The Baldari (Book 3) (5 page)

Rosul knew she had aged considerably in the months since Kall had died.  By her own estimation she looked half a decade older than she had before all of this had started.  She had studied her reflection in the polished mirror, and had never been one to deny the evidence of her own eyes.  Suddenly, she was an old woman.  She no longer had her usual drive and enthusiasm.  The loss of so many, and the betrayals that Carif and her followers had been planning, had been worse than even she had suspected.  Nothing weighed on her as much as the loss of Kall, however.  Perhaps the laws were right to restrict the age at which one could serve.  Before she had believed them false, but now she found it increasingly difficult to put forth the effort to see matters through properly.  Thankfully, she wouldn’t have to do so much longer.  The weather in Sedfair was changing more rapidly than that in the Three Kingdoms, from what Ardra had conveyed to her the previous evening.  That was especially true here in Nals, with the warmer ocean breezes typical of early spring already being felt.  This morning she had passed the word to begin the voting.  Word was being carried by members of the Guild to all corners of Sedfair, and within a couple of days the results would begin pouring in.

Rosul stared out of the small window in her temporary quarters in one of the few remaining wings of the old castle.  Everything that had been part of the wing that had once been the residence of the royal family was long gone.  The luxurious greeting areas, and the meeting rooms were lost.  The grand ballroom and the central courtyard as well.  Only the servant’s wing, and part of the far corridor where senior officers had quarters had survived the attacks with Carif and her rebel Casters.  That was where she had her quarters at the moment.  It was enough.  With the coming of winter, there had been no opportunity to consider repairs.  Most of the rubble had been hauled away before the weather turned really bad, and now that the snows had cleared the barren scar in the earth where other parts of the castle had once been stood stark and ugly outside her window.  It didn’t matter.  Rosul had proposed what she hoped would be the new complex for the government, but she hadn’t pushed the start of construction.  That would be one of the early decisions to be made by the incoming Queen.  Perhaps the next leader wouldn’t agree with Rosul’s vision, and would prefer a return to the older structures.

Her eyes crossed over the remains of the old Guild Headquarters.  The upper stories were gone, a ragged and uneven wall defining the roof that remained.  Enough repairs had been possible to make the lowest and only surviving level habitable, and the leaders of the new Guild made their offices there.  Rosul would press the incoming leadership to make no changes there.  The leadership was now shared, reflecting the changes that had been implemented.  The Guild now represented both traditional Casters, and the new wizards that were being discovered in surprising numbers across the kingdom.  The presence of basic magic that had long been in use by the people of Sedfair had masked the inherent abilities of many, but the special devices that the wizards from the Outpost had provided had helped reveal many novice gifted.  Male and female were both equally welcome, as represented by Ardra and Lyes, who despite being a bit young for such responsibilities had performed remarkably well.  The two functioned well together, and had made great strides in bringing the severely wounded organization together.

Ardra had focused on the open issues, both the Baldari and the missing rebel Casters, including Shym, one of Carif’s Eight.  Lyes had taken on more of the necessary administrative tasks and seeing the university reopened.  That had already happened, with the classes having begun just two weeks earlier.  Fen had returned from the Outpost, anxious for more formal instruction after months of self-study and working with the talented wizards of the Three Kingdoms.  Lyes had privately told Rosul that Fen was the equal of most seniors, and in many cases knew far more than they did.  He had been given an advanced placement, something never done before, and he was enrolled as a junior, the fourth year level.  He’d been asked to set aside his staff while at the university, but no one had any intention of saying he had no right to it.  Much of their success had been a direct result of the young man’s efforts. 

The Guild was being geared to provide training to both Casters and wizards, with support from several of the Outpost’s senior instructors.  For now, the first year of instruction for wizards would be at the Guild University, with a transfer to the Outpost for the remainder.  In coming years, it was hoped that the University would be able to provide the full training for the growing ranks of gifted.

