“Do you remember when my mother returned from her exile that Pi came with her?” Edward asked. Duke Rollins and the others nodded. “Have you noticed that Pi has not aged in all those years at all?” Edward could see that the truth of his statement was now being processed by the others.
“Pi is also a machine!” When Edward said this there were audible gasps and denials.
“How can that be?” Duke Rollins questioned.
Edward walked over to Pi, “Pick me up and hold me over your head with one hand Pi.” Pi did as Edward asked. The others seeing this were taken back by the woman’s strength.
Before they could speak Edward continued, “Show them the mechanics in your arm.” Pi held her arm up and pulled back the synthetic skin to reveal the metal rods, wires, and motors that made her hand and fingers move. There was silence for a while as this new information was absorbed.
Finally Duke Rollins spoke; “I see that there is much I would not have believed true had mine eyes not seen it.”
“I show you these things not to disconcert you, nor turn the world as you know it upside down. But that you might know what sort of enemy we face. Also, you must understand, in the future that Pi comes from they can build machines that have emotions. Pi is as much a person as we are, only her body is different than ours. That is why she is a part of our family and we love her as an aunt.”
Duke Zandel asked, “Can this evil machine be destroyed?”
“Yes,” Edward stated. “Although not very easily. I almost destroyed him once but he has escaped to the Sabatol kingdom and they are now helping him. This brings us now back to our present crisis. The Sabatols have taken the southwest part of our kingdom. We are in for a terrible fight. We must turn to Brianna, our queen and seek what advice she can give us on how to defend our kingdom. What kind of force and number are we looking to face, Brianna?”
Brianna was pale, but stood firm as she spoke; “I am most troubled by what has taken place by my people toward our kingdom of Glenfair....”
“How many,” Edward interrupted.
Brianna took a deep breath, “Razcon’s army may be five times the whole population of Glenfair.”
Edward could see the panic and despair this brought to all that heard it. Even he did not fully realize what they truly faced against the Sabatols.
Mason Zandel spoke, “King Edward, the Wickshield war was small in comparison to this, and we almost lost that one. How can we prevail against so large a force?”
Edward did not know how to answer Mason, he was at a loss to even begin.
Brianna seeing this spoke; “Duke Zandel, I must be allowed to go with you to the battle. I am sure the Sabatol kingdom thinks me dead. If I were to reveal myself to them we might be able to persuade some of Razcon’s force to join us. I know there are many who wish Razcon dead but have never found the opportunity to oppose him. This may be the opportunity they seek.”
Duke Zandel looked with respect upon Brianna, but stated; “We have never allowed women to fight our battles for us. War is a man’s business.”
Edward appreciated what Duke Zandel said, but sided with Brianna. “When my father fought with the evil enemy, Lorriel Crestlaw was there to help defeat him. Without her help all would have been lost.”
“That was different, only King Raven fought that day,” Retorted Duke Zandel.
“I did not tell you fully what Lucinda saw in the future. I said Glenfair was lost, destroyed. What is really true is there was not one of Glenfair left alive. Your wives and children were all killed. Will you throw away a chance for aid by not allowing our queen to help us?”
Duke Zandel cast his eyes downward and sighed, “Will you, Brianna, queen of Glenfair, place yourself in jeopardy for our kingdom?”
Brianna stood strait and tall, “I would gladly give my life for Glenfair to save her people! If we are to all perish, then I will not be idle while we do so.”
Edward appreciated the dedication and sincere commitment Brianna made to the kingdom. He knew now no one doubted her loyalty.
“It is settled then, Edward said. “Tomorrow we will have a war council before we head south to meet our fate.” The other dukes nodded as the meeting was adjourned. One by one they left until only Brianna and Pi were there.
When the door was shut Pi turned to Edward and said, “I must join you in battle as well.”
“How can you be of any help? Your programing as I understand it prohibits you from harming any human.”
Pi looked unemotionally at Edward, “It is not a human I wish to battle, but Sucinord.”
Edward frowned, “Does not your programing prohibit you from harming another android as well?”
Now Pi smiled, “Normally it would, but I received a different program than even Andronicus. My program allows deductive reasoning to override certain parameters for my own safety. When I lived with your mother in the future someone tried to poison her by some food an android delivered. The android did not know the food was poisoned and when he was accused of bringing the food that could have killed Rebekka his programing shut him down. Ellise asked if that could happen to me and I answered that it could not. My programmers sought to give me leeway to interpret harm differently. Since Rebekka was not actually harmed, I would reason I did no harm. But even if I did bring food like that and unintentionally harmed someone, I would grieve but not go into positronic paralysis because it was accidental. Since that time I have tested the boundaries to which I might go in any situation. I do not believe I could kill a human being, even to save the life of another. But killing another android to stop it from taking human life is very different. I believe I can stop Sucinord, even if it means killing him.”
Edward contemplated this for a moment, “Then you shall join us. It will give me the opportunity to command the army without having to worry about Sucinord.”
“There is one other thing,” Pi said as she removed an envelope. “You must give this to Master Rollins after the battle. It must remain sealed until that time.” Pi handed Edward the envelope and abruptly left.
