“What’s the plan?” Lucy asked Justin.
“I think we should leave tomorrow. We will start with the Ostrakan army. It should be easy enough to recruit some of them, and they are closest. After that the Dwarves and Giants. If we have time and can think of anyone else, we can stop on our way back.”
They still had a long day in front of them. An advance guard from Salmatina arrived next. Lucy couldn’t help but stare. A group of six walked into the throne room, graceful, alert, and deadly. They were all women, with their hair elaborately braided to lay close to their heads. Their travel tunics and vests were fashioned to leave the right arm bare at the shoulder, exposing elaborate tattoos on their shoulders, necks, and arms. Lucy remembered when Maya had painted some on her. She was sure these were real, not paint. She wished she could remember what the various designs meant, reminding herself to ask Maya later.
“Justin.” The leader nodded a greeting in his direction.
“Your majesty, may I present, Arms Commander Sharna,” introduced Justin.
“Commander,” Joss nodded in greeting. “You are most welcome.”
“We are here to be part of the planning sessions and kept informed. The rest of the army is mustering and will be ready to travel this direction in a handful of days.”
“Army? That is welcome news.”
“Justin said there was a threat coming from the mists,” Sharna frowned and cocked her brunette head in a questioning manner. “To us, that means get ready for a fight. Well, to some of us, it simply sounded like entertainment. Really, no one wanted to be left behind. After much argument, it was decided that a token force could be left to defend Salmatina and the rest will march this direction. Has anything changed?”
“No, Sharna. We are very glad to see you,” replied Justin. “After more recon, we discovered Shadow Weavers, possibly three, are behind the coming invasion of nightmares.”
“Shadow Weavers? It’s not that I doubt you, but is there proof?” asked Aleyiss, a muscular blond.
“Lucy?” Justin requested politely taking her hand and leading her to the side of the room.
Lucy stepped forward to the cauldron they had put in place to have readily available for anyone who needed proof or if Joss or Justin needed information. Once she was in place, Justin bowed his head, stepped back, and gestured for the Salmatinians to arrange themselves so they could see. Lucy moved her arm gracefully in the well-practiced motion and the keep appeared. It was surrounded by an even larger army of nightmare creatures than last time. Lucy suppressed a shiver. They had to be almost ready to march. You couldn’t keep an army that size fed and entertained very long. Lucy made a circuit around the army outside the walls, then worked her way inside. She viewed wagons being loaded with supplies and the crowded hallways.
“When I get to the throne room, it’s best to be quick. I can’t focus on the Shadow Weavers or they might sense me. I will look at something else, but pay attention. We should be there in two more turns,” Lucy told the closely watching women.
Lucy took one turn and then another. She brought the picture sweeping across the side of the throne room, focusing on a pillar towards the back. Lucy could sense the menacing figure on the throne. She thought she heard Aleyiss gasp. Lucy released the picture.
“Thank you for showing us. We will be able to inform the majors what we have seen,” said Sharna. “You know this threat is coming. Why were you surprised we are bringing an army?”
“Some who have seen Lucy’s farseeing don’t believe. Or they believe in guarding their homes rather than stopping the army before it gets that far,” explained Taran sadly.
Dessa snorted, “Fools. We will do our part. If others are still deciding, does that mean we get to help strategize?”
“We’re glad to have you with us,” said Joss smiling.
“Are you still in mourning for your last wife?” Aleyiss asked Taran with a sly smile.
“Courting?” asked Taran with an answering smile. “At a time like this?”
“What can I say? Battle makes my blood run hot,” she laughed.
“What about you?” Sharna asked looking Joss up and down.
“Battle makes my blood run hot, too, but marriage cools it quick,” joked Joss.
“You looked worth asking,” shrugged Sharna.
“You might last longer than you would with Kithra,” suggested Maya.
“No staying power?”
“There’s a praying mantis aura about her,” explained Maya.
