by Inlo, Jeff
"I would like to assemble a counterforce of my best archers. It is my intention to keep this force behind the enemy as it stalks through the forest. Once they reach Burbon, the horde will have to move across a clearing to reach the town wall. My archers could remain in the trees and strike from the rear. We could do a great amount of damage to their flanks. If they turn to attack, we can retreat further back into the forest without taking any casualties."
"Based on the size of the horde, it would require a great number of archers to do any significant damage. Am I right?"
"It would indeed, but I believe we can spare them. With so many dark creatures attached to the legion, there cannot be many threats remaining in the forest. We have no reports of river rogues within their ranks, so I would leave behind a contingent of guards for the camp's protection, but it would only require a minimal number."
"Would that not leave the camp somewhat vulnerable to other less obvious threats?"
Birk immediately understood the elder's concerns, but viewed them as somewhat unnecessary.
"You remain concerned about the dwarves?"
"I do."
"I will not be taking any magic casters. They will remain behind to check the integrity of the ground. I will not allow us to fall prey to another tunneling attack, whether it was by rock beetles or dwarves."
"I appreciate that, but dwarves are resistant to magic, and they might not attack in the same manner. Our magic casters would not be a useful defense against a direct assault, and a small contingent of guards left to deal with river rogues might be quickly overrun by determined dwarf warriors."
Birk was not ready to concede that the dwarves of Dunop represented a credible threat. At Shantree's request, he had placed elf scouts near dwarf entrances and they noticed nothing that would indicate dwarf aggression.
"If it was dwarves at all," Birk offered, hoping to ease Shantree's anxieties and allow for his plans to go forward.
Shantree, however, would not allow herself the luxury of false security.
"I cannot say for certain that it was dwarves, but I also cannot say for certain that it was not. Until we have discovered the true cause, we cannot dismiss the dwarves as a possible threat to our safety."
Birk did not wish to argue, but if the elder charged him with protecting the camp against a possible, yet unlikely, dwarf attack, his options would dwindle.
"In order to guard against that threat, I would not be able to send any substantial force against the goblin army."
"And you think that is necessary?" Shantree asked.
"My obligation is the security of this camp. I feel I have already failed once in that regard. I do not wish to do so again. Engaging the dark creatures as they attack Burbon offers us the greatest opportunity to cut significantly into their numbers. Failing to do so might prove to be a fatal mistake. Are you sure you wish to take that stance?"
Shantree did not feel as if Birk was challenging her authority. She realized the captain held to doubts. The elder respected the captain's position, but just as it was his duty to protect the camp, it was her obligation to ensure its future.
"It is a stance that is necessary. You see the dark legion and believe it must be addressed, but I see an army that is marching away from our camp. The large goblin and his minions do not appear interested in us in any way."
"That could change after he takes Burbon."
"You speak as if that is a certainty."
"Based on the size of his army, it is. Once the human town is in his hands, the goblin could turn his attention back to the forest... and us."
Just as Birk was unwilling to accept the dwarves as a threat, Shantree remained hopeful that the humans would not fall so easily to the dark legion. She believed there was another power with a stake in the conflict, one that could change the outcome of any battle.
"Do not be so quick to discount Burbon's chances. Let us remember that Burbon is also important to the human wizard Enin. If anyone can stop this force, it is him. We might actually interfere or create unnecessary casualties by engaging when it is not necessary. Let us keep our focus on our camp and allow the humans to use their defenses in the best way possible."
#
While Shantree heard reports of Okyiq's movements in Dark Spruce, Queen Therese received similar concerns from dwarf listening posts throughout her underground city. She found the estimated size of the goblin horde alarming, even as the dark creatures ignored tunnels that would lead to Dunop. She ordered dwarf sentries to avoid conflict and only engage if the monsters attempted to gain entry into the tunnels. Not one guard post reported a single skirmish.
Therese confirmed the reports with her counselors.
"Not a single incident?"
"Not one," Geg Sedmor responded. "The goblin army is massive and has already crossed directly over two cave openings that lead to secondary tunnels, but they have ignored them completely. They did not even send in goblin scouts to explore. They clearly have no wish to enter our city."
"At least for now," the queen replied. "What of our battalions?"
"On alert and prepared to defend the city."
"And how certain are you of the dark legion's objective?"
"It is almost a certainty. Though the army moves slowly, its path has not wavered. Bloat spiders were sent ahead and they are obviously moving to the eastern boundaries of Dark Spruce."
"Pinesway is not in danger? We have many dwarves engaged in construction projects within the human town."
"It is difficult to say due to its close proximity to Burbon, but it seems unlikely."
'Unlikely' was not enough to satisfy the queen of Dunop and she ordered certain precautions.
"Send one battalion and a tunneling crew to Pinesway. Inform them to be ready to assist in a complete evacuation back to Dunop. Escape tunnels will be dug if it appears the dark army changes course. Allow the humans to retreat into the tunnels as well. I don't wish to take chances."
The advisor nodded and quickly dispatched a messenger to relay the order to one of the battle commanders.
