Eliana watched him thinking, she could tell she had gotten his attention because the chewing and swallowing had stopped. “Lissette’s mother and I were close and while she was an elf, Lissette’s father was human and I think Lissette is a blend of the best of both. Whatever you do, the end of this must make it possible for all of us to go forward in a way that leaves the past where it belongs.” She looked to his plate and he continued eating till it was empty but without the fervor he had had.
He carried his plate to the sink and started to wash it but Eliana reached for it. While they were both still holding the plate she said, “Eliana’s father would have insisted that she be married. I don’t know how deep that runs in her, but it is there somewhere and should be on your mind as well if you want her comfortable and happy.” His mouth had fallen open and his hand on the plate let go, and dropped to his side. “And that is why I did not want you holding my plate.” she said, “Now go about your planning - all of it.” With that she turned away and as Daniel turned to leave he heard her laughing quietly.
He walked off the porch with his thoughts swirling and hardly noticed that Alan had fallen in beside him. After several steps Alan said, “Hate to interrupt but there is someone looking for you.” The words registered only enough for him to gesture for Alan to lead.
He led to a pair of horses being held by Argon. Aldon and Barton were talking and had reins in hand as well. “What’s up?” Daniel asked half-heartedly looking at the faces. Argon handed him the reins to what he was beginning to think of as ‘his’ horse. “A human has asked for you and was rather insistent. We won’t let him past the other humans and Barton says you need to go to him.
The ride was quiet. The others could tell he had something on his mind and quiet among elves was more typical than humans. The ride took them two hours but Daniel was still lost in thought when they arrived at the training camp. Calden trotted up to them displaying an unusual amount of impatience for him. “Glad you are here.” He said simply.
Daniel’s eyes were wide. He had trouble comprehending the size of the gathering. There were at least three hundred men and women working at different tasks and word of his arrival was apparently spreading. A wave of recognition could be seen traveling across the camp as they stopped what they were doing and turned to look his way. Calden smiled and said, “This way.”
The five of them followed taking in the well organized and busy camp. As he passed, the people slowly went back to their work. They were human and elf and in between and all working together. He was pleased to see that and marveled at how smooth it was.
“No problems?” He asked tentatively.
“With you in camp they will be on best behavior, but it is early yet.” Calden replied.
They arrived at a sizeable tent that Daniel knew to be Calden’s office and meeting space. “In here is someone who has been not too patiently waiting for you since yesterday.”
Daniel walked into the tent and, even though the man’s back was turned and he was intently studying something on a table, there was no mistaking the size or the boots.
“Henry!” Daniel exclaimed and crossed the room to shake hands with the big man. Henry turned at his name, and while he didn’t exactly smile, the handshake was friendly and relaxed.
Henry looked at the others, nodding slightly in recognition to Barton and then looked back at Daniel. “I didn’t realize you were intent on raising an army.” His tone was even but there was more than the simple question in it nonetheless.
“When I saw you last, my only plan was trying to figure out what was happening to me. I still am, I guess, but things have taken on a life of their own. Henry, have you brought a message from Basil?”
Henry looked at the others and back at Daniel and deciding this was all the privacy he was going to get, pressed on. “Basil does send his greetings and would like to meet to discuss what plans you have for this army you are gathering. I have a few questions myself. While Barton has been about as forthcoming as usual, your other friends make him look downright chatty.”
Daniel looked at the expressionless face and the focus of the eyes and nodded, mostly to himself. “Calden can we borrow your tent for a few minutes?”
Calden looked at them both and at Barton for any sign of warning, seeing none, he dipped his chin in acknowledgement. He turned to leave and the others followed. Daniel and Henry moved to a couple of the stools at the table and sat down where they could talk more comfortably.
“Daniel, was your plan to start a rebellion all along?”
Daniel laughed in surprise and quickly stifled it as he saw Henry’s eyes narrow. “No, no,” he said quickly to defuse any offense. “This is all taking on a life of its own. It’s like it was all waiting to happen and just needed a push. And no, it was never a plan. I feel like an observer as much as a participant.”
Henry’s faced softened a little at Daniel’s tone and expression, but still he remained a little stiff in his body language. “First to business then,” he said. “Basil would like to meet with you and discover your intent and invited you to come back into the city to meet as his guest.”
“I am sure he would, Henry, but I am not as naïve as that. In Basil’s territory, it is Basil’s rules. He can meet me here if he is so inclined. I am not sure the better side of his nature would prevail a second time, given the circumstances.”
Henry snorted and smiled with a tilt of his head. “A wise choice. I did as I was asked and your response is the one I would have given in your boots. So now to the second part of my task,” Henry took a deep shoulder squaring breath as if his shoulders could have gotten broader. “From talking to Barton, I understand what you are trying to do and the idea of going back to a more peaceful time would be something many would fight for, including me.”
