The Wizards' War

by Angela Holder

  He’d harbored a faint hope they might be so overwhelmed by the looming threat that fear would unify the usual factions in support of his request. But it wasn’t going to happen. Several of the most passionate leaders of the various groups quickly lost their stunned looks and signaled their desire to speak.

  At least Hanion carried out the Wizard Guildmaster’s traditional role of moderator efficiently. He swiftly organized those who wished to address the council.

  First to speak, predictably, was Master Nemirna, elderly guildmaster of the Butchers’ Guild. She had a contrary temperament and could be expected to ardently oppose whatever proposal the Council was considering. Sure enough, she went on a long diatribe about how irresponsible the Wizards’ Guild had been to put Tevenar in danger. Elkan grimaced, but it was as well to get those sentiments in the open right away. He was sure everyone was thinking them.

  She was countered by Master Sabanan of the Farmers’ Guild, who reminded the Council of the failure of the wheat crop the year before and the famine that had been averted only three weeks earlier with the arrival of the ships full of food from Ramunna. He praised Elkan eloquently for his role in fulfilling the bargain Master Dabiel had made before her death, and asserted his willingness to give him whatever he asked for. The guildmasters of the Cooks’ Guild and the Bakers’ Guild added their support for his position.

  Master Watcher Edniel rose and studied Elkan with a worried frown. “I don’t dispute that we must defend ourselves against the foreigners. But if I understand you correctly, the Watch will bear the brunt of the conflict, and undoubtedly suffer most of the casualties as well. I know we have more experience in the use of weapons than any other guild in Elathir, but my folk are trained to keep the peace, not to wage war. Arresting criminals is a far cry from fighting soldiers. I’m not saying we’re not willing, but please think carefully about what you ask and understand the limits of what we’ll be able to do.”

  Elkan inclined his head in acknowledgment of her point. He knew his plans demanded far too much from the Watch, but what choice did he have? The only other guild that trained its members in archery was the Hunters’ Guild, and they had only a few representatives in Elathir, with most of their membership scattered through the rural parts of Tevenar. He’d be calling them in, but until substantial numbers could arrive the Watch would have to suffice.

  Master Shofanil of the Laborers’ Guild objected to his plan to evacuate noncombatants from Elathir. “Most members of my guild have very little money to spare. Many barely scrape by on what they earn even when work is plentiful. How will they afford to go for what may be weeks without an income? What will they eat when cut off from their normal sources of food? How can they be expected to take young children from their homes with no assurance of a roof over their head at their destination? You say you want able-bodied adults to stay and fight; does that mean parents will have to send their children away with strangers?

  As the day wore on, more objections piled up. The Traders’ Guild wanted promises that its members would be compensated for use of their carts and wagons. The Messengers’ Guild expressed concerns about its members being overworked. The Sailors’ and Fishers’ Guilds worried about damage to the ships that provided their livelihood. Dozens of guilds that manufactured and sold goods—weavers, potters, knitters, carpenters, glassblowers, wheelwrights, candlemakers, and on and on—fretted about the interruption of their businesses and risk to their inventories. Everyone wanted Tevenar kept safe, but no one wanted their lives disrupted.

  After everyone had their initial say, Hanion gave Elkan permission to address their concerns. Painstakingly he worked to counter every argument and calm every fear. The choice, he reminded them over and over, was not between life as usual and chaos. The chaos was coming no matter what they decided. Their only choice was how to meet it.

  They broke for a brief midday meal, then resumed. Elkan talked until he was hoarse, and still objections kept being raised. Most of the guildmasters seemed at least tentatively willing to go along with his plans for defense, though perhaps with some modifications. He was sure Master Dabiel would have begun to steer them toward a decision already—she’d always been able to draw a consensus from even the most divided council. But Hanion kept recognizing the argumentative and fearful masters and ignoring those with calmer, more sensible voices. Was he trying to turn the council against Elkan? Surely he couldn’t be so petty as to let personal animosity prevent him from doing what was best for Tevenar. The Mother had chosen him, after all. He’d served her faithfully for many years.

