City of Jade by Dennis McKiernan Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Dennis McKiernan
use only our own.”
Dalor nodded in agreement, then said, “And since more can be wrenched from those in agony, from those who suffer, and because there will be plenty of pain, anguish, and distress in the battle to come, then even more fuel will be at the beck of Black Magekind.”
“So twelve can overpower sixty-three?” asked Ancinda Soletree.
Fedor glumly sighed and said, “Mayhap.”
“If they prevail, then likely they will defeat our army as well,” said Arandor.
“And they were raising a corpse?” asked Cadir.
Aylis sighed. “They were. A Hlôk.”
Cadir turned to Alamar. “Then they will know all about us: that an army of Elves and Mages is on Neddra, as well as our numbers and kinds.”
“They will?” asked Ruar.
“Nothing can be hidden from the dead,” said Cadir.
“True,” said Branwen. “But only if they can single out that particular slain Hlôk’s voice from among the myriad other dead all vying to speak.”
“What we need is a plan,” said Bair.
“And before dawn, I think,” said Arandor.
Aylis frowned in thought and then said, “What if we hold off our assault on the fortress until after the Mages are slain?”
Aravan turned up a hand and looked at her. “Chier?”
“That way they won’t have the agony of the dying to draw from,” said Aylis.
“They’ll pull it out of the living, regardless,” said Dalor.
“Aye, but Aylis is right: less life force will be at their disposal,” said Cadir.
“Look,” snapped Alamar, “I say our plan changes little: we seven nines, especially those of us who can wield the elements—fire, water, earth, air, and aethyr—specifically take on the Mages, and let Elvenkind deal with all else.”
Branwen took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “We thought there might be Black Mages in the fortress. Still, I think it is as Alamar says: the plan changes little, no matter that there are twelve. Yet I and my kind are better suited to dealing with the Hèlsteeds and Vulgs, rather than trying to bring down the Mages. Likewise, Dalor and those of his training are suited to healing rather than battling dark power. And the ones of us who can cast illusions are more adept at taking on the Foul Folk, for Black Magekind can winnow through such visions and sounds, whereas the Spawn cannot.”
Alamar nodded in agreement. “I and my like will meet them head-on, while all else support us.”
Cadir said, “Forget not that my school can do great damage as well, and we will join you in the direct battle.”
Aylis said, “We Seers will locate them for you.”
Arandor glanced at Bair and said, “I deem there should be a change in my plan.”
Bair frowned. “How so?”
“My forces are divided in seven companies, one for each of the nines. Instead of an immediate assault against the fort, we will stand back and defend Magekind from the Foul Folk until the nines are victorious, after which we will take the battle to the Rûpt.”
“Yet what if the Spaunen bring the battle to us?” asked Tillaron.
“Then in spite of loosing fire for the Dark Mages to use,” said Arandor, “we must fight.”
Bair slowly nodded, and turned to the other captains and the leaders of each nine and asked, “Are we in agreement then?”
Silverleaf said, “Would that we could get right at the Spaunen, but that must wait until the greater threat is put down, unless, of course, the Rûpt come to us.”
Other Elven captains murmured their accord with Silverleaf’s words, and they nodded their concurrence to the plan of attack.
None of Magekind voiced any opposition, and so Bair said, “That, then, as far as the Black Mages are concerned, is our strategy. Yet heed: I was once told by another, a
Dalor nodded in agreement, then said, “And since more
“So twelve can overpower sixty-three?” asked Ancinda Soletree.
Fedor glumly sighed and said, “Mayhap.”
“If they prevail, then likely they will defeat our army as well,” said Arandor.
“And they were raising a corpse?” asked Cadir.
Aylis sighed. “They were. A Hlôk.”
Cadir turned to Alamar. “Then they will know all about us: that an army of Elves and Mages is on Neddra, as well as our numbers and kinds.”
“They will?” asked Ruar.
“Nothing can be hidden from the dead,” said Cadir.
“True,” said Branwen. “But only if they can single out that particular slain Hlôk’s voice from among the myriad other dead all vying to speak.”
“What we need is a plan,” said Bair.
“And before dawn, I think,” said Arandor.
Aylis frowned in thought and then said, “What if we hold off our assault on the fortress until after the Mages are slain?”
Aravan turned up a hand and looked at her. “Chier?”
“That way they won’t have the agony of the dying to draw
“They’ll pull it out of the living, regardless,” said Dalor.
“Aye, but Aylis is right: less life force will be at their disposal,” said Cadir.
“Look,” snapped Alamar, “I say our plan changes little: we seven nines, especially those of us who can wield the elements—fire, water, earth, air, and aethyr—specifically take on the Mages, and let Elvenkind deal with all else.”
Branwen took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “We thought there might be Black Mages in the fortress. Still, I think it is as Alamar says: the plan changes little, no matter that there are twelve. Yet I and my kind are better suited to dealing with the Hèlsteeds and Vulgs, rather than trying to bring down the Mages. Likewise, Dalor and those of his training are suited to healing rather than battling dark power. And the ones of us who can cast illusions are more adept at taking on the Foul Folk, for Black Magekind can winnow through such visions and sounds, whereas the Spawn cannot.”
Alamar nodded in agreement. “I and my like will meet them head-on, while all else support us.”
Cadir said, “Forget not that my school can do great damage as well, and we will join you in the direct battle.”
Aylis said, “We Seers will locate them for you.”
Arandor glanced at Bair and said, “I deem there should be a change in my plan.”
Bair frowned. “How so?”
“My forces are divided in seven companies, one for each of the nines. Instead of an immediate assault against the fort, we will stand back and defend Magekind from the Foul Folk until the nines are victorious, after which we will take the battle to the Rûpt.”
“Yet what if the Spaunen bring the battle to us?” asked Tillaron.
“Then in spite of loosing fire for the Dark Mages to use,” said Arandor, “we must fight.”
Bair slowly nodded, and turned to the other captains and the leaders of each nine and asked, “Are we in agreement then?”
Silverleaf said, “Would that we could get right at the Spaunen, but that must wait until the greater threat is put down, unless, of course, the Rûpt come to us.”
Other Elven captains murmured their accord with Silverleaf’s words, and they nodded their concurrence to the plan of attack.
None of Magekind voiced any opposition, and so Bair said, “That, then, as far as the Black Mages are concerned, is our strategy. Yet heed: I was once told by another, a
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