“Warrior priest?” asks Illan.
James nods his head gravely then turns his attention back to Miko.
“Sort of like your medallion back in that underground complex in the swamp?” Miko asks.
“Precisely,” he replies with a nod. “Seems Dmon-Li’s priests not only have the ability to control beings from the plane of fire but also to summon demons, for lack of a better term.”
“How is it that it works for me?” he asks.
“I don’t know. Perhaps because it has no choice if it is to spread its influence upon this world.”
Just then the tent flap opens and the other three come inside. As the tent flap closes, James sees Devin there taking his position outside his tent. Once everyone is settled in, he says, “Illan and I will meet with Lord Pytherian shortly. With any luck we’ll be able to count on their support in the coming battle.”
“If they want to keep Madoc free they better,” Ceadric interjects.
“There is a sizable presence here in Lythylla,” adds Illan, “not only of Madoc’s forces but those of the Alliance.” Around the group, a few heads nod in agreement.
“Whatever they decide to do, we still have a battle to fight on the morrow.” James glances around the assembled faces and adds, “We have a warrior priest to deal with.”
Delia gasps and Jiron nods his head, “Thought so. When I saw those creatures at the gate, I knew something had to be up.”
Gesturing to Miko he says, “The Star can deal with those creatures readily enough if they should make another appearance. What I’m concerned with is the sheer numbers we’ll be facing. If we can’t get help from Madoc, the items I brought along for this campaign may be completely consumed before we’re through here.”
“You can make more can’t you?” Illan asks.
“Sure, if I have a supply of crystals and time,” he explains. “But keep in mind it took me all winter to ready what we have. Anything I do on the run will not be as effective.”
“So what are we to do?” Jiron asks. “After this, we are going to have many more battles before we’re through.”
“I know,” he says. “I’m not figuring on facing any army head on after this.” He looks around at the reaction his words may cause. Illan and Jiron know pretty much what he plans to do so they fail to show any reaction. Ceadric though, he looks confused.
“How can we possibly drive them out if we don’t destroy their armies?” he asks.
“By making it difficult for them to keep their troops in Madoc,” he explains. “Where I come from, war has been going on for a long time. There are two main things which have to be in place for a nation to send troops into the field.”
“The first thing is internal security. If their kingdom has turmoil, then they’ll need their troops to maintain order. Also if the people feel the war is harmful that can add to the general unrest. But with the way the Empire’s run, the will of the people will probably have minimal effect.”
Ceadric nods his head as he begins to understand where this is leading.
“Secondly, you need to be able to support and supply your army. A hungry army, or one whose basic needs are not being met, will be ineffective in combat. Our band isn’t big so we can forage for what we need for the most part. As we head into the Empire, we take from the towns we pass.”
“What I plan is simply this,” he says and then pauses for effect. “When the battle here is over, we immediately head for the Empire. Destroy any and all forces we come across, providing they are no larger than our own. Those we meet as we move into the Empire should be those coming to reinforce the men on the border. With any luck, they’ll be smaller bands of a thousand men or less.”
Ceadric chuckles at that. When James glances to him he grins and says, “A thousand men being a small band. You sure are confident of yourself.”
“With what we have already with us,” he replies, “a thousand men shouldn’t be too much for us to handle.”
“We took out that many earlier this evening,” Jiron states.
“Anyway,” continues James, “as we progress into the Empire we destroy bridges, war factories, caravans, and anything that may be used to take supplies to the men in Madoc. At some point, they’re going to begin pulling forces from elsewhere to come after us. They’ll not let us wander at will within their borders.”
“Just like the old days,” Ceadric says to Illan.
“Only this time, we’re not killing civilians,” he explains.
“Good,” Ceadric states. “Never cared much for that part.”
“But they could bring forces from the south to hunt us down,” suggests Delia. “They wouldn’t necessarily take the soldiers out of Madoc to do that.”
“True,” agrees James. “But if they do, that leaves them open to rebellion from their less than complacent subject territories not to mention the time it will take for them to travel that far. From what we’ve gathered, many are itching for the chance to throw off the shackles of the Empire. I’m counting on the Empire not willing to take that risk.”
“In short, we make it extremely difficult for them to keep their forces in Madoc by whatever means available.” The others nod and Ceadric is actually wearing a grin.
“I like your plan,” he states.
“Our key to success is to stay mobile,” James continues. “Keep their armies on the move while we take out their infrastructure.”
Delia is staring at him in an odd way. “Yes?” he asks.
“You’re doing all this simply to have a temple built in the City of Light?” she asks.
“For the most part, yes,” he replies. “Also to free Madoc from a fate it doesn’t deserve.” He nods at Miko and says, “Not to mention payback for what they’ve already done to us and others. I’d take down the entire place if I could. Slavery is an abomination and I would like nothing better than to see every slaver put to the sword.”
“I’m with you on that one,” says Jiron.
James glances to Miko, expecting some reaction to that as he was only one present to be subjected to the hell of being a slave, but he remains quiet.
“What I’ve said here remains just between us. Agreed?” he asks. When everyone gives their agreement, he says, “We’ve got a hard day ahead of us. I suggest you get what rest you can before morning.” To Illan he says, “We better get the meeting with Lord Pytherian over with so we can get a few hours of sleep.”
Standing up, Illan nods his head. To Ceadric he says, “Get the men bedded down. We’re up with the dawn.”
“Yes, sir,” he says and then leaves the tent. From outside they can hear his voice shouting orders as he does Illan’s bidding.
“We’ll be back soon,” James says as he gets to his feet. To Delia he says, “Have Devin hit the sack too. I won’t need him when I return.”
“Okay,” she tells him.
He glances over to Jiron and says, “Get everyone to sleep. I want everyone up by dawn.”
“You got it,” he says.
Illan moves to leave his tent and James follows. Outside they find an exhausted Devin and James nods to him as he and Illan head for the castle.
Despite the lateness of the hour, the streets are still full of people. All are simply agog with the latest rumors about the events that transpired earlier in the evening. Few recognize them as they move through the dark streets and they arrive at the castle in short order.
At the gate, a page is waiting for them and takes them to the same conference room they met in earlier. Surprisingly, only Lord Pytherian is there, the other leaders are absent.
“Where’s everyone else?” James asks as the page closes the door behind him. Moving to the table, he sits down in a chair across from Lord Pytherian, Illan takes a seat the chair next to his.
“Thought it would be best to meet here in private,” he explains.
“There’s no trouble is there?” Illan asks.
“I don’t know,” he replies. “There’s been rumors going around of an agent for the Empire within the walls, but so far nothing definite has been uncovered.”