“But what about Pallin's quest? If what you're saying is true, then Pallin is searching the Banished Lands in vain.”
“It's not in vain. Pallin is keeping Corcoran's attentions fixed in the wrong place. I'm not claiming I know anything for certain. We'll only know the real truth once we search the catacombs of Eulsiphion and find what's hidden there, if anything. It's imperative you get there as soon as possible.”
“I know,” Sheabor replied. “I was planning to leave yesterday, actually. There's just so much to do. And now with Estrien taking Straiah's place, we've had to alter our plans. Plus, the diplomatic envoy we sent to Kester could return any day. I was hoping for their report before leaving for Forthura. We'll set out tomorrow and hopefully still rendezvous with Baron and Ariadra on the way, though by now, we'll surely be late.”
Durian was taken aback by his declaration.
“Baron?”
“Have you not heard?” Sheabor asked. “I guess I didn't realize that you and Aravas left the meeting before the courier from King Froamb arrived. Baron and his fiancee are in Suriya. Or were. They've probably already been married and are on their way to meet us.”
“Married!” Durian exclaimed. “We've been locked away in these archives. I haven't heard anything. Who is she?”
“You met her briefly, I think,” Sheabor said. “Or saw her, at least, the first night we arrived in Ogrindal. I feel badly calling on them so soon after their wedding. I almost thought to give them another day or so and just have them meet us in Eulsiphion. But it'll save time if we rendezvous at the tomb of Sheyla instead.”
“Sheyla?” Durian said, as though shocked. “What? No. You didn't tell them to go inside did you?”
Sheabor seemed surprised at Durian's urgency.
“No, but I didn't tell them not to either,” he replied. “What's going on?”
“You need to leave right now! You need to get there before them!”
“What? Why?”
Durian turned away in despair. Why hadn't he mentioned anything until now? It hadn't seemed pertinent with so much else going on.
“Corcoran knew we'd go back to her tomb eventually,” Durian said. “He set a trap for us. I was going to tell you when the time came. Corcoran never expected me to survive to warn you about it. But if Baron and Ariadra go into that tomb, they'll be killed.”
Sheabor was speechless.
“You need to go! Now!” Durian said with a shove toward the door.
Despite the intensity of Durian, Sheabor froze. He couldn't just leave immediately without a word. But even if he took Agur and left this second, he still might not make it to the tomb before Baron and Ariadra. So he turned and sped out the door, followed by Durian.
“It's a crossbow in the upper corner of the room set with three arrows and latched to a string on the floor. It will release if they approach her sepulcher but you can disarm it. I'll come with you.”
“No,” Sheabor said. “Agur is the swiftest horse in the city. You'd only slow us down. But follow behind with the others as soon as you can make ready.”
“We will.”
Sheabor ran through the alliance city, disappearing from the archival building. He had sent an armed envoy to see to Baron and Ariadra's safety. But never had he dreamed the real threat was so much more sinister. Meanwhile, Durian returned to the archival building, his heart worried for Baron.
“You'll come to Eulsiphion, won't you?” he asked Aravas at length.
“I should remain here.”
“But if we find your powers there, we can unlock them immediately.”
Aravas opened his mouth but hesitated. It was as though, until now, the reality of actually finding the powers of the Windbearers had remained a dream. But in a few days time, Aravas might actually be restored to a position he'd abandoned over twelve centuries ago.
“If we find our powers in Eulsiphion, we'll need Pallin safely back before we can unlock them.”
“I'm sure King Euthor has a plan,” Durian replied.
Then he ran from the archival building toward the council tent. Arriving breathless, he found Cora and a few others, who quit their conversation at his approach.
“We need to leave as soon as possible,” Durian managed amid breaths.
“What's happened?”
“Sheabor's gone on ahead to find Baron and Ariadra. They're in danger.”
“What kind of danger?”
“I'll explain along the way. Make whatever preparations you need for a long journey.”
“I'll get the horses ready.”
“And we'll need a large cart.”
Cora hesitated.
“For what, and just where are we going?”
“We're meeting Baron and Ariadra at the tomb of Sheyla. We're going to take Sheyla's coffin with us to Eulsiphion to make it look like we plan to bring her back to life.”
“I thought we were planning to bring her back to life.”
“The plans have changed.”
Deliberations
Estrien wandered a white sandy beach in the full noonday sun, the emerald waves crashing along shore, sending a misty spray that chilled her face. Was this the beach Straiah had often wandered? It was beautiful here. Having grown up in Melanor, she had only ever dreamed of all the world's fair places. But it felt lacking without Straiah by her side. He had wanted to introduce her to the beauty here, to steal her away from duty and care to wander awhile.
“Lady Estrien,” someone said from behind. “The coalition leaders have arrived.”
Estrien gazed a few more moments out over the crashing waves. One day, she would come back to this place with Straiah. She chose to believe it. Then she turned to depart, following the resistance soldier back to the tent of meeting.
