by C. R. Daems
"No. The rumors vary from tribes from the desert to the tribes from the mountains. Maybe the Zunji," the merchant said, downing half his jug. "I’m just glad to be here in Araby and out of Tarion."
In the town of Windon, it was much the same talk. That was good because it meant we and Araby had time to get in place.
"What if I'm wrong and the Snowmen aren't going to attack?" I asked the next night. We were traveling north along the Araby and Dazel border toward the Assur Mountains.
"What if you're right, and we did nothing?" Rong asked. When I didn't answer, she continued. "It doesn't matter, because Hesland's preparation for war will force the Snowmen to act. They can't afford to give us the initiative. If we entered the Assur Mountains from the south and north, they couldn't stop us from destroying the Sanctuaries. Without the help of their Storm Wizards, they don't have enough soldiers. So they will be forced to attack the Zunji whether they had planned to or not, because we don't have enough soldiers to stop them in the desert and destroy the Sanctuaries at the same time. If we tried, we would lose the kingdom."
"Like the royal game of Queens you love, Rong," Hajna said. "Attacking the Queen is always a good defense against an opponent's clever planning."
"Only if you can keep the pressure on your opponent, forcing him to constantly defend himself. The first time your move does not require him to defend against it, he is free to regain the initiative."
"So, the Snowmen must attack, and to win, they must be able to force us to continuously defend ourselves. Therefore, we must disrupt their attack to win."
"And to do that we must expose the rear of their forces and kill the Storm Wizards."
"Yes, that is our task."
* * *
Two days later, we reached the most northern part of Araby and were within a day of the southern foothills of the Assur Mountains.
"Now we wait," Rong said. "If I'm right, the Snowmen will send two small armies out in advance of the main one. One will come past us, moving south as if to attack Araby. Their task will be to hold the Araby army in place and stop them from entering the desert and attacking the main force. The second army, also small, should engage Tarion from the south side so the main force, which will follow after the other two are in place, can slip between Araby and Tarion and not have to worry about being attacked from behind. Once the Zunji are destroyed, the three armies can unite and form a circle that cannot be penetrated."
I found the discussion interesting. Rong used logic to determine the most likely moves our opponents would take, which then suggested our obvious countermoves. Something, I seemed unable to do, at least, in a time frame that would be useful. I relied on intuition. I felt the desert was the danger. That would have caused me to go there in response, but without a plan. Once there, intuition would have dictated my next move. That had worked out alright last time, but would it have worked this time without my Sisters? I smiled. But then, would Sister Rong have thought of the Snowmen attacking the Zunji if my intuition hadn't suggested it? It didn't matter. I had long acknowledged logic didn't work for me. I was inherently too cautious and got lost in the details.
We made a small camp on the border, and took six-hour shifts from a small rise a half hour away, watching for activity. It came four days later on my watch. The night sky was clear and Sycorax a three-quarter moon directly overhead, when I heard a rumbling noise coming from the desert to the north. Over the next two hours, the army came into sight and grew larger looking like they were headed straight towards me. They were within a fifteen minute walk when Rong slid up beside me.
"How big?"
"Looks like ten hands of Snowmen and two, maybe three hands of Assur, and a wizard or two judging from the horses."
"How can you tell from here?"
"The Assur carry spears rather than swords."
"I'd wager another slightly larger force is to the north of them right now heading towards Tarion. We should see the main force tomorrow night. We move when they pass."
* * *
True to Rong's prediction, I heard a distance rumbling just after midnight and an hour later saw the army in the distance. The others joined me towards dawn with my change of clothes. They had let the horses go free. I changed into our new grays, and after a cold breakfast, we entered the desert. It took until evening to reach the track of the main group, which was halfway between Sandel and Tarion. We walked all night with only a few hours stop to rest. At sunrise, we reached the road from Sandel to Tarion. There the battle plan was clear to see. To the south of Sandel I could see a large sandstorm sweeping towards Sandel and Araby and hear occasional sounds of battle. Similarly, to the south of Tarion, Sandstorms were sweeping toward Tarion and distant sounds of battle could be heard. And an hour walk ahead, dust from the main body as it continued into Zunji province. As there were no Sandstorms in that direction, they had not yet encountered the Zunji warriors.
