Linth was taking a break from all the legality of inaugurating a new order. The people had been asking him what to do everywhere he turned. He felt the pressure that Fulch would soon have to deal with, and he was concerned. Fulch was young and hot headed and lacked the fortitude of kings past. If he had grown up with his father, he would have been better prepared, but this was not the case, and the Master turned out to be a less than ideal influence. He knew he needed to trust in the water; he was just having doubts. Besides, if the Rhudonians came before Fulch, then all would most likely be lost. Verdom walked into the hut and saw Linth had been deep in thought. He wondered if he should intervene, but his heart yelled otherwise.
“Linth, we can’t just sit by and wait for Fulch. They won’t make it that long,” Verdom said. Linth looked at Verdom and knew that he was right.
“I’m waiting for the scouts to come back, and then we will go and get them. I see the harm in waiting too long. Don’t worry, my friend,” Linth said. Verdom gave a half smile and came over and sat down. Linth put his hand on Verdom’s shoulder and returned the smile.
“Frayusha wants to talk to us,” Verdom said. Linth nodded, and Verdom left to go get her. When he returned, Frayusha looked very serious. She was on a mission.
“Linth, it’s time for me to tell you of the coup,” Frayusha said. Linth laid out his hand, offering her to come closer. Frayusha went on to tell them about Shardoe and what he has done. Linth and Verdom were listening quite intensely, and all Linth could think about was how hopeless everything was now. After Frayusha finished, Verdom, wide eyed, put his hands on his head.
“What the fusht are we going to do?” Verdom said. Linth knew he needed to calm the situation down.
“We focus on getting our people back. Fulch and the others should be back here soon. Then we can put our attention to Shardoe and the Popura people,” Linth said. Verdom wasn’t convinced, and Frayusha was annoyed that Linth didn’t see the urgency of the matter.
“Linth, we need to get ahead of this before Shardoe gains all control,” Frayusha said. Linth was fed up with everyone trying to tell him what to do.
“Listen, we do not have our strongest players. If we do something with the army that we have, we will lose. This is no time to be rash. Calm yourselves, both of you need to see the bigger picture. They can’t get into our boundary; the king and the Master saw to that. We need to be patient,” Linth said. Frayusha wasn’t used to being talked to like that, and she actually didn’t hate it.
“You are right Linth, we just need to get our people back. Then we shall wait,” Verdom said. Frayusha slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement.
“We shouldn’t tell the people about what has happened to Erafla; they need not worry yet,” Linth said. As they were all coming to an agreement, commotion could be heard outside. They walked out to find out that people were yelling that the scout party had returned. Verdom ran to see them, and Linth and Frayusha just waited.
The scouts were having a hard time getting through; everyone was asking questions, especially since they were carrying a body wrapped in cloth. Once Verdom saw it, he immediately freaked out. He kept asking if it was Tanla, but they didn’t answer him; they were desperately trying to get to Linth. They came up to the hut, and Linth beckoned them inside. Frayusha and Verdom followed. Once inside, the scout put the body down.
“Who is that?” Linth asked, and a scout pulled back the cloth to reveal the Master. The air left everyone as the realization came over them. Their best player was gone, and there wasn’t anything they could do about it. Linth noticed how the temperament of the room was going downhill, and he knew he needed to change it. He covered the Master back up and looked at everyone; they, in turn, were looking at him for direction.
“We still have Lunae, and we have Fulch’s magic. We will be ok. Thank you for bringing the body back. We’ll bury him right away. We won’t tell the people just yet,” Linth said. He then went on to tell them to disperse, and they’ll come up with a plan later. They were all about to leave when a warrior came running in, scared.
“Linth! The Porpura people are here with their machines. They’re right outside the village!” The warrior said. No one knew what to do. Besides the three of them, no one knew that there was a coup.
“It’s Shardoe, we need to be prepared for battle,” Frayusha said. Linth agreed and went out to the people. What Linth noticed is that the people thought they were there to help them against the Rhudons. People were shouting thanks and were trying to get out of the village to go thank them.
“Stop! They are here to hurt us, get the women and children inside. Men prepare to fight!” Linth said. Panic then ensued, and many people were coming up to Linth wanting an explanation. He told them to get inside or prepare themselves. This was not the time. He took a couple of warriors, and they went to the gate of the village. Before they could get out, the Porpura soldiers started catapulting fiery seeds. They were bursting at the border. They were trying to weaken the magic. Linth wondered if the magic would hold. He told the men to get back and start gathering the important things to grab just in case they had to flee. Linth then went back to address the soldiers who were waiting.
“Go make sure everyone has minimalistic things to bring if we have to flee. Go! Quickly!” Linth said.
“What about the prisoners?” one soldier asked. Linth was half debating leaving them there, but he didn’t want any Piskal to die.
“We take them with us, but they must remain shackled,” Linth said. All the soldiers left to go, and Verdom and Frayusha came up to Linth, as another projectile came crashing into the boundary.
“Frayusha, how well do you know these woods?” Linth asked. Frayusha looked worried.
“Shardoe knows these woods. We need to get off this world,” Frayusha said. That is what terrified Linth.
“How far until the portals?” Linth said. Frayusha smiled.
“Not far, but if they are right upon us, then we have no chance,” Frayusha said. Linth then ordered Verdom to start gathering the people and to lead them out the back way. Verdom didn’t hesitate, and he rushed to get the people ready. Linth looked at the barrier and started to see visible cracks in it.
“The magic is failing. It won’t be long,” Linth said, as they ran to the Lord’s hut. The men there were gathering all the important things with the help of the priests.
“Do we have the crown?” Linth said. One of the soldiers nodded his head, and one of the priests came up to Linth.
“We have everything that needs to be saved,” the priest said. Linth agreed and told them to head to the back gate. He ran outside and yelled for everyone to evacuate. The seeds were making a dent. People were running towards the back gate. Once Linth got there, he sent some soldiers to make sure they got everyone.
“Ok everyone! Be quiet and fast. Let’s go.” Linth said as they exited the encampment. They were keeping a good pace. As they made their way through the forest, they heard the boundary come crashing down.
“Everyone run!” Linth said. They all started running. Linth told Frayusha to lead the people to the portals. He then ran to the back with some of the warriors to help the weak and to hold off the enemy. They were making their way to the portals, and there was no sign of Shardoe and the Porpura soldiers.
After a while, Linth thought they were safe. It didn’t seem like anyone was on their tail. Next thing he knew, everyone stopped, and screams could be heard. He ran to the front of the line to see the Rhudons and their hounds. He yelled for the men to prepare for battle.
“Frayusha! Get as many as you can to the portals! We will hold them off. Save as many as you can!” Linth said. Verdom came up beside him, and Linth pushed him back.
“You must go with them. They need someone to protect them,” Linth said.
“I will not!” Verdom said. Linth then punched him in the face.
“I said go!” Linth said. Verdom knew he couldn’t fight him and helped Frayusha start to push the people away from the battle. Linth knew this was probably the end, but he still held on to hope for his people. The men were scared, and Linth saw this. He roared, and they all joined. At that moment, Burock yelled for the Rhudons to charge.