A time to fight. II

The net always made Bjorn feel as though he was flying, but at a speed he could not imagine. How fast did the mind pitch through the darkness when the body was left behind to become just another part of the energy of the universe? He wanted to ask Mika, but there was so much he wanted to ask Mika, beginning with how he was able to reach out from the beyond and help those who were still a part of the corporeal world. Mika had tried to explain it to him, but he had never truly understood it. Though, ironically, Korok seemed to understand. Bjorn envied the giant hunter’s simply grasp of the supernatural. As he felt himself hurl along he tried to investigate but Mika’s thoughts were mingling with his and he could only feel the anger and rage of a man who wanted to be certain none of his friends suffered at the hands of the Kensen.1

Bjorn remembered that he’d sent Bradley running off to warn the men at the reserve and wished he had not. The poor little elf would run himself to death to attempt to please his friend and Bjorn was worried. Mika’s thoughts again intervened, however, sensing his worry and comforted him. “Don’t worry about Bradley; I’ve been in contact with him since the second we took to the flow. I’ve already directed him to go to Ana and Lashir in their hiding place and guide them to the Elos. Bjorn relaxed at hearing this, but he couldn’t stop worrying about the men and how they might be slaughtered by the Kensen if he couldn’t get to them in time. But, just as he was thinking this, he felt the elements begin to commingle and knew his body was reassembling from the elements. Seconds later he felt his feet touching soil and his body seemed to sift out of space, like sand into a giant hourglass. The whirlwind of elements began to change and take shape and he found himself standing in the middle of the square in the village, shocked faces staring at him from all around. The last thought from Mika was an apology. “I cannot stay, Bjorn, you must do this yourself. Take courage and remember all the people will be behind a true leader.” Then, Bjorn saw the image of Mika disappear into flow and be gone. He felt a pang of regret and sadness.2

Lostog, one of the young seconds in the legions of rangers was standing before Bjorn as he came to his senses. He stared, confused and a bit apprehensive. “Bjorn?” was the only word which came from his lips. 3

“Lostog,” Bjorn shouted. “We are all in great danger. The Kensen are coming this way.”4

He spun about and addressed the gathering multitude of rangers and their women and children. Workers from both the estates of Rugis and Rogin crowded in their surprise universal. None had ever seen a man simply materialize like Bjorn had just done and his shocking words led many, no doubt, to wonder if he was real or some sort of magic. But, Lostog wasn’t a second because he was easy to fluster. He immediately began to shout out orders. 5

“Rangers, Bjorn says there are Kensen coming. We must prepare. To arms men and those of you who aren’t rangers, take the women from here at once.” He looked back at Bjorn. “Should we send the women north?” 6

“No, these men must have come round the southeastern side of the Gulem and have been advancing across the low passes in the northern most provinces. If we send the women and children that direction, they’ll walk right into them. We must send them off to the south, immediately.” Bjorn rushed ahead. “I’ve got to get to the Caverns. I must retrieve my weapons and all those I can for the workers. We’ve got to begin building fortifications immediately. The Kensen are coming in huge numbers. You men begin filling meal bags with sand and dirt and pile them up in the streets, barricade the pass.” He pointed at a group of workers standing nearby. They immediately sprang to action. “You, he continued.” Gather up all the supplies you need and take the women and children to the caverns. I’ll go with you. I have to go to my cavern castle and I’ll show you caves where the women and children can hide. He turned back to Lostog. “Lostog, begin building a log wall, but don’t fix it to anything. Just build it in pieces. We’ll use it to build a fortification behind the meal bags. The rest of you men, begin digging trenches and some of you go to the shale pits and start loading boulders onto wagons. Get as many wagons going as you can and bring back rock. Fill the trenches with as much flammable oil as you can find and plenty of pitch wood. The plans forming up in Bjorn’s head were simple. They couldn’t fight fifty thousand mercenaries, but they could slow them down. If they could do that, someone might be able to get to Quanx and bring reinforcements. Another second asking why they didn’t simply run and hide and protect the women and children, drew an angry response from Bjorn. “Because there are hundreds of the nobles and their families coming this way. They are between the army of Nartac and the mercenaries. They mercenaries want a confrontation, but they want the nobles and their families in between to act as human shields.” He instantly felt bad at his having snapped at the second, for it would have been a good plan, if there hadn’t been hostages to be taken. He clapped a hand on the man’s shoulder. “We have to hold out here.” The man nodded and set off, directing his rangers to take their arms and help build the sections. 7