Daniel’s tried to hide his surprise but his brain was moving too fast to be sure if his reaction had shown.
“Daniel, what you don’t know is that I enlisted in the king’s army when I got my growth. I spent fifteen years in service and made sergeant. It looks to me like you could use a hand whipping some of this lot into shape if there is to be a chance to beat the Baron.”
“Have you spoken to anyone but Barton about this?”
“No, and from the look on your face Barton was good to his word about keeping his mouth shut. I asked him to let me see your face when you first heard my offer so I would know your true feelings. I promised Basil to deliver his message and told him I was going to stay for a while if you would have me. I traveled with another man in case I was not to return.”
Daniel was surprised by that but pleased nonetheless. “What made you decide to join us?”
Henry sat for a moment gathering his thoughts. “There was something odd about you from the get go. Different from anyone I ever met. You come from nowhere and things start to change fast. I figured I had seen the last of you and old Barton until the rumors began to filter in. Big goings-on with elves, mountain elves showing up, then reports of thunder with clear skies and a day or two later the Baron’s soldiers starts disappearing. I am not as clever as Basil and some others, but even I could put the bits together and make a picture with you in the center of it.”
“When can you start?” Daniel asked.
Henry seemed to really relax for the first time. “I can send the man I came with back to Basil with your message. Otherwise I am ready to help.”
Daniel went to the tent opening and found them all standing around waiting. He started to open his mouth but Calden interrupted. “His background sounds just like what we need and he is human. If you trust him we can put him to work.”
Daniel started to ask how they had known but saw Barton standing slightly off their peripheral vision tapping his ear with one finger. “So, Calden, just how far away do I have to get before I have any privacy?”
This time it was Alan who cut in. “Well, with the windows closed and no wind to speak of, about fifty strides in any directi
on from Eliana’s house.” The laughter only increased as Daniel turned redder.
They walked into the tent and began discussing ideas and plans with Henry. Daniel didn’t hear much as he pictured just what and who was included in a circle of fifty yards. The red didn’t diminish for some time.
TWENTY-FIVE
Two days later Basil arrived with a small entourage. The men and Lissette, who had now joined them, crowded around Calden’s table to discuss plans.
“So once you get this army of yours ready do you plan to assault the castle?” Basil asked it off handedly but his eyes were sharp and focused.
“We don’t have nearly enough men to assault the castle or lay siege,” Calden answered. “We would rather find a way to draw him out.”
“Not much chance of that unless he thinks he is holding all the cards.”
“If you have an idea it might be time to share.”
Basil turned directly to Daniel and asked, “If the Baron is defeated what then? Do you plan to step into the void? Have you considered the king’s reaction to success?”
“No, no and no,” Daniel responded. “Things have been moving pretty fast, and we have been mostly trying to buy time and trying to figure out how to avoid a confrontation, at least till we are ready. We knew we had to stop his patrols to protect the people coming here but what to do about him has been a topic of more than a little discussion.”
“If I may, I can offer some advice.” He had their attention and took that as a sign to continue. “The Baron is clever and ruthless but his pride and belief in his right to rule are his weakness. That pride is where I would attack. He is like a wounded bear right now. First, you escape, then people start flocking to this mystery surrounded by so much lore, and now thunder in the woods and his men are afraid - more than afraid. However you killed them, it was brilliant. Hardened soldiers who think nothing of killing elves or halflings are talking of avenging demons, invisible lightning and all manner of fear driven superstition. The Baron needed to remind them of where their fear should be and has the heads of the survivors of that last ambush mounted on pikes throughout the town.
He may have done you another favor in that. It seems the heads are causing more anger than fear. The soldiers in the taverns are rumbling to the wenches about how brave he is sitting behind his wall.”
They had been sitting quietly for a minute considering Basil’s news when he spoke again. His tone was the same but his eyes had hardened. “If you manage to defeat the Baron, what happens to the town and my interests?”
In a way, it was the question they realized they had been waiting for without really thinking it.
Calden spoke first, “We elves have little interest in your towns and cities so that is a question of less concern to us and more to the humans and halflings.”
A moment passed before Barton spoke up. “I would think, Basil, a lot of that would have to do with the aid and support you bring to the battle - and, of course, to which side that aid is provided.”
Basil watched for a moment then laughed. His laugh appeared genuine and Daniel could see it mirrored in Henry’s reaction.
Calden waited patiently for Basil’s laughter to subside, and then asked, “Basil, if we could draw the Baron out, how many fighters could you bring in support?”
