Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 09:44:02 EDT
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Sword of Kings - chapter 15

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The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
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Don't read this story if:
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chapter.

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              *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

The Sword of Kings-by BW (Fantasy/Sci Fi).        Copyright 2000 by billwstories
Chapter 15 - Avoiding the Dark Lord's guardian.   February 2001

Elgin, the dwarf commander, marched his troops to the spur that joined the
Amber and Citadel Mountain ranges before they stopped.  Once there, he
quickly briefed them on their assignment.  He had not done this at Thorold
because he knew that Captain Baith would soon be bringing his own men out
to form up in the same expanse just a few minutes later.  The confusion
that would have been generated by the two groups being there simultaneously
would have been immense, and the Commander knew that it was important that
every trooper in his command must understand the details about what
potential threats they would be facing.  He knew the location they were now
at would not be completely safe, but he must not delay this briefing any
longer.  It had been foolhardy to allow this much of a delay and chance
first contact with the condor before all the details of the diversion had
been explained, but it was a calculated risk and he now he had to fill them
in as quickly as possible.  He immediately summoned his senior officers and
squad leaders, to apprise them of the details so they could help him with
the general explanation to the troops.  The remaining soldiers enjoyed an
unneeded break, while the officers conferred.

"You have already been well advised by Beraut about the dangers and
importance of this assignment.  He has also drilled you on the techniques
we will use to deceive the Dark Lord's pet, as it flies over the mountains
looking for signs of intrusion or its next meal.  It is now time for us to
address the details of how we will disguise our passing and avoid a
confrontation with the creature.  It will be the smallest details that will
determine if this ruse succeeds or fails, so me must focus on these to
ensure our success."  The commander searched each face before him, trying
to determine if each of his officers seemed to understand the importance of
what he was saying.  Being satisfied that this was indeed so, the Commander
resumed his remarks.

"Each squadron will assign one soldier to serve as lookout on this march
and it will be his duty to search the horizon for the approach of this evil
beast.  These observers must be ever vigilant, never letting their
concentration slip for even just a single moment, for it will be their
function to warn the rest of us when we must execute the camouflaging
maneuver.  Even one lapse in focus or one brief mental diversion could cost
us the loss of not only this command and the lives of every soldier in it,
but it could also jeopardize the entire allied battle plan and our defense
of Tarolia."  Again Elgin paused, making sure that the significance of his
last remarks were fully heeded.  He looked into the eyes of those around
him and saw only understanding in their expressions, so he continued his
briefing.

"As each of our men are instructed early in their careers to recognize and
imitate the sounds of the wildlife indigenous to this land, we will use one
of these sounds as our signal that the giant condor is approaching.  When
any of these observers spy the beast, he is to begin to chirp like a
cricket.  This warning will be passed on by each of the other observers,
but no one else.  We want it to sound natural and too many troopers passing
on the signal might just draw the attention of that monstrous bird.
Immediately upon hearing the signal, each soldier will carry out his
portion of the ruse and remain motionless until one of my senior officers
or I give the all-clear signal.  We shall be the only ones allowed to
attempt to follow the flight of that creature, because of our placement
within the ranks, and we will signal everyone else when it can be seen no
more.  The all-clear signal will be the croak of the puff toad and everyone
will reform quickly, so we can resume our march.

"I would now like each of the squad leaders to return to their squads and
select their most trustworthy and dependable trooper to serve as observers.
Instruct them carefully on the importance and details of their roles and be
sure to test their proficiency with the signal we have chosen.  It is up to
each of you to reiterate my words of caution and to emphasize the
importance of vigilance and stealth in performing this duty.  Return to
your squads and advise those within your ranks that we shall be moving out
in fifteen more minutes."  The squad leaders broke ranks and left the
meeting, returning to their squads to carry out the instructions their
commander had just given them.  When they had departed, Beraut turned to
his command officers and outlined what they were to do.

"I want each of you to place yourselves strategically around the outer
edges of the formation to help watch for the approach of the vulture and to
assist in passing the signals throughout the ranks.  As I have stated
earlier, you are to assist me in ensuring that the threat has passed before
the all-clear signal is given.  I know that I can depend on your judgment
as I always have.  With the number of troops we have assigned to this task,
we should be able to pass the signals at a reasonable volume quickly,
without it sounding unnatural.  Now, go select your position and we shall
resume our march shortly."

The senior officers dispersed and went to choose a suitable position within
the ranks, maintaining a uniform distance between each other and splitting
up evenly on both sides of the formation.  It was just a few minutes later
that Commander Elgin gave the order to march and they began their advance
and they set off again along the base of the Citadel Mountains.  They
stayed close to the mountains without entering them so, when the condor did
appear and they performed their deceptive ploy, they would blend in with
the mountainous slope and merely make it appear the it was slightly
broader, without being obviously so.

The sky was very overcast, as a major seasonal storm was making its
approach and beginning to break loose upon the upper levels of the mountain
range.  It wasn't much longer before the foul weather also began to
encompass the dwarfs and they were now enduring a steady drizzle, which
continued to increase in intensity.  The overcast sky also made it more
difficult to watch for the winged guardian's approach and, hopefully, it
would also make it more difficult for him to make his patrols or to see
what was happening below.  They had only gone a little over a few hundred
meters when the first cricket's chirp was heard and passed along.  The
dwarfs responded in perfect fashion and pulled the maneuver off with
flawless precision, and they waited for the threat to pass.  A couple of
minutes later they responded to the throaty call of the puff toad,
reformed, and set off once again.

