Wendigo Wars (20 page)

“We draw up battle plans. Normal battle plans,” said Mathilde.

“No. Perhaps we could use the serum still. If we give it to our volunteers tomorrow then Fleur still has three days to create an antidote to give to them.”

“Dash...no! We cannot sacrifice twenty five lives on a gamble.”

“But the captives...Suzanna...”

“No! You are blinded by the need to rescue your sister. I understand, truly I do, but we can’t sacrifice people to save her. This thing is bigger than the life of one person. It is bigger than the lives of the captives. Even without the serum the Brotherhood are the best fighters I have ever seen. To sacrifice twenty five of them would be foolish and selfish.”

“But you are happy to sacrifice Suzanna and the captives?”

“No that’s not what I’m saying Dash,” Mathilde called as Dash stormed out of the room.

“Leave him Mathilde. He will calm down. You have made the right choice, you are a good leader. I will talk to Fleur about trying to make an antidote and we will see what tomorrow brings for poor Costin.”

As Jean Louis left the room he gave Mathilde a proud smile. The long awaited acceptance was bitter sweet for Mathilde as she sat down by the fire, once more unsure of Dash’s intentions.

Hours later, not realising she had fallen asleep in the first place, Mathilde woke up with a start. A shaft of grey morning light streamed through the window, dust motes dancing merrily in the rays. Mathilde rubbed her neck which ached after sleeping upright in the armchair all night. Her eyes were dry, hot and itchy from having faced the now smoldering fire all night. Someone must have found her asleep as she had been covered up with a blanket. Mathilde wondered if it had been Jean Louis or Tobias. She doubted Dash would have returned after leaving in the foul mood he had been in last night. Standing and stretching out her muscles some of Mathilde’s last remaining injuries from the Fire Dance caused twinges of pain which made her wince. Skipping breakfast she made her way towards the church.

“Mathilde...wait up. Where were you last night?” Seb jogged up behind Mathilde, in high spirits as usual. Before she could stop herself Mathilde’s mind skipped back to conversations of antidotes the night before. Seb’s energy was the constant antidote to Dash’s intensity and Jean Louis’ constant focus on the prophecy and Mathilde was happy that he was the first person she had seen when her mood was so downbeat.

“I fell asleep in Tobias’ study. I went there with Costin,” Mathilde said then filled Seb in on what he had missed.

“Poor Costin. Can we help him?” Concern crossed Seb’s face and Mathilde realised that this was the first person who had seemed to show concern for Costin himself rather concern purely for the battle plans.

“I don’t think so. Fleur is going to work on an antidote but I don’t want to trust the serum again. Not even in three weeks; not without more testing. We need new battle plans, normal ones, and I know just where to find them!” said Mathilde as a bolt of inspiration struck her.

“Hey where are you going?” called Seb as Mathilde jogged away. “Father Tobias has called a meeting in the church.”

“I know what he is going to be saying. So do you now. You go though...give my excuses. I have an idea.” Mathilde kept on jogging as she called over her shoulder. As the library came into view, Mathilde felt hopeful again.

Chapter Twenty Five

Mathilde grabbed the two books she had been looking at a few days before and curled up in an armchair. She had known when she first saw the dusty covers that they held something useful and now it all made sense. Perhaps some part of her had known all along that the serum wouldn’t work.

Two hours later Mathilde put the books down and rubbed her eyes. Laying her tired head back against the back of the chair she allowed herself the luxury of a rest. The library was quite warm, despite there being no fire. The rows of books and comfortable chairs seemed to insulate the room. Breathing in with her eyes closed Mathilde felt more relaxed. A plan was forming in her mind and the dry papery smell of the rarely used library was reassuring. The noises of the day carried on outside in a muted fashion making Mathilde feel safe and hidden away from responsibility and decisions.

“Eh hem.” A small cough made Mathilde open her eyes. In front of her stood Fleur. As usual she had drifted silently and unobtrusively into the room.

“Hi Fleur,” Mathilde said, pushing herself upright in her chair.

“Hi. I just thought I would come here for some inspiration. Tobias says that there are books on herbs and flowers here. Perhaps there will be something that helps me to work out how to help Costin.”

