Heart of Black Ice

CHAPTER 58

While many refugees from Cliffwall scattered into the desert wilderness, Nathan and the surviving defenders headed directly westward, anxious to reach the coast in time to prepare the major cities for war. They pushed themselves hard, knowing they had to stay ahead of General Utros’s army.

Their group passed small farming settlements, intrepid villagers who had come back to reclaim all the land that had once been drained by the Lifedrinker. Nathan’s heart ached when their group paused one night to water their horses and beg food from a group of pioneer families. The settlers had established a foothold, tilling the land, planting crops, building a few homes and even a schoolhouse near a stream. Four milk cows were penned in a stockade, and the cattle lowed as their group approached. The villagers came out, suspicious of the large armed party of strangers.

Sitting tall on his own horse next to Nathan, Oron said in a low voice, “They think we are an army.”

“They will not welcome the news we bring.” Nathan stroked his chin.

The pioneer families gathered in the falling darkness to face the riders. A bearded farmer in a wide-brimmed leather hat stepped forward. “We have little for you to take, if you mean to raid our lands.”

General Zimmer pulled his horse to a halt at the head of the party. “We mean you no harm, though we bring you a warning. A large enemy army is marching behind us, a hundred thousand strong. They will take everything you have, and you can’t stop them.”

From his own horse, Nathan leaned forward and said, “Pack up your things and run to the hills if you value your lives.”

The farmer families were dismayed. “But we can’t abandon our homes! We just built this village, now that the Lifedrinker is dead.”

Nathan straightened his rumpled cape. “I know. I saw what this valley was like before, but you can rebuild again. Please, heed what we have to say. Don’t leave a scrap of food for the enemy. Go hide in the forests for a few days.” He knew his words were hard. “When they are gone, you can start over, but at least you’ll be alive.”

The bearded farmer looked angry. “Who are you to tell us this? Why did you lure an army here?”

General Zimmer said, “The army will come, whether we are here or not. General Utros is on his way.”

Thorn and Lyesse, who jogged along with the group, said, “We are killing as many as we can, but it will take a long time to wipe them all out.”

The horses drank from the stream. Nathan knelt on the soft bank, cupped the running water, and brought it to his lips. The worried farmer families had little food to spare, and the retreating defenders took nothing more than was offered. General Zimmer led the party onward as the alarmed settlers scurried about, packing what they could.

As the group covered mile after mile, Nathan felt an eerie sense of familiarity to retrace his journey from when he, Bannon, and Nicci had traveled inland. Similarly, Oliver and Peretta rode together on their horse, pointing out landmarks they remembered from their own journey to Tanimura. Next to them, Amber looked ahead, wistful. “In a week we’ll be in Renda Bay, won’t we, General? My brother will help us. I’m sure he’s made the town fully defensible.”

Zimmer gave the young novice a sad look. “I don’t doubt Captain Norcross has made remarkable progress, but I can’t imagine what sort of defenses could stop the army of General Utros.”

Oron snorted, “If all of Ildakar couldn’t defeat them, what hope does a fishing town have?”

“What hope does any of us have?” asked Sister Rhoda. “Even after the prelate’s sacrifice, they are still coming.”

“I will not abide talk like that! The hope we have is the hope we make,” Nathan said. “Gigantic armies have been defeated before, and invincible enemies have fallen. Think of Darken Rahl. Think of the Imperial Order and Emperor Jagang. Think of Sulachan and his hordes of half people. Utros is just another one to defeat, and we will do exactly that!”

Taking heart, the group rode onward.

Days later, when they crested the last line of hills before descending to the river valley that led to the ocean, the group stopped and looked back at the many miles they had traveled. Even from a distance they could see the dust and the trampled subjugated landscape from so many thousands of Utros’s marching soldiers.

“They are keeping up with us,” Captain Trevor said. “How can they move so fast?”

“How can they be alive at all, when they should have died centuries ago?” asked Sister Mab.

Nathan grimaced as sharp pain shuddered through his chest. His heart pounded as if it meant to burst out of the long scar, and he pressed his palm hard against his breastbone. “Leave me alone,” he snapped under his breath, but Ivan’s heart continued to pound with the eager anticipation of violence.

