The Legends of Valoria Book Two Rise of the Divine Knight
Chapter 25

“Alright men! Let us on this day honor our Holy Mother and give praise for the day we were born. For tonight, tonight, we walk in the halls of Sidonis! For VALORIA!” Dominic cried out from atop his horse as he roused his entire force of soldiers into assaulting the Forsaken ranks. Each placing a wad of wax in their ears before charging.

Their horse’s hooves clapped thunderously as they blanketed the northern hillside. In white and silver, they were an arrow to pierce the black mass as they neared their target. As they made contact, Dominic released his spear, it having struck through and broken. He quickly pulled his halberd and began flailing it about with superior skill. Dominic continuously slashed and sliced his way through the ranks as did most of his men. As he approached, he saw massive bells of flame pelting against the western wall. As they continued to cleave forward, Dominic could see the army shifting towards the trebuchets target.

Dominic raised his weapon high and pointed to the main gates. His men pushed onward, and he witnessed another ball of flame rise up then descend upon the wall, crumbling it. With no way to push through the entire army, Dominic and his men continued to the gates. As they continued to spearhead through the Forsaken, the gates slowly opened showing a horde of armed guards and an angry looking Divine.

“Ah, My Lady Tear, thank Aneira you heard us.” He spoke to himself as he cut down another adversary and noticed Tear’s glow. He lifted his left hand with a closed fist in salute as her body lifted from the ground. Tear, staff in left hand, lifted her hands skyward as her body continued to rise. Tear yelled out as the light burst around her and roots began to pour out of the ground, impaling, crushing and eviscerating the Forsaken caught in the path.

“From death, life. The cycle of the land is restored. From their destruction, the earth shall heal.” Dominic could hear Tear say as the roots, having ignored Dominic and his men, retreated underground as fresh grass and flowers bloomed.

“Onward! Defend Valascaa!” Dominic cried as he lifted his halberd high and pointed. He and his men charged. As they poured into the city, Zelus called to Dominic.

“Quickly to the Highmoorian sector! Talia has already taken a team with her to secure it.” Dominic steered his horse forward and renewed his charge. As they thundered away down the pavement, Zelus, Eliza and Tear, turned back to the approaching Forsaken.

“Split off men! Half of you with me! Rear flank, hold the gates!” Twenty men split off from the group and turned back towards the gates as Dominic charged forward again and rounded the corner. As Talia and the others came into sight, he pointed his weapon forward and rode towards them. Talia and the others jumped out of the way as Dominic and his men charged passed. Dominic and his knights impaled the Forsaken and as their bodies evaporated, the knights continued to push forward.

“Fall in behind them! Keep their rear flank defended!” He could hear Talia yell from behind. As their charge came to a halt, he and his men quickly tossed aside the ruined clothing decorating their equipment.

“Form ranks!” Dominic called and he and his men circled up and worked to repel the enemy.

“Captain!” Dominic looked away briefly to see another of his riders nearing. “Captain! The council has ordered the gates shut! You must hurry or else you will be trapped inside!” Dominic turned to face everyone, looked towards the alley leading to the orphanage and then back to the messenger.

“Have some men hold the gatehouse. There are still civilians trapped inside.” Dominic pointed. “Any of you who wish to leave before the gates close, do so now. Knights, let’s move out!” Dominic steered his horse to face the encroaching enemy and began to charge. His men followed, with Talia and the others close behind.

Colette held Talia’s hand as they ran, helping Talia to keep up the pace as Mayella began to slow. With Dominic’s men clearing the way, the pack quickly arrived to see a swell of chaos in front of the Highmoorian orphanage. Forsaken soldiers swarmed the building in mass and Mayella saw the signs of resistance.

“Someone must still be inside, fighting back.”

Nathan ran, sword held high.

“Help is here! We’re coming Mariah!” Nathan charged ahead.

