“The city is relatively isolated,” she said, after a moment. A thought struck her. “Is he trying to lure us into the city? To pin us down?”
“It’s possible,” General Pollack agreed. “The city’s defenses are formidable, but we would be trapped if he managed to lay siege to us. And he may be powerful enough to disrupt portal spells at a distance.”
“Or he has spies within the city,” Emily added. Shadye had used blood magic to manipulate her mind. She still had nightmares about it. “One or more of them could open the gates and let the orcs in.”
“The gates will be heavily defended,” General Pollack said. “But you’re right. It is a serious problem.”
He rolled up the map and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I trust that your relationship with my son is proceeding well?”
Emily felt her cheeks heat. She’d lost her virginity to Caleb. Did that count as their relationship proceeding well? She loved him. And yet, there was a part of her that wondered if they would ever be able to share a truly open relationship. She was far too used to keeping herself to herself.
“We’re still together,” she said, stiffly.
It was none of his business, she told herself. But she knew that wasn’t entirely true. She wasn’t just planning to marry Caleb, she was planning to marry his entire family. They did have a say in the affair. Unless, of course, Caleb decided to leave his family. But she knew, despite everything, that Caleb loved his family. He wouldn’t leave them, even for her.
“I am glad to hear that,” General Pollack said. He tilted his head. “And my eldest? What do you make of him?”
Emily hesitated. In truth, she wasn’t sure what to make of Casper. He’d been surly and unpleasant to her, even when he hadn’t been drunk or nursing a hangover. She couldn’t help wondering if he was jealous of his younger brother. There had been no indication that Casper had a girlfriend or any prospect of getting one, certainly not one on the same level as Emily herself. That had to rankle. Casper was his father’s heir, the one who would inherit the family’s power and place, yet he didn’t even have a wife! And his baby brother was dating a baroness ...
A former baroness, Emily thought.
She took a moment to gather her thoughts. Casper was ... understandable. Both his parents were remarkable people. He felt as though he had a great deal to live up to. But that didn’t excuse his unpleasantness, to Emily or to anyone else. And while she was tempted to point his failings out to the general, she knew it would only cause trouble.
“He’s trying hard,” she said, finally. It was true enough. “I think he will graduate soon.”
“He should,” General Pollack said. “I grow weary of waiting for him to become a man.”
Emily bit down the urge to suggest that perhaps he shouldn’t pressure his children so much, no matter how desperately he wanted worthy heirs. Caleb was already disinclined to live up to the family name. Did the general want his eldest son to go the same way? Emily had no doubt Casper could make a living somewhere else, through his combat skills as well as magic. But Casper wanted the family name. He just couldn’t have it until he graduated.
But he’s not ready, Emily thought, morbidly. He won’t be ready until Master Grave lets him go.
“Give him time,” she urged. “He will graduate.”
“I hope so,” General Pollack said. He shook his head. “Do you have any issues you should discuss with me?”
“No, sir,” Emily said. She would sooner talk to Sergeant Miles. “But I do have a question.”
General Pollack lifted his eyebrows. “You do?”
“Yes, sir,” Emily said. “The necromancer is taking prisoners. Why aren’t we trying to rescue them?”
“We don’t have the manpower, not yet,” General Pollack said. “You know how dangerous a necromancer can be.”
Emily nodded. The prisoners would be drained of magic, then life. That the orcs were not killing peasants, when it could be avoided ... it suggested a degree of organization and planning that most necromancers lacked. Their enemy was smart enough to ration his intake.
General Pollack took a long breath, then reached into a pouch and produced a pipe. “From our point of view, it would be better if they were killing everyone,” he mused. “The necromancer wouldn’t be able to drain their power.”
