A Ranger From Adamnar

Despite their burdens, Alana and Torson made it back to the stronghold in less than ten minutes. They set the clerks down and guided them to trainees who were waiting to take them back to the dining hall where the rest of the non-combatants would remain until the battle was over.

Lord Waylan stood there by the North Gate with his arms folded across his chest, his hair plastered against his head from the rain. He wore two long swords and about a dozen daggers in various places on his body. Alana gazed at him for a while and thought that he appeared different somehow. He seemed more—dangerous. He looked over at her, frowned and said, “Go get something to eat.”

“But Waylan, there isn’t time,” Alana protested.

Waylan un-crossed his arms, put his hands on his hips and shouted, “That’s an order, Ranger!”

Alana stared at him. There was a look in his eyes she had never seen before. “Yes, Lord Waylan,” she answered. Then she and Torson headed toward the dining hall.

As they walked Torson said, “You’re the only person I know who argues with him.”

Alana shrugged, “Somebody has to.”

Alana and Torson found that they didn’t have to go to the dining hall—the dining hall had come to them. An enormous tent had been set up in the middle of the open area of the compound. One side of the tent was completely open and Alana could see Nessa standing near the biggest pot of stew she had ever seen. Rangers were handed a bowl and spoon at the door and then they lined up to be served the steaming hot stew. There was enough room in the tent for the Rangers to stand inside and eat their meal out of the driving rain. As the delicious smell of the stew wafted into her nostrils, Alana realized that she was actually quite hungry. She got her bowl and spoon and got in line. When she got to Nessa, the cook said, “Now you be careful out there, young miss.”

“I will, Nessa,” Alana replied. “The stew smells great as always.”

“Thank you much,” Nessa replied.

Alana found an open spot in the tent to stand. It was nice to be out of the wind and rain. Of course now her soaking wet clothes clung to her and she was starting to feel a little cold. Eating the hot stew helped. It almost seemed surreal to be standing there eating a bowl of stew when there were thousands of T’Rundi bearing down on the stronghold. Alana knew, however, that this would be her last opportunity to eat anything substantial for a long time.

As she finished her meal, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. She smiled and leaned back against Ben’s chest. He bent his head and said quietly, “Hey beautiful. How are you holding up?”

“I’m all right,” she replied. She turned around in his embrace and said, “How about you? Have you gotten some stew?”

“Yes,” he answered with a nod. “Waylan yelled at me as soon as I got back to the stronghold.”

“At least he’s consistent,” she said wryly. “So,” Alana began, “I guess everything is ready. The only thing left to do is take our place on the wall.”

“Well, there is one more thing,” Ben responded. “Actually, there’s two.” He paused for a moment then said, “I started to tell you before all this—I’m being promoted to area commander of the near mid-range ring.”

Alana’s eyes widened. She put down her bowl and spoon, threw her arms around his neck and said, “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” he said with a smile. “But that’s not everything.” He stepped away from her a bit so he could look into her eyes. “I want you to come with me to be one of my patrol leaders. You’re the best Ranger for the job and I want you to work for me.” He smiled a bit sheepishly and added, “And I also just want you to be with me.”

Alana got a lump in her throat. The look on his face melted her heart. She touched his face and said, “I would be honored to work for you and happy to be wherever you are.”

Ben’s smile could have illuminated the entire tent. He grabbed her around the waist and picked her up. “You have no idea how happy that makes me,” he said. “I love you so much.”

Alana smiled down at him and said, “I love you too.” Then she kissed him deeply.

When he finally put her down they were both breathless. “I told the rest of the patrol group to meet me in the stables,” he said. “I have one more thing I want to do before we go to the wall.”

“What is it?” Alana asked.

“You’ll see,” he replied. “Just meet them in the stables.”

Lord Berol’s office had been turned into a war room. He, Lord Lof Vonas, Lord Arimy, and Lord Ejrin were gathered around a large table looking at a map of the stronghold and the surrounding forest. The outpost lords were gathered together behind them, finalizing their strategy. Pellou was sitting in Lord Berol’s chair with his feet up on the massive mahogany desk.

