The king smiled at this, for that is what he had been thinking all along. He only wanted to hear it from someone else.
“Very good,” the king said, “see to it. And make sure the balance of the army is ready to move if the pass is taken.”
The general half bowed and then left. As he walked, he was already figuring out the details. He would send an elite task force of about four hundred men, the very best to secure the pass. When word was sent back that the pass was open, he would lead the rest of the army to victory. The general smiled at this. His name would go down in the songs and ballads of history as the general who conquered Glenfair, the kingdom thought to be untouchable!
Master Fields was waiting for Raven as he came out of the king’s pavilion, and motioning him to follow, he led them to where they could speak privately.
Master Fields looked at Raven with a grave concerned look on his face. “Did you bring the sword, Prince Raven?” he asked.
“Yes,” answered Raven, “and not only the sword, but a shield, a helmet, and a suit of mail made by the same craftsman, and, of course, the crossbow.”
Raven was not afraid to tell Master Fields about the rest of the armor, for he would notice them anyway.
Master Fields was greatly relieved when Raven said this, “We can use all the help we can get, for I do not think this will be as easy as the king thinks. The Wickshields are not stupid, and their army has been trained and battle seasoned. Not one of our ranks has seen a war, nor have they ever been involved in battle. I fear, Prince Raven, that the size of our forces gives us too much confidence. If the Wickshields cause a panic in our ranks and we become uncohesive, this small force could do us great damage, even defeat us. I have studied war strategy all my life, even writings from the Wickshield kingdom that has warred for centuries. The key to victory in any battle is to cause the opposition to become disorganized and panic. Then you can slice right through their forces. If we hold our rank and do not panic we will win, but I fear the lack of battle experience will work against us.”
Now Raven was troubled. He had never considered that as small an army as the Wickshields had sent would cause so much trouble for their larger force, but one thing he had learned about Master Fields was that when he spoke, you listened to his wisdom.
“Something else,” Master Fields spoke, “I have a lead on that throwing knife you gave me. I sent one of my best men as we were about to leave the feast, to check out my lead. He will meet us here tomorrow morning to tell me what he has found. If I have any news, I will tell you.”
At last Raven thought, I will have some answers as to who tried to kill Andrew at the summer feast.
“We had better get some rest,” Master Fields said. “Tomorrow will be a bloody day, and may God have mercy on us all.”
Jerddin had left in haste to follow up on Master Field’s lead. He admired Master Fields and was loyal to him to the very bone. The master was actually almost like a father to him in all his years of training in the royal guard. He rode furiously for time was running out, especially if he was going to catch the merchant before he escaped through the north pass. Riding past Rollins Castle, he hastened to the north pass hoping he was not too late. As dusk approached and the pass loomed in view, he saw a small caravan of merchants stopped there.
“Praise be to the Most High,” he whispered under his breath. The Rollins had closed their pass as well for this special show of arms and the merchants were stopped waiting for the pass to reopen. At seeing this he slowed to a walk and let his horse who was very winded catch its breath. When he reached the caravan he dismounted and staked his horse, then slowly walked toward the wagons. As he approached, he noticed the merchants were eyeing him warily, so he spoke to the first man he saw.
“Sir, where would I purchase some knives, if I may ask,” spoke Jerddin merrily.
The man did not speak but instead pointed toward the middle wagon stopped ahead. Jerddin made his way to the wagon and a man warily asked him what he wanted.
“To see your wares, if you’re of a mind to sell, especially the knives.”
“Ah,” the man smiled, “I specialize in knives. Come, I will show you,” as they came to the wagon and he began to display his wares.
Jerddin looked at the knives but did not see anything that resembled what Master Fields had given him.
“Do you have anything else?” Jerddin asked. “I’m looking for a throwing knife.”
The man nodded and brought out a special wooden box. When he opened it, Jerddin spotted the same type of knife he had in his possession. “I want this one,” he pointed.
The merchant looked at him shrewdly and said, “You are a man who knows his knives. That is the best throwing knife I possess. It carries a hefty price, though.”
“Name your price,” Jerddin said, and the man named an outrageous price.
“What, are you trying to kill me?” Jerddin asked, and the man lowered the price a little. Jerddin paid the price, for he did not have time to waste.
