Читать книгу Aelethia's Hope - Leandra Martin - Страница 4

Alban Thorne paced around his war room and mumbled to himself. He was going over all the different scenarios in his head of what the best course of action would be so that the city stayed free of Fallon and his army. The Triple Cities were gone, and it was up to him and his small garrison to fortify the docks so Fallon’s army didn’t make it into the city.

The young man who had brought the dispatch a month prior was still in his care, and he watched Alban pace now, face neutral. The young man seemed to understand what Alban was doing, having spent many a year with his grandfather who had served in the army of King Colwyn in Azlyn.

Alban stopped short suddenly and faced Maddon, eyes not really looking at him, but rather looking through him to something only he could see. He finally snapped out of his dream state and looked at Maddon now, eyes alert.

“I think I have the answer. Please run and get Pter and Decklan and ask them to join me. You return as well. This concerns you too.”

“Yes, sir.”

Maddon left the room and headed down the hall and out into the bailey. He approached the group of guards that were practicing in the arena and waited until the row was finished before getting any closer. He knew better than to step into the middle of a duel with these men. He would more than likely lose a head.

The garrison here in Pembroke was smaller than the armies based in the larger cities of Azlyn, smaller than even Boones Ferry, but the men who watched over this tiny inland coastal town were fierce, and they outweighed and stood taller than most of the regular guards. These particular men started out as mercenaries or Bounty Hunters before turning their lives around and joining the kings army for honest pay.

The duel went on for another ten minutes or so, and when one opponent finally relinquished his hold on his sword and it slipped to the dry mud with a cloud of dust, Maddon approached them.

“Captain Lar and Lieutenant Bohen. General Thorne requests your presence in his war room,” Maddon said saluting.

Pter Lar was the larger of the two men, about six two with very broad shoulders and arms the size of a horses thigh. He had close cropped blond hair and a grizzled face, with a scar running down from his ear to his lower jaw. His eyes were sharp, and, under his hawk-like nose, he had a neatly trimmed blond mustache that hid another scar just above his upper lip.

Decklan Bohen was shorter but no less broad in shoulder and arm. He had dark brown hair which was longer than his companions, but not long enough to pull back with a strap. His eyes of blue were alert but held a boyish sparkle that his older, more serious friend didn’t have. He was clean shaven and was quick in wit and popular with the ladies.

Pter looked down at Maddon and saluted back. He eyed him and slapped his shoulder, not hard, but enough for his strength to almost bowl Maddon over on his side.

“Stand straighter boy, especially when you’re saluting a superior.”

“A superior what?” Decklan answered, smiling slyly behind his hand. His sword had been placed back into his scabbard, and he winked down at Maddon after his comment.

Pter, who knew his friend was jesting, didn’t want Maddon to learn bad habits, so he glared at him. “I don’t think it wise to insult a man who’s twice your size and bested you just now in the arena.”

Decklan shrugged, still smiling. “You know what they say. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” He smiled again. “I wasn’t really trying very hard. My shoulder is sore from doing all your duties yesterday.”

“Maybe that will teach you not to bet someone with a higher intellect. I want this boy to learn how to behave himself if he is to become squire for the king.”

“Really boy? A squire?” Decklan said, surprise in his voice, eyeing the boy now clearly impressed.

“That’s what Alekzand’r told me, that I would receive the rank of squire for my help and bravery in Amaris.”

“Impressive. Well, if his ranking is already in the bag, there’s nothing a couple of old mercenaries can teach him about manners,” Decklan said.

“He already knows more than you when it comes to that. All you could teach him would be how to woo the ladies.”

“Yes, that is a specialty of mine. He’ll need that skill to fit in with the fickle personalities of the ladies at court.” He looked over at Maddon now. “Don’t let him try and teach you. He scares them all away.”

Pter cleared his throat and looked down at Maddon. “What he doesn’t tell you is that we don’t have leisure for that most of the time. We’re too busy keeping the riff-raff out of the bay.”

“But when we do have a bit of time, you’re going to wish you had my charm. Your intellect and large size won’t keep you warm on a particularly chilly night.”

