Shades Of The Past Part 13

They work their way through town, most of the population is turned out to look upon the ones who dealt the Empire such a blow. Cheers and other salutations greet them as they make their way through the streets.

During their ride through the streets, Delia fills him in on what happened and how her people acquitted themselves in battle. He then gives her a brief rundown of what happened out by the palisade and what he observed of the enemies forces.

"Looks like we'll have our hands full tomorrow," she says.

"I'm going to see if we can't have support from Madoc's forces," he tells her.

"It would be in their best interest," she says.

"We'll see," he says.

At the plaza where their camp is set up, Lord Pytherian and his party take their leave. A meeting with Illan and James is scheduled to begin in an hour to work out the plans for the following morning. The others set about getting a bite to eat and then turning in, everyone that is but the leaders. They gather for an impromptu meeting before James and Illan leave for their meeting at the castle.

They meet in James' tent. Ceadric, Delia, and Jiron make sure their people are settled in before they join James, Illan, and Miko in his tent. Before the last three join them, Illan turns to Miko and asks, "Just what happened out there?"

"What do you mean?" he replies.

"I mean, the Star shone bright and you were speaking in a language I didn't understand," he clarifies.

Shrugging, Miko says, "I don't know. When the gate opened and I saw Jiron by the gate battling those creatures, the Star was in my hand and the words were coming out." He glances to the others there before adding, "I didn't know what I was saying."

"Whatever it was," Illan says, "it worked."

James gazes at Miko for a moment, can see the concern in his eyes. "I don't think it's anything to worry about," he says, allaying his fears. "It must have come from Morcyth in some way." He sits for a moment thinking before continuing. "My guess would be that the warrior priest summoned them from somewhere that is in direct opposition to Morcyth and that's why it had the effect upon them that it did."

"Warrior priest?" asks Illan.

James nods his head gravely then turns his attention back to Miko.

"Sort of like your medallion back in that underground complex in the swamp?" Miko asks.

"Precisely," he replies with a nod. "Seems Dmon-Li's priests not only have the ability to control beings from the plane of fire but also to summon demons, for lack of a better term."

"How is it that it works for me?" he asks.

"I don't know. Perhaps because it has no choice if it is to spread its influence upon this world."

Just then the tent flap opens and the other three come inside. As the tent flap closes, James sees Devin there taking his position outside his tent. Once everyone is settled in, he says, "Illan and I will meet with Lord Pytherian shortly. With any luck we'll be able to count on their support in the coming battle."

"If they want to keep Madoc free they better," Ceadric interjects.

"There is a sizable presence here in Lythylla," adds Illan, "not only of Madoc's forces but those of the Alliance." Around the group, a few heads nod in agreement.

"Whatever they decide to do, we still have a battle to fight on the morrow." James glances around the a.s.sembled faces and adds, "We have a warrior priest to deal with."

Delia gasps and Jiron nods his head, "Thought so. When I saw those creatures at the gate, I knew something had to be up."

Gesturing to Miko he says, "The Star can deal with those creatures readily enough if they should make another appearance. What I'm concerned with is the sheer numbers we'll be facing. If we can't get help from Madoc, the items I brought along for this campaign may be completely consumed before we're through here."

"You can make more can't you?" Illan asks.

"Sure, if I have a supply of crystals and time," he explains. "But keep in mind it took me all winter to ready what we have. Anything I do on the run will not be as effective."

"So what are we to do?" Jiron asks. "After this, we are going to have many more battles before we're through."

"I know," he says. "I'm not figuring on facing any army head on after this." He looks around at the reaction his words may cause. Illan and Jiron know pretty much what he plans to do so they fail to show any reaction. Ceadric though, he looks confused.

"How can we possibly drive them out if we don't destroy their armies?" he asks.

"By making it difficult for them to keep their troops in Madoc," he explains. "Where I come from, war has been going on for a long time. There are two main things which have to be in place for a nation to send troops into the field."

