“What are you doing here?” she asked, pulling away.
“Myra asked some of the guards watching us if I could come visit you.”
“They allowed that?”
“Not at first. But Myra talked them into it.”
“How?”
“She learned that they treat us so well because they want our pain to be worse for Beel to feed off of at the end. She convinced them that mental pain is even more brutal than physical pain. Therefore, they should make us happier now by allowing us to visit you so our suffering will be greater later.”
Ava grinned. “And they bought it?”
“Reluctantly. They couldn’t find a hole in her reasoning. It’s obvious they want to hurt us badly, but until the sacrifice comes they can’t or they’ll risk falling out of Beel’s favor.”
She thought of the Master Sorcerer grinning, then her earlier thoughts.
She shifted subjects. “What happened to us? One moment I was standing on shore. Next thing, I’m waking up on a raft.”
“They took us by surprise. Myra’s beyond angry about it. She said that it would have never happened had Pa still been with us. Said we grew too lax when we finally reached the river. She thinks they must have scouted us somehow first, maybe with the Master Sorcerer since they knew to take you out before anyone else. Plus they swarmed in so quickly we barely had a chance to react. Four died trying to fight the Geneshans, including Massa. Myra, Damaris and Nason told everyone to surrender once they saw how hopeless our situation was.”
Ava cursed her own stupidity. She agreed with Myra, they had grown careless, though the blame in her mind should be hers.
She stopped herself from traveling farther down that path as she looked at Zadok more closely.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I guess. I’m alive. At least for now.”
“You’re not acting yourself.”
He snorted. “I’m having a hard time seeing anything good out of our current situation.” He paused. “Maybe I’m just starting to see Pa’s point of view. Maybe it was always the better way.” He snorted, then wiped a tear. “After all, look what Ma got from trying to think positively. Pa’s the one that survived. He’s liable to outlive us all.”
For his sake, I hope not. I can’t imagine what that will do to him.
Ava wasn’t sure what to do, nor what to say. She was used to talking to Myra about cheering up, but Zadok hadn’t needed much encouraging.
Even if he’s grown, he’s still only a boy.
“I understand what you’re saying, but that optimism you suddenly seem to be ashamed of was something your Pa admired in you and in your mother. It’s all right to feel down, depressed, or even hopeless from time to time. However, if Tyrus were here he’d tell you that living a life always focused on the negative makes it hard to really live at all.” She paused. “Maybe your Ma needed a bit more balance. Just like your Pa. Just like me. That’s all.”
He wiped his cheek.
“Is Myra not coming?” she asked.
Zadok lowered his voice, then whispered. “She doesn’t want to come. Figured that if I came it would raise less suspicion.”
Ava tensed. “So she’s . . .”
Zadok nodded. “Planning.”
“What is it?”
“She won’t tell me. No one yet. Only me, Damaris, and you even know anything is going on at all. She wants to keep it that way so no one screws things up for her. She has people getting information for her, but she’s set it up so that they really have no clue they’re even doing it, I think.”
“Tell her to come see me. We need to talk. I don’t want her to act hastily and get us all killed. We can figure something out together.”
“I’ll try, but I don’t think she’s going to come. She’s got this look about her I’ve never seen before. Pure anger and determination. She’s set in her mind and I don’t think you could talk her out of it.”
“Just tell her. I know the Geneshans better than she ever will.”
“I’ll try.” He motioned up to her shoulder. “Bet it hurts a lot?”
“Not as bad as you think. I can’t get it out though. The wards stop me from trying and would hurt anyone else who made an attempt unless their Master Sorcerer removed the spells.”
Zadok bobbed his head as if he already knew. “Myra though that was the case and said she’s already got that figured out.”
She snapped. “You mind telling me?”
He shrugged. “I would if I could. But like I said, she’s keeping her plans close. She said everyone will know what they need to know when they need to know it.”
“Cute, but even your Pa needed help.”
Zadok shrugged again. “She and Pa might share some things, but they aren’t exactly alike.”
“No. Though she is just as stubborn.”
Zadok finally grinned. “That might be for the best.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think she’s going to allow herself to fail.”
If only it was that easy.
CHAPTER 31
The next several weeks were some of the most strange I can remember. It seemed almost every day there was a battle to fight against the Geneshans. Some were large with numbers comparable to ours. Most were skirmishes against smaller forces meant to give us trouble until the next larger force got into the position to meet us.
Unbelievably we won every confrontation, either by forcing the enemy to retreat, or more often by killing as many Geneshans as possible. I considered myself to be a more-than-capable commander, but how we managed such continued success was beyond me.
Hamath told me one day, “Gods, Tyrus, I don’t know how you do it.”
This was after I managed to pull out a victory over a Geneshan force that evenly matched us in numbers and had a greater advantage in cavalry and archers.
I shrugged. “Strategy seemed obvious to me.”
