The Pinnacle Of Empire (Book 6) (30 page)

“Yes, we must prepare and hope to hold out until help arrives. Bring in all livestock and produce from the surrounding countryside, anything you can get into the fortress that will sustain us for the siege and deny Nindax supplies for his army. Order the population to leave at once, moving east and south to Malledar or Engwaniria. Perhaps we can hold out and starve Nindax, forcing him to abandon the attack.”

“Eight legions, sir,” the young soldier said again. “How can we hold out against eight legions?”

“Now, don’t you worry yourself, son,” the grizzly old general said. “I was with Emperor Saxthor when he relieved the siege of Graushdemheimer and drove the overwhelming attack force into a panicked retreat to Dreaddrac. I was there again at the final battle when his majesty rode the golden dragon, Yamma-Mirra Heedra, and battled in hand to hand combat with the Dark Lord, who rode the silver dragon Ozrin. Our emperor will defeat this upstart Nindax and set him in his place. You go back to your duties, and don’t go spreading tales among the troops. You wouldn’t want to cause them to lose their courage before we even see the enemy.” The old general laughed, looking at the young soldier and major. The boy left and the general dropped his grandfatherly smile. He rolled out the maps of the surrounding terrain.

“There is plenty of timber in the forest close enough for the Senoshesvasians to build siege machinery and ladders,” the major said.

“Send out troops in small groups that won’t draw attention or alert any spies watching from the forests. We don’t want Nindax to know we’re now aware he’s there. Having lost the advantage of surprise, he might move his attack forward. Have the men bring in stones, anything we can shoot or throw over the walls onto the attackers, but hide it under straw in carts. Render the animal fat, and store the lard to boil and throw on the enemy. We must unobtrusively clean out the moat surrounding the walls that can snare siege machinery wheels. Ready catapults and have the remaining men make arrows and practice archery here in the inner bailey, out of sight from the forest. We must refresh all training while we wait for the attack.”

* * *

Memlatec was wheezing when he came out from the Powterosian fortress’ tower onto the windy battlements overlooking the entrance to the Abysmal Pass. The faces of the soldiers ranged from frightened to puzzled. Without a word, the fortress commander pointed to the three flinik standing on the river’s opposite bank, watching and waiting for something.

“So, those are the legendary flinik,” Memlatec said, observing the creatures observing him.

“Yes, indeed, and in the ten years I’ve been at this fortress, I never seen one come out of the forests there, much less stand there waiting for I don’t know what. They appear to be waiting for something. Can you make sense of it?”

Memlatec studied the forests and river around the pass. He noted several foodoo as well standing in the shadows, the soldiers hadn’t seen. Yes, they all appear to be waiting for something, he thought.

“Well, we can’t talk with them and they can’t talk to us. We don’t know how or what to do next,” the commander said. “If you can’t figure out what they want, this will come to nothing.”

“Give me a moment, Commander. I’ve never encountered the flinik before either. They expect to communicate something, that’s clear. They converse somehow. The stories confirm they respond immediately and in vast numbers to intrusions into their territory. If they can’t speak, perhaps they connect by telepathy.”

“Well, that’s of no use to us.”

“Give me some time, Commander.”

“Take all the time you need, Wizard Memlatec. We can make no senses of it. We’ll do nothing, but be prepared to ward off an attack.” The commander sent most of his troops back to their duties, leaving standard watch guards in the tower turrets and left Memlatec to his thoughts.

*

The wizard too had studied what writings he could find on the flinik and foodoo since Saxthor ascended the imperial throne unexpectedly and took up residence in Engwaniria. In the wizard’s tower at Ossenkosk, he’d found a copy of a book from the same period as the one Xthilleon had access to, but the author at the time had noted in his book a suspicion the flinik had one additional peculiar characteristic the Senoshesvasian duke missed. The flinik, he’d suspected, had not only the exceptional eyesight developed from their mantis ancestors, but had developed a symbiotic relationship with an originally parasitic mite that added an acute sense of smell as well. If this was the case, had the flinik incorporated the mites into themselves and developed that sense of smell to detect even the chemical scent of mood and stress levels of those they hunted?

