by Galen Wolf
"They're not going to knock down our walls," I said.
"I wish I could believe you," Ahn sighed.
I looked at him. "So, what can we raise?"
His tone brightened. "I think we should raise the strongest and most expensive units we can – I was thinking units of Tree Kin and Wolves. We should be able to afford a couple of spear units on top of that with what we have left. It'll bankrupt the Guild, but what's the point of having money in the bank," he was looking round at his garden and his village, " if everything you love is burned to the ground."
Rohan smiled sadly. "I know what that feels like."
"No time for defeatist talk, boys," I said.
I knew the Ranger troop roster included specialist troops like the Tree Kin, huge oaks and elms that walked and fought. They would be a good counter to the Horrabian ogres, especially if we could use them in a forest ambush situation. The Wolves were excellent light cavalry and they could take on the goblin riders or the Horrabian light cavalry. Ideally, we should get them to flank the Horrabians and come around at them from the rear while we pinned the Horrabians from the front with our spearmen.
"Okay," Ahn said. "So, we raise troops and we wait for them here in Woodheart?" He was frowning again as if thinking the plan through and finding problems. He hesitated. "Do you want to go into a siege situation here? They have siege engines and ultimately they'll knock these wooden walls down."
Astral Bob said, "And quicker than they took down the stone walls at Pennred."
Ahn buried his head in his hands. "I'm not sure about a siege."
"Neither am I." I put down my glass. "No, my plan is slightly different to that. The Horrabian army and Attila will strike down Ermine Street finally to the gates of Vinab. Am I right Astral Bob?"
Astral Bob said, "That's the information I have from my source."
I shook my head. "I wish I knew who this source was. Then I'd know whether I could trust him."
"I trust imperfectly," Astral Bob said.
"Well if you trust him – that's good enough for me," Ahn said.
I wasn't so sure. I trusted Astral Bob implicitly, but the Horrabians were wily; I wouldn't trust any of them further than I could hurl them with one hand through a bath of jelly.
Ahn looked back at me. "So, let's hear this plan."
"Okay, so we rest our troops and bring them up to strength. We raise the new units. But instead of leaving them here to face the Horrabian army under Gandalph – we march them west to the Stone Cross through the forest. We keep them completely undercover. They wouldn't think we'd do that. The Horrabians will expect us to use our defenses and stay here behind the walls of Woodheart."
"That would be the more sensible thing to do than taking them on in the field," Ahn said.
"Sensible but ultimately just buying time, and if we have no allies," I looked meaningfully at Astral Bob, "buying time is pointless."
Astral Bob winced. He couldn't meet my gaze. I didn't blame him. Parzifal and he were doing their best, just the lily-livered saps on the Vinab council were letting them down. I glanced back at Ahn. "Do you know much military history?"
"Some", Ahn said. "Why?"
"Are you familiar with the loss of the Roman legions under Varus at the Teutoberger Wald?"
"I've heard of it," Ahn said.
"I haven't," Rohan said.
"Well basically, heavily armed Roman troops were ambushed in a forest by lightly armed German tribesman. They were massacred. They were arrogant and got caught completely out of their own terrain. We need to do that."
"Okay..." Ahn didn't sound too sure.
I said, "But there's another little historical incident I think is useful to remember: The battle of Waterloo in 1815. The French general Napoleon knew two armies were coming for him…"
Astral Bob smiled. "I can see where you're going with this."
I went on. "Napoleon knew he couldn't beat the combined armies. So, his plan was to hit one, defeat it, then turn on the other. He couldn't afford to let them join up. If they did, he'd be sunk. So, he turned to attack the British first before pivoting around and facing the oncoming Prussians."
"Napoleon lost, didn't he?" Rohan said.
"Yes, but we won't. His plan was a good one, just the British proved tougher than he expected. But the Horrabians won't. We'll march our troops through the forests - hit Attila's army when he thinks we're still at Woodheart and he's completely unprepared. We'll have the advantage in the forests. Then we turn and attack Gandalph's forces from behind when they're besieging Woodheart. We only need Woodheart to hold out for a day or so before we get back. Just we need Gandalph to think all our forces are here."
