Mindbender

by David A. Wells

  “Put the cord across your chest and the skins under your armpits to help you float,” Lucky said.

  “I don’t know if I can make it,” Evelyn said with tears in her voice. “I’ve never been so cold.”

  “We’ll help you,” Alexander said.

  Jack went first, sliding on his backside for almost thirty feet down the water-slick cliff face, then over the edge to plunge from a height of about ten feet into the lake below.

  Lucky was next. He strapped his bag to himself and carefully closed it to prevent water from getting inside, then went over the edge. Alexander heard a splash from below and waited a count of ten before he sent Evelyn.

  She was clearly afraid and nearly in tears but she did as he instructed and was soon sliding down into the lake below.

  One by one they went. Alexander could see with his second sight the colors of his friends as they struggled to make it to shore. Jack stayed in the water and helped each one reach the shallows before he returned for the next.

  Alexander motioned for Jataan to go but he shook his head through his shivering. “You must go next, Lord Reishi. I will follow after a count of ten.”

  Alexander was too tired and cold to argue, so he nodded and slipped over the edge. The water at his back and the rushing air flowing over him chilled him even more. Then he hit the water and felt the burning cold of the mountain lake sap what little strength and warmth he had left. For what seemed like a long time, he struggled to orient himself and kick to the surface. His lungs burned with the need for air and his body felt heavy and spent but he finally broke through.

  Lucky stood on the shore that looked very far away, holding his light high to guide everyone to safety. Alexander kicked his way clear of the shower of water raining down on him and struggled to swim toward the light. He felt like he was treading water without making any headway. Behind him he heard Jataan crash into the water, then he slipped under again.

  With the sudden strength of panic, he kicked to the surface and started swimming toward shore again as Jack reached him and strapped a set of waterskins under his chest. Together, Jack, Jataan, and Alexander struggled to make it to the shallows where Anatoly and Boaberous pulled them from the freezing water and dragged them to shore.

  Conner and Evelyn doggedly dragged a dead tree branch into the little lakeside meadow and Lucky produced a flask of oil. He dumped it on the wood and ignited it with a whoosh. They all huddled around the fire until it started to fade. Anatoly unbuckled his breastplate and dropped it before he stumbled into the woods to look for more wood. Boaberous went to help him. Between the two of them they carried a log into the fire pit and placed it atop the flames. It took a while for it to catch but when it did, it burned hot and bright.

  Slowly, they began to regain some of their warmth and their clothes began to dry. After an hour or so, Alexander clumsily opened his pack and dumped the contents out in front of the fire. They struggled all night just to stay warm and to dry their things as best they could. When dawn came, they could see that they had traveled through the entire mountain and come out on the side opposite the ruined fortress. Alexander was glad for their position. They were far too exhausted to travel and they were still chilled, not to mention that their things were still wet and heavy. He hoped the enemy wouldn’t find them before they had a chance to regain some of their strength.

  They spent the day at their little makeshift camp feeding the fire. Alexander didn’t feel warm until the middle of the afternoon and then only after he’d eaten three times and wrapped himself in every blanket he had.

  His friends were in no better shape. Jack was especially worrisome. He didn’t stop shivering until sometime in the early morning. Lucky wrapped him in an extra wool blanket and poured a healing draught into him. It wasn’t until dinnertime when Jack woke that Alexander stopped worrying about his friend. For several hours, Alexander could see the colors of his aura waning and he feared for his life. Jack had spent more time in the water than any of them, swimming back and forth to make sure everyone got to shore. Without his help, Alexander was sure he would have drowned in the icy water.

  By morning of the next day, everyone had recovered their strength and dried out their belongings. They set out an hour after dawn toward the east coast of Grafton Island. It was slow going and only got more difficult as the forest thickened. Just before dusk, they reached the road that connected the island’s many small fishing villages and stopped to wait for dark. From their vantage point in the trees, they watched a patrol of a dozen soldiers on horseback pass by. The enemy was still looking for them.

  An hour after dark they slipped across the road, one by one. Once on the other side, they headed for the coastline and then north. By midnight they saw the lights of a small village. They crept through the shadows and found a small dock with a fishing boat tied securely alongside.

  “Jataan, make sure there’s no one aboard,” Alexander whispered. “Anatoly, help me with the ropes.”

  Once everyone was aboard, Alexander dropped his money purse on the dock. He wasn’t sure the owner would have agreed to the sale, but he didn’t like taking someone’s property without paying for it, and he reasoned that the gold he left was a fair price and then some.

  More importantly, the owner of the boat would be enslaved or worse if Alexander failed to prevent Phane from conquering Ithilian and the rest of the Seven Isles. He didn’t like the circumstances but he needed to get off Grafton Island and couldn’t risk hiring a boat for fear of being turned over to the soldiers.

  The little fishing boat had a single sail and one pair of oars. It wasn’t fast but the wind was blowing them in the right direction.

  They weren’t a thousand feet from the dock when they heard the cries of alarm coming from shore. Alexander just hoped the enemy didn’t have a warship at any port near enough to give chase.

