The Vlakan King (Book 3) (30 page)

"Couldn't he make more soldiers magically to appear that his forces are overwhelming? Or at least the illusion of more soldiers?"

"You are absolutely right, sergeant. Monty, ride back there and see if you can determine where the illusion starts or at least when we need to hit them. Don't get too close."

"Yes, Captain!" Monty hustled to his horse and rode away.

"Well, Lankel. Where do we set up our line? Do we assume we fight eighteen hundred or more? Five thousand can work around us so we should have the landscape in mind."

"Monty will let us know," said Lankel.

"I don't think we will have enough time to set the lines if we wait for Monty's return."

"Then plan for the worst. I'll send the men to the east side of the valley. Horsemen on the west side to cut them off if they try to evade us. Archers to the high ground."

"Good. Lankel, I've enjoyed being your commander. You are an exceptional soldier."

"Thank you Captain. It's been an honor." They clasped arms and then Lankel rode off to prepare the lines. Percane thought about his young daughter for a few minutes; her bright smile and ringlets. There was a shout: the Celaeri had entered the valley. Percane drew his sword and held it up; sunlight sparkling along the blade.

Percane's soldiers met the front lines of the Celaeri and found very little resistance. The Celaeri fell before the blades of the Calendians. Suddenly, a shout rang out from Lankel. The fallen Celaeri's glamour vanished, revealing Wierland and Curesia soldiers dead from the Calendian swords. That was how they increased their numbers.

"Continue the attack!" shouted Percane. "The Celaeri are in there somewhere. We cannot afford to hesitate!"

The renewed effort was only partially successful as many soldiers were reluctant to kill innocent men. As Percane predicted, the real Celaeri soon came charging forward and easily carved up the front line of the Calendians. Percane called for a retreat when he saw Lankel go down. His men tried to disengage but the Celaeri were too quick and it became a route. Percane rushed to cover the retreat of his men. He barely wounded a Celaeri before his sword was knocked from his hands. He dodged but not quickly enough and the flat of the Celaeri blade grazed his forehead and he went down.

It seemed but a minute had passed when he opened his eyes and saw the sorcerer standing over him. The sounds of battle had ceased.

"What is your name Captain?" asked Pashar Bei.

"Percane." He struggled to his feet and swayed as he stood before the sorcerer. He looked around him to the bloody bodies of his soldiers.

"Well Captain Percane, you fought well and for your bravery you shall be spared; from death that is. I shall cloak your men as Celaeri and they shall be the first to feel the blades of you comrades who defend Nantitet. You shall witness the slaughter of your surviving men and march at the front of my soldiers into Nantitet. Your men will be helpless to fight back and will have full awareness of their fate as they comrades rush forward to kill them. Is it not a wonder what my magic can do?"

Machel Moet looked away from the brave Captain of Calendia. Percane spat in the face of Pashar Bei but the sorcerer merely wiped his face clean.

"It will be interesting to see how long your courage lasts in the face of certain death by your own comrade's weapons. Perhaps someone you trained will kill you. Let's hope he is skilled with the blade so you won't suffer long. After your men have been killed I shall lift the enchantment and the defenders shall see what their violence has wrought as you witnessed with the Wierland and Curesia heroes. Ah, I wish you would be alive then to see their despair. Delicious. All I can say is delicious."

I have not seen a Vlakan although my archives have many tales of them. The Vlakan is a large creature sharing aspects of a wolf and cat, fast and strong, intelligent and a relentless hunter. The tales diverge in some respects; that the Vlakan are animals in their own right and others claim they are Celaeri transformed into their base selves. Landermass is home to several large species of predator; the Wolfen - huge wolves as thick as bears but led by a transformed sorcerer, the Amogrihens, feline creatures whose origins are unknown but many were created in later years by Macelan, my mentor, warping Men into lethal stalkers.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

The guards at the Dael gate stopped everyone who desired to enter the city. Davan stared at all the tents and people outside the walls. Most were artisans who did not qualify to sell their wares inside the city. However, their goods were quality and lower priced because they were not part of the inner markets. Many citizens of Dael came outside the walls to find bargains. Most of the people re-entering the city were bearing their purchases home. Davan and Jarius were stopped at the Dael gate by the guards. They used Brevin's supplies to clean themselves up and mend their clothes but the signs of lengthy travel could not be removed. Brevin waited in the line behind them to find out why they were detained. He made no movement toward them and said nothing. Davan immediately knew not to acknowledge Brevin although he could see Jarius' frown and hoped Jarius wouldn't say anything.

