DragonCrown Saga - The Grand Crusade Part 47

"You should have just swept the captain overboard."

Theweirunshrugged. "Kill a man, it's his bad luck. Destroy a ship, and it is a demonstration of why I should be appeased. It was effective, and had the added benefit of getting you off the sea. Your destiny was not on water."

"No, but clearly my fate has been."

Tagothcha smiled. "I shall enjoy spending time with you here."

Kerrigan cleared his throat. "We can't remain here. We have to get to Sebcia."

"That is not possible."

The magicker squared his shoulders. "I would have thought the gift I gave you would have been special enough to earn us some consideration."

The sea spirit smiled slyly. "Your company offered many things, and the wand from your hand was indeed unique." He raised his hand and thumbed the ring he wore. "I, however, havemanyunique things.

You gave me a wand. A generation ago I was given a consort. Your gift does not please me as well."

Oracle squeezed Kerrigan's arm, silencing him. "I would beg leave, great Tagothcha, for you to consider the gift I gave you."

"Whisperings, nothing more. Worth less than nothing."

Oracle turned her blind eyes toward the woman in the black pearl throne. "I am not certain your consort would agree. I gave you those whisperings for her."

The woman turned serenely to Tagothcha. "Why did you not tell me, beloved?"

Theweirunhesitated, shifting in his throne. "They were ravings, my sweetness. They meant nothing."

"Highness, they meant merely to warn you." Oracle bowed in the woman's direction. "I wished to save you heartache."

The woman's eyes flashed darkly at Tagothcha. "I'm certain you wished to preserve me from anxiety as well, my lord. What were these words?"

"Inconsequential nonsense, beloved; evanescent persiflage." Tagothcha twisted in his throne and waved an idle hand in Oracle's direction. "Repeat your ravings if you must."

"As my lord Tagothcha commands." Oracle composed her face gravely. "I informed him that in Sebcia your sons would die. The first you would know of it would be when their blood is washed from the Eirsena River into the sea."

The woman reached out and took Tagothcha's wrist in her hand. "Is this true? What news from Eirsena?"

Tagothcha's expression darkened. "No news from Eirsena."

"But your sister is never silent at this time. What has happened? What else have you kept from me?"

Tagothcha's nostrils flared. "The others burble in floods, but from my favorite I have nothing. She is silent."

Kerrigan frowned. "You're talking about rivers as if they are people."

Adrogans shot him a hot glance. "Remember where you are, Kerrigan. The riverweirunare kin to Tagothcha."

"Oh, right." The youth scratched at the back of his neck. "I guess they must have dammed the river."

Adrogans smiled. "Yes, of course they did. So hot and early a spring, everything is flooding save the Eirsena. How could it be aught but a dam? The Aurolani did it, for they possess Sebcia. They have kidnapped your sister."

Theweirunflowed to his feet and smashed his fists up through the bubble's ceiling. "Chytrine will be made to pay for that!"

"But how?" Adrogans raised his chin. "You can smash her ships, but she has no more; she doesn't need them. And if she stays away from you, you can't get at her. And even if you make her pay, how can you ease the pain your sister is feeling? It is not just Chytrine who must pay, but it is your sister who must be freed." He turned and pointed at the sailors and soldiers floating like lost souls outside the bubble. "Send us. We will free your sister. We will save your sons. Let us go to Sebcia and we will make things right."

"No, you cannot. My brothers and sisters have told me what has crossed river and stream to reach the battlefield."

The woman looked up at Tagothcha. "Have they told you of my sons? What of them? What have you not told me?"

Oracle held up a hand. "Highness, be calmed. Your sons are alive and well. They are warriors, well loved and well respected. They have escaped their heritage, for no taint of their father lingers on them.

They are brave, which is why they now are in danger's path. If we are allowed to go to Sebcia, chances are good they will live."

The woman's eyes widened. "Good? I would like better than that."

"There can be no guarantees."

She stood and caressed Tagothcha's knee. "Beloved, I have asked so little of you..."

"Do not ask this."

"Would you refuse me?"

Tagothcha lowered his arms, then sat. "I cannot refuse you."

"Then grant them what they need. You have been given treasures beyond measure by men. Choose this way to remind them how great you are. You need not destroy a ship when you can save the world."

Tagothcha's expression eased and, as it did, theweirunchanged. His body shrank to human proportions, or very nearly so. His beard and hair became shorter and the stern antiquity on his face vanished. As he looked at his consort, youth flooded him. "When your husband gave you to me, he surrendered that which could have made him great." Tagothcha gazed into her eyes for several more moments, then turned and regarded Adrogans. "You have made a bold claim that you will free my sister. You are also correct in suggesting that I cannot effect her rescue. I will have to trust you to do it, but I do not have to trust your means."

"You'll find my troops are the best in the world."

"Perhaps, but I can make certain they are better." He raised both arms and a thick column of water descended to engulf him. In a heartbeat he became almost transparent, discernible only as a flickering outline within the water. He threw his head back, and while Kerrigan only heard a m.u.f.fled squeak, the troops still outside the bubble quickly pressed their hands to their ears.

