Sub-Marshal Nicht. “I want riders sent to Klendon and Maldon. Bradshaw needs to be kept informed. I want Sub-Marshal Nerrow to leave one regiment in Maldon and bring the rest of Fifth Division here to increase our strength. Fulstrom, you’ll be in charge until he arrives.”
Fulstrom nodded. “Where will you be? We really need to know.”
“Finding new allies,” said Will. “I may be back by the time Sub-Marshal Nerrow gets here, or it may take me a few days more. Either way, don’t wait for me. Once our forces are together, start pushing for Myrsta once more. Move slowly and scout more than you ordinarily would. I believe the Darrowan military is essentially non-existent now, but I might be wrong. I was certainly wrong last time.”
Subcommander Terrell spoke next. “You’re certain the Patriarch is dead, sir? Are you sure we can trust your mysterious informant?”
He wasn’t alive to begin with, though Will. He wasn’t sure how long Grim Talek had been acting as the Patriarch, but it didn’t matter. “I don’t really trust the informant, but I’m certain he spoke truth. Myrsta is entirely in the hands of demons now.”
Subcommander Gravholt paled as he heard that news, but kept his silence. The former marshal of the Darrowan army had remained mostly quiet during the meeting to avoid antagonizing his former enemies.
Sub-Marshal Nicht had one more important question. “If we reach the capital before you return, do you want us to try and take it, or wait for you?”
“I don’t think you’ll even be able to approach it,” said Will. “If the demons have set up a spell-engine, the area around it will be lethal to humans. Let the sorcerers determine how close you can get and stop there. You may even have to withdraw some distance, depending on how long it is before I arrive.”
“How are we supposed to take the city if we can’t even enter it?” asked Fulstrom in dismay.
“You aren’t,” Will told him. “That’s why I’m going to get some help.”
In the end, he told them what he intended, and although they did indeed react with a mixture of incredulity and disgust, Will saw some hope in their eyes. After the meeting was over, he simply walked away, heading west until he reached the outer sentries. Tiny was waiting for him there.
“You aren’t seriously planning to run off on your own again?” asked his friend.
Will nodded. “I am.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“I already spoke with Captain Barrentine,” said Will. “He agreed you should stay here.”
“I’m reassigning myself then,” growled Tiny.
He sighed. “Janice is staying here.”
“So?”
“Did she forgive you?” Tiny’s red face was all the answer he needed. Will smiled. “Finally.” Summoning a regeneration potion from the limnthal, he handed it to his friend. “Thanks for the potion.”
“It was yours to begin with,” said Tiny, crossing his arms. “Stop changing the subject.”
“I’m not going into danger,” Will replied. “Not much anyway. Tailtiu will be with me.”
“That really doesn’t make me feel any better,” said Tiny sourly.
He explained his plan, and more importantly, his travel arrangements. “I’m going to be switching back and forth between planes with Tailtiu, and she’ll be carrying me. Strong as she is, she’s no Thunderturnip. I don’t think she can carry us both.” Will looked down the road, past Tiny’s shoulder. “Speaking of which, I think she’s here.”
A giant owl landed on the road, then transformed into Tailtiu’s slender, elfin form. She still carried the small cloth sack, and after transforming she opened it and dumped the puppy out onto the ground before walking toward them. The tiny canine trundled after her, tongue hanging out as he followed.
Tiny spoke before Will did. “You still have him.”
Tailtiu looked from the big warrior to Will. “He’ll always be mine.”
With a sigh, Will corrected the misunderstanding. “He’s referring to the puppy.”
Her brows went up. “Oh! You mean Dinner.” Bending over, she picked up the pup and stroked it gently while it licked the fingers of her other hand.
“You said you were going to eat him,” growled Tiny.
“I haven’t had much of an appetite,” she said insouciantly. “Besides, it would probably be better to wait until he’s fattened up some. He would hardly serve as even an appetizer at this size.”
Tiny started forward, but Will stepped into his path. The squire stared down at him with burning eyes, but Will held his ground. “Trust me,” was all he said.
The moment stretched out, but finally his friend answered, “Always. It’s her I don’t trust.”
“Take care of them. I’ll be back,”