Elfhunter (68 page)

As the intricate plan began to take shape, Ri-Aruin
grew concerned, as it carried considerable risk to all who would
attend the "council", including his eldest son and heir. He once
tried to dissuade Wellyn from taking part, an effort that proved to
be a spectacular failure. He then suggested the option of sending a
large, well-armed contingent of Elves to directly engage Gorgon’s
army, but thought better of it, as they did not know his exact
location. If Gorgon became alerted to the presence of an army, he
would deftly evade them, go into hiding, and emerge at a time of
his own choosing. Then he would have had time to increase his
forces to the point that they would do serious damage to the Elves
of the Greatwood, as Nelwyn had foreseen. No, better to lure him
into a situation he was not prepared for and vanquish him before he
could gather strength. Summoning Rogond before him, the King
prepared for his own part in the plan.

Gaelen was brought to the court, and when they were
fairly certain that she was not alone in her perception, they began
to set their trap. Ri-Aruin let Gorgon know everything concerning
the nature of the "secret council" that would take place in a mere
three weeks’ time, at the next new moon. He also informed Gorgon
that Magra had been sent for long ago and that he would no doubt be
attending along with Ri-Aruin himself. Gaelen, Nelwyn, Rogond, and
Galador would be sent ahead to scout the Barrens, and to make
certain that they were secure. They would be accompanied by a small
but doughty host of Wood-elves, who would assist them in clearing
the area of hazards and sinister influences. They would also set up
the accommodations and amenities that would be provided to their
important guests.

Ri-Aruin emphasized the need for concealment; they
could not attract attention to this area, as he hoped to engage the
emissaries of Mountain-home and Tal-sithian in secrecy. The council
would no doubt occupy many days, but they would come to a decision
with all speed, for it was the intent of the Elves to quickly
prepare to make war upon Gorgon and his army.

Deep in the Barrens, Gorgon’s heart leapt with this
news, the first news of any real interest in a long time. This,
obviously, was the meaning of Gaelen’s musings in the forest. He
sat with his back to the wall, face twisted with pain, heart
pounding, breathing hard and sweating with effort, trying to endure
the mirror long enough to learn all that he would. He was rewarded
for his pains, as he now had the promise of an opportunity to
destroy Magra, Ri-Aruin, and some other very important but
as-yet-unnamed Elf, emissary from Tal-sithian.

So! They planned to make war upon him, did they?
Well, once he and his army overwhelmed and slew everyone at the
council, that plan would be far less likely. He could hardly
contain the fire in his heart at the prospect, yet there was doubt.
He debated on what the wisest course should be—according to the
Elves he had only three weeks to amass an army large enough to
ensure that the unfortunate ones attending the council would be
easily taken. And first he would have to move from his present
location, leaving no trace that he and his contingent of Ulcas had
ever occupied this place. It was time to get moving!

He would try to use the mirror more often, especially
during the daylight hours, when Ri-Aruin was most likely to hold
council. Though it would pain him, he knew it would yield much of
interest, and he looked forward to learning more. Yet deep in his
heart, he was wary. He knew that he would need a more powerful
force to accomplish the havoc he was planning, yet it seemed almost
as though the Elves were handing him his heart’s desire on a plate.
He would need guidance.

First he summoned Kharsh, informing him that the
Black Command was to be ready to move on by nightfall. All traces
of their presence were to be removed. Gorgon looked up with
satisfaction at the gathering storm clouds in the west; a hard rain
would wash much of the evidence away. He would move the army
farther south until he received additional instructions.

He moved then to a quiet chamber, instructing Kharsh
that he was not to be disturbed under any circumstances. Once
there, he cleared his mind and sent his thoughts out toward Tûr
Dorcha, asking that he be allowed to come into the presence of the
Shadowmancer.

