Third Power

by Robert Childs

  Scott raised his hand, and again he hesitated.

  “Do it. Do it!”

  Scott raised his muzzle to the sky and loosed a terrible roar as his claws struck deep to tear away Gouroth’s throat. When Scott looked down again the other’s eyes locked with his as his life drained away.

  “Goodbye, Father,” Kurella said.

  From somewhere behind him Scott could hear approaching footsteps in the earth. He did not have to look to know three men approached. And one, a scent he recognized.

  “Your will, my king,” one of them said. The voice belonged to Argos.

  Scott looked down on the still form of Kurella’s father confused, and then realized it was himself to which Argos had spoken. For a moment he could hear Gouroth’s voice speaking once more. Do not disappoint me.

  Scott stood and turned to face them, his full height towering over the human forms of Argos and two of Gouroth’s personal guard.

  “Your will,” Argos repeated.

  “All right,” Scott said. “Gather the council.” In his own mind, he knew there was no other choice. “Tell them to make ready for war.”

  Chapter XXVII

  “Here, here, and here,” Haldorum said pointing to three different sections of the map as he did so. “In his efforts to find us, Azinon has his soldiers tearing the Granar apart.”

  King Gorium snorted derisively saying, “I see, however, he is careful to avoid the swamps.”

  “Gouroth.” Steve explained simply, and Haldorum nodded his agreement. “Azinon knows the werewolves would never shelter the Resistance, so why risk bringing them into the war prematurely?”

  “Besides,” Sonya pointed out, “judging by the way Kurella annihilated that Jalkora, and the fact she and rest of her kind would be fighting on their own terrain, I don’t think Azinon’s men are prepared to both search and defend. From his perspective it is much better to let the sickness weaken them while he continues to concentrate his efforts on us.”

  “For someone with so very little experience in war you have very good insight, my dear,” King Gorium complemented with a nod.

  General Duva looked stern but made no comment.

  Steve watched him and couldn’t help but give a small grin. Just a little. Sonya remained without her commission as yet, but at the rate she continued to learn it would not be long; and that, he was sure, would not sit well with the general at all. Someone less than half his age—and, God forbid, a woman!—placed in a position of command simply because of a ten centuries-old prophecy that deemed it be so.

  “Thus far our luck has managed to hold out,” Haldorum continued. “The attack at Shallows Crag did less damage than could have been done were it not for our advanced warning—short though it was.” With a look to King Gorium he said, “Our alliance has provided us both with new strength.”

  Luck certainly had nothing to do with that, Steve thought ruefully, thinking of the price he had to pay to forge that alliance.

  Speaking for the first time, General Duva remarked, “And for the time being we have the element of surprise. Azinon knows nothing of this new alliance.”

  “Yes!” King Gorium agreed with a sinister gleam in his eye. “With this coalition of forces, our armies are twice what they were before, with assaults now capable from both the air and the ground!”

  “With the exception of the fifteen thousand we lost at the Crag,” Steve said, his thoughts lingering on all those killed, and the loss of his friend most of all. “I wouldn’t count on Azinon remaining in the dark about this for long. He isn’t stupid. Sooner or later he’s going to figure out something is up.”

  Again, Haldorum was nodding. “I am afraid he is right. Of us all, I know Azinon better than anyone and, unfortunately, foolishness is not among his shortcomings. King Gorium, I think it would be wise to alert your scouts to the possibility of intruders both within and along your borders.” The winged monarch acknowledged the sound logic with a nod. “And, General Duva,” Haldorum continued, “see to it our own scouts along the ground are informed as well. We need eyes on the pass leading into this valley most of all.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “And what of the status of our armory?” Haldorum then asked of Maxwell Don.

  The young lieutenant nodded from across the table saying, “His Majesty’s mines and forges have been working around the clock. At first there was some dissent between the Jisetrian smithies and our own,” he admitted, looking very much like the parent remembering the bickering of his children, “but we have since…resolved the situation.”

