WolfHeart

by K. Allen Cross

  By the time Odif returned with the blanket, he was asleep.

  Chapter 3

  Newburg had been built by human traders as a post for goods flowing to and from Elrad. As with all towns, it grew in size as time went on. Farms sprang up, shops, and smiths to repair wagons passing through. Elves settled in, and so did bits of culture. Where once had been a few boarding houses and stables was now a community that had an architecture of its own.

  Although it was within the kingdom of Elrad, Newburg’s population was mostly human. It was also the only place where one could find a delightful blend of elven and human influence in everything from clothing to music.

  Outside Newburg, Odif discovered a troop of hoarcs watching the town. Coming up behind them, she dispatched them quickly. The presence of the creatures told Tayan that the army of evil was already here. His plan of just leading the line of fugitives in might get them filled with arrows.

  He was in the center of a trio that walked to the stone bridge that crossed the river into town. On his left, Odif scrutinized the pair of elven guards on the apex of the arch of the bridge as one slapped the other's shoulder, sending him running back the other way. To his right, Trelem scanned the river’s surface, noting the position of the halshaken who waited under the bridge. Not knowing what to expect, they planned to have Tayan go in with an escort before the rest led the women and children in.

  Tayan had a clear head, thanks to the sleep Odif and Amber had forced on him. He almost hugged Odif when he thanked her. He held back, knowing if he started becoming too friendly with her again it would lead to nothing but trouble.

  As they approached, a troop of elven soldiers marched up over the top of the bridge towards them.

  “Got your insects ready?” Tayan asked Odif quietly.

  “On my side of the bridge and under it,” she replied without looking at him.

  “I am ready to set fire to their bows the second they nock arrows. The halshaken will help cover our escape, if it comes to that,” Trelem told him.

  By the time they got to the foot of the bridge, the troop of soldiers had lined up across the width. Forming into ranks, they marched forward.

  Tayan eyed Odif and Trelem. “Remember, no matter what, no killing.”

  “I’ll try.” Odif sighed. “If it’s me or them...” She let her words fall off, knowing he got the idea.

  “It won’t be,” he assured her.

  The elf sergeant halted his troops a respectful distance away. Pointing his sword at their feet, he commanded, “Place your weapons on the ground and step back.”

  “I don’t think so,” Odif snorted.

  The elf scowled at her. “Give your weapons up, or they will be taken from you!”

  Tayan took a step towards him. “I am Lord Tayan Montara. I need to speak with whomever is in charge.”

  The elf gaped at him. “Lord Montara? What are you doing with humans?”

  This was the last place Tayan expected to hear a comment like that. One of the reasons he liked Newburg was because he never felt out of place coming here. The town sported the largest population of racially mixed people in the land. Looking at the elf’s uniform, he noted it was regular army.

  “These people are with me. We have refugees from surrounding villages that need shelter. We have found hoarcs in the area, andI need to talk to your superiors immediately.”

  The elf flushed. “Yes, of course, M’lord.”

  He sent one of his soldiers to go find his commander then made his troops reform to the sides. Tayan raised his arm in the air and signalled for Scorpio to start the flow of villagers. As the women and children walked up the road, the elf sergeant bowed to Tayan.

  “I am terribly sorry, M’lord. We’ve been having difficulties. Hoarcs are around the town; and with the proclamation, things have been very tense,” he explained. Glancing at Odif and Trelem, he asked, “M’lord, are these...druids?”

  “This is Trelem, First Druid of Longforest, and this is Odif, a Second Druid of Longforest and the senior druid in Lord Zodiac’s Company.”

  The elf looked at them again; his face showed he was very glad he hadn’t tried to forcibly take their weapons away.

  “Are there any more, M’lord?” he asked weakly.

  “A few, as well as human and elven wizards and priests.”

  The elf swallowed. “I will see you to Commander Eldarin, M’Lord. This may cause difficulties.”

  “I take it you don’t like us,” Odif observed.

