Mageborn The Line of Illeniel, Michael Manning [best ebook reader for laptop txt] 📗

“You are Mal’goroth’s goal. He needs you to create the world-bridge. He’s created the shiggreth and manufactured this war to put you in harm’s way. He’s hoping you’ll make a mistake that will put you in his hand. Failing that he’ll get what he wants just as surely with the shiggreth. You can’t afford to sit back and ignore either situation.”

Marc was nodding as Rose spoke, “She’s right. You have to plan now.”

Rose went on, “First we lay out your advantages. One, you’re a wizard. Second, you have land, people and support in the form of Lancaster and hopefully the king as well. Third, you have far more time and warning than the enemy planned for you to have. That means you can determine your response well in advance rather than reacting to events.”

I was constantly amazed by Rose’s clear headed reasoning, but I felt overwhelmed. “So what do you suggest?”

Rose shook her head, “I’m not making the decisions for you, but I can help with logistics. The Hightowers have had to support many a war.” That was certainly true, Lord Hightower was in charge of the defense of Albamarl and in time of war handled planning and supply lines for the army. Some of it must have rubbed off on his daughter.

“The king should be making these decisions,” I replied.

“Don’t be a fool Mort,” Penny said. “The royal army wasn’t there in my vision. You have a duty to report this, and to support the king, but you have to plan based on that fact. The king may decide to pull his forces back to protect the capital. Or he may choose a battlefield closer in than Cameron and Lancaster. Either way it means our lands get crushed before the war even gets well under way.”

“You don’t think he’ll send forces to the border to stop the invaders there?” Marc asked.

“I don’t know, but I didn’t see them in my vision. Whatever happens we have to plan for the fact that at some point we will be facing the enemy in our lands,” Penny replied.

I was tired of listening to pointless debate so I cut in, “Alright… so let’s make our plans, starting right now, enough speculation. What can we do today?”

“Every war starts with money,” Rose stated. “You found out last night that you have more money than you realized. You need to go to the Royal Bank of Lothion and get everything they’re holding in your name, you’ll need it. Then you have to inform the king. Marcus will have to inform his father, including everything we’ve discussed here. Lancaster will be your most valuable ally since he stands to lose just as much as you do. I will talk to my father and see what help he can give. No matter what he decides I will gather whatever support and supplies I can to aid you.”

“I thought you were going to come to Washbrook with us?” Penny reminded her.

“That was half an hour ago. Things have changed dear,” Rose replied. “On second thought Mordecai, don’t take all the money out, just take part and leave me a letter of credit to draw on the rest.”

“I don’t even know how much I have, if anything. How much do you think you’ll need?” I asked her.

“It’s war sweetheart, we’ll need everything you have and more. I plan to use my own savings as well. Fielding an army is expensive.”

“An army!?” I know, I should have realized. I just wasn’t used to thinking on such a large scale.

“You don’t think you’re going to stop the armies of Gododdin with your impressively large staff and a charming smile do you?” she replied. I could see I was never going to live down the past. At least she was kind enough to make complimentary jokes... it could have been worse.

I decided to sidestep the joke, “How are you going to explain all this to your father? It seems odd to me that Lord Hightower is going to let his daughter recruit for a war and then go marching off with a private army.”

Rose grimaced, “It won’t be easy. Fortunately I have lands and titles of my own, modest though they may be. He may not like it but he’ll do what he can to aid me, since he can’t prevent me from helping you.”

“We won’t fail,” said Marc. “The goddess will support you Mordecai, even though you deny her. Her good grace will open other doors as well. She won’t sit idly by and let Mal’goroth ride slipshod over her people,” he added piously. I couldn’t help but wonder where the goddess had been when the Children of Mal’goroth killed the royal family of Gododdin and enslaved a nation, but maybe I was just being uncharitable. I could certainly use whatever help I could get.

Chapter 12

We split up after that. Rose went to see her family, Marc to see his, while Penny and I went to see King Edward. I hoped we wouldn’t have to wait long. Even a count has to request an audience. I tried to make it clear to the head servant that our news was quite urgent.

Adam replied with his typical noncommittal tone, “I will make sure his majesty knows you are waiting.” The implication being that we would be waiting, no matter how important we thought we were.

Half an hour later I was pacing the floor in the small receiving room he had left us in. “We should have just sent a note. We’re wasting valuable time here.”

“Calm down,” Penny tried to soothe me. “We still have months; an extra hour or two won’t change anything.”

Irritated I started to snap at her but Adam returned and I quickly closed my mouth. “His majesty will see you now.” I had to admit, half an hour wasn’t that long.

“Thank you Adam,” I replied smugly. I had already switched gears, going from irritated to the picture of grace and nobility. Penny and I followed him into the small reception