by A. C. Cobble
Ben shuddered, imagining the creature arriving in Farview. “You’re right. No matter what, we have to kill the demon-king. Individual demons and swarms can be defeated by sufficient force of arms. Maybe the Alliance would rally and face them, or the Sanctuary could become involved, but the skill we’ve organized here is required to destroy the leader. Am I missing anything?”
Jasper nodded agreement, and Towaal murmured assent.
“How do we kill it?” questioned Ben.
“The staff,” suggested Jasper. “It is the only device, the only tool, that I’m certain could command enough power to put a stop to that monstrosity.”
“It comes with a price,” advised Ben.
“It does.”
“I used it,” said Ben. “I had poured out nearly all of my lifeblood and much of it soaked into that staff. The discharge it sent was incredible, but it almost killed me. It would have killed me if Lady Towaal and Amelie hadn’t immediately healed me.”
“Inefficient usage,” said Jasper.
They paused on the slope, a dozen paces from Rakkash’s ranger camp.
“If it was used more efficiently, you think it wouldn’t be as big of a risk?” inquired Ben.
Jasper met his gaze, cold certainty radiating from his eyes. “I think when we face that monster, we use everything we can. We cannot hold back and hope to win.”
Ben frowned. “What are you suggesting?”
“Whoever activates the staff should not hold back.”
“Wait!” exclaimed Ben. “You’re saying that someone should intentionally sacrifice themselves?”
Ben looked to Towaal for support, but the former Sanctuary mage was looking everywhere but toward him. Ben looked back at Jasper, and the older mage merely returned his gaze.
“No,” said Ben. “We’ll do what we need to do, but we don’t need to do that. Go back and work on the staff. See if you can find a better way to activate it.”
“Ben,” said Jasper.
“No,” declared Ben. “If I’m the leader of this band, then I make the decision. We figure something else out.”
Stone-faced, Jasper turned and moved back to his camp. They’d kept the wyvern fire staff there, certain Jasper could provide better protection for it than Ben and his friends. Jasper was by far the strongest amongst them, and he could vouch for every member of his party.
Ben glanced at Towaal as they made their way down the slope to Rakkash’s rangers and the men from Kirksbane. “Well?”
She shrugged. “He is right. The demon-king represents as much of a threat as the rest of the creatures combined. If what they saw through far-seeing was accurate, no mundane weapons will bring that creature down. It could strike Whitehall or Irrefort and fly away unscathed. What are they going to do, hope to hit it with a catapult? We have to kill it somehow, no matter the cost. Ben, no matter the cost.”
“Jasper is our strongest and most knowledgeable asset,” argued Ben. “He cannot sacrifice himself to destroy the thing. Maybe his mages could form a chain and pass the staff down the line when they attack it? All of them would lose a little blood, but no one has to give it all.”
“Maybe,” allowed Towaal. “That’s less efficient, though. Handing the weapon back and forth in the middle of a battle introduces risk. Someone could drop it, for example. Even with no fumbles, there’d be a delay as each new mage took over. How will the demon-king make use of that break?”
Ben didn’t respond.
They made it to the outskirts of the soldier’s camp. Most of the men were awake, huddled around early morning camp fires. Ben heard chopping in the distance and thought he should ask Rakkash for some of their firewood. There were no trees on the hill, but if the rangers were collecting it anyway in the forest, he may as well use it to make some kaf.
They found the commander moving amongst his men, offering quiet jokes, answering questions about supplies, and mostly keeping himself visible.
“One more day?” asked Rakkash when they drew close.
“We just got done speaking with the mages. Nothing has changed. One more day,” confirmed Ben. “They say it’s probable we’ll see some of the smaller, faster creatures first. Then, it will be tomorrow evening by the time the bulk of the group arrives.”
“Night, huh,” remarked Rakkash. “I don’t suppose anyone thinks they’ll stop and let us rest?”
Ben smirked back at him. He glanced several hundred paces away where the ranger’s men were hidden in the woods.
