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side story [The Tale of the Soup-maker]
appendix [a]
gallery [duma] [dale] [dale 2] [beryl] [ugarit] [ugarit 2] [ugarit 3]

Part Seventy-six

Tsuki rode into the settlement within the Silver Wood with nearly forty horses and Men behind him, plus one Elf. Aud was among the Men, but their leader was a Man of the south Tsuki had met before, in Kato's home city. The large man, called Sam, had traveled to Kato's nearest trading post and heard of the recent events from Kato's other Men. The Elf among them was Dernder, who had been earlier dispatched with Aud. He now returned along with the Men with messages.

They went quickly to the house of the Lord of the Silver Wood and found Lenaduiniel there, attended by Alqua. "Dale returned just before you. He is with the others, preparing to go after the Wizard."

"Where?"

"The Old Willow, where Caratathren lives."

Tsuki gave a quick nod to Lenaduiniel and then urged Moon-shadow around. Lenaduiniel watched the rider and black horse move around the pavilion. The Willow was just the other side. She shifter her gaze to the Men. "I see Aud and Dernder among you Men. What do you bring?"

The large Man regarded Dernder and then addressed Lenaduiniel. These Southmen showed little fear or awe of Elves, if any. "Lady, we Trader Kato's Men and would give aid to the Elves of the Wood in his name."

"Merchant's Guards then." Lenaduiniel understood that in Mannish culture small military forces were often employed by wealthier traders to guard their warehouses and wagons. Such Men were thought a little better than Mercenaries or Corsairs, and in most cases less skilled, but these Men had the look of battle hardness, if Lenaduiniel knew it. "And mounted. Your aid is most welcome. We are grateful to Kato. If you ride now to the east, you will find our defenders. They may direct you where to give aid or make such camp as you need. You will have meals such as we prepare for our own defenders if you wish."

Sam made a slight bow to Lenaduiniel from atop his sand-colored steed and then called out an order to his Men in their native language. They rode, leaving Elven females pouting at the trail of divots, throw pebbles and leaves, and dung. Marduk, however was glad to learn of their coming.

A messenger, one of the little Mine-dwellers, ran into the wall tent, somewhere west of the designated front line of defense, where the Commanders of the Orcs and Elves met. They had no translators among them, but spoke mainly in gestures aimed at maps and models. "Brown-skins of the south on horses," the messenger reported in a rasping voice, "They announce themselves friends to the Elves outside."

Gwindor, Galen and Denelas were within the tent, along with Marduk, several other Chieftains of the Orcs, various Leaders and Captains awaiting orders, and the Dwarves, who were there in pretense of easing the minds of the Commanders, though in truth they made most ill at ease. The Orc Messenger was followed quickly by Lain. He was judged too young for battle, but had been given the honor and duty of attending the Elven Commanders, and running their errands and messengers. "Merchants Guards in service to Kato the Halfling trader, My Lord," Lain said, mainly to Gwindor. Denelas had rank and Galen age, but neither were nobility, among Elves. "A small force, perhaps forty, but they are mounted and certainly veterans of the war. They say the Lady of the Wood sent them on to us, as allies."

"See that the Men and horses have water and something to eat if they have need. Send in their leader. We will have work for them soon."

"Dog-Master."

Dog looked slyly up at Marduk; he was clothed in the spiked armor of Mine-dwelling Orc Warriors, which had been scavenged from the slain Chieftains.

"Our Orcs must know that these Men serve us." He did not ask or command, only stated the need. It was the way to address a fellow Chieftain an Orc wished not to challenge or dominate.

"I will make them know it." Dog did not leave the tent, but signaled with one hand to Bau, who was squatting near the flaps. She rose quickly and ran from the tent.

By the time Sam entered the tent, Marduk heard the drums signaling the news of the allied Calvary.

The tall Man bowed once and then stood straight, helmet under his left arm. "Sampson Kurama. My Men and I learned of your need and rode here on behalf of our Master Kato. We pledge our lives to redeem his reputation and defend all peoples from this Wizard plot, of which we have heard."

