“John Creed,” Tal answered. “You got my message.”
Creed got down from his horse. “Indeed. Though I’ll tell you it was delivered by the most irritating little man I’ve ever met.” They embraced, and Creed asked, “What happened to your arm?”
“Long story.”
“Well, your man said you were down here looking to build an army and could I bring some bullyboys from the north. I’ve got two hundred of the best I could find.” He motioned for his men to dismount, and they did.
Tal turned to his own people, and shouted, “Help them get those horses cared for!”
A dozen of his young mercenaries ran forward and started directing Creed’s men toward a large pasture area. Tal introduced Creed to Quint and said, “What did you mean, the messenger was irritating?”
“He was a funny little fellow, looked almost like he might have been a monk or priest, but he was a demon with a deck of cards. Took most of my gold before he left.”
“Nakor,” said Tal, shaking his head. “Well, gold is the least of my problems.”
Creed said, “Given how well you paid last time, I had no trouble getting this lot to come along. I hope that’s enough for you.”
“It’s a start,” said Tal as they entered the farmhouse. “Before I’ve finished, I’m going to need a thousand more, perhaps two thousand.”
“What are you thinking of?”
“I’m going to sack Opardum,” said Tal.
Creed stopped and stared at Tal, an expression of bewilderment on his face. “You don’t think small, do you?”
“As I said, it’s a long story,” said Tal. “I’ll explain over a drink. Wine? Ale?”
“Whatever’s close.”
They sat at the table, and Tal fetched a wine bottle. He poured drinks for himself, Quint, and Creed, and said, “Kaspar’s got out of control, and there are two, perhaps three nations ready to jump him any day now. When that happens, I plan on being there for the kill.”
“Well, that’s all well and good,” said Creed after taking a drink, “but revenge doesn’t pay the bills.”
“Same as last time. Pay while you’re waiting and booty when the fighting’s over.”
“That’s enough,” said Creed. “I can get more men if you need them.”
“Send messengers. I want them here by the end of summer.”
“I can do that.”
“How many men?” asked Quint.
“A hundred or so down in Inaska; that’s where I was born, and I’ve still got friends there. Another two or three hundred from along the borders of the disputed lands. I can have them meet up at Olasko Gateway and sail here from Opardum. As long as no one there knows what the coming fight is, they should have no trouble passing through.”
“It might be a good way to get some intelligence about what Kaspar is doing, too,” opined Quint.
“Is there one man in the area you can trust?” Tal asked Creed.
“I’ll see if I can find an old comrade of mine, Daniel Toskova. He’s smart and will keep his mouth shut. If I can get word to him, he’ll have a thing or two to tell. Last I heard he was up in Far Reaches. Getting word to him will be the trick.”
“Leave that to me,” said Tal. “I can get messages out there.”
Creed said, “So what is the plan?”
“I want at least five hundred swords here before we leave, and I’d like to have made contact with two or three reliable companies we can join up with for the assault.”
“That’s a full battalion,” said Quint. “The logistics will be a nightmare if you’re out in the field for more than a week or two.”
Tal said, “I don’t plan on being out in the field that long. I plan on no more than a week from the time we touch down on Olaskan soil until we’re inside the citadel.”
“How so?” asked Creed.
Tal said, “Because I know a way into the citadel that even Kaspar has no idea exists.”
Quint said, “I’ve been over every inch of the citadel, and I know every door and passageway. There is no such entrance.”
Tal said, “With due respect, you’re wrong. And if you were still commanding today, you’d not have a hint how we got in while my men were storming the walls from the inside in support of those who were scaling the walls.”
“You’ll have to tell me about this one,” said Quint.
“In due time. First I have some errands to run.” To Creed he said, “Give me a list of mercenary captains you trust and where I might find them, and if they can be reached, we’ll have word to them by the end of this week.”
“What? Are you using magic?”
“In a word, yes,” said Tal. To Quint he said, “Make John here our third in command, then start getting his men into shape.”
“Where are you going to be?” asked Quint.
Tal grinned. “After I finish sending the messages, I’ve got to take a short trip.”
“Why? What are you going to do?” asked Creed.
Tal said, “Why, I’ve got to go and start a war.”
Eighteen
Deception