“What do you mean?” he asks.
“I mean, tomorrow morning, we go on the offensive once again,” he explains.
“Do you think that’s wise?” he questions. “You and your people have barely come from a battle and you plan to throw them into another?”
“Yes milord,” he says. “I plan to do just that.”
“Best we talk about this in a more private location,” Lord Pytherian says.
“I agree,” responds James. He moves to Delia and asks, “Everyone make it?”
“All of our people survived,” she assures him. Then she lowers her voice as she adds, “The crystals worked perfectly, we brought them all back.”
“Excellent,” he says.
“Best we return to camp and get what rest we can before the morrow,” Illan suggests.
“I couldn’t agree more.” He follows Illan and Lord Pytherian as they turn back and enter through the gates with the rest right behind.
They work their way through town, most of the population is turned out to look upon the ones who dealt the Empire such a blow. Cheers and other salutations greet them as they make their way through the streets.
During their ride through the streets, Delia fills him in on what happened and how her people acquitted themselves in battle. He then gives her a brief rundown of what happened out by the palisade and what he observed of the enemies forces.
“Looks like we’ll have our hands full tomorrow,” she says.
“I’m going to see if we can’t have support from Madoc’s forces,” he tells her.
“It would be in their best interest,” she says.
“We’ll see,” he says.
At the plaza where their camp is set up, Lord Pytherian and his party take their leave. A meeting with Illan and James is scheduled to begin in an hour to work out the plans for the following morning. The others set about getting a bite to eat and then turning in, everyone that is but the leaders. They gather for an impromptu meeting before James and Illan leave for their meeting at the castle.
They meet in James’ tent. Ceadric, Delia, and Jiron make sure their people are settled in before they join James, Illan, and Miko in his tent. Before the last three join them, Illan turns to Miko and asks, “Just what happened out there?”
“What do you mean?” he replies.
“I mean, the Star shone bright and you were speaking in a language I didn’t understand,” he clarifies.
Shrugging, Miko says, “I don’t know. When the gate opened and I saw Jiron by the gate battling those creatures, the Star was in my hand and the words were coming out.” He glances to the others there before adding, “I didn’t know what I was saying.”
“Whatever it was,” Illan says, “it worked.”
James gazes at Miko for a moment, can see the concern in his eyes. “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about,” he says, allaying his fears. “It must have come from Morcyth in some way.” He sits for a moment thinking before continuing. “My guess would be that the warrior priest summoned them from somewhere that is in direct opposition to Morcyth and that’s why it had the effect upon them that it did.”
“Warrior priest?” asks Illan.
James nods his head gravely then turns his attention back to Miko.
“Sort of like your medallion back in that underground complex in the swamp?” Miko asks.
“Precisely,” he replies with a nod. “Seems Dmon-Li’s priests not only have the ability to control beings from the plane of fire but also to summon demons, for lack of a better term.”
“How is it that it works for me?” he asks.
“I don’t know. Perhaps because it has no choice if it is to spread its influence upon this world.”
Just then the tent flap opens and the other three come inside. As the tent flap closes, James sees Devin there taking his position outside his tent. Once everyone is settled in, he says, “Illan and I will meet with Lord Pytherian shortly. With any luck we’ll be able to count on their support in the coming battle.”
“If they want to keep Madoc free they better,” Ceadric interjects.
“There is a sizable presence here in Lythylla,” adds Illan, “not only of Madoc’s forces but those of the Alliance.” Around the group, a few heads nod in agreement.
“Whatever they decide to do, we still have a battle to fight on the morrow.” James glances around the assembled faces and adds, “We have a warrior priest to deal with.”
Delia gasps and Jiron nods his head, “Thought so. When I saw those creatures at the gate, I knew something had to be up.”
Gesturing to Miko he says, “The Star can deal with those creatures readily enough if they should make another appearance. What I’m concerned with is the sheer numbers we’ll be facing. If we can’t get help from Madoc, the items I brought along for this campaign may be completely consumed before we’re through here.”
“You can make more can’t you?” Illan asks.
“Sure, if I have a supply of crystals and time,” he explains. “But keep in mind it took me all winter to ready what we have. Anything I do on the run will not be as effective.”
“So what are we to do?” Jiron asks. “After this, we are going to have many more battles before we’re through.”
“I know,” he says. “I’m not figuring on facing any army head on after this.” He looks around at the reaction his words may cause. Illan and Jiron know pretty much what he plans to do so they fail to show any reaction. Ceadric though, he looks confused.
“How can we possibly drive them out if we don’t destroy their armies?” he asks.
“By making it difficult for them to keep their troops in Madoc,” he explains. “Where I come from, war has been going on for a long time. There are two main things which have to be in place for a nation to send troops into the field.”
“The first thing is internal security. If their kingdom has turmoil, then they’ll need their troops to maintain order. Also if the people feel the war is harmful that can add to the general unrest. But with the way the Empire’s run, the will of the people will probably have minimal effect.”
Ceadric nods his head as he begins to understand where this is leading.
“Secondly, you need to be able to support and supply your army. A hungry army, or one whose basic needs are not being met, will be ineffective in combat. Our band isn’t big so we can forage for what we need for the most part. As we head into the Empire, we take from the towns we pass.”
“What I plan is simply this,” he says and then pauses for effect. “When the battle here is over, we immediately head for the Empire. Destroy any and all forces we come across, providing they are no larger than our own. Those we meet as we move into the Empire should be those coming to reinforce the men on the border. With any luck, they’ll be smaller bands of a thousand men or less.”
Ceadric chuckles at that. When James glances to him he grins and says, “A thousand men being a small band. You sure are confident of yourself.”
“With what we have already with us,” he replies, “a thousand men shouldn’t be too much for us to handle.”
“We took out that many earlier this evening,” Jiron states.
“Anyway,” continues James, “as we progress into the Empire we destroy bridges, war factories, caravans, and anything that may be used to take supplies to the men in Madoc. At some point, they’re going to begin pulling forces from elsewhere to come after us. They’ll not let us wander at will within their borders.”
“Just like the old days,” Ceadric says to Illan.
“Only this time, we’re not killing civilians,” he explains.
“Good,” Ceadric states. “Never cared much for that part.”
“But they could bring forces from the south to hunt us down,” suggests Delia. “They wouldn’t necessarily take the soldiers out of Madoc to do that.”
“True,” agrees James. “But if they do, that leaves them open to rebellion from their less than complacent subject territories not to mention the time it will take for them to travel that far. From what we’ve gathered, many are itching for the chance to throw off the shackles of the Empire. I’m counting on the Empire not willing to take that risk.”