Memlatec tried to communicate through the known telepathy methods, but one after another got no response. Each time, the flinik across the river would look at each other and fidget as if they sensed something, but could not make it out. Both sides became visibly frustrated until Memlatec had run through his repertoire of telepathic options with no success.

They clearly want to communicate, he thought. Then he put his hand next to an iron torch holder, and a weak but shocking spark popped. I’m trying too hard. In my strain to project my thoughts, I’ve blocked reception of their efforts. I must relax, clear my mind, meditate, and see what happens.

Memlatec climbed up on the balustrade cap and, assuming a meditative pose, seated himself with arms and legs crossed. He relaxed his body, starting at the finger and toe tips working back to his core. When he finally cleared his mind, there came a slight energy swirl in his head. The cloudy gray transitioned into the colors of the rainbow and characteristic symbols wizards formed: first a conical cap, then a wand, and finally runes. He tried to decipher the runes but they made no sense. Then it dawned on him. They’re using pictographs! They’re asking me if I’m a wizard. They saw my attire and want me to affirm whether or not I’m a wizard. I sense apprehension.

Yes, a primal wizard, Memlatec thought. Instantly, the three flinik stamped around on the riverbank, rushing this way and that, clearly agitated. There was communication among them, an argument. You fear wizards? I mean you no harm; I’ve come to communicate with you.”

The flinik leader was suddenly standing still, staring at Memlatec. May I scan your mind, wizard?

Memlatec nodded. He felt a warm sensation then some sort of sensory probe. Then millions of pictures flashed through his mind, and he felt a flood of feeling. A full range came and went with the sights and sounds that flashed. Then his mind was calm and clear, empty again for an instant. The ancient author might have been right; the flinik have some ability to scan me and analyze my feelings for intent. This is amazing.

Yes,
came a thought not his own. I’ve analyzed and converted your thoughts through pictures to a language we can understand and through which we can now communicate.

Wizards have always meant death to us. Yet only a wizard, a primal wizard, can converse with us. We’ve come to find such a wizard, one that’s without evil intent toward us. We have need of you and the creatures there with you. The leading flinik was standing resolutely at the head of the other two, all staring straight at Memlatec.

Perhaps we need each other, Memlatec thought. What brings you to this castilyernov? What has happened to make you seek the aid of those that have for so long only harmed you?

Tenamektrin stared. There is an evil wizard beyond these mountains that has captured some of us and slaughtered them without remorse. He has no soul, or rather, they have no souls. We’re confused by him; there are two in the one. He is very powerful. We’ve not seen the like of this wizard.

Yes, Memlatec thought. That one is called Xthilleon and he is a very powerful wizard who has succumbed to the darkness of evil, losing his soul in the process. He knows no remorse and respects no life but his own. We too seek to destroy him. He is one black soul that took the body of a lesser wizard and now is bent on the destruction of all.

He captured three of us and tortured them. They died in terrible pain. They communicated the thought, ‘kill this wizard.’ We’re here to seek your aid in doing that.

Then we must work together to that end. I’ll think on this, Memlatec thought
.
He rose from his meditative position and stood at the battlement in the breeze, looking out at the flinik. Memlatec bowed and the flinik nodded back. The last thought he received was that the flinik would return when they sensed his desire to converse with them again.

As he was about to start back down the tower stairs, he turned into the castilyernov commander, who’d come up behind him. “Could you make sense of their being here?” the commander asked.

“Yes, they are our allies now. Issue a clear and stern warning to all in the castilyernov that there is to be no attack whatsoever on the flinik or the foodoo. No one is even to raise a weapon toward one. We share a common interest in destroying an extremely dangerous sorcerer beyond the mountains.”

“And you got that from them things?”

“Yes,” Memlatec said, starting to walk around the commander.

“How you get that from bugs?”

Memlatec spun back to face the commander. “Those bugs, as you call them, have far greater intelligence than you, Commander. You’d better respect them; they could overrun this fortress and leave none alive if they chose to do so. I repeat, they are our allies and will be treated as such. You may consider that an order from the emperor himself. I’m High Court Wizard and special councilor to His Majesty. I warn you to respect and treat the flinik as our allies.”