Those who had been on the edges of the formation still couldn't believe
what they had seen, having just stolen their first glimpse of the avian
watchdog.  Even though they had heard the wizard's description of this
freak of nature earlier, they still didn't imagine it to be as large as it
was in reality, having assumed that the wizard had been embellishing his
tale and taking liberties with his descriptions.  But now, for the first
time, they realized that, if anything, the mage had understated the
creature's enormity and threat.  Those who had been in the interior of the
formation quizzed those along the perimeter for information about what they
had seen and they questioned them relentlessly for every detail they could
pry out of them.  If they did not feel that the person they were
interrogating was doing a satisfactory job telling them what they wished to
know, they would start grilling another or they would listen in on another
group's conversation.  Stories were now spreading like wildfire through the
ranks, as various troopers began to fill in the missing details with parts
from someone else's recounting of what they had seen.  Soon everyone had
heard about this magical beast and, although these hearty warriors were not
easily impressed or intimidated, the condor had succeeded in doing both on
just one pass over them.

When the march resumed, these sturdy troopers covered a considerable
distance without seeing the creature again and they soon approached Death's
Door.  This was the path through the mountains that once served as the
major thoroughfare to the dwarf's agricultural center, Thorley, but it
could now serve to expose their presence.  They approached this change in
terrain with a great deal of apprehension, remembering the stories the
wizard had told them about the multitude of skeletal remains he had passed
by when using this route and of his near encounter with the giant bird in
the confines of that narrow roadway.  They knew that all of this meant that
the condor visited that area frequently and they realized their ruse
wouldn't work in that opening, as the terrain was different and the
disguise would make them stand out almost as noticeably as having none.
Commander Elgin advanced only one squad at a time across this open area,
having them move quickly from one side to the other while the scouts
scrutinized the air above them for any sign of the giant bird's return.
When at last they had moved the entire army across this treacherous patch
of ground, they fell back into formation and were on their way again.

As they marched on to Tunstan, the sun temporarily broke free of the cloud
covering which had been obscuring it, giving a slight bit of warmth and
brightening not only the landscape, but also the spirits of the dwarf
soldiers.  Nearly every eye was on the horizon now, knowing that this also
meant that their adversary would find the conditions better for flying as
well, and they didn't want to be caught unaware of its return.  They didn't
have to wait very long before the chirping began anew, as the winged
guardian made its next pass over this stretch of the country.  This time
there was some slight undulation and some uneven spacing around the center
of their formation, as the fighting men in the middle of the canopy wanted
to get their own look at this monstrous creature.  A sudden wave of concern
rose among the officers when they could see patches of sunlight invading
the interior and realized what was happening.  Now they began to worry that
the ruse stood a chance of disintegrating to a point where the condor would
discover their presence and unleash an attack upon them.  They held their
breath, hoping that the breakdown wouldn't become that apparent from an
aerial viewpoint, but they were mentally planning the reprimand and
tongue-lashing they would be giving their troops, once this threat had
passed.  This was definitely not the way dwarf troops performed under
pressure and would not be tolerated, regardless of the reason for the cause
of this breakdown in discipline.

Once again the area grew dark, and nearly everyone realized that it was the
giant bird, not the clouds, that was blocking out the sun and casting the
shadow that was swallowing them up at this time.  Now they froze in terror
at the thought they had been discovered and nearly every heart stopped
beating momentarily, as they waited to discover their fate.  The only
recognizable sound that broke the stillness was that of their raspy
breathing under the false roof above them, until their hearts started
beating again, and then all they could hear was the pulsing of the blood
being pumped through the tiny arteries in their ears.  Everyone was
somewhat relieved as the sun began to filter in from the outer edges of the
formation again, that was until a pitiful wail went up from somewhere near
the rear of the formation.  Commander Elgin nearly leapt out of his skin
and out from under the canopy he was under as that cry of pain rang out,
but he maintained his military composure and fought to control his
emotions.  He now rationalized that if they had been discovered, he would
soon hear the sound of the battle cries as the warriors defended
themselves, and then he could give his remaining soldiers the command to
fight, but for now he would sit tight.  The temptation was great to find
out what was happening at the rear of the formation, and now he was
grateful that those under his command were so well disciplined.  What he
didn't realize at that moment was that many of them were just frozen with
fear.

Once things had settled down again and the all-clear signal was given,
Commander Elgin raced to the rear of the formation and approached the
senior officer who was stationed there.  "Was that one of our troops who
rendered his death groan as those powerful, razor-like claws pierced his
flesh?  Were we discovered and did that monster grab a soldier to show his
master and warn him of our approach?  Just what the hell happened back
here?"

"No, Sir, it was not one of our troops that the condor grabbed, but a stag
that had become spooked on the slope slightly above us.  It happened less
than a hundred meters from our outer perimeter, but the beast scooped up
its victim and took it over that ridge, probably to dine.  I suggest we get
out of here as quickly as possible, before it finishes its snack."

"Certainly.  That's a wise precaution.  We shall silently get everyone up
and moving, but I want you and the other scout at the rear to keep your
eyes peeled on that ridge.  I want you to be able to let us know
immediately when that devil takes wing again, so we can take cover again.
If you suspect anything, give the signal.  I'd rather be safe than be
discovered and attacked."

The officer did as he was commanded and Elgin turned and began to give
hand-signals to get his command up and moving.  They quickly began their
march forward, with a definite purpose behind every powerful stride, and
soon they had placed a great deal of distance between themselves and that
dreaded place where the Dark Lord's pet had disappeared.  The commander
resisted the urge to give the double-time command, knowing that the
clattering of the metallic parts of their armor or the clanging sound of
the scabbards against their chain mail might be heard by their nemesis.
Instead they walked briskly, increasing the distance between them and the
creature they feared, until the sound of chirping sent them into another
camouflaging maneuver.

