The Wizards' War

by Angela Holder

  “All right. We proceed as planned. I’ll send Nirre to tell them.”

  Edniel nodded and returned to ride with the other leaders. Meira urged her horse next to Snowflake. “I heard. Don’t worry, two hundred isn’t that many. We outnumber them by far more than that.”

  “I know, but they’re masters of warfare and we’re apprentices.” He shook his head. “But it’s too late to worry now. We’re committed.”

  “We are.” An undercurrent of warmth in Meira’s voice made him think about other meanings of that statement.

  Before he could respond in kind, they rounded a bend and saw the road split ahead. “Here we are. Take your crew left while I make sure the groups going with us make the turn. I’ll meet you at the front when I’m done.” He leaned over and gave her a quick, hard kiss, then turned Snowflake to join Edniel at the fork and supervise the division of forces.

  When his force of thirty wizards, two groups of archers, five groups of foot fighters, and three groups of mounted fighters had all followed Meira’s weapon and the wagons carrying blasting powder and iron balls onto the left fork, he clasped Edniel’s hand. “May the Mother hold us cupped in her hands.”

  Edniel nodded gravely, then flashed him a grin. “I’ll meet you at the Mother’s Hall this evening.”

  “I’ll see you there.” He wheeled Snowflake and urged her into a trot.

  As he drew even with Meira’s weapon, Tobi sprang from the trees and fell in beside Snowflake. The horse shied, but Elkan easily brought her under control. There you are. I was wondering if you’d decided to abandon me and return to the wild.

  Maybe I’m jealous because I’m not your favorite female any more. But Tobi’s easy lope belied her arch tone, and she gave Meira a wide, tongue-lolling grin. The grin widened when Meira’s mount pranced nervously, but she complied with Elkan’s request to give the other horse more space without argument or further jests.

  When he repeated the comment to Meira, she frowned. “Is she jealous, do you think? She’s used to having you to herself.”

  “If she is, she’s only got herself to blame. She’s been trying to persuade me to abandon my restraint ever since you arrived in Korisan.”

  “She has?” Meira sounded intrigued. “I’d think a familiar would encourage you to have more restraint, not the other way around.”

  “Familiars remain animals, even after the Mother touches them. They tend to have very, ah, basic ideas about, um, relationships.”

  She gave him a teasing sidelong look and seemed about to question him further when they emerged from the trees and Elathir spread before them. She took in the view with wide eyes, from the Mother’s Hall on its rise, to the Tarath flowing beyond, the vast sprawl of buildings, and the ocean sparkling on the horizon. She swallowed. “It’s a lot bigger than Shalinthan, isn’t it?”

  “And Ramunna’s bigger still.” Elkan pointed to a smudge of dark smoke over the river. “There’s where Sachiel and Aphron have their weapons.” He’d gotten so used to the frequent bursts of rumbles he’d quit paying attention. “Right where we wanted.”

  Meira nodded and turned to study the Mother’s Hall. “That’s where we’re going?”

  “Yes.” Complex emotions assaulted Elkan as he gazed at the big rectangular building. It had been his home for the past fifteen years, the heart of the Wizards’ Guild, the place where the Mother poured her power on her children to heal and help and show truth. But now it was his enemies’ base. He felt sick when he thought about the Ramunnans occupying the building, transforming it from a place of service and inspiration to one of control and oppression.

  Meira put a hand on his arm. “All the crews know to avoid damaging it.”

  Elkan pushed his hair back. “Maybe I shouldn’t have given that order. Their leaders are there. Wouldn’t it be more effective to concentrate our shots on the building and drive them out?”

  “That won’t be necessary. We have enough fighters to seize the Hall instead of destroying it.”

  “With more Tevenaran casualties.”

  “The Mother’s Hall is more than just a building to the people of Tevenar. It’s the symbol of our identity. Even in Shalinthan people know it’s where the Council of Guildmasters meets and the wizards work. I recognized it immediately, because it’s just as I’ve always heard it described. We can’t destroy it. It would be like ripping out our heart.”