"Where are you bound?" asked the guard.

"I am following my father," said Davan. "He came to Amloth to find work. We heard word that he had gone on to Cresida, but we could only get a boat for Masina. We need to buy supplies to continue our journey."

"Hard luck, lad. It's a great walk to Cresida. Can you buy horses or a wagon?"

"No. We barely have enough money for tonight's dinner."

The young men did not have any money for lodging and the guards knew they had to bring them to the Captain of the Guard. King Kalen commanded all strangers interviewed these past weeks. The guards thought the King had grown paranoid since the disappearance of his granddaughter. Sometimes he would sit and stare at the newcomers as if willing them to break down and confess to crimes. At times the newcomers would sit in a cell for a few hours before the King let them free. Davan and Jarius seemed destined for the cells. Brevin watched them and then approached the gate. He was waved through and followed the street toward the castle in the boys' wake.

King Kalen opened the windows at the shouts. He saw the Eslendian banners of the soldiers marching past the city of Dael on their way to Cresida. King Hal had sent an army in response to the plea for help from Princess Linna of Cresida. The Celaeri were bringing war again in their quest to wrest back their homeland from Men. King Kalen recognized the figure at the head of the column; it was Prince Jahnn, King Hal's grandson. He wore a burnished gold chest plate and a gold helm with silver wings. He raised his hand in salute to King Kalen. The Prince changed direction and rode into the city escorted by six guards. The king's attendants hurried to prepare the great hall even as King Kalen walked in that direction. When the king entered the hall he found two city guards with two young men.

"What is this?" asked Kalen.

"Your highness, we beg your pardon. We thought Captain Berkat was in here. These two youngsters came to the city and are strangers without the means to support themselves. They spoke of needing supplies but have no money to buy them. We did not want to allow them free run in the city with theft in their future. We brought them here as ordered."

"Very well. Captain Berkat is not here so I will deal with them in a few minutes. Prince Jahnn of Eslenda will be walking through those doors shortly and you need to step aside."

The guards shoved Davan and Jarius to the far side of the room. The heavy footsteps of the Eslenda guards heralded Prince Jahnn. Davan was surprised to see the Prince was of an age with him but the Prince moved with confidence. Davan saw the Prince glance around the interior taking note of everything.

"King Kalen, it is an honor to see you again." He bowed his head to the aged king.

"Ah Prince Jahnn, welcome to Dael. How is your grandfather?"

"He is well, but no longer able to ride this far I'm afraid. Time is finally caught him but he is content. I am riding to Cresida to aid them against the Celaeri. I must make haste while Gornst still stands. If the Celaeri take the city it will be hard to dislodge them from north Cresida."

"Cresida! That's where we are headed," exclaimed Davan. "Take us with you!" The guard gave a strong forearm to Davan's chest knocking him backward.

"And who are you?" asked Prince Jahnn.

"They are newcomers to Dael," said Kalen. "Vagabonds with a tale to tell, no doubt. Well, they will be able to polish it up sitting in the dungeon."

"No! My father is going to Cresida. He is ill and I must help him."

"You sound like a good son, but Prince Jahnn cannot be bothered with such things. He is going to war. You will stay here a few days until I can be sure of your intentions."

"Our intention is to get to Cresida," said Davan.

"That is enough! Prince Jahnn may your quest be fruitful."

"Thank you, King Kalen. As I said, I must hurry. I stopped to pay my respects. If you can spare any soldiers I would be appreciative."

"Ah, you know I have few soldiers."

"I can be of help," said a voice from the shadowy corner. The guards quickly formed a protective wall between the voice and Kalen and Jahnn.

"Who's there? This happened when Krysta disappeared. Lockwell, why have you returned?"

