Lord of Ashes

EIGHTEEN

Regulus stared out to the north as night turned to dawn turned to day. His claws had gouged a four-ridged furrow in the stone of the battlements, his grief over Hagama cutting him equally as deep. He knew he should not have let it hurt him so, he knew it was more than likely he would lose more of his warriors, even his own life, but still the pain was like a knife.

Hagama had been by his side since they were children. They had played together, fought together, bled together for years. Hagama had been the first of the Gor’tana to pledge himself to Regulus after his father had been betrayed. Even before old, wise Leandran had offered his service, Hagama had stood by Regulus’ side, unswerving in his loyalty. And now he was dead.

It wasn’t the need for vengeance that moved Regulus so; there would be time aplenty for retribution. It was the fact they had lost his body. The fact the Khurtas had dragged him off back to their camp to do Gorm knew what to his corpse. They would never be able to convey his soul to the stars. Never be able to ensure the Dark Walker couldn’t catch the brave warrior before he took his place with the other fallen heroes of Equ’un. It was not a fitting end.

Sacrifice, though — Hagama would have the honour of a sacrifice no Zatani had ever been bestowed. Regulus made a silent vow that Khurtic blood would flow, and he would taste every drop in honour of his fallen brother.

‘You should eat.’

Regulus turned to see young Akkula standing beside him. The youth looked sullen and it was obvious he too felt the loss of Hagama, even though the older warrior had castigated his young counterpart many times. They had never been friends, but Akkula was a man now — a warrior grown — and he would fight for his brothers and mourn their loss as any Gor’tana should.

‘I am not hungry,’ said Regulus, though he knew he should have been. The night’s killing should have made him ravenous but his stomach was filled with a lust for Khurtic flesh that no amount of horsemeat would sate.

‘You will need your strength for the next attack. We all will.’

Akkula was trying his best to help, but Regulus was in no mood to be lectured. He shook his head, and Akkula understood immediately, leaving Regulus in his dark mood.

No sooner had he gone than another figure approached over the battlements. Regulus recognised the sargent, feeling his heart slump further at the prospect of talking to the man. He looked furious and Regulus almost broke a smile at the man’s barely suppressed rage.

‘You fled your post,’ said the sargent. Regulus noted he kept a safe distance. ‘You’ll obey your orders tonight or you’ll-’

‘I’ll what?’ Regulus replied, not even bothering to look at him.

There was a moment’s silence as the sargent pondered his next move.

‘We barely have enough men for the wall as it is. You can’t just go running off wherever you please.’

Regulus nodded. ‘Yes, I can. Your gate was not attacked, was it? My warriors and I would have been of no use had we stayed. From now you will find us where the fighting is hardest. Where the killing is bloodiest.’

The man made to speak but thought better of it. What would he do? Seek to punish the Zatani for repelling the Khurtas? For killing their shaman and sacrificing one of their own in the act?

The Coldlander slunk off, rather than speak again.

Regulus turned from the north, tired of his vigil now. He had mourned enough for Hagama, and besides, there was something he had to do before night fell and the fighting started again.

As he walked the wall many of the Coldlanders who had seen hard fighting during the night gave him a nod of acknowledgement, some even words of praise. How different from days ago when they had been baying for his blood and that of his warriors. He was one of them now, had shed blood and sacrificed a brother, just as they had. War was always the best way to unite men — bringing them together in their grief and hate.

Up ahead Regulus saw the man he was looking for. Nobul Jacks — the Black Helm as he had become known — was sitting with his back to the wall, hammer gripped in one hand, helm in the other. Whatever legend he had built for himself seemed to matter little now. The warrior looked weary after the night’s combat. He was a legend no more. Just a man in need of rest. Not that the other Coldlanders seemed to regard him as an ordinary man. Regulus had heard their tales of him — that he could not die, that he was one of their ancient heroes reborn. That was perhaps why they gave him such a wide berth, their awe of him striking fear into their hearts. Regulus Gor did not share such awe, though. He knew Nobul Jacks was simply a man and could be killed like any other. He was just more difficult to kill than most.

‘You have my gratitude again, Nobul Jacks,’ Regulus said as he came to stand before the Coldlander.

Nobul inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘And you’re welcome. Again.’

Regulus could see the fatigue in the man’s eyes, his shoulders slumped. There would be much more fighting before the end, and for a moment he wondered if Nobul would last even one more night.

‘More than that,’ Regulus said, ‘I owe you my life. I am yours until that debt is paid. You have refused once, Nobul Jacks. You cannot refuse again.’

Nobul looked up. At first there was defiance in his expression, and from what Regulus could read, a note of annoyance. Then the man smiled.

‘You’re mine?’ Nobul said. ‘And what the fuck am I supposed to do with you? We could both die tonight and what would the point be in you owing me a debt? Best look to yourself and your men, Regulus. I can take care of myself.’

From what Regulus could see, he very much doubted Nobul’s words. He looked fit to drop, his face showing its age now more than it ever had.

‘You speak truth. We may well perish tonight. But until the debt is paid, my life is yours.’

‘I get it,’ Nobul replied. ‘And if I need someone to die for me any time soon, you’ll be the first to know.’

‘Don’t jest, Nobul Jacks. You may find you need me sooner than you think.’

Nobul nodded. ‘I have no doubt. But for now all I need is a bit of quiet. If you think you can manage it.’

Regulus nodded his assent. ‘If that is what you wish.’

He left the Coldlander at the wall. There was nothing else to say. It was clear the old warrior was a stubborn one. Only time would tell if Regulus would ever be allowed to repay his debt. He only hoped he had the chance before Nobul managed to get himself killed.

But then perhaps it didn’t matter that much anyway. They might all be dead before long.

Janto, Akkula and Kazul were waiting for him when he returned. Akkula and Kazul looked eager for the fight to come. Janto reclined against the wall, hands resting on his axes, but Regulus knew when the fighting started he would be as ferocious as any of them.

‘Are you all ready for the night ahead?’ he asked.

Akkula and Kazul nodded. If they were apprehensive about the fighting to come they did not show it.

Janto presented his usual lack of feeling, but Regulus knew he would get nothing from him. The only time the Sho’tana displayed any emotion was when he was in a killing rage.

‘Good,’ said Regulus. ‘For we have lost a brother. He is to be avenged. Last night was but a taste of Zatani fury. Tonight we will teach these Khurtas the price for killing a Gor’tana.’

Akkula and Kazul growled their assent. Janto remained silent, staring at Regulus with those blue eyes.

Regulus merely stared back. He knew deep down how much Janto hated him, how much he would have wanted to kill him had he not been bound by his own debt. They were of rival tribes, after all — Regulus of the Gor’tana and Janto of the Sho’tana — the dishonour of it must have cut Janto deep. But the fact remained, Regulus had saved Janto’s life those months before and the warrior owed him. For a moment Regulus wondered if he had been wise to hold Janto to that obligation. If his life debt was ever paid the Sho’tana would most likely direct his fury at Regulus.

Then again, it might not matter any. Tens of thousands of savages also wanted him dead. If Janto wanted to kill Regulus, he would just have to get in line with the rest of the horde.