He didn’t think he could talk to her while away from his body, so he returned and forced himself back into his numb flesh. A second later he saw his wife’s face appear in front of him. “Are you all right?” she asked. “It took you a long time to respond.”
“I’m fine,” he told her. “We had some excitement today, but I’m none the worse for wear.”
“What happened?”
Will could already see perspiration beginning to appear on her forehead, and he debated leaving her in the dark. She would want a full explanation, and he didn’t like to think about how exhausted she would be afterward. Then again, he had promised to keep her up to date. “I’ll be quick, because I know this wears you down.” Talking rapidly, he launched into an abbreviated account of the explosive traps and their losses. He left out the specifics regarding Laina and himself. Selene would have insisted on extensive details if she found out they’d been wounded.
In the end we suffered no lasting harm, he told himself. It had taken him just two or three minutes to give her all the important details, and yet he could see Selene was breathing hard. “That’s enough for now,” Will finished. “I love you. Get some rest.”
She nodded tiredly. “Love you too.” Selene released the connection immediately after, a sure sign she was pushing her limits.
Curious, Will returned to the astral plane and went to check on her. Selene was slumped over the dressing table, clearly exhausted. He watched for a minute or so, until she rose unsteadily from her seat and turned toward the bed. She’d forgotten to put down the brush, which fell limply to the floor as she shuffled toward her rest. Her complexion was pallid, and she appeared completely done in.
Just a few more steps, he cheered her on silently. You’re almost to the bed.
Then her foot caught on the rug and she fell. He heard her moan, but she didn’t attempt to rise. A few seconds later, she rolled onto her back and he could see her chest rising and falling. At a guess, he thought she was unconscious, and probably suffering a severe case of turyn depletion.
It was something he’d experienced a few times, but the only time he’d been close to suffering as badly as what he’d just witnessed was his first time, when he’d worn himself out trying to heal a little boy in his village. Selene’s already finished the third compression and she’s had months to adapt. She isn’t getting better.
He would have grimaced, if he hadn’t been a disembodied spirit just then. Feeling helpless, he watched her for half an hour, until he had convinced himself that she wouldn’t stop breathing. Reluctantly, he forced himself to change focus and imagined the face of the man he wanted to see. It wasn’t as easy as finding someone he wanted to see, someone he liked, but the personal connection didn’t necessarily require affection. Any emotion would do. Irritation and annoyance filled him, and after a moment he saw the inside of Field Marshal Lustral’s tent appeared in his vision.
Like Will, the duke looked to be working late. The nobleman sat at a portable table with some sort of writing implement in his hand, though it didn’t look like a regular pen or quill. After watching for a moment, Will realized the material being written upon was unusual as well. It didn’t seem to be parchment, paper, or vellum, but rather some sort of metal square. The implement Lustral held was also a solid metal tool. Is he etching something on the surface? Will wondered. He couldn’t be sure.
Along with his curiosity, Will found his respect for the irritating nobleman grew slightly. He hadn’t expected the pompous ass to possess any serious skills in artifice or enchanting, but obviously he had underestimated the man.
Whatever the man was doing, it didn’t seem to necessarily be nefarious, as Will had suspected. It was unlikely that Lustral would overtly betray the army or his king, and if he did, engaging in something direct like an assassination would be far too risky.
Will waited, hoping to see someone enter, perhaps a messenger. Overhearing a private conversation would be his best bet to find out if Lustral was plotting something, but alas, though Will watched for almost an hour, no one appeared. The field marshal worked on his strange, enchanted square for ten minutes or so, then relaxed for a while before taking his rest. After he extinguished the light spell in his tent, Will gave up and returned to his body. He resolved to return each night thereafter, until he discovered what the man might be up to.
***
It was late afternoon when the vanguard reached Klendon, and they heard horns blowing as the city’s activity rose to a frenzied level. Doubtless the people within were rushing to do everything they could to prepare for the siege that would soon be laid upon the city.