Dominic pointed forward and his men charged. As Dominic fought his way towards the front door, he dismounted his horse and drew his tower shield. He swatted his horse on its flank and it ran back towards the gate as his men took up positions behind him. Dominic ran towards the building

“Mariah! Children! Are you alright?” He called as he crushed a Forsaken beneath his shield.

“We are in here! I grabbed as many as I could and we’re in here!” Dominic, Nathan and the others achieved a frenzied assault and quickly pushed their way in.

“Dominic!” Mariah ran up to him and gave him a leaping hug. Dominic pat her on the back as she turned to the others. Her face was soiled and scratched, her armor dented, beaten and clothes torn but Mariah still exhibited her own natural beauty.

“Thank the goddess you came!” Colette, Nathan and Dominic’s men guarded the entrance as Mayella and Talia walked up.

“Do you have any wounded?” Mariah nodded.

“Yes, this way. I have tried to keep them away from the children. They have enough to be scared about.” Mariah led them away, Mayella grabbed Talia’s hand and she followed. After turning a corner and walking down the hall, Mariah opened the first door on her right. As Talia and Mayella walked away, Dominic turned to survey the defenses.

“Why have they not pursued their attacks? Giles, Nathan, I have a bad feeling about this.” Nathan and Giles both peeked out of separate windows.

“They are just standing there...waiting.” Dominic thought for a moment.

“Get everyone ready now!” Giles and Nathan jumped.

“What has happened?”

“Why else would they allow us all to coral here and then simply back away? Begin moving everyone downstairs.” Nathan and Giles immediately began doing so as Dominic turned back to the window. He stared intently as the Forsaken remained perfectly still, staring in and and even noticed a score of Valorians standing among them.

“Sir Dominic! Come quick!” Dominic whipped his head and ran towards one of his officers who was looking out the front door.

“What is it?” Immediately Dominic knew. As he reached the front door, he saw several Valorians holding torches and kindling, making their way closer.

“Knights! Take up the offensive!” He bellowed as he drew his weapon and marched to the door. Shield held high, , followed by several other knights, he exited the orphanage was quickly fired upon.

“Shields up!” Dominic yelled as the first of the missiles descended. As the arrows pelted their shields, they marched towards the torch wielders, forming ranks to defend one another.

“Bowmen! Take aim!” He called again as his two men left inside drew their bows. He knew that the Valorians were not acting on their own accord, having been ensorcelled but there was no other choice. His men had no intentions of killing their own but would instead try to cripple their advance. Nine Valorians in all marched towards them and Dominic was not going to allow them to burn the orphanage.

“FIRE!” Arrows began streaming out of the building, two at a time, striking the enchanted victims in either an arm or a leg. The civilians collapsed or dropped what they were carrying as the arrows struck them and Dominic’s men cheered. Dominic and his men however quieted once the crippled targets rose, lifted their instruments and continued their march.

“Take aim!” Dominic called again as he continued to hide behind his shield from the constant stream of fire from the enemy.

“FIRE!” He called and this time his archers planted arrows in both legs of their targets. The civilians again fell but did not stay down. Each rose up and neared ever closer. Dominic refused to panic as he dealt with the moral conflict before him.

“Forward march!” He called as he and his eight men marched out against the small army.

“Keep the formation tight! We do not want to leave an opening for the enemy!” He knew the enemy would not be able to throw far with their injuries and so he called for the halt just after they walked from beneath the roof of the orphanage landing.

There they waited for the civilians to near. As they approached, Dominic ordered his men to only incapacitate them. Dominic held his halberd at full length and many of his men held out their lances. They remained firm as the enchanted civilians approached. One neared Dominic’s halberd, stopped, looked at it and then purposefully impaled himself through the chest.

Dominic was stunned for a moment as his men swung their lances horizontally to try and knock them unconscious.

“Sir Dominic, the civilians keep getting back up. What is your order, sir?” Dominic watched as the man at the end of his weapon fell to the ground and did not rise. Dominic took a deep breath as he came to terms with the travesty he was about to commit.

