Into the fire

Farly nodded and said, "I will also go."

Again they turned their attention to the army, and now it came in among the Fists of Rakka, the men of Hyree and Chabba and Kistan greeting those of Hum and Sarain and Thyra.

And a score of men-Chabbains, Hyrinians, Kistanians, and several Fists of Rakka-gathered around Lord Tain as he whispered unto the remains of his daughter, the corpse seeming no more than a bundle of twigs to the Warrows afar. Yet in moments Lord Tain turned unto those around him and clenched a fist and seemed to be hissing orders. After a while, again Lord Tain turned to the corpse he bore, yet just ere he did, he looked long at the hills above and seemed to laugh.

"So they have joined forces, have they?"

"Aye, my lord," said Farly, Dinly at his side nodding. "Right about here, or so Tipperton gauges." In the early-morning light, Farly pointed to a place on the map.

"And they marched off southeasterly along the rim of H?l's Crucible," added Dinly.

King Blaine's eyes widened. "Southeasterly?"

"Aye, my lord. Southeasterly," said Dinly.

King Loden looked at the map and then at DelfLord Bekki. "You know more of this region, Lord Bekki. What could be their goal?"

Bekki shook his head. "They march toward the shield wall."

"They also march toward the sea," said Coron Eiron.

"Ships," replied Skipskaptein Arnson. "There may be ships awaiting them at the shores of the Avagon."

"We must not let them escape," growled DelfLord Volki.

King Blaine nodded and glanced at the others and finally at Linde. "Sound the horns. We will pursue."

"My lord," said Arth of the Wilderland, "forget not what these Waldans have said: the foe has a surrogate among them-"

"Coward Tain," gritted Bekki.

"-and where there is a surrogate, there also is Modru's eyes and ears and voice." The lad from Twoforks fell silent, awaiting his liege lord's response.

King Blaine nodded at Arth. "I know, Lord Arth, but remember, we defeated one of his Hordes at the battle of the downs, and a surrogate was with them there. Nay, I'll not forget that Modru's presence rides among them, yet I'll not let that stay my hand, for the fate of the Planes rides on that which we now do, and to do nought is to allow evil to reign."

"My lord," said Arnson, "seven of my ships are downstream of the bridge, and I can take those crews and set sail down the river and-"

"Do so," said King Blaine, ere the skipskaptein had finished," and set fire to any enemy ships you find waiting."

Arnson smiled in triumph at his Jutlander counterpart and said," I am sure Kapitan Dolf will be glad to hold ward at the bridge."

"Indeed," said King Blaine, even as Dolf glared at the Fjordlander. "And now, Hrosmarshal Linde, sound the horn."

And so Linde sounded her black-oxen horn, and Larana her trump of silver, and host and legion mounted up, and in squads and companies and brigades they followed two Warrows wending into the hills.

And nigh H?l's Crucible on a track through the crags, Arylin, Flandrena, and Vail, along with Tipperton, Li

The hideous stench of H?l's Crucible wafted over all as the tainted vapors rode outward on the chill wind, but by this time all had become inured to the malodorous reek. In his and Li

"Why so, Tipperton? -Oh, not that I disbelieve thee, yet I would have thy thoughts."

"Well, although I ca

"Perhaps 'tis there ships await them, or ships yet to come," said Flandrena, riding alongside.

"If not," said Li

Vail nodded, then said, "As do thee, Tipperton, I, too, think something is afoot, for they move at a deliberate pace, slow and unhasty, as if'-Vail shook her head-"I know not."

Arylin signalled down from the hill above, and Vail said, "They continue their course."

Tipperton sighed, then said, "Come, Li

Together they rode away, passing below the hill on which Arylin and Nix sat vigil.

"I am glad to see you survive, Lady Linde."

Linde sighed and looked down at the wee Waldan riding at hand. "There are but seventeen of us left, commander. Seventeen."

"So few?" Ry

Linde's face drew gaunt. "Aye. Of one thousand Jordians sent by King Ranor, only seventeen of the brigade yet live."

"Oh my," said Ry

They rode in silence for a while, and then Ry

"Where is the Gargon's head you bore away when you left Darda Erynian."

"It is lost, Lady Ry

"You fought there?"

"Aye. When word came that King Blaine had landed in Jugo, we set sail from Pendwyr and joined his force."

"And the battle…?"

" 'Twas bloody, yet we won in the end."

Again they rode without speaking, wending among the crags and hills, but at last Ry

An eyebrow raised, Linde looked at the Waldan.

Ry

Li

"How is the health of your father, Arth?"

Arth shook his head. "He is dead, Healer Darby, slain at the Battle of the Downs."

"Oh my, but I am sorry to hear of that," said Beau.

"It was just west of Stonehill," said Arth. "Da was a hero: saved the King's life."

"The mayor saved Blaine's life?"

"Aye. King Blaine was unhorsed. A Ghul on Helsteed was riding him down. Da charged in between and engaged the foe and fought furiously. But Ghuls shrug off wounds that would slay any ordinary man, and in the end Da was speared through and fell."

"What of the King?"

"He caught up Da's horse and mounted and charged the Ghul, but by this time I had won past and with my sword I took off the corpse-foe's head."

"Good," said Beau.

"The King then gave me command of the folk of the Beacontor muster, and we've been with him ever since, though nearly half altogether have been slain. I alone remain of the entire Company of Twoforks."

"You alone of all those men?" Sudden tears spilled down Beau's face.

Arth nodded, his own cheeks wet as well.