FSE

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Chapter Forty Eight

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Mirelle walked into The Cathedral on shaky legs. She gazed around, squinting. A solemn gloom filled her damaged tavern that no amount of light could penetrate. Tavaat and Beka stood along the bar, silent. Jekk and Nell sat in one of her booths, looking over a map of the city. They both looked up and gave Mirelle a nod of greeting. She returned it, walking past them, half numb. Beka offered her a smile that held more sorrow than joy. Tavaat stared at the mug he worked back and forth between his hands. Whatever exuberance they’d had at seeing her alive and well must have been quelled when they glimpsed Revaramek sobbing against her.

Though Mirelle knew the truth was written across her tear-stained face and her reddened eyes, she still felt she had to say something. “He’s…” She gestured half-heartedly at the back door. Revaramek hadn’t come in with her. He was going to say his goodbyes to his other friends. “He’s…he’s going to…and he’s not coming…” She grit her teeth, unable to even put enough words together to spit it out.

“We know.” Beka approached her, rubbing her back. “We…we could tell. Are you alright?”

Mirelle shook her head, and turned away. She hunched over the bar, bracing her arms against it. Beka stroked her arm, squeezed her hand. She glanced at her friends, her hands shaking. “It isn’t fair. He…he shouldn’t have to do this. I…I brought him into this, he’s…he’s been…so mistreated, misunderstood, and now…he’s already died for me once, how many goddamn times does he have to do this?” She thumped her palm against the counter, anger growing in the wake of her sorrow. The dragon hadn’t even left yet, and already her anger was growing. She kicked the base of the counter a few times, snarling. “It isn’t fair! He shouldn’t be alone in this! I have to go with him, I have to help him…do…do whatever he’s going to do.”

“You can’t.” Jekk rose from the booth, walking over to the bar. “Your city needs you.”

Mirelle twisted around to stare at Jekk, her mouth half open. She wanted to strike him and hug him, to rage and sob, scream and weep all at once. “I…” She cleared her throat, fixing her hazel eyes on his. “I wasn’t sure you’d…back me.”

“Doesn’t matter what I think, anymore.” Jekk shrugged, glancing back at Nell. She offered a smile, and a single nod, and Jekk went on. “You’re the Head Councilwoman now. And as much as you want to go and protect your friend…” Jekk’s voice wavered, his hand shook a little as he gestured at the dragon. Beyond the broken window, Revaramek hugged two very distraught looking gryphons. “A friend everyone but you seems to have greatly misjudged…”

“I thought he was an ass, too.” Mirelle sniffed and managed a smile, watching as Enora took a turn to weep against the dragon’s scales. “I never knew…”

“He’s right, though. You went to him when no one else would. Even if I’d known who…what we now face…I don’t think I’d have gone to him. But you did. You and your stubborn recklessness proved us all wrong. So very wrong.” Jekk stepped towards her, and gently put a bony hand on her shoulder. “You should be proud, Mirelle. I know you want to help him now, but he’s the only one who can do this. We can defend this city against men and monsters alike, if we must. But what’s coming now? What Asterbury is? None of us can stand against that.” He lifted his other hand, pointing a shaking finger at the green dragon in the back garden. “Only this…this…” He laughed, shaking his head with a sigh. “Resplendent idiot out there can stop him. And as hard as it may be for you to watch him go, I promise you, what he has in mind is ten times harder for him.”

Mirelle trembled under the older man’s touch. A ghost of an idea drifted through the back of her mind. Some terrible possibility she banished as soon as it popped into her consciousness. She didn’t want to think about it. And if she was right, she didn’t want Asterbury to know she was thinking about it. “Whatever he’s doing…he shouldn’t have to do it alone.”

“No.” Jekk squeezed her shoulder. “He shouldn’t. But he thinks he’s the hero, and-”

“He is.” Mirelle balled up her fists.

Jekk pursed his lips, and nodded once. “Sometimes the hero has to make the sacrifice.”

“But…he can’t just…”

“Mirelle.” Jekk slipped his hand down to grasp her own. He squeezed it, and put his other hand atop it. “You brought him into this story. Let him end it on his own terms.”

Mirelle crumbled inside. Just when she thought she was all out of tears, more spilled free. She grit her teeth, fighting back a sob. Jekk patted her hand, more sympathy and understanding in the old man’s eyes than she’d ever imagined.

“You’re a hero too, Mirelle.” A flicker of a smile creased his face. He swallowed, turning his head to stare at the dragon. “A hero to your people. To your city. Heroism isn’t always found in battle, or in flames or catastrophe. Sometimes heroism is…just making the hardest choice, because you know it’s right. And right now? You have to let him go. Because you have so many more people relying on you now than just him. You’re the Head Councilwoman, and that means you have to make the hardest choices.”

