Meta Gods War 2

by B N Miles

  “Key’s back at camp.” He stopped himself and looked at the ground. “Felin went to join the wolves.”

  Miuri took a step back, her eyes wide. “She did what?”

  “She’s spying,” Cam said. “She joined them to try and find out their weaknesses.”

  “Oh, Cam,” Miuri said and relaxed just a fraction. “You let her go?”

  “I couldn’t stop her,” he said. “She felt like she wasn’t doing any good just lying around camp.”

  Miuri sighed and rubbed at her lips. “All right,” she said. “Felin will be fine. We have more pressing business.”

  Cam nodded, although he didn’t like her reaction. He wanted to press her on it and understand what she was thinking, but she turned and walked back toward camp. He followed and caught up, matching her stride with a worried look. If she could move forward and accept Felin’s choice, he would learn to handle it better.

  They reached the camp and found Dagan sharpening his spear with a few of the other warriors. He stood as soon as he saw Miuri and came over, a smile on his face.

  “I knew you’d be back,” he said.

  “I feel like I should be insulted,” she said. “You all seem so surprised to see me. As if there was ever any question I’d be back.”

  Dagan laughed and Cam motioned for Key to join them. “Where’s Theus?” Cam asked.

  “Scouting,” Dagan said.

  “All right.” Cam moved the group away from the main body of warriors and stopped just inside a line of trees. He stood with his back against a trunk and crossed his arms. “Let’s hear your report, soldier.”

  Miuri smiled at him then stood up straight and clasped her hands behind her back. She gave Key and Dagan the same general rundown she’d already given to Cam about the troop types and numbers.

  “Five thousand is still a good size,” Dagan said when she finished.

  “But half of what the wolves have,” Miuri said. “Even with our strength back at the Mansion, we could match them at best.”

  “There have to be other people here,” Key said. “Other villages.”

  “There may be more prisoners,” Cam said. “There could be other pens scattered all over the valley.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Miuri said. “I suspect the wolves have already moved a fair number of Humans up north. But you’re all forgetting something important.”

  “What’s that?” Cam asked.

  “My father.” Miuri grinned at him. “He’s going to return with his Blades.”

  “We haven’t heard from Haesar in days,” Cam said. “And even if he does bring his Blades to the Mansion, they won’t help us much here.”

  “If we can break this siege and get those five thousand men out, we can bring them to the Mansion, replenish their strength, and join with my father’s Blades.” She gave Cam a serious look and stood rod-straight, like a willow tree before a storm. “If we can do that, we’ll have a force that the wolves won’t be able to stand against.”

  “If we can break the siege,” Dagan said.

  “I have some ideas about that,” Cam said. “But what about the army? What did they say?”

  Miuri hesitated. “Their leader is… an interesting man,” she said. “He’s a shaman, Cam, just like you.”

  Cam frowned in surprise. He knew there were other shamans in the valley, and that they’d been sent with the army, but he didn’t know one would be in charge.

  “Are there others?” he asked. “Other shamans, I mean.”

  “No,” she said. “He’s the last one. He’s the last leader in their camp.”

  “What happened?” Key asked.

  Miuri shook her head. “I can’t say exactly. Their leader’s name is Sirrin, and the story he told me sounded a little hard to believe.”

  “Tell us what he told you,” Cam said. “And we’ll figure out what to do next.”

  She nodded and took a breath. “They marched out from the Mansion two weeks ago and headed north. They heard rumors of a large wolf host in that direction, and Lord Remorn had wanted them to meet with the wolves and make battle as soon as possible. At the time, Sirrin said they were being led by one of Remorn’s top generals.

  “They followed the valley and came across several burned and abandoned villages. They skirmished with a few smaller wolf packs, but nothing serious, at least not until they reached the edge of the valley, where the mountain land turns into dense forest. They made camp for the night, but that’s when the chaos started. As soon as the full moon rose, Sirrin said the wolves spilled out from the forest in thousands.”