“Collect as much fuel as you can today,” suggested Ben. “It’s going to be a long, dark night tomorrow. We could set fires out in the field to give us a little visibility. At the least, it may mark distance for the archers.”
“Do we have a plan beyond that?” inquired Rakkash.
Ben looked around them and then nodded.
“It’s important we protect the mages,” started Ben. “Your job will be to keep the demons off their backs. The mages can attack from a distance, and we’ll need their might when things get hairy. Your rangers and the Kirksbane watch will form a ring, spears and swordsmen in front, archers behind them, ready to drop their bows and draw steel if needed. The blademasters will be placed amongst your men like anchors. They’ll be devastating, I hope, but we can’t let them get overwhelmed by the sheer size and weight of the demon swarm. My companions as well as some folks arriving this morning will function as a flying company. We’ll go where the line is in trouble.”
“We’ll keep an eye out for the new arrivals,” said Rakkash, his eyes scanning the hilltop, already imagining where he needed to place his men.
Ben trusted the ranger’s instincts and let him think on it. The line would need to be close enough to the crown of the hill to form a full circle, but not so close that they were standing on top of each other. They would need to flex as the demons attacked. Too far out, though, and men could get stranded from their fellows.
“What do these new friends of yours look like?” asked Rakkash. With a smile, the commander added, “Hopefully no one confuses them with a demon.”
“They, ah, they’ll come a different way. You won’t see them arrive.”
Rakkash looked at him, confused.
“Magic,” said Towaal.
The commander of the rangers grunted.
“I said there wouldn’t be many of us,” reminded Ben, “but we pack a punch. These new arrivals are like no one you’ve ever met.”
“I hope so,” said Rakkash.
“Set wood for the fires but warn your men not to count on them lasting,” suggested Ben. “At Northport during the first battle, the demons were smart enough to knock over the fires in the field. I assume they’ll do the same here. It can still help, though. When the demons are close enough to knock over a burning log, they’re close enough to hit with an arrow.”
“You were at Northport?” inquired Rakkash, surprise evident in his voice.
“When the first big swarm hit,” confirmed Ben.
Rakkash glanced at Towaal. “We heard there was some pretty powerful magic that happened. It’s good you’re with us.”
“Just wait until tomorrow,” murmured Towaal. “Northport was a warm up.”
Leaving a pale-looking Rakkash behind them, they returned to the top of the hill and found Lloyd and his fellow blademasters working through a series of sword forms. It reminded Ben of the Ohms but lacked the elegance between the transitions. Lloyd paused when he saw Ben and Towaal approach.
“We warm up this way every morning. Half a bell, at least,” explained Lloyd. “It seems to have a bit more urgency to it today.”
Ben nodded. “I told Rakkash your men would space themselves out to strengthen his line. You can anchor his forces, and I think it’s best to keep your blades spread out. Make it so the demons can’t overwhelm any single point in the line.”
Lloyd nodded and then suggested, “What if we worked in pairs? While Rakkash has some of the best soldiers in Alcott, they’re not as quick as we are. If we are in
pairs, we can watch each other’s backs. I think we’ll be more effective that way. It’s less coverage on your line, but it will be stronger anchors. The breaks will be in the middle, and a flying company could address that.”
“It makes sense,” said Ben, glancing at Towaal out of the corner of his eye.
She nodded.
Ben added, “I’ll be in the flying company along with some other arrivals who will get here today. I think they’ll be sufficient to plug any gaps. You and a few trusted men should hang back with us as well, though, in case you see something that your men need to respond to.”
Lloyd nodded and did not comment. Unlike Rakkash, he was apparently counting on forces he did not understand to save them. He knew that against the demon-king, even his blademasters would be insufficient.
Ben and Towaal headed toward the tumbled stone wall of the watchtower, and Towaal remarked, “Well done. He had a good suggestion, and accepting it showed you respected his input. You cannot earn loyalty if you do not have respect first.”
