Dar jolted awake. I didn’t forbid them to speak! “Have they or Auk-goth yet returned?”
“Thwa.”
“Does our hall smell of fear?”
“That scent is thick.”
“I was tired when I spoke to Tauma-yat’s sons. This fear is my fault.”
“Sometimes it’s wise to be afraid. Fearless birds feed foxes.”
Dar smiled slightly. “So my oversight showed wisdom?”
“Everyone’s aware of our peril. I think that’s good.”
“It’s good only if I can lead them to safety,” said Dar. “I must decide what to do, then present my plan. But I’ll not do it reeking from my journey. I must bathe.” She sighed. “I suppose I should persuade Girta to join me.”
Nir-yat smiled. “Sev-ron has shown wisdom and convinced her to wash. She has done so already.”
“That’s pleasing news.” Dar rose. “Come, Sister, let us talk as I wash.”
Dar avoided the communal bath by using a tub in a room off her hanmuthi. While she washed, she and Nir-yat discussed what to do. There was hope that Kol’s army had not yet marched, but Dar thought it was unlikely. She decided to have Nir-yat determine how many sons could be gathered to defend the hall and what arms could be obtained for them. Meanwhile, Dar would meet with the Tok clan to find out if the pass could still be sealed.
Dar dressed. Then, accompanied by Sevren and her mintaris, she went to the Great Chamber and called for the Tok clan representatives. Two mothers and a son arrived. Dar had learned their names in advance, so she might greet them properly. Karam-tok was Muth-tok’s younger sister, and she possessed the same large, muscular frame as the matriarch. Karam-tok was accompanied by the Tok clan lorekeeper, an elderly mother named Gra-tok. The son, Tar-tok, wore a cape signifying leadership. He was the largest orc Dar had ever seen. Extremely tall, with arms much thicker than a man’s thighs, his body seemed shaped by working massive stones.
After the Tok clan members bowed and returned Dar’s greetings, Karam-tok spoke. “Muth Mauk, we know why you’ve called us. Washavokis will invade through pass.”
“Now all can appreciate your grandmother’s wisdom,” said Dar. “That door must be shut. Lama-tok said it would take one or two days. Can it be done faster?”
“Sealing pass is complicated process,” replied Karam-tok. “Lines of deep holes were drilled into rock. Afterward, they were plugged. If those holes are filled with water, that water will turn to ice, expand, and split rock. Only then will sons be able to push rocks into passageway. Winter will make water freeze quickly, but it will also make holes hard to reach.”
“Water may split stones, but sons must still leverage them apart and push them into pass,” said Tar-tok. “That is hard work. It will take one day at least. I think two is more likely.”
Dar regarded the massive orc. “If you call that work hard, it must be hard indeed.”
“There is way to speed that work,” said Gra-tok, “but its outcome is less certain.”
All eyes turned to the Tok clan lorekeeper as she continued. “Holes were also drilled in peak short distance from pass. Rocks split there could be sent tumbling to start kokuum. Instead of sons, it could push loosened rock into pass.”
“Gra-tok is wise to say outcome is uncertain,” said Tar-tok. “Kokuum could make matters worse.”
“How?” asked Dar, who thought triggering an avalanche would be a perfect solution.
“It might miss pass or fill it only partly. Worse, it could stop short of pass and cover loosened rock. That could add many days to our work.”
“Slower way is surer way,” said Karam-tok.
Dar was pondering her choices when Nir-yat rushed into the chamber. “Muth Mauk! Auk-goth has returned!”
A moment later, Auk-goth staggered through the doorway, so out of breath he was unable to return Dar’s greeting for a while. At last, Auk-goth had the breath to speak. “There are washavokis on New Road.”
Dar’s face fell. “On our side of pass?”
“Hai. When I came upon them, it was night and they were inside cloth shelters. There were many hundreds of them, encrusting ridge like second snowfall.”
“Where were they?”
“Still high on ridge, just beyond pass.”
“So we know they’re coming,” said Dar. “But that’s about all we know.”
“When I was returning, I met those two sons you sent. We spoke before they traveled on toward pass. Perhaps they’ll learn more.”
Karam-tok’s face reflected her dismay. “There’s no point in sealing pass now. Wolves are in sheep pen.”
