Six unicorns flew over the Coastal Highway north of Tagaret. When they were about halfway to Miram, they slowly descended and landed on the Coastal Highway. Within minutes Alcean Rangers greeted them. The black-suited warriors bowed to the king and queen.
“Where is Colonel Vidson?” asked King Arik.
“He is meeting with Colonel Jaynes on the hill to your right,” answered the Ranger. “I will have you escorted to him.”
The king nodded and one of the Rangers ran into the woods and returned mounted on a horse. He silently beckoned the king and his party to follow him. Alex and Jenneva passed the king and queen to follow the Ranger, leaving Theos and Balamor behind the royal couple. The Ranger led the small group through the forest and up a trail to a small makeshift camp just shy of the summit of the hill. Colonel Mitar Vidson, the head of the Rangers, stood waiting for them as if he had been expecting them. The colonel bowed to the king and queen.
“David will be with us in a moment,” stated Mitar. “We were just discussing the last fairy report out of Tagaret.”
“We were promised six-thousand Alcean soldiers,” quipped Colonel David Jaynes as he walked out of the trees. David was the head of the Red Swords, and he promptly bowed to the king and queen. “Now I understand that we are just getting the six of you. I guess we got lucky.” David grinned broadly and winked at Alex.
Both David and Mitar had known Alex since the day he first joined the army in the reign of King Eugene. They had been among the men that had accompanied Alex on a deadly mission into the northlands to spy on the goblin armies, and their lasting friendship had been forged in those frozen lands.
“Tell us about Team Miram,” suggested Alex. “What are we up against?”
“We have a wily opponent,” replied Mitar. “While the other teams in Alcea are commanded by a single general, Team Miram is not. Bledsoe has allowed General Kozinski to retain command and control of the 17th Corps, although Bledsoe has the ultimate authority. This allows the 7th Corps and the 17th Corps to work independently or together depending on what the situation calls for.”
“And they have been clever in using that capability,” added David. “For example, to get around the problem of us attacking the foragers, the two armies now split just before setting up camp. Both armies leave the road on opposite sides, and they converge at the campsite. This traps a fair amount of game between the two armies while not allowing us the opportunity to pick off stray foragers.”
“Clever,” conceded Alex. “What about the black-cloaks?”
“We were ordered not to enter the camp to kill them,” frowned Mitar. “I think that decision might come back to haunt us. The black-cloaks have been making night flights. I suspect that they might be visiting other teams. If so, they will now be especially wary about assassination attempts. Our window of opportunity may have been closed.”
“The black-cloaks have not visited Team Danver Shores,” interjected the queen. “Adan reported that their black-cloaks all perished last night. I am sure the gypsies would have noticed if there were visitors.”
“That still leaves Team Mya,” frowned the king. “My order may have been a poor one in retrospect, but I was not willing to sacrifice my best people to eliminate the black-cloaks.”
“We will find another way to remove the black-cloak threat,” declared Queen Tanya. “Where is Team Miram now?”
Mitar waved the group towards the top of the hill. Just before the crest was a small dugout and Mitar waved for the others to enter.
“It is too small for all of us,” stated Mitar, “but David and I have seen enough for now.”
Balamor decided not to enter, and so did Jenneva and Theos, allowing Alex, Arik, and Tanya to occupy the dugout. Alex immediately reached into his pack and removed the elven scope that had been given to him by Galdan many years ago. He raised the scope to his eye and gazed at the approaching armies. After a minute, he passed the scope to the king and exited the dugout. Several minutes later, Arik and Tanya exited the dugout and Tanya returned the scope to her father.
“The armies are not totally segregated,” Alex stated. “The eight black-cloaks ride together.”
“Between the two armies,” nodded David.
“What do they do when the armies split?” asked Alex.
“They become the tail end of the 7th Corps,” answered Mitar. “What are you thinking?”
“I am thinking that they need to die,” answered Alex. “Can you estimate where the armies will split?”
“I think so,” answered Mitar, “but they have only pulled that maneuver twice so far. How precise an estimate do you need?”
“Bow range,” answered Alex.
“They will have physical shields up, Alex,” frowned Jenneva. “They would be fools not to.”
“I agree,” interjected Theos. “They might not bother with physical shields in the middle of twenty-thousand men, but I would almost bet that they erect them when they become exposed like you are talking about.”
“Alright,” mused Alex, “but it is an opportunity nonetheless. We will have all eight of them together, and there will not be a whole host of soldiers in the way. And we have three battle mages of our own. We should be able to develop a plan to eliminate them.”
“And get away alive?” frowned David. “Once you attack the black-cloaks, both armies will move to converge on your position. Mitar and I will not be able to get all of our men in close enough to support the mages without being detected and spoiling your surprise.”