"We need to decide who goes north and who south," Rong said, as we surveyed the scene before us.
"I think Fayza should go with Ryana," Hajna said. "You should go with me."
"Why?" I asked.
"Sister Hajna is concerned that I'm a Senior Spy, not an Assassin," Rong said, grinning. "Maybe she's right."
"If I've learned anything, it's not the training that separates a Spy from an Assassin, we all know how to kill. It’s our preference. Some of us prefer the hunt for the guilty, others to carry out the sentence. I have always favored the hunt. But each of us will kill to defend ourselves and our families. I have, many times. The Snowmen not only threaten each of us, but they threaten our Sisters and our way of life. It's your decision, but I'd trust any one of you at my back. We are not going to kill the wizards with strength, but rather with stealth."
Rong gave a small laugh. "You officially all out rank me, so it is not my decision."
Then Fayza laughed. "Actually, in the field, Ryana is the senior Sister as she has Morag's authority."
It was Hajna's turn to laugh. "Sister Ryana, it's your decision."
"Sister Rong, where can you be best utilized?" I asked. Rong was in my opinion, the best at games, planning, and stealth, and should decide where she could best be used.
"I should go with either Hajna or Fayza to Tarion. That would give each team balance."
"I agree. Sister Fayza, would you like to accompany me?" I said.
"Sounds like fun." Fayza nodded to Hajna.
"Good hunting, Sisters," Hajna said as she and Rong trotted off in the direction of Tarion. I stood watching them go, wondering if I'd ever see them again, or Luka... I laughed, causing Fayza to give me a concerned look.
"Sorry. My visual-Ryana was wondering about the future. I've put her to sleep. The shadow-Ryana is here and ready for duty."
"I guess it is funny in a way. Hajna and I are Assassin/Spies, yet we never think of ourselves as Spies but rather Assassins. You are an Assassin/Spy, yet you think of yourself as a Spy. But in these times, we are just Shadow Sisters with duty," she said, looking towards the Sandstorm around Sandel. "I too am ready."
* * *
We continued following the trail of the main group for a half day before turning south when I thought we would be pass the army and could approach them from the rear. It was near sunset when I could make out the Snowmen and Araby armies. Araby seemed to be continuously pressing the Snowmen with small attacks. A hundred paces behind the Snowmen I recognized the apprentice Storm Wizard with a guard of ten Assur soldiers, protecting the army’s rear.
"That woman Storm Wizard is an apprentice. Dangerous but not nearly as lethal as the one facing Araby. It's getting dark, I suggest you try to go around her to the right, and I'll try the left. If she sees one of us, it should give the other one an opportunity to get to the senior Storm Wizard. Running away works with her. It's painful but unlikely to be fatal since she can't abandon her position to give chase." I smiled as Zara raced ahead with Fayza following. I turned and trotted to the left, letting Anil and Kasi guide me. The a
pprentice Storm Wizard looked nervous as she frequently turned to see what was happening behind her. When I had just passed her, five Snowmen came running up and said something to her. She didn't look happy as she began running back toward the battle. The Snowmen stayed. With everyone looking in the wrong directions, I ghosted along less than a minute behind her. I stopped as she made her way through the Snowmen soldiers and stopped next to the Storm Wizard. They exchanged a few words, then he left her to create the storm. He looked weary as he staggered between the lines to the rear, where two Assur soldiers brought him food and water.
I crept closer as Anil and Kasi circled the area between him and me. The Araby soldiers were pressing the attack again and all attention was forward. I drew an arrow from my quiver and crept closer. I had dipped all of the tips in rocktail, hoping I could get close enough to hit my target but unlikely to be close enough to guarantee a kill. And wounding might not be enough.
