The Sunstrider by DeLaney Jacen

Author:DeLaney, Jacen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The King’s Court

"… and so, your majesty, the threat South is the larger threat at the moment since they will arrive within two, maybe three weeks. The forces west will take more than a month and possibly longer to assemble even though they are the greater force," the Arch Wizard concluded.

"Father, I do not have a count on our losses yet, but we took losses. We cannot fight two wars on two fronts simultaneously."

"No," the King agreed, "we cannot. We need to fight one war and send one invasion force." This statement surprised everyone save for one, and her smile widened. "According to this map," which was a much more detailed map of the region and the next several regions than could be purchased in town, state secrets and all, "if we send a small, fast mobile force into Karatien's lands along their southern pass, then we can catch each group, army, or mass of monster hordes, in smaller numbers.

"Those that come through the northern pass will be fewer, and we can defend the valley with a single army and a division of mages. In the South, we can divert the other five armies to the border fortress and defend from there, where we have the advantage."

"Before I ask which force we'll send to invade," the Prince asked, "where will you go?" The Prince knew the King was the most powerful individual in the kingdom and wouldn't stand idle while besieged on multiple fronts.

"I will stay here with my Arch Wizard," the King said, using the proper title, which brought a small, very small tear to his eye. "We will use his teleportation magic to go where needed, and I'm sure we will be needed."

"I understand, Father, so as to…."

"I'll, of course, send Squad Zero," the King interrupted the implied next question.

"But…."

"No buts, brother," she said, using the more degenerative use of the word through her tone, "they stink after all. Look," Lady Aria took command of the conversation, "my squad defeated two armies of roughly eighteen thousand soldiers. And two of my soldiers attacked the backline of the main offensive and slaughtered hundreds, if not thousands, on their own. They even took down a paladin alone," she sort of lied. She knew Jacik would've finished the paladin off on his own, but it might've taken more time than needed, and she was able to end it quickly. Still, she had no intention of taking his glory.

"You jest," the Savage Lion Paladin contested.

"No, I was there. I was engaged with three knights when I saw Jacik, Third Stripe, cut down the enemy paladin with a lightning strike of his sword so powerful I don't even think my ice shields could defend against it," said another Paladin.

A roar rumbled out of a man known as the Wolf's Fang Paladin. "You are saying he, Third Stripe, is on par with us?"

The grin on Lady Aria's face and the glint in her eye revealed a truth that none wanted to acknowledge. "First,

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