“I know.” Mirelle gulped down her sobs, trying to keep herself halfway composed.

“Yes, I know you do.” Jekk gestured to one of the broken windows, and walked Mirelle over to it. Outside, both gryphons and Enora were hugging Revaramek, crying with him. “I could fill an ocean with the amount of disagreements you and I have over the years, since long before you ever became councilwoman. But your heart was always in the right place, and…in my old age…I’m not sure mine was, anymore. Too much pain, too many hard decisions, I suppose.”

Jekk stared out at the dragon in the distance, gesturing with his free hand. “Where I came from…we knew them as slaves, as dangerous monsters. It was said they once ravaged our kingdom, but we’d long since bent them to our will. Like everything, we thought. I didn’t want slaves here, though. But by the time I was given control of this colony, we were already in conflict with the local dragons. A time came when I had to make a choice about his life, after my men captured him alive. Still young. Most of the men thought we should kill him, as we’d killed others. The truce was Enora’s idea. She was a very, very loud voice of dissent, at the time, more influential than I liked, and among the first to be born here who didn’t know the truth. She saved the dragon’s life with that truce, called it a gift to him, asked him to pay it forward someday.”

Mirelle sucked in a breath. Revaramek’s voice echoed in her head, the first day she’d met Enora.

I paid it forward. Your gift…

The older man squeezed her hand, and continued. “Everyone knew she was responsible for his survival. They still saw dragons as enemies, and so there were calls for me to have her arrested, jailed for treason. I banished her, instead. At the time, I half thought the dragon would go with her. I thought…maybe they’d both leave together and be out of my hair.”

“Enora thought that, too.” Mirelle sighed, hanging her head.

“I’m sure she did.” Jekk glanced down at a few shards of glittering broken stained glass. “I certainly never expected him to…grow up and turn out the way he did. The few times we saw him after that were always disasters. He went to farms and villages now and then, and we always ended up with an astronomical bill. That’s why I started calling him a whirlwind. But, I’d made my decision, and I stuck by it. I always felt there was no good to come from making a hard decision, only to abandon it later. But in my heart, I…I didn’t want a slave. Let alone one who seemed like such a calamity waiting to happen.

“He is…” Mirelle laughed to herself. “Not the most graceful of creatures.”

Jekk shook his head, his smile lasting only moment before it faded again. He stroked his gray beard. “Those choices were nothing compared to the far harder decision I made years earlier. When I decided to cast out those who had the spark.” Jekk squeezed her hand, glancing over at her. “That is…what we called our powers. Like Asterbury, but…lesser. I…I couldn’t tell them in advance. I feared they’d retaliate, try to stop me and…then it would start all over. We’d ruin this world just like the last. So I kept that plan a secret, known only by my most trusted men.” Jekk stared through the window, his gaze drifting into infinity. “When it was time…I woke my wife and our child. She had the spark, and, chances were, so did he. I didn’t.”

Mirelle sucked in a breath, her eyes widening.

“I walked them to the gate myself, and…told them I was sorry, that I loved them but...I had an entire civilization on my shoulders, now. And I had to keep it safe. So I sent them through with the others. When were all gone, I took down the gates. I never saw my wife or son again. Not a day goes by I don’t miss them, don’t wonder what happened to them…don’t curse and scream at myself for sending through alone. And every day I look out on that marsh, still so clean, and pure…and I know, as…terrible as it is…I did what I had to do to stop the cycle. I made…the hardest choice, for what I hoped was the greatest good, when everyone was relying on me.” Jekk sniffed a few times, blinking away tears.

“Dear Gods, Jekk.” Mirelle bit her lip. She’d never known. She circled a trembling arm around his bony shoulders, and pulled him against her. “I’m…I’m sorry.”

Jekk tensed when she hugged him, but soon slumped against her. A single moment of vulnerability, of regret. He hugged her back, and then pulled away, bowing his head in gratitude. “A long time ago, now. You know, you’re lucky. Some of the other villages kept a gate open longer, brought more people in before I made them take them down. Beyond this world, our leadership had…stopped building new gates, when they realized what it led to. So once ours were gone, it was…very unlikely they’d try to pierce a new hole to this place. Which means your family could have been some of the last through. Or maybe that makes you unlucky.” He looked away, sighing. “Point is, it’s your city now, Mirelle. And the hard choices are yours to make.”

Mirelle took a deep, shuddering breath, steeling herself inside. She squared her shoulders and set her jaw. “So they are.”

