The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1) (34 page)

Unexpected Allies

Centered on the western border of Ramana, just an hour’s ride from Palium lay John’s command hub.  Tens of thousands of troops stretched for filons along this corridor, busying themselves with training and fortifying the surrounding countryside.  John did his best to teach his seventh bars the seven ancient Roman attack formations before sending them off to their respective assignments.  Ider Hoffle tacticians had come up with four of the battle plans on their own, so John merely supplemented their learning. 

Rome was the most powerful and skilled fighting force in the ancient world.  Their legions would win, even when dramatically outnumbered.  The secret lay in strategy and training.  The discipline of the Roman soldier was legendary, as each man understood the formations and never broke from them.  John’s men also drilled the Testudo, a tactic where shields were held overhead, edge to edge, thereby deflecting even large missile weapons quite effectively.

Since Daenon had not yet attacked, John used his time to familiarize himself with his men and reinforce the lines.  He could not understand why the attack was delayed, but the brief reprieve came as a blessing.  Had Daenon sent his forces in a week ago, the Esparians would not have been ready.

Thousands of small, four man tents could be seen up and down the border.  Nearly half a million Esparian soldiers slept in them, as well as on the ground in the open.  Divided into five armies, the men were positioned at strategic roads, bridges and possible border crossings.  At night the light of their campfires lit up the sky so brightly, it was impossible to see the stars overhead.  Large supply tents, hospital and dining tents, as well as portable, bright Red News Centers, were interspersed throughout the line where they were most needed and accessible to the men.  The Message centers were always active, with correspondence birds constantly coming and going.

It was the same in the southwestern cattle province of Kine, where Reese was in command.  He proved himself a valiant and savvy soldier in the battle at Saylon Dorsett, so John placed him in charge of nearly three hundred thousand men, divided up into three armies. 

John came to appreciate Larone’s uncanny ability to foresee need and his swift response as he served as supply commander.  Ramadine was made the central coordination point for all men and armaments. 

The first John knew about the attack on Snow Peak prison was when Lyrista told him.  She rode into his camp with a group of fifty Guardians.  Dressed in her blue and silver uniform, her wind tossed blond hair stood out against her deeply tanned skin.  Armed with bow, sword, and two knives, she reminded him of an Edian version of Athena, the Greek Goddess of war.

“John,” she waved at him, a bright smile on her face.  John sidestepped three campfires and avoided several soldiers as he made his way to Lyrista’s side.  Ready to begin his daily check of supplies and soldiers, he was about to mount Fireguard when she rode up. 

“I’ve come with good news, but I don’t want you to be angry,” she said while gracefully slipping from her armored horse.

“That sounds strange.  Why would you come with good news that would upset me?”

“I received a message two days ago, and came directly here to tell you in person.  The prisoners at Snow Peak are free, all of them.  My father is going to come here, to offer his services to you.  I expect him within the next few days.  Cordon was going to let him rest for a bit before sending him.”

“That’s wonderful news.”  John was excited.  “I could use a great seventh bar like your father.  How did he get free?”

“That’s the part that could upset you.”  She crinkled up her forehead, but kept her gaze steady.  “I sent a detachment of fifty men to Cordon, who enlisted Anton’s help and together, they stormed the prison.  None of our men were seriously injured,” she quickly added, “and one of the freed prisoners was Daenon’s mother, Naydeen.”

“Let me understand this.  Cordon and Anton led an attack on Snow Peak.  Who was left in charge of the army?”  John’s voice was stern.

“Lepsis.”

“What would have happened if Daenon had attacked during their absence?”  John felt his blood pressure rise.

Lyrista’s voice became passionate, her obstinacy matching his anger.  “Look.  I know they took a huge risk.  They were gone a total of six days.  I don’t know why Daenon hasn’t attacked yet, but I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing and neither could Cordon.  The risk paid off.”  She took his arm.  “There were scientists, as well as the Palium and Snow Peak Regulators.  Once these men have been questioned, we can get valuable information on what Daenon’s been working on.  Those scientists are among the best in their fields.  Consider it an elite operation that was a success.  Granted, it was commanded by two of your best seventh bars, but it did work.”

