Chapter 22: Decisions of War

  Traveling with the forest elves had taught Corin and the others many lessons. The first one was how much stamina the elves possessed.

  Throughout the day, the forest elves did not need to stop for food, nourishing themselves on the rays of the sun as they walked. The same was true of their woodland horses, which were able to continue their trotting unimpeded for hours on end. While Corin and the rest were offered space on some of the wagons, they did not accept. They all felt as if the forest elves were already too generous with their accommodations. They felt that walking with the rest of them was the least they could do.

  This meant that stopping to eat and rest was something that the group had to ask for on a regular basis. Although the elves had suggested stopping on several occasions, this was only out of a necessity to conduct rites at specific locations. The forest elves were able to keep the peace with the giant who ruled the region, Baltro, by continuously moving around the forest and performing rites at various altars.

  But beside the rituals the forest elves conducted they stopped for no other reason. Thus the group had to regularly ask for the forest elves to stop for a rest. Normally the same person always requested a break.

  “Corin, it has been too long since we stopped,” Zhi spoke to him. Corin had not seen Zhi come up to him. He had slowed down to see what the others were up to, after being at the front with Nanaua and Ciba, and had been staring at a clearing in the forest.

  At that time, Nanua had been curious how the forest elves defended against threats.

  “Oh yes, there are many threats we forest elves deal with on a regular basis,” Ciba began. “The worst of them are the stout beetles that burrow under our skins and those of our woodland horses. Though they are small, they can wreak havoc on our thicket. One unchecked egg is enough to lead to a colony of bugs within days. Another nasty creature we don’t like are the black-shouldered robins. One of their favorite meals are the light fruits we have. They like to eat this fruit for their mating rituals, but it leaves us blind! Then of course there are the sand termites.”

  Corin saw that Nanaua expected Ciba to regale her with tales of combat and tactics, not of bugs and critters.

  Farther behind the front, at the midpoint of the caravan, Simeon and Livia were engaged in a discussion.

  “But how do you think it is possible that they speak with the trees? Do you think it would be possible for any of us to speak with trees as well?” Livia asked Simeon.

  “I don’t think it would be possible. I have never heard of any other furtive species that can do that.” Simeon replied.

  Since coming into contact with forest elves, Livia had been of a single mind. All she could talk about was the forest elves and how they lived. It was normal for her to focus all her attention on a new topic when she discovered it. She wanted to know more about their ability to communicate with and through the forest, their ability to be nourished by the sun, and their innate understanding of their surroundings. Thus, she had hardly been able to hold a conversation about anything else. Any effort by Corin to speak on other matters not relating to the forest elves was met with a mix of confusion and frustration on her part. She could not understand why Corin was not nearly as fascinated with forest elves as she was. Only Simeon seemed to match her curiosity and enthusiasm for the subject.

  Farther back, Zhi caught up to Corin as he admired the clearing in the forest.

  The late-day sun shone through, and the heavy pollen in the air created wisps that slowly undulated around. On the ground of the clearing was a heavy log covered in thick moss with various fungi growing out of it. This log seemed to have been on this same spot for years undisturbed. Corin wondered what kind of tree it had once been. So many of the trees around him were unlike any that he had seen before. Trees wider than he was, trees with exotic-looking fruit, trees with drooping branches, trees with brightly colored leaves.

  “Corin?” Zhi spoke up once again, reminding Corin she was right next to him as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

  “Oh sorry,” he said, realizing he had ignored her.

  “There are some beautiful sights in this forest, aren’t there?” Zhi said as she looked at the same clearing.

  “Yes, there are,” Corin replied. “But you are right. We have been moving for a long distance. We ought to rest one last time before the sun is too low. I myself am feeling the effects of the trek. I’ll speak with Ciba about stopping,” Corin smiled at Zhi as he put his hand over hers.

  “I appreciate it, Corin,” Zhi said, smiling back at him.

  Corin could tell that she greatly appreciated him and the rest of the group. He himself had grown fond of Zhi and Nanaua. In his own life, there had only ever been three people he had ever held near and dear to him. Two of those were on this journey with him right now.

