Into the Forge

Chapter 34

Tipperton turned to his comrades and hissed, "Save me from behind," and then leapt to his feet and shouted "Yahhh!" and loosed an arrow at the oncoming Spawn. And even as the shaft sissed through the air to fell the Ruck in the lead, Tipperton, shrieking, dashed toward the startled maggot-folk and then veered in among the sparse pines.

Bekki, cursing, started to rise from the moonshadows, but Loden grabbed him by the arm and hissed, "No! The Waldan's plan is sound."

Yawling, the Rupt darted after the fleeing Warrow, and then Loric and Loden and Bekki sprang in pursuit, Loden, with his longer legs, racing before the Dylvana and the Dwarf, though they flew right on his heels.

In the moonlight ahead, howling Rucks and Hloks dodged among the pine trees, chasing their small quarry, the buccan shrieking and drawing them after. And one of the maggot-folk hurled a short spear, the shaft flying at Tipperton's fleeing form to fall just short and stab into the ground.

And as the yawling Spaunen patrol hurtled past the embedded spear, the Rutcha who had cast it slowed to snatch the shaft up, and Loden's blade ran him through from behind.

His scream was lost among the howls of pursuit, as Loric and then Bekki ran past, now at the tail of" the yowling pack.

Loden wrenched his blade free and sprang after, to pass by Loric and a beheaded Drokh, and then to overhaul running Bekki just as his war hammer crashed through a Wrg skull.

But the eight howling Spawn yet chasing the shrieking Warrow noticed naught at all. Even so they had nearly caught up to the wee buccan, short-legged as he was. And as victory seemed within their grasp, three more of the Rflpt were felled from behind, one of them shrieking in death.

And at this shrill cry from the rear, the next one in line looked over his shoulder and screamed in alarm, his squeal of terror lost in the howls of his four kith, yet intent upon catching the foe at hand.

And the Hlok running in the lead yowled in victory as he snatched the buccan by the collar and wrenched him up in the air, the kicking Warrow flailing away as the Hlok turned to the others to display his catch, only to find that of the Spawn he alone was yet standing… and he faced an Elf'and a man with blood-slathered swords and a Dwarf with a grume-clotted hammer.

And then Tipperton twisted and kicked him in the face, and the Hlok dropped the Warrow and reeled back, a long-knife to tumble through the air and take him in the throat.

Panting and puffing- "Oh, my. Oh, my. Oh, my"- Tipperton looked up at Loric as the Elf retrieved his long-knife and wiped the blade clean. "I thought I was a goner when he snatched me up off the ground."

" 'Twas a foolish thing you did, Tipperton," said Loric.

"But clever," amended Loden.

"And honorable," growled Bekki, "even though you did run."

"It was the only thing I could think of," said Tipperton. And of a sudden he burst into tears.

Bekki looked down in consternation, but Loden said, " 'Tis relief, Lord Bekki."

Bekki frowned, then clenched a fist and grunted in agreement. "As sometimes sweats the steel of a sword in the forging."

Loden raised an eyebrow, but Loric, kneeling beside the buccan, looked up and nodded at Bekki and said, "Just so."

Loden looked back at the string of corpses sprawled along their route. "We must hide the evidence of this ambush, else the patrols will double."

"Ambush?" queried Bekki.

"Aye, a running ambush from the rear."

"Nay," growled Bekki. "It was a full frontal attack from behind."

In spite of his tears, Tipperton began to giggle.

Two days later at midday, with Brandt in the lead, the vanguard and cavalcade and wagons finally arrived at the Daelsmen's hidden stand.

At last Tipperton saw Beau come riding up the slope on his pony, and he set aside his lute and ran down to greet his friend. Beau leapt to the ground and the Warrows embraced, glad to see one another again.

"I say, Beau, follow me. I'll show you where to corral your steed. They've plenty of grain and water, these Daelsmen."

As they started up the hill and across the plateau, Beau asked, "What about food, Tip? I mean, I could stand a good hot meal."

" 'Fraid not, bucco. We're too close to the maggot-folk for fires, you see."

Beau groaned, then said, "Jerky and crue, I suppose."

Tip nodded, then his eyes lit up. "Oh, but they do have some early apples, it being nearly October and all."

"A bit green?"