Pter glared harder at Decklan now, then pushed him toward the keep. “Come on, lover boy. The general waits.”

The three men went into the keep and entered Alban’s war room. Alban was still pacing back and forth, just the way he was when Maddon left him. He stopped when the men entered, Pter and Decklan saluting their general. He motioned for them to sit down. When the three of them were settled, he unrolled a map of Aelethia, spreading it out across the table in front of them.

“From our information, it’s assumed that Fallon’s troops will be sailing from Kieran, where they control the city, up through the Corlane Strait and into the docks here. This is their plan in order to be able to march closer to Kingswell. Since the Triple Cities have fallen, we have to find a way to keep the ships from getting past the border. I have sent word to Sailor’s Bluff to warn them troops are coming, but we don’t have enough men to fight off that many ships.”

“How many ships do you expect, sir?” Decklan asked, his boyish jesting put aside for more serious subjects.

“I would gather that Fallon would send at least ten ships, packed full of troops. With the word I have received from a runner out of the north, Fallon now sits on the throne in Lachlan Castle, and his troops have the city in lock down.”

“So we’re too late?”

“Not totally. He sits on the throne but is doing nothing to rule over the kingdom. He wants a war, and he wants to get the princess in his possession. Fallon will have to have at least fifty-five thousand troops at his disposal to even think of winning against both King Dainard and King Kevaan. Kevaan has Charbonneau locked down and has adequate troops in McLain as well. He wants troops sent in to surround the city of Kingswell in order to take back the castle. I want us to spread out. I think one garrison can hold down the docks. Our best strategy would be to send the rest of the garrison into the three towns across the border, Thornycroft, Trowbridge and McLain, to put in added men. If we can keep a perimeter around those three, we may be able to stave off the troops coming in from the coast until reinforcements are dispatched. Maybe we’ll have a chance of taking Kingswell and Lachlan Castle back.”

“How long will it be before King Dainard can get more men in to help?” Pter asked.

“He’s sending troops into Danyl to assist Duke Ulric right now. He has messengers on their way to Salador in the Free Province to talk with Chancellor Jaxon. The west must be warned, but if we’re lucky, we can enlist their help. The elves have already pledged their allegiance, and the dwarves are preparing themselves as well. If the kingdom can build armies in every province, we can surround the castles and keep Fallon’s troops from breaking through.”

“What about the giants? And the creatures Fallon has brought forth from the pit?”

“They will be a challenge to be sure. We have no way of knowing what kinds of creatures he will have. Of the fifty-five thousand troops, I’m guessing over half are going to be sinister things from the depths of hell. We won’t know what we’re dealing with, I’m afraid, until they’re right in front of us. The more solid forces we can obtain, the better.”

“This seems all too overwhelming. I don’t understand how we can fight against something we know nothing about.”

“The elves and the sorcerer Sol will know what to do when it comes to those things. The messenger also said that the princess is on her way out of Vallis and travels with escorts. Unfortunately, he also said that Fallon will get the same news. A messenger was seen riding back to Lachlan to update the duke about that. She will be out in the open now, and I assume he’ll make his move while she is relatively unprotected. She’s evaded him long enough; he won’t wait any more.”

“I still don’t understand this whole prophecy thing. How can this woman save us all from Fallon’s spells?” Pter asked.

“I don’t know, but from what I’ve heard, she’s more than what she seems.”

“I don’t know about you, ole boy,” Decklan said, patting Pter on the back now, “but I can’t wait to meet her. A beautiful woman of nobility who is tough enough to fight for the freedom of the whole kingdom. That’s a lady I’d kill to have.”

“Do you ever stop talking about women for even a second?”

Decklan laughed. “Not if I can help it. Come on, don’t tell me that she doesn’t intrigue even you.”

“Maybe a little, but only out of awe.”

Thorne laughed at his friends and the finest men he’s ever had the privilege of being in charge of. They were completely opposite those two, but they would take a sword to the head for each other if it came to that.

“Alright, Decklan, give your superior a break. You may not know it, but Pter has wooed many a maiden over the years. But I didn’t hire him for that. I hired him to keep the arrogant puppies like you in line.”

