Blood of the Earth (Sovereign of the Seven Isles: Book Four)

by David A. Wells

  “General Valentine?”

  “I tend to agree with King Abel,” Duncan said. “The sheer numbers of soldiers on Karth or Zuhl place both islands beyond our capability. The Lancers on Andalia are also more than we can afford to face. Add that to the toll of human suffering being inflicted on the people of Fellenden, and I believe that to be our best objective.

  “Additionally, we will be faced with multiple fleets of transport vessels from the south within the coming months. King Abel’s suggestion that we capture Zuhl’s shipyard is a sound strategy for adding to our limited naval capability.”

  “Any objections?” Alexander asked.

  The table fell silent. Alexander scrutinized the colors of all present. A few had misgivings about the plan but none voiced an objection.

  “Very well, our primary military objective will be to retake the Isle of Fellenden, capture Zuhl’s shipyard and utterly destroy his invading army. No quarter will be given in this campaign. I have seen the wanton devastation they’ve inflicted on the people of Fellenden and I judge them guilty of violating the Old Law. We will make them pay with blood.”

  “When do you plan to depart?” Bella asked.

  “I won’t be leading the army into Fellenden,” Alexander said.

  Chapter 17

  There was a moment of shocked silence before everyone started speaking at once. Alexander held up his hand to silence the room so he could explain.

  “I have to stop the shades. Phane and Zuhl will impose a thousand years of tyranny if they’re victorious, but the shades will unmake the world of time and substance itself. They have to be stopped and I intend to do just that.”

  “Who will lead the army against Zuhl?” Abel asked.

  “I will,” Abigail said before Alexander could answer. He looked at her sharply. She was his little sister and best friend. He hadn’t expected her answer and he didn’t want her off fighting a war, especially if he wasn’t there to protect her.

  “You made me the Queen of Ruatha. The majority of our forces are Ruathan, so it stands to reason that I should be the one to lead them into battle.”

  “Abigail, think this through,” Bella said, clearly worried for her daughter’s safety.

  “There’s not much to think about,” Abigail said. “I’m the queen now … my place is with our army.”

  Alexander smiled sadly at his sister. “I’m proud of you, Abigail.”

  “I’ll accompany you,” Duncan said.

  Abigail shook her head. “No, Dad, you need to stay here. Ruatha needs a leader here who can command the respect of the other generals and the nobles in case Phane manages to land more troops or sends something else we haven’t even considered.”

  Duncan frowned but bowed to her authority.

  “Anatoly, I’d like you to go with Abigail,” Alexander said. “She needs someone watching her back that she can trust absolutely.”

  Anatoly nodded slowly. “Who will be watching your back?”

  “Isabel, Chloe, and Boaberous,” Alexander said.

  “With your permission, I would accompany you as well,” Jack said.

  Abigail looked at him with a mixture of surprise and dismay. Alexander held his tongue.

  “I’m sorry, Abigail,” Jack said. “I want to be with you more than anything but my duty is with Alexander.”

  “We’ll talk about this later,” Abigail said coolly.

  “Aren’t you going a bit light?” Duncan asked. “You could take Lieutenant Wyatt and his men; they’ve served you well in the past.”

  “There’s no question about that, but I’m eventually going to wind up standing in front of Bragador and I don’t want to come knocking on her door with a small army.”

  “That’s wise,” Kelvin said. “Bragador is reasonable, to a point, but she does not take kindly to unannounced guests, especially those who look like they came for a fight.”

  “You plan to visit the dragons of Tyr?” Magda asked, a bit taken aback.

  “I have good reason to believe that she has one of the keystones to the Nether Gate,” Alexander said. “I plan to ask her for it.”

  “Surely you jest,” Magda said. “Dragons do not part with treasure easily and they can be most unpleasant when they choose to be.”

  “I need that keystone,” Alexander said. “I’d much rather bargain for it than steal it, or worse, try to fight her for it. One way or another, I have to get that keystone.”

