“What is the command structure here?” asked General Mobami. “It is your city, but my army. Who will give the orders?”
“Melbin has an army of their own,” Jenneva pointed out.
“I see no need to quibble about leadership,” interrupted Duke Alfred. “We are in this fight together, and we both owe allegiance to King Arik. We could meet and come to agreements on our tactics, but I can think of a better way to solve this dilemma.”
“Oh?” the general asked with interest. “What would that be?”
“The presence of Jenneva suggests to me that Alexander Tork will be defending Melbin,” declared the duke. “If that is the case, I will gladly yield my army to him. I have never met a finer strategist. I will restrict myself to ruling the city and making sure that everyone is fed and cared for.”
General Mobami hesitated to reply to the duke’s statement.
“Do not misunderstand me, General,” stated Duke Alfred. “I am not demanding that you give up leadership of your men. I am stating that I am giving mine up. You can deal with Alex about this matter.”
“You read me well,” smiled the general. “I have never been one to step out of the limelight. I will talk to Tork when he arrives.”
“Fair enough,” nodded Duke Alfred. “For now, let your men rest from their journey. I will send notice of your arrival to Tagaret.”
* * *
“Good as new,” smiled Zalaharic. “I am glad that you hurried him here. It is surprising that the little fellow survived the ordeal.”
“I don’t know how to thank you,” smiled Tanya. “Things just wouldn’t be the same without Prince Midge.”
“You don’t have to talk about me as if I wasn’t here,” frowned the fairy prince. “As to how I survived, Zalaharic, I am a fairy. We are a tough people. Thank you for restoring my wing. I am going to test it out.”
Tanya laughed as Prince Midge leaped into the air in an acrobatic display of fitness. He soon soared beyond her sight and Tanya returned her attention to the elf magician.
“Your magic is truly wonderful,” she said to Zalaharic. “I would love to learn some of what you can teach.”
“There are few who can even understand what I do,” frowned the elf wizard. “Sometimes I baffle myself with the way my mind works. Working on Prince Midge is a fine example. I have never worked on fairies before. I truly did not know where to start.”
“Your lack of confidence was not visible to me,” complimented Tanya. “Your actions appeared sure and deliberate. How did you approach his problem?”
“I am not sure,” puzzled Zalaharic. “I guess I looked at Prince Midge as part human and part bird, although his wings are more delicate than the finest of bird wings. That is what I mean about understanding what I do. It is not even logical to associate such fine wings with a bird, and yet, that is exactly what was needed to mend him. How do I teach such a thing when I cannot comprehend it myself?”
“A good question,” pondered Tanya. “Still, I could learn some of the healing spells that you use. They are foreign to me.”
“We elves follow Valon as you do,” smiled Zalaharic. “I am willing to teach you whatever I can. I just do not want you to set your expectations too high.”
“To learn a single new spell is a joy to me,” Tanya said excitedly. “I am glad that we were not able to use the unicorns to fly away from Mount Kalas. We would have missed Prince Midge for sure if we had.”
“Why couldn’t the unicorns fly?” questioned Zalaharic.
“Oh, they could fly,” explained Tanya, “but they would be detected by Sarac’s people and downed when their spells were destroyed.”
“Downed?” echoed the elf mage. “The Black Devils are able to bring down the unicorns?”
“Yes,” nodded Tanya. “We avoid flying them because of it. We have learned that we can fly if we do so very high up. We also feel fairly safe flying over the sea or the desert, but that is the extent of it.”
“Interesting,” mused Zalaharic. “I should think that the Black Devils destroying the unicorns’ shields would alert you in time to get out of range before the flying spell was counteracted.”
“Shields?” asked Tanya. “What shields?”
“Don’t the unicorns shield themselves when they fly?” questioned the elf magician.
“They don’t know how to shield,” Tanya answered. “I never thought about shielding them myself when we are flying, but it makes a great deal of sense now that you mention it.”
“Unicorns are magical creatures,” mused the elf, “and magical shields are fairly basic spells. I don’t see why they shouldn’t be able to do it themselves. The shields might not be very effective, but they should provide enough warning to alert them to an attack.”
