by Blink, Bob
“What about Lady Usaya and Lady Mos’pera?” Inge asked. “Are you going to leave them here?”
Usaya answered the question before Rigo could. “No one knows of your visit today. We are left alone so long as we remain on this level. Cordale has no reason to take any action against us. It would work against him at this point. We are in no more danger than we were before you arrived today. Deal with matters at hand. We can plan later for what best suits our needs.”
After thanking the former Queen for her assistance and trust, Rigo spoke briefly with Inge, then indicated to Kaler and Daria that it was time. “Come, Commander,” he said. “Let’s see what we can find.” Rigo created an arched Bypass and led the others into the wilderness in eastern Branid.
Chapter 75
Rigo led the way through the Bypass, followed by a nervous Briner, then Kaler and finally Daria. They stepped into the forests of eastern Branid in the early evening to the sound of birds and the occasional scurrying squirrel. It was later in the day this far east of Sulen, and somewhat cooler. Most important, they had the area to themselves, with no sign of either of the two enormous armies that were supposed to be nearby.
Briner took the transition from Sulen to their present location stoically. He was not particularly frightened or amazed by the fact they had covered a couple week’s distance with a few footsteps.
“That’s a remarkable way of getting around,” he said, looking at the familiar landmarks that reassured him that they were in the area he had been picturing in his mind at Rigo’s request. He looked back to see if he could see where they had been, but seeing no sign of the Bypass arch, he shrugged and turned back toward Rigo. “Can you bring horses through that thing? How many men can come through?” He was already considering the possible military advantages of the Bypass while not really thinking about what its very existence implied.
“There doesn’t seem to be anyone around,” Kaler noted. “I don’t even see any sign that would indicate an army has been through here recently.”
Briner nodded his agreement. “It’s a big area. I told you I only had an approximate idea where they were supposed to be. We should have brought horses. It’s going to be slow moving to search around on foot.”
“Maybe up there?” Daria suggested, pointing to one of the nearby mountains. “We need some elevation if we are going to see very much.”
Rigo turned to Briner. “Do you have any suggestions where we are likely to find them?”
“Most of the area is pretty dense, like here. Not a good place to fight. There are one or two large areas that would be more suitable. We should be able to see one of them from up there. The other is more to the north. It’ll be dark before we even get close to the base of that mountain though.”
Rigo smiled. Briner still hadn’t fully figured out what could be done with the Bypass. Seeing the peak, Rigo could approximate an exit point, and it wasn’t long before they were standing on the top of the mountain looking down into the hazy valleys. Briner had been right about one thing. The sun was disappearing from the floors of the valleys, and it would soon be getting dark.
“Nothing,” Kaler said after a few minutes of searching the surrounding area.
“Where would we want to be to examine these other areas?” Rigo asked the guardsman.
Briner scanned the horizon, finally pointing to another pair of hills to the north. “Either one of those should give us a good vantage point. I’ve never been on top like this, so I’m only guessing, but the meadows are up that way.”
Once again Rigo opened the way, and soon they were examining the land from the fresh location.
“I see them,” Kaler announced after a moment of searching.
“There’s Lopal as well,” Briner said pointing off to the northeast. “They have the better location.”
Despite the encroaching darkness, they could see the camps that had been established by the two armies. From this location they appeared to be surprisingly close to one another. While it appeared no fighting had yet taken place, they were obviously aware of one another and positioned so close that the morning was certain to bring the two armies into contact. Rigo could see the forward line that Branid had deployed against any attempt of Lopal moving forward in the night. Lopal had similar advance locations manned. They were coiled and ready to spring at one another.
“Lopal’s set this up to be a trap,” Briner said after studying the two camps. “The estimates of the invading army’s size were too low. Look how the Lopal forces are hidden away in the low spots provided by the natural shape of the land. They aim to entice Branid into attacking and then bring out those troops that can’t be seen. Branid will also be fighting uphill all the way. It isn’t a steep slope, but it will be telling. I told you that this Captain Turton that Cordale put in charge wasn’t experienced enough for this kind of responsibility.”
Darkness was rapidly settling in. “It’s too late to attempt anything tonight,” Rigo said. He turned to Briner. “Do you think this Captain Turton will listen to you?”
“I have no authority in his eyes,” Briner said. “Cordale replaced a number of the former military leaders, and Captain Turton will not see me as having any authority. He will also know that Cordale wouldn’t have sent me with any orders of importance. The best I will be able to do will be to point out the traps that Lopal has in place and hope that he realizes this is not a battle he can win.”
“What reaction would you expect if we were to drop in on the Captain tonight?”
“It’s likely he will consider us spies or in league with Lopal somehow. We have no reason in his eyes for us to be here.”
“We should go down anyway,” Daria suggested. “We’ve seen enough we can suggest where he might send scouts to investigate. If he can learn from his own people that Lopal’s forces are stronger than he realizes, he might reconsider. If we wait until light, it will be too late.”
“How long before it gets too dark to see?” Rigo asked.
