The Wizard from Tian (The Star Wizards Trilogy Book 3)

by S. J. Ryan

  “So then we fight them?”

  “No. We send a group of, say, twenty men on horseback, to leave clues at my father's former camp.”

  “'Clues?'”

  “Clues that my father, his men, and the Box have fled farther west. The Romans will then pursue.”

  “And so when do we fight them?”

  “We don't.”

  She waited for an outburst. Instead, Hagan laughed heartily.

  “Oh, I see! You are a devious one! They could be lost in the far west for days, chasing a phantom Box! By the time they return, the main battle will have been fought and they will either surrender or return home without a fight.”

  Assuming we win the main battle, Carrot thought. Outwardly, though, she reflected his smile.

  “We need someone to lead the group,” she said. “Courage and trustworthiness go without question, but the leader will also need to be creative in thinking of – well, 'clues' to lead the Romans astray.”

  “I will search, but Leafmen are farm boys – intelligent enough, but accustomed to thinking the way they plow, in straight lines. You need someone with guile. Do you have someone in mind?”

  Norian, she thought. “Not at this time. I leave arrangements to you.”

  “Colonel, I am impressed. With this one plan you have dispensed with five thousand Roman soldiers!”

  Carrot gazed at the pile of rocks to the east. Thirty-five thousand more to go. Yet her mind was blank of further ideas, and time was running out. According to scout reports, the Romans were almost done with preparations. She was certain the attack would be today. Perhaps within hours.

  A boy approached and saluted. He was younger than Bok, too young to be a soldier, and his presence in the Leaf camp meant he was a messenger.

  “Mirian says that Athena wants to talk to you,” the boy said.

  “Does he mean that cursed woman?” Hagan asked.

  “Inform Mirian to tell Athena that we are busy,” Carrot told the boy.

  “Mirian said to tell you that Athena said that she can help you against the Romans.”

  With Hagan's bow, Carrot followed the boy southward through the trails. In theory they were in the middle of an army encampment, but having once been encircled by poison, the soldiers had spread themselves widely, clustering in scattered clearings rather than concentrating in a single field. The effect was that the army of the Western Leaf, obscured by trees and brush, had dissolved into the scenery.

  Here and there she saw a group of soldiers waving; she waved back, all the while wondering if the thousands that had been at Ravencall were still with her, or had enough of risking their lives and had gone home.

  The sky was light blue, almost cloudless. The day was clear and unseasonably warm, the same weather that had accompanied victory in the Battle of the Dark Forest. Carrot didn't take it as a positive sign. Sooner or later, the Roman airship would hover above, and perfect weather would be its friend more than theirs.

  The boy led into a small clearing. Mirian and her archers were circled about the log where Athena sat bound with ropes and weighted with bags of rocks. Athena's gaze fixed on Carrot, but Carrot wanted to speak with Mirian first.

  “How is he?” Carrot asked.

  “I haven't gone to see.” Mirian's eyes added: I am afraid to know.

  “What does she want?”

  “I want to be of assistance,” Athena replied. She was meters away and Carrot had spoken softly.

  Carrot folded her arms, tightened her coat, and took the opposite end of the log. Archers moved from behind so that they would continue to have a clear line of fire. Athena's expression was a shallow smile. Her eyes were an unblinking gaze. Carrot matched it with contained anger.

  “You wouldn't help before. Why now?”

  “Circumstances have changed. When I returned to the Roman camp, I discovered that I had been betrayed. The Romans and I are no longer in alliance.”

  “Why help us?”

  “I admit it's not altruism. If you lose the battle, then I will be captured by the Romans, and that will not be good for me. Also, you have the basket. In exchange for my cooperation, you'll give it back to me.”

  “I cannot agree to that.”

  “It's of no value to you.”

  “I know that you value it. That makes it valuable to us.”

  “Can you at least promise that no harm will come to it, and that you will not open it?”

  Carrot bowed. “I can promise that. If you deliver on your promise of assistance. So what is it?”

