The price I am paying for following my dream is that every morning I discover an ugly face in the mirror. And that face is mine.
Can a pure idea have a corrupt champion?
LoG, 86
"We must attack now," the hasty whisper that belonged to Prince Borna reached Squinty. She was standing in the shadowy corner of The Leader's tent, basking in her invisibility. Borna seemed more nervous than usual. Huge beads of sweat rolled down his face.
They looked like cheap pearls falling off of a broken necklace.
"My Leader, if I may," Wolfgrik mumbled under his breath.
Borna just nodded, still staring at the dry parchment.
The gigantic one-eyed man scratched the back of his head and said: "We have two thousand good men. But ... Me scouts have reported that there are five hundreds of them in that tower. That's a lot. And ... they have many archers. They could easily pick us off one by one. Those fucktards from Begi sent them food and provisions, sure. But they don't have water. Why not wait them out? Soon enough they will be begging us to give them something to drink. Those yellow-bellied cowards will open up their gates willingly."
Wow, that's was pretty smart coming from Wolfgrik. He's got a point. I don't like him or his teaching methods, but he's right, Squinty thought.
"There is no time," Borna licked his lips and held his head between his hands for a moment. When he looked up again, a despising expression adorned his face. "Are you done?"
"My Leader?" Wolfgrik was confused.
"Are you done listing all things that could go wrong? One might wonder whether you are the one who is afraid to face the enemy."
Wolfgrik clenched his hands into fists. "I will not be called a coward by some..."
"What did you just say?" Borna hissed.
"Wolfgrik." A softer, calmer voice was heard. The Weapon Trainer calmed down immediately at Radan's voice but continued muttering to himself.
Squinty could now hear only excerpts such as "he will call me a coward, little lordling," or "I have been in more battles than he ever will."
"Nothin'." Wolfgrik's face was unreadable.
"That's right. Nothing." The Leader smirked. "You see, Wolfgrik ... I have a goal. Your role is to help me fulfil it. You are my Weapon Trainer, and you will obey. Or I'll find someone else who might. Don't think you're irreplaceable."
Wolfgrik nodded curtly. "Your orders, my Leader?"
"That's better. You are to order an immediate attack. Prepare the catapults. Let's bring down their walls."
"As you command, my Leader. Permission to leave?"
"I thought you'd never ask. Granted." Borna waved off the colossal fighter as if he was swatting a fly.
Radan's cautious, mellow voice inquired: "What am I to do, my Leader?"
"Radan." Borna seemed slightly surprised to see him there. The acorn man was so quiet the whole time The Leader must have completely forgotten about his presence, Squinty thought.
"Check on our cavalry. See that The War Dogs are in prime condition. Talk to The Riders."
"You haven't summoned the army of Lug to your aid. Neither have you required more War Dogs from my people for this battle," Radan noted amicably as if sharing a pleasant story with his audience.
"What of it? I had no need for them. There is another army that will join my cause. Will you question my decisions now as well? Don't take me for an inexperienced child. I know what I'm doing," Borna said explanatorily as if he were somehow defending and justifying himself at the same time.
Squinty noticed he didn't take on the offensive tone he had just used with Wolfgrik. It looks like he respects Radan more.
"Of course you do," Radan reassured him jovially. Then, before leaving, he looked straight at Squinty.
She had to stop herself from gasping out loud. He saw me. But ... How?
Borna seemed a changed man, now, when he was all alone in the tent. The mask of security fell off of him as a shell. All that was left was a slimy, squirmy snail, wriggling for its dear life. He was sweating profusely, mumbling into his chin and pacing around the table countless times.
He keeps sweating so much. Ew. The stench is getting even to me, Squinty thought. Why is he so terrified? And is he... crying? That was so hard to believe that Squinty had to lean forward to see better.
Borna had just opened a table drawer and pulled a peculiar object out of it. His back was now turned, and Squinty eagerly came closer to discern what he held on his palm.
