Kevin J Anderson by Game's End

Author:Game's End
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-09-30T16:40:00+00:00

ALLIES

"We played our games. We had our fun. But the Rules have changed, and now we face a different game ― one of survival."

― Tayron Tribeleader of the khelebar

Delrael's army had found its stride. Over the days of marching they learned how to work with each other, how to function as one vast unit.

After travelling this far, they had passed through the stages Delrael expected to see ― initial excitement at approaching unknown adventures, which gave way to sore weariness from walking across hexagon after hexagon, then the misery of camping under poor conditions and eating bland food for too many days. Finally, as they retreated northward along the spine of the Spectre Mountains, they had hardened to the routine.

Delrael sent scouts ahead and to the side to seek possible obstacles and likely places for ambushing Siryyk's horde; rear scouts reported regularly on the progress of the monsters.

The manticore's troops had spread out on the rugged mountain terrain, with a long vanguard of footsoldiers in front, marching ahead of the main group. Siryyk still didn't know an entire human army remained only one step ahead in the mountain terrain.

Delrael gave permission for teams to dig traps and to set obstacles. These proved a nuisance to Siryyk but caused no real damage, nor did it suggest to the manticore that anything more than a few isolated characters were harassing them. But Delrael knew it would keep the horde angry and marching.

Delrael sent his fighters marching well before dawn. In the darkness they tramped along the quest-path, bearing torches when the terrain proved too treacherous in the dark.

By the time sunrise lit their way, the young man Romm came back from ahead to report. "The next hexagon is forested hills, as we knew from the map. I went with two other scouts." He seemed uneasy. "We sensed other characters around us. You know how it gets when you're alone in a dense forest. You can feel when someone's watching you."

Delrael nodded, but let a smile creep across his face. He knew exactly where they were. "I don't think we'll have any trouble with the khelebar. Don't worry."

Romm looked at him as if to ask a question, but he decided not to. He went back through the lines to get some food from the supply packs.

Delrael withdrew one of the small maps Vailret had copied back in the Stronghold village. It would be interesting to see how Ledaygen had fared after the forest fire.

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