by AZ Kelvin
Modgrin Macreeth called people in to the meeting. Renalth and Ronni sat at the table. The other Gwylari chieftains were there but not Grymni or Chyne. The Gwylari seemed to present an odd area of calm in the busy room.
Captain Kinworthy and his superior, Colonel Declan Stone, both white-haired and pale-eyed like Sovia, represented the Kalnuvian forces. The captain’s hair was long and pulled back. Colonel Stone’s hair was trimmed short and stood straight like little soldiers at attention.
Field Marshal Brixal had traveled from the Vakerian encampment on the east side of Trossachsmuir to attend. The man looked a lot like Quinlan: tall and broad chested with unruly black hair but a full beard instead of a goatee.
Military aides and scribes from all sides filled the room to capacity.
“Quin!” a familiar voice called out.
“Lissa! Na’veyja be praised,” he said and wrapped her up in a bear hug embrace. “When did you arrive?”
“Just this morning with Brixal.” She looked sad for a moment. “I spoke with the Primerey already. I cannot imagine the Great Marsh was simply swallowed by the ground. We heard Na’veyja’s shriek and saw the clouds rising to the north then received the first messages from Kenri in Cammachmoor. Where will we go? The conclave is gone.”
“First,” Quinlan said grimly, “we must attend to matters in Trossachsmuir.”
“Right.” She nodded.
The meeting came to order and the druids sat together. Renalth took the floor and talked about the dreyg forces they would face in battle.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Lissa leaned toward him and whispered, “Bertrynn, he is alive.”
“Gratitude, Na’veyja!” Quinlan exclaimed loud enough to stop Renalth’s lecture. “Apologies, King Renalth.”
Lissa motioned that they would talk later.
Renalth continued, “Lady Ronirah will give us the reconnaissance report.”
“Milords and ladies.” She nodded to the group as she stepped up to an improvised map table. “Major alterations have been made ta the city. All trees and brush have been cleared from Trossachsmuir ta the base of these mountains.”
She indicated the mountain range where Pinebough was located. Angry murmurs circulated at the razing of one of Arden’s largest and oldest growth forests.
“Trossachsmuir has sprawled. They’ve built four new walls beyond the old city boundary. Outside of those walls is where the dreyg have set up the new line of defenses. They’ve piled mounds of rubble everywhere. They’re taller than a man on horseback. Ye’ll never mount a direct charge against the gates. The barbicans and bastions are made of thick stone and the gates are nae big enough ta get even a catapult through.”
“We’ll nae be able ta hit the castle with siege engines from such a distance,” Modgrin said.
“The root grows mighty,” Myzani Nal said. “Gates of stone tremble.”
“Apologies,” Ronni replied. “What was that?”
Kenri said, “He means the Gwylari have the ability to move great weights and the stone gates will be thrown aside as a child tosses a pebble.”
“Oh.” Ronni grinned. “Well, that’ll come in handy.”
Comments of agreement and some snickering went around the room.
“That’s basically it,” she said. “Troop movements and patrol routes and times’re here should anyone need them.”
“Gratitude, Lady Ronirah,” Renalth said. “Field Marshal Brixal has teams of fighters trained in shadowcraft and we’ve spoken at length. Ye should hear from him. Brixal—”
The Vakerian stood up to address the gathering. “Gratitude, King Renalth. We propose putting druids in with our subversion squads. These teams would sneak through enemy lines and eliminate the signal corps. The front line commanders depend on the signalmen for orders critical to any war effort. Disrupt that communication and the united defense of Trossachsmuir will fall into chaos.” Brixal took his seat again.
“We’re all aware the dreyg will nae be able ta stand against us, but they’re nae the real problem, are they? We can deal with the dreyg. Acimasiz, however is the purview of the druids and I’d like ye ta hear from them now. I give ye Joseah, Primerey of the Order of Arden.”
Joseah stood and thanked Renalth. “Greetings, friends. I can tell you firsthand of the power Acimasiz holds. Where the Great Marsh once was, a volcano now spews ash and smoke. Acimasiz will not stop there—no—he will not stop until all of Arden is in ruin. We still have a chance, my friends, but we must act quickly, or we may lose the opportunity that lies at hand. Hear, from those who were there, the events in Drifting Leaf.”