“They’re not going to see this coming,” Lord Tumenick said.

“Well that’s the idea,” Pellou responded. He brought the front legs of his chair back to the floor and stood up.

“We’re very lucky to have you with us,” Lord Felinto said. “I don’t think the outposts would have been much help without you.” The seven remaining outpost commanders walked with Pellou out of Lord Berol’s office into the courtyard.

“Now listen up,” Pellou said to the group. “Make sure everyone is ready. Make sure they’re all interlocked both hands on forearms. We’re going to lose enough Rangers in battle. We don’t need to lose any through stupidity.”

“How long’ll we have to stand like that?” asked Lord Tumenick.

“About seven hours, Finn,” Pellou said with a perfectly straight face, paused a moment, then burst out laughing. “I’ll stop by each outpost about fifteen minutes before everyone needs to link.”

Lord Grann from Weider Outpost, the southern-most, said, “You’re not taking this very seriously.”

“By the gods,” Pellou said, wide eyed, “I think you’re right. We’re all gonna die tomorrow.” Then he added more seriously, “Lord Grann in all your lifetime you won’t see a tiny bit of what I’ve seen in a week. Lakes of fire filled with burning agonized bodies. It’s either learn to laugh or go mad.”

“Yeah, in your case,” Grann said, “It’s a little of both.”

“Grann stop it,” Lord Tumenick said.

Pellou furrowed his brow and said, “Finn, don’t worry about it. I’m not going to desert you just because this pipsqueak insults me. I’ve been insulted on more worlds than he can spell, and by a lot smellier creatures. Well, you all better get your Rangers ready. I’ll be by according to plan.” With that last, he teleported away.

“I don’t see how he can make a big joke out of twelve thousand T’Rundi,” Lord Grann said.

“You know what I want to know,” Lord Felinto asked, “is why is a Plane Traveler hiding out in Adamnar Stronghold?”

“Well, I’m just glad he’s here,” Lord Tumenick replied. “I’ll see you all after the battle.” They

all nodded and began to teleport away back to their respective outposts.

Lord Berol looked over at Lord Lof Vonas and said, “The latest report still puts it at twelve thousand T’Rundi.”

“How in all the nine hells can that many T’Rundi mass without anyone noticing?” Lord Lof Vonas asked in frustration.

“I have no idea,” Lord Berol replied. “I hope to find out after this is over.”

Lord Chasimar came into the office and said, “Brother Bruny said he needs more priests.”

“I know,” Lord Lof Vonas replied. “I’ll get him priests in time. I am still having my lords teleport in more lords.”

“With Pellou teleporting the outposts, the T’Rundi will be fighting on two fronts,” Lord Berol said. “I have eight…seven outposts. That’s over seven hundred Rangers attacking the rear of the T’Rundi army. They thought to use the storm against us. Now we can use it against them. They won’t be able to see, hear or smell our Rangers.”

“So Privest is really gone?” Lord Ejrin asked.

Lord Berol nodded. “Only three Rangers made it out of there alive. They ran all the way here in front of the T’Rundi army. They only just got here and the T’Rundi are not far behind.”

“Are the Novadi coming?” Lord Vistor asked.

“They will come if they are needed,” Lord Lof Vonas replied.

“There’s twelve thousand T’Rundi heading for this stronghold,” Lord Vistor retorted. “I would say they are needed.”

“We are Rangers,” Lord Lof Vonas said sternly. “This is a battle we can win without Novadi.”

Lord Retak, who had been standing near a window looking out at the Rangers getting the stronghold ready, said, “I would wager there’s one Novadi who’ll show up whether you invite him or not.”

Lord Berol nodded. “You’re right about that.”

“As far as I’m concerned, there already was one Novadi in this stronghold before we arrived.” The lords turned to find Master Iliard Candril and his two lieutenants, Martea and Lucien, standing in the doorway.

All of the lords straightened up. “Master Iliard,” Lord Berol said, “We were just talking about you.”

Iliard smiled grimly, “I know.”

“This stronghold is yours to command,” Lord Berol said.