“Luckily.  Don’t ever do anything like that again.  Do you understand?”  His voice was harsh and he shook his head in disgust.  “I’m sending a letter of reprimand to Gordon.  I don’t know how you do things here, but where I come from that kind of fool-hardy action can get you imprisoned, or drummed out of service, or even executed.”

Dropping her hand to her side, she nodded.  “It has serious repercussions here also.”

“Then why was I not consulted?” John’s anger flared again.

“It could have been a disaster.  I know that…I know that.”  Her tone became soft.  “But, if Cordon and Anton had felt it an unworthy undertaking, they would never have gone.”

“I don’t know about that.”  John began to calm down.  “Cordon wanted nothing more than to free your father and Anton, well, he’s Anton.  He likes nothing better than a good, hearty challenge.  Fortunately, the operation was a success, so Snow Peak is one less thing to worry about.  Maybe now your brother can focus.”

Lyrista’s eyes flashed at the comment.  “Hey, he was focused.  He would never have left had anything been lacking in preparations.  He…” 

John held up his hand for her to stop.  “All right,” he cut in.  “I look forward to meeting Gammet.”

Lyrista opened her mouth to make a reply, but a large, winged shadow passed over them, causing the words to die in her throat.  An enormous carrier bird swooped low over the troops before it came to a landing on the Red News Center. 

“That’s the biggest bird I’ve seen yet.”  John felt awed by its size.

Lyrista sounded worried.  “That bird is known for its swiftness, so this can mean only one thing, urgent news, and urgent news is almost always bad news.”

Together they ran to the Message Center, nearly colliding with a young soldier running out of it.  “Protector John,” the young man sputtered.  “A message…from Healer Larone.”  He handed John a rolled up note.

John tore the sealing ribbon off.  Once read, he handed Lyrista the paper and stood motionless, staring up at Ragus.

Jessica taken three days ago by Elitet in Colossus Forest.  Unforgivable mistake.  Thought giants wanted meeting, clever trick.  Sent for Anton and Varnack, best trackers.  Sorry.  So sorry.

Larone

“Oh, John,” Lyrista gasped.

He shook his head.  “Well, it’s happened.”  He looked at her.  “Walk with me.”

For many minutes they wandered through the individual campsites, neither one speaking.  Not until they reached the edge of the defensive line did John break the silence.  “Ever since we arrived here, I’ve been worried something like this would happen.”  His voice was full of grief.  “Not that she’d be captured, but that she’d be in a situation where no one could help her.  There’s nothing I can do.”

“John, I’m so sorry.”  Lyrista’s face reflected the compassion of her words.  John felt a surge of warmth when he looked into her concerned face.  “Anton and Varnack will find her.  Daenon’s probably having her taken to Rendaira.  Maybe we should attack now and go after her?  I could send a regiment of Guardians.”

John considered the idea, then shook his head.  “No.  I won’t jeopardize the lives of good men by sending them on a fool’s errand and we cannot attack first.  As Larone said, it would prove disastrous.  The only thing we can do right now is wait and be patient.”

“But what if he…I mean, what if Daenon hurts Jessica,” Lyrista barely whispered, “tortures or kills her.”

John closed his eyes and fought the rising panic, for Lyrista vocalized his own morbid fears. 
Jess! 
His anguished thoughts reached out for her, then he took stern hold of his emotions.  “No!” he snapped and his eyes flew open.  “If Daenon wanted her dead, he would have killed her long before now.  He wants her alive and in one piece or he wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.  I don’t know what his plans are, but I do know they don’t include her death.”

Lyrista relaxed and nodded.  “You’re right.”

They continued their walk, meandering along the perimeter of the encampment.  After several minutes of silence, John gave a little laugh.  “It’s ironic.  Now I understand why you and Cordon couldn’t sit by and do nothing about your father, especially when Cordon was so close to Snow Peak.  I don’t condone the action, it was highly dangerous, but I do understand it.”

