“What do you need the charmcaster for?” Crystal asked.
“We need any competent man we can get” Wayne said. “John’s charmcaster can take a bunch on untrained men and have them ready to kill inside of a week and marching. With him we can slowly start exploiting the enemy until their defense starts showing holes. My army commanders could then start using those weaknesses to our advantage and have them on the run.”
“I see,” Crystal said. “Are you considering him?”
“You give me a name then,” Wayne said. “Pick whoever you want.”
“Do you need me to come back Your Majesties?” Kimberly asked.
“Kimberly I am going to turn Victory, the Cliffs and the Glades into five different lands if I am successful at repelling the invaders” Wayne said. “I need someone competent to hold the border with Balen, they are a poor kingdom with nothing to do except make babies and they will always conduct raids along the border. If your son wanted his lands to stay intact he should have fought as hard as John’s charmcaster did.”
“There was no way he could do that” Crystal said. “The mountain people had an okay relationship with John because he married one of them. They loved his first son because he was one of them and gave them weapons to fight off Balen with. They never would have accepted Davin no matter what he did.”
“Does that matter?” Wayne asked. “The Balen are still in our lands and they do not care about our politics. We need someone that will take over whatever this new land will be called and hold it against all enemies. Retreat means they will be stripped of their title and them along with their family will be left coinless. The same thing for whoever is going to be in charge of the lands up against the Voxians. I will let my nobles know it can be their sons or daughters if they go to the teeth of our army and hold off then push back the Voxian-Balen coalition. None of them will though, they have been getting slaughtered at a rate of three or four to one and have had the arrogance knocked out of them. We are going to get real fighters to take over and there are only a few with noble blood that I think could do the job.”
“And you think Rell is one of them?” Kimberly asked.
“The charmcaster has proven competent no matter what I think about his kind,” Wayne said. “He is a step above other charmcasters and will be happy to finally become a landed noble again.”
“Who would take the other one?” Crystal asked.
“Don’t know,” Wayne said. “Perhaps I will send all of our charmcasters there along with a mage to lead them all. I was thinking about putting some perks in for whatever mage decides to live near either of our borders.”
“You are serious about taking their lands away” Kimberly said.
“Kimberly do you like either of your sons chances in battle if I tell them to lead the way?” Wayne asked.
“No,” Kimberly replied.
“Well if your daughter will be willing she could become that noble” Wayne said. “I am not opposed to having a female leader. I was thinking Baron, what do you think Crystal?”
“That is too high for many of them no matter how great they may be” Crystal said. “How about a knighthood. Anything will do, just as long as the title is not too great and is not hereditary. Especially since we all know the charmcaster has to be the person up against the Balenians.”
“That is all we wanted you for Kimberly,” Wayne said. “Officially anyway. I know you have been worried about Ashlyn and the rest of your family. It might not be a bad idea to have Svend and Davin both follow the charmcaster to help take back their lands. It would help out their image with the commoners and I doubt any would mind living in the lands owned by them.”
CHAPTER 15
Rell had done exactly what he wanted and wondered what his next move was going to be. He would probably go up into the mountains and spend time with tribe Nevis as just another person. That sounded good Rell thought and whenever he got bored he would just leave. What he wouldn’t do is work himself anywhere near as hard as he was with the staves, he would enjoy being any other man until the next adventure found him. Rell knew he would have to make some staves though, most of the ones he had he let the people he saved travel with them. They would be able to sell them to the king or whoever for the war effort and find somewhere to settle down. Rell was happy he discovered Robert Martin during the trip. The man was an ass and Rell did not even realize he came to Rellik’s Rest to seek shelter. When Rell discovered him he was happy he had someone to hand Ashlyn off to. He and his family would keep her safe. Rell hadn’t seen any of the enemy, he was able to avoid all detection by traveling on foot. Whoever spotted him and tried to interfere with him would be in a world of pain.
Rell was sure he had killed a lot of people during the last fight. He just expended most of his high level spells early while the Balen Army was grouped up with nowhere to run. The Balenians would remember that loss. Hopefully it was enough to stop them from fighting in Rellik’s Rest. Rell didn’t believe in hope though, only skill. And he did not think Sandia knew what he was getting into. Rell put it out of his head as a scent hit his nose. It smelled like a combination of smoke and some type of perfume or something. Rell was down wind so whoever was out here with him was coming from behind him. Rell took off running then, whoever it was likely was on foot and if they had any dogs Rell could kill them before the owner came to corner him.
Rell ran into the night and the next morning, he knew it was a foot race and doubted whoever was coming had the motivation Rell had. It took Rell two days of steady moving, it took all of his skills to avoid detection from the Balenian Army in front of him and whoever was trying to capture him from behind. Rell finally reached the mountain and began climbing, he had made it his business to find out the secret passages in the mountain that would eventually lead him to where he wanted to go. Tribe Teton was overseen by Everest, Rell would past through there and give his courtesies. Perhaps he would stay for a few days, he hadn’t gotten much sleep due to whoever was after him and needed to recharge. Rell was climbing and moving in the mountains only for a few hours before he was spotted.
