“What of Sarac?” asked Alex. “Where did he go?”
“I don’t know,” responded Jenneva. “I couldn’t pierce his ward so I created a new Universe around his entire party, wards and all. I’m afraid I have no comprehension of what that means. Perhaps I can find reference in Sarac’s books. Oh, I have left Mordac at his castle.”
“Well, he is not there anymore,” stated Egam. “I was at Sarac’s castle and killed his goblin defenders, but there were no magicians there. It was relatively easy to find with all of you flying around. I took the liberty of securing his library for you, Jenneva. I wasn’t sure where you would want it so it is sitting in my laboratory. You may leave it there or have it moved, whichever you desire.”
“I think I may spend some time at Atar’s Cove,” she said. “I would like to cherish the memory of my days with my mother while they are fresh.”
* * *
Alex went to the barn where the discussion was already underway. General Clark was detailing the Kingdom’s loses. Two-thirds of the Red Swords were dead and less than half of the Regular Army had survived.
“So, you’re saying that the Kingdom has only four-thousand five hundred soldiers left?” asked Duke Nelson.
“That is correct,” replied the General. “And, in my opinion, that is insufficient to even think of pursuing the goblins. We need to post our troops along our borders. Our neighbors will soon learn of our weakened condition and we don’t want to present them with a situation that is too tempting.”
“Colonel Gregor,” asked the King, “what is your evaluation of this?”
“Your Highness, General Clark has a firm grasp of the situation and I am in total agreement with him. I think we need to start recruiting and training a new army.”
“All right, General,” stated the King, “you have authority to recruit enough soldiers to bring our ranks up to their prior level.”
Alex was not one of the attendees at the meeting. He was present to organize the villagers’ reception for the King. This, however, didn’t matter to Alex. He walked up to the table and spoke. “Your Highness, if you will pardon my interruption, the Army needs to be greatly enlarged. For years the frontier has been open to raiding by whoever chose to attack a village. These frontier people are Targans. Are they not to be afforded the same protection as those who live in Tagaret? The Crown demands their loyalty and devotion the same as any other Targan, but when it comes to protecting their homes and families the Crown excuses itself because of their remote location.”
“Enough!” shouted Duke Nelson. “How dare you speak to the King in this manner? You of all people. The King has bestowed you with rank at a young age. He has allowed your rapid rise in the Kingdom’s most elite military force. He was even dignified enough to overlook your rash joke of presenting children in the Honor Guard.”
Colonel Gregor stood. “May I speak, Your Highness?”
“You may, Colonel Gregor.”
“Your Highness, I cannot excuse my Sergeant’s rash entry into this meeting, but I can address some of Duke Nelson’s other points. Alexander Tork was titled because it was his birthright, not because he pursued the title. His rise in rank under my command has not been a gift. Sergeant Tork is not only the finest fighting soldier in the Army today, he is a natural born leader. He was chosen by his village leader to lead his people to safety at the age of fourteen, not because he was the leader’s son, but because they saw in him the qualities of a leader and wanted the best chance possible for their families to get to safety. As for the age of Lavinda’s Honor Guard, I would suggest that Duke Nelson try to get into this village by force. Those children out there were able to capture a Red Sword penetration team, which evaded the entire goblin army. Yes, they are young, but they have had to grow up bearing arms. It is mandatory in Lavinda to join the defense of the village at the age of eight. Sergeant Tork is here speaking to this assembly to impress upon the Crown that children should not have to live this way. Not Targan children.”
Lieutenant Oren stood and was recognized by the King. “I think Sergeant Tork’s brashness is of better use on the battlefield, Your Highness. I am responsible for his promotion to Sergeant. I do not regret that act. Tork is probably responsible for more goblin deaths than any man alive today and the Colonel is correct about the man’s ability to lead. I would be willing to sponsor this man for an officer’s position and beg the Crown not to entertain the notion of removing this man from service. His manner of speaking here is inexcusable but I plead to the Crown to excuse it anyway.”
General Clark was next. “Your Highness, I know almost nothing of this man. In fact I must confess that I manipulated the Colonel into letting me sponsor him even though it was the Colonel who recruited him. I have heard of his deeds and I applaud them. I question Duke Nelson, however, about his impression of rudeness regarding the Sergeant’s speech. This man has spoken like any other patriot would have. He cares little for what you will do to him. It is obvious that he cares a great deal about the people of Targa and it is for them that he speaks. I agree with his assessment of the strength of our Army. We must do more to protect our citizens.”
“Well, Baron Tork,” said the King, “you seem to have quite a following. It might surprise you to know that I number among them. I like your idealism and, in fact, your practicality. We do have to work on your court manners, though. I will admit that I have neglected the frontier. In fact, this is my first visit in many years. As you have pointed out, the Kingdom has many loyal Targans up here and the Crown has an obligation to protect them. It will do so. General Clark, Colonel Gregor, you both speak of the need to bolster our forces. Meet together and arrive at a consensus for the strength our Army should attain. Lieutenant Oren, you offer to sponsor this young Sergeant for an officer’s position, carry through on your motion. Targa’s Army is going to be much larger and we will need fine officers. Sergeant Tork, I think you need to create a proposal for creating a Frontier Division of the Army. Work on it with the officers here and present it to me within a month. Duke Nelson, is there anything else on the agenda?”
“You have a note regarding Baron Dalek, Your Highness.”
“Ah, yes. Oscar what were your losses in this campaign?”
“They were acceptable, Your Highness. I have managed to keep seven wagons out of the original sixty. Only one ship ran aground and it will require only minor repairs.”
“The Crown acknowledges its debt to you, Oscar. Without your losses this victory could not have been accomplished. I would like the honor of raising your station in life. Please appear in Tagaret the fifteenth of the next month and we shall all toast a celebration to Duke Dalek.
THE END
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Origin Scroll Page 24