He and Lord Brach had spent weeks planning. Now Pael was throwing those plans to the dogs and he couldn’t hold his tongue.
“King Broadrick and Queen Rachel have joined forces,” Pael explained. “They are gathering up to march east against Highwander. King Broderick has taken it upon himself to punish Queen Willa the Witch for starting that mess at Summer’s Day. They will be beaten back badly by Willa’s treacherous Blacksword Warriors.
“If we can get the bulk of our troops through the mountains before winter sets in, then we can take the kingdom seat of Valleya, while King Broderick and his army are still battling in Highwander. By then, Queen Rachel’s forces, and possibly even the Blacksword Warriors of Highwander, will be weakened enough for us to overrun them all.”
Pael moved closer to Glendar, stopped his pacing, and looked the young king directly in the eyes.
“I assure you that King Jarrek, the old Redwolf himself, will either bow to you, or he will die when I bring his mighty fortress to the ground. Either way, you will soon assume command of what’s left of the Redwolf army, thus doubling the size of our force.”
“How will you bring down Castlemont?” Glendar asked doubtfully. “It’s as big as the mountain it’s built into.”
“I will make that palace crumble!”
The force of Pael’s words left no doubt in Glendar’s mind that he could and would do it.
No army that Glendar knew of had ever taken the mountain castle, and he’d recently studied its history fairly well. It was built to survive a dozen years of siege. The original structure, the heart of Castlemont, was connected to massive mine chambers cut into the mountainside. Those chambers were filled with stores upon stores, and a surplus of defensive weapons built for just such an event.
It was rumored that the dwarves, before they had disappeared into the earth, had made several secret ways in and out of the castle. Even if the massive amount of reserves were depleted, they could be restocked through the hidden passages.
Glendar knew that Pael would not be the first wizard to try and break Castlemont. Pael was a determined, and a powerful Master Mage, but there were other wizards in the realm just as capable, and some of them served King Jarrek and Wildermont. It was, after all, the richest kingdom in the realm. Still, it was impossible for Glendar to doubt Pael. The egg-headed wizard, as cocky and controlling as he was, had always kept his word. Always.
“As soon as I tell you to,” Pael continued, resuming his back and forth pace across the pavilion, “you will personally travel south to Dakahn and give King Ra’Gren a wagon train full of the Wildermont Wolf’s gold in exchange for as many ships as we can fill with our reserve men. While Lord Brach and his group are occupying the capital city of Valleya, you and the others will sail to Seaward City and surprise Queen Rachel while her troops are still aiding King Broderick. No one would expect you to sail out of Dakahn, so you’ll take her off guard. After that, it’s just a matter of bringing yours and Lord Brach’s forces back together again in Highwander to take Xwarda from the Witch Queen.”
Then I will assume complete control of the fantastical power contained in all of that Wardstone she guards so dearly. Pael continued in his mind. With that much power and you, KING Glendar, dancing at my fingertips, I’ll be able to conquer the giant lands, the elven forests, and then the rest of the world as well!
Pael’s plan was so perfect, that it left Glendar speechless. With Dakahn as their allies, they wouldn’t have to expend men to commandeer ships or to sail them. Nor would they have to wait for Westland’s own ships to make the long journey, from Portsmouth and Southport, down around the islands and the marshes. Even if Queen Rachel managed to aid her cousin by sending troops to help defend the Valleyan Capital from Lord Brach’s army, she would only be depleting her own forces in Seaward City. When Glendar and his troops landed at her doorstep, she would have no choice but to bow down to him. The bulk of her army would be scattered about Highwander and Valleya. Pael’s plan made the fall of the eastern kingdoms seem inevitable. It would be nothing less than a rout.
Glendar’s silence snapped Pael out of his glorious reverie. He wasn’t one to get caught up in daydreams. What was it that King Balton had used to say so often? Oh yes, “Think, then act.” They were wise words, from a goodhearted king, a king Pael had despised and disposed of.
He looked at Glendar, and the boy’s stupid expression put him back on track.
“Of course, my King, this glorious battle plan was your own idea. You will be remembered as one of the greatest strategists and commanders of all time.”