"Some. I wouldn't recommend eating very many."

They came to an overhanging bluff, and in a simple rope pen holding the horses of the Daelsmen, Beau corralled his pony next to Tip's and one other.

As Tip unstrapped Beau's bedroll and medical bag from behind the saddle, he said, "I'm glad to see you, Beau. How was the trip? Anything exciting along the way?"

Beau sighed and shook his head. "The trip? Ploddingly slow. Excitement? Oh, we did see a bear, but that's it. Although it did seem a bit strange, the bear ambling along as it did on a course paralleling our own. The Baeron seemed to think it was special, though it was nought but a bear." He lifted the saddle up and away, the pony shaking side to side to be free of it. Beau rummaged through his saddlebags and retrieved his curry comb. "But how about you, bucco? Any excitement on your part?"

Tip fetched his own curry comb and started on the opposite side. "Not much," he replied, "a minor tangle with some Spawn. And, oh, we did see the Horde in their siege on the mineholt. In fact, there's to be a war council this afternoon, after the wagons and all get settled in. Bekki says he'll find me when it's ready to begin. We three, we'll go together."

"Bekki?"

"A Dwarf, Beau, and a fine one at that. That's his pony behind you." Of a sudden Tip stopped currying and looked at one of the nearby horses. Then he resumed combing knots and tangles from the pony's hair, there where the saddle and trappings had ridden. "You know, Beau, just like the Dwarves at Annory, Bekki won't ride a horse, either. What do you think it all means?"

Beau looked across at Tip and shrugged.

Ruar gazed 'round at the war council. "We are gathered to decide on how best to deal with the Horde setting siege on Mineholt North.

"We are one thousand Dylvana, five hundred Baeron, seven hundred Daelsmen, two Lian, two Waerlinga, and one Drimm: altogether, two thousand two hundred and five."

On the left of the circle, one of the Daelsmen laughed. It was Brandt.

Loden scowled at the youth. "You have something to say, Lord Brandt?"

"I am sorry, my brother, but I found it amusing. -Oh, not that we were two thousand two hundred, but rather we were two thousand two hundred… and five."

Loden started to speak, yet ere he could say aught, opposite across the circle Bekki growled, "Jeer not at the five, bratling, for two are Guardians, and their swords worth five hundred each; two are Waerans, one of which I have seen in battle, and I would not trade him for a full regiment of Daelsmen; and lastly, bratling"-Bekki's hand dropped to his war hammer-"one is me."

Brandt flushed red in the afternoon sun, in anger or embarrassment it could not be told, but then he held his empty hands forth in surrender and, grinning, said, "I yield, Lord Bekki, I yield."

Beau looked wide-eyed at Tip and whispered, "What did Bekki mean, he's seen you in battle? And what's all this about being worth a full regime-?"

Beau's words were cut short by a rumble from Gara, the Chieftain among the Baeron and sitting across from Ruar. "We are not here to bandy words at one another, but to plan the defeat of the Horde."

"Just so," replied Ruar. He turned to Bekki. "I have numbered the forces without. Wouldst thou number the forces within?"

Bekki nodded. "We Chakka in Mineholt North cannot match your number, yet we can field nine hundred or so."

Ruar took in a breath and expelled it. "Then together we number thirty-one hundred."

"Thirty-one hundred and five," breathed Beau.

At Gara's side, Bwen raised a hand and was acknowledged. "Your count is short, Lord Ruar, for you omitted me and my drivers-one hundred more Baeron altogether."

"I stand corrected," said Ruar. "Our total then is thirty-two hundred."

Beau looked at Tip and mouthed, [and five].

"Yet the Horde numbers ten thousand," said white-bearded Tain, shaking his head. "Long odds indeed."

Loden turned up a hand. "Then we need a plan to shorten those odds."

"By Fyrra's fuzzy teats," swore Bwen, "how can we plan a campaign without knowing the placement of the Horde? How are they set before the gates of the Dwarven-holt? And the terrain: what is it like? Not all of us here have seen these things, and the mere fact of telling us exactly what we face will suggest several courses of action. Then perhaps we can list our choices and pick from among them the very best plan."

Ruar smiled at Bwen and said, "Exactly so, Wagon-leader. That is the very next step." Ruar then turned to Loric, the Lian sitting with the Dwarf and the Warrows. "Guardian, I wouldst have thee render thy report to all."

