Athora. Smite all of our enemies, and deliver your people to paradise. You would be worshiped more than Thet, himself. Children would weave stories of your deeds.”
“As usual, you are so much wiser than I. Were it not for you, we would have no hope of leaving the dust behind. I will accept this pitiful quest.”
Drith turned back and stepped to Tolan’s side. “I will embark on this journey, as well. My brother will lead my army in my absence. I will take a guardian with me to fight at my side.”
“Very well,” King Enrille said. “There is one more mission: a backup plan. This is a secret mission, and its existence must not leave this room. A brigade will ride out and head for the Red Coast. While the Neshing armies are divided, the men will infiltrate their camp and try to steal their piece of the stone. In case one quest fails, the other may succeed.”
“Who leads this mission?” Tolan asked.
Jorrel stepped forward, bowing to the King.
“You?” Tolan’s eyes widened.
“It is the least I could do for doubting you. I should have listened.”
“It’s a suicide mission, Jorrel.”
“It’s best we have. If your group fails, at least we’ll have another shot at survival.”
“You won’t even get close to the piece of stone.” Tolan raised his voice. “There are dozens of mages around it; Sooth-Malesh said so, himself.”
Jorrel looked into his eyes. “We have to try. That day you came to me… that day… I should have at least investigated when our men did not return. I am sorry. We would have been better prepared if—”
“It is forgotten, my friend.” Tolan sighed, and reached out his hand. Jorrel took it. “May Thet guide you and watch over you. It is a most dangerous mission.”
“So is yours. May your steps be as quick as a Wivering’s.”
Pim’s ears perked up. The sacrifice these people had made, the camaraderie, the energy in the room all warmed his heart. It amazed him. This was what war was, not the action on the battlefield, not the impressive deed, but the selflessness, the will to do what was right. He’d been so wrong. He hoped to redeem himself on the quest—a quest into the unknown, a quest that was suddenly at hand.
Olani took a deep breath. “I am sorry that I have no champion to volunteer.”
“Typical Northern garbage,” Drith said under his breath. Tolan heard him very clearly, and glared at him in response.
“I will send a few of my warriors,” she said.
“It is not necessary, M’lady,” Tolan said. “The North has suffered enough. You do not even have a home right now. No, it is better we keep the group small. We will travel unnoticed; the Neshing will not waste their time attacking such a speck on their path. They have bigger aspirations.”
“Very well,” Olani nodded, and her eyes dropped to the floor. Tolan knew shame filled her.
“I thank you all,” King Enrille said. “This is a day made in history. Please, Sooth-Malesh, keep me informed of the enemy’s progress, and summon me when they arrive in our lands. I need to rest in my chambers, now.”
The King exited the room through a door in the back, away from the eyes of his other subjects. Tolan simply shook his head. He’d never seen a king quite like this one. Thet forbid that war interfere with his sleep.
Sooth-Malesh slipped over to Tolan in a cloud of red mist. Pim strained to listen, as well. “Within the Graywing Mountains, there is an entrance to a cave. Start there.”
Tolan smelled the old mage’s stale breath, and the musty scent of his cloak. When was the last time he bathed? “Thank you, arch mage. I will remember that.”
“Good.” Sooth-Malesh grinned. “In the morn, I will meet you all in the courtyard by the fountain carved with water elementals. I will imbue you all.”
Tolan bowed; Pim and Drith followed the warrior’s lead.
The mage started for the back of the room, returning to the shadows in the corner. He looked back once more at Tolan. “I bathed last week.” Then he vanished, engulfed by the darkness.
Chapter Nine
They gathered in the courtyard in the morning, the sun barely a splinter through the dark clouds drifting across Cardoon’s skies.
Pim stood with Tolan and two Cardoon soldiers, drinking from the fountain beside them. The water was cool and refreshing.
Drith walked around the corner of one of the city buildings with a warrior. They were both painted azure and emerald green, and carried the sharpest