Ahn said, "Gandalph will think all our troops are in there anyway, and he won't be expecting an attack from the rear."
"Doppelgangers," Astral Bob said.
"What?"
"The Scryers have a skill to create Doppelgangers. They look like the real thing."
"We get a similar skill in stealth," I said.
"So, I'll create lots of Doppelgangers of troops on the walls. If he doesn't get up real close, he'll think they're proper soldiers."
I laughed.
Ahn sighed. "This is risky stuff."
"I know," I said, "but our other choice is complete defeat. We don't really have the advantage here."
Astral Bob said, "I agree with Barcud. It's a forlorn hope, but it's the only hope we've got."
Rohan said, "What about the centaurs? I had a message from Ixion commiserating with me for the burning of Avalon."
I studied him. "Was this before or after the defeat at Pennred? Ixion was there. I didn't hear how he fared." I felt bad I hadn't inquired about the centaurs, but I'd had plenty on my plate.
Rohan said, "It was after the defeat. Even after being hit by the goblins, the centaurs weren't badly mauled. They managed to retreat over the river in good order back to the Silver Glades. Birog and Elfhair are with them, I think."
"They're at the Silver Glades now?"
Rohan nodded.
"Even better." I looked at Ahn. "Raise the extra troops, bring our existing troops back to full strength, and prepare for a siege. Not much really. We have around two days?"
Ahn looked at Astral Bob for an answer.
The astrologer nodded. "Two days, at least that."
I said "Okay, I'm going to the Silver Glades."
"Don't go on your eagle," Ahn said. The raptors are above the forest. They'll see you."
"I'll take you there," Rohan said.
"How?"
"You know you get the Forest Teleport skill?"
I nodded. "Takes you back to a forest place you have specified. I use Woodheart."
Rohan smiled. "The druids get a skill so they can instantly teleport to any forest location just by naming it."
"Cool. And can you take me with you?"
Rohan grinned. "Yes, but I'll have to hug you."
"Okay," I said, "Just this once. But that doesn't mean we're engaged or anything."
21
A Shattered Alliance
We emerged in a sparkle of green light in the Silver Glades. The Silver Glades was a series of birch forest on undulating hills in the South West of the Greenwood. They had once been the site of the lost elf kingdom of Ostral. The trunks of the birch trees were silvery white, covered with paper like bark standing tall with slender trunks. Beneath our feet, the grass was green and fresh.
As we appeared, a group of centaurs ran from the trees, leveling their lances at us. Then they saw it was Rohan, and they bowed to him in greeting.
"Delighted to see you again." He knew all their names and asked after their kin. Finally, he said, "Can you show me when Ixion is?"
"Of course we can, Rohan. Follow us."
We followed two of the centaurs along a short woodland trail. One was a grey and the other a chestnut. Going along a path lined with daffodils and tulips, we emerged into a clearing where a campfire burned. Meat was roasting on a spit abo
ve it. Several centaurs stood nearby and with them, her back towards me was Elfhair. Also with them was the druidess Birog. Elfhair and she both turned and Birog came and gave Rohan a warm hug. "I hope you're bearing up," she said.
Rohan smiled bravely. "We have good friends. They've made me very welcome."
Ixion looked at Rohan gravely. "I'm so sorry for the loss of Avalon," he said. "I know it meant so much to you."
Rohan bowed. "Of course, but we shall rebuild Avalon. We will replant trees and make her more beautiful than she ever was."
"That's the spirit," Ixion said. He saw me and said "Barcud. I'm sorry too for the loss of Pennred. You fought well but goblin banners now fly from its walls." He sighed. "It seems there is nothing but bad news these days."
It was important I show no weakness or signs of despair if I was to inspire the centaurs and Ixion back into battle.
