Abuud: the One-Eyed God (27 page)

Hagik tried to figure out what clues he was missing while his men crowded together at the lip of the gorge. When another rider inadvertently nudged his horse, Hagik turned and saw the folly of allowing his men to group up as they had. He knew better than to provide the enemy with such a concentrated target. He immediately shouted commands, which sent five Black Devils and twenty Dark Riders heading westward along the gorge to find a ford. His next set of orders sent a like group eastward.

Hagik peered across the gorge and could no longer spot any sign of the enemy. He wondered if Jenneva had just dallied behind to get in a parting shot. He ordered a lone Black Devil to transform and fly across the gorge. He did not intend to lose any more men than necessary, but he could not let Alex and Jenneva get away when he was so close to getting them. He was almost surprised when his man landed on the far lip of the gorge. Hagik felt the tension drain out of his body as he prepared to order the rest of his Black devils to fly across the gorge. He was convinced that the Rangers were on the run until his man across the gorge fell silently to the ground. He had no way of knowing that Prince Midge had assaulted the Black Devil with a sleep spell.

Hagik felt his temper rising as he waited impatiently for his flank troops to arrive on the other side of the river. Again he had the feeling that he was being toyed with. He had expected Alex and Jenneva to put up a tremendous fight, but this was more like they were playing with him, as if they were buying time for something. Suddenly, it dawned on him that he was probably right where they wanted him. The Rangers must have some way of defending their position that was not obvious to him. He knew that he had to move these men away from the gorge and he was just about to issue the orders when Alex and Jenneva rode out of the forest on the far side of the river. His Black Devils immediately attacked the images with fireballs, and magic filled the air.

Hagik watched in wonder as the fireballs flew through Alex and Jenneva. Hagik snarled as he realized that he was looking at projected images. Just as he came to this conclusion, the ground beneath his feet started quaking as Jenneva cast her spell from her hidden position across the gorge. Hagik recognized the attack when he felt it, but his men were slower to realize what was going on. The leader of Sarac's Ravens scowled as he struggled to force his horse to turn around. The quaking increased, and the horses spooked. Hagik managed to get his horse facing north and prepared to flee. That was when he saw the wind roaring towards him.

His mouth fell open as he realized that he was actually seeing the wind. He could not imagine a spell so strong that it made the wind visible, but before he could even close his mouth, the wind struck. Sarac's Ravens were already off balance because of the severe quaking, and when the wind hit they had no purchase to resist it. Lanoirian Stars flew into the Black Devils massed at the lip of the gorge as they started to succumb to the wind. The evil magicians died as they were swept over the edge of the lip. Alex tossed the Stars furiously as he tried to kill as many men as he could before they were swept over the edge.

Within seconds the quaking ended and the wind dissipated. Jenneva and Tanya raced for the gorge as Alex picked up his bow and started firing arrows into the bodies floating downstream. Tanya joined him with her bow ready and Jenneva stood on the other side of the gorge tossing fireballs at the swiftly departing bodies. When they ran out of targets, the Rangers raced downstream so they would be in a position to kill more of the struggling bodies.

Downstream, Kaz remained hidden as the column of riders approached the ford. He watched anxiously as five Black Devils led the column into the river. The twenty Dark Riders followed obediently. When the lead rider was slightly more than half way across, the riverbed turned soft and the horses started to sink. There were shouted warnings and exclamations as the softness of the riverbed spread from the center of the river to the edges. Men began leaping off of their horses in attempt to flee the quicksand. Suddenly, the water began boiling, and the heavy scent of cooked human and horse drifted in the air. The last few riders managed to jump off of their horses and turn around before the soft riverbed trapped them. Kaz raced down to the river's edge to meet them as they paddled to shore.

Only three Dark Riders managed to gain the shoreline before being cooked alive. Kaz tore into them with his sharp horn. The battle ended quickly, and Kaz waited to see if any live humans would float downstream from the other fights.

***

"Welcome Konic," greeted Oscar Dalek.