Emily shuddered. Had General Pollack ordered his men to kill anyone who refused to leave his lands and escape? Stripping the land bare of anything an invading army might be able to use was a common tactic, but in this case it included the people. It would make sense, given how the necromancer would use anyone unlucky enough to be captured, but ... the thought was horrific. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
General Pollack stuffed tobacco into his pipe and lit a match. “There is no room for squeamishness in war,” he said. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d read her mind. “We cannot allow the necromancers to gain a toehold here. It would open up our entire flank.”
“I understand,” Emily said.
“Make sure you get plenty of rest,” General Pollack warned, as he waved a dismissal. “You will be leaving early tomorrow morning.”
Emily nodded, rose and walked outside. Sergeant Miles was waiting for her, watching a line of officers walking into one of the larger tents. She could hear sounds from the other side of the walls, suggesting that the infantrymen were already breaking down their camp. It wouldn’t be long before they started the march to Farrakhan.
Only a few hours, she thought, looking at her watch. It was mid-afternoon. If we leave at dawn, we’ll be there by dusk.
“This is it,” Sergeant Miles said. “Are you ready to go?”
“I just need to pack my bag and roll up the bedding,” Emily told him. “How long will it take us to get there?”
“We’ll be sticking with the infantry for most of the trip,” Sergeant Miles said. “It will probably take between ten to fifteen hours. These marches are always disorganized.”
He started to walk back towards the tent. Emily followed him.
“This is pretty much your last chance to back out,” he called back to her. “You can teleport back to Whitehall if you want.”
Emily shook her head, even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “I committed myself,” she said, quietly. “I can’t go back now.”
“Then prepare yourself to fight,” Sergeant Miles said. He stopped and turned to face her. “I think you’ve done well over the last five days, but you’re not at the right level yet. If it was entirely up to me, I would send you home.”
He nodded towards the tent. “Pack up as much as you can, then go for a nap,” he added. “You’ll be up early tomorrow.”
“I know,” Emily said. Her throat felt dry. The urge to back out and run was almost overpowering. “And thank you.”
Sergeant Miles snorted. “Just try not to get killed out here,” he said. “Barb would kill me.”
Chapter Fourteen
“WELL,” SAWFORD SAID, AS EMILY STEPPED into the tent. “All hail the conquering heroine!”
Casper snorted from his bedroll. “What did my father say to you?”
He sat upright before Emily could say a word. “What did he say to you?”
“Calm down,” Gaius said. He sounded oddly amused. “I’m sure Emily will tell us everything.”
Emily looked from one to the other. Casper sounded ... jealous. Gaius winked at her, then returned to packing up his bag. Sawford, sitting on the other side of the tent, eyed her with genuine interest. She wished, just for a moment, that Cat and Cyprian were there. They both seemed more mature than Casper and Sawford.
“If she’s allowed to tell us,” Casper muttered.
“Your father didn’t say I couldn’t tell you,” Emily said. The apprentices would find out what was actually going on soon, no matter what she told them. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn.”
“Which means noon, probably,” Gaius said. “We’re going straight to Farr
akhan?”
“That’s the plan,” Emily confirmed. There was no point in trying to hide it. That had always been the plan. She outlined the full story, piece by piece. “General Pollack wants us there before the necromancer can reach the city.”
“Which isn’t going to be easy,” Sawford pointed out. “The orcs can move faster than unmounted infantry.”
“So we have the battle in the open instead,” Gaius countered.
“With all of our forces spread out,” Casper snapped. “Better to let them charge the walls.”
Gaius shrugged. “I’m sure your father agrees,” he said, dryly. “That’s why we’re moving to Farrakhan, isn’t it? Remember to be ready for noon.”
“He said we’d be leaving in the morning,” Emily said. She glanced over at her bag. It wouldn’t take long to pack everything, save for her bedroll. “We have to be ready.”
“Bah,” Gaius said. “No matter what they say, the departure is always later than planned.”
“He’s right,” Sawford confirmed. “I’ve never been on a route march that actually left on time.”
“General Pollack is efficient,” Emily objected. “Surely he’d make sure everyone left on time.”