Sounds of the hurried soldiers' feet reverberated all around her from the outside the tent.
I have to join them soon. If I don't, the other Vigils will notice my absence.
The spiral under her left eye started burning, and she grasped her cheek in pain. When she pulled her hand back, she was surprised to see her fingers were gaining visibility.
Maybe the pain was some kind of warning. There is a limit to this power after all.
Squinty rushed out of the tent just in time. She became visible seconds after. She was feeling ravenous as if her entire energy had been depleted.
But I must see what he was doing with that thing. And ... why was he behaving in such a strange way?
Next to the tent, there was a rack of dried meat, and Squinty hastily stuffed her mouth with it. She felt as if she couldn't draw in another breath if she didn't eat something.
There were two voices now coming from the inside the tent. One was clearly Borna's, but Squinty didn't recognise the other one at all. It had a raspy, metallic quality, and she felt goosebumps from merely hearing it. It also sounded as if it were coming from somewhere far, far away.
Is it a man or a woman speaking? I just ... Can't tell, Squinty drew closer to the cloth, almost placing an ear on it. No one was paying attention to her as the people hastily armed themselves, calling for their War Dogs. Chaos ensued in the encampment, but it was the chaos that preceded the organisation and order of the troops.
The words the voice was saying were, strangely, identical to the ones Borna had just told to Wolfgrik and Radan. Squinty couldn't help but gloat over hearing her Leader being humble and obedient.
"HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR FORCES TO ATTACK YET? I AM GETTING IMPATIENT." The voice echoed even inside her head as Squinty tried to push it out to no avail.
"Yes, of course, my ..." Borna was now literally sobbing as far as Squinty could guess. "Everyone is at the ready. The full army force of The City of Lagad, including The Apprentices. Just like you demanded, my ... My Mind."
Wait, what? My Mind? The Mind? Is he really talking to The Mind? Damn. I wish I could see this, Squinty thought, disappointed.
"GOOD. IT WAS ABOUT TIME TOO."
"Pardon me, but ... but ... could I just ask how ... how are we going to breach their fortifications? We have catapults, but I think they won't be good enough."
"DON'T QUESTION MY DECISION. YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES. OR DO YOU WISH TO GO BACK TO BEING BORNA, THE FOREVER INDEBTED STREET RAT?"
"No, please. Not that. Anything but that. I beg of you. I revere you so much. You made me into who I am now." Borna's voice broke.
Squinty felt a mixture of contempt and pity for him.
STOP YOUR WHINING AND LISTEN. THERE IS AN OBSIDIAN MINE ON THE LEFT OF THE TOWER. TAKE SOME TROOPS THROUGH THERE. THEY WILL FIND A SECRET PASSAGE. DON'T FAIL. THE TARTAN TOWER MUST FALL.
Then everything went silent except for the wails and whimpers of the prostrated creature that was The Leader of Lagad.
"There you are!" a palm slapped Squinty's shoulder.
Odon.
He was fully armoured. Sitting on his huge, black dog, he seemed majestic, in a way. Onyx greeted Squinty with a whimper.
"Why are you skulking about The Leader's tent?" Odon sounded suspicious.
"I was eating," she replied calmly, motioning the dry meat rack.
"Well, hurry. Wolfgrik has been looking for you all over the encampment. Why aren't you ready and mounted?"
"None of your business," Squinty retorted.
"Fine, I get it. You don't wanna talk." Odon's tone was surprisingly conciliatory. "So ... I guess that's it."
"Yes," was Squinty's curt reply.
"Hey, Squinty." Odon suddenly seemed uncomfortable for some reason. "Good luck. And ... Say good luck to a prissy girl from me, will you?"
Squinty smiled from behind the black wall seeing his cheeks go red.
Well, now we know the mystery behind him removing Orla's uniform back at The Bathhouse.