  “It’s only stone. It could be rebuilt.”

  “It wouldn’t be the same.” She scowled at him. “Stop doubting yourself. The leaders agreed to your strategy because it’s a good one. Last minute changes will undermine everyone’s confidence.”

  He grinned wryly at her. “It’s hard to trust my judgement when I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “None of us do. But then, the Ramunnans don’t either, not really. They’re used to fighting battles with ships on the ocean. Have they ever needed to defend a city?”

  “Not recently, I don’t think. But Ramunna and Marvanna have been at war on and off for centuries. I’m sure there have been other times.”

  “But their opponents never had blasting powder.” Meira turned to survey with pride the long iron tube creaking along behind its team of horses. “We’re an enemy unlike any they’ve fought before. They won’t know what to do with us.”

  Dozens of counterarguments swarmed in Elkan’s mind, but he chose not to voice them. Instead he focused on Meira’s bright confidence, letting it fill his mind and heart and infuse him with her faith. He needed that sort of support. It was so easy to dwell on how fallible he was. What a blessing to have someone to remind him he could also be competent.

  An explosion echoed, louder than the ongoing sound of the weapons. Another followed, and another, receding in a long crashing rumble. Elkan kept his voice light, trying not to picture the solid structure crumbling, taking hundreds of Ramunnans with it. “And there goes the bridge. Right on time.”

  They continued along the road. Soon buildings crowded on either side. Elkan sent Tobi ranging ahead, using her sharp senses to scan their surroundings. Only a short way into the city she tensed, raising her head to sniff the breeze.

  Ramunnans. A lot of them. Ahead, there, on both sides of the street. She shared her impression with Elkan. A strong scent of male humans, mixed with the tang of the ocean, blasting powder smoke, and the spices of Ramunnan cooking.

  He summoned the wizards forward. Windows confirmed the ambush. Elkan quietly gave orders. The force advanced until the Ramunnans were inside the range of the Mother’s power. Meira and her crew readied the weapon. The archers crowded behind it, with the foot and mounted fighters poised to surge forward as soon as he gave the word. When Tobi returned he dismounted and turned Snowflake over to one of the fighters, who led her to the relative safety of the rear. Tobi pressed into his side. He took a firm grip on the loose skin at the nape of her neck and raised his other hand. “Now,” he said.

  Gold light poured from twenty hands. Mindful of Josiah’s warning, they concentrated on the archers. There were too many to disarm them all, but when the Ramunnans reacted to the attack by pouring into the street and charging forward, the volley of arrows that arched overhead was ragged. Half the wizards knocked arrows away from the fighters, while the other half continued to break bows.

  Elkan took personal responsibility for keeping arrows away from the weapon crew. Meira lit the fuse, and the first shot roared down the street. Only a few Ramunnans were hit, because most of them scattered to either side, but the crew reloaded with swift efficiency and fired again and again, preventing the Ramunnans from organizing a concentrated advance. The soldiers who evaded the weapon to either side or circled through alleys to attack their flanks were met by swords and spears and golden light ripping into their bodies.

  “Forward!” Elkan shouted. The weapon couldn’t be pulled by horses while firing, but Meira had recruited several of the strongest fighters to propel it from behind. The weapon rumbled over the cobblestones, pausing every few mi
nutes for the crew to load and fire. When the road bent, the balls crashed into buildings, shattering windows and ripping huge holes in walls. Elkan forced himself to ignore the damage to Tevenaran homes and businesses. They could be repaired later. Right now the hurtling projectiles were keeping the way forward clear of the enemy. Surely that was worth the price.

  A burst of arrows nearly caught them by surprise. Elkan cursed as Tobi knocked aside a dozen shafts mere feet from Meira and her crew. He thrust out a palm. Open a window!

  He braced against the doubled drain on his energy. The window kept flickering as Tobi gave her attention to diverting arrows, but eventually it showed him what he needed to see.

  Up to this point he’d stayed well back from Meira to give her room to work. Now he approached and watched for a pause in the crew’s smooth rhythm. As the weapon rolled forward another dozen feet, he stepped to her side. “Meira, that building ahead, with the blue and white striped awning.”