  Hanion scanned the room and pointed to a far corner. “Master Daran, what’s the Bankers’ Guild’s opinion on—

  The door burst open and Josiah rushed in. “Master, sails! I was on the roof, I saw at least a dozen, and more kept appearing. The Armada is here!”

  Elkan nodded at his apprentice, trying to look appreciative of the warning. His mouth was dry and his pulse was pounding in his ears. He rose and faced the council, waving Hanion to silence when he started to speak. “The time for talk is past. I call for the defense of Tevenar to begin. Who’s with me?”

  Several guildmasters rose immediately, others more slowly, but before long nearly all of them were on their feet. Relief flooded Elkan. A few stubborn holdouts remained in their seats, but enough were standing that no one could argue there wasn’t a clear consensus.

  He turned to Hanion. “Will you put me in charge of organizing the defense?”

  The Guildmaster was canny enough to know when to give in gracefully. “Gladly, Master Elkan. You may speak for the Council and the Wizards’ Guild.”

  A murmur of assent confirmed his words. Elkan pointed. “Watch, Sailors, Fishers, Messengers, come to me for further instructions. The rest of you know what you have to do. Folk willing to fight should take whatever weapons they can find or improvise—knives, sharp or heavy tools, anything that will serve as a club—and report to the main market square. Watchers will meet them there and organize them. Evacuees should proceed out of the city by the closest road. Travel at least a day’s journey away. Guildmasters, take charge of your members. If you see a way your guild can help, don’t wait to get permission. Act according to your best judgement.” He called on everything he’d ever learned about projecting warmth and assurance and caring as he gave them his best encouraging expression. “I have every confidence in you. The Mother is with us. Let’s get to work.”

  The assent this time was louder, nearly a roar. It heartened him, but he couldn’t afford to pause and savor it. He turned to the masters he’d named as they pushed through the departing crowd. “Watch, I want you to mobilize your whole force. Split up your best archers among whatever ships are in the harbor. Send the rest to the market square to gather volunteers and take them to the docks and anywhere else along the river and coast a boat could come ashore. Sailors, Fishers, we need all your vessels. I’ll be sending wizards to the docks. As soon as a ship has at least twenty Watchers and two wizards, send it down the coast. Have them wait about a mile south of Elathir. We’ll regroup there and sail on to meet the Armada together. Messengers, I need a constant supply of your fastest runners at the Hall and more at the docks.”

  Comprehension was slower to form on their faces than he wanted, but eventually it came. He clapped each of them on the back as they strode to the door together, then watched for a moment as they scattered to do his bidding.

  He turned to look for Josiah and found him at his elbow. “Good. Josiah, find every wizard you can and tell them to meet me in the Hall.”

  “Yes, sir.” Josiah gave him an excited grin that nearly succeeded in hiding his worry. Before he dashed away, he paused. “You sounded just like Master Dabiel.” Then he was gone.

  Three

  Josiah wrapped his arms around Sar’s neck as he listened to Elkan instruct the rest of the wizards. He’d better let us on a ship. If he tries to make us stay at the Hall I’m sneaking out.

  He knows better than to let you
out of his sight.

  But will he go out with a ship himself, or will he think he has to stay here and organize things?

  Do you have to ask? The donkey flicked an ear at Josiah. He needs to be in the middle of the action nearly as much as you do. He’s just more subtle about making it happen.

  Sure enough, as soon he finished giving the wizards their assignments, Elkan jerked his head for Josiah to follow. “Hanion’s in charge here. We’re going with the fleet.”

  Josiah couldn’t keep a grin off his face as he hurried to keep up with his master’s long strides. “Yes, sir!”

  “I hope you really read the First History and didn’t just nap over it. Do you remember the accounts of the battles for Elath?”

  Those had been by far the most enjoyable parts of the dry and boring tomes. “Of course.”