This happened to be the final time they saw the condor on this initial day
of their march and, as nightfall soon overtook them, they made camp for the
evening.  It was kind of a bleak camp, as no fires could be constructed and
they took a stern chewing out because of their poor performance and
uncharacteristic sloppiness on their last deception. They also received
some fatherly advice from Commander Elgin, about how they should perform in
the future, but they spent most of the night recounting their tales of the
day's events.  As they ate a hasty, cold meal, they told stories about what
they had seen, filling in the unlucky troopers who hadn't really got a good
glimpse of the condor as it passed by.  They were busy telling them about
the impressive nature of the beast and the near miss they had when the
condor had discovered and killed the stag.  After a considerable discussion
and after answering many questions, things began to quiet down for the
evening.  Guards were posted around the perimeter and strict orders were
given to them that the final posting of sentries were to arouse the entire
camp approximately an hour before daybreak.  Elgin wanted everyone up and
ready to move before the first light of dawn split the darkness.  After the
guards were stationed at their posts and everyone else went off to bed
down, an unsettling silence overtook the campsite.  The dwarfs tried hard
to get a good night's sleep, fighting their way through a series of
troubling visions, but their efforts were not entirely successful.  Their
dreams that night were consumed with images of being discovered by the
condor, as they continued their journey, and about having to defend against
the destruction that this magical beast wrought upon them afterward.  The
other prevalent theme for their nightmares was of the upcoming battle and
the unholy devastation and destruction that would be wrought upon the
central plains.  No matter which type of bone-chilling dreams they faced,
they were relieved when morning came and the visions ended.

A steady drizzle had begun during the night and by early morning it had
worked its way into a torrential downpour, making it very uncomfortable for
the troops as they packed up and then prepared to eat and break camp.  It
hadn't taken long before the dwarfs and their bedding became totally
saturated, and it made for a very unpleasant start to the new day.  They
had to wring the water from their gear, before they could put it away, and
then they sat down to eat.  The morning meal was even more disheartening,
as everything they tried to prepare soon became soggy and watered down, and
even the bread became a waterlogged pile of mush.  These were veteran dwarf
troops, though, and they coped with this unpleasantness in typical stoic
fashion, even though they would have preferred not to deal with it at all.
It wasn't long before they finished this disappointing meal and then
resumed their march.  The ground was very damp and the footing was slippery
and treacherous, as they moved upon the rocky soil.  This certainly would
slow them down, as they had to move more cautiously than they normally
would have, but they had allowed sufficient time to reach Tunstan.  Even
with such hindrances, they would still be able to get to their staging area
and unite with the other forces in plenty of time for battle.

The condor flew over many times this day, forcing them to take cover and
wait until it had left the area before they could continue, slowing them
down even more.  It was nearing dusk when Commander Elgin ordered scouts to
be dispatched to search the area before them for a suitable campsite, one
that would be somewhat free of the puddles and mud in which they had been
traveling.  They were not expecting to find an ideal area, completely dry
and affording them additional shelter, but they were hoping for one that
would allow them to free themselves from the same discomforts they had been
forced to endure all day.  Before long the scouts came back to report.

One of them had journeyed into the lower reaches of the mountains to seek a
suitable site and he returned to report finding a smallish, uninhabited
cave.  It was not large enough to house the entire regiment, but it was
sufficiently large enough to set up a command post and house the senior
staff.  A covering could be devised over the entrance, so torches could be
lit inside and allow the officers a chance to discuss their progress, the
weather, the condor, consult the maps, and make plans for the next leg of
this journey.  The other scouts returned during this discussion of the
first discovery, and announced that they didn't have as much good fortune
in finding a location.  Commander Elgin sent his second in command to
accompany the first scout and appraise his find, to determine what sort of
possibilities there were for the rest of the troops.  Soon they returned to
give their report.

"The cave will be an ideal headquarters and there is a section of the lower
slopes that is covered with a vast collection of spongy plants that will
make a suitable location for the troops to rest upon.  The plants will give
them a soft cushion on which to bed down and it will keep them off the damp
ground underneath and make their slumber more bearable."

"Do there appear to be any drawbacks to this location?" the commander
wanted to know.

"None that I have discovered.  It would seem to be the best site that we
could hope for, especially for such short notice and under these
conditions."

"Very well.  We shall stop there and set up camp then.  Please inform the
other officers of our intentions and then you may lead the way."

After word was spread, they followed the scouts to this new location.  The
commander was then led to the cave to inspect it.  He found the climb quite
difficult, as the slopes were slippery and the footwork hazardous, but he
continued to labor his way to the site.  When they finally reached the
cave, the commander checked it out and it did prove to be an ideal shelter
and would serve them well.  It was dry, well concealed, and would allow
them to relax, unwind, and discuss things in private.

While the junior officers were being led to their accommodations, the
common soldiers were checking out their new quarters and preparing camp for
the night.  They were quite satisfied with this location, as the spongy
plants would make it almost like sleeping on a mattress and it would keep
them from bedding down in the mud, which they had been anticipating.
Though they were used to such discomforts and hardships, it was always
better when they could avoid such unpleasant conditions, and this was one
of those few exceptions where they were better off than they were expecting
to be.

The officers began to transform the cave into a conference room and they
covered the opening to the chambers with a multitude of blankets, to keep
the light from the torches from showing outside the cavern.  Now, with the
torches lit and propped up around the interior, they began to look at their
maps and determine how far they had come, how far they had left to go, and
determine if they would be able to keep to their schedule.  After due
consideration, Commander Elgin spoke to the others.

