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Part 24

Teela groaned as two Hearth warriors knelt over her. Her head ached from the fall, and her chest felt like she'd been stomped on.

"How badly are you hurt?" Silas asked, gingerly touching the shaft of the bolt sticking out of Teela's chest. He blinked in surprise as the bolt came loose and fell to the ground.

Teela gently touched her chest and found only a small hole in her armour and a tiny spot of blood. "I'm alright. Just bruised."

As Teela tried to sit up, Silas put out a hand to stop her. "Perhaps we should take you back to the Hearth. We... we can't afford to take chances."

"Nonsense, I'm staying with Alwyn."

Teela froze as Silas and another Hearth Warrior shared a worried look at each other.

"What is it?" Teela demanded. "Where's Alwyn?"

As Teela tried to sit up again, Silas stopped her. "Teela, I really don't think you should-"

With all of her strength, Teela shoved Silas off of her, "Out of my way!"

The moment Teela sat up, she wished she hadn't. Alwyn stood at the end of the hallway, looking like something out of a nightmare. Her armour, fur and claws were drenched in blood. Her lips were curled back from her teeth as she panted like an animal, her breath so hot that it turned to steam as she exhaled.

All around her were the shattered bodies of guards and soldiers, their blood staining the floor, walls and even the ceiling. Some of them had literally been torn into pieces, not just with a blade, but with teeth and bare hands. The sword she had taken from the guard was little more than a useless wreck, bent and broken beyond recognition.

A final guard, a boy of no more than fifteen, whimpered as Alwyn bore down on him. His hands shook violently as he tried to finish reloading his crossbow.

Alwyn was only a few meters away when the boy finally managed to get the bolt in place. Frantically he raised the crossbow and fired.

Despite his shaking aim, the guard managed to hit Alwyn, the bolt burying itself into Alwyn's chest plate, just above her left breast. Alwyn didn't even flinch; she simply pulled the bloodstained bolt free and tossed it aside as little more than trash.

Too frightened to even scream, the young guard dropped his crossbow and tried to draw his sword. He hadn't gotten his sword halfway out of its sheath before Alwyn grabbed him by the wrist and hauled him off the ground.

Alwyn's eyes were blank, and utterly pitiless as she stared at the boy. Slowly, almost casually, Alwyn took the sword from his hand and tossed it behind her. Raising her own sword, Alwyn prepared to cut into the boy like a butcher cutting into a side of beef.

"N-n-no p-please!" But the young guard may as well have been pleading with the storm raging outside.

Alwyn's bloodstained blade flashed red as she prepared to strike.

"KATI, STOP!"

Alwyn froze at the sound of Teela's voice. Reality came crashing back, the crimson glow fading from her eyes.

Dropping the guard to the floor she turned slowly.

"Please love, just stop!" Teela said, slowly walking forwards, her hands outstretched.

"T-Teela? I... I thought you were..."

Only as her rage faded did Alwyn realize what it was that she had done. She looked around her, at the bodies she'd left in her wake, at the face of the young guard as he lay on the stairs, completely paralyzed by terror, a puddle growing between his legs.

For an instant Alwyn was back atop the hill that plagued her dreams, the bodies of her squad and the enemy piled around her. Her scars ached as if the arrows that had pierced her body so many years ago had returned. For the first time in a long time, Alwyn felt the fear and loneliness that came only when there was no one left but the shattered bodies of the dead and dying.

The other Hearth warriors were staring at her as if they no longer recognized their high priestess, the same way her old comrades in the army had looked at her. Alwyn's rage had passed, but the ruin left in its wake chilled her allies' hearts.

"The spirits have left me." Alwyn whispered, dropping her sword to the ground and staring at her hands. "I... How could I..."

As Teela approached, she looked down at the terrified guard. "Do you have a family? A mother?"

Hurriedly the guard nodded, his lower lip quivering as he fought to keep himself from crying.

"Then come." Teela extended her hand and helped the boy to his feet. "River, look after him."

A female Hearth warrior stepped forward, removing her helmet and smiling kindly. "Hello little one."

Teela guided the boy towards her. "Go with River, she will make certain you get home safely to your mother."

"Come." River placed a hand on the boy's shoulder as he stumbled forwards. "Your battle is over, brave little one. "

Alwyn watched as River guided the young man back down the hall, making certain to relieve him of any remaining weapons, but continuing to speak to him with gentle kindness. Mere moments ago she would have killed him, killed him without a thought.

"Love."

"That's not me." Alwyn pleaded, unable to face Teela. "It was... but... but I'm not anymore..."

Alwyn froze as she felt Teela's arms wrap around her.

