45. Velius

Chapter 45

Velius

T he sun stood at its peak when I nodded to a pair of Mages stationed at the eastern wall. The man and woman in billowing blue robes muttered words in our ancient language. The man’s Gift turned the pristine snow murky, while the woman’s power vaporized it. A dense fog spread for miles along Saltstone’s eastern edge.

The woman’s skill was magnificent as she created a tunnel of clear air that followed the path carved in the countryside by the road. If Chancellor Thorn was playing some trick and planned to capture or kill our people as they fled, at least he would have a hard time seeing them while doing it. While the enemy might not see through the haze easily, our people wouldn’t have trouble finding their way forward.

I looked over my shoulder at the endless mass of civilians waiting for the signal to abandon their city, to abandon their homes. My heart ached for them, but I took solace knowing at least they would survive the battle to come.

I surveyed the boys and men manning the towers and wall, each proudly sporting Melucia’s navy blue. Their heads tilted upward as they offered confident smiles and waves to the people as they passed beneath. These poor men hadn’t seen the army camped on the other side of the capital or their counterparts on the western wall who struggled to keep their heads upturned. There was very little hope for any of them, even if they didn’t know it yet.

“Arch Mage.” A youthful voice caused me to turn. “General Vre needs you, sir.”

I nodded absently, then patted one of the Mages on the shoulder. “Nice work today. Please stay here and see these people away safely. If you need to spend all of your magic, do it. The soul of Saltstone flees through these gates today.”

The Mage blinked, then bowed deeply. “Yes, Arch Mage.”

By the time I made the short ride from the eastern gate to its western counterpart, Kingdom forces had resumed their bombardment. With the tower’s assistance, Declan continued to save the city from stone after stone, channeling more power than any Mage I had ever seen. I worried the boy would burn himself out if he kept this up, but the Ranger insisted he was strong enough to continue.

“How can I help, General?” I asked as I strode up beside the weary commander.

Vre glanced over his shoulder. “Are the people moving?”

I nodded. “They started just before your messenger asked me to join you here. I expect the evacuation will take all day and night, but they are moving fairly well.”

“They need to move faster. Who knows when our friends out there will notice their prey is streaming out the back door?” Vre paused. “I know we don’t have any more of that magical wine, but is there anything one of your Mages can do to keep my officers on their feet? Some of my men haven’t slept in two days. If the enemy manages to break Declan, they won’t have to use arms to take the city. We’ll all be asleep.”

“From what I see, you are as tired as your men. Titus, you need to rest, too. We need you fresh and sharp.”

“I’ll rest when this is over. Do you have anything to help or not?” Vre snapped, then added, “I’m sorry, Velius. I know you’re right, but I can’t leave now.”

“We cannot transfer our Gift to someone else. Those with Enhanced Strength or Stamina may use it themselves, but they cannot imbue another with their power. It does not work that way. You need good, old-fashioned sleep—and so do your officers.” I thought a moment. “My Mages can bolster Declan, keep him at his defensive work longer, if necessary. The enemy will not attack while the Mages’ tower and its walls stand. Go get some rest.”

Vre grunted, staring blearily at the enemy’s boulders as they bounced off Declan’s air shield. There was a constant thrum of one catapult launching after another, then a muted thud as their missiles crashed to the ground. Oddly, there was no sound when they hit the swirling wall of air.

“Fine. I’ll rotate my officers in two- or four-hour intervals, but I’m waiting until they’ve rested before I take a turn.”

“I would expect nothing less. Was there anything else?”

Vre turned. My heart stilled at the look in his eyes. “Walk with me, please.”

I remained silent and followed the General as he stepped away from his post. When we were well away from anyone who might overhear, Vre whispered, “I know some of the surprises you’ve got planned for our guests, but there have to be more than what we’ve discussed in the chamber. The day is coming when we’ll have to fight these bastards, and I need to know every arrow we’ve got in our quiver.”

