Chapter 11: Taking the Heartlands Part 2: Preparation

Batu had taken to pacing back and forth while they all sat and watched. A series of explosions made them all jump up, or in Batu's case whip around and let out a curse. "What the devil?!"

"Did something go wrong?" Aranella asked.

"Evan." Roland said. "Can you get us an idea of how Lofty's feeling?"

"O-of course. Just a moment." Evan sat back down and concentrated. "He doesn't seem to be alarmed or distressed…"

"Ye mean te say they planned this?" Batu demanded.

"It looks like we'll have to wait and see," Roland replied.

They waited in tense anticipation until Khunbish skipped through the gates, both he and Lofty laughing. The cry went up that he'd returned and the quintet went to meet him. Chingis got there first and crushed the small pirate in a relieved bear hug. "Ugh. Chingis! Those be me ribs!"

Tani covered the remaining distance in a run. "Khunbish! What happened?" She asked as he was set back on his feet.

"We thought it be a good idea to shake things up a little," Lofty replied.

"Aye," Khunbish agreed. They were both wearing identical grins. "So we set off some bombs all around the camp. I reckon that oughta rattle'em fer the night."

"That was bold of you," Aranella commented.

"Aye," Batu agreed. He looked none too pleased. "And what if ye little stunt had got ye captured, eh?"

"They didn't have that many patrols, so it were easy to slip in n'out unnoticed."

"Right! If we thought it was too risky, we wouldn't've done it," Lofty added.

"It was a good idea," said Roland. "We're going to need every advantage we can give ourselvesfor the upcoming battle, so well done you two."

Lofty and Khunbish puffed up as Runcible objected. "Higgle!"

"Sorry, Runcible. I meant you three. It's too bad we won't be able to capitalise on it until the day after, but maybe leaving them hanging will work to our advantage."

"He he! They'll puzzling over it all day tomorrow," said Lofty.

"Aye," Khunbish agreed. "Tis a shame we'll be too busy to watch it'appen."

"So what did you find?" Roland asked, bringing them back on focus.

"I took some pictures like ye asked." He fished the Leafbook out of his armsband and handed it over. As Roland studied them, he continued. "We also be findin' a pack o'edgehounds."

"Hedgehounds?" He repeated with a frown. If he recalled correctly, they were those green, spikey wolf-dog monsters.

"Aye. They were bein' kept in a pen, so we think they've been trained."

"How many?"

"About fifteen at a guess."

It was Aranella's turn to frown. "They could be trouble."

Roland suddenly realised that this was what the net guns would be useful for. "Not if we used the net guns."

"Oh!" Tani exclaimed. "That would stop them dead in their tracks, wouldn't it?"

"Exactly."

"That's good thinking," said Aranella with a smile.

"What else did you find?" Roland asked of Khunbish.

"Tyran seems to think we're bluffin'. He said, judgin' by the size o' our Kingmaker, we can't have too many people. So they're not expectin' an attack."

"Runcible also reckons the bandits are about fourteen thousand strong," Lofty added.

"I see. And how many are we?"

"Ten thousand," Batu replied. "But that be includin' the children, and them what can't fight, or fight no more."

Roland hummed before turning to Khunbish. "Is that everything?"

"That be everythin', Master Roland."

"Good job, you three." They beamed with pride. "I believe I have enough here to begin making a battle plan. Although making a plan will only be the half of it." He turned to Evan. "Evan. As our King, it will be up to you to decide who will be the one leading us into battle."

"R-right…"

"You don't have to decide all at once, so think about it. And give me your answer tomorrow morning."

He nodded. "All right, I will."

"Now let's get to planning."

The following morning

"Well, Evan?" Roland asked. "Have you made your decision?"

"Yes. I have. I've thought about it long and hard and this is what I've decided. Since I am King, I should be the one to lead."

Roland raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure? We have a lot riding on this battle."

