by Blink, Bob
“Branid commands many like you?” the man asked.
“Branid does not command me. I am under the orders of no king. I will see the end of this war, or I will destroy each man who tries to pursue it. Tell Elm’ad, and withdraw your men.”
The man looked around, but gave a signal that caused the assembled forces to start pulling back. “What about?” and he pointed at the remains of It’oni on the ground.
“You may send a small group to recover the body after the bulk of your army withdraws,” Rigo said.
Chapter 76
Rigo walked down the hill to where his friends waited with Captain Turton and Commander Briner. Although he had turned his back on the army he had just humbled, he was very aware of every man behind him, and prepared to respond should anyone be so foolish as to attempt him harm. He could have left as he’d arrived, but he wanted the defeated army to see him casually walking away.
Kaler was grinning as he approached, happy to see his friend walk away from an encounter that would have meant the death of thousands. He could tell Daria was pleased with his swift removal of the leaders, sparing as many common soldiers as he could. The two military leaders were clearly in shock by the kind of power Rigo had unleashed on their enemies.
“That has to be the most bloodless battle I’ve ever witnessed, Turton said.
“It wasn’t without blood,” Rigo said harshly, thinking sickly of the men he’d wiped from existence. He felt little for the overzealous leaders, but the soldiers had been doing only as ordered. They probably hadn’t wanted to be there in the first place.
“If you control such power, why didn’t you simply destroy the lot of them?” Captain Turton asked undaunted. “It would have ended the problem once and for all.”
“My intention was not to kill them. You will be happy soon enough to have them between you and what is headed toward Branid. It is a far more serious threat than the army that almost defeated you.”
“What do we do now?” Kaler asked.
“Someone named Elm’ad is supposedly the next in command. I have asked for him to meet with me on the hill within a glass. We will wait and see what develops.”
Well short of a full glass, Daria pointed out to Rigo the small group making its way toward the designated meeting point. It looked as if Elm’ad, assuming that was who was leading the group, had brought his personal protection or several advisors with him. Well, Rigo hadn’t said to come alone, not thinking he would even if directed to do so.
“We’re going with you,” Daria said in a tone that indicated she wouldn’t be dissuaded. “It was foolish enough you went out in front of both armies alone. This time you will have your mind on the discussions. You need someone to watch your back.”
Rigo hesitated, then nodded his assent. This time he wanted to make a point, so rather than walk the short distance he opened a Bypass and the three of them emerged without warning in front of the waiting group on the hill.
Elm’ad was clearly startled by their appearance seemingly out of thin air. One of his men reached for a sword, but a sharp word from the Lopal leader stopped the motion before he could draw the weapon.
Rigo examined the man as he walked over to where he waited. He was a short, barrel-chested fighter of indeterminate age. His hair was a dark red and long, hanging well past his shoulders and tied in the back with some sort of leather thong. His frame was protected by worn leathers, decorated by metal studs that had been sewn into the leather as much to add looks as additional protection. The gray eyes reflected the man’s uncertainty as he watched Rigo with equal intensity. What was supposed to be an easy defeat of Branid’s largest army had been suddenly turned around by this one man.
“That was quite a display,” Elm’ad said. “If I hadn’t personally witnessed your single-handed rout of our army I wouldn’t have believed such a thing possible. I probably would have hung any man who came to me with such an outrageous story. What exactly are you?”
“You may call me Master Rigo. I am a senior wizard trained in the art of magic.”
Elm’ad spit a brown stream off to one side as he digested Rigo’s claim. “A wizard? Magic? You mean like in all them stories that they told us as youngsters? It fits well enough, but I’m not certain that I’m ready to accept something such as that.”
“Do you have a better explanation?” Rigo asked.
“No. No I don’t. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. But for now, let’s not quibble over how you did what you did. You clearly were able to unleash weapons that caught us by surprise and against which we don’t have a defense. Poor Sergeant Poul who you placed in charge at the end there wasn’t at all certain what to do. I guess his surrender was as smart as anything. I’m guessing you were prepared to do worse than you did? You killed the Lamane, our King, you know.”
“I killed a lot of people. The one who led your army killed himself. He wouldn’t listen to reason and wanted to continue the engagement. He would have continued until many more had died. It seemed a quicker solution to get him out of the game.”
“It’oni believed strongly that Lopal was destined to rule the three kingdoms. He wouldn’t have surrendered easily. He certainly didn’t have much time as leader to make his mark.” Elm’ad hesitated. He looked at Kaler and Daria. “Are these two like yourself? Can they call down such destruction upon us as well?”
Rigo couldn’t see any reason to reveal who had what abilities. “Suffice it to say there are many of us with the gift. It would be wise for you to carry that fact back to Lopal with you.”
“You so-called wizards have allied yourselves with Branid then?”
Rigo shook his head. “We are allied with no one. We are independent of the leadership of the three kingdoms, but intend to see an end to this war. There is a greater danger facing all of us, and there is no time for such foolishness. Within a season you will find Lopal fighting for its existence from an enemy coming out of the east.”
