The following morning over half of those assembled for the alliance left under the command of Elder Vanarr.
Those remaining gathered alongside the Hobson’s Point expedition, and they made their way north.
Nathir, the Stormlord Sorcerer, had arrived early with maps and some more specific details for Silver, showing him how the Cyth were travelling and their projected route.
This section of the Host would skirt the southern side of the Grey Peaks, which would eventually lead them to Dresk, and then to Hobson’s Point.
Vanarr’s decision to give them this particular role made more sense with that revelation, and Verdan’s respect for the grizzled Sorcerer rise.
Managing all this must be difficult, but Vanarr was making it look easy.
“Is that the man you mentioned yesterday?” Gwen asked as the Defiant Flame portion of their force joined the growing column heading north.
Verdan glanced over and nodded. “Yes, that’s him, and it looks like he’s in charge of the group. Hopefully, that won’t be a problem.”
“Especially with who we have in that ‘veteran’ unit,” Gwen said, sending a scornful look at the Steel Custodians who were marching at the front with Silver, or more specifically, at their leader.
Brenn had been given command of the fifty Sorcerers and two hundred retainers that had been assigned to their portion of the alliance army.
Verdan winced, but couldn’t exactly gainsay her. “At least we have Macannan as well.”
Gwen scoffed and gave Verdan an incredulous look. “She’ll walk all over him and you know it. He’s willing to tease and poke, but he won’t stand up to her if it comes down to it.”
Verdan nodded reluctantly. “Well, look at the positives. We have Elder Dun, and all the Disciples. Kai told me they are all experienced and strong fighters.”
“True, but we don’t really know much about them. Then again, at least they don’t have any retainers. The ones from the Eternal Wardens have been alright with us, but some of the Steel Custodian and Defiant Flame retainers are scared of us.”
Verdan frowned in confusion for a moment before realising. “You mean Witches?”
Gwen gave him a flat look before nodding. “Yes, I mean Witches. There are only three Covens here, including me and mine, but you’d think there were hundreds from some of what I’ve heard.”
“We’ve only been with the rest for a day. Is it that bad already?”
Gwen let out a sigh and shook her head. “To be fair to them, it actually isn’t. Worse than we hoped for, but better than I feared.”
“Well, that’s something, I suppose,” Verdan said, falling silent for a few moments before shaking his head. “I don’t know that we can do anything about it right now, but keep me updated.”
Gwen nodded, and they lapsed into silence for a long few moments before she stirred and spoke up. “Do you think we’ll ever find a cure for Kai’s arm?”
“I know we will,” Verdan said, trying to put as much confidence as he could into the statement. “The corruption can be driven out. I believe that with everything I am.”
Gwen nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “Once we’re done here, you’ll make it a priority?”
“I will,” Verdan said solemnly, making it a promise.
-**-
The end of their first day of marching as a unified group ended with Silver hosting a meeting for all the alliance leaders so they could plan out their next steps.
Each of them introduced themselves and gave a quick overview of what forces they had with them, which was how Verdan found out the name of the Defiant Flame Sorcerer with the familiar face.
Kurgane Skarv, even the name was familiar, though Verdan couldn’t place it.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“So, as I see it, we have a good force of Sect retainers. Almost nine hundred when added together,” Silver said, tapping a list that he’d made of their force composition. “With just over three hundred Sorcerers outside of those from Hobson’s Point, I think we need to focus on supporting those retainers. The easiest way to do that is to find a defensible position.”
“Why bother with any of that?” Kurgane asked, his voice dripping with derision. “We can simply go head to head with this smaller Host and crush it. Any magic they can bring to bear will be nothing in the face of hundreds of Sorcerers working in concert. All the retainers need to do is hold the line while we do the work.”
“Someone from the Defiant Flame with no regard for tactics. How unusual,” Gwen said sarcastically, ignoring a glare from Silver.
Kurgane looked like he was going to snap at her, but after a moment the Sorcerer simply spread his hands. “I’m not looking for a fight. We both know we have bad blood between us, but the focus is on the Cyth here. I want them destroyed as quickly as possible, and letting them gain ground goes against that.”
A murmur of support came from the others at Kurgane’s words, and Elder Dun stepped forward. “My Wardens can create a temporary fortification when we engage the enemy. It won’t be as solid as one we’ve had time with, though.”