The Elves bowed their heads and Gwindor said, "I greet you, Lord Kurama." He then made proper introductions, if in some haste, as they were at war, and made some effort to pronounce the names of the Chieftains in Orcish manner. "And the Brothers Gib."

Gwindor forced a slight smile under the heated gazes of the Dwarves, who had nearly been ignore.

"Calvary is bad to face in battle. It is good if we have riders fight for us. They should go here and flank," Marduk said, as he gestured to the Elven maps upon the table.

The three Elven Commanders had all had some battle experience, and Gwindor, being his father's heir, if not his favorite son, had been instructed in historic battles and strategy from his youth. Marduk was a child to them in age, but Gwindor could see he had some instinct for battle, if not years of training. "The position seems to be good, if we choose the right time. We would not want to merely send our honorable allies to their deaths, but use the aid they offer wisely."

Marduk laughed and then the other Orcs laughed. "Today is a good day to die as any, for Men or Orcs. Send them into battle to earn their scars or they are no use to us!"

Sam regarded the gathered Orcs and Elves, each race standing to one side of the table, as if enemies as much as allies. "You tell me what you need done, I will lead my Men to do it. We may earn scars, but we will not die easily. All I need to know is how the enemy is armed and how their armor is worn. I will find a way to do what you need done."

"Here," Gwindor said, inviting Sam in toward the table and maps. "May I offer you some wine?"

"Water only."

Another young Elf stepped away from the wall and brought the pitcher and goblet to Sam, and poured for him as Gwindor explained their plans. "There is a great trench dug to the east, the Orc Archers are within it now, and a line of Shield and spears, both Elven and Orcish just behind the trench. Elven Archers are near the line in the trees and on ropeworks between them. If they break the line of spears and shields, it will come to swords and knives."

"Are not your flanks south and north guarded?"

"Of course," Galen answered.

"Irregularly timed Orcs patrols on the ground and Elves in the trees, along the road and in the wooded areas north and south of the settlement. You entered our wood along with Tsuki?"

"Yes, he was known to Aud and myself also."

"I expect they will be beginning their own campaign now," Gwindor said quietly.

Marduk gave a sharp nod and then spoke to Dog in Orcish slang, telling him to watch what the Elves did here until he returned, which would be soon.

Tsuki, Dale, and their small party were yet at the willow, nearly finished with preparations for their task. Fei, Beryl, Duma and Ugarit were to go with them, and Caratathren, Arë and Dernder were present to aid them in preparations. They did not know all that they would face in reaching the Wizard, but they knew that it was at the least a steep climb and that it was likely that the Sea had some of his altered Eastern Elves and perhaps other fell creatures in his service. They prepared for the worst, taking very little food, some water and as much armor and weaponry as they could endure to carry on a rushed journey into the mountains.

Dale was quite well armored, as Duma had completed the alteration of the coat of mail the King of the Horse Lords had gifted him with, so that Dale wore over his layers of underclothes and leather garments a vest and loin cloth of steel mail, each trimmed and fastened with tough leather pieces. The armories of the Silver Wood had been opened to them all as well as Beryl's chests and Dale had taken from them greaves and gauntlets cast in leaf forms, some spiked leather Orc gloves that had made their way into the armory with all that was cleaned from the wood after the war, a spare sword of recent Elven manufacture, and some assorted knives, one of which had previously been Ugarit's, so that he had no less than nine bladed weapons on his person, many concealed. He wore no helmet, but now had the hood of his cloak drawn up to cover his braided hair.

Fei's companions had noted how he had progressed with use of swords and staves in battle and practice, and he had one of each, plus some red enameled plate mail taken from Eastmen in the war, including a helmet, greaves and gauntlets, and a round shield that he might hang from his back or arm according to his need.

Beryl was impressively equipped in full suit of gold-plated Elven armor worked in leaf forms. He was armed as seemed usual to the others with sword, bow and spears and had a long shield besides. It took care to carry the many weapons, and they would have no horses for much of the way to help with their burdens, but Beryl, for one, would rather have to do some juggling from hand to hand than be without the proper weapon when danger was imminent. There would always be the option of abandoning one if the need presented itself. Otherwise, belts and straps held the gear in place.

