I teleported some steel swords in from the weapons wagon. I used the steel to upgrade the underlying armor material. I positioned the sunstones where I needed them and applied an interlocking spell on them. Strikes would be shared over the whole armor and not just in one place. I scribed the runes, wards and enchantments in gold, and upon completion, locked them all together under an enchantment.
I put on the upgraded armor and it fitted itself to me. I raise my helmet and lowered the face shield. I moved through some weapons drills. The armor fit like a second skin and was nearly weightless. I had built this armor to be twice as good as my old set. It still had the skirt, but I added leather armored pants. I was pleased at how it turned out. The armor and cloak could turn any color I wanted them to, but I left them black for now.
I went to the table, “maps,” the table became a relief map. “Show present location,” a small blue wooden horse appeared on the map. “Zoom out, show my old home and the Port City of Shornwick.” The map zoomed out. “Show the King’s trade road. Show towns, and villages at this view.” Six appeared, with these names beside them.
I wondered out loud, “Why aren’t any of the towns on the King’s trade road?”
“Building a town on the King’s trade road violates the treaty. No town or castle may dominate the King’s trade road.” The pavilion answered. I smiled and nodded.
“I take it you only speak when we are alone or when directed to?”
“Correct.”
“How far are we from Shornwick?”
“12 day's travel, at present rate.”
I looked over the map looking at the names and saw a small notation of “Abbey of St. Philip,” I smiled. “Patron Saint of Special Forces, fancy meeting you here.”
“How far to the Abbey of St. Philip?”
“Two days.” I nodded. A plan started to form in my mind.
I went outside in full armor and cloak, helmet down. I walked the perimeter and camp, Armor walked with me. Staying at my left knee as if on a “heel” command. Every trooper stood and saluted, hand over heart, as I passed. “Captain,” nodding their head in a bow. I returned their salutes and kept walking. After I made my rounds, I returned to my pavilion.
I removed and hung my armor in my bedroom. I went back to the table to look at the map again. “The King, Queen, Princess and Captain Motts approach.”
“Allow them entrance.” The ceiling flashed green. “Tea for five please. leave the map in place.” A tea service appeared on the end of the table.
The King entered flowed by the Queen, Reggie, and the Captain. I bowed, “Sire, M’lady.”
“Prince Aaron, you are rested?”
“I am, Sire. Thank you. May I offer you some tea?”
“Please,” he said while looking at the map table.
I poured four cups of tea; they took theirs.
He pointed at the map, “What think you?”
I took a swallow of tea forming my response in my mind. I looked down at the map. “They will hit us again, sometime in the next week. Probably in this area.” I pointed.
He looked. “Explain.” They were all looking at me,
“We are 12 days from Shornwick, they have to hit us before we get any closer to reinforcements, and away from witnesses. They have invested and risked too much now, they have no choice but to attack or abandon their cause completely. I don’t think they will abandon their cause. Someone wants me dead, and your kingdom too much to stop now. Your kingdom and Princess Regina are the prize. With me, her betrothed, dead someone could eliminate you, the Queen, marry her, and take the kingdom. For their plan to succeed we have to die.”
“They know our route home. All they have to do is sit and wait for us to come to them. If it were me, I’d have a second group following in behind us to catch us between two forces and end this. I believe the southern enemy is waiting here. The northern enemy is following behind us or waiting off to the side for us to pass. Then they’ll close in behind us.”
They were looking at the map as I spoke. The King nodded. “How would you counter their moves?”
“They build their plan on the fact that Princess Regina and I are not yet married and will not be until we reach Shornwick. They must kill me before then. If not, and they push their plans, it’s all-out war. They would rather not fight a war, it’s too expensive and takes too long. They want everything intact and in working order. We have to force them to change their plans and the battlefield.”
“I propose we go to the Abbey of St. Philip where Princess Regina and I will marry. We’ll send notices to all the kingdoms. At the same time, you must call up your army and prepare for their counter strike. If the Midwick enemy is in this area, as I believe, I will strike at their undefended home causing them to have to rush home.”
“That would mean war.”
“It’s already war Sire, we are just going on the offensive.”
“And where would your wife be while you attack Midwick?”
“At the Abbey of St. Philip with you and the rest of the company. Call up reinforcements to escort you home. I will return when I have caused enough chaos.”
“Do you have an alternate plan?”
“Increase our speed to get further ahead of the Midwick enemy, then fight our way through the Volwick enemy.”
“You make it sound so simple.” The Queen said.
“Simple yes, easy no.”
“How far to the Abbey of St. Philip?” Reggie asked.
“Two days.” I answered.
They looked at the route to St. Philip’s Abbey.
The King nodded, “Captain, we move at first light for the Abbey of St. Philip.”
“Yes, Sire.” He bowed and left.
I WAS UP EARLIER THAN normal because I did not know what to expect closing the pavilion. I dressed in full armor and ate breakfast. Just to make sure, “We are about to close up and move.” I said to the house.
“When you are ready say ‘close pavilion’.” The house replied, I nodded. I went outside, and closed the curtain, “close pavilion.” It collapsed, folded and rolled itself back up on the rear of the coach. Oaks and Moss secured the straps.
