by James Dale
“They will be ready to depart as soon as you given the command, High King,“ Morgan assured him.
The Lady Ara’fael also announced she had received word from Cilidon. Fifteen thousand warriors of Ail’itharain were on the move, and were already just north of the Great South Road. Five thousand more were following a week behind them. It was the largest army of Ailfar to take the field since the Second War of the Stones. It would take them a week or more to cross the Midland Plains. Then it would be across the River Whesguard and on to Tanaevar. If they encountered no delays, and made the crossing of the wide, slow moving river without incident, they would likely be the first of the Whesguard forces to reach the Hills of Amar.
“Cilidon has a request for you to consider, King Jack,” the Ailfar informed him “He would like to begin sending scouting patrols to the edge of the Bergaweld once Tanaevar had been secured.”
“To scout only,” Jack agreed after thinking it over quickly. “Tell him to take all precautions. I do not want him to engage Graith’s forces alone. Even with Grimblade. And he should send word immediately if they spot any of the dark-King’s armies on the move.”
“Of course,” Ara’fael nodded.
Other than a report from the Rangers they had completed a thorough sweep of the tunnels and sewers beneath Dorshev and had found no other sign of the Fallen, the remainder of dinner was spent in conversation with little to do with the coming war. All agreed this summer had been a mild one, and Morgan assured him with the recent rains, the harvest this fall would be one of the best in recent memory. Even with a large portion of the granaries emptied to supply the army on its march east, the people of Doridan would want for nothing over the winter and coming spring. With talk of grains and food stores, Ailicia yawned and excused herself before dessert was served, claiming weariness. Dorad soon begged to take his leave as well, offering a lame excuse of needing to “go over” some matter of tactics with an officer of the Queens Lancers.
“I’ve been trying to absorb as much as I can, as quickly as I can,” he said, kissing his sister on the cheek. “But I still have a lot of catching up to do if I am going to be of any value to the Ivory Throne.”
If he suspected Anna…or anyone else at the table did not see through his reason for leaving the table, Dorad gave no sign of it.
“He knows to behave himself, Lady Ara’fael,” Morgan assured her when she gave him a stern look as he departed.
“Behave himself?” Arrinor asked, wondering at the remark, then understanding slowly dawned on him. “Wait… you do not mean…Ally and…”
“If you were not so consumed with pining over your silver haired mermaid every waking hour,” Ara’fael muttered, “you would have realized you aren’t the only An’Mera to fall under loves’ spell.”
“Well now,” Arri grinned. “Isn’t that something? Have you told father and mother yet?”
“After your engagement to Elua,” the Ailfar Spellweaver replied. “I thought it would be wise to broach this latest…development with Aydera in person.”
“I think that calls for a drink, nonetheless,” Arri smiled, reaching for a bottle to refill his cup.
“I think,” Anna replied, taking it from his hand. “That we have all had enough wine for the evening. I for one, would like to watch the Lords emplace their Word on the palace. Would you care to join me, my husband?”
“I would like to see that as well,” Morgan nodded. “It has been many years since I have watched a Lord of the Staffclave work their arts. If I may join you, my queen?”
“Of course, uncle,” she nodded. “Lady Ara’fael. Prince Arrinor. I bid thee good night.”
“Please, call me Arri,” the Ailfar smiled. “We are practically family after all.”
If looks could kill, the Ailfar Spellweaver would have struck him dead on the spot.
Jack, Anna and Morgan, followed by a half dozen Lions lead by Erlwin Val’Durn and another squad of Horsemaidens led by First Lancer Dhrunnhar were soon at the palace walls watching Lord Dhoran work his staff along the palace gate and the surrounding stone. To Jack, who had seen a similar Word of Protection accomplished by Cil’lena in the caverns of Aelin’ Gil, the intricate web of blue light the Lord wove about the palace gate and walls was a familiar sight. To Anna and Morgan however, it was a wondrous thing to behold. Farther along the wall to the south, Lord Shaeron could be seen doing the same. To the north, High Lord Perigaen was also emplacing the Word. Other Lords were no doubt doing the same along other parts of the palace walls. They were not the only ones gathered to watch the Staffclave work. A large crowd of curious servants and soldiers and many others had come to see the spectacle. Among them was Kaiddra, who had come to watch Dhoran at his work.