"I am not Lockwell," said Brevin, stepping forward with his palms raised. The soldiers formed a circle around him.

"Then who are you?" asked Kalen. "And why do you come into my presence unbidden?"

"My name is Brevin Tarbin. I am a merchant trader from Anavar. I am traveling with Davan and Jarius whom you have met."

"What help can you be?" asked Prince Jahnn.

"I am a member of the Talos Company."

"What? A foolish tale," said Kalen.

"And I am a mage."

"Prove it," said Prince Jahnn coolly.

Brevin had expected this and released his spell. The swords of the guards glowed with heat and the guards cursed and dropped their blades. They stared at Brevin who raised his palms again.

"Well, the mage part appears true," said King Kalen.

"I was commanded by Kerreth Veralier himself to watch over Davan and Jarius as they search for Davan's father, Ian Greyrawk," said Brevin,

"Greyrawk? That name is not unfamiliar to me," said Kalen. "One of the old families of northern Cresida. You believe Greyrawk is headed to Cresida?"

"Yes. We believe he passed through your kingdom on his journey. There is some connection between the Celaeri and the Vlakan creatures you may have heard about. Ian has Celaeri blood and began behaving strangely before he left his home. We believe he is being compelled to seek out the Celaeri."

"And if he does what side does that place you on?" asked Kalen.

"Against the Celaeri, now and always," said Brevin. "The Talos Company fought against them in the past although I wasn't a member then."

"And the young men?" asked Prince Jahnn.

"Against the Celaeri," said Davan. "They are hurting my father."

"Then come with me," said Prince Jahnn. "A mage would be helpful."

"And a sorcerer," said Jarius. He began to glow and change in size. The soldiers picked up their swords and pointed them at Jarius.

"Enough Jarius!" said Brevin. "Do not show off. I'm sure Prince Jahnn would have believed your words without the show."

"Ah, yes of course," said Prince Jahnn. He glanced at King Kalen who raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"He didn't believe you were a mage without proof," muttered Jarius.

"Well, that's settled," said King Kalen. "The young vagabonds leave my kingdom and you have additional help, Prince Jahnn. I do not have to tell you to keep an eye out for Krysta and your sister. My trackers lost their trail heading east."

"Merie and Krysta are never far from my mind. And they fuel my enthusiasm for heading east. I beg your leave; we have many days of hard travel."

"Go with grace and speed," said King Kalen. "Bring my granddaughter back. Corporate Lugart, get some for horses for our new friends."

Prince Jahnn nodded to Brevin and led them to his soldiers who had word of their coming and were mounted, ready to depart.

Prince Jahnn rode at the head of the column while Brevin, Davan and Jarius rode in a group with about twenty soldiers between them and the Prince. The Prince may be young but he was no fool. Davan knew they would be watched closely especially a mage and a sorcerer. Davan surprised himself by the relief he felt at not having magic. Traveling with the Talos Company he felt envious of all the magic around him but now he hoped to fade beyond the vigilance of the soldiers. He was just a tavern keeper's boy after all.

They rode past midday into early afternoon before they stopped to water the horses. Davan and Jarius were hungry and Brevin gave them a little bread and cheese.

"An army eats while it rides," said Brevin. "We are not stopping for lunch. Once the horses are watered and fed we will be moving on until nightfall. I will give you some extra bread for the rest of today's ride but tomorrow you will fend for yourselves. See the cook early in the morning and ask for rations for the day. If you are late you will spend a hungry day riding."

The next day they traveled steady stopping only to water the horses. Davan's horseback experience was limited and the forced marches were showing him sore muscles he didn't even know he had. Jarius muttered darkly as the day drew to a close and Prince Jahnn smiled at the stiff gaits of the duo as they laid out their bedrolls.

The Prince sat next to Brevin, stretching his long legs.

"I had heard of your grandfather," said Brevin. "I wasn't in the Talos Company then, but my comrades told me a lot about the Turuck War."

"King Henry is not my true grandfather, rather my great uncle. He killed my paternal grandfather, Howard Cane."

"Ah, yes. I remember the story."

"Was he as bad as they say? I was born years later. My grandmother rarely spoke of him around me. She was sad at times."