Volki snorted but otherwise did not reply.
"They did try to burn the bridge," said Rynna.
"It was but a small oil fire, neh?" asked Farrin, representing the Mages. At Rynna's nod, he added, "Not likely to have caused much damage unless it had been let burn."
Coron Eiron said, "I agree, but they withdrew ere then. Nay, I deem the Fists of Rakka made only a minor effort to take the bridge from us ere they ran unto the hills."
"Tell that to my slain warriors," gritted Chieftain Urel, the great Baeran scowling.
"That the Fists of Rakka were even in these hills came as a surprise," said King Blaine, "for I thought them in Alban still. Could they have marched across Garia and then H?l's Crucible and by happenstance have been here?"
Those in council looked at one another, but none had an answer.
"That the Fists of Rakka were at this place-or even that they ran-is not the only mystery here," declared Field Marshal Burke, the leader of the men of Wellen, as he peered northwesterly through the glum day. "Where are the Hyrinians and Kistanians and Chabbains? Shouldn't they have come by now?"
All eyes turned to King Blaine. "We must needs wait on the scouts to report back."
"Even though the Fists of Rakka have withdrawn, and even though the Lakh and Rovers and the Askars are yet to arrive, still much of the day remains," said Chieftain Durul, "and so we must expect an attack. Too, in the night there is every chance they will try to take the bridge, either to use it themselves or to destroy it outright."
King Blaine nodded and gestured at the riders yet crossing the bridge. "Aye, but when my host is finally across, the foe will not find it easy to win through forty thousand men."
Silverleaf smiled at Okar's remark and added, "Thy numbers are grown beyond that, my lord, for the legion I command is at your hest as well."
Volki growled and said, "Forty thousand men? Men? You forget, King Blaine, in addition to men, Chakka and Dylvana and Lian and Baeron serve as well."
Rynna glared at Volki, and he quickly added, "Waer-ans, too."
DelfLord Okar said, "And the Chakka of the Red Hills, who have been with you since Gunnaring Gap, several Lian from there also."
"And Magekind," said Farrin. "Our numbers are small, but you must add us in."
King Blaine laughed and threw up his hands. "I stand corrected by each and every one of you, for all Free Folk serve"-his eye singled out Rynna-"Waerlings not the least. Aye, the foe will not find it easy to win past us to the bridge."
"Perhaps not aland, my lord," said Skipskaptein Arnson, leader of the Fjordlanders, "but there is yet the water. I deem we should set craft upstream and down, for the enemy may try to swim the river and hole the hulls or send down floats afire."
"Ja," replied Kapitan Dolf. "The upstream side guard we will. The side downstream yours to guard it will be."
Arnson glared at the Jutlander, but nodded in agreement.
Blaine canted his head in assent. "That settled, the rest will be according to plan, lest someone has a new tactic to discuss."
Farrin cleared his throat. "This wind, my lord, I remind you: it has the taint of darkness."
Rynna's eyes widened. Taint of darkness? Oh my.
Silverleaf spoke: "Modru?"
Farrin shook his head. "I know not, for Modru and I have never crossed paths."
"Know you yet what it means?" asked the King.
Farcin shook his head. "If it is Modru, then mayhap a storm is brewing, but I cannot be certain."
Blaine frowned. "Then there's nought we can do until we face whatever the wind may bring."
"Clearly, my lord, we can prepare for a blizzard," said Phais, looking back along the Sea Road, where a thousand supply wagons and their escort now trundled into view. "In yon train are spare warm garments and blankets for those who need such." She gestured at the hijls nearby. "And should a tempest come, yon crags will provide shelter of a sort."
"Agreed," said King Blaine. "My lords, make certain each warrior in your command is well prepared for a blizzard should one come riding on this tainted wind."
A murmur muttered about the council circle, but then Blaine held up his hand and asked, "Is there aught else we need discuss?"
Silence fell among the captains as the High King gazed to each and every one. When he looked at Volki, the Delf-Lord said, "We need deal with the dead; honor is due to each."
Silverleaf sighed. "Aye. Collect them on the far side of the river. But any honors due are to come after the fighting is done."
Volki nodded, as did they all, for in war the dead must wait for the living.
Even as the Dwarf agreed, a runner came to the circle. "Milord, a rider approaches!"
"Whereaway?" asked the King, standing.
"From the northwest along the river, this side."
"One of the scouts?"
"I know not, milord."
"Then we shall wait."
And still the King's army rode across the bridge.
Within moments Elon rode in among the host and was directed to the council. The Dylvana scout dismounted and said, "My lords, the Hyrinians, Kistanians, and Chabbains have turned northeasterly into the hills-"
Rynna's heart leapt to her throat. The hills are where my Tipperton is, and Linnet and Nix and Farly and Dinly.
"Toward H?l's Crucible?" interjected Captain Donal of Gelen, a frown on his ruddy face.
"Aye," replied Elon.
Arth of the Wilderland, leader of the remnant of the Beacontor muster, grunted in surprise and brushed back a stray lock of red hair from his youthful brow, then asked, "Scouts yet follow them?"
"Darai Vail and Arylin and Alor Flandrena yet shadow, but there is more to report: glad tidings."
"Glad tidings?" asked Silverleaf.
"Aye, for no more than two leagues hence, allies come along this side of the Ironwater: King Loden of Riamon and DelfLord Bekki of Mineholt North bring their forces to join with ours: nine hundred Drimma and some two thousand men."
"Hai!" called King Blaine. "Most welcome will they be."
"On this side of the river, you say?" asked Lugar of Trellinath.
Elon turned to the marshal, elderly yet hale. "They crossed at Rhondor to harass the foe and turn their attention away, hoping to give King Blaine's army a chance to cross over."
"Ha!" barked Kapitan Dolf. "Good it is that they did not, for as we have heard thirty thousand are the enemy, and fallen soon would have been the Riamoners and der Zwergs."
DelfLord Volki snorted, then muttered to Rynna at his side, "Pah! Bekki's nine hundred Chakka alone could have held the foe at bay while the King and his men crossed at their ease."
Rynna smiled briefly, but, fretting, wondering, her thoughts were upon Tipperton and the others…
"There they are," hissed Linnet, pointing.
Tipperton raised up to peer over the stony prominence. In the gorge below marched the Fists of Rakka, heading easterly.
Tip glanced at his sketch of the area, a sketch made long past at the map table of Coron Ruar, for when it was drawn, Tipperton did not know whence the war would take him, and so he had lightly traced all he could. Yet much detail was missing, and only the broadest outlines indicated what lay ahead.
"The only thing east is H?l's Crucible," he murmured. "But given what we have heard of that place, surely they couldn't be heading there."
"Perhaps they have no choice, now that the High King is on this side of the river," replied Linnet.
"Perhaps not," said Tipperton, folding his sketches back into their waterproof wrapping. "Do you see any sign of Nix and Farly and Dinly? We will need send word back."