Quinlan, Swela, and Wylla told them about what happened in the watershed. They told them about the carraig, what it was, and how it functioned. They related what steps had to be taken to activate it. Ticari even found some tidbits to add.
Joseah outlined her idea about Quinlan and Askue and how the connection to the esbat may be the key to Acimasiz’s weakness.
“Because they both live in the Vast?” Brixal asked.
“Yes,” she answered. “I believe it would—disrupt—the cohesion of his physical being.”
“Joseah, that is absolutely brilliant!” Kenri exclaimed.
“Master Quinlan,” Renalth said, “that puts a great deal of importance upon yer shoulders. Are ye capable of it?”
“Yes, but I need to be close and I need time unhindered to perform the ritual.”
“How do we manage that if Acimasiz be as powerful as you say?” Colonel Stone asked.
“Diversion upon diversion,” Kenri said.
“Master Kenri,” Renalth said, giving him the floor.
“Sire, we use however many of the druid conduits that are left and team them up with the Gwylari forces. We need to sack the city and surround the castle with as much plant life as we can fit on the walls. This will isolate Acimasiz and force him into the open.”
“And ye think an angry god is gonna let ye saunter up and zap him with yer magic?” Modgrin asked.
“No, he will have to be bound to the ethereal plane, which is possible, but I need a second druid to complete the ritual,” Kenri answered. “One with abilities level to my own.” He looked at Joseah.
Joseah looked back at him, straightened herself tall, and nodded her agreement.
“Joseah, it will…” Kenri started to say something.
Joseah finished, “Likely take all that we have to give. Yes, I know and I will gladly give what is necessary.”
“And I,” he replied. “Now all we have to do is figure out a way to get beside him without being seen.”
“I may be able ta help.”
“Swela, nae,” Kian said. “’Twill nae work. Acimasiz is nae just some mad beast in the woods. He’ll rip ye ta shreds.”
“Swela?” Quinlan asked.
“Quin, please, nae,” Kian said. “Dinnae let her do this.”
“But I know I can do it, Kian,” she said. “I feel it deep in ma heart. ’Tis why I am the way I am, hon. ’Tis why Na’veyja chose me.” She turned to Quinlan. “I can take his rage. I can hold his attention long enough for Joseah and Kenri to get close and bind him.”
“Quin,” Kian said, “he—is—a—god! She could be killed.”
“How many’ve died already?” Swela asked. “If I can keep more from dyin’, I will. I’m gonna do it anyway, so ye’all may as well come and help.”
The gathered people had to be told of Swela’s ability to control the rage of beasts and to calm their spirits.
“Yes, of course,” Joseah said. “I see it now. There is a will and now there is a way. Na’veyja must have foreseen this and doled out bits and pieces of her essence to us all. Now, we have gathered them together again. That’s what she was trying to tell me in the beginning and I could not hear it through the sound of my own chanting. You may have been right, Kenri. Perhaps I was wearing blinders all along.” She paused for a moment. “King Renalth, I believe we have the advantage.”
“What’s in y
er mind, Primerey?” he asked.
“We must attack on the next full moon when the power of the esbat is strongest. The armed forces will engage the dreyg. The Gwylari and the druids, including some blending pairs, will overrun Trossachsmuir with plants trapping Acimasiz in the tower. Acimasiz will be forced to show himself. Then we move into our respective positions. Swela will divert the energy of Acimasiz, giving Kenri and me time to bind him to the ethereal plane. Once he is bound, Quinlan and Askue will channel the esbat, breaking down his molecular cohesion and banishing him from the physical plane.”
“Sounds about as easy as goin’ down ta market,” Renalth said, which got a laugh from the group.
“The full moon is only three days away,” Brixal said. “We have a lot of plans to make in a short time.”
“Then we best get to it.” Renalth spread out the strategy maps.
The meetings lasted most of the day. When they were done, Quinlan and the others found the rest of the grove in the courtyard between the kitchens and the lodge. Chyne rode her horse around showing Ticca and some others how to improve their horsemanship.