I nocked the arrow, rose to a kneeling position, and shot. The arrow seemed to be in slow motion as it glided through the air and the wizard looked up as if he had heard it coming. His plate spilled out of his hand and his arm began to rise in defense. It struck his arm. The Assur soldiers shouted for help and moved to shield him, which would have been comical under other circumstances. The wizard's last breath went into a blast of wind towards me that picked up the two Assur and threw them halfway to me. Several of the Snowmen who had relieved the apprentice began running toward me as I drew several throwing knives. But one by one they dropped from Fayza's arrows.
The disruption in the Snowmen's line caused the apprentice wizard to spin around to see what was happening. She froze; her eyes darting left and right like a trapped animal. Within seconds, the storm died, and chaos broke lose as the Araby charged in mass, most on horses. I stayed were I was as did Fayza, awaiting the outcome. A battle was no place for a Shadow Sister. The fighting was fierce and quickly over. The Araby cavalry was useless in a sandstorm, but against unhorsed Snowmen even a lessor opponent had the advantage. There was no mercy. Neither side could afford to take prisoners nor leave an enemy alive. Fayza joined me as the cleanup took place.
"Sort of like old times." Her grin a wry one. "I thought I saw that wizard smile when he managed to stop your arrow with his arm, probably thought he had saved his life."
"I can't count on the accuracy you and Hajna have. I would have to be much closer."
"As you so elegantly pointed out, we are assassins not soldiers."
"Good evening, Shadows." A captain I recognized as Cadell approached on a black charger. "I thank you for your help."
"You were doing quite well, captain. Another hour and you would have broken the apprentice."
"True, but would," he said, looking over his shoulder, "he have been rested enough to continue?"
"Not for long. That was an excellent strategy."
"I have a fortuneteller to thank. She predicted this battle and that it would take wit not strength to win. Otherwise, who knows what I might have tried. My liege, will be here soon and said she would like to talk to you. I don't know how she knew you would be here. It appears I'm surrounded by very wise women." He bowed his head. "Do you have any suggestion for going forward?"
"I would agree with the fortuneteller," I said, and heard Fayza snort. "Wit, not strength."
Wu'Lichak, Lord Boyan and a detail of ten mounted men rode into sight. Cadell rose.
"My liege. As you predicted, the Shadow Sisters are here."
"Good evening, Shadows. Araby owes you again. What happens now?" wu'Lichak asked as she sat.
"Horses would help us close the distance to the Snowmen's main unit faster; however, when we get closer, they should be taken to safety. They will be a liability. Horses not only need lots of water, but they have no way to protect their eyes. In a storm, they would panic, causing chaos in the formation."
Cadell nodded.
"I need to rest the men, at least for a few hours, and treat the wounded."
"We'll wait. It's been a long night," I said. Fayza and I refused a tent and wandered off and found a quiet area to sleep. We woke near sunrise. Over a hot meal with wu'Lichak, Boyan, two Earth Wizards, Cadell, his two lieutenants, and several senior sergeants, we discussed the upcoming trek through the desert.
"Any advice, Shadows?" Cadell asked.
"I will tell you the desert is an unforgiving place. Scorching hot in the day, freezing cold at night, and little to no water. It is no place for the wounded or horses or supply wagons for hot meals or excessive equipment," I said. Cadell laughed.
"Speed and wit, not force of arms. That would be my preference."
"What would you like us to do?" wu'Lichak asked. Most of the troops seemed surprised she would ask Sisters for military advice. They looked to Cadell who seemed to take no offense and to be as interested as wu'Lichak. As I had suspected when I gave him a telling, he was a thinker, confident in his abilities, and not uncomfortable listening to advice from anyone.
"We can't predict what we will find when we catch up with the Snowmen's main force. Hopefully, the king's army will break through like you did and will join us before we have to engage the Snowmen. Their weakness is the rear of their formation. The Storm Wizards are their strength, but they can only create storms in one direction at a time, so the formation is vulnerable from the rear. Judging from the formation you fought, the main group may have an apprentice or a full wizard guarding their rear. The object will be to kill that wizard so their main formation can be attacked from two directions—Araby, and hopefully Tarion, from the west and the Zunji from the east."