  “You play a very dangerous game,” Magda said.

  “The most dangerous there is,” Alexander replied. “But I’m not a fool. I’m going to the Reishi Isle first to see if I can find the Nether Gate and destroy it outright. Barring that, I plan on taking the keystone from Jinzeri.”

  Magda frowned with alarm. “Please do not speak the shades’ names aloud. They can hear you. To be honest, I’m not sure which path is more dangerous, confronting a shade or trying to bargain with a dragon for a trinket from her hoard.”

  “I’m open to suggestions,” Alexander said.

  “I’m afraid I have none at the moment,” Magda said. “Perhaps with time to consider the challenges we face, we may be able to offer a better alternative.”

  “I’ll listen to any ideas you have, but right now that’s my plan,” Alexander said. “Given the threats we face, how would you suggest we deploy the Sky Knights?”

  Magda and Cassandra shared a look before Magda took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “For centuries we have maintained a careful limit on the number of wyverns in our force. We believed we had sufficient strength to defend the Reishi Isle while remaining consolidated within the fortress island. Given the current threats we face, it’s time to begin breeding more wyverns and training more Sky Knights.

  “I’ve inspected the aerie within this Keep and it can easily house two flights. Each of the other four fortress islands can house four flights. I would like to move one flight here and another into the northernmost fortress island to begin building another outpost there.

  “Additionally, I believe a flight should accompany Lady Abigail to the Isle of Fellenden in support of the battle against Zuhl’s forces. I would like to accompany her as well. I may be able to offer some advice or insight that could be useful. Cassandra will return to the fortress island and coordinate the deployment, Bianca will take command of the northern fortress island, and Constance will remain here to command the flight assigned to Blackstone Keep.”

  Alexander grinned slightly as he appraised her before he spoke.

  “You have been very reluctant to take action until now. What changed?”

  “Always before, we had the luxury of time and safety,” Magda said. “Now, we have neither. War is upon us, and while careful deliberation is our habit, we realize that bold action is required. We intend to do our part.”

  “Outstanding,” Alexander said. “I agree with your plan completely, but, in addition, I’d like to use the Blackstone flight to offer support to General Talia in southern Ruatha. Your Sky Knights are uniquely suited to engage any naval assault out of Andalia or Karth.”

  “Of course,” Magda said. “I would suggest sending two wings south. That will leave nearly fifty Sky Knights here for any contingency that might arise.”

  “Good, I’d like to use those remaining here to support Duane in the north,” Alexander said. “It’s about time we dealt with Elred Rake.”

  “I can send another legion north to assist,” Duncan said. “It would be good to eliminate all enemy forces on Ruatha.”

  Alexander nodded. “We also need to discuss ways to destroy enemy ships from the air. The Sky Knights who are also witches can use their magic, but we need a nonmagical way for the others to sink enemy vessels.”

  “Simple firepots would be effective,” Lucky said. “Although magical weapons would be much better, especially against the larger vessels you described being built by Zuhl.”

  “We’ve tried flame-based weapons in the past,” Magda said, “but we’ve always
had trouble igniting them in flight.”

  “I have just the thing,” Lucky said. “Conventional fuses would be useless in flight, but I have a formula for an igniter that flares on impact.”

  Magda and Cassandra both sat forward.

  “Fire would be a most welcome addition to our arsenal,” Cassandra said.

  “What’s needed to make firepots?” Alexander asked.

  “Mostly just clay pots, lamp oil, and a glass ampoule filled with an igniter,” Lucky said. “The most difficult part is the igniter. It requires a careful mixture of less-than-common ingredients, but it can be made without magic.”

  “Good. Let’s get a team of people trained to make them and start production immediately,” Alexander said. “I’d like to get the Sky Knights armed with firepots as quickly as possible.”

  “For the larger ships,” Lucky said, “I can think of a number of compounds that would be highly effective, although somewhat dangerous for the Sky Knights using them. Liquid fire, of course, and a few more caustic forms of magical acid I know how to concoct.”