Loric released Phais' hand and took up a long pointer stick and stood and stepped to circle center, where a patch of loamy soil lay bare. "This is the way of it:

"Mineholt North lies at the northwest root of a broad vale, just beyond the shoulder of yon mountain. The vale itself runs down to the southeast thus." With the pointer, Loric began drawing a truncated wedge in the loam. "Here at the head, where it fetches up against the mineholt, the vale is wide, a third of a league or so. The vale grows even broader as it runs down into low foothills and rolling plains south and east. The slopes to either side of the vale are quite steep nigh the mineholt, yet they dwindle rapidly and within a league are entirely gone, and there the vale has ended. A road courses from the mineholt along the easterly side of the vale."

"It is the tradeway to Dael," rumbled Bekki. "Not used this past year."

"The fault lies not at our end," said Tain, "but at yours instead."

Bekki growled but did not reply.

Loric looked from one to the other, and when none said aught, he continued. "Here where the vale ends, the road turns due east for that city." His pointer scribed a line in the soil and then jogged sharply.

Bwen scowled at the broad markings in the loam. "That's all well and good, but where is the Horde?"

"Here," said Loric, and he drew a swatch across the dirt. "Here before the very door of the mineholt."

Beau raised a hand, but ere the buccan was recognized, Loric said, " 'Tis a full Horde: ten thousand Rupt strong."

Beau groaned and lowered his hand.

"And their makeup?" asked Durul, the Baeran sitting on the other side of Gara from Bwen.

"Thousands of Rucha, mayhap a thousand Loka, a hundred or so Ghulka on Helsteeds, and a handful of Trolls."

"Ogrus? They have Ogrus?"

"Aye, Durul, they have Trolls."

Durul shook his head. "Ogrus, Trolls, by any name they are a terrible foe."

"Do not discount the Rukha," said Loden, "for although one alone is craven, in great numbers they are formidable, and here there are many."

"Pah!" exclaimed Bekki. "The Ukhs are no threat."

Fuar cocked an eyebrow. "Do not belittle the Rucha, my friend. Else thou art like to find thyself among a multitude in battle and in dire straits."

Bekki glared yet held his tongue.

Bwen frowned at the markings in the dirt. "And where are their wagons? Surely they have supplies."

"Indeed," replied Loric. His pointer moved toward the center fore of the vale. "Their wagons are off the road and gathered here." He jabbed the stick to the earth, and then drew a circle in the center of the swath marking the location of the Horde. "They are well warded by all the Foul Folk. Ghuls on Helsteeds are never far, and this is where linger the Trolls. Too, nigh each wagon stand water barrels, no doubt set there to deal with any small blazes a foe might set with fire arrows ere they become critical."

"Bice!" spat Eilor, the leader of the outriders at Ruar's side along with several other Dylvana. "Could we get to the wagons and fire them with burning oil, then we could starve the Horde out. Yet central to the Horde as they are, 'twill be uncommonly deadly, especially if the Ghulka on Helsteeds and Trolls are at hand, to say nought of the Rucha and Loka in between, and whether or no we could fire them all or even enough to be meaningful is dubious at best."

"Aye," said Loric. "Still, by the same token, if their main task is to protect their supplies, then many will be somewhat nullified in any battle."

A murmur of agreement muttered 'round the circle. When it died, Ruar turned to Loric. "Is there aught else thou wouldst say, Alor Loric?"

"Just this, Coron: perhaps the Trolls we cannot defeat, but all else we can, given a clever enough plan. As to the Trolls, should we destroy the leaders, the Ghulka, and after them, the Loka, then mayhap the Trolls will return unto their mountain haunts. Hence, I say we should avoid combat with them unless there is no other choice."

At Tipperton's side, Bekki nodded in agreement. And then the Dwarf said, "Fifty Chakka have been known to bring a stone-hided Troll down, and if necessary the Chakka of Mineholt North will divert them, but only if necessary."

"Oh, my," said Beau. "At fifty Dwarves an Ogru, five of them will require two hundred fifty Dwarves in all. And out of nine hundred Dwarven warriors that only leaves six hundred fifty to join in the main battle against the Rucks and Hloks and Ghuls on Helsteeds."

