First Comes The One Who Wanders (54 page)

"Half the men here don’t know how to fight in the way you are suggesting. They've been trained for open field combat."

"Then we will have to train them," replied Brenth.

"Those creatures out there, most of them come from the mountains."

"Most of them come from beneath the mountains. We would be on top of it, where they are loath to go. With the help of the Drakmothians, we could hide the people."

Adrian looked to Joshuas for input. "How do you propose to get the people out of Kyris? Walk them out underneath the noses of all these forces?" asked Joshuas.

"Something very close to that," confessed Brenth. "It's the riskiest part of the plan. It will take the cooperation of the crafters."

"We're here to fight," replied Joshuas, "and to die if needed."

"Yes, some will die," said Brenth, sadly. "But not as many as if we stayed."

"What would you have us do?" asked Joshuas, thinking of the crafters in Kyris, not wanting to lose any of them. They were seasoned veterans. Some, who like him, had survived the Crafter Wars. It would be difficult to ask them to sacrifice themselves.

"Three things," said Brenth, beginning to lay out his plan for the leaders of Kyris. "First, we need a tunnel under the walls to that copse of trees to the east." He pointed to a small, dense growth of trees about a mile away. "One that is made quickly. Then, we need a diversion, while the people go through the tunnel."

"And the third is?" asked Joshuas.

"A fog or mist, something to hide the people as they move through the trees toward the mountain."

"We'd have to hold the fog for quite some time and the dark crafters would feel the magic," objected Joshuas.

"Not if a small force of volunteers attacked and distracted them. They'd think the crafters were helping the soldiers, not the people escaping. They don’t have Menas to help them see, only mists and they take time. If we coordinate this and execute it quickly, we might succeed."

"Or we might not," said Adrian. "This plan puts the women and children at risk."

"Any more so than staying or being overrun by those creatures?" asked Joshuas. "This way there is at least a chance they'll survive. I've seen what these creatures do to humans, Adrian."

Adrian looked down at the forces again. "Let’s go assemble the leaders and see what we can do."

A sad smile flashed briefly over Brenth’s lips and Joshuas shrugged his shoulders to bear the added burden of lives in his hands.

"That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard," snarled Captain Ferras, after Adrian laid out Brenth’s plan. "Why don’t we just lay our swords down and surrender. It makes as much sense. We came here to fight, not shrink away like dogs with our tails tucked."

Joshuas stiffened at the Captain’s tone, his hand drifting to his sword. He didn’t like this man and he didn’t know why Duke Cheran abided him. Nothing was right, as far as he was concerned. The other master crafters here didn’t think much of him, either. But Adrian hadn’t listened to any of them when it came to Ferras. Joshuas had to wonder what kind of hold the Captain had on the Duke.

"We'll fight, Gerran," said Adrian. "Just not in the way we originally planned. We never expected to have to face such an overwhelming force. If we stand here, everyone will die, women, children, men, crafters. Is that what you want?"

Gerran looked around at all the leaders waiting for his answer and swallowed nervously. "I don’t want to retreat because we're afraid to die." He squared his shoulders defiantly. Adrian considered his answer. "Then you can stay and fight with the diversionary group."

Gerran raised his chin. "It would be my honor."

Joshua wondered if this was a wise move. He heard the other crafters echoing his thoughts. Although Gerran spoke boldly, he didn’t always act as bravely. They needed people who would hold out for as long as they could.

"Then, if the rest of us are agreed?" Adrian looked around the room. There were no other dissentions. "Let’s make this plan work."

"And then what?" muttered Gerran as he turned to leave.

Joshuas grabbed him by the arm, roughly. "Then we regroup and fight until we win. We all know what is at stake Gerran. Do you? There is more at stake than Kyris or the Southern Plains. The fate of Preterlandis rests in our ability to overcome the darkness that is overrunning our homes."

"I'm well aware of that," growled Gerran. "I'm not the one who wants to run away from the fight."