The column ascended again and Tagothcha solidified his shape. "A generation ago the champions of the world tricked me, then made amends. From them I obtained my consort. One of them had his favorite horse driven into the ocean for me. That steed was magnificent, and his offspring have been incredible."

Bursting into the bubble came a wonderful horse that shook his head, splashing water everywhere. A white star decorated the forehead of the otherwise black horse. Kerrigan did not know much about horses, but this one looked like the type Resolute would choose to ride. The expression of amazement on Adrogans' face further confirmed his opinion that this horse was very special.

"I saw a painting of this horse in Yslin. It is Cursus. It was King Augustus that gave you this horse."

"So it was." Tagothcha smiled. "Cursus has a thousand children and they shall leave the sea with you at Sebcia."

Adrogans approached and patted the horse on the neck. "Living here, they will be much stronger than horses from the surface. They'll have more endurance. If I put my heavy cavalry on them, they will be unstoppable."

"Good. Then my sister shall be freed."

The woman stood and gestured to her right. "And, my lord, since my sons will benefit, I, too, will contribute to this effort."

Kerrigan looked to the bubble wall as dozens of mages in kilts of blue hovered outside. Two entered: a man with a blond beard and a woman. They looked frighteningly familiar, but he could not place them.

They studied him for a moment, then the male smiled. "Adept Reese, how is it that you are so young?"

Kerrigan shook his head. "Do I know you?"

The blond shook his head. "I am Therian Cole. I was an apprentice and on the boat you took from Vilwan when the pirates attacked."

A shiver shot down Kerrigan's spine. He dimly recalled the face, but only as much younger. A year ago when they had shipped from Vilwan, this apprentice had barely entered his teens.Now he has a beard.

Tagothcha waved a hand casually. "In my realm, time is fluid. Some places it moves quickly, and others not at all. Perhaps there are places where one could even return to youth were one to linger. Those who were lost with you, Adept Reese, were gathered here by my wife. They have learned much of the magick in my realm, and will be of great use to you."

Kerrigan turned to theweirun'sconsort. "Your kindness in saving those I could not is much appreciated. I will do everything I can to see to the safety of your sons. If I might inquire..."

Oracle squeezed his arm again. "Do you not recognize Queen Morandus, late of Oriosa? You know her sons."

"Erlestoke and Linchmere?" Kerrigan smiled as all manner of stories locked into place in his mind. "I know them, Highness. If they die, it will only be because I will be dead first."

Tagothcha stared hard at him. "And my sister? What of her?"

Kerrigan nodded solemnly. "As we flow from here to Sebcia, so your sister shall soon flow back to you."

Tagothcha was able to bring Kerrigan and the flotilla to the coast of Sebcia, very close to the mouth of the Eirsena. The Nalisk Mountain Rangers and the Loquelven Blackfeathers plunged inland into the forests to scout as the half-dozen ships rose from the depths and bobbed in the small bay. The sailors and soldiers who had traveled beneath the sea on them quickly set about off-loading cargo, which, by dint of Tagothcha's power, was as dry as the day it had been loaded.

And true to his word, Tagothcha produced a thousand of the most beautiful horses Kerrigan had ever seen. Tall and strong, with long, flowing manes and horseshoes of silver, the horses exuded power. The cavalrymen who were given them seemed pleased, and no one commented on the unusual color schemes, stripes, spots, and patches that decorated the horses' coats and manes.

Tagothcha stood knee deep in the water and looked at Adrogans. "I saved you once, but that was in exchange for the gold you gave me. Release my sister, and I shall be deeply in your debt."

"I'll find a way to collect."

Theweirunlaughed, then bent to bring his face to Phfas' level. "We have a kinship, for you are bound to the stuff that gives me life. You think that your removal from your home has weakened that connection. Is Zhusk water different from any other? The air? The earth?"

The diminutive shaman smiled slyly. "Sweeter; much sweeter."

"But it is the same." Tagothcha opened his arms. "What you seek is here, too. You long for your home, but your only distance from it, from theyrun, is in your longing. Open yourself and you will find them here.

You are of the world, not just the Zhusk. Believe that and you will find you are not alone."

Phfas' face contorted in all manner of interesting expressions, then ended with widened eyes. "Thank you."

The sea spirit turned to Kerrigan and raised his left hand. Flowing up through it came the wand Kerrigan had offered when they left Loquellyn. "You may find this useful."

"Probably, but I gave it to you." Kerrigan bowed his head respectfully. "I knew the consequences of throwing it away."

"Yes, but my wife bids I give it back to you. To help you save her sons."

Kerrigan accepted it. "I'll do that."

Theweiruntook a step back. "Know that if your bodies are washed into me, you shall be venerated. All speed to you, and all death to your enemies." He opened his arms, then his body simply flowed down into the water.

Kerrigan smiled and tucked the wand into his belt. "We're here."

