by M. L. Forman
“I understand,” said Alex. “Once I did not believe in magic of any kind. Now I know there is magic, both good and evil. It is up to all of us to decide which is which for ourselves.”
The men fell silent, and Alex watched as the oldest man took his burning stick out of the conjured flames. He examined it for a moment and then blew it out like a match.
Alex continued searching the lands around them with his mind. Hathnor would have to be carried on the drag, slowing their progress. Even if they could somehow make good time, it would be impossible for them to run away from another group of Lazar’s men.
“We should go,” said Alex at last. “Night is coming to its end, and we still have many miles to travel.”
The men all stood up and lifted Hathnor onto the drag they had made. Alex told them to bind him down so he would not slide or be bounced off. Once this was done, Alex put out the fire and the weir lights with a wave of his hand, and they started off into the darkness.
Alex rode beside Hathnor, letting the oldest of the guards lead the company. They avoided the wooded areas they came to as much as they could. Alex continued to try to sense any danger in the land around them. It was difficult work, trying to feel out the enemy, mostly because of the high emotions of the men around him.
The sun rose in front of them, but they did not stop to rest. They all knew that they had to hurry, but dragging Hathnor along behind his horse was slowing them down. It was nearly midday before Alex allowed them to stop.
As the soldiers busied themselves preparing some food, Alex checked on Hathnor. He was still asleep, but he looked peaceful. Alex chose to leave the sleeping spell on him, knowing that rest was more important to his healing than food.
“It will be dark before we reach the gap,” said the man who had been leading them.
“It cannot be helped,” said Alex.
There was no more talk, and soon they were on their way again. Alex felt the need to hurry, but he could not leave Hathnor behind. It was unlikely that Caftan or Shelnor would believe anything he said if he turned up alone. He pushed away his desire to rush forward and fixed his eyes on the mountains to his right. They were getting smaller, and Alex knew they were getting close to the gap of Luthan.
The hours passed, and the sun began to sink in the west. Alex’s muscles suddenly tightened as he felt something different than what he had felt all day.
“Be ready,” Alex said to the soldiers around him.
“Is someone coming?” asked the youngest man.
“They are close,” said Alex. “If they are Lazar’s men, I will deal with them. Stay with Hathnor and ride on to the gap.”
“As you command,” answered the oldest man.
Alex watched, looking for any sign of who was coming. It wasn’t long before several banners appeared from a nearby wood, carried by men who rode toward them.
“They are Lord Caftan’s men,” said the oldest man in a relieved tone.
Alex and the soldiers stopped and waited for Lord Caftan’s men to approach them. As the soldiers came forward, Alex noticed how much they looked like Talbot’s men.
“Declare yourselves,” the leader of this new group called, stopping a short distance away.
“Lord Hathnor of Talbas,” the oldest soldier called back. “We come with a message from King Rallian.”
The leader of Caftan’s men came forward. He looked at each of them in turn. Alex could tell that this was a careful man, not willing to simply accept their word that they were from the king.
“Your lord is injured,” said the man.
“We were attacked by Lazar’s men last night,” said the old soldier. “Lord Hathnor was struck by an arrow.”
When the leader of Caftan’s men did not reply at once, Alex became impatient.
“How far is it to the camp of your lord?” Alex asked.
The man looked at Alex. “Not far,” he said after a pause.
“Lead us there, quickly,” Alex commanded. “We have been too long in getting here, and Lord Hathnor has an urgent message from the king.”
“And who are you to give such commands?” asked the man.
“A friend of King Rallian, and a wizard with little time for foolishness,” said Alex, shifting his staff in his hand.
“The wizard,” said the man, his eyes growing wide. “Yes, we’ve been told of you. We will lead you to Lords Caftan and Shelnor.”
The man turned to ride back to his fellows. In seconds they formed a circle around Alex and his companions. Alex thought it a bit odd, but he could feel no deception in Caftan’s men. As soon as the circle was formed, the captain led the group forward once more. So it was that Alex and Hathnor came to the camp of Lords Caftan and Shelnor as honored guests and prisoners at the same time.
