"I am glad that you did," smiled Arik. "Is the sky clear to the fairy village as we suspected?"
"Perfectly clear," grinned Midge. "The whole of the Disputed Area is under clear skies, just like Cordonia."
"I have another task for you," Arik said softly. "Do you need to rest before you can do it? It involves a journey of some distance."
"Rest?" echoed Midge with mock offense. "Fairies do not need rest from flying. I get enough rest in your pocket most days to last a lifetime. What does the Bringer require of me?"
Arik grinned and shook his head. "I wish I had your energy," laughed Arik. "I want you to fly to Tice and find out what the goblins are up to. Estimate their strength and try to determine how much time we have before they attack the outpost. Are you sure you don't need rest first?"
"Am I still here?" chirped Prince Midge as he leaped into the air and disappeared.
"Why are you concerned about Tice?" queried Tanya. "It is not like we can do much to affect the outcome."
"Can't we?" retorted Arik. "We have thousands of warriors, and we can trap the goblins between us and the city."
"You mean to sacrifice the unicorns?" scowled Tanya. "How could you even think of such a thing? They are beautiful beings. You cannot let them be destroyed by the goblins."
"Destroyed?" echoed Arik. "Do you not remember how the unicorns fought the yaki? Yes, they are beautiful, but they are powerful warriors as well. I think we could be victorious."
"You have changed more than I imagined," scowled Tanya. "Before you shunned the responsibility of the fealty of the fairies, and now you are ready to send the unicorns into battle to die. Does Chaco mean so little to you?"
"Chaco means a great deal to me," Arik answered softly. "Tanya, I would not ask the unicorns to do anything that I thought they could not handle. You are right that I have changed, though. Meeting Prince Oscar and learning of his life has made me realize my obligations. I could be happy returning to Lorgo and fishing with Konic for the rest of my life, but that is no longer an option. The fates have burdened me with the task of defeating Sarac. I cannot hide from it. I cannot ignore it. If we are to defeat Sarac, we must realize that many of us will die in the attempt. I only hope for the knowledge to make the right decisions and the courage to make those hard choices. Besides, I told you that I had not talked to anyone about this yet. I will ask Alex and Larastrides what they suggest, but I do think we can save Tice by using the unicorns."
"You are maturing into a king," Alex stated as he silently sat down beside Tanya. "I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I could not help overhearing the conversation."
"I think we need to sew bells on your boots," chided Tanya.
"It is the lessons of the elves that make me move quietly," smiled Alex. "Perhaps one day there will be time for you two to learn the lessons."
"How is your hand, Tanya?" inquired Alex when there was no response to his words..
"My hand?" Tanya smiled. "My hand is just fine. I do know a bit about healing after all."
"And I thought you would not be able to hold a sword again," chuckled Alex. "You would think that being married to a mage would cause me to realize the power you have."
"Am I wrong to think of using the unicorns, Alex?" questioned Arik.
"Not at all," replied Alex. "In fact, I spoke with Larastrides about that possibility last night. The Shamora agrees that with the proper plan we can achieve victory. The hard part will be to come up with a good plan."
"But the goblins are archers," protested Tanya. "Even if we win, many unicorns will die. They cannot carry shields and they cannot fire back."
"Speed and surprise will be the unicorns' strengths," responded Alex. "Tell me what you have planned so far, Arik."
"I haven't planned anything yet," answered Arik. "I sent Midge out to scout on the goblins. I had planned to discuss it with you and Larastrides when he returned. I was hoping that one of you would have a plan. I am not a general and do not have the experience needed to make these decisions."
"It appears to me that you are making decisions rather well," smiled Alex. "It is not an easy task for you to assume the throne of a country you have never known. The situation in Tagaret would be daunting for even an experienced ruler, but you have a wealth of talent at your disposal. You will make both of your fathers proud by the way you have taken up this challenge."
"How can you have surprise on your side when you have to charge across the battlefield to get to your enemy?" inquired Tanya.
