resulted in a Crusader diplomatic emissary visiting our capital? Although they believe us followers and practitioners of evil arts, they have for the first time maintained diplomatic, even civil contact. At this moment a military delegation advises my father.”
Road Toad didn’t appear surprised by the statement, but I was. The fierce tenacity of Crusaders in their beliefs made them immune to most magics. Rare stories of outcasts abandoning their islands passed through Pine Ridge, but nobody I’d ever known had met a Crusader. Old Lowell once told me of the last incursion by the Reunited Kingdom. His grandfather had lived through it as a child. They’d captured half the holds of the Faxtinian Coalition, made inroads into the Necromancer King’s Dead Expanse, and had laid siege to the capital of the Vinchie Empire. Old Lowell said a plague ran unchecked through the Crusaders. Until the attack on the Necromancer King twelve years ago, they’d remained isolated, content on their islands.
“Crusader technology, as they call it,” said Road Toad, “has been far surpassed by the Necromancer King.”
“So it would seem,” agreed the prince. “But they see the Necromancer King as a growing menace.”
“Will they fight alongside us, Prince? Both orange and green crosses?”
“That has yet to be seen, Road Toad. What was your assessment of the tactics of the enemy?”
“Clumsy and slow,” said Road Toad, putting a finger to his pock-marked cheek. “If they’d have pressed the panzers across the bridge and sent ogres or goblins to support, they’d have taken casualties—very few—and captured the bridge intact.”
“What is your assessment of wizard magic against the Necromancer King’s new weapons?”
“It could be effective. It depends on how many panzers he has compared to the number of wizards, enchanters and other spellcasters that can be mustered.”
“That is my thought,” said the prince. “I fear we have far too few. And the Crusaders insist that the Necromancer King probably has more, possibly even more effective and lethal weapons in his stable.”
“It wasn’t panzers that drove the Crusaders off twelve years ago,” said Road Toad. “And I doubt it was magic. Have they said what it was?”
“Not in great detail,” said the prince. “A sort of toxic gas. But the Necromancer King’s ambitious war may spur them on.” The prince was going to say more, but he looked beyond us and nodded.
I turned to see the seer close the partitioning flap.
Prince Reveron nodded. “I thank you soldiers for your observations and council.”
We stood and bowed to the prince, who showed a mischievous grin.
“Road Toad, your history precludes me from offering you a commission in the Keeseean military. However, if you are willing, you could serve as an auxiliary guard to the serpent steeds. You have specialized knowledge that would be valuable in that area.”
Road Toad frowned, giving it thought.
“In addition, I anticipate future, more rigorous assignments for which you would be suited. You will receive more than fair compensation for your services and expertise.”
“I would be honored,” said Road Toad, bowing. He then looked from the prince to me.
“Mercenary Krish, I would offer you a similar position to assist Road Toad. Your compensation will be fair.”
I bowed as Road Toad had. “I would be honored, Prince Reveron, to serve you.” It was such an unexpected offer I almost forgot about wanting to find my family. But how could I have said no to a prince?
“Major Parks oversees the dragon bevy,” said the prince. “Report to him later this afternoon.”
“Your offer wouldn’t have anything to do with your seer’s visions, would it, Prince?” asked Road Toad in a low but jesting voice.
Prince Reveron chuckled in return. “He is but a lesser seer, Road Toad. I put far more faith in you than I put in him.”
Chapter 6
North Africa
2,873 Years before the Reign of King Tobias
Road Toad didn’t appear surprised by the statement, but I was. The fierce tenacity of Crusaders in their beliefs made them immune to most magics. Rare stories of outcasts abandoning their islands passed through Pine Ridge, but nobody I’d ever known had met a Crusader. Old Lowell once told me of the last incursion by the Reunited Kingdom. His grandfather had lived through it as a child. They’d captured half the holds of the Faxtinian Coalition, made inroads into the Necromancer King’s Dead Expanse, and had laid siege to the capital of the Vinchie Empire. Old Lowell said a plague ran unchecked through the Crusaders. Until the attack on the Necromancer King twelve years ago, they’d remained isolated, content on their islands.
“Crusader technology, as they call it,” said Road Toad, “has been far surpassed by the Necromancer King.”
“So it would seem,” agreed the prince. “But they see the Necromancer King as a growing menace.”
“Will they fight alongside us, Prince? Both orange and green crosses?”
“That has yet to be seen, Road Toad. What was your assessment of the tactics of the enemy?”
“Clumsy and slow,” said Road Toad, putting a finger to his pock-marked cheek. “If they’d have pressed the panzers across the bridge and sent ogres or goblins to support, they’d have taken casualties—very few—and captured the bridge intact.”
“What is your assessment of wizard magic against the Necromancer King’s new weapons?”
“It could be effective. It depends on how many panzers he has compared to the number of wizards, enchanters and other spellcasters that can be mustered.”
“That is my thought,” said the prince. “I fear we have far too few. And the Crusaders insist that the Necromancer King probably has more, possibly even more effective and lethal weapons in his stable.”
“It wasn’t panzers that drove the Crusaders off twelve years ago,” said Road Toad. “And I doubt it was magic. Have they said what it was?”
“Not in great detail,” said the prince. “A sort of toxic gas. But the Necromancer King’s ambitious war may spur them on.” The prince was going to say more, but he looked beyond us and nodded.
I turned to see the seer close the partitioning flap.
Prince Reveron nodded. “I thank you soldiers for your observations and council.”
We stood and bowed to the prince, who showed a mischievous grin.
“Road Toad, your history precludes me from offering you a commission in the Keeseean military. However, if you are willing, you could serve as an auxiliary guard to the serpent steeds. You have specialized knowledge that would be valuable in that area.”
Road Toad frowned, giving it thought.
“In addition, I anticipate future, more rigorous assignments for which you would be suited. You will receive more than fair compensation for your services and expertise.”
“I would be honored,” said Road Toad, bowing. He then looked from the prince to me.
“Mercenary Krish, I would offer you a similar position to assist Road Toad. Your compensation will be fair.”
I bowed as Road Toad had. “I would be honored, Prince Reveron, to serve you.” It was such an unexpected offer I almost forgot about wanting to find my family. But how could I have said no to a prince?
“Major Parks oversees the dragon bevy,” said the prince. “Report to him later this afternoon.”
“Your offer wouldn’t have anything to do with your seer’s visions, would it, Prince?” asked Road Toad in a low but jesting voice.
Prince Reveron chuckled in return. “He is but a lesser seer, Road Toad. I put far more faith in you than I put in him.”
Chapter 6
North Africa
2,873 Years before the Reign of King Tobias
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