The Sorcerer's Destiny (The Sorcerer's Path) (35 page)

Murmured exclamations filled the room as the assembled group noted how quickly the ravagers were able to get through North Haven’s primary line of defense. All had heard that the dragons would aid the Scions, but to hear of their involvement added another layer of fear.

The General nodded to Alex who stood and spoke. “At about the time the ravagers gained the seaward walls, another force of perhaps ten thousand struck the eastern and southern curtain wall. My troops were forced to surrender the wall about forty-five minutes after engagement. The primary means of breaching are by creating ladders and ramps using their own bodies and hacking through some of the more vulnerable postern gates and sally ports with brute strength.”

“We can reinforce the gates and find a way impede their scaling of the walls,” someone suggested.

“Our walls are higher and much stouter than North Haven’s. If this is the numbers we are facing, we should be able to successfully defend the city and end the battle here,” said another council member.

“It is very unlikely,” Alex countered. “Azerick said there were possibly a million or more of these ravagers coming, and there is no way can we defend against them and dragons.”

“We heard Lord Giles was not present at the battle and has been missing for some time. Perhaps we were right all along in being skeptical of his claims! Where is Lord Giles?”

The room fell silent as a bright line made a vertical slit in the air near the doors. Two dozen Blackguards and several mages immediately converged on the spot and prepared to defend the hall from invasion as the line became a doorway and a hulking, grey monster strode into the room.

“Stand down!” Jarvin shouted the moment he recognized Raijaun.

“Forgive me. I had meant to arrive in the antechamber to avoid any shock at my appearance within the castle. My unfamiliarity caused me to misjudge my exit.”

“That is quite all right,” Jarvin replied and turned to his council. “This is Raijaun, son of Azerick Giles. He has been instrumental in aiding our defense against these invaders and will be afforded every courtesy.”

Subdued muttering filled the chamber but none spoke out. Rumors abounded about Azerick’s unholy offspring, but few were prepared to meet him face to face.

“Raijaun, we were just discussing how the attack went at North Haven and the numbers we could expect to face here. Perhaps you could shed some light on that.”

“The numbers I personally observed were likely around a million.”

Jarvin cut off the outburst of exclamations. “From what we have heard of their ships, it would take months to move that many just to the mainland from wherever it is they are coming.”

“I can almost guarantee the ships will not be required to transport the main body of their army. The gates we employ to evacuate our people are a Scion design my father observed many years ago. I am certain they are erecting a similar set of gates at this moment to bring in the bulk of their army.”

“Brelland could never withstand those numbers. Even if they divide their army to attack us and Brightridge, we could not stand long.”

“That is precisely why my father devised this plan. Yes, it requires the loss of our greatest cities, but it is our only chance at surviving.”

“What do they want from us? Surely it cannot be total extinction? What would be their gain?” a council member demanded.

“No, not extinction as a species, but the extinction of our society and way of life. It is the extinction of freedom and the rise of a world of subjugation even worse than what existed before the Great Revolution. We will live in a world of pain, sorrow, and loss, perpetually punished for the egregious actions of our forefathers. Only a handful will suffer this fate. The fortunate majority will die.”

“It sounds to me like these gods want us, at least some of us. That means they would be open to a compromise, particularly if we are able to make fighting us too costly for them. We could pledge our subservience, worship them, and deny our gods. Surely this would satisfy them?”

“Every man, woman, and child who possesses the smallest penchant for magic and everyone within their bloodlines are marked for immediate extermination. Would you simply hand them over to save yourself? Are you even certain you are not related to a wizard somewhere within your family? What of your wife’s family?” Raijaun took several steps toward the commoners’ representative and towered over him. “There will be no compromises sought or made. On this matter I will not bend.”

The Lord of Commoners trembled and looked to his King. “He threatens us just as his father did!”

“Will I face trial as my father does for trying to protect you as well?” A silence fell across the room. “I issue no threats. I merely inform you all of the reality we face. I am not nearly as reactive as my father, but do not mistake that as being less resolved or capable.”

“Let us all remain calm and keep our focus on the real enemy,” Jarvin said. “Raijaun is right, there will be no quarter asked or given. I do not believe these creatures are capable of compromise or compassion. Look at how they hurl their own forces against us with no regard for their survival. How can we best defeat them?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Their greatest strength is also their greatest weakness, and that is their sheer numbers and complete disregard for their own lives. While it makes them terrifying to fight, it also makes them vulnerable to our wizards for large-scale slaughter. It is why my father has insisted that trying to defend a city was impossible no matter the fortifications. By thinning their numbers as much as possible while behind these walls and retreating, we can concentrate the bulk of their army in the relatively confined space of the valley where we have decided to make our final stand.”

“Where you and your father have decided we make our final stand!” one of the lords proclaimed loudly. “If we cannot stand against their numbers within the strongest city in the kingdom, how can we possibly stand for more than a moment in the open spaces of a valley?”

“Because our numbers will also be concentrated. We will have every mage from North Haven, The Academy, and Hall of Inquisition there to rain fire down upon them. The Sumarans have an army and a corps of wizards nearly as large as our own converging in the valley as we speak. We have allies there we cannot hope to host within the walls of a city even as large as Brelland and Brightridge. Father also called upon the other races to aid us as well.”

“What have you heard of their response? Are they going to come? Why should they do anything for us?”

“Because they know the Scions hold the same hatred for them as they do us. My father has received assurances from the dwarves that they are prepared to fight beside us. We have heard nothing from the elves, but that is not entirely unexpected given their extreme aloofness.”

“Even combining our might, we cannot hope to amass even a quarter of what we face, and more than half of our army are conscripts.”