Jekk set a hand on her shoulder again. “That starts right now. No, it isn’t fair for this burden to rest on the wings of that…” He glanced at the dragon, chuckling. “Surprisingly brave and big-hearted oaf. But as much as you want to go with him, you have understand that this whole city…this capital of our tiny, fragile little civilization…they’re all looking to you for guidance. Your city needs you. Asterbury is coming, not just for me, but for all of us. Whether Revaramek lives or dies, this city needs leadership. Your leadership.” He sighed, dropping his hands to his sides. “And we need it right now.”

Mirelle squeezed her eyes shut. She nodded and took a few deep breaths. “You’re right, Jekk.” As much as she hated to hear the words come out of her mouth, she knew they were true. She opened her eyes again, gave him a little smile. “For possibly the first time.”

Jekk only grinned at her. “There’s my girl.”

“Councilwoman Mirelle!” A familiar but unexpectedly clear voice called to her from the entrance. She turned away from Jekk to find Knight Commander Elrind standing at attention in her doorway. His helmet was tucked under an arm. He saluted her with a fist to his armored chest. “Er…that is…Head Councilwoman Mirelle. My most sincere apologies.”

Mirelle’s jaw dropped, staring at the enormous scarlet monster adorning his lip. If anything, Revaramek had understated it. She couldn’t tell what was more impressive, that his neck could support the weight of all that facial hair, or that somehow, he fit it inside his undersized helmet. And his mutton chops were…Mirelle blinked. As much as she enjoyed the momentary levity of such a distraction, she had to focus.

“Think nothing of it, Knight Commander. It’ll take me a while to get used to it. But as you’re here, perhaps you can tell me the state of the city’s defenses. I’d rather not have to pull the other commanders away from their positions if they’re already in place. The city needs to be made ready to defend itself against…” She grasped for the word. “Everything.”

“Ma’am!” The knight stomped an armored foot, and clapped his gauntlet to his chest again. He clanked towards Mirelle, while a few of his men filed in and took up defensive positions near the door. “Every available man and woman capable of bearing arms is prepared to defend their home. All trained guards and archers are armed, armored, and in defensive positions. All available weaponry has been distributed amongst the rest of the town.”

“Good.” Mirelle gestured for the map Jekk and Nell had been poring over. Nell brought it to her and Mirelle spread it out on her bar. “In addition, I want anyone trained for horseback combat to get their animals, and form a sort of mounted cavalry to help fortify our gates.” She held up a hand. “I realize we’ve only a dozen or two horses trained for that sort of thing, but it’s better than nothing. And I need anyone knowledgeable in medicine, surgery, and the healing arts to prepare to treat an influx of wounded.”

Jekk walked up behind her. “Just so you know, Revaramek’s plan…he’s…hoping to stave off any major battles.”

Mirelle glanced at the dragon outside. He was staring at the sky. It was getting darker out, clouds roiled in the distance. Strange clouds of red, and gold. “Just get the healers and surgeons ready. If they’re not needed, we’ll consider ourselves lucky. But…” She tapped a few places on the map. “I think…here, here, and here…do those seem like good locations to bring the wounded?”

Jekk murmured. “They’ll do. Maybe not this one, though. Too exposed from this direction.” The older man drew a line across the map with a bony finger. “Put it…here, instead.”

“Done.” Mirelle looked up at the knight leaning over the counter, twitching his bushy mustache. “If your men are all prepared, I assume Revaramek briefed you on what we face?”

“Indeed.” Even Elrind’s voice sounded grave. “I saw the villain fill the sky with lightning myself. Terrifying spectacle. I’d put any of my men up against any army in the world, but…that monster…”

“Revaramek will handle him.” Mirelle swallowed at the stubborn lump in her throat. “I hope. If…he fails…” Mirelle thumped a fist against the bar a few times, trying to find the right words. What was she going to tell them, that no one else could possibly hurt the little bastard? No, she had to give them hope. “If we’re forced to battle him and his dragon, try to inflict some kind of mortal wound on the dragon. He’s fond of her, and…healing someone else seems to be the only thing that slows him down. So try and surround them, and if his dragon goes down…wait for him to try and save her life, then…stick him with everything you’ve got.”

“Be damn glad to, Head Councilwoman.”

Mirelle put a hand on the knight’s shoulder. “But that’s only if Revaramek fails.”

Elrind nodded. “Understood, Ma’am.”