Chapter Eighteen
Caftan and Shelnor
The armies of Caftan and Shelnor were well laid out, and Alex could see that the men were ready for the coming battle. Everywhere he looked, he saw men in armor, sharpening weapons and testing bows. The thought of battle made Alex sad, but part of him also felt the excitement of battle, the excitement of the dragon. He forced his emotions down, holding them back so that he would be calm when he spoke with Caftan and Shelnor.
Once they arrived, the leader of the soldiers that had escorted them dismissed his men and led Alex and Talbot’s men to a large tent in the middle of the camp. He dismounted and then spoke to another guard before addressing Alex and his companions. While the man was speaking to the guard, Alex dismounted and woke Hathnor from his enchanted sleep.
Hathnor blinked a few times, a confused look on his face. “Where are we?”
“We are in the camp of Lords Caftan and Shelnor,” said Alex as he untied Hathnor from the drag. “How are you feeling?”
“Alive,” said Hathnor with a weak smile.
“Good,” said Alex. “I hope you’re strong enough to speak to Caftan and Shelnor. They will be calling for you soon.”
“I am strong enough for that,” answered Hathnor. He looked worn and pale, but his voice was determined.
Alex helped Hathnor to his feet and made sure he was strong enough to stand before letting go. Alex knew that his friend needed more rest, but right now there wasn’t any time.
“Lord Hathnor, Lords Caftan and Shelnor bid you welcome and ask that you and your men come to them,” said the man who had led them to the camp. “They also ask that your wizard friend wait here. They promise the wait will be a short one.”
Alex nodded his acceptance and motioned for Hathnor’s men to come forward and help their lord into the tent. Once he was alone, Alex turned his attention toward the gap of Luthan. He knew Lazar’s army was out there and moving this way, but it looked as if they had not made it to the gap yet. He hoped that Stonebill had managed to slow them down, and he wondered what his friend was doing now.
As Alex waited, he noticed several of the guards around the tent of Caftan and Shelnor watching him. It seemed obvious that they knew who and what he was, and he wondered what Rallian had told Caftan and Shelnor about him. After a few moments, Caftan’s guard returned and politely asked him to come and speak with Lords Caftan and Shelnor.
Alex followed the man without speaking. There were more guards inside the tent, all looking serious and worried. Alex was glad to see that Hathnor had been given a chair to sit in. He looked at the large table in the center of the tent and saw Lords Caftan and Shelnor for the first time. He was only a little surprised by their appearance. There was a clear family resemblance between them, and to Lord Talbot as well.
“Lord Taylor, I am Caftan of Pent,” said Caftan, stepping forward and bowing to Alex.
“And I am Shelnor of Ossbo,” Shelnor added with a bow of his own.
“Lords,” said Alex, returning their bows.
“Lord Hathnor has told us of your journey here and of the mission you are on,” Caftan said. “He and his men have all sworn that you are to be trusted and that you are a true friend of King Rall
ian, but this is not enough.”
“What more would you ask?” Alex asked.
“We would ask that you explain this illusion that you say Magnus has put on Lazar’s army,” said Shelnor. “Our scouts have seen the army and report that it is at least three times as large as our own. We know the scouts are truthful, so we must ask how you know that what they see is not real.”
“My friend the noble raven Stonebill has seen the armies of Lazar as well,” said Alex. “Stonebill is a wise bird and sees more than most.”
“But the illusion,” said Caftan. “Can you explain it to us? Can you show us how it works?”
“I can if you wish,” said Alex.
Both Caftan and Shelnor nodded, and Alex stood for a moment, focusing his thoughts. He bowed his head as he created an illusion, and when he looked up again, seven copies of his own form were standing in the tent next to him.
“By the ancients!” said Shelnor, stepping back in surprise.
