Chapter 25 – When the Wind Shifts

In Solis 460, Soulsdei, the 17th of Mai:

Dear Diary,

I'll thank the spirits of the great heroes and the True Runes for each day that Highland gives us to recover. Due to the way North Window was abandoned, nobody ever had a chance to loot the armory. Because of that, we've managed to scrounge up enough weapons to equip everyone, even if some of those weapons have seen better days. The official roll, including Viktor's Mercenary Army and Gilbert's Zexens, is now slightly above two thousand men. In fact, it's likely that today we'll see a couple hundred more who want to join.

If only they had the training and experience to go with their enthusiasm. Still, we're in better shape than four days ago. Now if only Barbara would go and find a bed for me to sleep on. I don't fancy continuing to sleep on the floor in the bar. The truth is that it's been too hot to sleep there anyway. I tend to spend my nights up in the tower.

Yesterday some of my men got in contact with a horse merchant who's displaced from East Muse, so I'm hoping that we'll be able to get some horses today. With that, I'll feel like a warrior again.

I hope Apple returns with that strategist soon. I don't feel that Highland is going to give us much more time.

Flik looked up from his writing, wiping his sweaty hand across his sweaty brow. The weather was still sweltering, even with the lake breeze. He grumbled when a few stray drops pattered down on his diary, smudging the ink a little. Leaving the book open, he got up from his table in the bar, which also served as the temporary living quarters for him, Viktor, Gilbert, and Tsai. No one else was here though. He'd taken a break while the others were busy training troops.

Suddenly he heard cheering from outside. Curious, he made his way towards the exit, but had to nimbly jump aside when Viktor crashed through the door, excitement on his face. "There you are," he shouted. "I was just coming to get you; your transportation has arrived."

Flik heard the neighing of horses interspersed with the cheering. Stepping outside, he found Viktor's words to be true. The mercenaries were already driving the horses towards the stalls and ring that they'd spent the last three days repairing. Flik's horsemen, in particular, looked elated to have horses again.

As they were watching, Rossgard and a shifty-looking smaller man approached. The stranger's clothes were well-to-do, though somewhat dusty and slightly in ill repair. The stranger swept off a wide-brimmed hat, revealing dirty blond hair that was slightly disheveled, and said, "I am Clarence Hamfast, from East Muse. It's a pleasure doing business with you all. It'll be even more of a pleasure to see you and your men driving those Highlanders back where they came from."

Flik noted the man's greasy countenance. He sighed. "Pardon me for getting to the point, but how much is 'doing business with you' going to cost us?"

Clarence Hamfast's smile didn't slip in the least, though he did rub his hands together. "Oh nothing at all…nothing, really." He looked at Rossgard. "Why don't you tell your commanders what we settled on?"

Rossgard coughed. "Yes. He's giving us the horses for free."

"For free?" Viktor exclaimed incredulously. Flik didn't blame him; he was too busy trying to get his own jaw back into position.

"For free," Rossgard nodded. "All he wants in return is for you to grant him a permanent tax exemption for future business here."

That got the wheels in Flik's head going. With that kind of document in hand, this merchant would stand to make a lot of money in the long run. Of course, this meant that the man had faith that Viktor and Flik could win this war. It was rather touching and also fiendishly greedy. Flik looked at Viktor. "Do we have that kind of authority?"

Viktor shrugged. "We might as well. Let somebody in the future figure out what it means." Clarence Hamfast positively beamed. He, Viktor, and Rossgard went inside to work over the document. Flik went for the horses.

Men were racing to the stalls, carrying tack slung over their shoulders and under their arms. But nobody had claimed any of the horses yet. Tarrance handed Flik a set of tack and said, "I think the first choice should be yours, sir." The men around him nodded.

Flik walked into the stables. He'd watched people go through elaborate rituals when trying to pick out a horse. Some would grab a staff and walk in the direction it fell. Others would flip potch into the air and see where it rolled. He did none of that. He walked to the first horse that caught his eye and began examining it. After a few minutes, he rejected it, deciding that its back was too broad for him.

He continued past several more stalls, until he stopped in front of a graceful black horse with a white star high on its forehead, partially obscured by some of the mane. He opened the stall to check this horse. It was a mare, somewhat slenderer than the previous horse, but showing no signs of ill use. He examined the eyes, teeth, and then the hooves. The horse reached around to try and snap at him while he was checking the right rear hoof, but the action seemed playful, not in earnest.

Flik went forward and stroked the horse's mane, clearing it away from the star. Now was the moment of truth. He waved to his men to bring the saddle and bridle. The horse tossed her head slightly, but accepted the equipment. Then he mounted.