"But you are the one who wants everyone to believe we are cowards running away, and the one who wants to take away everyone’s hope," snarled Joshuas. "I, for one, am wondering which side you're on?"

Gerran pulled his sword. "You'll pay for those words."

Joshuas’ eyes narrowed dangerously. Those who knew him knew this was a sign Gerran had pushed too hard. Adrian quickly stepped between the two men. "This is a disagreement that you'll have to settle another time. We need to get started. Joshuas if you'll take the crafters’ tasks. Gerran, Brenth, if you'll help me."

The two men hesitated a moment longer, then Joshuas turned abruptly and walked away. The leaders of the crafters followed him. They sent out the call for their fellow crafters as they decided where the best place for the tunnel opening would be.

"Kyle, we must have some kind of shield to keep the dark crafters from discovering what we're doing. I want you to pick those you need to do that. Gregory, when he has his men, you can start tunneling using the rest of the crafters. I'm going to plan the next phase. Ask for volunteers for the diversion. I don’t want to compel anyone to stay."

"We're all here with the knowledge we might die, Joshuas," said Gregory. "You're not asking for more than any are willing to give."

Joshuas ran his hand through his hair. "Still, it's for them to choose." He left the crafters and went in search of Brenth and Adrian, hoping that he wouldn’t have to face Gerran again so soon. He was still angry with Gerran and the effect he had on the people.

Joshuas’ mind went back to what Leilas had said about Gerran. He had to agree with her assessment. They would all be better off without him in such a powerful position. Joshuas sighed as he walked across the courtyard. Every day he missed Leilas and Erion more. At this point, odds were that he'd be dead before they returned to Solea. He should have said goodbye, most of all, he should have taken her in his arms and kissed her. He should have taken the opportunity to make love to her and he should have let her know that he had no intention of ever letting her go. But he'd let the opportunity slip away and practically ensured he'd never have another and he still believed it was for the best.

The Duke and Brenth were in the main square, talking to the men. They didn’t stretch as far as the eye could see, but they were a respectable and well-trained force, nonetheless. "We'll be counting on most of you to protect the people moving through the tunnel and into the mountains. Brenth," Adrian pointed to his young companion, "will be leading the people into the mountains. Captain Ferras and I will be leading the diversion, along with Joshuas." Adrian looked to him for affirmation. Adrian knew him well. He knew he wouldn’t ask his people to do what he wouldn’t do himself.

Those who went outside the gates would almost certainly die. Joshuas hadn’t expected Adrian to lead the diversionary squad. The people needed a leader when they reached the mountains. But an old crafter like himself and Gerran Ferras were expendable.

"We're asking for volunteers. We don’t want anyone who isn't willing to accept the risks. We'll be in the armory. If you will join us, meet us there. For the rest of you, may the Creator be with you." Adrian stepped from his position above the crowd and moved toward the armory.

Gregory and Kyle had their men by early afternoon. The work on the tunnel began immediately. They worked in shifts and made good progress. Kyle’s men kept the shield in place, three crafters working together at a time. Joshuas accepted the offers of twelve crafters who arrived at the armory. Six had served in the Crafter Wars. He sent the younger, less experienced crafters back to Gregory and Kyle. The people who made it through the tunnel would need crafters to create the mists to cover their dash to the foot of the mountain.

Adrian and Gerran also chose men who'd seen a great deal of battle. If they wanted to have any chance of creating a diversion for long enough to give the people a chance to get away, they needed men who'd seen battle and could stand against the odds.

Joshuas, Adrian, and Gerran spent the evening going over their battle strategy. They weren’t certain when the tunnel would be done, but they planned. When they were satisfied, they left the war room and Joshuas found himself alone. Making his way up the stairs of the watchtower, he looked out across the sea of Dredracians, bathed in the moonlight. Small fires dotted the landscape for as far as he could see. The dark masters were taking no chances in crushing the city of Kyris, the last stronghold in Solea. Would they move on to Sylphia when they had destroyed Kyris? Was this the end of Preterlandis? Had the Creator abandoned the world because of their lack of diligence in protecting the balance? How had the balance been destroyed and no one had sensed it had been happening?

