The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (70 page)

But it was time to go. Tearful hugs and desperate wishes for an easy journey and a safe stay were hastily exchanged, and the four passengers climbed onto the backs of the patient dragons. Bags and carry-sacks full of personal items and provisions were handed up to them, and settled neatly between the neck ridges of their steeds. Delphine and the children waved merrily as they rose into the air, and the forlorn little group in the courtyard waved back, calling out farewells. Mrs. Praeger dissolved in sobs and sniffles the moment the dragons faded from view, comforted by her very dejected-looking husband. It was all Tvrdik and Rel could do to keep from falling apart as well.

They had little time to grieve the absent, however, as the full complement of the Legions of Light had to be assembled for the march to the Yechtze. Tvrdik had activated the last of the sapphire blue shields, and all were fitted with Mrs. Praeger’s protective covers. Various other tools, provisions, water, and medical supplies all had to be collected and readied for transport. Ondine was informed to take her small naiad regiment upriver to the appointed place, and to speak to the dryads – the local trees – as soon as she arrived. The unicorns and talking beasts were sent ahead as scouts, while the dragons took the rear as a protective escort for the slow-moving and vulnerable army. Instructions were given to the Royal Guard who would stay behind to defend Theriole, and all who remained within because they were too old, too young, or too infirm to fight. All of these were gathered together in the most secure corner of the gigantic complex, along with many from the villages and farms nearby who felt in need of more protection than their simple cots and houses afforded.

The Legion travelled in regiments, reflecting more or less its various components: Nyree and her bards, Andrus with the physician/healers, Boone’s trained professionals, and Brendelle with her own forces from Euligia. Verger had his own small unit, and a dozen medium-sized catapults that moved at a maddeningly slow pace. There were some cavalry, and the vast majority of volunteers, many carrying Tvrdik’s blue shields, and the rest equipped with more traditional ones, marched on foot under Rel’s command. Most had been outfitted with some sort of light armor and helmets, protection from the more traditional weaponry Drogue’s army would be using. The Regent rode Tashroth, overhead, circling and swooping and urging them on, while scanning the terrain ahead for any danger. Their constant presence in the sky served as a beacon of inspiration to those below who knew they were marching into the riskiest and most important encounter of their lives. With the exception of a scant few – some of the foreigners, and a handful of Boone’s warriors – none of them had ever been present at an actual battle before, and the conversations en route were full of imaginings and fears. Besides anxiety however, there was also great excitement and eagerness, as each recruit longed to prove his or her mettle.

Tvrdik had elected to make the trip in his owl form, strongly preferring
not
to ride dragonback. His clothing and spectacles morphed into unusual markings on the pale bird’s feathers, and around the eyes. And, he had figured out a way to include his all-important staff in the transmutation. After a bit of practice, he found he could shrink the tall staff into a small twig which he could carry with him in his talons. It made his already awkward landings even bumpier, but it solved the practical problem of having his most important piece of equipment with him at all times. The troops below had somehow heard of his penchant for turning into an owl, and, just as they took pleasure in waving to Jorelial Rey on Tashroth, the foot soldiers of the Legion would also count it a good omen to catch a glimpse of him winging and wheeling above their heads. They would point and exclaim, and shout and wave to him, and he would circle and cry in his owl’s voice, doing his part to boost morale, and foster the spirit of adventure.

In his mind, he was rehearsing scores of useful spells over and over again, spells he might need on the field. He keenly felt the pressure of knowing that so much of their success would depend on his personal work out there. Mistakes were not an option. Hesitations or memory lapses could result in disastrous consequences. It was all quite sobering. In his wizard form, he kept the coin bearing Xaarus’ face in the pocket of his robe. If there arose a moment of great need, he thought it would help him concentrate on his old Master enough to request his assistance. He knew that in some incomprehensible way, though he was centuries ahead of them, Xaarus would be holding his breath, awaiting news of what transpired at the Yechtze. Somehow, their success – or failure – would determine the entire character of the world in which Xaarus found himself.