The first thing he found was that the stirrups were too long. They'd been adjusted for a man to stand in them while carrying a spear. Flik felt as if he was going to sink into the saddle. He dismounted and worked at the stirrups. The horse swished her tail to drive off some flies. Once he was done with the adjustments, Flik remounted and walked the horse out to the ring.

Ignoring the calls of his men to put her into a gallop and leap the fence, he worked her up through a trot and canter, feeling how she responded to his commands. This horse was well trained, in fact slightly more responsive than he was used to. Still, she did not seem to be a bad horse, so Flik was inclined to keep her. Walking beside the railing towards the stalls, he came across Millie, Eilie, and Rina, who'd been watching him.

Rina laughed carelessly. "You seem to be pretty good on horseback. Can you do any tricks, or dressage?"

Flik shook his head. "No, nothing like that. All I ever learned was how to fight from horseback."

Millie spoke. "What are you going to call it?"

"Her, actually," Flik responded and then continued, "As for naming; I don't know. I've never really named any of the horses I've ridden."

"You name your sword, but not your horse?" Rina asked.

"The sword naming is a sacred ritual," Flik answered. "Besides, I don't think I'd want to name something that might die in battle."

Eilie, meanwhile, had reached out to pet the horse's nose. The horse shifted her head ever so slightly and made a playful nip at Eilie's hand. Eilie shrieked, lost her grip on the fence, and tumbled over backwards. Rina jumped down to check her sister.

"But you've got to name her," Millie declared. "She's so beautiful! She deserves a good name."

Flik looked down at his horse's head. She canted her head to the side slightly, possibly looking back at him. The white star on her black forehead stood out, so he said, "I'll call her Nightstar. How about that?"

Millie clapped her hands, which nearly caused her to slip off the fence. When she recovered her balance, she replied, "It's a great name. See, that wasn't so hard."

Flik shrugged, and walked Nightstar towards the stalls. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just doomed this horse…or maybe saved her.

Now that their commander had chosen a mount, the rest of Flik's men began the same process, showing only a little deference for the sergeants and senior sergeants. Inevitably, there were some difficulties. A handful of the horses turned out to be unusable: broken down, temperamental, or just not trained to be ridden in battle situations. Also, a few of the new recruits who had boasted about their riding abilities turned out to be worth less than a load of bricks once they got up on horseback. Even so, once everybody had their primary mounts, the remounts had been picked, and the unworthy -among men and horses- had been weeded out, Flik had a formation of slightly more than four hundred men.

As his men were settling the horses in for the evening, he called the four senior sergeants -Rossgard, Tarrance, Jerrim, and Danel- over.

"Congratulations," Flik announced. "We now have enough men for each of you to lead a full company, as is commensurate with your rank."

"A whole lot of them don't have any idea what they're getting into," Tarrance added. "How are we going to work them in?"

Rossgard nodded. "The captain and I were working this out the other day. I believe it's best if we keep the old squads but match them one by one with new squads, and build up the companies that way."

"Mr. Rossgard! Mr. Rossgard!" a little girl's voice cried. The conversation stopped as the five men turned to see a little girl, maybe eight years old, running towards them, black hair streaming in her own wind. She was followed by her younger brother, who had shorter black hair. Flik had never seen her before, but she jumped to hug Rossgard and said, "Here you are. Mommy said she wanted to talk to you again."

"What's this?" Flik asked.

Rossgard grunted as the little boy also clambered into a hug. He managed to heft both children in his arms. "This is Allaria," the little girl beamed proudly, "and that is Tam." The boy seemed overawed by the crowd. "They were separated from their mother during the flight, and I helped them find her."

Tarrance chuckled. "Ah. Worked out happily for everyone, I see."

Rossgard frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean. Their father was an official for Granmeyer. Their mother, Ellani, was heartbroken when she heard the news about what happened."

"I see," Flik answered. "Well, go ahead and talk to her, then. Just remember that I'm planning morning exercises and a patrol. That's all; you're all dismissed."

Rossgard lifted the boy onto his shoulders and walked back towards the refugee camp, Allaria holding his hand. Tarrance whistled softly and said, "Who'd have thought old Rossgard could move so quickly? If the children are any indication, the mother's probably gorgeous." Jerrim and Danel nodded appreciatively. Flik began walking back towards the castle, but he hadn't gone too far when he heard Tarrance's next comment. "Now that Rossgard's taken care of, we've got to find a nice lady for the captain." Flik didn't wait around to hear what would come of that.

