The Blind King (11 page)

W
ithin days of
Aubriana’s betrayal, another Ra’jhouan city fell to the Na’zorans. A
substantial portion of Ra’jhou’s army had been defeated, with the majority of
soldiers being scattered. The few regiments that remained intact had retreated
north toward the castle. Some of them would never arrive.

Efren feared for the cities in Na’zora’s path and
ordered them to be evacuated. “Have all troops and citizens removed from the
area,” he said. “We will accommodate them here.”

“But, Your
Majesty,” General Willem protested. “There are so many here already, and
removing our army would be madness. We must continue to fight.”

“We have already
lost,” the king replied, his head held low. “Do as I command.”

“If we do not stand
in their way, they will overrun us!” Willem shouted. “This is your kingdom.
Will you do nothing to save it?”

“I am doing all I
can,” the king replied. “I will protect my people until the end. Do you have a
better solution?”

“Stand and fight!
Show them we are not cowards!”

“Their mages will
incinerate what’s left of our army,” Efren explained. “I wonder, will you stand
and watch them burn, or will you burn next to them?”

Without another
word, Willem walked away. He was quickly losing faith in his king. Withdrawing
when they should fight was unwise. Obviously, the king didn’t know what he was
doing when it came to fighting a war. Na’zora would see this as weakness and
take the opportunity to advance more quickly. All Willem could hope for was to
gather the troops at the castle and lead them in a final assault.

Efren stood in
silence, listening to the general walk away. He had failed to find a way to
combat the mages. Disrupting their supply of potions was the best he could do.
With Kal’s death, Efren’s hope to eliminate the problem had died as well.
Though he had searched at length to find a solution, he was no closer to
learning how to combat the mages.

“Majesty,” Duke Arden
said, breaking the silence. “May I ask the logic behind removing the troops?”

“We must pull them
back to help defend the castle. Ra’jhou will continue to march until they have
taken every city and village we have left. Eventually, this will be the only
place left standing.”

“Then you’ve given
up,” Arden commented, staring at Efren.

“No,” he replied,
“but I don’t want to lose more innocent lives. The people will be safer here on
the castle grounds.” With all his heart he wished his army was strong enough to
put up a good fight. This was not the case, though, and he realized it. A new
strategy was needed, and the only place left with strength was his own castle.
If he was going to strike, it would have to be from here.

“Then you wish me
to begin preparations for a siege?” Arden asked.

“I do,” Efren
replied. “We must gather all supplies remaining and bring them here. Make sure
all citizens bring as much as they can carry from their homes. I’m not sure how
long we can hold out, but we have to try.”

“I understand,”
Arden said.

“The castle walls
must be reinforced. Ryshel has worked closely with the citizens living on the
grounds. Speak with her and find out who among them has experience in
architecture or masonry.”

“Of course,” Arden
said, nodding.

“There’s one more
thing,” Efren said quietly. “We need to be able to defend the walls, and there
aren’t enough soldiers returning. I’d like to train any willing citizens, male
or female, to use a bow. We need archers posted on the walls at all hours.”

Arden’s mouth
dropped open in shock. “Majesty, your councilors will never agree to allow
women to act as archers.”

“I don’t care!” he
shouted, his face becoming red. “The women of this kingdom will die too if
Na’zora succeeds. They have as much right to fight as the men.” Taking in a
deep breath, Efren tried to relax. “I am only asking for volunteers,” he said
in a softer tone. “I will not force anyone to do this, but I will not turn the
women away. Any citizen over the age of twelve who wishes to be trained shall
be trained.”

“As you command,
Majesty,” Arden replied.

Arden made his way
down the castle steps and walked among the makeshift camps that had been set up
to accommodate the citizens. There were hundreds of people living in four
separate camps. In a matter of days, hundreds more would arrive. Shaking his
head, the duke thought,
They will be living inside in the cellars next.
Though he did not like the idea of living in the same building with common men,
he would make do in this time of war. After all, the entire population was
under the same threat.

Ryshel stood at the
center of the northernmost camp. Upon seeing her father, she smiled and waved.
“What brings you out here?” she asked.

“The king would
like me to find you. We need to reinforce the walls, and he thinks you will
know which citizens have the necessary skills.”

“I know of only a
few,” she replied. “But I’m sure there are more than I’m aware of. I will find
them and send them to you.”

Arden continued to
stand, staring out at the camp.

“Is there something
else?” she asked. Laying her hand on his arm, she said, “Tell me what troubles
you.”

“I fear your
husband has given up,” he replied. “He has no desire to fight. He’s pulling all
troops away from the remaining villages, which will allow Na’zora an easy path
here. They will march on us in full force, and we may not withstand the siege.”

“Surely it is
better to strike from a position of strength rather than let scattered groups
be overrun one at a time,” she stated. “I support the king’s decision.”

The duke nodded.
“I’m not so sure, but you make a valid argument. Perhaps you can help with
another matter.”

“Of course,” she replied.

“We need to train
archers. I know a few soldiers who will make excellent teachers, but we need
volunteers.”

“I will spread the
word at once,” she said. “I’m sure most of the men will be happy to volunteer.
Though there are no soldiers among the camps, there are many who would stand
and fight.”

“King Efren would
like volunteers of both sexes, if they are willing.” Duke Arden pursed his lips
and looked away from his daughter. The idea of female soldiers still did not
sit well with him.

“I will ask for any
who are willing,” she said with a smile. “Don’t worry, Father. Ra’jhou’s women
are braver than you think. Mothers will not volunteer, but strong women who are
stout of heart will jump at this chance to aid the kingdom.”

