Radeachar drifted down out of the darkness, hovered above the wizard, sensing his inner conflict, sensing that Varthlokkur needed something, not knowing what to do. The wizard touched the Unborn's protective globe. „My one true, unquestioning friend. Let's go inside. My bones are old. I'll take my death of chill out here."
„P'u Hsiu says they've finished encircling his legion, Mistress," an Aspirator reported.
Mist slid back from the table and map she'd been studying, gestured. The Aspirator placed another map be fore her, smoothed it out. He used a marking crayon to draw a kidney-shaped enclosure, then some fragmentary lines indicating the approximate positions of neighboring le gions.
Mist nodded. „What do we have in reserve down there?"
„One cohort without Tervola or Aspirators, commanded by Leading Centurion Ki Mo-Jo. They were taken out yesterday for rest. Little more than half normal strength."
„Have Mo-Jo attack to the left and plug that gap."
„The right is a narrower break, Mistress."
„That's where they'll expect the counter. Tell Mo-Jo he can have shaft support if he needs it, but not to waste them. Budget him a dozen."
„As you command, Mistress." The Aspirator removed the map and went about his business.
Mist stared at the smaller scale map revealed once more. It portrayed a sad situation. The counteroffensive had bogged down in the sheer mass of the Matayangan foe. She was consuming her reserves in a struggle to maintain the integrity of her front. Still, fracture lines appeared faster than they could be patched. She leaned back, sighed in exhaustion and disappointment.
Never before had the empire been faced with the possibil ity of having to negotiate from a position of weakness. If the Matayangans didn't crack soon, her own armies would. Their resources were almost exhausted. Soon she would have to start stripping Western Army and the training legions.
Something touched her lightly, like a spiderweb encoun tered on a lonely woodland path. It enfolded her, seemed to pull at her.
She sat bolt upright. Somewhere some master of the Power was concentrating on her. She'd better ready her defenses.
A window burst inward. A low moan filled the room. There was a whump as something smashed into her table. Maps flew. Dust motes danced in the candlelight. A small arrow stood quivering in the tabletop. A piece of paper encircled its shaft.
She studied the arrow, sensed only the spells that had propelled it. She licked a finger, touched it to the paper. It let go of the arrow. She picked it up gingerly, read it. „Humph! Lord Lun-yu. Do we have a portal connecting us with Commander Western Army?"
„We did this morning, Mistress. I'll check."
She read the note again. So. Varthlokkur knew what was happening in the Throyen theater. Knew more than she, evidently. Lord Shih-ka'i had Bragi surrounded.
What damnfool notion had brought Bragi out of the mountains? Why hadn't he stayed there? The idiot!
Lord Lun-yu reappeared. „We do have an open portal, Mistress."
„Good. You know Lord Shih-ka'i. Go tell him to com plete his present operation without resorting to the Power."
„Mistress?"
„He's encircled Ragnarson."
Lord Lun-yu very nearly danced. Mist nodded gently. „Yes. But I've just had a message from Varthlokkur. If Lord Shih-ka'i uses the Power, he'll intercede. With all the might at his beck."
„So?"
„I'm aware of the emotion involved in this, Lord Lun-yu. I'm also aware that it would be easier to take Ragnarson using the Power. But risking the wrath of Varthlokkur and the Unborn is far more dangerous than risking meeting Ragnarson in normal combat. Do you see?"
Reluctantly, Lord Lun-yu admitted, „I did see the Un born in action during the wars, Mistress. I suppose we'd better give the wizard his way."
„Tell Lord Shih-ka'i to free up as many men as he can, too. Our reserve situation is desperate."
„Yes, Mistress. Mistress, can we trust the wizard to stay out of it now?"
„I think so. His word is usually good. Get going. The night is nearly gone. Lord Shih-ka'i will need time to adjust his plans."
„As you command, Mistress."
Mist gathered her maps. She began studying one which showed the debacle growing around the Argonese incursion along the Matayangan seacoast. „It was a good idea, Lord Kuo," she whispered to the ghost of her predecessor, „but you grossly overestimated the Argonese army."
„Officers and noncoms will take the last watch," Bragi said. „Let the men rest." He looked down at the encircling enemy camp. It was past midnight. His positions were as strong as they could be made.
Baron Hardle suggested, „You'd better get some sleep yourself. You look a bit hollow-eyed."
„Uhm. Maybe." He rubbed his eyes, knew there would be little sleep for him. He would be wrestling his conscience all night.
It was he the Tervola wanted.
He scanned the enemy again. One legion, he guessed. One legion that had been cut up some already. He had to get them to attack him. His bowmen could carve them up. Then a counterattack down the long flank, there, to open enough room for Gjerdrum to mount a charge. They couldn't keep Gjerdrum from breaking through if he got a run at them. Then the knights could hit them from the rear.
He snorted in self-derision. It sounded good, but it wouldn't work. The Tervola were going to use their power, and there was no way he could stop them. Unless. ... He stared northward, toward the far Dragon's Teeth.
He was worried. Could the wizard really let him go down? „Don't be negative," he told himself. „The situation is never impossible."
„Sire?"
„Nothing." He sketched his thoughts about pulling the enemy under his bows.
„Did Lord Hsung serve in the west during the wars?" Hardle asked.
„I don't think so. Why?"
„Toward the end they pretty well learned how to handle massed arrow fire."
„What do you think of negotiating, then?"
„Sire?"
„Hsung wants me. Suppose we could get him to let the army go if I turned myself over?"
„No," Gjerdrum said.
Hardle shook his head. „Not even in extremity. We rose together, we'll go down together."
„I want to do what's best for Kavelin. What happens if Kavelin loses two thirds of its best soldiers?"
„What happens if Kavelin loses a King who cares?" Sir Gjerdrum demanded. „You know who takes over. The Estates. Inger will be like a peasant girl trying to ride a wild stallion. They suckered her on that succession business."
Bragi smiled a thin, hard smile. „Don't be so sure. The Estates might find they were suckered. That's one tough lady when she makes up her mind. And she has some nasty friends."
„Norath," Gjerdrum said. „I nearly forgot."
„Norath. Among others. I want you to get some rest. Win or lose, it'll be a hard tomorrow."
Ragnarson slept, but just for a few hours. He was up watching the enemy encampment long before the stars began to fade. He wakened the cooks early, had food distributed to the men. He had the company commanders double-check weapons and equipment. He had his forces in position long before the morning breeze brought the sun ballooning up over the eastern horizon.
His enemy was as ready as he. The growing light revealed black armored soldiers drawn up in order of battle, behind a trench which entirely encircled the base of the hill. „So much for sending Gjerdrum in," he growled. „At least till we're able to counter-fill those ditches. Messenger. Tell Sir Gjerdrum I want the animals brought to the top of the hill. Everyone will fight on foot."