Hedgewitch by Terry Mancour

Author:Terry Mancour [Mancour, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

Rondal’s lecture to the Kasari about the political situation and the devious actions of Prince Tavard, the Count of Wilderhall, was potent. His suggestion for countering the Prince was well-received, even if the plan he explained raised some voices of skepticism amongst them. When it came to enlisting as mercenaries with the Orphan’s Band, there were even more – many Kasari rebelled at the notion of serving in a Narasi army, even temporarily. The Kasari counted themselves free men, and some took that notion deeply to heart.

But the stratagem Rondal outlined appealed to many as cunning and worthy, once he explained it in detail. He tried to sound confident and enthusiastic and used all of the other means he had learned over the years in war and in court, though he was uncomfortable doing it.

This was something he was doing without permission or sanction. On his own initiative. He hadn’t even told Gatina about it.

As he spoke, he tried fervently to believe in his own words, and not succumb to the growing doubt that was creeping up in the back of his mind. The thousands of eager smiles that laughed at his jokes and listened attentively to his plans could be marching to their doom. And he was the one sending them there.

These were not warriors, though they knew how to fight. But if he could convince enough of them to join the Orphans’ Band and embark on this mission for the sake of Alshar and the Spellmonger’s realm, then it would work. It might work, he corrected. He realized, suddenly, that Bold Asgus invocation of Ifnia was far more apt than he wanted to admit. He was the one throwing the dice here. But he would not be the only one to pay the price.

Still, he persevered, stifling his own doubts as he concluded his remarks to thunderous cheers. He invited all those who wanted to participate to line up by the entrance to the Orphans’ camp to take the enlistment oath and receive their new arms. He invoked their patriotism, their resentment, and their sense of honor as his speech came to a close. Even Bold Asgus and his men were cheering, as were the hundreds of Nirodi Mounted Archers who had arrived with the Kasari.

“Well done, lad!” Bold Asgus said, grinning widely as he helped Rondal down from the barrel. “I’ve never seen so many poor bastards ready to march into death all at once! You’d make six hells of a recruiter!”

Rondal was a little overcome as Asgus and Pintol led him to the gates where a couple of Ancients, a warbrother and a squad of infantry began swearing in the Kasari men in groups of ten.

There were a lot of groups of ten, Rondal realized, as he saw the lines form.

“How many did you figure you’d need to accomplish this?” Asgus asked him, quietly.

“Five hundred, at least,” Rondal said, dazed, as he witnessed another oath on parchment.

“We’re getting close to that now,” Asgus nodded. “How many did you expect to join?”

“Uh, perhaps a thousand, if I was lucky,” Rondal admitted.

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