Wild Sorceress

by Margaret L. Carter

  She started back toward the command wagon, repeating her instructions to the rearmost transport. Sergeant Dramos, the senior Guard member remaining, rode over to get her orders for the Guard detachment. When preparations for camping were complete, Aetria continued towards the command wagon. Meloses began to ask her what was going on. She cut him off with a hand motion and said in a low voice, “Commander Pleates will explain his orders to us in just a few minutes. Let's not second guess him.” They proceeded into the wagon and joined Lieutenant Nemos already there.

  "Find a seat where you can. I plan to send Lieutenant Nemos to scout the source and report back. This will take about three days. My range of detection for a normal Sorcerer Corps issue source has historically been about a day and a half march. As the Guard can make faster time than a wagon train, they will need at most a day to reach the source, a day to reconnoiter around it, and a day to get back.” Crusher was very animated, in high spirits. He obviously was enjoying the prospect of some kind of action.

  That thought greatly disturbed Aetria. “Sir, this close to our army, isn't it likely that the source is one of ours?"

  "No, Sorceress, it is not. I did not order the movement of any of our Sorcerer Corps units before I left, and mine is the only Recruit Company reporting to the army for the next month. This is not one of our sources."

  "If it isn't one of ours, Commander, then it is probably Hermanian,” Aetria said, with a much stronger edge of concern in her voice than she wanted to project. “Exposing a source during the day usually indicates it is in an established encampment, protected by regular fighting men who are always alert to attack by enemy forces. I have all the respect in the world for Lieutenant Nemos’ ability to scout an enemy camp, but if he is discovered, it might evoke a return sortie against us. We are not an effective sorcerer unit possessing fighting skills yet, and with the exception of the Sorcerer Guard and the three of us, have no combat experience!"

  Pleates just stared at her. She stared back, thinking how foolish of him it was to think they could defend themselves against an enemy force.

  "I agree with your assessment that the company has no combat experience, Sorceress Aetria, but I disagree that we are without skill. Since departing Inhestia, I have been training the Aggressors with a new technique I have developed, and I think it will provide the force we need to protect ourselves. But it is not my intention to defend our company from attack. It is my intention to use our force to take that source!"

  Crusher's voice projected the power of his position. Meloses and Verdilan looked thoroughly intimidated. Aetria found that she was not. She was angry. Perhaps the danger to her Novices was bringing out the fight in her.

  "Sir! You can't really mean that. These are just kids. They need to be taken in by experienced sorcerers and slowly introduced to combat, not thrust into it before their training has been completed. The risk of grid burnout to the Aggressors alone is too great to allow this."

  "I will be the judge of that risk, Sub-Commander. They are my Aggressors, as are the rest of the sorcerers, be they Illusionists, Healers, or Provisioners. They are mine to command now, and they will continue to be mine when they join the rest of the army. If they are untrained, you need only to look to yourself for that lack!"

  "Commander, I know who is in charge here and am not contesting that. I also know the Novices’ state of training, for which I am responsible. Knowing that state, I am going on record that I don't think they are ready to go into battle. That is your decision to make, Sir. I am only offering you my best estimate of their readiness. What I don't know is this new technique you have talked about. We are basing a lot of lives on something we have no knowledge of!"

  Pleates smiled, a gesture all too out of place with what was occurring. “As you said, Aetria, you know who is in command. I have knowledge of the weapon, and I make the decisions. I also hear your concerns about my Novices’ training and I tell you I think they are unwarranted. Any questions on my judgment?"

  I have always questioned your judgment, you supercilious ass. Swallowing the bitterness of her sudden, intense hatred of the man, she answered. “No, Sir. However, I am concerned, Commander, that we are placing ourselves in danger for minimal gain. I think our best course of action is to proceed on to the army, report the source, and let them handle it."