Iliard bowed his head slightly and replied, “Thank you, Van. But I am not here to command. I am here to help. Tell me where I am needed.”

Lord Berol looked over at Lord Lof Vonas and then back at Iliard. “Our defenses are weakest at the south gate. We fear it will be easily breached because if its size.”

Iliard nodded. “Then that is where we’ll go.” He turned to Lucien and Martea, who both nodded and walked out of the office. Iliard once again faced Lord Berol and asked, “Where is Alana?”

Lord Berol hesitated a moment before he answered, “Her patrol group is stationed on the north wall, Master Iliard. It is where we are putting most of our best fighters.”

Iliard closed his eyes for a moment and let out a long slow breath. He nodded his head and said, “You must do what is best for the stronghold.” He opened his eyes and said, “I will be at the south gate.” Then he turned and left Lord Berol’s office.

Lord Lof Vonas looked around the room at each of his lords in turn. “I think the time for planning is done. He walked over to a side table and picked up a flagon of wine. “Please, take a glass and join me in a toast.”

Ben finished pouring some wine into his cup. He looked around at his patrol group. Here were some of the best Rangers in the stronghold. He was proud of them. He raised his cup and said, “A toast…” but stopped when the door of the stables opened and Lord Waylan walked in. Lord Waylan met his gaze and nodded silently. Ben walked over to Lord Waylan and handed him the cup he had been holding. Then Ben raised the flagon of wine and repeated, “A toast—to the Luck of Rikus. Fortune in battle, a strong arm, a sharp sword. Who could ask for anything more?”

Lord Waylan raised his cup and said, “Here, here,” then downed the contents in one gulp as did the rest of the group. He looked around at the Rangers standing before him. “It’s time,” he said gruffly. Just before he turned to leave he said, “This is the time to remember everything I taught you.”

After their toast, Gandrere led his former trainees first to the mess tent, and then to south wall. All fourth phase trainees had been promoted to Rangers immediately. Gandrere was now a patrol leader. It was likely the fighting would get all the way round the stronghold, but this would be the last place. Magical fire pots had been placed all along the south wall crenelations. His group would dip their arrows before firing down on the approaching T’Rundi. The goal, as Lord Cartyet had explained it to him, was to make a natural obstacle of the T’Rundi themselves. The breach of south gate was inevitable. All his group could do was delay it.

Gandrere placed a hand on the shoulder of one of his patrol and said, “Make sure those pots are secure against the merlons. We don’t want them to get kicked. Won’t do to have us on fire instead of them.” The fire pots burned on despite the downpour. He visited each of his patrol in turn and encouraged them. Because of the size of south gate, it was not likely T’Rundi would try to scale the wall right where they were, so they had to expect T’Rundi to be coming at them from the sides on the wall walk.

He looked out at the fields. There wasn’t any retirata here. All the work had to be done to protect the north wall. T’Rundi were rather stupid and would surely attack the north wall alone. “I sure wish we’d put some trenches out there,” he mumbled to himself.

“Gandrere look!” Shouted one of his patrol. He looked at the Ranger, who was pointing down into the courtyard below, and then followed the man’s gaze. Three Novadi strode purposefully towards the middle of south gate. Gandrere’s spirits lifted. He couldn’t help but smile despite himself.

“Who are they,” the other Ranger asked.

“That’s Master Iliard, Wielder of the Jade dragon,” he said with genuine enthusiasm. “There won’t be any T’Rundi getting through this gate today.” He led a cheer on the wall. “Hurrah!” he shouted three times and his patrol, and all the Rangers on the wall who could hear him over the rain, answered in kind. Iliard looked up, drew his two long swords and ignited the Jade Dragon in response. Emerald green flames licked up the blade, heedless of the rain. Twenty more Ranger Lords gathered around the three Novadi.

Tumenick arrived at his outpost. “Tamis, how is it going?” he asked of his second in command.

“Well, the Rangers who are here are ready, but,” Tamis looked genuinely worried as he said it, “What about all those on Patrols? Some of them are days away. What can they do to help us? Do we send more Rangers out after them?”