"Greetings Oscar," nodded Lord Clava. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes," frowned Oscar. "We have discovered some problems with the Council session planned for tomorrow. It appears that Duke Tredor is playing both sides in the struggle to lead the Council. He has been holding talks with Duke Everich. He is offering to support Duke Everich if he gets something tangible in return. He also hints that Duke Zalski can be swung over as well."

"So Duke Everich knows the vote is coming then?" inquired Konic.

"Most definitely," answered Oscar. "If Duke Tredor switches sides, the vote will depend on Zalski and Fredrik. If either one of them switches to Duke Everich, all is lost. We cannot allow that to happen."

"So you plan to eliminate Duke Tredor?" asked Konic.

"I am hesitant to do that," admitted Oscar. "Tredor can become useful to us yet. He truly thinks only of himself. That makes him a pawn to be used."

"You could eliminate one of Duke Everich's other supporters," Konic pointed out.

"That would result in an evenly split Council," sighed Oscar. "Nothing would ever be agreed to. Besides, Everich has boosted the army protection of Duke Jiardin and Count Melorn, as well as his own. While we could still succeed with the assassination, it would require the use of mercenaries. It would cost us dearly and reveal the true alliances of the mercenary companies. It is more than I wish to pay at this time."

"You paint a bleak picture, Oscar," frowned Konic. "We are so close to getting the queen back."

"The picture is not that bleak," retorted Oscar. "We do have to change our methods though. One of the things we have going for us is the information the fairies are providing. We must use that information to our advantage. I think it is time that you informed Duke Graves of certain things. He needs to be aware of his weak standing."

"Is it wise to inform him?" questioned Konic.

"Not only wise, but necessary," declared Oscar. "Listen carefully and I will explain what you have to do."

***

"Lord Clava," nodded Duke Graves, "welcome to my home."

"Thank you for seeing me privately," greeted Konic.

"Why is it you wanted to speak privately rather than in our usual setting?" queried Duke Graves.

"I have obtained some very disturbing information," frowned Konic. "There are rumors that Duke Tredor is negotiating with Duke Everich. He is talking about your upcoming proposal, and I believe he plans to switch sides."

"He wouldn't dare," growled Duke Graves.

"Perhaps my information is incorrect," Konic shrugged. "However, there may be a way for you to determine who is really on your side before you bring up the vote for Head of Council."

"I am listening," scowled Duke Graves.

"As you are aware," Konic began, "the price of the Sordoans' votes, in support of your bid to lead the Council, are two resolutions concerning the queen. One allows for her return with the support of the Council."

"But not giving her any additional powers," Duke Graves added.

"The other resolution is to allow her a bodyguard of her choosing so she is not dependant upon the army controlled by the Council," continued Konic.

"Yes, yes," sighed Duke Graves. "We have been through all this, and everyone agreed to this compromise. What is your point?"

"Allow these two resolutions to be voted on first," suggested Konic. "Watch how Duke Tredor and Duke Zalski vote. If they vote for the resolutions then you can expect them to support you. If they vote against either resolution then do not go forward with your challenge to Duke Everich."

"Duke Zalski is involved in this as well?" questioned Graves.

"I am not sure," admitted Lord Clava. "I know that Duke Tredor is trying to enlist his help, but I have heard nothing to indicate that Duke Zalski is interested in any deal with Everich."

"But the votes on the two resolutions will tell me for sure," nodded Duke Graves. "I think your proposal is excellent. I do not want to nominate myself as Head of the Council until I am sure of the votes needed to win. Duke Everich is not the type of person to take my insurrection well."

***

"Duke Tredor will be right with you, Sir," bowed the servant as he left the sitting room.

Alan Markel nodded and paced around the room looking at the fine paintings decorating the walls. Within moments, Duke Tredor entered the room.

"A most pleasant surprise, Lord Markel," Duke Tredor smiled. "It is good that we finally get to meet informally."

"Perhaps, Duke Tredor," scowled Alan. "I thought we had a deal?"

"Whatever do you mean?" queried Duke Tredor.

"You know what I mean," insisted Alan. "I agreed to support Duke Graves, your choice for Head of the Council, in return for putting forth two resolutions and gaining your support of those resolutions."