  “They attacked at night?” Dagan asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

  “That’s right,” Miuri said. “Sirrin said it was pure chaos. They couldn’t get the men organized, and their heavy infantry weren’t in armor yet. The wolves ravaged their command tents, slaughtered the nobility, and killed their generals. Sirrin said several of the shamans tried to organize a counterattack, but they were too overwhelmed.”

  “How did Sirrin survive?” Cam asked.

  “He was drunk,” she said, frowning a little. “He was in the tent of a camp follower when the fighting broke out. That’s what he claimed, at least. By the time he got out there and began to help, there was too much chaos, and the wolves had already hit the central command. The fighting lasted all night, and what was left of the army and their camp followers pulled back into the valley. They marched for three days straight while the wolves harassed them at every step. Eventually they knew they wouldn’t make it back to the Mansion, and so they began to dig into their current position, and they’ve been waiting ever since.”

  Cam took a deep breath and let it out. Night attacks were dangerous, foolish endeavors, but that was for a Human force. He didn’t know how well wolves could fight in the dark or if they even cared about staying organized. The army likely didn’t expect an attack at all, let alone a night attack, and the wolves were able to run rampant through their camp and slaughter thousands.

  The army never had a chance. They never lined up to do battle—the wolves never let them. The wolves were smart, much smarter than Cam and the others gave them credit for, and now he knew with certainty that he had to be very careful moving forward.

  But if he could get that army free and bring them back to the Mansion, he was sure he could use it to crush the wolves. Without surprise on their side, Cam knew the wolves wouldn’t stand up well against armed and organized fighters. His Medlar warriors had stood against greater numbers, all because of their organized fighting tactics, and although they were nearly overrun in the end, they manage to kill ten times their number first.

  With an army that matched the Weres, Cam knew he could defeat them. The trick would be getting them to accept battle, but one step at a time.

  “Did Sirrin have any ideas about breaking out?” Cam asked.

  She shook her head. “He seems to think they’re all going to die or become slaves, and he’s just waiting for the right time to surrender.”

  Dagan gave Cam a look. Cam could read that expression and knew what the man was thinking.

  If they were going to break that army free, they needed it ready to fight.

  “What about the men?” Key asked. “Did you see them?”

  Miuri shrugged. “I didn’t have time to ask around. They seemed in fine spirits, all things considered, but it’s hard to really say.”

  “Will their defenses hold if the wolves attack?” Dagan asked.

  “Sirrin says they will,” Miuri said. “He said they’ve repelled two attacks already, and he suspects there will be more before long. They have enough supplies for a few months, and the wolves don’t seem willing to wait to starve them out.”

  “They need to make a run for the Mansion,” Cam said. “There’s no other option here. Without that army, we’re all left unprotected. Five thousand men can’t be left to die.”

  “I agree,” Miuri said. “The problem is, there are twice as many wolves waiting for them to make
a move.”

  “The wolves don’t know we’re here yet,” Key said.

  “We’re only twenty-five,” Dagan said. “How can we possibly make a difference?”

  “We’re twenty-five and a shaman,” Cam said. “There has to be something we can do.”

  Dagan let out a grunt. “We should return to the Mansion,” he said. “Miuri can go back in, tell Sirrin to keep holding out. We can return with as many men as possible.”

  Cam shook his head. “I don’t think that will work,” he said. “The more men we bring, the more likely it is that the wolves will discover us.”

  “But without more men, we can’t do a thing,” Dagan pressed. “I won’t throw away all our lives for nothing.”

  “And I wouldn’t ask that of you,” Cam said. “I have some ideas, but I need to see the wolf camp first.”

  “What will that do?” Dagan asked. “I know you’re powerful Cam, but that’s ten thousand wolves.”

  “We don’t need to beat them in battle,” Cam said. “We only need to distract them enough to allow the army to break free.”