I put fingers to my chin. I never liked showing my cards, even to my closest allies. With war on the horizon and spies about, one never knew where compromises lay.

“Several of us met with Declan over the past many days. We came up with many approaches. Most, you already know.” I looked away, deciding how much to reveal. “While we were in the chamber, we also discussed the Enchanted pots buried between the picket rows, and the magical oil tipping the spikes. Their Mages will sense something and likely try to destroy those barricades before an attack.”

“Right,” Vre grunted.

“We have two Mages with minor skill handling fire. You have seen them launch a few attacks. They can turn ordinary arrows into flaming missiles without the need for oil. Unfortunately, they are not very powerful and will only last a couple volleys every few hours.”

“All right. That’s something. What else?”

“Titus, our Mages were never trained to use their magic offensively. It is specifically prohibited by guild law. Most of our efforts have been spent shoring up defenses, producing food, purifying water, and Healing injured soldiers—and we will continue doing those things. We could live for years inside the walls and never want for food or water, but using our power to attack is impossible.” I sighed heavily. “We will be able to conjure a snowstorm or two, deepen the moat once the enemy triggers the buried pots, and our scryers should be able to locate and mark key generals for your marksmen, but that’s about it.”

“Anything else? What about Declan? Any other tricks that boy hasn’t told us about?”

I shrugged. I suspected much but knew little for certain about the extent of Declan’s abilities. From our conversations, even he knew little about his true potential.

“We have deployed Telepaths to each gate and the command post. You should receive reports and be able to move men more quickly now. As for Declan, he is pouring himself into defensive measures, keeping those siege engines and their missiles off our heads. If he were to turn his attention toward offensive measures, the catapults would have a clear shot at the Mages’ tower and our walls. Our men did as well as could be expected in heightening and strengthening the wooden barriers, but they are still just logs. They won’t last long against bombardment.”

“Any word from the border nations?”

I shook my head. “They are not coming. We knew they likely would not, but it was worth a try. They have decent constabulary forces, but nothing close to resembling an army.”

“Right.” Vre rolled his head, stretching the sore muscles in his neck.

“Get some rest, Titus. I need to get back to the tower to check on Declan.” I put a reassuring hand on the General’s arm, then turned and strode away.

The winding stairs of the tower were never an easy climb. That day, it felt like someone had wrung me out like a wet towel as I reached the tower’s peak. I had scolded the General about getting rest but was reluctant to take my own advice.

When I finally entered the chamber at the tower’s top, I froze in the doorway.

Declan stood at the center of the gold-and-silver inlay, brilliant azure light flowing from his upturned palms and out the window. Two men in Mages’ robes, their hands gripping Declan’s arms, swayed unsteadily as their power flowed into the Ranger. I raced forward and placed a hand on the first man, giving him a trickle of magic, then repeated the process for the other Mage.

They nearly toppled over.

I pulled them both off Declan and helped them sprawl out on the floor.

“You have spent yourself beyond your limit and eaten into your life force. As badly as we need that barrier, we cannot lose you from such foolishness. Catch your breath, then go get something to eat and sleep until tomorrow. I will find someone else to help here.”

Scolding complete, I turned to examine Declan. He had been fending off artillery blows for three days now. His face was gaunt and pale. Heavy bags sagged beneath weary eyes, their youthful luster long since dulled by exhaustion.

It was a miracle the boy was still on his feet.

órla appeared in the window, carefully avoiding the magical flow as she landed.

“He cannot last much longer today,” I said.

órla flapped a few feet to land on her Bond-Mate’s shoulder. His body trembled briefly, then settled as strength flowed in a blue wave from her beak into his mouth. A few moments later, she flapped back to the window.

“That should get him through this round and allow the people to continue the evacuation. The enemy has realized their efforts to destroy our tower are actually building a stone wall they will have to cross later. They will pause their attacks and reassess. Declan should be able to rest soon.” Her normally upbeat voice sounded as weak as I felt.

She was tired, too.