Leilas’ face flashed in his mind. It seemed their fate did lie in the hands of this young girl who had so captured his heart. He had to admit he’d doubted the prophecy in the past. It had always seemed to him that man held his destiny in his own hands. Perhaps they did. It had been men who'd chosen to reject the Creator and to ignore the balance.

He should've kissed her properly when he'd had the opportunity, he thought bitterly. It seemed a shame to die without having done at least that.

Closing his eyes, he tried to picture her. A clearing wavered into his mind with Leilas and Erion beneath a tree. Leilas appeared to be sleeping. She was thinner than he remembered, and seemed worn. Opening his eyes in surprise, Joshuas wondered how that picture had come to his mind. He'd almost been able to reach out and touch her. The evil that surrounded her had been palpable. He closed his eyes in pain. How could he have let her go on such a dangerous journey without him? He knew Erion would do his best to keep her safe. But he wasn’t a crafter. He couldn’t protect her from the magic.

Brenth appeared on the steps of the watchtower as if he’d been summoned. Joshuas could understand why people called him fey. He seemed to instinctively know when someone was in need. "Joshuas," Brenth greeted him, as he walked to the parapet.

"Brenth, what brings you here? I would have thought you’d be busy getting all the people ready to leave,"

"Preparations are well underway," replied Brenth, sounding older than his years. "We have good men seeing to the task. I needed some air."

"I’m afraid you won’t find any good air here. It seems to stink of dark soldiers."

Brenth nodded absently. "Actually, I came to wish you well in your battle."

"There is only one outcome for this battle," replied Joshuas. "You'd do better to tell me goodbye."

"There's usually more than one outcome to a situation," said Brenth, "if we're open to the opportunities."

"There might be some truth to that," remarked Joshuas, smiling at receiving advice from someone so young.

"As I said before, I wish you well in your battle and remember what I said."

"I’ll try," said Joshuas, extending his hand to the young man.

"By the way," said Brenth, as he turned to go. "Leilas and Erion are safe, or so Mother has informed me."

"Daina isn’t here, is she?"

"No, but she is alive and safe," said Brenth. "She sends her well wishes to you, also."

"May the Creator go with you, Brenth. It's a brave thing you're doing to save the people."

"Saving the people is what this is all about," said Brenth, enigmatically.

"So it is," replied Joshuas. Sometimes amid the politics and the details, he forgot that important point. Each person was important. Each had a gift to share. Just as each crafter and warrior who’d volunteered had offered their gift. They weren’t just pawns, but men, with lives, families, and dreams. It was so easy to forget. It was for each to choose the path they would take. Joshuas smiled to himself. That crafter saying was there to remind them of each person’s worth.

Looking out over the ocean of Dredracians, he had more hope there were opportunities if you looked for them and he would be looking, when he rode out to meet the foe. Joshuas could barely feel the magic from the shield as he went to check on the progress of the tunnel. Kyle and his men were doing an amazing job, as were Gregory’s men. The tunnel was almost halfway done. Joshuas wouldn’t have believed it could be constructed so quickly if he wasn’t seeing it with his own eyes.

"Do you have enough food for these men?" Joshuas asked Gregory when he found him. "This kind of work takes a great deal of energy."

"I didn’t want to ask for more," admitted Gregory. "But I’m sure most of the men could use more food than they have."

"I’ll see to it," said Joshuas. "When do you think you’ll be finished?"

"Sometime tonight. I’ve already informed Adrian."

"I have great faith in you and Kyle to lead the crafters. The council of masters from Sky and Sea are still intact, though hard to find. Use that resource if you need it. They'll come to your aid."