  In the beginning of their journey, all that Corin saw when he looked at Zhi and Nanaua was an opportunity to strike at the titans. But now he felt a strong kinship with them. He spent less thinking about the end of the journey and more on their shared time. Whether that was in lessons in dragon script, learning new hunting tips from Simeon, watching the sunrise with Livia, or even sparring sessions with Nanaua, regardless of how painful those might be. What they would do when they encountered Belaran or anything beyond that was not something Corin thought of much lately.

  “Of course, Zhi,” Corin said as he moved toward the front of the convoy, walking past Simeon and Livia.

  “But if it were possible, hold on a moment.” Simeon interrupted himself. “Are we taking a break, Corin?”

  “That is the plan,” Corin said as he waved them by.

  “I’ll save a spot for you,” Livia said to him.

  “Thanks, love!” Corin replied. He leaned in and gave Livia a kiss. She smiled at him.

  Finally, Corin made it to the front. As he walked up to the front, he noticed that the wagons had begun to slow down.

  “If we were attacked by a group of bandits, how would you defend against that?” Nanaua continued a conversation with Ciba.

  Ciba stopped when Corin approached the duo.

  “Ciba, we wanted—” Corin began.

  “Yes, let us stop for a break. The others are preparing already,” Ciba replied, knowing already what Corin would say.

  “How did you—” Corin began.

  “We hear everything the trees do,” Ciba interrupted him with a smile.

  That was the other thing Corin and the rest of the group learned; the fact that the forest elves could hear everything that was said and could communicate with each other without saying anything. On one occasion Corin had made a particularly crass joke to Nanaua, only to hear a group of forest elves laugh about it at a distance. There was also the fact that whenever the forest elves decided on something, they all acted on it without any sort of verbal cue about what was being done.

  Within minutes, the caravan had stopped and a camp was set. The group ate various fruits and nuts they picked during their walk with the forest elves. As they ate, Corin noticed that very few forest elves joined them for a meal. Normally most of them would join Corin and company for conversation. Instead, they seemed to be preoccupied with something.

  “Oba, is something the matter?” Simeon asked the nearest forest elf. Oba was one the oldest forest elves, though not as old as Ciba. Unlike Ciba she was short, one of the shortest forest elves Corin had seen. But she was still taller than he was. She stood next to Simeon but was focused on matters elsewhere.

  “Apologies, friends. We forget that you don’t hear what we say,” Oba began. “A new group of furtives has been spotted in the forest today. Ciba and the other forest elves are curious about them.”

  Upon hearing this, Simeon turned to look at the group. They all seemed apprehensive about the news.

  “We have seen this group of furtives travel through this forest. It must have been about close to twenty days ago,” Oba said.

  “Is it not normal for furtives to travel through this forest?” Simeon asked.

  “The forest might see a group of furtives every now and then, but recently we have seen more activity than is customary for these parts. The cursed mines don’t help in attracting visitors to the area,” Oba replied.

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  Corin felt a pit begin to form in his stomach.

  “Oba, forgive me for pressing the questions, but how do you know that it is the same group of furtives that is traveling through here? Is this a guess on your part?” Simeon asked.

  “When it comes to this forest there are no guesses on our part. We know for certain these are the same furtives. We can differentiate any furtives who walk through our forest. When you come through these forests, we know how you walk, how heavy you are, how tall, how fast, how loud. There are even things the trees tell us that you cannot comprehend. If someone comes back decades after visiting this forest, we will still be able to remember them. And this group is very distinct from other furtives.”

  “How so?” Zhi asked.

  “They move through at a very quick pace. When they hunt, their coordination is marvelous. They act as if made of one body. Much like us, they use very little words to communicate with each other. And they all do so despite having a large number of them,” Oba replied.

  “How many?” Zhi asked. Her tone betrayed her nervousness.

  Corin felt as if he knew the answer but was holding out hope.

  “There are twelve of them. Six humans and six dragoors. That part makes it stand out very clearly. Aside from our friend here,” Oba said as she pointed to Nanaua, “we don’t see them very often.”

  Nanaua rose. “This is not good. There is no question about it. These are Zifors.”

  Corin’s gut reacted viscerally to the term itself. First Grial. Then Daum.