“We don’t believe in wasting good men, and we don’t believe in marrying anything less than exceptional. We can work something out. Part-time. Any boy children are yours, girls are mine,” suggested Sharna.
“Why isn’t anyone picking on Justin?” asked Joss exasperated and feeling slightly uncomfortable about being looked over like a piece of meat, even if the women were attractive.
The women looked at each other, then at Joss curiously, then to Justin.
“Don’t they know?” asked Dessa.
“They know. Joss doesn’t know how you could know,” explained Justin.
“The way Justin escorted Lucy implied he was hers and she is to be treated as we would treat him,” said Dessa.
Lucy smiled and bowed to the women. That explained Justin’s actions. She had wondered at the time but had figured Justin had a reason and she could always ask him later. She was glad the women were aware that Justin was hers. It also explained why they trusted her images implicitly without any other tests, questions, or proof.
“Is that a no?” Sharna asked Joss teasing again.
“For now,” deferred Joss with a smile.
Lucy was definitely interested in spending more time with the Salmatinians. They seemed like fun. First, though she should talk to Maya and Justin to make sure she didn’t do anything wrong. If so much could be read into the way someone is escorted, what kinds of things could Lucy imply in the amount of time it took to eat dinner? Everyone was excited about the Salamatinians. The fact that their army was on the way was welcome news and greeted with relief. Some of the wavering ministers lent their full support to Joss after meeting with them.
Also to arrive were adventurers in small groups similar to the one Lucy, Maya, Gavin, and Justin had made up before everything got rearranged by the threat of the Shadow Weavers. The conversations that followed were always similar.
“We hear you have a line on a good fight and could use some help,” a warrior would say, trying to look tough.
“That is true. Shadow Weavers are leading an army of nightmares over the mountains,” Justin would explain glibly, watching their reactions. Usually they were similar.
“Awesome,” the craziest of the group would say.
Others would smile, crack their knuckles, or run their hands over a weapon. An occasional mage would make something magical happen hoping to make an impression. One presented Lucy with a flower. Another set off fireworks. None of them looked worried or in any way apprehensive.
“Do you need proof or more information?” Lucy would ask. They never did.
“Where’s the best ale in town? We’ll stay there until we are needed,” one would suggest.
Sometimes the item of interest varied, but ale was the most common. One group asked for the finest wine, another for the cleanest beds, a third for the best stew.
“The Twisted Harp, sir,” Sam number three would suggest. The third Sam was keeping track of the different places they were disseminating the hero groups. Too many at one inn could lead to trouble. “I can take you,” he would offer to make sure they didn’t digress.
The groups would leave as they had entered with a creak of leather and the clang of weapons. Lucy would raise an eyebrow at Justin. She hoped they weren’t quite as nuts as these groups seemed to be. Then again, they were preparing to fight rather than running in the opposite direction like any sensible person would do.
By far, the most enjoyable addition to the advisory committee was the advance guar
d sent by the Wild Woods. Joss, Maya, Taran, Justin, Tish, and Lucy were having a quick bite to eat, in between listening to Kinda’s ideas and surveying the training progress of Lerramorre’s troops when two Golden Retrievers bounded happily in. Lucy smiled at the wagging tails and bright eyes. She reached a hand to the nearest one and scratched his ear.
“A little to the left please,” he said. “It’s been a long journey, and that spot on my ear is hard to reach.”
Lucy did her best to hide her surprise and do as she was instructed.
“Welcome to Lerramorre,” said Joss pleasantly, though slightly unsure of protocol.
“You are from the Wild Woods?” asked Justin.
“We are,” confirmed the second dog.
“If it’s not rude to inquire, why send dogs?” asked Joss curiously.
“Dogs make great ambassadors and spies,” explained the first dog patiently. “If we sent a deer, it might be shot for food, a bear out of fear. Everyone loves dogs. We weren’t stopped or questioned on our way here.”
This made absolute sense to Lucy. It also made her wonder if there was a group of trained Chihuahua assassins; those dogs didn’t have much other use. The first dog sat next to Lucy and laid his head in her lap as the second dog continued.