Bekki nodded. "Believe me, Waeran if not diverted, five Trolls will be the main battle, and the Okhs, Hroks, and Khols on their Helsteeds nought but a distraction."

As Loric resumed his seat by Phais, "Well, then," said Gara, "if the Waldan is right, and only six hundred fifty Dwarves join in engaging the rest of the foe, then two thousand five hundred fifty stand against ten thousand. Their advantage is four to one."

Bekki growled, "But nine thousand of them are Ukhs."

Ruar looked at Bekki and shook his head, yet now it was he who held his tongue.

"Argh," growled Bwen, scowling at Elf and Daelsman and Warrow and Baeron and Dwarf. "Enough of this back-and-forthing about Ukhs and Rucks and Rutcha and Rukha and Rucha, of Loks and Drdks and Hroks and Hloks and Lokha, of Guuls and Ghola and Ghuls and Ghulka and Khols, of Helsteeds and Trolls and Ogrus. What we need to do is talk about how to take on the foe while holding our own losses few." She glared 'round the circle as if daring any to dispute her. When none did, she said, "Now then, is there any way to draw them into a trap? An ambush?"

Loden frowned and pursed his lips. "But for their small patrols, none else has strayed from before the mineholt door."

"Perhaps we could present them a tempting target as we did at the Rimmen Gape," said Bwen. "Only in this case it would be a wagon train bound for the mineholt on the road from Dael."

"I think they would not fall for that ruse," said Loden. "Given that the Horde marched past Dael on that very same road, it is not likely any innocent caravan would be foolish enough to blindly follow."

Gara reluctantly nodded. "Aye. At Braeton we duped them into believing we had had no warning the Rimmen Gape was held, whereas in this case they would know any train would have been warned of the Horde by those in Dael. Nay, the foe would not likely fall into such a trap."

Phais held up a hand and was recognized by Ruar. "Can we not divide our forces?" she asked. "Some of us could strike at the Rvipt and then flee, drawing many if not all into the foothills after, where the remainder of us would lie in ambush."

"What of the Dwarves?" asked Counsellor Tain, sitting at Loden's right hand. "Where would they be during all of this?" He turned toward Bekki and sneered, "Hiding in their hole?"

" Yahh!" cried Bekki, snatching up his war hammer and leaping to his feet, his face black with rage, and he started across the circle for Tain, the white-haired man quailing back.

And Daelsmen leapt to their feet and drew blades, Tain not among them. And Coron Ruar also sprang up, his own blade in hand. Yet, "Hold!" he called and cast aside his sword, and, unarmed, he stepped between Bekki and the men.

Bekki glared at the Dylvana blocking his way and gripped his war hammer with both hands, his knuckles white, and he started around. But Ruar stepped before him again, and spread his empty hands wide. "The foe is yon and not here within this council, my Drimmen friend." Now Ruar turned to the Daelsman and repeated, "Not here within this council."

The uncontrolled rage left Bekki's eyes, to be replaced by simmering anger, and he glanced down at the blanching man. "Faugh!" he growled, and spun on his heel to return to his place beside Tipperton and Beau.

And a whisper of steel sounded as the Daelsmen re-sheathed their swords.

And Tip released his pent breath and looked up at Bekki as the Dwarf sat back down, to note the jumping muscles in Bekki's jaw as he yet ground his teeth in ire.

Loden turned and glared at Tain, and the counsellor flinched. And Loden, his voice low and angry, said, "That we have a lingering trade dispute with the Dwarves is no cause for insults, Lord Tain. In this war we are allies, and the quarrel between us can wait till we are quit of Modru."

Tain lowered his eyes. "As you will, my Prince."

Ruar took up his sword and sheathed it. Then he too sat down, and he gazed 'round the circle, where an uncomfortable silence pressed down. Yet finally Phais raised her hand to speak.

"Ill-said remark aside, still Lord Tain has raised a point: how will the Drimma engage in this plan?"

Sitting on Loden's left, young Brandt said, "Bekki has promised the Dwarves will act in concert to any plan, yet he does not say how."

Bekki shook his head but did not speak, and a low murmur whispered among the Daelsmen.

Loric cleared his throat and turned to Bekki and said, "Bekki, da unst tak dek an va na ke ein."