  “Yes, be that as it may, we know about them ahead of time,” Simeon said, trying to mask the concern in his voice. “They won’t be able to surprise us. Dispatching them, while not trivial, should not be an issue for us.”

  The conversation between the group and Oba had alerted other forest elves. Ciba had come to listen to the discussion.

  “I understand why you might feel this way, but that won’t work,” Nanaua replied. “This squad is not like the others. There is only one Zifor squad with dragoors, and that one is led by Yoren Throk.” Nanaua spat on the ground after saying his name.

  “I take it you don’t like this Throk?” Simeon asked.

  “Throk is one of the most despicable beings I had the displeasure of meeting when living in Tonatiuh’s palace. He is manipulative, power hungry, untrustworthy, but above all a very dangerous foe,” Nanaua said.

  “What makes him so dangerous?” Livia asked.

  “Unlike the other Zifor Yorens, Throk did not begin as a hunter of runaways. Throk was one of my own, another Lord's Protectorate. Not only him but three of the other dragoors in his Zifor squad were Lord's Protectorate. Traillo, Nerua, and Nureilla. The other two were Kishtros Noro and Tiyo.”

  The name Kishtro brought a memory back into Corin’s head of his first encounter with Nanaua, and the hooded assailant that nearly killed them both.

  “The assassin,” Corin said.

  “That’s correct,” Nanaua said as she looked at him.

  “I don’t know the others in his squad, but I have no doubt they are dangerous as well. If Throk is after us, then this certainly means Tonatiuh is desperate to find us,” Nanua began. “Throk and the others were banished to a Zifor squad for a foiled plot to assassinate other members of a rival clan. The six in the squad were lucky that their family was well regarded in Tonatiuh’s estate. But many others that Throk brought into his ploy were not as lucky. Though he was not executed, Throk became an outcast. He has not been seen or heard of since being made a Zifor Yoren, and this is the first time his squad has been sent out to retrieve an escapee. I can only assume that failure for them means death.”

  Nanaua paused. Simeon had no rebuttal. They were all quiet, digesting the news.

  “Do you see now why our enemy is so dangerous? These are not only better trained than the ones that we have faced before, but they will risk everything to bring Zhi back,” Nanaua said.

  “We have the element of surprise!” Simeon argued. He turned to Ciba. “Would your thicket help us find these furtives? This group, the Zifors, are dangerous. Another Zifor group burned down an entire town to get the Onsiel’s attention. The second nearly killed us if it wasn’t for a defector. Please, we need your help.”

  Before Ciba could answer Nanaua interjected, “It won’t work, even with the forest elves’ help. The Kishtros are trained assassins. Dealing in surprises and ambushes is their specialty. If there is so much as a hint of an ambush, the Kishtros will see through it, and with a group as large as ours, there is no way they will not notice it. Even if we are able to gain a slight edge, it won’t be enough to offset the differences in our abilities. Traillo, Nerua, and Nureilla’s abilities are equal to mine in battle, and the Kishtros themselves are well-trained combatants.”

  “What of Throk?” asked Corin.

  “Despite how despicable he may be, Throk was and still remains the best combatant in Tonatiuh’s estate. No one could best him,” Nanaua replied.

  “But we have Zhi, a magic user. How are they going to counter that?” Simeon asked.

  “They must have a rudimentary understanding of her power and our abilities since we already dealt with Yoren Dok and Asheri. I am sure they have thought of ways to neutralize her abilities and deal with us. And that is without saying that all they need to do is bring her back alive. There are no specifics on what state her mind or body needs to be in when the ritual takes place. These Kishtros know death very well. They know how much damage a body can take before it dies. They would not be pursuing us if they knew the battle would not go in their favor,” Nanaua replied.

  Corin exchanged looks with everyone. It was clear they were all going thinking the same thing.

  What can we do?

  “How far away are they?” Livia asked Ciba.

  “They are nearing the position where you encountered our camp,” Ciba said. “It seems they are scouring the grounds.”

  “So if they decide to pursue us, they would probably reach us within ten days?” Livia asked with growing concern.

  “They could reach us before that. Maybe eight days,” Ciba replied calmly.