“Then we need a diversion,” grinned Alex. “A diversion that is sure to capture the attention of both armies.”
“I’ve seen that look in your eyes before, Father,” stated the queen. “What are you planning?”
“Let me see the terrain before I speak,” Alex replied. “Mitar, will you take me there?”
“Just you?” asked Mitar.
“Just me and Bitsy,” nodded Alex. “The fairy will record the terrain for the others to inspect. While I am gone, our battle mages can discuss what spells might be necessary to get around the shields of the black-cloaks.”
Mitar nodded and started down the hill. Alex walked up to the king and spoke softly to him before following the Ranger. The king nodded and woke Prince Midge.
“What is he up to, Mother?” asked the queen.
“He will tell us when he is ready,” Jenneva replied. “Let’s talk about the black-cloaks. I was thinking that tree mines could come in handy. The thousands of projectiles they create will wreak havoc on physical shields. I can’t think of anything that will weaken shields quicker.”
“I am not familiar with that spell,” frowned Theos. “I will have to leave that to you and Balamor.”
“Balamor will not be using offensive magic,” Jenneva responded. “He is not a battle mage. He is an illusionist.”
“I have been known to dabble with other tricks,” Balamor quipped, “but I will not take umbrage at your words.”
“But Alex said that we would have three battle mages,” frowned the Tyronian mage. “Who is the third?”
Jenneva glanced at Tanya and giggled. “Have you been hiding your talents again, Daughter?”
“I know some magic,” the queen said with a smile.
“But you are called the Warrior Queen,” Theos replied with confusion. “Is that just a title to match the Warrior King?”
“She is handy with a sword, too,” chuckled Jenneva. “I guess she picked up a little from both her father and me. Anyway, Theos, I can teach you the spell rather quickly. It is not complicated.”
“I would appreciate that, Jenneva,” the Tyronian mage responded.
“I will be going with you,” stated Balamor. “If nothing else, I can provide shields for you while you attack the black-cloaks.”
“Excellent,” smiled Jenneva. “Let’s find a place to sit and discuss this.”
* * * *
General Bledsoe of the 7th Corps of the Empire of Barouk looked up as a shadow suddenly darkened the woods. He gasped when he saw the massive creature diving out of the sky straight for him.
“A dragon!” shouted one of the soldiers. “Take cover!”
The soldiers in the vanguard scattered, seeking whatever cover they could find. Some cavalrymen leaped off their horses to seek shelter, while others spurred their horses in their haste to flee. Chaos reigned all around him, but General Bledsoe pulled his sword defiantly and raised it high over his head. He need not have bothered. The dragon ended its dive level with the treetops and soared over the column, heading from the vanguard to the tail. General Bledsoe frowned at the attack. He had never seen a dragon before, but he could have sworn that he heard it cackle as it flew overhead.
The chaos that had started in the vanguard spread throughout the column as the dragon flew just above it, tongues of flame shooting from its mouth and tendrils of smoke wafting out of its nostrils. Like a rolling boulder parting the tall grass as it rolls down a steep slope, the dragon parted the column of soldiers and sent the men scurrying for safety. At the very rear of the column were eight black-cloaks, and while they had never seen a dragon either, they did not scurry and hide. While the warriors’ weapons might have no effect on such a beast, their magic was not as limited in range or effect. The lead mage shouted orders to the others, and magical projectiles shot upwards towards the dragon.
The display of battle magic further convinced the soldiers to seek cover, and the black-cloaks stood alone, defiant to the flying threat. The first round of magical projectiles had no effect on the dragon as it swerved at the last minute and avoided them, almost as if the creature had expected the attack.
Behind the black-cloaks, the air shimmered. What had appeared to be a large thorny bush suddenly disappeared, revealing four humans standing in a diamond formation. Jenneva, being the point of the diamond closest to the black-cloaks, sent the first offensive spell at the Zaran mages. Sheets of flames dissipated upon striking their invisible shields. She had not expected to find the enemy unprotected, but the battle would have ended immediately if they had been. It had been an appropriate choice for the opening salvo.
The black-cloaks whirled around to face their opponents, secure in the knowledge that they were well shielded. Tanya and Theos, who were flanking Jenneva, let loose with tree mines. The spells flew into two trees near the black-cloaks and exploded. The trunks of the trees disappeared in a mist, thousands of jagged wooden shards flying outwards with explosive force. The shields of the black-cloaks lit up like a swarm of a thousand fireflies as the wooden projectiles slammed into them. The soldiers nearest the mages screamed out in agony as the flying splinters pierced their bodies, but the black-cloaks were unhurt. The Zaran mages immediately attacked with a variety of spells. Fireballs dissipated upon impact with Balamor’s shield, while lightning bolts illuminated the shields with a dazzling display of raw energy.