  “We’ll try to use some of the same tactics. I hope we can get close enough to put holes in their hulls and sink them. We’ll block arrows until then. Sails are vulnerable but easily replaced. Their rudders will be good targets. Be sure you stay behind cover, and Sar, too. We don’t have enough wizards to risk losing any in our first encounter.”

  “I understand.” For once Josiah fully intended to obey Elkan’s caution. He wanted desperately to be part of the battle, but he certainly didn’t want to get killed.

  The docks were packed with a noisy mob of watchers and wizards, all trying to figure out which ship to board. Elkan waded into the middle and started sorting out the mess, giving orders in the quiet but absolutely firm way people instinctively deferred to.

  Shouts rose from the end of the dock, where one ship was already casting off its mooring ropes. Elkan hurried to learn the source of the trouble, Josiah close behind.

  A wizard grabbed Elkan’s arm. Josiah recognized Savir and his familiar Music, a large hound dog. Savir waved angrily at the ship. “That murderer refused to let us board!”

  The ship drifted away from the dock. Elkan bellowed, “Ozor!”

  The trader appeared at the ship’s rail. He glared at Elkan. “I’m going back to Ramunna. I never agreed to fight for you.”

  “But you have no provisions.” Elkan raised his voice to be heard across the widening stretch of water. “You haven’t received your payment. If we lose, you never will. One more ship could make the difference between victory and defeat.”

  Ozor shook his head. “I don’t care!” he shouted back. “I have what I wanted. We’ll forage in the islands.” He raised his hand in a mocking salute. “Good luck!” He turned and strode toward the ship’s wheel.

  Elkan shouted at him to come back, but Ozor ignored him. The ship pulled into the center of the river and headed toward the sea. Elkan stared after it before giving a hard shake of his head and turning back to Savir. “Take your watchers and join Zura and Patches on Captain Janya’s ship. They’ll appreciate the help.”

  As Savir turned with a scowl to comply, Josiah sputtered, “How can Ozor do that? Blast him, he knows they’ve got more ships than we do!”

  Elkan gave him a rueful half-smile. “Don’t tell me you’re surprised. I should have known better than to include him in my plans. It doesn’t matter. He’d have run at the first sign of trouble anyway. At least this way he won’t take any wizards with him.”

  Josiah had to admit he was probably right.

  For a while Elkan kept Josiah busy running back and forth with messages. Eventually the confusion on the docks got sorted out, with groups piling onto ships or forming tight clusters as they waited for their assigned ship to dock.

  When everything was more or less in order, Elkan led them to their place in the bow of the largest ship, a long-range fishing vessel. Josiah wrinkled his nose at the pungent reek that enveloped it, but didn’t complain. He was glad, though, when rowers in a small boat towed them into the middle of the river, where a light breeze wafted some of the stench away.

  Elkan glanced at the sun. “It looks like we’ve got about four hours until sundown. That should be long enough to meet them and drive them back. But if we’re still fighting after dark we’ll have an advantage, since we can use the Mother’s power for light.”

  “If we’re not all drained by then.” Josiah shivered at the prospect of hours of constant combat.

  “Good point. Ration your strength if you can. They won’t give up easily, even if our powers prove decisive. Remember, these are experienced fighters. War is their craft.”

  Josiah stuck out his chin to counter the hollow feeling in his stomach. “Yeah, but we’re fighting to protect our home. We care more.”

  Elkan smiled grimly. “I’m counting on it.”

  Their ship made its way out of the mouth of the Tarath and joined the cluster of ships waiting to the south. The captain maneuvered until they were at the front. Josiah squinted against the bright sun and peered at the horizon. There were the sails he’d spotted from the roof of the Mother’s Hall. They were closer now, and even more than he’d feared. He tried to count them, but kept losing track around thirty-five or forty.