The following morning marked a change in the weather. The hot south winds had departed, replaced by more moderate west winds, which ushered in fluffy cumulous clouds. Flik put his horse archers through a series of drills, having them maneuver by squad, by half-company, by full company, and then with the entire formation as one unit. They went about as well as could be expected, which was not very good. The raw recruits were not up to military discipline yet.

After a late morning break to eat, Flik led the whole unit out on a patrol. It would be a good chance for the senior sergeants to practice commanding their full companies during campaign conditions. It would also be a good opportunity to test the endurance of the new horses. In both regards, Flik was pleasantly surprised. The senior sergeants responded without difficulty when he sent messengers with changes in the orders. The horses too stood up to the challenge of the patrol. Nightstar seemed to be in good spirits.

Thus, Flik felt more optimistic than he had in a while as the sun began to drift off to the west. He sent out messengers to call the companies back into marching order. He was standing on small hill beside the road, watching as Rossgard's company reformed, when he saw a messenger galloping in from Danel's position.

Worry immediately creased Flik's forehead. Unscheduled messengers usually meant bad news. It might be nothing more than somebody slipping off a horse and breaking a bone. Somehow, he didn't think that's what it would be. He began to chew the inside of his lip, willing the horseman to get to him.

The man did, reining in his horse in front of Flik. The messenger snapped off a quick salute and reported, "Sir, Danel reports spotting soldiers marching up the road towards North Window. They march under the flags of Highland and South Window."

Rossgard had come up the hill to hear the news. Flik spoke to him. "Send a messenger off to Viktor with that news. Then lead your company, along with Jerrim's and Tarrance's, back. I'm going forward to look for myself."

He trotted Nightstar down the hill with the messenger following close behind. The company was situated in a line of forested ridges to the south. When Flik got there, Danel pointed towards a spot on the road two miles to the south. "You can see them there, sir. When the wind shifts the dust a little, you can make out the individual flags."

Flik put a hand up over his eyes and squinted. The leading companies were mounted archers wearing Highland white and blue. The formation was fanned out in an arc around the marching column, scouts sweeping the countryside. That was certain to be Culgan's command. Not too far back in the line were the flags of many South Window companies. Flik judged there to be at least two or three thousand men under those banners. The rest of the column was obscured by dust, but it seemed to stretch out over many miles of road.

He turned back to Danel. "How many?"

The sergeant frowned. "I sent a couple of the men forward. Not all of them came back. I'd say at least a full army, ten thousand, maybe more."

Flik kept his face calm, though he felt like swaying out of the saddle. "We're not going to stop them here," he said. "Gather your men; we're returning to North Window at once."

He brooded all the way back to the town. The odds just didn't look very good. Still, he kept the urge to flee contained tightly in his stomach. He might save himself by running, might even save a part of the army, but it would mean abandoning all the people that followed him to North Window. No, he'd stay and accept the consequences of his actions.

When he rode through the road leading into the town, Flik could see people feverishly working on the walls, rolling stones into place, hefting them into gaps. He was inclined to think that the effort was futile, but resisted saying that. After all, the more the work kept people from thinking too much about the impending battle, the better.

Rossgard, who had arrived before him, walked up and greeted his commander with, "Sir, I gave your message to Viktor. He's called a meeting in the second floor room. Oh, Riou and Lady Apple have returned."

Flik dismounted, giving the reins to one of his men. "Do you know if they returned with the strategist?" he asked.

"No idea, sir."

"I guess I'll find out," Flik replied. Dismissing Rossgard, Flik walked down the path leading towards the castle. Mercenaries and civilians were rushing about, carrying loads of weapons and supplies. However, they did not seem to be panicked. Most of them were doing their jobs with a fierce determination. He couldn't help but feel a little better just watching them.

He made his way up the stairs to the second floor and found two new additions. One of those new additions was an impressively muscled woman. Her red hair fell to the base of her neck and her bangs covered her entire forehead. She wore a red leotard under a beige top. The top connected down to two beige pieces that -except for wide slits that ran up to her hips- covered her legs. Flik also noted that she seemed to be wearing a multiplicity of belts, including one as a choker around her neck.

The other addition was tame in comparison, simply a journeyman crystal. Flik knew that they could be found in many places throughout the world. It was said that an order of travelling monks tended to them and set them up. People in all the countries that Flik had seen felt a special devotion to the little blue orb that sat on its pillar. They would say prayers over it before setting out on a journey, hoping for a blessing or protection on the way.

The woman glowered down at Flik, her red heels making her slightly taller than him. "You must be Flik," she said tersely. "You're just as blue as they described. You may go in." She stepped out of his way.

Flik couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by her demeanor. "You're new," he babbled. "Who are you?"

