The Final Battle Read online

  Sara and Roland organised themselves into position, hovering several yards on either side of Caspan and prepared their next bladders. Roland then moved Bandit a dozen body-lengths forward, looked back and nodded.

  Caspan dropped first. As anticipated, the helmsman cried out in alarm and pulled hard to the right, steering his vessel clear of Caspan’s bomb, but moving the ship into the direct path of Sara’s. The helmsman steered sharply back to the left and the giants struggled on the oars. Those on the port side dug theirs deep into the water and pulled hard in reverse; those on the starboard put their backs into it and rowed frantically until the water churned. The boat barely managed to avoid Sara’s attack, but it was now floundering with little speed and was an easy target for Roland. He thrust a clenched fist in the air and cheered when his bladder hit the front of the deck. The Roon that managed to escape the fiery blast abandoned their oars and scrambled to the rear of the ship, where they tried to combat the flames. But there was nothing they could do to save the vessel, and they leapt overboard.

  Roland gave his friends a triumphant smile. ‘That’s how we do it.’

  ‘But we won’t have enough bladders,’ Sara said. ‘We planned on two per ship, not three.’

  Caspan stared grimly at the Roon armada. ‘We have no other choice. All we can do now is keep singling out ships and coordinate our shots to take out as many as possible.’

  ‘Leaving the rest for our fleet to deal with,’ Roland commented dourly. ‘I don’t have to remind you that Kilt and Shanty are aboard one of those ships.’

  ‘I don’t like it any more than you do, but there’s no other option,’ Caspan replied. ‘Let’s just make sure every bladder counts.’

  Sara made a quick mental calculation. ‘Meaning that if there are at least one hundred ships, we’ll only destroy sixty at most.’

  Caspan stared at her fixedly. ‘As I said, make each bladder count.’

  He glanced back at the distant coast, imagining all the soldiers watching the aerial assault, putting their faith in the three young Brotherhood members and their magical guardians to destroy the enemy fleet before it neared the cove. Never before had Caspan felt such accountability. He usually thrived under pressure – it sharpened his senses and forced him to perform to the best of his ability. But now he and his friends carried the fate of Andalon on their shoulders. It was an immense burden, and he hoped they wouldn’t let the kingdom down.

  For another half hour the three companions and their Wardens continued attacking the Roon fleet. They followed the same battle formation as before, with Caspan dropping his bladder first. Sara would then move into position to cut off the fleeing ship, forcing it to steer sharply in the opposite direction and lose its momentum, leaving the enemy ship at Roland’s mercy. Occasionally a boat would try to outrun Sara’s bomb and fail, saving Roland from wasting one of his precious cargo. Still, by the time the friends exhausted their load, only thirty-five Roon vessels had been destroyed.

  What was alarming was that the trio had now gone through half of the bladders they had prepared. They’d also wasted precious time flying back to Haven’s Watch to resupply. The Roon had started to split up, giving themselves more room to manoeuvre, but this also meant that it took the friends longer to organise themselves into position above each ship. By the time they returned from the headland with their remaining bombs, there would be no telling how far the Roon would have dispersed from each other. Even more precious time would be wasted hunting down the vessels.

  Caspan glanced back anxiously, and noticed that the Roon were drawing closer to the coast with each stroke of their oars. He hoped he and his friends would be able to resupply and make it back out in time to complete their attack. If they didn’t, the Andalonian fleet would emerge from the next cove and intercept the giants. Having seen the fury of the Roon back at Saint Justyn’s and Darrowmere, Caspan feared many men would lose their lives.

  ‘Come on,’ he said, urging Sara and Roland to follow him back to Haven’s Watch.

  Roland went to flick Bandit’s reins, when he was distracted by movement on the horizon. Curious, Caspan followed his gaze and peered hard at the grey blanket of clouds, soon spotting what had alarmed his friend.

  Sara saw it too and clapped a hand over her mouth in alarm. ‘We’ve got to get out of here!’

  Caspan stared at the dark shapes that soared towards them. ‘You head back and reload. Frostbite and I will take care of them.’

