Abuud: the One-Eyed God (25 page)

"Is the storm yours or theirs, Tanya?" asked Jenneva.

"It is mine," Tanya answered. "They started a fire and I meant to put it out. Alex suggested making it larger to slow them down."

Jenneva nodded approvingly and then asked, "How is everyone? Any serious injuries?"

"Just scratches," answered Alex. "Prince Midge has a pierced wing. He will not be flying for a while. Kaz and I could use some cleaning up and something to aid the healing of our scratches."

"I think it is the Ravens group that followed us to Trekum," interjected Tanya. "I managed to get a look at them from a tree. How did they down Kaz?"

"I suspect they have learned from Tice that the unicorns are now allied with us," frowned Jenneva. "The unicorns' spells are actually auras. Hiding the horn is a small aura specific to only one area. Their flight spells are not small though. In fact, they encompass the entire body of the unicorn. If you shatter the aura, you counteract the spell."

"So they can continue to bring the unicorns down when they are flying?" asked Alex.

"Absolutely," confirmed Jenneva. "You are fortunate that Kaz was able to recover in time. You could have plowed into the ground."

"Actually he did not recover," responded Alex. "Tanya once again slowed our descent as she did for me in the pass. Is it possible for the unicorns to recover from that? Kaz tried, but could not."

Jenneva smiled at Tanya and nodded. "Yes they can recover," she said to Alex. "It helps if they are prepared for it though. If it comes as a shock, which it probably did to Kaz, recovering can be difficult."

"Well I think we should keep this journey on the ground then," decided Alex. "We would be much too vulnerable in the air, and we risk two lives each time they attack. On the ground they will have to play our game."

"We are going to have to engage Sarac's Ravens, if that is who attacked us," Alex declared as they rode westward through the forest. "We cannot afford to lead them to Lanoir, and they have too many reserves to call upon between here and there."

"It did look very much like the group that Prince Midge identified outside of Trekum," interjected Tanya. "There were scores of Dark Riders and dozens of Black Devils. I could not take the time to count them better than that."

"I am sure it is Sarac's Ravens," added Jenneva. "They were looking specifically for us, and they would be the first group to learn of our association with the unicorns."

"How do you know they were looking for us?" quizzed Alex.

"I do not think many Black Devils would know the spell to disrupt the aura of the unicorns' flying spell," reasoned Jenneva. "Those magicians not only knew the spell, but they attacked our lead rider before we reached them. That means that they were expecting flying unicorns and watching for them. Only our swift reactions saved Tanya and me from being downed, as you were Alex. They planned to ground all of us."

"That does make sense," Alex agreed. "It also points out that they are kept well-informed. They must communicate frequently with Sarac."

"And it will be difficult to hide from them," cautioned Jenneva. "Our destruction is their goal, and they will stick to our trail like a river to its bed. You are right, Alex. We will have to fight them."

"We could start monitoring smaller spells," suggested Tanya. "That will let us know what they are up to."

"It will," agreed Jenneva. "Be assured that they will be doing the same to us. I think your talents will be a surprise for them though. They will not be expecting two mages in our group. They will undoubtedly use transformation to locate us. Alex, how many ravens can you shoot down if they send more than one at a time?"

"That depends on whether they see us first or not," puzzled Alex. "I should be able to get one as long as they stray into my range. If they are caught unawares, I can get the second one before he reacts to the death of the first."

"And if they send three?" posed Jenneva.

"It is not possible for me to get three unless they are tremendously stupid," frowned Alex. "Both the second and the third would have the same amount of warning when they saw the first plummet to the ground. I should only be able to get one of the remaining two before the other moves out of range."

"Do not forget that I am good with a bow as well," interjected Tanya. "As long as I know which ones Alex is going for, I could get the third. I am not following your line of thought though. What are you planning?"

"I had forgotten about your warrior skills," admitted Jenneva. "I think I tend to consider you a mage now and forget your other skills. To answer your question, I am not sure what I am planning. I have no doubt that we will see birds flying overhead to locate us. As soon as we kill one, the Ravens will know our location and converge on us."