Bjorn started off with the women and children, guarded by the workers and a few rangers selected for the task. All the men were well armed with bow and arrows and hurling spears with launchers. If they had to fight the Kensen up close, to many would be hurt. They stuck to the deep forest and hurried as fast as they could, children and women on horses with the few rangers and Bjorn, the workers forming a rear guard. By early dawn they reached the outskirts of Bjorn’s property and he directed them to caves along the way. Each cave went down into the Spinea foothills, many of them heavily fortified from times they had been mined. These were filled with torches soaked in oil and plenty of fresh air holes bored in all about. There were also streams and underwater wells and straw stored for the teams of horses of the rangers who worked the forests around the area. They would serve excellently as hide outs so long as they were well covered. The men following the procession carried wagons filled with supplies and they carted them into the caves and covered the entrances well with debris. Only someone searching could find them when they had completed their tasks and Bjorn was satisfied the families would be safe. His only worry was what might happen to Ana. He still didn’t know where she was, but he knew she couldn’t avoid a fight, having grown up in the street and he was nearly petrified with the anxiety. He only hoped she would go against her nature, this one time and stay out of this fight. 8

Bjorn wasted no time in gathering up weapons. He had forged many shields and swords, axes and spears and had even built two small cannons. He’d repaired a few others taken from the captured Kensen ships and there were several ballistae here as well. If they could all be moved down to the defenses, he thought, they might successfully hold the Kensen off for hours, perhaps in even days. He only wished he had more powder for the cannons and more explosive red stone for the catapults and ballistae. He had meant to purchase more of each, having only a small reserve on hand, but hadn’t had time to go to the Kellen for either. He cursed his lack of preparation. Still the men set about moving the artillery and arming themselves for the upcoming confrontation with no hesitation. Bjorn rushed back into the caves, searching for medicine, blankets and other supplies he thought might be needed. He tossed these onto a growing pile as he found them, and was going back for more when one of the workers came to him. “Bjorn, Bradley is here.” 9

“Bradley, the baker?” He asked feeling stupid for having asked something which was so obvious. He half expected the man to say, no, Bradley the butcher or the candlestick maker, but the man only nodded. “He said you summoned him.” 10

Bjorn didn’t know where Bradley got the idea he had summoned him, but he went to the front of the cavern and found Bradley was not only there but had arrived with several other Kellon. Each of them was armed with slings and each carried an enormous backpack, as did Bradley, himself carrying two slings with a wild eyed look on his face. “Here are the red stone and powder you asked for Bjorn!” he shouted, dancing about. We’ll make the yellows dance today; we’ll soon be having things our way. We’ll give them all a lesson yes, in what it’s like to feel distress!” He whirled about while the other Kellon looked at him with a mixture of wonder and distaste. It wasn’t normal for Kellon to act like Bradley and they must be wondering if he was crazy. 11

“Bradley, I didn’t summon you. How did you know we needed those things?” Bjorn was amazed as more Kellon kept coming into the clearing, all carrying backpacks and some dragging carts behind them, all laden with explosives and powder. He had only wished he had gone to the Kellon, it never got past a thought. It was then that Bjorn’s mind grasped the obvious. Mika couldn’t take part in the battle physically perhaps, but he could certainly direct a thought. Well, Bjorn laughed to himself. Perhaps Mika couldn’t be here in the flesh, but he was organizing the defenses quite nicely from the net.12

All the rest of that day, people began to show up in odd groups. First came Kellen with all manner of explosives and soon after, Melki arrived. Not only did he come with more men from his own estate, but he was accompanied by elves Bjorn had never seen and only heard of before this time. The glowing violet skinned Habrien Elves, some sixty of them, had accompanied Melki, who had been in conference with them when he too was contacted by Mika. Melki didn’t know who Mika was, save from the stories Bjorn had told him, but the Habrien, like their cousins the Kellen were extremely psychic and the message set them off with out delay. Able to transfer thought as others spoke they alerted any Habrien in the area as they moved and these silent, powerful warriors gathered up their bows and arrows and set off. 13

