‘The first is to gain intelligence, which has to take precedence over any other consideration. The second will be to effect a rescue. Sandreena, explain how, if you please.’
‘If any guard or worker wears a talisman around his neck marked with something like a red wolf’s skull on a black background, they are under some mystic control. They are compelled to attack anyone not wearing the same device.’ She looked around the room. ‘When I struggled with Kendra, he regained his own volition as soon as I tore it off him. My suggestion is we find sentries, overpower them and then free them. They are not being fed or rested well it seems, so it should not be too difficult.’
Kaspar continued. ‘They can help us, if they’re up to it, if not, we shall direct them up the trail to the abandoned Keshian fortress and from there arrange safe transportation back to their homes.’ He looked at two young magicians, Jason and Akeem and said, ‘You stay at that fortress and coordinate getting the wretches safely away.’
‘This is not a military adventure, and while it may sound like a raid, it is not. If we are there longer than an hour, we are dead,’ said Kaspar. ‘The switchback trail prevents a fast assault, so we will approach stealthily, and if we have to leave in a hurry—’ He nodded to Pug.
‘Each of us will carry a transportation sphere, set to bring you back here.’
From the corner of the room a voice said, ‘I count eight of us going down there, Kaspar. That’s either too many or two few.’
Kaspar smiled, ‘Jim, I wondered where you were lurking.’
Out of the shadows stepped the head of the Kingdom’s intelligence service; he wore a black cloak over dark grey tunic and trousers. ‘Too many, or too few.’
‘That’s why we will split into two groups.’ Kaspar pointed to Pug. ‘Pug, along with Gulamendis, Amirantha and Brandos, will investigate the device, and try to discern it’s magical purpose, assuming there is one and it’s not just a monument to demonic vanity.
‘I will take Sandreena to scout out the military aspects of the place, with Magnus to provide any magical aid we might need. Feel free to join either group.’
‘I think I’ll tag along with you, Kaspar.’ He grinned. ‘Keeps the groups even.’
‘Wise,’ said the former Duke of Olasko. ‘Given that there is little time difference between here and the valley, we leave at sundown. Get something to eat, some rest, and meet out in the courtyard just before the sun sets.’
Laromendis entered the room as the group disbanded, and came to stand before Pug. ‘Tomas says he will travel to E’bar and speak with the Regent Lord,’ he said.
Pug studied the elf’s face and said, ‘And…?’
Surprised that the human could detect the subtleties of elven expression, Laromendis said, ‘I hold little hope you’ll get any cooperation from the Regent’s Meet. They’re handpicked to agree with him. If the demons come, he will not help; he’ll just order us to dig in and look for another escape route while the rest of you fight them.’
Pug nodded. ‘Will you go back?’
Laromendis paused, thinking, then said, ‘They think my brother and I are dead; it might serve all our causes if they continued to think that for a while longer. I will stay here with Gulamendis if you will accept me.’
Pug nodded. ‘Talk to your brother about tonight’s expedition; I wouldn’t mind you along to look for things the rest of us might not see.’
Laromendis said, ‘Of course,’ and went to where his brother still sat.
Magnus came to stand next to his father and whispered, ‘What are we expecting to see down there?’
‘Nothing I can imagine, and I can imagine a lot, my son. Let’s get something to eat then rest a little. I have a feeling it may be a very long night.’ The two magicians left the meeting room.
Amirantha sat alone on the steps leading into the keep. It was late afternoon and he had just eaten. Sunset was an hour or more away, but he didn’t feel the need for rest. He instead tried to keep his mind calm as he contemplated what they were to investigate in a few hours.
After the wet cold weather and series of storms, the sunshine had been a welcome respite, a balmy hint of the spring and summer to come. Amirantha felt a deep mix of anticipation, the idea of discovery, the risks. It had been easy to throw in his lot with this bunch, the mad magicians and happy warriors who served an abstracted greater good.
Then he had watched Miranda die.