Hope Sundered

“Should we pursue them?” Keila asked her mother as they watched the scattered remnants of the Azrahteran army flee to the north.

“No,” Ginica decided at length. “The day is won and Wyndham is liberated. Besides, we could use the reprieve to tend to our wounded and collect our dead. Where’s your brother?”

“Over there,” Keila replied, pointing a little east of their position, where Sekka battled two determined Azrahterans. Zordecai’s sword glinted in his hands, reflecting the emerging sunlight as he blocked and parried. His opponents fell moments later.

Finding no other enemies to fight, he began looking around for his mother and half-sister. Keila waved, grabbing his attention, and he casually trotted over to join them. Forizu found them moments later.

“It looks like it’s time to be diplomatic.” Ginica pointed to Wyndham’s open doors where a pair of men could be seen emerging. It was clear they were high-ranking officials, as they were the only men on the field not covered in the foul residue of battle.

“But we’re a mess!” Keila groaned, the embarrassed young woman in her shouldering aside the warrior for a moment.

“You’re a mess,” Sekka teased. “I look glorious.” Every inch of him was covered in gore.

Keila rolled her eyes and slapped him on the shoulder. “They’ll think we’re savages!”

“They already do my daughter, but it doesn’t matter. They’re indebted to us, and they know it. Besides, we both speak the common tongue, so this should go well.”

⸞ ⸎ ⸟

“It’s over, Sollin,” Crenshaw said through gritted teeth and labored breathing. His tone was weary, but triumphant. “We’ve won.”

“Are you injured?” Sollin asked, alarmed at seeing his friend covered in blood and hunched over.

Crenshaw waved him off. “Nothing serious. I’m just too old for this. How’s your arm?”

“Sore as usual. I’m used to it now. It’ll probably ache worse tomorrow, but it’s worth it to watch those Azzie cowards run.”

“Well said,” Iraden remarked as he joined them. A thick sheen of sweat covered the commander’s flushed face while mud covered the rest of him, but aside from being out of breath he appeared unharmed. “Everyone fought bravely. It’s been my honor to share the field with the likes of you and your men.”

“Same here,” Sollin beamed, extending his hand, which Iraden accepted. Riak, Bayse, and Kaelyb joined them moments later.

“It looks as if a meeting is about to take place between the Wyndhamites and the Nokri,” Iraden motioned at the two converging groups. “And we should be a part of that. What say you, Captain Greataxe?”

Sollin nodded. “Let’s go make some friends.”

⸞ ⸎ ⸟

Bel’ami and Losigalender emerged from the city to survey the gruesome aftermath of the battle. Captain Endari and Commander Hoit soon joined them moments later, having defeated their respective opponents.

The slain bodies of both sides littered the field. Avelirian and Nokri alike milled about the carnage, collecting injured comrades and putting enemies out of their misery. The stench of death hung in the air.

“We have many people to thank,” Bel’ami said, despite his inner turmoil. His wife’s abduction was still fresh in his mind, the last image of the fear in her eyes haunting him to the brink of nausea.

“Thanking our fellow countrymen should be easy enough,” Endari said. “The Nokri may prove to be more challenging.”

“I happen to speak a little of their tongue,” Losigalender said. “With any luck this should go well.” His companions cast sideways glances at him. Noticing their looks of surprise, he smirked and added, “A long story for another time.”

“Oh, I look forward to hearing that one,” Bel’ami replied.

“Here come their leaders,” Endari said, drawing their attention to the five approaching Nokri. Three women and two men; they were so dirty nothing could be discerned beyond their genders.

“And those must be the militiamen,” Hoit added, indicating the group of five men heading their way from across the field.

The Nokri fanned out and stopped five paces from the patriarch and his men. Bel’ami raised his right hand and offered the biggest smile he could muster. “On behalf of the grateful citizens of Wyndham, we are forever in your debt. We thank you as allies and welcome you as friends. It’s my sincere hope that from this day forth, our two peoples will—”

“Father?”