"The first thing is internal security. If their kingdom has turmoil, then they'll need their troops to maintain order. Also if the people feel the war is harmful that can add to the general unrest. But with the way the Empire's run, the will of the people will probably have minimal effect."

Ceadric nods his head as he begins to understand where this is leading.

"Secondly, you need to be able to support and supply your army. A hungry army, or one whose basic needs are not being met, will be ineffective in combat. Our band isn't big so we can forage for what we need for the most part. As we head into the Empire, we take from the towns we pa.s.s."

"What I plan is simply this," he says and then pauses for effect. "When the battle here is over, we immediately head for the Empire. Destroy any and all forces we come across, providing they are no larger than our own. Those we meet as we move into the Empire should be those coming to reinforce the men on the border. With any luck, they'll be smaller bands of a thousand men or less."

Ceadric chuckles at that. When James glances to him he grins and says, "A thousand men being a small band. You sure are confident of yourself."

"With what we have already with us," he replies, "a thousand men shouldn't be too much for us to handle."

"We took out that many earlier this evening," Jiron states.

"Anyway," continues James, "as we progress into the Empire we destroy bridges, war factories, caravans, and anything that may be used to take supplies to the men in Madoc. At some point, they're going to begin pulling forces from elsewhere to come after us. They'll not let us wander at will within their borders."

"Just like the old days," Ceadric says to Illan.

"Only this time, we're not killing civilians," he explains.

"Good," Ceadric states. "Never cared much for that part."

"But they could bring forces from the south to hunt us down," suggests Delia. "They wouldn't necessarily take the soldiers out of Madoc to do that."

"True," agrees James. "But if they do, that leaves them open to rebellion from their less than complacent subject territories not to mention the time it will take for them to travel that far. From what we've gathered, many are itching for the chance to throw off the shackles of the Empire. I'm counting on the Empire not willing to take that risk."

"In short, we make it extremely difficult for them to keep their forces in Madoc by whatever means available." The others nod and Ceadric is actually wearing a grin.

"I like your plan," he states.

"Our key to success is to stay mobile," James continues. "Keep their armies on the move while we take out their infrastructure."

Delia is staring at him in an odd way. "Yes?" he asks.

"You're doing all this simply to have a temple built in the City of Light?" she asks.

"For the most part, yes," he replies. "Also to free Madoc from a fate it doesn't deserve." He nods at Miko and says, "Not to mention payback for what they've already done to us and others. I'd take down the entire place if I could. Slavery is an abomination and I would like nothing better than to see every slaver put to the sword."

"I'm with you on that one," says Jiron.

James glances to Miko, expecting some reaction to that as he was only one present to be subjected to the h.e.l.l of being a slave, but he remains quiet.

"What I've said here remains just between us. Agreed?" he asks. When everyone gives their agreement, he says, "We've got a hard day ahead of us. I suggest you get what rest you can before morning." To Illan he says, "We better get the meeting with Lord Pytherian over with so we can get a few hours of sleep."

Standing up, Illan nods his head. To Ceadric he says, "Get the men bedded down. We're up with the dawn."

"Yes, sir," he says and then leaves the tent. From outside they can hear his voice shouting orders as he does Illan's bidding.

"We'll be back soon," James says as he gets to his feet. To Delia he says, "Have Devin hit the sack too. I won't need him when I return."

"Okay," she tells him.

He glances over to Jiron and says, "Get everyone to sleep. I want everyone up by dawn."

"You got it," he says.

Illan moves to leave his tent and James follows. Outside they find an exhausted Devin and James nods to him as he and Illan head for the castle.

Despite the lateness of the hour, the streets are still full of people. All are simply agog with the latest rumors about the events that transpired earlier in the evening. Few recognize them as they move through the dark streets and they arrive at the castle in short order.

At the gate, a page is waiting for them and takes them to the same conference room they met in earlier. Surprisingly, only Lord Pytherian is there, the other leaders are absent.

"Where's everyone else?" James asks as the page closes the door behind him. Moving to the table, he sits down in a chair across from Lord Pytherian, Illan takes a seat the chair next to his.