“Holy Mother, please lay their souls to rest and forgive us for what we must do.” Dominic spoke under his breath.

“Sir?”

“Knights!” He paused briefly, “I order you to cut them down.” Dominic took a deep breath as he heard the lances drop and the swords unsheathe. As the last civilian fell, Dominic’s heart sank to a new low as he looked back to the enemy line.

“By the Goddess, what madness is this?” Filling his vision, a line of twenty young children stood between his men and the Forsaken army. His men all gasped in dismay at the sight before them. The children bore different expressions than the villagers before did, more that they were being forced into the action as opposed to their minds being absent. Nathan and Giles moved to the door.

“Sir Dominic! Everyone has been moved. By the goddess! What has happened?” Without looking toward them, Dominic yelled back.

“Quickly fetch the Lady Divine and Mariah! We must replace a way to stop them without harming them!” He could hear Nathan and Giles begin calling for the two.

“Knights, switch to non-lethals! There is no redemption for what the enemy wants from us.” His men did as ordered and picked up their lances. Dominic brought his halberd back and stood with just his shield.

The children began to march, each having received a torch. Dominic and his men held their ranks firm as Talia, Mariah, Colette and Mayella appeared with Nathan and Giles. Everyone gasped at what they were seeing, even Talia, whom Dominic thought could sense the enchantment.

“Lady Divine! Is there anything that you can do to help us?” He waited, but only a second as Talia began to sing beautifully. A moment later, Dominic felt as though he were being bathed in brilliant, warm light and he saw, a moment after that, the children’s torches were extinguished and blown from their hands.

“Theirs’ is a different enchantment from the others. I can see the magic encircling them. Allow me but a moment.” Talia began singing again as the children began to look about wildly, as if terrified. Nathan, Giles and the others minus Talia ran up to Dominic’s side, ready to grab the children.

“We are defended from enemy fire! Try and restrain the children!” Mayella yelled. Dominic quickly made the call and as his men charged, the enemy began to rush forward. His knights charged passed the children and stood before the Forsaken line, shields at the ready. As the sound of Talia’s singing grew louder, Dominic saw that the children were beginning to cry and collapse at the sight of he and his men. One by one, they submitted themselves to Nathan and the others.

“Hold them back, men! Do not let the enemy harm them!” Dominic roared, emulating a thunderous beast as the enemy struck their line. Dominic and his men neither faltered or relented as they fought back against the superior numbers. All the while, his bowmen above unleashed as many arrows as they could gather from the ground. As Nathan and the others gathered up the last of the children, Dominic addressed his men.

“Fall back to the orphanage! We hold them there!” As Dominic and his men slowly backed away, a handful of his men were beginning to grow overwhelmed and began to sustain injuries. Having reached the front steps of the orphanage, they encircled their wounded and backed to the doorway.

“They are trying to breach the windows!” Mariah yelled as she began stabbing and thrusting at the ones who tried to enter. As Dominic’s men guarded the door, the others divided and began blocking their windows. They held the Forsaken back without too much difficulty as Talia did her best to treat the four wounded while not expending so much energy that she would pass out.

“Vosch needs to hurry up and get here.” Mariah grumbled as she continued to fight the invading forces.

“Anton?” Dominic eyed Mariah.

“Yes, he helped me bring everyone here and told me that he would be back. He sure is taking his sweet time though.” After a moment, the enemy attack began to die down. Dominic looked out the window as his men called.

“Sir, the enemy is retreating!” Dominic continued to stare outside as Mariah and Nathan both let out a yell. Dominic turned away just in time to avoid a flaming arrow, which pierced the window and stuck into the ground near him. He moved out of the way, as an entire stream of flaming arrows pelted the side of the building and caught it on fire.

“Find an exit!” Dominic called knowing they would never escape through the front. Dominic turned to Mariah.

“Is there an exit Mariah? You said that Vosch sent you here. Do his agents have a passage here?” Everything around them began to catch fire.

“Yes, but he wasn’t sure where the tunnel was or if it even opened from this side.”