Bekki looked at Loric. "Nidpol kanar vo a Chdkka."

Loric now shook his head and gestured 'round the circle. "Nad skou dek va ke ein, ut tak dek au det."

Bekki sighed and nodded, then turned and glared at Brandt. "There is a secret way in, bratling, but I'll not show it to any Daelsman."

Again Brandt flushed red, yet he held his tongue.

"Ah, a secret path," said Durul among the Baeron. "Then if the Dwarves are to join in this ambush plan as proposed by Lady Phais, the Dwarven army could come out along this way."

Bekki pushed out his hands in negation, a stubborn jut to his jaw. "No, no. We Chakka will not allow a Horde to stand between us and our holt, for should aught go amiss and they somehow breach the doors and enter, then we will not be there to stop them, and all of our-"

Abruptly Bekki stopped speaking.

The Daelsmen looked at one another, puzzled, and Brandt sneered, "All of your what? All of your treasure would be exposed? All of your gold for them to loot? Your jewels to plunder? Your-?"

Bekki snatched up his war hammer and shouted, "Silence, bratling, else this time I will not stop!"

Now Brandt's hand fell to the hilt of his sword, but Lo-den grabbed his wrist and would not let him draw the blade.

And Loric called out, " 'Tis not treasure of that sort the Drimma would protect." He looked at Bekki and said in a quiet voice, " 'Tis Chdkia and younglings instead."

"Chakia?" asked Beau.

"Female Drimma," said Phais.

Bekki's shoulders slumped and he nodded. "Aye. And we would not abandon them in the Chakkaholt."

With concern in her eyes, Phais said, "If we go forth with my plan, then we must do so without the aid of the Drimma."

"Then we would be nine hundred short," protested Tain, "shifting the odds even further against us."

A silence fell among those in the circle, and from the encampment they could hear in the distance someone singing.

Finally Coron Ruar sighed, then said, "Well then, what of another plan?"

Long the discussion lasted, as plan and counterplan were put forth, and often ire flared between Bekki and the Daelsmen, for they had been entangled in a bitter dispute ere Modru's war had come raging, and hostile words came easily unto their lips.

And always each plan turned on whether or no the Dwarven army could be brought to bear.

The sun set, lanterns were lit, and still the allies came to no resolution.

Finally:

"Kruk!" exclaimed Bekki. "I say we array ourselves on opposite sides of the hoide and attack them head-on."

"We've gone over that a hundred times, Dwarf," said Tain, "and it seems the best way to lose all. They will simply shift their forces to meet each of us with overwhelming odds."

But then Tipperton's eyes flew wide and he blurted, "I say, Bekki, that's a splendid plan."

"Waldan, haven't you heard a single word we've said?" snarled Tain. "They outnumber us four to-"

Tip pushed forth a hand, palm out. "No, no. Listen to me. What Bekki said is right, but with a small change: can we hold their attention, we take them head-on from hindwards."

Bekki frowned. "Head-on from-?"

"Yes, yes, Bekki. You said it yourself when we defeated that squad of Spawn. And what you said applies here as well."

"What are you getting at, Waeran?"

"Just this, Bekki: a full frontal attack from the rear."

It was after mid of night when Tip and Beau finally unrolled their bedrolls and prepared to bed down. "I say," said Beau, yawning, "what's all this about you and Bekki defeating a squad of Spawn? And what did he mean when he said he wouldn't trade you for a full regiment of Daelsmen?"

"Ah, Beau, it wasn't just me and Bekki, but Loden and Loric were there, too. And though I didn't know it before tonight, there's bad blood between the Daelsmen and Dwarves, and I suppose Bekki was just feeding off that ill will when he said a Warrow was worth a regiment of them."

Beau sat on his blanket and yawned again, then pulled off his boots and said, "Oh, I dunno about that. He seemed sincere to me."

Tip shucked his own boots as well and drew his blanket up to his chin. Now Tip yawned. "Perhaps so, Beau, perhaps so." Tip yawned again.

"Tell me about this fight with the Spawn squad," said Beau. "I mean, this noontime you merely said that it was a minor tangle, but now I find out it was more."

Beau waited, but Tip remained silent. "Well, bucco," said Beau, "if you don't want to-" Beau looked across to discover Tipperton fast asleep.