"Our mission has started off poorly, with that blasted pest constantly
circling overhead and this dreadful, unexpected change in the weather.  We
are already behind schedule and considerably short of where we had
anticipated camping on this second night.  We must try to make up for this
by increasing our pace tomorrow, though our chances of doing that will be
slim if the weather remains this inclement and that winged scout continues
its rounds.  We must, however, do the best we can, or we shall place the
outcome of the battle in jeopardy."

"What if we head south and ford the River Sterling?" one of the other
officers suggested.  "Do you think that there's a chance that the plains on
the other side have been less affected by this weather and we could make up
time like that?"

"No, it is my understanding that the weather is much the same from these
mountains and south to Leander," the commander responded.  "Besides, this
deception against Madumda's scout would be useless in other terrain and
then we'd be vulnerable to attack by that beast and that would present even
more risk of not making it on time, if at all.  If that isn't enough, the
rains have made the currents even swifter this far downstream and I'm
afraid we wouldn't be able to cross it as it is now."

"We're accustomed to the mountains," another officer offered.  "What if we
used a mountain route instead?"

"Have you forgotten how slippery the slope was just climbing here?" Elgin
asked him.  "The slippery slopes would slow us more than the mud on the
plains and again our ruse would be ineffective, as your covering has
grasses and other items that wouldn't be seen higher up.  No, it is best if
we stay our course, yet make every effort we can to get there on time.  I
just hope that proves to be good enough and we don't irreparably change the
outcome of the battle because of our tardiness."

The commander paused, still searching for other options and hoping to
discover that one idea that would make a difference.  Had they overlooked
something obvious or something so simple that none of them had given it a
second thought?  Maybe it was as obvious as the nose on his face, yet so
common that no one had considered it.  He was pursuing this line of thought
when the other officers began to address him, bringing him back to the
present.  After answering a few more of their questions and discarding a
couple more suggestions, he addressed them all again.

"I think it's best that we sleep on this tonight and discuss it again
briefly in the morning.  Maybe the gods will remove the clouds from our
eyes while we sleep, or give us a vision to guide our way.  You may all
sleep in here, with me.  There is much wisdom to that old axiom that 'rank
has its privileges' and, as you move up through the ranks, you'll find that
this is only one of them."  He laughed, and the others joined in, but soon
they were locating a spot to call their own and bid each other a good
night.

As they began to settle in, each of them was thankful for this temporary
billet and its protection from the elements.  Most of the officers soon
fell into the blissful oblivion of sleep, and the soft rumblings of their
snoring were soon reverberating off the walls of the cave, making as much
noise as a hundred hibernating bears.  Commander Elgin was not as
fortunate, and he woke several times as his dreams were troubled by the
thoughts that their lateness would somehow affect the tide of battle.  He
would get up, pass thru the temporary covering over the mouth of the cave,
and then talk to the guard who was on duty outside or just stand and listen
to the unnatural silence that had fallen over the land.  Usually you would
hear the sounds of nocturnal predators, but this had not been the case
since Madumda's pet had begun to make its rounds along this stretch of
land.  The only sound they could discern was the nasal rumblings coming
from the cavern behind him, but that was not loud enough to be heard much
further than from where they were now standing.  After staying awake for a
short time, the commander would make his way back to his bedroll and
attempt to catch of few more precious minutes of rest, before he would
awake once more.  The evening was nearly over and the dawn was ready to
break when the guard entered the chamber to arouse the commander,
disturbing Elgin from one of those few moments of restful slumber he had
enjoyed during the entire night.

"Sir, I hate to awaken you, but I'm afraid that something is terribly
amiss.  I have been standing guard for much longer than is required for
this duty and no one has come to relieve me.  At first I just assumed that
the guard below lost track of time and failed to wake our replacements.
Now, with the sky beginning to lighten, I don't hear any sounds of soldiers
moving around below or see any signs of activity.  I'm not sure what is
wrong, but I do believe we must go down and investigate this situation."

"I agree with your assessment, but we must proceed cautiously," Elgin
replied.  "If something has gone wrong down below, then we must move
quickly, but with the utmost vigilance.  Whatever harm or foe has overcome
them may still be present, so the danger may still exist.  Why don't you
wake up the rest of the officers and give them a quick assessment of what
has been going on, but remember to make sure they remain quiet?"

"Yes, sir, and I apologize for not informing you sooner.  It's just that I
wasn't certain that there was anything wrong."

"No apologies necessary, as I doubt that it would have made much
difference.  I would still have elected to wait for daylight, lest we walk
into a trap.  Now go wake the others and have them join us, as we may need
their numbers in correcting this situation."

As the guard went in and roused the others, Elgin attempted to do a little
scouting, without going too far away or getting within reach of whatever
might have caused this situation.  He learned nothing from his efforts and
was more than ready to move closer to where he left his army, but only once
the others had joined him.  Now he filled them in quickly about what he had
done while waiting for them, gave his orders about how he wanted them to
proceed, and then the armed party made its way quietly down the slope.  Now
there was enough light to see through the drizzle, and soon the fate of the
others became apparent.  A sudden wave of disbelief swept over those with
Elgin, and these feelings overwhelmed them momentarily, but then the
gravity of the situation caused them to react.  Sometime during the night
the soft bed of vines the dwarfs had been thankful for, had now become
their worst nightmare.  While they slept, the vines grew and entwined
around their bodies, and fettered them helpless.  Each of these stout
warriors was now encased in his own viny cocoon, unable to help himself,
let alone anyone else.

