by Guy Antibes
“We need a sympathetic rune or a ward to chime, something that tells us a message awaits, or that someone has read our words,” Pol said.
“I’m useless with wards,” Val said. “I never learned, even the simple ones taught in Yastan.”
“I’ve learned how,” Pol said, “and Shira is competent, as well.”
“Thank you,” Shira said with a faint smile on her face.
“We told you that rune books are wards. You just link the tweaks,” Pol said as he launched into an explanation of wards.
“That’s not how they are taught in Yastan,” Val said. He frowned.
Pol repressed a smile. Val had taught him so much, and now their situations were reversed. The Seeker was not the best student, but he finally linked two wards.
“That was easier than I thought,” Val said.
“In some ways, it’s a matter of technique. Remember the ward is a platform for storing tweaks,” Shira said. She looked at Pol. “Why don’t I travel with the magicians for a while and see if I can come up with something to notify a book holder that a message is waiting.”
“You don’t like me?” Pol said, facetiously.
“No.” She slapped him on his shoulder. “I’ll miss you, but the alarm thing needs to be worked on and tested. I’ll come back out with new books once we’ve come up with something.”
“You might as well take Gula with you,” Pol said.
“Gula?” Shira’s eyes grew. “I know where we can get loyal troops to fight in Daftine!”
“We were talking about Gula, so you mean Zasos?”
Shira nodded. “We’d have to pay them something to make it worthwhile. Akil can translate, and Deena can help liaise with the Imperial forces. If we want to do something like that, it needs to be put into motion now.”
Pol grabbed Shira and hugged her. “Daftine has always been a nagging afterthought.” Pol turned to Val. “What do you think?”
“I am the odd man out,” Val said. “I have no one to hug, not that I want to.”
Pol smiled. “A joke from Valiso Gasibli.”
Val grunted. “About as good as you’ll ever get. If they are reliable and can handle weapons, I don’t see a downside.”
“They even have their own healers, well-versed in battle healing.” Pol pulled out his rune book and began a conversation with Malden.
“Does he think it’s a good idea?” Shira said after the communication ended.
Pol nodded. “He does, but Akil and Gula are key to selling it.” Pol pulled out another rune book linked to Traxus and wrote a message, but did not receive a reply. “The runes might not activate over such large distances,” Pol said, but he knew he was expressing his disappointment.
“I’ll think about what to say to Traxus while I’m scouting.” They continued to talk about how best to organize an army, and Val insisted that the Zasosians, if they came, would work best attached to the Deftnis monks rather than through the Imperial chain of command. Gula could join her countrymen when they landed in Eastril.
Shira’s idea sparked Pol’s mind to put an overall pattern to the forces aligned to fight the Winnow Society. The Imperial forces first needed to prevail against the forces assembled for a direct run towards Yastan.
The Emperor had a tracking unit shadow the Winnow Society armies marching towards Tarida. It had a rune book to notify Yastan if the Winnowers moved from its current direction. That unit would only delay the Winnowers should they choose to turn towards the capital.
Pol worried that the Winnower’s army in the East was so large it might be unstoppable. Thanks to Shira and Queen Isa’s work in the last four years, the South Salvans could repulse a five thousand-man army, but they could be overwhelmed with a force twice that size.
The Emperor needed an edge, and Pol knew that could be in Shinkya. He had to keep that to himself for now until the Empire neutralized the West Huffnyan army, except he needed to talk to Shira before she left to return to the main force.
He took her aside just before they were ready to turn in. “We will need to travel to Shinkya,” Pol said. “The East needs more soldiers, and Shinkya is the most likely source.”
She looked at him in the near-darkness. “Are you ready for that?”
“I won’t ever be ready, but perhaps the Great Ancestor needs to arrive in Tishiko sooner than later.”
“It’s a gamble.”
“War is a gamble, and one we can’t lose. We’ll have to travel to South Salvan to pick up the Fearless Elder and part of the trained Shinkyan forces. What do you think?”
