“Why are you giving this to me?” the Spinoan colonel asked.
“An officer without a sword will be seen as a prisoner,” answered Rut-ki. “I want your comrades to understand that you have volunteered to work alongside the Alceans. It will better help them to understand that you are truly trying to save their lives.”
“She is right,” mumbled the general as he pushed his plate away, the strain of fatigue evident in his face. “Appearances will be important tomorrow.”
“As will having your wits about you,” frowned Colonel Rotti. “You need to get some sleep, General. Morning will come all too quickly.”
“We will be leaving within the hour,” declared Rut-ki as she placed a belt knife on the table. “I found this knife embedded in the body of General Franz. I believe it belongs to one of you?”
Colonel Rotti’s eyes widened nervously. He reflexively glanced at the general and immediately tore his eyes away. He reached for the knife and claimed it.
“It is my knife,” he admitted. “Thank you for its return.”
“I killed Franz,” confessed General Somma. “Do not let this young pup suffer on my account. Whatever crime that death constitutes, I will stand for its punishment after we manage to get the other Federation armies to surrender. Rotti had no hand in the slaying. How did you know it belonged to one of us?”
“Several of your men witnessed the attack,” answered Rut-ki. She did not add that those men thought more highly of Somma for having done the deed.
Anxious to change the subject, Colonel Rotti asked, “Why are we leaving tonight? The general is in great need of rest.”
“It is best if we travel at night,” Rut-ki answered. “The general can sleep along the way, but we have a great distance to cover before morning. I will wait outside for you. We will leave as soon as both of you are ready.”
Rut-ki turned and left the tent. Colonel Rotti picked up his sword and pulled the sheath over his head. He frowned as he looked around the big tent. Colonel Wu-sang appeared quite at ease with two enemy officers in his midst, and the delivery of the swords did not even raise an objection from him. There were no other Lanoirian soldiers in sight. He shook his head in confusion.
“It is obvious that you do not expect us to use these swords,” Rotti said as his confusion built to an unbearable level. “I can imagine that our escort will be quite numerous tonight, but you do not even seem concerned about being alone with us. Why is that? What am I missing?”
“Perhaps you have not yet learned to trust us,” Colonel Wu-sang said with a laconic smile. “Having survived a harrowing day, would you foolishly endanger your lives now merely to kill one insignificant Lanoirian colonel? As for your escort tonight, you and the general will be traveling with just Rut-ki. A Knight of Alcea needs no further escort.”
“I have heard that phrase before,” commented General Somma. “What exactly is a Knight of Alcea?”
“A Knight of Alcea is one of the most dangerous people in the world,” answered Colonel Wu-sang. “The Knights of Alcea are the world’s best warriors and magicians. There are only about a dozen of them, and they report only to King Arik and no one else. Rut-ki is one of them.”
“That little slip of a woman?” gasped Colonel Rotti. “You can’t be serious?”
All traces of humor fled from Wu-sang’s face. “You once again are underestimating your opponent, Colonel. Rut-ki was an instructor of martial arts in the Imperial Palace of Lanoir before she became a Knight of Alcea. She would need no weapon at all to dispatch the three of us if it became necessary. Cling to your sword and knife if they give you comfort, but do not even think of raising either one with malicious intent. You would not live long enough to use it.”
The Lanoirian colonel rose and stiffly exited the tent. Rotti looked at Somma questioningly.
“He seemed offended,” the colonel remarked.
“He was offended,” sighed General Somma as he slung his sheath over his head. “I imagine that Rut-ki is a provincial hero to the Lanoirians, and you have discounted her worth. The Alceans have been extremely gracious to us. Why do you keep testing them?”
“I do not know,” admitted the colonel. “I met Rut-ki last fall, General. She portrayed herself as a blushing bride, her new husband a poor fisherman. I can see now that it was just an act to get close to Kerk and me, but it was very convincing. It is just hard to think of her as some kind of great warrior.”
“Was the fisherman called Bin-lu?” asked the general.
