next two days in the saddle. Alexander got to know Commander Perry a bit better and came to respect the man. He had a precise and ordered mind. He’d been a soldier for his entire adult life and clearly intended to pursue his chosen calling for as long as he could ride.
Once they reached the northern outskirts of New Ruatha, Alexander pointed out a small hill to the northeast of the city. “Commander, I think it would be best if you build a fortified camp there for your forces. The battle lines are probably going to be drawn in the valley to the south and that position will force them to defend their flank while they attempt to advance. Make your camp big; I’ll be sending you some more men to bring your regiment back up to strength, and I’ll see if Wizard Sark can send you some magical assistance as well.”
“Very good, Lord Alexander,” Perry said with a crisp salute.
He took a dozen men with him back toward his main force and sent the rest of the advance force to scout the hill. Alexander and his companions continued on into New Ruatha with a dozen men under Captain Sava’s command.
Regent Cery met Alexander at the gate to the palace. “Lord Alexander, it’s good to see you. The beacons of Blackstone Keep have given the people of New Ruatha hope and our enemies pause.” He gestured to the black granite mountain on the northern horizon and the beacon lights that Alexander had activated. Even at this distance, they shined brightly.
Alexander dismounted and shook Regent Cery’s hand. “What news of Headwater?”
“They’re on the march. Half their force is headed our way while the rest are still being recalled from the outer reaches of the territory. My scouts tell me they will be assembled in time to serve as reserve forces. I recommend we retire to the war room. My generals have maps with enemy positions and strengths. Your father is there as well; he arrived at the head of a column of ten thousand Rangers from Glen Morillian just this afternoon.”
Alexander and Abigail shared a look. “By all means, please lead the way.”
As they walked through the palace, Alexander was struck by the art, color, and lavish furnishings of the place after spending so much time in the austere and utilitarian halls of Blackstone Keep.
He was happy to see that his father and mother were both in the war room along with Wizard Sark and half a dozen officers, including General Markos. There was a large table with a giant map of the entire territory of New Ruatha and the areas on the periphery.
Bella looked up and smiled with relief and happiness as she rushed to embrace her children. “You’re safe,” she said, hugging them both tightly at the same time. “I’ve been so worried, especially since we heard about the scourgling.”
Alexander flexed his shoulder a bit at the mention of the netherworld monster. It still hurt but only a little and his range of motion had returned almost completely. “With the help of Wizard Jahoda, we were able to trap the beast in a magical circle. With any luck, it’ll stay there until Phane is killed and then it will return to the netherworld.”
Duncan approached with a broad smile. “I see you’ve found your sword, Son. I’m proud of you, proud of you both.” He hugged Alexander and Abigail in turn.
“You must be hungry,” Bella said. “Come and have something to eat before we get down to business. You’ll make better decisions on a full stomach.”
Alexander smiled and nodded. His mother had a way of reassuring him like nothing else. He always felt safe and cared for in her presence. They ate a meal and talked of little things. It was a brief respite from the more pressing matters that had been weighing on Alexander for so many days. He took the time to simply enjoy the company of his family and allowed himself the indulgence of forgetting his duty for a few minutes.
Chapter 10
All too soon, the meal was over and everyone
Once they reached the northern outskirts of New Ruatha, Alexander pointed out a small hill to the northeast of the city. “Commander, I think it would be best if you build a fortified camp there for your forces. The battle lines are probably going to be drawn in the valley to the south and that position will force them to defend their flank while they attempt to advance. Make your camp big; I’ll be sending you some more men to bring your regiment back up to strength, and I’ll see if Wizard Sark can send you some magical assistance as well.”
“Very good, Lord Alexander,” Perry said with a crisp salute.
He took a dozen men with him back toward his main force and sent the rest of the advance force to scout the hill. Alexander and his companions continued on into New Ruatha with a dozen men under Captain Sava’s command.
Regent Cery met Alexander at the gate to the palace. “Lord Alexander, it’s good to see you. The beacons of Blackstone Keep have given the people of New Ruatha hope and our enemies pause.” He gestured to the black granite mountain on the northern horizon and the beacon lights that Alexander had activated. Even at this distance, they shined brightly.
Alexander dismounted and shook Regent Cery’s hand. “What news of Headwater?”
“They’re on the march. Half their force is headed our way while the rest are still being recalled from the outer reaches of the territory. My scouts tell me they will be assembled in time to serve as reserve forces. I recommend we retire to the war room. My generals have maps with enemy positions and strengths. Your father is there as well; he arrived at the head of a column of ten thousand Rangers from Glen Morillian just this afternoon.”
Alexander and Abigail shared a look. “By all means, please lead the way.”
As they walked through the palace, Alexander was struck by the art, color, and lavish furnishings of the place after spending so much time in the austere and utilitarian halls of Blackstone Keep.
He was happy to see that his father and mother were both in the war room along with Wizard Sark and half a dozen officers, including General Markos. There was a large table with a giant map of the entire territory of New Ruatha and the areas on the periphery.
Bella looked up and smiled with relief and happiness as she rushed to embrace her children. “You’re safe,” she said, hugging them both tightly at the same time. “I’ve been so worried, especially since we heard about the scourgling.”
Alexander flexed his shoulder a bit at the mention of the netherworld monster. It still hurt but only a little and his range of motion had returned almost completely. “With the help of Wizard Jahoda, we were able to trap the beast in a magical circle. With any luck, it’ll stay there until Phane is killed and then it will return to the netherworld.”
Duncan approached with a broad smile. “I see you’ve found your sword, Son. I’m proud of you, proud of you both.” He hugged Alexander and Abigail in turn.
“You must be hungry,” Bella said. “Come and have something to eat before we get down to business. You’ll make better decisions on a full stomach.”
Alexander smiled and nodded. His mother had a way of reassuring him like nothing else. He always felt safe and cared for in her presence. They ate a meal and talked of little things. It was a brief respite from the more pressing matters that had been weighing on Alexander for so many days. He took the time to simply enjoy the company of his family and allowed himself the indulgence of forgetting his duty for a few minutes.
Chapter 10
All too soon, the meal was over and everyone
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