“What do I think? You are inevitably right, but I agree. The factions could field thousands of seasoned fighters now squabbling outside of Tishiko.”
“Good. You plot the best way to Redearth in your spare time while you are inventing the alarm for rune books.”
~
Traxus finally responded to Pol’s query, giving the two of them an opportunity to catch up on events. Most of the nomads had converged on Axtopol to receive new rune books and to participate in the rebirth of their nation, now that the Placement Bureau had died and the gambling that went along with it.
Pol asked Traxus to get the nomads to head towards the port, and he would notify Deftnis to send ships. Any available warrior and healers would be welcome.
He then communicated to Malden who liked Pol’s idea and would think of suitable compensation to Zasos for their warriors. He would make sure to notify Akil D’Boria. Deena would make a good liaison person for the effort since she could help with rune books.
One last message to Deftnis. Pol wanted to meet with Abbot Pleagor, but the rune book was the only method to discuss getting the Zasosian warriors to Eastril. The ships would head for Daera and be waiting to pick up the troops.
“I am astonished at the speed of everything happening, and we are camping in the middle of nowhere,” Val said. “The ships will be at the port when the Zasosians arrive. How long does it take to get to Deftnis?”
“They won’t be going to Deftnis,” Pol said. “They will land at the capital of the Duchy of Bellestere. Deftnis forces will meet them there. Malden said rune books are already on their way to Landon in Alsador. The Daftine army will be attacked from two sides.”
“What about the Duke of Lawster? He’s joined the Winnowers.”
“I don’t know,” Pol said. “That’s a problem for Malden. I don’t lead the armies.”
“Why not?” Val said, obviously baiting Pol.
“Think of me as facilitating, not leading.”
Val looked at Pol evenly. “I will, for now.”
Pol ground his teeth. Val sounded like Fadden Loria.
The three of them split up, with Shira heading back to join the magicians. Pol and Val rode northwest towards the armies from West Huffnya.
Pol kept in touch with Val by communicating at least every hour. He finally spotted dust plumes ahead. The armies lay to his right. They were not yet in sight, but enemy scouts would soon be sweeping the area.
Val was too far to the northeast to see anything, but he would continue to look for another unit. There could be up to three.
“I want you to speed up,” Pol said to Demeron. “I want to see what the army looks like from the side.”
I will. Val is an interesting Seeker. He is gruffer than Fadden, but I think he has more intensity, Demeron said.
“I looked up to him at one time. I still do, but he is more dispassionate about other people than I am.”
Dispassionate? What does that mean?
“He cares less for others.”
I can see the difference. Hold on.
Demeron began to use sips of magic as he increased his speed. Pol smiled at the thought of the distance eaten up by Demeron’s pace. The dust cloud was at their side, then finally, towards the end of the day, at their rear.
“That’s far enough,” Pol said. “It’s time for a bit of a rest.”
He dismounted and began to go through messages that had piled u
p in his rune book. Traxus estimated that two thousand warriors, healers, and support people would be boarding the ships. He doubted the ships could carry any more people. Their voyage would be a trial. Pol sent a message to Deftnis, warning them to lay in stores to transport that many warriors. He smiled at the thought of an entirely new army nipping at Daftine’s heels.
Malden’s message held no news about the Winnowers’ northern armies, but Akil, Deena, and eight Seekers headed for Alsador via Desalt. Akil and Deena would head south to intercept the Zasosians while the Seekers would coordinate the armies that would contain Lawster and fight Daftine.
Pol worried about South Salvan. Could he make it to Shinkya in time to work on bringing an army to fight the Winnowers? He did not know.
We can take Shinkyan horses with us to Shinkya, Demeron said.
Pol grinned. “Not Shinkya but to Redearth. From there we can deploy them as a unified fighting force.” Pol pictured the Shinkyan herd fighting in Deftnis when his brother sent North Salvans to assassinate Shira and him. He remembered horses peppered with arrows. That did not have to happen. “We can fashion leather armor to help them.”
