The Chronicles of Kelor: Book One; The Boy Alpha

Chapter 24

At the top of the wall, I met with the Captain of the City Guards. “How far are they.”

“Out of our archers’ range, my lord.”

“What of the Trebuchets’ range?”

“They’ll soon be within their firing range.”

“Good. Tell your men to light-up the boulders moments before they fire.”

“Yes, my lord.” Before he could turn away, I placed a hand on his shoulder. “One more thing. Have you seen Madam Flaughan?”

“No, my lord, but I sent for her.”

“What? Why would you tell her to come here?”

“Isn’t she your escort my lord? I assumed she should always be with you. Was I wrong to call for her?”

“No, it’s fine. Go and instruct your men.”

I stayed on top of the wall for a while trying to survey the land outside the city’s southern wall. It was barren land for about a thousand paces making it difficult for any army to mount a siege without suffering heavy loses. This strategy was put into effect all across the major cities in Kelor during the Great Orc war. I couldn’t help but feel as if the Orcs were preparing us for the new foe that we were about to engage.

I almost feel sorry for the mindless shriekers.

“Prince Leon.” A familiar voice called out to me.

“Monica, I’m glad to see you.” In a low voice I added, “how was the meeting with the Queen?”

“Dreadful. She keeps her cards close to her chest but expects others to do the exact opposite. She seems to be suspicious of every creature in Kelor, even her own kind. In any case, we can talk about it later. Update me on the matter at hand.”

I told her everything and when I was done, the Captain came to inform us that the shriekers were within firing range of the trebuchets. I allowed him to proceed with our plan. The boulders were set on fire and hurled over the wall, lighting up the night sky before crashing down on the shriekers. For a while, the sound of boulders crashing into the ground was the loudest sound we could all hear but then the shrieks grew louder, filling us with dread as we realised that their numbers were far greater than we had anticipated. Suddenly, a symphony of howls joined the song of shrieks as black figures darted across the field.

“I need men with spears on these walls now! The rest of you, load those trebuchets and keep firing.” Men begun to climb the wall armed with spears as my order to keep firing rang out among them.

One of the dark figures had reached the base of the wall and begun to climb up. My first instinct was to attack it and send it back down but I feared that I would be out numbered outside the wall and so I waited. Once it’s head was inches from me I swung my boot at its lower jaw forcing its head to snap back and its claws to lose their grip on the wall. I looked at the other men and was grateful to see them plunge their spears into the heads and chests of the werewolf-shreikers, causing them to turn into dust. Looking back across the field I realised that the slower shriekers were within range of the archers.

“Archers! Fire!” I ordered.

Flaming arrows flew overhead and soared downwards into their targets causing more plums of dust to appear. The trebuchets fired again, reducing their numbers but at a slow rate. The second wave of werewolf-shriekers climbed the walls and this time they outnumbered us, forcing us to retreat the ground, which in turn disturbed the archers and other men controlling the trebuchets. The Captain ordered the archers to retreat to the nearby rooftops and pick their targets on the walls.

A woman, who I could only assume lived in one of the houses near the walls came out screaming. I don’t know why, but the first thing I noticed about her were her eyes. She had a blue eye on the left and a red one on the right. The second thing I noticed was that she was carrying a child. The third thing was that she was being chased by a werewolf-shrieker and the fourth was that Monica had run after them.

“Monica, wait.”

I was tackled to the ground before I could dash after her. Lying on my back, I put my hands out and caught the jaws of another werewolf-shrieker.

How many are they?

I held on tight and pushed with all my might, dislocating its jaw. The creature didn’t budge. I shifted my weight to one side and with my other arm I thrust my fingers into its chest. I got up and ran after Monica and the woman who was holding a child. I found Monica in an ally, clutching her side.

“Monica! Are you alright?”

“Yeah, just a little scratch. I’ll be fine.”

“Where’s the woman with the child?”

“Told her to get to as far away as she could. This is going to be a long night.”

I chuckled and helped her to her feet. “You should follow her.”

“And leave you to have all the fun? Never.”

We headed back to the southern wall to help the remaining soldiers. 

**********

Early in the morning, a servant ran into my room to inform me that Queen A’el and her escort had arrived.

“Have you told the King?”

“Yes, my Lord. Another servant was sent to King Valark’s room.”

I put on my royal cloak and followed the servant into the guest wing where we usually lead our guests. I waited for Valark before going in. When he arrived I took him aside and said, “Did you tell all of Kelor that you are the King?”

“No, I haven’t finished writing the letters.”

“Then the new fairy queen isn’t aware of the changes that have happened.”

“Do you think Deven got word to her?”

“Impossible. The halfling was last seen heading north. There are no villages or towns in that direction. I also increased the number of patrols along our border to prevent him from going to his future wife or vampire friend for help.”

“Maybe she’s here about the increased border patrols?”

“Perhaps. In any case we won’t know for sure until we see her. Don’t reveal anything to her without my consent. If we play this right, we might avoid having the fairy queen as an enemy.”

Valark nodded and we walked through the door. I nearly burst into laughter when I saw the smile on Queen A’el’s face die away as an expression of confusion took its place. Even her maidservant, Naisha, seemed to be surprised though only for a moment. The queen’s eyes moved from Valark, to her servant, then back to the boy who was wearing the crown.