The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) (7 page)

Macin’s head rose and he looked into his son’s eyes.

“We were betrayed?” asked King Macin.

“We’ve thought on it.” returned Manfir. “It’s the only conclusion. Somehow they discovered where Brelg raised Aemmon’s brother. Otherwise, it makes no sense that they came so close.”

Macin sat upright. He looked past Manfir to the group standing by the door. Kael squirmed as the old king’s eyes bore in on him.

“Boy.” called the king softly. “Come here, boy.”

Kael glanced at his father and the old soldier nodded. The boy carefully walked to the front of the hall and climbed the dais. Manfir stood and edged to the side as the king rose. Macin’s hard eyes bore into Kael and the boy could see a tear hovering there.

Macin took hold of Kael’s hand. He pulled the boy close and embraced him.

“We share deep sorrow, my boy.” whispered Macin for only Kael to hear. “We are bound by common love. She wrote to her mother with great joy and pride concerning both of her sons. I pray that one day you can feel comfortable enough to call me grandfather.”

Macin released Kael and turned to the court.

“The day grows strange.” announced King Macin. “Only moments ago I sat on this throne bemoaning the state of my kingdom. Now I find hope and sorrow. My son pledges his allegiance. My children’s children do me honor by their visit, and my hall is filled with representatives from both my allies and my enemies. Tis an interesting day indeed.”

The king paused and Kael watched as Macin fought so many conflicting emotions. Finally, the king’s face went rigid and he turned to the giant.

“Granu, prince of Keltar, I shall hear your story. I assume that its contents will continue what has become a very interesting evening. Do you plan to present me with good news? A cease of hostilities perhaps, while we are ground up by the Ulrog horde?”

Granu arched an eyebrow and approached the throne.

“You will receive no such assurances from me, Macin of Zodra.” rumbled the giant. “The return of your son and the meeting of your grandson may etch a silver lining to the storm clouds that gather over you, but I am here to report how truly dangerous those clouds are.”

Macin frowned.

“I thought as much. No good can come from a son of Hrafnu standing in the halls of Zodra.”

“Some good is possible from our meeting.” continued Granu. “For it is much better to be informed of your dangers than to stand naked before them. You spent centuries holding back the Ulrog flood along the northern marches. In this one thing the Keltar, the Zodrian and the Eru have been united. Although we battled amongst ourselves over the years, one truth remains. The Ulrog are the spawn of Chaos and all they breed are death and destruction.

The time for our commonality has passed. The house of Grannak has been betrayed and those that rule the Keltar are slowly shifting my kingdom down another path. Greed and power corrupt the kingdom and you can no longer count on your enemies in the western mountains to protect that border for you.

It is an absurdity of our long struggle that we also counted on each other for an unspoken, mutual support against the Ulrog. This support will be suddenly and completely withdrawn, leaving your western flank exposed and a pathway to this palace wide open.”

The generals in the room scoffed and exchanged worried looks. King Macin stroked his chin and stared at the giant.

“I’m puzzled why the heir to the throne of your kingdom cares to inform me of its treachery against mankind, but I must therefore conclude you are no longer the heir to the throne. If such a disclosure is truth, you are no longer welcome in Keltar. The company you keep speaks volumes to that conclusion.” stated Macin.

“You deduce correctly.” replied Granu. “I am an outcast.”

“Is your exile a ruse by your father to throw us off guard? To split our attention between the West and the North so we are more vulnerable in both locations? Have you succeeded in even fooling the great Ader?” mused Macin.

“To what end? We see the buildup of the Ulrog horde as well as you. We need only sit back and wait to watch our hated cousins annihilated.  Why attempt subterfuge against you now? If we attack and win, we only weaken ourselves and extend our forces outside our beloved mountains. The Ulrog would find you gone and Keltar ripe for destruction.” answered Granu.

“If you are exiled, how came you by this information? What plan were you privy to that speaks of an attack from the West and not the North?” asked Macin.

“I was privy to nothing.” replied Granu. “And blinded by love and loyalty for so long that I did not see the demise of my own standing in Keltar as it charged at me like a mountain ram and bowled me over.”