Thinking of the Guild, Rosul’s thought turned to the report that Ardra had delivered the previous evening upon her return from across the Wastelands.  The cursed Baldari were back, and more dangerous than before.  The respite that the winter had provided appeared to be over.  The timing was terrible.  But it was one reason she had pressed to accelerate the selection of Sedfair’s new leader.  Whoever was to follow her, needed to be a part of the decisions taken against the Baldari.  The Baldari and perhaps even more.  Rosul let her mind sift the information that Ardra had brought back, especially the vision provided by young Mitty and the possibility that some strange group was behind the attacking southerners.  She looked forward to speaking with Mitty herself.  Rosul had known the young woman had developed visions, but hadn’t appreciated the nature of them.  Ardra had indicated that she and Rigo would be returning in a day, two at most.

The southern border was most at risk, and Rosul had already reassigned a large number of the forces formerly on eastern border patrol to that part of the country.  The Chulls were almost nonexistent now, which had freed up much of the Army.  The entire southern border would be watched, and a careful survey made along the base of the Great Mountains that cut off the jungles from southern Sedfair.  It was imperative that they know if the Baldari had found a route through the mountains that needed to be blocked. 

For the first time, an expedition would be sent deep into the Wastelands in an attempt to discover the route being used by the attacking Baldari.  The force would be a joint effort of Sedfair’s Casters, and the wizards from the Three Kingdoms.  Not for the first time she realized how much Sedfair owed the kingdoms across the Ruins.  The expedition into the Wastelands would be all but impossible without their experience in the hostile desert and special talismen they possessed.  Hopefully they would find the passageway used by the Baldari.  Of course, given the recent developments and the ability of the Baldari to block their magic, would knowing their route be of any use?  One step at a time, Rosul realized. 

As she stepped away from the window, Rosul realized once again she didn’t have any idea what she wished to do once she was relieved of the burdens of leadership.  At one time she had looked forward to returning to the family estates.  That no longer was appealing.  The formerly grand villa was in ruins, and all members of her family who had lived there had been killed by Carif and her rebels.  With family gone, and Kall killed, she knew she wouldn’t be happy even if the place was rebuilt and restored to its former grandeur.  She had once expected that the island, now deserted, would have been a major focus of her retirement.  Those who had lived there were now part of the new Guild, no longer forced to hide their ability.  Alani, her lifelong friend and loyal assistant had suggested that they share the small chateau she’d inherited a day’s ride down the coast from Nals.  The more Rosul thought about it, the more appealing it became.  She and Alani had always gotten along well, and having someone to share her days with was going to be important.  It was one more decision that needed to be made soon.

Idly, she picked up the copy of the voting sheet that had been provided to her.  This sheet, or one much like it, would be available at all of the voting centers.  This was something new for the people of Sedfair, and she wondered how smoothly it would go.  Purposefully she had stayed out of the elections. She would have no part of the selection of her replacement, to ensure no one could point to undue influence.  For the same reasons, the Guild had been kept at arm’s length.  Other than providing the
Doorways
to expedite movement of the candidates and officials, they were also not part of the process, once again a great change from the previous years where the Guild orchestrated the whole thing.  Great care had been taken to select a committee of nobles, businessmen, and scholars who were trusted and respected enough to coordinate the election and oversee the tally of votes.

Rosul let her eyes wander over the list of nine names.  In her mind, half were wholly unqualified. She would be interested to see how it turned out, and whether others shared her view.  Obviously, enough disagreed with her that these had made it to the final ballot.  Surprisingly, two of the names on the list were from the five names that Carif had made known as candidates for the position.  The young woman Carif had intended to win had long ago dropped out, the backlash from the revelation ending any chance she might have had.  Rosul was surprised, and a little dismayed, that these two had garnered enough support to survive to the voting day.  She shook her head and set the paper back down.  It was out of her hands.  Whoever won, she would spend a month mentoring the incoming leader, helping them understand the problems and intricacies of the post before withdrawing for the last time.  She just hoped it wasn’t one of those she held in disdain.  Sedfair needed a capable leader now, one with the energy and wisdom to move against the problems ahead.  There were three names on that list who she felt were qualified to do that.  One of them was male, but Rosul was certain that was more change than the kingdom was yet ready for.  She couldn’t see him winning.