“The Fwyn and Brecan could assist with that,” Verdan said, taking the middle ground that Dun offered.
Silver looked unhappy, but reluctantly nodded. “Very well. We’ll move for a closer engagement. Our supply train will be kept to the rear, however. I will not risk it for the ease of closing with the enemy.”
“If I may?” Elder Dun asked, gesturing to the map and waiting for Silver to nod before moving in close and tapping an area to their north-east. “There is a valley here that is sandwiched between two ridge-lines and bounded by a river. There are only a few paths, and we could easily collapse some of them, controlling the movement of the Cyth.”
“I see,” Silver said, looking more closely at the map. “It looks to be the most northern passage through this area. How far would they have to deviate to cross otherwise?”
“All the way down here, several days travel. But there are bridges along the river,” Dun said, tapping the map for emphasis. “If we send forward a small group, we can ensure that any means of crossing in the area are destroyed. Then we can position on the eastern ridgeline and control the approach to the valley.”
“I know a few people who are very good at blowing up bridges,” Elder Vaijon said, strolling up to the map and running a hand over his bald head. “Give us some backup and the Disciples will see that done for you.”
“I’ll provide the backup,” Gwen said, glancing down at the map. ”Myself, and two other Witches. We’ll be able to handle anything unexpected, as well as find the bridges that might be there.”
“Alright, this seems to be workable, assuming that we are correct about the Cyth’s last position and how fast they are moving,” Silver said, shooting a questioning look at Nathir, who nodded confidently.
“My brethren provided that information within the last few days.”
“Very well. Elder Vaijon, please pull together a small group. I’ll send them forward with some Airta to scout the area and destroy any bridges. In the meantime, I want us moving as quickly as possible. It will be four days to the eastern ridgeline, and then we’ll move to prepare the western side before the Cyth arrive on the fifth day.”
Verdan looked at the distances involved for a moment and nodded. It looked workable, even with how many of them there was. There was little room for mistakes, though, or for whatever issues the Cyth would cause.
Still, the terrain would favour them, and if they let the Cyth across that river, it would open up a whole new tract of land and a slew of small settlements to Cyth raiding.
“If I may, Commander?” Ciaran asked, speaking up for the first time. Silver looked a little surprised but motioned for Ciaran to speak his mind. “Thank you. I wanted to suggest that Pathfinder Galstar accompany the group as well as the Airta. The Airta know the forest like no other, but my people know mountains.”
The Pathfinder was present to represent her scouts, and she straightened with pride at the Chosen’s words.
“My concern would be keeping our main force properly covered with scouts,” Silver said with a slight frown.
“We Airta can do that,” Sylvie said, stepping forward with a toothy grin. “I will send half of my people along with the forward group, while the rest stay here to watch the forests. The Chosen is right, though. The Pathfinder’s people are good, and we should put them to their best use.”
Ciaran nodded with a pleased look, but the Pathfinder stared at her counterpart in surprise. It was the most unprepared that Verdan had seen the competent Pathfinder, and from the smirk Sylvie had, he had a feeling that was the point.
Whatever the reason, she did make a good point, though it made Verdan realise that there was no matching group. “Elder Dun, who was scouting for the Sects before we arrived?”
“The Unbound Gale has a small cadre that specialises in just that,” Dun said with a slight shrug. “Some of my brethren have comparable magic, but it is far more limited in range.”
Verdan frowned unhappily at that. Vanarr had taken all of the Unbound Gale with him, which left them relying on mundane scouting, rather than whatever they could do.
Then again, perhaps not.
“We have an air Sorcerer with us. I will ask if they’ll go ahead with this forward group so they can try to locate any roving bands of Cyth. Between her, the normal scouts and whatever Gwen has in mind, they’ll be able to find anything.”
The Bloodline Witch, Macha, had come south with Gwen in the end, rather than stay in the north. Verdan had had very little to do with her since then, but he knew she had joined Gwen’s Coven.
He assumed that was who Gwen was taking with her, and if it was, then he was confident in their ability. Macha had found the Darjee for them, after all.
Silver nodded before straightening up. “Very good. If anyone else has anything to add, let me know, but otherwise, we’ll send the scouts in the morning.”