Suddenly the thought popped into the forefront of Jenneva’s mind and she grinned broadly. She spun around so fast that Prince Midge nearly tumbled to the floor.
“I want to hire all of the people in Caldar and Pontek,” Jenneva declared. “Or rather the king does.”
“I do?” balked the king. “What for?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Jenneva answered excitedly. “Post large notices in both cities. Do it quickly so that the colonels get to see the signs. We are looking for tradesmen, carpenters, masons, cooks, porters, just about anyone.”
“That would include the entire cities,” stated Governor Mobami. “What are you thinking?”
“I am thinking that Alcea can use people with those skills, and they might as well come from those cities. The terms of the contracts will be a whole year away from home, but the pay will be equal to two years income. No further details will be provided.”
“Do you know what impact that will have on the treasury?” asked Prince Oscar.
“I don’t care,” the king replied quickly. “I like the idea. Prince Midge, get a fairy off as soon as this meeting is done. See that those signs are posted before the end of the day.”
“Darcia in Cordonia also has a Door in a populated place,” offered Governor Fernandez. “Should that be included in this plan?”
“Are there any others?” asked Jenneva.
“No,” answered Rut-ki. “There are two Doors in temples, but they are not within cities. There is also one Door in a private home in Paso. All the rest of the Doors are in barns outside the cities.”
“The private home in Paso is actually across the river from the city,” corrected Governor Fernandez. “The soldiers will not cross the river up there to get to Kantor, but the inn in Darcia could be a problem. I don’t remember which inn has the Door.”
“I know the inn,” offered King Arik. “I am the one who discovered the Door there. It is the northernmost building in the city. I think the Zarans went to great trouble to find locations for the Doors that would allow them to avoid a fight as they came through the Doors. That is why they mostly used barns. I suspect that they will not want to engage the citizens of Darcia, but rather move towards Kantor as soon as possible.”
“Let’s keep the hiring centered on Pontek and Caldar,” suggested Jenneva.
“Agreed,” stated the king. “I will discuss details of the hiring with Governor Mobami after this meeting. What is next on the agenda?”
“Dealing with the closest armies,” answered Alex. “We have agreed to harass and slow the armies coming from the farthest Doors. We must now address those coming from the closest Doors. Specifically, this means the Doors in Danver Shores, Chi, Darcia, and Pontek. Each province must come up with a strategy for quickly neutralizing the armies coming from these cities.”
“I do not feel qualified to make strategies,” interjected Za-chan. “I am a bureaucrat. My brother, General Za-hong, is better equipped for such talk. Perhaps he should be representing Lanoir in these meetings.”
“With all respect,” Bin-lu said softly, “Za-hong already has his hands full with managing Alcea’s largest army. Rut-ki and I would be willing to investigate the path from Chi and try to develop some surprises for the Federation.”
“Would you also be willing to try to meet the colonels traveling that path?” asked Alex. “It might give you insight into how to trap them.”
“We can leave as soon as this meeting is over,” agreed Bin-lu.
“I will work with Governor Fernandez on Darcia,” offered Jenneva.
Both Alex and Governor Fernandez looked questioningly at Jenneva, but neither of them rejected the offer.
“Sheri and I will be traveling with the group out of Mya,” said Wylan, “but we can travel with the group out of Danver Shores on their way back. Perhaps we will find something useful on that journey.”
“You want to be careful exposing yourself to two different groups,” warned Tanya.
“I have already thought that out,” smiled Wylan. “I plan to tell the first group that I am traveling from Mya to Danver Shores. I feel very confident that the two groups will meet in Tagaret before returning home. If we can establish a friendship with the first group, they will introduce us to the second.”
“Alright,” the king replied hesitantly, “but be careful. If they start getting suspicious, let them lose you.”
“It is not safe for me to be seen by any of the Federation colonels,” stated Alex, “but I am willing to help Governor Mobami with the Pontek solution. Should we all meet back here after the colonels have returned to Zara?”