  “I will give you information on what the Romans are planning.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “The Romans are planning to send a cohort to the west, to obtain what you call the Box.”

  “We are already aware of that plan. What else do you know?”

  “They are waiting for their airship to return from the northwest. When it does, they will march.”

  “We know that. What else?”

  “The Romans have their own Box, but it is not equipped to synthesize an antidote to the poison that was sprayed around your base. They are aware of the poison, however, as I marked out the area that was sprayed. I believe they will march around the ring on both sides to trap your army.”

  Carrot hadn't thought that far, but it was plausible. “All right. What else can you advise?”

  “Nothing at the moment. But if you'll allow me to observe the battle at your side – “

  “That is not possible.”

  “I know how their leader thinks! He's very deceptive!”

  “So am I.” Carrot arose.

  “Wait! I want to help! Please trust me!”

  “Last night you tried to kill us all. Many of our men are dying because of you. I have no reason to trust you, and many reasons not to do so. How do I trust you after what you did?”

  Athena wiggled her arms in her bonds uselessly, then nodded at Carrot's coat. “You have my gun?”

  “I'm not returning it.”

  “I will tell how it's operated.”

  Carrot revealed the gun, and Athena explained:

  “See that switch at the back? That's called the safety. Flip it the other way. The clip has only ten rounds remaining, so you'll want single action, which requires that you pull the trigger only halfway. Otherwise you'll empty the whole clip in a single second. The gun has quite a kick, so hold firmly with both hands. See those trees over there? See if you can hit one.”

  “Carrot!” Mirian exclaimed. “It could explode in your hands!”

  “If it does, I will trust you to open her basket and destroy whatever is inside.”

  Carrot braced arms and legs, took aim, pulled the trigger halfway. The gun barked and Mirian and her archers jumped back. The tree trunk belched a cloud of wood dust. When it cleared, a neat hole appeared in dead center.

  “Quite good,” Athena said. “You overcompensated for gravity, so you were a bit high.”

  “It travels much faster than an arrow.”

  “Yes. And much farther, with greater accuracy. Of course, accuracy takes practice, and you won't be able to practice with so little time and only nine bullets. Now, if you let me have the gun, I can take out the Emperor at a hundred meters.”

  “The Emperor is unlikely to come that close to the battle line.”

  “Trust me, I can get that close to him. Closer.”

  “I am not giving you the gun. Now, can it work against their airship?”

  “Up until a few days ago, perhaps. Now that they've changed over gasses, no. Your only hope is to let me shoot him. One shot and the legions are leaderless, the battle is over. What do you say?”

  Carrot pondered the vision of a new world of warfare, in which civilians and soldiers alike would not have to die, where only blood-lusting leaders would risk their lives. She decided there must be a catch. Matt had mentioned that wars on Earth had continued until almost his own time, which implied that inventions of weapons like this had not stopped the carnage.

&nbs
p; And the more she thought, the more she realized that Roman bureaucracy had evolved to take assassination in stride; killing an Emperor would simply cause a new one would take his place. She and Matt had personally witnessed the smooth transition process.

  “War is not that simple.” Carrot returned the gun to her coat. “And I still do not trust you.”

  She walked away. Behind her back, Athena shouted, “Wait! Wait! Arcadia – Carrot – Colonel!“

  Athena had risen, and was hopping in the confines of the rope. She looked ridiculous, but her expression was deadly serious.

  “The man who confronted me at the pond,” Athena said. “The man with the sword.”

  Carrot realized she meant Norian. “What about him?”

  “Is he special to you?”

  Mirian looked away.

  “Yes,” Carrot said. “He is special to many people.”

  “He must have inhaled a great deal of poison and by now he's very sick. Is that so?”

  “Yes. And you're getting at?”

  “I can heal him.”

  And so Athena was escorted to the meadow where Senti had instructed her nurses to lay the rows of the afflicted. Statistically, the casualties from the poison dusting had been remarkably light. Then there was the physical reality of fifty men prostrate on blankets, unconscious or coughing.

