Page 103 of Silver & Smoke
– Kristopher Snowden, Drevenor Guest Lecturer
KIPP HAD CHOSENthe location well. It was below a crest in the land that made it impossible to see from the guard posts of Dorinth, but still within short riding range from the capital. A vital strategic position that, once secured, would give them a direct path to the silvertide fields – and possibly Torj’s salvation.
‘The key is to eliminate as much of Silas’s army as we can. That will create an opening for us,’ Kipp explained, pointing south. ‘The silvertide fields lie beyond that ridge. Once we’ve reduced his numbers from here, our forces can attack Dorinth while Silas scrambles to reorganize his defences. Depending on where his other bases are, it will be a matter of days. When we’re done here, we’ll need to move quickly.’
‘It’s not just about taking Dorinth,’ Wren added, meeting Cal’s eyes. ‘It’s about reaching those roses before Torj’s condition worsens. And before Silas can harvest them for his shadow alchemy. He knows what they are to us now. He’ll go to any length to stop usobtaining them. This is the first domino that needs to fall. If we succeed here, we gain access to both the capital and the fields. If we fail...’
She didn’t need to finish. They all knew what rode on this mission – not just her crown, but Torj’s life, and possibly the fate of all five kingdoms if Silas gained complete control of the silvertide roses.
Wren checked the sight lines as Kipp had shown her, determining how visible their position was from different approaches. ‘It looks good from here,’ she called.
‘Good,’ Kipp replied, pointing down below. ‘You can see the path Silas’s army will take – the terrain is easiest there.’
‘And the signal?’ Cal asked, trudging across the rocky ground, spyglass in hand.
‘One with dual purpose,’ Wren said with a smile, her lightning sparking at her fingertips. ‘Something that announces to the enemy I’m here, and that Torj can see from afar.’
‘Someone could have told me to bring my oilskin cloak,’ Cal muttered.
The trio made their way down the ridge. At Wren’s instruction, their main force had visited the site and left their supply wagons and tents set up, and the ground was covered in the tracks of five hundred horses.
‘We’ll set up camp as though the entire host was here,’ she reminded Cal and Kipp. ‘I’m talking tents, bedrolls, campfires, the wagons unloaded, including the wine.’ Her voice didn’t waver. She couldn’t let it, not when so much depended on the next few hours.
The time passed in a blur of tasks.
‘I think we need more horse tracks in and around the camp, and then some leading away,’ she called out to the others. ‘This is supposed to be a hive of activity, and we need every piece to feel authentic if we’re going to pull this off.’
Cal nodded and gathered their horses, riding all around the decoy settlement, adding to the old tracks there. He made it look like an entire unit had gathered at that very point before riding off.
As Wren finished up staging half-drunk goblets of wine and mead, Kipp watched her with a mournful expression. ‘Such a waste...’
‘If we survive, I’ll buy you a barrel of sour mead,’ she told him.
Kipp raised a brow. ‘Just one?’
‘Two,’ she amended. ‘Ifwe pull this off.’
Cal cleared his throat. ‘As thirsty as I am, knowing the plan would be helpful.’
‘Right!’ Kipp declared. ‘The plan is to let them capture you, Callahan.’
‘What?’
‘Well, we have to make it look convincing – the rest of us fled, and you bought us time, being the courageous Warsword that you are...’
‘Sounds counterproductive at best,’ Cal muttered. ‘Suicidal at worst.’
‘And that’s why you’re not a strategist, my friend,’ Kipp replied cheerfully.
‘I argued against it,’ Wren told him.
‘Of course she did,’ Kipp interjected. ‘But only a Warsword would be daft enough to stay behind and think he could take on an entire army – am I right, Flaming Arrow?’
‘Cheers.’ Cal huffed a laugh. ‘I suppose there’s some truth in that...’
Kipp shot Wren a smug expression. ‘What did I tell you?’
‘Doesn’t mean I have to like it,’ she countered.