“Yes,” nodded Rotti. “How did you know?”
“Bin-lu is also a Knight of Alcea,” answered General Somma. “He and Rut-ki designed the trap that snared our armies. I had the chance to talk with Wu-sang this afternoon, and I asked him about the dam. The Lanoirians had thousands of men working on it all winter, and all of this was done just because Bin-lu and Rut-ki demanded it. That proves to me that the Lanoirians take these Knights of Alcea very seriously. I suggest that we do the same. Now, I am really in need of sleep, so the sooner we get started on this journey, the sooner I can get some sleep. If you are ready, I would like to leave now.”
Colonel Rotti immediately stood and sheathed his knife. When General Somma rose to his feet, the two officers exited the tent to find Rut-ki standing with three saddled horses. She handed reins to each of the men and then mounted her horse.
“This is silly,” Colonel Rotti thought as he mounted the horse. “No matter how great a fighter Rut-ki might be, she can’t possible stop both Spinoans from merely riding away from her during the night’s journey.”
You have much to learn, Zaran. You are not in control.
The words had sounded inside the colonel’s head, and he glanced around in alarm. The voice had been feminine, but the only female in the area was Rut-ki, and she was not even paying any attention to the colonel. Rotti gazed upward in search of one of the fairy people, but the voice had been too full-bodied to be a fairy. He pulled on the reins to turn the horse around so he could get a better view behind him, but the horse refused to obey his commands.
The feminine voice chuckled in his mind.
“I am confused,” said General Somma as he mounted his horse. “Team Elmor should be traveling along the coast. It will take us days to reach them, especially if we only travel at night, but you indicated that a trap awaited them tomorrow. How can we possible be there in time?”
“We will be with Bin-lu in a couple of hours,” smiled Rut-ki as she mounted her horse. “You may sleep on the way if you wish. Your unicorn will not let you fall.”
Rut-ki’s mount sprouted wings and leaped into the air. General Somma’s mount immediately mimicked Rut-ki’s unicorn and Colonel Rotti’s jaw fell as he watched the magnificent beasts take to the air.
If you plan on running away, Zaran, now is your last chance. Leaving the saddle up in the sky is not a wise choice.
The third unicorn leaped into the air. Colonel Rotti gripped the saddle tightly, and his eyes widened as he looked down at the receding ground.
I hope you are not afraid of heights, giggled the feminine voice. I can’t stand nervous legs constantly pounding on my sides.
Colonel Rotti stared at the unicorn’s head in wonder. “Are you talking to me?” he asked out loud.
Is there someone else upon my back? quipped the unicorn.
Colonel Rotti shook his head as if to wake himself from the dream. He glanced down at the tiny moonlit strand of water that was the mighty Chi River and inhaled deeply. He could not believe what he was seeing. But it was more than merely what he was seeing. He could feel the bite of the wind against his face, and he could hear the powerful strokes of the creature’s mighty wings. He glanced once more at the back of the unicorn’s head.
“Where is your horn?” Colonel Rotti asked. “If unicorns truly do exist, they are supposed to have horns.”
Must everything be proved to you? taunted the unicorn as she made her horn appear. One would think that such skepticism would have shown itself mu
ch sooner. Like maybe when you agreed to attack a country that you truly knew nothing about. Where was your skepticism then?
Colonel Rotti stared in awe at the spiral horn just in front of him. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again, wondering if anything would change. Nothing changed. For a while he sat silently, letting the unicorn’s taunt sink in.
“I guess that I have been a fool,” the colonel sighed softly. “I do not know which comes as more of a shock, whether it be riding a mythical unicorn through the night sky or being lectured by one.”
Well, chuckled the unicorn, you are doubly blessed this night. We have a couple of hours to go before reaching Hun-lo Heights, and I can lecture on any number of topics. Perhaps we should start by discussing the proper degree of respect to be shown to the Knights of Alcea.