“Urkzimmuthi are not sheep,” said Dar. “Nir-yat, how many sons can protect our hall?”
“There are seventy-two sons within our hall who can fight. Most have swords or axes, but none possesses armor. Not even helmets. Those who lack weapons can use tools or farm implements. Another hundred or so Yat clan sons live close enough to aid us. Your mintaris and guards from Taiben add forty-one to that number.”
“We have fifty-six sons in our party,” said Karam-tok. “All bear axes. I’ll put them at your service.”
Dar pondered the situation before she replied. “Even if Tok sons join fight, this hall will have less than three hundred defenders. Sevren told me they’ll face two thousand soldiers, perhaps more.” Dar let the dismal news sink in. “Karam-tok, I need your clan’s sons elsewhere.”
“Where?”
“At pass. Can they reach it if there are washavokis on road?”
“I know of way to pass other than New Road,” said the Tok clan lorekeeper.
“Then there’s yet hope,” said Dar, “though Yat clan mothers may not see it as such. I must speak to them before you can proceed.”
Forty-three
Word went out for all muthuris to assemble in the Great Chamber. They came quickly, followed by all the hall’s residents. The chamber grew crowded, but formalities were observed. Muth-yat stood closest to the throne. Beside her was Muth-pah. The heads of the hall’s other hanmuthis stood slightly farther back. Beyond them were the rest of the muthuris. Dar was surprised to spot Meera-yat. The remaining space was occupied by mothers, blessed and unblessed, young and old. They overflowed the chamber, spilling into the corridors beyond, where sons mingled with them.
The room was so tightly packed that it grew unpleasantly warm. Despite the crowd, the chamber was deathly quiet. All eyes were on Dar. As she returned their gaze, she felt her chest would break with love and sorrow. Everyone was precious to her, and everyone was in deadly danger. For a moment, Dar didn’t speak for fear her voice would tremble. Then by some grace, she grew calm.
“This rooms smells of fear,” said Dar. “It’s Muth la’s gift, for she wants her children safe. Fear may oppress you, but it can also lead to wisdom.
“I journeyed to Taiben to learn if washavokis desire peace. They don’t. All washavokis aren’t evil, but they’ve been gripped by evil. Black Washavoki didn’t die. Instead, he was transformed. Using magic, he’s compelled others to do his bidding. Washavoki queen wanted peace, so she was forced to flee with us. Black Washavoki hates all urkzimmuthi. He has sent army to slay us. That army approaches. It’s already in our land.”
The room grew so pungent with fear that even Dar could smell it.
“Before I was reborn, I lived among washavoki soldiers and saw war’s cruelty. I think Muth la wished me to witness it in preparation for this moment. Now hear my wisdom: Our sons are brave and strong. Yet superior numbers can and will overwhelm them. I’ve seen this before. We cannot stop washavokis’ attack. It’s unwise to try.”
Despite the orcs’ deference to their queen, a murmur arose among them. Dar waited for it to quiet.
“Our enemy’s strength is also its weakness. Big armies cannot hide. They have many mouths to feed. Washavokis don’t know this land, but they can follow New Road to our hall. They have no choice but to come. They need food. They need shelter. They want our goods and our lives. All these
things they must take from us. But when they come, they won’t find them. They’ll find death instead. Why? Because we’ll have sealed pass so they cannot leave, and we’ll have departed after destroying this hall.”
This time, the chamber rang with alarmed voices. Muth-yat’s was the loudest. Eventually, the others quieted so Muth-yat could speak for them. “So this is your wisdom?” she cried. “To become cowards and abandon our home?”
“I say cling to life, not this hall,” said Dar. “We can overcome these washavokis, but only if we act wisely. Mothers will flee, but sons will remain. With no food or shelter and nowhere to flee, washavokis will weaken. We’ll attack them as small birds attack hawk. We’ll dart in to peck our larger foe, then fly away. Each peck will injure it. Many small wounds can bring death.”
“You brought this on us!” shouted Muth-yat, violating all propriety. “You should have tasted Muth la’s Draught!”
“Have her taste it now!” cried Zor-yat. “If she’s worthy to rule, let her prove it!”
“Muthuri!” shouted Nir-yat. “Have you forsaken wisdom? This hall’s destruction was foretold! You know this.”