"I-I know, but… But I'm decided. Everyone is risking their lives for this and a king should never ask of his people what he would not be willing to do himself. So I will be the one to take the lead."

"And I'll be protecting him," said Lofty. "So don't you worry about that. He won't come to any harm on my watch."

"All right then. Since this will be your first foray into battle, Batu and I will be sticking close in order to act as your advisors. Or I will at least. Batu will more likely just be shouting orders."

"Thank you, Roland. I'll be glad to have you both with me."

"Evan. Roland." That was Batu.

"How goes things?" Roland asked.

"Things are underway. The sky skimmers are bein' seen too and should be ready fer tomorrow. Aranella's leadin' some battle drills fer tomorrow. Parties are bein' sent out to gather materials as needed, otherwise as many bombs, nets, spears and arrows as we can make are bein' prepared as instructed."

"Good."

"Have ye decided on who'll be leadin' us yet, Evan?"

"Yes. I have. I have decided that I will be the one leading, Batu."

Batu raised his eyebrows. "Are ye sure about that, laddie?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I can't ask them to risk their lives while I sit back, safely out of harm's way. That's why I've decided to take the lead myself."

"We're going to be acting as his advisors," Roland added.

"And I'm his bodyguard," said Lofty. "Or actually, I'm his Kingmaker. And a Kingmaker protects their king. Or queen."

Batu nodded. "Well all right. If that be the case then, ye'll be wantin' te prepare a speech te give te everyone, afore we be headin' out."

"A-a speech?"

"Aye. Fer moral."

"I'm not sure what to say… I've never had to make a speech before."

"Well…" Roland folded his arms. "It's going to be a tough battle. But not one we can't win. You'll want to give them a speech that will psyche them up in preparation for that."

"Right…"

"Remember what we're all fightin' fer, Evan," Batu added. "A new home."

"Right." He assumed a thoughtful posture. "I'm still not sure what to say…"

"Sometimes it's best to speak from the heart, mun," said Lofty.

"Well you have all day to think of one, so why not make that your task for the day?" Roland suggested.

"All right."

"I'll help you, Evan," Lofty told him brightly.

"Thank you, Lofty."

"There were another matter I be wantin' to discuss."

"What's that, Batu?"

"I've arranged fer ye to be'avin' some new clothes."

"Gosh. Really?"

"Aye. Aranella be getting' measured fer'ers right now. And then it be yer turn, Evan. They be aimin' te have them all finished by the end of the day, so ye can be wearin'em proudly tomorrow."

"Thank you ever so much, Batu."

He grinned. "O' course, Yer Majesty. Since ye had te leave Ding Dong Dell in such a hurry, none of ye be'avin' much by way o'clothes, except that what ye already be wearin'. And since yer one o'us now, we be aimin to be fix that."

"Thank you, that's… very kind of you," said Roland.

"What about me?" Lofty asked.

Batu stared down at him with a questioning expression. "What about ye, Yer Mighty One?"

"Oh." Lofty looked flattered. "Your Mighty One. I like that." But then he returned to serious. "I mean. What are you making for me?"

"Uhh. Well…. Uh…"

"Nothing?!"

"How about… uh… A scarf? Or sumthin'? How would ye be likin' that?"

"I would like that very much. Make it blue."

"As ye wish. I'll let the seamstresses know. Ah. Actually… it probably be about time fer Evan's measurin'. So why not tell them yerself?"

"I will."

"Evan. I'm going to check up on how things are going around the camp," said Roland.

"All right. We'll come and find you when it's your turn."

"I'll be down by the sky skimmers if ye'ave need o'me."

"Righto! Let's go Evan." The four broke away and headed for their destinations.

Roland moved around the camp.

"We'll be'avin' a mountain o'bombs by the time we're finished, at the end o'the day," Khunbish informed him proudly.

"Good. Keep it up."

"Aye, aye!"

