Gems of Fire: A Young Adult Fantasy Read online

  “Yes, Father?”

  “If it comes to that, you will lead them through the mountain, north into southern Durham. King Edward will welcome you, if he and Prince Lewis don’t come in response to the beacons.”

  “We have food stores for many months here,” Einar added. “We could hold them out.”

  “Did you see those catapults?” asked Hadrian. “He hasn’t come all this way to leave us standing. He’ll fight to the death.”

  Anna silently agreed. The proud Anwar wouldn’t just give up once he discovered Seamus had failed.

  “I say we fight head-on,” said Stefan, standing up. “We can’t have this king ransacking the countryside and killing our peasants while we stay here. Besides, Prince Lewis will come.”

  “I know he will come,” said Saira carefully. “He has told us many times to light the beacons at the first sign of trouble. Even now I bet he is through most of the mountains.”

  Stefan nodded. “Yes, I believe my good sister is right. The beacons were lit yesterday around what time, does anyone know? We’d like to know when we can expect Lewis.”

  It seemed no one quite remembered, as most of the men were with Stefan when it happened.

  “Does no one know?” asked Stefan. “Father, when did you give the order?”

  Everyone knew the king was the only one who could give permission to light the beacons. King Vilipp cleared his throat, but Anna interrupted.

  “It was within the first couple of hours after Seamus arrived,” Anna said.

  “How do you know, Your Highness?” asked Sir Einar, looking down his nose at her. Everyone turned.

  “Because I lit the first one myself.”

  “What?” Her father gasped. “It would have been guarded.”

  “Anna is an excellent shot,” said Jack.

  “But without your father’s permission?” stormed Einar. “How dare you?”

  “Sir Einar, I beg your pardon,” said Anna, sitting up straighter. “At that point, we had no army, our people were dying, and the king was locked in the throne room. I knew we needed help.”

  “That wasn’t your call to make!” Einar said. His face grew red.

  “Peace, Einar. Let’s not quarrel over things that don’t matter now.” The king winked at Anna. “I applaud Anna’s courage,” he said. “I could have been dead or captured for all she knew, and the crown prince wasn’t here to take charge. She did what she thought was best.”

  Anna couldn’t believe her father was sticking up for her. Her eyes locked on his.

  “So,” he continued, “we can conclude Prince Lewis will be here sometime this evening or perhaps tomorrow, depending on how long it took him to gather his troops. In any case, we must again prepare to fight. We will wait for them to strike first.”

  Jack spoke up. “Anwar must have a weakness,” he said. “We must discover it if we’re to defeat him.”

  “His weakness is his arrogance,” said Anna.

  “Then we draw him in and trap him,” said Stefan. “Let him come through the wall. Let him see us retreat. Then we’ll attack from this side as Prince Lewis surrounds from behind. He can’t know Lewis is coming.”

  The tired men waited. They sharpened their swords and cleaned their armor. Wounded knights and men filled almost every room of the castle. Women and children huddled together, sipping small bowls of broth or porridge. Anna had her leg properly cared for.

  And the enemy gathered outside the wall.

  Night fell, and still there was no attack. Everyone in the castle braced for the horn, the battle cry or the first rock to strike the castle wall. Anwar must not know that the longer he waits, the closer Prince Lewis comes. Every eye was on the enemy, gathering its strength. Soon hundreds of fires ignited just outside the wall, and the rising smoke cast eerie shadows from the huge numbers of attackers camped so near.

  Anna returned to caring for the wounded. As she finished wrapping a man’s wounded arm, she felt a tap on the shoulder. Jack! She jumped up into his arms. He caught her and gently pushed her hands down.

  “I was so anxious to see you,” Anna locked her hands behind her.

  “I came to tell you about Farley,” Jack said. “I lost track of him. He bolted during the battle. But he’s smart. He’ll find his way back to the barn.”

  Anna bit her lip. She hoped he wasn’t hurt, but compared to the dying men, she knew she shouldn’t worry about the horse. She pictured him in the barn aisle now.

  “He’ll take care of himself. I wondered how you two got along. You rode him all the way to Stefan?”