When the door was shut again, Brianna said to Edward, “Can what Lucinda saw in the future be changed?”
“I do not know,” Edward said sadly. “But I do know that God has given us the chance to save the kingdom by seeing what will happen. Why let us know if there is no hope. God is not cruel. I believe he cares for this kingdom and wishes for it to continue.” Brianna left Edward alone and he sat there thinking of the coming events. Why had he wished for a war instead of dealing only with Sucinord. Now many people would die. He stared at the envelope. Pi had given it to him to keep until after the battle. She knew something about the future he was sure, but was unwilling to tell him. As curious as he was, he would respect her wishes, for the envelope gave him hope. Pi believed he would survive to deliver it.
The next day the forces of the dukes had arrived at the king’s castle. Combined with the king’s army, it was the largest force Glenfair had ever gathered. The dukes gathered with the king for the council of battle. The duke’s sons and other important figures were gathered there as well.
Edward began; “We shall ride at a slow pace toward the lands of Duke Prescott. We do not want to hurry so we are not taxed. I do not know how the Sabatols will fight this battle, but when they see they have superior numbers they may throw most strategy to the wind and try to simply overwhelm us. If that happens we are in luck, for a smaller force can split a larger one in half and do great damage before they can organize counter measures. My plan is to drive a wedge up the middle of the Sabatols and fan out in attack. If the pressure becomes too great we can withdraw quicker in that formation. We can not under any circumstances allow them to divide our forces. We must stay together as a unit.”
Every one agreed this was the best strategy to follow. “We will leave at noon so we will arrive at dusk. It will give us a view of the Sabatol forces before night comes. I do not believe they will bother with attacking at n
ight when they see how small our army is. That will give us time to rest for the next day’s battle. But be warned, the Sabatols may do things we do not expect.”
At noon when the forces prepared to leave, King Edward was seated on his horse. Brianna was seated next to him, dressed in the Sabatol armor that was hers. Edward had no idea that Brianna had any armor with her. Damara had gone and brought it back from their home in Brittany. The armor was very impressive, except when compared to the armor each duke wore made by the ancients. Edward wore the armor of his father, and at his side was the ancient sword made from a special alloy that was harder than any other metal. While they waited Pi and another female warrior rode out to join Edward. Edward expected Pi, but did not know who the other warrior was until she drew closer. It was his sister Adriell.
“What are you doing here?” Edward asked. “And where did you get that armor?”
Adriell did not flinch from Edward’s examination, “I brought the armor with me when we came back from the future. It was in my bags. It is made from the same alloy as yours. All of mother’s talk of battle and the days of old caused me to fall in love with the past. Mother had this armor made as a gift for me. It is fully functional.”
Edward was going to tell Adriell to return to the castle, but she interrupted him.
“Pi has trained me, and I will not stay here while Pi and Brianna go with you to war. Edward you know we need everyone who can fight to save the kingdom.”
Edward was in no mood to argue, and they did need everyone in this crisis.
“Don’t get into the forefront of the battle, stay in the back was all he said.”
Mason Zandel’s son Jonnos rode up to the king, “Sire, you can not let Adriell go to battle.”
Edward frowned, “You stop her from going if you can,” was his reply.
Jonnos rode over to Adriell, “I forbid you to go. Return to the castle. It is not the place of a woman to fight in this war.”
Adriell was angered by Jonnos’ highhanded attitude. “I can fight, and I can best you at swords.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jonnos scoffed. “If you can best me then you may come.”
Oh no, thought Edward, he has pushed Adriell too far. Sure enough Adriell dismounted and drew her sword and slapped the flat of the blade against the flank of Jonnos’ horse unseating him. He hit the dust with a crash and came up quicker than Edward expected with his sword drawn.
“Swear to me that you will go back to the castle if I disarm you,” Jonnos demanded. Adriell nodded and the duel began. Edward wondered why this young man was so persistent, and then he knew. Jonnos cared for Adriell and wanted to keep her safe. Too bad he chose the wrong woman to send back to the castle, Edward thought smiling. The duel did not last long. In a few swift moves Adriell had Jonnos disarmed and laying on his back with the point of her sword at his chest.
At that moment Mason Zandel rode forward, “Jonnos, get up. The king’s sister has proven her worth in battle. By your own oath we must let her come.”
Jonnos dusted himself off and went to retrieve his horse. Adriell watched him go and felt ashamed. She had humbled him in front of the others. She looked at Edward and he had a disapproving scowl on his face. She felt ashamed, but she was not going to go back to the castle. She mounted her horse and rode over to Jonnos and started to apologize, but he held up his hand.
“You do not need to say anything, I forced this upon you and you have proven your worth to fight along with us. But please grant me one request.”
Adriell, now contrite agreed, “what is it you desire?”
“Stay by me in the battle,” Jonnos insisted.
“Why?” Adriell asked.
Jonnos sighed, “Because if something were to happen to you my heart would be broken.” After he said this he rode away. Adriell watched him go and sat there still upon her horse until she felt a nudge.