“I think that makes sense,” agreed the king. “The governors need to return home to assign people to handle the misinformation campaign. The Zaran colonels should start arriving in a day or two.”
No one brought up any objections or questions, so the king adjourned the meeting. The king and queen signaled Alex and Jenneva to follow them as they left the room. The four heroes of the Mage walked silently back to the king’s study. As soon as the door was closed, everyone turned to stare at Jenneva.
“What are you up to, Mother?” asked the queen.
“Why did you volunteer to go to Cordonia?” asked Alex.
“And why are we hiring workers from Sordoa?” asked the king.
“We needed solutions for multiple problems,” smiled Jenneva. “I am just doing my part to help.”
“And just how are you helping?” asked Alex.
Jenneva grinned mischievously. “I am going to make Cordonia disappear.”
Chapter 13
Acceptance
Colonel Donil rode alongside Colonel Hershey as the group swung off Blood Highway onto a wide, gravel road heading towards the peaks of the Barrier. The two men had ridden together the entire way to Camp Destiny and had become rather friendly. The road ended in a small military camp that most of the men assumed was Camp Destiny. Colonel Dorfan of the First Corps led the column towards the black-cloaks, who were standing with their backs to the mountain. Dorfan exchanged quiet words with the mages and suddenly a tunnel appeared between them. Most of the colonels murmured in surprise.
With the entrance to the real Camp Destiny revealed, Colonel Dorfan led the group into the tunnel. The tunnel was long and was well lit. It was also wide enough to handle at least two wagons riding side by side. Colonel Donil whistled softly in appreciation, and he was not alone in his assessment. Donil could tell by the reactions that most of the colonels in the group had never been to Camp Destiny before. Colonel Dorfan ordered silence until they were out of the tunnel, and the group fell silent. Colonel Donil let his eyes wander as he examined every bit of the tunnel. He saw defensive slits in the walls every thousand paces, but not much more in terms of traps. He turned around as he passed one to see how the archers managed to get behind the wall. What he saw was rather simple. A notch was cut into the wall of the tunnel, and a small tunnel led a few paces to the slit. Even though the access notches were on the valley side of the slits, they were too close to the slits to provide for any chance of escape if the archers were overrun.
The tunnel was over a league in length, but the light of the exit was visible for over half of that. When the group finally exited the tunnel, Colonel Dorfan called the Force leaders to assemble around him. He handed each of them a piece of paper, and spoke softly to them for a while. When their talk was done, the four Force leaders separated and called for their teams to assemble. Colonel Donil followed Colonel Hershey when he responded to the call for Force Targa. Colonel Tamora of the Second Corps was the Force Targa leader, and he frowned when he noticed that he had six men in addition to himself instead of five. He glanced again at the list and then noticed Colonel Donil of A Corps.
“You are not on my list,” Colonel Tamora said as he rode up to Colonel Donil.
“A Corps is not on anyone’s list,” Donil replied. “I was ordered to follow Colonel Hershey.”
“Ordered?” questioned Colonel Tamora. �
��Who gave you your orders?”
“A Corps is the reserve,” offered Colonel Hershey. “General Whitman told me to expect Colonel Donil to accompany me.”
Colonel Tamora shook his head and sighed. “I wish someone would have notified me.”
A number of wolf whistles split the air, and Tamora turned to see what the commotion was. A tall, well-proportioned woman rode up to Colonel Dorfan and spoke to him. Her long black hair hung loose down her back, nearly hiding the two-handed sword and the quiver she had strapped on. Her leathers appeared new, but not stiff, presenting a picture of perfection. Colonel Tamora looked around and realized that every member of the group of colonels was staring at the woman, each man hoping the beautiful woman would travel with his group. When Colonel Dorfan turned and pointed towards Colonel Tamora, the members of the other Forces booed. The woman turned her horse and started riding towards Force Targa. Colonel Tamora moved away from Donil to meet her away from his team. He spoke to the woman briefly and then signaled for her to follow him.