  They rowed through the night, taking turns at the oars and tiller. By dawn they could see the shore of Grafton Province growing closer and a warship in the distance behind them closing fast. They were a hundred feet from shore when the first ranging shot from the warship’s fore catapult splashed into the water fifty feet behind them. They made straight for the beach and ran aground in two feet of surf. The water was cold but not as bone chilling as the water of the mountain lake. They waded through the surf as the warship landed a direct hit with a firepot and the fishing boat caught fire with a whoosh.

  Once onshore, they headed inland quickly through a pasture and a herd of cows grazing alongside the ocean. Alexander smiled at the sight. It seemed like it had been so long since he’d helped tend his father’s herd. The smells of the grass and the cows mingled to remind him of his childhood. He snapped back to the present moment when he saw a dozen soldiers riding toward them.

  He stopped and dropped his pack. “I hope they don’t have crossbows,” he said as he handed Jataan his bow and quiver. “It’s a good bet they’re not friendly. Kill as many as you can before they get too close.”

  Jataan nodded as he slung the quiver and nocked an arrow. He waited until they entered his range and then sent ten arrows at them one after the other with inhuman speed and deadly accuracy. Nine of the soldiers toppled from their horses. One managed to block the arrow with his shield. The three that survived the sudden onslaught turned and ran.

  “Well done,” Alexander said. “Let’s round up those horses and get some distance on them before they send more men after us.”

  Chapter 31

  Duncan Valentine stood atop the watch tower in the Ruathan Army main encampment and lamented his helplessness. The Regency had left two legions to guard the Gate and sent the remaining eight to attack New Ruatha, but when their scouts reported that the Ruathan Army was as large as theirs, they abruptly turned toward the coast and marched on Northport.

  Duncan had anticipated the possibility, even half expected them to attack the undefended coastal city, but he hated it nonetheless. He’d ordered Northport to evacuate weeks ago and most of the
people who lived there had obeyed, but there were always holdouts. His scouts reported that several thousand people were still holed up in the city, and from the looks of things, they were attempting to mount a defense. Duncan knew they were doomed and it turned his stomach.

  They, no doubt, felt betrayed and abandoned. But Duncan knew there were more important things at stake than the homes and businesses of Northport. His first duty was to the people of Ruatha and he’d deployed his forces to ensure the survival of as many citizens as possible. Not all of them were happy with his efforts, but that was to be expected as well. War was inconvenient at best and blame for the difficulties it created was not always fairly placed.

  “Take solace that we got most of the people out,” Hanlon said to his old friend. “The Rangers guarding the forest road reported a huge number of refugees over the past week fleeing to Southport.”

  “Hanlon’s right, General Valentine,” Wizard Sark said. “Those who choose to remain were warned of the danger. Committing our forces to preserve a nearly empty city would be a grave mistake.”

  Duncan sighed. “I know, but I still hate it. Those people are just trying to defend their homes and they’re going to die for it.”

  “We’ve done all we can, Duncan,” Hanlon said. “The platoon of riders I sent will arrive a day ahead of the Regency outriders. They’ll make it clear to the holdouts that they won’t survive if they remain.”

  “We have three wizards within the city as well,” Sark said. “They’ve been spreading word of the coming attack while they make preparations for the arrival of the Regency forces. I suspect the enemy will find the city less than hospitable.”

  “Just so long as the docks are destroyed before the wizards make their escape,” Duncan muttered.

  “I assure you, they will be,” Sark said. “In fact, I suspect we’ll be able to see the smoke from here. One of the wizards is very proficient with fire.”

  Duncan nodded as he watched the smudge of dust on the horizon that represented nearly a hundred thousand enemy soldiers marching across land he was charged with defending.

  “How soon will they reach Northport?” he asked.

  “My scouts estimate the cavalry will arrive at the walls by day after tomorrow, with the bulk of their forces arriving two days after that,” Hanlon said. “All things considered, we got lucky. Alexander’s ruse managed to hold them at the Gate for a week. If they’d moved sooner, we might have faced some much harder decisions.”

  Duncan nodded sourly and fell silent for several long moments. He knew the answer to his question before he asked it but he couldn’t help asking. “Any news of Alexander or Abigail?” he said very quietly.

  “We’ve heard nothing,” Sark said. “Erik has a squad of Rangers sleeping in shifts at Blackstone Keep but it’s been weeks since Alexander has communicated with them.”

  “I imagine he’s pretty busy,” Hanlon said. “He’ll send word when he has something to report.”

  Duncan didn’t voice his real concern because he couldn’t form the words without his voice breaking. He drew himself into the detached state of mind he’d first learned as a soldier and put his nagging concern for his children aside as much as he could manage.

  “How is the evacuation of New Ruatha coming along?” he asked to take his mind off his real concern. He knew as well as any the state of affairs.

  “Regent Cery has relocated to Headwater and taken command of the civil operations there. New Ruatha is a ghost town with the exception of a handful of wizards making preparations for abandoning the city and some constables patrolling the streets to deter any enterprising thieves. The population has relocated to Headwater and Blackstone Keep.