  “Those will require your direct involvement to create, won’t they?” Alexander asked.

  “Yes, there are no other alchemists within our guild, and those concoctions require magic to create.”

  “Let’s focus on the firepots for now,” Alexander said. Lucky had other assignments of more importance.

  “We have two master alchemists in the Ithilian guild,” Mage Dax said. “I’m quite sure they would be happy to create the weapons you speak of.”

  “Excellent,” Alexander said.

  “I have a few thoughts on the matter as well,” Kelvin said. “I can create a much smaller variation of the explosive weapons we used against Northport and design them to detonate on impact rather than on command. A direct hit should be enough to sink nearly any vessel.”

  “You’re already stretched pretty thin,” Alexander said. “If you have the time, do what you can, but don’t make it a priority over some of the more pressing projects you’re working on.”

  “If I may,” Regent Samuel said.

  Alexander nodded.

  “Since the Guild Mage mentioned it, I would like to discuss the disposition of Northport.”

  “Of course,” Alexander said.

  “I must say I was most distressed by the destruction of our city,” Regent Samuel said. “It has been a terrible loss for our people. Many innocent citizens lost everything in your attack—their homes and possessions are gone. Thousands have been reduced to refugees in other cities, forced to rely on the charity of others to survive. What I’m trying to say is that you had no right to do what you did. That was our city and you destroyed it.”

  “Yes, I did,” Alexander said. “While I regret having to make that decision, it was necessary.”

  “Perhaps, if Northport had been your home, you wouldn’t have been so quick to wield such terrible power against it.”

  “Our home was burned to the ground by the enemy,” Abigail said coolly. Alexander stopped her from continuing with a gesture.

  “Northport’s loss is terrible,” Alexander said, “but not as terrible as losing half of our army in a pitched battle against the enemy forces that had taken refuge within your city. We are at war, Regent Samuel. Some of the decisions we must make are a choice between a bad option and a worse option.

  “What’s done is done. Northport has been sacrificed and I understand the loss that has caused for you and your people. But now is the time to focus on rebuilding for the future.”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure the city can ever be restored to its former glory,” Regent Samuel said.

  “I have no intention of restoring it,” Alexander said. “I intend to rebuild it better than before. A legion of Rangers is already working to clear the rubble within the walls, salvaging any materials that can be of use and cutting the timber necessary to rebuild.

  “What I need from you, Regent Samuel, is to call your people home and put them to work. My father will have access to sufficient gold to pay the workers and will also provide the assistance of the army.

  “The first order of business is rebuilding the shipyards and roads. As soon as the shipyards are operational, they will begin producing warships while the rest of the city is rebuilt. All of this is going to happen with or without you. I would like your input and your assistance, but I don’t require it.”

  Regent Samuel blinked and his colors flared with anger and indignation, but he held his tongue, clearly thinking better of challenging Alexander and risking his power. Instead he nodded his assent and remained silent.

  “Good,” Alexander said. “Coordinate with General Valentine. He will oversee the rebuilding effort.”

  “As you wish,” Regent Samuel said, his colors revealing inner turmoil. Alexander understood the man’s feelings but he couldn’t do much about it, so he moved on.

  “Commander P’Tal will be calling the Reishi Protectorate to Blackstone Keep and reorganizing his forces into a military cadre and an intelligence force. I’ve asked him to form several teams of highly capable operatives who can be sent on missions of the most sensitive nature and highest importance. Commander P’Tal will handpick those who demonstrate the skills and abilities he needs. Wizards, witches, Rangers, Sky Knights, and soldiers are all welcome to apply.”

  “I suspect a number of my order would welcome the opportunity,” Kelvin said.

  “Mine as well,” Magda said.

  “All right, I believe the final order of business is the Reishi Keep,” Alexander said. “There are stores of knowledge and magic within the Keep that might be invaluable. Unfortunately, there are also some very dangerous creatures within and even more living on the Reishi Isle.

