Soldiers were mostly milling about, but some were checking and preparing their equipment. Periodically, there would be a loud noise as the ballista teams launched tremendous lengths of sharpened timberand sent themhurtling across the chasm, testing their aim, seemingly able to strike with exact precision. Enormous catapults affixed to the ramparts could also shower the approaching path across the ravine with stones. It seemed obvious how Ghant had withstood all assaultsuntil now. There just seemed to be no way to even near it.
Balten and Doonan were there: Balten dressed in his neat jacket, while Doonan seemed almost attired as a carnival clown, in a suit of coloured stripes and patterns. The Koian god-woman wasalsothere, surrounded by her party, but this time her costume was far less extravagant. Whether it was the impending battle, or just some mysterious facet of her culture, she was now dressed in a many-layered coat with loose sleeves that hung almost to the ground. She wore no wig, but her hair had been greased andcolouredwith white stripes. Her face was painted snow-white and her eyes etched in black, as if to match the frosty mountain tops around.
‘Everyone is gathered,’ Master Celios announced aloud.
Grand Master Tudor turned to face them and they all shuffled closer. He addressed them in Old Tongue for the benefit of the Koians, so Master Celios kept his mouth close to Sir Ferse’s ear, translating as the old Grand Master spoke.
‘Welcome, everyone. As you can see, Ghant is readied for its defence. I wanted to speak to you all, as we fully expect the attack to begin after dark tonight. We need to prepare ourselves, and I also wanted to give anyone the chance to leave, should they so wish.’ At that he lookedmeaningfullytowards the Koian party, but they did not react in the slightest. ‘Hopefully, the Paatin will realise their assault is futile and leave quickly. Then, we can also be on our way. We expect the Paatin willbe forced to withdraw back to Kalid,at least until the spring,for with every passing day winter will make the pass more and more inhospitable.’
Ambassador Canyon returned the look with his own pert smile that he used for all occasions when he was not actually happy. ‘We have made a promise to stay with you, Grand Master Tudor, whatever the situation, until our fate is decided. Whatever the dangers, we have come here as promised. I think there is little point in us leaving so quickly.’
Tudor weighed up the answer. ‘Very well. I suggest that your party remain in your quarters for the duration of any assault. General Mar cannot affordto sparemen to take care of you, and being in the open could be dangerous. In the rare chance of the fortress being breached, we will fall back to Shallowbrook. Such an assault, of course, could last for weeks, for,as the chasm that marks the edge of Turia stops our enemy from reaching us, so too,it inhibits us from reaching them. Eventually, it will be the elements thatwillforce them to withdraw. We will meet each afternoon at this time to discuss any changes in our situation.’
Canyon nodded in agreement-or perhaps it was more of a bow, for he had cupped his hands together slightly, as the Koians sometimes did when displaying courtesy. ‘We shall stay in our rooms and out of your way as you suggest.’
‘Sir Ferse,’ Tudor began and thatregal fellow looked keenly to the magician in expectation, ‘I think you also should stay indoors.’
But Master Celios would have none of that and spoke up excitedly. ‘Not at all, Grand Master. It is important that Sir Ferse remains with me whenever possible. I will be responsible for his well-being.’
Tudor gave the otherMaster a level gaze, before submitting. ‘Very well.’ He then turned to Balten and the dwarf. ‘I assume you two will make yourselves useful as required.’
‘We hope to be of some use. I like the look of that tower,’ Balten said, craning his neck to look to the highest column-like reaches of Ghant. ‘If you need me, I will probably be up there. Doonan is quite useful with his hands and not too fond of heights, so I think I will set him loose down here. It may pay not to get too close to him, though, once things get started. He can get a tad excitable in the heat of battle.’
At this, Doonan gave a demonic smile and revealed his dirty teeth. The old Grand Master raised a questioning brow, but could only sigh and shake his head.
