by James Dale
“I do not...I do not know if I could bring down Agash Thugar,” Anna admitted, caressing the hilt of the Highsword, “but I feel it’s power growing with every step we travel closer to the Iron Tower. I will certainly do what I can.”
“What you will do,” Jack said quickly, “is stay by my side where I can keep an eye on you and our son. Yes, yes…” he nodded. “For those of you who haven’t heard yet. Anna is carrying a treasure greater than Siegebreaker. We are going to have a son.”
“Did I just hear you right, Jack?” Tarsus said, sweeping into the tent with Thonicil at his side. They both looked travel weary, and a bit thinner perhaps, but none the worse for wear considering the month they had been away since leaving Lordsisle.
“Tarsus!” Jack smiled, and hurried to embrace his friend.
“What have I missed?” the Amarian asked. “Besides supper it seems,” he added eyeing the empty plates. “Congratulations, my queen,” he smiled, engulfing the red haired Horsemaiden in his muscled arms.
“Put me down, you pirate,” she laughed. Apparently, Jack wasn’t the only one who had missed the Amarian. “We will get you some supper,” Anna said when she was back on her feet. “There is plenty left.”
“Thonicil, welcome!” Jack said, offering his hand to the Prince of Brythond. “How…how was your trip?”
“Uneventful,” Thonicil sighed. “Apparently sending the Annothians to trouble Denelad has kept them from the field as you planned.”
“We only ran into one good sized patrol all the way between Arkand and here,” Tarsus informed him. “Hardly worth mentioning. Thonicil barely even drew his pretty sword before it was all over.”
“I killed eight,” the Prince of Brythond replied.
“Like I said,” Tarsus grinned. “Hardly worth mentioning,”
“What is…a good-sized patrol?” Field Marshal Tolkaen asked, moving a piece on the map board. “To an Amarian I mean?”
“What would you say, Thonicil? Two? Three hundred?” Tarsus asked.
“Two Denegarthan companies,” the prince nodded. “More than two, less than three?”
“We charged into them riding the Val’anna with the Lords hurling blue lightning, and they scattered like sheep,” Tarsus shrugged. “Hardly worth mentioning. So…we are going to march into the Bergaweld and see who comes to face us?” The Amarian asked, surveying the map and quickly seeing the plan.
“No one seems to have thought of a better plan,” Jack said, “Since we are going to do this, Anna’s army probably needs to rest and refit before we move again. For a least a day?”
“A day should be sufficient,” Rhor’dal nodded. “Any longer and we will lose our momentum. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” King Haerold replied.
“One day then,” General Meridion nodded. “I am waiting on word from Cilandrion. He sent a messenger this morning reporting they had found grim’Hiru sign about ten leagues east. That should allow us to make changes if need be should they have any news of import.”
“An entire day without wearing armor?” Anna sighed. “That would be glorious! A bath would be heavenly as well.”
“Take her to our tent, Ailicia,” Cilidon told his daughter. “Her bath was the first thing your mother set up when we made camp.”
“My thanks,” Anna bowed graciously.
“And mine,” Jack smiled, kissing his wife on the cheek.
“Uncle,” Anna said, fixing Jack with a disapproved glare. “Do not let him move my marker to the back of the force while I freshen up. We will talk later, Jack Braedan.”
“As my queen commands,” he bowed.
“If you will excuse me Cilidon, my Lords,” Ara’fael said, “I will accompany them. I need to speak to Queen Aydera.”
Jack was probably the only one to notice Dorad shift uncomfortably.
“Of course, Lady,” the Ailfar King nodded.
“You are not really going to let your pregnant wife ride into battle, are you?” Thonicil asked when the ladies had departed.
“Are you going to stop her?” Jack sighed.
“She practically grew up in the Tower,” Rhyn Dunnahel said, defending his queen. “There has not been a company of Horsemaiden’s as well trained as hers in three hundred years. With Captain Einnael in command, she will be well protected.”
“It would have been easier if you hadn’t given her Siegebreaker back,” Morgan replied.
“Yhswyndyr said it was necessary,” Jack sighed again.
“Said?” Theros asked.
“He talks to it,” the Perigaen informed them. “Or it to him. I am not very clear on the matter.”