“Lady Kaiddra,” Anna nodded, seeing the former pirate. “Have you worked out the terms on your other offer?”
“I have indeed, Queen Anna,” Kaiddra smiled, showing off a large sapphire ring on her hand. “I have agreed to not take our offer to be a captain in the Doridanian navy and Dhoran has agreed to stop talking about shipping me back to Lordsisle to shield me from harm. Who else would watch his back while he does…what he does?” she asked, laying a hand on her cavalry saber.
“A man needs a strong woman at his side,” Anna agreed, patting Jack’s arm. “Especially when he has a propensity for attracting mischief.”
“You seem to some talent in that area yourself, my queen,” Kaiddra remarked. “And for escaping it. If only we had met each other sooner, I would have recruited you to the Huntress. Together we would have been the terror of the high seas.”
“I like you Kaiddra de’Caerl,” Anna smiled. “I see now why my husband is so terrified of we two spending time together.”
“It appears I am much too late to prevent that ship from sailing,” Jack sighed.
“Perhaps Gwen should join their merry band, King Jack?” Kirk Vanar suggested with a quiet laugh from behind him. “Together they would make a formidable trio. We could just sit this out. Sit under a shade tree and smoke our pipes, maybe?”
“I think it is an excellent idea, Captain Vanar,” Anna smiled, turning to look at the Lion. “Please see if the Lady de’Araban is available for dinner tomorrow evening.”
It wasn’t a request.
Jack pretended to be horrified by the thought, but in truth, he could not recall a time in his life when he was happier. Even given the present circumstances. The woman he loved more than life itself was at his side, and he was surrounded by some of the finest, bravest, most loyal friends he’d ever known. That he had to cross dimensions to find them hardly crossed his mind any more. All he had to do to make his life pretty much perfect was to take a magik god sword and go fight a mad, half-demon, monster who’d had his own powerful, magik sword for centuries longer and had once almost conquered the earthe with it.
“Jack, is something wrong?” Anna asked him, with concern. “You look troubled suddenly.”
“Anna, my queen,” he said, kissing her cheek. “I have never been happier. Kaiddra, we will look for you and Dhoran tomorrow. Kirk, when you have escorted us back to our suite, go tell Gwen she is expected at the palace for dinner. You will probably have to buy her a new dress, of course, but the fault is yours. You brought it up.”
“Yes, King Jack,” he nodded glumly. Obviously, the captain of the Golden Lion’s had not considered the possible consequences before opening his mouth.
With the Staffclave’s Word protecting the walls of Ellgereth Palace and no other threats materializing, the next morning Jack rethought his plan on moving Anna. Even if he could find a more secure location, if there were indeed still watchers in the city, they would soon ferret out any place he chose by simply noting the necessary comings and goings of the myriad visitors needed to continue the planning of their march. When King Rhor’dal Bra’hel of Caladin and King Haerold Yahndir of Amorhad arrived in Dorshev and swore oaths to the new High King, he finally abandoned the idea entirely. With the addition of two more monarchs to
involve in the war council, the logistics of maintaining a secret location and still planning a war became virtually impossible.
Jack instantly took a liking to the pair of plain of spoken, down to earthe north men and welcomed them gladly into their daily meetings. They were quick witted, personable and brought a wealth of experience killing grim’Hiru from the almost frequent battles with the beast-men who inhabited the mountains to their north. King Rhor’dal had a sharp eye for tactics and spotting the smallest flaw in any plan, and King Haerold possessed common sense and soft manner, despite his fierce appearance. He could quickly defuse even the most delicate of matters. Their input was invaluable and with their help, Morgan quickly incorporated their six thousand, ax wielding, and battle hardened Caladani and Amorhadi soldiers into Doridan’s ranks. When the new Duke of Raashan, Sir Gain Ellgereth, rode into the capital the after day with two thousand, scarlet clad Raashani who had survived his purge of Kiathan’s former legion, they were added to Doridan’s forces, and the encampment surrounding Dorshev swelled to numbers not seen in eight hundred years.