“You now see eight of me,” said Alex, his voice coming from all seven copies as he spoke. “You see that each of my images can move about the tent easily enough, yet you know that there is only one of me here.”
As the images of Alex walked around the tent, he kept his mind open, controlling the illusion. He could also feel what the men in the tent were thinking. He was surprised when he realized that one of the men in the tent was a traitor.
“They all look so real,” Caftan said. “How can we tell which is real and which is an illusion?”
“These illusions cannot touch nor be touched,” Alex explained as he moved around the tent with his illusions. “They appear to be real, but if you watch closely, you will see that the illusions all carry a flaw.”
Alex continued to move his duplicates, using them to search for the traitor he knew was there. He looked into the thoughts and feelings of the men around him, and it only took a few minutes for him to find the traitor in the company.
“My lords,” the traitor said slowly as Alex watched him. “This magic is meant to confuse us. This wizard can make it appear that there are eight of him, but that does not mean that Lazar’s army is using the same trick.”
“Yes,” said Caftan nodding. “You have a point, Stephan. Tell us, Master Taylor, what is the flaw you speak of?”
“If you look, you will notice that none of the illusions leaves tracks,” said Alex with a smile. All of his images smiled as well. “And I can tell you something more—something that has nothing to do with the illusions Magnus has made.”
“And what is that?” Shelnor asked.
“There is a traitor here with you,” said Alex. “Even now he is thinking of how he can betray you, how he can destroy me, and what he will gain once Lazar’s army has its victory.”
“A traitor?” said Caftan in surprise. “Name the man. We will judge if you speak truly.”
“As you wish,” said Alex, moving his images as he spoke.
The copies of himself formed a circle around Stephan, and Alex stepped forward to close the final gap in the circle. Stephan looked shocked but not completely surprised. Alex could see his mind clearly: he was full of anger and regret. His mind was racing, working out a way to prove his own innocence, a way to convince Caftan and Shelnor that Alex was a liar. Alex also saw what he would need to do to prove that he spoke the truth, so without hesitating he did it.
The illusions vanished like a mist, and Alex stood alone, looking Stephan in the face.
“Do what your master commanded you to do,” said Alex with a taunting smile. “Do what Lazar is paying you for.”
It happened in a flash. Stephan’s anger took control of him. He stepped toward Alex, drawing a short dagger from inside his tunic as he moved. He aimed for Alex’s heart, thrusting the dagger forward with all his strength and causing Alex to take a few steps back as the blow fell.
“Die, wizard!” screamed Stephan, a wild look in his eyes.
“Not today,” said Alex, magically pushing Stephan back and binding him where he stood. “You have sold your honor, Stephan. Was it worth the price?”
Hathnor had jumped up in horror when Stephan had attacked and was desperately trying to draw his sword with his wounded arm.
“Calm yourself, Hathnor. I am fine,” Alex said.
“Lord Taylor,” Caftan shouted, rushing forward to see if Alex was all right.
“Have you been injured? Should we send for help?” Shelnor added, rushing up to Alex’s other side.
“No harm has been done,” said Alex. “The assassin’s blade did not go in.”
“By the ancients,” said Shelnor, picking up Stephan’s dagger. “The blade is bent, as if it were struck on an anvil. What magic is this that protects you?”
“Not magic,” said Alex as he fingered the hole in his shirt. “I do not rely on magic alone to protect me from the evil of men. Let me show you.”
Alex unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it back, revealing the true silver mail he wore underneath. Caftan and Shelnor both looked at him in wonder. At the sight of the mail shirt, Hathnor laughed, dropping back onto his chair.
“Your pardon, Master Taylor,” said Caftan. “Stephan is one of my men. I never would have thought him capable of treason.”
“Such an attack should never have happened in our tent,” Shelnor said at the same time.
“Lords,” said Alex, holding up his hands to quiet them. “No harm has been done, and the traitor has been revealed. There are more important things to discuss, and the matter of trust to be cleared up.”