“We’re all set Captain.”
I nodded, “did you eat?”
“Yes Sir, Cookie had us up early feeding us.”
Gray was saddled with a spear-lance standing up in his saddle mounts. Out of habit I checked Gray and his saddle. Everything was good to go. We moved out before daylight. We travelled until noon, then stopped to change the draft horses. We ate war rations while we waited for the teams to be changed. As soon as they were through, we were on the move again.
Just afternoon, we turned off the King’s trade road on to the road that would lead us straight to the Abbey. I cast a spell removing our tracks where we changed roads. I rode with Reggie; she was quiet. I left her to her thoughts. I had my own. I ran war game scenarios over in my mind, making sure I had missed nothing. We continued moving passed our normal stopping time using all the daylight available.
We stopped at a stream, so I didn’t put in a well. I walked through the horse herd looking for injured animals I healed a few hooves, but overall, they were in good shape. After they were watered and our water barrels refilled, the thorn brush barricade went up.
My pavilion was already set up when I got through with the horses. I stripped out of my armor and washed myself. I dressed in fresh clothes and went to the table. “Hot tea please.” I took my cup of tea and went over to the exercise area. “When I don’t need to use this area for exercise make this a sitting area with a couch and chairs. Nice comfortable ones.” A couch, three chains, two and tables and a coffee table appeared. I sat down in a chair; it was comfortable.
“Princess Regina approaches.”
“Allow entrance.” the ceiling flashed green.
“May I come in?” she asked as she stepped inside.
“Always.” I said. “Tea?”
“Yes, please.” The tea service appeared
on the coffee talk. I poured her a cup and gave it to her.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t very good company today.”
I shrugged my shoulders, “You have a lot on your mind.”
She nodded.
“Are your mother and father coming for dinner?”
“No, just me.”
“Then let’s eat, I’m starved.”
We moved over to the dining table, “steak, potatoes and green vegetables.” I said, my plate appeared.
Reggie looked at mine, “Me too,” she said smiling. Her plate appeared. We enjoyed a quiet dinner.
I walked her back to the Royal tent and sat by their fire with her for a bit, before saying good night.
WE WERE UP AND ON THE road before sunup. The King wanted to get to the Abbey as soon as possible and was pushing a bit. We stopped before noon to change horse teams and eat our war rations. Before we started again a rear scout came galloping in. “That can’t be good.” I road forward to where the King was getting his report.
“At least one thousand cavalry moving fast. They will be here with-in the hour.” The King nodded. I looked around at the terrain. We were stopped in an open area between stands of trees. We were on a slight hill, so we had the high ground, such as it was. Not the best terrain, but not the worst.
In for a penny... “M’lord I stepped down from my horse. We’ll meet them here. They and their horses will be tired. You, the Queen, the Princess, and an escort will make for the Abbey. The rest of us will join you there.” He stared at me; the only sound was the wind blowing across the grasses.
“Captain Motts, choose ten men for our escort, you will lead us to the Abbey.” He didn’t like it, but followed the orders. He called out the ten and prepared to leave.
Reggie jumped down from her horse and came to me. She kissed me, “Do not be late for my wedding,” she looked around, and raised her voice, “Any of you.” We all bowed.
“Yes, Princess.” We stood, watching them leave. “Not married yet, and she’s already telling me what to do.” I said, everyone laughed.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” an old man called out. We laughed and mounted. I looked at the battleground and ran options through my mind. I turned to the 90 men I had with me. I saw Cookie in the bunch and nodded.
“We’ll meet them here, at the edge of the trees, before they can widen their column. We will be dismounted waiting. They will see us and think they have an easy victory and charge us. That will be their undoing. Just before they hit us, we will plunge our lance shields into the ground. They will crash into our shield wall and those behind will crush the ones in front. We’ll kill everyone left.”
“Archers you will be on the flanks. As soon as they hit our shield wall, kill as many as you can. When I pull my lance, we all do. Then the real killing starts. Your shields, armor and weapons are better than theirs. Protect each other’s left and right don’t rush in alone. We’ll move in together. This will be a fight to tell your grandchildren about. The day that 90 troops defeated over a thousand enemy cavalry. And you better not die, I’m not taking a beating for you not being at the wedding.” A shout went up.
We took our position where the road exited the woods. The sergeants sorted the men out. I felt down into the earth through my feet. I sent my Mage Sense out into the forest on either side of the road. I put my magic to work. I thickened the forest so the enemy could not break out into the wood and flank us. I set sharpened spikes of limbs for those who tried. I firmed up the ground we were on but loosened the road’s in front of us.
We didn’t have long to wait; we heard the hoofbeats approaching. They rounded a slight bend in the road and saw us. A cheer went up from them, and they charged, lances down.
“Steady men, steady.” They were coming hard, horses charging our dismounted line that was spread across the road. “Three... Two... One... Now!” We flipped our lances and plunged them into the ground. I pulled energy from the earth to reinforce the shields just in case. Time slowed for me. Looking along my lines, men held their lance-shields stuck in the ground, eyes closed. No doubt praying the shield wall would hold. Archers, arrows notched, waiting for the moment to draw and release.