Edward spoke sharply, “Stay next to Jonnos in the battle. And keep out of trouble.” Adriell could only nod. She never suspected that Jonnos cared so much for her. There was no way she was going to let him out of her sight.
The army of Glenfair moved slowly south. By evening they would be within reach of the Sabatol army. Upon the king’s castle walls, looking through the crenels, was Lucinda and Damara. Their hearts heavy as they watched the army of Glenfair head to its destiny. Lucinda looked at Damara and saw the tears in her eyes.
“We never had a honeymoon, and now we may never see each other again.”
Lucinda hugged Damara, “There is hope my new sister, there is always hope. Jason is a great warrior. He will return to us.” Damara bit her lip and only nodded.
Chapter 7
The Final War
“What thinkest thou of war? Man’s wicked heart hath spawned it in ages past and shalt perpetuate it in the ages to come. Be thou ware, O King, that thy warring be not unto self gain. For if thou warrest for any other reason than the defense of thy people or others, thou shalt suffer loss even though thou winnest.”
--The Chronicles of the Ancients
The army of Glenfair could finally see its goal as the sun began to set. Before them lay the army of the Sabatols stretched across the lower end of the valley. Even though Brianna had told Edward the army was large, he was unable to comprehend its size until now. A great despair flooded over him as he realized the impossible task of defeating such a large army. He knew the others were contemplating the same thing as they saw the immense threat. Surrender was out of the question, for Edward knew that would lead to the fulfillment of what Lucinda saw, their total destruction. But how to conquer such a large force was beyond him as well. He was confident that the Sabatols would not attack them until tomorrow, as they could see his small force as easily as he could theirs.
He rode up next to Master Rollins and spoke, “We must have a war council and Pi must go into the mountains to see if there is something the ancients left that we can use.” Master Rollins nodded and went to set the defenses and inform the dukes of the war council. Edward rode his horse along the camp of Glenfair’s army and saw the dismayed looks his subjects wore. He could read their faces and knew they were thinking the same thing as he, how could they defeat such a large host. He found Pi and dismounted to go and talk with her.
“You must go and see what you can find of the ancients that would be of help to us here. I wish I could go with you, but my place is here.”
“You must stay here,” Pi admonished. “I am the only one who should go to this place high in the cliffs. The climbing will be difficult and taxing for any human. Everyone here needs to rest for the battle tomorrow. I, on the other hand do not need sleep or rest as you do. I will return as soon as I can.” Pi gathered up an empty pack and headed for a fresh horse. Edward watched her go and hoped she would find something that would aid them against Sucinord the next day.
Razcon watched the army of Glenfair approaching. His scouts had alerted him of the approaching army. As he viewed the number of Glenfair’s forces he began to smile. Was this all the small kingdom could muster to defend its soil? Surely by the next evening, Glenfair would be all his. He would go down in history as the king who conquered Glenfair. He called for his generals to assemble for council and strategy for the next day.
When they had gathered he asked, “Are any of you worried by the force of arms you have seen gathered against us?” There was laughter from the generals at this statement, except two who stood solemn and still.
“Are you not in the mood for the sport of crushing this small force?” Razcon demanded.
General Lentz stepped forward, “Sire, you assume too much based on numbers alone. You have heard how they defeated the Wickshields some years ago.”
Razcon’s anger began to rise, “Yes, I have heard. That was a very small force, not the full army of the Wickshields. Besides the forces of Glenfair outnumbered them in that conflict. Are we to believe this small force is a threat to our large army?”
General Lentz shook his head and stepped back. Razcon looked at the other general and motioned for him to speak.
General Drinidel gazed into the angry eyes of Razcon, “I do not think the battle will be what you expect, Sire.”
Razcon’s eyes narrowed, “Explain your statement.”
“There are forces at work here in Glenfair that we do not comprehend. I am sure we will be surprised by this little army. And they will not be easily annihilated like you believe.”
“Pahh!” Razcon scoffed. “You believe all the tales of sorcery and miracles told by old men. The fact remains, we are a multitude while they are a handful. No miracle will save Glenfair from our assault.”
No one else offered any advice so the war council ended. The Sabatols pitched camp in full view of the Glenfair forces, unconcerned, unafraid of the small army opposite them in the plains.
When Edward was sure Glenfair’s Army was secure, he called for the war council. Edward waited until the last of the dukes and their sons had gathered and he began:
“No amount of goodly speech will make the vast army we have seen grow smaller. I know many of our company fear it is useless to fight such a large army. That we should surrender and hope for the best. I want to put an end to that option before it spreads too deep amongst our forces. Surrender is not an option because not one of us will be allowed to live. The evil Sucinord wants every soul, including your wives and children dead by tomorrow. Every soldier needs to be made aware of the intent of the Sabatols. They will not stop until every last citizen of Glenfair is dead. Tomorrow we fight for our very existence. If we perish, may it be said of us that we died bravely defending our families and the kingdom.”
No one said any thing for some time, finally Mason Zandel spoke, “Do you really believe we have a chance against such a large force?”
The King's Descendants Page 16