Unlike the Kellen and the Elo’s the Habrien were almost always male. The Habrien were the fiercest warriors, fine archers and swordsmen, they also had the ability to fly. Where the Elos Elves could only float the Habrien had long ago learned to direct their bodies through pure thought. In battle their custom was to hide in the upper branches of trees and fire arrows then shoot ahead of the enemy to the next clump of trees and attack again. Fearless as were the Kellen, the Habrien archers would be a boon to the defenders, Bjorn knew. He wished there were more Habrien, but he knew how fortunate he was to have these fierce warriors and thanked the fates for them. Still, the numbers were far below that would be needed to take on such the horde coming. While working at the wall that evening, beside Melki, he brought this to his attention. He was surprised when Melki smiled and said something about there being more men than he thought.14

“What do you mean Melki? We have about six hundred rangers, and there might be three thousand workers all together, all willing certainly, but hardly sufficient to stop such an advance.”15

“We also have the Kellen and the Habrien elves Bjorn, don’t forget them. They can do a lot to even up the odds.”16

“Certainly this is true,” Bjorn conceded. “I have no doubt the elves will be formidable, but the numbers are still far in the favor of the mercenaries coming this way from the North. I wish we could get to Quanx before they arrived here.” 17

“Well, Bjorn we have an army coming from the south as well,” Melki chuckled. “And, I believe the Kensen will find them formidable as well.”18

“What army?” Bjorn asked. “The Army of Nartac is far away and, even if they set out this day, they couldn’t reach the Northern provinces in time to stop the Kensen’s attacks on the people coming to the Chili games. The call went out for Chili team’s months ago, and they were to begin arriving tomorrow, just a few days ahead of the spectators, so that they can practice for the games.” He watched the smile spreading on Melki’s face. 19

“Exactly, Bjorn. How many men are there on a Chili squad?” Melki asked.20

“Ten of course,” Bjorn said, shrugging his shoulders. “Three squads to a team, ten men to a squad. Thirty men to a team over all,” and his eyes widened. He knew now what Melki meant.21

“And, how many teams are coming?” Melki laughed.22

“There must be at least twenty full time professional teams representing all the provinces, and perhaps a hundred amateur teams.” Bjorn said, his excitement growing. “That is some thirty six hundred men.”23

“And, not just any men, Bjorn,” Melki laughed. “Three thousand chili players is a powerful force.”24

Bjorn nodded. There were few men as conditioned to battle as Chili players. In any given game a Chili player could lose his life. It was a part of the game, and always had been. The ancient name Chili meant war. If any men could fight off an attack by an overwhelming force, it would be they. For the first time Bjorn felt a surge of confidence growing. 25

“I have already set up a meeting with the leader of the first squad of the Chili champions, Bjorn. His name is Daka and he and his champions will be here by early morning. I sent a runner ahead to meet him and explain what we are doing here. My runner came back this evening, telling me Daka has held up long enough to meet with other Chili champions. He is highly in favor of the plan. The Chili didn’t get their fair chance, so they believe, to take on the Kensen in the war. They will be most anxious to make up for that missed opportunity. Melki drew a sword. “Gather your men Bjorn, we will have to make a few changes in fighting style, but we will be prepared.” And, Melki turned and headed for the door. 26

“By the way," Melki added, turning back for a second. "Korok and fifty more Eek warriors are heading this way right now. All are on horseback. They’ll make a fine cavalry.” 27

“How do you know that?” Bjorn asked.28

“We have eyes in the sky Bjorn.” Melki pointed towards the night sky. Bjorn looked up to see several swans carrying Elosian Elves. 29

“If the Kensen can be detected, those guardians will know it. And, the Elos have already set up a system for contacting the elves on the ground. Remember Bjorn, all elves are clairvoyant. I was informed by the leader of the Habrien that the Elos had made contact with the Eek. They’re on their way and, if they can, they’ll bring even more hunters. There are reputed to be several hundred hunting in packs in the area. We could have a force such as no Kensen has ever seen before. Eek, Kellen, Habrien, rangers, field hands, even Chili players, we may be a very odd army, but they’ll certainly know they were in a fight before we are through.” And, with that he turned to leave.30

Bjorn headed towards the campfires, excitement growing with each step.The rangers were fixing supper after the days work. “Men,” he smiled, “How are we all doing tonight?"31