“It would have to be underground,” He turned away. “Everyone, to the downstairs, quickly.” Everyone did as they were told, Talia taking up the rear. Dominic was filled with gratitude for the number of people who had lived to descend the stone steps. He walked halfway down the steps before eyeing all of the children, wounded and knights.

“Listen everyone, I need for you all to remain calm.” He started as forty some sets of eyes, wide with fear stared at him. ”I know that it is crowded and that you are all scared, but we are going to get out of here.” Dominic again eyed the crowd before continuing. “The enemy has set fire to the building.” The terrified squeals of the mass began to drown out Dominic. He and his knights tried to dull the noise so he could continue.

“However, there exists a secret passage somewhere down here. I need for everyone to begin searching for it so that we can get out.”

Several people, men, women and children rose and began fanning out to search the stone walls. Dominic’s knights also helped as Talia continued watching the door. Dominic only hoped to himself that his gut feeling on Vosch was not wrong.

“Sir Dominic, a word if I may?” Talia asked. Dominic ascended the steps, feeling the heat from above was lessened nearest to Talia.

“Yes my Lady Divine.” He spoke as he clapped his fist to his chest.

“I could cast a rune of detection and quickly locate the passage but doing so would require me to release my flame ward. I fear I no longer have the strength to do both.” Dominic considered this for a moment.

“Would you also be able to detect how to open the passage?”

“Conceivably, but, if it does not open from our side, there will not be much that I can accomplish.” Again, Dominic thought for a moment.

“How long can you hold this and still use your detection rune?”

“A matter of minutes. The fire out there has grown most fierce.”

“How long do you think we will have once you release your hold on the flames?”

“Not long.” Dominic scrunched his face while trying to think of a plan.

“I am going to help replace the door. Hold the flames as long as you can, but do not run out of energy. Once you have neared your limit, please assist us with your search. Vosch is coming, we just need to buy him some time.”

“Anton is here in Valascaa?” Dominic nodded.

“It is a long story. I would love to tell it once we are all safe.” Talia nodded as she turned away and Dominic retreated down the steps. Dominic thought to himself, which location would make the most sense for the passage. The west wall would lead under the castle, while the eastern walls would lead back towards the heart of the city. As Dominic headed towards the western wall, a small child yelled out.

“I think it’s here!” A small girl opposite Dominic yelled. Dominic ran toward her as everyone else turned their heads, eyes full of hope.

“Where, little one?”. A little boy beside her spoke.

“Hey Seerah, I can feel it here too.”

“What is it?” Dominic asked. Seerah turned toward Dominic.

“Put your hand right here. You can feel it.” Dominic quickly pulled off one of his gauntlets and let it drop to the ground as he reached out with his bare hand.

“You are right! Excellent work children. Someone please inform the Lady Divine.” Dominic threw off his other gauntlet and attempted to feel out the opening with both hands.

“Have you found it?” Talia asked as she came up from behind.

“These two have. Can you please help me replace the mechanism to open it?”

“Certainly,” Talia answered as she traced out the rune for detection and cast it. Talia blinked her eyes repeatedly for a moment and then looked at the spot on the wall.

“I do not see a device, rather it looks as though there is a hidden block that can be pulled away. There is a groove that wraps all the way around this square.” As she spoke, she traced out the small block with her finger.

“Someone come help me,” Dominic spoke as he withdrew his sword.

“Please move, children, I do not wish to accidently slip and hurt one of you.” As they moved, he slipped on his gauntlets and plunged his sword into the identified crevice and began scraping at its side. Giles ran up alongside him, sword already unsheathed and began scraping at the opposite side. The two began digging tirelessly but they could already feel the air becoming heavy and knew that there was precious little time left.

As they chipped away, they heard a voice coming from the other side.

“I’m sorry that I’m late. Keep going! I’m going to bang on it from this side.” Dominic knew at once that it had to be Anton and tried to slide his sword inside the crevice. He began to push the sword back and forth causing the vertical slab to begin rocking.