The tops of the trees, whose trunks had been blown apart, came smashing down to the ground, one of them rebounding off the shields of the black-cloaks before crashing to the ground. More soldiers screamed in pain as they were caught under the falling trees, but other soldiers nocked arrows and fired at the Alceans. Jenneva joined Tanya and Theos with another set of tree mines. They aimed behind the black-cloaks to discourage the archers while also weakening the physical shield protecting the mages. Three more trees exploded in a thick mist. Again the Zaran shields lit up from the impact of the projectiles, and Tanya nodded to herself as if she just noticed something important.
“They are moving apart,” Theos warned as he saw the black-cloaks spreading out.
“Tanya,” Jenneva said with a sense of urgency.
“I’m on it, Mother,” the queen replied. “Shake them up. Theos, target the second from the right. He is holding the physical shield.”
The black-cloaks sent another salvo of assorted spells as they started to separate into two groups and move away from each other, but Balamor’s shields held firm. As the black-cloaks tried to spread farther apart, they ran into invisible walls halting their progress. Tanya smiled knowingly. Theos concentrated on creating a small whirlwind. The tiny cyclone grew in intensity. As the winds picked up dirt, twigs, rocks, and other debris, the whirlwind grew in size, millions of physical particles twirling around at dazzling speeds. As Theos was directing the tornado towards his chosen target, the ground rumbled and shook. The trees started swaying and soldiers began to lose their balance. The black-cloaks also had trouble standing, and their attack halted momentarily as they tried to secure their footing and understand what was happening.
Theos’s tornado roared as it came up against the physical shield protecting the black-cloaks. Tanya watched it with interest as she held her hands far apart. She appeared to be trying to bring her hands together, but something was stopping her from doing so. Jenneva concentrated on the ground. The rumbling increased, and the ground began to ripple in waves flowing away from the Alcean diamond. Trees creaked loudly and began to fall. The black-cloaks tried one more salvo of offensive spells before giving up and concentrating on strengthening their shields.
“Keep it up, Theos,” Jenneva said. “You are wearing through the shields.”
Theos nodded and started moving the tornado around to the side of the enemy mages. Tanya twitched.
“No,” Tanya said quickly. “Not the side. Attack only from the front. I am holding physical shields to both sides of them.”
Theos raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the queen, but he promptly obeyed. He directed the tornado back to the front and grunted as he forced more energy in to the spell.
“To stop them from spreading apart?” Theos asked.
“Sort of,” Tanya replied. “Just weaken their shields and hurry up about it.”
The ground shook violently, and dozens of great trees toppled to the ground. The black-cloaks stumbled, and Tanya’s arms moved rapidly together until both arms were straight out before her.
“Hit them with fire, Theos,” Tanya shouted in a strained voice.
Theos watched as the black-cloaks stumbled and then they all suddenly flew towards one another until they were stacked like a season’s supply of wood. That was when Tanya shouted for fire. Theos did not hesitate. He dropped the spell controlling the tornado and sent sheets of flames towards the black-cloaks. The Zaran battle mages screamed in agony as the flames devoured their bodies.
“Time to go,” Jenneva stated. “Balamor, cover our retreat.”
The mage from Pog nodded and cast an illusion before dropping his shields. Anyone looking towards the Alcean diamond would see nothing but the large thorn bush. They would not see the four unicorns come out of hiding to carry away the Alcean mages. Moments later the four mages returned to the camp of the Rangers. Alex and Arik were waiting anxiously for them. Alex and Jenneva left the camp in one direction while the king and queen left in another, leaving Theos and Balamor alone.
“What happened back there?” Theos asked Balamor. “Was Jenneva trembling the ground?”
“She was,” nodded Balamor. “She is quite effective with that spell.”
“Quite effective?” echoed Theos. “She brought down the forest. I cannot begin to imagine what power that must take. How did she manage to stack the black-cloaks?”
“That was Tanya’s doing,” answered Balamor.
“Tanya?” frowned Theos. “She was merely holding physical shields to keep the enemy from fleeing. It is a rather curious use for a shielding spell, but it certainly stopped them from splitting up. Why do you say that the stacking was Tanya’s doing? Did she abandon the shields?”
“No,” Balamor replied. “She merely brought the two shields closer together.”
“What?” Theos asked. “That is impossible. You can’t use shields as offensive spells, and you can’t drag them across the ground. If you want them moved, you need to recast them. You can’t just move them.”
Balamor smiled at the Tyronian mage. “Obviously, the queen can. She used those physical shields as a vice to crush the black-cloaks. I would say it was a novel and effective use of the spell.”
“I would call it more incredible than anything else,” Theos said with awe. “I cannot imagine the power that must take. I thought the queen only knew a little magic?”
