When he finished he looked at Jen and raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. “Is there truly an army approaching?”
Jen nodded, choking back the sarcastic reply that came to the top of her mind. “There truly is. When can your people be ready to move?”
“Two days for the main force. We have outposts all over the baronies. If I’m to muster everyone, it will take weeks. Where are we going exactly?”
“Talon.”
Talon approached, studied the map for a moment, then stabbed a spot in the badlands with his finger. “Their base is about there. The best place to set up camp is here.” He stabbed a second spot.
“That’s only about a hundred and fifty miles,” Taos said. “Hardly worth the effort.”
“If twenty thousand men cross the border with bad intentions, a hundred and fifty miles might mean saving thousands of lives.” Jen did her best to keep her temper under control. She needed to convince Taos to do the right thing.
“I suppose.”
Thank heaven. Her relief lasted less than a second.
“Why don’t we just march out there and deal with the bastards right now?”
“Because those aren’t our orders. I assume the archmage has a plan. I further assume she won’t be thrilled if we screw it up.”
He went pale. “I imagine not. Very well. I’ll get my people ready.”
Jen bowed. “Thank you, General.”
She led the others out of the tent. They’d barely taken a step when Taos shouted for his aides. Nothing like the prospect of an angry archmage to get the wheels turning.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Lidia and four members of the Crimson Legion reached the southern army’s camp less than thirty-six hours after she left for the capital. The sun had barely cleared the horizon and she was eager to make contact with the invaders. Though she resented the time, she’d slept for six hours before setting out again. Below her, tents were being broken down and loaded on to wagons. It looked like over two-thirds of the camp was ready to move.
Good. That meant Taos hadn’t given Jennifer any trouble. Despite her misgivings, Lidia hadn’t really expected any problems. Seeing it confirmed set her mind at ease, though. With matters well in hand here, she could grab Al Elan and fly to the badlands. The sooner she could come to an arrangement with the invaders, the better.
She landed in front of the command tent and the pages on duty stared at her. The elder of the two recovered first. “How can we help you, Archmage?”
“I’m looking for Jennifer St. Cloud. She arrived recently.”
The page gave an enthusiastic nod. “She’s inside. Go right in.”
He held the flap open and Lidia stepped inside. Jennifer and her people, including Al Elan, stood with Taos around the map table. Everyone looked up when she entered.
“Lidia, how wonderful to see—”
She raised a hand to cut off Taos’s patter. She didn’t have time for social niceties today. “How soon until you move?”
“Midday at the latest,” Taos said. “I’ve sent runners to alert the scattered garrisons, but they won’t arrive in time to be of any use.”
“Good enough. Jennifer, I need to borrow your prisoner in case I need a translator.”
“Am I a prisoner?” Al Elan asked.
Lidia grimaced. “That might not be the best description of your situation, but until your countrymen leave the kingdom, you’ll be kept under close watch. I don’t think you’re any sort of spy or saboteur, but under the circumstances I can’t take chances.”
Al Elan bowed. “I appreciate your candor. I’m happy to serve as a translator for you, but I’m not on good terms with the army. My presence might be more hindrance than help.”
“Noted, but if I can’t even talk to whoever’s in charge we’ll end up in real trouble. Let’s go.”
Al Elan came and stood beside her.
“Hopefully, we’ll be back before noon with good news.” With a swirl of her robe Lidia marched back out of the tent.
Outside, she conjured a bubble around herself and Al Elan and flew up and to the south, her legionnaires falling in behind. Al Elan stared wide-eyed out the golden bubble.
“Your first time flying?” she asked.
He nodded. “The dragon priests are not given to offering rides.”
She cracked a smile at that. “Your language skills have improved a great deal in a few days.”
“Thank you. I’ve always had a knack for them and Commander St. Cloud has spent much of her free time practicing with me. I think she is the only one whose trust I’ve earned.”
“What are the chances that whoever’s running this show will recognize you?”
Al Elan shrugged. “I never met anyone truly high in rank, but I’m the only squire to ever flee the Fire Kingdom, at least that I know about. The general may not have met me, but it’s all but certain he’ll have heard of me. And how many people do you have with knowledge of the Fire Kingdom’s language?”
“None.”
He nodded, looking glum. “They may demand that you turn me over. I won’t blame you if you do.”
“I’ll try my best to avoid that. You’ve been a great help and the kingdom doesn’t turn its back on those who do it a good service.”
Below them the Bandit Kingdom appeared. The rough, tan terrain stretched as far as she could see from horizon to horizon. Outside of the Haunted Lands she couldn’t imagine a less hospitable place. Even from a distance she could sense the gathered power of the enemy army. Lidia followed that sense until she was a hundred yards away from its center.
“How will we get their attention?” Al Elan asked.
Lidia glanced at him. “Any sorcerer worth the name will detect our arrival. No doubt someone will be out to greet us soon enough.”
Her words proved prophetic as less than a minute later a door hidden by the sand slid open revealing a set of steps. Three people flew out and soared into the air in front of them: a warrior in spiked, black and red armor flanked by a pair of gaunt, bald men in black robes. The warrior had a full helm that resembled a dragon with its wings extended to either side.
