‘There’s something rotten on the other side of the forest’.
Barely two weeks had passed and Eschin found himself once more seated across the table from Prince Tasaam.
In a constantly changing world, the Princes room seemed to be caught in a timeless unchanging moment. The same aides came in and out with a seemingly endless assortment of Ledgers and dockets which required the Princes attention. The Chrystal decanter on the mahogany desk was never empty, and new visitors were often disappointed to discover that the Prince drank only water, when offered a glass.
The long case clock still ticked above the desk in a sedate manner, giving those called to the room the sense that the prince had all the time in the world.
Eschin had been woken an hour earlier with the news that Prince Tasaam was awaiting his pleasure. He had hurriedly washed and shaved before accompanying the flustered messenger to the palace. Now he eyed the rooms other occupants.
The Prince, as always, appeared crisply dressed and calm. He seemed for all the world like a man who had slept extremely well and now had nothing more taxing to consider than which suit of clothing would best suit his mood.
Eschin privately wondered how he was managing. Rumour in the army was that the Prince had only two hours sleep a night and it was common knowledge that his spotless office was constantly peopled by Berkham’s civic leaders who appeared always to be a gnats wing away from breaking their support of the army.
The Prince had to be part politician, part accountant, part aristocrat and part warrior.
Tasked with keeping order between the myriad opposing factions that comprised the allied force in Berkham.
Despite this, the Prince appeared always as he was this morning. He rarely lost his temper and appeared possessed of a boundless energy.
He was currently concerned with the rooms other occupant. A man in his late forties, dressed in well weathered brown leathers which stank of wood smoke and blood. Like Eschin two weeks previously, he had clearly just arrived back from the field and had been introduced to the swordsman as ‘Captain Talaan; one of our more successful spies’.
The man had a beard which was obviously in need of trimming dark brown eyes that brooded beneath bushy black eyebrows. His hair was long to cover a widows peak but there were no signs of grey and he appeared fit and vital despite carrying more years than many of the captains in the allied force.
He sat easily before the great desk and his face reflected the dry humour that Eschin had come to recognise as the mark of many veteran soldiers.
‘There’s something rotten out there I’m sure of it’ he continued, glady accepting a glass from the decanter on the desk, only to pause in surprise as he realised the true nature of the contents.
‘Every damn troll the the patrols have lost, every enemy soldier, every damn chaotic wretch that crawls out from under a stone is heading through to the other side, but it’s far too well defended to risk us following. Those woods are an ambushers paradise’.
‘How many men have you lost’ enquired the Prince.
‘Tweny one’ replied the captain, ‘although three of them are wounded rather than outright dead’
The prince made and indecipherable mark on the ledger in front of him before closing the covers with a heavy snap and adding it to the growing pile on one side of the desk.
'So, it would appear that they are massing for the next assault'. He sighed and settled back into the leather comfort of his chair, closing his eyes and steepling elegant fingers as he continued to speak to the two officers.
' The next stage of the war is coming gentlemen. Everyone feels it. Whether this month or the next I do not have the power to say. But without a doubt, the enemy has found some new champion and all the dregs of the earth are flocking to his banner.
We may find the strenth to face him but we cannot afford the risk that this force may combine with what remains of the southern army that we routed last year'.
Talaan appeared to consider the princes comments before answering; 'But how are we to prevent them unifying when any force that is sent into the forest will quickly be cut to pieces by ambush. Our own scouting force is returning at less than half strength I am sorry to say'.
'There is no need for apology my dear captain. I am sure that the losses are not due to poor leadership on your part. Air cover from our friends at the magical colleges is a wonderful thing, but it's dammned difficult to see anything from above that canopy until it's already been shot at you. The mages have yet to discover an adequate defence against a five foot bolt with a spike at the end'.
Finally he turned to Eschin, as if only now becoming aware of his presence in the room.
'My Lord Eschin, what would be your council on this matter?'
Eschin looked briefly from one man to the other, clearing his throat as he considered the question.
'Clearly our forces cannot journey around the forest to attack, the terrain is against us all the way. Nevertheless, it would seem unwise to lay any plans without first seeking to learn more of this new champion and what strength they have. Whatever we do, it must be done quickly though for it would seem that our time runs short'.
'Indeed you are correct Eschin, and it is for that reason that I have requested your presence at this meeting. You are probably the only man in this army with speed and skill enough to gain such intelligence in time for it to be put to any use'.
The Prince slid open one of the many drawers in the desk and removed a sealed paper, handing it to the swordsman before continuing.
'Your orders are within, as well as the usual codes and and a warrant for another shadow wings capable steed. I need you to find out all you can of this new threat. There is no chance for subtlety or subterfuge or I would be sending Talaan back into the woods. I need you to do what you seem to do best. Kill your way in and out in one piece and bring me back somthing that I can use. If you have not reported back within fifteen days then I will assume you dead. I must say that I will be extreemely surprised if that turns out to be the case however' .
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