"It's alright." Teela said softly, ignoring the blood as she rested her head on Alwyn's chest. "I accept you, all of you, completely."

"I thought I'd lost you."

"I know...."

"I..." Alwyn's hands shook as she took Teela into her arms and held her close.

Alwyn could have stayed like that for eternity, but the moment between them was interrupted as a chorus of shouted orders gave way to the sound of more footsteps rushing down the staircase.

"Stay behind me." Alwyn ordered, pushing Teela back as she took up her sword again. "So long as you are safe, I am alright."

"Love...

"But as for them..." Alwyn's grip on her sword tightened as the first soldier rounded the staircase.

"There they are! Attack!"

Alwyn's fur rippled again as she faced her opponents. "It's time for them to face the monster!"

===

Sara worked hurriedly to create a new poultice as the sounds of battle drew closer to Lyon's quarters. Davit, Youlan and four house guards were arrayed before her, crouching behind a hastily assembled barricade of furniture.

A loud cry rang out from the vestibule just beyond the door, before going silent.

"By the king..." One of the guards whispered, clutching her spear tighter to stop herself from shaking. "That was Verner's voice!"

"If they took Verner..." A second guard gulped. "What Miguel said was true, it is a monster!"

"Hold fast!" Davit ordered, standing like a statue with his arms crossed as he glared at the bolted door. "We defend Lord Chariot at all costs!"

Looking over his shoulder at Sara, Davit called out. "What is Lord Chariot's condition? Can he be moved?"

"Not if you want him to live." Sara replied, using her fingers to knead the various herbs together.

"Right." Davit's eyes narrowed as another cry and loud thump echoed through the door. "Then we hold!"

As his troops readied themselves, Davit leaned close to Youlan and whispered in her ear. "You lightened Mrs. Silver's restraints?"

Youlan nodded. "They're just jewelry at this point."

"Good. I want you to take Mrs. Silver and flee. Use your magic to go through the window and seal it behind you."

"No!" Youlan snapped. "I'm not leaving."

"This is not your fight! Take the General's wife and use her to bargain for your life in exchange for banishment."

Youlan's eyes widened in fear, "But... I can't go back to the empire!"

"You won't" Davit replied, softening his voice. "I made special arrangements with the Wolven ambassador."

"The... wolves?"

"The ambassador's son is in need of magical training. If things go badly, the Ambassador's diplomatic immunity will protect him. He'll be forced to leave Basidian, but his ship will stay just outside of Basikal waters until you can be retrieved."

"But wolves and humans..."

"Your actions here have shown that you are an enemy of the templar, and his people honour that. They will take care of you."

There was a loud thud against the door. The hinges groaned and strained, thick bursts of dust falling from between the door planks.

Youlan lowered her hands as she stared at Davit. "But why?"

"I knew that Lady Chariot's plan was likely to fail." Davit sighed and closed his eyes. "But my oath and my basitin blood would not allow me to betray my lord. My oath does allow me to see that you are safe at least."

Youlan paused, staring up at Davit.

"For a wolf he was loyal. Wouldn't say one word about this traitorous whore."

The words spoken by Youlan's Templar captors as they left her, burned and bleeding, by the side of the road echoed through Youlan's mind.

"No."

"You will be safe, I swear!"

Youlan's hair shifted with magical wind. "I'm not leaving you!"

"Your feelings for me aren't real you foolish human!" Davit turned to Youlan, a look of disgust on his face. "You only feel the way you do because I showed you a modicum of respect and compassion in a village where you were a parhia, nothing more!"

The broken blade of a great sword smashed through the door, long thin splinters peeling off and dropping to the floor.

Davit glared at Youlan. "I knew exactly what to say to you to earn your loyalty, to manipulate you!"

Youlan's eyes narrowed, "I was in love with a slave on a plantation full of young Keidran males with big muscles and dreams of freedom! You think I can't tell when someone is trying to manipulate me?"

The top half of the door splinted and fell to ruin. The bolt shuttered, the metal straps beginning to give way.

"I had more offers for my allegiance than I knew what to do with. The Free Keidran Alliance, The Sons and Daughters of Emancipation, The Legacy Front, rouge politicians, bored nobles who wanted to laugh and clap their hands! I chose you, not for your offer, but for you."

Davit blinked in surprise. "What?"

"I saw who and what you were, and I chose you. So I'm not leaving." Youlan turned back to the door, her hands wreathed in a light blue flame. "If you want me to live, then you're just going to have to be a man and protect me yourself."

"I suppose it is true what they say about human women," Davit said as a smile crossed his face. "You really will fall for anything with long, soft ears."