Basically, we double-timed it to a large rock formation before the Geneshans attacked. I positioned our lines so the rock shielded our left flank. Then I overloaded the right flank with triple the number of men.
This allowed me two options depending on what the Geneshans did. If they decided to use their cavalry to flank our forces and pin us against the rock formation so that we had nowhere to retreat, I’d be able to fan out my right flank quickly enough to fend off that attack while also buying time for me to reinforce that part of the formation with reserves. However, if they chose to attack where we were weakest at the left and center, which is what I had hoped, the right flank would turn inward and force them against the rock. Encircled, the cavalry would lose their advantage of speed and maneuverability.
They went with the second option.
“Well, I hope strategy stays obvious,” said Hamath, pausing. “You know Tyrus, at one time I really thought I could be just as good at commanding as you.”
“You are good.”
He spat. “Not at your level.”
I blinked. Our relationship, though improved, had still remained at the professional level. The more casual nature of our speech and his admission surprised me. “Thank you.”
He grunted.
“You know, there’s a lot of luck involved too.”
“Yeah. But luck seems to find you quite often.”
It was my turn to grunt. When I looked back at my life, it was hard to see good luck.
But then again, I was a rare breed in that I had not only survived all ten years of the war, but also the artifact’s eruptions, and so far, this second Geneshan War.
I guess my outlook on luck depended greatly on what perspective I viewed it from. And sadly, if I was involved in war or not.
Over those several weeks, we killed thousands of enemy soldiers, Geneshan and even Malduk. I wondered where they all c
ame from. The enemy at the end of the war didn’t field soldiers this quickly against us. Balak’s theory about the Geneshans and their artifact seemed more plausible with each battle. They had to have planned this mass movement toward Hol for some time.
With so much fighting, our casualties were also high. Yet our numbers grew, swelling to nearly seven thousand soldiers in total. Most of these new recruits came from former Geneshan prisoners we pressed into service. I did my best to train and fold the newcomers into already established companies. However, a great many became my reserves, groups I’d never lead with, but would support any weaknesses in my formations. They would hopefully gain experience under less stressful circumstances.
We had to arm our reserves with mostly looted armor and weapons. Many didn’t care for that, but when given the alternative of not having any armor or going into battle with bare hands, everyone stopped complaining.
Despite our swelling of numbers, we managed to keep everyone fed and cared for due to the Geneshan supplies we eagerly confiscated.
Naturally, the infirmary saw more activity. I visited Noam, his staff, and the soldiers inside as often as I needed to understand how our wounded were being cared for and to provide an encouraging word. We were well staffed there, mostly with women and older children not ready to carry a spear helping. No matter how many times I visited, I never got over my trepidation.
Outside of our main body, the one advantage I think I had as a military leader was my ability to use the elite units. Having led one for almost a decade, I understood the nuances of what was and wasn’t possible. I knew when to push and when to rely on the main body to get at the enemy. It didn’t hurt that Dekar and Hamath both led my best units, men I trusted in command more than just about anyone. I added three new units to my arsenal over those weeks, but I made my best use of Dekar and Hamath’s men, giving them the missions most critically important to my strategy.
Each major confrontation against the Geneshans we entered into, we were at an immediate disadvantage with sorcery. I felt confident that despite our victories, our losses would have been even less had we access to the three high mages Balak used for his own plan. However, the small cabal of mages at my disposal worked well in unison.
Still, my confidence in my mages, my elite units, and the overall state of the military went only so far.
Balak and I met daily as the news grew more grim. I kept hearing reports from the high mages that the forces we had faced thus far were nothing compared to what I was told we’d have to face at Hol as several Geneshan armies were closing in on the city rapidly.
Balak remained tight-lipped about his plans for taking the former Turine capital, as well as stopping the main Geneshan host, despite pressing him for details. I began to wonder if he had a plan at all or if he spent his time alone pacing his tent, hoping one would come to him.
That would be fitting.
Why else wouldn’t he share his plans with me? My frustration grew daily.
Though I was often too busy to think about my family in depth throughout the day, a day never went by that they didn’t cross my mind at least a dozen times. Everything I did was not just to win, or save the lives of those I commanded. The overriding motivation was to survive and win so I could hold my kids and hug my sister again.
It would take more than a Geneshan host to keep me from them.
CHAPTER 32
Many days had passed since Ava last met with Zadok.
She had asked the guards why she couldn’t see anyone. They had answered that no one wanted to see her.
She didn’t know if that was the truth. Though they still kept her separate from other prisoners, she’d make eye contact with friends and family while floating on the river. Ava would try to communicate with them with either exaggerated gestures or calling out their names. However, other than a forced smile, nod, or wave of the hand, there was nothing more.
Ava couldn’t figure out why. It was obvious from Zadok’s visit that the Geneshans would allow her contact with others, at least in a controlled area. She tried to not be upset by the behavior, sure there was a logical reason, but ultimately it was hard not to feel hurt. Days with no one to talk to or interact with outside of the Geneshans left her lonely and confused.
