Ghosts of the Erlyn (Catalyst Book 3) by C.J. Aaron (books like beach read .TXT) 📕

For a moment all fell still once again.

The moment wasn’t to last.

With a cry that carried over the gathered force the front line of cavalry advanced forward.

Chapter 31

In unison the riders spurred their mounts forward in response to the call. Their spears lowered further toward horizontal with every step. Their pace started slow, a deliberate steady cadence, building in speed as they approached. The ground rumbled underfoot as their charge reached a gallop. Less than two hundred meters separated the charge from the phrenics.

Ryl squeezed his eyes shut, his mind rapidly focusing as he released an assault of unrestrained emotion. The wave of pure terror washed over the horses and riders with frightening force. The Leaves flickered slightly as his eyes opened.

Horse and rider reacted immediately with dramatic effect. The well-trained beasts in the initial charge bore the brunt of the assault, though the results could be seen ripple through the entirety of the force to a lesser degree. The already unnerved mounts, wary of the unnatural flaming green blades, reared up in protest at the fervent, panicked commands of their riders. The neighing of horses mixed with the screams of men as the organized charge scattered. Several horses bolted from the ranks, colliding with their neighbors. Men and beast were struck with the bludgeoning hooves of the panicked beasts. Riders were unceremoniously tossed listlessly from the saddles as their charging animals bucked unexpectedly. Bodies and spears crashed to the ground as the initial charge collapsed in the disarray.

Chaos reigned among the riders and mounts as both tried to regain control over their faculties. From the rear group a second command tore through the air, ringing clear over the cacophony of men and horses. The deep voice of the commanding officer called the charge. A new wave of cavalry quickly rode forward, surging through the midst of their struggling comrades.

Unlike the initial assault, the second charge rode with wooden batons drawn, not steel. Their rush seemed impassioned yet random as it pulled nearly fifty riders from scattered locations along the remaining lines. At their center, face covered by the dark features of a solid helmet, rode a giant of a man. The earth trembled as the onslaught broke free from the mayhem, urging themselves onward. They ate up the distance between themselves and their prey at a gallop. Flame swelled around Vox's arm.

The lead rider rose his massive arm above his head as they closed within fifty meters from the phrenics. Vox raised his arm in turn as the hulking leader of the charge raised his voice in a thundering war cry. Ryl prepared to release the damper on the speed and burning rage that begged to be set free.

Without warning, the approach stalled; the riders skidded to a stop nearly twenty meters from the phrenics. The lead rider walked his horse forward a step; the large mare nickering in protest. He reached his hands up, removing his helmet.

Ryl's heart raced, his emotions leapt as he immediately recognized the face.

It was Moyan.

The grin spreading across his face was contagious.

“What are you waiting for, captain?” The massive guard called out as he worked the reins, turning the horse around. “Where you ride, we will follow.”

The captain let out a cry of emotion and pent up rage that chilled Ryl to the core. His voice was met by hollers of rage as the Le’Dral’s guards, Vigil, tributes and phrenic alike screamed their defiance.

“Vox. Now,” Ryl called as the din of the war cry subsided.

The elementalist waved his flaming left arm across his body from left to right then back again. Near the disorderly remains of the initial charge, a gout of fire erupted from the ground. The inferno flared into the air, reaching nearly three meters high before diminishing to a smoldering wall of flame. Ryl felt the sweltering heat from the fire wash over him, stinging the exposed skin of his face.

“Charge!” Le’Dral screamed from behind Ryl.

The captain spurred his eager mount forward. Andr, Millis and the others charged ahead with him. From behind, the combined force of their rebel guards, tributes and Vigil streamed after him, screaming as they raced toward the reeling horses. Moyan's line of cavalry joined the charge forward as Le'Dral burst through their midst. The captain was flanked by his brothers-in-arms, Millis and Moyan, as they bore down on the frantically disorganized guard from Cadsae Proper.

Ryl dipped into the speed, racing through the line of horses. Ramm kept pace on his heel as they rushed into the fray while Vox and Kaep remained as support in the rear.

The wall of flame vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving nothing more than a shower of sparks. The errant embers swirled into violent eddies as the wind of the passing phrenics and horses churned the air.

Only a portion of the riders from Cadsae Proper had regained their fighting spirit. They lowered their spears, desperately spurring their mounts to the attack. Ryl ducked to the side, angling his body between a pair, and with a flick of his wrists the shimmering blades of the Leaves severed the shafts of their spears, leaving a charred stump where the blade once lived. The riders gawped in panic as they realized in the blink of an eye their deadly weapons were reduced to nothing more than sticks.

Almost immediately, clear signs of desertion began to show. From the rear line, rider after rider wheeled their mounts. Some cast their weapons aside as they peeled off to the south.

Ryl’s charge pushed him through their lines in an instant. Once at their rear, Ryl let the blades of the Leaves flicker out. With deft precision, he went to work on the back of the confused cavalry that had sought their doom. Mounted or no, they were no match for his speed. He left a wake of riderless horses, their masters either unconscious or writhing on the cold, hard earth.