“Then how do you come by these assertions?” questioned Macin.

“I’ve had nigh on five years to mull over my brother’s motives and plans. It took most of that time to come to terms with how much he betrayed me. I wandered the edges of my kingdom spying on troop movements and the happenings within Keltar. I contacted those of my brotherhood who were not sequestered or jailed. Many have gone missing, but a few bowed down to Fenrel and were assimilated into his corps. They appraise me of his activities and those of the world in general. I base my conclusions on a knowledge of my people, the Ulrog and most importantly my brother.” stated Granu.
      “And you wish me to take an entirely different perspective on the war, based on your recommendation?” asked Macin. “I am to ignore the advice of my General Staff and all the learned military men of this kingdom and accept the musings of a titled prince of my enemy?”

“I ask you to listen carefully to what your generals already told you.” stated Granu.

The giant turned and faced the room.

“General Wynard is it?” asked the giant of the Zodrian.

Wynard nodded his head.

“You witness this buildup of Ulrog along the Northern Mountains?”

Once again the general nodded his head.

“What are the tactics of the groups you face?”

“They are the usual Ulrog tactics.” replied Wynard. “Packs of Ulrog spill from their mountain holes and raid northern units. Supply trains are set upon when they get the chance, and even more rarely the occasional town or hamlet is raided.”

“These are the tactics the Ulrog have always used are they not?” questioned Granu.

“Yes.” answered Wynard furrowing his brow. “What are you driving at?”

“How then are you aware of a buildup?”

“The packs are larger, and the frequency of the attacks increases.” stated Wynard. “We see new insignia upon many of their units. Insignia we’ve not seen before. They are units new to the area.”

“You suffer many losses?”

“Casualties are up in the corps, that is true. Everybody is aware of this.”

“You are being worn down but still holding on?”

“Yes.”

“In fact, you have been able to gain territory.” stated Granu.

General Wynard blinked and looked about the room, his eyes finally rested on Macin.

“Why, yes. We have.”

“What?!” shouted the king. “Why haven’t I been informed of this?!”

Wynard bowed toward Macin.

“My apologies, your highness. We didn’t intend to misinform you or keep you in the dark. At first we thought the advances only temporary. These were small moral victories for the troops. We expected the Ulrog to push back against our advances and drive us South. Several of the commanders agreed that it would be a blow to the morale of the citizenry to report these gains only to revoke them within days.”

“I am not the
citizenry
!” replied Macin. “We shall discuss this oversight later. Go on, Keltaran.”

“So, if I am to assess the situation properly, you are telling us that a force that has grown significantly over the last year, pouring greater numbers out of the Scythtar, has continued its tactics of simple harassment
and
actually lost ground to your thinning and overtaxed Guard?” said Granu.

Once again Wynard scanned the group.

“Yes.” he replied.

Another hum ran through the generals as they digested this information. Granu quickly cut off their conversations.

“You are being drawn from the Capitol.” stated Granu simply.

Macin frowned and considered the giant’s comments. Wynard reddened.

“Absolutely ridiculous!” exclaimed the general. “We control the land from the Scythtar to the Nagur!”

“Do you?” asked Granu. “You are reinforcing the areas you captured, are you not?”

“Yes.” returned Wynard. “We planned to inform the king and the people of our gains when we determined they were secure”

“You moved key operational units North to these villages. You moved supply depots, weapon caches, livestock, and reserve mounts North. In short, you extended your main force further from the Capitol.” commented Granu.

“Yes, but we would...” cut in Wynard.

“YOU HAVE DONE ALL THIS WHILE YOU TURNED THE CITY’S SECURITY OVER TO A PROVEN TRAITOR AND HIS BAND OF RIVER THUGS!” boomed Granu over Wynard’s protest. “When the Ulrog marched from the foothills of Keltar upon your glorious kingdom, do you think Udas and his men would have stood and delivered this kingdom from the threat?!”

Wynard hung his head and said nothing.

