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‘Ruan reports little has changed in the west.’ Elodi passed on the message to Bardon. They stood upon the high sea wall of Caermund. Below, waves crashed onto the rocks, reminding her of the view from her room in Calerdorn. Bardon took it, but she noticed his hand still shook. The lord had made a steady recovery under the care of the healers, but as yet, appeared unsure on his feet and kept a distance from the edge of the wall.

He squinted at the note. ‘I’m afraid my sight is not as good as it was, Elodi.’

‘Ah, I apologize. I shall summarize. Ruan and his spearmen are stationed at the Seran River south of the forest. Another of my trusted captains, Cubric, commands an Archonian division stationed to Ruan’s east at Greendell. There’s still the odd skirmish along their front, but the Ruuk have made no effort to push deeper into Noor in numbers that would cause concern. I have given instruction they are to pull back to the River Wend if outflanked. And if the Ruuk commit to a full invasion, they must ensure the West Watchtower is held.’

Bardon rubbed his clean-shaven chin. ‘That’s encouraging, but we both know what tends to follow a period of relative calm regarding our visitors from Nordruuk.’

‘That is my worry. But at least that has afforded us the chance to secure the Kolossos Pass.’ She looked out to the dark skies on the horizon. ‘But to what avail? If they come with the strength we know they command, we could find ourselves penned up in the pass, leaving them to rampage south.’

Bardon eyed the approaching clouds. ‘But yet, they wait. You say Nyomae believes they may still be wary of us. Otherwise, they would surely have struck south following the crushing of our forces at Caerwal.’

‘She may have a point. But Nyomae’s recent discoveries reveal a power that could work against us. We could damage ourselves in the act of invoking Draegelan’s knowledge. Perhaps that is why they wait.’ Elodi let out a long sigh. ‘I’m forever trying to guess our foe’s intentions while suspicious they are pulling my strings. I feel as if I’m being played, nudged and coerced into taking action that may leave our forces stranded. Am I to view every move of theirs as a feint? How can I tell what the right move is to make?’

Bardon pulled his cloak tighter as the sea breeze picked up. ‘They are a devious foe. But then, they will not make it easy for you. Why should they?’

Elodi helped Bardon secure his cloak. ‘I do not have anything like their resources to turn the tables on them. I dearly wish there was something I could do to… to use the Archon’s phrase, sow seeds of doubt in their hearts. But what do I have at my disposal?’

‘You have Nyomae, and of course, this young fellow, Toryn.’

‘But can I be sure they are also not manipulating every move they make? Nyomae is forced to delve deeper into Draegelan’s discoveries, those, I hasten to add, he felt necessary to conceal in a secret vault. And Toryn finds himself in Vortimo, helping the Amayans who themselves appear to have been forced to enter that cursed place.’ Bardon stumbled. Elodi caught his arm. ‘I’m sorry. I burden you much with my woes when you are in need of rest.’

He caught his breath. ‘Not at all, Elodi. But you will have to excuse this old man. My legs have yet to make a full recovery… if they ever will.’

Elodi helped him to a bench in an alcove in the wall. ‘Please say if you prefer to conduct our discussions inside.’ She patted his leg. ‘But you’re strong. You have many years left in you… and the realms need every one of those remaining years.’

‘Thank you for your confidence.’ He smiled. ‘I try to convince myself I’m still a young man, but my bones are not that easily fooled.’ Bardon looked out to the waves crashing into the headland, gaining in height as the wind strengthened. ‘I look very much forward to meeting Nyomae. She sounds a very useful ally, a powerful one at that. Is she equal to the Ul-dalak?’

Elodi leaned back against the wall. ‘Nyomae’s story is a remarkable one. She’s had a long and eventful life by any reckoning. She undoubtedly commands great power. But I fear the burden of the demands I place upon her, sit heavily upon her shoulders.’

‘And, what of this Toryn fellow?’

Elodi sighed. ‘He’s come a long way in such a short time. He knew nothing of his heritage until a few months ago, yet he finds himself thrust into the forefront of the fight of our time.’ She looked down to her hands in her lap. ‘I hope he can handle such a responsibility… and stay safe. Nyomae has done her best to school us both in the ways of our powers. But his presence attracts the dark forces. He grows strong, but he still has much to learn and master.’

Bardon struggled to make his voice heard over the gusts buffeting Caermund. ‘But he is obviously a resourceful and resilient young man. It’s quite an achievement to trek the length of the realms, and then play his part in foiling Uluriel’s plans.’ His bushy eyebrows raised. ‘Not to mention wrestling with her at the top of the Archon’s tower.’

‘But having entered Vortimo…’ Her gaze wandered back to the sea.

‘You fear for him?’ Elodi nodded but stayed silent. Bardon pressed. ‘And am I right to assume you have… feelings for this man?’ Her eyes closed. He squeezed her hand. ‘If, as Nyomae believes, he masters more of the innate power within, perhaps he may yet surprise our foes.’