Decklan saluted his general. “Yes, sir, General.”

“What am I going to do, sir?”

“I know how much you want to be in the fray, boy, but I have a duty to protect you. I’m sending you back to Eston for the king to put you where he sees fit.”

“But I thought I would help you here.”

“I’m riding out with the men tomorrow. Heading into Boones Ferry to prepare my garrison there. I have work to do and can’t be worrying about a boy under my feet.”

“I’m no boy! I want revenge for the death of my family and my people.”

“And you’ll have it, just not here. ‘Tis an honor to be in the king’s ranks, boy. It’s a squires rank for you.”

That seemed to have calmed Maddon down, and Alban could see the pride finally gleaming in his eyes.

“Yes, sir.” He saluted Alban just as his lieutenant had.

“That’s better. Go get all your stuff together. I have four very able bodies ready to ride out in the morning as your escorts. I have already sent word to King Dainard that you’re coming. He’ll see that you get placed in the ranks, I promise.”

“Yes, sir.”

Maddon saluted again and left the war room and the three men sitting around the table.

“I’m going to actually miss the lad. In the few weeks he’s been here, he’s learned a lot. He’s a fine boy and brave too. I see that one going far. King Dainard should be proud to have him among his men. He’s braver and heartier than a lot of men twice his age,” Pter said now. He looked at Decklan. “You could learn a thing or two from him, Decklan.”

“Aw, Pter, you ole softie. I never thought I’d hear you speak so fondly of someone. It’s nice.”

Pter leaned across the table and slapped Decklan on the back of the head. “If only I felt the same about you.”

“You do; you just won’t admit it.” Decklan smiled at his superior.

Pter changed the subject. “What do you want us to do, General?”

“I want all the troops ready to ride out tomorrow. I’ll leave Captain Colay here to hold down the fort and the docks. We’ll ride into Boones Ferry and see what we can do to hold Fallon’s troops off. King Kevaan will handle the troops that are holding the castle hostage. Once he has enough men, he’ll storm it and take it back. But we need to keep more from riding in. Make sure you and your men are ready by six a.m. tomorrow. We ride out, ready or not. Anyone not prepared gets left behind, and that will make ole Alban very sore to say the least. Don’t disappoint me, gentlemen.”

They both saluted him as they stood. “Yes, sir!”

***

Alekzand’r Morgan and his men, four guards and two elves, rode through the desert sands, the hot sun beating down on them, their lips chapped and cracked. The horses were doing better than expected, the elves having given them some kind of elixir in their water to keep them hydrated for long periods. They had reached the border into the Free Province two days before and were on their way to Salador. There had been no sign of any villages or towns and they were starting to wonder if they would ever come into contact with anyone.

When night came, they stopped wherever they were and made camp. It was too dangerous to travel through the desert in the dark, with all the scavengers and black wolvins lurking about searching for food. The cold night forced them to make a fire, but it was good for keeping the hungry creatures at bay as well.

They were sitting around eating their nightly rations of warm meat and bread, smoking and talking. Alekzand’r was tired, and he would be relieved when this was all over, but knew that his wish would not come true for a long while. This war would take its toll on everyone, and, even if they managed to get the chancellor to join, Fallon’s army would not be overtaken easily. His place on Kevaan’s throne was already having an effect on the kingdom. People who were afraid of Fallon before had decided that not opposing him would keep them alive. Several skirmishes had arose inside Kingswell’s walls when troops from Kevaan’s army tried to make their way inside. The people didn’t care whose side the troops were on, they knew that fighting was their best chance of staying alive. Now peasants and townspeople with pitchforks and torches were no match for a trained military warrior, but, because they were told not to hurt any civilian, they were forced to retreat back outside the walls of the city. Fallon had them scared and nothing said would calm those fears. The troops were forced to camp outside the city until given the word it was time to strike. There may come a time when they would be forced to kill innocents in their way in order to reach Fallon, and Kevaan was dreading that day. Alek didn’t blame him.

