One thing was for sure, the little trust he held for his new Commander was being blown away like the dust by the howling wind.
Chapter 27
At Beck and Call
Stelinger slept, rolling onto his back. He let go the defences of his mind and allowed himself to be lulled into the warmth of the magic, leaving everything real and sensible far behind. It would not be his first time, and had been expecting contact for some while now.
Just like a dream Stelinger had no reference of when it started, merely finding himself walking through a void of nothing more than dark mists swirling all around him. He could move his feet, yet it brought him nowhere, the void continued ever on. This was a dream to be sure, but he knew it was nothing ordinary.
He waited, and then even before the man appeared he felt somebody else touching upon his consciousness. Arumcas stepped forward, looking just like he did when Stelinger had met him in the flesh. Tall, a gaunt face, and a dark curtain of hair that fell onto his shoulders. Stelinger had little doubt he was staring at the most dangerous man in the world.
He would rather ally himself with such sooner than later. In some way he was already the Summoner’s champion, but right now he was fearful in the light of Cid’s survival.
Arumcas’ magic allowed dreamers to make contact hundreds of miles apart and he didn’t put it past the Summoner to be able to hurt or kill people in this way as well.
‘It’s been awhile,’ announced the Summoner.
‘Yes Master, the operation has developed much since we last spoke. I’m regretful though to report that Cid of Rogana is still alive.’
‘How so?’
‘He fought his way past the trap, by chance he picked up a stray Summoner on a Kingdom mission and it gave him the means to get out of the ambush,’ said Stelinger.
‘A stray Summoner?’ asked Arumcas, sounding more curious than annoyed.
‘I had Piatil look into it. Two Summoners were dispatched to Alparack’s veil to test new Kingdom magicks. The full details as you might imagine are not available to us here at the warcamp.’
‘And what will you do about Cid? I do not need to tell you that he is the single greatest threat to the plan.’
Stelinger afforded himself a smile. ‘Bennam’s best intentions will serve us once more. He requested assistance from the Valkyries for our march north, and I have already assigned a group of them to track and hunt down Cid.’
Arumcas nodded, considered his words and then said:
‘I found you as a man open to the possibilities of power beyond the mere echelons of the Kingdom. I shaped you, and I iterated upon you that there is no backing out, no failure. If we succeed, the Kingdom will fall and give way, and you will claim your place at my side in our new society.’
‘I have dedicated myself wholly to that end, Master,’ said Stelinger, fearing that Arumcas was also emphasizing what would happen to him if he did not succeed.
‘Then we understand each other. We will speak again, soon,’ said the Summoner, fading out of the dream like a ghost.
Stelinger shivered, sure that he was doing so in his pallet as well. He’d like to think that he feared no living man, but this Summoner was far beyond any normal human and revelled in the death of others. He understood well that if he allowed Cid to disrupt the plan Arumcas might well kill him as punishment. Pushing these notions aside he closed his eyes and waited patiently for the dream to end.
Chapter 28
Traitors
By sunrise they were on the run again. Hungry and tired they were, yet Alex assured them the canyon was close now and it spurred them all on to keep moving. At some point they abandoned the treetop path, choosing the ground trail as they were nearing the end of the forest border.
The trees finally thinned out and the men slowed their pace, the earth already much harder under their boots as they neared the ridge.
Up ahead, gaped the canyon. For the first time in more than a week they could breathe into horizons, the blue sky vivid to their eyes, the forest a maze best left forgotten. The cliff leading into the canyon below was quite a sight by itself. Earthquakes or some other seismic activity had started the scar through Alparack, while wind and flash floods had cut the passes deep and smooth. Growth was sparse inside the canyon self as it accommodated mostly bushels and succulents, the occasional twenty feet tall cacti a remarkable feature among its otherwise bland plethora of rocks and stones.
Cid and Alex quickly studied the landscape, trying to discern exactly where they were.
‘Captain, I think the ramp is south of us, we already passed it. I wouldn’t advise trying to scale down here,’ said Alex, looking down the cliff face.
‘I think you’re right, let’s move,’ said Cid.
All along the ridge they travelled, sticking close to the forest edge so that they could easily get out of sight if needed to. They did not have to run far to spot the ramp and again they drew strength from knowing they were headed for salvation.
The only one remaining sceptical was Lidayel, Cid keeping a close eye on him, knowing that the Summoner would face some reprimand or another.
Already Cid started preparing his report to Stelinger. There were many things he could say, but there was no way of doing it without having to admit that he had failed to keep the men safe.
They descended along the ramp, the forest already feeling far behind in exchange for the canyon’s rugged surface. Cid and company had barely made it down the ramp when it happened:
Two Lanston riders came at them from the south, having spotted them. The speed of the horses kicked up dust and rocks, and the riders shouting at each other. They seemed to be arguing.
Cid was too weary to even register that they were in danger, yet unsure why they were being approached with such fervour. Wide-eyed they stood as the leading Lanston rider eventually disregarded his companion and skilfully aimed his bow in the saddle, directing it at Cid.
The arrow sung.
They barely jerked out of the way, the arrow finding mark in the ground behind them.
