The force from Riverdale, knowing they could access the city without having to worry about the walls and gates that provided the city its protection against invaders, would split their forces accordingly. Small teams of sorcerers, probably the more powerful ones would sneak back in, and strike the enemy from within. The remainder, that being the Arandorians, would at least appear to be preparing an attack by the more usual methods outside the wall.
During the past month or so, Leo had also been taking lessons. This had been an awkward affair, as the man tutoring him was none other than Lars. With it clear to everybody that neither man particularly liked the other, Lars had attempted to ridicule Leo at every opportunity. Every failed attempt at teleporting resulted in the man breaking out in mocking laughter. However, much to his credit, mainly thanks to Chad’s calming words and level-headedness, Leo had remained calm and ignored the mockery.
Learning the teleportation skill was actually not as difficult as they had first presumed. As to why the guild had stopped teaching the skill became obvious. Just moving a handful of times drained most sorcerers to the point of near exhaustion. Alec had watched the lessons with interest, occasionally adding to the talks given by Lars, explaining some of the methods he had discovered in his books. This naturally wound Lars up, something Leo delighted in seeing.
With the teleporting skill being so draining, it had meant learning it had taken a little longer than they had hoped. With each apprentice only being able to make a few attempts at jumping, the lessons had been over very quickly. The only two people able to persevere were Leo and Reece, the latter of which picked up the skill far more quickly than his mentor.
Riverdale had been relatively quiet since the main attack in the later autumn months. A more efficient means of transport had been built to cross the wide freezing waters of the river around it. A large timber-made flat raft, pulled along by ropes fixed at each side of the bank, allowed for more people to cross in one go. More importantly, it had also given them the opportunity to move some of the grazing animals out of the city. These were mainly the sheep they had herded into large makeshift pens, but with the Belarians seemingly all quiet at the moment, it had seemed a good idea to let them roam the large meadows and fields surrounding the town.
The small teams or rangers and sorcerers had kept up a daily vigil of patrolling the roads and nearby woodlands, keeping a watchful eye out for any signs that another attack might be forthcoming. However, aside from a few scouts, no enemy force of note had been forthcoming. Kian, along with the town’s mayor and garrison commander had kept the people fed throughout the winter months, and although strict rations had been enforced, nobody had yet gone hungry.
The let-up in any military action had enabled some of the locals to cross over the river and forage for the few meagre pickings the forest provided in winter. Aside from a few berries, various fungi, they had also snared dozens of rabbits. Adding to this, the rangers had managed to track and down several deer, and whilst these additions were not great, each little bit helped see them through.
Kian cupped his hands together and blew on them to keep them warm. If springtime was coming, it certainly did not feel like it. Each morning he stood atop the town walls looking out over the southern road that gave access to the town, thankful that it was still clear of any enemy soldiers.
The guild master had received some unexpected guests just before the winter started. A few guild members, some of whom he knew, had been spotted by his scouts and brought into the safety of the town. This though had not been the surprising factor, after all there had been several occasions where a stray guild member had sought out Riverdale as a safe haven. With that particular group of guild members, were a score of sorcerers.
However, these sorcerers were not part of the guild, but had been living in a secret forest hideaway. Apparently there were still a few living there, those who had decided not to join the fight. A young man named Gallien appeared to be leading them, having been the one responsible for persuading the others to move. A man called Fennick had remained, along with a few dozen others, mainly those with families.
On their arrival, Kian had at first been unsure what to do. After all, these sorcerers were the very people his organisation hunted down and executed. However, times had changed, and he quickly realised this Gallien and his friends were not the enemy, and duly accepted them into the town. This acceptance had not been without some difficulty, as the newcomers were unsure as to whether they could accept commands from a guild master.
Despite the initial awkwardness of the two groups, they had blended in surprisingly well. Both sets of people realising that bickering amongst themselves would only aid the enemy. Kian had given his word that no harm would come to any of them so long as he was in charge. Moreover, if they ever succeeded in returning to the capital he would do everything in his power to see that remained the case. Gallien, as the voice of the newcomers, had accepted the deal, although had already explained he and the others would not stand idly by and be systematically executed for not being members of the guild. “A problem for another day!” Kian had told the man.
The young guild master had received two reports that morning, both very significant in the town and country’s very future, and both for very different reasons. The first had been from his scouts telling of the increasing activity in and around Surmont. Apparently scores of new sorcerers had arrived, alongside hundreds of new troops, reinforcing the idea that the enemy was once more preparing to make a move.
The second report had been in the form of a somewhat cryptic message. Delivered by a lone rider sent from all the way across Caldronia’s western border. The note had been written in such a strange way that Kian had needed the assistance of one of the guilds literary members who resided in the town to translate it. The reasoning as to why the note had been sent in such a way soon became apparent as they eventually deciphered its meaning.
