Blue Lightning and the Bear

by Blue Paladin

Two shadows from the past rise up to confront the New State Army. First they must dispatch the vampire who seeks to make life dance to his whims. But who will aid them against the Dark Knight of Chaos?

15. Chapter 15 Hollow Words

Chapter 15 – Hollow Words

There was another shuffling as people took their seats. Jess, from behind Anabelle, stepped forward and said, "Would that this sitting of the Alliance occurred under more peaceful circumstances, but it does not. As we speak, the Highland Army is massing at our northern border. Our intelligence suggests that they have two weeks provisions with them. They will attack soon and swiftly."

This news sparked soft murmuring from the gallery. Lord Makai, a blond man wearing a white dress gown with brown trim, spoke, "Technically, Highland is still in compliance with the cease-fire, right? Shouldn't negotiations be our first option?" Flik thought his tone seemed rather diffident.

Jess answered, "They've already invaded the province of East Muse. Despite the best efforts of our forces, they prevailed, and have razed all the villages in the province."

Viktor whispered, "Now he praises our efforts."

Flik nodded, trying to listen to Gorudo's response. "Highland's envoy in Rockaxe tells me that it was Muse who was the aggressor, massacring the Unicorn Brigade the night after the cease-fire was signed. As for this 'invasion', Highland tells me that it's just the work of bandits. We all know how lax Muse's security is in that region, depending on the arms of mercenaries instead of real soldiers."

Viktor growled, gripping the edge of their table with both hands.

Now another man was speaking. This was Granmeyer who, like Gorudo, had gone gray. He did not have the mien of a warrior, but rather seemed more diplomatic. His light blue half-cape shifted slightly as he leaned forward. "Do you really believe that respected and experienced commanders like Viktor of North Window or Flik of the Blue Lightning could be put to rout by a bunch of bandits?"

Gorudo was not impressed by this response. "Has anyone actually seen Highland soldiers in East Muse? Let the truth be known to this audience; Muse's own general Hauser never even came into contact with the Highland Army."

There was more murmuring from the gallery at this statement. Viktor, heatedly, began to rise, until Flik caught his arm. "It's not our place to speak," he whispered. "You'll just have to let Anabelle and Hauser argue for themselves."

Hauser was already doing so. "I have the testimony of thousands of witnesses," he answered, evenly. "If needed, some of them can even be called before this Alliance to speak for themselves."

Gorudo frowned, but stood down, making way for a new speaker. This was a man still in his prime, with a square face framed by brown hair and a thin beard. His nose looked like it had been broken at least once. The speaker was Gustav, representing Tinto and its miners. Casually, he tossed his blue overcoat back onto his chair, showing off his powerful arms to the audience. Then he spoke, "All of this skirmishing only distracts us from the real threats of those schemers in Vinay del Zexay and the barbarians of the Grasslands. Muse and Highland have squabbled over the border for generations. Let us just offer Highland what they want and put an end to it."

He was met by a hail of boos from some of the people in the gallery and many at the tables around Viktor and Flik. Jess shot Gustav a dark look, but both Gorudo and Makai were nodding agreement. However, none of these men spoke next, but instead the other woman at the table. She was blond, her long hair hanging down her back, and she was wearing a blue blouse and long dark green skirt. This was Teresa Wisemail, from Greenhill, who said, "We all know of Tinto's insatiable desire for lands in the west. My father was drawn in by your plots. But I digress; the reason for concern is that Prince Luca Blight now commands the Highland armies. Even mighty Harmonia views him with concern. We should be doubly afraid."

Gorudo chuckled spitefully. "How comes it that this unbroken dog is permitted to bark at our table? Let her father speak, if he is still able. Better yet, let Greenhill pay its arrears in rice to this alliance. Three years is enough grace for spindle-armed scholars and nearsighted bookworms." He banged his mailed fist down on the table. "My knights cannot feed themselves and defend Jowston as well." Gustav nodded his agreement.