It was a sight to behold. One second they were at a full gallop, the next at a dead stop. The crashing sound was deafening, the screaming of horses and men was terrible. It was worse than the worst car pile-up you can imagine. Our shield wall turned blood red, flared like fire, but held. Our archers went to work. loosing arrows as soon as they had targets.
Their horses went mad with fear and started bucking and fighting. The harder they fought the worse it got. Using magic, I dropped trees behind the column and thickened the blockade so there was no escaping the ambush.
“We will pull these middle two lance shields and let the horses out one at a time.” I shouted. “Make a lance shield wall here and here to funnel the horses out and away from us. Kill anyone trying to escape.” They all nodded and built the shield wall funnel.
I stepped back preparing to use my magic. I nodded to the two troopers, and they pulled their lance-shields. Horses saw a clear path to freedom and fought to get to it, they trampled anyone in their way. I cast a calming spell in the funnel area for the horses to run through. They ran through our formation and out into the field behind us and merged with our horse herd.
The screams of wounded horses was a terrible sound. I took out my staff bow and began killing wounded animals. Then I began killing enemy troops. It was a slaughter. Only ten percent of their troops had Mage Shields, most of their armor was standard issue and did not hold against our attack. Especially against our upgraded weapons.
Horses were coming out, the dead and dying lay on top of one another. There was no fight left in this army. I cast a calming spell over all the horses left inside the ambush area. I amplified my voice, “yield and live, throw down your weapons and come forward.” Weapons began to drop. A few hardcore warriors charged and died on our arrows. That broke the back of their spirit.
“Who is the ranking man left among you?”
One came forward, “I believe I am, Captain Monet, Third Lancers.”
“Gather your men over there Captain, they may bring out water with them. Nothing else, I’m in no mood for leniency.” They moved forward in a daze. Of the over one thousand troopers, three hundred were killed out-right. Another four hundred would die before day’s end from their wounds. The rest were walking wounded. We lost no one.
“Is your King among the dead?”
The captain was in shock and spoke without thinking. “No, he is with the rest of the army on their way here. They sent us ahead to overtake you.”
“How many men is he bringing?”
“Three thousand.”
“See to your men Captain.” He nodded and walked away.
Our men had recovered their spear-lances and were watching the prisoners. They gathered together all the horses. I didn’t want prisoners; I didn’t have the men to watch over them, and I didn’t want to kill them.
I walked over to their captain, “Do your horses carry war rations for your men?”
He nodded, “they do.”
“You and your men will go and get the war rations; you will unsaddle the horse. You may take one horse each. Only the horse, bridle, and rations. Return to your King, tell him to go home. Tell him that Princess Regina and I were married at The Abbey of St. Philip. Their gambit has failed. If he continues to press the fight, I will destroy him and his army. Questions?”
“No, I understand.”
I nodded, “see to it Captain, I hope we never meet in combat again.”
He nodded and got his men moving to do as instructed. My men watched them, but there was little need. They moved like zombies.
I walked along the road, looking at the dead. It was late afternoon, and if we stripped the battlefield in the usual manner, we would be here through the night. I found their banner; it was a boar’s head. I took it off and turned it upside down and reattached
it. I thrust the staff into the ground.
I took a saddle bag from a dead horse. I fixed in my mind what I wanted to do. I cast my spell. The dead, both human, and animal came out at their clothes and equipment. The forest took them back to the earth. I walked the road, putting equipment, clothes, and weapons into holding crystals. When I was finished, I had a saddlebag full of crystals.
I went back to where the men waited, one had the boar’s head banner. The enemy troops were gone. Two scouts were following them for a while. We still had over four hundred captured horses. I put the saddles the enemy had stripped from their horses into crystals. I added them to the saddle bags with the rest of the crystals.
“To save time I have stripped the battlefield of all the spoils. You will all share equally with those who went with the King as escort.” There was a lot of head nodding.
“Cookie?”
“Here Captain.” he stepped forward out of the crowd.
“You will keep the spoils until we divide it.” I handed him the saddlebags.
“Yes, Captain.”
“We have won a great victory here, and I thank God that we lost no one. Because the Princess would have killed me.” Everyone busted out laughing.
“Mount-up, gather our horses, we have a wedding to attend.” A cheer went up.
Chapter 11
I turned the company over to Captain Motts reporting all present, saluting him. He returned my salute and took charge of the men.
I went to the Royal pavilion to make my report. The King and Queen were seated in their throne-chairs.
I approached them and bowed laying the captured banner before them.
“We will hear your report.”
“We met the enemy, numbering over a thousand on the road to St. Philip’s Abbey. They were overconfident. They lost 700 men and left with a few over 300 wounded. The men performed exceptionally.”
“And our losses?”
“None, Sire,”
He frowned, “You fought a force of over 1000 with 90 men, and lost none?”
“We were fortunate Sire, and the Princess did ordered all of us to be at the wedding and not to be late.” The Queen laughed.
Mage Throne Prophecy Page 10