* * * *
Corporal Chitor made his way through the encampment of the 21st Corps of Spino. He glanced uneasily at the trees marking the perimeter of the camp and sat down next to Sergeant Turang.
“Can’t you get us a site deeper into the camp?” the corporal asked softly.
“Sites are assigned at the regimental level,” replied the sergeant. “What difference does it make where we sleep?”
“We are too close to the perimeter, complained the corporal. “The dwarves would overrun us before the rest of the camp was even alerted.”
“Don’t start with the dwarves again,” scowled the sergeant. “I am not in the mood.”
“It’s not just me,” retorted Corporal Chitor. “Well over a hundred men saw the dwarves today. The whole camp is talking about it. Why is it that you are the only person who is trying to deny their existence?”
“I am not the only one,” snapped the sergeant. “You will not find an officer in this entire camp that believes in dwarves. In fact, I heard that General Ritka is threatening to make an example out of the next person who reports seeing a dwarf. You would be wise to keep your mouth shut.”
“I can’t believe that not a single officer saw the dwarves today,” countered the corporal. “Men from every single company saw them. It is not possible for all of the officers to have missed seeing at least one dwarf. Do they travel with their eyes closed?”
Sergeant Turang sighed and stared at the ground. “Look, Chitor,” he said softly, “you and I both know that the dwarves are out there, but the officers cannot admit that. They cannot allow the soldiers of the 21st Corps or the 29th Corps to get frightened silly. They have to maintain order and discipline and that means that they will make an example out of someone. Keep your mouth shut or that someone might be you.”
Corporal Chitor frowned deeply. “I understand what you are saying, Turang, but not talking about them doesn’t make the dwarves go away. The generals are doing nothing about the situation. I am positive that the dwarves are probably right out there now looking at us sitting here. All I am asking is if you can figure out a way to get our site moved deeper into the camp. At least we would have a fighting chance when those creatures attack.”
“And what do you think the generals should be doing?” grumbled the sergeant. “Do you want them to send patrols out? Do you want to be in one of those patrols? Think about the results of your complaining before you speak. If another squad leader heard you talking, he would be recommending you for just such a patrol, and me and the rest of the squad would get to reap your punishment. Just shut your trap about the dwarves.”
The corporal’s eyes grew large, and he seemed to have trouble swallowing. He glanced at the dark trees beyond the perimeter, and his body shuddered.
“I’ll keep my mouth shut,” vowed the corporal, “but I still think you should try for a better campsite tomorrow night.”
The sergeant sighed again and picked up a rock as he rose to his feet. “I actually did try for a better site tonight,” the sergeant said softly. “It seems that every squad leader wanted to be in the center of the camp. Colonel Pierce was not happy with the requests. He was the officer who brought up the dwarves and the threat by General Ritka to make an example out of someone. They all know about the dwarves, Chitor. They are just lying to us so we don’t get nervous and start thinking about deserting.”
“I wouldn’t fancy deserting and being alone in those woods,” Corporal Chitor replied nervously. “If I did desert, I would turn around and run as fast as I could back to the portal. I don’t want to be in Alcea any more.”
“The portals are gone,” the sergeant said softly. “I overheard a cavalry captain telling the general about it. Both portals were ripped out of the walls.”
“Ripped out of the walls?” gasped Chitor.
“Probably by dwarves,” nodded the sergeant. “I can’t imagine the strength of a creature who could just rip a door out of a wall, but that is what the captain reported.”
“Interesting that the generals sent riders out to check on the portals,” mused the corporal. “Do you think the generals were thinking about heading back home?”
“I don’t know,” answered Sergeant Turang, “but I know they are worried about the dwarves. Colonel Pierce had suggested sending the cavalry out to capture one of the dwarves to interrogate, but General Ritka squashed the idea. He was afraid that the cavalry wouldn’t return and that the effect of that loss would devastate morale.”
“So we just do nothing?” balked the corporal. “Sooner of later we will have to meet those creatures. You have to know that the dwarves are just biding their time. I don’t look forward to fighting them, but I would rather do so on our terms than theirs.”