“How dare you speak to me like that!” screamed Zor-yat in reply. “You’re my daughter. Show respect.”
“I follow your example, Muthuri. How dare you question Muth Mauk’s wisdom?”
The exchange stunned the crowd into silence. That was when Muth-pah mounted the first step of the throne, drawing everyone’s attention “I am Muth-pah. Hear my wisdom. My clan was once mightiest among urkzimmuthi. We were Queen Clan. Tarathank was our home. Yet now my entire clan fits into one hanmuthi, and we’re called lost.
“Most believe washavokis did that to us, but we did it to ourselves. True, washavokis destroyed our city and killed many of our number. But that didn’t make us Lost Clan. We became doomed when our thoughts fixed on past. We sent our sons to kill, hoping to take back what had been lost. When that failed, we lingered in west. There, our sons hunted washavoki skulls. We embraced death, not life. Thus we diminished.
“Do not let this lovely hall become your Tarathank. It’s only wood and stone. Your lives and your children are your true treasures. Heed Muth Mauk’s wisdom. Forsake this hall.”
Then Dar spoke. “Muth la sends me visions, but she doesn’t tell me what to do. I must choose my path. As your queen, I can command you. I will not. I cannot make you live. That must be your choice.
“If you choose to remain, I’ll stay and die with you. If you choose to flee, I will guide you. Whatever you decide, be aware that this hall will burn. Muth la has shown me its destruction. Perhaps washavokis will set it on fire. Perhaps we will. I don’t know.”
Dar swept her glaze over the entire room. “Now choose.”
For a moment, everyone stood frozen. Then Jvar-yat, the clan’s latath, spoke out. “Guide me, Muth Mauk. I will follow you.” She sank to her knees and made the sign of the Tree.
“I’ll heed your wisdom,” said Tauma-yat, kneeling and making the sign for Muth la.
Then other muthuris did the same. The room filled with their voices as they knelt. From where Dar sat, the mothers looked like grass bending before a wind. Eventually, only Muth-yat and Zor-yat remained standing. They glanced about, then fell to their knees also.
The room grew still and silent. Dar regarded the kneeling orcs with tear-brimmed eyes before she spoke. “We must flee in haste but not in panic. Gather warm clothes and those tools you’ll need to start new life. Carry as much food as you possibly can. Pile everything you leave behind together so it might be burned after you depart. Stay in your hanmuthis to receive further guidance. When it’s time to leave, Nir-yat will guide you. You should go now.”
As the chamber emptied out, Dar began to think of all the things that must be done. I must finish the plan for sealing the pass…tell sons how they must fight…plot our escape…send messages to the other clans…direct the destruction of this hall. When she considered each task, the details seemed overwhelming. Dar’s head was awhirl with all she had to accomplish, and it was a while before she noticed her sister gazing at her. Nir-yat looked distressed. “What is it?” Dar asked.
“I’m to guide our clan as we flee?”
“Hai. I’ll see this hall is destroyed, then join you.”
“But you’re our queen.”
“And you’re my sister. I have confidence in you.”
“But…”
“I need you, Nir. Who else can I turn to? Not Muth-yat.”
Nir-yat bowed. “Then I’ll do my best.”
“Your best is all that’s necessary. Make sure this goes calmly. Head for Mah clan halls but avoid New Road.”
Nir-yat thought a moment. “We can take road to Smat clan halls,” she said. “It goes north, but after three days’ travel, it joins with road that heads south. That way will add at least five days to our journey.”
“Your plan sounds wise,” said Dar. “Gather those living in countryside as you go. They must flee also. Nothing can remain for washavokis.”
“You’ll need sons to help destroy this hall,” said Nir-yat. “How many should I send you?”
“Send thirty. Also set out sentries to warn of washavokis’ approach. All remaining sons should go with mothers and protect them.”
After Nir-yat departed, Dar summoned the three Tok clan representatives. “We’re going to destroy this hall,” said Dar when they arrived, “so washavokis will have no food or shelter. If you seal pass, they cannot escape.”
“Desperate foes are dangerous ones, Muth Mauk,” said Karam-tok. “Are you sure you want them in our land?”
