The Crystal Warriors (18 page)

He froze. Was he supposed to kiss it, or bow over it, or... Her voice came into his mind.

"Custom calls for you to take the ring off my first finger," the voice whispered, "and wear it as a token."

As he was carefully sliding the ring onto his smallest finger, she gracefully wrapped her arm through his and said, "My lord, you must be thirsty. Will you join me for refreshments?" Arm in arm they walked back into the palace.

Cheers echoed after them as they left.

T
he light from the setting sun came through the stained glass doors, illuminating a low center table covered with the remains of a feast. Relaxing on seats in various stages of repose, the group flowed along with the inner currents created by the mind singer who was building his symphonic piece to a crescendo.

In counterpoint the mind weaver was leading the group through a soaring journey seen only with the inner eye. Together the group floated through distant star fields, racing at impossible speeds past pulsing red giants, skimming over blue-green planets, and swirling clouds of aurora light.

As the song of the mind singer reached even higher, filling their universe with its joyful wordless symphony, the mind weaver formed the image of a pulsing core of light―and together the group fell into its core. With a blinding flash, woven into the final crescendo of the mind singer, the core burst.

The image faded as a billion suns were born while the wordless song drifted away into night. The group stirred from its collective dream.

The mind singer and weaver quietly withdrew. Their audience was still somewhat dazed by the symphony and visual extravaganza that the two master sorcerers had projected into their minds.

"Even better than Scriabin's
Poem of Ecstasy,
" Kochanski said admiringly to Mark, who could only shrug noncomittally, white wondering if he could teach the mind singer a little bit about the Big Band sound.

"This is the life," Mark drawled, looking over to Storm, who lay on the couch alongside. "I can't recall ever being this relaxed and happy."

"It's one of the most satisfying festivals I've ever known," Leti said quietly, looking over at Ikawa, whose hand she was holding. "My one regret, is that you didn't cut his heart out," she said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Jesus, Leti," Mark said, trying not to sound startled, "remind me never to get you mad at me."

"She's right," Storm said. "Cinta is not to be treated lightly. He'll want his revenge, and he'll plot it out, even if it takes a hundred years. You should have killed him and been done with it."

"I was only interested in the crystal," Ikawa replied truthfully.

"And speaking of enemies," Allic interjected. "Mark, better look out for Heberlin."

"He's not to be trifled with either," Leti replied. "His type doesn't have the courage to kill outright. They do it with poison."

"But anyhow," Allic continued, "they knew the risk, so it's their own responsibility."

A grin lit his features as he looked at Mark, then, unable to contain himself, he burst out laughing.

"The referee told several of his friends," Allic roared gleefully. "The whole city's buzzing with it. 'Let's go take a piss together!' By the gods, I'll not be surprised if that's how the alleyway toughs will challenge each other from now on! Everyone knows how you simply flew circles around him, shooting him again and again on his fat ass until he finally smacked into the ground and gave up. He probably won't sit for a week!"

"Aw, I couldn't kill him," Mark said, almost defensively. "He was so clumsy it was a slaughter. Anyhow, I'd like to know how someone like him gets to be a nobelman. Or do you just get to be one because you're born into it?"

All three of Jartan's children stiffened.

Allic responded first. "Heberlin was just a sorcerer until he married into money, and used that to buy a title from Cinta's family. Granted, it's venal, but are you telling me that in your old world such things never happened?"

Storm was next and did an admirable job of holding her temper. "Where ever did you get the idea that Jartan would allow us to grow fat and lazy? If you want to be part of his court, you owe him service. That scum Heberlin only gets in here because he's part of Cinta's clique."

Mark could see he was treading on dangerous ground, but the whole subject of nobility bothered his grassroots sensibilities, and he felt like he finally had to get it out in the open.

"But
I've
seen some nobility here that are nothing more than drones, living off their subjects."

"You don't have nobility in your country," Ikawa told him, "but when I was living in Boston and going to MIT, I saw hundreds of spoiled brats of the richer class, who had never done a day's work in their life, living off the wealth created by their ancestors. Granted, many of them would become productive, but I met many who were obnoxious bores, who didn't care one bit for anything other than their own pleasure, as if it was their right."