A knock at the door interrupted her mental wanderings.  She turned to see Rigo and Mitty walking her way.  There was a certain glow in Mitty’s face, and Rosul was curious what it implied. 

The attack at Fernwah clearly suggested the Baldari attacks were not random as one time believed, and they had a purpose and goal, even if they weren’t always apparent to the defenders.  This time acquiring the power crystals had obviously been the ultimate aim.  Fortunately, few of the crystals had been on hand, and knowing their interest, every effort would be made to keep the location of stockpiles secret.  Changes were made in the location of the Army so that the majority of the guardsmen in the area were located adjacent to the mines.  Similar changes were made throughout Sedfair where it was felt facilities might be at risk.  Clearly, the power crystals were of use to the Baldari as they could be seen to have somehow helped create the protective barrier.

The attack had shown that despite the powerful magic that mostly kept the attacking force from harm, the Baldari were not suddenly indestructible as had been feared when the force had attacked Kellmore just over a month earlier.  The latest attack demonstrated that they had to release the protection to commence any attack of their own, at which time they became as susceptible to normal weapons and magic as they ever had been.  Only a small part of the force that had made its way to Fernwah had escaped back into the Wastelands with their spoils.

Encouraged by the successes enjoyed during the last attack, preparations were made to prepare for future encounters, which were believed a certainty.  The southwestern border of Sedfair was heavily patrolled by the Guard, which had greatly been increased in strength, moving the men from the posts all along the rest of the border.  They were no longer needed to watch for the Chulls.  That appeared to be an era that had now passed.  Only minimum forces were kept in place against the increasingly rare sightings of the creatures.  Rigo had worked with the Army, making sure each squad had several of the special locator bracelets, which could be activated to alert those back in Nals that an attack was commencing.  A force of wizards and Casters were on continuous standby to jump to the location of an alert, knowing they would have to follow the invaders until they dropped their shield.  At that time one of the wizards would return to direct the force that had been assembled by the alert into the battle wherever it was.

Every village of any size or importance that might be a target was also shown how the bracelets worked, and at least two individuals who lived there were tasked with the responsibility of activating the devices should an attack materialize.  This would help ensure that should the Baldari somehow escape the notice of the patrols, either by coming by an alternate route or some other means, a quick response to their presence would still be possible.

It was fortunate that such planning had been put into place.  Over the following month, Sedfair was the target of three attacks of Baldari forces, and Kellmore another as well.  The first was a smaller force than usual, initiating a half day’s ride north of the southern border.  The Baldari riders rode out of the harsh desert sands, crossing into the border regions, bypassing the first villages encountered.  Their presence was detected early while they were still in the transition region, and the nearby forces gathered and followed after the Baldari riders as they turned eastward and inland.  The major who lead the forces ordered the tracking bracelet activated, and before they had ridden a tenth of a glass, the familiar sight of Casters with their glowing staffs appeared out of the unseen
Doorway
nearby.

After several attempts to engage the Baldari forces, the defenders settled down to follow them to their chosen destination.  The bolts of magical energy were turned aside effortlessly, and while some of the special arrows, densely covered with magic fighting runes and glyphs were able to penetrate into the mass of riders, their flight directions were so badly disturbed they were mostly ineffectual.  One or two actually made strikes, but upon a target far removed from the one initially selected.  Since less than one in a hundred arrows had any effect, it was decided to terminate the attempt, lest the archers end up without arrows when the barrier was dropped later.