First Division waited until Second and Third had reached them before advancing at a leisurely pace. Per Will’s instructions, they weren’t in any hurry. The city of Klendon occupied a unique location. Although it was on relatively level ground just beyond the foothills where the pass exited the mountains, it was framed by two rivers, which joined one another half a mile to the east of the city and became the River Tyrafel, which led eventually to the city, Maldon, and then let out into the northern sea.
Both the northern and southern roads that led down from the pass approached Klendon from the west, but travelers who wished to enter the city had to travel around the walls to the eastern side, where the main gates were. Klendon presented only a forbidding wall to those approaching from Terabinia.
That meant any army would be forced to pass close to the walls, for the rivers were less than a hundred yards from the city on the northern and southern sides. After passing this gauntlet, an invader would be forced to occupy the field on the eastern side. There was plenty of room there, but no real safety. The northern river had one modest bridge, used by travelers taking the road to Maldon, and the southern portion of the river had two bridges, for those journeying to the capital, Myrsta. One of the southern bridges was wooden, allowing for foot traffic or a single wagon at best, but the other was wide enough for two large wagons to cross abreast of each other.
The stone bridge was supported by heavy stone columns built up from the rock beneath the river. Neither bridge was particularly tall, and the rivers weren’t fast or dangerous, but they were deep. If the bridges were lost then an army would be forced to ford using either ferries or worse, by tying ropes across and swimming the distance. Needless to say, that was a disastrous option given that the opposite bank would be occupied by hostile soldiers.
The land in front of Klendon’s gates was enough to hold First and Second Division, so the rest would stop and complete the siege by remaining on the western side of the city, not that anyone was likely to come to the Darrowans’ aid from the west.
Arrows and stones rained down upon them as First and Second made their way around the city, but with shields and defensive force spells, they were able to pass without casualties. They made sure to avoid getting close enough to the walls for burning oil or similar nastiness to be poured on their heads.
Once the divisions had all taken their places, they began to settle in. Unless the Darrowans attacked, nothing would happen until at least the next day. Will had a lot to do, though. First and Second were commanded by Sub-marshal Nicht and Commander Hargast respectively, so the only other person who knew the full plan, Mark Nerrow, was camped with the rest of the army on the western side of Klendon. Elizabeth Sundy had come with Will, however, and would be in charge of acting as a liaison between him and certain engineers who would have a key role in the upcoming battle.
The real bright spot was that Field Marshal Lustral would be with the larger portion of the army on the western side, so Will wouldn’t have to listen to the man’s constant complaints. Of course, he thinks he’s fortunate as well, since he’s on the safe side while I’m over here in the jaws of the trap. Lustral had made it plain that Will’s choice to position First and Second between the gates of Klendon and the relief forces across the bridges was tantamount to suicide.
It might well be, if Will’s plan fell apart.
Laina
sat nearby in the command tent, and she was watching his expression. “You seem strangely cheerful for someone who hates war. Aren’t you anxious?”
He was, but his next meeting was with a friend. “I’m looking forward to seeing Captain Barrentine.”
“Oh. Wasn’t he the knight you served under when you were a peasant?” His sister smirked as she said the last word, knowing it annoyed him. “From what I’ve heard, most soldiers don’t like their officers.”
“Sir Kyle and I became friends later on, but it’s really his squire I’m keen to see,” explained Will.
“His squire?” Laina looked confused, but her puzzlement disappeared a minute later when the captain appeared, and Tiny entered after him. “Oh, of course,” she told herself quietly.
Will and Tiny’s eyes met, and though their expressions showed little, anyone that knew them could see the smiles hidden in their meeting. Although the two friends had been traveling together for nearly a week, it was their first direct meeting. Other than the officers and those soldiers who happened to be in the units nearest at any given moment, Will hadn’t had opportunities to socialize. Similarly, he hadn’t seen his cousin, Eric, and had only interacted with Janice on a few occasions.
