Heart of Black Ice

CHAPTER 73

While waiting for Nicci to return with her reconnaissance of the Norukai fleet, Tanimura prepared for war. General Zimmer knew that the fate of the D’Haran Empire rested on whether or not the forces under his command could stand against the crushing blow coming their way. They had to be ready.

Arriving at Tanimura aboard Captain Mills’s ship, which had sailed directly up from Serrimundi, he felt great satisfaction to see fifty significant ships protecting the harbor and patrolling the waters. They ranged in size from fishing boats to three-masted vessels capable of long sea voyages. Nicci’s earlier warning had sunk in. This city could mount formidable defenses, and Zimmer was glad to see it.

After disembarking from the cargo ship that had been anchored for months as a guardian of Renda Bay, he marched through the city with the remnants of his expeditionary force. Insisting on discipline, Zimmer forced his returning soldiers to walk in steady ranks to demonstrate they had not forgotten they served in the D’Haran army. After all the hardships they had suffered since leaving Tanimura, their uniforms were tattered and their boots were worn and cracked. Their skin was weathered, their muscles toughened through hardship. He said, “We must try to look as impressive on our return as when we departed.” The troops moved at a brisk pace up the city streets back to the garrison, glad to be home.

At the garrison, recruits were drilling in the town square, and they turned to look at the returning troops in surprise. Zimmer strode into the courtyard with squared shoulders and entered the main headquarters building.

When he reunited with General Linden, the other man rose from behind his desk to greet him, dismayed by the weathered condition of Zimmer’s armor, the tattered cape of rank, the hardened look in his eyes. “You look as if you fought a war just this morning!”

“I’ve fought several wars, Linden, and saved the biggest one for last. The battle is coming here, sooner than you might expect.”

Linden called for a hearty meal, the best food Zimmer had tasted in some time. While the weary general ate, Linden opened a ledger and dipped a quill in an inkpot so he could scribble notes as his companion described their adventures and the threat of the Norukai fleet as well as the army of General Utros.

“I am happy to report that we’re aware of it. Nicci warned us, and we have been making constant preparations.” Linden closed his ledger, then rattled off his own summary. “Lord Rahl understands our need, but he is occupied with another crisis in D’Hara. This war is ours to handle, and he has complete faith in us. He sent Nicci a powerful constructed spell, which he says is all she needs.”

Zimmer nodded. “I have seen what Nicci can do.” He tore another hunk of meat from the roast chicken on the platter in front of him. “But I have also seen the Norukai raiders, as well as the ancient army. Utros and his soldiers marched across an entire continent and they mean to conquer Tanimura. From there, they will move on to the New World. Unless we stop them.”

Linden set his jaw. “And we will form defenses they have never seen either. Tanimura is strong.”

Zimmer finished the entire chicken, ate a cluster of sweet grapes, and drank a goblet of water. “That’s what I am here to help you with.”

For the next several days he and his weary but energized troops whipped the Tanimura militia into shape. Zimmer wore fresh D’Haran armor, feeling resplendent as a general again. He inspected the city armories, watched the frantic work of swordsmiths, tanners, armorers, shield makers. Even though blacksmiths had worked all day and night, many new recruits did not have blades of their own, so they made do with clubs, axes, long-handled mallets. Crude weapons required less finesse and training to use, only anger and strength, and the fighters had plenty of that.

Tanimura was already a populous city, one of the main trading centers on the continent. The many citizens, as well as countless new refugees, were prepared to defend their homes. Fletchers produced arrows by the thousands, and archers practiced for hour after hour. Workers squatted on barrels and covered the arrow tips with pitch, rolling balls that could be lit on fire for an even more deadly barrage.

Captains Mills and Donell had delivered the displaced population of Renda Bay, and those thousands of angry people expanded the fighting force. Many families offered to share spare rooms so that the new refugees had places to stay and food to eat.

Zimmer rode down the streets, rallying everyone. In the practice yards he saw townspeople fitted with leather vests and helmets. They sparred with one another, flinging sweat out of their hair as they learned the basics of swordplay.

Attached to the lower part of the harbor, Halsband Island—where the Palace of the Prophets had once stood—was just a flat area of crushed rubble, perfect for use as a training field. Militia members marched back and forth, learning how to fall into ranks and clashing in mock battles.

As he walked the streets to the waterfront, Zimmer came upon Oron and Perri. Lord Oron’s expression was dour as usual. He had rebraided his pale hair and restored his haughty expression. Perri followed him, younger and meeker, but her eyes also had a hardness after what she’d been through. Together they looked out at the multiple ships gathered to defend the waters around Tanimura. Every ship carried spears, bows, and fire arrows to be used for naval battles.

“We might just be able to hold off the Norukai fleet,” Zimmer said. “Tanimura has never seen such a powerful navy.”

Oron ran a finger along his lower lip. “Ildakar taught us many ways to fight, but this city also has plenty of gifted, including the Sisters of the Light. Many of us will man the ships in the harbor to face the Norukai fleet, but others will remain in the city to assist your large army. You have thousands of defenders ready to fight against a land invasion.” He gazed at the hills behind Tanimura. “There’s no telling when General Utros will arrive.”

“We’ll be ready for him,” Perri said. “And the Norukai.”

Zimmer mentally reviewed the other times he had faced impossible odds. He himself had led guerrilla teams to harass Old World towns that supported the Imperial Order. Back then, he had been forced to accept the new dictum that there were no innocents in that war, that even women and children who aided enemy soldiers were enemies in their own way. Zimmer had not been proud of that work, but Lord Rahl’s forces had won.

Across the harbor, smoke signals rose into the sky, and a succession of brightly colored pennants waved to signal the arrival of ships. The Chaser, the Mist Maiden, and two other large sailing ships had just arrived from Serrimundi, putting the rest of the harbor on high alert.

When the swift krakener pulled ahead of the larger ships and reached the main piers first, Zimmer, Oron, and Perri hurried to meet them. Nicci and Nathan were the first to disembark, both of them looking exhausted from a great expenditure of their gift.

“We pressed these ships as fast as we could,” Nathan said.

Nicci added, “The Norukai fleet is on its way, right behind us.”

“Has Serrimundi been attacked?” Zimmer asked. “What happened?”

Oron interrupted, “How much damage did Lady Olgya cause? I hope she wrecked dozens of serpent ships.”

“If our plan worked, then Serrimundi is safe. Olgya disguised the harbor with a great fog bank at night, while we lured the ships onward. They pursued us through the darkness.” Nicci looked around impatiently. “King Grieve’s ships will arrive in less than a day. All of Tanimura must be ready to battle them.”

Zimmer clenched his fists. “We’ll be on high alert. As you can see, we have prepared significant defenses.”

“Tanimura is our best hope of stopping them,” Nathan said.

Bannon and Lila joined them. “We have a score to settle with the Norukai. I’m ready to fight them again, any time.”

“It’s more than just the Norukai,” Nicci said. “Last night, I dreamed through my sand panther’s eyes. The army of General Utros is closing in, and then we will be fighting on two fronts.”