"Charging across the battlefield is one tactic that we will not use," replied Alex. "I understand your fears regarding a slaughter of the unicorns, Tanya, but I do not think anyone here would propose that. However we decide to attack, the element of surprise will be used most wisely. The goblins will not be expecting an attack from the rear. Our goal is to save the residents of Tice and preserve it as an outpost. If we can accomplish that in such a manner that we can be sure that the goblins will not attack it again, then we will have accomplished the goal."
"You mean to make them afraid to attack Tice again?" quizzed Tanya.
"That is one option," nodded Alex. "Another is to cause them such grave casualties that they will refuse to attempt the attack again. I do not know what it will take yet. I do suspect that we will need a fair amount of magic on our side though."
"Perhaps we could make them believe the area is haunted?" suggested Tanya as she started warming to the idea of the attack. "Or a dense fog to hide the unicorns until they attacked?"
"Both are excellent ideas," grinned Alex as he watched the sun start to rise over the horizon.
"Wasn't Alexander Tork known as the Goblin Killer?" interjected Arik.
"Yes he was!" exclaimed Tanya. "He is feared and hated by the goblins. I am starting to get some ideas on how we can use that to our advantage."
Alex rose while smiling and shaking his head. "You two keep plotting," Alex chuckled. "I need to get Jenneva up and help her prepare a meal. Let me know when Price Midge returns."
"So if Alex thinks it is a good idea it is alright," frowned Arik after Alex had left, "but if it is my idea then I must be crazy?"
"I am sorry," Tanya responded. "I guess I just reacted without thinking of the possibilities. I was afraid that you would waste the lives of the unicorns just because you could. I should have known better."
"Actually I was a bit afraid of the same thing," Arik admitted. "That is why I had not mentioned it to anyone yet. I could not sleep thinking about it. That is why I was sitting here. I wanted my thoughts to be clear before I brought the subject up. Being responsible for so many lives scares me, Tanya. I don't know if I can handle it."
"Just the fact that you are unsure pleases me," smiled Tanya. "It means that you will think things out before doing something. As for experience, you are learning from a master."
"What was your thought regarding the Goblin Killer?" inquired Arik. "You appeared to be ready to explain it when Alex left."
"Prince Midge has the ability to create visions," grinned Tanya. "I am not sure how it could be used yet, but suppose he created a large image of the Goblin Killer? I suspect that the goblins would attack the image instead of Tice."
"So we could lure the goblins towards the place where we wanted them to be," nodded Arik.
"And the unicorns could be hidden in a fog where the ambush would take place," added Tanya. "I am not sure if it would work, but it a place to start planning."
Chapter 2
The Black Death
Wylan recoiled from the sharp pain in his stomach. He opened his eyes slightly, squinting from the brightness. He saw a figure through the haze of sleep and stared at it. As the figure came into focus, Wylan leaped to his feet and bowed.
"Sorry, Baron," frowned Wylan as he gazed at the long pole in the Baron's hands. "I only meant to catch a nap. I fear I have overslept."
"You are the lad that I asked to watch Azmet yesterday," nodded the Baron. "Have you been on this platform since then?"
"Well I am glad to find you alive," responded the Baron. "Did they make any attempt to approach the gates before they left? Did you overhear words regarding their man in the city? Did it look like they were waiting for him?"
A puzzled frown fell over Wylan's face as he recalled watching the pilgrim encampment. "No," he finally answered. "Everyone just rose as if it was expected. They folded up their camp and departed. It was too far to hear any conversations, but I remember wondering why they left without their supplies."
"Perhaps they knew he was ill," pondered the Baron.
"Ill?" echoed Wylan. "He did not appear ill to me before he entered the gates. He was quite lively in the ceremony that they had for him."
"Ceremony?" questioned the Baron. "They had a ceremony for a lad going to get supplies?"
"Well that does seem strange," agreed Wylan, "but I am not familiar with their religion."
"Describe the ceremony," command the Baron.