Duma had taken no weapons or armor, but had traded with Orcs and Elves both to acquire gear for himself and earned blades by working in the forge. He had already possessed leather garments enough to cover him from neck to toe, with the exception of his left arm. The spiked armor strapped to his right arm was made by Orcs and that strapped to his shins and right thigh was Elven and of the same make as that Dale had taken. The bow was the same that he had been granted by Lenaduiniel in the Capitol of the Horse Lords and his quiver was filled with arrows made by Galadhiel and Dog both. He still carried three blades, but apart from the obsidian knife, the others were newly forged and similar to those he had given to Ugarit.

Ugarit was still donning armor and had not yet taken up all of her weapons, for in the time since Dale had reached Leanduiniel's house and confirmed that they would seek the Wizard, she had rushed to find suitable garments. She had fought for her life and survived wilderness, but never knowing marched to battle, yet she knew from stories told by others that her kilt would be too little protection. Arë and Alqua had assisted her, as had Aladima and Shala at the Orc camp and Caratathren had brought out from some old chest steel plate shaped to cover a female torso, that Beryl had given his daughter in her youth during one perilous time or another. Dale, surprisingly even to himself, was scandalized by the leather pants hugging Ugarit's hips and thighs; nakedness would have seemed less wrong in an Orc, to him. He seemed only slightly less scandalized as Arë helped Ugarit into the form fitted plate and cropped mail tunic they had rushed from alteration at the forge. Duma suggested more covering for her arms and legs, but Ugarit explained, reluctantly, that her armor was heavy enough and any more would slow her movements in battle. "A wound to a limb is survived more easily than one to the chest or gut," she told them, "I am not afraid of scars."

Tsuki's refusal to wear any armor was all that distracted Dale from worrying over Ugarit's attire. Tsuki was dressed all in brown, and his cloak hung heavily with the potions and tools in his pockets, the Moon Stone was among them. "I will complete this mission or die as a Wizard," he had said. He had a full quiver, his bow Hair-string, the paired heirloom swords, one dagger in a boot for emergencies, and his staff. If not for the remarkable swords and the fact that he was bedecked in so much jewelry of true silver and moonstone he would have passed for a poor woodsman or even a beggar. As it was, he looked like a Wizard. Dale and Leanduiniel had each returned a piece of jewelry to Tsuki, without knowing the other had, thinking that there might be some protection in his wearing the complete set, even if Tsuki had not claimed the jewelry itself possessed magic. The fact that Tsuki wore the jewelry in ceremonies and had chosen to wear it now was enough for Dale to believe. Even if not magical, something about the wearing aided Tsuki in his concentration, as he staff did, and he would need every aid to magic that he could find if they were to face The Sea.

As Ugarit was strapping her knives in place Beryl noticed two figures approaching from the eastern part of the settlement, one leading a horse. Dale sensed some shifting in Beryl and looked away from Ugarit's belt. "It is the Man Aud, and one of the Orc Leaders, one who attended the discussions."

"Gorghash," Dale said.

Ugarit looked angry and then quickly set her face expressionless as the two jogged toward them.

"We have been sent to support your party and I was given this message for Beryl from your Lord Gwindor," Aud announced. He offered the small scroll and Beryl took it.

Gorghash swung a sack from his shoulder and dropped it before Ugarit. "Marduk Chieftain says that you are Precious, but you know that he will allow you to go with this party. He offers these for you to protect yourself from harm. I also will go, and protect you."

Duma growled.

Gorghash looked Duma up and down, fixed his eyes on the flail hanging from his belt, and sneered.