"More of a tail girl myself."

"Well then," Davit hefted a spear and made ready to throw. "I stand corrected."

The door was little more than a shattered ruin. One more blow, and it would be reduced to kindling.

Behind Davit and Youlan, Sara leaned close to Lyon. "I'll protect you if I can, but keep your mouth shut. No one is interested in killing a half- alive wounded man who can't speak."

"I will not..." Lyon gasped. "Besides... How do you... Know that?"

Sara took a deep breath, flipping the knife she had taken from Lyon out of her sleeve and into her hand. "If I'm wrong, then we are in trouble no matter who comes through that door."

With a final titanic crash, the door came crashing down. Awlyn exploded into the room, more beast than Basitin, covered in blood, panting hard with teeth bared.

The moment Alwyn set foot through the door, Davit threw his spear as hard as he could.

Alwyn dodged to the side, the blade of the spear missing her by a hair. As the spear flew past her it buried itself in Sila's shoulder. The force of the blow tore him off his feet and sent him tumbling to the ground with a strangled cry.

With a furious bellow Alwyn charged the barrier.

Sara raised her head when she heard Alwyn shout.

"High priestess?!"

Two of the guards tried thrusting their spears, but Alwyn evaded their attacks and caught the shafts of both spears in a single hand. Alwyn used her body as a fulcrum and twisted hard, wrenching the weapons from the guards' grips.

Tossing the spears aside, Alwyn rushed forwards and slammed her shoulder into a tipped over bookshelf. The shelf crashed into one of the guards and sent him sprawling, his armour throwing up sparks as he bounced along the floor and rolled into a heap against the far wall.

As Alwyn engaged the remaining guards, Youlan aimed her palm at the door, unleashing a powerful blast of fire at Teela and another Hearth Warrior as they tried to enter the room behind Alwyn. Teela yelped and dove to the floor, the fire blast just barely burning off the ends of her ears and tail.

The second Hearth Warrior tried to deflect the fireball with his sword. The moment the flames touched the blade the warrior cried out and dropped his sword, his hand sizzling and steaming. The glowing orange blade splattered against the stone floor like wet slush.

Tossing one of her opponents aside like a rag doll, Alwyn leapt at Youlan. "No more!"

Before Alwyn could strike, Sara cried out. "High priestess, wait!"

Alwyn turned and stumbled, her focus temporarily broken at the sight of Sara standing beside Lyon's bed.

At that moment, Davit made his move. He lunged at Alwyn, aiming a blow at her wrists. Alwyn only just barely managed to block the attack, letting loose a bellow of pain as she heard one of her wrists crack.

Steadying herself, Alwyn gripped the handle of her greatsword with both hands, meeting blow after blow as Davit pressed his attack hard.

Both fighters wielded their swords more like axes, Awlyn out of berserker rage, Davit out of desperation. Their blades tore at one another like two venomous snakes, each determined to get a lethal bite on the other, regardless of whether or not it killed them. Sparks flew, chips of metal tore loose, and still the two warriors pounded against one another.

Sara wanted to call out, to stop the fight, but she dared not say anything. Awlyn and Davit looked less like soldiers, and more like ancient warrior gods, two great entities locked in the kind of struggle that would inspire legend and song. She could imagine what their battle would look like, rendered in paint and hung upon the walls of her husband's study.

Youlan, on the other hand, was waiting impatiently for an opening. In each of her hands she held a whirling ball of fire, a circle of shifting eldritch runes glowing around her palms.

While each moment Davit and Alwyn fought, she pumped more and more mana into the spell, the heat rippling her clothing as the fire burned hotter and hotter. Even the stones around her feet began to smoke as the flames turned from orange, to blue, and finally to white.

"Get out of the way Davit!" She growled inwardly, her palms following Alwyn as she moved. "I just need one second!"

She was not kept waiting long.

Davit's initial rush, while powerful enough to keep even Alwyn at bay, was extremely draining. Alwyn could see her opponent starting to tire, and she pressed her advantage.

Davit blocked a downward blow and managed to push Alwyn's sword up and away. With all the strength he could muster he lunged forwards, aiming a thrust as Alwyn's midsection where her armour was weakest

Instead of blocking the blow, Alwyn stepped to the side and allowed the sword to pass by her, the blade only slightly grazing the bottom of her chest plate.

Gripping her sword like a club, Alwyn swung downwards at the flat edge of Davit's blade. An enormous clang rang out that shook the very walls. Every bone in Davit's hands and arms vibrated as his sword was torn from his hands and struck the ground hard enough to crack one of the stone tiles.

