“Perhaps she doesn’t like poking around in your dirty mind.” Ilda grinned.
“Yeah? Want me to show you what’s on my dirty mind?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
The next morning, an energized Sig made his way through icy tunnels toward the dragon’s chamber. After their last tumble, Ilda had helped him finalize his thoughts. She understood ogres in a way a human never could, and that knowledge was a godsend.
When Sig reached the final approach to the Ice Queen’s chamber, the first of the berserkers on duty bowed their heads in respect as he passed. The next pair repeated the gesture and so it went as he marched closer. The show of submission gave him confidence that his army would do what he commanded. Though until the moment came, he wouldn’t be wholly certain.
The dragon lay curled up like a giant cat at the far end of the cavern. He moved closer, finally taking a knee ten feet from her.
A single giant eye opened and stared at him unblinking. “You’ve made your plan?”
“I have. The enemy is the Fire King’s army. I propose approaching the kingdom’s northern army and offering to pass peacefully through the country to the Plains of Judgement. As a sign of good faith, I’ll warn them of the enemy approaching their southern border. I’m confident the kingdom will wish to avoid battle if they can and it will save many of our soldiers for the upcoming confrontation.”
After a few seconds of silence, the dragon said, “Are you certain you don’t simply wish to spare the lives of your former comrades?”
“Sparing the lives of kingdom soldiers is simply a bonus. My tactical thinking is sound.”
“Agreed,” the dragon said. “Assuming you can convince them to let us through, we will honor our promise and do no harm to the humans of the kingdom this year or next. You may give them my word.”
With the extra year of guaranteed peace Sig was sure King Andrew would agree to his terms.
“Time grows short,” the Ice Queen said. “You have one week to make your case. After that the army will attack.”
That wasn’t a lot of time, but Sig felt through their link it wasn’t open to negotiation. “Should be plenty. I’ll leave at once to make the offer.”
“Will you take an escort?”
“No, a single human will have a much better chance of getting to speak with the general than one escorted by ogres.”
The dragon’s chuckle rattled his bones. “If nothing else you amuse me. I should have taken a human servant ages ago.”
Sig bristled, but there was no arguing the nature of their relationship. “I’ll be back within the day.”
He stalked out of the dragon’s chamber and hurried to the exit. A moment of worry about what the ogres might do to Ilda while he was gone crossed his mind, but the Ice Queen had given her to Sig and anything they did would be an insult to their master. She should be safe enough with that sort of protection.
Sig ignored the ogres he met on his way to the exit save to note that to an individual they bowed their heads as he passed. That was a welcome improvement over his first arrival.
Outside the caves the bitter wind clawed at him, but with the dragon’s power coursing through him, the cold was little more than a nuisance. He leapt into the air and powered south.
Sig flew faster than he ever had before. This was his first chance to really put his new power to the test and it didn’t disappoint. He reveled in his strength, paying no attention to his surroundings. He almost wished a frost wyvern would attack so he could fight. Not that he expected much of a fight, a slaughter would be more like it.
In less than an hour he reached the border and crossed over. He doubted any of the lookouts would notice him, not unless there was a sorcerer on duty. His power felt so different now. Did other sorcerers still read his soul force as human? He’d have to ask someone.
It took another five minutes to reach the northern army’s primary camp. The tents were arranged in a circle with the general’s command post in the center. Given the time constraints, Sig chose to land directly outside the tent flap.
A pair of pages stared at him for a moment then recovered. “Can we help you, sir?”
“Sigurd Iceborn to see General Kord.”
“One moment, sir.” The right-hand page bowed and slipped through the flap. Sig and the remaining boy watched each other, but neither spoke.
It didn’t take long for the page to return. The boy held the flap and said, “Go right in, sir.”
Sig nodded and stepped through into the warm glow of firelight. General Kord, his massive form outlined by the burning braziers, stood behind a table covered by a giant map of the northlands. Sig knew that map by heart; his father had one just like it.
“Sigurd,” the general said. “What’s it been, a year?”
“Two years, sir. It’s good to see you again.”
“Likewise, though you’re looking a little… blue. What brings you here? I assume it’s not in an official capacity.”
“You heard my father and I had a falling out. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. While I’m not here on kingdom business, I am here in an official capacity. I’ve sworn allegiance to the Ice Queen.”
“What!” General Kord grasped the hilt of his sword and soul force surged through his body. “You’d betray your homeland to that monster? I should kill you where you stand.”
“You couldn’t kill me if you wanted to and I have a proposal to deliver. In one week, my army will arrive at the border. Let us pass and no kingdom citizens will be harmed this year or the next, the Ice Queen gives her word. We will be traveling to the Plains of Judgement where an army from the south will join us in battle.”
General Kord scratched his thick black beard. “What army from the south and where are the Plains of Judgement? Why are you going to fight this army?”
“Why is irrelevant and the army is coming. I’m giving you this chance because it’s not in my best interest to have to fight my way through your forces before I face my true enemy. When the ogres arrive, you will either let us pass or we’ll attack. It’s your choice.”
