Torn By War: 4 (The Death Wizard Chronicles) (13 page)

LESS THAN A week after Torg and Laylah healed the queen, General Lucius Annaeus stood before Worrins-Julich, senior captain of the army of Jivita, and introduced the members of his party. For the first time, it entered Lucius’ mind that he didn’t know their surnames, including the woman he loved.

“That’s all right, Master Loo-shus,” said Ugga, the good-natured crossbreed. “Bard and I doesn’t even know our own last names.”

“Ugga never had one,” Bard said. “And I doesn’t remember mine.”

“For the three of us, given names will do,” Jord said. “But I would be most excited to hear Bonny’s last name, if that’s all right with her.”

The pirate woman blushed. Then she turned to Lucius and curtsied.

“I am Bonny Calico, if it pleases you,” she said.

“It does.”

“If it pleases all of you, we should start toward Jivita immediately,” Julich said. “Scouts have already left our company to report your appearance, and an even larger escort should arrive henceforth. However, it would be quicker if the five of you rode instead of walked. Our steeds are well-behaved. Do any of you fear to mount?”

“I isn’t scared of the horses, but they are scared of me,” Ugga said.

“All of us can ride, captain,” said Jord, the magical woman who had been a longtime companion of Bard and Ugga. “I have a way with horses, you could say. They will do what I tell them, even when it comes to Ugga.”

Julich nodded. “
The Torgon
has spoken of you, my lady. He was most adamant that you should be treated with high honor.”

“I can’t wait to see Master Han-nah again! And the pretty lady and little guy, too,” Ugga bellowed. “If only poor Master Rad-burt were with them. It would be like the good ol’ days.”

“The good ol’ days?” Bard said. “We’ve only known them for a little whiles, ya booger!”

“All right, then . . . the good
new
days.”

Lucius laughed. “Very well, Captain Julich, we will ride. And the Daasa should be able to keep up, though they tend to wander about. Did Torg warn you about their
other
tendency?”

“We are aware,” Julich said. “
The Torgon
seems to believe that we will be in no danger, as long as we don’t try to harm any of you—which, of course, is not our intent.”

Jord wasn’t exaggerating when she said she could manage horses. Four stallions and a mare were brought forward—no palfreys among them—and all knelt as if performing for a trainer. This amazed the white horsemen; never before had they witnessed such submission, especially in the company of strangers. The woman unraveled her shawl, revealing long, fleecy locks that matched the coats of their destriers. Jord became an instant legend among the
Assarohaa
.

The company rode southwest along the borders of Dhutanga, but it managed less than five leagues before darkness galloped up from behind. By then, six more Jivitan squadrons had joined them. The horsemen lighted torches and then they continued onward, finally reaching the eastern bank of the Cariya River about one bell before dawn.

“We shall rest here and prepare breakfast,” Julich said to Lucius. “The White City is now just half-a-day’s journey on horseback.”

“Is there no danger of ambush?” Lucius said.

“We are on the east bank of Cariya,” the captain said. “The druids will attack from the other side. Besides, if you know what to look for—and what to listen for—then a surprise assault is unlikely. The wood-eaters are not particularly fast, and we have scouts posted as far as five leagues into the forest.”

While they waited for their meal to be prepared, Bonny, Ugga, and Bard cast themselves on blankets on the soft grass and fell asleep. Jord stood facing the forest, her green eyes glistening but her body motionless. The horsemen watched with a mixture of amazement and amusement as the Daasa skittered into the trees to feed. Lucius tried to sleep but found his anxious thoughts drifting to Laylah.

“How will I feel when I see her again?” he mused.

Lucius experienced swells of rage every time he thought of Torg. Their last encounter still annoyed him, but he admitted that his displeasure was as much about his own guilt over Laylah’s capture as the way the wizard had treated him. However, for the first time, the thought of facing Torg didn’t intimidate Lucius quite so much. He was no longer as impotent as he had once believed. The wizard often said that it wasn’t wise to make him angry. Now Lucius could say the same thing about himself.

“Your thoughts wander far, general,” Julich said. “Is there anything we can do to please you?”

Lucius chuckled. “Yes. Cut off Mala’s head and ram it up Invictus’ rear end.”

The captain smiled ruefully. “You know better than I that I am incapable of either. Only the great among the greats could attempt such a thing.”

Lucius chuckled again. “There
is
something you could do for me: Answer a couple of questions.”

“I will try.”

“Where is Mala’s army now?”

“We have had less access to the news of the world than we are accustomed,” Julich said. “The eagles have disappeared; we know naught why or where. And our pigeons are frightened to fly. But the hardiest have returned with news from the east. As far as we know, the full strength of Mala’s army is still two weeks from assembling outside the fortress’ gates.”

“
She
can tell you about the fate of the eagles. At least some of them,” Lucius said, nodding at Jord. “But here’s another question: Are the druids withholding their attack on Jivita to coincide with the siege of Nissaya?”