“It makes very good sense,” nodded Tanya. “Why don’t we try it? Chaco and Frea are both here to practice with.”
“Then let’s have some fun with the unicorns,” offered Zalaharic.
* * *
Alex walked through the battlefield checking the Lanoirian bodies.
“Got a live one over here,” called Captain Azule.
Alex hurried over and knelt next to the Lanoirian rider. The man had an arrow in his thigh, but appeared to be alright otherwise. Alex drew his knife and lowered it towards the man’s thigh. The Lanoirian cursed and grabbed for his own knife. Captain Azule stepped on the man’s arm and bent down and disarmed him.
“Stay still,” scowled Captain Azule. “We are trying to remove the arrow from your leg.”
“Why?” puzzled the Lanoirian. “Why not just kill me and be done with it?”
“I find no pleasure in killing Lanoirians,” replied Alex. “I will remove your arrow and bandage your leg. Then you are free to go.”
“You are going to let me return to the army?” questioned the Lanoirian. “That makes no sense. There is some trick here that I cannot see just yet. What is it?”
“No trick,” answered Alex. “You fought bravely for your country. Be thankful that you didn’t die.”
“Why are you Lanoirians intent on coming up here anyway?” asked Captain Azule. “We have not attacked your country.”
“How would I know why?” gasped the Lanoirian as Alex cut the arrowhead out of the man’s thigh. “I am a soldier. I just follow orders like everyone else.”
“Well,” smiled Alex, “you are a lucky soldier today. The only one that we have found as a matter of fact. I’ll have you bandaged up in no time and then you are free to go back to your army, or wherever else you might want to go.”
The Lanoirian’s face puzzled as he let Alex’s words sink in. He had not even considered going someplace other than back to his unit.
“Do you have food?” asked the Lanoirian.
“Plenty,” nodded Alex. “Would you like some rations for the trail back?”
The man nodded eagerly and then winced in pain when he moved his leg.
“Don’t get so excited,” admonished Alex. “Let me get the bandage on you before you move the leg.”
“How is it that you have food?” inquired the Lanoirian. “You burn all the fields wherever you go and yet you all look well-fed.”
“We are burning the fields to deny them to Emperor Hanchi,” explained Alex. “His army will starve to death before they reach Melbin. Or at least a great number of them will. We will kill the rest when they get there.”
“How is it that you manage to appear all over the place?” questioned the Lanoirian. “We have begun to think of you as ghosts. You show up behind our lines and burn the fields. When we chase you, you are gone.”
“That is one question that I will not answer,” smiled Alex as he finished applying the bandage. “Captain, see if you can round up a few rations for this soldier. He will have a long walk back to his army.”
“Walk?” gasped the Lanoirian. “You cannot expect me to walk back there?”
“Horses are valuable to us,” shrugged Alex. “Although Lanoirian horses are pretty scrawny. We will have to f
atten them up before they will be fit for combat.”
“They were fine horses when we left Lanoir,” frowned the soldier. “I would like to go back there.”
“Why don’t you?” asked Alex. “This war is not really your affair. Emperor Hanchi is being used by Sarac. You and your countrymen are dying for the Dark One. I cannot understand how so many Lanoirians can follow blindly when the truth is so obvious.”
“The Dark One?” echoed the soldier. “That cannot be. Emperor Hanchi is to rule the world. It is his fate. Even the sun and moon have returned to celebrate the start of his campaign.”
“His fate is death,” corrected Alex as Captain Azule handed the soldier a pack of rations. “As for the return of the sun and moon, that was done by King Arik of Alcea. In fact, I was with him in Barouk the day that he did it. Emperor Hanchi had nothing to do with it.”
“How can this be?” balked the Lanoirian. “Barouk is far from Alcea.”
“Have you ever heard of the Ancient Prophecy?” asked Alex.
“I have heard of it,” nodded the soldier, “but it a children’s tale.”