  “I see it.” She wiped sweat and soot from her forehead with the back of her hand.

  “It’s an armory. Can you take it out?”

  She grinned. “My pleasure.”

  He backed away as she called orders to her crew. They changed the weapon’s aim. The first shot hit the building to the left of the armory, but after a quick adjustment the rest slammed into the correct structure. After a handful of direct hits the front of the building collapsed with a roar and a tremendous billow of dust. The crew turned the weapon and continued to assault the portion still standing.

  Elkan took a deep breath, satisfaction swelling in his heart. The battle was going better than he’d hoped. The combination of the weapon and the Mother’s power had the Ramunnans on the defensive. The fighters were holding their own, their numbers offsetting the Ramunnans’ greater skill. This was going to work.

  Tobi’s alarm exploded in his mind. Pain lanced through his body. He staggered, clinging to his familiar as she sent a burst of golden light over the Ramunnan who’d crept up behind them. Blood vessels ripped loose in the man’s brain. Elkan stared down at the point of a sword protruding from his belly.

  Don’t move! Tobi ordered, panic lacing her mental voice. Golden light enveloped him, brilliant and tingling, sucking energy from his muscles.

  Fire clawed his bowels and fear froze his blood, but he had to stay calm for her. Tobi was still young and inexperienced and needed his guidance. I trust you. Take it one step at a time. There’s no need to rush; gut wounds kill slowly. He swallowed, fighting a wave of dizzy terror. Ease up a little. Use your own energy if you can, instead of mine.

  I’m sorry! she wailed. Abruptly the gold light dimmed. The drain on his energy lessened, but the pain of his wound intensified. His head swam until he feared he’d black out.

  Some of the nearby fighters had noticed his plight. They crowded close, eyes wide with horror. Taking a deep enough breath to speak aloud produced a truly staggering amount of pain. “Keep the Ramunnans away,” he managed to get out. “Tobi will heal me.”

  They eased him to the ground. “Should we fetch the other wizards?” one asked anxiously.

  “Not now,” he muttered. They were all occupied fighting the enemy. “Only if…”

  He couldn’t force out any more words, but they seemed to take his meaning. He squinted toward the fight. Mostly he saw feet, but among them the wheels of the weapon’s carriage rolled ahead. When it stopped, hie held his breath, listening for its boom. The sound shook him a moment later. Good. Meira was too busy with the weapon to notice what had happened. He’d be back on his feet before she realized he’d been hurt.

  He closed his eyes and watched what Tobi was doing through the Mother’s sight. Violent purple swirls and the stench of rotting meat marked where the sword had sliced through his intestines. Tobi had the whole area blanketed with healing power, but she seemed to have forgotten the basic principles of dealing with this sort of damage.

  We’ve done this before, he reminded her. Remember Borlen.

  Tobi hesitated, then brightened a fraction. That’s right. I need to draw the sword out. A little at a time. And heal where it’s been.

  Yes. He caught his breath at the horribly bizarre sensation of cold metal sliding through his insides. The point retreated until it vanished. Blood poured out, soaking his rent tunic. The skin can wait, but the large blood vessels need to be sealed off quickly.

  She complied. Elkan turned his attention inward again, taking refuge in the familiarity of the task. He needed to forget it was his own body they were healing and treat it like any other patient.

  The intestines were breached in three places. There, near the point. Tobi sealed off the small opening. Pull the sword out a bit further. More. Stop. Now take care of that one. The gash here was long and jagged. Tobi spent what seemed a very long time pouring the Mother’s power into it, speeding it through the healing process.

  At last she finished. You’re doing a wonderful job. Only one more place. Go ahead and take the sword all the way out.

  Steel rang on cobblestones. Elkan fought against growing weakness. Tobi was using her own strength as much as she could, but for a healing this major she had to pull some from him as well. And the worst part remained.

  See how the intestine is completely severed near where the blade entered? You need to bring the two ends together.