Tudor turned directly to the younger magicians. ‘You three will stay close to me. Not only must I keep my promise to Grand Master Anthem to keep you safe, but I will call upon your skills as Masters of the Order. I expect you to be readyfor anything and to follow my instructions without a blink of hesitation. Captain Orrell and his men have now been assimilated into General Mar’s defences, but,if he comes seeking you, I advise you to follow his instructions. He has grown familiar with the ways of magic and he has a cunning mind. He may find applications for you that even you have not considered yet. Now, please spend a few minutes examining our surrounds.’
They did as instructed, and Samuel used his senses as best he could to assess the far approach to Ghant. There was little to learn, however, and as much as he would have liked to find some tactical advantage hidden in the stones, he could not.
The Koians seemed in no hurry to leave and were also milling about on the parapet, peering down over the battlements and into the chasm and across it with interest, pointing. Samuel strolledin their directionas casually as possible until he was beside the young Lady River, but she did not seem alarmed by his presence.
‘What a beautiful place,’ she said, smiling.
‘Are you not afraid Canyon will see us speaking?’
‘Oh, he already has. There is no point hiding anything. Besides, I will not talk to you about anything now. I have said all I will say. There is nothing else I can do but serve my god as best I can.’
‘And I have considered your words and kept your secret.’
She sighed. ‘Thank you, Magician. When the time comes, I know you will act properly.’ And she stepped away from the edge and towards the other two ladies and their god.
‘I wouldn’t believe too much of anything thoseOutlanders say to you, Samuel.’ It was Balten and he had strolled up to Samuel with his hands clasped behind his back.
‘I wouldn’t believe too much of anything you said, either,’ Samuel replied tartly.
‘Well said.’
‘You seem to be in high spirits these days,’ Samuel noted.
‘It seems we know each other quite well, Samuel. You can probably guess that I am doing my best to be civil. I’m just not very good at it. Not much practice, you understand.’
‘I think we can speak openly, Balten. I know you are here for your own reasons.’
‘Of course. Would it be any other way?’
‘So I am just interested to see what it is you have come for.’
‘In fact,I spoke the truth, Samuel. I am here to help keep you alive.’
‘And why no mention of your greater cause? You seemed so intent that I was to help you prevent the demons from returning. Don’t you want me to help you with that, or has the Demon King found some diversion to better occupy his time?’
Balten gave Samuel another of his wonderfullysecretive smiles. ‘Why,you are helping me already, Samuel. You do remember me mentioningthat you would help us whether you wanted to or not? Once again, you arebehaving splendidly, Samuel-all according to plan. The demons are coming, just as I said. Of that, we are surer than ever. The defence of our world is well underway. This battle, in itself, is an important step in that process. Many will die, but their bodies willpavethe path to our salvation.’
Samuel felt his temper rising. ‘When will you ever say what you mean? If you need my help so much, why don’t you just bloodywell ask for it? You say that the future of the world is so important, yet you’re not the least bit interested in those who live in it? How can you be such a hypocrite?’
With that, Balten’s smile dropped away and he changed expression to one of complete neutrality, in theway that only Balten could do, as if all his emotions were only calculated gestures of his face, crafted only to beguile those around him into believing he was human. ‘How can you control the fabric of matter and energy, Samuel, when you cannot even control yourself? Magicians cannot function as witless slaves to their emotions. Please, control your temper, Samuel. This is not the way a magician should behave.’
‘To hell with you and your lectures! I’m no lackey of yours.’
‘Very well. Then let me answer your question. I dobelieve that any number may be sacrificed to achieve our goal, for the outcome is paramount. Of course, I take no enjoyment from suffering, but I am aware that suffering must occur. Our victory will achieve an endless peace across the world. So, Samuel, can you tell me that a few lives matter, a few thousandoreven millions compared to the countless numbers that will die if the demons are allowed to continue their cycle of destruction?’
‘Yes, they do matter!’ Samuel said, enraged, for he could not forget that Balten had tricked and manipulated