“We have almost got it!” Giles, drenched in sweat, said as he began trying to work along the top. He jabbed his sword, where Talia had suggested and found the groove. He began scraping across the top as they heard rhythmic thudding from the other side of the block. They were both beginning to feel fatigued and suffocated as the air grew thinner still. They struggled a few moments more, then the block finally came free and they felt a surge of cool air rush in. The moment the block cleared away, they also heard the fire above grow enraged. Dominic turned towards everyone as Anton came through the hole. Everyone began to clap and cheer as Anton raised a finger to his lips, beckoning silence.

“Listen everyone, I am going to lead you out of here now but you have to be silent. There are some Forsaken in the tunnels and we do not want them to replace us. I need fighters stationed in the front, the rear and a few peppered in throughout the group. Does everyone understand?” Nearly everyone nodded their heads but not a soul spoke. Anton smiled as he turned back towards the hole, crouched down and crawled in. Dominic motioned for a few of his men to follow before allowing the civilians to follow.

Giles, Mariah, Nathan and Colette split amongst the crowd and the other half of the knights, Talia and Dominic himself formed up the rear. Immediately, they were encased in darkness, the only way of knowing where to go was by following the person in front of you. Dominic, having moved towards Talia’s right side, held out his arm for her.

“My lady,” he spoke as he gently placed her right hand on his forearm. Talia gripped it securely as they walked in the dark, utterly silent. They walked for quite some time, made several twists and turns but ultimately reached their destination as Dominic saw light ahead of them. Dominic was the last to exit the hole as Anton reached down to help him up through a hole in the floor of a separate building. Dominic looked around as Anton jumped back inside.

“Vosch, what are you doing?” A cloaked woman, walked passed Dominic. She looked at him with her dark eyes and Dominic noticed her tattoo on her right cheek in the shape of an eagle’s claw. She hopped into the hole beside Anton and kept walking.

“We have our own mission, my friend but we cannot take you with us. Slow us down I’m afraid. The gate is just a little farther east. I wished to have you closer but I cannot risk a confrontation with the Forsaken down there. May the goddess bless your footsteps.” Anton said as he disappeared.

“And yours,” Dominic called back before turning his gaze back on his flock.

“Alright, I can hear the battle not far off. That means that we are at least close to the gates. My men and I will scout ahead. Giles I want to watch for my signal. Once I do, I want you to begin bringing everyone out and follow us. We will alert the rest of our men to open the gate and we’ll head to the noble’s quarter if we have to.” Giles nodded and crouched down by the doorway. Dominic flagged his men and they strode out into the lifeless streets.

Dominic turned towards the gate. They slowly carried onwards carefully searching for any signs of the enemy. Dominic turned back and waved at Giles, who began sending people out two at a time. After everyone had made it out, the remaining knights fell in line, taking care to watch their rear.

Within a matter minutes, the extreme level of anxiety had Dominic feeling as if they had been running for hours. They could see the shut gates ahead of them. As they approached, the sounds of combat intensified. Dominic knew beyond a doubt that the enemy was still coming inside. Dominic ran up to the gatehouse and knocked on the wall. No one answered and so he looked inside the narrow opening and saw that his men inside were dead.

“Men! Lances at the ready. We’re going to have to open this gate ourselves.” He spoke as the battle raged on the other side. Eight lances burrowed under the gate as Dominic’s knights wedged their weapons beneath it and pried with all of their might. As the gate slowly budged, Dominic did his best by grabbing on and, using the strength of his massive body, began lifting as well.

“Dominic, the enemy has spotted us!” He heard a voice but could not look to see whose.

“A little bit more men!” Dominic groaned as his knights did their best.

“Everyone start going. Be careful around the lances. We cannot hold this if even one slips.” Dominic could hear the enemy close behind them.

“Just a little higher,” he growled. As they lifted higher, Dominic called out again.