“No question of trust,” said Caftan. “King Rallian has sent word that he trusts you, so I will trust you as well.”
“As will I,” Shelnor added.
“Very well,” said Alex. “Lazar’s army is still on the move, and unless I miss my guess, they will not arrive until late tomorrow. The next morning, whoever is in charge of Lazar’s imaginary army will want to talk with you.”
“Why?” Caftan asked.
“They think you will be fooled by Magnus’s illusion. They will ask for your surrender, or that you fall back and leave the gap to them,” said Alex. “Naturally, they will think that you will submit to their wishes. They might even ask you to join them and fight against Lord Talbot’s army.”
“We would never betray Talbot,” said Shelnor in a firm voice. “Better to die a hundred deaths than to betray a friend and kinsman.”
“Yes, well, you will have to act like you’re considering the offer,” Alex continued. “Rallian and Talbot are moving across the mountains even now so they can come up behind Lazar’s army. We need to delay Lazar’s army long enough to give Rallian and Talbot time to move into position.”
“Ah, yes, a cunning plan,” said Caftan.
“Yes, we will hold them in check until the trap is ready to spring,” said Shelnor, nodding his head.
“When the king is close, I will summon a fog,” Alex said. “The fog will hide Rallian’s army, and Lazar’s army won’t know they are surrounded.”
“And when all is ready, you will remove the fog and break the magic of the cursed Magnus,” Caftan finished.
“An excellent plan,” Shelnor added. “However, if there are ten thousand men in this army, we will still need to be careful. Lazar has at least twice that number under his command, and some of the inner kingdoms may choose to join him. Lazar holds several young lords as hostage, after all.”
“Seven,” said Alex, remembering what he had heard.
“Yes,” said Caftan, surprised. “Lazar has taken lords from the other six inner kingdoms as hostages. He also holds Rallian’s cousin Jorell as a hostage. He has spread the rumor that they are all off on some quest, but we know that is a lie.”
“One of the lords was Rallian’s cousin?” Alex asked, troubled.
“You speak as if they were already dead,” said Shelnor. “Have you heard of these young lords?”
“They will not be seen in Nezza again,” said Alex. “Magnus sent them to the western desert as
prisoners, and that is where they met their end.”
“A sad tale,” said Caftan.
“If it is true, the inner kingdoms will want their revenge,” Shelnor observed. “They will not fight for Lazar if they know their lords have been killed.”
“But we have no way of letting them know the truth,” said Alex. “At least not right now. I think, however, that time is growing short for both Lazar and Magnus.”
“Time grows short for us all,” Caftan observed. “We have much that needs doing before Lazar’s army arrives.”
“And Lord Hathnor needs to be moved,” said Shelnor, glancing toward the injured lord. “I would not want him so close to the battlefield when he cannot defend himself.”
“I will not leave until the king orders me away,” said Hathnor, trying to get to his feet.
“Rest,” said Alex, pushing Hathnor back down with the word. “Hathnor will be safe enough. The men who traveled with us will protect him from harm.”
“It seems that you did that on your journey here,” said Shelnor.
“Yes,” said Alex. “I did what was needed. I brought Hathnor to you so he could deliver the message of the king. Now I will do more. What work is there that needs to be done before Lazar’s army arrives?”
Caftan and Shelnor were surprised by Alex’s offer to help and were reluctant to put him to work. Alex insisted, and Caftan and Shelnor explained that they were building a wall to protect at least part of the gap of Luthan.
“If we can block off part of the gap with a wall, we can force Lazar’s army into a smaller space,” Caftan explained.
“When our scouts reported that the army was three times the size of our own, we thought it best to narrow our front as much as possible. It would not do to let Lazar’s army attack us from the front and the side,” said Shelnor.
“A wise plan, but hardly needed,” said Alex. “Still, it would be best to make the appearance of being prepared. Can you have someone lead me to the wall you are making?”
“As you wish,” said Shelnor.