“The chickadees brought back a message from Justin. They said Shadow Weavers are involved. We have an army of great variety coming, but you will need to tell your people not to attack us.”
“I will have the guards pass the word immediately and send riders to any hamlets between here and your army,” announced Joss.
“I can provide an escort of Elves,” added Tish.
“That would be very welcome, Elven lady,” the second dog said with a tail wag. “We can work out the details later,” he said to Joss.
“There is a meeting this afternoon,” suggested Joss.
“One of us will probably travel with the Elves, but the other one will be at your meeting.”
“Come with me and we’ll see about that escort. The Elves will love meeting you,” said Tish.
The second dog followed. The first dog smiled a doggy smile at Lucy, said, “Thanks for the scratch,” and followed as well.
“I can’t wait to see my general later today at the meeting,” said Joss. “He’s not going to be ecstatic about listening to a Golden Retriever while he tries to give us his latest ideas.”
“As long as he’s okay adding in lions, bears, wolves, badgers, lynxes, wolverines, and other animals,” said Lucy.
“I don’t care if he is or not. I think it’s wonderful. How many do you think are coming?”
“It’s hard to say. Animals or not, not all of them are warriors. Obviously, the Golden Retrievers are meant to liaise. I don’t think any of us can picture them in battle. I’m sure large animals are coming, but don’t underestimate the importance of smaller ones. A battalion of killer bees is most effective and can be sent out at night to attack the army once it’s on the move but before any major battle is joined. I’ve seen an aggressive contingent of prairie dogs sink half an army in burrows.”
“If that’s true, we should have them coordinate with Kinda,” suggested Maya.
“Good idea,” said Lucy. “I’ll stop by and tell her she may have some creative creature cooperation coming on my way to work with Dulcie.”
Lucy was curious what kinds of creatures would be included in the army. She very much enjoyed meeting the Golden Retrievers; they had brightened the day considerably. She hoped Dulcie was ready to work hard.
Chapter 35
Lucy was looking forward to her travels with Justin. It would be a relief to get away from so many people for a few days, even if she wasn’t excited about drumming up support at their destinations. She was also happy to get a chance to fly with Justin again. They hadn’t done any fun flying since their time in the Elven forests, only quick jaunts to the Elven camp and back. Before their flight, Justin left instructions for everyone and reassured those from other lands that he would return to take charge, hopefully, bringing reinforcements with him. Everyone was worried about the size and variety of visions Lucy had showed them of the Shadow Weavers’ army. Gavin was torn between wanting to go with them and enjoying his Manticore destruction plans and Kinda’s traps. Soon, they would be leaving to start setting traps in the mountains, having identified the main, and minor, passes an army could take. Some killer bees, deer flies, and prairie dogs were going with them as well as a hawk or two for surveillance. Justin and Lucy promised to fly out and join them for an overview of their plans after they finished their trip.
Justin kissed Lucy and asked, “Ready?”
“To fly? Absolutely.”
“To convince a lot of pompous people their nightmares are coming?”
“Less so.”
Justin laughed and kissed her again. Lucy took a deep breath and melted into her kestrel form. Justin transformed at the same time. They flew a parting circle around their friends and turned east towards the Ostrakans. Lucy was excited to meet them and nervous at the same time. Taran wanted to come. He would have been useful too, having more friends with the army than Justin did. However, Taran had never learned to transform, didn’t care to, and figured he would be more useful to Joss. Also, the Elves preferred one of the brothers to stay.
Lucy enjoyed soaring through the air. The movement of air currents around her felt like a gentle massage, as long as she avoided any major crosswinds. After a few silly loop-de-loops for fun, just because she could, she was ready to follow Justin. Besides the amazing feeling of flight and freedom, Lucy also enjoyed the view. Seeing the Elven contingent laid out below gave her hope that they might somehow succeed. It was a good start. She would have liked to fly over the allies from the Wild Woods as well but their route would take them north of the army before they were in sight. She would have to wait until her return to Lerramorre to see what else came with the army besides rumors.
