The Prophesy: Book 1 - Cave Lupus

 

As the evening progressed, the debate continued on some aspects of things to come. The first question came from Harold and addressed Samson.

"Samson, you mentioned something about a census. What can you tell us about its results?"

"Well, first, there are about two million of us for a kingdom covering 345,600 square miles, which gives us a density of approximately 0.19 inhabitants per square mile. As I told you, most of our population is agrarian, two out of three, in fact, live on farms or are migrant farm workers. I could give you the exact numbers if I had access to the census compilation, but that is in Elven Woods."

"We could ask Queen Annabelle to look at the compilations for us, you know."

"I always forget! Yes, that is a superb idea. There is also a drawing showing an age pyramid. Our book keepers are rather obsessive!"

"And you said it dated ten years?"

"Yes, the last census dates ten years. Given our population isn't growing much, the result barely change from one census to the next, and we took to doing this every fifty years. The last census is therefore quite recent."

"What I would like to know is how big of an army can we field? I know we must leave some to take care of the children, the sick, and insure our backs, but we must have an idea of how many we can muster."

"Not much, I am afraid, my friend. Not much at all. Let's first look at what we already have right under foot, and we can then establish how many are still available."

"We must also establish how many canines are available, dad," piped up Paschal.

"And by species too. Each species has its qualities and failings in a war situation." Sitar added.

"Hey! You are forgetting the need to establish the number of equines, also by species. We have horses, donkeys, asses, and some wild equines, I suspect. One of the wolf pack reported seeing a troop of horses with black and white stripes down south, in the open grasslands."

"They saw zebras? That is fantastic! I was sure that species had disappeared!" Francesca exclaimed, ecstatic. "Maybe there are others of the same family! If only they could find onagers!"

"Onagers? What are they?"

"They are wild, sturdy asses. They were very rare and, from what I understood, the Ancients were trying to rebuild their population in breeding zoos. Maybe some survived and escaped during the cataclysm."

"Are they and the zebras the only ones you are interested in?"

"Oh no, by far, but I always was fascinated in asses and zebras. There are quite a variety of each species, you know."

"I always knew you were interested in asses, Francesca!" Harp commented, to the general hilarity of those at the table, while Francesca blushed.

"Back to converting our society to a military one, dad. We have lived in relative peace, hidden behind our mountains, but those days are over. We must establish who will do what. The first primary division should be those that cannot go to war, that is those that are too sick or too young. From what we observed during the caravan's training at Elven Woods, even children as young as a year and a half can fight, as long as they can stand on their feet and run. I do not think we should encourage them to be in the front lines, but we must prepare them to fight for their lives and the lives of their siblings. We need to know how many of each age group there is."

"Enron, you mentioned aged one and a half year, yet your aging process is considerably slower than humans', how do you reconcile these two facts?" Harold wondered.

"We do age slower than humans, but, like many other animals, our first year or so of growth is faster. We are in step with normal human aging until about a year and a half. After that, the process slows down to the standard one year for every twenty planetary orbits. In fact, we noticed, and that is recorded in our history books, that the speeded-up maturity process found in the first year and a half has a cost, because we slow down even more than the actual one to twenty-five ratio I mentioned above for the next year. It's like there was a cost for aging fast."

"Very interesting. Will that affect motor learning?"

"Not really, because by then we have just about everything we need; the issue is slower verbal acquisition. It takes us until three earth orbits to learn language rather than the usual human's two years. After that, everything seems fine. A very low cost for a long life, if you want my opinion."

"I agree, Enron. It does seem to be a very low price to pay for the life span you have."

"Feeling depressed again, Harold?" commented Samson. "I think that you and your group are in for a surprise. Your growth may have been faster than ours but that may change."

"Well, until I live it, I won't believe it!"

"Logical, but something in your aura tells me the change is far more advanced than what you think. Your colour looks more like ours than the standard humans we have met, even if it has been years since this has happened."

The Master Scribe came to the table, accompanied by the other scribes that had been confined to the ducal palace by the curfew, and addressed Samson.

"Your Majesty?"

"Yes?"

"All the decrees discussed today and approved have been written, verified and recopied. We are ready for the seals and signatures."

