Chapter 5

The Royal Army mustering grounds were not far from Chislem, and Darras, though recognised, was made to wait until Jertin came to collect him. Once his friend was there, Darras was led to a comfortable room where refreshments were served.

“No one’s allowed into the grounds. Otherwise, they’d see things we don’t want them to see,” Jertin chuckled.

“The pikes and the preparations for Fordel, no doubt,” Darras nodded.

“Well, they would have a week ago,” Jertin smiled. “Now all they’d see are various levies from the nobles being put through training exercises and no Royal Army.”

“Ah, on their way to Cranagh already?”

“Yes, though none in uniform or armour carrying weapons.”

“And you, my friend?” an impressed Darras asked.

“I’m here to keep the curious at bay,” Jertin chuckled. “Mostly nosey nobles, but soon they’ll be told I’ll be joining Rigilo.”

“Erren sent me to inform you that the bulk of the Fordelian forces are in the west of that country, closing off the Dobran border.”

“Good, as that’s not where we are going,” Jertin smiled.

Darras handed over several maps showing the current locations of Fordelian mercenary troops, Holy Forest strongpoints, and friendly villages.

“The ordinary folk, for the most part, are not your enemy,” Darras confirmed. There will be some, though.”

“We’ll be using the same methodology that we used in Thenarron,” Jertin nodded, studying the maps. “Though the temples and merchant mansions will be fair game and likely destroyed.”

“Just avoid atrocities, Jertin,” Darras replied. “Whilst it is Erren’s revenge, she does have rules.”

“Fear not, my friend,” Jertin responded. “We have priests trained, and the men have all been lectured on the rules of war.”

“That should be enough, though Colanthus will undoubtedly involve himself on the Darmelan side.”

“Aye, no surprise there.”

“Fortunately, that’s where our Elven friends will be of help,” Darras smiled.

“Yes, I’ve been informed their Royal Scouts will attach themselves to my cavalry units,” Jertin nodded. “Unofficially, that is.”

“There will also be aid in the towns and villages from the Dobran Thieves Guild,” Darras added.

“Yes, I received despatches from Rigolo on them,” Jertin replied. “Including identifying phrases and symbols.”

“Good, then all is in place,” Darras nodded.

“It is, my friend,” Jertin smiled. “I expect I’ll see you in Fordel?”

“Bringing news both good and bad,” Darras chuckled.

“As ever!” Jertin laughed loudly.

After returning to Torgel and returning his horse, Darras travelled via the gateway to Rachtelin city. There, he made his way to the royal palace, being given entry by the gate guards on receipt of a pass containing the seals of Rigilo and Callani. Darras noted with amusement that the guards were all wearing the colours of the Royal Army, though he knew they were not part of that august organisation.

“Greetings, Darras,” Callani welcomed Darras as she sat in an office, reviewing what seemed a mass of paperwork.

“The work of the state is never done,” Darras observed after greeting the queen politely.

“True,” Callani smiled. “Though, in this case, it’s sowing confusion amongst that cabal you reported.”

“Ah, you’re sending in the auditors?” Darras smiled.

“Yes, their claimed revenues have dropped for the second time in a row,” Callani replied. “Other demesnes around them have done well, so I’m sending in people to find out what they are doing wrong.”

“Using it to increase their men at arms,” Darras chuckled, knowing from Erren what they were up to.

“Yes, informants amongst them have told us where their money is going,” Callani nodded. “They weren’t exactly subtle about it.”

“I don’t think they realise just how close an eye you keep on the country’s finances,” Darras shrugged. “Then again, they may presume you’re as incompetent as the former Council.”

“That seems likely,” Callani smiled. “Now, what do you have that warrants a visit?”

“Just to tell you that Fordel has not ascertained your plans to chastise them in Erren’s name,” Darras replied.

“Ah, good news,” Callani nodded. “We have endeavoured to allow them to believe the attack will come from the west.”

“They do; their main strength is all west of Fordel.”

“I’ll inform Rigilo of this,” Callani replied. “Currently, he’s en route to Durine escorted by a squadron of the Royal Army.”

“Ah yes, I noted they were now guarding you here,” Darras chuckled.

“Indeed so, Darras,” Callani smiled. “All part of the deception.”

“Welcome home, my love,” Erren greeted Darras warmly with a hug and a kiss.

“Good to be back,” Darras replied. “Was good to see our friends.”

“Yes, and your presence was noted by several Fordelian spies,” Erren smiled.

