Book 4, Chapter 49: Returning Home
These great bridges, built by a long dead civilization, would less and less fulfill their original purpose of crossing the river. As the years passed, the river would widen or shrink, meander, bury the bridges through deposition or conversely cause them to collapse through erosion. Though, I was told we were near the ocean, making deposition perhaps more likely. Until a glacial period came.
Two days were required to build a land bridge from our bank to the stone of the imposing bridge itself. The soldiers had built up an embankment, aided by the mages. First, they’d gathered stones and lumber. It’d gone by quicker than I had thought possible, with mages dredging up the stones, felling the trees. Then, the mages diverted the water while soldiers built a support structure out of wood, filled it in with stone until it was above the water levels, then more wood on top for us to walk across. The mages had to shift off this duty every few minutes or so but didn’t explain why. I took it as another clue to the limitations of their power. Finally, soldiers split the trees in half, and somehow built a flat surface the horses and pack animals could walk across.
It made me wonder. Perhaps factories could run on magic, and a magical-industrial society could be built. If only mages would be productive outside of war. On that thought, I had no idea what they did outside of war. Etienne spent some time training me and doing research into the runes on my back, but I didn’t know what else.
Personally, I had to train to make the energy usable. It was similar to learning any skill: time and practice were needed. Little by little, I’d made strides and the first tricks I learned became easier, almost reflexive. Presumably, they had to do something like that, too. Though they also, apparently, survived some extremely harsh schooling as well. Probably really, really mean teachers, like Miss Viola Swamp. Nice Miss Nelson was always missing at their school. If only they weren’t so cagey, I could find out.
I didn’t know how I compared to mages, but I was other than them. The energy in me felt alive and vibrant and I didn’t control it so much as transform within it. The power frightened me. I’d been able to control it, but only just, and only at the brink of destruction of the self. None of the wizards seemed to have these issues and none of them could use magic when touched by the iron that bound my wrists and ankles, neck and ears.
Though I wondered. Was control really an option? A few times, out of anger or pain or trauma, I wanted to unleash the beast within, let it take over, become not the director nor the symphony, but the music.
And I wouldn’t have answers. Unless I let go of myself, set free the destruction.
***
We crossed the river cautiously, not knowing whether the Ketzillian force set up ambushes. Scouts first, then the bulk of the army. The other side of the bridge was well past the water onto dry land. We set up another staging area. In the absence of satellites and the presence of wizards, we had to send scouts out to get a lay of the land.
Brundle pointed upriver, “That direction, where you and the grand magister escaped?”
“That’s correct. I don’t know how far up, though. We were in the boat for a good few hours before resting against the bridge back here.”
“Must have been a harrowing escape.”
As we had the time, I recounted it for him, minus the part about being from a different planet. Telling the story reminded me that I once thought – no, felt is the right word – that I’d been a man in my previous life. At some point, I must have known what that was like.
And it weirdly meant that I didn’t know what being a normal teenage girl was like, either. Only what it was like being one now. Rather, being me now. A me who has ever questioned my own body. Mine now, I guess. Perhaps with time, I’d accept that as it had once accepted my consciousness.
***
The army continued across the bridge long into the afternoon and early evening. Even as wide as that bridge was, getting 85 000 people and three to four times as many animals across it was time consuming. Throughout our spring journey the cattle had been trailing the train, but they were moved across earlier, to protect them in case something arrived to eat them. To give the cattle a little motivation, the war rhinos followed immediately behind.
“I’ve never seen cows so motivated to walk before,” said the big man.
“They don’t like to walk?”
“It’s more that they don’t like to walk where you want them to go. Those rhinos are imposing, though.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t killed anyone yet.” Back where I was from, rhinoceros weren’t animals you could domesticate. You could try if you didn’t value living.
“Their handlers must be good. Perhaps there’s a bit of magic involved.”
“No kidding! I wonder what that would be like.”
“When we visit Laemacia, you can ask.”
“I guess we’ll be staying the night?”
“That you arranged for us to visit Laemacia for only one night speaks to your charisma as a diplomat.”
“No, Morry, you goof. Here.”
“Goof?”
“You heard me.”
“First I’m a bodyguard, then a chef, a captain, then a general, a jerk and now a goof it seems.”
Brundle stepped in with, “I’d like to wait until the scouting parties get back. We need to get our bearings here, learn where the enemy army is encamped. If they’re holding out at your castle.”
“Brundle, this is rough. And taking forever! I’m going to, I don’t know, stare at the river some more.” But, I promised myself, no more introspection.
***
“What will you do once living back in your home again, Princess?”
“Oh. Fix it up, I guess. Start up the smithies here. Weapons production, whiskey, you know.” The sun was still high, animals were still crossing, tents were getting set up, and we sat on the banks watching it all.
“Perhaps a memorial to your father, your brother, mother and sister?”
“That’s a fantastic idea, Morry. A memorial.” I tasted the words. “Maybe one for the soldiers, too. All the ones we’ve lost. And the university I was talking to you about before.”
“University?”
“At the ball. Uh, the New Year’s Eve party. You were very drunk.”
“The night you didn’t dance.”
“And the night you drank too much.”
“As I recall, Princess, you joined me in that.”
“No, I warned you to add water, big man!”
“Big man?”
“That’s my nickname for you. In my head.”
“Huh.”
“Well, you’re big. And, uh, like a man. So, yeah.”
“Fitting.”
“No nickname for me?”
“None that I’d share.”