"I understand," Beryl said, regarding the note. Gwindor knew that the Man and Orc had been sent and offered that Beryl might choose an Elf of the Wood to go with them, but did not assume there was need or choose one on their behalf. To Beryl, it seemed defense of the Wood was the business of all Elves of this wood and he and Dale would do well enough without another. He understood that Aud was there for Kato's honor, as Kato would have gone all the way with them if allowed or less injured. Beryl would respect Kato, Aud and Men and allow the Southman to join them. Gorghash he was not so pleased with. His presence seemed another way for Marduk to seize control. "We eight shall go. We do not go far, but we expect the journey to be perilous. We go to the site that was the tower of the Dark Lord's minions and their Sorcery and was in more ancient times the Tower of the Moon. Tsuki is our leader and we all must do as he instructs and also protect him, for we go to face a Wizard and he and his knowledge are our best hope to defeat the Wizard and stop his weapon from being used."

"We will ride or run until we are out of the wood, and then we climb into the mountains, the way is steep and any defenders from above will certainly have the advantage. Are you quite ready?" The last was addressed to the Orcs. Ugarit was bent over the sack, which was filled with various unmatched pieces of Orcish armor and weaponry.

"I will take this only," Ugarit said quickly, snatching up a set of spiked guards for shoulder, elbow and forearm. It was common Orc armor among Mine-dwellers and though small Orcs, their range in size was such that it was not uncommon a set could be found to fit an Orc of slender Northern build. She looked genuinely submissive toward Tsuki as she strapped the armor to her arm.

"You said it would be too heavy," Duma hissed.

Ugarit did not speak, but snorted and tossed her head. Her armor was on the left arm. If she kept Gorghash to her left and Duma to her right, they might all three survive.

"Duma!" Dale called.

Duma gave a start and hurried to mount Snaga. He did not signal the horse to move, but looked down at Tashmetum in Arë's arms. He could hear the other horses moving away. Ugarit hurried to Arë and touched Tashmetum's face with her fingertips. "Take her to your sister now," she said, voice rasping, but not so strongly accented with Orcish as before she had come to the Wood.

"I am sure you will return for her."

Ugarit said nothing more, turned and ran after the horses. Duma, Lenaduiniel and the sisters Alqua and Arë knew of the arrangements Ugarit had made. Tashmetum was to remain in the care of either Alqua or Lenaduiniel, because Ugarit had come to trust them and they did not regard Orcs as other Elves. If Ugarit did not return, they were to keep Tashmetum among Elves until she was strong enough to protect herself, and then give her leave to find other Orcs. Ugarit had told Duma that if she died and he survived he must take Tashmetum into his Clan and not let Sarpanit take her, not even Aladima or Shala. Duma had said that there was no way that Ugarit would die while he survived and if by some chance he failed to protect one that was precious, he would not be an Orc worthy of keeping another Precious Thing. He had actually dodged the knife that time, when she had tried to stab him for saying such things.

"We are all going to die," Dale sang quietly.

Tsuki turned and looked over his shoulder. Ugarit marched after them on the verge of tears, Duma did not seem to be focused but dreaming, and Gorghash was jogging with his sword drawn and glaring at Duma.

"You Orcs," Tsuki called. All three looked toward him. Ugarit grimaced and blinked rapidly. "If you cannot do what needs to be done I will leave you all behind here. We need as many of our number to make it to the Wizard's lair as possible, for that is our goal. If I should fall, each one of you who survives then must make it your duty to see that the weapon is located and taken to a remote area, even if it means your death. If we fail, many Orcs, Elves and Men die."

Gorghash put his sword to his back and ran faster, passing Dale upon Nightmare and moving generally south into the trees.

"Knows where he's going?" Dale asked, not addressing anyone in particular.

He does not look like those Easterner types," Tsuki said as Moon-shadow came alongside the stallion, "but he could know the way. I have been as far as the foot of mountains."

"I have been to the city," Beryl called quietly from Dale's right. "Perhaps I will be able to lead us there."

Beryl was riding the horse that he been Laurel's as Brethil was with foal and Laurel had no need of the horse when Moon-halo had carried her and Kato to the King's City. He rode hard after the running Orc and soon overtook him. Dale said nothing, but Tsuki was aware that if Beryl voiced doubt Dale would fear. Yet, fear would not keep Dale from continuing; Tsuki was certain.

