Steven Burke - The Dark Tide

“My suggestion is that we do whatever we can to lure the northern demons to land…General Lysander, you could then flank the beasts with your cavalry. Meanwhile, we will have archers in the middle all the while raining down death from above. I think magic wielders should be placed in their midst for protection. I do not believe that a magical assault would be wise…they would not be drawn in so easily if they knew that our ranks were filled with powerful magic users” supplied General Yukio with an air of authority.

There were two loud cracks as Ladies Necia and Hilzarie appeared suddenly next to the standing Nairian general. Almost seconds after the unanticipated appearance of two of the guardians, there were two more pops at the other end of the table. Lords Neb and Keb had appeared as well. Keb had a haggard look to him that made the leaders in the room instantly uneasy. They could not understand what would make an invincible elemental look like death. There was an uneasy silence while everyone took in the new arrivals.

“Apologies for our sudden appearance…mistress Khalida was meeting with us when master Adair popped into our meeting. He asked that we join you to help plan the attack against the demon hordes on Lake Lachlan. We came here as soon as our mistress was finished with her business. So, what plans have been made thus far?” queried Lord Neb smoothly. The explanation seemed straight forward; however, many questions came to the minds of the leaders in war room.

“Well, we were just discussing a plan where our magic users are hidden among the missile ranks. What say you?” asked King Leroy solemnly. His heart was filled with more hope now that they were going to have four elementals to help them in this attack. He was especially pleased to see Lord Neb…he could probably handle the demonic lord by himself.

“I think that General Yukio’s plan will be the wisest course of action. Hiding the limited number of magic wielders will be important if we are to lure our demonic enemies to shore. If we can dispatch the northern army then we can focus on the bigger threat. Those water demons cannot be killed by any non-magic means” lady Hilzarie said with a deeper tone than the leaders were used to hearing from her. Then again, they had barely heard a word from her to this point so maybe that was how she sounded most of the time.

“The giants will keep the northern part of Landen secure while the western and southern parts will be protected by the elves. I will ask General Lang to spread out his troops amongst the elves for better protection. That has seemed to work well in the past. To be safe, I will ask Lord Marcello to lead the troops at North Gate…just in case the water forces attempt to flank the Landen cavalry” injected Lord Neb gruffly. The water elemental was usually more eloquent; however, in dire situations he did not waste his energy on it.

“Make it so Lord Neb. I have been asked to lead this campaign by the guardian…I would ask that General Yukio lead the non-magical troops while I orchestrate an elaborate magical attack that will catch everyone by surprise” Lord Keb said darkly. He smiled at the leaders gathered around the war table. A chill went down their spines at the blank look he gave them. Something had changed the normally gentle guardian…something that was not tangible enough to determine exactly what the source of this change was. It was almost as though he had snapped.

“Thank you Lord Keb” replied General Yukio with a bow. “I will meet with the troops to determine the best formations to hide the magic wielders. General Lysander, will you meet with your cavalry units to ascertain the best flanking options?”

“I will at once” replied the Landen general with a side glance at Lord Keb. He felt uneasy about the change that had come over the gentle elemental, but knew better than to say or do anything that would indicate his concern. He left the room at a brisk pace. The other leaders left as well, except for King Leroy. He looked at the earthen lord with concern. He did not like the change he was seeing.

“What is it that you would have me do?” asked the king quietly to Lord Keb.

“Evacuate the lakeside villages completely…bring your people to the city of Kandar in the west…they will be safe there. I have put in place magical protections that will conceal their whereabouts” replied Keb. There was a distracted air about him as he spoke. There was no warmth or care emanating from him.

“You should also know that there is an evil coming from the western lands that we had not accounted for…I cannot say more because I do not know more than what I sense” Keb continued with a far off look. The other guardians looked at one another…dismay etched clearly on their faces. They had no idea who he was talking about…they each had an idea, but they did not dare say anything. The room became slightly darker at the mention of this evil.

“I appreciate the warning…I will get to work on the evacuations…thank you for your continued help” replied the king with a slight nod before he too left the chambers. He felt greatly disturbed by the latest news. Who would be a threat from the west? That is the part of Tuwa that has always been safest to all people.

The guardians looked at one another with weary looks…Neb quickly threw out magical webs to seal the room so that no one could enter or hear what was taking place in the war room. Once the place was secure, they began to discuss their own battle strategy. They met for nearly an hour before leaving the castle to assist with battle preparations. They knew that this confrontation would be a turning point. If they were able to destroy the northern army, then they would have a chance of vanquishing the water demons. During their discussion they did not address or speak of the evil threat in the west that Keb mentioned.

The shores of Lachlan were quiet as the mysterious fog became thicker as the day progressed…an ominous sign to be sure. From the silent waters nothing could be seen from land…the forces that were stationed along the shores were concealed from both the natural and magical eye. The northern army, now positioned in the middle of the lake, was making their final preparations for their massive assault. The vast majority of creatures had been dispatched almost two days previously to circle the northern edge of the lake. The lake’s water had created a significant overhang over the centuries which provided adequate covering from anyone who did not know where to look in order to see them. All of the water demons had already been deployed along the western shallows to launch the necessary surprise attack in order to disorient their enemy. Kana had seen fit to use the pirates from the northern Kai Ocean region…a group of men who were so wild that many jumped ship at the mere sight of their raised colors.

While Kana felt a great deal of confidence in her plan, she was becoming less patient for the success that had now eluded her since the start of the war. The water demons had the backing of the powerful hydras that hid at the edges of the growing mist while the minotaurs and shape shifters made their march along the northern shore. The remaining dragons were called to the service of the rogue elemental, so they were elsewhere as the battle for Landen was about to renew. The liche had taken to the skies in an effort to take their enemies by surprise from behind. This was the reason the fog was expanding and for the black storm clouds that were now gathering overhead.

“Prepare the tidal wave!” the voice of the demonic water lord gurgled. He had been waiting for the land units to be out of the reach of the wave that they were about to create. He did not care particularly for the northerners and would, under different circumstances, destroy the beasts along with those he was targeting. His dislike was overruled by reason…he needed those soldiers in order to route the stubborn men of Landen. After this war I will be able to do as I please with those fiends, so patience now and then I can destroy them. The very thought gave the demon a strange sense of comfort and something to look forward to.