“Rellik?” came a female voice from somewhere above him.
“Thank the mountain” Rell said looking up. “Someone is after me, I don’t know who or how many there are.”
“We have been on the lookout for you,” the female voice said. “Strap this around you and we will pull you up.”
Rell looked up as a rope attached to a harness fell from above. Rell still couldn’t see the speaker but strapped himself in and gave a tug on the rope. Rell knew he was heavy since he had a breastplate, a shield and three staves with him. Whoever was up top though pulled him up easily and when Rell reached the top he could see why. There were twenty hardened mountain men and women up there, they all wore skins and each one of them had a stave that came from one of the charmcasters in Summit. Rell looked at all of them and could tell they were expecting a fight.
“Why are there so many of you here?” Rell asked.
“The Balenians have attacked us” a woman said as she stepped forward. She had long black hair like most of the mountain tribes and Rell thought she could be called pretty. “They are content to stay in Rellik’s Rest for now.”
“What about tribe Lazuli?” Rell asked. “Their leader Sandia said that he was going to protect the mountain.”
“Lazuli could not hold them off" the woman said. “Balen looted Rellik's Rest almost immediately after you left. The Lazuli had to flee once their staves were expended. The Balenians flowed into the city as Lazuli fled. Lazuli did not lose many people and were able to bring most of the things with them as they fled. Most of what was lost was food.”
“Well it is no business of mine” Rell said. “I am on my way to tribe Nevis, I never said it but I am done with being in any council or being worked to death. I plan on relaxing and taking it easy.”
“The mountain needs you,” the woman said.
“Someone always needs me,” Rell said. “Needs me
to overwork myself while they sit in relative peace because they know I will get the job done. I don’t plan on going to Summit for any reason, I only plan on enjoying myself.”
“I need to report this,” the woman said.
“Rila someone is approaching the mountain” a deep voice said as everyone stooped low to the ground.
“The people that are following you,” the woman Rell guessed was named Rila said. “How many are there Ural?”
“At least twenty,” the deep voice Rell guessed belonged to whoever was Ural replied. “All of them are carrying staves.”
“Is it Balenians?” Rila asked.
“I can't tell from this distance” Ural replied. “I can barely make out the staves.”
“Let them come" Rell said. “Whoever it is has to be adept at tracking and do not mind moving fast. I was pushed to my limit to make it here, they have to be tired as well. If they come to attack all of you are fresh and we have the high ground.”
Rell still couldn't see anyone but got low with the rest of them. A few hours went by and Rell could hear some movement from below. Whoever was after him moved faster than Rell thought. Rila put her hands to her mouth and started speaking.
“Halt" Rila said. “Identify yourself or die, you will not get another chance.”
“Is that a woman?” came a male voice from somewhere below.
“Yes now identify yourself,” Rila said. “I don't mind crossing staves with anyone of you.”
“We are looking for Rell Duncan,” said the voice. “We tracked him this way.”
“Never heard of him, now leave outsider,” Rila said.
“I am under orders from our king,” the voice said.
“The mountains have no king" Rila replied.
“I am going to search this entire mountain until I find him,” said the voice. “If I fail in this mission then I might as well kill myself. There will be no mercy from the King.”
“This is Rell Duncan,” Rell said. “Now state your business. You have chased me here but I am safe now. Threaten me if you want. I have the mountain on my side.”
“Rell Duncan, I have a missive from the King for you,” the man said.
“Leave it and go away then,” Rell replied.
“I am supposed to watch you read it" the voice said. “The king wants to know you got his message and I am supposed to answer any questions you have.”
“If you know what is in your message then tell me,” Rell said.
“The king wants your help to fight the Voxians” the voice said.
“Not interested” Rell replied. “Now off with you.”
“The King is offering you a title” the voice said.
“Now I know you are lying” Rell said. “I was removed by the king. Go away before you get yourself and your men killed.”
“It is not a jest,” the voice said. “Now come with us.”
“Not happening,” Rell said. “You have given your message, now go away.”
“You would give up a title?” the voice said.
“Yes, now leave” Rell said.
“You have your answer” Rila said. “Now go away or fight.”
“Lord Duncan this is Knight Jett, do you know who I am?” came a female voice.
“The only female knight?” Rell asked. “Yeah I heard of you.”
“Her Majesty sent me personally to find you,” Knight Jett said. “Your sister is safe and your brothers both still live. A knight's honor is worth something. What my messenger has told you is true. His and Her Majesty is offering anyone who proves themselves in fighting the enemy a chance to get their own title and hand-picked you as one of them provided we can push the Voxians and the Balenians out.”
“I would be replaced on a whim,” Rell said. “I am not interested.”
“His Majesty is not going to be happy” Knight Jett said. “If I need to contact you again, how would I do this?”
“Come here,” Rell replied. “Your message will be delivered.”