“Wrong,” Alex shook his head. “King Arik is the prophesized king. He wields the Sword of Heavens and searches for its magical stones. I have been with him for each of the first five gems. Five times I have seen the Darkness roll away in fear from the Sword of Heavens. Soon the skies will be clear over Sordoa, too.”
“Only Lanoir lives under the sun,” the soldier shook his head. “The Emperor brings the sun with him.”
“You are mistaken,” argued Alex. “The skies are clear over Alcea and Cordonia. You will discover this when you ride one more day north. Mark my words, the Darkness exists only here and south to just below Trekum. King Arik will dispel even that Darkness shortly. You are free to go now.”
Captain Azule helped the soldier to his feet. The man tested his leg and winced in pain, but he could walk. He turned and stared at the bodies of his fellow Lanoirians that were spread out as far as he could see along the trail.
“Perhaps you could take me prisoner?” suggested the Lanoirian as he contemplated walking back to his army. “I could care for your horses or something. Our men have no food. I do not want to starve to death.”
“We could use more fighters,” Alex pondered out loud.
“Bah,” scowled Captain Azule. “How could we trust him?”
“He wants to return to Lanoir someday,” replied Alex. “If he betrays us, his family will know of his shame.”
“I am confused,” frowned the soldier. “My family would know shame if I deserted, not if I turned against Sordoans. I do not mean that I would do such a thing, but you do not understand our culture. I just want you to understand.”
“Oh, I understand your culture quite well,” smiled Alex. “Lanoir is part of Alcea now. There would be no shame attached to you fighting by our side. The shame would come when you turned against those who represent Lanoir.”
“This cannot be,” scowled the soldier. “You are lying to me.”
“Am I?” argued Alex. “Why is it that Emperor Hanchi has not seen supplies from Lanoir in many days? Why has he not heard from the cavalry sent south to restore the supply lines? Why do we have more food than we know what to do with? Answer those questions to find the truth of the matter.”
“Let us go,” prompted Captain Azule. “I am getting hungry for a good meal. Leave him to return to his unit.”
“Wait,” shouted the Lanoirian as Alex and Captain Azule turned to walk away. “I need proof of what you are saying.”
“We have no need to offer you proof,” Alex shook his head. “We have given you your life. You have no cause to ask for more. Be on your way.”
“You do not understand,” retorted the Lanoirian. “If what you say is true, the whole cavalry will follow you.”
Alex stopped and rubbed his chin in thought. Finally, he sighed and nodded.
“Very well,” Alex said. “I told you that you would find clear skies a days ride to the north of your army. That is your proof that my truths are greater than the emperor’s.”
“Will there be food there too?” asked the Lanoirian.
“No,” Alex shook his head. “Those fields have already been burned.”
“Then what do we do if we believe you?” asked the Lanoirian. “How can we come to fight on your side if we starve to death?”
“For those of your army that wish to serve under King Arik, king of Alcea and ruler of Lanoir,” instructed Alex, “they are to drop their weapons and ride onward to Toresh. If no weapons are brought into Toresh, we will supply food for everyone. It will be Lanoirian food. Is that sufficient?”
“Yes, yes,” the soldier nodded eagerly, “but how will you know we are there?”
“I will know,” declared Alex. “Trust me that I will know. Captain Azule, give this man a horse. I think we can spare one for him so he does not have to strain his leg.”
Captain Azule called to one of his men and a horse was brought over. He helped the Lanoirian to mount and sent him on his way.
“How did you know how he would react?” asked Captain Azule. “You guessed his every move.”
“He may be Lanoirian,” smiled Alex, “but he is human just like you and me. An evil sorcerer has betrayed him and his countrymen. That does not sit well with anyone. The main problem is whether or not he can convince the others to switch sides.”
“Was it wise to tell him about taking over Lanoir?” inquired the captain. “Suppose they decide to go south instead of to Toresh?”
“Then they will die crossing the Southern Mountains,” explained Alex. “The fairies will keep an eye on them to see what they do. Besides, it was necessary, considering their culture, for them to know that Lanoir has fallen to King Arik. That is what will make it acceptable for them to truly change sides. Without that knowledge in their minds, I would not trust them to fight alongside us.”