  “We have sufficient food for the remainder of the summer and into autumn but this winter might be lean. Northport’s crops are a total loss and Southport diverted so much manpower to building its navy that the yield from their lands will be about half that of a normal year. Kai’Gorn is struggling to salvage something of their crop, but General Talia says they’ll need assistance to make it through next winter. Thankfully, Highlands Reach and the eastern territories are reporting a good crop so far.”

  Duncan nodded. “What’s the latest report from Kevin in Southport?”

  “He has the city working around the clock building those fast-attack boats he designed,” Hanlon said. “I had him send a copy of the plans to us so the wizards could offer suggestions for improvements but they said the design was just about ideal for its purpose. The last report I received from him three days ago said they had a total of sixty-three ships including seventeen of the new attack boats built and crewed. They’re running patrols up and down the coast and providing escort to the refugee ships from Northport.

  “He mentioned that a few scout boats from Andalia made contact with his southernmost patrols but they turned and ran without a fight. Since Talia is sinking anything that gets close to Kai’Gorn, it’s a good bet they’re looking for another port to land their Lancers.”

  “I’ve been expecting something for a few weeks now,” Duncan said. “Phane’s been too quiet for too long. He’s up to something and I’d rather not be caught flatfooted.”

  “The most likely possibility is a large scale naval invasion from Andalia,” Sark said. “He would need time to assemble a fleet of troop transports and escort ships. If that’s his plan, he will most likely attempt to use Northport as a stronghold to build his troop strength before he attacks.”

  “That’s the one I can see coming,” Duncan said wryly. “I’m a lot more worried about what I don’t see. He’s got way too much power at his disposal to be spending all his time supervising a shipyard. He’s got to be working on something else.”

  “Mage Gamaliel has considerable resources devoted to determining Phane’s next move,” Sark said, “but so far, we have no new information. He’s likely shielding his activities from our efforts.”

  “Any news from Duane?” Duncan asked.

  “Last report has him about fifty leagues north of Blackstone Keep deployed along a scout line stretching east and west across the entire island,” Hanlon said. “He has about half his force encamped somewhere on the southern edge of the northern wilds. For now, he says Rake and his soldiers are dug in deep in the highest reaches of the wilds. It’d be a fool’s errand to go in there and try to get them. Rake has the high ground and good defenses. Duane’s just keeping an eye on him for now.”

  “Have the reinforcements arrived at Blackstone Keep?” Duncan asked.

  “They should be there by now,” Hanlon said. “I sent the two legions from Buckwold to augment Erik’s forces as soon as I got word that two legions from Southport were due to arrive.

  “I’m a bit concerned about southern Ruatha. We have just three legions south of the forest with the exception of the Highlands Reach home guard. General Talia has his hands full occupying Kai’Gorn, so he can’t spare any more troops and Kevin needs his entire legion to maintain control of Southport and the surrounding area. If Phane finds a way to land troops down south, we’ll have a hard time getting enough soldiers through the forest fast enough to do any good.”

  “War is a lot like running a ranch,” Duncan said. “Too many needs making demands on too few resources. We’ve deployed our forces as best we can given what we face. For now, all we can do is wait for Phane to make his move and use the time we have to fortify our position and protect our people. How’s the Striker company coming along?”

  “Well enough,” Hanlon said. “Mage Gamaliel is working night and day to create enough breastplates for the hundred soldiers we selected. They’ve been training all day, every day, since we put the unit together. Captain Sava took to his new command with dedication and a single-minded drive to create the most lethal company of soldiers Ruatha has ever fielded. They’re drilling relentlessly with every weapon imaginable. All of the soldiers have seen combat recently, most in the engagement with Headwater, and all of them are committed to victory. They’re ready for duty
now, but I’d like to give them a week or two more before we put them in the field.”

  “We have some time yet,” Duncan said. “Phane’s commanders are smart. They know we’re nearly evenly matched as far as numbers go, so they won’t make a move against us until they get reinforcements.”

  ***

  A week later a squad of scouts returned from Northport with a report. They were accompanied by Wizard Dinh, one of the three that Mage Gamaliel had sent to the city to destroy the docks and lay traps for the enemy. Duncan convened his war council in his command tent and presided over a very somber meeting.

  “Northport has fallen and the remaining residents are being rounded up and summarily executed,” the scout reported. “Their attempt at resistance ultimately proved futile because of the strategy employed by the enemy.”

  Wizard Dinh sighed and shook his head. “We should have seen it coming but we didn’t. Rather than attack with their soldiers as we expected, they sent a company of men in to provide a guard force for the wizard commanding the scourgling and then used it to attack any who remained within the city. That thing is terrifying. Once it has a target in view, it runs it down and tears it apart. Both Edan and Hale died trying to escape. I was helpless to do anything but watch and stay hidden.” His voice broke. “I feel so guilty for not going to their aid but I knew my sacrifice would be for nothing.”

  “You did the right thing,” Wizard Sark said. “Wizards Edan and Hale will be sorely missed. I’ll send word to Mage Gamaliel with the next courier to Blackstone Keep.”