Teresa convulsed angrily, glanced sharply towards Gorudo, and then shouted, "How dare this Alliance let this buffoon speak to me like that? I call for a motion to expel the delegate from Matilda-"

Her motion was hooted down from the gallery, most of the noise coming from the Tinto delegation. Teresa scowled at each representative at the table, but no one stood to second her.

Gorudo took control of the table again. "Let Muse handle its own problems. The blood and steel of Matilda shall not be expended in support of the failed policies of that halfwit Darrel and his little nit."

More boos cascaded down from the gallery, but they were being matched by cheers, as well. When they subsided, Makai spoke. "The people of Two River also tire of unending battles, we-"

Anabelle stood up, silencing Makai with a harsh look. "Do you foresee an end to the battles if we let that wolf, Luca Blight, loose on our lands? How do you propose to defend yourselves if he tears out the throat of this Alliance with his next move? In the name of our mutual oath, I command you to provide troops to the defense of Muse, capital city of the Jowston Alliance."

There was a long silence. Flik could feel the tension building. He knew that Anabelle was trying to force their hands by invoking their oaths, but he also knew that it would remind the other delegates of her desperation.

Finally there was a response. It was harsh, slow laughter from the person of Gustav, as he stood up. "Hollow words make for hollow threats, Anabelle. Why should Tinto starve for the sake of continuing Muse's pointless aggression with Highland?

This was followed by a muted roar from part of the gallery. In his peripheral vision, Flik noted the Tinto delegation forming up in one portion of the gallery. Meanwhile, Granmeyer had stood to speak through the din. "This is an order in the name of the Alliance. Do you dare slander those ancient oaths?"

Gustav sneered in Granmeyer's general direction. "Fine words from the one who ran in the face of the Scarlet Moon's armies. If you'd held your guts in check, we'd still be in possession of Senan today."

Granmeyer's response was drowned in the sea of shouting that surged out of the gallery. Anabelle stood up and signaled Hauser. He gave a signal to the soldiers guarding the exits. Immediately, more Muse soldiers spilled into the gallery, and in a few moments, a rough sort of order had been imposed above. The delegates at the table, especially Gustav, did not look pleased. In the interim, another soldier had appeared at the entrance and hurriedly jogged towards Jess. This soldier, more than anything else, was what Flik watched. He whispered something into Jess' ear, something that made him pale and then frown. Both Anabelle and Gorudo also seemed to notice, Anabelle standing up and gaveling everything into silence.

Then Jess delivered his news. "The Highland Army has made its move. They've slaughtered the border guards and are advancing on Muse as we speak, perhaps twenty thousand strong."

Shouting broke out in the gallery again, this time sounding more like panic than anger. Granmeyer collapsed back into his chair, placing a hand over his heart. Gorudo only nodded to himself, and then motioned his subordinate knights forward.

Anabelle slammed her gavel down again, achieving a lessening of the noise. "Under my authority as Mayor of Muse, I'm declaring martial law," she shouted. "Hauser, clear that gallery; the rest of this sitting is now closed to the public. But know this: all of you, I'm ordering you to gather your forces and come to my aid."

Viktor stood up. "I'd say that this party's just about done. Follow me." They did. Viktor led, muscling his way through the crowd with a few well placed jabs of his huge arms. Flik shepherded the three children along in Viktor's wake. The corridor out from the conference room was packed with soldiers trying to force their way in and people trying to leave.

Outside, the crowds still thronged, but the mood seemed much more panicky. People milled about, casting wary glances in the direction of Muse soldiers and off to the northeast, presumably towards the Highland menace. The Muse soldiers, for their part, were busy trying to chivvy the gawkers away. As Flik, Viktor, and the three children paused to catch their breaths, Viktor said, "So, pretty interesting, right?"

Nanami chewed on her lower lip a little. "You think so? All I saw was a bunch of people arguing at each other. Do you think anything will get done?" Jowy nodded his agreement with Nanami. Riou just closed his eyes.