“I learn more from you each day,” chuckled Captain Azule. “No wonder we Sordoans were never able to defeat you.”
“Not Sordoans,” smiled Alex. “You are Alceans now. Round up the men. We have ships to catch before the Lanoirians decide to come down here and see how the ghosts disappear.”
Chapter 26
Temple of Leda
Alexander Tork stood at the southern entrance to Toresh. Alongside him stood Captain Azule of the Sarga mercenary Company, and Captain Orteka of the Kadin Claws. They watched the long line of riders approaching from the south. The Lanoirian cavalry stirred up the charred fields as they approached, sending small plumes of charcoal smoke into the air. Alex turned and gazed anxiously at the one hundred Sordoans that waited with him.
“You seem nervous, Alex,” stated Captain Orteka. “Do you expect a battle?”
“It is always difficult to gauge a man’s reactions to starvation,” Alex replied softly. “I continue to hope for the best, but I intend to plan for the worst. How far away are the rest of your men?”
“Not more than five minutes,” answered Captain Orteka. “Do you want me to bring them in closer?”
“Not yet,” Alex shook his head. “Let’s wait to hear from Bantam before we make that decision.”
As if on cue, a small blue fairy descended out of the air and landed on Alex’s shoulder.
“I saw no sign of swords nor bows,” reported Bantam. “They appear to be unarmed.”
“Did you check the place that they were supposed to leave their weapons?” Captain Azule asked the fairy.
“Oh, yes,” Bantam nodded assuringly. “There are mounds of weapons of every type.”
“What of the Lanoirian that chose not to surrender?” asked Alex. “Which direction are they heading?”
“I could not find them,” frowned the fairy. “Shall I go look some more?”
“No,” stated Alex. “I have two other tasks for you that are more important. Proceed to the wagons north of the city. Tell them to move into the center of Toresh as we had discussed. Then contact our
ships off the coast. I want those weapons collected immediately. They must not be left available in case the Lanoirians change their minds after they are fed. Warn them that we cannot account for all of the Lanoirians. They must use caution in collecting the weapons.”
“It shall be as the Knight of Alcea requests,” saluted Bantam.
“What an amazing alliance,” Captain Azule commented after the fairy had left. “The ability to send orders over great distances almost assures you of victory.”
“Nothing assures victory,” frowned Alex, “other than beating the other side into submission. War is not a noble endeavor. No matter which side wins, both sides get hurt.”
“A strange philosophy for a soldier,” commented Captain Orteka. “Everything I heard about Alexander Tork spoke of ruthlessness and cunning. That is not what you are about, as I have come to learn.”
“Enemies are always elevated in the minds of soldiers,” explained Alex. “Whatever I have done in my past was done for the good of my fellow man. It shall always be so.”
“They look tired and weak,” Captain Azule stated as the Lanoirian cavalry approached. “I do not think there is the will to fight left in them.”
“Probably not,” sighed Alex. “They will not be of much use in Melbin, but we are depriving Emperor Hanchi of their use.”
The lead rider of the Lanoirian cavalry halted in front of Alex and the two Sordoan captains.
“I am Za-hong,” the officer declared. “I have come to surrender. I beg food for my men.”
“Welcome to Alcea, Za-hong,” greeted Alex. “Have your men carried weapons with them?”
“We left our weapons in the burned fields as requested,” replied Za-hong. “We carry knives, but that is all.”
“If you will ensure that your men use their knives as tools and not weapons,” declared Alex, “they will be permitted to keep them. How many men have you brought? And how many were left behind?”
“We number over fifteen thousand,” the Lanoirian officer replied as he gazed at the hundred Sordoans. “We left only our dead behind. As for the knives, I assure that my men will behave respectfully. This is not an easy decision for us as a people,” he continued with a frown. “Lanoirians are a proud people. We surrender out of need for food, and because we believe what you have told one of my men. Is it true that Lanoir now belongs to King Arik?”
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