"Yes," there was another, softer reply before Squinty just vanished from out of Odon's sight, running towards the makeshift dog Kennels.
Grizzly was waiting for her there. His leather armour covered his entire body and the bigger part of his head. The boys-assistants took special care to reinforce his chest and front paws.
He enthusiastically licked her face clean.
"He gave you a bath before the battle." A crystal laughter came from her left. Orla was never quite the same after the Light of the execution. She now wore a permanent pained and serious expression.
Squinty mounted up. "I might need one after the battle too," she replied good-naturedly, lining up with her friend to caress Orla's dog, Jewel.
The black and white hound was more restless than usual, snorting and huffing, impatiently trying to remove his armour but without success.
"His first battle," Orla said as if she were a weathered warrior talking about some inexperienced child. She grabbed a torch and handed one to Squinty. "I don't understand why we have to fight during The Dark."
"Our Leader is in a hurry." Squinty was yearning to discuss what she had heard in the tent, but there was no time.
I'll tell her everything later. I think I can confide in her. If we both ...
"Good luck, Squinty!" Orla whispered. She leaned forward to hug her as tears ran down her face.
The two War Dogs came closer together automatically to enable the embrace.
"You know, Squinty ... You are the only true friend I have here." Orla almost sobbed.
Squinty felt uncomfortable and pulled away. "That's bullshit. There are more people who like you. For example, Odon told me to wish you good luck today." Squinty smiled as exactly the same red patches that were on Odon's face moments before appeared on Orla's as well.
"Do you still have it?" Orla asked timidly.
Squinty immediately knew what she referred to as she pulled Mr Big Ears out.
"Good," was Orla's last remark as she rode off in the cloud of dust.
The stone tower stood before them, tall, proud and seemingly unconquerable. It shone eerily in the light of two thousand torches, lying in wait like a wild animal ready to pounce. The Leader of The City of Lagad now finally appeared before his soldiers as the murmurs and shouts slowly came to a halt.
He took his sweet time, thought Squinty. Borna doesn't look anguished any more.
The Leader nodded to Wolfgrik who issued a command.
"Catapults, fire!"
Twenty massive fire-lit stones flew towards the Tartan, hitting two of their archer towers, and causing the commotion amongst the defenders.
"Infantry, at the ready!"
The bare-chested Lagad infantry stepped forward, prepared to charge, carrying various ladders.
"For Nalinaaa!" Borna hollered. "Chaaarge!"
At his words, seven hundred Wellers rushed towards the fortification, in their desire to scale the defensive ramparts.
The swarm of angry arrows promptly showered them. Many of The Wellers from the first row fell dead, dropping the ladders they were carrying. Others were there for them, to pick up the ladders and to continue toting the weary load. Only a rough third of The Weller vanguard successfully performed the escalade of the fortification. The interior of the tower then swallowed them, and soon the sounds of the battle died out.
Squinty could hear Borna swear. "What about the expedition?" He inquired, looking in Wolfgrik's direction. As if answering his query, there was a loud rumble heard on the left side of the tower. The tunnels of The Obsidian Mine collapsed, killing everyone on the inside.
"Damn it!" Now it was Wolfgrik's turn to swear. "The bastards collapsed the tunnels! What now, oh, mighty Leader! We lost our entire infantry." He spat into the dust.
Borna was opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water but then he recovered as he saw what he expected to see high up in the air.
There were three silhouettes of huge airships encircling the encampment.
"The Mountaineers!" Wolfgrik was in wonder. "How did ya get them to fight for us! I've never seen them take sides."
"They do for me."
Squinty couldn't help but admire the enormous wood and bone constructions that resembled different animals. The ships came closer, and a cheerful girl with multicoloured hair peeked out of the bat-shaped airship window.
"What are your orders, oh, your Highness?" she inquired in a mocking tone of voice.
"Get rid of those archer towers."