The ride showed the stamina of the Baldari mounts.  For more than two days the riders continued without rest.  The Sedfair forces were unable to maintain this kind of pace, so the wizards and Casters began making
Doorways
that advanced half of the forces ahead of the invaders to the most distant spot that could be seen.  There they waited until the force caught up to the new location, at which time the rested horses and men would take up the pursuit while those who had been riding would be whisked ahead where they could wait and rest. 

The spot chosen for the assault was at the narrowest strip of land separating the Wastelands from the Eastern Ocean.  While Sedfair was normally a month’s travel or more wide, near the southern border the land pinched inward so that the ocean could be reached from the Wastelands in a few days.  Riding continuously as they did, the Baldari compressed this travel into just short of two days, arriving in the hills overlooking the town of Safran and the small harbor that supplied the southern cities of the country.  This appeared to be the destination of the Baldari riders, and they continued down the hills in the early dawn, unholy screams coming from their throats as they charged toward the structures below.  These were the only sounds that had been heard by the trailing troops the entire time, and one of the more attentive Casters, despite being groggy from two days without sleep, noted the intense gleam from the small torch with the power crystal had dimmed considerably.  Guessing correctly this signified the protective barrier was down or dropping, he shouted to his fellows as he sent a blast of
Brightfire
into the Baldari.  As he hoped, the beam struck home, cutting a path through half a dozen of the small warriors.  The major signaled the wizard who had been tasked with taking news of the location where the Baldari planned to attack back to Nals, to leave, and bring back the waiting forces.  At almost the same time, he signaled the archers to unleash the arrows they had been hoarding for days.

The Baldari were not unaware they were now at risk, and with some kind of coordination known only to themselves, they broke into numerous bands, making them difficult to attack in force.  While some were taken down by magic and more conventional weapons, the majority charged into the town, taking the residents who were out at this early hour by surprise.  Dozens died as the sharp Baldari blades lopped off heads or appendages as they passed.  Small pouches that had been carried upon the mounts behind the Baldari riders were retrieved, set afire, and tossed into structures as they rode past.  Before long, whole areas of the town were afire, bringing out more of the alarmed citizens and exposing them to the sharp blades of the attackers.  Safran was far enough from the border that it hadn’t been considered at risk by the residents.  They were learning very painfully just how wrong they were. 

One of the wizards, a tall youth with long blond hair, followed with tenacity as he tracked the location of the Baldari who carried the small torch that had provided protection for the group the past couple of days.  As they zigged and zagged through the narrow streets of the town it was difficult to get a clear shot at the invader, but once they broke out into the open harbor that changed.  Seeing the first opportunity, the youth unleashed his strongest blast of condensed fire at the Baldari who was unaware he was being specifically targeted.  The magical energy was well placed, and struck the rider and horse straight on, wrapping them in a sheet of swirling fire that hid them momentarily from view.  The intensity of the attack was so great that the young wizard was certain he had accomplished his goal, making certain that when the Baldari chose to flee, they would not have their protection this time.  He was completely surprised to see the rider emerge from the sheets of fire unscathed, carrying the torch that had protected him, even though it was not protecting the rest of the force.  The Baldari turned his head in the wizard’s direction, flashing him a toothy grin before turning his mount and charging back in his direction.  An unholy screech reached the young wizard’s ears as the Baldari rode directly at him.  The young wizard knew he was in trouble, and unleashed
Brightfire
at both the rider and the strange mount, all to no avail.  A group of guardsmen had ridden up behind the wizard, and the archers were unleashing arrows as quickly as they could, while those with spears and swords prepared for a more intimate encounter.  Unlike the other Baldari involved in the attack, this one seemed impossible to stop.