"Why are you asking me that? Enron is still Regent as far as I know. He signs, and he seals."

"Fine your Majesty," replied, doubtful, the scribe.

"Is it me or do I detect a feeling of doubt?"

"Your Majesty, Enron's regency has been approved by those present in this castle, and is common knowledge within, but no one else knows about it."

"True. Write a royal proclamation of regency, and I will sign it. I enjoy my vacation, and unless Enron does a major blunder or three, I intend to stay that way for at least a year or two."

"Your Majesty!"

The scribe retired, literally bent in half, and backing off so fast he fell on his ass after catching his left heel in an uneven tile.

"I think this castle needs some serious renovations." After a chuckle, Samson turned towards Harp and enquired as to the behaviour of Marlin during his feeding that evening.

"The fool is even more stubborn than I thought. He tried a spell on me, without the use of a wand or his hands. The dumb bugger burned himself with it, and I had to heal him. I lost patience."

"Lost patience, Harp? The response was hilarious, but I have yet to figure out how you did it!" Sitar replied.

"What did that little monster do?"

"Oh, nothing!" replied, hastily, Harp. "I just suspended the mage upside down by the ankles using the manacles tied to the dungeon wall."

"Stop being modest! You did that, without touching him in any way!" Paschal commented. "You had him nude in a flash, and held a butter knife to his family jewels. I think your comment was to the effect that wolves loved jollies for lunch or something like that, especially when they were freshly taken off the prey!"

"How did the mage react?"

"He did on himself. We had to throw a couple of buckets of cold water on his body to clean him up. Harp? Can you tell me where you found these buckets full of water and ice? As far as I know, dungeons do not contain ice boxes, maybe coal and wood for fires, but ice boxes, I've never heard of."

"Oh, I thought we needed to cool down an overheated head, namely the mage's, and imagined buckets filled with cold water and ice, and suddenly they were there."

"You materialized the stuff?" Enron asked, awed.

"I don't know if I materialized it or carried it from the mountain streams, but it was there when I needed it."

"Harp, you know you are scaring me?"

"Why, Enron? I've never done anything to scare you or hurt you!"

"Are you aware of what it is exactly you have been able to do in the last twenty-four hours?"

"What? I got even with a mage, that's all!"

"And he says that like it was a day to day occurrence for everyone to deal with a master mage like a piece of over-worn rag!"

"Enron is right, son. Few can practice telekinesis, that is moving objects without touching them; or teleport object from one location to another without having to cross the space in between the two places. And I do not even want to think about the impact of creating objects from nothing, or rearranging existing atomic particles to assemble a macroscopic object. Both require a lot of energy."

Paschal looked at Harold, thoughtful. "Remember that discussion we had on how far things would go?"

"Yes?"

"I think Harp is showing some of the possibilities. If he can teleport objects such as buckets of water, nothing should stop him from teleporting himself anywhere he wants, as it is only a question of what to teleport, a question of focus."

"Maybe, Paschal," replied Sitar, "but think of this: you can materialize anywhere, including in a wall. That wouldn't be fun."

"I agree, Paschal. I think the issue is visualizing the place you want to be. Harp, if ever you try teleporting yourself, try it in line of sight only. I think that would be safer."

"Another question comes to mind," wondered Dunbar, who had been listening in the background. "Why is Harp progressing faster than any of us?"

"I think the reason is that Harp suffers less inhibitions than us. For him, the word impossible is not in his dictionary. So far, everything he has tried has worked."

"That may be true, Harold, but what will happen when he meets something he cannot do?"

"I have no idea."

"Anyways, dad, we have some eight thousand elves in the three cities and the surrounding countryside, plus about another additional three hundred that were stationed by Franz and his accomplices in Sophia, Loren, and Hamburg to act as city guards. We cannot actually leave the three towns without security, albeit, I would encourage that we leave wolves in charge and get the elves, especially those with training, incorporated into our army before we move north."

"Enron, I told you earlier, you are regent. Do as you see fit!"

"Dad, it's not a question of regency, it's a question of bouncing my analysis off you and getting feedback. I need counsel, and you have more experience than I do."