Armor? I don’t need armor.
“You don’t, but what about Amble, Lightning and the others? I know how to do it quickly.”
It would make them more formidable, but not as fast.
“They would still be faster than any human,” Pol said.
We will try it. I’m rested enough. Let’s Seek.
Pol sent a message to Deftnis. Jonness would put the decision to Lightning and the Shinkyan horses who would like to fight.
He mounted Demeron and put on a disguise. They galloped to the top of a hill and looked out over a plain. The Winnowers traveled as one with colored flags separating the three armies. The combined armies looked considerably smaller.
He wished he stayed when they disrupted the three army camps, so those who left the Winnowers could fight together for the Empire. Pol made sure to estimate the enemy’s size three times before he headed back towards the main group. He sent one last message to Malden about sending someone to enlist the Winnower deserters.
“That is such a good idea that it’s already been implemented,” Malden’s reply read.
Pol smiled. He did not have to worry about the result of the clash with this army. The Imperial forces outnumbered the Winnower army he had just seen by nearly two to one. If Malden had another force out in the field, Hazett didn’t need him to fight the Winnowers, and he could ride to Redearth.
He notified Val that he had seen the enemy, and he was heading back to the main force. Demeron made the trip quickly.
~
Shira gave Pol a bright smile when he rode into the column carrying officers and magicians. “It looks like you’ve been busy.”
Pol nodded. “The pattern is firming up. Hazett has a strategy for Daftine that includes the Zasosians, and our efforts in West Huffnya paid off nicely. It’s time for us to head to Redearth. We are at the wrong end of the Empire. Did you make any progress on the warning runes?”
She held up her wrist, showing a band. “Write a message to me.”
Pol reached back and pulled out his rune book. “There.” He looked up and saw a vertical line on the wristband glow. “Multiple lines for multiple books or from other pages in a rune book?”
Shira nodded. “Just pull back your sleeve, and you can tell if your rune book has a message. If you send a message, it glows, but fades out if the message has been deactivated, assuming it has been received. It takes a few minutes to link pages, but it works just fine.”
“I knew you would come up with something more elegant than I would,” Pol said. “I was thinking of something similar but on the outside of the book. This is even better. The rune book can be in a saddlebag or anywhere, actually.”
“Exactly,” she said. “Do you want to report to the General? He has your messages.”
“I should because I want us to leave as soon as we can. Jonness has told me that the Shinkyan horses will join the fight in the south. One hundred fifty are willing to travel to Redearth.”
~
With trained Seekers as scouts, Val joined Shira and Pol on their way back to Yastan, since the roads were best going to Yastan. Then they would head to South Salvan through the eastern edge of Boxall and Finster and then into Shinkya over the new pass to South Salvan.
The three of them met with Hazett before resuming their journey.
Pol gave Hazett a rune book and two wristbands. One was for Jarrann, who would serve as Hazett’s scribe.
“I am amazed that you were able to craft a new strategy on the road,” Hazett said. Handor had joined Shira and Pol in the Emperor’s study. “I fully approve, of course. Malden has kept me up to date. I want regular reports, private reports, from you to me while you are in Shinkya.” Hazett raised his eyebrows. “We both don’t trust messages from Barian.”
“I told this to Malden, but I suggest that you plan on the Shinkyans not joining our forces. We must treat their involvement as doubtful, no matter how much we want them,” Pol said.
“Don’t worry about that. The Imperial Army clashed with the West Huffnyans. Many of the enemy had shields that helped them, but not enough. Both sides suffered heavy losses, even with our reserve force. I’ve authorized a general mobilization, and all units are to have magicians who can shield and remove mind-control,” Hazett said and sighed. “The Empire may not survive. You know that, don’t you?”
“And we might all drop dead tomorrow,” Pol said. “I will carry the fight to the Winnowers as long as I am able.”