Unfazed by the weapons, magical and otherwise, being sent in his direction, the Baldari rider kept his focus on the wizard who had attempted to kill him.  With little or no concern for his welfare, the Baldari charged directly into the group of guardsmen who surrounded the wizard.  As he passed through the swords that struck at him, all slowed as if they were attempting to cut through thick mud, he reached within a couple of paces of the frightened wizard, his pale blue eyes wide with apprehension.  Then, without warning, the small torch with the power crystal, which was the only weapon the Baldari raider carried, flared brightly, the powerful green energy released in an instant with a powerful blast that shook the surrounding structures, causing more than one wall to be blown in.  The youthful wizard and the fifteen guardsmen who had supported him simply ceased to be.  So did the Baldari who had carried the torch, but that was a very lopsided and unfavorable exchange.  A massive hole appeared in the group where the wizards had been when the blast occurred.

The rest of the attacking Baldari seemed unfazed by the loss of their torch carrier.  As independent groups of less than a dozen, they headed north along the beach, killing and destroying whatever they could.  They fought fiercely when they encountered the defending guardsmen, but now that the reserve forces had arrived with dozens of Casters and wizards, the battle was suddenly one sided.  The Baldari had no protection against the magic brought to bear against them, and none of their own to fight back.  Swords against magic was an uneven fight.  In short order, the battle was ended.

“What were they after?” Ardra asked angrily as she paced alongside the table where the meeting was being held. 

“There appeared to be no target,” Roinse replied.  Roinse had been in charge of the force that had gone to the aid of the defenders when word of the attack location had been forwarded to Nals.  All were killed.  They made no attempt to take a specific location, seemingly content to cause as much damage and killing as possible.  Even the Baldari who carried their magical protection seemed willing to sacrifice himself.  It was as if they had no intention of ever leaving alive.”

“Terror?  Intelligence?” Lyes asked.

“They could not have learned very much,” Major Tarnar suggested.  “It was a costly endeavor if that was their purpose.”

Ardra looked at Rigo, who had thus far been silent as he listened to the reports of the attack.

“What do you think?  Did Mitty have any visions regarding this?

“She did, but they were of little value.  The Baldari were already being tracked well in advance.  She had images the morning of the attack, but they only began when the torch carrier killed himself.”

Rigo didn’t mention that Mitty had also started having visions of the strange chamber with the woman with the lavender hair and pale skin.  It was as if the visions had been blocked, but with her pregnancy and the onset of her Seer ability, the
Farvision
had returned with more power and more subtly.  Unlike before when the strange woman seemed always aware of Mitty’s viewing, now Mitty claimed she could watch undetected for extended periods before something brought her suddenly to the attention of the woman.  There was no longer any doubt in Mitty’s mind that the woman knew of her viewings, and might have had a hand in blocking them for so long.  The last time Mitty had said the woman looked annoyed to discover Mitty’s presence.  Mitty had also been certain she was doing something.  She appeared more active and focused than she had at other times.  That was three days before the
Baldari
had appeared along the southern border.

“It sounds more like the attacks of past years from what I have been told,” Rigo said after a brief pause.  “In those days it didn’t seem like a definite objective was as obvious.  This is the first time they have made for the coast, and that was what they attempted in Kellmore as well.  Yet once there, they didn’t seem to have a purpose.  It seems a costly way to have a look at your enemy’s facilities.”

“How do they function so smoothly?” Major Tarnar asked.  “All the time they were followed, and even through the initiation of the attacks, no verbal commands were exchanged.  I have never known an army to function in such a manner.  Our own forces would be hopelessly disorganized if we attempted such a thing.”

“They can also control their mounts somehow,” Ardra added.  “I have seen this before, and it was in the reports that mounts that had lost riders were brought into the battle somehow.”

“Ash’urn has suggested they use a form of mental exchange in place of spoken words,” Rigo said.  “He told me of reading of this kind of ability, but disbelieved it as no one in his travels had ever demonstrated the ability.  If they can communicate by thought, and also control their mounts in the same manner, a lot of what we are seeing would make more sense.”

“How would one do this?” Lyes asked.  “I have seen nothing in magic that suggests such a capability.”