The pain in his hands and arms distracted Davit just long enough that Alwyn was able to pull her right hand from her sword, curl it into a fist, and slam it into Davit's jaw. Davit staggered back and Awlyn delivered another blow, this one audibly breaking his nose. Dazed, Davit tried to respond with a punch of his own, but Alwyn deflected his strike with her forearm.

Youlan's eyes glowed as she poured all of her rage and anger into her spell. She brought her palms together, the two fireballs roiling and hissing as they combined. The crystals around Youlans neck cracked and shattered, intense strands of mana and chunks of crystal flowing into the spell, magnifying its power. The glowing symbols around her palm began to ripple and break apart as the spell took on a life of its own.

Alwyn wheeled back and struck Davit one final time, hitting him with such force that his body spun almost completely around as he crashed to the floor.

As Davit fell, Youlan braced her feet, aimed her palms at Alwyn, and surrendered what little control she still had over the unstable spell.

Just as Youlan unleashed the fire, Sara leapt forward and tackled her at the waist.

A howling torrent of flame exploded free of Youlans hand. It shrieked past Alwyn, close enough to turn the metal of her armour red hot.

The spell easily sliced through the manor's back wall and flew out into the storm.

===

Marien ducked to the side as a Chariot guard swung at her with a long bladed spear. Before the guard could draw his weapon back for another attack, Marien grabbed hold of the shaft of the spear with one hand and brought her sword down hard. Her blade tore through the shaft of the spear, just above the guards hand.

Another guard attempted to come to his comrade's aid, aiming a wide swing at Marien's neck. Marien ducked the attack, whirled the broken piece of spear around in her hand, and drove it into the second guard's thigh.

As the guard howled and fell back, Marien spun around and slammed her knee into the first guard's groin. As both guards dropped to the ground, Marien moved on, allowing one of her troops to see to the task of permanently removing them from the fight.

Though the Chariot soldiers had fought valiantly, their numbers were dwindling. Marien's troops had stormed the house on three sides, taking the guards in the main levels by surprise and overwhelming them. But while the house guard had been fairly simple opponents, the same could not be said for the newly arrived Chariot Soldiers. They were well trained, well armoured, and clearly ready for a fight.

Though she would never admit it, Marien was thrilled. Her fatigue from the previous few days was forgotten, her adrenaline was pumping, and she was where she had always wanted to be, in battle and on the winning side.

Taking only a moment to catch her breath, Marien leapt to assist Bruik as he tried to fight off a pair of guards armed with swords. Both of the guards were so engrossed in their fight that neither noticed Marien's approach.

Marien disabled the first guard with a quick thrust to the back of his left knee, followed by a heavy blow to the back of his head. The man hit the floor hard and stayed down.

With the odds evened up, Bruik was able to go on the offensive, pushing his opponent's sword away, and striking him hard in the stomach with the butt of his spear. As the guard doubled over, Bruik caught him in a headlock.

"My thanks captain!" Bruik called out, as the guard tried to thrash free.

With a loud cry, Marien attacked a Chariot soldier who had just managed to strike down one of her men. As the man turned to face her she lashed out, the tip of her blade raking across the soldier's left cheek.

Marien's opponent stepped back, forcing Marien to chase him. Deflecting a jab at his shoulder, the soldier leapt forwards again aiming a feint at Marien's throat.

As Marien moved to block the fient, the soldier instead moved to strike at her groin, aiming for a gap in her armour. Thinking fast, Marien leapt into the air, the blade passing harmlessly beneath her. Still in the air, she kicked out with both feet, striking the soldier's chestplate hard and knocking him back.

Marien stumbled as she landed, but was still able to get her sword up before the soldier could attack.

Releasing the now unconscious guard, Bruik whirled his spear around and leapt into the fray to assist Marien.

In that moment, the spell that Youlan had released from the lower levels tore through the mansion and out into the storm. The already frayed magical bonds that held the mana in a single form failed completely as the spell collided with the rain, the two opposing elements reacting violently.

A titanic explosion erupted at the rear of the manor. The west facing wall of the manor simply vanished, the stones torns apart by the force of the blast. Every window and piece of glass in the manor shattered.

The rare plants in the main parlour were incinerated. The tiger warlord pelt on the wall and the portrait of Tahl Chariot burned to ash almost instantly as the stone walls glowed red hot and melted. Streams of fire lashed into the house, the white hot flames carving deep through wood and stone alike.

===

Shani could see the blindingly bright blast from the road leading towards the manor. Even nearly a kilometer away, she had to raise her hand to shield her eyes. Seconds after the light vanished, a colossal thunder clap roared across the hills. Shani's soldiers covered their ears, some crying out in pain as the thunder rolled over them.

