Another arrow sped by StormSong’s ear and imbedded in the gate that Goral had just closed. A shiver raced up her spine as she dashed through the open gate. DarkBlade followed her through and shouted for the gate to be closed. SilverEdge moved to close the remaining gate while Goral bent over to pick up a huge log that had been placed there to secure the gate. He wrapped his large arms around the log and lifted it. As he turned to shove it into place, he saw the gate was not fully closed.
Goral turned and looked for his partner. SilverEdge’s large body was sprawled on the ground, an arrow piercing his neck. His lifeless eyes stared up at Goral. Goral slammed the log into the gate, forcing the gate closed and jamming it from being opened. He groaned as he bent and lifted SilverEdge’s body and threw it over his shoulder.
* * *
The Star of Sakova stood staring at the map in the farmhouse just outside of Breele. Gathered around her were her generals and advisors.
“I thought they would follow us into the Sakova,” frowned Lyra. “Why aren’t they?”
“They are consolidating,” explained General Didyk. “Doralin suffered larger losses to take Alamar than he had anticipated. He will need to heal the wounded and replenish supplies. He might even send for reinforcements.”
“He has no need of reinforcements,” frowned General Manitow. ”His army is larger than anything I could imagine.”
“He has access to supplies at Duran,” frowned Lyra. “I did not think that he would need them so soon.”
“Are the supplies guarded?” asked Temiker.
Lyra’s eyebrow rose as she stared at her uncle. “What if they are not?” she asked. “We cannot get at the supplies there. Your knowledge of geography surely must be better than you are letting on. Duran is unapproachable from the land, and we have a huge fleet of enemy ships sitting off our coast. Why would you ask such a question?”
“For the same reason that I ask any question,” shrugged Temiker. “I hoped to get an answer and expand my knowledge. Are the supplies guarded?”
“I don’t know,” answered Lyra. “When Marak saw the city, three ships were unloading. There were seamen scurrying around the city, but I have no idea if it is guarded. Satisfied?”
“Somewhat,” smiled Temiker as he turned and ushered a sailor forward. “I think you should hear what this young man has to say before you write off the supplies at Duran.”
Lyra frowned at the hint of mystery, but she recognized the sailor as having been on her voyage to Duran and smiled at him.
“Chargo,” greeted the Star of Sakova. “What do you have to tell me?”
“I have a plan against the enemy,” Chargo replied. “I want your permission to execute it.”
“And what is this plan?” asked Lyra.
“I noticed that the Motangan ships are languishing offshore,” explained Chargo. “A bunch of fishermen and shipyard workers were talking about capturing some of them. We could use them to attack the other ships.”
“Or to raid the supply depot in Duran,” interjected Temiker. “Why not liberate the Motangan supplies?”
“That would hurt Doralin a great deal,” nodded General Manitow. “His armies will depend on those supplies.”
“You are just going to swim out to sea and steal a Motangan ship?” frowned Lyra. “You can’t be serious.”
“Not just one,” grinned Chargo. “I think we could get several. We wouldn’t have to swim out. Many villagers brought their boats up to Breele when they heard that the Motangans were coming. We could go down the Maritako River at night and sail up to the huge ships. It would be pretty easy.”
“And what about the crews of the ships?” asked Lyra.
“We could overpower them,” shrugged Chargo. “Some of the crews might even go ashore. We could sail away in the dead of night, and the Motangans won’t even miss the ships until morning.”
“They might not even be alarmed if the ships are missing,” General Didyk interjected. “If no crewman survives to give details, there are many possibilities for missing ships. They could have sunk, returned to Motanga, or gone to Duran for supplies. I think the plan has great merit.”
“And we could use the ships to ferry civilians to Khadora,” added General Manitow. “What have we got to lose?”
“Our people,” frowned Lyra as she shook her head. “How many people are in on this scheme?”
“I have over a hundred volunteers,” replied Chargo. “I could easily get more if I need them. These fishermen are not warriors, Lyra. They will be of no use tromping through the forests fighting the Motangans. This is a way that they can contribute, a way to strike back at the Motangans. They all understand that they might die in the attempt, but they still want to do it. All we need is your blessing.”
“And how will we contact you?” asked the Star of Sakova. “Not one of you can weave an air tunnel. We will never know if you succeeded or died trying.”
“I will go with them,” volunteered Temiker. “I assure you that I can weave an air tunnel.”
Lyra stared at her uncle with disbelief. “You really feel that strongly about this?” she asked.
“I am an old man, Lyra,” smiled Temiker. “I may still be able to wield the power, but I do not look forward to a long campaign of running through the forests. Besides, I think it will demoralize the enemy. We must continue to do what is not expected. I also think there are innumerable uses for a Motangan ship. We can infiltrate their navy. We can impersonate Motangans. We can transport people or supplies, and if need be, we can attack.”
“What if Duran is guarded?” asked the Star of Sakova.
“We will have uniforms from the crewmen that we kill,” answered Chargo. “We will pretend to be from Doralin and tell them that we have come for supplies. We will even let them help us with the loading,” he added with a grin.
“You both are incorrigible,” Lyra smiled as she shook her head. “You have my permission, Chargo, with one condition.”
“Anything,” smiled the sailor.
“Make sure that my uncle is not hurt,” stated Lyra. “The Sakovans still have a need for such old men.”
“He will not be hurt,” Chargo promised excitedly.
Chargo and Temiker left the farmhouse to plan their mission. Lyra watched them leave and then turned her attention to the map.
“How do we get the Motangans to come towards us after they have rested?” asked Lyra.
“You need not worry about that,” replied General Didyk. “They want to come after us. This war is not about gaining territory. They seek to annihilate us. They have to come after us.”
“Then let’s start planning a reception for them,” responded the Star of Sakova. “Who wants to be first to present ideas?”
Chapter 6
Pirates
Premer Doralin sat at the long table in the dining room of Temiker’s schoolhouse in Alamar. It was one of the few buildings in the city that had somehow managed to withstand the bombardment unscathed. General Valatosa stood before the premer, looking rather uncomfortable.
“All I know is that the report was from a mage spy that Clarvoy managed to insert into one of my armies,” scowled the premer. “If it wasn’t so obvious that the mage had died before finishing his report, I would be hunting for him right now.”
“You should avoid saying such things,” advised the general. “I know how you feel about the mages, but they do have a voice that reaches to the Emperor. It is unwise to vocalize your feelings about them.”
“Your warning has been noted,” sighed Doralin. “Valatosa, I need your help. These Sakovans are a wily bunch, and the other generals do not recognize that.”