One of the dragons, the same blue who had obliged with carrying Mark and Delphine to the mountains, flew ahead and circled back to report Drogue’s forces advancing at a moderate, but unflagging pace. Rel pushed her people hard to keep them going. She wanted them to arrive at the chosen site well ahead of the enemy, in order for them to be deployed and well-rested before they would be engaged. Much of their hope for success rested on their control of timing and space when the two forces came together, and there was not much room for errors or nasty surprises. The Valley of the Yechtze was about halfway to Drogue’s castle stronghold, but the road there was on easier terrain than he would have to traverse on his way. Even so, it took them the better part of two full days’ march, with only brief rest periods, and a short night’s sleep, to arrive at the site and pitch camp. They did, however, get there well ahead of Lord Drogue’s army. As they set about unloading supplies and equipment before the darkness descended, they were reunited with the unicorns and talking beasts, the naiads and dryads. The advance scouts reported that Drogue was still at least a day away, but that soon enough, his intelligence would likely inform him of what was awaiting him in the valley. He would be surprised, but would know that he faced a traditional pitched battle with King Darian’s supporters. There was little chance this change of plans would deter him from advancing. They would have to prepare for battle.

Jorelial Rey, as promised, sent one of the talking crows to Mark’s family home, in order to let Delphine know that they had reached the Yechtze and were settling in, that they anticipated action, but that nothing had happened yet. The bird, Jarrod by name, was also to find out how things were sorting out at the house, and if Delphine needed anything. Jarrod knew the terrain, and was delighted and proud to be of special service to the Lady Regent. He made a most formal reverence to Lady Rey when he heard his assignment, then rose up and flapped off to the east as the sun was setting.

Weary as the defenders were, they immediately set up camp, took in the lay of the land, reviewed strategies and maneuvers, and rehearsed details. As the sun set, a generous evening meal was prepared for all at the campfires. Folks sat and lingered a while in quiet thought or conversation, but everyone retired early, adrenaline battling with exhaustion for the prize of sleep. Sentries were posted through the night and the following day, as Drogue’s forces arrived and seemed to be establishing themselves at the other end of the valley. But the opposition seemed to be in no hurry to make a move, and it was not the place of the Legion to offer the first hostilities. They characterized themselves as ‘Defenders of the Crown,’ after all, and could not justify picking a fight unless they were well and truly challenged. Drogue was a patient and canny adversary. He would take his time, set down roots, size them up, and make them nervous and restless.

Even now, reluctant to admit that battle was inevitable, the Lady Rey considered another possibility: maybe, just maybe, she thought, Lord Drogue, who had previously been a distinguished member of the Grand Council, was out there reconsidering his options. What if there was even the remotest possibility that some agreement could still be reached without resorting to a fight? Even after his ill-conceived grab for power, and his attack on Theriole by sea, she might be willing to spare his life and allow him to keep some limited authority in his own region. Or perhaps he would accept banishment, and take his inflated ambitions somewhere else far away. She knew it was naïve, but almost anything would be worth averting bloodshed – anything but the ceding of the crown. Even Drogue had to see that an all-out pitched battle would be disastrous for everyone. She dared not expect much, but felt it prudent to offer one last chance for reconciliation. It was a responsible leader’s obligation to try every avenue of resolution before resorting to war. So, she sent Candelinda to Drogue’s camp, under a white flag of truce, requesting a personal interview.

He received the dragon, in his own cordial, but unpleasant way, and invited the Lady Regent and two seconds to his cliff top perch. Tashroth was going, of course, and she decided she wanted Tvrdik with her as well. He had always been her best backup before – an extra pair of discerning eyes and ears, and a proven protector, if things went awry. General Boone and Corbin Maygrew were horrified at her decision to meet the enemy herself. They did not trust Drogue, and failed to see why she would put her own safety in jeopardy, just when her leadership would be so vital. But she assured them that she would be fine with Tashroth and the wizard in tow, and that one more attempt at a peaceful solution, no matter how improbable, was the responsible course of action. She convinced them that it must be her who confronted the usurper, or whoever went would not have the credibility to negotiate. In the end, they had to admit that her arguments were unassailable, and, under protest, they let the small party go, remaining poised for action should the other side try anything dishonorable.