“From the east? There’s nothing out there but the Ruins. You sound like I’Vorris.”
“I’Vorris?” Rigo asked.
“Our former Lamane. He stepped down being unwilling to pursue the war. He and some of his clan headed to the eastern lands to investigate stories of a strange beast.”
“They are called Hoplani. Perhaps I need to locate this I’Vorris. He sounds like a man of vision.”
“Half his visions come from a crazy old woman who speaks into his ear. Stories have it she claims to see the future.”
“A Seer?” Rigo sensed the question from Daim. He could feel the man’s interest in the possibility.
“Do you know exactly where this I’Vorris went?” Rigo asked.
“No, but it would be easy enough to learn from his sons. That assumes that I’ll be given the chance to return and speak with them.”
“You may take your army and return to Lopal. You must leave Branid and not return. If I sense a violation of this demand, I will be forced to take more direct action despite wishing to leave Lopal its army for the defense against the Hoplani threat. Who is in charge and who among you would know of the deployment of the rest of your army? It will be necessary to visit and recall all of the forces that Lopal has set upon its neighbors.”
“A new Lamane will have to be chosen. For the moment, I guess I am as close to a leader as you will find. I know of some of the plans, but to determine everything It’oni had set into motion, would require returning to his village. I’m certain his senior wife, and perhaps his brother, would know the orders he passed to the other tribal leaders.”
“Then we will have to go there. I have other matters at hand, but will rejoin you after you cross back into Lopal.” Rigo handed Elm’ad a small band of gold. “You will wear this until I tell you otherwise. It is crude, but I haven’t time to gather the materials to make a finer one.”
“What is this?” Elm’ad asked, turning over the golden bracelet.
“It will allow me to locate you, wherever you happen to be. If I can
not find you because you have discarded this, I will remove you from leadership when I locate you, which will be easier than you might think. You saw the means by which I arrived. I can use the same to travel wherever I wish to go. When we finish here, I will be going to Sulen, and will be back in a few glass.”
Elm’ad couldn’t hide his disbelief of the claim, but he said nothing.
Rigo hadn’t missed the look in the man’s eyes. “You will learn for yourself soon enough. You and I will be visiting the other tribal leaders as you called them to carry word of the death of your King and the need to withdraw. Do you have any questions?”
“You have said nothing of our swords? Are you demanding a surrender and forfeiture of all weapons?”
“You may keep your weapons. They are no threat to me and you will need them soon enough, although I warn you in advance they will be of marginal use against the Hoplani.”
“What of the prisoners?”
“What prisoners?” Rigo asked, thinking the engagement had been too short this morning to have resulted in either side taking prisoners.
“Both sides have had occasion to capture some of the other side’s men over the past few days,” Elm’ad explained.
“I will see to the release of your men,” Rigo said. “I expect you to release any of Branid’s people immediately.” Then Rigo had another thought. “How about wounded? Do you have many that need healers?”
“There are some. As I explained there have been clashes over the past week, and several survived the blast of fire that you unleashed. They are unlikely to live even with the aid of our best healers.”
“Gather the wounded in your camp. Magic not only destroys, but can offer healing beyond anything you have encountered before. I will gather a number with the skill and have them see to the wounded in both camps.”
“It is not usual to show such concern for one’s enemies,” Elm’ad said.
“I told you my purpose is to prepare for a greater battle. I need Lopal and Branid both to have as many able-bodied men as possible. Go now, and gather your wounded. Give the orders to start withdrawal of the rest of your forces. I shall return shortly with those who can help.”
Rigo watched as Elm’ad slipped the band of gold around his left wrist, then turned and made an arch to carry them back down the hill where Briner and Captain Turton waited. He motioned to Kaler and Daria, and the three of them stepped through the Bypass.
“They will be withdrawing and returning to Lopal,” Rigo told Turton moments later. You should disperse your forces to watch their withdrawal and patrol the border against any further crossings. Do not attack forces that are returning to Lopal, even if they are small and easily defeated.”
“That is contrary to the orders from my King,” Captain Turton objected.
“Send notice to your King what has happened here. I will not look kindly on any attempt to initiate further hostilities. I will have to make this known to your king as well. This war is to end, and my friends and I will do what is necessary, to either side, to make that happen. You witnessed the power we command. Pass that word to your King.” Rigo wondered how he was going to manage the situation with Cordale, but that was a problem for later. He really expected to have to remove the man, so would likely be dealing with someone else.
“Will you be leaving then?” Turton asked.
“Shortly. I promised Elm’ad to bring some others with ability in magic to see to healing the wounded. You should gather your own wounded in one place. Also prepare for the release of those who have been taken prisoner. The Lopal soldiers you hold should be similarly released. Once these matters are attended to, I will be dealing with other issues, including seeing to the halting of other actions along the border. Elm’ad will be directing me where these are planned.”
Rigo could sense that captain Turton was not happy taking orders from Rigo, especially since he felt he now held the upper hand. That was one reason Rigo made a point of telling the man he would be traveling with Elm’ad. He didn’t want Branid’s army to attempt an attack as the Lopal forces withdrew.