“Misdirection?” Darras asked as they both slipped into the hottest part of the bathing area.

“Yes, currently they are trying to work out a timetable for the Rachtelinian invasion ... with little success,” Erren replied, washing Darras’s back. “Their main problem is they are looking at the wrong people.”

“I noticed the palace guards wearing Royal Army tabards.”

“Yes, all keeping the spies’ eyes away from Cranagh.”

“I take it they are focused on Rigilo’s progress, too?” Darras asked.

“Yes,” Erren smiled. “Rigilo’s allowed several ‘rumours’ about a hidden agenda to pass into the hands of the Fordelians ... along with a seeming concerted effort to root them out.”

I take it he’s on his way to Coolos?”

“Yes, escorted by a squadron of the Royal Guard,” Erren chuckled. “Though actually, they are retainers from Earl Alros of Sinoris and know how to keep their mouths shut.”

“Jertin mentioned meeting Rigilo in Durine,” Darras nodded. “All part of the ruse too?”

“Yes, he’s supposedly meeting King Danvas to confirm the lodgings of Rigilo and his men,” Erren replied. “Then on to Iversirion to do the same.”

“Slipping away at Iversirion to join his Army?”

“No,” Erren smiled. “Fordel has many eyes in Iversirion as some Elves follow Darmela and are allied to the much-reduced conservative isolationist faction.”

“So how?” Darras began.

“He’ll go to Torgillas, cross over into Coromina and meet some Elven scouts with some fast horses,” Erren explained.

“Ah, clever,” Darras chuckled.

“King Leandomus and Harinas have things arranged out of sight of the isolationists,” Erren smiled. “Even now, the Elven Scouts are moving the Rachtelinian Royal Army to prepared camps on the Fordelian border near Culn.”

“Amina’s people?”

“Already at work in Fordel locating various people of interest to Rachtelin,” Erren replied. “They will also open the gates of Culn at the approach of the Royal Army.”

“I assume they’ll know when?”

“Yes, they have someone outside whom an Elven scout will notify,” Erren chuckled.

“Let’s hope it goes to plan,” Darras nodded.

“Initially, it will if things go as they are,” Erren confirmed. “After that, it gets messy as the people of Fordel become involved.”

“Yet your great plan will remain on track?” Darras asked.

“Yes, it’s not usually about individuals but where circumstances take a people.”

“So, Rachtelin will win, but how many casualties depends on individuals?”

“That’s pretty much it, my love,” Erren smiled. “You gave them the idea of horse archers, Thenarron gave them the experience they needed to become elite, and Rigilo provided a kingdom for them to thrive in along with Jertin, a leader who understands how to use and adapt them to new tactics.”

“I take it the Elves helping will not be named?”

“Jertin will report them as mercenaries,” Erren chuckled.

“Are there Elven mercenaries?”

“Not currently, but there have been mentions in the past of individuals.”

“I suspect most countries will figure it out,” Darras smiled.

“They will, but Fordel has no real allies, just trading partners, most of whom know a reckoning for them is coming,” Erren replied.

“Where am I off to next?”

“Treenock in Kelnerim, they are having issues with some isolationists who are demanding they do ‘something’ about the influx of settlers from Ducloman migrating into their claimed territory.”

“I take it they have influence?”

“Far more than they ought to, but the Land-King is weak, and the Priest-King has sympathy for the isolationists,” Erren explained.

“I take it the Duclomani are settling into the foothills of the spine of the world where the Elves don’t live?” Darras asked.

“Yes, after your defeat of the cursed shadow, I influenced Danaib to call for a migration north to the lands of fertile soil,” Erren replied.

“I thought the Elves of Kelnerim didn’t have the will or the numbers to do anything about it?” Darras mused.

“That’s why I need you to have a look for me, I suspect meddling.”

“Shadows?”

“I doubt it, but possibly another god allied to my brother.”

“No problem,” Darras chuckled.

“Good, now relax; we have a couple of days,” Erren replied before passionately kissing Darras.

Treenock was not what Darras expected. It was a large village, not a city, though he felt he was not wanted there, as the gateway clerk tried to find any excuse to keep him out. Eventually, though, the clerk gave in and permitted entry after the queue behind Darras started to build and become restless. From there, Darras made his way to the ‘palace’ of the Land-King, which to his eyes was just a large house, though the Elf he’d asked did call it a palace. Nor was it guarded, though Darras was observed by several Elves, all carrying bows.