Though the hour was late, there were signs of motion around the base of each tree. Tributes, some with the aid of guards, lumbered with hesitant steps, or simply lounged against the thick roots of the great trees. Andr was amazed at the rapid healing that many had seemingly undergone. Had Ryl progressed so far before the addition of the remedy that his body was forced to endure the painful duration of its course?
That would be a discussion for the mender. The return of the scout meant they’d likely have more immediate martial concerns to discuss. Andr could easily make out the shapes of the phrenics among the men gathered near the center of the clearing. Ramm towered over those assembled, the thin frame of Vox standing at his side. The figures of Le’Dral and Millis resolved as Andr neared the gathering.
Cavlin nodded at the captain before gingerly seating himself on a stump nearer to the fire. He winced as he stretched out his legs, wrapping his left arm protectively over his abdomen.
Le’Dral greeted the newcomers quickly before nodding to Millis to begin.
“Let’s get on with this,” the captain said. “We have much to discuss.”
Andr folded his arms across his chest, and he made himself comfortable for the debriefing.
“Thank you, Captain,” Millis began. The lieutenant looked weary from a long day of travel. Even in the dark, Andr could see the layer of dirt that soiled his face.
“I witnessed none of what happened this morning,” Millis began. “The disposition of the army now is at best confusing.”
The lieutenant ran a hand through the tangled mass of hair atop his head. Living off the land inside The Stocks for over a moon had done little for his hygiene. He took a deep swig from the waterskin in his hand.
“It’s a strange sight,” Millis announced. “The army has shattered. The vast majority seem to mill around without a plan or leadership. Only a small contingent moves to the south, though their march is sluggish. It appears that great plumes of smoke rise from Cadsae Proper.”
“Was that the cause of the smoke we saw this morning?” Le’Dral inquired.
“No, sir.” Millis shook his head. “We arrived after that blaze had burnt itself out. The remains are indistinguishable, yet the guards avoided it like a curse. None move within twenty meters of it.”
Andr chimed in. He found it difficult to keep the fatherly concern from his voice. His normally stolid emotions were in a state of turmoil far greater than he’d ever experienced.
“Were there any signs of Ryl or the boy?” he interrupted.
“There was no indication that they were still among the army, though there was evidence of a struggle,” Millis said with a twinge of remorse. “There were bodies still lying on the ground. Perhaps one hundred or more. The graves are fresh. They tend to a significant number of wounded. It would appear that whatever battle occurred was one-sided, though I have no evidence other than a feeling that he did in fact survive. Their disposition was too fragmented, too morose for a victory to have been lodged.”
Andr choked down the momentary panic that threatened to crush him.
“He’s alive,” Ramm grumbled. His voice was accompanied by a wave of authority that demanded belief.
All eyes turned to the massive phrenic, who merely folded his arms across his chest in response.
“There is little we can do to explain the occurrence, so I’ll dispense with the attempt,” Vox chimed in for the silent giant standing at his side. “Though we cannot see his presence when he is further than our field of vision, the effect of his death would be noted by all who share the phrenic blood. He and Kaep yet live.”
Andr nodded his head in agreement.
“You’ve witnessed what Ryl is capable of,” Andr acknowledged. “Yet I fear for him still.”
The attention that had been directed to Ramm now swung fully to him.
“We all know too well that there is a burden wrought for every life that ends by your hands.” Andr sighed. He knew the weight well. The death wails of countless men still echoed in his skull. He wiped his hand over his cheek as the phantom sensation of a hot splash of blood splattered across his face. He had to look at his hand to confirm that it was in fact still clean.
“Ryl is better equipped than any to handle himself in battle.” Andr sighed as his gaze lowered to the ground. The vision that flashed into his mind was chilling. Ryl lay helpless at his side. His feeble body, that had fought for so long, finally succumbed to the sickness. The look of desperation and fear that clouded the young man’s face was a chilling reminder. “I fear for the army that stands between him and a righteous purpose, though I’m terrified the emotional toll of that volume of death would crush him.”
There was a pause as those assembled pondered the assessment.
“And what is Kaep to him?” Le’Dral asked curiously. “Is she a noble cause?”
Andr looked to the phrenics, who stood only meters away. The flickering light of the fire illuminated their scowls. Their jaws were clenched in frustration. Though their eyes were lost in the shadow of their hoods, he could feel them boring into him.
“She is family,” Andr replied.
Chapter 33
The smile that greeted Ryl was disarming. It was infectious.
“Fay,” Ryl gasped.
The last puff of wind from his arm wafted past Lord Eligar, ruffling the collar of his shirt. Errant strands of hair floated across his face.
“To the end of the world and back, it seems,” Lord Eligar replied as he strode forward.
Ryl marched ahead to meet him, his hand outstretched. Their hands met for an instant before Fay pulled him into a tight embrace. The soldiers of House Eligar relaxed as the tension that had threatened to doom them all vaporized in the salty breeze from the sea to the south.
“See that this square is secure.” The young Lord
