by C. R. Daems
"Hi'Lady Rhiannon," Dragos asked, "wouldn't you feel safer staying here in Dahab?" His face showed little emotion.
"Yes, I am not a fighter. But I am the leader of the Granyans. Aisha feels we should be with the group that liberates Terni. I cannot, in good conscience, sit here while my countrymen, Talons, and Jaddahans are dying to free my kingdom. Besides, I may actually be of value in helping to gain the support and confidence of my people." Rhiannon maintained eye contact with Dragos. I was proud of my charge. She was afraid, but she wasn't letting it dominate her.
"Very good, hi‘Lady. I am sending forty Talons with you. Leszek and his group are there to ensure you are protected. The others will help liberate Terni. Master Jiang will lead them." Dragos turned to me. "Sister Aisha, you and Jiang will run the operation. It is your plan, and he has experience you lack."
I was surprised. I had assumed that Master Dragos would go or assign a senior Talon to lead the Talons and the operation. Rhiannon and Awotwi were too young, without experience, and I was neither senior nor experienced.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," I said, bowing low with respect. I recognized the honor he had given me. "Master Jiang, I hope that—"
Jiang interrupted me as we left the room. "I recommended we share the responsibility. I was impressed by you at the Aerie and even more at the council meeting. Most of the Talon today are excellent at following orders, but you have always been one to look beyond your orders to your duty."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Army moves into Granya: Implementing the Plan
I looked around the small, crowded room at Rhiannon's war council: Master Jiang for the Talons, sec'Lucjan for the Granya soldiers, and Awotwi for the Jaddahan warriors. Leszek was present as her private guard.
"Master Jiang and I have worked out the initial strategy for our entrance into Granya, and hi'Rhiannon has reviewed and approved it. I have already worked with each of you individually on your part of the plan. Sec'Lucjan and Captain Symon have organized the Granyan soldiers in three attack groups. Captain Symon has been promoted to Senior Captain and second to sec'Lucjan in command. He will lead group one. Senior Sergeants Calix and Helier were promoted to Captain to lead groups two and three. The three groups have trained as units for the past two days. Today, I want to reiterate our plans with all of you to ensure we each know what the others are doing." I nodded to Awotwi to continue.
"Last night I sent twenty Jaddahan warriors accompanied by five Granyan soldiers and five Talons to scout the area ahead of the army and keep us informed. They will detain anyone they find until we can interview them. They will also look for the safest way to enter Granya and seek information about the situation in Terni." Awotwi finished and looked back to me.
I nodded and looked to sec'Lucjan, who stood. "Tonight Senior Captain Symon and Captain Helier will leave with group three, about fifty Granyan soldiers, fifty Jaddahan warriors, and five Talons. They will support the scouts and establish a safe staging area, in the Hazwood Forest near Terni, for the rest of the army."
"Four hours later," I said, "hi'Rhiannon and her war council, accompanied by the remaining Talons, Captain Calix and group two, and fifty Jaddahan warriors, will depart. And tomorrow evening group three and the remaining troops will follow. Our objective: the castle at Terni. For now, stealth, not speed, is most important. Our entire strategy depends upon slipping into Granya unnoticed." I hoped that everyone understood that the ideal was deception, not a clash of force.
"What about after we arrive?" Sec'Lucjan asked, looking at Master Jiang. "Do we have enough force to retake the castle at Terni?"
"No. Even though it appears the castle is under strength," Jiang replied, "they could most likely survive a siege long enough to get support from Savona. Even if we could take the castle, the cost would be more than we can afford. At present, we number a little over three hundred, whereas sec'Tadzio and hi'Radulf number over six hundred and have the advantage of fortresses. They can afford heavy losses. We cannot. Our specific attack strategy will be formulated after we arrive in Granya and determine the situation. Right now, we are going on assumptions. In the end, we anticipate using stealth and deception rather than force, sec'Lucjan."
"Hi'Lady Rhiannon," I said.