"That is only if they know we have killed one," argued Tanya. "If we can remain far enough apart from the main group, it will be some time before they realize their scout is missing."

"Precisely," nodded Jenneva, "that is why they will send out more than one at a time."

Conversation halted as Alex led the group across a small stream and then turned towards the south. He avoided the trail that ran along the stream and chose instead to lead the group through the cover of the forest.

"I think I see the point of your questions now," resumed Tanya. "We not only deprive them of the knowledge of our position, but we eliminate their mages each time they try to find us."

"Perhaps," frowned Jenneva. "They could send six ravens and my plans will fail. It is really pretty hard to figure out what they will do."

"That is because you are allowing them to make you react to their moves," interrupted Alex. "If you want to control the battle then we should initiate it."

"You mean attack them?" asked Tanya.

"Why not?" posed Alex. "If we pick off a few of their mages it will not hurt them greatly. They could send a runner down to Toresh for replacements. And not just for the mages. Now that they know where we are, I suspect that they have already sent a runner to Toresh. Sarac wants us badly."

"Twenty Black Devils are not something to trifle with," warned Jenneva.

"And you think eighty Dark Riders are?" retorted Alex. "I did not say that our odds of victory would be good. What I am saying is our odds get better if we control the battle. We are still likely to fail."

"If we know what spells they are monitoring," interjected Prince Midge, "we could use that information to our advantage."

"And lure them to a place of our choosing," nodded Tanya.

"That is what I was thinking about," grinned Alex. "If we can separate the mages from the Dark Riders, we will have two very different battles."

"How can we separate them?" asked Jenneva.

"By flying across a physical barrier," suggested Alex. "That stream we crossed flows into a river. By choosing a spot on the far riverbank that is leagues away from a ford, we will have set up a natural barrier that would stop the Dark Riders."

"But not the Black Devils," agreed Tanya. "What would they do?"

"I am not sure," frowned Alex. "They have a number of options. The Black Devils could cross the river and try to kill us without the aid of the Dark Riders."

"Or the Black Devils could try to keep us occupied until the Dark Riders found a ford and crossed the river," offered Prince Midge.

"Or they could choose not to engage us at that time," sighed Jenneva. "It is impossible to figure out what they would do."

"Not impossible," grinned Alex. "We have already listed their most likely responses. All we have to do is have a plan for each one of their options."

***

Konic Clava strode into the Palace Shadow and headed for the usual table occupied by the three councilors led by Duke Graves. Konic smiled at the thought of the councilors holding daily meetings in the dining room of the inn and was glad that Oscar had the foresight to station a fairy spy there.

"Greetings Lord Clava," Duke Graves said as Konic got within hearing range. "We were just talking about you. Have a seat."

"Thank you, councilors," Konic nodded as he sat down.

"It does not look like your resolution has slowed down the assassinations very much," quipped Duke Tredor. "We are down to nine councilors now."

"The assassinations do appear to be continuing unabated," agreed Duke Zalski. "The three of us have had several assassination attempts on us. Were it not for the mercenaries, we would not be here now."

"The mercenaries do seem to be worth their expense," nodded Konic. "As for my resolution, at least we are not meeting daily to add new councilors to the Council. Have any of you seen the growing mob of beggars in this city?"

"There have always been beggars in Tagaret," sighed Duke Tredor. "I do not see how that matters to this conversation."

"It matters because the Council is spending its time on the wrong problems," explained Lord Clava. "Almost every Council meeting focuses on filling vacant seats and nothing more. I was under the impression that the Council existed to solve the problems of the city. That is the reason that I allowed you to talk me into joining it."

"What can we do about the beggars?" interrupted Duke Zalski. "Tagaret does not have the funds to give money to everyone who needs it."

"I have two problems with that attitude," sighed Konic. "The beggars are not asking for money. They want food to survive. Secondly, Tagaret has a very high tax on its citizens. How is it possible that we don't have any money? Where is the money going?"