  "I acknowledge that recommendation, Aetria. And will go ahead with my projected plan. I don't think the Hermanians expect an attack from anyone, because if they did, why would they be so foolish as to expose a source at all in an area where they think they might be attacked? That is our advantage over them. They won't expect us."

  Aetria bit her lip in frustration. “Why not let the army handle it, Sir?"

  Crusher looked in exasperation at Lieutenant Nemos. “By the time we get to the army and they return, the source will be long gone. We are in a position to do something about it now. I will grant you this, Sorceress, if the source is protected as you fear, and too strong for us, then we will do as you recommend. The only way to determine that is to go there and look."

  She knew from experience that any further discussion with Crusher would prove futile. She only nodded her head in response.

  "Good, then while we wait for Lieutenant Nemos’ return, I have a list of preparations that need to be made. Please see to them, Sub-Commander."

  He handed a list over to her and turned his back on them. She and the others had been dismissed without an explanation of how fifteen Sorcerer Guards, eight Aggressors, seven Illusionists, four Healers, and eleven Provisioners were going to attack a probable Hermanian sorcerers’ encampment. She had to admit she was intrigued by how he was going to do that. As they filed silently out, Aetria turned to make one last request.

  "I request permission to go with the lieutenant. I can find the source for them faster, and can judge their sorcerers’ strength better. Sorcerer Meloses can supervise the preparations."

  He turned back to look at her, his lips pursed with displeasure for a moment, and then he smiled at her, waving her off. “Permission denied. You would only hold back the scouts. Their mission is to reconnoiter the surrounding area, not spy on the encampment. They would feel bound to protect you while you were ‘spying,’ thus leaving them undermanned to do their real job. No, Aetria, carry out your assigned tasks and let me fight the battle."

  * * * *

  Aetria watched with concern as the Guard Commander and two of his men galloped off to the west in the direction of the unknown source. Their departure left her with a dozen Guards to protect the camp. If Nemos’ probe brought a force down on them, she would need as much reaction time as she could get. This was going to force her to position the Guard out as pickets and leave the Novices to guard the camp. To make matters worse, Crusher had ordered that all Aggressors be removed from the guard duty roster. He intended to increase their mysterious training. This left her with a Novice guard force having no offensive capability other than personal weapons.

  She could have made up for that loss with Illusionist spells, but Crusher had denied her that also. He was concerned the expenditure of Power would be sensed, and if they tried to replenish the Power expended, that surely would be sensed. She had almost retorted that would not have been the case if they had stopped when she had sensed the source, but knew that would only make Crusher angry and spiteful. She continued on her rounds in supervising the set-up of the camp.

  She made her way over to the Provisioners’ tents. Sorcerer Meloses saw her coming and snatched up a sample of the gray robes they had been working on at Pleates’ request. He hurried over to her, moving with surprising speed for a man as overweight as he was.

  "We have had to use dyes to darken the normal Novice gray to the Hermanian color. It would have been easier to spell new robes, but you know the Adept's orders. I am concerned we won't have all fifteen done by tomorrow. This is pure hands-on work, and I don't have enough hands! You know, Aetria, if you could spare me several of my Provisioners, I can ensure the robes
will be done on time."

  "Meloses, I have a total of eighteen Novices available to guard the camp, with half of them on watch at any time. Your Provisioners make up over half of my guard force. I can't spare them!"

  The Sorcerer Provisioner looked crestfallen. “Commander Pleates is not going to be pleased when I tell him I'll need more time. The most I can hope for is that the Lieutenant and his men take longer than expected."

  "Look, I can't release any more Provisioners, but I'll have Novice Verdilan assign several Healers to you. They have herbal skills and should be able to assist in the production of your dye baths. That should speed things up for you."

  A look of pure relief flooded Meloses’ ample face, and he impulsively hugged Aetria. “Oh, thank you Aetria, you have saved me!"

  She bore his enthusiastic hug with a tired smile, then moved off, telling him she was going to arrange his Healer help now. He hurried back to his workers, exhorting them to higher efforts.