«He is right, Samson. He needs counsel from someone that knows the kingdom in depth. By the way, I found the census book. What a dead weight! They have divided the country into counties, which is logical, and established the population of each. From what I found out about the region around Sophia, it is one of the most densely populated of the archduchy. Technically, it houses something like forty-five thousand elves. The problem is it's summer and we cannot ask farmers ready to reap crops to leave their farms. That substantially reduces our potential. Furthermore, the archdukes already drained a substantial part of their military forces to partake in the coup. These are already incorporated in the forces you have under your command.»

«Thank you for your support, Queen Annabelle, and for the information. What would you suggest to increase our army?» Enron replied.

«You have already given the proper orders, Enron. Your idea of regrouping into defendable positions will free some from the need to hold positions that are lost in all events. However, this is going to be a trickle. Again, your obsession with knowing what the orcs are doing is the best option you have, and that means moving north as fast as you can.»

«Thank you, Annabelle. I know what I have to do.»

«You are welcomed.»

"Gentlemen, I have made my decision. Tomorrow, we depart for the north; I want all soldiers left in the three cities incorporated into our standing army. The canines, namely about a thousand wolves and dogs, will ensure security in each city. All other dogs except the expectant bitches and those feeding pups are hereby incorporated in the canine army. As of now, all equines not currently feeding a colt or within six months of giving birth is also incorporated in our equine division. Scribes! Write down the orders, they are to be posted besides those proclaimed by Harp."

"Which road do you want to take?"

"Paschal, do you have a suggestion?"

"I looked at the map, and we should cross Ultrech as fast as we can, taking the northwest road that leaves Hamburg. That would get us to Frieburg, then Astor, to a lake we will have to walk around, but it's relatively small, and then we will have almost a bee line north to the northern tip of the kingdom and the first great orc concentration in Ka."

"Does that answer your question, Harold?"

"Yes, but what about Munster and Gdansk? Aren't we leaving our backs exposed to treachery? We have not yet taken control of these duchies."

"I am well aware of that, Harold. Dioniz and Ultrech are still much left to themselves, even if we took their capital. But we have to take risks, and hope that our canine spies will tip us to any unusual activity that is not of our own doing."

«I just did a summary estimate of the total population for Sophia, Dioniz, Ultrech, Munster, Frieburg, and Gdansk. Unless I forgot a number or two, I reach an astronomical one hundred and ninety-five thousand souls. Most are far from your selected path, and you will garnish troops as you move north, Enron. Zorba, Astor, and Alamein are allies of the Elven throne, and their leaders are part of your army already. Ka, Ma, Ra, and Ur are some of the four or five duchies that did not have their duke at the assembly, and we know why now.»

«Yes, I remember. The other one is Edom, and it too is abutted to our northern border. I cannot remember if Baal's duke was present?»

«No, son, he wasn't but his daughter was. She is still with her head on her shoulders. Assuming the daughter speaks for the dad, Baal is also an ally.»

«I remember Fe's representative, a rather cute-looking boy slightly older than me,» Sitar added. «He too survived the Oath of Fealty. As did, if I remember, a rather nice-looking lady, the duchess of Aden.»

«Did you say cute?»

«I did, Harp.»

«Is he of interest?»

«Harp, that is none of your business!» Harold scolded.

«Harp, bite me!» added Sitar.

«Don't invite him to that, he is a wolf, after all!» added Paschal. «And he did say that the duchess was nice-looking right after!»

«Come on, she is old! Are you telling me you are into older women too?»

«Harp, if I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut! That duchess is my age, all considered given she is an elf. Are you telling me I am old and ugly?»

«Oh! I put my foot in my mouth and it tastes bad! No, mom, you are not ugly! I'm sorry! As for keeping my mouth shut, it is, already!»

«Oh, Harp! Do not take this too badly! Contrary to standard humans, it sometimes is difficult to keep things to ourselves given we are telepaths. I will not blame you for this. Just be careful not to judge people from what you read in their minds. One day, when you grow up, you might find things look different, and what is distasteful today is fun the next.»

«Still, I doubt I'll ever find my foot tasty!»

That last comment brought hilarity to the royal table, to the stunned looks of the visitors.

"Before we retire and get ready for tomorrow, Paschal, can you estimate the duration of the trip to Ka?"