“That’s not a decision I can make,” the general said.
“I’m aware. Best get a message to the capital as fast as you can. Time is running out.” His offer delivered, Sig spun and stalked out of the tent.
Before anyone could interfere, he was airborne and on his way north. Either the kingdom would accept, or it wouldn’t. At least he’d done his best to protect his former people. Whatever happened next was on their heads.
Chapter Sixty-One
Archmage Lidia Thorn raced north as fast as her soul force would push her. She was in such a rush she didn’t even bother with her eagle construct, instead flying with nothing but an aura to support her. It wasn’t anywhere near as comfortable on her old bones, but the extra speed was too important.
Below her, the Great Green was little more than a dark blur. At least the night sky was clear. Under other circumstances Lidia would have enjoyed flying on such a pleasant late summer evening, but as it was she had no time for anything beyond the current threat. What had the kingdom done to deserve so much trouble in such short order? Maybe things would calm down eventually, assuming they survived the invaders from the south and the bloody ogres from the north.
An hour past dawn the capital appeared on the horizon. She’d never been so happy to see the city. Pity she didn’t have better news. One of her Crimson Legionnaires nodded to her as she came in for a landing in the castle courtyard. Four of the red-robed sorcerers were guarding the sky above the castle this morning, though it appeared they didn’t have anything to concern them.
The instant Lidia’s feet hit the ground, she marched toward the main entrance. Court wouldn’t start for a few hours, so hopefully she’d catch the king alone. What she had to say was best kept to a select few. The guards opened the door at her approach and closed it behind her. Ahead of her the armor-lined hall leading to the throne room was empty. Good, the king was still in
his quarters.
Lidia took a set of back stairs and was halfway to the top when King Andrew came hurtling down from the opposite direction, a scroll clutched in his hand. He looked up just in time to keep from running her over.
“Lidia, thank heaven. You won’t believe what’s happened.”
She looked around, but no one was nearby. “I might, but this isn’t the place to discuss it. Perhaps your study?”
“Right. That’s where the brandy is and I badly need a drink.” He spun and jogged back up the steps. His study was two doors down from the royal apartment, so the walk took less than a minute. “I don’t suppose you have good news?”
“I don’t suppose I do, Majesty.”
He grimaced and pulled the study door open. Inside were a pair of leather chairs, a table, and a liquor cabinet. The king went straight for the cabinet and pulled out a carafe filled with deep red liquid and two crystal goblets. He poured them both a heathy measure and drank his down before dropping into the nearest chair.
“Have a seat.”
“Thank you, Majesty.”
“Lidia, it’s too early for ‘my lords’ and ‘majesties.’ Take a load off and tell me what’s going on in my kingdom.”
She gestured and sealed the room against eavesdropping. “Alright, Andrew, here it is. Our ancestors had the ill fortune to settle in a country that a pair of dragons uses as an arena every thousand years. Lucky us, this is the year. We’ve got an army coming from the south whose advance units are already destabilizing the border baronies in preparation for an invasion. Jennifer had the good fortune to pick up a deserter who’s been a great help in filling in some of our knowledge gaps.”
“So there is an army from the south. Well, that speaks well of what’s in the rest of the message.”
“What message?” Lidia asked.
The king held out a scroll. “It arrived from General Kord fifteen minutes ago.”
Lidia read it, then read it a second time to make sure she didn’t miss anything. “Duke Iceborn’s son has gone into the Ice Queen’s service?”
“Apparently. I knew the boy was angry about being set aside, but I never took him for a traitor to the kingdom. What do you think about the offer?”
“We should take it,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. “Even if the dragon’s lying about next year, no one actually wants to fight us today. I’ll fly back south and make the same offer to the Fire King’s forces. I say let the bastards kill each other.”
“And the Plains of Judgement?” Andrew poured himself another drink.
“That would be the Golden Plains. We’ll need to speed up the harvest, get as much done as we can before the equinox arrives.”
“There are tens of thousands of acres to be harvested. Farmers can only work so fast.”
“True, that’s why I recommend getting them some help, warlord and sorcerer help. Once the harvest is done, they can aid in the evacuation.”
“Who can we spare?”
“The western army.”
The king raised an eyebrow. “The whole thing?”
“They’re closest and the northern and southern armies will be busy.”
“Yes, our friendly invaders will need escorts to be sure they behave. Very well, I’ll draw up the orders. General Kord is mobilizing already, he just needs my word confirming his mission. General Gauge won’t be thrilled about looking after farmers, but he’s a good man and will see the task completed. I’m debating calling on the paladins as well.”
“Do it. We’ll need all the help we can get and they can help the sorcerers. I sent Jennifer to muster the southern army. I’ll take four of the legion with me when I talk with the southerners.”
“Will General Taos give Jen any trouble?” Andrew asked.
Lidia laughed. “Not if he’s got a brain in his head. While I may have privately questioned that in the past, I’m sure he’ll do the right thing in this circumstance. And if he doesn’t, I’ll make him wish he had.”