  “It is the proclamation, M’lady,” the elf told her. “Commander Eldarin will explain.”

  Tayan stepped aside as the first women passed by.

  “Sergeant, there are halshaken in the river below us. They are our allies and are to be left alone.”

  A few elves looked over the bridge rail to verify what he said. Seeing the long shapes in the water below, they backed away from the edge.

  “What is going on?” the sergeant asked then added, “M’lord?”

  “A war, and it’s heading this way,” Tayan told him. He started walking, and motioned for Odif and Trelem to follow.

  “I fear it is here already,” the elf said and gestured at the fields beyond. “We have brought in everyone in the surrounding area and have already had skirmishes with hoarcs and humans.”

  “How long has this been going on?”

  “Human raids, for the past month. Only in the last few days have we spotted hoarcs near the town.” Shifting his eyes again to Trelem and Odif, the sergeant said, “I recommend you leave your escort here, M’lord. Many soldiers are eager for human blood.”

  Humans raiding in Elrad, elves made to dress up in uniform and attack druids--Tayan saw what evil was trying to do.

  “I understand.” Turning to Trelem, he said, “Bring up the village women then set camp on the other side of the river, out of town. Spread everyone out, not too close to the banks, and be prepared for anything. I‘ll return shortly.”

  ***

  Tayan led the women and children into town. Henoted that almost every dwelling had some sort of conveyance in front of it, from large wagons to hand-drawn carts. Each one was being loaded as people stood nearby selling what they couldn’t carry. A human woman was hugged by an elf, who gave her an armload of bread worth a fraction of the finely carved table he bought. On the other side of the street, a sad-looking human man had his tools laid out, and a pair of elven soldiers looked them over.

  On a shed near the man selling his tools, Tayan noted a parchment had been tacked up. It was an official proclamation from the Duke in this province, complete with his seal. Written in both Elradian and Western, it read :

  Proclamation to all in the Province of Elsanor

  On this 27th day of Rantum, in Odin’s year 3367, I, Shalaran Quinlan, Duke of Elsanor, hereby make the following proclamation: In response to the lawless acts that have recently plagued our land, I declare that no person of non-elven heritage shall be allowed to bear weapons of any kind. To keep the peace in our lovely land, I also decree that all persons of non-elven heritage shall be displaced east of the Mason River byno later than the next full moon. I call on all local authorities and military commanders to help make this transition as smooth and peaceful as possible. All displaced persons shall be granted amounts of land equal to thosethey currently hold once they reach their new homes. All travelers will be provided an armed escort to ensure they reach their destinations safely.

  Shalaran Quinlan, Duke of Elsanor

  The duke was responding to the raids by removing all humans from his province. Innocent people were being driven from their homes. He tore the proclamation down.

  “M’Lord?” the elf said nervously.

  “Just get me to your commander,” Tayan grated.

  He met Commander Eldarin just outside his quarters, which was a large stone-and-brick house with a low wall skirting the front lawn and a slate path going to the door. By the trampled flowers along the edge of the path, Tayan didn’t think these had
been his quarters for long. Near the barn, he saw a blue dragon with a silver stripe running down its side, the colors of Elsanor.

  “Greetings, M’Lord. Our regiment just moved in a few days ago,” Eldarin explained as Tayan studied the crushed flowerbeds. “The Mayor was gracious enough to offer me his home before he left with the advance party.”

  “Advance party?” Tayan asked as he stopped at the doorway.

  “Yes, M’Lord, he has gone ahead to scout out the best place to start their new town.”

  The proclamation had sent innocent people right into the war zone. Tayan cleared his throat.

  “Commander Eldarin, send your fastest messenger--and not the dragon. See if they can catch up and bring them back.”

  Eldarin gave him a confused look. “M’Lord, they will need to find a suitable place to start a new town.”

  “You have sent those people into the middle of a battle,” Tayan stated. “Recall them, now.”

  “Battle?”