  Steve couldn’t help but wonder just how many heads were banged together before that resolution was achieved.

  “Since our arrival three more chambers in the lower levels have been converted into operating forges. On the whole, production is moving at a rate even greater than anticipated.” Maxwell Don then turned his gaze to King Gorium with a nod of respect. “My compliments to you, Your Majesty. The logistic network between your mountain mines, smelters and forges is quite impressive, as is the quantity of suitable raw materials.”

  “We are nothing if not an industrious people,” Gorium replied with a wink.

  Haldorum waited a few moments, looking expectantly at them all and opening up the floor to any unvoiced concerns. When all remained silent, he finally said, “I have only one more question to raise, and I am sure it is one that has been on the mind of every soldier— Human and Jisetrian alike. When will we be ready to wage a full assault upon Rajasthan?”

  The weight of the question alone struck them all silent for long heartbeats, for any attack on the capitol was a dangerous gambit even under ideal circumstances.

  And the circumstances were far from ideal.

  At last it was Maxwell Don who spoke. “Three,” he replied, “perhaps four weeks. Although, I must admit, I question the wisdom of it. Aside from the fact we are still outnumbered even with our Jisetrian allies, we must also consider the prophecy remains unfulfilled. We have yet to identify the Third’s betrothed.”

  Steve saw Sonya look down at the table uneasily, for only a moment. She clearly remained uncomfortable with the idea of marrying a man she had yet even to meet.

  “And an heir,” another officer spoke up. “To restore the imperial line we must first find a surviving heir to the throne.”

  Steve was not listening, acutely aware as he was of Sonya’s unease. He more than sympathized, he empathized, with what she was feeling. He recognized the look on her face as the same he had worn when the responsibilities of the Third had been his own. Unless, of course… Yes, perhaps there was something he could do.

  “We do have an option,” he said to them all. “I could go to the Oracle for the answers.”

  General Duva let out a shot of laughter. “I should think not!”

  Steve cocked his head slightly. “Why?”

  “Because it is too dangerous, Steven,” Haldorum cut in. “To seek counsel with the Oracle and fail could very well mean your life. You are too valuable to our cause to risk so haphazardly.” Steve started to protest but Haldorum held up a hand, understanding in his eyes, but resolve as well. “Consider the matter settled.”

  Knowing an argument with the wizard was pointless, Steve opted to remain silent; but in his own mind the matter was anything but ‘settled’. He could not dispute the fact the trip to the Blue Mountain to find the Oracle would be dangerous but, honestly, who better than he to take the risk? Lurin had succeeded—he had said as much when Steve first arrived on this world—and he hadn’t a shred of the power Steve wielded. The young man was valuable to the cause but the importance of fulfilling the prophecy was equally so; and the information to be gained could forward the cause of the Resistance tremendously.

  Besides, Steve thought, Lurin said it himself: as long as your purpose is true you couldn’t fail. Was there a truer purpose than helping to save the lives of millions?

  “Now, gentlemen,” Haldorum was saying, “if there’s nothing left to discuss
then let us get back to our duties.”

  Sonya’s gaze followed Steve as the officers filed out of King Gorium’s council chambers, and she approached him asking, “Steve, would you mind a walk in the garden? I thought we could use the time to talk a little.”

  “I am so sorry, my dear,” King Gorium said coming up opposite Steve, “but Steven has a previous engagement to attend to.”

  Though he hadn’t known of any appointments on his time, the way His Majesty emphasized the word engagement told him exactly who the monarch referred to.

  He sighed. “Where is she?” he asked simply.

  Steve took a shortcut through the arboretum, and took his time amid the plush bushes, small trees, and lavish greenscape the Jisetrian botanists so painstakingly created. And, he thought to himself, to prepare. Princess Vessla was always at her sneakiest with the onset of evening; she had proven that much in countless, not-so-random encounters before. Only God knew what that woman was capable of when she put her wily mind to work. Something was up, of that he was certain, and he would have to be on his guard. He only hoped this small reprieve he had purchased for himself would be enough to center his concentration for the task at hand.