The trio arrived in Drogue’s camp, and were ushered to a high plateau where he had set himself up in a large, throne-like chair. Jorelial Rey had prepared a speech attempting to appeal to the lord’s better and more reasonable nature, but it was obvious from the start that his eye was fixed on the throne at any cost. It appeared that he took her request for a parley as a sign of weakness, perhaps an admission that her cause was hopeless in the face of his superior might. He did make one serious offer, which involved sparing little Darian’s life and sending the infant away to some distant country estate under guard. Then he would arrange to marry her, as he did have a certain admiration for her youth, her passion, and her demonstrated capacity to move the citizenry. He would be delighted to have her stand beside him, and they would rule Eneri Clare together. There was an edge of lasciviousness in Drogue’s proposal that he made no attempt to conceal, an implication which revolted her, shocked Tvrdik, and incensed Tashroth so, that he stepped forward with a bellow to rip the man’s head off then and there. This might have been a tempting end to all of their problems, had they not known what Xaarus had told them of the future. At any rate, Lady Rey ordered Tashroth to back off, and, realizing her mission to be hopeless against such supreme arrogance, she leapt upon the dragon’s back, pulled Tvrdik up behind, and urged her mount off of a nearby ledge, back to their base camp as fast as his wings could beat. They would have no compunction now in meeting Drogue’s forces head-on with all they had.

And so, the next morning, well before dawn, Lady Jorelial Rey bid the Legions of Light assemble in the valley, ready to move at sunrise. She herself perched with Tashroth above the field, on a high bluff, from where she could survey the entire theater, while Tvrdik made rounds to see that all was in place for the coming confrontation. Each of them struggled with doubts, fears, and regrets concerning what they were about to begin, but this was not a moment to reveal any frailty to the brave souls who would take this field, without traditional weapons, against Drogue’s brutal warriors. It was no longer time for contemplation, or conversation, but for action.

Jorelial Rey swallowed hard and settled herself securely just behind the last vertebra of Tash’s long neck. A small shadow overhead caught her attention – a white owl, circling closer, and closer, and then shooting past her ear to crash into a nearby bush in a jumble of feathers and dust. She blinked, and now was looking at a tall, pale, bespectacled young man, brushing off his deep grey robes with one hand, while his other hand gripped a crystal-topped staff. Tvrdik looked up to meet her gaze, and made her a little solemn bow.

“My lady. All is in readiness, awaiting your order.”

“All is well?”

“Spirits are high, everything in place. We are about as ready as we will ever be.”

“And so, here we are at last, just as you said we would be.”

“Xaarus said.” He corrected her.

“Will we meet again on the far side of this day, and raise a glass to our victory, Tvrdik?”

“I pray it will be so. I believe it will be so.”

Tashroth’s deep voice interrupted, “Lord Drogue’s army comes on. It is time.” He had been searching the silvered horizon with his sharp dragon’s eyes. Jorelial Rey fastened a leather helmet over her dark, braided tresses. “Thank you Tash. I am ready. Fly well, dear friend. While we are together, I do not fear anything.”

“We will always be together, dearest, and today, we will triumph together.”

Tvrdik had averted his eyes during this mostly private and emotional exchange, but now he felt her gaze on him, and looked up to meet it. She spoke, “Our place is with the vanguard, Tvrdik – Tashroth’s and mine. Will you join us there, or will you be working your charms from here?”

“Here is a good place to begin. Godspeed to you.”

“And to you.” She gave him a curt nod, and began to turn away.

“Jorelial Rey!” Tvrdik called out to her, “Thank you.”

She turned back to him, her eyebrows tweaked in question, “For what?”

“For believing in me. For making all of this happen.”

“Don’t mention it.” With a grim smile, she motioned the dragon to the ledge, then seemed to think again, and turned back, “Tvrdik?”

“Yes, my lady?”

Jorelial Rey frowned. There were so many things she wanted to tell him, but time had run out. “Stay out of trouble, will you? You’re the only wizard we have right now, and the only one who knows how everything we planned works.”