The Early Chronicles Book Five: By Desert Divided

Chapter 7

The door to Vilan's private study swung open and a sentry officer approached.  Angrily, Vilan tossed the book he had just picked up at the officer's head.

"You'd better have decent news for me!"  He shouted.  The officer collected himself.

"Indeed I do, my lord and sovereign."  The man sneered.  Vilan stopped and pressed his fingers together eagerly.  "It is as you predicted.  The Narnians ride through the desert as we speak."

"Excellent."  Vilan's heart filled with a greedy excitement at the thought.

"However, King Rynard rides with them."

"How many men?"

"Approximately one hundred."

Vilan swore under his breath.  "The forces of Narnia and Archenland together are not preferable."

"We have the numbers to easily out fight them, my lord."

"And have their next wave of men come at me from the sea or back through the desert as soon as they have wind of it?"

"You forget our advantage."

"It is a wonder I have this throne and I intend to keep it."

"Then let them grow weary from the desert first."  The sentry suggested.  Vilan paced, his colorful robe sweeping the floor as he went.  An idea popped into his head.

"Very well, begin sending some men to fight them in the desert.  Good ones, but not many.  I want to gradually wipe them out, but then I will give the queen an ultimatum she cannot refuse."

"Yes, my lord Tisroc."

Whether she was weary from the heat or from lack of sleep, Swanwhite did not know; but the next morning was difficult traveling. The horses seemed to move slower, their throats were dry, the desert seemed longer, and the sun seemed closer. Swanwhite swiped a hand across her eyes and tried to squint through the daylight. The heat rose from the sand, creating waves in her vision, and sand gusts occasionally made things worse.  When they stopped for rest, they had to give some water to the horses and some to themselves.  Swanwhite never felt she had enough food or water to keep going, and she was certain Kismir felt the same.  All the while the kept watch on their compasses and looked back at the mountain line behind them to ensure they were going in the right direction.   

"My lord, what is that cloud approaching us?"  Lucius asked and pointed to a haze of sand rising in the distance.  Swanwhite squinted at the cloud of dust, trying to make out if it was a simple dust storm or their eyes playing tricks on them.

"I know not, general."  King Rynard's usually thick tone sounded thinner and weak from lack of water.  

"I do believe it comes from animals, sire."  Goran remarked.  Swanwhite looked again and noticed that it did indeed seem to be arising from movement.  The billows of sand were rising up sharply from the ground and moving towards them in a line.  Suddenly Swanwhite caught a glimpse of shiny helmets and white turbans through the sand.  

"Calormenes."  She gasped.  Her voice came out weak and raspy as well, but it was enough to alert the king.

"Calormenes approach!  Stand your ground and be ready, men!"  He shouted as best he could.  The men became suddenly alert and placed hands on their swords in readiness.  Swanwhite decided to draw her bow instead of her sword and watched as horses' heads now became visible.  Her heart began to pound and her stomach turned inside-out and back again.  What could they want?  Something told her these men wanted more than to question their presence.  As the men slowly came into better view, she saw bright colors and rich fabrics indicating these were no common thieves, these were rich and powerful soldiers.  She held her bow at the ready, and now flashing weapons came into view.

"Hold your ground!"  General Lucius shouted.  Swanwhite could feel the horses growing antsy, and she also had to hold herself back from rushing at the soldiers.  She debated drawing her sword instead but her decision was validated when one of the men fired an arrow into the air that struck the sand not far in front of Swanwhite, sending a spray of sand and dust upon its impact.  

"On me!"  Swanwhite shouted and fired her arrow towards the men.  Her arrow had apparently found its mark because one of the riders in front tumbled from his horse.  She prepared a second arrow and fired as the riders grew closer.  A few Archenland soldiers drew their bows as well and soon there were several archers firing into the Calormen ranks.  The riders were nearly upon them now and the Narnians and Archenlanders drew their weapons.  

"Archers get behind us and shoot!"  The king commanded.  Swanwhite veered Kismir's head around and charged away from the enemy so she could have a well-hidden ambush point behind the swordsmen.  Before she reached her post, her heart lurched at the clash of steel and the screams of horses indicating that the battle had begun.  Steadying her hand, she drew more arrows and fired them over her companions' heads and into the Calormen force.  There was no mistaking these men were well-trained.  The Narnians and Archenlanders hadn't lost any men yet as far as she could tell, but the Calormenes had lost very few.  

A Calormen soldier suddenly appeared through the Narnian force in front of her and rushed for her with a frightening look in his eyes.  Swanwhite punched Kismir's side with her heel, signaling for the horse to leap to the side.  Once he did, Swanwhite veered his head, pulled her bowstring, and shot the Calormen from his horse.  She turned her attention back to the battle in front of her and realized the rest of the Calormenes were beginning to retreat.  A shout rose up from the Narnians and Archenlanders at the victory as the attackers charged their horses back into the desert and out of view.  Oddly, there were a great many of them left.  Swanwhite found Goran's face in the crowd ahead of her and saw he had an equally confused look on his face.  Why on earth had the Calormenes attacked with so many men and with such vigor, only to retreat when the battle wasn't even half over?

"You must eat and drink something.  You're exhausted."  Swanwhite shoved a sack of provisions towards Goran.  He held up his hand and shook his head.

"I am well.  Give it to someone else or the horses."  His breath sounded slightly shallow and his eyes were half-closed.  Swanwhite's insides pinched with worry and she sat down beside him.

"Please, for me."  She put the sack in his lap, then stood up to attend to Kismir.  She rubbed the stallion's dusty coat down lovingly and gave him his daily ration of water.  "You've been brilliant."  She said and kissed his nose.  She looked back at Goran and saw that he did indeed take her advice and was drinking the water she gave him.  He looked tired and weak, rubbing his muscles every so often.  As she looked around, she realized the rest of them looked similar.  The days through the desert combined with a physical battle were taking their toll.  She turned back to Kismir and prayed they wouldn't have to fight again.