Key to Magic 02 Magician by H. Jonas Rhynedahll

Author:H. Jonas Rhynedahll
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2010-12-21T06:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

Eu snatched his head behind the improvised barricade, an overturned table heaped with broken chairs. Arrows flashed through the space where his eyes had been and shattered on the curved wall of the stairwell. Shielding his face from ricocheting marble fragments, he turned to Veteran Brother Khorsk, who crouched at his side.

“Order another charge, brother. Send ten men this time. There are only four of them on the next landing.”

“The Second is down to less than half now, brother,” Khorsk pointed out.

Eu instantly perceived the other man’s meaning. Having suffered unexpectedly heavy casualties as it assaulted the barricaded landings of the tower stairwell; the second cloister perhaps had begun to loose its edge.

Eu scanned the haggard faces of the brethren waiting below him on the broad steps. He saw determination, but also doubt. Most bore wounds, some more than slight, and all looked to be on their last reserves of strength. Their discipline held – there were, after all, combatants of the Salient Order – and there was no question of their obedience. Nevertheless, with their commander, Brother Pzu’gh, already dead, it would be difficult to enliven their fervor.

Eu grimaced in remembrance. His friend had rendered his life to the Duty on the second landing. Only moments after Pzu’gh’s combat team had beaten down the last of the position’s defenders, two axemen had sprung from ambush. Both had died quickly, but not before the Junior Assault Brother and four other members of his team had taken fatal wounds.

Unlike the Mhajhkaeirii in the remainder of the Palace, those guarding the apartments of the Prince had not, for as yet unknown reasons, been taken by surprise. Two combat teams sent to scout the tower had discovered the pirates dug in and waiting. Five bloody assaults had thus far, though clearing the lower three floors of the tower, been unable to break through to capture the Prince.

His own First cloister waited at the bottom of the tower in reserve, but if he fed them too soon into this meat grinder he might not have enough men left to hold the Palace. However, with Aear and the Third cloister guarding the ground floor entrances and the prisoners, Eu had no option but to reinforce the remaining brethren of the Second with men from the First.

“We have killed almost a dozen of them, Khorsk. There cannot be many of them left. Send in the converts first.”

“The Mhajhkaeirii?” the Veteran Brother’s broad face showed clearly how little he thought of the fighting skill of the proselytes.

“Aye, it is time they demonstrated their devotion to the Duty. They can shield our Salients from the crossbows if nothing else. Follow with the remainder of the Second. Bring up the other brethren of our own team as well. We will stiffen the assault and crush these corsairs once and for all."

“You should not put yourself at risk, brother,” Khorsk contradicted, frowning. “If you become a casualty, our mission may be jeopardized. Perhaps it is time to send for Brother Zhel.

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