But he and Gunth Mach sprang into motion, side by side, legs scything the air, taloned feet snapping as they kicked them forward, ever swifter, the pace building until the broken ground blurred beneath them. South.
The Destriant shrieked-her mask of determination shattered and in its place the raw truth of comprehension and all the horror that followed. Her puny fists beat at Gunth Mach’s neck and shoulders, and for an instant it looked as if Kalyth would throw herself from the First Daughter’s back-but their speed was too great, the risk of broken limbs, or indeed, a broken neck, defeated the impulse and forced her to hold tightly to Gunth Mach’s neck.
They had gone a third of a league when Rythok’s savage hiss burst into their skulls-the blistering acid of sudden, frenzied battle. Blades striking home, impacts reverberating like thunder. A crackling, terrifying sound, and all at once blood was gushing from the K’ell Hunter. A piercing cry, a weaving stagger, burning pain and then baffled anguish as Rythok’s legs gave way.
Ribs cracked as he struck the ground. Sharp rocks tore and stabbed the softer hide of his belly as he skidded.
But Rythok was not yet done. Dying would have to wait.
He rolled, twisted round, blade lashing back into his wake. The edge struck armour, chopped through it, and bit deep into flesh.
Phlegm and blood spattered, stung like fire in Rythok’s eyes-a sudden image, brutal in its clarity, as a massive axe swung down, filling the Hunter’s vision on his left side.
An explosion of white.
And death made the two fleeing K’Chain Che’Malle stagger. A moment, and then, with unyielding will, they recovered. Glistening with grief, rank with battle oils.
The Destriant was weeping-shedding her own oil, thin, salty, all that she could muster.
She humbled Sag’Churok. Had his hide grown slick with sorrow when he killed Redmask? No, it had not. Bitter with disappointment, yes, he had known that. But greater the icy grip of intransigent judgement. He and Gunth Mach had been witness to humans slaughtering each other. The fire of battle had raged on all sides. Human life was, it was clear, of little value-even to the humans themselves. When the world is swarming with a hundred million orthen, what loss a few tens of thousands?
Yet, this frail alien creature wept. For Rythok.
In moments he would wheel. He would do as Rythok had done. But not precisely so. There was little point in attempting to kill. Maiming was a more useful tactic. He would wound as many as he could and so diminish the numbers capable of pursuing Gunth Mach and the Destriant.
He would employ skills Rythok had not yet learned and now never would. Sag’Churok might not be a Ve’Gath Soldier, but he would surprise them nonetheless.
Gunth Mach.
‘Yes, beloved.’
Sag’Churok whetted his blades.
‘ No! ’ Kalyth shrieked. ‘Do not dare leave us! Sag’Churok-I forbid it!’
Destriant. I shall succeed where Rythok failed. My life shall purchase you a day, perhaps two, and you must make it enough.
‘Stop! I have prayed! Do you not understand? They said they would answer! ’
I do not know of whom you speak, Destriant. Listen well to my words. Acyl Nest shall die. The Matron is doomed, and all those within the Rooted. Gunth Mach carries my seed. She shall be a new Matron. Find your Shield Anvil and your Mortal Sword-the three of you shall be Gunth Mach’s J’an Sentinels, until such time as she breeds her own.
Then Gunth Mach shall free you.
This is not your war. This is not your end-it is ours.
‘Stop!’
Sag’Churok prepared to speak to her once more, despite the growing effort it entailed. He would tell her of his admiration. And his faith in her-and of his own astonishment at feeling such emotions for a human. They were paltry things, too weak to be considered gifts of any sort, but he would-
Figures in the distance ahead. Not the enemy. Not born and bred of matrons either. And not, Sag’Churok realized, human.
Standing, readying an array of weapons.
Fourteen in all. Details assembling as Sag’Churok and Gunth Mach raced ever closer. Gaunt despite the blackened, gnarled armour encasing their torsos and limbs. Strange helms with down-swept cheek-guards that projected below their chins. Ragged camails of black chain. Thick, tattered and stained cloaks that had once been dyed an intense, deep yellow, trimmed in silver fur.
Sag’Churok saw that seven of the strangers held in their gauntleted hands long, narrow-bladed swords of blued steel, basket-hilted with half-moon knuckle-guards, and ornate bucklers. He saw two others with heavier single-edged axes and embossed round shields covered in mottled hides. Three with broad-headed, iron-sheathed spears. And two more, standing behind the rest, preparing slings.