Elfhair came up and gave me a wink. "Ah, Barcud boy, fancy seeing you here."
I winked back. "I get everywhere, Elfhair. You should know that."
Elfhair said, "I just got a message from Astral Bob. He said you were on your way."
I hoped he hadn't shared our plans. Not that I didn't trust Elfhair of course, I didn't even mind her knowing, but we needed to keep things as tight as possible. If Astral Bob had opened his mouth about our plans, even to her, then that threw a shadow on my trust for him. But it was clear that Elfhair knew nothing. I was glad. I'd grown to like Astral Bob very much.
She said, "Astral Bob says the Horrabians are up and down Ermine Street and have claimed all the land, setting their flags everywhere."
Ixion nodded. "If you look you will see they have even set their flags in the Silver Glades. There are no armies here to stop them. This used to be Vinab's territory. Surely Vinab will now see this as a provocation and realize they need to fight?"
"Who knows what Vinab thinks?" I said, "We better not count on them. If they come to our aid – then good, but if they don't, we need to be able to manage this without them."
Ixion said, "I heard from Elfhair that they've given Pennred to the goblin king in reward for his treachery."
Uzug. That shit bag.
"So that's his price," I said. "I knew there must be some reason for his betrayal. I was foolish to trust him." Astral Bob hadn't mentioned this when I'd seen him at Woodheart. He probably hadn't wanted to upset me further with the news. That was sensitive for Astral Bob. But in any case, I was past being upset. I was focused now on victory.
"Ixion", I said. "Can we count on your further support?" I knew I was asking a lot. This could mean the destruction of the centaur nation. If I were him I'd be tempted to withdraw right back into the Winter Woods and hope that the Horrabian forces did not stretch that far. And if they did, to mount a guerrilla campaign against them rather than meet them full on.
But Ixion was a nobler creature than me. He said, "We will not leave you alone in this."
I was humbled. "I'm grateful for your support," I said.
He smiled. "What's the plan?"
"You know me so well already." I grinned. "You guessed there would be a plan."
Elfhair patted me on the shoulder. "There's always a plan with Barcud. He thinks about nothing else but plans. I think he has his breakfast planned out a week in advance."
I laughed, "Doesn't everyone?"
Elfhair gave a mock cough. "Err, no."
Ixion said, "But back to serious matters."
I nodded. "How many troops do you have, Ixion?"
"I have four units of Lancers and four units of horse archers. We've been recruiting to bring them up to strength after Pennred."
I knew that for cavalry like this, to use them to their best advantage they needed to be in the open. The trouble was that there was little open territory at the bottom of Ermine Street. Some abandoned fields that had once been used for wheat cultivation lay to the south of the Stone Cross, but it wasn't much.
"Ixion," I said. "How do you feel about being bait?"
He frowned. "That doesn't sound too good."
"I need you to draw the Horrabians down Ermine Street. To get them so fixated on chasing you that they pay no attention to the woodlands on either side. They'll chase you down Ermine Street and at the bottom I want you to make a stand."
Elfhair shook her head. "That's suicide."
"Not if we do it right", I said. "If Ixion and the centaurs draw the Horrabians down and they get impetuous, thinking it'll be an easy victory, then the centaurs make a stand, lances in front and the archers behind, and the Horrabians will think it's their lucky day. Then we charge them from behind."
Elfhair said, "It sounds too dangerous. The whole of the centaur army could be wiped out."
She was right. It was dangerous.
Ixion said, "I trust you, Barcud. You have proved yourself an excellent general so far. The defeat at Pennred was inevitable in the face of overwhelming forces and the treachery of the goblins, but the town held out far longer than anyone expected under your command."
"And he defeated the Horrabian vanguard," Elfhair said.
Ixion smiled. "Besides what other hope do we have? I have no wish to live in a Greenwood dominated by Horrabia with their arrogance and bullying cruelty."
I went and squeezed his hand. "We will meet you there in two days. We'll rendezvous at the Stone Cross. Astral Bob tells us we might have that long days before Horrabia starts marching its main army south past the Stone Cross."