"We be workin' as fast as we can, Mr Roland," Gerel informed him. "But these nets be takin' a lot of time te make. They have te be done right."

"Should I ask Batu to funnel more people your way? Would that help to speed things up?"

"Aye, it would."

"Then I'll get on it."

"These drills are going better than I expected," said Aranella.

"Well they do have combat experience from fighting the wyverns."

"They do, but it still needed refining. I just didn't expect them to take to my drills as well as they have."

"You'll make warrior handmaidens out of them yet."

She grinned. "Indeed I will."

"If I have to whittle arrow shafts all day, my brain is going to turn to mush," Tani grouched.

"I'm sure. Tell you what. I'll have a talk with the others about rotating people through different tasks so that doesn't happen. How does that sound?"

"Can you rotate me onto bomb duty?"

He chuckled. "I'll have a talk with Khunbish."

"Thanks."

"By the way, is there anything your team needs more of?"

"Feathers. They're the hardest to gather, so that's what we have least of."

"Right. I'll see what I can do."

"We're doin' our best with what we can gather, but I don't reckon on there bein' enough te make shields fer everyone," Chingis reported.

"That's fine, just do your best. We'll just have to be clever with how we use them when the time comes."

"Tis a shame we didn't think te stockpile more fer future use."

"That's all right. After all wooden shields wouldn't be of much use against creatures that can breath fire."

"Aye."

"They won't be anythin' fancy, but they be doin' the job they need to be doin'," Qadan reported as he whittled a tree branch into a rudimentary spear. He was the elder pirate that had "greeted" them upon their arrival at the Sky Pirates' Base.

"Well so long as that's true, that'll all we'll need."

"Aye."

"Let me know if you need anything, materials, people. And I'll see what I can do."

"Will do."

"Oh, Runcible. There are you. And who's this? Have you found a friend?" Roland asked. Standing next to Runcible was a green higgledy, one wearing a tiny, brown travel cape.

"Higgle!" Runcible replied. He gestured to his new friend. "Higgledy pig!"

"It's, uh. Nice to meet you. I'm Roland."

"Higgle!" The little green one replied and waved.

"Listen, Runcible. I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming battle. I think it's best if you sit this one out."

Roland had fully prepared to fight Runcible over this so he was surprised when the higgledy simply deflated and nodded. "Higgle."

"I'm glad you understand. But you can still help us prepare."

He brightened up at that. "Higgle?"

"We need help with gathering materials. Tani says they need more feathers. Do you think you could help her with that?"

They both jumped up and down. "Higgledy pig! Higgledy pig!"

"I'll… take that as yes?"

Runcible nodded. "Higgle."

"Great. Bring any feathers you find straight to Tani then."

They saluted. "Higgle." And then they were off.

"We always be keepin' the skimmers in top condition," Batu explained. "Or at least as top as we be able. It wouldn't do te'ave them fallin' outta the sky with you on it."

"No," he agreed.

"But at the same time, we don't be'avin the parts to fix the ones that do be breakin'."

"Right."

"So it be with sadness that I'ave to be reportin' that we've made the decision to retire one o'our skimmers. She's been wearin' down o'er the years, an'so… the time'as finally come."

Roland blinked at him. For a moment he was confused by Batu's mood, until he realised something. "These sky skimmers are very important to you, aren't they?"

"Aye. The sky skimmers be what connects us back to our ancestors, to our'istory. Without'em, how can we be callin' oursevles Sky Pirates? But since we don't be'avin' the technology or the know how to build'em ourselves, o'er time, as the years be wearin' on, we lose another skimmer, and a little o'our link back te the past is lost with them."

He placed a hand on Batu's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank ye, Roland."

The hand was removed. "What do you do with them?"

"We be usin'em fer parts. But today, we can't decide."

"What do you mean?"

"Since we'll be getting' a new'ome soon, we were thinkin' that maybe we should'ang onte this one."

"As a… commemoration?"