Dar briefly considered letting Kol depart without a fight. Without the prospect of plunder, he might lose interest in the orcs. On the face of it, that seemed less risky than trapping and fighting him. Then Dar recalled how she had bested Kol before, only to have him return even stronger. Dar’s instincts told her that Kol wouldn’t let matters rest. And what of Othar? Dar assumed he was still in Taiben. If the army returns intact, he’ll use it for another invasion. With that reflection, Dar resolved on her course. “Hidden foes are most deadly,” said Dar. “We can’t avoid this fight. Best have it now.”
Karam-tok bowed. “Then let us discuss how we’ll seal pass.”
“We know washavokis were camped on New Road just beyond pass,” said Dar. “I assume they’ll arrive here late today.”
Sevren, who had been following the conversation as best he could, spoke up in Orcish. “Washavokis will not fight dark. Will wait morning.”
“That’s good to know,” said Karam-tok. “We’ll need that time.”
Gar-tok pulled out what looked to Dar to be a bundle of sticks and string. She tugged at one of the strings and the bundle opened to become an intricate, three-dimensional construction. It was comprised of sticks, which differed in shape, length, thickness, and color, that were bound together by cords that also varied. “This is trafpaha. It shows ridge and rocks that make it,” said the lorekeeper. The three Tok clan members studied the object, clearly understanding its complex symbology.
Tar-tok pointed to a knotted cord. “So we would ascend here?”
“Hai,” replied Gar-tok. “It’s two hills west of New Road and out of sight from it.”
“Yellow means steep climb,” said Tar-tok.
“Use ropes,” said Karam-tok.
“Hai,” said Tar-tok. He slowly traced a series of sticks that portrayed the ridgeline. “This way won’t be easy.” His fingers stopped at a protruding stick. “Is this peak you spoke of?”
“Hai. What do you think?”
Tar-tok studied the pattern of small twigs radiating from the stick that represented the peak. “Kokuum might work here. What do you think, Karam-tok?”
The mother examined the trafpaha. “It looks promising.” She bowed to Dar. “Muth Mauk, shall we risk using kokuum to seal pass? It would be faster, though less certain of success.”
“Speed is necessary for success,” said Dar. “Use k
okuum.” She thought a moment, then added. “How will I know if passage is closed?”
“Perhaps we could light signal fire,” said Karam-tok.
But who would see it? wondered Dar. The pass was far away and visibility was unpredictable. She resigned herself to living with uncertainty. “You needn’t bother,” she said. “After you seal pass, head for Mah clan halls. When we meet there, I’ll know you succeeded.”
Karam-tok bowed. “We’ll leave at once.”
As the three departed, Dar turned to Kovok-mah. “Will those mothers go with Tar-tok?”
“Most certainly, Muth Mauk.”
“Even Gar-tok? She looks too old to be climbing mountains.”
“She’ll go,” replied Kovok-mah. “She’s their lorekeeper, and Tok clan lore concerns mostly rocks and mountains. She knows that ridge like I knew my goats.”
Dar recalled how Lama-tok had loved stonework. He dragged me about Tarathank to show his favorite walls. Thoughts of her slain friend renewed her grief. “Peril and haste have made me neglectful,” she said. “If I live, I must honor dead properly.”
Time was not on Dar’s side and she knew it. That was her only certainty. Almost everything else was unknown and unpredictable. When will Kol’s army arrive? Will they attack at once? Will the pass be sealed? If it’s sealed, what will Kol do? Can we fight so great a foe? Will this storm help or hurt us? Dar tried not to waste time attempting to answer those questions; there was too much to do.
Dar’s initial impulse was to pitch in and help. If Kol’s army arrived before the hall was evacuated, everyone would be slaughtered. Yet as much as Dar wanted to lend a hand, she knew that wasn’t her role. She was queen, and her task was to lead. Dar had much to do. She had to ensure the evacuation went swiftly, oversee the hall’s destruction, and prepare for the fighting to follow. That meant remaining in the center of the storm, not flying about in it.
Her first step was to meet with the thirty sons Nir-yat had sent to help destroy the hall. Dar spoke with them after they gathered in the Great Chamber. “Walls of this hall are stone,” she said, “but most of its ceilings are wooden. Gather everything that will burn into piles within largest rooms. When I give word, we’ll break all windows to let in wind, and set those piles ablaze. Those fires must spread quickly. How can this be aided?”
[Queen of Orcs 03] - Royal Destiny Page 29