  “And Yranto, how much longer do we have until we reach it?” Corin asked.

  “It will take longer than a fortnight to reach the point where we would part ways. We did not expect your group to need to make so many stops,” Ciba replied.

  “We don’t even know if they’ll try to come after us this way. They have no reason to believe we’re here,” Zhi mentioned.

  “I wish it were that way, but they have plenty of reasons to believe we are in this area,” Simeon said.

  “How?” Zhi asked, exasperated.

  “The other Zifor squads,” Livia replied. “Let’s begin with the one we encountered when Corin was captured.”

  Livia said this with no emotion, but Corin could not get over the fact of how close he had brought them to ruin with his carelessness.

  “That Zifor squad was destroyed.” Livia continued. “That lets them know we are on Khorsor. They must also know where that squad was based, which gives them an approximate idea of where we were. There was also another squad waiting to ambush us. The fact that we did not encounter them would let them know we did not continue down that road. That means there were three options. Continue back the road we came and face the giant. I assume they would know we avoided that road because of the giant. Another option is to go east, which would lead directly to the ocean. The last option is to go west, across the mountains, where we currently find ourselves.”

  “Damn,” Zhi said as she looked around. “I’m sure I can defeat them.”

  “My love, if I thought you could win this fight, I would have said so,” Nanaua said.

  Corin felt the fear begin to swell up within him. A squad of Zifors with enemies as strong as Nanaua. Death was coming for them, and they did not know what they could do to avert it.

  “I will stay back and hinder their progress,” Simeon stated. “Beginning right here, I will do everything I can to make the road as hazardous as possible. I may not defeat them, but if I can dispatch or injure any of them, they might be weak enough that you’re able to finish them.”

  Corin’s heart sank. “Simeon, I can’t let you do that.”

  “Well, do you have any other ideas?” Simeon shot back, slightly agitated. “Every moment we spend talking is another wasted opportunity. You go on ahead, and I’ll begin preparations this instant!”

  “If you stay, then I will stay as well!” Corin replied, his voice rising.

  “Corin, listen—” Simeon began, but Corin interrupted him.

  “I’m not running away again!” he shouted at Simeon as he stood up. Corin shook as he stared at his friend.

  “The others will need every able-bodied person available to fight,” Simeon spoke in a comforting tone. “With two or more setting up traps and scouting the area, it leaves more trails for them to detect. If only one of us peels from the camp, it will be much harder for them to tell what is occurring.”

  Rage swelled up within Corin. That same feeling that haunted him in his dreams. When Cyril would tell him to run, to leave. He could not face that again.

  Corin looked around trying to see if there was anyone who would say anything.

  “Nanaua do you think this has a chance of working? That Simeon can do anything to even stop them?” Corin was begging for someone to agree with him.

  Nanaua looked at him and then Simeon.

  “Simeon is as capable a hunter as I have ever seen,” Nanaua said. “His arrows fly with amazing precision. He is able to see through many traps and trickery. Tracking him would be a difficult task for even the most experienced.”

  “But they would find him, wouldn’t they?” Corin said.

  “In time, yes,” Nanaua admitted.

  “Corin, I understand—” Livia began.

  “I won’t accept it!” Corin shouted back at Livia.

  “There really isn’t any other way. You have—” Simeon spoke.

  “Wait!” Corin shot back. “No decision has been made.”

  In his friends’ eyes, he could see that they, unlike him, had all come to accept Simeon’s proposal. Ciba and the other forest elves were quiet, no doubt communicating amongst themselves about the ensuing debate.

  Corin closed his eyes and brought his head down. He rubbed his temples as his mind ran through every possible scenario.

  What if we go faster? The Zifors are more agile. They would eventually catch up.

  What if we hide amidst the forest elves? The Zifors would probably search every single caravan and determine if they had others with them.

  What if we split off from the forest elves and travel separately? That might give us some time. The Zifors would probably track the forest elves and determine that the Onsiel does not travel with them, but then they would readjust and begin to pursue us once more.

  Corin rubbed his pendant, thinking. There must be something else, something they could do.

  Baltro.

  “That’s it!” Corin shouted as he opened his eyes.