"Let me study the map a few minutes, Enron. I will give you two estimates: our standard speed and the forced march speed." With that, Paschal plunged into the map and kept using a tiny wheel to measure distances along the roads, muttering as each tiny click was noted by a checkmark on a notepad.

"One hundred and sixty-six miles to Frieburg, and we need to take the two small agglomerations facing each other at the border, total estimated population at four thousand, so likely a very limited force. Next."

Again Paschal took his little wheel and did his fancy calculations. 'Next, sixty miles to reach Astor; but we have a bigger population center in Frieburg, approximately three thousand inhabitants. We can collect troops from the small town in Zorba, an ally." Going back to his map, Paschal did some more calculations. "Another seventy-five miles to the military outpost facing Frieburg's capital, Berlin, which we should take since it's right across a bridge from the outpost. I suspect if we took the back road that leads to the outpost rather than the one closer to the river, we would come in totally undetected."

"Paschal, the wolves tell me the lake is artificial and a dam holds it back. Although it is guarded, it is a token guard. We could use its top to storm the town from two sides, since the dam leads almost directly into the river front." Sitar added.

"Quite right, Sitar, thanks for suggesting it. I think that would be a good task for the cavalry, but we need to view the installation with canine eyes. We could do that tomorrow night. Back to my little calculations."

"OK, I did some calculations, From Frieburg's capital to that city in Munster there is thirty miles, and three minor communities. We need to take them fast and furious, before the noise of the fall of Frieburg has the time to spread around. We will then come back on our steps to cross back in Astor and resume our march northward. How does that sound, Enron?"

"It sounds good, Paschal. Your analysis fits with our worries about leaving concentrations of forces in our back which we cannot trust."

"Next, when we have re-entered Astor, we will collect troops from there and continue north. The next city is seventy-four miles away, and is paired with a city in Solon. By the time we reach that point, I would expect the archduke of Solon to have amassed troops for us at the border, since it is one of the archduchies with the biggest population concentration of the kingdom."

"The only issue is that the archduke died in the poisoning festival. It is his daughter that now sits on the ducal throne. And she doesn't even know it yet."

"That sucks, Samson. Maybe we need to inform her of the tragic events?"

"Yes, I have included a scroll for her in the mobilization orders that are leaving at prime by wolf. Also included is the ducal signet, and, Enron, would you mind signing the decree of recognition?"

"Certainly, dad. Scribe, bring it here now." The royal seal apposed on the signed decree was added to the package destined to Solon.

"Back to calculating things. While you were busy I did some more. After we leave that town, there is a thirty-mile stretch before we have a junction. Now I need to figure out what would be best. If you look at the map, you see three cities of approximately three thousand inhabitants each in close proximity, but there is no bridge linking them that are near. According to the wolves, it's because the river is encased in cliffs and its waters are too swift to be crossed, but I did spot ancient pillars, telling me this was not bugging the old road builders. We have two options. Continue north and garner more troops or turn east, cross the river at the bridge, and take the hornets' nest in Munster, and continue north through Gdansk. If you look carefully, notice we would have to travel twenty-five miles to reach the city in Astor, and thirty to reach the one in Munster. Furthermore, if we continue on the northern road, the nearest bridge into Ra is another thirty miles, and let's add another eighteen to reach the junction to the northern road. If we stay on the eastern side of the river complex we save a lot of time, and can reach Gdansk faster, but we will be traveling in hostile country. The distance between the two cities found in Munster and Gdansk is twenty-five miles."

Everyone looked at the map, considering different options. Finally Harp spoke.

"Enron, Paschal, this area is populated. We cannot leave the two cities unoccupied. They are thorns in our backs. What I suggest is we send the cavalry, under the command of Yamato, collect the elves in the city in Astor, with a royal decree, then they move as fast as they can to reach that bridge west, and join us from Ra's side in taking Gdansk. We can spare a centurie, even if it is the Royal guard. They should collect elves in Ra as well, which, given the situation, is probably fully mobilized already. We merge back in Gdansk, resume our speedy walk north, again collecting forces, if possible as we progress to reach the last two duchies."

Everyone looked at the map and saw the reasoning behind Harp's speech. Enron turned to Samson, who blinked at him.