Gaius laughed, humorlessly. “Let’s see,” he said, making a show of ticking off points on his fingers. “Half the bluebloods in the cavalry will still be in bed at the crack of dawn because their squires won’t dare to wake them. A good third of the infantry will be deliberately dragging their feet because they resent having to walk while the cavalry can ride. The officers will be trying to organize their baggage, just to make sure they don’t have to endure the unbearable humiliation of eating off pewter plates and drinking from earthen goblets; the camp followers will be torn between looting what remains of the camp and following us to Farrakhan.”
He grinned. “I’m surprised the general didn’t tell you about all the problems we’re going to face.”
“They’re not her problems,” Casper said, sullenly. He sounded angry — and hurt. “Her job is killing the damned necromancer.”
“And that’s why she was invited to the tent,” Gaius said. He reached out and patted Casper on the shoulder. “I’m sure your father is proud of you ...”
“My father doesn’t give a damn about me,” Casper snapped. He stood, clenching his fists. “I should have been in that damned tent!”
“Being forced to listen as senior officers took turns telling each other how great and magnificent and heroic they are?” Gaius asked, mockingly. “I don’t know why you’d want it.”
Emily sensed magic bubbling around Casper and braced herself. If Casper started hurling curses at Gaius ... she might just have to bail out of the tent before he set the whole thing on fire. She couldn’t trust Sawford to help her separate the two, if they did start fighting. He looked as if he were trying hard — but unsuccessfully — to conceal his amusement.
Casper rounded on her. “I should have been there,” he snapped. “What makes you so special?”
“She killed two necromancers and a combat sorcerer,” Gaius said, before Emily could think of a response. “How many necromancers have you killed?”
“I haven’t had the chance,” Casper snarled. “I ...”
“I’m sure the necromancer is wetting his pants at the mere thought of facing you on the battlefield,” Gaius said. “His orcs are cringing in terror.”
“Shut up!” Casper shouted. “My father ...”
He glared at Emily, the anger slowly draining out of him. “I should have been there!”
“I’m sorry,” Emily said, unsure what to say. She hadn’t asked to be invited. “It was a boring meeting.”
“My father made time for you,” Casper said, bitterly. “Why doesn’t he make time for me?”
Gaius smirked. “Because you’re just a lowly apprentice?”
Emily gave him a sharp look. “Perhaps he’s trying not to show favoritism to his eldest son,” she said. Caleb had insisted that his father favored Casper, but it was starting to look as though Caleb was wrong. “Or perhaps he doesn’t have much time.”
“That’s true,” Sawford said, thoughtfully. Emily glanced at him in surprise. She hadn’t expected help from either of the other two men. “He is a very busy man.”
“Sure,” Gaius said. “He spends half of his time settling disputes over precedence. And the rest of it trying to plan for a battle that may never come.”
“It’ll come,” Casper grunted. “And probably tomorrow.”
He threw Emily a challenging look. “You’ll be fighting with us tomorrow?”
Emily was tempted to make a joke about fighting with the enemy instead, but she was starting to suspect that Casper didn’t have a very good sense of humor. Instead, she merely nodded. She understood Casper’s growing frustration, but that didn’t give him the right to take it out on her. There would be more than enough chances for him to win glory over the next few days.
“I’m sure she’ll do more than pull her weight,” Gaius said. He grinned at Emily. “Kill the necromancer and leave the rest to us.”
“We should have a contest,” Sawford said. “The person who brings back the fewest heads should have to do a forfeit.”
Emily rolled her eyes as she stepped past him and sat down on her bedroll. The wards around her rucksack were untouched, surprisingly. She’d expected more attempts to break into her bag. But then, they had been worked to death over the past few days. Her body was still aching. And while the boys had been doing it longer, she doubted they felt any better. It was all any of them could do to crawl onto their bedrolls before going to sleep.
“What a good idea,” Sawford said. He turned to leer at Emily. “Loser has to walk around the camp in the nude?”