‘What the hell!?’ shouted Alex, Brunick grumbling a string of curses as well.
The man was already aiming again, now closing in on them. The second rider however was not in the same mind. He pushed his horse and closed in on his partner. With another shout he lunged at his mate and pulled him from his horse at speed, both of them going down hard.
In pain and anger the two men rolled, their voices still rampant.
Cid was at a loss, and it was Lidayel who rushed forward. Like a snake Lidayel’s hand shot out and grabbed at the squirming figures. His hand closed in across the attacker’s face. His gesture was met with a small flash of light and the man slumped into unconsciousness in an instant. Lidayel helped up the other man.
‘Don’t worry, your friend here is only sleeping, he’ll wake within the hour,’ reassured Lidayel.
The amiable Lanston soldier shook his head in dismay and removed his helm. Cid identified the man as Harlem, a talented scout and outrider.
‘Did the Priests get to this man?’ asked Cid apprehensively, already assuming the answer.
Harlem though, had something different to say.
‘Afraid not Colonel,’ said Harlem, the man’s face sweating and unsure in the heat of the canyon.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Cid in confusion.
‘Colonel, I don’t know, something is wrong, I’m not sure whether I can trust you… but I have always felt you held the Kingdom’s best…’
‘Get to the point Harlem,’ said Brunick sternly.
For the first time Harlem met Cid’s eyes directly. ‘You are Colonel no more Cid, and you, and anyone found at your side, are to be considered traitors and enemies of Lanston.’
‘What!?’
‘By order of Commander Stelinger you, Brunick and Alex are to be hunted down and killed on sight, for betraying and endangering the army, and also for being identified as conspirators in the murder of ex-Commander Bennam.’
The canyon wind played a dreary tune to the silence as the soldiers swallowed hard on this one, even Lidayel looked distressed, despite having predicted a scenario along these lines.
‘Commander Bennam is dead?’ asked Cid finally, a blunt pang hitting him.
‘Murdered a fortnight ago just outside Lanston. We got word by letter a few days past.’
‘It can’t be,’ muttered Brunick, dumbstruck.
Cid looked hard at Harlem, his instincts to act decisively on the present competing with the news of Bennam’s death.
‘You don’t believe that we’re traitors, do you Harlem?’
Again Harlem’s eyes were unsure, looking at his feet, shaking his head. ‘No, I think the Commander has made a grave mistake,’ he said carefully.
‘This is no mistake,’ said Lidayel strongly. ‘Cid, I warned you against this, the army has been compromised and whatever way this war ends it’s not going to be in favour of the Kingdom!’
‘And I’ve told you before; I would rather trust my fellow soldier than you Summoner!’
‘Colonel,’ started Harlem, ‘I would suggest you and your men disappear until you have a leg to stand on. Commander Stelinger has assigned the Valkyrie hunters to track you down.’
‘Great!’ said Alex sarcastic exasperation, ‘maybe we should find refuge with the Reavers, maybe they’ll take us in! Do you think we might get pack privileges?’
‘Not now Alex. How does Stelinger know we still live, Harlem?’ asked Cid.
‘A rider joined with us from the west three days ago, shortly after those wounded men you send back, claiming that he was the lone survivor of a great Fallen ambush, that you and your men,’ pointing his finger to Brunick and Alex, ‘were collaborating with the Priests.’
‘This is a setup!’ cried Brunick in dismay.
Cid’s mind prodded at possibilities, but for now only one clear answer came to the fore: Flee!
He took a moment to decide and looked at Welce and Girdo. ‘The two of you should return with Harlem to the camp. They would have assumed you dead, so they will not think you traitors. If anyone asks you tell them that you’re not sure what happened out there and that I had blindly led the company to their doom, okay? Don’t incriminate us, but say what you need to say to keep yourselves safe, you got that?’ said Cid.
Welce and Girdo nodded solemnly.
Cid looked at Harlem again. ‘When the time is right, I will return to sort this mess,’ he said firmly.
‘Watch your back Colonel,’ said Harlem, tossing both his and his companion’s food sacks at Cid’s party.
They were off again in an instant, Harlem, Girdo and Welce staring in silence as they traipsed up the ramp and vanishing into the forest once more.
***
They were on the trot, each of them already nibbling at the dried meat Harlem had given them, their mood sullied that the forest was brought back so swiftly to their travels.
‘So what do we do now?’ asked Brunick.
The party had been reduced to three soldiers and a Summoner. Make that three tired traitors and a rogue mage too scared to use his own powers because of memory lapse. Things are not looking good.
‘I don’t know Brunick, for now we keep running, from anything and everything trying to kill us.’
‘How about returning home? I don’t want to sound like a coward, but wouldn’t it be best to return to Lanston and clear our names, or at least get out of this mess?’
‘I would not count on it Brunick, they would expect us to return to the Kingdom. If we really are believed to be traitors then Stelinger would have alerted both the border and city authorities.’
‘So that’s it? We just head north, not knowing what lies ahead?’
‘We know exactly what lies ahead. The bulk of the Fallen force has yet to meet the army. The safest place for us might well be as close to the point of impact as possible, strange as that may sound.’