"You would like us to distract the rear, while you Shadows slip in and kill the wizard," Cadell asked.
"Simple, right?" I said and heard one of the troops choke on his drink.
"So long as you don't take too long," Cadell said, smiling. I liked him. He wasn't going to worry about all the things that could go wrong, or what he could or couldn't do before he understood the situation. I thought him a good man to have at your back.
"Shadows, I'd like to talk to you, alone." wu'Lichak rose and nodded to Boyan. The four of us walked out of hearing range before she spoke. "What are your chances of killing that wizard, and... "
"Lady wu'Lichak, Shadows," I looked to Fayza who nodded, "do not think in those terms. When we start our approach, we will be in a place that has no past and no future. We will not care about living or dying, winning or losing, hate or revenge. We will walk in the shadow of our Sisters."
"Scary," wu'Lichak said. "And that is why you can tell my future but not yours, because in that moment there is no past or future."
* * *
We left with the Earth Wizard Jago and Captain Cadell a few hours before the army was scheduled to move. The wounded were being taken to Sandel for treatment along with the excess equipment that Cadell had decided to leave based on our discussions.
The weather was cloudy which lessened the impact on the horses. We still hadn't seen the main Snowmen's force or any distant indication of a battle. We stopped to rest the horses again just after sunset.
"What now?" Cadell asked.
"We go on without the horses," I said.
"You’re joking!"
"No. Judging by the path we're following, we aren't more than a day behind them. They have to travel slowly because of the size of the army and the need for supplies, so we could catch up by morning. They are going to be watching their rear, maybe even have scouts out. If we are detected, it will make it many times harder to infiltrate their lines," I said and waited for Cadell to nod. "I'd suggest you return to the army. One of us will be waiting to meet you when you arrive to let you know the situation."
After a minute of silence, he nodded. I suspect the idea of traveling without his horse overrode his desire to see what was ahead. We gave him the reins of our horses and the three of us began a slow jog, following the tracks. We trotted through the night, taking short breaks.
"How do you do it, Wizard Jago?
" Fayza asked at one of our rest stops around midnight. "I don't imagine part of your wizard training is long distance running."
"No, we seldom run. One of the advantages of being an Earth Wizard is the ability to draw energy from the earth to renew ours. Even so, I am exhausted and hope it isn't too much further. I'm surprised you have managed to keep up the pace you have."
"We can't keep this up much longer ourselves. We have been running in a trance-like state, but our bodies will fail if we push them much further," Fayza said.
I called a halt shortly before dawn, pointing off into the distance where storm clouds could be seen.
"I think we've caught up. We need the rest, and I'd rather approach when there is a lull in the fighting. They will be less alert then. Besides I'd rather try to breach their lines at night and hopefully by then Araby may have caught up." We found cover under some shrubs and slept.
It was late afternoon when I woke. Seconds later Fayza and Jago rose.
"I think it's time to get closer," I said, as I and Fayza changed into the gray uniforms we had made. Jago's color somehow changed as I watched, becoming almost sand-like. "That's a clever trick I'd like to know how to do."
"If you have six or seven years to spend, maybe I can teach you." He laughed. "Easier to just change clothes."
For the next four hours we slowly approached the Snowmen's camp. Fayza circled to the left. Jago stayed in the center, and I took the area to the left. In the end, I managed to get to within a hundred paces. As the sun set, I had Anil and Kasi fly over the area. Then I reversed course and worked my way back to our rendezvous. Jago was already there, and Fayza arrived shortly afterward.
"I didn't dare to get too close for fear of being seen, but I was able to use the earth to see. I felt five wizards, one younger and weaker than the others. I believe they were resting and using the hot air to regain their strength. If they could use the earth, it would be much faster." He smiled in satisfaction.