  Tayan nodded. “Remember those hoarcs around your town? Thousands are fighting Zodiac’s army to the east, and the fight is headed this way. Right after you send out the messengers, I will need parchments and quills.”

  “I can have a scribe sent to you, M’Lord,” Eldarin offered.

  Tayan looked past him to see a large group of townspeople had followed them. “I have another duty for your scribes. As of this moment, In the name of King Alderlan, I am prohibiting any movement east of this town. Duke Quinlan’s proclamation hereby is suspended until further notice. Write that and put up it all over town.”

  “But--”

  Tayan held up a hand to quiet him. “Commander, I will be sending messages to Duke Quinlan and to King Alderlan. I want your dragon to deliver them as quickly as possible.”

  Eldarin’s face flushed. “Of course, M’Lord. I will have someone take you to the study so you can compose your messages. I’ll send my dragon handler in to collect them.”

  “And, Commander,” Tayan said as he turned around, “Lord Zodiac is our ally. Inform your troops not to fire on any druids or halshaken.”

  Eldarin eyed him suspiciously. “Halshaken are coming, also?”

  “They are in the river by the town right now. We have a truce until we destroy the hoarcs--do not fire on them.”

  Eldarin’s voice lacked volume as he said, “Yes, M’Lord.”

  He turned away to fulfill Lord Montara’s wishes. He clearly didn’t like having a half-human telling him what to do, but only two people in the whole kingdom could overrule Tayan. How King Alderlan ever let a mongrel into such a high position, he would never know. No elf would ever lead such a mixed band of creatures into Elrad, especially during a time like this. Sometimes, it seemed his king was not as wise as everyone thought.

  The study Tayan was led to belonged to the mayor, or had. The sturdy oak desk with finely detailed scrolling on the sides and down the legs had been made in Newburg. The pens by the inkpot were another example of simple construction with the touch ofelegance that Newburg was known for. The thick quills were stained red, with silver threads wound down the length of the shafts toform a diamond pattern, a simple tool made to look like it belonged in a king’s court. He settled down in the leather chair and went to work to save these people.

  Tayan wrote first to King Alderlan, explaining in detail what they hadfound so far then his actions and an apology for acting without royal consent. He hoped that Alderlan would see the wisdom in what he was doing. To Duke Quinlan he first apologized for his swift action then assured him that it was for the safety of King Alderlan’s subjects. He finished by explaining he was sending a letter to the king, and urged the duke to wait until King Alderlan made a final decision before attempting to enforce relocation.

  Satisfied his letters were properly formal, he sealed them with wax and used his wedding ring to make his imprint, which bore the Elradian seal.

  An elven soldier who bore no weapons came in and stood by the doorway.

  “You wanted to see me, M’Lord?” he asked with a bow.

  “Who are you?”

  “Devernon, Commander Eldarin’s dragon handler, M’Lord,” he said with another bow.

  Tayan waved him over to the desk. “I have a vital mission for you, Devernon.” Holding the scrolls up, he shook each as he said, “This one is for Duke Quinlan. This one is for King Alderlan. You will deliver them. Do not hand them off to an advisor or guard, but put them in the duke's and king’s hands yourself. Fly to Elsanor city first then to Elrad and wait there for King Alderlan’s reply.”

  Devernon paled. “M’Lord...this is a great honor.” He knew of Lord Tayan Montara--stories of him abounded. To not only see but serve the savior of Elrad and the Jude Forrest elves was a dream come true. “I shall not fail.”

  “Good.” Tayan smiled. “Make best speed, but do not take any foolish risks.”

  “Yes, M’Lord.” he said, bowing again. He gingerly took the scrolls then walked off briskly to perform his mission.

  Commander Eldarin returned and stood at attention across the desk from Tayan.

  “M’Lord, I have sent out scouts to find the mayor’s party, and the notices you requested are being posted. The soldiers are still watching your...escorts. Have you decided how to handle this situation?”

  Tayan gave a sigh. “Sit down, commander.”