  “Yes. Once I saw I couldn’t reach you, I wanted to let Stefan know what was going on in the castle. I think Farley finally had his fill of galloping. You run him for four hours straight, and he settles right down.” Jack chuckled. “Maybe when this is all over I can help you work with him a bit.” He looked at her cautiously. “He needs a couple months of hard work. He’s a fast horse and all, but wow, Anna, he’s, he’s—”

  “Undisciplined?”

  “To say the least.”

  Anna nodded. “If that horse ever shows up again you can train him however you want. But he is hot-blooded.”

  “Well, I’m not that great at taming wild things.” His voice had an edge to it.

  Anna raised her eyebrows in question and followed him to a quiet corner.

  Jack ran his fingers through his hair. “How could you do that to me?” His words were clipped as he scowled at her.

  Her stomach dropped. She instantly knew what he was referring to. “I thought you were with me,” Anna lied.

  His face grew red. “You did no such thing!” he spat. He took a step back. Anna sensed he was intentionally keeping a safe distance from her.

  “I just wanted to get to Father. It was my first reaction.”

  “Noble, but it’s a miracle you weren’t killed. I can’t keep you safe if you’re not with me.”

  “So you get to charge off into battle, but I’m always to stay behind?” Anna’s voice rose. “No.” She crossed her arms. “It isn’t your job to keep me safe.”

  He waited a long moment. “It ripped my heart out. That’s all.” She had to strain to hear his words. “And it will always be my job to keep you safe. Seeing you go over that bridge—it killed me.”

  The words socked her in the stomach. She hadn’t considered that. She reached for his hand.

  “I’m sorry, but I came all this way to warn Father. I had to get to those weapons and help somehow. Please understand.” His jaw relaxed. “And I was safe.”

  “You were lucky.” He sighed through his nose. “But I understand. I would have done the same.”

  “No. You would never have left me. I am sorry.” Anna stepped closer to him.

  “I could never stay angry with you. All is forgiven,” he said. “Just don’t do it again.”

  “I can’t help it. I’m impulsive. Plus, I had gems of power in my weapons. It was amazing,” she whispered. “Those arrows don’t miss.”

  Light flicked through his eyes. “Tell me.”

  They found an empty room and sat on a couch together. She recounted her use of the bow. She hadn’t used the sword yet, but trusted it would be powerful in battle. Jack held her hand and grazed her knuckles with his thumb.

  “Just promise me you won’t go into battle.” He squeezed her hand.

  “I’m not planning to.”

  “That’s not a promise.”

  “I have no desire to be on that bloody field.” It was the truth and as good an answer as she could give.

  They whispered into the night until Anna’s eyes drooped. Her chin nodded into her chest.

  “Come here. Rest.” He stretched out his arm, and Anna curled into it. Jack leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

  Anna slowly relaxed as her head rested against his warm chest. Soon she heard his soft snore. She closed her eyes and drifted off.

  It was dark when she jolted awake as Jack sat up.

  “I need to get to t
he barracks. I’ve been here too long.” He stood.

  Still sleepy, Anna grabbed a fistful of his shirt.

  “Stay.” She wasn’t ready.

  He shook his head. “I wish I could.” He pulled her up and cupped his hands around the nape of her neck. His thumbs grazed her cheekbones. He ran his fingers through her hair and tilted her face toward his. Those ice-blue eyes penetrated into her soul.

  Anna’s mouth dropped open as he drew near. He paused as their noses touched. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers. He kissed her like it was their last kiss, pouring his feelings into her like there wasn’t a certainty of more kisses to come. She leaned into him and gasped for air when they pulled apart. Yet still she clung to him.

  “Save your arrows until you are at your greatest need,” Jack whispered into her hair. His hands trembled on her back. “There’s no guarantee our army will stand. You may have to lead the women and children through the dungeon and into the mountain. If Lewis doesn’t come…”

  Anna shivered. “If Lewis doesn’t come, you will fight to the death. I can’t bear to think of it.”

  “Be brave. You are stronger than you think.” He took a step back and she released him.

  “Be careful,” was all she could manage.

  He touched the end of her nose with his finger. “I’ll find you when it’s over.”

  He disappeared into the darkness, and Anna wandered to her room, but more sleep did not come. She went to the armory and found some light armor small enough for her. She might as well be prepared.

