Zach Brenner's Arc

Chapter 49 of 86

Two armies stood behind Zach now. Fairhaven and Tyr Alys. But every road north led nowhere until he knew where the black tower would settle. It moved daily. If he marched his forces the wrong way, they would arrive too late. He needed a fixed target before he could commit thousands of soldiers. The airship carried him east, over the great trees, to the last kingdom that would answer his call. The tree kingdom rose ahead, halls carved into living wood. Raven's ears lifted as they landed. "My father," she said. "King Aldric." The stocky old king met them at the root-gate, crown catching the light, eyes fixed on his daughter. He gripped Raven's shoulders, then studied Zach. "So this is the man who took my girl to war." His voice was gravel. "You will explain why my kingdom should bleed for your sword." Zach laid it out. Both seals broken. Malachar racing for the crystal. Darkthorne soon in flesh. The King listened, jaw tight. When Zach finished, Aldric turned to Talon. His long-lost son stood silent, hand near a katana. For five years the King had believed Talon dead. Now father and son locked eyes and said nothing the room could hear. Then Aldric nodded once. "Whiskerwood marches." But the old problem remained. "Three armies mean nothing," Zach said, "if I send them the wrong way. The tower moves." He spread a map on the root-table. "I can't defend one city and gamble the rest." Geneva stepped from the shadows, gray robe dragging. The old master had followed them here. He tapped the map. "Then stop guessing the tower. Defend everything." He looked between the kings. "Split each army. Fairhaven's airships, Black Hollow's iron, Tyr Alys's mages. Mix them. Post a mixed force at every town." He met Zach's eyes. "Wherever Darkthorne strikes, that town holds. No wrong road, because every road is covered." Zach stared at the map. The tower's movement had frozen him for days. Now the answer was simple. He didn't need to find it. He needed to be everywhere. "Ayla," he said. "You and Lyra draw the mixed companies. Airship, axe, and staff at each wall." Ayla gripped her staff and nodded. Lyra pressed her palm to the table, feeling the living wood breathe under her hand. Aldric watched Zach give orders in his own hall and did not stop him. "You lead them, then," the King said. It was not a question. Geneva caught Zach's arm before he could leave. His voice dropped low, meant only for their group. "The armies buy the towns time. They cannot end this." He nodded at the sword. "While they hold the line above, you go below. To the eternal fire at the world's center. That is where Malachar carries the crystal. That is where you kill Darkthorne." Zach looked at Raven, then at the fixed lines now drawn across the map. The war had a shape at last. And beneath it, one dark path only he could walk.