Since Lord Wrothgar had first come to him in his
need, Gorgon had known that there was a sort of connection between
them. Wrothgar seemed to know when Gorgon required guidance; had
not Kharsh and the Ulcas been sent at just the right time? It was
understandable that he should need aid and counsel in matters such
as this, for though Gorgon was powerful and highly intelligent, he
still had little understanding of the ways in which people
interacted and behaved. After all, he had lived much of his life in
solitude. He could not relate to positive emotions of any sort and
was susceptible to false promises and flattery. It would be far
easier for the Elves to deceive him than he would like to
admit.

Now he concentrated hard on re-establishing
communication with Wrothgar, for he required a much larger force if
he was to attack and destroy Magra and Ri-Aruin, and he was still
in some doubt.

There were small, uneasy ripplings in his mind. What
if, somehow, the Elves had discovered his mirror? Though he knew
not how it could be so, he wondered. He had noticed a change,
subtle but definitely there, in the way Gaelen carried out her
affairs of late. There were differences in the way some of her
friends reacted to her, as well. Could they be aware of his
presence? If so, then this was a trap set for him by Ri-Aruin, and
he must not fall prey. Yet he had no real evidence, only a gnawing
doubt in his mind. Perhaps Wrothgar would be able to discern the
truth, as He had great power, and therefore must be very wise.

Had Gorgon but known, his connection with Gaelen was
becoming stronger with each time that he invaded her senses. Just
as she could, with concentration, make herself at least partly
aware of his mood, he was also picking up some impressions of her
state of mind. But unlike Gaelen, he was not perceptive enough to
make real use of this, and so it resulted in a sort of vague
confusion that he could not banish from his thoughts.

Now he sat in silent anticipation, trying to keep his
mind clear in expectation of the coming of the Dark Power. All at
once his eyelids grew heavy, and the strength seemed to flow out of
him as the vision came. He drew himself up, resting his head on his
knees, fighting a wave of dizziness that had suddenly come over
him, hearing the voice of Wrothgar inside his mind.

Thou hast summoned Me, Elfhunter. What is thy need?
What aid dost thou require? Art thou pleased with thy gift, and
with the aid I have sent already to thee?

Gorgon knew he was referring to Kharsh and the Black
Command. He tried to respond, but a wave of weakness overtook him,
and he could not speak.

Wrothgar seemed not to notice.
I sense in thee a
need for guidance. What hast thou learned, and what is thy intended
course? Speak, Elfhunter, that I may counsel thee.

Gorgon found the strength to speak at last. "My Lord,
I would ask for direction in an important matter. It seems my
course should be clear, yet I am in doubt."

Over the next several minutes, Gorgon told Wrothgar
of his discovery of the Elves’ impending council. He had discerned
from their conversations that there would be fewer than one hundred
Elves present, including Magra and Ri-Aruin. Gorgon knew the
Barrens well enough to feel confident that if he had a larger force
under his command, he would overrun the Elves and slay them all.
Yet, he held doubt in his mind. He could not explain this to
Wrothgar, for he did not fully understand it himself. He just could
not seem to avoid the feeling that the council was in fact a trap
that had been set for him. Yet Wrothgar was undaunted. He heard
what Gorgon would tell, and then answered him.

Most worthy Elfhunter, dispel thy doubt. The
opportunity is before thee to eliminate a powerful force in Magra,
and to throw the Greatwood into chaos with the death of Ri-Aruin.
Our enemies will tremble before thee… do not give in to thoughts of
defeat, for thy forces must act with all speed. I will send thee
aid; I will empty Tûr Dorcha and send My finest warriors. But they
must leave at once and be swift, as thy plans for their use must be
made in advance. More than five hundred warriors will move at thy
command. Does that ease thy doubt?

Gorgon, who had always worked alone, had difficulty
imagining leading a force of five hundred. He had never gone into
battle before, and the thought of his force going up against a
small force of Elves, who would be taken by surprise, thrilled him.
Yet, he wondered.

"Lord, what if this is a trap set to decimate our
forces? If the Elves have somehow allowed me to learn of their
plan…if they hold the mastery…"

They would have no way of discovering the existence
of the mirror. They could not know to set the trap unless they had
gained such knowledge. Dispel thy doubt and take thy prize. Bring
to Me the head of Magra, along with the King of the Greatwood. I
shall have both the gold and the ebony!