When she arrived, she was surprised to find the tent gone and over a dozen had gathered around a table in the middle of the woods with a large woven map spread atop it. But then she smiled, seeing Drogan there and realizing he was far too large to meet in a small tent.
“Estrien,” Gwaren said, coming over to her and offering his hand. “It's good to see you again.”
“And you,” she replied, taking his hand with a smile.
Then Gwaren invited her to join the rest around the table.
“The commander of the resistance has informed us of your plan. I can't say I'm entirely enthusiastic about it.”
“I know,” Estrien said. “It puts everything you've accomplished here at risk.”
“In the last few weeks, we've managed to completely contain and halt the advancement of Corcoran's Dungeon Core,” Gwaren replied. “Our armor allows us to move at speed through the Westward Wilds, attacking and defeating superior numbers by the element of surprise. We should not give up that advantage.”
“Ordinarily, I would agree with you,” Estrien said. “But this is an opportunity that could tip the balance of the war in our favor.”
Gwaren glanced to Drogan and then back to Estrien.
“But what if it's a trap?”
Estrien didn't reply. For that was the obvious question.
“Yes, it's true that the convoys have all but stopped these last few weeks, leaving Corcoran's strongholds seemingly to fend for themselves,” Gwaren continued. “It looks like a genuine opportunity. But Corcoran is cunning, as we all know. He knows his forces can't defeat our own in the open country. What if he's luring us into an early engagement, on his terms?”
Estrien paced back and forth a few moments.
“We have to look at the bigger picture,” she said at length. “When Corcoran was in the person of Durian, he learned of Pallin's mission to find the orb of the Windbearers. That single item will give this war to Corcoran if he can find it before Pallin. He knows it, and he'll spend all his efforts to find it.”
“But doesn't that nullify everything you're asking us to do? If this war will be determined by who finds the orb first, then why is it so important for us to risk everything striking at his strongholds?”
“You're asking a lot,” Gwaren said. “Even if we committed the whole of our forces, we have little hope of taking all three strongholds. Better to focus on one at a time.”
“That won't be enough. Why has Corcoran built three forts here instead of just one? It's because he only needs one intact to safely transport his greater weapons across the divide. If he loses one or even two forts, it will be of little concern to him. If even one of his strongholds is allowed to remain, he'll be able to bring his siege weapons across the divide.”
For many moments, none spoke.
“I think we understand the situation,” Gwaren said. “I'm just not sure that what you're asking is possible. Give us some time to discuss it and come to a decision.”
Estrien bowed and turned to depart. But her heart beat quickly. Time was running short. What if it was already too late? Corcoran had spent the last few weeks searching for the tomb of King Euthor. What if Pallin had already been found and killed? But King Euthor wouldn't have placed the orb on the Banished Lands unless he was sure Pallin could get to it first.
Estrien set off alone through the forest. The pale evening light did little to penetrate the leafy canopy overhead. The trees here were old and majestic, never having had dealings with man, until recently.
Wandering alone beneath the trees brought her mind to the poem Straiah had written for her and she unfolded it from her pocket. The lines brought a wave of warm feeling. Estrien smiled to herself and breathed in deep. The old woods were surprisingly peaceful, trees hundreds of years old stretching high to the heavens and stamping out the dwindling light from above.
Estrien wandered far until the worry of losing her way compelled her home. Arriving back at camp, the other leaders still hadn't come to a decision. Estrien's heart sank a bit. She knew they had already decided against her plan. Now they were simply looking to provide her with an alternative that would satisfy all parties. Estrien contented herself that things would work out for the best. Gwaren and the others were right to be cautious.
But night passed to morning and still no decision. If they could even defeat one of Corcoran's strongholds, it would be a victory. But Estrien was more concerned for Pallin. When the elders of Melanor had first given her a mission so many months ago, it was simple: protect Pallin the Wanderer. That mission had quickly gone astray when she became trapped in the Squall Highlands. She would've perished there but for Straiah.
Now, Pallin was again in great danger, and Estrien was elsewhere. She needed to do something to help him. But what? Estrien went for a walk to clear her head. The early morning woods were even more beautiful than in the evening. But when she returned to camp late morning, there was already a gathering.
“Where have you been?” one of the resistance asked her. “They've come to a decision.”
Estrien nodded and followed him to the open area where many had gathered. Gwaren, Drogan, and the resistance leader were standing in front, facing the crowd.
“As many of you know,” Gwaren began, “there has been much talk of a counteroffensive against the strongholds of Corcoran. At long last, we have an opportunity to strike back.”
Estrien waited with piqued interest. She didn't care that Gwaren hadn't invited her to the forefront for their announcement. She was a newcomer here. The resistance and the coalition had done the real work of securing the Westward Wilds.
“We are planning to mount an all-out offensive against the northernmost stronghold of the enemy. With it destroyed, it will severely hinder the ability of the enemy to send raiding parties into Kester. Once cut off, we will surround and subdue the other two strongholds.”