She clutched his cold fingers. ‘But… Vortimo, Bardon? Not for nothing has that valley been sealed for all these years.’

‘Take solace that he’s located the Amayans.’ He laughed. ‘In my youth I longed to meet one of these warriors, and there was Eleni, the Lady of Harlyn, right before my eyes all those years... and then you. It is a blessing you have Amayan blood. I doubt many could endure the days you have spent in the saddle these last weeks.’ Bardon sighed. ‘I wish you could have known your mother. You are very much like her.’

Elodi looked away. ‘When Wendel first told me of the events leading up to my birth, I felt anger towards her. I know that sounds awful, but I couldn’t understand why she would ride north with the others while expecting me. But now I appreciate loyalty and duty override even family.’

‘That is a burden we have to bear as leaders, especially in troubled times.’

‘And a burden that grows heavier by the day.’ Elodi stood. ‘Now I must prepare to head north. Ruan’s dispatch convinces me it will not be long before our enemy reveals its full hand. They gather both on the west and east of the Kolossos, yet we would be hard pressed to face them on just one front. The pass must be secured, but still we will be stretched thin.’ She looked down to Bardon. ‘I do not ask you to ride yet, but when you feel ready, your presence would be most welcome in Ormsk… along with any who are fit to ride with you.’

Bardon groaned as he rose from the bench. ‘I will give myself a few more days but be assured I will follow. The last survivors from Mundrake’s Isle came ashore last night. They are weak, but their training will see them through. I’m sure the healers will work their magic. I would hope to bring close to a thousand swords with me, and perhaps more as they recover. The call went out for horses for the knights. They will not be as well-trained as their own mounts, but we will make do.’

Elodi regarded his face. ‘A thousand swords are more than I could have wished for only a few weeks ago. With the Archonians and reserves, I expect to muster a force totaling eighteen thousand, but where they are to be assigned requires careful planning. But I fear the cobtrolls will not tolerate our intrusion through their pass.’

Bardon scoffed. ‘They would be bold indeed to ambush such a force.’

Elodi turned. ‘We once thought that of the Ruuk.’

The Ruuk are moving. Elodi’s heart sank. She had been roused from her bed by her aide bringing a dispatch from Amyndra. The captain of Broon had ridden deep into Ormsk and witnessed bands of Ruuk raiding settlements south of Torm. While still only in small bands, she believed it was a sign of intent.

Elodi let her eyes wander across the flat grasslands of Mund outside her window. The crescent moon shed just enough light to afford her a view of the Formund Forest. Far to the north, the Ruuk plundered farms of precious livestock, meeting little resistance. She slapped the sill. The east! It became clear. They would strike down the east of the Kolososs. Nyomae believed Uluriel desired to break the waning power of Telamir. Elodi made her decision. She could not wait a moment longer.

Elodi dressed, fastened her sword belt, and called for her aide. The First Horse and Archonian Knights would ride to the pass, freeing the Archonians to head to the forests to support the reserves of Ormsk. Preparations had begun the day before. But now she desired to leave before sunrise. She had to reinforce the guard at the East Watchtower, but time was crucial. Should she arrive a day late, she risked surrendering the pass, and inevitably the middle realms. And if the Ruuk gained a foothold in the dense forests, they would be difficult to extract.

Elodi gave her orders to the aide rubbing sleep from his eyes. In moments, the sound of horses’ hooves upon cobbles echoed through the city of Caermund as the stable hands readied them for their riders. She returned to the window to see candles flickering in houses and inns. Her heart quickened, but not from panic — Elodi was ready to ride out.

She nodded to the men who came to collect her trunk. ‘On the wagon please. Then head for the East Watchtower at the Kolossos Pass as fast as your horses can manage.’ Elodi watched them haul the trunk onto their shoulders and hurry from the room. It would take two weeks of hard riding to reach the pass. The wagons would need twice that time, but most of her belongings were not vital to the cause; Elodi wondered what state they would find her in on their arrival.

She bent to blow out the candle at her bedside, then picked up Amyndra’s message. Her hand wrapped around it. The last part had struck a pang of dread. Amyndra had spied a small party of Ruuk hurrying along the Great Northeast Road. The route would take them to Aralak Gorge. Fearing an attack on the fence, Amyndra stated she would take a company of the First Horse to bolster the vital defenses.

Elodi stopped. Could the raids elsewhere be a distraction? Did the Ruuk intend to free the dreaded spiders? Surely, they would pose as much a danger to them as to Elodi’s forces. Or… her blood froze, did the Ul-dalak believe they could command these vicious, unruly creatures. If that were the case, they could be sent to the Kolossos Pass, or the forests and prove a most terrible threat. The Ruuk could sit back and wait for her ranks to be devastated by the foul beasts. And once pumped full of poison, her forces would be too sick to see off a Ruuk attack.

Elodi strode out into the dark corridor. A faint, orange light cast shadows ahead of her. She glanced down. The sliver of her blade above its sheath, glowed. Her hand warmed, anticipating the battles to come. But her heart froze, fearing how many would die under her command.