Mercedes Lackey: When Darkness Falls

That evening he called all his Commanders together.

"I have a proposal to make to you," he said. "You saw the battle we fought today — not much of one, compared to the Battle of Armethalieh. You know the orders Redhelwar has given us. Given me. I believe that the enemy that we follow will be scattered and disorganized, fleeing — as this one did — in small groups. Easy to kill. I propose, therefore, that we seek him out in the same fashion. In small groups, no more than fifty horse each. In that fashion, we can cover much more territory, find the places they are most likely to seek out. I believe they will attempt to raid the villages and farms of the Wildlands first, and then head around the edge of the Elven Lands into the High Reaches if they can. Just as we do, they will need food and supplies. They may have other needs as well. But whatever they want, we can't let them have it."

"You propose, yet you do not order," Calundil observed quietly.

"Today we won our battle without injury," Kellen said. "If we do what I propose, we will face our Enemy perhaps on equal terms, perhaps at a disadvantage. Thus, I would hear your words — all of you — before I considered giving orders."

"It would be good to know how we will provision such smaller commands," Laurindiel said. "We do not have the capacity to send provision trains with as many forces as you propose to create. I speak without disrespect; even had you decided upon this course before we left, neither we nor the human city could have provided the wagons and the draft animals that would be needed."

"I have considered that," Kellen said. "We have enough wagons to equip perhaps half our force. For the rest — the Wild Lands are well-settled. I believe the villages will provision us. I do not expect you to go so far as to be completely out-of-touch with one another, and… the power that began at the Standing Stones in the Delfier Valley is spreading, I think. Meriec, we would welcome your counsel."

Meriec was one of the Lostlander Wildmages who traveled with the army. Even now he wore the traditional Lostlander garb of high sheepskin boots over thick full breeches, heavy knee-length tunic, and long goatskin coat, though, as many had, he had taken the opportunity on the journey south from Sentarshadeen to add a heavy cloak of Coldwarg fur to his outfit. There was one thing good about the hellbeasts, Kellen thought. If you could manage to kill and skin them, they did provide nice warm fur.

Meriec stood and bowed.

"I and my brothers and sisters agree, Kellen Knight-Mage. The power that Idalia Wildmage called forth at the Standing Stones continues to pour forth over the land, healing all that was blighted. We all feel it, as must you. The Springtide will be more than fruitful — and there is more. Those beasts not slain by the Tainted creatures will be returning to their old places, and the creatures of byre and pasture will bring forth young in great numbers, come the day."

"Still," Kellen said, "I suppose that still means 'no hunting.' So many animals have been killed off that we'd better not touch the rest. So we'll have to rely on our supplies, and on what the villages can give us. If you all agree to my plan."

"Indeed, Kellen, it would be foolish of us to doubt this plan. It seems a sound one. And you have led us to one great victory already," Vorendel said chidingly. "So I believe I speak for all here when I say that we will do as you ask."

Kellen looked around the tent. The Elves all nodded.

"Then we take a day here to make our dispositions. Tametormo, bring your Twelves and ride with me on to Stonehearth. From there I shall head south and east into the High Reaches. Any of you may find me along that route."

* * * * *

DID I do the right thing ? Kellen wondered.

He rode Firareth a little away from the camp, out beyond the pickets. It was already dark, and he conjured a ball of Coldfire. The ball of azure light turned the snow around him a brilliant blue.

Above him the sky was bright with stars. Meriec was probably right. Winter must be almost over.

It was going to be a glorious spring.

He was actually surprised when Shalkan came trotting up to him. He hadn't seen Shalkan for several days — since the two of them had slain the Prince of Shadow Mountain, in fact — and he certainly hadn't seen him lurking around the edges of Kellen's makeshift army as they'd ridden through the Delfier Valley. But still, here he was. The unicorn looked, as always, composed and imperturbable.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Kellen said.

"We aren't finished with each other yet," Shalkan replied.

"I guess we aren't," Kellen said. "So… Cilarnen is going to be Arch-Mage of Armethalieh."

"So I heard," Shalkan said. "Nice of you to tell me."

"I haven't seen much of you lately."

Shalkan snorted rudely. Kellen sighed. The unicorn wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily. But it wasn't his fault. He hadn't really been that accessible. Not to a unicorn, anyway.

"I'm sorry," he said penitently. "I'll try harder to make myself available."

"You'd better," Shalkan said meaningfully. "I still have to keep an eye on you, you know."

"It's not like I can get into that much trouble out here," Kellen pointed out. How was it that Shalkan could manage in only a couple of words to make him feel as if he'd never been anywhere or done anything — and still needed looking out for?

"You're going to Stonehearth tomorrow. And trust me, Sarlin will bear watching."

Sarlin? Oh . "The Lady of Stonehearth. Cilarnen mentioned her. Don't worry. I won't get into trouble." No point in wondering how Shalkan knew something he'd only decided a few minutes ago. Kellen had long since realized that unicorns had their own sources of information.

"See that you don't."

"So… do you want all the details?"

"It would be a nice gesture on your part," Shalkan said grumpily.

Quickly Kellen told the unicorn all that he'd discussed with the Elves under his command, about splitting the army up into a number of small mobile units, in order to cover the whole of the Wild Lands more swiftly and efficiently.

"Thought that up all by yourself, did you?" Shalkan said, when he'd finished.

Kellen sighed. Shalkan snickered.

"It needs to be done," Kellen said.

"It does," the unicorn agreed. "And afterward. What then?"

After Sentarshadeen. After the funeral.

"I don't suppose I've thought that far ahead," Kellen said.

"You'll have to eventually," Shalkan said.

"I know," Kellen said.

"Go to bed," Shalkan said. "You'll have a busy day tomorrow."

* * * * *

TWO days later, Kellen and his troop rode up to the gates of Stonehearth.

He was relieved to see that the village appeared to be in good shape. Cilarnen had told them of the devastation the Demons had caused here several moonturns before, and the southern route had been the main line of march for the Demon Army on its path to Armethalieh. But Stonehearth seemed to have escaped.

The gates were already open as he and his Knights approached. Several Centaurs trotted out through the snow toward them, a young blonde Centauress in the lead. She must be Sarlin, the Lady of Stonehearth.

Kellen reined in Firareth and waited for them to approach.

"I greet you in the name of Andoreniel, King of the Elves," he said, when she reached them. "And I bring you good news: They have been defeated."

"'They'?" Sarlin only looked puzzled. And worried.

Despite himself, Kellen smiled. No need not to speak Their name anymore, lest it draw Their attention.

"The Demons. They have been defeated. You are safe now." Now a look of joy suffused Sarlin's features. "Herdsman be praised! Then… you are Elves?"