“Colonel Dukirk,” Colonel Tamora said loudly, “Cavanor here will be going through to Alcea with you. She will not be traveling with the team after we pass through, and you will promptly forget that you have ever seen her. Am I clear?”
Colonel Dukirk nodded.
Colonel Tamora ran his eyes over the men before him. “Alright, listen closely. There are two portals in each city, and each city is comprised of two armies. These are your assignments. For Team Danver Shores, Colonel Edding, you will be going through portal sixteen. Dukirk, you have portal ten, and you will be leading the team. For Team Miram, Shellard, portal twenty. Sawar portal two, and you will be leading the team. For Team Mya, Hershey and Donil, portal twenty-four. I will be going through portal six, and I will be leading Team Mya. Portals one through twelve are on the west side of the valley, lowest number to the north. Portals thirteen through twenty-four are on the east side of the valley, lowest number north. If you get lost, there are small signs on the main north-south trails.”
“Where are we now?” asked Colonel Shellard.
“We are on the eastern edge of the valley between portals eighteen and nineteen,” answered Colonel Tamora. “Remember your assigned portal number. If you forget it, do not, I repeat, do not go through a portal. The portals may be close together on this end, but they are extremely far apart on the other end. If you are in doubt, return here and find Colonel Dorfan. He will make sure that you find the correct portal. Anyone need me to repeat their portal number?”
No one responded, and Colonel Tamora continued as he handed each of the team members a small map, “Each team is to travel together, even though you are using different portals. If you look at the map I just handed to you, you will see your portal and a meeting point. That is all you need to know. Your teammate’s portal is not on your map, and it should not concern you. Memorize the maps because they are not going with you. Once you get through the portal, head directly to the meeting point. You will wait one hour for your teammate. If he does not show, proceed without him.”
“This map does not show how to get to Tagaret,” interrupted Colonel Edding.
“I will hand out route maps in a moment,” replied Colonel Tamora. “You will be able to take the route maps with you as they do not show the locations of the portals. I have to stress that the location of the portals are to remain secret. If you are in danger of capture, your life is forfeit. You are not to fall into the enemy’s hands. Is this clear?”
The men nodded, but Colonel Tamora waited for a verbal response from each man before proceeding. “Remember as you make the journey to Tagaret, you are supposed to have ten-thousand men behind you. Think in terms of where they will sleep, what they will eat, etc. This will be your only chance to see the territory your army will travel. Use the trip wisely. Any questions?”
“Do we come back the same way?” asked Colonel Hershey.
“That is permissible,” answered Colonel Tamora, “but it is also acceptable for all of us to meet in Tagaret and return through the closest portal. That would be one of the portals in Danver Shores. I guess it will depend upon whether you think you have seen enough from the one trip or if you wish to go back over the same terrain. I will leave that up to each team. Team, not team member. No team member moves alone unless the other team member failed to appear at the meeting point. Always keep in mind that we will be in hostile territory.”
Colonel Tamora paused to see if there were any more questions, and then continued, “Hand in your portal maps, and I will give you a route map. Once you have your route map, report to the tent that has Force Targa written on it. You will change out of your uniforms in that tent, and you will leave anything that can identify you as a non-Alcean. Take nothing with you. You will be inspected before given permission to proceed. You will also be given a pouch with some Alcean coins. It will not amount to a king’s ransom, but it will be enough to cover any expenses you might have. That’s all I have. See you on the other side.”
* * * *
Sergeant Shank knocked on the door and then entered the office of Colonel David Jaynes, Commander of the Red Swords. The colonel looked up and waved the sergeant into the room.
“Everything checks out on Becker,” stated the sergeant. “His parents were interviewed as well as his boyhood friends. None of them are terribly surprised that he has chosen to become a soldier.”
“What about prior training?”