“The only magic the Scions have at their disposal is the dragons. Yes, they are powerful and frightening beyond imagination, but our mages have been training to deal with them and did so effectively in North Haven. We can stand against them. The biggest threat we face right now is the gates. It did not take long for the Scions to understand what we were doing and send forces to try and destroy it. Thankfully, Miranda and her people were able prevent its destruction. Just before coming here, I spoke to Headmaster Florent. Southport came under attack just as the last of our people evacuated North Haven. They nearly lost the gates in the first few minutes of the battle despite the hasty reinforcements they put in place after I sent them warning. Fortunately, she had the foresight to begin evacuating Southport shortly after the attack on North Haven began, and most of the noncombatants were already through. Even so, their losses have thus far been far greater than our own. I have not gotten a full account of the battle as the Headmaster was rather pressed at the time.” 

  “We all pray for their safety,” Jarvin said. “What can we do to protect the gates? If we should lose them, it would be catastrophic.”

“We must increase the guard, obviously, particularly the number of wizards. The greatest threat to the gates are the dragons, and only the mages can effectively counter them. We can assume the dragons will be given instructions to destroy them at all costs and will be their primary if not sole focus.”

General Brague asked, “Won’t that leave our soldiers vulnerable?”

Raijaun nodded. “It will diminish the arcane support for them, but if the gates fall nothing else will matter.”

“So my soldiers are going to be fodder.”

“Give me the names of any of your warriors who are unwilling to die for their families and humanity’s continued existence.”

General Brague sat silent knowing every man and woman standing to defend Brelland would give their lives a hundred times over. Even the most doubtful amongst them now knew the stakes, knew the only option was to fight with no chance of quarter or surrender. Anyone who was the slightest bit unsure before today had heard word from those who fled North Haven and knew their lives no longer belonged to them. They belonged to Valeria and to humanity. They would sell their lives, but only at the highest price.

“I want every fifth wizard on the walls posted near the gates. We should string additional chains and cables across the streets.”

“We could make some enormous caltrop-like devices and position them on the streets,” Alex suggested.

“That is a good idea. We need to get the blacksmiths working on them right away. I estimate we have three days at best before the first wave arrives. I know iron is in short supply, but at this point we have no other use for it.”

Jarvin’s chamberlain entered the room and cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, several hundred residents of Gifford’s Hollow arrived recently, and I thought you and the assembly would want to hear their Commander’s report.”

“I think we are about finished here. Please send him in.”

The Chamberlain made a beckoning motion and a man covered in road grime and dried blood entered the room. He knelt before the King, his battered armor giving off the creaking of leather and the ring of metal.

“Please stand. I can get you a chair if you need,” Jarvin offered. “You look a bit war-torn and weary.”

The man stood straight and set his jaw. “I can stand if it pleases Your Highness.”

“As you wish, sir. What news do you bring us of Gifford’s Hollow?”

“My name is Captain Martin Frink, Commander of the Gifford’s Hollow militia. Two days ago, a hundred and nine folks from Fowler’s Creek staggered into my town claiming demons set upon them in the middle of the night.”

“One hundred nine, but there are over six hundred in Fowler’s Creek if my memory serves,” Jarvin said, his voice tinged with the anxiety of what he knew was coming next.

“Not no more, sir. I set out with two hundred-fifty of my men in search of stragglers and ordered everyone else to Brelland. A couple hours out, we heard a ruckus in the woods not far off the road and set to send these demons back to Sharrellan or whatever hell done spawned them. As we entered the clearing, we spotted what we thought was a boy charge some two-dozen of them demons. Turns out he was a rider from North Haven named Peck. He come to warn us to get to Brelland. I guess he was just a bit too late.”

Miranda gasped. “Is peck all right?”

“Aye, Lady. He got chewed on pretty good, but he fought like one of them demons. We brought him with us and handed him over to the healers. It wasn’t easy until we were able to promise him his horse made it and was coming with us.”

“It must of have been an extraordinary fight. How were your casualties?” Jarvin asked.

“We gave a lot better’n we got. A lot of our folks hunt bear, and we got some tricks that work almost as well on these demons.”

“Anything you know that we can use to kill these creatures would be appreciated.”

“Aside from leg traps, we like to use what we call a grabber. A grabber is like a man catcher only it has two long poles attached that lock at a downward angle if dropped. The ends dig into the ground or trip up its fellows as it thrashes around until we fill it full of arrows or spears. It slows ‘em down real good.”

“Thank you, Captain Frink. I would like you to show our smiths how to make these. If it helps us kill them, then it is worth the effort.” Jarvin turned to his generals. “It appears some of these creatures are traveling ahead of the main host. I want company-strong riders sent out to scout for any advanced parties and help any refugees reach the city. If no one has any more questions, I think we all have work to attend to.”

“I’ll have at least a thousand questions before this war is over,” General Brague huffed as he stood and departed with the rest of the assembly.

“Raijaun, could you spare me a moment of your time?”

“Of course, Highness. I am here to serve.”

The King licked his lips and swallowed nervously. Despite Raijaun’s seemingly calm and kind disposition, he was a towering figure looking like a creature straight from the darkest pits of the abyss, and Jarvin could not help but feel intimidated by him.

“The last meeting between your father and I did not end well as I am sure you know.”

“Whatever issues you and Father have are between you and him. It will not affect my actions in defending this city or its people.”

“I am very happy to hear that. You cannot know how glad I am to have your help. My concern, many people’s concern, is your father and his whereabouts. Does it have to do with the bitterness of our last meeting? Has he abandoned us to our fates because of me?”

“My father will never abandon these people, no matter how obstinate and vexing they may be. We shifted the old tower and a considerable source of our magical power to alternate dimension in hopes of keeping it safe from the Scions. Father was required to be inside the tower to ensure its transition. His intention was to return immediately after the tower was secure. The fact he has not means that some complication arose, one that obviously is taking some time to deal with.”