Wylan described what he had seen the night before. He struggled to leave nothing out. As he was telling his tale, a whiff of smoke caught his attention and he turned towards the city. His storytelling stopped as Wylan saw the huge bonfires on the streets of the city. He strained his eyes to see what was happening below. With the Baron forgotten, Wylan's mouth hung open as he saw bodies being thrown into the huge fires. He quickly scanned the ramparts for his fellow guards, but he could not see a one of them. Slowly he returned his attention to the Baron.
"What happened?" queried Wylan.
"The Black Death, lad," sighed the Baron. "It is why I poked with you with such a long pole. I needed to know if you were alive or not. You are probably the only person in Southland that I can be sure is not infected."
"The Black Death?" cringed Wylan. "How? Why?"
"The lad the pilgrims sent in was infected," scowled the Baron. "I thought it was just our bad luck before I heard your report about the ceremony. Now I am not sure. It would explain the prophet's threat and why they did not expect the lad to return, but I cannot imagine a heart so cruel as to do this intentionally."
"You mean the eight out of ten dying that he mentioned?" inquired Wylan. "Will it really be that bad?"
"It will," affirmed Baron Timor. "It may even be worse. I fear that none may survive. That is why I am pleased to have found you. You have a task to accomplish."
"What can I do?" asked Wylan. "I know nothing of the Black Death."
"I hope you can still say that come tomorrow," frowned the Baron. "My men are shooting citizens that are trying to leave the city, but I am asking you to leave on a mission for me."
"Why would you kill people trying to leave?" questioned Wylan. "And why would you allow me to leave?"
"Because I feel certain that you are not contaminated," replied the Baron. "The others trying to flee could spread this plague across the countryside. I cannot allow that. Still, people must learn what happened here in Southland. You are going to spread that word."
"Surely you can leave if you want to?" responded Wylan. "Nobody would dare stop the Baron from leaving."
"I do not know if I have been infected," answered the Baron. "That is why I used such a long pole to rouse you. I cannot ask more of my people than I do of myself. If you follow instructions, you will not pose a danger to anyone."
"I can follow instructions well," agreed Wylan.
"Good, lad," smiled the Baron. "You will have to leave the walls from where you stand. It is a long drop, but others have done it in the past. The first thing you must do is to mark each of the gates to the city. Mark them well so that people coming to Southland will know that the Black Death is inside the walls. After you do that, get away from the city, but do not come into contact with any man or beast. Keep yourself isolated for three days. Only if you have no signs of plague are you to continue. Do you understand?"
"Yes," nodded Wylan. "Keep to myself for three days. What do I do then?"
"If you show signs of plague, you must kill yourself," instructed the Baron. "This is very important. You must realize that if you show signs by then that you will surely die anyway. Do not let others suffer because of your own fears. Are you sure you can do this?"
Wylan tried to envision himself with plague and took a long time to answer, but the Baron showed no signs of impatience. "I can," Wylan finally replied.
"Good, lad," smiled the Baron. "After three days, head north of the city. I have an estate about a day's walk from here. My crest is upon the gate and you will recognize it. Enter the estate and describe what has happened here. Ask for supplies for a journey and a horse. You will need to ride hard to get to Cleb before the pilgrims. Warn the Baron of Cleb regarding what has transpired in Southland. This is what I ask of you."
"I will do as you have commanded," assured Wylan. "Should I come back here afterwards?"
"I do not think there will be anything to come back to," frowned the Baron. "Someone must always burn the last person that died. It is hard to do that and not get the disease yourself. Already half the city has died. They are dying quicker than we can gather their bodies. Find a new life, lad. Better yet, spread the word about the prophet Azmet. Any scourge that would intentionally spread the Black Death must be destroyed."
"Are you sure this was intentional?" quizzed Wylan. "I do not want to accuse the prophet of something he did not do."
"I would not have believed it myself until I heard your report," scowled the Baron. "There are some things I am familiar with about the nomad tribes of Sordoa though. The ceremony you witnessed was the Farewell to the Martyr ceremony. The red headband and the kissing of the sword are the final farewells to a warrior on his way to certain death. That lad knew he was never going to see his people again. And his people knew it as well, which is why they left without waiting for him. Spread the word, lad. There is no doubt that the prophet attained the destruction he sought here in Southland."