“Good. Make sure word gets out to everyone, then.” Mirelle circled a spot on the map with her finger. “Move all the children, the elderly and infirm, anyone who can’t fight, move them to these buildings, on the hill. Post defenders around them. It’s the most secure place we’ve got left, and if the outer districts of the village fall, that’ll be the only place we’ll have to withdraw to.” She glanced at Jekk. “Thoughts?”

Jekk pointed out a few spots near the center of the map. “If we have to withdraw, try and get the invaders to follow through here, and here. The way the streets and buildings are, you can funnel them into a kill zone, take out five for every one you lose, with any luck. Asterbury may be damn near immortal now, but his va’chaak aren’t.”

Mirelle scrunched her face. “No. They aren’t. And he cares about them, too…I stuck one in the chest with a knife, and he went out of his way to heal him…maybe…maybe we can use that against him.” She lifted her gaze to frown at Tavaat. “I don’t want to have to hurt them, Tavaat, but…”

Tavaat walked over, pushed his way between the others, and wrapped an arm around Mirelle’s shoulders to hug her. “You say that like you don’t think I’m gonna be out there fighting them alongside the rest of you. This is my home too.”

She turned and hugged her friend back, her heart aching not just for him, but for everyone. “I know. I just…This isn’t what I want for your people…for anyone. But I have to protect my city.”

Tavaat squeezed her again, then gave her a smile as he stepped back. “Damn right you do.”

Mirelle rubbed her face with both hands, groaning. She thought for a moment, wondering if she’d missed anything. When she dropped her hands, she glanced out towards the dragon. Enora stood next to him, caressing his scaly neck. They both stared at the sky. Something clicked in Mirelle’s head.

“Enora!” She called the older woman’s name. When Enora looked over, Mirelle beckoned to her. “Come here, please.”

“A moment, Mirelle.” Enora patted Revaramek’s neck, whispered something to him.

Oh no, Mirelle thought, you’re not pulling that bullshit. “Enora!” This time she yelled the woman’s name, slamming her palm against the counter hard enough to rattle a plate. She was the leader now, right? Time to act like it. “We don’t have time for this! Come here this instant or I’ll have you brought here.”

Behind her, Elrind and his men put their hand on his swords, ready to back up her threat. Jekk stepped to Mirelle’s other side, as if to show she had his support. Revaramek arched his neck, then bumped his head against Enora, nudging her towards the door.

“Don’t make me carry you in there, Enora.” The dragon nudged her again.

Enora sighed, and then strode into the building. Mirelle called past her. “Kurekka! Chir’raal! Get in here!” Then she stared at Revaramek in silence, before waving him in. “You too, please.”

Enora walked to the end of the bar, staring at Jekk. “Jekk.”

“Enora.” He looked her over, eyes widening. “What’s he done, stopped time for you?”

“Not going to have me hanged, are you?” She folded her arms, glaring.

“Seems a bit petty now, doesn’t it? Dissenting voices are hardly my-”

“Not the time.” Mirelle snapped at them both.

Jekk smiled, bowing his frizzy, gray-haired head.

“Enora, did Asterbury offer to make you the new Head Councilwoman here?” Mirelle crossed over to her, arms folded.

Enora wrung her hands. “He did, but…that isn’t to say I-”

“The position is filled.” Mirelle spun on her heel, taking everyone in. “But that means Asterbury didn’t want to destroy this town. He didn’t want to murder all its people, only those who stand in his way. Now while I would be the first to admit this is not the time to argue the semantics of a vicious little mongrel, this is an important distinction!” She unfolded her arms, gesturing at Enora. “For all his murderous rage, he cares about Enora. He cares about his dragon, and he cares about his va’chaak. He planned to put Enora in charge of the village after conquering so that she could…” Mirelle waved her hand at the older woman again. “What, institute some sort of integration with the marsh’s original inhabitants?”

Enora bowed her head. “Something like that, yes.”

Mirelle stared the woman down. “And is integration of all peoples still your intent?”

“If at all possible.” Enora glared right back at her, tilting her head. “I want to see the bloodshed end. Though, I am not so foolish as to think I could march in here, snap my fingers, and suddenly everyone accepts everyone else. It will be a long process, like any other sort of-”

“A yes would have sufficed.” Mirelle turned around again, secretly smiling. She had to admit, it was rather satisfying to have the authority to back up her stubborn streak. “If there is even a small possibility we can end this without filling our streets with blood, ours or theirs…then we owe it to our future generations to try. Chir’raal and Kurekka.” She twisted round once more, fixing her eyes on the gryphons. “I gave you a choice, and now I need your answer.”

The two gryphons glanced at one another, and each gave a slow bow of his feathered head. Kurekka spoke up for them both. “We’ll help you protect your city.”

