“These two ambushed the guards and allowed that man to penetrate the chamber,” a man, who wore a cape and looked like a Captain of the Guard, said reluctantly. “Theeshendaicaused a disturbance that drew off the guards at the door, while theashandelled them to her and allowed them to be ambushed. In the confusion, this man broke through.”
“Ah, I see,” Elder Crane responded. “In that case, release them.”
There was a shocked moment of silence, and then the gags and bonds were cut and the two Rogues freed. They seemed as surprised as everyone else.
“I have just been informed,” said Elder Crane, “that the Prince of Oxen is advancing on Vale with an army, killing our scouts and leaving us blind to his advance. We have reason to believe that he has penetrated our defenses without the use of an Anchor and will not be stopped short of a counterattack or well-prepared defense. His scouts will be arriving in two hours and his main force not long after. We will evacuate this valley and fall back to Aemon’s Stand. Generals, go with Elder Warryn—Elders Lymaugh and Stanton, organize the evacuation. The rest, spread the word that the emergency teams should run to ground and organize distribution of supplies. Families flee south—all able-bodied men and women willing to fight are to be given weapons. We will all meet again at the Stand.”
Crane nodded to show he had finished. Pandemonium broke out, like steam held under a tightly secured lid now removed. The Prince was almost overwhelmed by the sounds of shouting and riotous activity. The Elders remained the calmest, giving orders and generally composing the soldiers, Rangers, and Rogues in the room with tasks, however menial, to do that would speed the evacuation. The Prince remembered something his brother Rikard had said:true leaders know that action is the surest way to turn fear into courage. Give them something to do, give them purpose, and they are yours to command.
Elder Crane gave the impression of something solid: an eye in the storm forming around him, a deeply rooted boulder amid a rushing stream.
“Rise,” he said to the Prince.
The Prince stood, sword still held unsheathed in his bare hands. He was very careful not to touch the edge; he felt certain that the sharpness of the blade would cut him at the slightest touch.
“EshendaiGoldwyn andashandelBanier, come!”
Leah and Tomaz quickly made their way forward.
Elder Crane focused on the Prince. “I accept your loyalty, and I also understand you give it only until this crisis has passed. After it is over, we will talk more about your future. But for now, I would request that you sheath that sword and put your shirt on.”
The Prince did so quickly as the other two came within earshot.
“I have a task for the three of you,” Crane told them. “This evacuation must be covered. You three,eshendaiDavydd Goldwyn, andashandelLorna Lamas, will help Captain Autmaran lead a group of Scouts, Rangers, and Rogues on an ambush mission. Here”—he motioned to a point on the table, which the Prince now saw was carved to resemble an enormous map—“is where that ambush is to be set. The five of you—embedded among the larger force—will draw the Ox Lord there and dispatch the Bloodmages who are tracking you. This should leave them in confusion and force them to slow their advance, buying us time to regroup at the Stand.”
He turned to Leah and Tomaz.
“You are to serve under the tactical command of Captain Autmaran, who will lead the ambush.EshendaiGoldwyn—your brother andashandelLamas will be with you, and this young man here is to be used at your discretion, as you know more of his capabilities than I. Tell the captain to take five hundred Pairs and a thousand Scouts and use the passes through the backwoods once the ambush is complete. You and the captain along with whomever he choosesaseshendaiandashandellieutenants are to report to me personally at the Stand. Go.”
With that, he turned and began to examine the map carved into the tabletop, hands folded calmly behind his back, but his shoulders holding a tension that belied a mind thinking very quickly. The three of them left the Elder, running for the door.
“I need you to get to Davydd and Lorna, Raven,” Leah said as they rushed past Elders conversing with a squad of hastily summoned officers.
“Me?” the Prince asked in surprise. She nodded and continued quickly.
“Tomaz—I need you to find the supplies and horses for those who don’t have them. I also need the soldiers under the direct command of the captain—take care of gathering them as well. Davydd and Lorna will have twenty or so pairs of Rangers under them on reserve here in the city—Raven, tell them to get them ready to leave within the hour. I’m going for Captain Autmaran. We are all to meet at the northwestern entrance to the valley, from there we’ll head back toward the mountains and the ambush point Elder Crane set for us. It should draw them away from the Stand.”
“What in the name of shadows and light is the Stand?” the Prince asked as they bounded up the stairs.
“Aemon’s Stand,” Tomaz rumbled. “It’s where he defeated the Empress.”
The Prince stopped dead in his tracks.
“What?”
“No time for that!” shouted Leah over her shoulder. “You can ask questions later! Get to the barracks and find Davydd and Lorna!”
The two Rogues made for the door and immediately split, going in different directions without hesitation. The Prince recovered quickly, dashed out of the door, and ran back for the barracks as fast as his legs would carry him.
Defeated the Empress? Impossible!
He had no time to think about that now. Soon enough, breathing heavily, he burst through the entrance to the barracks, seized a random soldier, and asked for the way to the Ranger quarters. The man pointed up a staircase, and the Prince hurried in that direction. He arrived on a small landing, accosted another man, who pointed him toward Davydd’s quarters, and soon after found himself pounding like a madman on what he hoped was the right door.
“Davydd!” he roared, trying to be heard over the din of rushing soldiers around him. “Davydd, it’s Raven! Let me in!”
The door opened and Davydd came out, fully dressed in hiseshendaiuniform over a breastplate, leather jerkin, and bracers all tied in place. A small golden knot of rank on the upper right side of his chest shone brightly in the light of the hall. His valerium sword hung slung across his back, and his red eyes burned like fiery coals.
“What?” he snapped. He pushed past the Prince to cross the hall and open another door—revealing Lorna. The Prince followed and saw that theashandelwas finishing tying her own armor in place, died a dark green color and much more extensive, crafted to take heavy beatings. The great white axe lay close at hand.