“But them bugs…”

“Your ignorance betrays your inability to see other than what you expect to see. Your arrogance prevents you from recognizing that which is greater than you perceive. You will be the victim of your own limitations if you don’t open your mind. You must develop some ability to accept that which you don’t understand, and be willing to explore and learn.”

The commander jerked to attention and saluted Memlatec. The wizard wasn’t sure if the man was saluting the message or the emperor’s representative, but at least the man was willing to comply with the order not to aggravate the new allies. Memlatec descended the tower and returned to his room to rest. His mind was exhausted by the experience of such strength as he had not known in ages.

* * *

Governor Hedrak hurried to the top of Mendenow City’s main gate, following the messenger. Wheezing as he climbed to the watch tower’s peak, he strained to see the army whose approach stirred such a menacing dust cloud. It was the drums which first alerted the watch. He sent a messenger to find Hedrak with the information that the imperial army would soon be in sight. It was mid-afternoon when the sentry first sighted the approaching legions. As the light began to fade, the dark line of individual platoons fanned out to span the horizon. The Senoshesvasian commanding general was there too, watching Powterosian imperial legions approach the city to reclaim the recalcitrant province and drive the invaders into the sea.

“There are so many of them,” Hedrak said to the general. He was scanning back and forth as the line of hostile troops appeared to consume the skyline. He glanced at the general, gave a quick nervous smile, and jerked his head back, gawking at the approaching troops.

“Not what I had expected,” the Senoshesvasian general said.

“So many,” Hedrak said. “But you’ll have no trouble repelling them and driving them out of Mendenow, will you?”

“Looks to be about five legions; they’re not enough to overrun the city walls even with my diminished forces. I would’ve thought the emperor would come with a larger force.”

“Then we’re safe behind these walls?” Hedrak asked. He mopped his brow, became aware of his exposed fear, and stuffed his handkerchief in his pocket. The general, he noted, was calm and reserved. His silent glance and subsequent sneer withered Hedrak.

“When will they attack? They will, you know. Saxthor isn’t one to give up easily or at all.”

“They’ll camp outside the city walls tonight. It’s late and they can’t begin a campaign until their general formulates his plan. He must first reconnoiter and evaluate his situation. I’m sure you’ll wish to go hide somewhere for the night, Governor.”

“I’ll do no such thing. As king here I’ll oversee the defense of my capital.” Hedrak stuck his thumbs under his shoulders and stood up straight, causing his paunch to protrude. “You under estimate me, General.”

“I don’t think so, Governor. Now, you run along and get your dinner. Leave the defense of the city to those better trained to manage such affairs.” Again the sneer and Hedrak deflated. I’m no more than a figurehead, he thought. He turned and slinked back home.

Except for the butler who served his meals, Hedrak sat alone at his dinner table amid a sumptuous display of fantastic dishes. The governor poked his fork at the fish and then some roast, but even these finest of culinary delights could not raise his usual appetite. He tossed the fork aside and rose from the table. He stared up at the recently painted, life-size portrait of himself posing, propped on a column with crown and scepter in full military uniform as King of Mendenow. 

“Now who am I?” Nindax asked, thinking aloud. “This has all gone wrong. That treacherous Nindax led me to believe I’d be the King of Mendenow. He hinted, with his help and my genealogical claim to the Engwan throne, he’d help install me as emperor. What a fool I was to believe an unscrupulous man like that would actually be willing to put me on the throne. He used me to gain a foothold in the empire beyond those impenetrable mountains to seize the throne for himself. Now I’m a dead man if Saxthor wins and may will be if Nindax wins.”

“What will Your Highness do?” the butler asked.

Hedrac jumped. “I must assert myself. To survive I must somehow navigate between the two emperors and carve out independent Mendenow.” Hedrak turned, looking beyond the butler then rushed past him to the entrance hall. He strapped on a long-untouched sword and left to find the general. The campfires around the city had increased in the night.