The faintest hint of a smile crossed her face. "My name is Oulan. I have become Master Riou's bodyguard. That is all you need to know."

That was all Flik needed to know. He walked past her into the room. As his eyes adjusted to the glare of the sun through the western windows, he could see that the room was crowded. Viktor was speaking with Freed and Tsai over by the dais. Bolgan, Rina, and Eilie were in the center of the room. Leona and Pilika sat on the steps of the dais. Even Gilbert was there, lounging by himself in the far corner of the room. Viktor laughed and waved Flik over to where he was standing.

"So, what do you think about that red headed chick that Riou brought back?" Viktor asked. "All I can say is, he's got a real way with the ladies."

Flik didn't get a chance to respond, for Apple, Riou, and Nanami walked into the room at that moment, and all of the conversations quieted. Nanami immediately ran ahead, gathering Pilika into a hug. Riou and Apple hung back as everyone gathered around them. Well, everyone except Gilbert, who remained unobtrusively in the back corner.

Viktor spoke first, turning to Apple. "We're all glad that you made it safely back. I wish we had more time for pleasantries, but you know the situation we're in by now. So, I'll just ask: how did it go? Is this strategist of yours going to work with us?"

Apple looked nervous at the gravity of the situation. "Shu promised he was going to help us. He will arrive in time."

Viktor did not look convinced. "I don't like this very much; banking everything on whether this man is going to show up. Is he really that trustworthy? You said Mathiu expelled him, right?"

"If you cannot give me your trust," a calm but confident voice said, "then you might as well depart." Flik looked towards the entrance to the room, peripherally aware that everyone else was doing the same thing. A man of around Flik's own age, with black hair that ran down his neck, was walking into the room. His steps were graceful and assured. His clothing was simple, but elegant. He wore a sleeved, dark brown mantle, short red scarf, a long white and pale blue dress coat, and white pants. The features of his face were distinct: inward-slanting eyebrows led to a sharp nose.

He turned his head slowly, deliberately, reading each person in the room until his eyes fell on Viktor. He took two steps and stood almost chest to chest with the larger man.

Apple smiled, trying to defuse the tension. "Shu! Your arrival is most timely."

Shu put a hand up to silence her, an even expression on his face. "I understand the situation, and I know how much I have to do, so I came as quickly as I was able. I had to cancel numerous lucrative trade meetings, and I rode three horses into the ground all so I could arrive ahead of the Highland Army." He rounded back on Viktor, who reflexively took a step away. Shu immediately closed the space. "You!" He glared up into Viktor's face. "Big loud guy! You're Viktor, right?"

Even though Viktor could easily have lifted Shu right off the ground, his face suggested that he was losing the battle of wills. "Yeah…that's me," he answered warily.

"Listen up, all of you." Shu spoke curtly, not letting anyone interrupt him. "I came here to help you defeat the Highland Army. My strategies are the only things that will allow you to do this. Follow my orders to the letter, and we will win. Don't and all you will do is be defeated." He paused to allow this to sink in and then continued. "I am the strategist, I expect my subordinates to have faith in my plans." His voice, though never wavering from being calm, turned decidedly cold. "If you can't do that, then you're nothing but an obstacle to victory. I would suggest that anyone like that leave. Now." He walked away from Viktor, moving into the center of the group.

In the silence that followed, Flik took a moment to search his soul. He wanted to win. Was he willing to follow this man's orders?

Viktor spoke, his voice just a little too light to be natural. "Hey Apple, now I see why Mathiu had him expelled."

Shu glanced back at Viktor, who immediately shut up. He then walked in Flik's direction. Foreboding grew in Flik's heart with each step the strategist took. Standing before Flik, Shu said, "You, Blue-boy."

"Careful there," Flik muttered.

Shu locked eyes with him. "When you've fought as well for me as you did for Mathiu, then you'll have earned my respect, Flik of the Blue Lightning. Now, tell me how many soldiers we have."

Flik worked the figures in his head. "Counting our mercenaries, Gilbert's unit, the South Window soldiers that are fighting with us, and the civilian recruits, we've got a little more than two thousand under arms. Plus this run down castle." He looked at Shu, feeling just a little streak of defiance rising in his core. "The Highland Army, on the other hand, was at least twenty thousand soldiers when it began the invasion of Jowston. Now they've drafted South Window soldiers into their force."

Flik expected a little anger or maybe even a snappy comeback out of Shu, but instead the strategist simply smiled and said, "I've got a plan." He paced towards the windows along the west wall, speaking softly, almost to himself. "If I remember the histories, this castle has served as a rallying point in many previous wars against both Scarlet Moon and Highland. Two thousand soldiers should be enough."