“Just don’t put
yourself on the wall with a bow,” he replied. Reaching for his daughter, he
squeezed her tightly against his chest. She had always been a child of strong
opinions, and that had not changed since becoming queen.

M
ore citizens
arrived each day, but with guidance from Ryshel and Duke Arden, placing them
went smoother than expected. Dozens of citizens had volunteered to train as
archers, including several young women. They were thrilled to have the
opportunity to defend the kingdom.

Masons and builders
worked day and night to reinforce the castle walls. The paths into the
mountains were cleared in case the people needed to retreat farther to safety.
It wasn’t an ideal plan, but there was little other choice.

Efren was pleased
with the progress, and complimented his wife on her hard work. “You have done
an amazing job for our people. I’m certain you shall be remembered as the
finest queen Ra’jhou has ever seen.”

Ryshel blushed at
the compliment. “Any queen would do what I have if presented with this situation.”

“I’m not so sure of
that,” Efren replied. “Ra’jhou has never placed enough value on its women, and
even a queen might fear to step forward and take command.” Drawing her near to
him, he added, “If I am forced to surrender the kingdom, I will do what I can
to ensure your safety and the safety of our children.”

“Don’t say such
things,” Ryshel replied. Pouring herself into her work was a perfect
distraction from the realities of war. She knew well they may lose the kingdom,
and even their lives. Those topics were not often discussed, and she hated
hearing her husband despair. “We must remain strong,” she said, squeezing his
hand.

Sitting at her
husband’s side, Ryshel watched as a delegation of dwarves was led into the
throne room.
They must be the ones the northerners were complaining about,
she thought.

“Your Majesty,” Arden
said. “The dwarves have arrived to give you their version of recent events on
our northern border.”

“There is war to my
south already,” Efren stated. “Have you come bringing war to my north as well?”
He did not have the patience for a petty dispute. If they meant no harm, he
would allow them to live in peace along his border.

A heavy dwarf with
a thick brown beard stepped forward and bowed. “Most honorable King of
Ra’jhou,” he said respectfully. “My name is Pedr, and my people have come down
from the Wrathful Mountains to seek a new home. We are refugees of a bloody
civil war among our people. To my misfortune, I was on the losing side.”

Efren smiled
despite himself. Before him was an honest man, that much was plain to tell.
“You have been exiled, then?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.
We seek only a new home. We have no desire to harm anyone, and we would enjoy
the opportunity to trade with your people as we once did.”

“In my
grandfather’s time there was free trade between this kingdom and the dwarves of
the mountains. The idea of such trade brings me hope. However, we are currently
involved in a war, and I don’t know how long this kingdom will exist.”

“I am sorry to hear
that,” Pedr replied. “I would help you if I could. My people are highly skilled
in weapons crafting, but we are few in number.”

“How many have you
brought?”

“Only a few
hundred, I’m afraid,” the dwarf replied. “We would make only a small army, but
we will gladly offer our assistance.”

The dwarves who had
traveled with him chimed in their agreement before being hushed by the
assembled councilmen.

“Then I welcome
you,” Efren declared, to the dismay of his councilors. They muttered among
themselves, clearly unhappy with the king’s decision.

“Come,” Efren
continued. “Meet with me privately. There are things we must discuss.” An idea
had come to him, and he once again had hope. Perhaps they could defeat Na’zora
after all.

Ryshel rose to take
Efren’s arm, and accompanied him and Pedr to a sitting room.

“Leave us,” the
king said to her.

His command took
her by surprise, but she obeyed, leaving him and Pedr alone.

“Could you get a
message to your king?” Efren asked.

“Perhaps. I am an
exile, but I still have connections.” The dwarf observed Efren closely, only
now realizing that he was blind. Such a king would never be accepted among the
dwarves. He would be seen as weak. It intrigued him that Ra’jhou would follow
this man, who was so obviously flawed. He decided Efren must be a man of great
worth to be allowed to rule.

“I have a
proposition for your king,” Efren said. “One that I think he will find most
beneficial. A silver mine sits unused on our northern border.” Efren had an
idea that would involve giving the dwarves access to it. Knowing of a dwarf’s
desire for precious metals, he hoped the king would agree to his terms.
Silver’s excellent magical properties made it highly desired among dwarven
craftsmen.

Anxious to hear the
king’s proposition, Pedr replied, “You have my full attention, Your Majesty.”

* * * * *

After hours of discussion
and planning, Efren emerged to announce his decision to the court. “The dwarves
will be welcomed along our northern border. The towns nearby will offer them
trade, and we will share the rights to the silver mine with them.”

Murmurs spread all
over the room as many disagreed with the king. One councilor boldly rose to
speak. “Your Majesty, this is outrageous! We cannot give away the few resources
we have left!”

“I said we would
share,” Efren said, correcting him. “This is my decision.”

The councilman
muttered something inaudible below his breath but once again took his seat. The
others looked as if they’d eaten lemons, but none of them spoke.

Pedr fetched a
second dwarf from his party and brought him before the king. “Majesty, this is
Groot. There is no finer craftsman in the Wrathful Mountains. He can craft you
magnificent weapons, the likes of which you have never seen. Your army will be
better outfitted than any Na’zoran, including the king.”

Efren nodded his
approval. This new alliance with the dwarves might be the best strategy he had
crafted thus far.

“I commend you, my
lord,” Ryshel said to him. “It’s obvious your councilors are in disagreement,
but I too see these dwarves as an asset. They will improve the strength of our
army and give us a fighting chance against Na’zora. Well done.”

“At least someone
sees the wisdom in my decision,” he said with a smirk. “I have set a new plan
in motion. If it succeeds, Ra’jhou may be saved.”