"The human!" Shani whispered, lowering her hand, her ears still ringing as the explosion vanished. "What has she done?"

A few paces behind Shani, his arms held on either side by soldiers, Sieg raised his head. "Marien!"

Turning back to her troops, Shani drew her sword and called out. "We run from here!"

A roar went up amongst the small army as they drew their weapons and followed Shani as she sprinted up the hill.

===

The world spun and shifted beneath Sara's feet as her vision started to return. her ears still rang, and her skin burned. Youlan lay on the ground behind her, groaning as she rubbed her eyes and tried to sit up. Nearby, Alwyn was still hunched over, shielding Teela with her body.

After checking to make certain that Lyon was alright, Sara staggered over to Alwyn.

"High Priestess..."

Alwyn's right eye was seared shut, and the fur on her right side was blackened and all but burned away. Despite considerable agony, she managed to raise her head as Sara approached.

"Sara Silver? You are... with the Chariots?"

Sara shook her head. "They kidnapped me. They needed me to help heal Lyon Chariot, the true Master of the family and the brother of Shani Chariot."

"Shani!" Teela looked up from Alwyn, "She's the one who attacked the Hearth!"

"The Hearth was attacked?!"

"Yes." Alwyn nodded, "Several days ago. It's why we are here."

"But... but how?"

Before Sara could press the issue, one of the other Hearth Warriors called out. "High Priestess! I have the one who cast the spell!"

Alwyn shifted to see the warrior standing with his spear aimed at Youlan as she tried to sit up.

"A human? In Basidian? If she is here... then she must serve the Chariots."

"Wait, don't kill her!" Sara called out. "She's a mage, a refugee from the templar."

Alwyn managed to climb to her feet. "A mage... In the service of the Chariots... Is not something we can allow."

"High priestess, please-"

Alwyn took a halting step forwards, but paused as Teela gripped her shoulder. "Love, maybe we should hear what she has to say."

Awlyn shook her head, gritting her teeth against the pain. "Too dangerous... She's already responsible... for one weapon..."

Youlan's vision was still blurry and her ears rang, but she heard enough of Alwyn's words to recognize that she was in danger.

After a few steps, the pain was too much for her, and Alwyn dropped to one knee.

As Alwyn stumbled, the Hearth Warrior focus turned away from Youlan. Taking advantage of her captor's distraction, Youlan cast a simple light spell, temporarily blinding the young man.

Forcing herself onto her knees, Youlan raised a hand at Alwyn and attempted to call forth another spell. For a moment, a spark of light appeared in her palm, but the effort sapped what little strength remained and she collapsed.

Before anyone else could make a move, Sara stepped between Alwyn and Youlan and spoke in a voice that was the product of dealing with many difficult patients for many years. "Everyone, stop!"

The effort it took to yell made Sara's head spin and made her feel sick, but it worked, at her words everyone froze.

"Now, what weapon are you talking about?" Sara demanded, turning back to Alwyn and Teela

"The ones who attacked the Hearth demanded that we help them carry out an attack on the Western capital with a Templar device." Teela explained as she knelt down to help Alwyn. "They called it a 'bomb'."

"Wait... you mean... The mana bomb?" Youlan asked as she managed to sit up again.

"That's it." Teela replied, looking sharply up at Youlan. "How do you know about it?"

"I... Well..."

"You... You gave the Chariots a templar weapon, didn't you?!" Sara turned back to Youlan. "That was the 'toll' you paid to come to Basidian! "

"I-" Youlan paused, unable to meet Sara's gaze.

"Answer me!" Sara demanded.

"The mana bomb was built by the grand templar, back before he went missing. But-"

"I don't give a dusty shit how it was made!" Sara snarled as she surged forwards, "I want to know whether you gave the Chariots a weapon and then attacked my home!"

Youlan shrank back, "What?! No! I didn't attack anyone!" She froze as she felt the spear of the Hearth Warrior she had temporarily blinded, sticking once more into the back of her neck.

"Then explain, quickly!"

"They said they were going to use it in the attack on the Imperial fleet at Calmbirth!" Youlan met Sara's gaze, desperate for her to see the truth in her eyes. "I swear, they never said anything about using it on your people!"

"They wanted us to plant the weapon beneath the Western King's palace." Teela added, the glare she shot at Youlan full of ice cold rage. "It was meant to make the west fear a human invasion, to force them to join the East's war against the Empire."

Youlan blinked in surprise, "But... but that wouldn't work."

"What do you mean?" Alwyn growled as she staggered back to her feet. "Why not?"

