I left Thilos to go talk with Imprid and headed to the office. The whole gang was there, everyone left alive from the trip to Aandarvi and back, as well as Venzik and most of the guards. I was glad, because it meant I was only going to have to explain this once. “We’re leaving town the day after tomorrow.” I announced as I entered the kitchen. Everyone started asking questions but I ignored them until I had poured myself a glass of wine and sampled it thoroughly. “Enough! Lord Tarin has given me a new job. Well, Thilos and I, but any of you who want to come would certainly be very welcome.” I held up a hand to prevent questions. “Let me get everything out and then it will be time for you to ask everything you can think of. We’re going to verify the information Jade gave me about Mount Kathaldi and the village. Lord Tarin doesn’t want to go to all the trouble and expense of a campaign if it’s just a trap or trick. We ride over there, scout and investigate, then come back and report. Whoever’s still alive, that is.”
“How do we get out of Ansdron when it is surrounded by drants?” Venzik asked.
“Great question. I asked the same thing. The day after tomorrow our troops are going to let the drants take the west gate, hoping that draws most of the drants there. They expect the mages to help throw them back after we’re out the south gate. Our calvary forces will clear a path for us through the drant forces and then head back inside the city.” I looked around the room. “Any questions?”
Delik nodded. “I have one. How long do you expect this to take?”
“I don’t know. We don’t come back until we have something substantial to report. They’ll be going to a great deal of trouble to get us out of the city. A lot of people are going to get hurt and killed. It’s up to us to make the sacrifice worthwhile.”
“Who, exactly, is going?” Venzik asked.
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“Thilos will be bringing Imprid and some warders to act as scouts.” I said, after finishing off my wine. “I’ll be bringing Delik Slin, you, and most of the guards. I want to leave three here. Two at the office and one at my house. You can pick who goes and stays. I’m hoping Sir Aryoss, Kralnik and Vone will come but I understand you all have duties. There will be some mages with us, as well.”
“I am at your service.” Sir Aryoss announced. “Nothing I could do here in Ansdron is more important than fulfilling my oath to Cindrem to fight the Kathaldi.”
“I’m in, too.” Kralnik said, grinning. “I’ll be happy to leave behind the role of figurehead for my troops from Naugbar.”
I turned to Vone and raised an eyebrow. “And you?”
“Of course I am coming with you. I cannot let it be said that I left the quest unfinished. I would like to bring a couple of my fellow Kefnakian priests along, if you do not mind.”
I laughed. “I don’t mind at all! The more the merrier, up to a point. I don’t want so many people that it slows us down. I do want enough people that we can take the Magrin road. Lord Tarin will be providing us with good horses and I want to make the most of them. The sooner we get there the quicker we can find out what we need to know and get back here.” I looked at Kralnik. “Do you have anyone you want to bring along?”
He nodded. “An old friend of mine. One you’ve met before.”
“Pashnik?” I asked. “That grizzled old lump is still alive?”
“He is, and he’ll be glad to know you asked after his health.”
I laughed again. “This should be fun.” I turned to Delik Slin. “Would you take charge of figuring out how many horses we’ll need and letting Rithers know? And food and everything else?” He nodded and rose form the table. “Lord Tarin wanted us to give Rithers as much time as possible to get everything we need gathered together.” Venzik gestured for the guards to follow him and everyone else also started moving out of the kitchen. “One last thing that I almost forgot. No one who’s going on this little trip can fight on the walls tomorrow.” Vone, Kralnik and Sir Aryoss all started to complain but a held up a hand to quiet them. “Lord Tarin’s orders. Take it up with him if you don’t like it. Now, get out of here.” I waved them off. “We all have a lot to do and only a day to do it in.”