“How is he this morning?”

“Not good. His skin is grey, his mouth black and blue from his lips to his tongue. He looks as if he is losing himself to the wendigo spirits Mathilde.” Fleur shook her head sadly.

“But how could that be? How could a serum open the door for the wendigo spirit? There was no time when he went to the spirit plain or the dream plains. He hasn’t slept since he took the serum.”

“I’m not sure. I think he is a new sort of wendigo, like General Zhu. Perhaps the desire to be like the wendigo invites their powers but still lets the person retain a part of themself. I have begun to think that maybe he needs to have human blood and begin to feast regularly on humans to complete the transformation and until then he is stuck in between their world and ours. If we keep him trapped and don’t allow him near humans then hopefully he will not change any further and we can find a cure.” Fleur did not seem to look hopeful. “So what are you doing in here?”

“I have found these books. This one in particular I think can help us,” said Mathilde holding up the copy of The Art of War. “As we know there were many battles and wars in history before the White. They were lost by many but they were also won by others. Perhaps we could use some of the tactics and plans used by those who were victorious in war to beat the wendigo or at least to rescue the captives.”

“Have you found something?” Fleur sat down and looked impressed.

“I think so. I am going to think about it more over lunch then call a meeting this afternoon. I think we can do this without the serum.”

Fleur smiled with a knowing look which Mathilde ignored; not wanting any nonsense talk of the prophecy to follow. “See you later Fleur. Good luck with your research,” she called as she bounced out of the room, still not believing the prophecy but thankfully suddenly full of hope again.

Over lunch Mathilde spoke to the Protectors and asked them to spread the word about the meeting to be held an hour later. The word went around the dining hall quickly and the sombre mood was soon buzzing again. Mathilde had planned just to meet with the Protectorate, Tobias, Jean Louis and a small selection of the Brotherhood but it soon became clear that everyone would be attending.

One hour later Mathilde’s thoughts were proved correct as she stood at the front of the packed church. Behind her growling, howling and screaming noises came from the room that Costin was being held in. Mathilde shot a few sad looks towards the door as she waited for the crowd to settle but she was not surprised to see that most of the gathered crowd studiously tried to ignore the noises and looked anywhere but at the door. Mathilde turned to her father and Tobias who stood on the platform beside her. Dash sat in the front pew among several of the Brotherhood though he did not join in their conversation and still looked as depressed as he had the night before.

“How is Costin?” asked Mathilde, turning to Tobias.

“We are keeping him comfortable and praying - that is all we can do for now.”

Mathilde nodded and turned back to the crowd. Tobias held his hands in the air and the chatter slowly stopped. Mathilde cleared her throat. Though used to talking to small gatherings she had never spoken to this many people, and all of them were warriors with high expectations of ‘the prophecy girl’. Mathilde felt as if centipedes were tumbling over themselves in her stomach but she tried to ignore them as she began to speak.

“Thank you all for coming. I know that we are all sad that our high hopes of the serum have been dashed and I thank the twenty five of you who have still offered to put your lives on the line to take it.” At that Mathilde noticed that Dash looked up in surprise. She cringed as she spoke the next words and extinguished the glimmer of hope from his eyes. “But I cannot accept your offer. We do not yet have an antidote or cure and your sacrifice would be too great. I do not want to lose one more life to the serum and even from a military point of view it would be foolish. Only a poor warrior would willingly lose twenty five of their army whilst adding twenty five to their already vast numbers of enemy.”

Mathilde did not look at Dash again, unable to take the hurt which she was sure she would see, but she did look at the crowd, the majority of which were now nodding in agreement.

“And so I have been looking to great military forces of the past to learn of tactics in war. A war has not been fought for over a hundred years on our earth. There are no surviving humans who have a first-hand knowledge of war but there are documents and I have been studying these books to learn more. I have full confidence that the wendigo and, in particular, General Zhu, will not think to look to the past to find a way to win this war. Tomorrow we go to battle and I have a plan to see us to victory. Father Tobias will be gathering thirty of you today. We meet this evening in the dining hall to discuss our plans. I know that you would all put your life on the line for this mission but I ask you to be patient. We must take just a portion of your Brotherhood so as to ensure we keep our army complete for the future. For this mission a small gathering would be the most successful.”