  Aetria found the Novice Healers in their tent, holding a worried meeting. Upon her entrance, they all jumped to their feet, Verdilan moving forward to meet her.

  "Sorceress Aetria, we were just going to come over to see you. Can we talk with you now?"

  "Certainly, please be seated. I came to tell you to send two Healers over to Sorcerer Meloses to help with the dyeing of the robes. They can assist in gathering the berries he uses to make his dye. That can wait until we finish our conversation. What troubles you?"

  When she had entered, the Healers had been sitting in a circle, heads together. Now, three of them had positioned themselves behind Verdilan, moving their chairs so one remained opposite the Novice Healer leader. It looked as if they were afraid she was going to take out her anger on them after they had told her their problem. She was really curious now to know what would elicit this behavior.

  "We, umm, we were coming to talk with you because we...” Verdilan's hesitation to state what he wanted to so badly was cut through by Novice Carleena.

  "Ma'am, we don't think we can take on the responsibility for any wounded people resulting from the fight that is about to occur."

  Verdilan cast an angry scowl at Carleena, but that look was tinged with relief for getting the problem out. “I know that sounds wrong,” he said to Aetria, “but what we are trying to say is we do not have the skills needed to heal severely wounded soldiers. Our training allows us to mend simple broken bones, cuts, fevers, and the like. We can attend to all manner of typical farm life health needs, including husbandry on most animals. Birthing babies we can do. Massive trauma is beyond us. Our role as Novices is to assist the Sorcerer and Adept healers, and to learn to do those intense healing spells.

  "This ... this is beyond our skills."

  The hurt in all of their eyes was, in itself, evidence enough that they felt deeply what Verdilan had painfully revealed. She was tempted to reflect her sympathy for their concern, but to do so might give them cause not to try. They were expecting a reprimand; giving them one would only justify their fears.

  "You are the only Healers we have. You have no choice but to prepare yourself for the coming battle and do the best you can for the injured or dying. No more can be asked of you, but not caring for the wounded is also not expected of you. You can ease their pain, provide enough healing to keep them alive until we can get more highly trained help, and train others to assist you in these endeavors. The responsibility for their care rests with all of us, not just you Healers.

  "I can guarantee you will not be hauled before a Healer Tribunal because of a wrong healing decision on your part. But I can also guarantee you will face a trial by an army court for dereliction of duty if you don't try. Your choice, Novices."

  "Sorceress, you misunderstood us,” Novice Dolma stammered. “We could no more not care for ailing people than we could stop breathing. We are just afraid we will not meet the expectations of our soldiers and our friends."

  "You can do what you can do. Any other problems I can solve for you?"

  "One, and I don't know how, Sorceress,” Verdilan said. “I know you told the Commander of the danger of grid burnout to Novices. But there couldn't be a worse time to put any of our people under pressure to perform. Please find a way to lessen this threat."

  "We are not committed to a battle yet, Novice Verdilan. Perhaps your worries are for naught, but if a battle does come about, plans must be made, and I will do everything in my power to make sure the risks are minimized. Now, assign two healers to Sorcerer Meloses and continue your preparations. See you all at evening formation.” Aetria left the four unhappy Healers and headed in the direction of her tent. As she approached it, she saw Recanlin standing by the door, waiting for her. He also was not a happy soldier. Now what?

  "I am reporting my availability for guard duty, Sub-Commander."

  "The commander has exempted all Aggressors from guard duty. I have not been told otherwise."

  Looking thoroughly rejected, Recanlin said in a morose voice, “The commander told me to report to you. My services are no longer required by him."

  Aetria entered her tent, beckoning the young man to follow. She sat down by her table and pointed to the only other chair in the tent. He sat down on the edge of the chair, his back rigid, hands folded in his lap.

  "Do you want to tell me what is going on, Novice Recanlin?"