“The evils of the world tend to have like minds,” the captain said. “After eliminating the druids, we would be free to send horsemen to the aid of Nissaya—and vice versa. Therefore, it makes tactical sense that simultaneous battles will benefit our enemies more than us.”

“You speak as if it were a foregone conclusion that Jivita will prevail.”

“We are prepared,” Julich said.

“One final question . . . and then maybe I’ll be able to sleep. How fares Laylah? Has she spoken of me?”

“Last I saw her,
The Torgon
’s lady fared well,” Julich said. But then his face grew puzzled. “Has she spoken of you? Not that I have heard. My orders came directly from
The Torgon
.”

Lucius grunted. “Never mind, captain. You have told me all I need know. I’ll rest now. How long until we eat?”

“There is time yet for sleep, general. But before you retire, I have a question for you.”

“Yes?”

“These Daasa . . . we in Jivita know little of them. Are they truly formidable fighters? To me, they appear too docile and friendly to be effective. Already I have grown fond of them and fear for their welfare. Our enemy is ruthless.”

“They are more than capable,” Lucius said. “When the druids come, you will see for yourself.”

“Wonders never cease,” the captain said softly.

FOR BREAKFAST, they were served venison stew with brown bread to soak up the broth. A short while after dawn, they broke camp and rode down the eastern bank of Cariya. A squadron of horsemen cheered them from the far bank.

As soon as the company lost sight of the trees behind them, the Daasa became hesitant, as if sensing that the Green Plains were devoid of their natural habitat. Soon after, it became apparent they had no desire to follow Lucius and the others into the open fields. Lucius pulled back on the reins of his mount and came to a halt.

“I don’t think they’ll leave the border of the trees,” he said to the others. “At least not until the real battle begins. I might have to await the druid invasion from here.”

“If you do that,” the captain said, “you’ll play a small role in the outcome. The druids will exit Dhutanga west of the river, and the nearest bridge capable of bearing large numbers is ten leagues to the south.”

“We could swim,” Lucius said.

Julich shook his head. “The currents are too powerful and unpredictable to swim. Few who attempt the crossing, even on horseback, survive.”

“The Daasa are great swimmers, even when they’re nicey,” Ugga said. “I thinks they could make it, Master Loo-shus.”

Jord agreed. “This river will not hinder them, if they wish to cross. When the druids come, will the Daasa be able to see them from here?”

“My lady, they’ll hear them long before they see them. But unless they can swim better than any animal that walks the land, then most will drown.”

“I have an idea, Lucius,” Bonny said. “What if I stay here with the Daasa and you go on to Jivita? You can cross over the bridge and come back up the river. When the Daasa see you on the other side, maybe they’ll swim over to join you.”

“The general would not have to go all the way to the bridge,” Julich said. “There are barges available that can ferry small numbers.”

“If I go, you go,” Lucius said to Bonny.

“We’ll stay here,” Jord said, gesturing toward Ugga and Bard.

“Excellent!” Julich said. “Follow me, general. You, Bonny, and I should be able to return to the opposite bank before noon.”

When they reached the ferry about a mile farther south, they dismounted and prepared to cross. But another set of riders approached along the eastern bank, their steeds coming toward them in a canter. Lucius recognized Torg, Laylah, and Elu. The wizard rode a great white stallion, but he was dressed all in black. Beside him was the sorceress, also wearing black. The Svakaran was atop a pony much smaller than the destriers, and he was adorned in a miniature version of the white armor of the Jivitans.

Elu was the first to greet them. He leapt off his pony and ran clinking and clanking before wrapping his short arms around one of Lucius’ legs.

“Lucius! Bonny!” was all Elu could manage. It amazed Lucius to find his eyes tearing up, and he crouched low and gave the armored Svakaran a hug. Bonny did the same.

“It’s good to see you, my friend,” Lucius said.

When he looked up, Laylah towered above the three of them. Torg was several paces back, looking uncomfortable. A pale but stately woman with long black hair stood beside the wizard. Lucius’ heart raced as he rose to face Laylah, who smiled and surprised him with a hug.

“Lucius, I’m so happy you’ve arrived safely,” she said. “And Bonny, it’s wonderful to see you.”

“Elu is glad too,” the Svakaran squealed. “But where are Ugga, Bard, and Jord?”

For the moment, Lucius paid him little heed.

“I’m pleased you’re safe too,” he said to Laylah, taking both of her beautiful hands in his. “A part of me believed I would never see you again. How did you manage to escape?”

“That’s a story best told over beer and wine,” Laylah said. “I would hear your tale as well.”

The woman who stood next to Torg spoke next. “May I approach?”

“Of course, your highness,” Laylah said.

The woman wore a tight-fitting tunic with white breeches. A simple green crown graced her brow. “Allow me to introduce myself,” she said. “I am Queen Rajinii, Sovereign of Jivita, and I welcome you to the White City. Tales of your strange but heroic army abound among my people. According to Sir Elu, you and this fine lady”—she gestured at Bonny—“played a crucial role in the dismemberment of Duccarita, which was no small feat. The good people of Jivita thank you, both for what you have done and what you might yet do.”