"Aye-aye, sir," she raised her hand in a caricatural salute and the three airships flew speedily away. In their attack, they used a combination of firing ballistas at unfortunate archers and throwing huge chunks of stones at the now weakened wooden archer towers until they yielded and collapsed.
Meanwhile, catapults were being constantly fired towards the tower. It was now burning on the inside.
Nevertheless, infantry and cavalry of The Tartan tower still weren't coming out. They had around merely three hundred men left and they weren't about to leave their safe hideout.
"We still need to breach the fortification." Borna's voice now had a hint of despair.
MUST I DO EVERYTHING ON MY OWN? A furious voice was heard, echoing all over the battlefield.
Many soldiers shut their ears with both palms of their hands, and knelt on the ground, not being able to bear the strength of the sound.
Two enormous whirlwinds appeared on each side of the army of Lagad.
Two Founts. That's ... Impossible, Squinty thought.
Everyone immediately lay on the floor as the sign of reverence, and chanted, entranced: "Glory to The Mind. Gratitude to The Fount. Glory to The Mind. Gratitude to The Fount."
From one of The Founts, ten gigantic humanoid stone shapes came out. They were easily three times taller than any of the men present. Grey spiked material covered their back. Each of them had a huge spiral symbol Etched on their right arm.
Seeing that, Squinty touched her cone-shaped form under her eye, frowning. The Etchings on those creatures and the symbol on my face. They look ... Similar.
Odon was standing next to her, mouth wide open. "Wow." It was all he could muster. "Well, I guess we are glad these guys are on our side."
The second Fount wasn't equally productive, or so it had seemed. Only one person emerged from it, sitting on top of the ...
What is that? Squinty wondered honestly. It looked like a carriage, but it had only two wheels. It was made out of the strange sturdy grey material.
I have never seen that kind of material. No, wait. I did.
It's ... It's the same material that birds with red eyes were made of.
The carriage occupant was clad in the armour fashioned out of the same hard, grey constituent.
"Break down the walls," the newfound ally ordered. The rock men moved towards the fortifications in dull obedience.
"The Mind and The Fount are on our side, men! We shall prevail!" Borna exclaimed ecstatically. The soldiers whooped alongside him.
It was all over fast. The colossal rock men applied all of their strength, banging on wooden doors. The tower entrance practically disintegrated. That wasn't all. Stone monsters went on advancing, pummelling the panic-stricken enemy soldiers who could do them no harm.
Squinty heard the horn from within of The Tartan Tower.
That meant only one thing: the enemy army was desperately charging at the Lagadians, leaving their destroyed tower in flames behind them. The infantry was composed of The Wellers who looked exactly the same as the ones from Lagad.
Cavalry, however, was a completely different story.
Are those ... Camels?
And indeed they were.
The soldiers of The Tartan Tower wore obsidian, dark purple armour and rode on armoured camels. Their mounts had additional protection around their necks: neck armour spikes. They were also made of the obsidian The Tartan Tower inhabitants mined. Their weapons were wooden cudgels, reinforced with sharp obsidian parts.
At the sight of the enemy, The Vigil War Dogs got restless but Borna was giving them the sign to wait. The airships appeared yet again, seeding razor-sharp stone caltrops all over the open battlefield as camels stumbled and fell one after another.
"Chaaarge!" Borna's already hoarse voice resounded through the encampment. "Avoid their necks! Break their legs! Aim for their legs!" He rushed headfirst, and the river of War Dog bodies followed. Human battle cries got lost in hounds' howls.
The Carriage Warrior, as Squinty called him in her mind, made his carriage move forward incredibly fast, as it spat smoke and flames.
Squinty felt a strange excitement and rushed into the fray, Odon by her side.
They both clashed with an enemy each. Grizzly ducked immediately, breaking the legs of a sand-coloured camel, killing its owner in the process.