  Eldarin did so, taking a stiff pose.

  Leaning towards him, Tayan explained. “I have instructed Druid Trelem to camp where he is for a reason. In Longforest, elves have attacked druids, lest they see their families killed. I strongly feel that the humans raiding here were under similar duress. I believe that whoever is leading the hoarcs wants war between Elrad and Longforest. For the moment, I want them to think they have succeeded. Line some of your men along the edge of town. If we’re lucky, the enemy will think we’re going to fight, and that will buy us time to get the people out.”

  “Your wisdom is well known, M’Lord,” Eldarin said formally, “but I do not know if facing druid troops is a...sound idea.”

  “We will make it a sound idea,” Tayan said sternly. “We are facing black knights who have their own wizards. I am going to need the druids to counter their magic.” Getting up, he motioned Eldarin to his feet. “While Trelem is getting the Company settled, you and I are going to tour the town. The notices I had put up are sure to raise questions. The people need to see us working together.”

  “I’m sure most of the population will be quite happy to hear about your notice,” Eldarin said with a touch of anger. “After all, this town is over half-human.”

  “And every one is a subject of King Alderlan,” Tayan reminded him.

  The moment Tayan stepped out of the house, townspeople gathered around him, thanking him for his intervention. Beside him, Commander Eldarin stood tight-lipped as the crowds cheered. In front of Eldarin’s quarters, and three more times before he got to the center of town, Tayan stood atop a stone wall, or anything else he could find, to give a speech that the situation was still grave and that they had to work together. The crowds watched him intently, but he wasn’t sure if what he was telling them was sinking in. He got the impression their only concern was the fact they didn’t have to leave their homes.

  By the time he got to the edge of town where Trelem had set the Company up in a barn, most of the people following him had wandered off to tell their neighbors the good news. Zit and Gloredaniel stood by the gate to the barnyard waiting for him. A pack of elven soldiers stood across the street, eyeing the barn as if the fires of hell were about to break out and ravish the town.

  Tayan inspected Zit. “I thought you were going to find Lord Zodiac.”

  “I did,” Zit replied then jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “He’s bringing in more villagers--I figure the first ones will be arriving in another couple hours.”

  Tayan planted his hands on his hips. “How did they get here so fast? Last I knew our main force was going head-to-head with a hoarc army.”

>   “That hoarc army split the moment Zodiac was on the move. After we got bombed by those dragons, the only ones he fought were some bands that got left behind. From what he told me, the wizards have been doing most of the work. They got attacked by elven farmers three times, just like we did. Fortunately, they were able to keep from killing most of them.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Unfortunately, they haven’t found most of the women or children.”

  “Damn,” Tayan breathed. “And the hoarc army?”

  “Vanished,” Zit said tightly. “They’ve gone to ground--Duncan thinks they went north. Most of the druids we have left are out searching, but we’ve found no trace of them. The halshaken are going to regroup on the other end of town then continue upriver to intercept them if they try to cross.”

  Tayan stared at the ground as he mused, “If Zodiac caught the farmers without killing them then I don’t think their women are still alive.”

  “This is monstrous!” Eldarin choked. “We have to move out now and find those poor women.”

  Tayan whirled on him. Shooting his arm out to point at the town, he asked, “And what if those hoarcs are headed here? Do you want to leave this town undefended? Until we know more, we set a guard and stay put.”

  Eldarin gaped at him. “You are not going to let these hoarcs get away with this, are you?”

  Tayan clenched his jaw. “No. What we are going to do is get all the townspeople out of harm’s way. Once they are evacuated, we will deal with the hoarcs. Zit, go tell Trelem I want to see him. Zodiac, too, the second he steps foot in town.”

  “You got it.” Zit nodded and headed into the barn.

  Tayan shifted his gaze to the soldiers who were watching him. “Commander, inform your men. Ensure that everyone will cooperate with the druids.”

  Nervously, Commander Eldarin asked, “M’Lord, how large is Lord Zodiac’s army?”