Mathilde slightly bowed her head to show that she had finished speaking and the gathered crowd all began to speak at once - some to each other and others clamoring to get to Tobias to put their names forward for consideration. Mathilde shot another glance at the room in which Costin now made whimpering noises then she moved to leave the church. Once outside she found Dash leaning against a wall.

“Hi. Are you ok?” Mathilde asked, sliding her arm around Dash’s waist and leaning against the wall next to him. The now familiar tingle ran up her arm and through her chest as she smelt the clean, warm smell which was unique to Dash.

“No not really,” Dash sighed. “That serum was our best chance. I know you are right but it still hurts. Do you think we’ll still be able to save Suzanna with your plan?” Mathilde’s heart almost broke as Dash looked at her and she saw his eyes shine with unshed tears. She didn’t have the heart to remind him that they did not know if Suzanna was even alive anymore.

“I am sure our plan will work and we will be able to save everyone in there. Trust me ok? You always ask me to trust you and now I’m asking the same. I have a good feeling about this plan. It’ll work.” Mathilde did have a good feeling but still she hoped that she sounded more confident than she felt.

Mathilde kissed Dash then said a reluctant goodbye. She had neglected her training over the last couple of days and now that her injuries had begun to heal she didn’t want to put it off any longer. The thought of going into battle as untrained as she felt at the moment made her shudder. Walking into the training room nearest to the Protector’s sleeping quarters she was pleased to see that Jewel, Louisa, Alan and Seb were in there. They looked over Mathilde’s shoulder and, seeing she was alone, greeted her heartily.

“So what’s the super plan then Mathilde? Do I get a lead part?” asked Jewel, not missing a beat in her sword fight with Louisa.

“Ha! But I am so much better with a sword,” laughed Louisa, spinning round and almost catching Jewel out as her sword tupped the handle of one of the two swords Jewel was holding loosely.

Mathilde laughed and began practicing at throwing knives. Alan called instructions from the side and each time she threw, following his advice carefully, her aim improved. Seb watched from the side, legs stretched out in front of him. He smiled easily and watched every move Mathilde made. The sun had made it clear of the hills and trees now and shone bright and warm through the many training room windows. The room smelt sweet with the balms that the Seb had started to rub on his muscles so that they didn’t lock after so much training. Mathilde had not seen him do much since she had entered the room but his top was soaked with patches of sweat which told a tale of hard work before she had come in. His strawberry blond hair clung to his forehead and cheeks, dampened by water which he had splashed on his face moments ago. Mathilde felt light hearted again as the comfortable happiness of the campfire the night before returned.

Before long the group was exhausted and they made their way to the dining hall to eat, chatting and laughing as they went. Once they had settled down Mathilde looked around the room but couldn’t see Dash anywhere. Sighing she turned back to her friends who were chatting happily.

“Come on then Mathilde, what is this big plan?” asked Alan and the group looked expectantly at her, chewing slowly as they waited. Mathilde took a big breath and began to explain.

Chapter Twenty Six

“So you are expecting us to create our battle plans around the teachings of a bloke from the 6th Century BC?” asked one of the Brotherhood incredulously.

The gathered Brotherhood, Tobias, Jean Louis, Fleur and Dash stared at Mathilde, waiting to hear more. At either side of her sat her Protectorate, thankfully looking as confident as she did, having already heard her plans and discussed them at length earlier in the day.

“Yes,” said Mathilde with the determination and confidence she was finally beginning to feel. Jean Louis looked at Mathilde and smiled. She supposed he was probably happy that she was beginning to act more assertively for once. She felt an equal measure of happiness at his approval and irritation at him only ever caring about her as a Protector, not her as a daughter.

“Many battles and wars have been planned and won using the writings of Sun Tzu. I’ve spent many hours reading his work and looking at maps of the Polovragi caves. I think we may have a plan that will work.” Mathilde looked round the faces at the table and was reassured by the nods and smiles her Protectorate were giving, though most of the rest of the people around the table still looked confused.