"The... the mana bomb isn't a weapon for destroying a palace, it was built to destroy entire cities!"

Youlan's words sent an icy chill through the room.

"Spirits..." Teela whispered, "Why... Why would something like that be allowed to exist?!"

"The weapon is designed to break down a sequence of mana crystals, one at a time." Youlan continued. "Each crystal's death powers the annihilation of the next, on and on, faster and faster, the energy building until the container can no longer hold it! The first time one was tested it killed nine Templar and forty one civilians who were too close to the blast. Even Grant Templar Legacy said it was too powerful and too destructive!"

"And you gave one such weapon to the Chariots." Sara glowered at Youlan.

"But she couldn't use it! Not on her own people!" Youlan protested. "Lady Chariot isn't that insane!"

"My sister...is."

Alwyn, Sara, Teela and Youlan all turned as Lyon forced himself into a sitting position.

"My sister would use it... She hates the humans beyond reason... beyond logic." Lyon coughed, flecks of blood staining his chest. "She'll use it on our people... if she must."

"So if you die, they can't set it off?" Alwyn growled at Youlan.

"I... I already triggered it!"

Again, the room rang with cold silence.

Youlan spoke softly as she looked down at her hands. "Four days ago. The bomb is already detonating, it's just going very slowly... For now."

"Then this is justice." Alwyn snarled, waving off the warrior guarding Youlan and taking another step towards her, raising her sword.

Again Sara placed herself between Alwyn and Youlan. "High Priestess, wait!" She looked hurriedly back at Youlan. "Can it be stopped?"

"I... I don't know."

"Liar!" Teela barked.

"I'm not lying!" Youlan snapped. "I don't know much about it beyond how to trigger it!"

Another low groan rang out as Davit rolled himself over and tried to pick himself up.

"Leave... Youlan... Alone." He growled, raising his head as he managed to stagger to his feet, his knees shaking.

"Hey!" Sara called out, holding her position between Alwyn and Youlan. "The battle is over! You hear me? Over!"

"Not for me!" Davit managed to straighten himself up, drawing a dagger from his belt. He raised his arm, aiming his blade at Alwyn, "You and I... have unfinished... business."

"Fine." Alwyn gripped her sword with both hands. "We'll finish it then!"

"Don't you dare!" Youlan snarled, raising her hand at Alwyn again, ignoring the Hearth Warrior behind her.

"Are you both stupid?!" Sara stepped between Alwyn and Davit. "Enough already!"

As Awlyn started to speak, she was interrupted as a Hearth Warrior ran into Lyon's room.

"High priestess! There are other soldiers attacking this place!"

Awlyn turned, "Other soldiers?"

"They look like regular army, but they are attacking the Chariot soldiers!"

"The soldiers, what are they wearing?" Sara demanded, "Their uniforms, what colour are they?"

"I... I didn't..."

"Are they blue!"

"Y-yes, there are several that were wearing blue capes, but-"

"Kent!" Sara looked over her shoulder at Alwyn. "Those soldiers, they must be my husband's!"

Struggling to keep her footing, Alwyn held her sword as steady as she could. "I do not see how that helps us..."

"Don't you understand? They aren't your enemies!"

"They are... if they know about us..."

Alwyn paused as Teela stepped in front of her and gently cupped her face.

"Love, there may be no need to fight. Please... let's at least try to speak to them."

Every instinct told Alwyn to refuse, but the look in Teela's eyes stopped her.

After a long pause, Awlyn nodded. "Fine... But, what about them?" Alwyn gestured at Youlan and Davit. "They are still our enemy."

In a rush, Davit stepped forward and cracked the hearth warrior in the nose with the butt of his sword. Before the Hearth Warrior could react, Davit grabbed Youla's hand, hauled her to her feet and pushed her behind him.

"Stay behind me." Davit ordered, keeping his dagger in front of him, backing away quickly

Struggling to catch his breath, Lyon spoke with all the command he could muster. "Captain... Davit... Rogal. I am ordering you... to stand down..."

Davit kept his gaze locked on Alwyn. "With respect, my lord, I cannot. Only Lady Chariot can give me orders."

"Did she... forbid you... from taking orders... about your service?"

Davit paused, "No sir... she did not."

"I thought not..." Lyon took as deep a breath as he was able. "Then... You are released... from my family... service."

"My lord?"

"You are... no longer bound... to the Chariot family. If you continue to fight... you do it ... of your own... free will."

Lyon struggled to look at Youlan. "The same... goes for you... human."

Davit started to protect, but paused as he felt Youlan's hand on his shoulder.

"It's over." Youlan said quietly. "I... I don't want to fight anymore."