"We were thinkin' that maybe this one can still be saved. If we… if we grow… if ye know what I be tryin' te say."

"Do any of the other sky skimmers need the parts?"

"Well no, or at least not yet."

"Then keep her. There's no sense in cannibalising her-uh… the sky skimmer right away if there's no need for it."

Batu's spirits lifted at that. "Aye. Yer right. I'll be lettin' the others know then. Thank ye, Roland."

"Anytime. But apart from that, all the skimmers will be good to go?"

"Aye. They be good fer tomorrow's air raid."

"Perfect. Then for the most part it seems that everything is on schedule for tomorrow."

"What be fallin' behind?"

"The nets."

"Oh. Aye. They be tricky things te make. I'll see about sendin' some more people'er way te help out."

"Thanks."

"Roland!" That was Evan. "There you are."

"We've been looking all over for you," Lofty added.

"I'm guessing it's my turn for measuring?"

"That's right. They even measured Lofty for his scarf."

"Oh? Will it be in blue like you wanted?"

"You bet!" Lofty replied cheerfully. "And with my scarf we're all going to be a matching set tomorrow."

"Then I'd better get myself measured asap if that's to happen."

"What should we do?" Evan asked.

"Don't forget, you've got that speech to prepare."

"Right…"

"Come on, Evan. I'll help you." Lofty lead him away.

Roland stood there for a moment. "Great, he didn't tell me where to go…"

Batu chuckled. "It be that way, Roland," he said pointing to a small hut that was tucked away to one side. There was a small collection of tanning racks nearby upon which some animal skins were being sun-tanned.

"Thanks." He knocked on the door frame and moved aside the hanging cloth that served as a door when he was permitted entry. Inside were four pirate women. One of them was working on what he assumed to be Aranella's new outfit, the second had begun on Evan's and the third was working on Lofty's scarf, which left the fourth woman to work on his. They smiled and greeted him in unison. "Ahoy there, Mr Roland."

He smiled back. "Ladies. I'm here to be measured as instructed. I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

"It be no trouble, Mr Roland. There be much te do fer the battle ahead, after all. And yer'ere now, so I can get te work. If ye would be removin' yer coat first, and yer boots."

"My… boots?"

"Aye. Ye be gettin' a new pair o'footwear as well, though they won't be ready till much later."

"Oh, that's… very generous of you. And much appreciated, thanks." He took off his greatcoat and boots and she took his measurements, jotting them down on a sheet of paper. Then he was asked to pick out the colours he'd like his clothes to be made in.

"There was something else I wanted to ask you to do for me," he said when they'd finished.

"And what be that, Mr Roland?"

"We won't be able to communicate with the sky skimmer pilots verbally. But we should be able to do so visually. If you would be able to make me some flags using the brightest and most colourful fabric you have, I would be very appreciative."

"Aye, that be soundin' like it's doable. Tell us exactly what ye had in mind, and we'll get te work." So he did. When he left, his new outfit as well as the flags he had requested were underway.

Roland looked up at the sky. It was now evening and with the sun beginning its descent into the horizon, they were rapidly loosing the light. So he made a decision. "All right, everyone," he called, raising his voice so he could be heard through most of the camp. "I think it's about time we started wrapping things up. We've got an early start tomorrow, which means we're going to need an early night. Finish what you've started, if you've started something. Otherwise let's focus on getting everything ready for tomorrow."

"Aye, aye," the pirates chorused and then came the low rumble of footfalls as they got to work.

Aranella and Evan – with Lofty in tow – both found him, appearing from different directions. "How is it looking for tomorrow?" She asked.

"It looks good. They got a lot done in just one day."

"We could always delay…" She suggested.

"If I thought we needed to, then that's what I'd suggest. But we're under a bit of time pressure as well. If the wyverns get their act together before we've left, we'll have missed our chance. Possibly our only chance. So with that in mind, I think we're ready. All that's left now is to actually fight the battle." Evan hummed in agreement. "How's the speech coming?"