Estrien nodded slowly. It was the best she could hope for. And it was a good plan. If she were to choose one fort, that's the one she'd have gone for. And if Corcoran really was using all his remaining forces to search the Banished Lands for the tomb of King Euthor, then maybe they could just starve his other strongholds until they surrendered. Without new provisions, how long could they really last? The people began to disperse and Gwaren came over to Estrien.
“We won't abandon Pallin,” he said. “And we'll do everything we can to strike at Corcoran hard.”
“I know,” Estrien replied. “It's a good plan.”
Gwaren nodded slowly with a sigh. He knew it wasn't what Estrien wanted but it was the best they could do right now.
“We'll make preparations to leave at first light. You will lead of one of the coalition groups.”
Estrien bowed low.
Gwaren was assuming command of the mission. Estrien thought at first to protest, the counteroffensive being her mission, but Gwaren was the better choice and he knew it. The soldiers lives were at stake.
Estrien said nothing more but set off through the forest, hoping only she'd served the alliance well in Straiah's absence. He never would've attempted an attack on all three strongholds. Maybe it was always fated that they would attack the northernmost fort regardless of whether she or Straiah were here.
Estrien wandered alone for the better part of the day. It was so peaceful here and she could see how Straiah loved it. But then, she thought she caught sound of a distant rumbling, like many soldiers on horseback.
Estrien set off on a quick pace, the sound growing louder as she approached. But before she reached the edge of the forest, she was met by a scout from the resistance.
“What's coming our way?” she asked.
“A battalion from Kester by the looks of it,” he responded.
Estrien was both surprised and excited at the prospect. A military expedition from Kester was sure to come now that Corcoran's forces had been attacking their villages. But the timing was more than perfect.
“Quickly! Fetch me a horse.”
The two parted ways and Estrien hurried toward the edge of the forest. Drawing near, she came to the edge of the treeline, spying outward to see at least a few hundred warriors all on horseback and proudly waving the standard of Kester.
They were in the open country and would pass her by soon. She could just wander up to them alone and on foot. But soon, she heard galloping from behind. The resistance soldier and two others rode up, a fourth horse in tow.
“Thank you,” Estrien said, mounting and setting off into the valley.
The forces of Kester halted at their approach and a detachment set off from their number to meet her in the field. Estrien was surprised on her approach to see Commander Rovak of K'venneh.
“Commander Rovak,” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here so far from home?”
“Did you not know a response was inevitable? Until now, the people of Kester have turned a blind eye to the growing threat in the Westward Wilds, graciously allowing your forces to cross our borders with the understanding that you would put a stop to what's happening here. Yet still, our villages fall prey to attack.”
“When?” Estrien asked. “There have been no new incursions into Kester in weeks.”
“Yet the threat remains. You've allowed the enemy to solidify his position. Every moment you sit here idle, the threat against my people grows.”
“We're already formulating a strategy to push them back into the sea.”
“You will cease all military activity in the Westward Wilds. I am assuming control of the region. Any military forces in the Westward Wilds are now under the command of the kingdom of Kester.”
Estrien was taken aback.
“But you don't understand,” Estrien said. “You can't just come in and undo everything we've fought for thus far.”
“What do you expect from us? It has been our villages plundered and our people murdered!”
“Then help us,” Estrien pleaded. “
Don't undermine us. We've already begun mounting an offensive that will push Corcoran back into the sea.”
“We're under no orders to work with you,” Rovak replied. “You will surrender what information you have about the enemy's forces and positions, and then return peacefully to your own lands.”
“This is foolishness,” Estrien responded. “You can't honestly expect us to leave.”
“You will be allowed to remain only after you and your forces pledge yourself to my command. From now on, my orders are the only ones you'll follow.”
Sending a military expedition into the Westward Wilds was heavy handed, but it was a good strategy. Rovak couldn't want the coalition forces to leave, but would benefit if they came under his command. It was a bold move but brilliant.
“Very well,” Estrien said at length. “I'll bring you to the others.”
Estrien turned her horse, her mind now racing. This changed everything. With the troops from K'venneh, they now had what they needed to strike all three strongholds. But would Rovak go for such a plan?
Estrien knew him little. From what she could tell he was a sensible commander, but more methodical than risky. Her plan might be too dangerous for his tastes.
“Does Sheabor know you're here?” Estrien questioned.
“We've sent a delegation to your alliance city informing them of our intentions.”
“Why not work with us?” she asked.
Commander Rovak sneered.
“You should count yourself lucky we're working with you at all. If I'd had my way, we'd of driven you from our lands months ago.”
Estrien only smiled and shook her head. The commander and his entourage sped through the trees, coming at length to the resistance camp. Estrien thought at first to meet in a different location. But Commander Rovak would sense if she weren't fully cooperating. It was better to go along with his orders for the time being.
When Estrien arrived, the others had already assembled. One of the other resistance scouts must have informed them of the new visitors. Estrien glanced to Drogan, Gwaren, and the leader of the resistance, who showed their obvious disapproval. But Estrien tried to stress with her eyes that they listen to Commander Rovak.
The Banished Lands- The Complete Series Page 92