After the merchant received the gold piece for the knife, he was more cordial, “That is a good knife,” the merchant stated. “A man awhile back with a scar across his right arm bought one, saying he needed the very best for the king’s business. If it is good enough for the king, you know you have a good knife there.” Jerddin tried not to give away the shock he felt, so he hurriedly thanked the merchant and headed back to where the battle would take place. As he walked, the knife felt heavy, very heavy in his hand.
Lorriel could not sleep, even though she was exhausted and back in her own room. Too many things kept passing through her mind.
War, she thought, impossible. Glenfair had never had a war before. It seemed so unreal, and yet she knew it to be true. Her love, Andrew, and her precious brothers and father were all going to face danger. Although she feared for Andrew, her thoughts kept returning to Raven. He was so young, just past nineteen, too young to die before life could be enjoyed by him.
She then realized that she had always been protective of Raven in some ways. She hid this in her teasing, but she really felt he was special. This time she knew that she could not help or protect him. Her thoughts went to Rebekka who was sleeping in the guest room down the hall. Lorriel got up and put a robe on and went down to Rebekka’s room. She hesitated, then knocked on the door and an answer immediately came for her to enter. Rebekka was sitting up in bed and smiled as Lorriel entered.
“I am so glad you have come,” Rebekka said, “I cannot sleep and I am going crazy. I really need someone to talk to.”
“I could not sleep, either,” Lorriel replied. “It is just too terrible to contemplate, this war.”
Rebekka eyed her carefully, “Are you afraid for Andrew?” she asked.
Lorriel looked frightened, “I am afraid for them all, and yes, for Andrew. Just as we are finally given a blessing toward our relationship, this happens. Rebekka looked at Lorriel, not saying anything, and a moment of long silence ensued.
Lorriel noticed Rebekka’s silence and asked, “What is it, Rebekka? I know there is more that you are not telling me.”
Rebekka debated on whether or not to even mention what she was thinking. She then threw caution to the wind because of the current situation, “Raven said something before he left. He knew this war was coming somehow, and he asked me to pray for them all, but especially for Andrew. Raven was concerned for him as if this war was going to put him in dire jeopardy. I knew then that Raven was going to try and protect Andrew, even at the cost of his own life, I believe Andrew will return from this battle, but I do not have the same hope for Raven.”
Lorriel remembered now the warning Raven had given her of the coming storm. He could only have meant the war that was now upon them.
Rebekka continued, “Why do you think the king gave you his blessing so easily? Is not this too much of a coincidence, a war the same day? I believe this war was meant to eliminate your fiancee.”
Lorriel wa
s shocked. “No,” she said, “no. It can not be; it can not be,” she said shaking all over.
“Think, Lorriel,” Rebekka said again. “All the pieces fit together. I do not know how but this war was meant to kill Andrew, and Raven is going to try and save Andrew’s life. For this I fear Andrew will return but Raven will be lost.”
Rebekka could hold back no longer so she began to cry loudly as her grief poured out. Lorriel reached over and held her, crying herself. She wanted Andrew to survive, but losing Raven was an equally crushing thing to contemplate. For the first time, too, Lorriel saw the depth of love Rebekka had for Raven, and she felt for Rebekka in the same way that Rebekka felt for her at the summer feast.
“I am sure,” Lorriel said, “that Raven will survive. He is very resourceful and has surprised all of us lately with his abilities.”
Rebekka could only nod as she tried to regain control of herself. This was so unlike her to let her feelings show, yet with Lorriel she felt acceptance and love. They had become very close friends and this crisis only made them closer.