"I've got, um… something… I think. But um… it may need some more work."

"That's all right. This is your first speech, so it doesn't have to be perfect. So don't stress over it for tomorrow, all right? Just get some sleep."

"All right."

The clattering of the meal bell announcing that dinner was ready drew their attention.

"Gods, I didn't realise I was hungry," she said.

"It has been that kind of day," Roland replied. "I'm not sure I even remember what lunch was."

"I do!" Lofty piped up. "It wasn't much, like. Just bread, and ham and cheese. And a drink to wash it down of course."

"We haven't known you that long, and still I'm somehow not surprised that you'd remember that."

"What do you expect? I've been stuck inside that King's Cradle for centuries. That lunch was only like my third meal since I got out."

Roland's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his fringe. Even Aranella looked surprised. "You've really been in there for that long?" She asked.

"I have. I chose to become a Kingmaker a long time ago but like, it seems the Trial of Knowledge was made too hard."

"So we gather," said Roland.

"Of course it doesn't help that the Overseer can be a little, well… strict, I guess you could say."

"Strict how?"

"Well see, the Overseer kind of like, magically gains the knowledge of what kind of ruler a Kingmaker is looking for. It's not just about passing the Trials, like. Or maybe you could say there's a hidden Trial that you're taking without knowing that you are. Let's call it, a Trial of Character. That's why the Overseer kept kicking out the Sky Pirates who tried to pass the Trials when they kept helping themselves to the book. Cos they weren't the type of people I was looking for."

"But Evan was."

"That's right!"

"And that's why you decided to let Evan pass?"

"It is!"

"I'm ever so glad you did," said Evan. "Thank you."

"Youe're welcome, mun!"

"So this Overseer," said Roland. "I'm guessing it was made by the same people who made the King's Cradles in general, right?"

"So I would assume."

"So even you don't know who that is?"

"I'm only a thousand years old, mun. And King's Cradles are much older than that. Not even we Kingmakers know everything. And I'm not just a Kingmaker, either. I'm also a faery." He planted his hands on his hips and looked very proud as he said. "I'm unique."

Aranella was unimpressed. "That sounds like you know less about Kingmakers than a Kingmaker should."

"That is…" The proud look vanished. "Correct… But it also means I'm different. So regular Kingmaker rules don't necessarily apply."

They all exchanged looks. "What do you mean by that, Lofty?" Evan asked calmly.

"It means…" He sighed and deflated. "It means I won't be getting any bigger than this."

They reacted instantly. "What?! But-!"

"Now hold on! I meant what I said about being able to look much grander than this. But it means the kingsbond needs to reach a certain threshold before I can."

"So…" Roland frowned as he processed all of that. "So that means… Evan will be doing most or all of the legwork until then?"

"Right. I'm still a Kingmaker like, so I can boost his powers. But I can also boost the power of others." He grinned. "That's my powers as a faery combining with my powers as a Kingmaker!"

"You're telling us this now?" Exasperation coloured her tone.

"I know, mun. I know. You were going to find out eventually, like. But at least you're not doing so while in the thick of battle."

"Well. It's a good thing none of our plans revolved around you using your Kingmaker powers," Roland replied neutrally. "How many can you empower at a time?"

"No clue, mun. This is my… well my first foray as a Faery Kingmaker."

"I see. Well…" He sighed and massaged his forehead. "Unfortunately it's a bit late to find out. So I'll guess we'll be doing that tomorrow. Right now though, we should eat. And after that we should call it a night." The three voiced their agreement and they all headed off to dinner. Dinner was a subdued affair. There was little conversation as they and the pirates sat around the bonfire eating their hot soup and bread. Tani and Batu sat with them but even normally chatty Tani had little to say. They bid each other goodnight as they departed for their hammocks and when everyone had turned in, silence filled with anticipation descended on the Sky Pirates' Base that night.