Chapter Sixty-Two
Jen, the rest of her squad, and Al Elan ran along at half warlord speed toward the southern army’s mustering ground. The army kept its primary camp away from any of the barons’ large towns as a way of avoiding the appearance of favoritism. Even though she had orders from the archmage, Jen wasn’t sure General Taos would obey and prepare his forces.
She’d met the man a couple times and found him to be an idiot at best and an arrogant know-it-all at worst. Not exactly the best combination in a general. The only reason he got the job was the barons couldn’t all agree on someone better.
The group leapt over an approaching hay wagon, drawing an open-mouthed stare from the farmer driving it. Jen grinned as they hurried on. Sometimes it was easy to forget that most of the regular citizens of the kingdom seldom saw a warlord or sorcerer in action. Even something as simple as acceleration and enhanced jumping were impressive tricks if you weren’t used to them.
“Are you sure it was a good idea to bring him?” Talon’s question jarred her back to the moment.
Him was obviously Al Elan. The others hadn’t warmed to the young man yet and Talon was the least shy about letting his distaste show. Jen didn’t figure Al Elan had anywhere else to go and had decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least until he did something to make her regret it.
“Did you want to stay behind and keep a twenty-four watch on him?”
“No, but we could have locked him up somewhere.”
“Somewhere that would hold a warlord intent on getting out?”
Talon ground his teeth. “I just don’t trust him.”
“He can hear you, you know,” Al Elan said, drawing a grin from Jen.
Al Elan had spirit, no doubt about that. Anyone that went through what he did and came out with any kind of sense of humor was okay in her book.
Talon glared back and Al Elan waved.
Jen laughed as Talon’s anger turned his face red. “Will you relax? We’ve got enough to worry about without fighting with the only southerner that doesn’t want to kill us.”
“Are you sweet on him?” Talon asked.
Jen’s smile vanished and Talon flinched from the look she shot him. She’d put up with a lot from her unruly subordinate, but a crack like that was pushing her good nature.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say something stupid and refrain from knocking your teeth down the back of your throat. This subject is closed. Understood?”
Talon nodded and fell to the rear of the group.
The rest of the journey passed in relative silence and near dusk they reached the army’s camp. Hundreds of tents sprawled over half a square mile. A perimeter had been set a quarter mile out consisting of a low fence of sharpened stakes manned at the gaps by squads of ten men.
The guards spotted Jen and her team at once. Six raised crossbows that wouldn’t punch through their iron skin while two fell back to grasp signal horns. The final pair, the squad leader and a nervous fellow who looked about sixteen and held a trembling spear marched out under cover of the crossbows to question them.
“Name and business, warlord?” the squad leader said.
Finally, someone that recognized their uniforms. “Jennifer St. Cloud to see General Taos. I have a message from the archmage.”
That announcement drew mutters from the crossbowmen. Messages from the archmage seldom contained good news, at least in Jen’s experience.
“Your papers?”
Jen pulled the sealed scroll out so he could see the crown and staff melted into the wax. The squad leader gave it a perfunctory look then nodded.
“Weapons up and raise the bar.”
The guards scrambled to lift the narrow sapling they’d pressed into service as a roadblock. Jen put her scroll away and led the group through. That had gone smoothly enough. Sometimes when you gave a corporal a little authority it went to his head, but this squad leader appeared to have a good sense of things. If they had to fight, that would serve him well.
The squad dashed through the tents, drawing an occasional look, but no real concern. Warlords running here and there was a common enough sight in most army camps, as were new arrivals. Jen’s gaze darted from face to face, but she recognized no one. Not surprising since she’d never been posted with the southern army. A fine bit of luck given her brief encounters with General Taos.
The command tent was a great sprawling thing made from enough blue canvas to rig a sloop. Taos kept a pair of pages on duty to greet guests.
The boys bowed at her approach. “May I help you?” the one on the right asked.
“I have a message for General Taos from the archmage.”
“One moment.” The boy made to duck under the flap.
“It’s a matter of considerable urgency. Be sure the general understands.”
“Yes, ma’am.” A hint of a smile twisted the boy’s lips. It seemed he’d gotten a feel for his commanding officer.
The page disappeared inside.
Five minutes later he emerged. “The general will see you now.”
“About bloody time,” Jen muttered as she pushed into the tent.
The center of the tent held a table with a map of the border baronies as well as some of the badlands beyond. Silk cushions lined the room and Jen half expected to see harem girls emerge from the back chamber. Taos stood behind the table and pretended to study his map. He looked up from it, his lips curled in distaste. He wore a crisp blue uniform and his thin mustache looked freshly waxed. Probably what took him so long to invite them in.
“Jennifer. How long has it been?” he asked.
Not nearly long enough. “My father’s funeral, I believe.”
“Yes, terrible thing. How is your brother managing with the demon sword?”
“He used it to save the kingdom six months ago, so I’d say things worked out well. The archmage sent me with a message.” She handed him the scroll.
Taos eyed it like she’d handed him a bag of manure. After a moment he broke the seal and started reading.
Dreaming in the Dark_Chains of the Fallen Volume 1 Page 22