*

The general was meeting with his commanders, adjusting plans for the city’s defense, when Hedrak returned, bursting into the commander’s headquarters and brushed aside the guards and assembled officers at the table where the men were reviewing a map of the city and surrounding territory.

“You must take the offensive, General. You must not wait for Saxthor’s men to attack the city. You must attack them before they can establish their positions and drive them back. Destroy them while you have the advantage and we shall march on to take Engwaniria,” Hedrak said. The general’s face, dark under normal circumstances, took on a purplish hue in the flickering candlelight. Hedrak suddenly lost his courage again and stepped back.

“Fool, I told you to leave military matters to those who understand them. We’re not here to benefit you, traitor. We’re to hold this city to tie down Emperor Saxthor’s legions in the south while Emperor Nindax conquers the Powterosian Empire from the north. We’ve three and a half legions to combat five out there. I’ve no intention of making an insane sortie outside the city walls to take the offensive. I need only hold this beachhead and keep those legions from rescuing their emperor. Now, shut your mouth, and take your grand illusions of self-importance back to your palace and stay there. We’ll issue your proclamations to keep the population under control while this plays out. Otherwise, you’re to stay out of my way.”

The general’s heated stare wilted Hedrak. He looked around at the commanders who then looked bigger than life. They seemed to glare down at him like giants with exaggerated, threatening features. Hedrak shrank and fumbled backward, terrified they wouldn’t even allow him to get to the door. When he reached it, he heard the general tell the officers, “Do not admit that man to my presence again.” Hedrak wiped the sweat from his face and scurried back to his refuge in the night. He wouldn’t even acknowledge those few who spoke to him as he passed.

* * *

When Hedrak had gone and the general returned to his officers, they nodded their heads at the general’s triumph. They again assembled around the great table where the general pointed to the city’s main gate.

“The enemy must not take the gate,” the general said. They’ll use ladders, no doubt, to breach the walls, but I don’t think they’ll use catapults fearing to smash the city. These are their people, after all. They’ll use battering rams and ladders. We must repel the attempts to take the city from the walls. If they manage to gain the advantage, we’ll put hostages on the ramparts and threaten to execute them, but we’ll hold that option until last.

“I had expected the southern imperial fleet to be at Zenobia. Our Velstorbokkin fleet should have been able to supply us from the sea to hold out as long as necessary, but we’ll have limited supplies now. Not having our full complement of legions will prevent our taking the offensive. We can still hold this city with the troops and supplies we have so long as we ration the provisions.”

“What about the enemy legion we hold captive, General?” a commander with a deep red scar on his cheek asked. “With limited supplies, can we afford to feed those captives?”

“Yes, good point. Those cowards surrendered merely at that fool Hedrak’s direction without putting up any resistance at all. Why should we feed them now?”

“And the trolls, General?” the commander asked.

“That fool Velstorbokkin admiral fled the oncoming imperial fleet without much of a skirmish. He’ll know to at least anchor up the coast and await our orders. Go to the highest tower of the imperial palace, there, at the western edge of the city. The damaged tower’s restoration was recently completed. Light a fire there. The admiral should be able to see it. We prearranged that at the signal he’s to release the trolls and direct them down the coast to attack the enemy from behind their lines. That will be all for now.”

* * *

Saxthor pressed his officers to keep his five legions at extended full march for as long as they could stand it, day after day. When the men camped for the night, they were too exhausted to dig defensive trenches but were allowed to merely post sentries. The bulk of them fell asleep barely taking off their backpacks. They endured the forced march without complaint, trusting the emperor they’d come to love and knowing their families back in Engwaniria would soon be at the mercy of Senoshesvasian invaders.

Late one night in his tent, Saxthor’s military aide took off the last of his armor and Saxthor sank onto his cot.

“We’re not going to make it to Engwaniria in time,” Saxthor said. His head was shaking. The aide said nothing but helped remove the emperor’s boots. “I hope the family got away from the capital and beyond Nindax’s reach.”

“Count Belnik and that jester will see to it they’re all safe, Majesty.”