“Easy there Tamis,” Lord Tumenick said as the pair walked the short distance from the center of the outpost to the small headquarters building. “We have a Plane Traveler on our side. He’s gonna spend the next few hours gathering in all the Patrols from all the Outposts. I can’t believe our good fortune.” Two of his Patrol leaders were waiting for him. The rest were all out.

“What’s a Plane Traveler?” Tamis asked. The other two patrol leaders looked equally baffled.

“A blessing from the gods, and,” Lord Tumenick answered as he drew his sword and began checking its edge, “judging from this one’s attitude, I’d say he was from Taelerion.

“That’s the last patrol,” Tamis said as Pellou teleported away. “He said he’ll be back after dawn.”

“Good,” Lord Tumenick said. “Gather the patrol leaders. I want to let them know how this is gonna go.”

“They’re already on their way,” Tamis said.

When all eight of them were assembled, Lord Tumenick stood up and said, “We’re going to war. Twelve thousand T’Rundi are marching hard to Adamnar. They’ll be there by morning. Something’s pushin’ that storm with them for cover.”

“Yeah, but that’s three days away,” one of the Patrol Leaders said. “How can we hope to be of any help?”

“That knight who brought you here,” Lord Tumenick said. “He’s a Plane Traveler and he claims he can teleport a hundred Rangers at once.”

“That’s not possible,” another leader said. “No one can teleport more than he can carry.”

“A Plane Traveler can, but we’ll talk about it after this is all over,” Lord Tumenick said. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. Since all the outposts are back in play, we’re gonna attack the T’Rundi from behind.”

“Eight hundred Rangers in the rear,” Tamis said, “I like it.”

“Seven hundred,” Lord Tumenick countered. “Privest was wiped out.”

“How’d they get in so close so fast?” one of the patrol leaders asked. “How’d they assemble right under the nose of the garrison patrols? I thought they kept a watch on all T’Rundi nations.”

“Lord Berol and Lord Lof Vonas were talking about that,” Lord Tumenick responded. “He said they’ll have to figure that one out once this is all over.”

“The Ruby Ranger is here?”

“Ranger Lords are teleporting in from all over,” Lord Tumenick said. “After the T’Rundi have engaged the stronghold and fighting has begun, Pellou is going to start teleporting the remaining outposts behind the T’Rundi. We’ll form up and harry them. If they spread out, we’ll spread out. All we have to do now is get ready and just before dawn form up in the center of the outpost and double lock arms tight.”

“Why?” asked Tamis.

“Pellou says if we’re not all holdin’ on tight, some of us will teleport away and be lost hundreds or thousands of miles away,” Lord Tumenick said. “Now get your Rangers ready, well fed and rested, weapons sharp and a toast before we go. If I learned one thing about Pellou is he’s never late and he doesn’t wait.”

When dawn came and all Lord Tumenick’s one hundred and twenty Rangers were standing in a large circle, Pellou teleported in next to a Ranger, who jumped when the Plane Traveler greeted him. The outer edge of the storm was barely sprinkling here and the wind was nothing unusual. The Rangers readied themselves for travel. The few who had not yet sheathed their swords did so.

Pellou looked at the young Ranger standing next to him with a broad grin and an intense stare. He asked the young Ranger, “Ever teleport before?”

“No, sir,” he said with a worried frown.

Pellou placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder, looked once around the ring. All eyes were upon him. He looked back at the young Ranger and said, “You’re gonna like this.” One hundred and twenty Rangers disappeared and reappeared in the middle of a gale.

Several Rangers fell over. A few wobbled and one knelt and began retching. The young Ranger turned to look at the Plane Traveler to tell him he most decidedly did not like that experience, but Pellou was gone.

Lord Tumenick blinked his eyes repeatedly to bring Gorthus back into focus and looked around. All the other outpost Rangers were already there. The damage to the forest here was so great it seemed to Lord Tumenick that a blind man could have tracked the T’Rundi even in this weather. A half a mile wide path of utter destruction ran north to south out of sight.

A Ranger he didn’t recognize came up to him and said, “Lord Tumenick, the Outpost Commander’s are meeting. I’ll take you to them.”