Book 2, Chapter 15: Day Eight: Arrival
Our army crept inexorably on toward the second bridge. We had to pass that place first, before turning to Bechalle’s castle. The road had taken us further into the forest but was bending back. I realized now that we’d been traveling very slightly uphill since we left the previous bridge.
It seemed so far in the past, those early days when I’d come into this body, this universe. Everything here felt a little more normal. I walked in armor, carried a sword and spear, rode horses. Ate spider.
I was practicing swinging my sword when a horseman rode up, jumped off his horse, bowed formally, “Your Royal Highness, General Brundle has called a meeting of the war council and asks your attendance soonest.”
I sheathed the sword, “Thank you and lead on then, good sir.” After mounting, I followed him to a tent, recently put up. The army had stopped moving, the soldiers awaiting further orders.
Upon entering the tent, I asked, “What is it? Another attack?”
Everyone stood, Brundle spoke, “News from the frontlines, Your Highness. Scouts have been to the second bridge and back. The Ketzillian forces are just now in the process of crossing and have perhaps only 10 000 soldiers across. Well, as of two hours ago, when the scouts were there, they had fewer men. We are assuming the higher figure.”
Rand jumped in, “We must send the army on a fast march, leaving the baggage trains behind. If we can stop their initial crossing, we stand a much better chance of holding the bridge.”
“That makes sense, yet I’m concerned about the army behind us. Will our baggage trains be safe? Do we divide the wizards to protect the army and those who remain?”
“We expect it’s a day behind us,” said Rand.
“And, we’ll need most of our wizards for the battle, I’m afraid. If I were making that crossing, I’d send the mages with the first troops, just in case.”
“They can’t have done that,” I reasoned, “or our mages would have seen their army. Nope, they’ve got to be holding some back, keeping their army hidden from clairvoyance.”
“That means,” Brundle began, “we, too, should leave mages with the baggage trains or we’ll be exposed and they’ll know we’re coming.”
“Right, makes sense. Alright, well, I don’t see much choice, gentlemen. We have to take out whatever forces they have by the bridge if we’re to escape being caught between two armies. We are going to take the army and rush the bridge.”
“That won’t be necessary,” said the grand magister, entering the tents. “We should continue as we are.”
“But that’ll allow them to build up troops!” Rand stood, nearly shouting.
“This is the only way to remain unobserved.”
I stood. “Grand Magister, welcome. I’m glad to see that you’re feeling better. If we go slowly, their army will continue to grow, and we may not have enough troops to overcome their force.”
“We now hold, I believe you were informed from Etienne, the magical advantage. If we continue at this pace, we’ll encounter a larger army but one lacking enough magical protection.”
“Ah. You believe this will be enough to overcome their numbers?”
He turned and left the tent, saying as he did, “You have my suggestion.”
I was a little angry, staring at his back. He didn’t treat the prince this way, had sat in on his war councils. Either they had better cookies than we do, or he had reasons to avoid me. Maybe he just didn’t like girls.
Taking a deep breath, I faced the generals, gritting my teeth, “Let’s follow his advice.” I had to hold my hand up at the protests of Rand and Brundle. “Yes, I realize we’ll be facing a greater force. But remember what just one unchecked sorcerer accomplished in our army. We’ll have all ours with us and the Ketzillians will only have half.”
Brundle nodded slowly, “You may be right about that. He certainly seemed to think so.”
“And, Rand? You still have concerns?”
“Yes, but you are the princess and he is the grand magister. I will not protest further and put my trust in your hands.”
Oh my God, I thought to myself, I cannot wait until I am fifteen.
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