"Now, how do we assist Burbon?" the queen asked of her advisor.
"Burbon?" Geg questioned with obvious surprise.
"That appears to be the target of the horde. We are allies with the humans."
Geg did not wish to contradict Therese, but he saw no other alternative.
"My queen, we do not have a blanket alliance with all humans. We have been selective in our treaties. Burbon does not have any official relations with Dunop. This is not Pinesway or Connel. The dwarves have no interests in this town. It is not our concern."
"Will the citizens of Connel and Pinesway see it in the same fashion?"
"If they call on us to protect Burbon, we would address the matter, but no official request has been made."
"You do not see this as causing potential harm to our relations?"
"Under your order, we will be offering protection and safe passage to the citizens of Pinesway. Connel is under no threat at this moment. I see no potential harm."
"But it is Burbon that is apparently in jeopardy, not Pinesway and not Connel."
"As I said, we have no responsibility to Burbon. In fact, the human town has often aligned itself with the elves of Dark Spruce. While I don't enjoy mentioning it, the elves sided with Burbon when the dwarf separatists attacked the town. Let the elves go to their aid once more."
"And what of Ryson Acumen? Do we forget what we owe the delver?"
"I believe the delver is capable of defending himself. The question you face is how much should you risk of Dunop's forces to save a human town that is allied with the elves?"
"You believe we should stay out of it?"
"Unless the dark army directly attacks our interests, yes, I do."
"I am uncomfortable with this," Therese admitted.
"I believe you are also uncomfortable with Petiole's escape," the advisor brazenly responded.
"What does one have to do with the other?" Therese ask
ed, somewhat harshly, but also curious as to her advisor's viewpoint.
"Remember, Enin and his followers did not return Petiole. They followed him to Portsans, but then nothing."
"Enin claimed the elf was beyond his grasp. I took him at his word."
"He is powerful beyond measure. What could possibly be beyond his grasp?"
Therese could not ignore the question. It had burdened her as well, but she was not ready to believe the wizard of Connel was somehow involved in deception.
"You believe Enin is somehow connected to Petiole's escape?"
"No, I do not," Geg answered, "but I do believe that there is a great deal to consider. Elves are currently watching our cave entrances to Dark Spruce. We have no information on Petiole's whereabouts. Light gems were stolen from our airshafts, and now a massive army of dark creatures is on the march. To get involved based on so little information might be a critical mistake."
Therese could not argue. She did not understand why Enin could not return Petiole, but she believed in the wizard. She did not, however, trust the elves to the same degree. She could also not deny Burbon's history. The humans of that town worked with the elves, not the dwarves. She was not ready to simply abandon the human town, but she became much more hesitant in offering aid.
"Let me think on this."
#
"I'm surprised," Ryson admitted to his wife. "I would have thought you would have argued more, told me to come with you, or that you'd want to stay behind."
"I don't want to argue," Linda responded. "I never want to argue. If you're staying, I know there's a reason."
"There is, but I'm still surprised."
"Don't be," Linda advised. "If Sy's ordering the whole town to evacuate, it's pretty clear it's dangerous."
"It is, that's why I thought you'd be worried about me staying here."
Linda laughed slightly. It wasn't happy laughter, but rather a nervous laughter that's impossible to hold back when something ridiculous is said at difficult moments.
"Of course, I'm worried about you. I'll always be worried about you, but you told me there's a plan for you and the guard to escape. I believe it."
Despite Linda's exceptionally calm demeanor and her insistence that she understood the situation, the delver remained shocked at his wife's reaction. She accepted the need to pack a few valuables and take Stomps to Connel without debate. He expected much more of a struggle, and he explained his surprise.
"But you seem a lot calmer than you have been in the past."
"I am."
"What's changed?"
"Stomps."
"Stomps?"
"Absolutely." Linda called the dog over, gave him a big pat on the head and smiled. "It's funny. When you first said it was a good idea to get Stomps, I started to get worried about how it might affect you. I thought it might have even been a mistake. If all this happened on the first day we had him, I don't think I would have been able to stand it."
"I don't understand," the delver confessed.
"I would have been worried you'd start taking more risks," Linda explained, "that you wouldn't be as careful."
"Why?"
"Because you wouldn't be worried about leaving me alone. If something happened to you, I'd have Stomps. There was a substitute for you."
Ryson found the thought as foreign as snow in the Lacobian Desert.
"I'd don't think I ever thought that. I was just happy you wouldn't be alone when I had to leave. I didn't think Stomps was taking my place."
"I know, but it's more than that now. It's different, but in a much better way. I'm not worried about you taking more risks. In fact, I'm certain you'll be more careful than ever. Do you know why? Because I've seen you with Stomps. You care about him almost as much as you do me. Don't worry. I think that's a great thing because it's going to keep you safe. If something happens to you now, you wouldn't just be leaving me, you'd be leaving him as well. I don't think you could do that, not by choice."