“About this marching our entire force straight into the Bergaweld,” Jack said, changing the subject. He really didn’t want to think about Anna at the forefront of the fighting, despite what the Highsword told him was necessary. Especially now that she carried their son. Judas Bloody Hell. Would his life ever be simple again? “What if we took, oh, I don’t know, a brigade or two maybe,” he said, moving a few pieces on the board, “and flexed them to the south…”
After war gaming the matter, Field Marshal Tolkaen, Duke Morgan and General Meridion decided a brigade of Doridanians would be the force to head south and provide a pincer for the main force. Though it would normally be a job for the cavalry, the Highland Red Wolves, Captain Braegil’s Rangers, and the 7th Longbow were chosen. The Thunderiders and Red Horse would be of more value as a spearhead along with the White Horse Knights as a shock force for anything Graith sent against them. Satisfied with the new plan, Jack exited the tent to find Dornal waiting for him.
“Your tent is just over here, my Lord,” his squire informed him. “It is not as grand as the Dragonslayer’s,” he said apologized. “But it will suffice while we are in camp.”
“Thank you Dornal,” Jack nodded. “Listen, I warned you that first day I would be, well, difficult. I hope you are not disappointed in me so far.”
“My King!” Dornal cried. “This last month has been the greatest of my life! It has been an honor to serve you. If I died tomorrow I…”
“Let’s not talk about death, Dornal,” Jack said, laying a hand on his shoulder. Despite the confidence of the war council in his plan and how well things had been going to this point, they still had to defeat the dark-King Graith. Ljmarn Bra’Adan had brought a greater force to the field than the one surrounding them, but still he had not managed to end the threat of the Bloodstone. And Yhswyndyr had not drained him every time he drew its power. “Just show me to my tent and help me out of my armor.”
“This way, my King,” Dornal bowed.
It was not far. Though the tent of the High King was smaller than the Dragonslayer’s or Cilidon’s, it was larger than he’d expected. For the last three weeks, he and Anna had been sharing a blanket, just as they had so many months ago on the Greenrun. Though they’d had a lean to, to keep the dew off them on the march from Dorshev, it had been simple shelter for troops on the march. They were encamped now. At least for a day. He had no idea how many soldiers and workers it had taken to erect the pavilions of the Whesguard Kings, or his own, but he knew full well, without the quartermaster corps, the infantry and Cavalry would never make it battle. Jack entered to find Anna sitting at a small field table, studying a similar map to the one in Theros tent. Shadow and Little Star were curled up in the corner, back from their hunt. The black wolf raised his head as Jack entered, then lay back down again with a yawn.
“What are you doing, my Love?” asked Jack, unbuckling Yhswyndyr and putting it aside.
“Just having a look at the map,” Anna replied. “I will help him with his armor, Dornal. Go set up your tent and get some rest. It’s been a long march.”
“Yes, my queen,” his squire bowed. “Good night, sire.”
“Good night Dornal.” Jack nodded. “Sleep well. After tomorrow we are back at this again.”
“About your plan,” Anna said, rising from her chair.
“What about it?”
/> “What if we sent a force to the south in a flanking maneuver?” the queen asked, beginning to unbuckle the straps of his plate. “A thousand men perhaps…maybe with Captain Braegil’s Rangers and some archers to support them?”
“I knew there was a reason I loved you beyond your green eyes,” Jack smiled. She had basically just repeated back the plan he’d given to the war council, including the units to comprise it.
“Would you…would you care to show me how much you love me?” His wife asked quietly. They had not been truly alone since leaving Dorshev.
“You just bathed,” Jack grinned.
“I can have another,” his wife smiled in replied.
“We will be close by, Great Lion,” Shadow beamed as he and Little Star rose from their place in the corner and left the tent.
“If you are not too tired,” Jack replied.
“Your queen commands it,” Anna whispered.
Later, Shadow and Star slipped quietly back into the tent. Anna was sleeping, her head resting on his shoulder. “Shadow, you said Long Tooth taught you how to walk the Wolf Dream?” asked Jack.
“He did, Great Lion,” the wolf replied.
“Walk with me,” Jack said. He knew Sun Tzu’s Art of War as well as any warrior. He knew the ancient tactician and philosopher advised you keep your plans from your enemy. But the Chinese general also said “If your enemy is temperamental, seek to irritate him.” Graith was not so much temperamental, as he was flaming insane. The attack on Norgarth and Denegarth hadn’t seemed to anger dark-King into rash action. He meant to goad him further.