“You determined to call up the militia in greater and greater numbers, sending them to the Scythtar to bolster your defenses. This will make the lower half of your kingdom completely defenseless. A plum my brother is willing to snatch from you, for I believe this is the reward promised to him for his treachery. Hatred, power and fame drive him. He believes Zodra is rightfully ours due to Gretcha’s centuries old claim to the throne. Fenrel will stop at nothing to retrieve Zodra. I believe he contracts with Izgra the Half-Dead. He intends to deliver the North to the Ulrog and be rewarded with the South!”

Macin stood and walked to the edge of the dais. He studied Granu.

“A very interesting theory, Prince Granu. But am I to believe it?”

“General Wynard?” began Granu.

Wynard did not respond. He stared at the floor in front of him with a puzzled expression on his face. Kael felt as if the man were piecing together all the information he just received.

“General Wynard?” repeated Granu.

Wynard’s head snapped up.

“Why would the Ulrog present more troops in the field if they did not intend to push harder into the South?” asked Granu.

“I don’t know. They’ve acted strangely as of late. They’ve held extra forces in reserve. Unusual for the Ulrog. Normally their entire force is whipped into a frenzy, then sent against us.

Since the build up began, the reserve units often do not join the fight. When the first Ulrog wave retreats, the reserves join them and flee back into the mountains.” stated Wynard.

“Have the Ulrog ever been known for this tactic in the past?” questioned Granu.

“No.” replied Wynard.

“The Scythtar is three thousand yards tall. It is a virtually impenetrable, granite wall. No one from the civilized nations has traveled North of it for centuries. The Ulrog have been building their forces behind this wall in secret for years. What purpose does it serve them to show their hand before it is played? Why demonstrate your power before you are willing to use it?” asked Granu turning to Macin.

“We are being duped.” stated Macin through a set jaw. “Izgra holds a knife to our belly and we are oblivious to it.”

“My apologies, your majesty.” stated General Wynard dropping to one knee. “I will turn over my command to my junior officers.”

Macin scowled.

“They are junior officers for a reason, Wynard!” snapped Macin. “They do not possess one grain of your military knowledge and prowess on the field of battle. Now is not the time to dwell on personal honor. I will allow no such thing to happen.”

Macin turned to Manfir.

“The fault lies at my feet more than any other. I grow old and the kingdom overwhelms me. I spend so much time ruling every detail with an iron fist that I lose the ability to see the bigger reality. Whatever the giant’s motives, they are immaterial. He points out our glaring vulnerability. To disregard his information out of mistrust is folly.

We spent years fighting the same battle from different camps. It is time for that to end. It is time for us to turn to one another. What is it you and the old man would have me do?” asked Macin extending a hand to his son.

Manfir smiled at his father and grasped the king’s hand tightly. The prince fell to one knee and bowed his head.

“It is not for me to command you, my king. I was and always will be your loyal servant.”

The king smiled and shook his head, pulling Manfir to his feet.

“No.” said Macin. “You are to be commanded no longer. Your lot is to command. We must first protect the Capitol, for in the end it will be our last refuge. I summon you, Manfir, to assume command of the militia. We will stop the steady stream of reinforcements to the North and consolidate the remaining militia forces here.”

Macin turned back to the crowd of generals.

“Wynard. You will send word to the North. Our troops are to abandon all the gains we made in the last year. Let the Ulrog overrun the ghost towns, they are nothing to us. We give them land to save Zodrian lives. Tighten your forces! Draw them back toward the Capitol!” barked Macin.

“As you command, my lord!” replied Wynard.

“Brelg!” called Macin.

“Yes, my liege.” returned the old sergeant bowing.

“There never has been, nor will there ever be a finer military instructor in this kingdom.” stated Macin. “You are charged with what you do best. Save the lives of my men by giving them the knowledge only you possess in whole. Take these militiamen and turn them from farmers and ranchers into soldiers!”

“It will be my honor, my king!” replied Brelg.

Macin turned and stepped from the dais. He approached Ader and bowed down before him.

“I pledge to you and to my Creator Avra that I will do all in my power to save my people and this kingdom from the danger ahead. Tell me what else it is I am to do. I am yours to instruct.” said Macin.

Ader smiled at the king and pulled him to his feet.