He was completely amazed by his wife's observation, but in the back of his mind, Ryson understood exactly what she was saying. He was certainly more careful when Stomps was with him, but he realized he was also more vigilant when out scouting alone.
Initially, he attributed it to falling into a routine, but there was clearly more to it than that. Without making a conscious decision to do so, he had indeed taken greater care in everything he did. It was as if a larger weight of responsibility forced him to avoid unnecessary danger.
"I don't want to leave either one of you," was all Ryson could say.
"I know," Linda responded. "I'm not saying you weren't worried about me, but there are two of us now. That's what I'm talking about."
Ryson considered what was about to happen, why Linda and Stomps were leaving and why he was staying behind. He felt a pang of guilt, but Linda sensed it immediately.
"Don't think about it," she insisted. "That's what might get you into trouble. Think of all the things you can do. You're a delver. I know the soldiers are going to stay behind. I'm more worried about them. Not because I don't care about you, but because even if things fall apart, you can still survive. Don't forget that. No army can hurt you if they can't touch you. They could only hurt you if you let them, and you're not going to let that happen, because of me... and Stomps."
Ryson looked down at the dog that was blissfully watching him and Linda. As he did, Stomps wagged his tail. Linda was right. There was another anchor for his heart, another reason to bring him home.
Chapter 16
"Are you ready to issue your first order?" Macheve asked, as she interrupted the elf who had been quietly stalking about his room since his arrival in Portsans.
When he heard Macheve's voice, Petiole looked over his shoulder toward the door, but he continued his routine. He had been pacing around in a small circle. He said nothing, but he did stop every time he came to the window. He peered outside as if he heard something call to him just beyond the rocks on the shore. A light smile graced his lips as he looked to the sea. He then continued his circular march only to return to the same spot by the window and gaze out once more.
"Order?" the elf finally asked, realizing the serp would not leave him alone. He did not cease his pacing, even as he felt a tinge of apprehension rise up in his stomach. He would have rather not been bothered, but it seemed fate would never leave him completely alone.
"Yes," Macheve answered with a soothing tone. She did not wish to agitate the elf, but it was time to utilize him in their plans. "We told you that your orders would be relayed to your camp, but you have to give them first."
Petiole finally stopped, turned completely toward the serp and tilted his head like a confused child.
"I have an order?" he questioned, totally bewildered at the prospect.
"Yes, you do."
"What is it?"
"You will tell me."
"I will?"
"Of course, it is your order."
"What is it about?"
"It's about the humans in Pinesway. Do you remember Pinesway?"
Petiole struggled with his memories. He had little contact with the humans, never entered any of their towns. He knew of Connel. It was part of elflore. It was also the place where the races reconvened after the return of the magic. He remembered Burbon. Holli Brances went to Burbon to help the humans fight off the dwarves. But Pinesway... his mind fought through a haze over that name. It seemed familiar, but it held little significance. He believed he might have looked upon it once, but only from a distance, and well before he had become the camp elder.
"Where is Pinesway?"
"It's near the eastern border of Dark Spruce Forest. It's the neighboring town of Burbon and sits to the west of Connel."
"It's empty," Petiole blurted out without really knowing why.
"Not any more. Most of the humans abandoned it once, but it has been rebuilt... with the help of the dwarves."
Petiole found the mention of the underground dwellers dishearten
ing and he looked down to the floor. He started to pace the room again and muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Macheve asked.
"I do not wish to think about Pinesway," Petiole repeated slightly louder.
"Very well, but if you don't want the humans to get away with stealing from the forest, you'll have to issue your order. Otherwise, they'll take what is not theirs, and the dwarves will benefit from what they steal."
Petiole stopped by the window. He stared out toward the sea, but he didn't smile. He remained at the window before finally questioning the serp.
"Stealing?"
"The humans have an arrangement with the dwarves. The humans take wood from the forest and offer it as payment for dwarf construction. Pinesway has become a trade station for the dwarves. They are bypassing the elves of Dark Spruce. The humans are fulfilling their needs for timber with wood obtained from the forest. Does that seem fair to you?"
To Petiole, nothing about the dwarves seemed fair.
"No, it does not."
"These humans ignore the fact that the dwarves once attacked them and the elves came to their aid. Rather than show the elves gratitude, they work for the benefit of themselves... and the dwarves. They offer no loyalty."
"No, they do not," Petiole agreed again.
"Then don't you believe you should intervene?"
"Yes... I... I..."
Petiole wanted to act, wanted to assert his authority, but even when in his right mind, he was indecisive. In his current state, making decisions was like grasping fog. He could see it in the distance, but once he got close, it faded into obscurity, and he could never take hold of it. He lowered his head in frustration, took his gaze from the sea and looked to his aged hands. He wrung them together in clear agitation. He couldn't find the words to describe his desires.
Macheve came to his rescue.
"Inform the humans of Pinesway that their trade with the dwarves must end and that no further logging will be permitted in elf territory, which includes all of Dark Spruce."
"Yes, an end to all of it," Petiole mumbled, pleased with the idea that seemed to punish both the disloyal humans and the criminal dwarves.