Ugarit allowed Duma to lift her to Snaga's back and soon the six horses and Gorghash were running southeast through silvery winter-bare trees, toward the road that led into the mountains. Dale said Ugarit must be saving her strength for the climb, to ride a horse.

As the small party moved, their allies within the wood were fighting in defense of the Elven settlement, and by some accounts, all of the West. The Commanders, Elves, Orcs or Man, agreed that the previous attacks had been aimed only at testing their defenses. The Rómendar kept their host concealed in trees or just beyond an arrow's flight and sent small parties against the trenches. Forhrondo and Khyarhrondo studied the responses of the Westerners and abominations. They had the numbers to win victory in this trench warfare, but it would take their numbers to win, and leave few surviving. But the weakness of this trenches placement was that it only guarded one side of their village. But, the Lords of the Rómendar both wondered, did these Western Elves place the trench here with the intent of moving the battle to the north or south and have some unknown defense?

"If it is true they mean to drive your people to the Mines, they will not come from the north," Gwindor said, studying the models placed on the map. "Even if they considered driving you, or us, to the crossroads, they would have to expect we would find allies to reinforce us there."

"Would take months to drive all of us to the mines," Marduk said, "It is across the river, and far to the northwest, through Elf territory to walk from here, unless Orc go around the mountains to the western gate."

"We simply do not know their goal," Galen said. "If Tsuki was correct and the Mines are a target, the dropping of this so-called bomb would not come for months…"

"But the Sea did not know until recently how much the Orcs or our small parties of Rangers had discovered," Gwindor said. "Perhaps the original plan was to wait, but now, this Wizard does know his enemies have found him, because the stones were used. He must rush whatever his plan is."

"And he could not have expected so many Orcs to travel here, or to find aid," Denelas said, suggesting in tone he disbelieved Orcs could find aid in their Wood.

"They will kill Orcs in Mines with sickening weapon and kill Orcs here in Wood in battle." Marduk growled. "I will join battle myself!"

"Patience, Chieftain Marduk," Galen pleaded.

"No doubt you have skill in battle," Gwindor said. Careful questions had told him much of his foul ally's past and nature. He had been bred and trained for The former White's army, but his part in the most notable battles of the war had been small and he had likely survived because he had been kept away from the front lines, perhaps engaged in building or repair of siege devices. It was an interesting concept, Gwindor thought, that the greatest warriors of Orc-kind had been slain in the war and all that survived, even if they called themselves warriors now, had been those with some talent or learning in crafts or food preparation. Marduk had fought skirmishes against Witches, Highlanders and Horse-Lords and even faced Gwindor's party, but likely had little battle experience compared to one such as Gwindor, even if he showed some good instincts. "We have capable leaders and Captains out there now. Perhaps with Orcs the Chieftains are first into battle, but it does not seem wise to Elves. If one is truly a skilled leader, others will be willing to fight for him and protect his life, so that the leader may survive to make important decisions, make clever plans, give orders and continue to lead. A King can gain scars enough, even trying to stand back and call orders."

"They have not faced our swords yet, or your war machines," Denelas said.

"We could win the battle and lose if Tsuki does not complete his mission," Gwindor said, "but sending all our force against the Wizard would have meant abandoning the Wood and river access to an invading army of the East. We must keep the attention of these invaders here, with us. I think they will attack from the south, with a large portion of their host, for driving us north would force us to cross the river eventually, or risk the foul hills and marshes. We can find no allies north unless we cross the river or get through those hills. When the attack comes, it may be a feint, to push us to reinforce the south, while they risk the less defended trench. Whatever they do, the trench must be defended by enough to hold."

"We should use the cavalry. Cut their force. Divide them."

Galen nodded.

"It would be good if we had wolves or Trolls," Dog sneered. They lacked such minions."

"Not to divide," Gwindor said. He pointed out the position on the map to Sam. "Here. If they begin to move, that is your signal to act. We do not need their number divided, but we would like them positioned where we want them."

Sam did not question the strategy, even if he had doubts in mind. He gave a sharp nod and then walked from the tent and within moment could be heard calling to his Men in their Southern language.