There was finally news from Tarsus and Thonicil, delivered by High Lord Perigaen himself. Their three ships had reached the coast ahead of schedule thanks to the help of the Staffclave, and they were a day into their journey up the Ellsentinnia River. Then it would be on to the River Argarath and the Ruins of Arkand, where they would disembark and begin their ride through the Southran Plains. If all went well, they would link up with the Galekindar before moving on to Tanaevar. Though that part of Jack’s plan seemed to be going well, they still had many leagues left to travel and many of them on the border of Denelad. If Graith somehow discovered the King of Amar and the Prince of Brythond were riding so close to a land under his sway, with so small a band with them, it could still come to ruin. Once again, Jack lamented the unfortunate circumstance which had forced him send his two friends, not to mention two such valuable leaders, so far from his side. He could only pray overestimating the limits to Lady Ara’fael’s power and his own lack of foresight to bring either Cilandrion or A’randrial with him to Lordsisle would not spell doom for Tarsus and Thonicil.
His mood was brightened by Perigaen. The High Lord relayed news from Lord Eirique the Annothian fleet was halfway to Norgarth. By the time Doridan’s forces were on the move, they would be almost be within sight of the Gulf or Nor. Kaerl would strike the first blow in this war, and Jack prayed the destruction of Norgarth would force Graith to move prematurely and into some mistake in his haste to seek revenge. The thing troubling him most as the day neared for Doridan to begin its march east, was the eerily quiet border between Brydium and Kadin. It was the single biggest unknown factor in his plan. Depending on Maadim Khalmyia to broker a peace between the Whesguard and an ancient, eastern foe based on a signet ring and a Blood Debt for one life, even the life of the Great Kahn’s son, had been a huge gamble. He was still surprised Theros had allowed him to try it. If Kadin rebuffed his offer of alliance, Brydium would suffer for it. At best Brythond and the Dragonslayer could be removed from the field as they attempted to fight their way south. At worst, their exposed northern flank could be attacked by thousands of desert hardened, Kadinar warriors as they made their way to Grethor. If that calamity ensued, his hastily planned war could very well be over before he could get Yhswyndyr to the Iron Tower.
Unless he burned the world down around him.
Though his plans seemed to be going well at the moment, Jack went to bed that night with a troubled mind. The Staffclave, though formidable, were barely half the number that had faced Graith in the first war. He was still at a loss to explain why using Yhswyndyr drained his strength when had never seemed to have done the same to Ljmarn. The Ailfar had left only a token force to guard Goldenbrier. Trusting in him completely, Theros had left Brythond protected only by its stout walls, young boys and old Legionnaires long retired. There had to be something more they could do? As he drifted off to sleep with Anna snuggled against him, visions of impending doom filled his head.
As the morning was just breaking, Jack bolted upright, threw off the bed covers, and climbing out of bed began to hastily dress. “My love?” Anna said waking with alarm. “Is something wrong?” Though they had returned to their own chambers and had slept uninterrupted since the Word of Protection had been put in place, the queen remained on guard and would awaken at the slightest noise.
“Wrong? No, Anna,” he laughed, pausing long enough to kiss his wife. “I have something I need to do.”
“What could you possibly have to do this early in the morning?” she asked, looking at him curiously. “It’s barely sunrise.”
“It’s a surprise my love,” he smiled, pulling on his shirt and buckling Yhswyndyr around his waist.
“If it isn’t breakfast in bed,” she informed him, pulling the covers back around her, “you can give it to me later. I’d like another hour of sleep.”
“Be back in a bit,” he promised, and hurried from their suite. “Take me to Duke Morgan at once,” he informed the sergeant in charge of the detail outside their door.
“High King,” the Horsemaiden bowed, hearing the urgency in his voice.