  “I intend to send a regiment of soldiers through the Gate to begin constructing a wall around the Keep just inside the wood line to prevent anything else on the island from entering. Once the wall is built, we’ll begin systematically clearing and restoring the Keep.”

  “Wizard Jahoda is uniquely suited to lead the construction of the wall,” Kelvin said. “I estimate it would take a month or six weeks to build a complete defensive perimeter wall, if he’s provided with sufficient manpower.”

  Before Alexander could respond, Chloe spoke within his mind.

  “Darkness is near, My Love.”

  Chapter 18

  Alexander tensed slightly and focused his all around sight, searching for any sign of the shade. He had expected, even counted on Shivini showing up during his war council.

  One of the Rangers standing guard beside the door stepped forward past Boaberous, drawing his sword, and tried to stab Abigail in the back, but Alexander saw the attack coming. He put his foot on the edge of Abigail’s chair and shoved her over just moments before the thrust that was meant to take her life. She tumbled to the floor and came up quickly, drawing the Thinblade and scanning the room as Alexander came up as well, drawing Mindbender.

  Boaberous grabbed the Ranger possessed by Shivini by the back of the neck with one giant hand and hurled him backward into the wall so hard that the man lost consciousness.

  The Ranger who had been standing guard with him knelt next to his fallen friend as Shivini slipped free of the first Ranger and into him. After a brief struggle for dominance, Shivini stood up in his new host with a malicious smile and drew his sword. Before anyone could react, he stabbed the unconscious Ranger in the heart.

  “You know, Alexander,” Shivini said, “you’re the only one who’s ever escaped me. In fact, it’s a point of pride for me. Every single person I’ve ever possessed has died by my hand, so to speak, except you.”

  Boaberous started to advance toward the possessed Ranger.

  “Hold,” Alexander commanded.

  Boaberous stopped but remained poised to strike.

  “Oh, come now, Alexander, let the giant strike me down,” Shivini said in a mocking tone. “I do so relish that moment when the soul of my possession slips free. You know, they can hear and s
ee and even feel everything. I make sure of it. The fear and hopelessness of being trapped within one’s own body as death nears, being unable to do a single thing about it as their life comes to a violent end, it’s positively intoxicating.”

  “Maybe we should try this again,” Alexander said, holding up the collar.

  Shivini started casually strolling toward Abigail. She stood still, but ready, with the Thinblade between her and the possessed Ranger. Erik had taken command of the remaining Rangers in the room with hand signals and directed them toward the head of the table. Isabel was muttering the words of a spell under her breath. Alexander could see the flare of anger in her colors.

  Magda and Cassandra had joined hands and were both in the midst of casting spells as well. Wizard Ely was muttering under his breath, Kelvin was inching closer on one side of the table while Sark approached from the other.

  Shivini shook his head sadly. “Tsk, tsk, Alexander, you should know better than that by now. I’m disappointed in you. I’d hoped that you would have come up with something else—equally as useless, of course.”

  Alexander ignored Shivini’s taunting. “I need him alive,” he said.

  Boaberous didn’t hesitate for an instant. His war hammer came off his shoulder with terrifying speed and smashed the Ranger on the left shoulder, crushing him to the ground but leaving him alive.

  As Boaberous advanced, Shivini laughed. Before the giant could reach him, he cut his own throat and his maniacal laughter transformed into a sickening gurgle. Before the Ranger could take his last breath, Alexander watched the shade slip free of his latest victim and into Boaberous. The giant froze as the shade struggled to dominate him. Everyone in the room held their breath, then Boaberous turned and Alexander saw Shivini in his eyes.

  “Don’t you see, Alexander?” Shivini said from within Lieutenant Grudge. “You simply can’t win. You were doomed from the moment you released us into this world.”

  “You don’t belong here, shade,” Isabel said.

  “Ah, but of course I do, Mother,” Shivini said.