“As long as you had twenty-thousand men clumped around you?” scoffed the sergeant.
Corporal Chitor shrugged and nodded. “If you mean that I am afraid to face the dwarves, you are right. I admit it, but this waiting every day for them to finally attack is far worse than fighting. I wish they would just kill us and get it over with.”
“I am not ready to die,” the sergeant scowled. “Maybe we should just kill them instead.”
With frustration, the sergeant turned and hurled the rock into the trees. It was merely his way to ease the tension by using force in some way, but his eyes widened as he heard the rock strike something metal. The rest of the men near the perimeter also heard the noise in the woods, and they all jumped to their feet. Their act of alarm saved the sergeant’s life. Something shiny shot out of the trees, firelight glinting off its polished surface. The object tumbled end over end in a fast and furious flight that ended in a solid thump and a gurgle as one of Sergeant Turang’s men fell to his knees. The stricken soldier teetered on his knees before falling to the ground, a small polished ax protruding from his chest.
Shouting erupted in the camp, and the soldiers all dropped to the ground rather than grabbing their bows and firing in defense as they had been trained to do. The sergeant cursed loudly when he realized that he was the only man standing, but none of his men rose to their feet. As much as they feared to be punished by the sergeant, they feared the dwarves more. Sergeant Turang walked to the fallen man and pulled the small throwing ax out of the soldier’s chest. He glanced at the ax and then gazed into the trees. He imagined a grinning dwarf hiding in the darkness as he raised his hand in a defiant gesture.
“Are you crazy?” Corporal Chitor called up to him from the ground. “You do not stand in the open and insult a dwarf when he is only a few paces away. Get down!”
The sergeant shrugged. “He already threw his ax. If he wants to fight, he will have to come out of the shadows.”
“You are nuts, Turang,” retorted Chitor. “They have a dozen of those small axes hanging from their belts. Besides, it might not be just one dwarf.”
The sergeant’s face paled as he understood what the corporal was telling him. He felt a great need to immediately drop to the ground, but soldiers came running from deeper in the camp to see what was happening, saving the sergeant from embarrassment. As the first of the soldiers arrived, the sergeant casually stepped back, keeping at least one of the new
arrivals between him and the trees at all times.
* * * *
General Kolling stepped out of the column as it stumbled to a halt. Whatever the problem was, the general was sure that Colonel Ednor would advise him shortly. As the Baroukan general waited, he gazed up at the night sky and shook his head with disappointment. The moon should have been bright this night, but angry clouds drifting over the coast had darkened its glow and eradicated the stars. He cursed his bad luck, and he cursed night marches.
“General Kolling,” Colonel Ednor said when he had located the leader of Team Barouk, “we have trouble. The enemy has destroyed a bridge ahead.”
“Why am I not surprised?” scowled the general. “I wish these Alceans would just come out and fight like men. Is the river fordable?”
“It is,” answered the colonel, “but I ordered the column stopped. I have men searching upstream and downstream for a more suitable crossing point.”
“Why?” frowned the general. “If we can get across it, why bother searching for alternatives?”
“It doesn’t feel right to me, General. We have crossed dozens of streams and rivers, and the enemy ignored those bridges. I think this particular bridge might hold some significance to the Alceans. I thought it would be wiser to search out alternatives than to play the hand dealt by the enemy.”
“We are already far behind schedule,” snapped the general. “Get our men across that river, and do it now.”
“As you command,” replied Colonel Ednor. “I will see to it immediately.”
The Baroukan colonel turned and ran towards the vanguard of the column. When he arrived, he stopped and gazed at the ford as he tried to catch his breath. The opposite shore of the river was dark, the forest extending to the edge of the riverbank. The colonel frowned as he surveyed it. The river itself was running swiftly, but it was neither a great torrent nor exceedingly deep. He turned and waved a captain forward. The captain hurried to the colonel’s side and gazed across the river.
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