  Roland shot him a defiant look. ‘There’s no way we’re leaving you to face them on your own. Even with Frostbite breathing fire, there are too many of them for you to handle.’ He sneered and gripped the haft of the broadsword strapped by his side. ‘Besides, Bandit and I’ve been itching for a fight all morning. Our blood’s up, and there’s no way we’re running away now.’ As if to add credence to his words, Bandit bared his teeth and growled ominously.

  Caspan didn’t know how much use Roland’s sword would be against the new enemy they faced, but Bandit was a formidable fighter. He feared though that Sara and Cloud Dancer, who lacked the aerial manoeuvrability and fighting skill of the other Wardens, would be torn to shreds. He stared hard at Sara. ‘You need to go back. Cloud Dancer won’t stand a chance against them. And Roland and I won’t be able to fight them if we’re trying to protect you.’

  Caspan thought Sara would stubbornly refuse to leave, but was relieved when she nodded, kicked her heels into her pegasus and headed back towards the coast. She looked at her friends, fear and worry etched on her features. ‘For goodness sake, be careful.’

  Caspan nodded, drew a steadying breath, and turned to Roland. ‘Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not too late to join Sara.’

  Roland rolled his shoulders, removed his bonnet and tucked it under his belt. ‘I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that, ye wee Jimmy.’ He drew his sword and pointed at one of the approaching dark shapes. ‘You and Frostbite can take care of that one over there. Leave the other five for me and Bandit.’

  Caspan grinned crookedly before taking a firm hold on Frostbite’s reins. ‘Right, let’s show them what our Wardens can do.’

  The boys kicked their heels into their guardians’ flanks and sped off to face the six approaching rocs.

  CHAPTER 5

  ROCS

  Caspan had encountered a roc before during the siege of Darrowmere, and the memory filled him with dread. The enormous eagle had attacked him, Lachlan and Morgan whilst they dropped oil-filled bladders on the Roon army. All they’d been able to do was out-manoeuvre the bird, luring it into a deep dive, then turning sharply at the last moment, sending the roc ploughing into a forest. But it had been night then, and this time the friends wouldn’t have the cloak of darkness to use to their advantage.

  The rocs were much larger than the Wardens, with hooked talons the size of scimitars and powerful beaks that could snap through tree trunks. They were also faster; not even Talon, the fastest of the Wardens, could outrun the roc they faced at Darrowmere. But for what the Wardens lacked in size and speed, they were more manoeuvrable, and it was this that Caspan hoped would give them the edge in the ensuing fight. Frostbite and Bandit could weave and dart through the sky, avoiding the cumbersome birds. They could then swoop back in and attack the rocs in their exposed flanks.

  As they flew closer, Caspan was surprised to find that there were Roon sitting atop the rocs. Caspan knew that the Roon trained the enormous birds to hunt game in the icy wastes north of The Scar, but never before had he heard of a giant riding a roc. They didn’t appear to be confident at it, hunched over the rocs’ necks, clinging tightly to the saddle straps and reins. Perhaps the giants had been inspired to fly rocs after their encounter with Talon at Darrowmere, and Caspan hoped that their lack of experience in performing aerial manoeuvres would give him and Roland a distinct advantage. But it was Frostbite’s ability to breathe fire that Caspan believed would win them the fight. The only problem was that he hadn’t trained the drake to deliver his fiery att
ack, and he hoped Frostbite would use his initiative and attack at will.

  ‘Stay behind me,’ Caspan cautioned Roland, who was starting to pull ahead. ‘Frostbite’s going to need a clear line of fire. Stay on our tail and make sure nothing tries to hit us from behind.’

  Roland nodded, pulled back and positioned Bandit a few body lengths behind the drake. The boys then sat low over their mounts’ necks as they sped towards the rocs.

  The giant eagles moved incredibly fast and were upon them in no time at all. They folded their wings close by their sides and jutted their legs forward to reveal their talons, which were splayed wide, ready to rake and tear. But Frostbite never gave them the chance to attack. The drake pulled up and hovered in an upright position. His leathery wings stretched wide, he drew a deep breath and craned back his head. Caspan hung tightly around Frostbite’s neck as he watched the rocs soar towards them, only to fly into the twin jets of blue fire that shot from Frostbite’s nostrils. Caught by surprise, the giants’ eagles shrieked and turned away. But it was too late for two of them, which were engulfed in Frostbite’s fiery blast. Their feathers ablaze, the rocs whirled downward to the sea. Their scorched riders tried desperately to control them and yanked back on their reins, but nothing could pull the eagles out of the dive. It wasn’t long before both rocs and Roon plunged into the rolling swells.

