Captain Halik was in shocked surprise. They they surrendered the city to you?
Syenna turned her own angry look at Aren. What are you doing?
Thats right. Aren nodded and then turned to face General Karpasic. Its all mine. So, if anyone is empowered to surrender the city to you, General, it would be me.
Karpasic looked up at Aren with unabashed hatred.
Oh, come on! Aren rolled his eyes in frustration as he leaned back in his saddle. General, what do you think Ive been doing all this time in the city? Ive been playing them. I bemoaned my fate, I appealed to their sympathies and asked for their pity. And they gave it! I showed them this ridiculous, lousy sword and convinced them it was some sort of sign of prophecy that the good old days before the Fall were coming back. I even talked them into walking away from their city with their personal trash and leaving all their legendary treasures behind. And now theyre even going to do it. The Obsidian Army doesnt lose any more men at arms, and everyone gets rich on the spoils. Im here to hand all that to you, so how does that make me your enemy?
Karpasic stared at Aren, struggling to think through everything he had just heard.
Look, all I ask is for a piece of the plunder, Aren said, flashing a brilliant smile. Is that too much to ask? I mean, I already own the city and all, so I dont really have to share. Just accept my surrender, give me, oh, say, a tenth of your take, General, and well just forget about everything thats happened and get back to the business of conquest.
Karpasics eyes narrowed in thought and then his face relaxed into a smile. Why not?
Captain! Syennas voice shook in anger. You cannot do this! You promised the people of Opalis Aren ignored her as he smiled back at the general. A wise and reasonable bargain, General.
Indeed, and Ill be happy to hold it for you, Captain, Karpasic finished.
Hold it for m-me? Aren stammered.
Why, of course. The general nodded, placing his gloved hands on his wide hips. Perhaps you have forgotten, but your orders still include leading these people to Hilt for"what did you call it"resettlement?
Wait! Surely someone else can nursemaid these people back to the Obsidians, Aren objected. Captain Halik, for example, is perfectly capable of"
Oh, Captain Halik will be going with you, but only you can lead this column back to Hilt, Captain Bennis, the general said with no small delight. Perhaps you forget that the Cabal of the Obsidians is also most anxious to examine that ridiculous, lousy sword of yours. Im afraid there is no one else as uniquely suited to the job as you.
Aren drew in a long breath. So, youll hold on to my percentage of the citys plunder?
Absolutely. Karpasic nodded, he mouth breaking into a grin. And when the Obsidians are finished with you, you can come right back and get it.
The stream of refugees coming from the North Gate of Opalis had been going on for more than an hour. It already stretched for miles to the east across the South Paladis plain. Now the column snaked eastward, trailing both Captain Bennis and the scout Syenna. She had spoken of a little-used track that could lead them more quickly across the prairie to find the Broken Road and then bring them northeast to the pa.s.s through the Blackblade range and to Hilt.
When the last of them was clear of the city, Aren had promised Karpasic, the mystical, glowing dome that protected the city would vanish. That would signal the end of the citys defense and the open invitation to enter the walls and strip the spoils from Opalis.
Yet before that could happen, each of the refugees, their carts, and their wagons had to pa.s.s between several ranks of satyrs whom General Karpasic had ordered specifically to the duty of inspecting the column for contraband; in this case, weapons or, more important, treasure. It was a unique quality of the satyrs that they could smell gold. Their cousin fauns could even use their high-pitched voices to call to gemstones. Their voices would reverberate and resonate within the crystal structures in ways that they could hear. It was a specific talent the Obsidians had concocted for each of their races when they were reshaped from the humans they once had been, and one of the few that had worked out better than the sorcerers had antic.i.p.ated.
It was their task to insure that nothing of value was taken from the city, hidden among the refugees. Their reward was that they could be the first to enter the city.
Halt! bleated the satyr as he stepped in front of a large wagon. It had just crossed the causeway from the North Gate and was moving between the jittery ranks of satyrs.
A stocky man with broad shoulders walking beside the oxen coaxed the team to a stop with a long, willow goad. A woman sat on the seat at the front of the freight wagon as it lurched to a halt, her boots pressed against the footboard and her hands clinging to the edges of the seat in a white-knuckled grip. Both the man and the woman wore long cloaks, their hoods pushed back. The man turned to the satyr and quietly asked, Can I help you?
Inspection, the satyr screeched. He had forgotten everything about who he had once been, and the language came hard to him. His hind hooves clacked against the stones protruding from the ground as he moved back toward the wagon. He gestured up toward the wagon seat. This your woman?
The woman with the thick, curly hair at the front of the wagon glared with her large, dark eyes indignantly back at the scrawny creature striding in her direction. In point of fact, I am most certainly not his woman, or anyone elses for that matter! Im the loremistress of"
Shes my sister, the man interrupted with a broad grin, his face outlined by a circle of white beard and a fringe of hair. You know how they can be!