  After some time, a great rumble shot Anna to her feet. She stumbled to the window. Hundreds of bouncing torches flickered in the night. With the small amount of light and confusing shadows, Anna saw catapults hurling great stones at the outer wall. The battle had begun.

  Chapter 20

  Again and again the terrible thuds sounded as stone crumbled. Anna watched the scant thousand men of Stefan’s move into position. Soon arrows came flying from behind the catapults and Stefan’s men put up their large shields to defend themselves. Their arrows volleyed back on Anwar’s men, but there was no way to tell if any hit its mark. The blackness made the battle confusing to watch. How long until dawn?

  Suddenly a cry went out from the invaders as Stefan’s men repositioned closer to the wall and took out some of those running the catapults.

  Perhaps the cloak of darkness could work for our advantage. If there is a way to outsmart them, Stefan will do it.

  Anna knew her father was in command with Stefan directing the men. It was a team that had worked flawlessly in the past. They had never fought together this close to home, however, and never against an enemy so strong. Anna found a clock and realized it was only an hour or so until dawn.

  Time seemed suspended. Anna put her back to the wall and slid down to the floor. She heard the constant catapults, the endless whir of arrows flying and men screaming. And all she could do was sit and wait for it to end. The fighting continued as the sky turned from black to gray. Anna anxiously awaited the sun, but when it finally dawned, there were no golden rays to cheer her. Thick, gray clouds muted the light. No rain fell, but the clouds descended onto the castle, the bleak mist hiding its highest towers. Even in the gloom, Anna’s spirits lifted a little, knowing every passing hour drew Prince Lewis’ army closer. She could only hope.

  She jumped as a great crash brought down a large section of the outer wall. Anna peeked out the window to see men with swords running over the rubble straight toward Stefan’s men. The clash of metal rose and fell with the voices in the distance. They were drawing nearer to the river. Catapults continued pounding on other sections, which wouldn’t last much longer. Stefan’s men fought bravely but were falling, one by one. The stream of enemy through the wall was endless. There are too many! A great horn sounded, and the drawbridge crashed down.

  “Retreat! Retreat!” rang the voice of the king. “Into the castle.”

  Anna fingered her sword as men swarmed to the bridge. A few were shot and dragged in by their comrades. Anna closed her eyes. Where was Jack?

  As all the troops entered the castle, they quickly drew the drawbridge back up before it, too, was overwhelmed by the enemy. With the bridge doubly secured, Anna felt safe for the moment. She hoped they had done enough damage to the enemy to make up for the lives they had lost.

  She left her window and ran to help any needing medical care. A few men were carried upstairs where Anna helped servants attend to their wounds. Anna scanned their faces. A part of her hoped one of them was Jack. At least he wouldn’t have been killed.

  With the army inside the castle, there was hardly room to move. Every window facing the drawbridge was covered with archers. Anna peeked outside to see if Prince Lewis had made it yet. She couldn’t see far through the mist. It clung to the ground, covering the men’s feet, giving the fighters the eerie appearance of floating over the earth as they moved.

  Anwar’s men took their time clearing away enough rubble so their horses could pull the catapults through the outer wall. Several hours passed as the enemy regrouped. Men with axes chopped through hedge rows and destroyed castle gardens. Nervous horses pulled the catapults through the debris. The catapults lined up across the river from the castle. Anna heard the jingle of the harnesses and the cracks of the whips as the horses worked to pull the enormous killing machines into position. There would be no escape once they sent those large pieces of stone sailing through the air into the castle walls. Anna had a feeling they wouldn’t get far even through the mountain pass.

  The castle had its own smaller catapults which were ready to be released at her father’s word. Anna thought he probably wanted to drag this out as long as possible to give Lewis more time. Anna closed her eyes and prayed he was coming.

  Her father would want her down with the women and children by now, but she was frozen where she was. She fingered the sword fastened on her hip and glanced at the shield, bow and arrows lying close. Her weapons. With gems of power. She strapped the quiver to her back and settled in to stay a little longer. If needed, she could race downstairs fast enough.

  Anwar seemed to be taking his time. A hush came over the castle. In the silence, Anna’s heart pounded away the seconds. Then she heard it. The command to strike!

