The Storm

"Isn't that beautiful?" Julia sighed. "It's too bad she and her clan have decided to go with the Dianas."

"Despite what you've heard, life is a series of compromises," Ceridwen replied. "And you can't know at the time you make your decision, whether it will be the right one or not."

"We've been through this a hundred times," Livia sighed. "Our problem right now is getting those non-combatants from the Stargazer Clan into some safer situation. Right now, they're blending into the strangers here. When the crowds leave, though, we'll need some place for them to stay so Lord Bane's forces don't discover them."

"We also need to get our forces up and ready to fight," Ceridwen said.

"How are they doing?"

"Marcus tells me that this first group is ready to leave. They're better at archery than the spears, but that can't be helped. They're well-equipped and knowledgeable, and they're familiar with both Roman and Celtic methods of warfare, on a basic level."

"I saw them helping Marcus and Gwynn with the training last evening," Julia said.

"Both Marcus and Gwynn feel that, by helping to train others, their lessons will be better set in their minds. But they should be leaving anyway. I've heard from Skybax."

The three women huddled together away from the crowd while Ceridwen imparted the latest news from the Mana Knight.

"So the keep's been razed," Julia sighed.

"This is serious," Livia said.

"That's why we need to get our people out of here, and try to keep any representatives from the other clans here. Our most important job will be to keep the Minstrels from seeing our army, and from seeing them leave. That's why this Faire was so important! It masks a variety of otherwise noticeable leavings and arrivals."

Web Witch wandered over, laughing and holding a plate of pie. She sat down on the grass beside her friends to listen to the lovely music.

"I want to go with the army." Livia crossed her arms over her chest resolutely. Ever since she discovered her ability to stop a projectile, it had been her wish to assist their forces in any way she could.

"I'd rather see you stay and train with the new group before going into battle," Ceridwen answered. "Otherwise, all you'd be is a glorified arrow-finder, and you won't be any good at all if you get killed. Train with the new group, please."

"Is that an order?"

"No."

"Then, I will leave with the army."

Ceridwen sighed. Livia could catch any arrow or light spear thrown her way, but if there were too many of them, she would certainly run out of hands. Besides, her magic would be needed more than her limited fighting skills.

"Let her go." Web Witch's voice was soft and full. "She has power, and her magic could be useful. I'll watch her."

"Oh. You're going?"

"Of course. The Galens' fog will be needed in the first heat of battle, not in its aftermath."

Ceridwen nodded. Her son and daughter were going with the army, and now Livia and Web Witch were leaving as well. They had all planned on traveling to the battlefield at one time or another, for some it would be sooner than expected.

Ceridwen followed him along the road which ran through the practice area. All around them, arrows were being shot and spears thrown. In a little clearing to the side, recruits worked on close combat with both short pikes and hands. Ceriwen noticed her son, Bran, throw a new recruit to the ground as easily as if he was releasing a sack of flour.

"I'd like to see them all stay here, but it just isn't possible. Our allies need our help."

"So things are getting worse in Forumland." Marcus shook his head and stopped to call out some instruction to the spear group. "It's the power of the place, I tell you. Whoever owns this land can rule the world. The Gods are strong here, and there's magic in the water itself."

"I want you to ask the departing troops if they will lend their homes for a time, to the refugees from the Stargazer Clan. There are spies about, and we need secrecy."

Marcus nodded and scratched his bearded chin. "I can do that. Some of the new recruits need places as well. We'll be working on homes for them, too."

It was early evening now. The Faire had wound down between the day's festivities and the night's entertainment. Most of the visitors were at supper, partaking of the excellent food of the inn and the bakery in town and incidentally filling their coffers with new gold. Ceridwen knew that the troops must be hungry, but she also knew the need for additional training.

"They're set to leave tonight," Marcus said with a shake of his head. "No one's to know. While the Faire holds people's attention, they will be leaving out the pass for the Stargazer's mountains. Oh, three of our best veterans will be going with the troops, so there will be some experience along. Couldn't keep Angus out of it, he said, and Paulus and Civonius feel the same."

"How are they fixed for supplies?"

"They've enough to get them into the Stargazers' lands and then some. It's a time-honored tradition to forage in the lands where you fight."

Ceridwen frowned. "From what I've heard, there won't be much left to forage. Lord Bane's troops are doing the same thing, and setting fire to what they cannot carry. There won't be much to sustain them once they're there."

Marcus nodded in approval. "I don't care for the likes of Bane, but he knows his stuff. If he leaves anything in the fields, our troops, or the Stargazers, will have it."

A distant rumble filled the evening air. Ceridwen and Marcus both turned to the surrounding hills. Tall clouds loomed, threatening the valley with a late storm.

"Might be a good thing," Marcus observed as the first sheets of rain cascaded down the far slopes. "No one will be out to catch the army's leaving."

It was more than just a storm, though. It was an indication of things to come. Ceridwen watched as the rain moved closer to the village, and thought about Lord Bane's forces running as easily through the land. Don't let them get waylaid, she thought.

Marcus jerked his head in her direction. "Lady, did you say something?"

"No."

"Oh. Well, yesterday and again now, I thought I heard you speak. Something about the troops not getting ambushed..."

Ceridwen shook her head, but wondered what his sensitivity could mean.