Onyx tried the same tactics but the other, dark-brown camel, seemed more astute and reared up. Her hooves smacked Odon straight in the face, and he fell off his War Dog as his battle axe fell out of his hands.
Squinty jumped on the back of the camel, sliding her dagger smoothly towards the man's throat and ending his life. Strange. I could have bet my first kills would be Sien and Enoka; Squinty thought to herself as the light left man's eyes.
She stood there, immobile, numb, and worried, waiting for Odon to get up when the force of the impact threw her aside.
The Carriage Warrior! We accidentally collided. Squinty realized upon having seen the carriage turned over.
Grizzly was now lying on the side, squealing.
"Get your animal out of my way this instant," the quiet, but cold voice demanded. "I must resume the battle. You caused this. Now the engine cannot be started."
"It was an accident," Squinty growled back. She was getting more and more irritated by the second. Neither Grizzly nor Odon were getting up, and anger and anguish were building up inside her. "What did you do to him? You and your stupid carriage!" she demanded an answer.
"Carriage?" he sounded amused.
Grizzly was on his feet again, growling. He pounced on one of The Carriage wheels and bit into it. The wheel let out a strange, whooshing sound as it grew thinner and thinner in front of Squinty's eyes. The Warrior advanced towards Grizzly and struck him across the snout without a word.
"No one ... hits ... Grizzly!" Squinty, enraged, screamed in a frenzy. She leapt directly at The Warrior's back and stabbed him with the dagger.
The blade burst into pieces without making a single scratch on the armour.
"How dare you," the Warrior uttered.
Squinty then used her bare hands to remove his helmet in a swift motion. Then she jumped away, doing a backflip in the air, blinking out of sight for the moment.
Let's see if his skull is impenetrable too.
"Stop fighting me. We are on the same side. The Mind sent me to aid Borna in this battle."
"You hit my War Dog! I don't care whose side you're on!" Squinty clenched her hands in fists.
The girl with striking red eyes whose red hair was falling almost to her knees spun to face her. She seemed surprised at Squinty's rapid reaction.
The Carriage Warrior is a woman ... A ... girl. And ...
Squinty stared at the precisely same Etching as her own that extended over the left side of the girl's neck.
The girl seemed to be equally confused, gawking at a tear-shaped scar under Squinty's left eye.
During the split second of their bewilderment, Grizzly reacted leaping at The Warrior's head.
The girl's feet moved incredibly fast, humanly impossible, so she somewhat dodged the attack of the dog's mandible. However, his paws did scratch her throat, and droplets of red water fell onto the dust.
Red water? What does that even mean? Squinty was appalled.
Horror was mirrored in Warrior's eyes as she brought her palm to the wound. Then her neck Etching glowed ominously. A flaming sword appeared in her hand out of nowhere, and Grizzly's complete equipment and his fur were set on fire.
Squinty desperately made him roll in the ground to put it out. She realised The Warrior was too mighty to be dealt with. "Please. Leave my dog be," was all Squinty could say.
Warrior's face gave a sign of no emotion as she, speechless, raised the sword once more.
"Nooooooooooooooo!" Squinty placed herself in between the weapon and the animal she loved the most in The Squareworld.
Many ice spikes burst out of her entire body forming a knifelike armour.
The girl stared at her, stunned. "No. That can't be."
Squinty was as surprised as The Carriage Warrior, but she knew she had to stand her ground. I won't budge. I won't let The Warrior kill Grizzly.
The girl's hair and eyebrows burst in flames, as she laid her palm on Squinty's ice armour. Her symbol on the neck shone brighter, and the spikes started to melt. It seemed the Warrior would stop at nothing. At the rate it was progressing, the fire would reach Squinty quickly.
Sudden movement jerked her out of the immobile stupor. Something or someone grabbed her by the shoulders.
Squinty was now in mid-air, flying, moving further and further away from the scene.
Her body went back into normal, and as Squinty looked upwards, her icy blue gaze met Radan's kind black eyes.