‘We’re heading for Jacanta then?’
‘Exactly that, in the meanwhile we have to avoid contact with both Fallen and the Valkyrie.
Round 7
-it was a stalemate of sorts. The break had been brief and both Cid and Stelinger were wary of each other. Defences had already been tried and tested and the victory would simply fall to the man who kept his cool. It was a faire of short careful strikes and solid blocks, almost like an unofficial agreement to remain conservative and see who would slip first. It was Stelinger who broke the rhythm, suddenly swinging the staff recklessly from all directions, driving Cid back, forcing him to defend with great effort.
Cid had suspected that the best option would be to counter with equal measure, rather he engaged himself in blocking every strike. It was a mistake and made it all only a matter of time. Stelinger was on the front foot and his multidimensional attack broke Cid’s fortitude piece by piece, until his defence was a moment too slow. It was a stalemate of sorts no longer, as Cid got a sharp lash on the stomach. Instantly Cid shot his hand up, resigning as he knew that the round could only induce further pain-
Now however Cid had no intention on being crushed from all sides, whether by Stelinger or otherwise. He would go on the attack. They would risk much, but travelling to Jacanta point would still allow them to have a say should Lanston and the Fallen meet in combat. The only way they could possibly return to the Kingdom safely now would be with the army, heralded by the men as patriots, not traitors.
For that to happen Cid would have to show face at Jacanta and he would have to influence the battle in some way. Getting close to the army though would be a problem again on its own.
Breathing tiredly Cid’s gaze fell on his tunic; the green fabric bloodstained and torn. He found it difficult to feel like a soldier at all anymore, and much less one from Lanston.
Chapter 29
Guarded Truths
Inside the pavilion Drissil had lost his cool.
What started out as a mere enquiry was now a raging argument. He had been content with letting Stelinger enjoy his new high of power and intent on staying out of his way. Declaring Cid a traitor had already been a reach, but Drissil had trusted the Commander enough to let it go. Compromising the army’s safety however, was something Drissil would not stand for.
In the last few days Stelinger had let the march advance even in the absence of feedback from the satellite companies. Of course, by now everyone knew that Cid and Olum’s companies were utterly destroyed, but made it no less crucial to scout the surrounding valley, especially now that they had a blindspot. Not knowing the area was the quickest way to lead the army into harm’s way.
Then, whenever Stelinger did use scouts it was only men from his own regiments, men chosen by him who were either working under him back during his incursions or worse still; men who had never even been in the Lanston military before now. These men reported to him and only to him. In private he conferred on their intelligence, making the excuse that he wasn’t sure who to trust and was keeping things closed up to those ends. Colonels Margo and Atolyn were too fresh from captaincy to raise an issue, but from Drissil’s point of view it seemed as though Stelinger was deliberately isolating the Colonels from the army.
‘It’s absurd!’ Drissil had slipped at the end.
He knew then he was in for an earful and as was expected left Stelinger’s tent with the Commander’s words still stinging him, ‘If you deem yourself to be of superior judgment, then by all means, take your cavalry and go scout Alparack’s veil, it’s not as if one of our Colonel’s hasn’t already jeopardized this entire operation because of bitterness! Remember Drissil, I am under immense pressure here; the entire Kingdom is counting on Lanston to clear the way for the invasion, for the end of the Fallen! If you have nothing else to complain about then leave me, go now…’
Somewhat deterred by Stelinger’s words Drissil wandered aimlessly through the camp. They had come to an early halt today, a lack of intelligence preventing them from going into the narrows until they were more
enlightened on their enemies’ positions.
Why bother today? We’ve been marching blind till now anyway…I could really use a drink, thought Drissil frustratingly by himself.
Their storage tents did hold some ale, which they used sparingly to be sure. He made his way to one of these. Predictably he found plenty of soldiers gathered indifferently around the distinct white storage tent, its pallor already dusted by the canyon winds.
It was so arranged among the ranks that only a Captain or higher-ups could authorize some drinks for the men. Cunningly the men would thus wait at the tents, pretending to be lounging or nibbling at some food, waiting for a dry-mouthed senior officer to come and cool his throat. Obviously any officer serving his own thirst would be obliged to agree to dispense for all the soldiers within earshot.
Drissil did not hesitate, not today, it was trying enough without having to worry about Stelinger. He signalled for the men to set the flow and he was soon handed a wooden mug as the men all around cheered on his name.
Nothing like a spot of ale to win some short-term loyalty.
The beverage wasn’t chilled, but it was a great deal better than drinking water all day. Without saying the soldiers were not allowed to get drunk on the march, but a mug or so for the slow days helped keep their spirits up and it was here more than anywhere else that gossip made its great appearance.
Like an outdoor military tavern, thought Drissil.
Most of it was useless information and petty family stories, and Drissil was so used to channelling it out of mind that he almost missed an interesting bit of news. Had it not been for his discussion with Stelinger minutes earlier he might not have paid attention it at all.
He approached the soldiers in question.
Remnant Pages Spearhead Page 20