  Dagan snorted. “Good luck coming up with a distraction that large.”

  Cam smiled at him then turned to Miuri. “Can you get me close the wolves?”

  “I can,” she said. “But I’m not sure what it’ll do.”

  “For now, let’s rest,” Cam said. “We’ll take another day and wait to see if Felin returns. If she doesn’t, we’ll go scout the wolf camp ourselves.”

  Miuri gave him a look then nodded. Dagan let out a sharp breath and shook his head as he walked off, mumbling to himself. Cam watched the Elder and felt himself tense. He knew Dagan was no coward, but he worried getting the men to fight would be a problem.

  “He’ll come around,” Key said, bumping up against Cam’s shoulder. “I’ll work on him.”

  “Thanks, Key.”

  “And when Theus gets back, I’ll fill him in.” She stomped the butt of her spear on the ground, snapping a pinecone in half.

  “Come on, Miuri,” Cam said. “You need some rest. When was the last time you slept?”

  “If you’re trying to get me undressed, you don’t have to be so subtle,” she said.

  Cam smiled and took her hand, leading her back to the group. Key followed close, and though Cam kept a brave face on for his girls and the other warriors, he felt his insides beginning to churn.

  They were so close. That army was right there, across the valley. Five thousand men, plus five hundred suits of bronze armor. It was all right there, and yet it felt insurmountable.

  But he’d have to come up with something. Felin might return with an idea, but even if she didn’t, Cam wouldn’t let that army remain trapped for long.

  23

  Another day passed in tense silence. Miuri got a few hours of sleep while Key watched over her. Cam took a long watch shift and wandered the woods around the camp, keeping an eye out for wolf scouts.

  But things remained quiet. Theus reported some wolf tracks about two miles from camp, but they were a couple of days old at least. Even still, Dagan doubled the guards. If the wolves found them before they were ready, that army really was doomed.

  Cam was given a break that night and slept fitfully. Miuri took a night watch, so Key was cuddled against his side, snoring softly. He stared at the stars thinking about what he could possibly do against such overwhelming odds, and when the sun came up, he couldn’t sit around anymore.

  “Miuri,” Cam said when she returned from her watch shift. “We’re scouting the camp today.”

  She nodded once and sat down across from him. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Get a little rest,” he said and began to set up breakfast. “We’ll leave in a few hours.”

  She shrugged, removed her sword belt, and snuggled under the blankets with Key. He smiled and watched them for a moment before carrying a hunk of bread and fermented fish over to where Theus sat alone against the trunk of a tree. He looked up as Cam approached, and Cam felt the familiar pang of anguish he got every time he looked closely at his friend’s burns.

  He sat down and offered Theus some bread. He took it and chewed absently.

  “How are you this morning?” Cam asked as he settled down next to Theus.

  “Not too bad,” Theus said as his fingers came up to brush against his burn. Cam frowned at it for a moment and Theus caught him looking. He dropped his hands back down into his lap.

  “Your burn,” Cam said. “Does it hurt?”

  Theus shrugged. “A little. It itches more than anything, but apparently that’s a good thing.”

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Cam said. “I’m not sure I could do all this without you.”

  Theus made a dismissive gesture. “Of course you could. And being here beats lying around in a sick bed all day.”

  “No, really. You have a way with the men. I don’t… I don’t think I have it.”

  “You’re too busy with the women instead.” Theus grinned at him.

  Cam smiled back. He wondered how Theus could still be so nice to him after what had happened. It was Cam’s fault Theus was burned and scarred for the rest of his life. Cam saw the way the other warriors looked at the burns, like they were disgusted or scared or maybe a bit of both, and that only made Cam hate himself more. Theus would have to live with those looks, whether he wanted to or not, and Cam could hardly stand the idea.

  “Theus,” Cam started, but Theus held up a hand.

  “Look,” he said. “I know what you’re going to say. I can see it on your face.”

  “Yeah? You think I’m that obvious?”