In point of fact, the satyr had no idea how they could be and was about to say so when two other satyrs and a faun scrambled up to him from behind the wagon.
Well, Simeus? the satyr asked. Do you smell anything?
Not a single nugget, the thin satyr answered.
And I sang em, too, the faun offered. Not a gemstone in the whole box, Gargo.
Well, they got to be carrying something, Gargo answered. Thus far they had not found a single thing worth confiscating. Its a mighty big wagon for hauling nothing!
I checked the box, Simeus said. Figured it might be worth a look.
And? Gargo demanded.
Nothing but fruits, dried meats, water, bread, Simeus answered, shaking his horned head. And stacks of them What do they call them books?
Books! Gargo snarled.
Aye. Simeus shrugged. Books, scrolls, and the like.
All day, nothing but paper. Gargo spat on the ground between his hooves. Every wagon weve looked in is full of writing. Its all barely worth burning, and thats what they bring with them. No wonder we conquered them so quicklike! Bunch of fools!
Excuse me? the man standing near the front of the oxen asked. Is there a problem?
Youre the problem! the satyr screeched back at him. Youre blocking the road! Get this garbage out of my sight!
As you wish, the man said, urging the oxen forward to follow the line of wagons stretched before him toward the eastern horizon.
The last of the wagons left the North Gate just before sundown. It had barely cleared the causeway when, in the failing light of day, the dome over the city flickered and then vanished.
Every member of Karpasics army"from the general and his captains, down through his warriors and archers, his elves, fauns, ogres, and satyrs, and even to the teamsters, smithies, and cooks"could see at once that the city was instantly defenseless.
The refugees were, in that moment, forgotten.
The warriors poured across the causeway through the North Gate. They flowed into the wide avenue of Muse Way that ran as a circle inside the city walls. They were soon met by others in the army who had charged through the rubble of the collapsed Fields Gate and were pouring into the city from that breach as well. The Storm Gate to the southeast was discovered to be left open and, in a moment, the army was pouring into the city through that gate too.
Everyones eyes were fixed on the obvious prize: the towering citadel of the t.i.tans near the center of the city. They converged on its outer wall, searching for its gate, for a way in so that they might find the treasure for themselves.
So quick was the rush into the city, for each member of the army determined to take as much as he could for himself from the citadel, that the encampment of the Westreach Army was completely abandoned.
Including the supply wagons.
Three men stood at the crest of the hill, gazing east toward the towers of Opalis that stood shining in the last light of the setting sun.
Theyre pouring into the city, the scout reported between gulping breaths. Theyve posted no pickets to guard their perimeter. Even the encampment appears to be abandoned.
Boreus was right, Tribune Marcus Tercius observed with a nodding grin. They are not expecting company.
Legate Pla.n.u.s Argo could barely make out the stream of refugees moving slowly eastward beyond the city. He could see movement within the walls, but none outside.
Then I believe it is time for us to come calling, the legate said, setting his jaw. He looked down the hill to either side. His legions were facing east as well, their eyes, too, set on Opalis. The order is given. Tell the commanders they are to charge and surround the city and then prepare to lay siege to it.
By your word, Legate! the scout answered, smartly slapping his scabbard against his leg in salute. He then ran down the hill toward the ranks of warriors over a mile long in each direction, waiting for word.
How long do you think they will be able to hold out? asked Marcus Tercius as he, too, looked toward the distant city.
Legate Argo folded his arms across his chest, considering. If we can confiscate their supply wagons, and if what Boreus told us is true He has proven to be correct so far, Marcus observed.
Then this shouldnt take long at all. The legate smiled.
CHAPTER.
27.
Epiphany General Karpasic pushed his way through the group of confused and listless satyrs. He choked suddenly, coughing from the dust that filled the corridor from the collapsed wall he had just climbed over. He had liberated a lantern from one of the citys shops earlier in the evening. He now held it high over and to the side of his head, trying to pierce the darkness of what had been an enormous, elegant hall.
It had taken the greater part of the day to break into the citadel. The flood of warriors into the city through the open and broken gates had, predictably, resulted in considerable chaos for the first few hours as such discipline that had existed dissolved into cutthroat greed. They poured into the abandoned buildings of Opalis all along Muse Way and down into the back alleys among the smaller shops and homes. The warriors spread over the city like locusts devouring a field. The crashing sound of ransacking each building grew with every moment.
That sound was soon followed by a growing howl of anger and betrayal. There was gold and even a few gems to be rutted out here and there among the buildings, but the legendary wealth of Opalis was not evident in the shops, stalls, or homes of the city. The scavengers washed back and forth within the walls of the town like water in a bucket suddenly jarred, desperately seeking the hidden trove that would make their hardships and spilled blood worthwhile.