Alek was leaning back against a fallen tree, drinking a draught of ale, staring into the fire as it danced in the dark of the night. He tore his gaze away for a moment or two, to look into the sky, clear with no cloud cover, and the sea of twinkling stars were endless on this open plain.

Tallyn, one of the elves enlisted to accompany them into the city of Salador to speak with the chancellor, sat down beside Alek and crossed his legs in front of him. Alek looked toward him and nodded a silent greeting, then concentrated his gaze on the sky once again.

“The sky will not tell you what you need to know, Alekzand’r Morgan, only your heart can reveal what needs to be done.”

“It’s not my heart that has no answers, for it knows what should happen; it’s my mind that has me confused.”

“Tell me what you are thinking.”

Alek sighed. “I’m thinking that nothing is going to be easy. Fallon has already done more damage in a short time than anyone would have thought. If he’s not stopped, Aelethia will perish.”

“Aelethia’s hope will not fail.”

“I think your faith in her is a bit misguided. I’ll admit that she’s tough, and I have no doubt that her heart will guide her, but she’s only one person, a woman, and I don’t understand how she could possibly win against Fallon and his dark minions.”

“We are not made to understand, only to have faith.”

“From what I’ve seen so far, my faith is a bit shaky at the moment.”

“I know, but you must try. She needs all of us behind her to win this.”

“I’m behind her, and I will be to the end, but how do I stay strong when I don’t believe we will win this?”

“You humans are fragile. Your head and heart always fight against each other thus making it hard to see beyond your own understanding. Faith is understanding without doubt. Understanding without fear. You just have to believe things will work out as they should.”

“I have been across this kingdom more times than I can count and I have seen many things, heard many things, but what I have seen and heard in the last few months is beyond my comprehension, and I don’t know how to fight against things I don’t understand.”

“She will understand it all. All you have to do is stand behind her and do what you were trained to do. Fate will do the rest.”

Alek looked at Tallyn now. “Are elves always so optimistic?”

“It is not optimism, it is faith. We know the world will turn out the way fate wants it to. You cannot stop the sun from shining, or the river from flowing. Why should good versus evil be any different? If we are made to win, we will. It is as simple as that. That is how we live in peace.”

Alek shook his head and finished off his ale. “We’re dealing with things we don’t understand, and I’m not afraid to admit I’m scared to my very core.”

“As you should be. Cockiness and arrogance and bravery would be detrimental. Being wary is important in order to make decisions that will win this battle. If you were not scared, you would not care.”

“I think I understand what you’re trying to say. I’ll do my best to stay strong and have faith, but I may need a push in the right direction occasionally,” he said smiling at Tallyn.

Tallyn bowed his head. “I am here for many reasons, and if that is one of them, so be it.”

“I think we’d better turn in. I figure we’re approximately a day and half out of Salador. Does that estimate seem right to you?”

“It does.”

“It doesn’t seem like we’re getting any closer though. There’s been nothing so far, no signs of life whatsoever. If that estimate is wrong, we may run out of food and water before we get across this bloody desert.”

“Agreed. The horses will be fine, but the men may start to have problems soon if we do not get to our destination on time.”

“Aye. Well, let’s get to bed then. We have another long day ahead of us.”

Tallyn and Alek stood. Alek went to his bedroll to get some sleep. The monotonous walk through endless tracks of sand, the heat beating down on him, and the constant glare of the sun on the sand was starting to take its toll. He was sure the men were feeling the same. The elves, on the other hand, seemed fine, and it was irritating to say the least. Nothing seemed to phase them: heat, sun, cold, boredom. They seemed to be able to adapt no matter where they were or what was going on. He guessed that was why they were chosen to teach Melenthia whatever it was she needed to know. Melenthia. How he thought about her often, especially in the last week. His visit to Vallis and seeing her again, so different, so mature and strong. He hoped that Dain would still feel the same about the new Melenthia as he had about the old. She would need his love even more now, and he hoped Dain had matured enough himself to understand her change and love her in spite of it. They would need each other more now, and it would take both of them to fight this war. Side by side they would have to stand, to the end. Alek hoped the end didn’t come too soon for any of them.