Basil sat quietly for a few seconds as if he had to count his troops. Everyone around the table knew that Basil had had that answer before he left Below. “With the recent demise of Jardine, my reach is a bit more than it once was. Bringing people in from some of the surrounding towns I could get a hundred decent fighters - or more.” Even Henry seemed a little surprised by that number. “Of course they would be on your side if we can reach a certain amount of agreement.”
“Barton?” Daniel asked.
Barton had been paying close attention but was surprised when Daniel called him out to answer. “Basil, it seems to me that most of those Below were driven there by the Baron but may have lived there so long that they prefer it as home. You have always ruled with an open hand - Henry’s presence here is proof enough of that. But with the Baron gone those seeking safety Below may seek to join the Above. Your domain could be reduced back to thieves, cut-purses and rough men.”
“Don’t forget charlatans and petty magicians,” the Baron Below added with a smile.
Barton smiled back and nodded his head in acceptance of the barb.
“In my world, “Daniel said with a smile, “we have a saying that it is better to work with the devil you know. There will always be an underworld, Basil, and I think you are as good a devil as any.” That got a round of laughter and Basil joined as heartily as any other.
The group could not see any real changes to Basil’s domain with a change in barons above. So Basil agreed to gather his men when called, and took his leave to make preparations. After he left camp, Daniel caught Henry’s ear and asked in his lowest whisper, “Can we count on him?”
Henry’s response was simple. “With my life and yours.”
Lissette had been standing a short distance away to allow Daniel to talk to Henry but Daniel had learned that a short distance like that didn’t mean anything. “Were you listening in?” He asked.
“No,” she replied with a certain amount of frustration. “I was trying but I didn’t get all the elf hearing.” So she probably doesn’t know about our lack of privacy either. We have a lot to talk about, he thought.
“Henry says Basil is good to his word so our next step is to figure a way to draw the Baron out.”
“Any ideas?”
“No, but it has to be soon or the Baron may swallow his pride and call for reinforcements. Where did you disappear to this morning?” He asked changing the subject.
“I needed to talk to some of the elder female elves about some things. How much detail do you want?” She asked with a barely hidden smile.
“You don’t play fair,” he chided.
“Nope,” She said with her grin threatening to widen. He watched her stand there and smile at him, both of them knowing he was in another trap.
“Let’s go back to the meeting tent, we have planning to do,” he said, trying to regain a small sense of control. He walked past her without looking back and she took that as a victory. He really was an easy target, she chuckled to herself.
TWENTY-SIX
Jason wasn’t exactly avoiding the Baron but wasn’t about to seek him out, either. The Baron had become a monster and Jason was more and more sure the old baron’s death was not natural. He had, so far, been unable to discover the means of the old baron’s demise so he wondered what other secrets the Baron might have. In the beginning the relationship with the heir had been good - especially for a halfling who somehow managed get the ear of the future baron. But after he came to power, the man had changed. He started nervously but soon the nerves disappeared and he began to feel his power. His concern for others diminished until all around him were on constant watch for one of his tirades, or worse, the rages he had more and more trouble controlling.
Jason needed to make some decisions, but first he needed to find out what was going on in the woods. He knew he wouldn’t be welcome there, and the odds on finding anyone to tell him what he wanted to know were small. He thought about it for several hours before a plan began to materialize.
He sent word to the Baron that he was on an information gathering expedition and expected to be gone several days. His note suggested that the Baron do nothing until he returned with information.
Jason changed to elven garb and pulled out his hooded cloak. After that it was a matter of waiting till dusk when it would be safer to leave the castle unseen or at least unrecognized by any watchers. He covered as much ground as he could that night, stopping only briefly to eat from his small pack of rations. He took a short rest at dawn in a small copse to keep anyone from stumbling over him.
He was mostly concerned about the Baron’s soldiers. Locals would be avoiding them as well b
ecause of the penalties for being caught in the forest, and would not take much notice of another wary traveler. If the patrols stumbled on to him, the odds were too great that he would be seen when he identified himself, and the patrol had to let him go.
He awoke late in the afternoon and continued toward the wood. Part of his plan had been to find others and join with them to be less conspicuous. The other part was - vague. What was he trying to find out? He asked himself that question as he walked through the forest. Was he scouting for the Baron, was he trying to find a lever he could use to better his position, was he simply curious as to what could have changed, and the person at the center of it?
He was sure there was a person at the center of it, and probably the mage who had escaped the castle. There was something new here, and he found himself hoping that it was real. He quashed the thought as quickly as it came. He had learned the hard way that position and power equaled protection. However unstable the Baron was becoming, knowing where the snake was made avoiding the strike a lot simpler.
Elves- the Book of Daniel Page 24