  Simeon, Livia, Nanaua, and Zhi all looked at Corin with concern in their faces.

  “Ciba, how far away is Baltro from here?” Corin shouted so quickly that it took several moments for everyone to understand what he said.

  “Six days east from our current position,” Ciba replied.

  “So we have time to get there before they reach us!” Corin said with excitement as he turned to Simeon and the rest.

  There was silence amongst the group. They all looked at Corin as they thought about what he said.

  “Wait, are you suggesting we lure them toward a giant?” Zhi asked.

  “Yes!” Corin said.

  “Nanaua herself said that Simeon is likely not to survive his encounter with the Zifors,” Corin began excitedly. “That means eventually we would have to face them. And even if Simeon were to inflict losses, our chances of success are not very high. But if they were to come in contact with a giant, there is no amount of might that twelve furtives could bring to bear to defeat it!”

  Their faces all displayed concern, but there was no denying they were all thinking of this option.

  “You propose that we wait by the giant, and eventually he will strike at the Zifors? What makes you think that instead of letting us move peacefully by him, he would not strike us down?” Nanaua said.

  “You’ve seen Ciba and the rest perform the rites! If we enter the giant’s immediate vicinity and give offerings, there might be a chance that Baltro won’t come out to attack us. But the Zifors don’t know about this, and titans meet force with force. If Baltro sees the Zifors, he will see their numbers and their aggressive nature. Maybe perhaps we can do something that will get Baltro’s attention. If it works, then he might turn on them and attack!”

  “Throk and the rest would know the giant is nearby. They would not walk into its domain,” Nanaua countered, trying to find holes in Corin’s plan.

  “Ciba, how likely is it that these furtives would know of Baltro’s whereabouts?” Corin asked.

  “You pose some difficult questions, young one,” Ciba replied. “Baltro’s movements and patterns are only known to us forest elves. Baltro currently slumbers, and his appearance is indistinguishable from that of large mountains. We have had hundreds of years to learn his behavior. To say that any other furtive would be able to tell where Baltro is or distinguish regular mountains in the distance from a giant is unknowable.”

  “But the likelihood that Throk and the others could-” Nanaua said.

  “Wait,” Ciba interrupted. “Yes, that is correct, Mol,” Ciba said to no one in particular.

  “It has been brought to my attention that during their last trek through this forest, the furtives did pass very close to Baltro,” Ciba stated. “That is why our paths did not cross. I do not know if they were unaware of the giant, but they did not seem to notice it. They were lucky not to incite Baltro’s rage, but under the right circumstances they might not be so lucky a second time.”

  Nanaua now was silent. It was clear that she began to seriously consider this proposal.

  “Will you show us how to get there?” Corin asked Ciba. “I know you’ve done so much for us already, but will you please show us the way?”

  “Corin, we have already asked too much of them. Let us—” Simeon began but was interrupted.

  “The thicket is still debating whether or not it will help,” Ciba said. “Your plan is reckless, young one, but…there are objects that Baltro highly regards.”

  “So will you help?” Corin asked, pleading.

  Ciba fell deep into thought. “We will have a decision at night. For now, finish your meal so we may continue down the road. We have one last rite to perform before we break for the night. Later on, we will need to meet with your group and learn why it is that you are being pursued. It seems there is much that we have yet to hear from you.”

  Ciba broke off and the other forest elves, quiet as ever, prepared to move on once again.

  Corin and the rest of his companions were quiet as well, but unlike the forest elves they were not communicating with each other. They were all considering the news they had heard. Although none of them said it, they all considered Corin’s suggestion strongly.

  Before they returned to the road, Simeon approached Corin.

  “Well, my boy, I don’t know if I should be touched by your concern for me or worried about you,” Simeon said.

  “What do you mean?” Corin replied. His heart was still racing.

  “I knew you were fond of me, but suggesting we all go hide amongst a giant just because you don’t want to see your old friend killed? I don’t know if it’s a nice sentiment or if you are finally beginning to lose your head!” Simeon said.

  “I only did what you would have done for me,” Corin replied quickly.

  Simeon laughed. “Don’t I know it. That’s why you’re such a pain to deal with.”