“Watch Fire Mane,” Shadow instructed his mate.
“Be safe,” Little Star said, laying down at Anna’s feet.
Jack closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Jack and Shadow stepped into the Land of Dreams. He and the wolf were standing on the balcony overlooking the dark alter to the Sa’tan. Its fire had been rekindled, Jack saw sadly. All his effort had been wasted, it seemed. Graith had repaired the damage he had done to Agash Thugar. Braedan hoped he had spent much of his power repairing the Iron Tower, but he doubted in his heart it had cost the Bloodstone’s wielder much time or effort. It would not be long before he quenched the unholy fire once and for all.
“What are we doing here, Great Lion?” Shadow asked. “Red Slayer can no longer walk in the Dream world. You cannot fight him here.”
“I am not here to fight him,” Jack replied. “I am here to taunt him. I am not as strong as Red Slayer.” He admitted. “Not yet. I need him do something foolish. To make mistakes before I face him.”
“Then do it swiftly, Great Lion,” Shadow whimpered. “I am not as brave as Long Tooth Shadow Hunter. I…I fear the Red Slayer’s den. Even in the Wolf Dream.”
“There is no shame in fear,” Jack said, laying a hand on the wolf’s strong back. “I fear him as well.”
“Then do what you came to do and let us leave this place,” the wolf replied. “It smells of death.”
Shadow was right. It smelled of death. He set about his task.
“Graith,” Jack said. “I know you can hear me.” Even though he had barred the dark-King from re-entering in the Land of Dreams, he could feel his rage immediately. The Iron Tower seemed to writhe and shake with it. “I am coming.” Jack continued.
“Appear strong if you are weak,” Sun Tzu said. Graith had possessed the Bloodstone for eight centuries. He’d held Sunheart barely three months and it drained him every time he used it. “I am gathering a storm. A storm that will wipe you from the face of the earthe. But…even now I will give you terms, Son of Halbar.”
Sun Tzu also said. “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” Graith had already tried the same tactic on him, when he offered his own terms the day Jack had drawn Yhswyndyr. It hadn’t worked. But then, Braedan was not an insane monster and a liar. Not yet anyway. “Lay down the Bloodstone and we will have peace,” Jack offered. “You can have peace. Put it aside. It will be difficult, I know. Sunheart…has shown me. You can still, even now, lay down your burden.”
It was time.
“If you do not,” Braedan continued. “You will meet the same fate as your master. He whimpered in fear as I sealed his tomb. I did that.”
“I repaired the Word of Yh’Adan so the Sa’tan can never again trouble the earthe!” Jack shouted. “I did that! His cries were weak and pitiful. He begged me! Pleaded with me! And I laughed. Lay down the Bloodstone and I will spare your life! If you do not…I will drag you down to Ul’gogrond and seal you in with him! You will grovel and beg to me on your knees as he did! And I will laugh!”
That did the trick. The Iron Tower shook as if in the throes of an earthquake.
“Great Lion?” Shadow whimpered.
“Come, wolf-brother,” Jack said, laying a comforting hand on the wolf. “We are done here.”
“Jack! Wake up!” Anna pleaded.
His eyes snapped open as Dornal opened the flap of their tent and light flooded in. “Did you feel that?” the squire cried with alarm.
“Oh, Jack,” his wife sighed, seeing his face. “What have you done now?”
He reached for Sunheart and healed himself instantly. “What was needed,” he replied simply. Rising from their bed, Braedan strapped on Yhswyndyr and headed outside. The camp was a stir with panic. Jack followed their horrified looks to the east. On the edge of the horizon, outlined by the rising sun, red clouds boiled. Lightning flashed in the distance. Mount Sheol, the volcano formed when the Bloodstone had been vomited back to the earthe, had erupted in answer to Graith’s rage.
“What have you done now, Jack Braedan?” Lady Ara’fael said accusingly, echoing Anna’s question as she emerged from the Ailfar tent nearby. She was followed closely by Cilidon with Grim-blade drawn, and Queen Aydera with her own, slim Ailfar saber.
