Hope Sundered

Five dark figures crept without a sound through the royal graveyard like lost spirits searching for their tombs. The milky white moon shone bright. A few scattered clouds were visible, but none would lend themselves for shade as they drifted by, unconcerned by the night’s unfolding events.

Shadows cast from marble headstones concealed their secrets from inquisitive eyes. The cool air was still, as if nature itself held its breath in the ancient cemetery. The occasional rustling of dry leaves added an ominous note to the already eerie scene.

Statues bearing the likeness of the honored dead stood as silent sentries, casting their vacant stares at Captain Endari and four of his men without betraying their presence to the Azrahterans encamped just outside the hallowed perimeter.

Killing Zordecai was now the priority, made clear by the fanaticism of his men, and so another plan to eliminate him had been conjured.

Lord Bel’ami granted Endari access to the secret tunnel leading underground from the wine cellar of M’klarin Keep to the royal cemetery’s mausoleum outside the city.

From there he’d cross the enemy camp, infiltrate Zordecai’s tent, and put an end to the maniac in his sleep. It was a reckless gamble with little hope of success, but Endari had insisted.

The night before, a host of flaming arrows had come over the wall, devouring every piece of wood upon which they landed. Within minutes it seemed as if the entire city was ablaze.

Panic spread as fast as the flames. Many residents of the higher levels either burned alive or leapt to their deaths. Some were crushed or trapped beneath collapsing debris, the latter suffocating by the impenetrable smoke.

Endari eventually restored order, uniting the people in brigades to douse the chaotic conflagration. By the morning the fires were quenched, except those used to burn the deceased. It wasn’t the way he preferred to handle their dead, but the confines of the city left him no choice.

Now his heart smoldered with a furious indignation refusing to be extinguished, a powerful urge to show their enemies they would not surrender in the face of intimidation. He slipped out of the cemetery and onto the open field with those hand-picked for just such a mission.

Two of them began their stealthy attacks on the nearest sentries, who fell unsuspecting without struggle or sound. These men fanned out in opposite directions to secure the perimeter while Endari and the other pair made their way past scores of sleeping Azrahterans toward the general’s personal pavilion, which was guarded by four armed soldiers. Seven smaller tents were arranged in wide a ring around it.

These were unguarded and dark, except for one. A hole in the side betrayed the dim light of a candle within. Endari crept close to steal a peek of the occupant, though much to his surprise he discovered five men in hushed conversation. Unable to resist the temptation to eliminate several officers at once, he pulled back the flap and darted inside.

“And who might you be?” one of the officers asked, a dark-haired man with cold blue eyes. His unbuttoned coat bore regalia suggesting a higher rank than the others, who stared at the intruder.

“One who doesn’t appreciate your presence in his country,” Endari answered.

“I tell you truly, I’ve admired your people’s tenacity ever since we arrived in Chastin. You have my deepest respect as worthy adversaries.” Endari spit on the ground at his feet, to which the man grinned and added, “I rest my case.”

Endari noticed the hesitation and discomfort in some of their eyes, a look the captain knew all too well from maintaining law and order on Wyndham’s streets. With a grin he asked, “Did I walk in on a secret meeting? Is there treachery among your mighty ranks?”

“Tenacious and observant,” Varzeth remarked in a congratulatory tone. “But you’ve infiltrated our camp to kill our infamous general, yes?”

“I’m here to kill as many as possible. Does it matter who’s first?”

“Ah, but Zordecai’s your prize, is he not? The crucial blow which will end this siege and drive the rest of us from your lands?”

In spite of himself, Endari swallowed hard. Was their strategy so transparent? This officer’s all-too-casual tone unsettled him more than a little. “Are you…offering to help me kill him?”

Varzeth scoffed and shook his head. “Of course not. You’re my enemy. Helping you would be high treason.”

“What game are you playing, Azrahteran?”

“No game. I’m merely pointing out the tragedy of coming this far without accomplishing your mission. Besides, killing Zordecai would immortalize you among your people, even if you died after at the hands of those who were too late to protect him. Wouldn’t you like to be remembered as Wyndham’s greatest hero?”

A moment of tense silence held them fast.

“Why are you here?” Endari asked.

“To conquer your land and take its resources. I would’ve thought that much was obvious.”

“But why war? Why not trade?” In the back of his mind Endari considered the possibility this man was stalling in order to ensure his death, but he had to know more.

“Don’t mistake obedience for desire. As a horse is led by its reins against its will, this army follows the decrees of its emperor, nothing more.”

“It sounds like your emperor doesn’t deserve your obedience.”

“And what of your leader? Are you eager to serve a man who’d send you to your death for such a hopeless cause?”

“I volunteered.”

Varzeth shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “Even so, here we are.” The slyest of smiles crept along the corners of his mouth. “Like you, I choose to serve my homeland with loyalty and dignity, which is often a matter of perspective. Are you sure you won’t reconsider taking your chances in the general’s tent?”

Endari adjusted the grip on his sword. “I’ll deal with him soon enough. Are you ready to die?”

Varzeth sighed, disappointed but not surprised. “Not at all.”

“Aren’t you going to call for help?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Endari lunged at Varzeth, who executed a casual but effective block. Being unarmed, the others fled the tent, only to encounter Endari’s waiting men. Their cries of surprise, coupled with the clash of swords inside, shattered the fragile silence of the predawn hours.

After several quick exchanges without gaining an advantage, Endari’s internal clock told him time was up. He broke away and dashed out of the tent, calling for his men to retreat. They’d wanted to make a clear and resounding statement to his enemies, but they were far from suicidal and ran for all they were worth to the cemetery. A host of angry Azrahterans were hot on their heels.