  The first stone hit with a sickening blow. Then rock after rock flew through the air, knocking out stone and mortar. The castle shook as the larger missiles found their mark. Dust showered down from the windows. Arrows rained down on the enemy, some laced with burning oil to set the catapults on fire.

  “Release!” Anna heard her father’s voice ring out as they answered with their smaller catapults. He was a balcony above her window. Anna peered out. Several of the enemy’s catapults lay in pieces, but more soon moved into their place. Anna couldn’t believe the size of this army.

  “Release!” her father’s voice rang out again, and again the enemy suffered losses. They returned fire with arrows and large stones. The castle shook at every blast. How long will it stand against this onslaught? Perhaps she should go to the women and try to comfort them. But Saira was there.

  The moments crawled by as Anna could do nothing but watch her home get destroyed. The beautiful palace, full of gardens, fragrant fruit trees and manicured shrubs, all ruined. Of course, once the walls fell, the enemy would still have to swim the river to get the drawbridge down—no easy task, laden with armor. But the river was neither swift nor overly deep. Anwar might lose troops in the process, but if there were a large enough breech in the castle’s walls, men could storm across the river and get in with ropes or ladders. Parts of the castle were beginning to crumble, and Anna stifled her panic. Anwar would keep coming and kill—or worse, enslave them all.

  Anna sank to her knees and closed her eyes for a moment. Don’t despair, she kept telling herself. A huge stone hurled through the window above her head, taking large chunks of walls with it. Dust sprayed over her. Just as she rose to flee to the dungeons, Anna heard a faint ho
rn blow in the distance. She strained her ears and a few moments later heard it again, now more clearly and along with thundering hooves. Anna dared to peek.

  Out of the dismal fog came riders on swift, armored horses of every color. At least a thousand. The lead rider carried a flag emblazoned with a red horse over a lightning bolt. The men’s heads were covered with metal helmets, and they carried large shields on their arms. Many were drawing swords while others held spears. Anna presumed archers would be coming in the rear of the group. More than the sight of the men was the sound—pounding, rumbling power was headed their way.

  Prince Lewis had come.

  A huge cheer rang through the castle as Anwar’s men turned to meet this new attack. Many dropped by a shower of arrows Stefan directed over the castle wall. Anwar’s men scattered in confusion for a moment as horsemen crashed into them, mowing a path through the ground troops.

  The king shouted for the drawbridge to lower and Stefan’s men ran out to battle with renewed fervor. The enemy took heavy casualties. Anna sensed victory, thanks to Lewis. She heard a loud trumpet sound from Anwar’s line. She grabbed her bow, trotted down the staircase and cautiously opened the front door of the castle. She saw across the drawbridge that Anwar’s men had stopped fighting altogether and were in full retreat, running hard back behind the outer wall. Relief gushed through Anna.

  It only lasted a second.

  For from behind the outer wall came a black fog, covering the horizon and now rising toward them. Fear shot up Anna’s spine as she caught a foul stench like something that had been dead a long time. As she covered her nose, a gigantic black bird, twice the size of any eagle Anna had ever seen, shot straight out of the fog and high into the air. It cried a piercing bone-chilling shriek. Men cowered and covered their ears as if in pain. Anna crouched back toward the door as it shrieked again. Its cry pierced through her and at once those evil red eyes were on her. She crumpled to the ground. The bird now circled in the sky and dove toward the fallen men, crying out as it came.

  Then she saw Farley. He was running right at Stefan’s troops, whinnying shrilly, almost as fast as the bird flew. The black fog would catch him though he was not slowing down. He would crash right into Stefan’s men. Anna had to stop him. She burst forward, darting down the castle stairs and across the drawbridge. She yelled to Farley, waving her hands in the air as he hurtled forward. Farley shifted course straight for her. He whinnied again. He was still half a minute ahead of the bird when he slid to a stop. Anna grabbed his bridle. Her shield was on her back, and now she thought to place it over the horse’s ears to block the sights and sounds. She pulled his head down and covered both their heads with the shield just as the shrieking bird flew overhead. Anna wrapped her fingers through his mane and kept the shield over his head. He threw his head up, taking Anna with it. She held on as he dropped his head again. Her feet slammed into the ground.