Is this part of some master plan, Myra?
With little to do except spend time with her thoughts, Ava had tried to determine what plan Myra might be working on, as well as piece together her own. She listened to Geneshan guards, hoping to glean information from them while also watching what prisoners interacted with others. However, if there was a pattern or smattering of clues to Myra’s intentions, Ava was blind to them.
Either the girl is a genius, or Zadok was bluffing and Myra has nothing.
Ava contemplated that last thought as she sat in her private tent.
That’s doubtful. I might not like what Myra is working on, but I can’t imagine her faking it. Nor Zadok lying.
Thinking on what her niece might have planned, shifted her thoughts to her own ideas for escaping. Sadly, she had not worked through any of her plans to the point she was comfortable in acting upon them.
Her shoulders sagged in frustration.
“Some commander I’ve turned out to be,” she muttered low before being distracted by a crack of burning wood. She turned her attention to the source of the noise, a small brazier in the corner to keep off the chill. On a stool beside it, sat a surprisingly fresh hunk of bread.
I know this is all intentional so my pain is worse later, but there are worse ways to spend my last days if that ends up being the case.
She hated thinking that way, but it was hard not to.
It was obvious that the Geneshan guards who watched over her didn’t expect much from her except sorcery. They never protected their weapons as they would have while guarding a known fighter.
She could use that to her advantage should she be so inclined. Ava knew her way around a blade. Tyrus had seen to that.
But I’m not about to go carving my way through an entire army.
So why bother getting myself killed? At least not with Myra working on something. But if she doesn’t actually have anything? Well, I’d rather go down with a sword in my hand than lying on an altar. Gods, I hope it doesn’t come to that.
A shout from the guard outside Ava’s tent startled her.
“What was that?” she asked in broken Geneshan.
“Are you dressed?” the guard repeated.
Of course I’m dressed, you idiot. How in the world could I take off my clothes with a crossbow bolt protruding out of my shoulder?
“Yes,” she replied.
The tent flap opened and Nason stepped through. He wore a warm smile that faltered as he looked at her shoulder.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
“No, it tickles. I’m holding back a giggle right now.”
His smile returned. “A ‘yes’ would have sufficed.”
“What’s going on?” she snapped. “Why has no one come to see me? And where are Zadok and Myra?”
He lowered his voice. “I was sent instead.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Talk to your niece. She’s running this show.”
“Why her?”
“Because no one else, including me, has any idea how to get out of this.”
Ava lowered her voice. “So you know what she has planned?”
He snorted. “No. I was only told there was a plan a few minutes before I came here. I’m supposed to tell you your role so you’re ready when it’s time to execute it. That’s it.”
Ava growled to herself. She hated knowing so little. Even Tyrus hadn’t kept her this in the dark.
“All right,” she said, trying to calm her frustration.
He leaned in and mouthed. “You’re to kill the Geneshan Master Sorcerer.”
&n
bsp; Ava blinked. She shook her head, then blinked again. She had to have misheard. “What was that?”
“You’re to kill the Master Sorcerer.”
Kill the Geneshan Master Sorcerer? This is my role in her big plan? Is she insane? Even without this blasted bolt negating my powers, I can’t draw on enough power to do that. Ao’s teats, last time I killed a Master Sorcerer, I was at full strength and had Tyrus fighting alongside me.
Ava hissed. “Did she say how she expects me to pull this miracle off? Or am I supposed to work out the details myself?”
Nason grinned in obvious nervousness. “She said you’d say something like that.”
Though the smile looked anything but easy, it still aggravated Ava anyway. “I’m glad you think this is funny, because I sure don’t.”
He blew out a slow breath, grin fading. “And I told her you’d say that.”
Ava swore. “Excellent, so you’ve both proven that I can get very aggravated when dealing with secretive fools. Answer my questions.”
He stepped in closer while looking back to the tent flap. “We’ve made unbelievable time traveling on the river. We’re less than a week from Hol. Their officers are busy, especially the Master Sorcerer as he’s communicating quite a bit with other forces. During one of these times in the next day or two is when the plan will go into effect. Someone will come in and remove the bolt from your shoulder. After that, she said you’d know what to do.”
“Great,” she muttered.
Even if the sorcerer is most vulnerable then, he’ll still be able to craft a defensive spell quicker and with more force than if I could throw an attack at him.
She sighed. You’re relying too heavily on me, girl.
Let’s hope I don’t let you down. She thought of what she knew a Master Sorcerer was capable of.
Just about anything.
CHAPTER 33
It happened when Ava least expected it would.
Of course, she thought, isn’t that the idea?
Ambushes, escape plans, and surprise attacks usually occurred in the late evening or in the middle of the night. It wasn’t often that one occurred mid-morning.
Resurrected Soldiers: The Tyrus Chronicle - Book Three Page 29