“They are offering you your old position back,” Rila said. “You should go back to being the lord of this land. It was the only time I remember real excitement in the mountain and the infighting all stopped.”
“The King must be desperate” Rell replied. “He found out that having a charmcaster for a ruler is better than having the land in enemy hands. I don't want the job anymore.”
Rell spent the rest of the day hiking and getting little rest. Everest was not in tribe Teton, but instead was in Summit. Rell only stayed a day before moving on to Nevis. He felt welcomed once he reached tribe Nevis, he had visited when he was a boy and was the tribe his mother was from. The people there were happy to see him, they wanted to accompany him to Summit and were surprised when he told them that he was not going. Messengers were sent to notify the council of his arrival. Rell sent his own message that he was done with the council and was in the mountain as a member of tribe Nevis. He wasn't surprised when many messages started pouring in requesting his presence. Rell ignored them all but he couldn't ignore Denali when Rell's mentor came down to see him.
“Not going?” Denali asked as he walked into his home and found Rell huddled around a fire.
“Nope,” Rell replied. “I am done with all of the hard work. When the council wanted my sister put out to be abused, I was done with it. Sandia went out of his way to ensure we were attacked as we left.”
“Sandia is being replaced,” Denali said. “You will not have to worry about him anymore.”
“I don't have to worry about him now,” Rell said. “I am happy where I am.”
“I told the council as much,” Denali said. “We couldn't go against a council member Rellik.”
“Not my problem anymore,” Rell said.
“Is there anything that can be done for your help?” Denali asked.
“I am only worried about tribe Nevis” Rell began. “The rest can lookout for themselves or have the Lazuli protect them. I don’t care if Sandia is off the council or not anymore. Let him stay on if you want. My loyalty is to tribe Nevis and tribe Nevis only.”
“I will relay your message” Denali said. “You are just as fierce as your mother ever was. She would be proud of you for leaving the outsiders and rejoining the mountain.”
CHAPTER 16
“Rell,” a female voice said.
“Ashlyn?” Rell said surprised. “What are you doing here? How did you get here?”
“The king and the council sent me,” Ashlyn said.
“What?” Rell said surprised. “How did you even get here?”
“The King sent me to find you and Rainier found me and my entourage.”
“Entourage?” Rell said confused.
“I had a group that tracked you here before lead me to the mountain,” Ashlyn said. “They told me that you refuse to help the kingdom because you don't trust the King.”
“I don't,” Rell said. “Even if what that knight told me was true, I would be replaced immediately after the war. It's not worth it to me. I am safe up here in the mountain and I don’t work hard at all.”
“Rainier told me you refuse to help out the mountain,” Ashlyn said.
“I belong to tribe Nevis, we are in no danger of being overwhelmed and we train everyday" Rell said. “They followed that idiot Sandia and they can keep following him. I haven't even kept up with the war. Since you are here I am guessing things are not going too well.”
“The Voxians are content with the land they have taken,” Ashlyn began. “They aren't trying to fight anymore. They have even started sending people across the border who do not wish to be Voxians. The Balenians are happy with the Cliffs but they have been trying to feel out the mountain tribes and are looking for a weak spot. The mountain tribes are not doing as well as you think. The Balenians have already settled and have been trying to mine the Cliffs.”
“Still not my problem,” Rell said. “I never trusted the Balenians, they have a lot of poor people and are desperate for more land. Once the se
cret of the mountains get out I expect this place to be crawling with outsiders.”
“Then it is your problem,” Ashlyn said.
“Not really,” Rell said. “Tribe Nevis is very difficult to assault and everyone here owns at least three staves. “We would lay waste to anyone who tries to come up here. I am just amazed that they let you in here. Tribe Nevis is decently rich compared to some of the others.”
“I have seen the ruby staves laced with gold” Ashlyn said. “I was also sworn to secrecy and the only reason I am here is because they know you trust me. “The other tribes want you to take the King’s offer, they are stuck on the mountain and want things to go back the way they were.”
“That still has nothing to do with me” Rell said.
“Listen to him,” Denali said. “The other tribes were at one time in agreement with tribe Lazuli. It was like I said, the council is dead. We are going back to every tribe for themselves. Tribe Nevis will always survive. Our relationship with tribe Teton is the only ally we really need.”
“The king has offered me my own title Rell,” Ashlyn said. “I came to ask you for your help. I have no idea what I am doing and I know if it wasn't for our relationship I wouldn't have this chance.”
“So the King sent you to me,” Rell said.
“He is desperate Rell,” Ashlyn said. “Svend and Davin are desperate as well. They have no way to make money. I have lost my standing as well, my dowry can’t be much.”
“Svend and Davin can stand on their own,” Rell said. “I am only here to help you out.”
“You will help me?” Ashlyn asked with hope in her voice.
“I will" Rell said. “But things will not go back the way they were. I am tired of people in power playing games with me. I am helping you and only you out.”
“You are needed here” Denali said. “The Balenians are many and we are few.”
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