The Wizards' War by Angela Holder

Author:Angela Holder [Holder, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deore Press
Published: 2016-03-07T23:00:00+00:00

Thirty-Five

Tenorran watched over Benarre’s shoulder as the commander added new markers to the map in response to the latest report. “That’s the tenth weapon accounted for,” Benarre announced. “If Tenorran’s information is correct, all the Tevenarans have taken the field.” He straightened and surveyed the distribution of Ramunnan and Tevenaran forces. “They’re using a simple strategy, though effective enough. But I’ve got a few tricks in store I doubt they anticipate.”

He pointed to the markers indicating the two columns of Tevenarans advancing from the northwest. “They’ve dispersed their strength, so we’ll concentrate ours. These two are closest; we’ll start with them. Mirlen, send messages to the men of the Thulla, the Galarre, the Nobilla, and the Kaminna.” He shifted markers away from four other columns to surround the Tevenarans closest to the river. “Tell them to join the men of the Nikenna and the Jonarra in their attack against this column. With such an advantage in numbers they should overwhelm them easily.” He smiled maliciously. “Once they’ve captured the peasants’ weapon, the Secrets officers can turn it against them. They copied it from ours, so it should be easy for us to operate.”

He removed the markers indicating the Tevenaran fighters, slid the marker for the weapon to rest among the Ramunnans, and shifted the entire Ramunnan group to meet the next Tevenaran column. “When they’ve eliminated that column, they’ll join the men of the Jorra and the Dalavirre. The combined force should deal with the peasants even more expeditiously.” He swept the Tevenaran markers from the map, picked the weapon marker from the pile, and dropped it on the clump of Ramunnan markers. “And so on.”

The other captains nodded and chuckled. Mirlen smirked as he committed the orders to paper. Tenorran suppressed a stab of unworthy disappointment. He could see no fault with Benarre’s strategy. They would triumph without needing to put Tenorran’s plan into action.

“Meanwhile,” Benarre continued, “in order to delay the other columns until the combined force can reach them, my Secrets officers and those of the Tondarre will deploy the prepared charges.” He set a marker in front of each of the six columns approaching from the south. “If it proves necessary to delay the later columns further, more charges can be used.” He placed additional markers in the paths of the columns to the east.

He regarded the other captains. “Any comments?”

No one spoke. Tenorran read universal approval on the captains’ faces. “Very well. Mirlen, send the messages as soon as you finish. Gentlemen, we’ll take a break until the next reports come in.”

As the captains rose from around the table and dispersed, Benarre’s hand fell on Tenorran’s shoulder. “I’d like you to help my Secrets officers set the delaying charges.”

Tenorran gaped at him. “Me, sir?”

“You know how to handle the Secret. Everything we’ve seen of the Tevenarans accords precisely with what you told us. You’ll be far more useful in the field than sitting around here.”

“Yes, sir!” Tenorran saluted, his heart racing. Benarre trusted him. He trusted him with the Secret.

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