The ones in robes were both powerful sorcerers, but if it was only them, Lidia and her backup could handle them easily. The problem was the one in armor. She’d only felt such powerful soul force exactly once, from Damien. Even the demon she fought at the pass last year wouldn’t be a match for this monster. Divine soul force filled the warrior’s core to bursting.
One of the bald men spoke prompting her to look at Al Elan.
“The dragon priest asks who you are and what you want.”
“Tell him my name and that I have a proposal.”
Al Elan repeated what she said in his native language. Both men looked at the one in armor. No one spoke, but no one made an aggressive move either. Everyone was waiting on the armored warrior.
At last the leader reached up and removed the dragon helm, revealing the smooth, beautiful features of a dark-skinned woman. Long black hair swirled in the faint breeze. She held the helm out to the right-hand man who accepted it with a reverent look.
The woman locked eyes with Lidia. “I am the Voice of the Fire King. Our lost little brother says you speak for the king of the northern kingdom. What would you say to me?”
Lidia was shocked at how perfectly this foreigner spoke their language, but she didn’t let that balk her. “We have spoken with the Ice Queen’s general and struck a bargain. Our army will allow them to pass through our territory to the Plains of Judgement. They will arrive rested and with their full complement of warriors to meet you. In exchange, they’ve agreed not to harm any of our people and to leave peacefully when your battle is over. I would offer you the same deal.”
“Are you the strongest priestess in your country?” the Voice asked.
“There’re sorcerers stronger than me, but not many. Why?”
“Curiosity. My task is to defeat the Ice Queen’s army and claim the great prize for my master. If w
e have to fight our way through your army, pitiful as it may be, it will reduce my chances of success. Very well, I accept your terms. My army will do no harm to your people or land and when we’ve won the battle we shall withdraw peacefully. Later on, who can say.” She offered a predatory smile that revealed teeth far too sharp for a normal human. “All bets are off.”
Lidia nodded. “Fair enough. The plains are approximately eight hundred miles from here. How long will it take your army to travel that far?”
“Two weeks, plus we’ll need a day to recover before the equinox.”
“When will your forces arrive?”
“Tomorrow. I flew ahead to see how matters progressed here.”
“I see. Speaking of matters here, if you could withdraw your saboteurs from the baronies, we would appreciate it.”
The Voice chuckled. “They have caused you some trouble?”
“Some. It was necessary to kill a few of them. I would prefer not to have to hunt down the rest as I’m sure I’ll be busy coordinating your and your opponent’s movements.”
Her smile vanished at the mention of killing her men. “That’s unfortunate.”
“If you wanted them safe,” Lidia said. “You should have kept them on this side of the border.”
The Voice burst out laughing. “You have a spine of steel. Perhaps you’d like to come and serve as a priestess of the Fire King?”
“Thank you, but no. I’m quite content where I am. When your forces arrive, an escort will be ready. Until then.” Lidia bowed to the Voice and withdrew.
Her heart pounded a mile a minute and only slowed when they crossed back into the kingdom. Heaven’s mercy! She didn’t even know if Damien could defeat someone so strong and she hoped they never had to find out.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Damien flew into the Builder town and found it empty. The ramparts had vanished along with the people. Only two remained and he had a good idea which ones. He soared around towards the center of town. There sat Professor Dorius with Dahlmis standing beside him. Damien blew out a sigh and landed beside them.
Dahlmis turned his eyeless face toward Damien. “Is it done?”
“Yeah, you won’t have to worry about goblins or giants knocking on your door anytime soon. Where is everyone?”
“With the elders. They’ve erected a barrier to prevent you from sensing their presence. They’re ordering you to leave the town, you and the professor.”
Damien wasn’t surprised, but he was disappointed. “I planned to leave anyway. What about you?”
“I’ve been banished to my former post in the city above.”
“I’m sorry,” Damien said. “It wasn’t my intention to cause you trouble.”
“You didn’t. I knew exactly what would happen when I didn’t stop you from attacking the heretics. I accept my punishment as a small price for keeping my people safe.”
“What about me?” asked Dorius, who had been silently listening up to then. “My work is ruined. The elders will never grant me an interview now.”
Damien glared at the old man. “We’ve got bigger problems than your book. I recommend you write it with the information you have and stay out of the city.”
“But there’s so much more to learn.”
“I’m going to the surface to run the dragon’s errand. Are you coming with me or not?” Damien demanded.
“You cannot stay here,” Dahlmis added.
Dorius slumped. “Oh, very well. I can write the rough draft and when I’m done maybe the elders will have calmed down.”
Damien held out little hope for that, but he wasn’t about to argue. “Do you want a ride up, Dahlmis?”
“I will make my own way.” Dahlmis held out his hand and Damien shook it. “You have done a great service for my people, even if they will never admit it. If I can be of service in the future, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks.” Damien wrapped himself and the professor in a soul force bubble before shooting up and out of town.
They zipped up to the second-floor city then up to the next level and out of the cave into the blue sky. Damien sighed. He’d never been so happy to see the sun.