“Now you have to share it!”
“I said I wouldn’t.”
“That’s totally not fair!”
“Life isn’t fair.”
“Morry!”
“Princess, perhaps you should practice sword or spear?”
I glared at him for a moment. “I guess it’s that or more day drinking.”
***
“Your Highness,” said Brundle, shaking me awake.
“What?”
“Yes, it’s nighttime. Sorry. Scouts have returned. You have to hear this.”
“Alright. Just get out of my tent for a moment, let me change.”
He did, I did, we ended up at the command tent, where the advance scouts waited for us.
“My lady,” the scout said, “The enemy has quit the castle and are amassing a great force on the other side, on the fields west of Breadamont.” He pointed at the map on the table. “Here, beyond the forest.”
“Alright. How far is that from here.”
Brundle broke in with, “Perhaps four hours march. That’s why I woke you. We could leave now, get there at sunrise. Possibly take them by surprise.”
“I don’t like that. No, our soldiers would be tired.”
“Right. I don’t like it either, but you are the sovereign and needed to know.”
“They must be waiting for us. We can take our time, make them restless.”
“Yes, that will work.”
“Brundle, why’d they choose this location?”
“I think, I hate to say this, but probably because they have a much larger force. It’s a flat field, meaning that it’s suitable for battle.”
“And our sarissa.”
“We have to assume they’ve chosen this field for their own purposes.”
“Well, whatever the reason, this is good news. Our phalanx will be in top form.” I turned to the scout. “And? Did you see anything else?”
“No, my lady. I regret to inform you that we engaged the enemy and half of our party was injured. All were rushed back with all possible haste, but for me. I followed their scouting party.”
“You deserve a medal. Thank you very much. Now go and check on your injured friends.”
He bowed, “My lady,” and left.
“They may have led him to see what they want him to see.”
“You think so?” I was at a loss. “If we second guess all our information, we might not trust anything.”
“True. But I urge caution.”
“Let’s send defensive scouting parties, as patrols, around us, our encampment. Just to make sure we’re not being snuck up on. If they don’t show up, well, let’s march to their location. Flat plains . . . that is very good for us, Brundle.”
“It is, but they’re choosing this land for their own purposes. In part, I would guess, because they’ve merged their armies.”
“That’s going to be a problem, I think, mostly if they have more mages than we do.”
“Speaking of that. I’ve decided to use the snipers in a reserve ranged regiment. When we see where their mages are located, we’ll send that regiment toward their location. Not too close, but close enough.”
“Three arrows each. I hope it’s enough.”
“It’ll help, regardless.”
“I’ll give them to you tomorrow. With luck, mages like Aisu will be too busy to notice the extra iron.”
“With all that you’re carrying, that’s likely. Until tomorrow then, my lady. Sleep well, the remainder of the night.”
“You, too. Good night.”
As I returned to my tents, I saw little green eyes, flashing in the darkness. Orange and black fur. Foxes. A couple bowed. They darted here and there, ever in front of my walk. One snuck up to me, tail between its legs, body flat to the ground.
“Alright, little guy. What do you want?”
It simply waited. Sniffing. Almost bowing, but it could have been sniffing more.
“Great, thanks. Excellent conversation. Off you go.” I walked around it, to my tent, hoping these damn things weren’t rabid.
***
“Princess, why are you awake?” The big man found me staring at the fire, ale in my hand.
“Oh?”
“You are strange.”
“What’s that?”
“Since I was strange when you found me alone, drinking, I thought the reverse must be fitting.”
“Yes. True, yes. I am strange. Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Do you have to lead the Companion Cavalry yourself? Couldn’t you guide them, like Brundle guides the army?”
He sat down beside me, took the pitcher, filled a cup, paused. “Princess, you needn’t worry about me. This armor, I’m well protected.”
“It’s not that. I just, I don’t know, I have a bad feeling. I’d rather you stayed with me, with me and Brundle, in the next battle. Your wisdom and advice would be welcomed, I’m sure.”
He took a slow sip, looked into the red embers, grey around the edges, some black where it was cooler, white where it was hotter, then answered, gaze yet locked on the fire, “If that is your wish, then certainly. My men, my Companions, they’d be better served with me at their head.”
“Yes. Of course. I’m sorry. Pay me no attention. I’m sure it’s the ale talking. And the worries of a young girl.”
“Princess-”
“Morry, you know, if we fight tomorrow, maybe you shouldn’t be drinking so late at night.”
“Oh? And what about you, little girl?”
“I’m immune. I mean, hangovers. I don’t get them. Can’t. Can’t get them.”
“Ah, to be young again.”
“No, it’s not that. The magic, I think. Hey, would you? Would you really be young again if you could?” I mean, I thought to myself, I’m finding it pretty damn difficult and annoying. But to each their own.
“Every man who ever lived would like to be younger again, Princess. And make different choices, most likely.”
“Ah. Yeah. Yeah, stupid question. I like you, Morry.”
“How many ales have you had?”
“I’m glad we met.”
“Me too. Me too.”
No one was up. Just him, me, and the remnants of the fire. Our ale cups. Probably some fox voyeurs, but they were well hidden.
I stood, walked in front of the big guy, sat down between his legs and rested my head on his thigh.
“Princess-”
“Shhh.”
Watched the fire burn itself out, the cool of night creep in, sleepiness come upon me. I think he may have carried me to my bed.
The next day, we all had what I used to call breakfast, and after we marched on the enemy.
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.