"Use your battleaxes and swords to start freeing our companions from their
shackles," Commander Elgin ordered.  "Just be careful that you don't become
entangled in this same web yourself.  This appears to be the work of some
sort of spell placed by Madumda to protect his flanks, so watch that those
tendrils don't start clutching at your limbs and try to encase you like a
sausage.  After you free each trooper, help him locate and free his
weapons, so he can assist with the others.  Move quickly, but work
carefully.  We don't want to kill or injure any of our own with a misplaced
stroke."

Each man moved instinctively to free the man nearest to them, chopping away
at the leafy bonds that held them.  Occasionally they would have to stop
helping the latest captive, to whack at the vegetation that tried to also
ensnare them.  It was a slow, arduous process extracting their comrades
from this unnatural green trap but, as they were able to free more and more
of the others, the process moved along more rapidly.  When the final
trooper was freed from his temporary prison, the junior officers attended
to those needing medical assistance for injuries sustained during their
bondage, while the others fought to collect their gear and weapons.  When
the plants had been hacked to shreds and every item was reclaimed, they
moved to a safer location to form up, take a count of the injured, and see
what impact this event would have on their mission.  It was many hours
since they first discovered the treachery, but the commander wished to
learn more about how this had come to be.

"What happened back there, trooper?  Didn't the guard or anyone else
recognize what was happening to the lot of you?"

"I'm afraid not, sir.  Those of us who were sleeping had no warning of any
danger and didn't realize what was happening until it was too late to
prevent it.  When I awoke, because of an uneasy feeling that I was having,
I found myself bound.  I tried to cry out, but I found I that I couldn't.
That's when I began to realize that something was dreadfully wrong.  You
see, a vine had worked its way across my mouth and another under my chin,
so all I could do was make a few grunting noises.  As I strained to look at
those around me, I saw that they were also in the same predicament that I
was.  I'm not sure what happened to the guards, but I would imagine that
they were taken as unaware as the rest of us."

"I'm sure your assessment is correct and that the vines found a way to
subdue them before they could sound an alert.  However, it is very
disconcerting to know that my troops can be overtaken in such an easy
manner, whether it was through guile, sorcery, or a combination of both.  I
will have to review this situation thoroughly, to see if procedures need to
be adjusted in any way and to determine if any punishment or sanctions are
called for, especially for those on duty at the time of this incident.  For
now, let's be on our way so that we may free ourselves from Madumda's
enchantments and make up for lost time."  The commander now went to confer
with a group of his officers.

"The weather might still prove to be a challenge, as it appears from
looking at the peaks above that an early snowfall is hitting the upper
levels.  The same conditions may soon also overtake us and slow our pace
even more.  We must move out as soon as we can.  What is the report or the
number of injured and the severity of their conditions?"

"A dozen of our soldiers died from asphyxiation, as those plants cut of
their ability to breathe.  Two of those killed were the guards who were on
duty during that period.  A few others are still very weak and feeling the
lingering effects of oxygen deprivation.  They and others also suffer from
broken bones and contusions, caused by their fighting to break free of
their restraints.  The bones should be set and the others recovered enough
to move in another hour or so."

"Another hour, but it is already past midday.  We cannot afford another
hour.  Do we have another option, like leaving them behind and having them
catch up with us later?"

"That is a possibility, though we'd have to leave a few others to assist
them and to help protect them from other dangers that might arise.  Even
when they are ready, their pace will be slow for the rest of the day, but
they will catch up to us eventually, hopefully before the battle has
ended."

"I'm not totally happy with that option, as I always hate splitting my
forces before I have to, but it is better than all of us being late.  Make
it so and tell the rest of the troops to prepare to march.  Has anyone seen
any signs of that bothersome bird?"

"None, sir, which is fortunate.  If it had discovered us in that condition,
I'm afraid it could have killed us all and then used us for its breakfast,
lunch, and dinner."

"A grim thought indeed, but maybe Madumda thought his plants had done the
job instead.  I'm not sure if the Dark Lord would know of our encounter
with his botanical trap, but I doubt that would be the reason for the
condor's absence."

"I think it was very fortuitous that the creature chose this time to be lax
on its rounds."

"Possibly too fortuitous.  There would have to be another reason that his
scout has stopped scouting, and every reason I can think of is bad.  Stay
alert, in case it returns, but I hope that its absence isn't a sign that
the battle is ready to begin or has already begun.  The only thing worse
would be if it had been drawn away by more pressing business, such as
discovering a small party trying to sneak into Treblanc."

"I certainly hope that is not the case," his second in command added, "for
that would mean that Kieren and the others haven't completed their mission
and their lives are in jeopardy.  It would also mean that our armies are
all that is standing between Madumda and his quest for power."

"Believe me, I think we all pray that none of those things have happened,
but we only have control over our own situation.  We must get a move on, if
we don't want to affect our chances in battle.  Tell the wounded and those
staying behind to bury the dead and remove the signs of our having been
here.  Then have everyone else fall into formation, so we may be on our
way."

While the small group staying behind set about their tasks, the others
formed up and were soon ready to march.  They set out at a brisk pace,
considering the conditions, but they soon increased that to an even faster
cadence.  There were just moving along quite smartly, which was a somewhat
grueling pace, but the dwarfs were happy to be on their way.  Even at this
speed, the lookouts searched the sky for signs of that dreaded bird and
they all wondered how far they'd get before the warning 'chirps' would
begin anew. They had traveled nearly an hour before the bird first appeared
on the horizon and the scouts sounded their alert.  The troops went through
their deception, carrying it off perfectly this time, and the bird flew
past them and toward the pass where it left the remains of those poor
unfortunate creatures it had discovered.  At this point they assumed that
their camouflaged lids had not been too badly damaged in last night's
fiasco, as the bird hadn't seemed to notice them lurking below, and it gave
them more confidence to go on.  Once the all-clear signal had been given,
they were on their way again, once again resuming that brisk pace and
trying to make up for lost time.