“Should I drop you at the college?”
Dorius shook his head. “No, the inn will be fine. I need to collect our mule and the trip will give me a chance to organize my thoughts. After all, it’s not every day you meet a race most people would think a myth.”
Damien turned southeast and a minute later landed outside the ramshackle inn where this trip really got started. It hardly seemed possible they’d only been underground for a couple weeks. Time flies when you’re being hunted by hideous monsters.
When the bubble vanished Dorius said, “Thank you for everything. Even though our journey didn’t go exactly as I hoped, it was still quite an adventure. You’ll get your due credit when my book is published I promise.”
“Thanks, Professor. Have a safe trip home.”
Damien gathered his power and shot straight up. When he was well above the tree line he reached out in search of the fragment of his soul force he’d left in Jen’s sword. Dreamer said his chosen was with her, so hopefully this would be a quick over-and-back then he’d be free of the dragon and his demands.
It didn’t take long for him to locate the sword. It was well to the southwest, almost to the badlands. What was Jen doing down there? He shook his head and thundered south. Whatever was happening, he’d find out when he arrived.
At maximum speed Damien could reach anywhere in the kingdom in under two hours. It took considerably less than that to arrive above the southern army’s camp. Looked like they were in the midst of moving. Jen was down there somewhere. That at least made a little sense. Maybe Uncle Andy sent her to deliver a message or something.
He sensed a pair of sorcerers approaching a moment before they appeared in the air beside him. The man and woman both wore deep blue robes, no doubt they were part of the company of sorcerers assigned to the army. Both had their shields up and power crackled around their hands. Not that they had any hope of beating him if it came to a fight, they had to know that. It spoke well of them that they challenged him directly anyway.
“This area is for army sorcerers only,” the man said. “You need to leave.”
“I’m here to see my sister,” Damien said.
The woman’s eyes went wide, but her partner didn’t notice. “I don’t care who—”
She tugged on his sleeve and whispered in his ear. The man’s body tensed. “Your sister wouldn’t be Jennifer St. Cloud by any chance?”
Damien nodded. “Do you know where she is?”
He winced. “That would make you Damien St. Cloud. The Damien St. Cloud?”
“As far as I know I’m the only one of me out there. My sister?”
“Yes, sir. She’s with the general at his command tent. You can’t miss it, it’s the biggest one in camp.”
“Of course it is. Thanks.”
Damien started down. He was nearly out of earshot when he heard the woman say, “He’s the demon slayer.”
Swallowing his annoyance, Damien landed outside the command tent. Both pages came to attention. “How may we be of service, sir?” the one on the right said.
“I’m Damien St. Cloud—”
“The demon slayer?” the boy on the left asked. His partner elbowed him, but that did nothing to diminish the boy’s smile.
“Yeah. Would you let my sister know I’m here?”
The tent flap opened and before he knew it Jen had her arms wrapped around him. “Am I glad to see you, little brother. We’re in a serious mess and we could really use your help.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a story to tell,” Damien said. “I’ve got one too and it’s not pretty.”
“General Taos can get by without me for a while. What do you say we trade tales?”
“Good idea. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Likewise, little brother, likewise.”
Chapter Sixty-Five
Marie-Bell stood at the edge of the little town in a clearing a few yards off the road and swung the holy sword. High to low, side to side, diagonal, and thrust, over and over. Despite the fact that her angel gave her the knowledge to use the weapon, she still needed to practice to build muscle memory. The sword’s balance, weight, and combat style were totally different from her hammer. She and Imogen had been back in the kingdom for a week now and she still felt awkward wielding the weapon.
She sighed and wiped the sweat from her brow. For some reason she assumed that when she’d returned with the sword, her angel would contact her at once and reveal the urgency behind the artifacts’ recovery. But she was still waiting to hear from him and had lost hope that her situation would change anytime soon.
One more set of ten practice routines and she’d go see what Imogen wanted to do for lunch. There weren’t a ton of options in town and by not a ton she meant they could either eat at the tavern or the inn. At the tavern, the locals glared at them, but the food was better.
She raised the sword to middle guard and widened her stance. Before she could make the first cut a tingle ran through her mind. Hope soared that it was her angel, but an instant later the hope crashed and burned. The Grandmaster of the Paladin Orders had sent out an emergency summons. Every paladin in the kingdom would have felt what she did, even the knights errant that served no established group. She was supposed to report to the nearest citadel or army camp for assignment.
Maybe whatever her angel feared was about to happen. This nameless town was about equal distance from the eastern and southern army camps. Since she didn’t care much about encountering anyone she might know among the other orders, Marie-Bell figured the southern army was the way to go. She’d have to let Imogen know. As a kingdom sorcerer, she’d have to report in as well.
Marie-Bell hooked her sword into the holder on her back. One of the reasons they’d chosen this town as their temporary base was the leatherworker that called it home. The man made the finest sheaths and harnesses she’d ever seen. He also hated people, which was why he lived in the middle of nowhere ten miles from the border.
Dreaming in the Dark_Chains of the Fallen Volume 1 Page 23