“I appreciate the tutoring, but do you think this is the right time?” complained Ben. “We have a battle tomorrow that I’m told will be unlike anything Alcott has ever seen. Shouldn’t we be worrying about that right now?”
“The soldiers will be worried about that,” said Towaal. “A leader needs to worry about what happens after. If we win tomorrow and dispose of these demons once and for all, what then?”
“What do you mean?” asked Ben.
“The Alliance and Coalition are still preparing for war. The Veil and Lady Avril are still sharpening knives in the shadows. What will be done about them?”
Ben paused before climbing over the fallen rock wall.
“You’ve gained a force that is small but incredibly powerful,” continued Towaal. “Depending on what Jasper’s group is really capable of, this might be the most effective fighting force on the continent. Will you use them to address the other conflicts once this one is done?”
“They’re just following me now because someone has to deal with the demons,” responded Ben. “I assume if they are able, they will return to their lords when this is finished.”
“If you assume they will, then they will,” retorted Towaal.
Ben hauled himself onto the rocks. “I see what you’re doing,” he said over his shoulder. He caught Towaal’s sly smile. Then, he turned and hopped into their camp.
Prem and a young-looking man were squatting in a corner. Rhys was lounging to the side, watching them, sipping a mug of kaf that Ben hoped he’d borrowed from somewhere instead of stolen. Amelie was nowhere to be seen. Prem looked up when Ben’s boots thumped into the soil.
“Vree here was sent early to let us know my father is coming,” said Prem.
“What can you tell us?” Ben asked the newcomer.
“Fifty swordsmen, seven mages,” stated the man. He stood and picked up a sharp-tipped spear. Twirling it, he started marking the dirt.
“Ten of the swordsmen are what you’d consider a blademaster,” he said, making ten quick slashes in the soft ground. “The rest are skilled and battle-hardened. Every one of them spent time outside of the rift. The mages are as talented as those of your Sanctuary, maybe a bit more so. We wanted to send more, but after the battle… well, many are not capable of fighting again anytime soon, and the best of our mages were in that cave when it collapsed.”
“And Adrick Morgan?” asked Ben.
Vree smiled. “And Adrick Morgan. He will come across this afternoon. Prem tells me you have something special in mind for him?”
“We do,” agreed Ben. “There is some risk involved.”
“The Lightblade will do it,” assured Vree. “After you left, there was a rather robust debate amongst the guardians. In the end, Adrick was convinced that there is no point in guarding secrets to protect the world while we sit back and watch it fall under to darkness from our forest. If we’re unwilling to step out and defend people’s lives, well, then we’re just hiding.”
Ben smiled. “I’d like to spread the guardians into groups of a dozen, with two of the most skilled warriors in each group. They’ll be stationed near the base of this watchtower, and we’ll use them as flying companies to bolster the line in any places the demons are in danger of breaking through. We’ll add a small contingent of blademasters as well. Overall, our goal is to protect the mages. It’s critical they are fresh and ready when the time comes.”
Vree inclined his head. “We’re here to fight. I don’t think Adrick will have any objections to your plan.”
“You’ll have a fight,” agreed Ben. He looked around. “Amelie?”
“She’s with Jasper’s group,” said Rhys. “Trying to pry some secrets out of them, I’d guess.”
“We should get the mages together when Adrick’s force arrives,” said Ben, thinking out loud. “Lady Towaal, can you organize a meeting? I think it’d benefit everyone to discuss capabilities and how we can work together.”
“Let Amelie do it,” suggested Towaal.
Ben raised an eyebrow.
“I’m known as a mage from the Sanctuary,” explained Towaal. “Amelie trained there briefly, but she is not seen as a true part of the place. She’s unbiased and will be a better bridge between the groups.”
“Will they listen to her?” wondered Ben.
“They’re listening to you,” guffawed Rhys.
Ben coughed. Embarrassedly, he pleaded, “Don’t tell her I asked that.”