"Suggestion approved, Harp. Continue like that and I'll have you general by the end of the campaign."

"I don't need to be general, Enron, I'm already prince!"

"Back to the issue at hand. Thirty two miles to reach the end of Gdansk, and another small town to take by storm, then we enter Alamein, an allied duchy, were we can collect more troops. Then we have to travel thirty-four miles to reach Alamein's capital. Add forty-four miles to reach the bridge to Ka and ten miles to reach their capital. Let me add up the numbers."

Paschal did his number crunching routine and came up with the total. "If my numbers are correct this gives a grand total of six hundred and twenty six miles from our current position. If we could do it non-stop, that means another twenty-six days non-stop, at our slow pace; and thirteen at forced walk. We must add the time to storm the cities and take control of them. Assuming it takes two days for big cities, we have six major and numerous smaller communities. I don't expect small communities to be real obstacles. Assuming a day to storm, a day to set up the infrastructure, that adds twelve days to the trip."

"That's another month away, Paschal, at best!"

"I know. We can always send the wolf divisions ahead, but I do not know how Ka would welcome thousands of wolves in their mists!"

"You have a point Enron. Too bad we can't light their lantern. The last point I would like to know is what is the configuration of the terrain near the lakes, such as hilliness and distances. We are headed into Ka, all right, but the issues are much vaster."

"Let me study the map further, dad."

After doing some studies, Paschal came back to the table, and started explaining, while pointing at the map.

"The issues are of three orders: First, once we reach Ka and its capital, we haven't reached the dam and the battle zone yet. It is through very narrow trails that the dam and the edge of the kingdom can be reached. It is fifteen miles by bird flight to reach the dam, and from the work I did with the wolves, I know we need to multiply that distance by three. The problem also applies to Ma and Ra; both have little or no road in the area. The next issue is Edom, and that is going to be a major hurdle. Most of their population is located near the northern border, and their main urban center as well. The last issue is Ur."

"Talk about a strategic nightmare!" commented Dunbar.

"Yes, and Ur is no better. In fact the only viable way to move east or west is by way of the dams themselves, given the power of the rivers that flow out of their lakes. Looking for fords and bridges is impossible. That is probably one of the major reasons the orcs and crocodiles are fighting it out. Controlling the dams controls the axis."

"You mention bridges. What about those?" Williams asked.

"There is one crossing into Ma from Ka at the level of Ka's capital; from the bridge to Thebes, the capital of Ma, is a ten-mile stretch of very twisty road. From there is a twenty-three mile stretch of road to the border of Ra and the next bridge. From there, we have the choice of following game trails across Ra to Edom or following the road. Forget straight-line travel across mountains. It is hell on earth. And whatever we do, we still must confront orcs and priests. Following the road would force us down south by seventy-six miles, and then we would have to take the western branch and travel ninety-six miles to reach Edom. And we would not have dealt with the orc concentration in the northern part of Ra, at the dam."

"What is the distance from our entry point into Ra to the dam?" Williams asked.

"Forty-six miles by bird. Again triple the distance on the ground."

"That is one hundred and fifty miles, rounded, of not pleasant terrain."

"Quite correct, Dunbar. The alternative is a detour by Edom, and the road in Edom to their northern border is seventy-five miles; to which we would need to add sixteen miles by bird flight path to the big dam in Ra."

Harold took a pencil and started to do some calculations.

"Son, if your estimates are correct, to reach the dam from our entry in Ra, it is one hundred and fifty miles of hard trail to reach the dam by the woods. However, taking the roads it totals, lets see, seventy six plus ninety-six plus seventy-six plus three times sixteen gives a grand total of two hundred and ninety six miles, rounded to three hundred."

"So, if I understand this, whatever road we take, we will be getting at that dam about at the same date in the end."

"Not quite true, Sitar; if you look carefully, we cannot progress back east before taking the dam in Edom. We have some knowledge of the forces involved, but we have yet to establish how to take any of these dams," replied Harp.

"Harp is right, we have been talking distances, but how do we plan to take the dams?" Samson asked.