"Thought it would be best to meet here in private," he explains.

"There's no trouble is there?" Illan asks.

"I don't know," he replies. "There's been rumors going around of an agent for the Empire within the walls, but so far nothing definite has been uncovered."

"Could just be rumors," says Illan. "Such always happens during a siege."

"Possibly," Lord Pytherian replies, though his expression tells he doesn't believe that.

James then begins to relate the layout of the enemy forces as had been seen by himself and Delia's group. He also tells him of the warrior priest he encountered during his parley. When he tells of the subsequent battle and the killing of the mage, Lord Pytherian strikes the table and with a grin exclaims, "Good!"

"But the warrior priest is still out there," he explains. "Not sure how that will affect tomorrow's battle."

"What do you plan to do?" he asks.

James then gives a brief rundown on what he plans. When he's done, he asks, "Will you and your men be willing to back us up?"

"Plans are already being set in motion to do just that," he answers.

"Excellent," says Illan.

"Once the battle is over," James tells him, "we're going to push into Madoc."

"With any luck we'll draw elements of the various armies currently occupying Madoc into following," Illan says. "If they do, you must be prepared to take advantage of that and press those that remain hard." James and Illan then begin to give him a rundown of their plan once they begin moving into the Empire.

Throughout their narration Lord Pytherian sits and listens occasionally nodding his head at one point or another. When they're finished laying it down, he says, "I may be able to help you with what you plan."

"How?" James asks.

"By the time you're ready to leave, I'll give you a map detailing where various weapon storehouses and other vital complexes to their war effort are located."

"That would prove most beneficial milord," Illan says.

"Any mines located in their northern territory would be helpful too," adds James. When Lord Pytherian glances at him questioningly, he explains. "May be able to collapse them and render them useless for years."

"I'll see what we can do," he says.

"Whatever happened with Councilman Rillian?" asks James.

"He stepped down from the council," Lord Pytherian replies. "Seems those he represents felt that with all the controversy surrounding him it would be best for another to lead." He gives them a grin, "He wasn't too happy about the situation let me tell you. The man who replaced him has so far conducted himself properly. We do have agents on him just in case though."

"That would be a reasonable precaution," agrees James.

"You needn't worry about the former Councilman Rillian," he tells them. "He left when most of the population fled Lythylla some time ago, as did the Council. It would be bad enough to lose Lythylla, but to lose the Council would be disastrous. The people need something to rally around in times such as these."

"So the civilians who are left...?" prompts James.

"Are here to take care of the military," he explains. "Or those just too stubborn to leave despite what may happen. Others are family members of the soldiers who chose to stay rather than be separated."

"I see," James says.

For the next hour they work out the finer points of the battle plan for the morning. Once all is in readiness, Illan and James take their leave. With only a few hours before dawn, they're not going to get much sleep.

On the way back, they find the streets much more deserted than they were before, the people having finally returned to their homes. At the plaza which currently houses their people, James and Illan say their goodnights and each head to their tents. There are a couple of Ceadric's men on guard duty stationed about the area and they nod or salute when they take notice of James or Illan.

His tent stands dark and lonely, Devin having long since turned in as he told Delia to have him do. Opening the tent flap, he enters and lets the flap swing closed behind him. Exhausted beyond measure, he doesn't even undress just collapses on his cot. No sooner does his head hit the pillow than he falls asleep.

Chapter Ten.

"Sir?" When no answer is forthcoming, Devin pokes his head in the tent and finds James lying there on his cot sound asleep. "Sir?" he says again, this time a little louder hoping to wake him without startling him. It's said that to startle a mage out of sleep is fraught with perils.

When he still doesn't respond, Devin moves inside and comes over next to his cot. Placing his hand on James' chest, he says softly while giving a small shake, "James, wake up."

James sits up abruptly and Devin jumps backward in shock at the unexpected movement.

Bloodshot eyes opening, he glances around the tent and sees Devin off to one side, staring at him. "What?" he asks in a voice still sluggish from sleep.