"I value every life, Granyan, Jaddahan, and Talon." Rhiannon looked from one to another, gazing for a moment into each of their eyes as she spoke. "I wish none of you had to die for me, for Granya, but I know that is not possible. I, therefore, want our enemies to pay dearly for each life. We will fight a Talon war—from the shadows. Go with my thanks."
If she lived, I thought, she might make a great ruler. But first we had to win.
* * * *
I was up at sunset with Rhiannon, Awotwi, and Lucjan to see Senior Captain Symon and Second Warrior Martrius lead their troops off. I encouraged Rhiannon to reinforce their orders.
"Captain Symon, sec'Warrior Martrius, remember that your objective is to sneak into Granya and to establish a safe area for the rest of the army. You are to avoid any confrontations if you can. Is that clear?" Rhiannon asked. When they nodded she continued, "May the Goddess protect you."
Rhiannon's war council left four hours later, surrounded by Leszek and Rhiannon's personal guard, more loosely by over a hundred Talons, Granyans, and Jaddahans. Tomorrow at dusk, the remaining Granyans and Jaddahans would follow.
We stopped as dawn appeared on the horizon. Time enough to set up shelters and prepare a meal before the midday sun turned the desert into a furnace. An hour later, two scouts appeared from the direction of Granya. Both were Jaddahan warriors, with weather-beaten faces and looking used to traveling the desert. The war council assembled to hear their report.
"Hi'Lady Rhiannon," the smaller of the two scouts began, "we have encountered one small caravan and two civilians who appear suspicious. Captain Symon detained them at our present camp, awaiting your arrival and according to your orders. If that is not acceptable, we will return with your instructions." Rhiannon looked to me, then Master Jiang.
Jiang deferred to me with a smile. I didn't know how to take it. He should be in charge and making the decision, but he seemed content to let me. Was he testing me, I wondered? Well, you don't argue with a master Talon.
"No, stay here and rest. We may need scouts later on," I said. Our concern had been that anyone seeing the army moving toward Granya might report to the enemy and give them warning.
We ate in silence, each immersed in our own thoughts. I led Master Jiang aside after we finished the meal and served hot drinks laced with herbs. "Master Jiang, you should be leading the expedition.
"The rest of us seem to have forgotten those lessons. Besides, hi'Rhiannon trusts you and considers you her adviser. I am content to watch. If I believe you are wrong, I will tell you. If I know a better way, I will suggest it. Consider this training for your future role in the clan." Jiang turned to Rhiannon.
"Hi'Lady Rhiannon, why don't you and Aisha retire to your tent? You have been up for more than a day. I will take care of setting the guard and settling the camp," Jiang offered. I could have kissed him. Exhausted not so much physically but mentally, I felt the strain not only as a member of Rhiannon's war council but also making life-or-death decisions. It felt like I prepared for a seventh Ordeal, one encounter with hundreds of lives in the balance. I made sure Rhiannon was ready for bed, assured she was prepared to flee in an emergency, and settled down myself. After the attack outside Livorno, Rhiannon no longer resisted my diligence. I lay and listened to the camp sounds that led me into sleep.
Rested, the next day I felt alive. No longer pretending to be a servant, I was Talon for the world to see for the first time. In addition, I had clan around me, and my contract was alive and well. Actually, I had become fond of Rhiannon, which worried me, since I didn't know whether that was good or bad. I needed advice.
"Good morn, Master Jiang," I said, joining him at a small fire where a group prepared a gruel of grains and spices. It smelled delicious.
"I am. I finally have someone to share my burden with." I drew a smile. "And since I do, I need to ask you a question, Master Jiang. I've become very fond of hi'Lady Rhiannon. Is that wrong?" I felt concerned and confused. Jiang had always stressed that emotions killed.
"No, Aisha. We Talons are human and have emotions. We love, hate, worry, feel sorrow and joy like everyone else. What we teach and hope you learn is to dampen those emotions and to avoid extremes. In battle mode, you learn to dump them entirely, since they distract you and can get you killed." Jiang paused as he looked me in the eyes. "When it comes to your contract, extremes are bad. If you hate your contract, you are unlikely to risk your life for them. But if you love them, you are more likely to martyr yourself for them. Neither benefits you, your contract, or the clan."