  For the most part, it was a game between them, a game in which Princess Vessla always seemed to have the upper hand. A fact she both knew and enjoyed. To be honest, though, Steve did not truly understand why he put up such staunch resistance to her. Was it just playing hard to get? Could it be simply he knew such resistance made her strive for his affections all the more. If truth be told, occasionally, he found himself enjoying their little game. And yet if that were entirely true then why did it bother him for Vessla to be on the attack when Sonya was near? In fact, it was during those times his will to resist the princess was greatest. Whatever the reason, something in the back of his mind refused to give in to her. The why of it would have to be figured out at some later time. For now, he had more pressing things to worry about.

  Feeling he had wasted enough time, Steve finally left the arboretum and arrived a short time later outside Princess Vessla’s chambers. Taking a moment for a deep breath, he then knocked on the chamber door. When there was no response he knocked again, but still no answer.

  “Princess?” he called out, thinking perhaps she had fallen asleep. He tried the door and found it locked from the inside. “Princess, are you awake?” From the crack of light at the bottom of the door he saw a shadow pass silently by, but still no reply from Vessla.

  That quickly, everything inside him screamed danger.

  The crystal burst to life as Steve laid his hands on the door and shoved it inward off its hinges. The echoing boom as the heavy oak struck the floor covered the hiss of his drawn steel, and Steve entered the room with his blade held at the ready. It took only a moment for his vision to adjust to the ill light of the princess’s chambers, and when it had he moved cautiously forward. The stillness in the room was threatening, broken only by the soft shrill of the crystal as it pulsed against his chest.

  “Princess?” he said again. Without waiting for reply, he moved nearer the dresser against the left wall and touched the orb placed in the sconce above it. Immediately the room flooded with its magic light. Watchful for any sign of attack, Steve had scarcely taken two steps when a sound from the next room drew his attention. He crossed quietly and paused at the door ajar before him. Hearing nothing, Steve put the tip of his sword against the wood and pushed it open slowly.

  “Hello, my beloved,” Princess Vessla said.

  There was no light in the room save that given off by the reddish-orange flames in the fireplace, and in the air hung the sweet scent of incense. The floor itself made no sound underfoot as Steve entered the room, however uncertain, as the thick softness of the black carpet absorbed the footfalls of his boots. Steve paused before Vessla, lowering his sword, her highness standing barefoot and covered by a thin silk robe of royal blue that dropped to her ankles.

  “You’re all right?” Steve asked, a bit of his uncertainty still lingering as his eyes glanced about the chamber.

  “Of course,” Princess Vessla replied coming forward and slipping her arms around his waist. “I am sorry about the ruse but I wanted to know how much you really cared about me.” She giggled. “I see now it was foolish ever to doubt.”

  “You set me up?” Steve asked.

  “Oh, do not worry about the door. My father’s carpenters will repair the damage in the morning.”

  Steve stood there open-mouthed for a moment, hardly knowing what to say in the face of such a childish and foolish trick. “Vessla, don’t you think there’s enough danger all around us that we don’t have to fabricate it? I’m not amused by your little stunt.”

  “Oh, I love it when you are angry with me,” she said with that familiar amorous lilt to her voice. Before Steve could say another word she rose onto the balls of her feet and kissed him long and sweet.

  In spite of his initial temper, Steve found himself forgetting why he had been upset in the first place.

  Her lips parted from his and she said, “I know, I do not play fair. But I never claimed to.” She then took his hand and moved to lead him to the half-circle of pillows before the fire but Steve resisted.

  “Vessla, please,” he said, rolling his eyes. Just then he realized he was still holding his sword and he used the action of sheathing it as an excuse to free his hand from hers. “I still have things to do.” It wasn’t a total lie.

