From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [157]
“Yes,” Captain Loam said, “and then they get to dictate to us where the battle should be fought.”
“So we will not let them,” Achan said. “There are mountains and hills to the west. We have been in their shadow for days. In fact, isn’t Noiz high in the mountains? Edom Gate as well?”
His generals nodded.
“Why not fight them there?” Achan asked. “We have to fight them sometime. Why don’t we claim the high ground of our choosing and let them come if they dare? And if they don’t come, then we’ll go to them, still with the advantage of high ground. And with an extra five thousand men.”
“The prince speaks wisely,” Captain Loam said. “Armonguard is nearly impenetrable from the ground, what with the way it sits on Lake Arman like an island. It would be well to have this battle away from there, now that the enemy holds it. We should take out as many of the enemy as we can before attempting to breach the castle itself.”
“I disagree,” Altair said. “The longer we wait to attack, the more time Esek has to set up defense in Armonguard. We should attack now, before too much time passes and he becomes deeply entrenched.”
“If we attack now, we lose men before we even reach Armonguard,” Sir Eric said. “The ships will give us safety.”
“Why don’t we do both?” Altair said. “Esek traps us from north and south. So we do the same. Send some to the boats and some to Noiz.”
Sir Gavin shook his head. “It would be unwise to split our forces. United and in a strong position, we could repel any assault. But divided, both parts could be easily overwhelmed, and then we would have nothing.”
“Noiz is being the safest place for the prince,” Inko said.
“But Noiz is in Darkness,” Sir Eric said. “The ships will keep us in Light longer.”
“That won’t matter for long,” Sir Gavin said. “Darkness overtook Armonguard yesterday, so Sundergow said.”
The men reacted to this with stunned silence.
“Armonguard in Darkness?” Sir Eric said. “Have we lost already?”
Another silence.
Achan rubbed his eyes. Everything was drawing to a close, he could feel it. “Why does that matter?” Achan asked, fighting the fear he felt gripping all of them. “I’ve always known the last battle would be in Darkness. This is not a surprise.”
“Still,” Sir Caleb said, “if we risk everything now by marching quickly to Armonguard, we risk our chance of even getting you there—to do what you must do.”
“Which is what, by the way?” Achan felt every head turn toward him, but it was long past time to broach this subject. “I’ve been praying, but Arman has not answered.”
“You will face Lord Nathak,” Sir Gavin said. “Maybe Esek, as well. But I feel you must destroy the keliy.”
“How?”
Sir Gavin shook his head. “You and I will work that out before we send you in. For now I say we get you to Noiz, and work out our plan of attack once we get to safety.”
After the meeting, Achan returned to his tent to help Matthias pack. Matthias put all Achan’s clothing into saddlebags, and Cole carried them to Bart.
With so many people working together, camp was disassembled within minutes. The army rode west into the dark woods. Toward Darkness. The sun shone through cracks in the trees, and Achan savored every last glimpse of warmth. He suspected he would not see the sun again until this war was over.
Or until he entered Shamayim.
Arman, help us all find the way. Help me know what to do. The procession upset a flock of sparrows. Achan watched them fly through the trees. And help Sparrow to remember.
Thoughts of Sparrow suddenly consumed him, and his heart twisted into a knot. He wanted to speak to her, if only to know she was well. But he could not stomach her anger or disdain. What would she say if she saw him face to face? If she came to Armonguard, would she come to see him? She had better, or he would send for her.
He grinned. Sparrow would not like that at all.
30
Averella’s arms and legs ached from the awkward position of crawling up, up, up the steep tunnel. Every once in a while the tunnel leveled out enough for everyone to take a break—they slept twice in