“I’ll be right back,” Rigo informed his friends, and then he left for the Outpost. There he located Jeen, and together they selected a dozen of those most gifted with healing magic, and brought them back to the site of the battle. Rigo left Jeen to oversee the healing, and told her to meet him back at the Inn when she was done. Then he chased down Kaler, Daria, and Briner and they all went back to talk with Usaya, after which they quietly returned Briner to the barracks.
When Jeen returned to the Inn with Ash’urn in tow, Rigo and the others had been back for some time. They spent most of the evening planning what came next. Kaler and Daria were to continue looking into affairs in Sulen, concentrating on Cordale. Usaya had informed them how to locate the hidden passageways in the castle, and a means to access the castle even without Rigo and Jeen’s magical abilities. Ash’urn with his knowledge of Lopal and its rulers would be traveling with Rigo, who needed to bring other military activity to a halt. Once that was done it would be necessary to visit Kellmore and explain to the King there what was happening. Rigo wanted Lady Usaya to come with him for that, but such an action would reveal his interactions with the former Queen, so he wasn’t quite ready to take that step.
In the meantime, Jeen would continue to monitor the progress of the wizards at the Outpost. Her own development had been remarkable, and while most were progressing more slowly, definite growth was being seen. The Elders were pushing for a stepped up monitoring of the borderlands as it became increasingly obvious that the number of Hoplani exceeded what they had expected. A number of incidents in small villages along the border indicated some were getting through. Rigo realized that his holding back the travel skill wasn’t going to work. He instructed Jeen to pass the skill to more of the wizards at the Outpost and task Kela with making more of the wizards there familiar with the location of all the towers. Soon many trips would be required, and he wouldn’t be able to personally escort every group.
Ash’urn was smugly silent about something he and Nycoh were working on, saying only that he would let them know once they had made more progress.
Business concluded, Jeen left for the Outpost. In the morning, Rigo would drop Kaler and Daria in Sulen, and then he and Ash’urn would find Elm’ad and see what could be done to bring all other military activity to a halt.
Chapter 77
Roit strode purposefully toward the back of the camp to where the birds used to send messages back to Sulen were kept. He was dirty and unshaven, and hadn’t eaten well for a number of days, but such things could wait a while. His understanding of the day’s events was cursory and incomplete, but that could be dealt with later as well. The news he had to forward to Cordale was too important to wait for him to sort out everything he was hearing since his release by Lopal. He hadn’t expected to be back among his own forces so soon after he had been stripped of his weapons and thrown in with other Branid soldiers who had been captured over the past several weeks.
He had half expected to be locked up, or killed outright, when he had ridden his horse into the Lopal camp almost a week earlier in an attempt to speak with their leader and carry Cordale’s message to the man. His plans of slipping off and disappearing across the border had not worked out. Captain Turton had kept him close at hand knowing he had the ear of the King, and given the number of enemy in the area, Roit had become convinced that a lone rider in these parts was likely to be killed by one side or the other. Finally he had decided his best chances were to attempt to speak with this It’oni and hope for the best.
It’oni hadn’t been interested in his message, laughing and having him sent to the stockade. As a result of being held at the back of the Lopal camp with the other prisoners for the better part of a week, Roit had missed everything that had happened today. He had overheard the discussions of his guards and knew the long awaited battle with Branid’s army was to have happened, and that Lopal had been preparing several surprises and
expected to defeat Branid’s defenders easily. It hadn’t turned out that way for some reason, and something had cut the encounter short, resulting in Lopal withdrawing, and himself and the other prisoners being released.
As he walked down the hill toward the Branid camp after being given his freedom, he had seen little signs of battle. There was one badly burned area that stunk of burned meat and vegetation, but otherwise the usual carnage of a major encounter was missing. He heard fanciful tales from some of the men he passed about wizards and magic, but saw nothing himself to support such tales. He was somewhat surprised at how consistent the stories appeared to be. Roit had planned to report to Captain Turton informing of his release and attempt and learn what had occurred when he saw them.
At first he was convinced that he was mistaken, but while he hadn’t encountered the Kellmore swordsman who had been Eessa’s lover very often, there was no mistaking the young woman who stepped out of one of the tents and spoke with him. He had arranged to have her killed many months earlier and by some miracle she had obviously managed to escape. She appeared to have no ill effects of the poison that had been guaranteed to ensure her death. Now she was here, and friendly with the other escapee. Had the swordsman’s mysterious escape had something to do with her disappearance all along? He had considered them independent events. As he watched, a third person entered the picture, and Roit was certain he was the other one who had managed to escape the dungeon so easily.
Roit had attempted to circle around and get closer in an attempt to overhear what they were talking about, but by the time he had circled around several intervening tents, they had somehow disappeared. He had spent half a glass searching the camp for further sign of them, but had found nothing. He planned to ask Turton about the trio later, but this news had to be forwarded to Cordale immediately. He would follow up later with an explanation of them as well as the other mysterious events once he had a chance to learn more.