A shriek of frustration went up from the enemy lines, and the abbot turned to Matt with a hard smile. "Well done, Wizard. They'll not prevail 'gainst our gates."
"'Tis a priest, Lord Abbot," a knight called from below, "one near to exhaustion."
"We ha' known it," the abbot called down. "Bring him up to us."
"Must he come up?" Sayeesa objected. "Can he not speak from below?"
"I think it unlikely," the abbot said, frowning. "Did you not hear Sir Pedigraine? The man's nearly spent!"
Brunel appeared at the top of the steps, gasping, propped up by a knight and a novice. "God be ... praised! I ha' ridden as though ... a demon pursued me this night, in hope ... I would find you!"
"Welcome, Father." But there was a dubious undertone to the abbot's greeting.
Matt tried to sound hearty. "Good to see you again, Father! Did you rouse any monks?"
Brunel nodded, beginning to catch his breath. "The Knights of the Cross, and ... the Order of Saint Conor. And, yestere'en, I rode toward the convent of Saint Cynestria."
"The convent?" Sayeesa cried. "What business had you there?"
"There are warriors among them," the priest said simply.
"Yes, and probably some beauties, too." Matt frowned. "I should think that wasn't too wise, Father - for you."
The abbot frowned, puzzled and angered; but Brunel smiled sourly. "Secure, I assure you. There may be beauty there, but a man who shows recognition of it might suffer - and harshly. With such knowledge in mind, there's scant chance of desire arising."
The abbot lifted his head, beginning to understand; and Matt hurried on before the knight could start catechizing. "You only said you rode toward the convent. Did you get there?"
"To the hill above the plain that surrounds it, aye. But there, in the dark of the moon, I saw an army of Evil gathering about its walls!"
Alisande gasped, hand covering her mouth, and the abbot swore, "By'r Lady!"
But Sayeesa gave a short, mocking laugh. "A fool's errand, that! If any, could withstand a fell Hell-host, 'twould be the House of Saint Cynestria!"
"There is truth in that," the abbot said, frowning, "yet they, too, are only mortal ..."
"It may be as you say." Brunel avoided looking at Sayeesa. "But there were foul beasts among them and fell things of most unholy sorcery. Still, their walls were unbreached when I turned, and this great dragon and I rode to find you."
"Siege," Matt mused. "About what hour did you come there?"
"The fifth, after midnight." The priest frowned. "Does that signify?"
"Aye!" The abbot's eyes lit. "'Twas midnight when their host round our walls did lessen!"
"You must go!" Father Brunel blurted. "Do not ask the why of me; still, I know it, and my bones know it, that 'tis yourselves must ride to their aid!"
"So we shall," Alisande said, with iron resolution. "You are right in this, Father-I am certain."
That decided the issue, Matt knew. Still... "Uh, with all due respect, your Highness-wouldn't an army do little more good?"
"What army?" The princess rounded on him. "Those gathered here? If they come out as slowly as an army must, there will be a great battle outside these walls-and, even though lessened, the warriors of Evil outnumber the Knights of Moncaire!"
"'Tis as her Highness says," the abbot agreed somberly. "A small party can travel quickly; with support from the walls, they might carve a path through this host. But an army could not; there are too many to travel quickly enough to avoid all the blows. Yet I am loathe that ye should depart; for Heaven knows we might have fallen this night past without the aid of this good wizard and his ... spirit."
Still avoiding the word "Demon," Matt noted. "I wouldn't worry too much about that, milord. You see, Max did a number on their weapons and armor, and set a microorganism on their food supplies."
The abbot frowned. "What means this?"
"It means that, by nightfall, their metal will fall apart at the slightest blow." Matt grinned. "And right after dinner, the effects of breakfast and lunch should start showing-abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. They won't have much stomach for fighting-those who survive."
The abbot stared, his mouth gaping open.
Then he grinned and clapped Matt on the shoulder. "Aye, we should live through the night, even without you! Go, then, with good heart! I would I could lead my hosts out behind you. Yet after your spell has done its work, by morning there should be but a remnant of their army still standing. Then may we sally out to cleanse our environs and, after, ride west to meet you at the convent."
"Great." Matt smiled. "And, uh - I don't want to sound unduly optimistic, but - if the army's gone from the convent when you get there, keep riding west, will you? Be nice if you could meet us in the mountains."
"Aye; we will have strong need of you there," Alisande agreed.
The abbot bowed to her. "We will, then, your Highness. At the convent, then, or the mountains."
"And we will ride to the convent - now." Alisande turned away, toward the stairs.
Matt could have pointed out a few unpleasant facts, such as the unlikelihood of four people and a dragon being able to help much against an army that included a strong corps of sorcerers; but he knew what the answer would be. This was a public matter, so Alisande had to be right. He sighed and turned to follow her.
"'Tis my choice also," Sayeesa breathed, cutting ahead of him. "I cannot see Saint Cynestria's walls too soon!"
"I, too, shall come." Father Brunei started to limp after her.
Sayeesa spun about, rage flaring in her eyes; but the abbot pulled rank.
He put out a palm and caught Brunei in the breastbone. "Nay, Father. Methinks you will stay here amongst us; for you are wearied and not fit for travel."
Father Brunel started to stutter a refusal, but there was the gleam of combat in the abbot's eye, and he did rank a simple country priest. Brunel swallowed his objections and lowered his eyes. "Even as you say, of course, Lord Abbot."
"Of course," the abbot echoed grimly. "And when you have rested, good Father, I wish to have some converse with you."
Father Brunel looked up, alarmed. Then he swallowed heavily and looked away again.
CHAPTER 15
Stegoman shouldered up beside them as they waited behind the great gate.
Matt looked up, surprised. "You haven't had much sleep."
"Nor have I need of it," the dragon snorted. "I am easily fit for another twelve-hour chase. Do not seek to dissuade me, Wizard."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Matt murmured.
"'Tis well," the dragon said gruffly. "Mount, Wizard."
Matt climbed aboard, picking his way carefully between pointed fins. "I really appreciate this, Stego--"
"Loose!" the abbot yelled above.
A hundred arrows darkened the air, arching high to hail down on the enemy. Shields snapped up all around the gate; enemy soldiers cowered under their shells.
"Open the gate!" the abbot bellowed.
"Ride!" Alisande cried, and charged out as the gates cracked open.
"Don't let her lead!" Matt cried, and Stegoman shot ahead, past the princess's horse. She howled in anger as he cut in front of her, then saved her breath as the dragon's torch lit. He charged out like a flame thrower into Hell, carrying Matt, with Alisande, Sir Guy, and Sayeesa galloping behind. Even then, the sorcerers almost got them. A geyser of fire erupted right under Stegoman's nose, and the dragon pulled back, almost starting a chain collison. Sir Guy and Alisande just barely pulled their horses up in time. Then the footmen charged in from the back with a howl, and the princess and the Black Knight turned to meet them with razor-edged steel. They bought just enough time for Max to douse the volcano and make it re-erupt right under the enclave of sorcerers. While they were busy screaming and running around swatting out flamelets on each others' coattails, Stegoman let loose a fire-blast with a Demon-assist and torched a path through the army. They rode out full tilt, and nobody seemed minded to dispute the right-of-way with them.