  Two of the remaining rocs veered to the right, then swooped back towards Caspan. Frostbite turned to face them, and delivered a second cone of fire. One of the birds was caught by the blast and reared back, throwing its rider clear. The giant clawed through the air, searching frantically for something to grab hold of, then plummeted from sight. Its tail feathers and right wing scorched and smoking, the roc turned and fled.

  Caspan barely had time to react before he realised what had become of the other two rocs. Roland cried out in warning, and Caspan turned just in time to see one of the rocs tearing at him from the right. He swung himself instinctively around Frostbite’s neck, almost slipping from his saddle in the process, and barely avoided the talons that slashed through the air near his head.

  The roc was so focused on attacking the drake that it had forgotten about Bandit, who sped forward to intercept the bird. The manticore’s front paws and Roland’s sword lashed out, hitting both the roc and its rider. The Roon gave a gargled cry and slumped forward in his saddle. Clutching his chest, he steered his injured mount free of the fight and headed back towards the Black Isles.

  Distracted, neither Caspan nor Roland saw the second remaining roc until it was too late. It shot out of the clouds directly beneath Roland and crashed into Bandit with incredible force, sending the Warden tumbling through the sky in a welter of flailing legs and wings. Roland’s sword flew from his hand and he clung tightly to his saddle, but nothing could save him when his saddle strap, cut by one of the roc’s talons, snapped.

  A scream caught in his throat, he fell.

  Caspan reacted instantly and kicked hard into Frostbite’s flanks. The drake shot downwards in a near-vertical descent. Caspan held tightly to the leather hand grips sewn into his saddle and hooked his heels into the drake’s wingpits. The wind howled in his ears and he feared he would be ripped free, but he grit his teeth and held on for dear life, determined to save Roland.

  Closer and closer to Roland they dived. Frostbite extended his claws to catch him, when a massive dark shape swooped in from the side. The roc snapped at Frostbite and slashed with its talons, but the drake twisted away, narrowly avoiding the attack. Caspan almost fell, but locked his fingers around the saddle grip and urged Frostbite to continue after Roland. The sea was drawing closer with each passing heartbeat, and he feared they wouldn’t get another chance to save his friend.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Caspan saw the roc turn and head back towards them. Roland was only five yards away now. If they were lucky, they’d be able to catch him and still have time to evade the roc. But it was going to be close.

  Frostbite tucked his wings even more tightly against his body, streamlining himself and diving even faster. With only twenty yards to spare before they plunged into the sea, Frostbite caught Roland. Caspan thought they’d never pull out of the dive in time. His heart racing, he squeezed his eyes shut, no longer able to watch, believing this was the end. Then he heard Roland yell triumphantly, and he peeped through his right eye to see they were speeding a yard above the ocean. Promising he’d pamper Frostbite with the longest belly-rub in the history of belly-rubs once the battle was over, Caspan sighed and relaxed back in his saddle.

  The roc swept in from the side and slammed into Frostbite, sending the drake careening towards a monstrous, white-crested swell. Somehow, miraculously, the Warden managed to hold onto Roland and avoid all but the forked tip of his tail from hitting the wave. He banked hard to the right, his lowered wing tip carving through the water like a rudder. Frostbite brought himself around until he was facing the roc’s exposed flank. For an instant, Caspan and the roc’s rider’s gazes met. The giant sneered and yanked hard on his reins in an attempt to steer the roc around for another attack. Then all was eclipsed in a jet of scorching blue fire.

  Frostbite pulled up and flew over the deadly blaze. Looking back over his shoulder, Caspan saw the stricken roc writhing about on the surface of the water, trying to douse its flaming feathers. Of the Roon, there was so sign.

  In a manoeuvre they had practised during their training sessions back at the House of Whispers, Caspan leaned down, offered Roland his hand and swung him up onto the rear of the saddle.