Viktor shrugged. "Most of that was for show. They've all got people back at home that they have to keep happy. Part of that means posturing to show that they're not giving something up for nothing."

Nanami frowned. "But why should they be worried about the cost of defending each other? Can't they see what will happen if they don't?"

Viktor only shrugged again. "People are like that sometimes. The same man who'd gladly lay down his life to defend his wife and children won't raise a finger to defend the wives and children of complete strangers." He puffed out a breath. "Man, I'm beat just from sitting in there. How about we get some cold drinks at Leona's? He looked at the kids. "Ah, some cold juice for them, I suppose."

The city seemed much quieter than normal as Flik and the others walked through it towards the inn. Squads of watchmen were fanning out, taking up positions at street corners, looking both excitable and nervous as they scanned the roads. Closer to the inn and the gates was a line of people waiting to leave. Most of these were foreign merchants, their wares already packed up in wagons and carts or simply on various pack animals. The more ornate carriages in the line suggested that some of the upper class were also making their escape. All around the carts and carriages, huddled up against buildings or wandering listlessly, were poorer refugees, those that had escaped earlier battles in East Muse. They did not seem to be going anywhere quickly.

Walking back into the inn, Flik noticed how quiet it seemed. The common room was empty except for a few maids, Leona, and -now fully recovered- Apple. Apple and Leona had been talking but turned to greet Viktor and Flik as they arrived.

"I've heard the news," Apple said gravely. "You'll probably be receiving orders shortly."

Viktor scratched his head. "You think? Looks to me like we'll be sitting on the defensive."

Apple laughed. "Not a chance. If Anabelle does nothing, then the Highland Army will arrive before any of the reinforcements from the other City-States can get here. You can bet that she won't want to try the issue with just Muse City forces. Thus, she'll ask for a spoiling action, and she'll call on her most trusted commander -you- to deliver it."

"You got this all figured out, don't you," Viktor responded. "You know when she's likely to get here?"

Flik suddenly heard the sound of a carriage clattering to a halt outside the inn. Apple answered, "Oh, I'd say right about-"

Her sentence was cut off as the front doors to the inn burst open and Anabelle determinedly strode inside. Muse soldiers followed her, positioned themselves smartly around the room, and hustled the maids out. Last to enter, with much less fanfare, was one of the Blue Knights of Matilda. He had been with Gorudo earlier, but Flik couldn't remember what his name was.

Chuckling, Viktor said, "Well, this is a surprise. But hey, I was there at the meeting. That was rough, but you did well."

For a brief moment, Anabelle smiled, but then she set her face again. "It was my job, that's all. For all that shouting in public, nobody wants to see Highland win either." The Blue Knight looked aside, coloring slightly in embarrassment.

"So, why are you here?" Viktor continued. "I don't think it's just to make small talk with me."

"No, I didn't. Viktor, I need you to slow down the Highland Army, at least until the other State forces arrive. I'd prefer not to have to test the resolve of my commanders in a battle at the Ring Forts. If you could bloody Highland sufficiently, you might be able to halt their advance and buy enough time for the full forces of Jowston to assemble."

"It could be done," Apple mused. "If we can lure their scouts into some sort of ambush, we might just hold them up along enough."

Viktor glanced between Apple and Anabelle. "You think we can really stand against the whole Highland Army?" he asked the space between the two of them.

"Not the whole army," Anabelle answered. "Your strategist is correct, defeating the lead units under Solon Jhee should be enough. Also, I've arranged for some additions to your units. Teresa has left the Greenhill Rangers under Hauser's command, and I've transferred them to your command, Flik. Also, I've asked Hauser to release ten companies of infantry to support you. Finally," she motioned towards the Blue Knight behind her, "Gorudo has dispatched Miklotov to help us."

Miklotov stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Part of my unit, about two thousand cavalry, is stationed at the Matilda-Muse border. I've already sent a messenger to get them moving. They should arrive from the northwest in two days."