Mark had to concede that point.

"I've served my father for over 600 years," Storm replied, "and have done everything from diplomacy to assisting in the mines to spending thirty very dangerous years on a research team trying to control the focal points by the Sea of Qiaos. I believe I've earned my titles."

Mark wished he had thought a little before opening his mouth. He nodded at Storm and turned to Leti.

"I meant no offense," he stated quietly, "but it's your turn, so let me have it."

Leti stared and slowly shook her head. "Mark, I won't be nasty, but there's a lot you don't know. I fought by Jartan's side in the war against that monster Horat, three thousand years ago, and lost my mother and grandfather before it was all over."

She again shook her head as if trying to shake off a dark mood.

"I served then and I serve now," Leti continued. "I leave tomorrow for a tour as inspector general of the northern coastal defenses."

Leti looked over at Storm. "You did this several years ago, didn't you?"

Storm nodded. "Pirates getting out of hand again?"

Leti stretched and yawned while answering in the affirmative. "Still, I won't be gone more than two or three months," and she turned to smile at Ikawa. "Allic, may I pay you a visit once I'm done?"

Allic got a mischievous gleam in his eye and replied, "Of course, Leti. I'll even attempt to keep Ikawa off garrison duty or patrol during your visit."

He paused, trying to keep a smile off his face. "Still, there could be conflicts in the schedules..."

He got the reaction he hoped for: Leti threw a roll at him and they all broke into laughter.

"I was planning to go back to Landra with you and Mark for a short visit," announced Storm. "I suppose Mark has a tour of duty coming up too?"

Mark saw the quick grin before Allic lowered his head and started pantomiming sorrow. "I don't know. These damned schedules..."

"How about a barrel of wine from my estates to change the schedule?"

"Two barrels."

"Robber! Done."

At that moment the door burst open and one of Jartan's officers came into the room.

"My lord, we've received a message from Landra," he said, trying to control his voice. "A situation has developed..." He looked nervously at Allic,

The mood in the room was still somewhat lighthearted as Allic set aside his goblet and looked at the messenger.

"What situation?" be asked.

"My lord..." He seemed to be grasping for the right words.

Suddenly the room was silent with tension. Allic was on his feet looking at the messenger.

"My lord, there's been a report that your province has been invaded by the Torms. My lord, your country is now in a state of war."

Mark looked over at Ikawa, who returned his worried gaze.

"So again it has found us," Mark said quietly.

* * * *

Trembling with exhaustion, Mark cleared the ridgeline and breathed a sigh of relief. The city of Landra was finally in view.

Mark looked over towards Ikawa, who was struggling to stay in formation. He swung alongside the Japanese captain.

"Only a matter of minutes now," Mark said, trying to encourage him.

Ikawa grunted in reply.

The duration and fatigue of the flight reminded Mark of more than one occasion when he had coaxed an ailing plane back to base with little more than fumes in the tank by the time he landed.

Storm was up ahead with her brother. Mark knew that when it came to flying she had nearly limitless strength, and that knowledge made him push even harder to keep up the grueling pace.

A patrol of sorcerers, dropping out of the cloud cover, swung into an escort position above Allic's party and approached cautiously.

Killing off their altitude, the party followed Allic's lead and turned onto final approach, heading straight towards the main battle gate. Now that war was on, flying parties had to enter the city down this one narrow corridor. Any other approach would be viewed as hostile, drawing immediate fire from the wall defenses.

Mark could see the heavy crystals mounted on the main towers tracking them. It was unnerving―and what a perfect setup this could be for an assassin. But a group of sorcerers with sufficient power could disguise themselves, so even Allic's approach had to be treated with caution.

The aerial security team came close enough to touch them. There was a perfunctory salute from the head of the security team, and pushing forward to the main battle tower, he gave the signal to allow Allic to pass.

Clearing the wall, they soared over the city to land in the main courtyard of the palace, while the security team pulled up and headed back into the clouds.

The courtyard bustled at the approach of the lord. Servants rushed forward bearing refreshments, and were shouldered aside by staff members and court attendants, each one pressing to be heard. Allic and Storm pushed through the crowd, signaling for the staff to follow into the throne room.