'What has that foul beast been up to,' Elgin wondered, as he sped along,
'and why hasn't it been more consistent in its rounds?  Is something
preoccupying its attention or isn't it concerned with the possibility of
troop movements along this range?  Could Kieren and his protectors have
been discovered, or even killed?  Is that why the Dark Lord's cohorts have
become so lackadaisical in performing their duties?  Or might the armies
already be engaged in battle?  It's possible, but I would think that damned
bird would be there to assist them, if that were truly the case.'

He didn't have very long to consider any of those questions, as one of the
forward scouts had noticed something up ahead.  They had only been on the
move for a few minutes, when word was passed across to the commander that
there was an abnormality on the landscape ahead.  After pointing at it and
discussing the possibilities amongst themselves, they decided to send out a
half-dozen scouts ahead of them, to check it out.  The army continued to
march forward, as the scouts raced ahead, as they didn't want to lose any
more precious time with another delay.  When those scouts returned quite
some time later, they made their report.

"Sir, there has been a mudslide and a great wall of mud blocks our path.
It hasn't been there that long and it is very thick and still gooey, so we
won't be able to go over it.  We'll have to go around it, and this will
delay us even more, as it covers a considerable area.  In addition to the
added march, it will also make our ruse to confuse the condor useless, as
our camouflage will not blend in with that sea of mud."

The commander called a brief meeting of his officers to discuss what they
should do.  One of the officers suggested that they proceed into the
mountains, and thus bypass the mudslide that way.  It didn't take them long
to decide, especially after looking at the gap left from the amount of the
slope that had slid into the valley, that this idea was not practical or
viable.  From what the scouts had told them about the consistency of the
slide itself and that it was several meters thick at its deepest points;
that left only the option of marching around it.  Now they had to discuss
the possibility of being spotted by the condor as they attempted to do just
that.  After some give and take on the subject, it was determined that they
would break now to eat, as it was nearly dark, and then they would march
around the slide in the dark.  This would not be easy, for there probably
wouldn't be much light to see by and they wanted to remain close to the
slide, but not close enough to be encumbered by it.  The foul weather had
kept most of the sunlight from filtering through that day and they could
conclude that nearly all of the moonlight would be blocked out as well, so
they'd have to rely on their night-vision to accomplish this task.  After
questioning whether this was another obstacle caused by Madumda, it was
agreed that this was a natural phenomenon, caused by the rotten weather and
not by any act by the Dark Lord.  Over the objections of some, it was
deemed that the night movement would be safer, knowing that blasted bird
probably wouldn't be flying during those hours and, even if it did, it
probably wouldn't be able to spot them in the darkness either.  Using this
method, they might open themselves to other risks, such as it taking them
longer to proceed in the darkness or the possibility of warriors being
injured by not being able to see where they were going and what they should
avoid.  When they had finished eating, twilight had overtaken them, and
they began their journey around this blockage, using the dying rays of
daylight to navigate by.

As the evening grew darker, the travel became more difficult.  It was hard
to see how close they were to the outer edges of the slide and, if they got
too close, the sticky sucking mud could trap and slow them down even more
before they realized their mistake.  They had been debating the wisdom of
their decision and questioning whether the gods were conspiring against
them, when there was a partial break in the cloud-cover and enough
moonlight filtered through to illuminate their way a little.  This
brightened their spirits and gave new life to their hopes, and they
continued onward, at a slightly swifter pace.  They now began to feel that
maybe the gods were trying to help them, and soon rounded the southern edge
of the slimy barrier and made their way around the lower fringes, so they
could proceed up the eastern edge.  They would continue to march beside
this ocean of mud, following it to where it met their prearranged route to
Tunstan.  Now they trudged on, weary from the long day but energized by the
change in their fortune, until they had made their way completely around
this natural disaster and back to where they should have been, had they
been able to march straight across it, as planned.  Much of the evening was
already gone, but they decided to catch a couple hours of sleep, getting as
much rest as they could before they were forced to continue on.  They
couldn't even risk an extra hour to recuperate, lest the aerial sentinel
catch them in a compromising position.  They would take what sleep they
could get, while they had the opportunity to enjoy it, and then be on their
way again.

It didn't take most of the troops long to fall asleep, as they were very
tired from the exertion of the day.  The only ones awake were the guards
walking the perimeter, changed at half-hour intervals, seeing the evening
would be so short.  Just as the guard switched for the second time, one of
the guards noticed something in the distance and felt that he must report
it to the commander immediately.  He awoke Elgin to show him what he had
discovered, but apologizing for disturbing his slumber.

"Sir, I hate to interrupt your sleep, but there's something you must see."
The commander got up and the guard pointed toward the east.  "That glow, I
don't know what's causing it, but I thought it might be the light from the
enemy's campfires or a sign that the battle had already begun."

"If that is the light from the enemy campfires, then we are indeed in
trouble.  It would mean that the enemy forces are ten times larger than we
had calculated, and I don't think that our information can be that wrong."

"Maybe the battle has already begun and that's the light from the funeral
pyres then."

"The battle might have begun, but if that light is from the funeral pyres
of those killed, then nearly everyone is dead on both sides."

"Then what might that light be from?"