Flik did some quick arithmetic in his head. The additions brought their force up to almost forty-five hundred men, but maintaining control over the disparate parts would be problematic. Turning to Anabelle, he said, "If all we've got to do is slow them down, then I think we can do it."

Anabelle smiled again. "Thanks, handsome."

He immediately looked away, feeling the blush rising in his cheeks. Viktor confidently spoke, "That's what you're paying us for, right? Besides, I could never refuse a pretty face like yours."

There was a moment of silence, which Jowy, forgotten until now, rushed to fill. "Umm…you're going to let us fight with you, right?"

"Jowy, Riou." Anabelle frowned. "It was wrong of me to permit you to get involved in this whole mess. Forgive me. You don't need to do any more than you already have. I don't want you mixed up in this if it gets ugly."

Jowy was not to be deterred. Forcefully, he answered, "We've already fought once. We want to fight. We want to help you slow down the Highland Army. Isn't that right Riou?"

For a moment, Flik felt an incredible sense of déjà vu, as it seemed to him that the hands of fate suddenly stood still. Then the moment passed, as Riou answered, "Of course." Flik glanced around the room, wondering if anyone else had felt that.

Anabelle looked questioningly towards Viktor. "They've seen battle, then?" Viktor nodded his response, and Anabelle looked back towards Riou, Jowy, and Nanami. "The three of you, don't die, please. When this is over, come and visit me. I want to talk to you about Master Genkaku." She turned aside, a distant look in her eyes.

Nanami smiled, answering gleefully, "Okay…yes, yes!"

Anabelle matched Nanami's smile and then looked once more at Viktor. "I've got to get back. Those scoundrels in the Senate might think I've run off if I disappear for too long." Suddenly, her cheerfulness departed, a melancholy settling in. "Viktor, do a good job for us. So much depends on the actions of a few men." Viktor seemed about to step to her, to try and hug her, but with a look she stopped him. "I know you'll try your best."

Viktor laughed. "Yeah, I can't help it, that's all I know how to do." Anabelle waved, and then was gone, her escort following quickly.

With a clap of her hands, Apple started speaking. "You two," she commanded, pointing to Viktor and Flik, "get going. I want to get our forces moving out of the Dawn Fort tomorrow morning."

Viktor groused, "Who put her in charge?"

"You should listen to your strategist," Apple commented. Then, looking at Miklotov, she said, "You, Mister Blue Knight-"

"Miklotov," Miklotov interjected.

"Whatever. I need to speak to you for just a moment about the deployment of your troops in the upcoming battle." He hesitantly walked over towards Apple. Flik looked on, utterly amazed. Apple scanned the room one more time. "I told you all to get moving; come on!"

With that last order, the inn started bustling again. Rikimaru and Millie were dispatched to call in the recruiting sergeants. The remaining horses were saddled and readied to go and, fortuitously, Hanna and the wagons rolled up to the inn just in time to learn the news that they'd be turning right around again. She took the news stoically, only complaining once about the bath that she was going to miss. Apple rushed about, imploring speed, as the last of the supplies were hauled onto the wagons and the remainder of the sergeants trickled in, followed by Millie and Rikimaru.

Finally, they were ready to move out. Leona and Barbara stood on the steps leading down from the inn. "Beat those Highlanders back across the border," Leona shouted. "When you come back, we'll have a big victory party."

Barbara added her two potch. "Don't do anything stupid, like fall off your horse and break your neck." Viktor, in the process of waving to the two women, overbalanced and nearly did fall off his horse. He only blushed a little as he recovered.

Then they were under way, Flik leading the horses and wagons out onto the main thoroughfare of Muse and the late afternoon sun. Almost immediately, his horse slipped a shoe. He hoped that wasn't a bad omen. Trying to ignore the fact that his ride was suddenly a lot less comfortable, he tried to focus on the weather. The day was surprisingly warm, even for Flik's tastes, with a humid wind out of the south. The wagons creaked slowly behind him, but at least the streets were much less crowded.