"Thank you, Master Jiang. I love being clan and the work, but I miss having senior clan around." Events had happen so quickly I didn't have time to think about them and had pushed many questions to the back of my mind. "I'm thankful to have you here."
"From what I have seen and heard, you have exceeded what we should expect from a new clan sister. Follow your instincts, Aisha. They have served you well. The clan is pleased with you."
Jiang's reply astonished me. I felt like dancing around the fire, but that wouldn't please Master Jiang, so I bowed my head in acknowledgment instead.
* * * *
We rested until dusk. The sun tinted the western sky with pinks and purples at the time we broke camp.
"Aisha, I'm scared," Rhiannon whispered to me as we rode. In the quiet desert with only the moon for light, the shifting shadows made for an eerie ride.
"As you should be. You are not a soldier and weren't trained to fight like the sons or even some daughters of most nobles, especially heirs. After all, you were a younger daughter. You weren't raised for this. But you are brave, and that is more important. Doubly brave, because you chose to come along, even though you are scared."
"Thank you, my advisor."
We reached the small camp that detained the caravan and the two civilians. I let the caravan go, sending two warriors with them to ensure they went on to Zenjir, their indicated destination. While I talked with the caravan leaders, Rhiannon and Jiang met the two civilians. I joined them after dismissing the caravan. Walking toward the four of them, I could sense strong Charm Sigils.
"Aisha," Rhiannon said as I approached, "these two men are running from sec'Tadzio. This man's brother was killed. I've asked them to join us and explained were we are going." I looked to Jiang who nodded agreement. I realized I had a problem. If I negated the Charm Sigils, everyone standing here would realize what happen and who caused it.
"Do these men have sigils?" I asked Leszek, who shrugged. "Search them."
Leszek moved forward and conducted a thorough search. "No sigils, Aisha."
"Aisha, why are you doing this? They are on our side," Rhiannon said.
"Leszek, remove their shirts."
Rhiannon frowned as she put her hands on her hips. She was getting ready to argue.
"They have Charm Sigils on their backs," Leszek said before Rhiannon could object. That confirmed the strength of the sigils I had sensed. Master Jiang smiled at me; only the goddess knew why.
"I'd like to talk to them with guards who haven't been influenced already. Fir'Warrior and a couple of warriors, I think." Getting no argument, I pointed to the men to follow me away from the camp. Awotwi and four guards joined me minutes later.
"Aisha Talon, you wanted me?" he asked.
"Yes, fir'Warrior, these two men intend to kill hi'Rhiannon. What do you think we should do with them?" I had invoked my sigil so that Awotwi and his guards would not be affected by the Charm Sigil.
"We aren't spies or assassins," one of the men said.
"I think they are," Awotwi snapped, eyes narrowing.
"Do you think your warriors could find out?"
"Yes. We could stake them. Two days in the sun with their eyes pinned open should do it. Of course, they will be blind."
"Wait! We're just scouts. Sec'Tadzio sent us out to see what the soldiers were doing in Dahab and see if we could find out anything about pri'Rhiannon," one of the men shouted. "I'm Fifth Lord Rollo. That is Captain Tycho. Sec'Tadzio will have revenge if you dare harm us."
"Scouts don't need Charm Sigils. Of course, they are spies. Hi'Lady Rhiannon must decide their punishment." Awotwi nodded. "Have the guards keep them here. I don't want them near the hi'Lady, but I would like you to accompany me, fir'Warrior."
The guards grabbed the arms of the two men. Awotwi followed as I strode back to where Rhiannon and Jiang waited. "Well, Sister Aisha. What did you find?"
I glanced at Awotwi. "What did we find?"
"One is a noble, fif'Rollo, and the other a Captain Tycho. Sec'Tadzio sent them to Dahab to spy, probably as assassins," he said, glancing at Rhiannon, his brow furrowed.
She paled.
"Hi'Lady, their punishment is for you to decide. But there is only one possible for spies and assassins." I knew this was a hard step for her, and I felt sorry to push her. As a ruler, this was her duty, and nothing could make it easier.