Loriol stood, silver-green hooded cloak shadowing his face, one arm about a tree, seeming at ease, yet with one hand on his sword hilt. A whistle came from behind; an imitation of bird song. A reply came from his right, where the next of his company of Elven swords was positioned.

Dernder showed himself immediately at Loriol's right side. "I've come," he said quietly.

"Command is yours." Their hasty training as Defenders had included Dernder as Captain, but there were other uses for dependable Elves who could protect themselves these days. Loriol was glad for Dernder's return; he had not wished to lead when battle came. He was modestly confident of his skill with a sword, but did not seek the greater responsibility or ordering other Eves into danger. "New orders?"

"The same. Elder Carver's company is before us?"

"Yes. I can only pick them out from the trees because I know there are there."

That was as it should be. Loriol had seen illustrations in books and images woven into tapestry and imagined ancient battles when Elders told the tales. There had been great hosts of Elven Warriors, in full suits of shining armor and matching brightly colored cloaks, marching in formation across open fields toward their enemies. There had been battles filled with ceremony and strange custom. It was not the way of Sylvan folk. Lord Gwindor's father was nobility from the west, but Gwindor was skilled in the ways of Sylvan warfare.

Some Elves whispered that Gwindor was cursed, that those who followed him died. Loriol and Denelas had not been among his companions during the war, but they also had fought in defense of the Green Wood, as Gwindor had, and they had learned from him and seen him on the battlefield. Sylvan ways meant camouflage, and stealth.

They did not shoot darts at strangers along trade roads as these invaders did, but they set traps around their homelands and when under attack launched volleys of arrows from tree branches or behind hedges. And they were skilled at hanging from ropes and striking enemies from above and in surprise attacks. No, they did not honorlessly strike to kill without provocation, but if they were attacked, they showed little mercy and certainly did not don glimmering armor to announce their position to enemies possessing missile weapons.
Loriol looked up for a moment, tracking the motion of a snow flurry, and saw in the corner of his eye, something else moving in there branches. He whistled alarm and Dernder whistled commands to look to the trees even as Loriol scampered into the branches. There were not many of them, but they were here, past Carver's Swords, creeping into the heart of the settlement.

Loriol saw the dart as it came for him. He was wary this time and dodged it. He drew his sword, held it hilt and blade for balance as he leapt into the branches of the next tree and took the creature's head. He had done it. He had just killed a frighteningly Elvish creature. Maybe it was an Elf, but its kind had slain Dernder's cousin and Rosenrod, nearly Gwindor's betrothed and had clearly intended such a fate for Loriol and Lain both. Lain. Some of these Elves had killed Rosenrod and intended harm to Lain. Loriol would see them avenged, even if he had to slay Elves.

Loriol looked for the next. They were coming. He could track movement to the south, and they were not the silhouettes of his allies, or any Orcs. They had excellent camouflage, but if he focused on just one, he could see them. They looked like the drawings that had been shown to the Defenders.

Loriol would have rushed toward them, but he heard Dernder's command whistled into the cold air. Wait. Let them come close. Reveal yourself on my signal.

The bleeding decapitated corpse in the tree would surely draw some attention, so Loriol swung down behind the tree, held his breath, and waited.

When Loriol caught the movement of another of his company falling to his right, with a Rómendar spear in their chest, he understood that this was what he had trained for and now he was in need of every technique of concentration Dernder and Gwindor had instructed him in. He must be focused on distinguishing ally from enemy, striking down enemies while minimizing damage to himself, and if the need presented itself, taking a mortal wound in defense of the Wood, even if only to buy a moment for allies to flee for their lives.

To gain perfect concentration, he must forget vengeance and Lain. He must put Lain out of his mind. Nothing mattered but the battle, not the cold, not the snow dampening his cloak, not growing darkness, not spray of blood or allies falling either side. He must focus, even if he remained the last one surviving, even if her survived to be called cursed, as Gwindor had been.

No fear, no vengeance, just observation of the enemy and application of much practiced sword forms.

Loriol turned fluidly and engaged the enemy, aware for the moment that there were yet allies nearby and that he did not hold the line alone.