  They had twenty-nine, counting all the little vessels. But each of them had wizards aboard, so even the smallest might be able to take down one of the big Ramunnan ships. He tried to see if he could spot any of his friends on the other boats. Once he thought he saw Seriti, and later he was sure he recognized Kalti next to Master Hadara. He waved, and Hadara waved back, but Kalti ignored him.

  When all the ships had assembled, Elkan gave the order, and their ship led the rest down the coast. Josiah sat down, leaned his back against the wall of the little building on the ship’s deck that they were going to use for cover, and closed his eyes. He doubted he could sleep, but the more rest he got, the more energy he’d have available to spend.

  More than an hour later Elkan touched his shoulder. “Wake up. We’re getting close.”

  Josiah didn’t tell him he hadn’t been asleep. His mind had been far too busy constructing elaborate scenarios of how the battle would go. He clambered to his feet and looked ahead. His stomach lurched as he saw the ships of the Armada frighteningly close.

  “Will a window reach?” According to Gevan’s measurements, that would mean they were less than a mile away.

  “Not yet.”

  Josiah wished for one of Gevan’s window-glasses. Ozor had one, but he’d refused to loan it to Elkan. Josiah spent a minute wishing all sorts of calamities on Ozor.

  As the distance closed, Elkan kept giving Josiah bits of advice. “Keep an eye out for fire arrows. If one gets past our defense the whole ship could go up in flames. And stay behind this structure as much as you can so they won’t have a clear shot at you.”

  Josiah ran a hand over the rough boards. “I wonder if the cracks in this are enough to see through, if we were inside. We could use a window, but that would take energy. We might have time to cut some slits—” He went around to the door of the building to investigate. It was stuffed full of rope and canvas and other ship’s supplies.

  “Excellent idea.” Elkan dropped a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll be much safer from arrows.” He called some of the watchers over to move the shed’s contents, then went to tell the captain what they were doing and send messages to the other ships with the idea.

  Josiah worked alongside the watchers. Every now and then he stopped for a moment to put his hand on Sar and have him pop a window open. The farthest viewpoint they could manage gradually moved closer to the ships with their brightly colored flags and taut sails. The wind was with the Armada; the Tevenaran fleet had to tack back and forth to make progress. They were going to meet only a few miles down the coast from the southern edge of Elathir.

  Elkan returned as they finished clearing the storage shed. He’d gotten the captain’s permission to perform the modifications and located a hatchet and saw. He supervised the watchers as they cut small horizontal slits at the right heights for the two wizards to peer through, and one each at the proper heights for Sar and Tobi.

  Josiah tested his, putting his hand
on Sar’s back as the donkey turned one long-lashed eye to his slit. I think it will work. I can see fine; what about you?

  Well enough.

  It was a tight fit when Elkan and Tobi crowded in next to them, but Josiah much preferred the idea of being crammed in here to being out on the open deck exposed to arrows. He pulled back and put out a hand for Sar to open a window. The golden glow illuminated the dim space inside the shed.

  When it cleared, he had the best view yet of the lead ship’s deck. He scanned it from end to end. The captain was at the helm with a few other officers, and sailors swarmed over the rigging ready to adjust the sails. But no archers were yet in place along the ship’s sides, although he spotted several racks holding bows and quivers full of arrows.

  “Look, Master. They think it’s still going to be a good while before we’re close enough.” He grinned in anticipation and began scanning the length of the ship, looking for vulnerable targets. “They’re going to be surprised when we hit them with the Mother’s power before we’re in range of arrows.”

  Elkan nodded, but of course had words of caution to offer as well. “Don’t forget, our strength will be minimal at the edge of our range. Even just beyond bowshot I doubt we’ll be able to muster enough power to rip boards out of the hull. We’ll have to go closer. We should probably wait until we can do something significant.”

  Josiah studied the man at the helm. He had to be the captain; the uniform he wore had quite a bit more decoration than anyone else’s. He swallowed. “Even a tiny bit of power would be enough to kill them.” People’s brains held fragile blood vessels that could be broken with only slight pressure. Sar had done it before when Josiah’s life was threatened.