"It is from a very large fire, one that I wouldn't associate with the
battle, unless an entire community is ablaze.  I don't think the location
is far enough to the north to be Treblanc, but it may also be some sort of
a ruse on the Dark Lord's part, to make us think that he has more troops
than he does or to make us wonder what is going on there.  However, I don't
believe that he'd think us that naive to accept those explanations without
proof or that we'd be foolhardy enough to proceed on without knowing what
danger we might face.  With no other options, my best guess would be that
it is Tunstan that is burning.  I'm not sure why it is, whether it's
because it has been attacked or if they have endured some major accident,
but that is the only logical solution to explain what we are seeing.  It
does concern me, but there is not much we can do about it, so I am going
back to rest.  Make sure that everyone is up before first light, so we can
be on our way immediately."

The guard agreed and the commander went back to catch a few more winks
before his day began.  When he was awakened the next time, to begin his
day, he sent word to the other officers that they would have a brief
meeting while they ate.  Soon they were all gathered together and Elgin
informed them of what he had seen an hour or so earlier.

"Earlier the guard woke me up, pointing out the glow from a huge fire in
the distance.  I'm not sure exactly what the fire was from, but I can only
speculate that it was Tunstan burning.  I'm not sure it was due to
something Madumda did or if it was the result of some sort of accident, but
it might signal that those we were to meet up with will be scattered,
killed, or wounded.  This would mean we might have to go it alone, when we
get to battle, or that our forces will be considerably less than we were
counting on when we reach the battle.  I'm hoping that the fire was of
accidental origin, but I'm afraid that is just wishful thinking.  To
compensate for the fact that there may not be any other troops to join us
and to keep the same number of units we had originally planned on for the
upcoming engagement, each unit will send two troopers to form the new units
required to keep our plans consistent.  I also want recommendations from
you about the names of enlisted men who would be qualified to lead these
units.  We'll go on the assumption that we will be alone from here on out
and, if we discover different, we can always go back to our original plan
or a modified version of it.  Otherwise, we will be somewhat prepared for
what we'll have to do when we get there.  Any questions?"

"I think you've covered our options, sir," one of the junior officers
commented, "but do you think two men from each unit will be enough?"

"It will have to be, as I don't want to limit the units more than that.
I'm hoping that at least some of their troops will still be able to fight."

"Shall we go on seniority for our command recommendations?" another officer
wanted to know.

"I want you to give me the names of those capable of leading a unit, making
battle decisions, and who would be able to carry out the battle plan,
regardless of seniority.  This battle is very important and we need our
best people in key roles, though I do suspect they will all turn out to be
the more experienced soldiers."

"Sir, what about those units that are already short, due to the injured and
dead soldiers from the previous evening.  Do you want them to still give
two warriors each?"

"Ah, good point.  Let me change my order slightly.  Each unit will now be
comprised of THREE soldiers less than normal.  If they are already down in
numbers because of the previous incident, then they will only supply the
three minus the number they are short.  If they are already operating with
more than three troopers missing from their unit, they are to send word to
me and we shall help them bring themselves back to strength.  Any more
questions?"  There were none, so they ate and then rejoined their troops to
do as requested.  A little while later they were marching forward, heading
toward Tunstan.

They had only traveled about an hour or so, before they began to see people
coming in the opposite direction.  It was obvious they weren't military,
even from that distance, because of the variety of sizes and the way they
were dressed.  There were only a few at first, but the numbers of people
coming toward them kept increasing as the minutes passed.  When they met up
with the first of those coming toward them, the commander spoke to them.

"What brings so many people along this route?"

"We're all fleeing Tunstan.  It was attacked last night and the enemy
soldiers torched everything."

"But what exactly happened?"

"It looked like Madumda's army had decided to plunder our city.  They
started by killing all the men and older boys who tried to defend their
homes and then they stole everything of value from us.  After they had what
they wanted, they began to torch every building as they left it."

"Can you give me any more details?  When did they attack, how many soldiers
were there, did your army try to resist them, and, if so, were there any
survivors among the troops?"

"I will tell you what I can.  A few hours before sunset an alarm was
sounded, letting everyone know that the city was under attack.  Our army,
which had been preparing for battle for over a week, was quick to respond,
but they were severely outnumbered and were eventually overpowered.  When
the fighting began, many of the residents began to flee, taking whatever
belongings they could easily carry with them.  Many of the men and older
boys went to help our warriors and defend their own homes.  After it became
apparent that they couldn't hold out much longer, the soldiers just tried
to protect those who were crossing the bridges over River Sterling and
getting away from the fighting.  The army kept retreating, as the residents
of the city continued to evacuate, realizing they could only delay the
inevitable.  They fought bravely, giving the rest of us time to escape, but
there was no way they could win this battle.  I was among the first to send
my family to safety, and I fought beside our soldiers for as long as I
could.  When most of the city had been evacuated, I headed out to catch up
with my family, so I could protect them if anything else should happen
along the way.  I did stay and defend the other side of the bridge for a
short time, until there was nothing left to defend, and then I raced to
catch up with my loved ones."

"What of the army?  How many survived and where are they?"

"A great many of them were killed during the confrontation and they were
among the last to flee.  More were killed as they tried to release the
linchpins, collapsing the bridges so Madumda's forces couldn't pursue us.
At least two units died giving others time to do that and we could see the
attackers executing anyone left on that side of the river after the bridges
were down.  After that, they looted our homes and then set the place on
fire.  Our homes, our possessions, and the way we lived, everything is gone
now."

"I'm truly sorry to hear that but, if we are victorious, then you'll have a
chance to rebuild and start over.  At least you have what's most important,
your loved ones and your lives."

The man thanked the commander for his concern and they continued to talk
some more.  Elgin ordered his troops on, telling them that he'd join them
shortly, and he continued to interview others about what they had seen.
Finally he came across a warrior being assisted by two others, as he was
injured and unable to proceed on his own.  The commander barked an order
for someone to go fetch medical assistance and he talked to the trio, even
while the one man was being treated.  Now he was able to get a military
perspective on what had happened.