Her voice was low but steady. "My betrothed, have your men execute them. But I don't want them to suffer more than they must." She turned away, and I thought her shoulders shook. I let her walk to the tent by herself. Some pains no one can help with.
"Someday I would like to find out how you knew they had Charm Sigils," Jiang said.
"You and hi'Lady Rhiannon liked them too much." I smiled.
* * * *
We reached the West Mystic River a few hours before dawn. The scouts led us to a shallow river crossing where we traversed with no problems, wet but safe. The army camped about five leagues south of Terni, deep in the dense pine forest. The cool darkness of the forest refreshed us from the searing heat of the desert. Trees soared high overhead, and the camp was spread out among trunks so large two men couldn't reach around them. It occupied a square league with guards stationed another quarter league in every direction. We were informed that the advance troops had encountered several people and had taken them prisoner.
"Master Jiang, I would like to talk to the prisoners," I said. "They could provide valuable information about Terni and what has happened since the attack on hi'Lord Varius and his daughter."
"I agree. Are you taking hi'Lady Rhiannon?" Jiang looked at her and back to me.
"I would like to go," Rhiannon said.
"An excellent idea. They are far more likely to cooperate if they see you are alive. Sec'Tadzio would like everyone to believe you are dead." I continued to struggle with the contradictory needs, keeping her safe and at the same time visible. As was apparent in Dahab, her presence could help raise her people to action and win their loyalty.
A scout led us deeper into the forest to where the first group of Granyans camped. Six men and two women sat around a small fire and ate. Four guards stood watch.
I motioned for Rhiannon to wait with Leszek and his guards while I entered the small circle alone.
"I am Aisha Talon. Identify yourselves." I sat on an empty log.
"I demand to know why we are being held captive," a big, muscular man with a thick beard and mustache said as he stood and turned toward me. He had several bruises on his face that attested to his resistance.
"The good news is you're still alive, and will probably stay that way, so long as you don't do anything foolish." I couldn't help a small smile at his attempt to intimidate me in the middle of an armed camp. "Now, who are you?"
"I'm Johana. I work the forest for logs, firewood, and wild game. Who are you and them?" He waved toward the guards.
"Thank you, Johana. And you?" I asked gesturing to the remaining seven.
"I'm Victar and these are my two sons, my daughter, and my son's wife. We were on our way back t
o our farm when your soldiers detained us." He looked around and wrung his hands.
"You haven't been hurt, have you?"
"No, mistress."
"And you?" I asked, looking at the two men. One was lean and young, the other older and slightly overweight.
"I'm Janus, a messenger on my way to Terni."
"I'm a merchant returning from a visit to Livorno to see my son."
"Hi'Lady Rhiannon and her army need information—"
"She's dead!" Johana shouted, his face red with rage. "The Jaddahan sand vipers you're with killed her and her father."
"Hi'Lady Rhiannon." I stood as she approached the fire with Leszek and several guards.
"She could be," Johana said. He took one step toward her but stopped as knives appeared.
"Pri'Rhiannon," the messenger shouted and went down on one knee with head bent. "I was one of your father's messengers. I've seen you many times at Savona. I'm yours to command, hi'Lady Rhiannon."
With that, the others rose and went down on one knee along with Johana.
"Please rise." Rhiannon approached them and took a seat on the log I had been sitting on. I stood near her. "As Aisha Talon said, we need information. I have been pursued by these usurpers for several weeks and am unaware of what has been happening in Granya."
"The story is that hi'Radulf and his army pursued the Jaddahan army that has been raiding Valda. He caught up with them after they had killed you and your father. Sec'Tadzio, asked him to stay until he could establish order and ensure no more Jaddahan warriors were on Granyan soil."
"That's interesting. Now we have two different versions of who destroyed the Jaddahan warriors. Probably because there weren't any. What is the situation in Terni?"
"Sec'Tadzio left a little over three weeks ago," the messenger added, "with hi'Radulf, to Savona. He took most of his troops. Only a few are left at the castle. Maybe fifty. Half Granyan and half Valdan. I was ordered to ride to Livorno with a sealed message for Third Paulus."