First Comes The One Who Wanders (82 page)

Adrian was leading those who would attack from the right. Brenth was leading the raiders who would attack from the left. His insight told him his mother knew they were here and would let the others know. The secret communication was something he'd been counting on exploiting since he’d seen the first dark masters arrive.

Moving with his people, he left the trees and began to run toward the soldiers hanging back waiting for their enemy to emerge from the fortress walls. The marauders took them by surprise and many of them were dead before they realized what was happening and turned to face their new attackers.

They were fully engaged in facing the attack from the rear when Duke Donnegal rode out with his men from the gates of Barat with an explosion of magic, thanks to Ariel and Trion. Brenth could hear, rather than see, that Adrian’s people were in the thick of battle, as well. Now, thought Brenth grimly, if we can only hold out long enough for Joshuas to succeed.

Joshuas gathered his black arrows and placed them in a quiver, which he slung across his shoulder. He'd found an elven bow in the Duke’s arsenal and had claimed it. Daina had told him of Brenth’s plan. He wasn’t sure how she knew what she knew, but he didn’t doubt that what she told him would happen. This was the diversion he needed to find the dark masters and do his best to kill them. Ariel had argued to go with him, but he’d won the argument by convincing her the Duke needed her more.

They were vastly outnumbered. Their only chance lay in his ability to get through the enemy lines and kill the dark masters. The Duke, Brenth and Adrian were buying him time with the lives of their men. He only hoped their sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain.

As he slipped through the gates, he could hear the clash of swords and the screams of pain as the combatants met their deaths. Cloaking himself in a spell of protection, he began to move through the battle, his sword at the ready for any enemy who ventured too close and discovered him. Intelligence from the spies they'd sent out during the night told him the dark masters were based in the middle of the camp, surrounded on all sides by their minions.

Moving as quickly as he could, he skirted the major skirmishes and headed for the center of the Dredracians’ camp. It didn’t take long for a group of soldiers to spot him as he moved past them. In a moment, he was engaged in a fight for his life. His sword flashed in the dying light as he parried and slashed his way through the warriors.

Breaking into a run, he headed for a copse of trees. A few of the soldiers followed, but it only took him a few minutes to turn back on them and send them to meet their maker. Once he was free of his pursuers, he headed out into the open again, toward the center of the camp.

The dark masters were mounted on horses. He could hear them chanting as he drew within arrow shot distance. One was maintaining the mists. One was infusing it with a fear spell. The others were directing the soldiers and summoning what spells would help them. Joshuas took the first of his arrows from the quiver and nocked it. Taking careful aim, he let it loose at the dark master whose crest matched the symbol on the arrow. It found its home in the right eye of Narion, the gaunt master who was creating the fear spell. The master screamed in pain, his hand scrabbling at the arrow before he disappeared in a sickly black vapor. Joshuas didn’t wait for a reaction. The second arrow was already in the air. It found its mark in the eye of Neeson, the master controlling the fog.

By this time, the other gaunt masters knew they were under attack by someone who could hurt them and they began to scatter. Joshuas felled Redron before the others disappeared among their men.

Three down, seven to go, he thought as he began to run in the direction he’d seen several of them ride. Dark soldiers began to turn and surround the masters as they rode through and called to them. Joshuas drew his sword and continued forward. Again, he could hear the gaunt masters conjuring. Hacking at the soldiers nearest him, he fitted another arrow, found the master the arrow was intended for and let it fly. A trail of black smoke was all that was left of Traven a moment later.

Screaming at their men, the gaunt masters turned and began to flee. Without the guidance of their leaders, the Dredracians quickly fell into disarray and began to retreat in the direction the gaunt masters had fled. Joshuas could see the Duke and Ariel take off in pursuit. Brenth and Adrian’s men fought on with those caught between them.

Stopping to catch his breath, Joshuas considered his next move. Did he turn back and wait for the next opportunity that presented itself to go after the gaunt masters? Or did he pursue them now that he had them on the run? The Jovanulum had won the day. Barat was safe. They would be able to regroup here and begin the fight to take back Solea. But that task would be much harder with the gaunt masters still in control.

Not stopping to tell anyone his plan, Joshuas headed north after the gaunt masters. None of the dark soldiers who were retreating took any interest in him. It seemed once the gaunts had released their hold on these dark creatures, all they wanted to do was escape. The masters had stopped several miles to the north and were desperately trying to regain control of their people when Joshuas caught up with them. The Duke and his men had dropped off pursuit once it was clear they'd won the battle. Joshuas was alone among the enemy.

Slipping through the tangle of confused and terrified troops, he moved closer to the masters, looking for a position to ensure his shot would be true. Fitting another of the black arrows in his bow, he took aim and let loose the shaft. He watched with satisfaction as it came to rest in the right eye of Uron. Then, he quickly moved to a new position scrabbling for a place to hide. That makes five, he thought, as he spied a hollow log and crawled inside.

He could hear the soldiers hunting for him, but his spell of protection was strong and none of the soldiers who came near discovered him. As the night grew long, many gave up the search and began to organize their camp. The masters had gained some control over the situation, although Joshuas could see soldiers disappear into the woods and not return.

When the camp had settled down somewhat, Joshuas felt the masters’ power as they began to chant. Not sure what they were attempting to do, he slipped unnoticed through the dark to the spot where the gaunts were gathered. He could see the green mist and stopped. The masters spell of protection was strong and Joshuas knew that his opportunity to kill them had passed for now.

Crouching behind a rock, Joshuas watched the masters as they moved within the mists. Rengailai was glaring at his servants, reproaching them for their failure. When they asked about the arrows, Rengailai avoided their questions, telling them what he wanted them to do the next day. Joshuas could sense the gaunts confusion and doubt. He almost felt sorry for them at their master’s betrayal. Almost, he thought. Even that was a new feeling for him. Finding his way back to the hollow log, he crawled in and cast his spell of protection, waiting until the search for the soldier who had killed the masters was called off.