“Nathan! Take our shields and begin wedging them beneath the gate. Hurry now!” Nathan quickly grabbed Dominic’s shield and wedged it into the corner. As Nathan did so, Dominic and his men eased slightly. Dominic’s shield held some of the weight but even his massive shield looked ready to give.

“Another!” Dominic cried and Nathan did so again and again, until nine shields later, the gate remained open.

“Defend the future of Valascaana!” Dominic cried as he and eight of his men ran to face the Forsaken without their shields while the others worked to evacuate the innocents. Dominic held his halberd in his right hand, longsword in his left as he met the enemy line, roaring loudly enough to awaken the long dead.

“Get Talia out of here!” He bellowed as, by his side, one of his knights fell. They continued to slowly retreat backwards as those they defended, escaped, following Giles towards the nobles’ quarter and then into the labyrinth. As they backed closer to the gate, Dominic heard a familiar voice.

“Dominic!” His brother Nilus yelled. Another of Dominic’s knights fell. Dominic continued to fight and roared in pain as he took a blade to the left thigh. He stumbled but did not falter. Nilus cried out for his brother again as he began to shoot arrows through the gate in an attempt to help. Dominic found Nathan and Mariah fighting by his side as nearly everyone else had managed their way out.

“Is the Divine safe?”

“She and Mayella did not want to leave you.” Nathan answered.

“Get her out NOW!” The mountain rumbled and they ran to Talia.

“Sorry, my Lady Divine, but it is time to go.” Each grabbed hold of Talia and began dragging her away. Dominic could hear Talia cry out for him, but at least he knew she would be safe. An arrow pierced his shoulder and he stumbled backwards while bellowing forth a lion’s roar. Nilus quickly pulled out his bow and loosed an arrow into the archer as Dominic fought on with indomitable fortitude.

“Oh Holy Mother, I deliver unto thee my spirit. Oh Holy Mother, please accept it and safeguard it by your side. Please look upon me now in my final hour and see me worthy of rest in the peace of your eternal sanctum.” Dominic’s five remaining knights joined in on the prayer as the last several civilians crawled under the gate.

“I have lived with valor, upholding thine ideals and now I die with honor. I have no regrets. With my sacrifice, others shall live. Oh Holy Mother, I deliver unto thee my spirit.” They began repeating the prayer in unison. Dominic called back to his brother as he and his men continued to slowly lose ground.

“Nilus! Has everyone reached safety?”

“I have the last one. Now hurry up and get out of there.” Dominic looked at each of his remaining men.

“It has been an honor sir. We have no regrets” Each nodded in agreement as Dominic swung wide and knocked a shield out from under the gate. The gate shuddered and the metal shields groaned under the weight.

“Dominic! Don’t do this! You can all still make it!”

“If we move, the enemy reaches our troops. If the gate stays open, the enemy flanks our troops. We both know this is the only option, brother. Help us fulfill our final duty. Help us save our home.” Nilus began to cry as more archers came to his aid. He rotated his head slightly, tensing the muscles in his neck as he closed his eyes. As Nilus opened his eyes, he exhaled and, yelling loudly with anger and despair, knocked out the remaining shields. Dominic and his men smiled as their backs moved nearer and nearer to the gate.

Dominic took a blow to the shoulder, another across his waist and a third raked his arm as the enemy came upon him. He had slain countless Forsaken and yet their numbers continued to swell. He cleaved through four more with a slash from his halberd and two more with his longsword. Only two of his men remained as their backs pressed against the gate.

“You’re the head of the house now Nilus. Make sure they all grow up strong.” Dominic took a blow through the stomach. The blade pierced out his back and Nilus placed a hand on Dominic as he stabbed at the Forsaken with the other. Dominic, having dropped his halberd, grabbed the arm of the Forsaken that stabbed him and removed its head with his sword as another cut into him.

He could hear the screams of his comrades as they fell and even as he killed several more Forsaken his vision began to blur. Finally, the enemy backed away and Dominic fell to the ground, dead, a broad triumphant smile on his face.