It was just before evening that the focus of their frustrations fell on the towering citadel near the middle of the town. General Karpasic had been considering the problem since they first entered the city, but he had become increasingly puzzled by it as the evening wore on. He had personally circ.u.mnavigated the outer wall of the citadel a number of times, somehow unable to accept that there could be a defensive wall around the towers that had no gate at all. He considered the possibilities of a hidden gate or an underground pa.s.sage. He had only two kobolds at his command"the latest of the reshaped creatures from the Cabal of the Obsidians"and he directed both of them to search for any subterranean access. Unfortunately, he had not heard from either of them since. A number of the elves had scaled the wall, only to report that there was no access into the tower from the top of the wall either. As the sun set to the west, the rage of his own army was gravitating toward the marketplace at the foot of the citadel and Karpasic. Growing frustrated himself, he knew he had to act.
He commanded the remaining ogres into the marketplace. If he could not go over the wall or under the wall, then he would go through the wall.
The ogres were particularly adept at this sort of work, although the masonwork of the citadels outer wall was particularly smooth and well fitted, making it difficult for the ogres to get a proper grip on the stone. In the end, they resorted to brute force, punching the wall to break up its surface and allow them a proper hold.
Now, Karpasic made his way into the interior of the tower, illuminated only by the lantern in his hand. The dust was settling, and his vision down the hall was limited but clearing. The hall appeared to end in a larger, round s.p.a.ce. He could see the shadowy form of a great statue on the other side of the rotunda.
There, he thought, his smile broadening. There it is!
Piled in the center of the rotunda were stacks of chests, nearly filling the central s.p.a.ce. Many of them were filled to overflowing with coins spilling out onto the floor. Their warm shine winked back at him in the light of his lamp.
Karpasic rushed forward, stumbling slightly over some debris scattered across the polished floor of the hall. Behind him, the satyrs stared at him in confusion. He gained his footing in the tomblike darkness, turning back to scowl at them.
What are you waiting for? he bellowed. Were here! Weve found it!
The general caught his balance and stepped quickly down the dark hall. The pool of light from his lantern swung shifting shadows over the walls, floor, and ceiling. He came quickly into the expanse of the deserted rotunda. Three statues stood at equal points at the perimeter of the curving wall. They each looked down on him, their features shifting in disapproval with the movement of the lantern light. The illusion startled Karpasic for a moment, but then he sneered both at the figures and at his reaction.
Ghosts, he said. Ive beaten you, and now youre nothing at all.
He turned to the treasure stacked high in the center of the room. He could see the glint of gems interspersed with the warm color of the shining coins. He smiled, reaching his hand forward, trying to plunge it into the pile. The coins moved at his touch, creating a small avalanche.
The coins rang brightly as they cascaded to the floor. The sound echoed through the hall as several of the coins rolled away.
The general frowned.
Gold coins would have dented as they were dropped onto the marble floor. They would not have rolled away.
General Karpasic curled his fingers around several of the coins as he pulled his hand away from the treasure. He pulled the lamp closer, keeping it slightly behind his head as he peered at the coins in his hand.
The color of the metal was golden in the light of the lantern, but duller than he might expect from gold. He could see engraved on its face the symbol of Etceter, apparently where the coin was issued as currency. He slid several of the coins through his fingers. Another had a symbol he did not recognize, but the third was definitely the crest of the Lords of Resolute. Then there was another from Etceter.
The general slipped a coin between his teeth. He was surprised by the bitter taste. The metal did not bend between his teeth.
He suddenly understood why the satyrs were standing at the end of the hallway, confused. He had sent them in to sniff out the gold.
He looked down at the coins in his hands.
Bra.s.s, he murmured. Theyre all bra.s.s.
He suddenly cast the coins to ring against the floor and reached for the nearest of the obvious gems. It appeared to be a ruby of unusual size. He drew it close, turning it in the light.
Scratches marked the surface of the facets.
In a rage, Karpasic turned, throwing the object fiercely against the wall.
It shattered into dust and small shards.
Gla.s.s! he yelled. He left me gla.s.s?
Karpasic charged back down the hall toward the satyrs, who, seeing his approach, drew back against the walls.
Bennis! The generals breath was ragged as he charged down the hall. His voice rose with every step. Keep my ten percent, he said. Give us safe pa.s.sage, he said. Now hes left me here with a pile of bra.s.s coins that are good only for trading with enemy kingdoms while he rides, laughing, across the plains toward the protective arms of his sorcerer conspirator!
The general stopped in the hall, his shoulders shuddering in rage. He raised his fist, shaking it at the ceiling overhead. Ill see him drawn and quartered first! Ill run him to ground on the plains before he even makes camp, and bleed his followers until the ground refuses to soak up their blood! Not a dog will be left alive among them before Im"
General! Captain Odman was struggling through the rubble of the towers breach. His voice was considerably higher and more excited than Karpasic remembered ever hearing it before. General Karpasic!
What! the general screamed.
The captain might have quailed at the sound of the generals rage any other time, but panic overwhelmed his fear. An army, General! An army has surrounded the city!