“Another glass, perhaps a little longer,” Kaler said. “Why?”
“Maybe the Captain should have a look from up here,” Rigo suggested. “That large tent down the hill is where I would guess the Captain is to be found?”
Briner nodded. “That is the command tent. You can tell by the flag.”
Rigo opened another Bypass, and the foursome stepped into the Branid camp a short distance from the tent. They hadn’t gone a dozen paces when the guard posted to protect the Captain spotted them and advanced to intercept.
“Halt!” yelled one of the guardsmen. Also immediately five men closed on their position, weapons drawn and ready. Three moved in to intercept seeing that the group was armed, and almost as quickly Kaler had disarmed two and Daria had a knife at the throat of the third. Seeing the sudden disarming of their friends, a half dozen more moved in to help.
“Don’t kill any of them,” Rigo warned. “Let them go and put down your weapons,” Rigo warned his friends.
“Unhappily Kaler and Daria released those they had disarmed, and then stood still while more than a dozen guardsmen surrounded them. They set down their weapons and stepped away and waited to see what Rigo would do. Within a couple of minutes the flap to the tent was thrown aside and a dark haired soldier emerged and headed in their direction.
“Who are you and how did you get inside my camp?” he demanded as he approached. He could see that they had disarmed themselves, although he would have been surprised to see what Daria still carried hidden on her person. Once he was closer he frowned. “I know you,” he said looking at Commander Briner. “You have no business here.”
“We have come to put a stop to the impending battle with Lopal,” Briner informed the captain. “This man,” and he indicated Rigo, “has reason to stop the fighting. We also need to inform you that you are walking into a trap. Lopal has more forces than you expect.”
“I don’t take my orders from some unknown person, nor from you. Your authority was removed at King Cordale’s di
rection. And I take issue with your information. My scouts have found no sign that the enemy is other than what our initial intelligence indicated. They will find themselves overmatched come the morning and Lopal will regret the day they invaded Branid.”
“We have no time for this,” Rigo said. He targeted the weapons the men around him held, and as one they began to glow dull red and then brighter. Shouts of surprise and then pain were heard, followed by the clattering as the weapons dropped to the ground.
Captain Turton looked at the glowing weapons scattered around as his dumbfounded men stared empty handed.
“Seize them,” the Captain ordered, but his men were unable to move forward against the magic that Rigo employed to restrain them.
“Bring the Captain,” Rigo told Kaler as he opened another Bypass. After retrieving his sword, Kaler walked over to the Captain, and holding the weapon to indicate that the Captain had no choice, pointed him toward the arch. Moments later the five of them stood atop the mountain.
“Great Risos!” cursed the Captain when he looked around. “How did we get here?”
“I’ll explain later,” Rigo said. “For the moment, it’s important to look carefully and determine yourself the deployment of your troops and those of Lopal.”
Unasked, Briner pointed out where Lopal had hidden large numbers of reserves that would be able to surprise any forces that Branid sent to try and dislodge the enemy. Captain Turton might not be the most experienced officer, but he was bright enough to understand what he was seeing.
“We wouldn’t have a chance,” he said shocked.
“Now that you understand, we can return to your camp. You can send out scouts based on what you have seen to verify if you wish, although I wouldn’t lend too much hope they could make it through the lines.”
“Who are you, and how is it possible for you to be aware of these things and move from place to place so effortlessly?”
“I am a wizard, and what you have just witnessed is a form of magic. I also used magic to disarm your men.”
“Magic!” exclaimed Turton. “There is no such thing!” Then he looked down at his camp and frowned. Whatever means had been employed, it was akin to magic. “Can we return to my camp?” he asked.
“We will do so immediately, but I ask that you restrain your guards. We have much to talk about and I would prefer not to have to harm any of them.” Then Rigo opened the way. Moments later they returned to a very confused encampment. The guards had retrieved their weapons which had cooled with Rigo’s departure and had been organizing a search party, although none could figure out where to look. The reappearance of the Captain brought all activity to a sudden halt. Then, seeing Rigo and his friends the guards drew their swords and prepared to engage. A sharp word from the Captain brought them to a halt.
Rigo had explained his intent to halt the war without going into the reasons to the Captain. For his part, Captain Turton explained he was unable to follow orders from Rigo. He had specific orders from his King to chase the enemy from Branid, but could see that this battle would be futile and if Rigo had a means of removing the enemy he was willing to allow him the chance to do so. He would defend his position, but would not be charging into the traps that were waiting up the hill. Rigo intended to confront the enemy commander come light, but shortly before first light the first of Lopal’s forces advanced and engaged the defensive force that Branid had placed between the two armies. By the time word reached Captain Turton, his men had already fallen, and more of his men were moving forward to fortify the position.
Rigo and his friends didn’t hesitate. Quickly they headed uphill, moving between the Branid soldiers who were moving in the same direction. When they reached the scene of the attack, they had to step over the dead and wounded to see the Lopal forces pulling back. They were trying to entice Branid’s forces to follow. It was obvious that’s what the Sergeant intended, until Captain Turton’s voice rang out with an order to hold.