“The queen is modest,” chuckled Balamor. “I often wonder who is stronger, Jenneva or Tanya, but I think that is a question that will never be answered. I have never known them to use the same spells as each other during a battle, as if that would invite a comparison of their powers.”
* * * *
General Tauman and Colonel Dorfan stood near portal seventeen in Camp Destiny. Nearby was a company of cavalry from the 1st Corps of the Empire of Barouk.
“Do not approach this assignment casually, Dorfan,” warned General Tauman. “General Montero is a very popular general. If his troops get the idea that you are there to arrest him, a company of cavalry will not save your life. You will have to use deceit to snare him. Perhaps you can tell him that King Harowin has died, and he is needed to assume the throne immediately.”
“He only has three more days in Alcea,” noted Colonel Dorfan. “He will not be anxious to return home before the war is won even if the crown awaits him.”
General Tauman pressed his lips together in thought and nodded. “I think you are correct. What will get him home is if he thinks someone else is seizing the throne while he is away. He will feel compelled to hurry home and set things right.”
“I will try that,” agreed the colonel. “Is Prince Lyker or Prince Lindmyr the eldest?”
“The next in line after Montero is Harold,” stated the general, “but Harold is a sickly boy. Montero would never believe that story. I believe Lyker comes next. If I am wrong and he wants to know why Lindmyr isn’t seizing the throne, tell him that Lindmyr is dead.” The general sighed and shook his head. “Look, Dorfan, I don’t need to tell you how to lie. You’ve been doing it just fine for years. Just make sure that Montero is sent back here. This portal opens in Pontek. There should be no Alcean opposition after Montero has passed through. Between him and Gattas they will have killed anyone they came across, but play it safe anyway. You will be in hostile territory. Good luck.”
“Thank you, General,” replied Colonel Dorfan.
The colonel signaled the captain of the company accompanying him to Alcea. The captain addressed his men and sent a squad towards the portal. That squad was to secure the other side of the portal for the rest of the company. The squad leader approached the portal and started to open the door. Unexpectedly, the squad leader was thrown back as the door sprung open. Water started surging through the door with such pressure that a wall of water shot over three paces before touching the ground. The squad waiting to go through the door was immediately caught by the flash flood. Their legs were swept out beneath them and they tumbled in the surf as the water plowed up the dirt and spread out.
“Shut that door!” shouted General Tauman. “Shut it now!”
The company of soldiers raced to obey the general’s orders, but the flow of water made it impossible to approach the door directly. Some of the men ran around the rapidly spreading flood to approach the door from behind, but they could not budge the door. The flow was too strong.
“It’s like trying to walk up a sewer in a storm,” shouted one of the men. “It can’t be done.”
General Tauman looked at the rapidly building flood with dismay. He sniffed the air and frowned deeply. He turned to Colonel Dorfan and said, “Get on your horse, and go get some mages. Be quick about it and send as many mages as you can find.”
“Won’t it eventually just stop?” asked the colonel.
“When the valley is full it might stop,” snapped the general. “That is seawater coming through the door. Wherever the other half of that portal is, it is underwater, and I don’t think this valley is large enough to hold the entire ocean.”
The colonel swallowed hard and raced for his horse. The general turned his attention back to the portal and the futility of his men trying to close the door. He shouted for them to retreat and then mounted his own horse as the waters reached his boots and began to rise. A thousand thoughts went through the general’s mind as he waited for the mages to arrive, but none of them could explain why seawater would be flowing through the portal. Portal seventeen led directly to an inn in Pontek, and while Pontek was a coastal city, the inn was not near the shoreline. For this much seawater to be flowing through the portal, the whole city of Pontek would have to be underwater. That would indicate a flood of massive proportions, and General Tauman thought that was too much of a coincidence to be a viable answer to his question.
The mages finally arrived and began casting spells to hold the water back so they could close the door. General Tauman appeared to be watching, but his eyes were unfocused, his mind still pondering why the water was coming through. When the mages were finally done and the door was closed again, the general waved them to him. They promptly complied.
“Can you do that again?” asked the general.
“With a short rest,” replied one of the black-cloaks.
“You will have a ride of three leagues to rest,” stated the general. “We are going to portal eighteen to see if it also floods.”
“You think the other portal will also flood?” inquired the black-cloak.
“I hope not,” answered the general, “but I have a sinking feeling that it will. If water does come out of it, we will need to check every portal in the valley.”
“You think the whole country of Alcea has sunk beneath the waves?” gasped the black-cloak.
“I do not know what to think,” sighed General Tauman. “None of this makes sense, but I know where this portal comes out, and I cannot imagine a flood of such significance to cause what is happening here. Portal eighteen comes out in a barn near Barouk that is well above sea level. If we can open that door, one of you can go through and travel to Pontek to find out what is wrong with this portal.”