He stopped at the windows, turned, and said aloud, "Highland's army may number twenty thousand, but much of that is tied down in garrison duty or stuck across Lake Dunan because of lack of shipping. In truth, the force that we'll face tomorrow will only be ten thousand. Moreover, one third of that force is under the banners of South Window. I am certain that they do not truly wish to fight for Highland. With the right inducement, we could get them to fight on our side. Then it would be only five thousand against seven thousand. Those are much better odds, don't you agree?"

Viktor rubbed his forehead. "Impressive. The way you say it, I think we might actually have a chance. What do you want us to do?"

Shu pointed at Freed. "You, Freed."

Freed shuffled his feet nervously. "Yes, sir?"

"Which South Window units do you think are marching with Highland?"

Freed thought for a moment and answered, "Probably the South Window City Guards, sir. Those are the units that they'd be able to round up the fastest."

Shu nodded. "I agree. You would know the commanders of those units. I want you to infiltrate the South Window forces and tell the men that Highland plans to execute them after the fighting is done. Based on what was done to Lord Granmeyer, I know that the rumor will stick."

Freed snapped a salute. "Yes, sir!"

Shu continued giving orders. "Flik, Viktor, and Gilbert, your units will deploy in front of the town. This plan relies on you buying us some time."

Viktor interrupted. "I don't understand. We're not expecting any reinforcements, and I don't think Freed's rumors alone will be enough to get the South Window units to come to our side."

Shu glanced once at Viktor and said, "The enemy general is Solon Jhee. In battle his actions are guided by emotion and, thus, are predictable. When he believes things are going well, he's too confident and will rush into any fight. When things turn against him, he gets too cautious and will retreat even when he has the advantage. If we have a small unit launch a flank attack against his personal unit, it will rattle him. In the confusion, we'll call for the South Window troops to change sides. Then the battle will be ours."

"Wait, wait," Flik replied. "This is a peninsula, there's water on three sides. How are we going to get a unit around on the flank?"

Shu laughed, starling Flik. "A very predictable question. I'll tell you how. The Highland Army is built for land battles. They think in terms of marching routes, supply lines, and obstacles. To them, the water is just another barrier, one that they think will protect their flanks. To me, the lake is no more than another road. As long as we have the right means to travel it, the water will take us anywhere we wish to be. I'll have some men go and negotiate for boats. We won't need anything elaborate to do this."

Tsai spoke next, an amazed expression on his face. "You seem to have thought of everything. I honestly believe that we'll be able to win."

Bolgan clapped his large hands loudly, adding his two potch. "We'll win! We'll win!" Eilie and Rina nodded agreement. From the corner, Gilbert also signaled his confidence in the strategist, inclining his head slightly.

Viktor and Flik looked at each other. It seemed that everybody else believed in Shu, so Flik nodded as well. Viktor looked at Shu and said, "Fine. I'll give you a chance to show us if your strategies mean anything."

Shu continued to smile. "That's all I ask of you."

Flik asked a question he'd been thinking about since Shu had explained the plan. "Who's going to lead the attack against Solon Jhee. Viktor or I could do it."

Shu shook his head. "No. I need you two to defend the town tomorrow. The crucial role must fall to someone else." Deliberately, Shu turned and walked the few steps between him and the person he had in mind.

Flik's first thought was surprise, but that immediately subsided into…acceptance. How strange, he wondered. That I so readily yield control over my destiny to the person I least expected, again.

Riou, the person that Shu was now standing next to, answered, "Okay."

Nanami crossed her arms, displeasure evident on her face. She seemed to be wavering between glaring at her brother and glaring at the strategist.

Shu placed a hand on Riou's shoulder, looking down at the young man. "You are now the key to all of our hopes, Riou. Everything depends on your actions." He brought his gaze up, encompassing the entire room. "Everyone, I'll expect your best tomorrow. I think we are just about done here." He pointed to Freed again. "We'll need to work out exactly what you're going to say."

"For the memory of Lord Granmeyer!" Freed shouted. "For the honor and people of South Window! I'll fight Highland with every drop of my strength."

Shu nodded. "Good. The rest of you, prepare to protect the castle. We'll go over actual deployments tomorrow. Apple, your job will be to pick three hundred men to form Riou's strike unit."

Apple was smiling and looked as though a tremendous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "Yes, sir!"

Viktor grinned. "It'll be nice to be victorious again."

"Only if you don't mess up," Flik countered.

Tsai frowned. "Don't speak like that. If we lose here, we won't get a second chance."

Shu smiled modestly. "Don't worry about defeat. It won't happen."