“None. He had expressed an interest in joining the Army of the West during the Great War, but his father refused to give him leave. In all fairness to the father, Colonel, remember that the plague devastated Southland during the time of Azmet. Lloyd is the only son he has left now.”
“I would never judge the father harshly,” replied the colonel. “Civilians suffered just as much as the military during the Great War. The people of Southland probably suffered the most. I am sure the father did what he thought was right. Is Becker still performing well?”
“Exceptional is the more appropriate term,” answered the sergeant. “Lloyd has become a bit of a celebrity in the Targa army. Men from every unit have challenged him to spars, and he has beaten all comers. He remains undefeated.”
“That may change if he joins the Red Swords. What about his attitude?”
“Couldn’t be better. He is not a heavy drinker. He has not had a single infraction since joining the army. I even suggested some rather menial tasks to Sergeant Toucker, and he assigned them to Lloyd to see if it would affect his attitude. Becker never complained nor whimpered. I have looked hard, Colonel. I cannot find a reason not to bring him into the Red Swords.”
“Good,” smiled Colonel Jaynes. “If you are willing to sponsor the lad, you have my permission to extend the invitation to him to become a Red Sword.”
* * * *
The sky was just beginning to darken over Alcea as the three men set up camp a little east of Mya.
“That was a pretty short jaunt today,” commented Donil as he started the fire.
“Five leagues is a standard day’s trek,” replied Tamora.
“A Corps has no infantry,” commented Hershey with a touch of envy. “I bet they cover a lot more ground than the rest of us.”
“There is truth to that,” agreed Donil. “General Forshire doesn’t care to have the men idle. He thinks pushing them constantly is good for them.”
“We will have no more talk about army units or officers,” warned Tamora. “While such idle chatter might be all right when we are alone, we cannot afford to slip up when others are around. It is best to remain in practice at all times. If we need to talk about our units or officers, just use the name without elaborating.”
“Sorry,” apologized Donil. “You are correct. It won’t happen again.”
Tamora frowned as he nodded to acknowledge the apology. “Why are you with us, Donil?”
“Forshire is itching for a fight,” answered Donil as he began to cook the evening meal. “While we are not a large e
nough group to replace one of the teams, I think he hopes that we will be used as a reserve where needed.”
“No offense, Donil, but that isn’t going to happen, at least not with any of the teams under Fortella. Your group hardly has the type of reputation that a real leader would want to depend upon.”
Donil frowned deeply. “I know you meant no offense personally, Tamora, but I am offended by those who consider us inferior just because we have a checkered past. Given the chance to prove it, we would measure favorably against any other group.”
“As I said,” shrugged Tamora, “no offense was meant.”
The condescending tone of Tamora’s comment spoke louder than his words. Donil narrowed his gaze at the team leader and then glanced at the staffs that they were given for protection. He smiled inwardly and handed the spoon he was holding to Hershey. Whitman’s colonel glanced at Donil questioningly, but he said nothing.
“I am not sure how you are used to traveling, Tamora,” smiled Donil, “but my group usually enjoys a spar or two in the evening. Would you care to join me for some exercise? Maybe you can teach me a trick or two.”
Tamora recognized the challenge for what it was. He smiled inwardly and rose to his feet. “Soldiering is not exactly the same as a street brawl, Donil. I think you are about to learn that prison guards are not the type of teachers to depend upon.”
“I am always anxious to learn,” Donil smiled thinly as he picked up his staff and moved away from the fire.
Tamora grabbed his staff, and the two men circled warily. Suddenly, Tamora leaped forward, his staff aimed for Donil’s hands to disarm his opponent. Donil smoothly stepped aside and blocked the attack. Although his opening gambit failed, Tamora pressed onward, his staff becoming a blur as he alternated attacking from the left and then the right. Donil’s speed not only matched Tamora’s, but Donil also seemed to be able to anticipate the direction of Tamora’s attacks. Frustrated by his failure to strike Donil, Tamora backed off.
Heirs of the Enemy Page 17