Quinlan stopped to watch awhile and Cassae stood by him. “Such simple play makes life worth living.”
“Is there hope for our world when so many’re out ta destroy it?” she asked.
“As long as there is one druid left to care about the plants, trees, and animals of the world there will always be hope.”
*~*~*
Chapter Twenty-Three
The main armed forces of Vakere, Raskan, and Kalnu had tightened the military noose and the city of Trossachsmuir stood blockaded from the east, north, and west. A forward operating base was set up a short way behind the front lines. The combined forces peppered the city’s outer defenses with siege engines and archers starting late morning and continued into the afternoon, but no major offensive had been launched.
Quinlan sat in on a strategy meeting while the commencing attack could be heard in the background. Modgrin Macreeth had the floor.
“The subversion squads have another two hours ta get inta position,” Modgrin said. “We’ll keep the dreyg busy with the initial assault ’til then. The main assault’ll begin at nightfall. The subversion squads will disrupt battlefield communications upon our attack. Once the city’s breached, we’ll surround Teivas Keihas, and the Gwylari and the druids can move in and work their magic. At the same time, Grove Seven with Kenri and Joseah will be escorted by Vakerian subversion troops inta the castle. If all goes as planned, we’ll have contact with our main objective somewhere within.”
“Are there contingency plans?” Joseah asked.
“Nae as such, Primerey. Our underlyin’ priority is the protection and timely placement of our main objective force, namely yerself and the others tasked with achievin’ our main objective.”
“The main objective,” Quinlan said, “sounds tame enough.”
“I dinnae think throwin’ the name of a godlike enemy around was the best idea, especially with him bein’ so close by and all.”
“Point taken,” Quinlan replied.
“Now, with the location of our main objective bein’ unknown, our force must be ready ta enter the city and go inta action at a moment’s notice.”
“Hope fer clear skies,” Ronni said, “so, ma friend here with the magic walkin’ stick can tell our main objective what ta go do with himself.”
“Aye!” Modgrin said. “Best get yerselves rested. We’ve a long night ahead and hopefully, another day’ll dawn at the end of it.”
Quinlan and Grove Seven left the meeting to make the final preparations before heading down to the staging area.
“Wylla wasn’t at the meetin’,” Cassae said.
“No, she joined one of the subversion squads and left before sun up to meet them,” Quinlan replied.
“She took a life when one was taken from her, yet she thirsts for more blood. It’s a dark trail ta walk.”
“What was the poem she spoke in Drifting Leaf?” Quinlan asked.
“’Tis a Raskanish burial verse ta be spoken at graveside by survivin’ kin,” Kian answered and recited the poem.
“I’ve been on a journey of many milestones, yet my feet dinnae tire.
They’ve walked dry trails warmed by the sun.
They’ve tread muddy slopes soaked by dark storms.
The destination’s known, yet the trail’s misted by many tomorrows, or perhaps just one.
I walk on.”
“Beautiful, yet lonely,” Ticca said.
“Indeed and sadly it doth suit Wylla,” Chyne replied.
“There will be many tomorrows for Wylla and for us all,” Quinlan said. “Remember to take one of Kenri’s dart pipes and a satchel of darts. Leave the balsa caps tight until you are ready to load. Bring slings and a good selection of seeds and fungus balls. Prepare and practice your chants so they come without effort. Na’veyja is still out there somewhere and she will hear your call.”
“Na’veyja watch over you tonight, Siestrey,” Ticca said.
“And you, whom I love as my own daughter,” he replied and wrapped her briefly in a bear hug. “Mind Sovia and stray not from her side. Ticari, you and Ticca must shield Sovia, Therin, and Chyne from discovery so they have time to launch their attacks. Once one attack is complete, you need to move quickly and silently to the next attack position.” Quinlan looked around at his grove. “I could not be more proud. Blessed be you all.”
Grove Seven returned his blessing.
“The horses and Blossom’re stabled and set fer the night,” Swela said. “We’re packed and set ta shove off.”