"Of course," frowned Duke Tredor. "That is what we agreed to. What causes you discomfort?"

"The knowledge that you are throwing your support to Duke Everich," accused Alan. "You could have let me know about your change in allegiance before I came off looking like a fool."

"Where did you hear such nonsense?" demanded Duke Tredor.

"From a very reliable source," Alan continued. "You seek to gain the favor of Duke Everich in return for your treachery, but it will not work. Duke Graves intends on introducing our two resolutions first. When you vote against those resolutions, he will know for sure that you have switched sides. Then he will cause you to appear the fool and manipulator."

"Even if such a dastardly lie were true," snarled Duke Tredor, "what could Graves do about it that would harm me?"

"He could refuse to introduce his own nomination," declared Alan. "Your whole effort of ingratiating yourself to Everich will have been wasted. Duke Everich will see no nomination coming forth and figure that you had made the whole thing up to gain some benefit from him." Alan paused and then asked. "Why couldn't you have at least been truthful with me? I care not about who runs the Council."

Duke Tredor fumed inwardly as he tried to figure out how Markel found out about his plan. Worse, it appeared that Graves knew too. If the nomination were not made at the Council meeting, Tredor would end up the fool, with both coalitions despising him.

"Wherever you got your information," stated Duke Tredor, "it is highly suspect. I have no intention of voting against your resolutions. As for whom I support for Head of Council, it should make no difference in your plans to restore the queen. I have promised you my support and you shall have it."

Alan looked perplexed, and he remained speechless for a few moments. Finally he nodded at his host.

"I am sorry for my misunderstanding, Duke Tredor," apologized Alan. "I just assumed that by abandoning Duke Graves that you were abandoning my resolutions as well. Now that I know that is not the case, I feel foolish for my tirade. Please accept my apologies."

***

Duke Everich scowled as the Cidal Mercenaries entered the room and posted themselves near the door. He recovered his composure as Lord Wason swept into the room with a broad smile on his face.

"Greetings, Duke Everich," smiled Fredrik. "It is so good of you to see me on such short notice."

"I always look forward to our little meetings," greeted Duke Everich. "I did want to speak to you about an issue that will come up at tomorrow's Council meeting anyway, so your timing is good. Have a seat."

"What issue are you talking about?" quizzed Fredrik.

"Just an insolent councilor who thinks he can govern better than me," snarled Duke Everich. "I need to be sure of your vote before the meeting. I know you have always expressed a willingness to back me, but I need your assurances now. It is time to commit yourself."

"You know of my allegiance already," smiled Fredrik. "What you should be concerned about is the allegiance of Duke Tredor."

Duke Everich's face puzzled into a frown as he stared at Fredrik. "What do you know about Duke Tredor that I do not?" inquired Everich.

"I know that he is promising his allegiance to both you and Duke Graves," replied Fredrik. "I have managed to develop a decent relationship with Lord Markel. He comes from an area of Sordoa near Cidal. Without knowing about my closeness to you, he keeps me well informed of what the other camp is up to."

"My understanding was that Duke Tredor was through with Graves," declared Duke Everich.

"Then we would have the votes needed to repel Duke Graves's assault on your leadership," posed Fredrik. "The question is whether your deal is better than what Duke Graves is offering him."

Duke Everich was pleased with the implied positioning of Fredrik in his camp of followers, but he was becoming concerned about the implications regarding Duke Tredor.

"Do you have reason to believe that Duke Tredor will double-cross me?" asked Duke Everich.

"I do not know which way he will go," admitted Fredrik, "but I think I know a way to gauge his allegiance before the vote."

"Oh," brightened Everich. "And what would that be?"

"The Sordoans are trying to promote the return of the queen," explained Fredrik. "They are going to put forth two silly resolutions tomorrow. One calls for the Council to extend an invitation for the queen to return, without any change in her status of course. The second authorizes the queen to have her own bodyguards separate from the army, which the Council controls. Now we both know that the queen is never coming back, but the Sordoans do not. That is how Duke Graves won their support. He promised to back those two resolutions."