Many hours later, sore and bruised from riding a horse with three shoes, Flik led them back into the Dawn Fort. During the evening and early night, dark clouds had built up and the wind had turned towards the north. Now, with distant flashes of light flickering in the heavens, Flik handed his abused horse over to the groom and carefully strode into the bailey of the fort.

Apple was quick to follow him. Catching up to him on the way to the mess hall, she said, "I need you to gather the senior sergeants for a meeting, quickly."

His stomach violently protested its emptiness. "Can't this wait until I've had something to eat?" He found himself whining.

"Eat at the meeting," Apple barked. "We don't have any time to waste."

Flik sighed, but Apple was already walking away. He tasked the first soldier unlucky enough to cross his path with the duty of gathering the senior sergeants. Then he stole into the kitchen, grabbed what remained of a loaf of bread, and started munching on it as he walked to the meeting room.

It was nearly full when Flik walked in, but someone had conscientiously left an empty chair at the head of the main table, up by Viktor and Apple. After he sat down, and the last few sergeants arrived, the meeting got underway. "As you may have heard," Apple opened. "The Highland Army has invaded Muse province and appears to be headed directly towards the capital itself. Mayor Anabelle has tasked us with the duty of launching a spoiling attack against them, and slowing them down enough so that reinforcements from the other City-States have time to arrive." A few of the senior sergeants looked uneasy at that bit of news. "We are expecting to be augmented by ten companies of Muse infantry, the Greenhill Rangers, and part of the Blue Knights of Matilda."

"Excuse me, fair lady," a voice interrupted from the back. Apple colored, though from annoyance or embarrassment, Flik could not tell. Near the door, a man stood up, not dressed at all like the other mercenaries. His silver circlet glimmered slightly in the lamplight as he spoke, "You slightly misrepresent the situation. Some of your expected help has already arrived." Captain Holm, dressed much as he had been when he'd run across Flik and the refugees, walked forward towards the table. "Greenhill remembers its commitments to the Jowston Alliance. We shall show them how well 'spindle-armed scholars and nearsighted bookworms' can fight." This statement was met by respectful applause. When it died down, Holm continued, "My men and I would be honored to serve under the command of Flik of the Blue Lightning."

"Thank you," Flik answered.

"If I may continue," Apple said, though she was smiling slightly. Then she unrolled a detailed map of the province. Pulling out a pointer, she pointed it towards a location to the north of Muse City. "Rossgard, have your men scouted this village?"

He stood up, peering at the spot on the map. "Yes ma'am. It is called Waldron, not terribly big, maybe about a thousand residents."

"Tell me about the terrain there. This map suggests forests to either side, and a range of hills to the east. How would an enemy commander -given severe constraints on his food- deal with this obstacle?"

Rossgard look a little nervous to be under Apple's direct questioning, but he thought about it for a moment and answered, "If he's truly in a hurry, then the forests to the west and hills to the east are simply out of the question. The north branch of the King's Road cuts right by this village, so he'd probably take his army straight down it."

"Your thinking concurs with mine," Apple replied. "Tomorrow, we'll march for Waldron, and set up ambush positions in the forests east of the village. The following day, we'll sweep the Highland advance units towards Miklotov's Blue Knights, who'll be arriving from the west. With any luck, we'll annihilate a major portion of the Highland Army. That is all!"

As she finished those last words, the fort shook from a resounding boom of thunder, followed immediately by rain crashing down upon the roof. The candles in the candelabras posted around the room suddenly guttered, tamped down by a cold gust from the windows. No one in the room spoke for several moments, as they all sat and listened to more distant thunder rumbling. Flik watched the shadows dancing on the walls as the candles struggled to burn properly. Finally, Viktor stood up and said, "Good night, gentlemen. We march tomorrow morning."

