated, nodding. I felt light, light and strong, eager and pure. I had struggled so long with such simple things. It was so good to let it go.
The human riders charged at us, heads down, swords and axes at their sides, the hooves of their steeds flying through the tall grass. The world grew brighter, sharper, clearer, but I did not look away.
Zeth turned and made a single motion. Arrows hissed from a dozen bows. Horses and men fell. Behind us, warriors began to kill the prisoners in view of their rescuers. A woman screamed in one long howl that rose over us all like a great arch.
Many, many riders were left. They came on faster, growing in size, faces hard as stone. Zeth spread his pale arms to greet them.
It was a beautiful day. The first riders reached our hill, came up the slope, came through our ranks of spears. I ran to meet them with my people, sword high. The feeling touched me again, and I laughed and could not stop.
It felt just like love.
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Table of Contents
SO HIGH A PRICE
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE
THE MEANING OF LORE
RAVEN'S EGG
THE THIRD LEVEL
BLOOD SPORT
GALLOWS DAY
A MATTER OF THORNS
STOLEN SPELLS
THE GREATEST HERO WHO EVER DIED
TWILIGHT
THE WALLS OF MIDNIGHT
AND WRINGING OF HANDS
THIEVES' HONOR
LAUGHTER IN THE FLAMES
VISION