For a long moment, Davit was still. Finally, he allowed his dagger to slip from his fingers and clatter to the floor.

"Thank you, Lord Chariot." Davit said, bowing low. "Serving your family was an honour beyond peer."

Clearly exhausted by the effort of speaking, Lyon turned to Alwyn. "Satisfied?"

"There is still your weapon to be considered." Alwyn glared at Youlan. "I cannot allow a device like that to exist."

"I understand." Youlan bowed her head. "I'll do what I can to stop it."

"If you are lying-"

Youlan met Alwyn's glare with one of her own. "I don't like being lied to. I can't promise I'll be able to stop the bomb, but I will try."

"Perhaps you could just slow it down." Sara suggested. "My husband can get it on a ship, take it out to sea where it can't hurt anyone."

Youlan's eyes brightened, "Yes.... yes! That I can probably do!"

"I will need someone to look after Lyon while I am gone."

"I shall stay with him." Davit announced. "He may no longer be my lord, but he is still a man I respect. I will see to it that he is safe."

"Lord Chariot?"

"Just go." Lyon ordered, "Go and end this stupid battle... while there is something worth saving."

"Are we done here?" Sara demanded, turning back to Alwyn.

Alwyn's muscles tensed, her lips pulling back from her teeth. She wanted to attack, all of her instincts called her to battle. But then, those were old instincts, instincts she had worked so long and so hard to master.

Taking a deep breath, Alwyn bowed her head. "Yes... It is acceptable. Silas can lead the mage to the weapon."

One of the other Heath warriors spoke, "I'm sorry high priestess... Silas is dead."

Alwyn's shoulders sank as she sighed heavily. "He was a good man... and the last casualty of this battle."

Turning to Sara, Alwyn bowed her head. "Come sister, let us go and speak to your husband."

===

"Cap-ain Kol--st! Are --- alright?"

"What is... OW! What the hell?"

"Captain!"

Marien's eyes slid open, "Vol... Volfen?"

Volfen sighed in relief as he helped Marien sit up. "Thank the King you are alright!"

Marien winced, every part of her body hurt and her ears were filled with a high pitched ringing. "Wha... what happened?"

"We don't know, but the mansion is on fire, we have to leave!"

"The Chariots?"

Volfen shook his head, "No sign of them, they must have gone to the docks."

Marien climbed to her feet, brushing herself off. "Damn..."

"We did, however, find this." Volfen jerked his thumb over his shoulder at a deeply unimpressed looking trio of Wolves with their hands bound in front of them. A ring of soldiers stood around them with weapons drawn.

"I am Ambassador Neiress Shrike." The lead wolf announced, stepping forward despite the spears aimed at him. "I demand to speak to whoever is in charge here!"

"That would be me." Kent replied, leaning on Bruiks shoulder as he limped over to Marien and the Ambassador. "Lieutenant General Kent Silver, at your service."

"Well, 'General', I wish to protest this indecent treatment of a diplomatic representative! We demand-"

"Save the preamble. You have diplomatic immunity, correct?" Kent interrupted.

Shrike paused for a moment. "Yes..."

"Good, then I have something that trumps that." Kent held up his hand, the royal sanction ring on his finger. Immediately the ambassador fell silent, his eyes wide.

"Captain Kolvest, would you please see to it that the ambassadors are kept somewhere quiet and out of the way?"

Marien smiled. "With pleasure. Lieutenant Volfen, if you would."

"Of course Captain. This way, 'ambassador'."

As Volfen led the wolves away, Marien turned to Kent. "The Chariots aren't in the upper levels, or the ground levels."

"What about my wife?"

"No sign of her yet either sir."

"Suppose we'll have to push our way downstairs." Kent crossed his arms. "Not a prospect I relish, but-"

"General! You're gonna wanna see this!"

With an irritated sigh, Kent turned, "Yes, what is-"

Kent froze as he turned to see a singed and bloodied Sara standing beside one of his men.

"Hello husband of mine." Sara smiled, waving awkwardly. "I'm... sorry for all the trouble I seem to have caused you."

Without a word, Kent sprinted to Sara and swept her up into his arms.

"I would scour the world for you, and it would be no trouble at all." He mumbled, all the aches and pains were forgotten as he nuzzled Sara's neck. "I love you."

Marien felt her heart skip a beat as Kent and Sara embraced. At that moment, all she wanted in the world was to hold Sieg.

"I was such a fool." She thought to herself. "I'm never ever letting him go again."

Marien's thoughts were interrupted as Alwyn and several others emerged from the lower levels as well.

"Alwyn? What are you doing here?"

