Episode Fifty-Five Entering Battle

E ldar

Fear buzzes at the back of my thoughts. I've faced death dozens of times, but never with the possibility of leaving three loving mates behind.

I shake my head at that thought, vowing to myself that I'll return to them and it will be glorious.

I've struck up a friendship with a starflyer named Bretton. He's the same species as Nadira's mate, Thallose, but his coloring is golden, almost Hazlan's color. I'll be riding his back in a saddle we constructed.

We've practiced. It's different from riding Zoron. The center of gravity is off. But we've got the hang of it.

I have a holster carrying a laser pistol on each hip, but it's my bow and arrows I'll use for the first attack.

Red-haired Nadira, who used to be married to the Senator, will be flying on her mate Thallose. I used to believe no one wanted to kill those from Up Above more than me, but I was wrong. Her eyes are shining with the desire to extract suffering from those who abused her. From the tales I've heard, I don't blame her.

Azael will be on the dragon's back. Drixxa not only has the ability to shift from man to beast, he can also control his body mass. He'll be closer to the starflyer's size when we burst through the top-floor windows.

That's where Nadira says the president lives. He's the most powerful of the Up Above, and she knows exactly which windows are his.

She may be small in stature, but her heart is huge. She wanted to be the one to present our demands. She was so passionate, none of us had the heart to argue.

"Ready?" Drixxa asks, his deep voice booming over all the quiet discussions of those waiting to attack.

The orcs all yell, "Ho!" as they stomp their feet. It's the orc way. The rest of us nod. I don't know what others are thinking. I'm praying to whatever deities might be listening to help us vanquish our enemies so I can return to my mates.

After Drixxa changes into what he calls his battle form, I ease into Bretton's saddle as Nadira climbs onto Thallose and Azael seats himself on the dragon's back. There are two hundred of us prepared to attack the President's quarters. We know the exact order of our assault.

It doesn't matter how many we lose, those behind us will keep attacking the hundredth floor while the orcs and monks climb the outside of the Tower in case all the flyers perish.

We decided this in a meeting last night that only the soldiers were allowed to attend. If my mates had heard it, I imagine I'd be tied to a tree Down Below, grounded by those who love me.

Drixxa and Azael are at the head of the assault team, with Bretton, Thallose, Nadira, and me directly behind them.

In my mind, I've imagined this hundreds of ways, with only a small percentage of them resulting in my safe return home. With one last thought of my mates, I turn my mind to the battle at hand.