“Well, a flock of the bony bastards appears to be on its way here. I assume they herald the coming of the probing attacks you mentioned. I’ll give us fifteen to twenty minutes before those flyers arrive,” said the mage.
Kobu immediately leaned over the side of the bastion. They all could hear his shouted orders. For such a reserved warrior, the exile had an unusually loud voice when he put his mind to it.
“Flyers incoming! Ballistae get ready! The rest take cover! Shields up!”
Tyler could hear the commands being repeated along the battlements. The exile glanced at the mage.
“Any idea on how big they are, sire?”
“Not yet, Kobu. I’ll tell you when their details become clearer,” answered Tyler who then quizzically looked at the man. “Wait. Ballistae?”
“The only weapons which could deal with flying creatures. Though only up to a certain size. The dwarven weapons are very versatile; they can fling weighted nets to bring down flyers. Their handlers have been busy coming up with various ammunition for the ballistae we were able to save, among other nasty things being forged. I believe they took over some of the forges,” answered Kobu.
Tyler remembered the two dwarven leaders. For a change, they were not on the platform.
“Where’s Dvalin and Otr?” he asked.
“Still at the forges,” answered the jarl with a chuckle. “I sent somebody to fetch them, and the messenger got a choice earful. But the warrior was surprisingly thankful for the experience. He said he had memorized the best cuss phrases.”
Tyler smiled when he heard the reply. He was still trying to determine the number of the flying enemy. Then he remembered the scrying spell.
Dammit, he swore as he quickly released the spell toward the flyers. I should have thought of that earlier.
The result came back immediately.
“Kobu, fifteen skeletal drakes. But two are big. No, huge. Not as big as a draken, but nearly there.”
To the mage’s surprise, he saw the ranger turn to Tyndur, sniggering loudly.
“Well, Tyndur. Remember your wish for drakes to fight? We met them in the Barrens, and now, you get another chance. It’s a wish granted twice over!” joked the ranger.
Tyndur beamed.
Tyler noticed that jarl was beside him. Engrossed as he was in watching the progress of the approaching bony flock, the mage didn’t see the movement.
“It’s going to be a battle worthy of a saga or two,” remarked the ruler of Hedmark.
“We just need to make sure there’s somebody left to sing or recite them. Not to mention listeners to such sagas,” answered the mage.
“True,” chuckled the jarl.
I am beginning to like this jarl. Laughs in the face of the threat of total annihilation, overwhelming odds, and…
“That incident with the High King’s men. I believe that would have severe repercussions on your relationship with him,” he remarked, his previous train of thought giving rise to the question.
“That is if there’s any relationship left. I knew he wanted the seat of Hedmark vacant so he can appoint one of his toadies here. I know that, and the people know that. Though I don’t think any such proxy ruler would live long. The inhabitants of Hedmark don’t suffer fools. But he does have a long line of flunkies,” replied the jarl with a grin. “That, my friend, is politics. Though his narrow, myopic mind failed to appreciate the fact that if Hedmark falls, then Hirdburg would follow in short order even with its greater number of heavily armored warriors and cavalry. His prized fortress is closer to Hedmark than the westernmost border of the realm.”
“I guess you didn’t tell him to stick his order up his sensitive lower orifice.”
“No. Not yet. After this battle, if we do survive, Hedmark would be weakened and won’t be able to withstand an attack from Hirdburg.”
“Does that happen a lot? The fighting among jarls? The High King is but the first among equals from the lore I remember,” asked Tyler.
“It does happen. Jarls are very jealous of their territory. Land and its people are sources of taxes, trade, and fighting men. I don’t hold with such an attitude. I keep my borders intact and try to expand in the direction of the Barrens. Claiming more of that zone would also decrease the number of raids made by its creatures. Some of the land there is now usable, though colonization of the area still gives men pause.”
“Good thing I abhor politics. Though surprisingly, it manages to entangle me at times. Such convoluted plans and schemes, and for petty gain,” said Tyler.
“Me too. I never thought I’d be the jarl. But being the ruler, I do have to protect my people and their interests. And so, I am forced to play the game. Even against Hirdburg.”
A glance at the horizon told Tyler the flyers were closing in. His vision now revealed them in their complete skeletal glory. He noticed they looked different from the ones they’d encountered deep on the Barrens. From the exposed skeletal structure, they appeared to be of the more common draken species usually encountered in unfriendly or unexplored territory. But like their brethren, they were fast movers.
He quickly turned to the jarl.
“They’ll be here soon,” he advised.
At his words, Aage and some warriors from the hird moved forward and flanked the jarl.
“Ah, my minders. I do understand their concern, High Mage, and humbly apologize for not being able to join you in the coming merriment.”
“You’re leaving the platform?” Tyler asked.
“They would like me to, but I was able to wrangle a compromise. I can stay here under their protection, but can’t participate,” answered the jarl in a resigned tone.
Tyndur immediately moved forward.
“Since the jarl is out of the fight, can I have one of the big ones? I am not greedy. Habrok or Kobu can have the other,” requested the einherjar.
“Of course, Tyndur. Work it out with them. I’ll focus on the smaller ones,” replied Tyler, his calm tone echoing that of the jarl.
“Habrok!