"We were not expecting an attack," the one man began, "but obviously they
believed the city's continued existence somehow caused a threat to their
chance of victory.  Maybe it was because our small army was billeted there,
or because the Dark Lord felt that we might be housing others who would
later battle against him.  Possibly Madumda was concerned that we would be
a supply base for the opposition during the upcoming battle, or possibly he
was upset by the amount of intelligence that had been gathered about his
forces and disseminated from that location.  Whatever the reason, the
attack was swift, barbaric, and totally without warning.  The other
soldiers and I responded as quickly as we could, but we were greatly
outnumbered and it didn't take long before our defenses began to crumple
and we started our retreat.  We continued fighting, making our way toward
the bridges that would lead us to safety, trying to protect the women and
children from slaughter.  My friends and I were among the group that
collapsed one of the bridges, as we had to protect each other as we
attempted to release the pins that would send the span into the river and
then let it float away.  This man was badly wounded when he tried to
prevent one of Madumda's men from stopping us, giving us time to complete
our task.  Fortunately we were able to save him from further injury and
carry him here with us, but the city is in ruins and most of our fighting
men are dead."

"Do you know how many others survived?"

"Not many.  Those who did are now protecting the rear of this procession,
in case the Dark Lord's troops pursued and tried to dispose of the
remaining witnesses.  There may be enough healthy men left to form a few
units, but most of our army was killed in action or executed after the
bridges were collapsed.  I couldn't believe the viciousness they used to
finish off those who were trying to surrender.  They took their weapons
from them, made them kneel on the ground, and then they either ran them
through with a sword from behind, or slashed their throats, like hogs at a
slaughter.  It was terrible and we all regretted that we hadn't stayed with
them and fought until the last of us were dead."

Commander Elgin made sure that after the wounded man had been treated, he
would be taken to safety.  Elgin found a family who would care for him and
take him with them, providing them with a litter to carry him on.  Now, the
other two could rest assured that their comrade would be taken care of, and
they could join the dwarfs and go back to fight with the rest of their
forces who had survived.  The three now set out, moving rapidly to catch up
with the dwarf column, having a new sense of urgency and a renewed purpose
to fight.  They soon rejoined the others, but they were now exhausted from
the effort it took to reach them.  Elgin ordered a brief rest, to allow
each of them a chance to catch their breath.  While they were recuperating,
what was left of the Tunstanese army arrived at their location.  The
officer who had taken charge of this group soon reported to the commander,
and then the two officers hurriedly discussed how to best integrate what
was left of the two fighting groups.  They formed what units they could
with the Tunstanese troops, putting them under the command of Tunstanese
officers, and then they combined the rest with a few dwarf soldiers, making
up the final unit.  They were now organized as originally intended and
ready for their part of the attack, though a much smaller force than they
had anticipated or that the others were counting on.

They began to march again, returning over the path the Tunstanese forces
had just used for their escape.  Elgin and the temporary leader of the
other group had been discussing how they would cross the River Sterling
once they got there, knowing that the bridges were gone.  They had come up
with a tentative plan, using their knowledge of the area, and they felt
that this would get them where they wanted to go.  Now they moved closer to
the mountains, planning to cross where the river first flows out of the
junction of the Citadel Mountains and the Devil's Horseshoe, near the
source of the river.  After they had forded the spot where it would be the
narrowest and the current flowed its slowest, they headed south toward
Tunstan, to see if there were other survivors who might be able to join
them.  They arrived at what remained of the city just before dark.

Many of them were stunned when they saw the devastation that had been done.
Even though they knew the city had been burned, there were only a very few
charred timbers still remaining upright and most of the buildings had been
burned completely to the ground.  Among the rubble were the charred remains
of those killed or executed by the horde that attacked them, and there
would be no way to tell which remains belonged to whom for burial.  The
unmistakable stench of burning flesh still clung to the air, making it hard
for some of the troopers to keep from retching all over the ground.  The
others understood their plight, so nothing was said, and even the fiercest
of warriors was somehow touched by what had happened.  The smells and
sights that now surrounded them were just a gruesome reminder of what had
happened only hours earlier, but they knew they had to keep on performing
their duties.  The saddest part was seeing the charred remains of the
children and babies, as the soldiers and mercenaries had indiscriminately
murdered any living soul who happened to get in their way.  The heat from
this huge fire must have been incredible, as most of what they found was
just a huge pile of ashes or some of the skeletal remains.  The only place
you found signs of anything recognizable was in the buildings at the
perimeter, where the fires must have begun to die down before everything
was totally consumed.

After examining the results of this treachery, the warriors vowed to make
the Dark Lord and his henchmen pay for attacking and killing civilians.
The killing of non-combatants was always taboo, unless they played a part
in the actual engagement - like providing supplies, taking care of animals,
fetching weapons, or things of that nature.  That was just the collateral
damage of war, but the slaughter of innocent women and children would not
be tolerated by any decent society and this just stiffened the resolve of
every fighting man to make the offenders and their cohorts pay for having
done this.

The sun was almost gone from the sky now, and the dying sunlight cast a
surreal glow on this pathetic scene, which helped to burn the horrors of
this unthinkable act forever on their brains.  After considering this for a
while longer, they decided to make their camp wedged between what was left
of the city and the river, hoping Madumda's men would not return, figuring
everything here had already been destroyed.  There would be no fires, no
noise, and triple the guard would be posted, but they would spend the night
here, even with the stench of death and destruction all around them.

                    *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.
E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com