  ‘That was absolutely awesome!’ Roland hooted as he strapped himself into the saddle. ‘What’s the chance of doing that again?’

  Caspan shook his head in wonder and drew breath to tell Roland that he should thank his lucky stars he was still alive, when he heard a tremendous roar. Both boys looked skyward. The wolfish grin disappeared from Roland’s face.

  High above them, Bandit was locked in a vicious fight with the remaining roc.

  The giant eagle dwarfed Bandit, but the manticore appeared to be holding his own. The roc had locked its talons around the Warden’s torso and was trying to bite into Bandit’s neck. But for what he lacked in size, Bandit made up for in aggression and fighting ability. He fended off the roc’s snapping beak with his front paws, and scratched and tore into the bird’s mid-section with his rear legs, filling the sky with a cloud of feathers. But it was Bandit’s scorpion tail that he used to his greatest advantage – he whipped it around to stab the roc in the side. The barb on its end was poisonous, but it would take a few minutes for it to have an effect upon such a large opponent.

  Before Caspan could give the command, Frostbite shot upwards and flew straight towards the combatants. One hand tightly gripping the saddle, Roland reached forward and drew Caspan’s sword from his scabbard. The black-haired boy then slapped the flat of the blade against Frostbite’s rear flank, urging him to fly faster.

  They had almost reached the fight and were sure they’d make it in time to help Bandit when disaster struck. The roc forced its beak past Bandit’s forelegs and tore into the side of the manticore’s neck. Roland cried out and waved his sword furiously in the air, watching helplessly as Bandit was tossed around like a rag doll. The Roon atop the giant eagle leaned out and thrust his broadsword deep into the Warden, just below his right foreleg. Bandit roared, tore free from the roc and drove his tail forward, spearing the roc through the chest. The bird contorted in a spasm of pain and gave an ear-piercing screech before flying away.

  Bandit tried to give chase but stopped after several yards. His wings and tail dropped, his right foreleg hung limply, and his mane was matted red. He roared one final time. His noble head slumped onto his chest and he fell from the sky.

  ‘No!’ Roland screamed, almost leaping from Frostbite to save his magical guardian.

  Caspan reached back and grabbed him by the tunic. Knowing they’d never reach Bandit in time and that Frostbite didn’t have the strength to grab hold of t
he massive manticore and lift him to safety, he instructed Roland to do the only thing possible.

  ‘Dismiss him!’ he urged.

  Roland was so lost in his despair that he didn’t hear Caspan. He stared wide-eyed at his plummeting Warden, his lips trembling.

  ‘Roland!’ Caspan yelled and shook Roland, this time drawing his friend’s gaze to meet his. ‘Bandit’s got one last hope. You have to dismiss him. Hopefully he’ll be able to recover once he’s back in the astral plane. But he’ll stand no chance if he hits the sea from this height.’

  Roland nodded dumbly, raised his soul key to his lips and whispered Bandit’s secret name. Fifty yards above the water, the manticore disappeared in a cloud of luminous blue smoke. His black face mask fluttered down to the sea.

  Roland stared blankly at where he had last seen his Warden. ‘Do you think he’ll make it?’

  Never before had Caspan seen Roland so upset. He was reminded of the emptiness and grief that had consumed him when he had almost lost Frostbite back at Saint Justyn’s. He had grave fears for Bandit, but for Roland’s sake he tried his best to sound optimistic.

  ‘It’s going to take more than a roc to knock Bandit out of action,’ he said softly. ‘But I’d say he’s going to need a lot of rest. I know you’d want him fighting by your side, but I think Bandit’s played his part in this war.’

  Roland sniffed and wiped his glove across his nose. He drew a deep, steadying breath, then reached into his tunic and replaced his bonnet atop his head. His eyes narrowed determinedly. ‘I think we’ve seen the last of the rocs. We should return to Haven’s Watch.’

  Caspan gave him a concerned look. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

  Roland nodded and grinned, but Caspan could sense the dark, seething rage that brewed beneath it.

  ‘I’m just dandy.’ Roland jerked his chin back towards the distant coast. ‘Now stop worrying about me and let’s hurry back to join Sara. We’ve still got time to load up and launch another attack on the ships.’