"Before that, we need to look at Ur. It is in the most critical condition, and is like the proverbial finger between the hammer and the anvil. Their situation must be desperate. Their population is minimal; it has three tiny communities, and has maintained its independence from Baal by ferociously keeping to itself. From the last wolf reports, the mines have been abandoned in the mountains, and whatever farmland has also been left to concentrate their population in the cities. Babylon, the northernmost community of the kingdom, and the capital of Ur, is encircled. The orcs on land, the priests in the lake of the same name."

"For now, there is nothing much we can do, Enron. We still are far away. Let us hope they will be able to hold the orcs and priests at bay for the two months it will take us to reach them."

"And we cannot divide our forces, for doing so would reduce their efficiency to nothing," added Harold.

"The situation is dire, to say the least. Let us do what we can, and deal with things as they come," completed Dunbar.

***

The evening was sombre after the strategy meeting dissolved. Everyone was pensive, worried, and wondering what would happen in the future. Suddenly, Harp yelled:

"YAY! I think I found the solution!"

Everyone looked at Harp, wondering to what problem that little devil genius had found a solution.

"And what problem were you thinking about?"

"We need to move fast, right?"

"Yes, the faster the better," replied, intrigued, Enron.

"What, or should I say, who slows us down?"

"Unfortunately, I will have to admit it is the legionnaires." Yamato replied.

"Yes, exactly. How many legionnaires can ride horses?"

"Everyone must be able to ride a horse, if not in battle at least to deliver mail, or for their enjoyment."

"So I figured. How many legionnaires are there with us now? Seven centuries, for a total of nine hundred and ten men. You already have a full centurie on horses, which leaves the need to equip six centuries with horses, for a total of seven hundred and eighty men. Correct?"

"If you say so, I am too tired to do that in my head."

How many packhorses do we have? About one hundred pack horses per centurie."

"I say a bit more, Harp, a centurie has to carry a lot of stuff, and there are usually two packhorses per legionnaire. Weapons, clothes, cooking stuff, tents, you name it."

"OK, that is even better. See, Yamato, there are quite a few horses in the barns around here, in the farms, and there are donkeys, mules, and asses. All of which can replace the legions' packhorses."

"True, but I still fail to see where you are going with this reasoning?"

"Simple, Yamato. Put every slowpoke legionnaire on horseback. Use the packhorses to carry legionnaires! What is the usual trotting speed of a horse? Compare it to the running speed of a legionnaire!"

The adults looked at each other, and suddenly, eyes popped out of heads, growing bigger than saucers.

"How could we have missed that important fact?" exclaimed Samson.

"And to complete the picture, we have spare saddles and harnesses, bridles, and reins for every single horse rider. That is a brilliant idea, Harp!" Yamato exclaimed. "Paschal, what would be your estimate if everyone of the legionnaires was mounted?"

"We still would be limited by the elves' speed. However we could travel eighty-eight miles per day, so that in eight days, we could reach Ka. The issue of taking the cities we cross remains, so that number has to go up by the expected amount. The total raises to twenty days, if all goes well."

"That is a much better prospect than taking months to reach the battle zone."

"Quite correct, Samson." Yamato replied. "It reminds me of a war the ancients fought, that was at the start of the great Cataclysm. They called it the blitzkrieg, or lightening war, where battles were won by the speed of displacement. I think we are going to revive that tactic."

"I just finished writing the scroll of requirements for the equines, Enron. Sign it and seal it as Regent."

"Thank you dad; Greywolf, would you mind having this delivered to the eastern door tower? The legionnaire will simply throw it over the moat and the guard will pick it up. By prime, tomorrow, the equines will be collected and the legions mounted."

Dad, I will retire to my room to enter in telepathic communication with the Grand Master of Mages to inform him of the situation concerning his envoy, Mage Marlin."

"OK, Harp. Please involve your brothers. Williams, you have command from matins until prime, I will take command from prime until sext, and Samson form sext until vespers. Enron, you join the three terrors in dealing with the mages; Dunbar, you have command until matins. I feel tired and we will be on the move tomorrow morning, as soon as the drawbridge falls."

"Agreed, Harold. Rest well. Boys, try to hit the sack before lauds!"

"Don't worry, Dunbar, we will simply state the facts to that grand master, and what we plan to do. He won't have a say."

"Knowing Harp, I suspect the Grand Master of the Order of the Light is in for a blackout!"