Being a newly minted Royal Marshal, surrounded by officers who hardly knew him, and barely trusted him, was a lonely business. If it hadn’t been for Sub-Marshal Nerrow and Laina, he’d have felt almost completely isolated.
But business was business. After brief greetings, Will quickly ran through what he expected of Barrentine’s Company. It took a few minutes, followed by questions, and then another summary before Captain Barrentine was satisfied that he understood the plan and their part in it properly.
“Don’t you think we’ll be too far away when the moment comes?” asked the captain.
“It’ll just be a hundred yards or so,” said Will. Tiny glanced at his captain, then back at Will, his expression easily read by his friend. He thinks I’m being foolish, Will realized, and answered Tiny with a disgusted look. I am not.
Sir Kyle watched the silent exchange, then snorted, before announcing, “Obviously my squire agrees. You don’t realize how great that distance will be when you’re surrounded by enemies and everyone’s trying to kill you.”
Laina chuckled darkly. “He should know by now. Surrounded with everyone trying to kill him? That’s just the start of most weeks for him.” Everyone looked at her and Laina became self-conscious, for though she was comfortable in esteemed company, in that meeting she had no standing. Combine that with the overt familiarity in her statement and Sir Kyle might start to have strange ideas regarding their relationship.
Tiny laughed, helping to break the awkward silence, though it wasn’t his place to speak either.
Captain Barrentine sighed. “Let me ask you one question, Your Grace. Did you choose my company to honor me with such an important assignment, or was it because of this sergeant of mine?” He jerked a thumb in Tiny’s direction. “Considering how much danger you’ll be in, I couldn’t blame you if that was the reason. Squire Shaw here has pulled my bacon out of the fire more than once.”
Will smiled. “I’d be a poor friend if I deliberately put my friends in the most dangerous of assignments. The truth is darker. I’m trying to get you killed, Captain Barrentine.” His tone made it clear he was joking.
Sir Kyle laughed, along with the others, but then his face grew somber once more. “We’ve taken up enough of your time. I’m sure you have others waiting on your time.”
“I do. But might I ask a favor, not as your superior, but as a friend?” said Will.
“Certainly.”
“Might I have a minute alone with your squire?”
Captain Barrentine nodded then left, and as soon as the three of them were alone Will stood and embraced his long-time friend. “I miss marching with you, Tiny.”
“So march! None of the regulations forbid you from doing whatever you want,” answered the big man. He waved a hand before Will could become defensive. “I’m joking. I know it wouldn’t do for you to fraternize.” Then he sized Will up and down for a moment. “Do you have something special up your sleeve?”
“What do you mean?” asked Will.
“To keep you alive. You know I’ll be running as fast as my legs will carry me, but I’m not a sprinter. You’re going to be all alone for what will seem like several lifetimes until we get there.”
“Darla will be with him,” reminded Laina. “You know how formidable she is.”
Tiny shook his head. “No disrespect, but lethal though she may be, in a heavy press of armored bodies, she’ll be easily swept away.”
Laina looked the squire up and down, then responded, “Even as wide as your shoulders are, if it was you instead, you’d still be just one man.” Then she looked at Will. “I think you’re insane and I wish you wouldn’t do this, but if anyone should be there, it should be me. I did promise to protect you after all.”
“We’d be discovered,” Will pointed out, as he had several times over during their previous discussions. “Otherwise I’d have all of you and Barrentine’s entire company with me as well, but it just wouldn’t work. Just stay close to Tiny and you’ll reach me as soon as anyone does.”
They bantered for another minute or two, then Tiny straightened. “I’d better take my leave. I’m sure the captain is waiting for me.” Another big embrace, and then he was gone.
Lieutenant Renly stepped in a moment later. “Are you ready for Commander Spry?”