Rigo stepped into the open space beyond the Branid line. He motioned for Kaler and Daria to remain with Captain Turton, and walked a short distance up the hill. He walked a hundred paces and then stopped, looking uphill. He was about to call to the command of the Lopal forces, when the second wave of attackers started down the hill yelling as they came. This force was far greater than the force that had taken out the first rank earlier, and fully intended to break through the defensive lines that Branid was trying to form. If Branid wouldn’t come to them, then Lopal would bring the battle down to Branid’s army.
Rigo turned and faced the charging army. He hoped that Daim was right about what he was about to attempt. If he was wrong, he was going to be in trouble. He could feel his own power, but these kinds of things he had never practiced.
Rigo waited until the army drew nearer, and when they were within a hundred paces he released the magic that triggered a series of explosions in the ground extending along the line that separated the two armies for nearly a thousand paces in either direction. An explosion was triggered every fifty paces, each causing great blasts of flame and noise which threw clouds of dirt and rock high into the air. The suddenness and the unexpected nature of the blasts caught both armies by surprise, and the advancing forces slid to a halt, their advance now in shambles. Horses shrieked and several stumbled. Men tripped over one another, and many were pelted with dirt and small rock as the material that had been tossed high into the air rained back down to the ground. By the time the startled invaders finally came to a stop, the front lines of the advance stretched all along the hillside in either direction some twenty paces from where Rigo stood with his arms outstretched. The silence after the explosions was broken by the shuffling of the nervous animals.
No one moved for a long moment, and then a smaller group broke free of the main force and rode over to where Rigo waited. The man in the center of the group appeared to be in charge. He was surrounded by his personal guard and several advisors or fellow commanders. Moving slowly into position behind him was a large force of mounted archers. Off to the right Rigo could see several hundred of mounted swordsmen, waiting for the command to advance.
“Who are you?” asked the man in the group that had ridden over to where Rigo waited.
“I am the wizard Rigo,” he replied calmly. “This is over. The war is over. You are to remove your forces and return to Lopal.”
The man laughed. “A wizard. Is that what you would have us believe? I don’t know what trickery was used to create the explosions, but it was quite impressive. I applaud your ingenuity. But the men of Lopal do not fool so easily. Branid will fall, and trying to trick us into believing you have some power that doesn’t exist will not save you. I am It’oni. As Lamane of Lopal, I promise you as much.” With a flick of his hand he commanded a half dozen of his mounted swordsman to charge Rigo.
There was no doubt they intended to cut him down with the oddly shaped swords they held in arms cocked back ready to swing when he came into range. Without a thought he released burning coils of flaming magic that enveloped each of the riders. Men and horses alike faded and collapsed into burnt piles of oily ash before they were within a dozen paces of where Rigo stood.
“Trickery?” Rigo asked. “How do you explain the loss of the men you just condemned to death? Your entire forces could be consumed so if you continue along this path. I offer you the chance to live and save your energies for a more important fight that Lopal faces.”
Anger crossed the face of the Lamane of Lopal. With another signal, he commanded his archers to fire. More than five hundred arrows were launched into the air within seconds, all headed toward where Rigo stood.
There were various options Rigo could pursue. He could have stopped the arrows in flight. Burke had done as much once before, although that had been a mere handful of arrows. He could cause them all to miss. Such a thing would have been simple. But a half dozen men had already died, and more were likely to before long. This It’oni was a man who wanted the war. Perhaps it was better t
o make his point very clear.
Rigo let his mind reach out to the arrows in flight, and with a simple tweak, the flight path of every arrow was suddenly altered. The sound of five hundred arrows hitting home and striking flesh was easily heard as the armies of both sides stood silent having noted the impossible change of flight direction. It’oni and his mount dropped to the ground, dead and nearly unrecognizable beneath the hundreds of shafts protruding from their bodies.
Rigo didn’t bother to spare the dead leader even a glance. He pointed to one of the men who had ridden beside It’oni. He was wearing richer leathers than his fellows. “You are now in charge,” Rigo said. “You will order your army to withdraw.”
The man swallowed, but he shook his head. He made a quick signal, and several hundred of the armed riders headed directly for Rigo.
“Fool,” Rigo said angrily, and he released a burst of Brightfire at the advancing mass. Where there had been hundreds of armed men, there was suddenly nothing but charred and burned remains. Rigo looked at the man that had ordered the charge and watched as he dropped dead from his saddle.
“Your turn,” he said, pointing to another. “Withdraw your army before I am forced to destroy it entirely.”
The man objected. “I’m not . . ,” and he looked back up the hill.
“The next in your chain of command is up there,” Rigo said understanding the man’s look. “That’s fine. What is his name?”
“Elm’ad,” the man replied.
“For the moment you are in charge. Withdraw your forces and inform this Elm’ad I will meet with him over there in a glass,” Rigo said. “Failure to do as I command will result in the complete loss of your forces. Maybe you will be able to convince him that magic is real.”