"Sitar! No dumb jokes!"

Everyone retired to their respective apartments in the ducal suite, except Dunbar, who had to occupy the ducal throne until matins, and the four boys, who moved to Harp's room to contact the Grand Master.

***

«Grand Master Evans?»

«Who is asking for me?»

«I am Prince Harp. We are contacting you in place of mage Marlin.»

«We?»

«Yes, Prince Regent Enron, Prince Paschal, Prince Sitar, and I.»

«Fine. Where is Marlin?»

«Detained.»

«Why?»

«He tried to take control of my person using the voice. After failing to do so, he tried to kill me. After an initial defeat, when we tried to feed him, he tried again, and failed again.»

«He failed? Twice?»

«Yes. I am to decide what to do with him. I cannot leave him behind, because it is not everyone that can resist him; however, he has become a nuisance.»

«Has he tried freeing himself?»

«Yes, and got burned for it. We had to heal him; but to be honest I am not inclined to heal him again if he tried it one more time.»

«What would you do?»

«Drain him of all information. From what we already know, he planned a coup to take your place. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. He has ambitions above his means.»

«Interesting. Can you forward to me what you already know about that plan?»

«Certainly. Here goes.»

With that a powerful tsunami of information flowed from Harp to the Grand Master.

«Damn, that hurts!»

«Sorry, Grand Master. I did not expect you to have such narrow bandwidth.»

«You mean you can do more?»

«Easily. I had limited the transfer rate, just in case.»

«Anyways, Prince Harp, thank you for the information. I will need to analyze it. Drain all you want from that bastard. However, I must warn you, it will not remove his capacity as mage.»

«Maybe not, but the next step is draining him of magical energy, destroying his magical core. That won't be pleasant for the fucker, but he got it coming!»

«You can do that? It will kill him both mentally and physically, and it sends shivers down my spine.»

«So? He is a snake in our midst, and I believe, like dad, that a beheaded snake is safer than a free-roaming one. Expect a strong resonance in magic space.»

«Talking about resonance, was it you that created these major disturbances in the past few days?»

«If you are talking about the use of telekinesis, teleportation, and materialization, then yes, it was I.»

«You what? Are you aware that only Grand Masters can use teleportation and telekinesis, and only one Great Grand Master can materialize objects, and, for that matter, dematerialize them as well? These powers are very dangerous to use!»

«So? I did what I needed to do. If your order is made up of weaklings, it is not my problem!»

«Just so I get the picture straight, how old are you, Prince Harp?»

«Not again! I am five, just like the number of fingers on your right hand, Grand Master. Five! Do not commit the mistake Marlin did! Do not underestimate me because of my age!»

«Why did you specify my right hand?»

«Because you lost a finger on you left hand, due to playing with a dangerous fish. I can see your hands on the table, and I can read the story in your mind.»

«Harp, stop showing off! You are scaring the grand master!»

«So? Fear is the mother of sagacity. I just hope he has more brain cells in that skull than Marlin.»

«Yes you scare me. From what you told me, you are more powerful than a grand master, and probably of the great grand master of the order. Do you mind if I inform him of this?»

«Inform as much as you want, as long as we do not have another dumb ass mage to deal with. We have enough trouble with orcs and the crocodile priests already without your gang adding to the shit!»

«Harp! Language!»

«The hell with language. He is an adult, and we are too, at least when it comes to brains. If he needs a cleaner language, maybe he should wear a diaper around his brain!»

«I have heard worse. I will do what is needed. I doubt that the great grand master will appreciate the news concerning his son, Mage Marlin.»

«Tell that great grand master to contact us tomorrow night. We will have extracted all we can out of that dimwit, but delayed the execution until he contacts us.»

«Thank you.»

«Have a good evening.»

«I doubt it. The great grand master is ill tempered.»

«Ah, my kind of asshole!»

«Harp!» Enron and the other princes exclaimed.

«Given what Prince Harp has done already, I think this showdown will be to put in the annals of magic!»

«That is what we fear. He seems to have a flair for the grandiose!» Paschal answered.

«Anyways, good night. I will contact you tomorrow, just prior to the great grand master.»

«Fine. Goodbye.»