As the group followed the widening river toward the coast, they encountered trade roads and finally reached the outskirts and pasturelands of Renda Bay. The clear, sunny morning suggested that all was right with the world. A boy tending sheep and playful lambs greeted them, amazed to see General Zimmer and the battle-worn party. The shepherd boy had a mop of dark hair that looked as woolly as the sheep he tended. “Are you going to help us against the Norukai if they come back?”

Amber pushed her horse forward. “Have they come back?”

“Once.” The boy’s expression was troubled, then he grinned. “But we fought and we drove them away!”

Amber beamed. “I knew it!”

Nathan leaned down from his horse. “Be a good lad and run ahead. Find town leader Thaddeus and tell him we’re coming. We have urgent news.”

The boy awkwardly regarded his sheep. “I can’t leave my flock. They’re my responsibility.”

“Your sheep will be fine for a little while. Now run along. Go! Fast as you can.” The boom of command in the wizard’s voice startled the boy, and he bolted off, racing down the road to the town.

Warm memories of Renda Bay filled Nathan’s heart, enough to eclipse the shadow of Ivan for a time. He felt a fondness for this place, the first town they had discovered after he, Nicci, and Bannon were shipwrecked. The people of Renda Bay had welcomed the castaways, and the three of them had helped defend against a horrific Norukai raid.

Now, riding into the busy town, they wearily raised hands in greeting. The curious townspeople came forward to greet them. Resplendent in his D’Haran armor, Captain Norcross rushed through the streets and came up to present himself to General Zimmer. The voices and happy cheers rose to a loud clamor in the town square. It felt like a grand homecoming.

Thaddeus, a bearded, strong-backed fisherman, was soft-spoken but confident. Since the last time Nathan had seen him, the new town leader had grown into his role. “Welcome back after your long journey! The shepherd boy said you looked tired and hungry, and I have already ordered the inn kitchens to prepare food.” He scratched his beard. “After all you’ve done to save this town, I won’t scrimp on our hospitality.” Thaddeus did a double take as he recognized Nathan. “Wizard! I never expected you to come back.”

“Yes, I am truly a wizard again. My gift is back … and we are all going to need it.”

“Where is Nicci?” The town leader looked around the dusty group of travelers. “And the young swordsman Bannon? He was a whirlwind with his blade. I think he killed twenty Norukai all by himself.”

Nathan frowned. “We were separated.” He gestured back to the group. “But we have several other powerfully gifted individuals with us, and we have much to tell.”

No longer able to restrain herself, Amber rushed forward to embrace her brother, who seesawed between wanting to sweep her into a hug and trying to be formal in front of his commander. He managed to splutter, “I relinquish command to you, General. Renda Bay is yours.”

Zimmer looked at Norcross. “And we have many preparations to make. I want to see what you’ve done while I was away.”

Standing at rigid attention, the young officer delivered his report. “The town’s defenses are in place, and they’ve already proved effective. Only a month ago we defeated a significant Norukai raid. The slavers ran away from here like beaten dogs.” He allowed himself a smile. “They learned their lesson. I doubt the Norukai will come back.”

“We have more to worry about than just the Norukai,” said Nathan.

Oron rode forward with a sour expression and spoke without introducing himself. “We don’t have much time, perhaps two or three days.”

“If we are lucky,” Lady Olgya added.

“Two or three days?” Thaddeus asked. “For what?” More townspeople came closer, dreading what they were about to hear.

“A gigantic army is on our heels,” Nathan reported. “Nearly a hundred thousand warriors on a forced march, and Renda Bay is right in their path.”

As the people gasped, Zimmer regarded the siege towers that rose on either side of the bay, the high walls built around the harbor, the impressive defenses that faced outward to protect against Norukai attacks. Out in the deeper water, three large sailing ships, the vessels that had delivered the D’Haran expeditionary force, were anchored and alert.

“You have done well to prepare for Norukai raids,” he said, then lowered his voice, “but there’s nothing we can do to save Renda Bay from Utros and his army.”