  “Whatever it is, it will wait. I went to a lot of trouble to prepare this evening for us and I will not have it spoiled. Besides, how do you know I did not invite you here to discuss matters of state?”

  Steve tucked his chin and raised his brow at this, not believing a word of it.

  “Well?”

  “You’re not really expecting me to buy that, Vessla. This is hardly the scene for discussing matters of war,” he said opening his hands to indicate the whole of the room.

  “I did not say it was the only thing I wished to discuss. Now come, I wish for you to tell me how our two races are faring together. Tell me…” She paused a moment to think and then, “I know! Tell me of our projected plan of attack on the Imperial Palace.”

  Steve sighed in resignation. “All right, fine,” he replied, folding his arms across his chest. “We thought the best idea would be to divide Azinon’s forces and fight the war from two directions using—“

  “Not here, silly,” Princess Vessla interrupted. “It is much too chilly. Join me by the fire so that I may be comfortable and give you my full attention.”

  “Among other things, I’m sure.”

  Vessla’s countenance turned mischievous. “Let us not get ahead of ourselves.”

  She took his hand and this time Steve allowed her to lead him to the fire, but as she moved over the semi-circle of pillows he stopped and their hands came apart as she finished her step. Princess Vessla turned around to face him with a sigh.

  “You know, you are really being difficult,” she said.

  “Well it’s nice to see the shoe on the other foot for once,” Steve replied. “Now you’re by the fire; did you want to hear the rest of our plan?”

  “Of course,” she replied, though her tone conveyed anything but interest.

  “All right. It’s like I said, we want to attack Rajasthan from two directions—actually, three, now that I think about it. From the inside, outside and your soldiers from the air. We will use Haldorum’s magic to get us inside the walls of the city, while the main bulk of our armies engage the redcrests and Jalkora outside the city gates. We figure Azinon won’t let his Jalkora loose in the city itself, since they tend to lash out at anything that moves during battle, but we can’t be certain. That’s why we figure it best to keep him busy outside.”

  When he paused Princess Vessla asked, “Is that all?”

  “No,” Steve answered, “there is a great deal more, but to explain all the details would take until morning. If you really must know I’ll arrange for you to
meet with one of our tacticians.”

  “No, no, that is quite all right,” she replied showing him both palms to fend off the very notion. And then she smiled. “I would much rather move on to the next subject.”

  “Gee, Princess, I wonder what that could be?”

  She laughed. “You know, your tongue is really developing a sharpness to it in your old age. Now come and sit with me.”

  “One condition,” the young man said, once more folding his arms across his chest, showing it was a make or break condition.

  Princess Vessla had turned and was about to seat herself before the fire but stopped. “Oh, really? And what is that?”

  “That you don’t try and press me into agreeing to up the date of our wedding. The deal struck with your father is you and I will wed, but only after Azinon has been dealt with.”

  “But—“

  “No buts! It’s all or nothing, princess. I’m willing to stay here and talk with you, but only if you agree to that one simple little rule.”

  Princess Vessla straightened and placed her hands on her hips, tossing her head back regally. “I think you are forgetting, Commander, that I am a princess of the Jisetra and, therefore, I outrank you considerably. You will remain here so long as I wish it.”

  “Oh, you think so, do you?” Steve replied with a slight raise of his brow. Technically, he knew she was in the right but a direct order from his bride-to-be was in no way a method of ensuring his obedience. Turning away from her, he strode purposefully back toward the door. “Good night, Princess.”

  “No, Steven, wait!” When he did not pause she tried again desperately with, “Please!”

  He paused and half turned. “Yes?”

  “Please do not go,” she said, her shoulders slumped in defeat. “I did not ask you here to argue, only to talk, and maybe spend a quiet evening with my fiancé.”

  Steve turned completely around to face her with his hands on his hips. “Princess, if you think that I’ll ever be the kind of person you can just bully around as it pleases you then you’ve got a serious wake-up call headed your way.”