Morning came quickly, faster than anyone wanted. If they could have stopped the sun from rising by mere power of will, they would have, for no one really wanted to face the truth that awaited them. It was still dark when the war camp began to stir. Raven had slept little and was now going to his horse to retrieve some of his armor. Although he had brought the crossbow, he decided that he would leave it behind in the sack at camp. It was good for only one shot in a battle situation, while the ancient sword would be of more use. He found the armor and pulled on the mail gloves that would protect his fingers and hands from being cut off. Bones could be broken but the mail would preserve them in one piece. He tied the shield and helmet to his horse and took the sack with the crossbow and arrows in it with him to be stored behind with a trustworthy cook he knew from the castle. After dropping off the crossbow, he went to find Andrew. But before he found him, a horn blew calling the dukes to the king’s pavilion for the final council. When he arrived, almost everyone was there dressed in battle gear, some with more weapons than others. The king repeated again the same order in the battle line that would be drawn against the enemy, dividing what forces each would command. Everyone was then dismissed to form up his ranks and wait the rising of the sun that would begin the battle. Raven still had no time to speak with Andrew. As he was organizing the men under his command, he pondered how he was responsible for their lives. He did not take that responsibility lightly. Finally, when everything seemed ready, he turned the final preparations over to Mostell, his second in command. Mostell was the second in command of the king’s garrison under Master Fields, a very capable man, and Raven was glad to have him fighting beside him. He would not lose his head in battle as might happen to others like Master Fields had warned.
With these preparations made, Raven rode over to Andrew, shook hands and said, “Stay close to me. Whatever happens, remember, stay with my squad. Do you understand?”
“My friend,” Andrew replied, “do not worry. I will protect you as I have sworn to do to any Kallestor who is in need.”
Raven smiled and nodded. Andrew did not understand that Raven would protect him, not the other way around. But it was fine for Andrew to think as he did. It would keep him close to Raven. As Raven was riding back to his troops, he passed them hoping to see Master Fields. It was just getting light and Raven could see a little. Master Fields seemed to be talking to someone, but Raven could not make out who it was. Soon, Master Fields broke away and headed straight for Raven. Now Raven could see his face. It was pale and he seemed distressed. He saw the other man now that had been talking to Master Fields. It was Jerddin. At that moment, the king intercepted Master Fields, grabbed his elbow and headed toward the battle lines. Raven could see Master Fields looking over his shoulder and almost breaking away from the king, but he at last gave in and walked with the king to the line of troops. Raven knew the time was near so he headed back also to his command. When he arrived back, Mostell informed Raven he was not to lead any charges, that he, Mostell, would do so in the front to protect the prince. Raven argued the point but the other soldiers agreed with Mostell so Raven gave it up.
How, he wondered, am I to use the sword to our advantage if I am stuck in back of the front lines?
Then he realized that this order had come from his father, to involve Raven as little as possible in the battle for he was young and inexperienced. This angered Raven but there was little he could do about it right now. Raven put on his helmet, drew his sword and untied his shield. The battle line had been formed and the king gave the command to proceed forward. It was just getting light and a haze of fog hung in the air as it does in the chill of a fall morning. Raven knew that soon the sun would burn this off and it would be clear, but for the time being they could not yet see the Wickshield forces ahead.
Finally, as the Glenfair line advanced slowly, the forms of the Wickshields began to take shape against the backdrop of the cliffs. A halt was called to their line and the whole army stopped not more than fifty yards from the Wickshield army. It was quiet, too quiet, and although the Wickshields were only about four hundred in number, they looked deadly, like a Twainlar Serpent ready to strike.
Raven felt cold, not from the morning chill but at the sight of the army they faced. He wondered if others felt the same way. Master Fields had been right. They were not ready for battle. How many of them had already lost heart just facing the enemy? The Wickshields made no move but stayed huddled against the cliffs and pass behind them.
Finally Raven heard the king speaking: “We give you opportunity at this moment to avoid bloodshed and return back through the pass from which you came. But if you will not, then know that your blood will be spilled upon this ground.”
There was no movement from the Wickshields and Raven hoped they would take the offer, seeing so great a host before them, and decide to leave. What Raven did not know was the Wickshields were not intimidated at all by the force of two thousand that faced them. They had dealt with larger forces before and knew how to whittle down an enemy a piece at a time.