“I asked him to come out and play,” Braedan informed the Spellweaver. “He will not sit behind his walls and wait for us now.”
“No,” she muttered, looking to the east. “He is coming. And he is bringing hell with him.”
“I am not afraid of hell, Lady,” Jack shrugged. “Or have you forgotten I have been there?”
“Tell us what you have done, Jack,” Cilidon said, sheathing Grimblade. “In Theros tent. Not out here.”
Jack nodded and headed to the pavilion of the Dragonslayer without another word.
“Do you think that was…wise?” Theros asked after Jack related his visit to Agash Thugar.
“At least he didn’t threaten to shove the Bloodstone up Graith’s ass,” Tarsus grinned. “Again.”
“No, he threatened to do much worse,” Ara’fael snorted.
“He will not wait behind his walls,” Jack repeated. “But he is not ready to face us. Not yet. If he was, he would have been waiting here in Tanaevar to meet us. General Sun Tzu, ‘Balk the enemy’s power. Force him to reveal himself.’”
“I would like to meet this Sun Tzu,” Field Marshal Tolkaen said.
“You missed that chance by two thousand years, I’m afraid,” Jack replied. “Our plan remains the same,” he continued grimly. “We will march into the Bergaweld and meet whatever force Graith has mustered. We send a brigade to the south to attack their flank when we fix them. We watch the north for the Kadinar. I told Graith I am gathering a storm. The storm is here. It moves east tomorrow at dawn. Questions?”
“He may not be as strong as he wishes,” Field Marshal Tolkaen remarked. “But neither are we.”
“No, we are not Jhai'ar,” Jack admitted. “Another man once said, ‘You go to war with the army you have, not the army you wish you had.’ We are not as strong as we would like. Next spring, we could have brought twice this number to the field. But by next spring Graith could have been outside the walls of Brydium. Or Dorshev. We agreed to this months ago. You had your chance to stop me before I had Yhswyndyr.”
Ara’fael muttered darkly at the statement and the High Lord Perigaen raised a curious brow.
<
br /> “That didn’t come out as I intended,” Jack sighed, seeing their reaction. “I apologize.”
“Amar will go with you tomorrow, Jack,” Tarsus informed him, waving aside his apology. “I always expected to die in the Bergaweld. I’ve been putting it off for twenty years. Best to do it while I still have strength left.”
“Doridan will follow their queen,” Anna added, taking his hand. “Their queen will follow her husband into hell if he goes there.”
“The Staffclave has been preparing for this the battle for centuries,” Perigaen added. “Some-times badly perhaps, but still…we will follow you.”
As the rest of the Whesguard vowed to follow him, an Ailfar messenger arrived announcing Cilandrion had returned. And with a prisoner! The council followed the Ailfar outside to find a large crowd gathered. Two Ailfar held the prisoner kneeling down before them, bound with stout ropes and with a sack on his head. It was plain for all to see the prisoner was grim’Hiru.
“Welcome to Tanaevar, High King. I have brought you a gift,” Cilandrion informed Jack. The Ailfar reached down and removed the prisoner’s hood. “We came upon the beast-men last night. This one threw down his weapons and begged mercy. In all my long years I had never seen such a thing. I thought it…interesting, so he was spared.”
“Holy Yh’Adan!” Tarsus said quietly.
“Hello Bkormar,” Jack smiled.
“You…you know this thing?” King Rhor’dal asked.
“We be old friends,” Jack nodded. When he had been captured in the Bergaweld, Bkormar the Black had been fierce and cruel and arrogant. He had been the epitome of his entire, cursed race. Braeden actually felt sorry for the miserable creature kneeling him now. In the midst of the entire Whesguard army, this grim’Hiru was bedraggled and terrified. “I expected them to kill you after we escaped. Looks like they put out to scout the Bloody Plains instead.”
Bkormar’s eyes widened with shock when he recognized his one-time prize from so long ago, standing before him now as his captor. Again. “Mercy,” the grim’Hiru pleaded pitifully.
Several of the soldiers gathered around began to mutter angrily. Mercy? To a Beast-man? Jack raised a hand and the angry conversation ceased instantly. “Why should I show you mercy, Bkormar the Black?” Braedan asked, drawing Yhswyndyr. Fire licked down the edges of the High-sword.
