Chapter 14
“Listen up,” Dredrik yelled from atop a crate in front of the western city gate to the assembled refugees. “Passage through Veegal’s Wall has been granted, but there is a price.” Dredrik paused giving time for that to sink in. “Children, old and infirm will be immediately evacuated. Those able to wield a weapon or help with shoring up our defenses will not be allowed past the eastern city wall.”
“And what if we don’t want to fight?” one man cried out. A chorus of voices shouted out support.
“Those capable that refuse will not be allowed past the fortress walls,” Dredrik repeated. “Furthermore, any who do take advantage of the offer and tries to leave will be arrested and tried for cowardice in the face of the enemy.”
“Most here have never used a weapon against another man, what chance do we have?” cried another.
“Better behind the wall armed and with what training we can provide than out here with no wall and no weapons. Furthermore all serving will be pardoned from all crimes committed in course of the civil war and granted full re-instatement as a citizen of Eebrook. Anybody with command or training experience from either side would be considered extremely helpful. That’s the offer and it is final, no debate no haggling. The line forms here. As you pass through you will either be told to make your way through the wall or be directed toward your unit. Which unit you are assigned to will depend upon previous experience and skills. Those families with children will have to pick one person to care for them.”
Dredrik stepped down from the crate as cries of protest began to ring out among the crowd, but the majority present began lining up. The Galnathian militia had already been let through and put under direct command of Wikkid. That is except for Eitreen. Although proven in combat there was a great need for healers and Eitreen was one of the few with any knowledge among the refugees so far. She agreed only after Dredrik had promises she would be allowed to fight once the battle was engaged.
Already Captain Barnes had men disassembling wooden structures and using their timbers to build defensive walls and deterrents, others digging trenches and moving the eastern cities food stores into the fortress. Many of the new recruits would find themselves thrown into that effort for the first few days. The buildings within archery range from the outer fortress wall would have to be destroyed in order to deprive the enemy of cover and shelter within the kill zone. The outer buildings would be left to further hinder the movement of siege weapons though none were needed when the enemy sacked Montrel. Even if Eertu has found a way to keep the enemy’s influences out of the defenders minds how does one defend against the sky falling. It was time to find Eertu.
. . . . .
Dredrik found the Eertu supervising a group of twenty mixing, measuring, and boiling, in a commandeered kitchen within the fortress. Many canteens were laid out upon the table filled with many more empties stacked in a corner waiting to be filled. Even though Hadrenn had told him, he could not help but watch from the doorway as Eertu’s once missing hand worked dexterously at its task. Eertu paused as if sensing something then turned toward Dredrik and gave a slight nod which Dredrik returned.
“A gift from a friend,” Eertu said holding up his new hand.
“Quite a friend,” Dredrik replied.
“You don’t know the half of it.” Eertu said smiling mischievously
“You’re going to have to tell me all about it after everything settles down.”
Eertu hefted one of the filled canteens then tossed it to Dredrik. “That should block any attempts at mind control or confusion.”
Dredrik popped the stopper and sniffed, “Ale?”
Eertu shrugged. “It is a few different brews mixed into one foul tasting concoction. We had to find a way to mask the flavor.”
“How much and how often?”
“One drink will suffice for a life time. We will distribute it with meal call as required drinking. There is sure be some protesting from nondrinkers but this really is the best we could come up with and make it drinkable. We’ll simply make it a requirement to take a drink before you are served food. Should be enough for a few thousand dosed.”
Dredrik took a swig and replaced the stopper failing to suppress the bitter expression that contorted his face. “I would hate to taste this without the ale.”
“Trust me, it was bad.”
Dredrik placed the canteen back onto the table. “Well that’s one problem solved, we think,” What are the chances you found a way to protect us from the fire storm they called down to demolish Montel’s walls?”
“Leave that to us,” said a pleasant female voice.
Dredrik spun around to find a tall beautiful blonde in a flowing purple gown flanked on either side by two armed younger women in leather armor who’s dour expressions did not match the playfulness of their mistresses demeanor. “Anja?”
“Yes,” Anja replied. “I see you keep well informed.”
“Hadrenn mentioned some new friends. Now I see why he mentioned you by name.”
Anja smiled, then stepped back placed one hand her hip and another on her chin as if studying something. “How long have you had this armor?”
“Since my father’s death,” Dredrik replied.
“It is of excellent craftsmanship. Even the recent repairs were done very well. The wards remain undamaged by its recent abuse.”
“Wards?”
“You mean you don’t know, curious.” her expression becoming one of thought. “Tell me, what was it your father did as an occupation.”
Dredrik shrugged “I don’t know the specifics. A warrior of some renown occasionally sought out by people wanting help with one task or another. He never talked about it much. He was about to start my training to follow in his footsteps before, well before he died.”
“It’s not just the armor, but the weapon as well. May I?”
Dredrik unfastened the strap that held the mace to his waste and handed it over. “That I picked up from the blacksmith shop in Galnath during my fight with Mareth.”
Anja turned the weapon every which way before handing it back. “Tell me do you bear the mark on your body that is upon your armor?”
“No,” Dredrik replied as he re-secured the weapon. “I seem to remember my father having a griffon on his arm. Not a tattoo or brand, but a mark of some kind.”
“Your family history is more than you know Dredrik,” she said slipping past Dredrik to stand next to Eertu, as her two body guards took position on either side of the doorway. “You are more than you know. Perhaps later there will be time to explain further.”
“Perhaps, but you were saying leave that to us?”
“We are about done here,” Eertu said gesturing toward the canteen filled table. “Our assistants will take care of the distribution. Anja believes we have enough material available to ward the eastern fortress walls from a direct magical assault, and that we together may be strong enough to counter the sky bombardment.”
“We will not be able to hold out indefinitely,” Anja added, “or spare our strength to attack. But maybe we can force them to proceed with a conventional siege. Spend their time building siege engines while we stall for time”
“If Calington refuses to send reinforcements before the battle starts then it will be too late.
“Well, that just leaves everything else in your hands then,” Anja said with a smile. “Judging from the stories Eertu and Hadrenn have told I’m sure we are in good hands.”
“I don’t know what it is you seem to think I am, but I’m nothing special,” Dredrik replied as he stepped past the two bodyguards but paused when he heard Anja call his name.
“The blacksmith that crafted that weapon, she is helping in the armory much to the protests of some of the less skilled male smiths. Might I suggest speaking with her? You may find the conversation enlightening.”
“You seem to know much. Yet you seem as in the dark about the future as the rest of us.”
“I can r
ead people, Lord Airasmau. Not events or thoughts other than the sisters, but the essence of a person. And I do know that emblem.”
“Then you are mistaken.” With that Dredrik walked away.
“Stubborn,” Anja said as Dredrik’s footsteps faded down the hallway, “and completely ignorant of his potential.”
Eertu took Anja by the hand, “Yet here he is preparing us to make what is likely a final stand for a people who not only are refusing to defend what they should but have written his chosen people off and left them to die in the wilderness.”
“Even in ignorance one cannot fight their true nature.”