Chir’raal rustled his crown feathers. “You should know that Kurekka, Enora and I probably know some of those va’chaak, so-”

“Just what I was hoping to hear.” Mirelle pivoted towards Enora again. “Can you name their leaders, after Asterbury?”

Enora twined her fingers together. “That would be Rekrek, and Gavak, I expect.”

“Perfect.” Mirelle reached out and squeezed the other woman’s shoulder, smiling at her. “You want to help me end bloodshed? Help me stop it before it begins. Maybe we can negotiate with those two…find a solution here that spares not only our lives, but theirs.”

“If I can, I will.” Enora glanced at her hand, then swallowed. “But Asterbury…”

Revaramek rumbled, shifting his weight. “If I deal with Asterbury, and give you your chance to negotiate, do you think it will work?”

Before Enora even replied, Mirelle spoke for her. “It sure as hell won’t work if we don’t try it.”

Elrind’s armor clanked when he pumped a fist. “Well said, Lady Mirelle.”

“I’m not expecting a miracle. Everyone here is ready to fight for their homes.” She glanced back at Tavaat, her voice dropping. “But I know that’s what the Va’chaak think they’re doing, too.” She waved at the gryphons. “And you two, and Aylaryl…” She took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh. “One way or another, this has to end. We negotiate if we can, and we defend our lives if we can’t. That’s all we can do.”

Revaramek lowered his head to smile at her over Enora’s shoulder. “You’re already making a great Head Councilwoman, Mirelle. That’s why the story let you choose me. It’s your story, too.”

A thousand feelings welled up Mirelle all at once, and she forced herself to tamp down on every one of them. Later, if she lived, she could cry out every tear she had, and smash every plate in the tavern till her rage at life’s unfairness was gone. For now, she just put her hand on Revaramek’s cheek. “Thank you, Rev. I wish we’d gotten to be friends earlier in our lives.”

The dragon nuzzled at her hand, gave it a gentle lick. “As do I.”

Mirelle stepped back again, and took a deep breath to help steady her nerves. She turned her attention to the gryphons. “Chir’raal, Kurekka, if it comes to war, you two will be our best weapons. How do you think you can best serve in this situation?”

The gryphons glanced at one another, murmuring in worried discussion. After a few moments, Chir’raal replied. “If Aylaryl’s in battle, we’ll fight against her. Or, we can sweep over the city, helping anyone getting overwhelmed. Or if you prefer, we can directly attack the va’chaak formations.”

“Do whichever of those seems most needed.” Mirelle turned towards the bar. “And Beka?”

“Yes, Mirelle?”

“Please get me a damn drink.”

As Beka hurried around behind the bar, one of Elrind’s men rushed in, panting. “Lady Mirelle! You’re going to want to see this.”

Mirelle’s shoulders sagged, and she shook her head with a bitter chuckle. “Of course I am. Belay the drink, Beka. What is it, soldier?”

“There’s…some kind of storm rolling in! I’ve never seen anything like it.”

A shiver ran down Mirelle’s spine, sending tendrils of ice through every vein. “Then here we go.”

Jekk put a steadying hand upon her shoulder. “You know, Mirelle. You’ll never hear me say this again, but I can already tell you’re going to make a fine-”

And then The Cathedral’s roof tore away from its moorings with a terrible, ear-splitting shriek. Mirelle clapped her hands over her ears as the entire roof spiraled away into the sky, then blew apart, wooden debris raining across the city. Above them, furious clouds of gold, scarlet and black roiled and churned, a wrathful tide of sand, blood, and ink. Flashes of blue white lightning erupted through the clouds, strange, howling thunder called its anguish across the city.

“You’re so right!” Asterbury’s voice was everywhere all at once. “She won’t ever hear you say that again!”

Mirelle turned to grasp for Jekk, and he was already gone, hoisted into the sky and vanishing inside churning red and gold clouds without even a sound. “Jekk!” She whirled around, heart thudding. “Beka!” She thrust a finger at the back door. “Maul!”

“I have to go, Mirelle.” Revaramek pushed past everyone, snatched her up, and hugged her against his chest. “Thank you for being my friend!”

It took everything Mirelle had in her not to break down crying again. She hugged him back. “And thank you for being mine, Revaramek the Resplendent.” When he set her down, she put her hands on either side of his muzzle, trying to lock the feeling of his warm, fine scales into her memory forever. She stared into his bronze eyes, awash in twin seas of fear and determination. “Whatever you have planned, you promise me you’ll make that little bastard pay.”

Revaramek smiled. “That’s the plan.”

Then he leapt, beat his wings, and soon, vanished into the heart of the storm.