Flik had trouble sleeping that night, though it was only partly due to the impending battle. It was more the storm, the strength of which wasn't constant. Sometimes the rain would slow and the thunder recede into distant growling in the clouds. Then the downpour would begin anew, accompanied by flashes of light that illuminated his room and thunder that seemed to break within his ribs.

Whenever the storm was at its strongest, his awareness of the lightning rune in his right hand was also at its greatest, as it was during every thunderstorm. It did not manifest as a pain, or a twinge, or even a tingling, but merely as a presence. It was the realization that there was a part of him that was not of him, a power that only existed through the union of human flesh with runic…what? A book he once read called this "Symbiosis", the ability of particularly sensitive mages to understand the powers flowing within them. That book had spoken very highly of the ability; Flik found that little comfort.

The storm surged again; light suddenly filling up every corner of his room, and then fleeing before it could really register in Flik's head. He sat up in bed, ignoring the cold as it raised goosebumps on his arms. Looking down at his right hand, he was aware of the rune, of its foreignness, of its separateness. Am I restless, or is it? A longing for Odessa flooded into his heart, filling it to the brim. She was the only person he'd ever spoken to about these feelings. Even before he ever spoke his love, she would sit up with him on nights like this, gently holding his rune hand between her hands, surrounding that fragment of inhumanity with her warmth.

He collapsed back onto the pillow and shut his eyes. Sleep did not come for many hours, not until the storm was spent, and its fury blew off into the east. Only then could he sleep, dreaming of Odessa, arms clasped around his chest, holding him close.

Not unsurprisingly, the following morning was not without its share of troubles. The mercenaries, along with Holm's rangers, were ready to go at the appointed hour, but there was no sign of the ten companies of Muse infantry. While a messenger was dispatched to find out what had happened to the tardy men, Apple raged at just about everyone in earshot, yelling things like, "Somebody's going to pay dearly if we don't arrive in time to spring that ambush!"

Viktor calmly spoke, "We could always march without them."

"Not a chance," Apple retorted. "We'll need that strength in the upcoming battle. Otherwise, they'll just brush us aside."

Flik merely paced around the assembly area, rubbing his hands together for a little warmth. Last night's storms had brought a dramatic decrease in the temperatures, but at least he couldn't see his breath. There was always that. Still, he hoped the sky would stay clear so that the sun could warm things up a bit.

Eventually the missing units did arrive, their commander offering the lame excuse that they hadn't been told which fort to march towards. Apple icily retorted, "You'd best make sure that you don't lose your way on the march north."

After that, the army set out, with Holm's rangers as forward scouts, and Flik's cavalry behind them, leading the column. The march was to the northeast initially, until they reached the King's Road, where they turned north. The morning was uneventful, and for a while, Flik could indulge in the fantasy that this was only an elaborate drill. Once the noon break was finished, they began to run into refugees fleeing south. They were mostly civilians, but rather than be grateful, many looked outraged as Flik and his cavalry forced them off the road.

In the late afternoon, to Apple's obvious immense relief, Holm's scouts reported entering Waldron and finding no sign of the Highland Army. All during the afternoon, Flik had ridden past the outlying farms that surrounded any country town. For the most part, those farms had been deserted, with no one tending the early planting in the fields. The town sat at the foot of a gentle ridge, with a shallow stream running through it. To the northeast, the ground built up alongside the road into a series of forested slopes. Across the farmlands towards the setting sun, he could see another stretch of woods, little belts of trees that farther on blended into a larger forest.

The town was nearly empty; the only people remaining were too old, too infirm, or too stubborn to escape the coming menace. A stringy old man, with battered armor that was ill fitting, was all that remained of the town's militia. Apple sniffed disdainfully when he told her that the remainder had fled at the first rumor of Luca Blight's approach. She then commandeered the mayor's house to serve as headquarters. Flik was just sitting down to a meeting with the rest of the officers when one of Holm's scouts burst in, shouting, "We've spotted Highland infantry, approaching from the north!"