"Your second point is an excellent question," interjected Duke Graves. "I have tried to ask that very question on numerous occasions. Somehow it never gets answered. Perhaps you could bring it up at our next meeting."

"Are you saying that the Council does not have knowledge of the city's funds?" queried Konic. "I cannot imagine that being the case."

"That is exactly the case," affirmed Duke Tredor. "All of the finances are handled by the staff of the Royal Palace, who are directed by the Head of the Council, Duke Everich."

"Which brings up the reason we were talking about you," declared Duke Graves. "I think it is time to challenge Duke Everich for the leadership position. We would like you to ally with us to accomplish this."

"Who would replace Everich?" inquired Konic.

"I would," stated Duke Graves.

"We have not agreed to that," snarled Duke Tredor.

"This is precisely why Duke Everich will remain in power," sighed Duke Zalski. "None of us are willing to turn over power to another. Each of us yearns to take Everich's place, but we fare no better by selecting someone else other than ourselves to replace him."

"I guess that depends on what it is you seek to accomplish," frowned Konic. "If you see this as a game for your own self-benefit, then I agree that you cannot succeed by giving power to someone else. What we should be seeking is to promote someone who will do the best job of providing for this city. As much as I think the three of you have much to offer this city, it bothers me that I see your primary interest is in self-promotion."

"You must understand, Lord Clava," sighed Duke Graves, "that we truly hold no power on the Council. It is not that we wish to neglect the needs of the city, but the rules give all of the power to the Head of Council. I, for one, would strive my very best to better the lives of every citizen. You have only to give me a chance to prove it."

"Be that as it may," retorted Konic, "but even were I to join with you, that is only four out of the five votes needed to oust Everich as Head of the Council."

"We thought you might be influential in persuading your fellow Sordoans to join with us," smiled Duke Graves.

Konic sat quietly and stared at the table for a long time. Of the three councilors at the table with him, Konic suspected that Duke Graves would prevail in being the one selected to oust Everich. To put Graves in the place of Everich really did not get Queen Marta any closer to returning to power. Konic decided to shake up the loose alliance somewhat.

"Duke Tredor," Konic said as he lifted his gaze, "how would you care for the people if chosen to replace Everich?"

Duke Tredor had trouble suppressing the wide grin on his face as he answered, "I have always been for the little people. Personally, I think that I am the best choice to replace Duke Everich."

"What is your point, Lord Clava?" scowled Duke Graves. "Why would you choose him over me? Tredor wouldn't know a citizen if he tripped over one."

Konic immediately held up both hands to quell the coming fight. "Gentlemen," he pleaded, "let us not fight each other. It is hard enough to fight Duke Everich without bickering amongst ourselves. There are two problems that we face as I see it. One is building a coalition to oust Duke Everich. The other is choosing a man to replace him. I think we can gather the votes for the fist part, but I see little chance of coming to a consensus on the second point."

"That is something I think we can all agree on," nodded Duke Zalski. "Perhaps we should vote upon it ourselves and choose someone."

"That would be little better than nominating someone for the Council," frowned Duke Graves. "We all would get one vote."

"It almost makes you want to wish for a return to the monarchy," nodded Konic. "It would be so much easier for everyone. What happened to the king?"

"A monarch cannot do anything for the city that the Council cannot do," scowled Duke Tredor.

"I am not so sure of that," argued Duke Zalski. "We thought the Council could do a better job, but we have not."

"The Head of the Council is actually the same as a monarch now," stated Duke Graves. "That is not the way it was meant to be, but that is how it turned out."

"What difference does it make?" retorted Duke Tredor. "King Byron is dead and will not be returning."

"Is there no heir?" questioned Konic.

"What are you getting at?" frowned Duke Graves. "You did not bring up the monarchy just as a point of discussion. Why are we talking about it?"

"Good question," nodded Konic. "I am looking for a solution to our impasse. Even if we managed to secure the votes of Lord Markel and Lord Wason, there is the sticky question of who should replace Duke Everich. I guess I was thinking of letting an outside party make that decision, and we would all vow to back it."