Gorgon heard Wrothgar’s harsh, malicious laughter as
he imagined the heads of the two Elf-lords being carried by their
long hair. It was a pleasing thought. Wrothgar hated Magra in
particular; the Elf had caused great difficulties during the Third
Battle and had historically turned up to combat the Dark Powers
when it was most inconvenient. Gorgon knew he would have to go
forth despite his doubts. Wrothgar would never let such an
opportunity pass.

Strengthen thy resolve, Elfhunter, and go forth to
vanquish thy foes. It will be an experience they will not soon
forget, and thy name will bring sorrow and dread throughout
Alterra. Is that not thy fondest wish? Go forth, now. There
is not much time—My warriors will meet thee soon. I will give
them armor and weapons the Elves will not withstand. When next I
meet thee, bring My tokens that I may rejoice in thy victory.
With these words, Wrothgar’s voice faded and was heard no more.

Gorgon knew that the "tokens" Wrothgar was referring
to were the heads of Magra and Ri-Aruin. He would have the might of
the Shadow to aid him, and his doubts seemed to fade away even as
Wrothgar’s voice had done. They did not return to disquiet him for
a long while.

Now that the Company had laid their plans to trap
Gorgon and his army, the reality of all that needed to be done came
down hard upon them. Gaelen, of course, could be party to only
those preparations they wanted Gorgon to witness, and it was
occasionally quite frustrating staging elaborate displays only to
wait, sometimes in vain, for Gorgon to use the mirror. Rogond
worried constantly, though he gave no outward sign. They all knew
the consequences of failure. Yet they were hopeful, as Gaelen gave
no indication that she had received any warning sign from Gorgon.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Meanwhile, Gorgon and his forces were making
preparations of their own. The host of Ulcas sent by Wrothgar had
assembled in an area of the forest between Tûr Dorcha and the
Barrens. Gorgon had been instructed to rendezvous with them there
and to get to know his three new lieutenants. He was glad for
Kharsh, who interacted well with them and smoothed over the initial
difficulties. They spent some days planning the assault, but in the
end it was quite simple.

They would wait until all the Elves were occupied at
the council, and after surrounding them the Ulcas would launch
their attack, leaving none alive. Gorgon now had many skilled
archers and swordsmen at his command, and though he did not reckon
that the Elves would be taken without a fight, they would be so
surprised and outnumbered that his forces would overwhelm them
quickly.

Gorgon inspected his new Company with approval. They
were well armed and provisioned with armor that, while not of the
same quality as his own, was still formidable. It would be very
difficult to see the dull black armor as they moved by dark of
night. Still it would be difficult to orchestrate a stealthy
approach, as they would be in the close confines of the forest
while in full armor, and would be at great risk of being heard. But
Gorgon planned to wait until the council was well underway and the
Elves’ attention was diverted. Hopefully, if there were lookouts,
he would learn through Gaelen how many and where they would be
found. Then his archers could eliminate them before they could
raise the alarm.

It was ten days until the council and just before
dawn when Kharsh approached Gorgon as he sat brooding in his
temporary headquarters.

"I sense you are troubled, my lord," he said. "We are
nearly ready, and the time for the council is not for many days
yet. Is not everything proceeding according to your design? Why are
you not content?"

Gorgon snarled at him. "And what business is it of
yours, Kharsh? My thoughts and plans are my own."

Kharsh bowed low. "Forgive me, lord, I merely want to
make certain that we have not caused you to doubt our diligence or
our dedication, nothing more. We have great confidence that victory
will be ours. If something troubles you, it is of concern to me,
for I have learned that your insights are usually quite worthy of
attention."

"Flattery will not avail you. I sense that you would
have attempted to cut my throat long ago but for fear of the
Shadowmancer. Your question, however, shall be answered. I am not
content, for I have gained some rather disturbing impressions from
my contact with the Elves of late. I cannot explain, as there is
nothing definite. I just cannot seem to shake the feeling that they
are planning something more than we are expecting."