Alwyn blinked in surprise, "Little soldier? Is that you?"

Several members of the Thirteenth reached for their weapons, but Marien waved them down.

"Yes! But... but what are you doing here?"

"Indeed." Kent released Sara and raised an eyebrow at the slap dash armour and weapons of the Hearth Warriors. "Where the hell, and when the hell for that matter, did you people come from."

"They saved me and kept me safe." Sara said quickly. "They... are my people."

"Your people? Then this is where you..." Kent paused for a moment. "Of course... the Hearth."

"YOU KNEW?!" Sara, Marien, and Alwyn all asked at once, and in very much the same tone.

Kent cleared his throat, "Well... not directly, but the king has told me of you."

Alwyn's mouth fell open, "But... How did..."

"Just who did you think your allies in higher orders were?" Kent asked, raising an eyebrow. "King Adelaide has known of your people for decades, as did the king before her. So long as you stay quiet and in the shadows, the king considers you, at worst, to be little more than a minor nuisance. Of course I had no idea you were on Basikal..." Kent bowed his head, "Still, truly, a great pleasure to meet you, High Priestess.

"Wait-" Sara grabbed Kent's wrist, "-so when we agreed to get married, when you agreed to provide me with information, where did you think I was from?"

"I honestly figured you were paying off a family debt, maybe with one of the trading guilds."

"You... I..." Sara sighed as she smiled and stroked Kent's cheek. "Well I suppose it doesn't matter, you silly man."

Clearing her throat, Marien spoke up. "Forgive me General, ma'am, but perhaps we should consider having this conversation somewhere that isn't burning to the ground?"

Sara held up a hand, "Before we go, just listen." She took a deep breath. "There is a templar weapon of immense power in the lower levels that the Chariots intend to use against the West. Youlan, the human mage the Chariots hired, is working to disable it right now. Lyon Chariot is also downstairs and will need to be evacuated."

"I... I see."

Sara tilted her head. "Kent?"

"I'm fine... Gonna need you to go over that again, a little slower please."

As Kent and Sara talked, Teela felt Alwyn stumble.

"Sorry love." Alwyn mumbled trying to get her footing. "I'm just... having trouble... with my leg."

"It's okay." Teela groaned, bracing herself.

Suddenly Teela felt Alwyn being lifted from her shoulder.

"Please, allow me to help." Bruik said, nodding at Teela as he shifted to help Alwyn stand better.

Teela's face brightened as she looked up at Bruik. "I... Thank you."

"Not a problem ma'am."

Teela purred a little as she examined Bruik's muscles and physique. "Mmmm... Not a problem at all. "It's Teela by the way."

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Teela."

"What are you smirking about?" Alwyn demanded.

Teela's tail thumped against her leg as she continued to examine Bruik. "Oh nothing just... shopping."

"Shopping?"

"For potential fathers for our baby."

Bruik stumbled and nearly fell over at Teela's words. "S-sorry ma'am." He muttered, his face going red as he steadied himself, pretending he hadn't heard Teela.

"Don't worry." Alwyn grumbled as Bruik regained his footing. "She's just pulling your leg." She looked at Teela. "Right?"

"Mmmm? Oh, right... just pulling... your leg." Teela looked down, "Your big, strong, legs..."

"Wait... seriously?"

"Seems ideal, don't you think?" Teela smiled and licked her lips. "He's strong, handsome, and very helpful. He's like a male you."

For his part, Bruik was fairly certain he was about to die of embarrassment.

"Alright!" Kent called out. "We can't stay here, so we're going to move out and regroup! Once we're clear of the manor we'll reassess our situation."

"Yes sir!" Marien turned to her troops, "Alright, Thirteenth Company, get any prisoners and survivors up and ready to move we-"

As Marien turned towards the open doors at the main entrance of the manor, her heart froze.

"What is it?" Kent asked, coming to stand beside Marien.

A long bolt of lightning tore across the sky, illuminating in a brilliant flash. Shani, Jabarian and a host of other soldiers standing on the front lawn of the Chariot estate.

In the moment that Shani and Marien's eyes met, both felt a shock run up their backs. Two deadly warriors shared a moment, a flash of understanding that imparted more than words ever could. Immediately, both went for their weapons.

Shani raised her sword high, the flames from the burning manor making the blade glow as if it were red hot.

"Soldiers!" Shani bellowed, "Take back the manor, and kill every last thing you find inside!"

"Thirteenth Company! Form defensive positions and prepare for assault!" Marien bellowed in reply.

Thunder roared across the island as Shani lowered her sword, aiming the point at Marien. "Attack!"

End of Part 24