Hazett rose from his desk and patted Pol on the shoulder. “If something happens to me, tell me you will follow Handor as your new Emperor.”
Pol stood and bowed to Handor. “I am yours to command, should that happen.”
Handor rose and clasped Pol’s hands. “Even then you will be my brother.”
Shira stayed silent, but Pol winked at her.
“I heard you are getting another member of your party,” Handor said. “Amonna wants to reunite with her Captain Corior.”
“Is this true?” Pol said, looking at Hazett.
“It is. Your sister is beside herself with worry. Even the rune book that we sent to Redearth isn’t enough for her.” Hazett looked at Shira. “Can you take care of her? Fadden and Ako will be accompanying Jonness and the Shinkyan herd to Redearth. So if the timing is right, you can cross through Shinkya and the pass together.”
Pol thought it an inappropriate time for a reunion, but he knew Amonna was in love, and between Val, Shira, Demeron, and him, she would be protected. “That’s made easier with rune books,” Pol said.
~~~
Chapter Thirteen
~
A kil and Deena had already left Yastan before Pol arrived. He wished he could have seen his Zasosian friend to wish him well, but that would not happen. They left two days later, carrying more rune books and more of the newly-created armbands.
Jonness carried a rune book and told him that Fadden, Ako, and he had left with a contingent bound for Redearth. Pol kept in touch in the evenings when they stayed in inns, always disguised. Demeron itched to move faster, yet they found that Val’s horse was not up to the punishing pace that the Shinkyan horses could withstand.
Still, they moved through Boxall, and down into Finster, and stayed at the last inn before they reached the Shinkyan border.
“What do you hear?” Val said casually to the innkeeper.
“Nothing good, I’ll tell you,” the innkeeper said. He rubbed his shiny baldhead above a gray fringe. “Men leaving for the East, men leaving for the West. All we hope for is that the battles stay to the north of us. Boxall can have them all, as far as I’m concerned.”
“You’d rather the Empire crumble?” Shira said.
“The simple folk don’t crumble, my dear. Out in the Finsterian farmlands, life will never change.”
“It already has,” Pol said, “Men movin
g towards the East and men leaving for the West. What is left but women, children, and those past their prime?”
The innkeeper laughed. “I am that,” he said, his hand moving back up to rub his shiny skull. “Maybe you’re right. There are reports of Winnower patrols coming this far west.” He shook his head. “I just don’t want to be in the middle of it all.”
Pol put a shield on the man, and they crept upstairs for a short night.
Just before dawn, Pol woke. His wristband glowed in the dark. He took his rune book out and saw a message from Jonness. They had detected a column of soldiers headed in their direction. Pol quickly consulted his map and saw that they were only a few hours away, as planned.
He dressed and roused Amonna, Val, and Shira from their rooms. “We need to leave now. I don’t know if we can make it on time.”
You can, Demeron said, after Pol had informed him of the impending attack.
They assembled at the stable after filling their water skins and taking some provisions from the kitchen.
“Demeron and I can get there before you. They are about here,” Pol said, pointing to a spot on Val’s map while Shira tweaked a dim light in the stable yard.
“Go,” Val said. “We will be there just after dawn.”
Demeron galloped out of the stableyard and clopped down the cobbled street and out onto the dirt tracks of the countryside. Pol used the road south as long as he could. In less than an hour, he crossed the path of the Shinkyan herd.
“Can you pick them up yet?” Pol said.
Demeron nodded and turned abruptly, heading east. Pol finally located the herd at the edge of his location range. About twenty humans had just turned south. He could barely sense the horses’ turn at the same time.
Demeron used more than sips of magic to get them farther into range. Pol caught the enemy forces. He counted more than eighty riders.
“Can you communicate with Lightning yet?” Pol asked.
Barely, but that will change in a few moments, Demeron said. He is already getting the horses organized.
“You can lead their attack better than he can,” Pol said, “but working through him will be best.”