Lyrista reached up and brushed the back of her hand against John’s cheek.  “You’ve taught your daughter well, John.  Jessica is a resourceful young woman, with unique and powerful gifts.”  She put her arm through his and smiled reassuringly.  “I think Daenon is going to find it quite difficult, if not impossible to hold her for long.”

John took Lyrista’s hand.  “This is why he hasn’t attacked yet.  He was waiting for Jessica.”

* * *

Three days later, Fourth Bar Ru rode into camp with his twenty-five Guardians and Gammet.  John had just returned from the southern end of his defensive line when the tired, dirty travelers rode in.  He knew immediately who they were.  The two in the lead made a striking combination.  One sat quite tall with a crown of snow-white hair, the other was an entire head shorter with shiny black hair and matching mustache-goatee.  Each of the Guardians, except Ru, were large men, some of the largest John had yet seen in Esparia. 

John approached the dusty newcomers.  He was immediately struck by the remarkable resemblance Gammet had to Cordon.  The man looked every bit as one would think a seventh bar should look.  His head was held high and his entire manner demanded respect, but even from several feet away, John saw something haunting and a deep sadness in the older man’s eyes. 

Once dismounted, Ru went directly to John.  He held out his hand and John took it firmly.  “Protector John?  I am Fourth Bar Ru.  Our orders are to serve as your personal guard.”  He turned his head toward Gammet, who just walked up.  “This is Seventh Bar Gammet, commander of the Dorsett brigade.”

“I know the men of this campaign will want to see you, sir, but why don’t you come with me to the command tent and rest first.  I’ll send for Lyrista and have food brought.  Join us Ru, I’d like your explanation of the Snow Peak rescue.”

The sparsely furnished command tent was slightly larger than the surrounding structures.  Four stools, a large wooden table, and two candle lamps were its only amenities.  The floor was the grassy meadow. 

The three men barely began their lunch meal of warm stew and fresh brown bread, when Lyrista burst in.  “Dad!”  Her breath came in gasps.

“Lyrista!”  Gammet caught her up when she ran to him.  John and Ru quietly exited the tent, giving them a few minutes alone. 

Waiting outside, John reflected on the last hour.  When Fourth Bar Ru rode into the camp with Gammet and the twenty-five Guardians, they made quite a stir.  The men recognized Gammet and though Ru was not the physical presence the seventh bar was, he cut no less a commanding figure.  Strong and confident, when he spoke, he did so with authority and purpose.  For what he lacked in size, John found Ru made up for in strength, skill and knowledge.  John was at once impressed with Ru and seeing the manner in which the Guardians respected him, only served to reinforce this good opinion. 

“Protector John,” Ru pulled him from his thoughts.  “I have a message for you from Seventh Bar Cordon.  I was to give it to you when we were not within Seventh Bar Gammet’s presence.”

John opened the sealed paper. 

John,

I am sorry about Jessica.  By now Lyrista has told you about our little adventure.  I hope you have forgiven us.  I am sending Fourth Bar Ru with half of his Guardians to be at your personal command.  The other half is with Anton, on their way to Ramadine with the rest of the Snow Peak prisoners.  Once there, they will team up with Varnack and go in search of your daughter.  I am sending my father to you.  He is still a great warrior, but is not the same man he once was.  I hope you can help him.  We are prepared for Daenon’s attack.  Lepsis is a skillful drillmaster and strategist and the men become more expert with each passing day.  Our advance scouts provide daily updates on enemy movements so they will not take us by surprise.

Cordon

Lyrista called from the tent door.  “John, you can come back in.”  She smiled sheepishly.  When he and Ru walked by her, she whispered, “Thank you.”

“Don’t go.”  He took her arm.  “I’m going to show your father and Fourth Bar Ru the latest updates on the enemy troop positions as well as our counter positions.  I expect Daenon will attack sometime within the next five to six days.”