Spry was leading Second Division, so his role would be just as pivotal for Will’s plans. “Send him in.” Mentally, he ran through the list of officers he’d spoken to, and those he had yet to brief. It would be a long evening. Before Renly could step out, Will added, “I’m supposed to meet with Scholar Sundy after Commander Spry, but send her in with him. They’ll need to coordinate anyway, so I should meet them together.”
Chapter 28
That night Will checked on Selene again and was relieved to see she had recovered, though she still looked tired. He spied on Lustral after that, but didn’t manage to catch the man meeting with anyone dubious or writing out incriminating messages. Once again, Will went to bed late, and unfortunately, he was awakened early.
“What time is it?” he croaked groggily as his eyes focused on Lieutenant Renly.
“Dawn is an hour away.”
He scowled at his dutiful subordinate. “We aren’t attacking at dawn. Why are you getting me up?”
“The pickets on the other side of the river are reporting activity.”
Will sat up, his heart speeding up. “What kind of activity?”
“They think it’s the forward scouts of the Darrowan relief forces.”
“Oh.” Will took a deep breath. Forward scouts meant they probably had another day, possibly two before the Patriarch’s forces could attack. They’d have to make camp, reorganize, and get in position first. “See if Scholar Sundy is in her tent. If she’s asleep, don’t wake her. She had a long night, but if she hasn’t slept yet tell her to report to me.”
Renly nodded. “I’ll send a runner.”
His stomach made its needs known, so Will added, “And have someone send breakfast my way.”
Scholar Sundy arrived at almost the same time the food did, so Will offered to split it with her.
“No, thanks.” The senior researcher from Wurthaven looked tired. “I’ll eat after I sleep.”
“How did it go? Did they finish?” asked Will. “There’s signs of the enemy on the other side of the river already.”
“We need more time. We could finish it now, but…”
He waved his hand. “No, you need sleep. Besides, if you work during the daytime it’s too easy to spot. I don’t think they’ll come at us until tomorrow at the earliest.”
“If I might take my leave then?”
Will nodded and returned his attention to his breakfast. Laina appeared a few minutes later. “Eating without me?”
&
nbsp; “I figured you’d appreciate sleep more,” he replied.
His sister’s face was sour. “Darla decided you might be about to do something foolish, so she woke me early.”
“Then you need to eat.” Will offered her the remaining crust from his bread.
She eyed the pitiful tidbit then shook her head. “I’ll wait for mine. What’s on your agenda for today?”
Will told her about the recent reports, then added, “With any luck all I’ll be doing today is talking. After the sun is up, I’ll try to parley.”
Laina exhaled, then sagged, putting her head and arms on the table. “So, she woke me for nothing.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“I could hardly fall asleep, and just as soon as I did, she woke me up again,” she groaned, talking into the table.
“Are you all right?” Will asked.
“Don’t bother me until the tea gets here,” she mumbled.
He smiled faintly. Will understood her trouble perfectly. He’d been through it many times during his first stint in the military. Sleepless nights had been common for him, but over time he’d learned to sleep despite the anxiety. He might have gone to bed late last night, but he had fallen asleep rapidly once he’d finally closed his eyes.
“Another scout has returned,” said Renly, ducking in once again. “This one says he is to report to you alone.”
“Send him in.”
The scout entered a moment later, then snapped to attention. “Scout Hendricks reporting as ordered, sir.”
Will nodded. “At ease. What did you find?”
“No sign of the enemy, sir, but the road had been dug up every sixty feet or so along a somewhat narrower section.”
“Similar to the area that was trapped on the other road?”
“Yes, sir.”
Will questioned him for a while longer, then dismissed the man. He sat alone for several minutes, staring at the wall of the tent, his mind blank. Somewhere deep down, thoughts were passing back and forth, but they were beneath his conscious awareness. At present he still didn’t know what to do with the information. Only one fact was clear, someone had betrayed them almost immediately once he had announced his change of course. But how did they get the information to the Darrowans quickly enough for them to shift their traps in time?
Disciple of War (Art of the Adept Book 4) Page 25