  “I can't cure them all,” Athena said. “Not enough nanobots for that. So don't ask.”

  Senti greeted them, and Carrot explained. Senti brought them to a blanket in the corner, under the shade of a tree. Norian's eyes were closed and his breathing was uneven. He coughed at their approach, but didn't wake.

  Athena knelt beside him. “I will need my hands free.”

  Mirian made clear by pointed glances and growls that she doubted that Athena's intentions were anything more than a ploy for escape. Carrot was mindful, and held the gun ready. The archers remained alert. With Carrot's nod, Mirian undid the lowest coils about Athena, allowing Athena to press her hands to Norian's chest. The action brought memories of Carrot's own futile attempt to heal Norian. After a minute of silence, Athena removed her hands and smiled up at Carrot.

  “There!” she exclaimed cheerfully. “All fine!”

  “Why isn't he awake?” Mirian demanded.

  “Because I haven't done this.” Athena bopped Norian on the head. “Wake up, baseline!”

  Norian stirred and opened his eyes. He focused on Athena. Immediately his eyes widened and his hand reached for the hilt that wasn't there. Then he looked at her bonds, and settled. Finally, he became aware of Carrot and Mirian.

  “What – what is going on here?” he demanded.

  “Norian!” Mirian cried. She knelt beside him, touching hands to head and shoulder. “Are you all right?”

  “I've better days.” He sat up, rubbed his neck and looked at Carrot. “Last I remember, I fought this woman. Did I pass out?” He looked at the men on the other blankets. “I didn't miss the battle, did I?”

  “The battle is yet,” Carrot said, barely controlling the tremor in her voice. “And likely soon.”

  “You fool!” Mirian wiped her tears. “Is that all you worry about – missing another chance to die?”

  Norian wobbled to his feet. “Reporting for duty.” He slapped his belt and looked about. “Soon as I find my sword. And, uh, boots.”

  Senti intervened: “You are not fit for fighting.”

  “I am not going to sit by!”

  “I have a task in mind for you,” Carrot said. She described the plan to draw off the Roman detachment that was searching for the Box in the west. “I want you to lead the group. I know you will think of ways to keep the Romans entertained.”

  “Playing fox to their hound while men are fighting for their lives? Carrot, my place is in battle!”

  “Norian, with your blade you might kill ten Romans. With your mind you can keep five thousand from battle.”

  “But – “

  “Major, that is an order. Report to Major Hagan.”

  “Once I find my boots,” Norian grumbled.

  They watched him go. When Carrot turned, she found Athena intently studying her face.

  “So you didn't lie,” Athena said. “You did know about the cohorts sent to the west.”

  Before Carrot could reply, she heard a voice shouting, “Colonel Carrot! Colonel Carrot!”

  Inwardly, Carrot cringed. She hadn't realized how silly her title sounded until it was uttered in a high-pitch.

  A young boy sprinted into the clearing. He caught his breath and said, “Major Geth wants you now! The Romans are marching toward us!”

  Carrot glanced at Mirian and nodded toward Athena. “Bring her.”

  Carrot and her entourage arrived at the pond a moment later. Every major and captain of the Army of the Leaf of the West was gathered around her map sketched on the dirt. During her absence, the messengers had updated the stones. Carrot took only a moment to grasp the criticality of the situation. The main Roman force in the east had departed their camp and was marching westward along the Oksiden Road, toward Ravencall and the Western Leaf.

  “You said the Romans wouldn't march until the airship appeared,” Hagan said. “Yet here they are. How is that to be explained?”

  Carrot realized her reputation was teetering once more. She opened her mouth, but could only shake her head.

  “Isn't it obvious?” Athena interrupted. “Your network of scouts has been compromised.”

  “Why is she speaking here?” Hagan demanded.

  “She has been betrayed by the Romans,” Carrot said. “She has agreed to assist us, and has done so already. Lady Athena, what were you saying?”

