“That will never happen,” came a voice from the tent flap. “General Franz is dead.”
General Ruppert leaped to his feet and whirled around to face the speaker. “Somma?” he scowled. “What are you doing in the enemy’s camp?”
“They bested us too, Ruppert,” answered the Spinoan general. “They built a dam and flooded their own lands just so they could destroy it at the appropriate time and crush our armies. Most of my men would have perished if the Alceans had not saved them. Our people have woefully underestimated these Alceans, Ruppert. They have known for a very long time that this invasion was coming, and they have prepared very carefully.”
General Ruppert sighed and nodded, but his face grew dark as he once again gazed at the Spinoan general. “They must have had someone rather high in the Federation army to have had such advance knowledge. Why is it that you walk around freely among the enemy with your weapon still intact?”
“Think before you accuse me,” scowled General Somma. “I am a Spinoan, not a Baroukan. Do you think Emperor Jaar or Grand General Kyrga would share information with a Spinoan any more than he would an Ertakan? You and I learned about the invasion at the same time, during the festival in Despair. The Alceans knew about it long before then. In fact, Bin-lu actually traveled with the colonels of the 4th Corps and the 18th Corps when they arrived here last fall. They were already well informed at that time.”
“Then explain your freedom,” retorted General Ruppert.
“I am not truly free,” replied General Somma. “I was brought here because I offered to talk to you about surrendering, and before you seize upon that confession and make something out of it that is not true, let me explain. The Alceans believe that evil forces are manipulating Emperor Jaar into attacking Alcea. Those evil forces seek to benefit from the tears of millions. To fight that insidious evil, King Arik has decided to avoid as much bloodshed as he can and still claim victory over the Federation. Wherever it is possible, the Alceans seek surrender rather than battle. They truly do not want to kill all of your men, Ruppert. That is why they built the berm in the first place. Think about it. If they wanted your men dead, why contain the oil to just the roadway?”
General Ruppert frowned and nodded. For all his gruff talk of fighting on, he had to admit that the Alceans had trapped him quite well.
“How did they treat your men?” General Ruppert asked.
“Cordially,” answered General Somma. “They loaded them into wagons and took them away to camps. They did split up squads to lessen the threat of escape, but my men were treated well. They have healers at the camps and they promised that my men would be well fed and returned to Zara when the war was over.”
“Do you believe them?” asked General Ruppert.
“I do,” answered General Somma. “The Alceans that I have met so far have been amazingly honest with me. They have a sense of trust and honesty that does not exist in our lands.”
“That is all well and good,” interjected Colonel Mayne, “but that supposes that the Alceans will win this war. I cannot believe that such a feat is possible.”
“Then you have much to learn, Colonel,” replied General Somma. “Our forces in Cordonia are out of the war already. In Sordoa, Gattas and Montero were completely destroyed. Counting the 13th Corps and 26th Corps, half of our armies are already removed from the playing field, and there are still four days to go before our attack is supposed to start.”
“What about Kolling and Gertz?” asked General Ruppert.
“The Alceans have not spoken about them much,” replied the Spinoan general. “They have said that Team Barouk has no horses, food, or battle mages, but they have not revealed any traps set for them. I am sure that Bin-lu will discuss what he can with you, General, but time is wasting for your men. Until you surrender, the Alceans will not halt the flow of oil, and that berm needs only a small break in it to destroy your entire army. I urge you to act quickly to save your men.”
“Are you positive that I cannot keep my army together if we just stay on the shelf until the fire dies?” asked General Ruppert.
General Somma shook his head and sighed. “Step outside the tent, Colonel and cast your gaze offshore. Come back in and tell the general what you see.”
Colonel Mayne rose and moved quickly to the tent flap. He stepped outside and returned immediately. “Hundreds of ships are converging on us. Maybe thousands. It is hard to tell. The horizon is thick with masts.”
“Ships?” questioned General Ruppert.
“The ships are to take your men to the camps,” explained General Somma, “but they could also be used to attack your men on the shelf, and you would have little defense against them. Your men would be caught between their catapults and the burning road. You really have no choice, Ruppert. This battle will be over today no matter what you choose. I explained the reason for your haste, but not the reason for Bin-lu’s haste. The armies he has massed against you are needed to fight Kolling and Gertz, and they are days away from Ongchi. The Alceans cannot afford to offer you more time to dwell upon your position. While they want to take your men alive, they do intend to win this war. They will destroy your armies if they must. Surrender now, and let your men live to return home to their families.”
General Ruppert nodded in agreement and rose to his feet. “Take me to Bin-lu so I can get my men onto dry land.”
Chapter 30
Royal Death
The mood in the library of the Royal Palace in Tagaret was somber. King Arik and Alexander Tork checked their weapons while Jenneva, Tanya, Theos, and Balamor spoke softly in the corner. Prince Oscar and General Gregor stood by the fireplace. Prince Midge was perched upon the mantle above the fireplace watching everyone in the room when another male fairy flew in from the balcony and landed next to the fairy prince. Nixy spoke so softly that Prince Oscar could not hear his report even though he stood only a pace away. Suddenly, Prince Midge started stomping his feet, his face turning bright green. Nixy tried to shy away from his prince, but Prince Midge advanced one step for each step backwards Nixy took. Everyone turned to watch the commotion just in time to see Nixy fall off the mantle. The tiny green man frantically flapped his wings as he hurtled towards the floor. Just before he struck the floor, Nixy managed to get his bearings. He shot upward, but he did not try to land on the mantle again. He hovered before it as Prince Midge stood with a stern expression on his face. The fairy prince had his hands firmly on his hips and he glowered at the other fairy. Prince Midge suddenly straightened one arm towards the balcony doors.
“Go!” snarled the fairy prince.
Nixy did not need to hear the order a second time. He darted away so fast that Prince Oscar felt the wind of his passing. The king’s father turned and looked at the fairy prince questioningly.
“What is wrong?” he asked.
“Artimor is on the move,” declared Prince Midge. “Three soldiers from the palace have visited his shop in the last hour. After the third soldier had left, the demonkin closed his shop and slipped out the rear entrance.”
“So the demonkin is on his way to assassinate the king?” asked Theos.
“It sure sounds that way,” stated Queen Tanya. “He is a cautious one to verify the information three times. Do you think he suspects a trap?”
“What else?” Prince Oscar asked, staring sternly at the fairy prince. “I have never seen you berate one of your people that way. What are you not telling us?”
Prince Midge spoke so softly that no one could hear him.
“Louder,” demanded Prince Oscar. “This is no time for secrets.”
“My people have lost the demonkin,” scowled Prince Midge. “I cannot believe that they failed me when the Bringer’s life is in danger. I have sent Nixy to gather every fairy in the city. We will find Artimor again.”