From the far side of the courtyard Mark saw Younger and Giorgini and several of the Japanese rushing forward to greet their leaders.

"How was it?" Younger called. "And where's Kochanski?"

"More important right now is―what happened here?" Mark replied.

Ikawa came to Mark's side, and the question that had been burning in him ever since Allic mentioned it during the flight back finally came out:

"Imada and Yoshida," Nobuaki answered. "They've been reported overdue for nearly a tenday. Valdez said they were most likely cut off due to the invasion and that it was the least of his worries at the moment."

Ikawa grunted. It was war again and he had to harden himself. Always he struggled to harden himself, to not get attached in any way to his subordinates. But still it hurt, especially with Imada.

"Where are the rest of the men?" he asked.

"They were sent to join the southern army," Nobuaki replied.

"Who sent them?"

"Valdez. He also ordered Younger and Giorgini and the three of us to stay behind." Nobuaki's voice trailed off as if it was an admission of guilt that they had not been sent into the fight.

Ikawa could see why. Valdez probably realized that it was best to keep Younger and Nobuaki away from the heat of combat while their immediate superiors were not present. Fire at Macha's warriors could just as easily be directed against a former foe. And as for Shigeru and Denzo, they just were not experienced enough with flight. Again Valdez had shown his superior judgment of men under arms.

"What reports are there on the fighting?" Mark demanded.

"There's no sense in my going over this twice," came a sharp voice from the back of the crowd. The men parted as Valdez pushed through.

He gazed at Mark and Ikawa, judging their exhaustion after what must have been a harrowing high-speed flight in Allic's wake. The faintest flicker of a smile crossed his lips. These men were tough if they had kept up with Allic when he was angered.

"Come on. I'm making my report to Allic right now. You might as well get it straight from me, rather than a collection of half-witted rumors from this rabble."

Valdez scanned the crowd for a moment and could sense the bristling at his insult. Good, they were toughening. They'd have to be tough if they expected to survive what was coming.

* * * *

"How bad?" Allic asked quietly, looking across the table to Valdez.

Valdez pointed at the map on the table and Ikawa was struck immediately by its similarity to combat situation maps back home.

"They hit across the border six days ago," Valdez began, "and are estimated to be in excess of thirty-five thousand. The southern army was overwhelmed by the end of the second day, losing half its total force, and was forced to completely abandon our holdings below the escarpment."

Valdez looked towards Allic, but the ruler said nothing.

"They hit us hard, full surprise, and managed to put out a jamming screen so messages could not get through. A number of their demons and sorcerers were posted as a curtain behind our army so that no information could get in or out."

"Without your presence here, my lord, there just wasn't the power to detect what was happening. They had already broken our forces before I learned of the attack."

Allic nodded. "What have you done in response?"

"I sent them any reinforcements we could spare. Eight thousand foot, which cut our city garrison in half. Fortunately they were on maneuvers two days march north of the pass. They should already be there."

"Sorcerers?"

"All of the offworlders except five, and the two who are missing. I also sent along all the sorcerers whom I could hire from the guild, though the price was high. Our primary battle team stayed here. The others, I hope, will be able to buy time for us." Valdez looked across the table to Mark and Ikawa, expecting a response.

"Why our people?" Ikawa asked coldly, not caring at all for the comment about "buying time."

"They're servants to Lord Allic," Valdez said sharply. "Your men were available and I used them. I will not commit my elite reserve in a battle which might only be the opening stage of a wider war."

"You did correctly," Allic replied smoothly, and he gave his two lieutenants a gaze of warning not to challenge Valdez's decision.

"Has the enemy crested the escarpment?" he asked, pointing to where the blue lines representing his forces were traced in.

"Our last report came in yesterday, saying that our force was being flanked on both sides at the base of the escarpment, and was starting to pull back. We were lucky to even get that information before their jamming stopped us again. We haven't had word since. I gave the orders for the reinforcements to start digging in at the top of the pass and prepare fortifications for our retreating forces. We've been in the blind since then, my lord."