163 A Song of Ice and Fire (2/2)

\”Focus, Dean,\” Aura said with a shake of her head. \”You can fanboy over fairy culture later.\”

\”You know, I really think you've been hanging out with Arah too much recently,\” I scowled. Then I turned to Red Bull and gestured for him to go ahead. \”Please begin the charge, general.\”

He grinned. Then he dropped his battle-ax forward.

The forces behind him, nearly a thousand strong, let out a mighty roar, one strong enough to alarm all those below the valley.

Now that was the power of a general's charisma, I thought, and I wondered just when I would bring that level of confidence and strength out of my Foolhardies.

\”Ride! Ride now! Ride to death and a red dawn!\” Red Bull screamed.

We charged down the valley with the general in the lead and me and Aura flanking him on either side. Our trajectory led us down the sands following the same line that the Foolhardies created.

However, any commander worth his salt would know that charging straight in there would be impossible as hundreds of soldiers were already marching into the hole Ty had made.

So it was no surprise to me that the Red Bull veered to the left at the last second right before we collided with the flanks of our own forces. This kind of sudden turn would have been disastrous if we were riding on anything other than a swifthart.

My heart pounded inside my chest as I pulled on Myth Chaser's reins and steered him left.

\”Cutting it a little close there, general,\” I said from his left side.

He guffawed. \”You asked me to make it look like we were going in there. I did exactly that.\”

I sighed, realizing suddenly that I was paired with another reckless higher-up. And here I thought I wouldn't have to deal with someone like Darah for a while.

\”Well, get to it, Commander,\” he ordered. \”Do that thing you promised you could do.\”

I sighed again. Then I glanced over at Aura on his other side and yelled, \”Are you ready?\”

Aura, after a moment of doubt flashed across her face, nodded determinedly at me. Then she raised her staff high and began her chant to summon the most awesome spirit of fire.

\”Oh mighty servant of the Pillar of Flames, I beseech you, come forth and rampage across this fairy plane!\” she entreated.

A giant fireball came to life in the air above her, following her around like a giant floating pointer. It expanded and then exploded outward, spraying those of us around her in a scorching heat reminiscent of a sun glaring down on the beach at high noon.

Moments later, like a beast hatched from a golden egg, the creature of shadow and flame awoke from its slumber in the spirit plane. It let loose a roar that made the hairs on the back of my arms stand on end.

I patted Myth Chaser reassuringly on the neck as even he was vibrating with fear underneath me.

Beside me, I heard Red Bull swear, \”Muddamn…\”

It was the appropriate response whenever one first encountered Aura's mighty efreet who I recently dubbed with the nickname, Flamethrower. A little on the nose, I know, but it was a very apt name considering Flamethrower's predilection to launch fireballs from his clawed hands the moment after it was summoned.

The spirit darted forward, and moments later, an explosion rocked the hedge wall a short distance ahead of us as flamethrower did his thing. With the help of Fool's Insight I could see the ambient magic of the hedge burn away at his power proving once again that Aura didn't exactly lose out to Ty in raw power.

\”That's our way in!\” I yelled.

Red Bull grinned.

\”I'm really liking your style, human,\” he guffawed. \”Maybe you should consider transferring to my army.\”

\”No thanks, general,\” I replied quickly.

He guffawed again and then led our cavalry into the hole in the hedge that Flamethrower made for us.

Ahead of us, the efreet continued to burn away the hedge wall, ensuring that there were now two paths where our forces could break through the magical maze.  Although the wispy fumes floating out of the scorched plants made me cough as I passed through it.

Red Bull heard me and laughed out even louder. Then he switched gears and turned all business-like when he commanded that we pick up the pace.

\”To victory and a red dawn!\” he yelled.

I believe I wasn't the only one screaming my lungs out as I joined the throng of war cries raised into the heavens.