what? Oh yeah, sorry. Two and a half thousand I think.” replied a distracted Jake, who was still searching the room with his eyes.
Artrex spat out his ale in astonishment. “Wh… What??? That is an army in itself! Why I…”
The King was interrupted rudely as he spoke by an increasingly concerned Jake.
“Knesh, where’s Knesh?” he asked, first looking at Artrex and then at Ben.
“We do not know…” began Artrex.
“He’s dead mate!” stated Ben quickly. “He gave his life for us so that we could escape. That’s what I was trying to tell you earlier.”
The news completely stunned Jake. He was staggered and mortified. Everyone in the room suddenly went quiet, unsure of what to say, they all began reflecting sadly on the loss of their greatest warrior until, after a short while, it was Verastus who ended the silence.
“I think we all need to understand what has happened, so that we can all move forward. I will say this, it is my last word on the death of our friend; as I have had pointed out to me recently by a trusted companion, Knesh was a soldier. He knew the risks, and he took them willingly. He chose to lay down his life for his King and we have to respect that. We have to honour him, and we have to ensure that his death was not in vain!”
It was all that needed to be said. A drink was taken in honour of Knesh and, around an hour later, Zephany’s force trudged exhaustedly into the village. She had only twelve soldiers with her, but she had brought more than thirteen hundred freed slaves, all of whom were cold, wet and tired from the long march. They were all greeted like heroes by the rest of Atrex’ new army and it considerably lifted their spirits. But Zephany was still mourning the loss of her soldiers and no one was able to console her.
The news of the death of Knesh hit her harder than anyone could have imagined. She withdrew herself completely from the crowds in the alehouse and retired to a quiet room to grieve in private. Jake instinctively tried to follow her, hoping to comfort her somehow, but he was stopped by the King.
“Let her go.” Artrex said sympathetically. “She needs to be alone right now. Come along with me, and you can attempt to inform me just how it is that you have performed such magic, for I do not understand? The stones are not yet fixed. And yet you have worked miracles here. I would very much like to hear how, if you please? And then, we must hold a war council to decide on a plan of action. For we now have an entire army to equip and train. We have a whole campaign to devise and plan. And we have a war to win!”
Chapter 35
Early hours of 17th August – The War Council, Soreen Village - Rhuaddan
King Artrex and Jake were certain that King Vantrax would pursue them on their long journey south. He had to. He had no other option as far as they could see. The evil King had partially defeated the Rebel Army at Erriard and killed their influential leader. He had them on the run. Despite the success of the fortress raid, which would frustrate and anger him, he had to capitalise on the momentum his army had gained before the rebels had chance to regroup. He knew he needed to destroy or capture the stones before his enemy was able to use them against him, it had to be his priority, for he was fully aware of their power and potential and he couldn’t risk anyone learning how to unlock their secrets.
The war council in Seon’s Shield was convened at the earliest possible moment. The rebels planned to move out of Soreen immediately afterwards, according to the decisions and plans made therein. The alehouse was emptied of everyone except for the leaders and warriors of whom the council was comprised. A number of tables were pushed hastily together into the centre of the main room. King Artrex sat at the head, flanked by Jake and Queen Bressial. The rest of the council sat in no particular order, they included Ben, Zephany, Castrad, Onall, Verastus, and two captains of the army, as well as an elderly slave from the mine at Lidzenstor who had been selected as a representative from amongst the freed prisoners. A large map of the continent of Estia