  "Commander Pleates ordered all of the Aggressors to meet him at the command wagon. When I reported in with the rest, he told us we were going to ride by horseback several hours back down our trail and continue our training in matters I am not allowed to relate."

  "I assume that means he intends to use Power, hopefully at very low levels. So what happened?"

  "He released us to get ready, and as I started to leave, he called me back and told me to report to you. I asked why, and he told me it was none of my business, just do what I was ordered."

  Aetria felt sad for the young man. This was so typical of the abruptness that made Crusher such a poor leader. His penchant for secrecy in everything he did made working with, and for, him impossible. Being rejected was hard enough to bear, but not knowing why made it worse.

  "I am sure his reasons for not needing you are sound, and he knows I need help in guarding the camp. Having an Aggressor available to provide an offensive punch is sorely needed. I will assign you to the evening shift. You will be up all night, so you better get what rest you can now. You are excused from evening formation."

  Being needed was a cure for being not wanted, but Recanlin's face did not mirror a change from his dejection. She made the decision to bring this up with Crusher, even though she would probably get the same answer he gave to Recanlin. “It's none of your business."

  "Anything more, Novice?"

  "No, Ma'am,” he said, standing up to leave.

  "Then get some rest. You are dismissed."

  She watched him slump out of the tent, his head drooping, his eyes fixed on the ground.

  "Yes, he is one unhappy soldier,” Aetria said to herself.

  * * * *

  The expectation that the Guard commander and his men would be gone at least three days turned out to be correct. On the evening of their third day of absence, Aetria was notified the westernmost sentries had spotted Lieutenant Nemos and Sergeant Maneles riding hard for the camp. She signaled to the sentries to wave them into camp, and as she made her way to the command wagon, she had to step quickly out of the way as Lieutenant Nemos rode by at a gallop. Hauling back on the reins, he jumped from his horse after a dramatic, sliding stop behind the command wagon's back entrance. He bounded up the steps and disappeared through the door being held open by an impatient Adept Pleates.

  Moments later she joined them inside. Nemos was just saying, “—enemy encampment, all right. From the number of supply and transport wagons, and by counting the number of tents, there are probably two companies of regular army infantry, no more than ten sorcerers. Highest ranking one I saw was a woman Aggressor, Sorcerer level. It's hard to tel
l since all Hermanian sorcerers wear dark gray robes, but her sash insignia wasn't gaudy enough to be anything higher than that. The rest of the sorcerers looked like Novice rank. In fact, I believe they are a recruit company like us. They are more heavily guarded, but that's only because Hermanians don't have a Sorcerer Guard force like we do."

  Aetria felt Crusher's eyes on her as Lieutenant Nemos made his report. She made a strong effort not to display any emotion about what she had just heard.

  "Not entirely correct, Lieutenant,” Crusher said, shifting his eyes back to the lieutenant. “They have Assassin units normally assigned to them. What of them?"

  "Sergeant Maneles and I left Trooper Garles behind to watch the camp as we scouted the surrounding area for several hours’ ride away from the encampment. We did not find any other Hermanian troops, Assassin or otherwise. If they are using the sorcerers as bait for a trap, then they have sacrificed their bait since there are no support troops close enough to mount a counterattack."

  "Excellent! Don't you agree, Sub-Commander?"

  Careful, Aetria told herself. “Two companies of regular infantry is a pretty heavy escort force, Sir. They are more than a match for a dozen Sorcerer Guard."

  Slapping the sweating lieutenant on the back, Crusher laughed. “Normally I would agree with you, Aetria—not taking anything away from the lieutenant here. However, I think we have the edge with my weapon. Why, I think we could even handle more troops, if they have them."

  Folding her arms across her chest, Aetria looked Crusher in the eyes, and spoke slowly, emphasizing each word. “At Kramornon, twenty Hermanian Sorcerer Aggressors wiped out a company of Delmathian infantry, then died under the lances of a squadron of cavalry. You would have six Novice Aggressors armed with untried weapons do better than the Hermanians?"