News that Prince Kellan would soon be returning home with an army from Arandor would have given the people a huge morale boost. The only problem being, was that he knew this news needed to remain a complete secret. So delicate was this information that only he, the man who had helped with the message, and three others knew what was about to happen. Even the messenger who had ridden for days, knew nothing about was contained in the letter he had carried.
Kian turned as he heard footsteps sounding behind him, only to see it was Gallien. The two had often spoken at some length, mainly about the inevitable fight that would be coming their way. Although now Kian had new information, it would seem they would be taking the fight to the enemy, only this was something he felt he dare not share with his new friend, at least not yet.
Those from the forest hideaway had clearly been forced to make a big decision. Fennick, the leader, had remained behind, and had become quite abusive and threatening when Gallien and the others had told him they were leaving with the guild members. Fortunately, that threat of violence had never materialised into anything more, but it had still left a bitter taste.
Chapter 26.
When the day’s news reached Oribe, the Belarian king immediately flew into a rage. Now having had several reports, all indicating the same thing, he foresaw all his plans being torn to shreds. Scores or Arandorian sorcerers had been seen leaving several of the larger cities and towns, all apparently heading south. Accompanied by hundreds of regular soldiers, this was a threat the Belarian king could not ignore.
Having all but emptied his new guild of any sorcerers of note, he knew there was little back home to counter any such force should it decide to cross his northern borders. Each further report just gave more reason to believe this was exactly what the Arandorians were intending to do. The fact that the nation had started mustering its forces was indication enough for Oribe to be concerned. His attempts at assassination had failed miserably, and his latest batch of spies were now apparently finding it all but impossible to infiltrate the Arandorian palace.
With the Caldronians st
ill clinging on at Riverdale, and the Farasavians all but ready for the taking, he had thought himself prepared for a spring offensive. However, now Arandor had finally shown its hand, Oribe was being forced to put all his original plans on hold. He doubted the Arandorians could muster as many sorcerers of note as he could, and according to his older reports, those they had were not particularly very adept in combat skills. However, he was not so naive to think them harmless, and would have to deal with them sooner rather than later.
One good thing had come from the last few days, and that was the arrival of a special young lady. The sixteen- year old may have looked like any other, but she was the one person that might just turn any battle in his favour. Caldronia had been fortunate enough to have two very powerful sorcerers that had successfully repelled his first attempt at taking the city, now he had been fortunate enough to unearth one of his own.
The girl was quite plain looking, with straight shoulder length dark hair. Those at his guild had not even known she was any different until they had started her duelling. The first person unfortunate enough to come up against her had been killed. The shield thrown up in haste had merely been blown away, before she had turned the poor lad into a smouldering corpse.
Known simply as Bea, Oribe knew she needed specialist training. The problem being however, was who to tutor her. If shown how to control her gift, Bea would surely be able to obliterate any who stood before, although quite how he was going to keep her under control, he was as yet unsure. Oribe knew this was a power he needed to be in control of, and whilst he was above average himself, Bea was another level completely.
The Belarian king was now torn between sending the bulk of his army back south, and staying in Surmont to keep it under control, or otherwise leading that army and hoping the small force he could afford to leave in the capital was capable of keeping it his. Perhaps finding Bea was a solution, although he wanted to keep her beside him, for now at least. The young girl was still susceptible to suggestions, and he certainly could not afford to have her head turned, especially in his current predicament.
Deep down Oribe knew what he needed to do, although for whatever reason he had self-doubts. Always a man who liked to lead from the front where possible, he knew that he was the one who needed to take his army south. Ultimately that would also mean Bea travelling with him, which now meant he needed someone else trustworthy enough to keep the city on his behalf.
After thinking of several people and then almost instantly dismissing them as possibilities, he settled on one man. A young sorcerer who had proven himself in battle, and ruthless enough not to let any Caldronian get the better of him. The man, in his early twenties, and one of his older sorcerers, might to some have been a peculiar choice, but Oribe felt somehow reassured he would be leaving his prize in capable hands.
The young man, named Brett, now stood before him, looking somewhat dumbfounded at what his king had just asked him. Oribe smiled and offered his guest a drink, before noticing Bea, whom he kept close by, staring at his guest. Did she find him attractive? Oribe ignored it and swigged back his own drink, downing the brandy in one. “So Brett. Do you accept your king’s offer?”
“I do sire. I will not fail you,” the young man replied almost immediately.
“Failure is not even an option,” Oribe said dryly, before turning to Bea. “Come on we must prepare to leave,” he told her, noticing she was still watching the other man in the room.
Perhaps taking Bea with him was probably for the best anyway. Oribe certainly did not want her distracted, and certainly not by lustful thoughts. Brett on the other hand could do as he pleased, so long as the young man held on to his city until his return.
