| |
“We must retreat, Majesty.” Blood streaked Krion’s face and spattered his leather armor, but none of it appeared to be his own.
“Again?” Shanis snapped. “They’ve been pushing us back at every turn. I thought we’d have the advantage in the swamps.” She pulled her cloak tightly around her. Winter had come early, and she had no doubt about the reason.
“We do. We have killed twice our number, perhaps more, but they have many more soldiers than we, and the Malgog among them know the swamps.”
“I would no call them soldiers,” Horgris said. The big clan chief had just entered the command tent. “They fight like they have a mind for nothing but war. They do ignore wounds that would fell an ordinary man. Or woman,” he added quickly. “They fight on until they can no fight anymore.”
“I should enter the battle, then. I’ll make sure plenty of them won’t be able to fight.” Shanis grasped the hilt of the Silver Serpent, eager to draw on its power and wreak havoc among the Ice King’s forces.
“You know we cannot risk that,” Heztus said gently. “You are the only one who can fight the Ice King. If you are struck by a stray arrow...”
“Yes, yes, I know. You’ve told me this many times.”
“And it appears we have to continue telling you, granddaughter.” Krion folded his arms and gave her a reproving look. “Even without fighting, your contributions are invaluable. No one else can do what you can.”
Shanis wanted to argue, but she knew it was a waste of time. Since the fighting had begun, she had been using her powers to heal the wounded. While her army had many who could tend to the injured, only she could perform miracles if that’s what you called them. While the others tended to ordinary wounds, she saw to those with grievous injuries. She helped the most hopeless cases, bringing them back from the edge of death until she was spent. She knew her efforts made a difference. Many soldiers lived to fight on, thanks to her.
She thought about the first person she had ever healed and remembered that it was her urge to heal not only a few people, but an entire nation, that had led her to unite the clans. Now she was leading them into the worst sort of carnage. She knew that wasn’t entirely accurate. The Ice King had given them no choice. They had no alternative but to fight. Still, she wished it were otherwise.
“Has there been any sign of him?” She didn’t need to say whom she meant.
Krion shook his head. “It could be that he remains in Salgo. We do not know the extent of his power, but it is no great stretch to think his will would extend this far. He seems to dominate the minds of his soldiers. Even our people feel some hesitation when we face them.”
“And as things stand now, I have no hope of getting to him. We would have to drive his army back before I could do that.” A thought struck her.
“I see that look on your face. Don’t even think about it.” Heztus said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.
“You’re wondering if you can sneak past their lines and make it all the way to Salgo without being found out.”
“Are you a mind reader now?”
“No, but I can read you.”
“It do be out of the question. It would be a much greater risk than you going into battle,” Horgris said.
“I know,” Shanis grumbled. “But I don’t have to like it.” She sighed and looked at her grandfather. “All right, give the order to fall back.”