***
My people are ready, Deliverer. Send the goblins to us, and we shall ensure that they do not escape.
The safety of your warriors means more than a few escaping goblins, Shamora. Kill as many goblins as you can, but do not needlessly pursue them. Let them run from their defeat if it saves unicorn lives.
Larastrides snorted and bowed his head to Arik. It shall be as you wish. It pleases me that you place a high value on my people. We shall not let you down.
Arik could not see the thousands of waiting unicorns, which lined the natural clearing that split through the forest to the north, but he had no doubt that they were there. With the thick fog that Jenneva had created, Arik could not see farther than thirty paces. He wondered how they would even know when the goblins were coming. Arik turned and strode over to Alex and Jenneva.
"How will we know when the goblins are coming?" Arik asked.
"Prince Midge will keep you informed," Alex answered. "He will be above the fog as he creates the illusion of the Goblin Killer. We must allow the front ranks to pass us by before we attack. The more goblins we lure into the fog, the more that will die quickly."
"Won't they pass out the other end?" asked Tedi as he and Tanya joined the group.
"Hardly," replied Jenneva. "Larastrides has his army stretched out over several leagues. The entire goblin army could enter before they start to escape."
"Will they all chase after the Goblin Killer?" queried Tanya.
"That we don't know," frowned Alex. "That is where the Alcea Rangers come in. And the Tice garrison," he added. "We must clean up whatever is left behind. Let us hope that most of them fall for the illusion. Has Prince Midge returned yet?"
"No," Arik answered.
"Indeed I have," chirped Midge as he fluttered down to Arik's shoulder. "I was just hoverin
g above the fog. The goblins are moving their siege engines and I wanted to see where they were going."
"And where are they going?" inquired Arik.
"They are lining the engines up in attack formation," responded the fairy. "They do not appear to be ready to attack yet, but I imagine it will be soon."
"We need to get into position then," interjected Alex. "Did you deliver the details of our plan to the men inside Tice?"
"I did," affirmed Prince Midge. "They are very excited about the plan. I think they had given up hope of surviving the attack over the past few days. Now they are anxious for the battle to begin."
"Good," nodded Alex. "Let us hope that the goblins react as we expect them to. Everyone get to their positions."
"You never told me where I was to go," interrupted Tanya. "Should I be with Tedi or Arik?"
"You are coming with me," smiled Jenneva as she turned to leave. "Get Frea and prepare to ride."
Tanya stood open-mouthed as the Alcea Rangers split up and faded into the unnatural fog. After a moment she raced to get Frea. She mounted Frea and was wondering which way to go to find Jenneva when Frea started moving of her own will.
Where are you taking me?
We are to go with Jenneva and Yorra. I know the way.
Am I the only one who does not know where I am going?
It was not my turn to question what the others might know.
Very funny, Frea. Why are you keeping secrets from me?
It is not a secret. You just weren't there when the plans were made. I smell Yorra.
"Let's ride," ordered Jenneva as she saw Tanya appear from the fog. "We have little time and a ways to go yet."
"Where are we going?" questioned Tanya as the two unicorns started galloping.
"We are going to see how good your magic skills are," replied Jenneva. "Remain quiet until we get there."
They rode for half an hour before coming to a halt upon a small rise at the edge of the forest overlooking the wide plain before the city of Tice. Tanya jumped off Frea and marched to the lip of the rise. The massive plain was boiling with goblins, and huge siege engines were lined up in the center of the plain. She saw large catapults with huge fires roaring near them. In front of the catapults were several crudely constructed wagons with large trees slashed to them. The forward ends of the trees appeared to be rather pointed like large spears. To the left and the right of the other siege engines were large towers on wheels. The towers had crude roofs to shield the goblins that were hidden within the towers.
Abuud: the One-Eyed God Page 2