  I see one, but I can’t find the other! Where did it go?

  Somewhere he found calm strength and patience to send her. It got pulled in among the loops. Trace the intestine’s path until you find it.

  The first two times she tried she arrived at the end she already held. Her mental voice teetered on the edge of hysteria. I can’t do this!

  Elkan wondered how much longer he could last, but he forced the thought deep into his mind where Tobi wouldn’t perceive it. Yes, you can. Try again.

  Finally she located the other end of the cut intestine, deep in his abdomen. Elkan couldn’t imagine how it had moved so far. She tugged it into position, sending fresh bursts of agony stabbing through him. When the two ends were butted against each other she dumped a tremendous gush of the Mother’s power into them. Elkan nearly blacked out. He knew Tobi could continue without his guidance if she had to, but some irrational but powerful instinct was certain that if he lost consciousness he’d never regain it. Primal terror gave him strength to cling to a thread of awareness.

  Triumphantly Tobi finished joining the severed ends. The intestine shone whole and functional once more, the scar around its circumference a mere reddish tint in its healthy blue glow. There. Let me get the surface wounds and you’ll be good as new.

  No! You’re not done yet! How could she possibly forget? Anger sharpened his tone. You have to destroy the life that escaped with the intestinal contents. The sparkles were tiny, but clear enough if she bothered to look. They filled his abdominal cavity with their deadly shimmer. Every last bit. Otherwise they’ll grow and become a raging infection.

  Tobi’s voice was small and contrite. I’m sorry. I knew that. I’m taking care of it now.

  Gold light flooded the sparkles and extinguished them. It took a while, because she kept finding new patches of life hiding among the twining loops of intestine. Eventually, though, neither she nor Elkan spotted any more even after an exhaustive search.

  Tobi sped the exterior cuts to wholeness, then let the light die. Elkan took a deep experimental breath. He felt an odd phantom ache. The physical source of his pain was gone, but his mind hadn’t yet caught up to the fact that his body was healed. The harrowing events of the last few minutes seemed as unreal as a nightmare, while at the same time looming huge and profound in his emotions.

  There was no time for a lengthy period of adjustment, or even a few moments of reflection. He was alive, his body was sound again, and the battle had barely begun. He was tired, but no more so than after any demanding healing. With a fervent prayer of thanks to the Mother, he rolled over and pushed onto his hands and knees. After his reduced blood volume redis
tributed through his body and his swimming head cleared, he reached for Tobi and used her for support as he dragged himself to his feet.

  Are you sure you’re all right? She studied him, all trace of humor gone from her feline face.

  I’m fine. After a few deep breaths, it wasn’t even that much of a lie. He rubbed the blood-drenched slash in his tunic with a grimace. Let’s catch up with the others.

  Six foot fighters had remained behind to guard them, but the rest of the force had progressed several blocks. One of the fighters offered her arm, sneaking a wondering glance at the place where the sword had so recently skewered him. “Let me help you, sir. That was amazing! You really healed yourself?”

  She must come from some rural village far from any Hall. “The Mother’s power healed me. Tobi and I just helped.”

  Her awed expression didn’t diminish. “Come on, sir. We’ll get you back to the front.”

  He needed her support at first, but after a block his legs felt less rubbery and he was able to walk unaided. Tobi glared in every direction, daring any other Ramunnan to threaten them. Ramunnan and Tevenaran bodies lay strewn in the dust, more than he’d hoped but not as many as he’d feared. They passed the ruins of the armory and caught up to the rearmost fighters.

  Elkan evaluated the state of his troops as they made their way through their midst. At the moment the Ramunnans had fallen back, so no one was under attack. He spotted several wizards ministering to wounded fighters, other fighters bloody or bandaged but functioning, and a handful of more severely wounded leaning on or being carried by their fellows while they waited for a wizard’s attention. He would have stopped to help them, but the other wizards seemed to have matters well in hand. As leader of this group his place was at the front. Besides, he desperately wanted to see with his own eyes that Meira remained unharmed, although regular booms testified that she continued to lead her crew in their task.