Leaving four hard women behind to guard the queen, the Horsemaiden and another guard quickly escorted him to Morgan’s quarters. The hour was indeed still early and they had to pound on the duke’s door to wake him. Morgan answered their persistent knock with bleary eyed alarm, and Jack stepped into his room without waiting for an invitation.
“You…you can do this?” Morgan asked, eyes wide with wonder when Jack described to him the dream that had roused him from sleep.
“I can,” Jack nodded. “I am certain of it. Yhswyndyr is at any rate, and that is the same thing.”
“Guard!” Morgan shouted, summoning the sergeant. “Take the High King to the smithy at once. Awake the Chief Armorer. I’ll dress and meet you there as quickly as I can.”
Jack almost sprinted to the palace armory, his escort struggling to keep up. More pounding awoke Master Smith Jaerol who had a stinging rebuke on his lips until he saw it was the High King. He stood there confused for a moment as Braedan described all the he required the smith to ready.
“Now, good sir!” Jack commanded, when the man looked at him as if he’d lost his senses.
“Yes High King,” he bowed and hurried to his task, despite his confusion.
Morgan arrived a few minutes later and was escorted in by the Master Smith’s apprentice. The duke held a silk wrapped burden in his hands as if he carried a sleeping infant.
“Put it there,” Jack informed him, drawing Yhswyndyr.
Morgan unwrapped the silk, revealing the hilt and broken blade of the Highsword Siege- breaker. The Master Smith and his apprentice looked on with awe as the Duke of Dorshev laid the pieces on the long, stone work bench. A slow smile spread across Jaerol’s face as realization dawned on him what the High King meant to attempt.
“Put the pieces closely together,” Jack said, as he began drawing the power of Sunheart into him. “You will have to guide me Master Smith, I am no sword wright. You might want to shield your eyes, Morgan.”
“Is it done?” Morgan asked, much later.
“I guess we won’t know until it is drawn,” Jack sighed. “But I did everything Yhswyndyr told me. Polish it when it cools Master Smith, but take care not to touch it with your bare flesh.”
“Of course, High King,” Jaerol whispered, gazing in amazement at what Jack had done.
Jack returned to his suite an hour later, exhausted and shaking. Anna was in her dressing room, humming softly as she and one of her handmaidens selected her clothing for the day. He went quickly to the bathroom, drew water in the sink, and splashed his face, washing away the gray in his hair before his wife could see.
“Where have you been Jack?” she asked, peeking in. “You’re covered in sweat. Draw yourself a bath and then we’ll go get breakfast.”
“Yes my queen,” Jack replied with a pleased smile. He may have
just tipped the balance in this war.
As the eighth day dawned since arriving back in Dorshev, the High King’s Hammer returned from Immer, their furlough complete, and no further excuse for delay remained. There were nearly thirty-five thousand troops encamped around the city. To wait any longer would soon begin to strain even the most cunning commander’s ability to keep so many warriors from mischief. With the help of his new squire, Dornael Mand, Jack donned his blue armor, and strapped on Yhswyndyr. He helped Anna outfit herself in her own white and gold armor, and escorted by Borg Cassaban and Captains Einnael and Ardel d’Kenna, the pair made their way to the palace wall where the Golden Lions of Thonbor, the High King’s Hammer and one hundred Horsemaidens awaited them.
There were nearly a hundred Lions now, all mounted on Val’anna and outfitted for war. Most of them were Doridanian but several young men had made their way from Brythond during the last two months as word had spread the new Swordmaster and Claimant to the throne of Immer was seeking recruits. Most of those were young noblemen of the realm, but several had the look of seasoned veterans. If they had quietly deserted from the Legions of the Dragonslayer, Jack supposed he’d have to ask for their pardon from Theros when they arrived in Tanaevar. With the High King’s Hammer returned from Immer accompanied by the last of their ranks who hadn’t followed him south after the Haelfest, the three combined groups made a fearsome company. Kirk led Eaudreuil and Anna’s mount, Iraesh forward, and presented them their reigns with a bow.
Jack helped Anna mount then with the help of Dornael, he swung up into the saddle. “Are you ready, my friend?” Braedan asked the majestic roan, patting his broad neck.