The weather was beautiful. The perfect amount of wind in the correct direction to allow them to soar most of the way they needed to go. Lucy hoped they wouldn’t have to do much flying in the rain. She assumed being wet with feathers was miserable unless you were a duck. On the up side, she figured she could probably turn into a duck if she had to. Periodically, they would take a break and rest in a tree. By nightfall Lucy was tired and hungry. They melted back into their human forms. Lucy had never figured out how it worked, but anything she was wearing, clothes, boots, and packs included, appeared and disappeared with her as she transformed. Sometimes magic simply was. It was best to accept it, especially, when it made life more convenient rather than less so. Would it be the same if she changed rather than transformed? However it all worked, it was appreciated now. They sat comfortably with their backs against an oak tree.
“How are you holding up?” asked Justin, breaking a loaf of bread and handing her half.
“I’m tired, but not as tired as I’d be if we had walked or ridden the amount of miles we traveled today. At least my feet don’t hurt,” smiled Lucy as she wiggled her toes. “What’s the plan?”
“I didn’t bring the tent, so we either sleep here as we are or change back into birds. I brought food because I didn’t think you wanted to live on mice as we traveled.”
“Thank you. Since we don’t have horses to rest or camp to make, or take down, I think we should change into owls and put a few more miles behind us before sleeping,” suggested Lucy.
“I agree. Finish your apple and we’ll get started again. How are you doing with balance these days? I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t thought to ask until now.”
“Good. I’m honestly doing really well. I’ve been trying to maintain the inner blue light of balance that Chester helped me achieve.”
“The inner blue light of balance? I’m not sure what to do with that statement,” laughed Justin.
“I know. It sounds weird, but I don’t know another way to describe it. It probably also helps that most of the magic I’ve been doing lately
doesn’t involve killing. I’ve been helping teach Dulcie, showing people the Shadow Weavers’ army, doing other observations through water, untying the influences of Shadow Weavers and their minions, and transforming into birds. Those aren’t activities that cause mental anguish or emotional polarity. I don’t have to rationalize anything I’ve been doing with magic.”
“That makes sense. I’m glad you’ve reached that point.”
“Without the fear, I’ve been more comfortable with my magical abilities. They feel more like a part of me now rather than something I tap into. Less dichotomy, more inner peace,” explained Lucy, finishing her apple. She tried to ignore the tug of her conscience reminding her of her agreement with Wisp. That was something else she hadn’t mentioned to Justin, or anyone else for that matter. She shrugged mentally. They didn’t need to tell each other everything, did they? Perhaps she should have mentioned it to Maya. Not so much that there was an assassin after her, she knew Maya lived with that assumption on a daily basis, but that she had sent an assassin after someone else. Oh well, there wasn’t much she could do about that now.
Justin laughed and hugged her. “Okay, Miss Dichotomy, let’s fly.”
Flying at night was both similar to and very different from flying in the day. The change of birds helped. The owl’s night vision was indispensable. The temperature cooled down at night. There was a different type of moisture in the air. The air currents weren’t warmed by the sun. At the same time, the world was wonderfully exotic flying at night by the light of the moon. There was a magical feeling about it that Lucy hoped she would always appreciate. They flew a few more hours and then changed back into kestrels before falling asleep for the night. It wouldn’t do to try to sleep during the night as nocturnal animals.
After another day of flying over trees, hills, valleys, streams, and the Ondra they reached the island home of the Ostrakans. The island was created by half-blood refuges who didn’t fit in with either heritage. It was a place to be proud of talents, rather than ashamed of mixed heritage. Occasionally, that mix led to an odd assortment of appearances and talents. Lucy wondered if the purple-skinned woman with a tail was half Skelt half sprite.
Ravs Are Rarely Wrong: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol III Page 25
