You should be able to build quite a wall with that much stone, Sorgan, the warrior queen Trenicia said.
The screamings likely to go on for a long time, though, Veltan added.
Not if the stories my scouts bring back from the countryside are awful enough, it wont, Sorgan disagreed. If the priests hear about a bug thats twelve feet tall and rips out a mans liver when it gets hungry, theyll run for cover and tell us to do whatevers necessary to hold back the monsters and theyll be hiding so far back in the temple that they wont see daylight for at least a month.
I like it! Narasan said enthusiastically.
Thats the way well do er then, old friend, Sorgan replied with a broad grin.
Zelana smiled. The unlikely-seeming friendship between Sorgan and Narasan seemed to be growing stronger and stronger, and now it appeared that theyd do almost anything to help each other.
While their men were preparing for the long march to the east coast of Dahlaines part of the Land of Dhrall, Sorgan, Narasan and several others spent most of their time carefully studying the map.
Im going to need those ships as soon as you unload your men down in Aracias temple-town, Sorgan, Narasan reminded his friend. Ill still have more than half of my army sitting on that beach on the east coast.
No problem, Sorgan replied. The ships would only clutter up the harbor of temple-town anyway. Then too, if Aracias priests look at your ships too long, they might decide that they want a navy so that they can go out to sea to preach to the fish. He frowned slightly. Do the people down there actually call their city temple-town? Most places have fancier names.
The priests and Aracia herself never refer to the place as a town, Sorgan, Narasan explained. The people who live out beyond the walls might have a different name, I suppose, but the people youll be dealing with just speak of the temple. Its entirely possible, I guess, that most of the priests arent even aware of the buildings and houses outside the temple walls. For them, the temple is the whole world.
Thats stupid, Sorgan said.
I think thats the word most people use when theyre talking about any priesthood, Sorgan, Narasan said with a faint smile.
Longbow had been studying the map, and he gestured to Sorgan.
The Maag captain joined him. Do you see anything that might go wrong? he asked.
Not so far, friend Sorgan. It just came to me, though, that most of your fleet is still sitting in the bay over there.
Theyd better be, Sorgan replied. I sent Skell over there to keep a tight grip on them.
Im sure that more archers will be very useful once were in Long-Pass, and its only a few days south of where your ships are anchored to the village of Old-Bear, where hundreds of archers are sitting around telling stories to each other. If Skell picked them up and carried them on up to that fishing village on the coast, theyd only be a few days behind us, and theyll probably reach the upper mouth of Long-Pass before the bug-people come storming out of the Wasteland.
Thats not a bad idea at all, Longbow, Sorgan approved. Itll keep the sailors busy, and itll give Narasan some help when hes likely to need it.
I definitely approve, Narasan said, and Ill take all the help I can get.
Longbow continued to stare at Dahlaines replication of Eastern Dhrall. Theres this range of low, rounded hills running down along the east side of the Land of Dhrall. I think that when we reach that range, Ill lead the archers of Tonthakan on down that way, and Old-Bears archers wont be too far behind us. Well most likely be at the upper end of Long-Pass even before Narasans fort-builders get there. We can make sure that there wont be any surprises for the Trogites when they go up there to build forts.
Ill get word to Skell, Sorgan said. Then he looked over at his friend. How many forts were you planning to build? he asked Narasan.
As many as the Vlagh gives me time to build, Narasan replied. Id go for one fort every mile or so down that pass if Ive got enough time. The bug-people dont like forts, so Ill make things as unpleasant for them as I possibly can.
How are you going to keep the bugs from smoking you out again like they did down in Crystal Gorge? Rabbit asked.
Veltan and I can take care of that if its necessary, Dahlaine said, but I dont think the bugs will try that again. The prevailing wind down there comes in out of the east, and if they tried greasy smoke again, that wind would blow it right back in their faces.
The Vlagh almost has to be desperate this time, big brother, Veltan said. The other three regions have been blocked off, so this is the only way left. If she doesnt win this time, shell spend the rest of eternity trapped out there in the Wasteland. Shell do almost anything to get her servants past you.
Well have to make sure that she doesnt succeed then, little brother, Dahlaine said quite firmly.
It was somewhat later, and all of the outlanders had gone to their beds. Zelana and her brothers lingered in the map room, however. All three of them were quite certain that theyd soon be getting more instructions. Longbow had also remained behind, but he didnt say exactly why.
It was perhaps midnight when the door opened and Balacenia and her glowing, mist-covered companion joined them on the balcony. One of you will have to go to sister Aracias temple with Sorgan, the misty lady told them.
Ill take care of that, Veltan volunteered. Aracia thinks of me as an immature creature without much of a brain, so she wont pay any attention to me.
Thats not a bad idea, Veltan, the lady said. Keep a very close eye on Aracia. Shes right on the verge of going to pieces, and if her brain flies apart, youll need to tell Zelana and Dahlaine about it. The three of you might need to step on her to keep her from breaking the rules. We dont want to lose her.
Longbow was standing off to one side, and he had a peculiarly startled expression on his face.
Then, after Balacenia and her glowing companion had left the large room, the usually grim-faced archer suddenly began to laugh.
Whats so funny, Longbow? Zelana asked.
Nothing all that important, he replied. But then he laughed again.
Zelana found that to be very irritating, but she wasnt sure just exactly why.