Oribe hated having to spread his forces out, but at the moment there was little option. The bulk of his force would have to move south with him, whilst a sizeable force of regular soldiers along with a few dozen or so sorcerers would have to remain in Surmont. Fortunately, the citizens of his new city had, it seemed, given up on any kind of fighting back. The last incident of note against his men had been a number of weeks ago, and after executing a few dozen Caldronians in revenge, no more attacks had been forthcoming.
Despite Bea having only recently made the trip north to Surmont, the young lady did not appear overly bothered she would be already going back the other way. Oribe sat atop his horse and waved for his men to move forward, the clattering of hooves on the cobbled stones rang out, as he and Bea headed through the palace gates and out into the city streets.
He was glad to see the people keeping their heads low as he passed by. This he thought a good sign, they were suitably subdued and should more easily be controlled. Having no doubts, that he had left the best man in charge, he and his party of soldiers were joined by hundreds more from the city’s garrison building. They would meet more outside the city walls, before heading back to Belaria. From there Oribe would position his own men on his northern border, hopefully warning enough for the Arandorian King to back off and stay out of the fight.
Should that show of power not be enough, Oribe knew he would have little option but to start a fight, and although not the one he wanted, was still confident of victory, especially against such an inexperienced army such as Arandors. With Bea at his side, and with a little more training, Oribe was now sure he could defeat anything that opposed him.
Chapter 27.
Leo sat atop his horse. The chestnut coloured mare was quite a placid beast, which he hoped would make for a relatively uneventful trip. Kellan, the young prince sat on a horse almost the same size, looking clearly nervous and apprehensive. Leo turned to look at a few of the other faces around him, and it was evidently clear the young royal was not alone in his feelings.
Several months of hard work and planning were now about to be put to the test. News that the Belarian King himself, had left Surmont to lead a large proportion of his forces back south, would indicate that at least part of that planning process had been successful. Although the main bulk of Arandor’s army was actually lining up along the border with Belaria, the most powerful element within it was now heading eastwards to the Caldronian capital of Surmont.
Over sixty newly trained Arandorian sorcerers, now rode alongside a force of just three hundred regular soldiers, all led by Farley, the commander of the king’s own guard. Edwin had deemed it best that he remained in situ, for now at least, and keep tabs on his own lands, just in case Belaria decided to take a swipe across his border. Lars was also to remain behind, and as a gesture of goodwill and thankyou from Kellan, both Anden and Beth would remain to help train the next intake; some of whom had already started taking up residence in Dornby.
This meant the Caldronian contribution was just Leo and Chad, Jon the young ranger, Marlo, Lucas and Wilf the warriors, Sara the healer and Alec from the literary guild. Nevertheless, the emblem of Caldronia still flew proudly amongst the banners of King Edwin’s, as they all moved out of the city they had called home since their escape.
The red robed sorcerers of Arandor rode in the middle of the small army, being protected in front and behind by the regular soldiers. Kellan was surrounded by his own countrymen, although would be expected to stay near the back of the lines when they actually neared their target. Still some days off, this small force hoped to cross the border into Caldronia and make a swift dash for Surmont. If all went to plan those from Riverdale would already be there and ready to let them in.
Kian had received word just the previous day about what was wanted from him and the fighting men of Riverdale. Once more the message had arrived in encrypted form, and had taken some time to decipher. This time it was the news he had been waiting for, and a signal for him to make a move. However, knowing Riverdale was the last of the larger towns and cities in Caldronia to remain free, he did not want to take all the fighting men at his disposal.
Despite the order requesting him to take the full force south to Surmont, Kian thought it only fair that the people of Riverdale had some kind of defence sh
ould everything go wrong. After all, if his attack were to falter and fail, the Belarians would surely not waste the opportunity in claiming the last of the Caldronian strongholds.
Having been unexpectedly reinforced by the rogue sorcerers from the forests east of the capital, he now felt he could spare a few of his younger sorcerers to help make Riverdale safe in his absence. With preparations having been made as discreetly as was physically possible, the small army of guild members and garrison soldiers crossed the river to make their way to Surmont.
With too few horses for everybody, the force had little option but to walk, and those they did have had to be used mainly for carrying supplies. Although only a relatively short trip, it would take a couple of days to reach where they needed to be. The capital city may have been their ultimate destination, yet their first was elsewhere. Now they were aware of the tunnels and the entrance allowing access to them, Kian was to start retaking the city from within,
If all went well, he was to open the eastern gate when the army from Arandor was spotted, allowing them inside to remove the Belarians. That at least was the plan, whether any of it actually came to fruition, he guessed only time would tell. The guild master could not even be sure the tunnels they needed to access the city were still a secret. What if the Belarians had discovered them? Perhaps they were lying in wait for him and his men to enter them, and would bring the earth tumbling down on top of them, effectively ending the threat he posed in one foul swift. The thought made him shudder, as he realised he needed to keep a positive outlook, if not for himself then those that were putting their lives in his hands.
The King's Sorcerer (The Caldronian Guild Book 3) Page 19