“I underestimated both Nindax’s strength and his strategy.” Saxthor looked up at the aide. “It may cost me the empire.”

“Enough of that talk, Your Imperial Majesty,” the aide said. “You’ll outwit him yet.”

“Five legions tied down at Mendenow, seven legions in the eastern provinces I didn’t bring west with this war looming… How could I have underestimated Nindax so much?”

“Your Majesty acted on the information you had at the time. There was no indication Nindax had trained additional legions or that they were massing in the north. The information about Governor Hedrak’s suspicious behavior would lead anyone to believe the attack was coming from the south.”

“That’s just the problem; it
would have led anyone
. I should have known if it was that clear, it was a ruse.”

“The problem now is not what’s happened. What will you do about the situation as you currently see it?”

“Yes, you’re right in that. Thank you for your support and the thoughts.”

The aide bowed and pulled a blanket over Saxthor as he lay back on the cot. “Get some sleep, Majesty. I shall awaken you before dawn to continue the march north.” With that the aide closed the tent flap, nodded to the guards, and went to rest himself in the next tent.

*

Saxthor woke up suddenly about two hours before dawn. He dressed and sent a guard for his aide.

“Find me a local and the senior general.” Saxthor said.

When the man returned, he had with him a soldier with half open eyes. The general came shortly thereafter.

“This man is from the area, Majesty,” the aide said. The soldier jumped to attention, instantly wide-eyed.

“Get my horse,” Saxthor said. The aide left. Saxthor turned to the overawed trooper still at attention. “At ease, soldier. Is there a shorter route to Engwaniria?”

“Yes, Majesty, it goes northeast from here. Looks like an animal trail leading off by the great oak, but, begging your pardon, you must not take it.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s but a footpath that passes through a swamp and then the lair of the The Claw. It’s too narrow for the army to march along it. And then there’s the The Claw. No one dares to go into that beast’s home ground.” The man’s eyes swelled as he spoke of it.

“What’s The Claw?”

“The Claw is a monster. It loves flesh. No one ever comes back that goes down that path. They say a wizard got mad at something and turned it into that thing which prowls around its lair in the swamp.”

“But the path is a shortcut?”

“They say it shortens the trip to Engwaniria by a day, but who knows. I’ve never met anyone that made it through to the capital since The Claw appeared.”

“Thank you. That will be all.” Saxthor said. The soldier jerked back to attention, saluted emperor and general, and, after a formal about face, marched out of the tent into the night. Saxthor strapped on Sorblade and donned his helmet.

“General, I must get to Engwaniria post haste. I leave you in charge of getting these men on their feet by dawn and marching as fast as possible to Engwaniria along the imperial road. I must take this shorter route even if it means danger. Continue the forced march as long as you can. Stop only just beyond the hills surrounding the imperial valley to give the men a few hours rest before marching down into battle. I won’t know if Nindax will have taken the city or not by the time you reach there. Be sure the men have at least a couple hours rest before attempting to engage Nindax. His troops will be more rested. That will be all.”

“Imperial Highness, you must not take the route the soldier spoke of. The empire relies on your leadership. If anything were to happen to you now, with Senoshesvasian armies ravaging the south and west, chaos would ensue. Who knows if we could reestablish control before Nindax takes advantage of it and crushes the empire.”

“I understand, but I must take this risk. I’m relying on you to maintain order within the ranks. We shall meet again at Engwaniria.” With that, Saxthor saluted the general, who stood at attention, saluted, and left.

The emperor went to his horse and found his aide restraining two horses. “I’m going alone,” Saxthor said.

“I’m going with you,” the resolute aide said, and he mounted his horse.

“No, you’re not. I told you, I’m going alone.”

“Begging Your Majesty’s pardon, but I’m going with you. Belnik told me I was not to leave you alone. He was most emphatic. I know the man and, seeing his face when he said it, well, I fear his wrath more than Your Majesty’s. I’m afraid if you must take this path, I must go with you to face this monster The Claw. I’ve arranged for the staff to pack your tent and go with the army. I packed you a few things here in this satchel.”

Saxthor fumed, but the aide sat stone-faced in his saddle.