  “Describe your scouting network and I will explain.”

  With a nod from Carrot, the Captain of Scouts drew four rays upon the dirt map, emanating from the point that corresponded to their position. The rays were aligned with the points of a compass. “Each one of these sectors has a scout located on high ground at a distance of twenty kilometers. Should they see the airship on their horizon, they will make a signal fire which will be visible to us here.”

  “Did you choose men with good minds and eyesight?” Hagan asked.

  “They were all tested,” the Captain of Scouts replied.

  “Then the system is fool proof.”

  “But not knave proof,” Athena replied. “One of your scouts has been bribed.”

  “How do you know that?” Hagan demanded.

  “Because I know invisibility cloaks haven't been invented yet on this planet. The airship must be there, because superb reconnaissance is required for this kind of fighting. Legions wouldn't dare march through woodlands blind – too much opportunity for ambush.”

  “And what makes you an expert on Roman legions?”

  “I founded Rome. I personally designed its entire military organization.”

  “What do you mean by – “

  Carrot intervened. “Battle is imminent. We must make final preparations.” She faced Hagan. “Have your officers assemble all the men on this field. Have their messengers join us here.”

  “You heard her!” Hagan barked at his captains.

  Carrot sipped tea and paced as she waited. The shouts of men mingled with the calling of birds. Gazing at the flocks populating the branches, she wondered why there were so many ravens this morning. She feared it was their foreshadowing of a feast to come.

  Messengers from the scouts continued to arrive and update the map. According to the established convention, each rock represented a thousand men. She did the arithmetic: five thousand chasing Norian in the west, five thousand left to guard the camp supplies, twenty thousand marching on the Oksiden Road.

  She heard her father's voice: “You are perplexed?”

  She glanced up at him. “Before, the scouts counted forty thousand Romans. The map shows the location of only thirty thousand.”

  Geth frowned. “Perhaps the scouts have under-counted.”

  “Remember the Dark F
orest? The scouts said there were over a thousand Romans. There were only five hundred. Scouts never under-count, Father. They always over-count.”

  “But Carrot! If that were true here, then a quarter of the Roman force is missing.”

  “A missing airship and missing legions,” Carrot said, setting down her cup. “I don't like this at all.”

  Athena scoffed. “Once again, the answer is obvious. They have gone east to entrench against the other, larger rebel army. Doesn't that make sense?”

  “It does, but our scouts would have reported if even a thousand soldiers had gone east.”

  “You are placing too much confidence in your scouts. They make mistakes. They are only human.”

  Or that word you use, 'baseline.' Carrot found Athena's subtext of 'us mutants' to be aggravating.

  Hagan's officer corps started trickling back, having delivered the commands to their subordinates. As the thousands of warriors of the Leaf gathered under their makeshift standards – branches with pine cones, sprigs, and rags attached – Carrot was pleased to note that their numbers were intact. Yet, she considered, maybe it was not something to be pleased about. If they had deserted, at least they wouldn't die on a battlefield today, and their deaths wouldn't be her responsibility. It was a thought that she knew she dared not mention aloud.

  Trees and horizon hid the legions from sight, but their position was revealed on the map. They had reached the poison ring. They were splitting, as Athena had predicted, half north and half south. They spread like hands of a clock and marched around the perimeter. The analogy broke down, of course, because the northern group was marching counter-clockwise.

  Pointing with a branch, Carrot explained the Roman strategy to the senior officers: “Each group swings in opposing directions around the circle, so that they may close on us here at the southwest.”

  “Like jaws of a wolf,” Hagan said. “And we are the rabbit.”

  “So we escape to the south?” Captain Klath asked.

  “That would be temporary,” Carrot replied. “The Romans would rejoin the east and west groups and advance southward in pursuit, forcing us to the sea.”

  “Then we make canoes and paddle away!” Klath said.

  “Canoes would fare poorly on open sea, while the Romans have full-sized ships to hunt us down.”