The gaunts called off the search the next morning, but they assigned small patrols to keep looking. Thirst was becoming a concern by the time Joshuas had timed the patrols and managed to slip from his hiding place. He’d seen several groups go and return with water, so he went in the direction he’d seen them go.

Once he’d found the stream and slaked his thirst, he started back toward the enemy camp. He’d never really believed he’d make it back to Barat, but he had believed he'd kill all the gaunt masters before he died. He had to succeed, if there was going to be any chance for Brenth to reclaim Solea. When he arrived back at the edge of the enemy camp though, he began to doubt if he would be able to fulfill his quest. The masters had surrounded themselves with soldiers, cast spells of protection and hidden themselves from view. Joshuas retreated back into the forest to rethink the situation. He’d killed five, that left three here, one in Dirth and one in Andresia. He wasn’t going to be able to kill them all immediately, especially now that they were on guard. Accepting the situation, he pulled back from the enemy camp and headed south for Barat. He'd get supplies and then begin the hunt for the remaining gaunt masters.

~~~

Brenth watched in amazement as the enemy began to turn and flee. Only a sword barely missing his head brought his attention back to the soldier fighting for his life in front of him. He parried blows, knocked the man senseless to the ground, and began clearing a path toward the position where Adrian was fighting. He’d never expected to survive this raid, much less to win the day. The point had been to give Joshuas time to find the gaunt masters. From the panicked retreat, it was fairly obvious he had.

Wondering if his friend had survived, Brenth led his people closer to Adrian’s, pinning the enemy between them. Those who were trapped between the two groups of light soldiers turned and began to run as well. Brenth signaled his people to let them go. There would be another battle, another day, when they'd finish what they’d started today. Besides, not all dark creatures were evil. He had to believe many of them had been compelled to come and fight, judging by the fact that they were fleeing as soon as the masters weren't here to watch over them.

A cheer went up among the marauders as the men realized they’d won the day. Adrian reached his position, pushing his way through the crowd and embraced him in a bear hug, beating him on the back in joy. "Well done, Captain," he shouted at Brenth over the din. "The day is yours."

"Ours. All of ours," said Brenth to his people, raising his sword in the air to their cheers. The cheering grew even louder at Brenth's declaration of victory.

When the cheering died down, Brenth signaled to the men to break ranks and head for the gates of Barat. The men moved as small groups working slowly toward the fortress, picking up their fallen as they went. When they arrived at the gates, Brenth had counted a hundred dead and at least as many wounded. It was a great loss to their ranks, one that would be hard to overcome. And how did he tell the wives and children of these men who’d become friends and companions that they were now widows and orphans?

Trying to shrug off the growing sense of sorrow and responsibility that was building inside him with each new battle, he did his best to join in the victory celebration. His mother was waiting for him with the Duke, when he reached the gate. He put on his best face as she introduced him to the people within the city. "Brenth, I would like you to meet Duke Donnegal, ruler of Barat," she said, after giving him a hug.

"It's an honor to meet you at last," he said, taking the duke's hand in friendship. "I'm honored to finally be inside one of the two remaining cities that haven't fallen to the Dredracians."

"And I'm honored to meet the leader of the resistance forces of the Drakmoth Mountains. Together we accomplished quite a feat today," replied Jonas jovially, clearly pleased with the events of the day.

"With Joshuas’ help," said Ariel, coming to stand with them. Brenth stared at the beautiful woman, and then turned red with embarrassment.

"May I introduce Solein’s Warrior," said Daina, barely containing her amusement at her son’s discomfort.

"You are Leilas’ brother," said Ariel, ignoring the introduction and gazing intently into his eyes. Her perusal made him uncomfortable but he returned her gaze without flinching.

"Yes. Do you know my sister?"

"I know of her–, and you." Ariel bowed to Brenth. "I offer my allegiance, although my first duty is to Solein."

Surprised at her knowledge and her offer, Brenth bowed in return. "I accept your allegiance gratefully."

"This is Trion," said Ariel, looking around for her partner. "He is the King’s Healer."

"These are very old titles you’re using," replied Brenth, inclining his head in Trion’s direction. "There hasn’t been a true king in Solea for a very long time."

"We've been gone for a very long time," replied Trion. "But perhaps the time is coming when that title will be appropriate again. For now, perhaps I can be of use healing your wounded," Trion stressed the ‘your’ slightly and Brenth knew that he was aware that Leilas had named him Champion as well.

"That would indeed be helpful," said Brenth, hoping the others around him hadn’t caught on to what Ariel and Trion were implying. Trion inclined his head in Brenth's direction and then went to tend the men in need of care.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go do what I can, as well," said Ariel.

"You've had more help than I knew," said Brenth to his mother, watching the crafters walk toward the gates.

"Yes," said Daina. "They came with Joshuas. He found them in the Echoes when he found the arrows I told you about."

"Has he returned?" asked Brenth.

"Not yet," said the queen. She tilted her head as if listening. "But he will."

Adrian walked up to them and held his hand out to the Duke. "Jonas, my friend, I'm glad to find you well. What a day we've had."

"Indeed," said the Duke, taking his hand. "A fine day indeed. Too long in coming."

"Who is this fair lady?" asked Adrian, turning to Daina.

"This is my mother," replied Brenth. "Queen Daina of Menas."

Adrian bowed to the queen. "I am your servant, my lady." Daina accepted his greeting graciously. "Is Joshuas here?" asked Adrian looking around.

"Not yet," replied Brenth, worry settling on his brow.

"But he will be," said Ariel, returning to their group. "His work isn't done, yet."