  “Of course,” Theus said. “I know you, Cam. You’re beating yourself up over what happened, but I don’t blame you.”

  “How?” Cam asked. “It’s my fault. You were burned because I lost control.

  “You lost control,” Theus said. “But that doesn’t mean it’s your fault. You have no training and nobody to help you learn how to handle all that power, and we keep asking more and more from you. Cam, you’re not your father, not yet at least. You don’t need to feel guilty, and you don’t need to keep apologizing every time you see me.”

  Cam stared down at the grass in front of him and reached out to pick apart a twig. He let Theus’s words linger for a moment. He wished he could get rid of his guilt, but even with Theus’s forgiveness, he still felt it like a weight in his gut, pulling him down to the earth.

  “Sometimes I wonder what this would be like if he had survived,” Cam said.

  “We’d all be better off,” Theus said.

  “Maybe.” Cam tilted his head. “He was sick toward the end. We all knew it even if we didn’t talk about it. I’m not sure he would’ve survived the march even if he had survived the wolves.”

  “He might not have been what he once was, but even sick your father would’ve been an asset,” Theus said. “At the very least, he could have taught you more about your magic.”

  “True.” Cam sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I wish I had learned it sooner.”

  “I wish I could fly and fart rainbows, but here we are.”

  Cam grinned at his friend and took up some of the bread and fish. He ate it without speaking and they sat in a companionable silence while the rest of the camp woke up and began the day.

  As the sun climbed higher and the day got hotter, Cam pitched in with chores around the camp until Miuri woke a few hours before midday. Cam found her belting on her sword and stretching her arms. When he approached, she caught his eye and smiled.

  “Ready?” she asked.

  “You seem eager,” Cam said.

  “Eager to be doing something,” Miuri said. “Eager to be out there helping. I hate sitting around and resting.”

  Cam nodded and held the grip of his sword. “I know what you mean.”

  “We’re not made for this sitting around.”

  He put an arm across her shoulder and she nuzzled him. He kissed her and took a breath of her scent.

/>   “You’re right,” he said. “But it’s still nice sometimes.”

  She laughed and pushed him away. “Come on. Go tell Dagan we’re leaving.”

  He nodded and found the Elder helping with minor shield repairs. “We’re heading out to scout the wolves,” Cam said. “If we’re not back by sundown, leave and return to the Mansion.”

  Dagan gave him a serious look and nodded. “Good luck.”

  Cam nodded back, turned, and stalked off. He met up with Miuri, and together they slipped out of camp and into the forest.

  24

  Miuri seemed to glide ahead of him, her feet barely touching the ground. Cam was reminded all over again at how clumsy and loud he could be, at least compared to an Elf. She seemed to sway and dance around every tree and over the dead leaves, while Cam just stomped through it all.

  She took him on a wide arc along the ridgeline. They stuck close to the trees, not venturing out into the open grasslands that separated the higher elevations of the ridge from the lower valley floor. Cam spotted smoke in the air and knew those were innumerable campfires burning, thousands of campfires for thousands of wolves. He stayed as close to Miuri as he could, but she set a pace that was just a little too fast for him. She had to double back once or twice to make sure he was keeping up.

  “You’re out of shape,” Miuri said as she called a halt and crouched down with her hand on the trunk of a large leafy tree.

  “I’m in perfect shape,” Cam said and felt a bead of sweat drop down his back. “You Elves just move through the woods like it’s nothing.”

  She grinned at him. “That’s not an Elf thing. That’s just me, being awesome again.”

  Cam rolled his eyes and followed Miuri’s gaze. Down below in the valley, smoke drifted up from the trees. He knew the wolves were in there, hidden by the forest. He could see some movement, though he couldn’t make out any individual wolves.

  “We need to get closer,” Cam said.

  “We can’t,” Miuri said. “I can’t cloak you, and the wolves are patrolling all over this land. We’re lucky we made it this far.”