Emily felt a hot flash of anger. “Hell, no.”
“I quite agree,” Gaius said. “Think of all the men who will be paralyzed with laughter after seeing you walking around the camp bare-butt naked.”
“I’ve never had any complaints,” Sawford protested.
“But you’re not paying them to complain,” Gaius said, sweetly.
Sawford colored. “I’ve had more bitches than you’ve had hot dinners!”
“Good thing your family happens to be rich,” Gaius said.
Emily rolled her eyes. She’d heard worse from her stepfather, but ... she shook her head as she started packing up her bag. Gaius might be trying to stick up for her, yet his methods left something to be desired. Sawford looked ready to kill someone.
“Perhaps a different forfeit,” Casper said. “Loser has to serve the winner dinner, dressed as a maid.”
“You’d look very fetching in a dress,” Gaius said. “But I think you’d have to shave.”
Casper surprised Emily by laughing. “Do we even have a dress?”
Sawford glanced at Emily. “Do you have a dress?”
Emily shook her head, hastily. Sergeant Miles would have laughed at her, if she’d packed a dress. Even if she had brought one, she wouldn’t have let them wear it. She wouldn’t want to wear it herself afterwards. But then, the thought of Casper trying to wear a dress was amusing ...
“We can borrow one from the washerwomen,” Casper said. “Or just use an illusion.”
“It isn’t a very good forfeit,” Sawford moaned.
“Well, what do you suggest?” Gaius asked. “Loser runs a gauntlet? Spends a couple of hours in the stocks? Gets a radish shoved up his bung?”
“That might be amusing,” Sawford said. “Or we could stick with the idea of walking around camp in the nude.”
“And then have the entire army struck blind,” Gaius teased. “Very bad idea.”
Emily leaned forward, hoping to change the subject. “Do you really want to cart a few dozen heads around the battlefield?”
Casper smiled. “Why not?”
“Feel free to leave yours behind,” Sawford said. “But they won’t be counted if you don’t have them afterwards.”
Emily pretended to c
onsider it. “Is a necromancer’s head worth the same as an orc? Or is he worth a few hundred orc heads?”
“Of course not,” Casper said, quickly.
“But she does have a point,” Gaius pointed out. “If the necromancer is killed, his army will come apart and the war will be over.”
“Save for the mopping up,” Casper muttered.
“And we’re not just facing orcs,” Sawford added. “There’ll be twisted humans too ...”
“Collaborators,” Casper snapped.
“They probably weren’t given a choice,” Emily said.
“What a womanish point of view,” Sawford said. “There’s always a choice.”
Emily stared back at him, evenly. “And you could resist compulsion spells layered over you for years?”
“Most necromancers don’t bother with compulsion,” Casper told her. “There’s always a few bastards who will collaborate, if only in the hope of being eaten last. They’ll sacrifice their wives and families just to save their miserable lives.”
Disgusting, Emily thought.
“See who collapses after the necromancer is killed,” Gaius said. “Anyone still standing on the battlefield is a willing collaborator and can be killed out of hand.”
He looked down at his fingers. “Shall we say that ten orcs are worth one twisted human and ten twisted humans are worth one monster?”
“If there are monsters,” Casper said. “The reports don’t talk about anything nastier than orcs.”
Emily frowned. Shadye had brought an army of monsters to Whitehall, but Shadye hadn’t had to march an entire army across a desert. Getting giant snakes or spiders to Farrakhan might have been beyond him. Or he might be keeping them in reserve, hoping to catch the defenders by surprise. An army of giant spiders would be a very nasty surprise indeed.
“Watering them would be tricky,” she said, slowly. “But he might have solved that problem too.”
“Maybe,” Gaius said.
“I think your figures are off,” Sawford said. “A twisted human should be worth no more than five orcs. And really, that’s being generous.”
11- The Sergeant's Apprentice Page 14