King Mollen had no idea, as well, what he was really facing. This was an elite fighting force of the Wickshields, the best soldiers hardened in a lot worse battle situations than they faced here. Their real goal was not to defeat this larger force, although it might be possible depending on how they responded to attack, but to hold the pass until the reinforcements arrived, twenty thousand strong. That force was bigger than anything Glenfair could muster. One thing about a disciplined army like the Wickshields was that they obeyed orders. Even if the army of Glenfair fled from before them, they were not to pursue and leave the pass. They had orders to attack, inflict harm on the Glenfair army and fall back to the pass. Always to fall back to the pass were the orders the commander was given. Even if he defeated the army facing him and wrought a great victory, when his superiors arrived he would be executed for disobeying orders. That is how the Wickshields ran their army. If all was told now, this one fact, the orders to attack and fall back would be the only thing that would save the army of Glenfair.
Raven watched, the inaction and silence haunting in the morning mist, when all of a sudden there was a yell from the Wickshields and they came rushing forward with such speed you wanted to turn and run. In fact, as Raven looked around, that is exactly what some were doing. Some horses went berserk and some people had turned and fled. But the ranks were so close together it really did not give the Glenfair army time to scatter, for the Wickshields were almost upon them. When it seemed that at any moment the two forces would meet, they swung to Raven’s side with such swiftness, they were all caught off guard. The Wickshield army formed a point and hit their lines between the Crestlaws and Edward’s troops. And before Raven could react, they drove a wedge between the Crestlaws and Edward, separating them and isolating Edward. It had happened so swiftly that no one knew what to do until Raven heard Sauron Crestlaw yell to his troops to turn lef
t and try to fight their way to Edward’s small band of soldiers cut off from the rest of the army.
Raven saw that Mostell was handling his defense well and realized he was not of any use where he was, so he turned his mount and galloped after the Crestlaws. Upon reaching them, he realized his horse would do no good having his own army in front of him so he quickly dismounted as Andrew had done and started off into the battle after the Crestlaws. Raven was swift with his light armor and soon caught up to within a few yards behind Andrew. He could see Edward on his horse giving orders and swinging his sword at any Wickshields that broke through, of which several had already fallen to Edward’s sword. When the Crestlaws first reached and clashed with the Wickshields, they were at first repelled but swift commands from Sauron to reach and save the prince caused them to make headway into the fray. Raven had almost caught up with Andrew when some of the Wickshields broke through and came right at Raven. He could not continue to head toward Edward and had to stop to deal with these enemies. The first one fell immediately before Raven’s swift sword, but more Wickshields were there instantly and Raven found himself in the middle of it all. He never had time to contemplate the killing he had to do. He just did it out of necessity. He would have been overwhelmed if it were not for the armor and the sword he possessed, and just then some of the Crestlaw’s men joined him and the battle swung the other way.
Raven had time then to look toward Edward and saw his horse fall and Edward with it. Raven took off running in that direction and heard a scream come from Andrew, a scream of anger and frustration. When he got nearer, he saw Edward spring up with sword in hand, methodically fighting the Wickshields. Almost all of Edward’s men were down; only a handful were left, but they did not flee or retreat. Raven was closer now and saw that Andrew had gone berserk. He was like a demon finally escaping from a tortuous prison, set loose to finally wreak vengeance on those who had imprisoned it. He had no sword but instead was using a battle axe sweeping back the lines and felling anything in his path to Edward. Raven was almost there when a Wickshield rider came charging right into Andrew's way. Andrew never even slowed. With one swing of the axe to the horses head, it started down and before it was halfway down, a second swing cut the rider in half. Where the horse came from, Raven did not know. Perhaps the Wickshields had brought a few or it was stolen in battle. But it did not slow Andrew in his pursuit to reach Edward. Raven, at this moment, realized that Andrew had no idea Raven was following him into battle, and indeed Raven could not catch up to Andrew. Andrew, in his crazed state, left so many dazed enemy behind that Raven was not able to close the gap. He instead had to deal with the reviving enemy to protect Andrew’s back. It seemed cruel, but Raven realized in war he had to fully incapacitate the dazed enemy, for if left alone, once revived, they could bring death to them from behind. As Raven watched Andrew, he realized that Andrew was fighting with a desperation that only comes from someone who thought only of protecting the king’s family, caring little for his own life in the process. Raven had never seen anyone in his life fight like this. He was driven with a strength and desperation that no enemy could withstand. He would have reached Edward quite quickly if it were not for the distance and number of enemy that separated them.
The King's Folly Page 16