The council met again the next morning to make final the plans, and much yet needed deciding, but at last in early afternoon their war plan was finally set.

Ruar looked 'round the circle. "Is there aught else to do?"

"Just this," said Tain smugly, "and that is to choose an emissary to accompany Lord Bekki to his DelfLord and represent all of us."

"What?" exploded Bekki, glaring at Tain. "You must be a fool to think I would take anyone, much less a Daelsman, through the secret way."

Tain smiled disdainfully. "But someone must go and represent Prince Loden, Coron Ruar, and Chieftain Gara."

"I need no representative," rumbled Gara.

"Nor I," said Ruar.

Again Tain smiled. "Then that leaves-"

Loden started to shake his head, but Bekki said, "I will take Tipperton Thistledown." Tipperton's mouth fell open as Bekki went on. "He is neither man, Baeron, nor Elf, and so can represent all the Lords and Ladies here."

Bwen guffawed and exclaimed, "Well done, Bekki. Well done."

"A Waldan?" protested Tain, turning to Loden. "My Prince, this is unreasonable-"

Loden threw up a hand to stop Tain's words. "Bekki is right, my Lord Counsellor. The Waldan is the best choice of all. It is his plan we follow, and he can explain it well. Too, he has no advantage to gain as would someone of Dael."

Loden looked 'round and received nods from Ruar, Gara, and Loric and Phais, and even a nod from Beau.

And so it was decided: Tipperton Thistledown would go with Bekki and speak for all Dylvana, Baeron, Daelsmen, Lian, and Warrows… as well as explain the plan.

As twilight settled over the plateau, Tip finished packing that which he would take with him.

"Well, Beau, it seems I'm ready. I'd feel a bit better though if you'd but take the coin."

Beau shook his head. "Look, bucco, you know how I feel about that. Besides, the coin is likely to be safer with you than with me. I mean, you'll be in a fortified mineholt, whereas I'll be out there in front."

"Yes, I know. And I'm worried about you."

"Well don't be. And I won't worry about you in return. All right?"

"All right," replied Tip, "though I won't take an oath on it."

Beau laughed and said, "Neither will I."

Tip strapped his quiver of arrows to his thigh and slung on his pack and took up his bow. He hesitated a moment and looked at his small lute packed in velvet in a leather bag, then caught it up as well, saying, "After all, Jaith said this lute should go wherever goes this bard."

Beau grinned and helped him fix it to his back, and then they walked toward the place where the council had met.

As they strolled for the circle, Vail stopped Tipperton long enough to embrace him. "Take care, my small friend," she said, then turned away, her hands brushing her cheeks.

"I will, Lady Vail," replied Tip. "And you take care as well."

Sighing, Tip watched her stride away, then turned to Beau. "Let's go."

At the council circle they found waiting Bekki, Loric, Phais, Gara, Loden, and Ruar. Phais knelt and kissed Tip on the cheek and said, "In a twoday we ride, in a threeday we cast our lot 'gainst the foe. May Fortune turn Her smiling face upon us all. Till we meet again, keep safe, my small friend, for thou hast yet a mission to fulfill beyond."

"You keep safe as well, Lady Phais," replied the buccan.

Now Loric embraced the Waerling. "We shall see thee in the days after."

Tip nodded to Ruar and Loden and Gara, and then embraced Beau. "Take care, bucco."

"Keep well, Tip," replied Beau, returning the hug, "and remember, as Lady Phais has said, you've a coin to deliver."

Bekki cleared his throat, and Tip turned to the Dwarf. Bekki glanced at the sky. "It is time, Waeran."

Tip drew in a deep breath and then said, "All right. I'm ready."

They set off up the beringing slopes on a northeasterly tack, and just as they reached the crest of a low ridge, someone called out, "Good luck, Waldan! Good luck, Dwarf! May Fyrra amble at your side."

Tip turned to see Bwen waving, and beyond, Vail and Brandt and Durul and a host of others watching, even Counsellor Tain. And Tip held high his Elven bow, and those below held high clenched fists in response. And then Tipperton looked down to the council circle, where Beau stood waving. Tip waved back and then turned to follow Bekki over the ridge and down, the buccan wondering if a mere three days from now he would survive what was coming. Would he be alive to see any of these folks again, and if so, how many of them would yet live?