“Very good, we walk to battle.” Quinlan pulled up the hood of his raiment. “Grove Seven, packs on, hoods up, let our feet be swift and our tread be light.”
The grove reached the Raskanish staging point of the multipronged siege effort. A large group of druids had already gathered, Joseah and Kenri among them. The druids greeted Grove Seven like brethren and sistren, whether they knew them previously or not. Quinlan felt good being among so many of his fellow druids again and had not realized how much he missed it.
“Lissa!” Quinlan said when he saw her, “you never told me of Bertrynn.”
“Apologies, Quin, the day got away. He would be here today, bloody stump and all, if the physicians hadn’t slipped him sleeping powder.”
“Bloody stump?” Cassae asked.
Lissa nodded, clicked her cheek, and sliced her hand across her leg at the knee. “Rock fall during the—event. He and a few of the others here managed to escape to the south. Vakerian scouts found them and brought them to Hearth’s Port.”
“I guessed such was the case,” Quinlan said. “I should have looked farther for more survivors.”
“No, Quinlan,” Lissa replied, “you were on the west side of ash fall and they to the south. You would’ve had to cross the ash field to have found them. You would have perished like all life there has, plant and animal alike.”
A blond woman in druid clothes and raiment joined them slipping her arm around Lissa’s waist. Lissa did the same and they shared a kiss.
“Rose, these are my friends, Grove Seven,” Lissa said and introduced each of them. “Rose is my wife. We were wed this morning, we and ten other couples in a group ceremony.”
“Shin Lahqui, Grove Seven,” Rose said. “I am honored.”
“Na’veyja be praised! Welcome to the family, love.” Sovia gave her a hug, and the rest followed suit.
Ronni MacRory rode up dressed in maroon-and-red light armor. She wore a wooden brigandine cuirass, metal arm and leg plates, plated gloves, and a close-fitting helmet. A dirk and a sword were belted around her waist and a teardrop-shaped medium-sized heater shield bearing the MacRory crest hung from her saddle horn. Her horse wore brigandine barding and chanfron of the same wooded armor. She removed her helmet as she stopped and dismounted.
“Is that kingswood?” Therin asked her, nodding to her wooden tile-reinforced cuirass and barding.<
br />
“Aye, ’tis,” she replied. “Lightweight and stron’.”
“Stron’ ya say?” Therin asked. “They don’t call it ‘axe-breaker’ for nothin’.”
“May it live up ta the name this night,” she replied.
“What’s the word?” Quinlan asked. Others gathered around.
“We’re about ready,” Ronni said, her voice loud enough for the others to hear. “Everyone should take their positions.” She looked at Grove Seven. “Luck in battle, ma friends. Na’veyja be with ye.”
The grove bid her luck as well and she mounted up again. She looked down at Ticari as he stroked her horse’s neck. She held his eyes and touched his hand. “Fare thee well, druid.”
“Fare thee well, lady warrior.” He grasped her hand. “I will find you afterward.”
She nodded, quickly turned away, and donned her helmet. Urging her horse forward, she rode off to join the battle.
The sun had dropped below the horizon and Renalth must have given the order to commence with the main assault on the city’s defenses. Catapults and trebuchets doubled their assault, sending boulders of fire into the air, the flames crashing down onto the wall, gate, and soldiers.
“Find your places, druids!” Joseah called out from nearby. “Na’veyja will guide you through the dark night!”
“May Na’veyja protect you and aide you in your quest,” Lissa said to Quinlan. “We all fight with you.”
Quinlan only had time to wave as she and Rose ran to join their group. His grove watched him for instruction.
“Go and blessed be you all,” he said.
Sovia, Therin, Chyne, Ticari, and Ticca parted from their friends and joined the druid assault groups.
Quinlan stood with the remaining members of Grove Seven watching the others disappear in the growing darkness. The battle for Trossachsmuir had begun. Quinlan’s small force of druids met a subversion squad at the staging area.
“Quinlan of Calamere!” a voice from the past called out.
“Ha ha!” Quinlan did not turn around. “Crack of lightning.”
“Clap of thunder,” the man said.