“Asked what?” queried Amelie. She was pulling herself over the wall.
“Ah, nothing,” said Ben, a flush building in his face.
She eyed him suspiciously but didn’t probe further.
The next morning, dawn found Ben sitting atop the watchtower. The stone wall below was broken and fallen, but the structure of the tower itself still stood strong, though the windows had rotted out, and the roof was long gone. The view from the top was incredible. Ben could see leagues up and down the Venmoor River. To the south, he spied dark clouds over the city that gave the river its name, and he knew that by mid-morning, to the north, he’d be able to see the first of the demons infiltrating the broad, open turf beside the river.
Jasper said that many of the creatures were passing through the forest further to the west, but there were too many of them for the crowded confines of the thick undergrowth. The majority of the demon army was in the open, rolling across the landscape like a wave of death. Small villages, merchants, family farms, everything in their path was consumed and trampled. There was nothing but torn earth and death behind them.
Ben anguished about not being able to help the people in the path of the demons, but it was too late. There was no way to make it to the villages along the river in time to warn them. Jasper had done what he could on the way south, and anyone who hadn’t fled was on their own now.
Later in the day, they would station a pair of rangers atop the tower, but this early in the morning, it was just Ben. He had his longsword drawn and resting across his thighs. He’d told himself he would give it one last lick with his whetstone to smooth out any remaining nicks, but he’d done the same the day before. The blade was in as good of shape as he could make it.
No, he simply hadn’t been able to sleep, so he’d climbed to the highest accessible point to see the sun shouldering its way over the horizon, shoving the darkness back, and filling the world with light. Bright orange, yellow, and red crept into view like a giant ball of flame. Maybe it was flame, for all he knew. The mages might know something like that, what sort of strange magic powered the sun.
“Beautiful sunrise,” remarked Amelie.
Ben turned and saw her ascending the weather-worn stone stairs.
“It is,” he agreed. “Hard to believe it’s going to be such a terrible day.”
She didn’t respond to that. He was right. Even if they won, they knew they’d lose companions. Instead, Amelie settled down beside him, their shoulders and knees barely touching.
“H
ow did it go with the mages last night?” asked Ben.
“They’re…” Amelie paused, evidently searching for the right words. “They’re a diverse bunch. Secretive, unwilling to work together, used to always getting their way.”
“So, as expected?” jested Ben.
“As expected,” agreed Amelie. “We have a plan, though, of sorts. It’s so difficult though, to try to set an agenda when there are so many unknowns. Will the demons even come for us, or will they pass by in search of easier meat? Will they have a plan like some of the swarms we’ve faced, or are they driven by pure hunger and will come in a rush?”
“The fog of war,” said Rhys.
The rogue was lounging several steps below the top of the tower.
“Were you eavesdropping on us?” asked Ben, annoyed.
Rhys grinned at him. “Not for very long. I saw Amelie coming up here, so I thought I’d join you. I was just making sure I wasn’t interrupting another, ah, private moment between you two.”
“Another?” asked Amelie, a flush creeping into her face to match the ruddy glow of the sun rise.
Rhys winked and then climbed the rest of the way up.
“The fog of war,” continued the rogue. “That’s the term for the confusion you’re talking about. You can plan, you can plot, but once the battle starts, it’s chaos. You’ll only be able to see what is in front of you, and you have to trust that your lieutenants know what they are doing.”
“Lieutenants?” asked Ben.
“Rakkash, Lloyd, Jasper, and the others,” explained Rhys. “You can plan with them now, but once the battle begins, we’re all on our own, fighting in our little clear space amongst the fog.”
Ben frowned.
“Planning isn’t useless,” continued Rhys, “but what I’m trying to say is, the unknown is what we should expect. It’s even worse since we’re facing demons, but no leader can hope to anticipate every movement, every action of their opponent. All they can do is hope that they’ve prepared their force as best they’re able, and that they have capable commanders under them who can react appropriately.”