"Might?" Elfhair raised an elegant auburn eyebrow.
I turned up my hands. "I can't get my rangers there before then."
Ixion nodded. "We will be there."
I looked at Elfhair. "Are you staying here are or are you coming with me to Woodheart now?"
Without hesitation she said, "I'll come with you."
Rohan stood nearby. "What about you my antlered friend?"
"I will stay with the centaurs. Ixion and I have not seen each other for a long time. We have a lot to talk about."
"How are we going to get there?" Elfhair asked.
"By eagle," I said. I whistled and Aquila appeared in the sky to the east. Within a few minutes, she'd landed in the glade.
"Aren't you worried the raptors will see us?" Elfhair asked. She seemed nervous.
I shook my head. "We'll go south of them."
We took off leaving Ixion and Rohan at the Silver Glades. It was great to be back in the air again. Elfhair hugged me tight. The heavy sound of Aquila's wings was like the beating of a giant's heart.
We flew south near the coast, but as we started to come around north towards Woodheart, I could see the cleared land I'd spoken about to Ixion. It wasn't much, but it might do. I looked up Ermine Street. Horrabian cavalry squadrons patrolled the road, but the main army was nowhere to be seen. I guessed they were billeted in Pennred.
When we landed at Woodheart, I hurried with Elfhair back to Ahn's cottage. He wasn't there and I found him at the barracks raising troops. "Where's Astral Bob?" I said.
Ahn gave Elfhair a warm hug. Ahn said, "Astral Bob had a message from his source. He was requesting an urgent clandestine meeting in the Forest of Nightmares."
Then I realized who I'd seen with Elrick in the forest of nightmares. Elrick must be Astral Bob's source. And all at once a terrible dread filled me. Elrick couldn't be trusted – I knew he would never betray Horrabia. He must be a double agent.
I shook my head. "Astral Bob is in real trouble. They've tempted him there with some snippet. They must feel very confident of their victory now they don't need to play the double agent game anymore. We need to go and rescue Astral Bob."
22
Astral Bob Captured
Ahn and I used the forest vines to quickly to the Forest of Nightmares. We couldn't risk flying. I dropped to the forest floor with Ahn behind me. We put stealth on and approached the place where I'd seen the secret meeting.
Spiders moved in the branches above our heads but didn't attack. There was no sign of anybody there.
Ahn touched the ground and used his Tracking skill. I did likewise. The sensation told me that Astral Bob had been here within the past quarter hour. And with him had been Elrick and Loki. The fact that they'd both been here told a tale
Ahn said, "I think you're right. This has gone very wrong. Elrick was probably feeding Astral Bob bullshit, which was why we were blindsided about their attack on Keld. And as far as we know they may have been feeding information to the Vinab Council – and that's why they wouldn't fight."
"It sounds plausible."
Ahn stroked his black beard. "But what are we going to do now?"
I tried to send Astral Bob a grouping request via the HUD but to no avail. Ahn sent him a dove and we waited anxiously for a reply to tell us that he was either all right – or that he had been captured.
No response came.
I could see the concern in Ahn's face. Astral Bob had been his friend for a long time. "He's not replying, but what can we do?"
"I'm guessing they've tried to torture him and he's logged off so that's why he's not replying. "
He said, "If he's logged off, he's safe."
"We have to hope that's true. Now we need to get back to Woodheart and raise those troops."
But in my heart, I knew Astral Bob was not safe.
Troop Roster
At Woodheart we mustered the following troops:
1 x Militia
Experience ****
Strength 80
Melee Attack 4
Missile Attack 0
Charge Bonus 8
Defense Bonus 9
Morale 30
Turns to Train 1
This unit already existed and would be used to man the walls of Woodheart in the event of a siege while the other troops were away.
3 x Ranger Archers
Experience 1 Unit *, 2 units ***
Strength 90
Melee Attack 14
Missile Attack 22
Missile Range 155