Adrogans shook his head. "I would have settled for a long sailing. Sun's got two hours before it goes down. We have to move inland and bring our dragonels with us. We'll find the enemy, get set up, and get ready to kill."

The young mage looked at theSvarskya. "Too bad we can't float it up the river and use its dragonels."

"If we could, we'd not be here, since then his sister would be free. I'll leave a skeleton crew on it to fend off Aurolani ships that come to investigate."

Phfas ran a hand over his chin. "Theweirunwas right. Theyrunare here. The Aurolani have a fortress, very close. Svarskya is also close."

Adrogans hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Thesullancirifrom the Ghost March is here, too. Not very distant. Let's move."

The army moved inland slowly. The scouts reported contact with Aurolani troops consisting mostly of light infantry and several dragonel batteries. Orders were issued for the wholesale slaughter of the troops.

And Kerrigan and the sea mages were able to magickally silence and send to sleep enough of the enemy troops that the batteries in the woods west of the Aurolani position fell without alarm. The Alcidese Wolves moved into the Aurolani positions, added their own dragonels, and two hours before dawn had forty dragonels ready to shoot.

Kerrigan stood with Adrogans at the edge of the forest as dawn came. "General, don't you want to get word to Princess Alexia about your position?"

"Do you have a manner that can guarantee it won't be intercepted? We're very vulnerable here. I know how we'll signal her, but it won't be in advance. It can't be."

Kerrigan nodded. Up on the hills overlooking the southern bank of the dry Eirsena, the southern army began to a.s.semble itself. Ranks upon ranks of warriors, including a number of urZrethi, arrayed themselves across the face of the hill. Cavalry with horses in shimmering armor and warriors fleshed in metal took their places in the grand formation. Alexia's army was larger than any host he'd seen a.s.sembled, and the sheer majesty of it awed him.

In the Aurolani fortress, drums began to pound. A trio ofsullanciriappeared on the tallest hill, then the Aurolani troops poured from their hill forts and filled the trench extending west. Behind Kerrigan came the creaks of dragonel carriages being shifted as the weapons were sighted. The acrid stink of burning match cord reached his nostrils.

Adrogans raised a hand. "Time to let Alexia know we're here."

"But how..."

The Jeranese general smiled. "When these dragonels speak, she'll get the message."

His hand dropped, and all along the line match cord plunged into touch-holes. Fire and smoke jetted and hissed, then the main charges detonated thunderously. Tongues of flame roared from the muzzles, and their cargo of metal sped forth. All the dragonels, save the eight southernmost, had been trained on the trench. Their firing line ran at an oblique angle to it, but their fire raked it with grapeshot. Troops packed tightly in the trench simply evaporated as the metal b.a.l.l.s blew into them.

Those at the southernmost end of the position had been aimed at the drag-onel battery capping the trench. Three swept the hilltop with grapeshot, killing the crews. The other five had been loaded with eighteen-pound iron b.a.l.l.s that smashed carriages and dented dragonels.

Though his ears rang with the thunder of the shots, Kerrigan could still hear bugles blowing on the southern side of the line and drums thundering opposite them. Agitare shouted orders for the dragonels to be reloaded as southern troops began to pour down the hillside. Aurolani dragonels shot prematurely but still skipped b.a.l.l.s through formations, killing a few. Southern cavalry swept toward the west to exploit the gap, but a lot of Aurolani troops appeared to the east, at the base of the dam holding the Eirsena back.

Adrogans nodded solemnly. "A fine start to the day. Now we'll finish it."

Kerrigan smiled and looked up at him, intending to agree, but a wave of nausea pa.s.sed over him. Before he could say a word, his knees went weak, and darkness stole his sight.

The eruption of dragonels from the western woods shocked Alexia. The possibility that something had been hidden there had haunted her. The scouts she had sent out had run into Aurolani screening forces, all but confirming some trap lay in that direction. After all, she would have had something nasty hidden there were she in Nefrai-kesh's position, but the sheer ferocity of the attack, the number of dragonels employed, and the surprising premature commencement of it dropped her jaw.

Then she saw where the shots. .h.i.t and further surprise shook her. In one quick strike, dragonels had shredded the defenders on the western edge of the fortress.

All of a sudden the play of the battle unfolded. Nefrai-kesh would have to push the troops on the east around. If he could threaten her flank, she couldn't drive troops around to the west to exploit his weakness. To prevent him from doing that, she had to plug the gap between the dam and the eastern trench.Which leaves those troops in a position to be shot by the draconetteers on the dam and in the trench.

But she had no choice. She glanced at Peri. "Go to Prince Erlestoke. Tell him his troops are to hold that gap. Immediately."

"Yes, sister."

Perrine took wing and landed beside the prince. He listened, then turned to a signalman. The bugler to whom he gave orders blew loudly. On Alyx's right flank, the prince's people surged forward even as Aurolani drums pounded out the orders for Tythsai's people. The draconetteers on the dam prepared to fight, and Aurolani troops filed through that gap to intercept Erlestoke's troops.