“How much power is there around this part of the city?” Mari asked him.
“As is usual near water, there is some, but not a great amount,” Alain said. “I sense more power in other parts of the city, but here at the first wall it will be quickly used up if many Mages seek to employ it, especially if major spells are cast. After a few such major spells, the Mages before this wall will be of no greater threat than any other man or woman.”
Vice President Eric grinned with relief. “We feared being overwhelmed by a hundred Mages doing their worst all at once. Can this news of yours be shared, Sir Mage?”
“It is a secret of the Mage Guild,” Alain said. “For which I care nothing. Tell anyone you wish. Tell it widely.”
“It will be immensely reassuring to our defenders,” Klaus said. “This is the second best news of today, after only your own arrival, Lady.” He gestured to one of the aides standing by attentively and ordered that the word be passed around the defenders, then faced Mari again. “What do you think the Mechanics will bring to the fight?”
“Rifles,” Mari said. “Just how many the Mechanics Guild has is a secret I haven’t been able to learn, but some of what they had my forces have acquired, and some of what they have left will have been kept back to defend Mechanics Guild Halls. From what I know, I’m guessing about a hundred rifles will be employed here, but probably with not more than twenty or thirty bullets for each, and most of the Mechanics using them won’t be well trained in that task.”
“Except for the Assassins,” Alain said.
“Yes,” Mari agreed. “There’s a special unit of the Mechanics Guild that consists of trained fighters. I don’t know for certain how many of those are still around, but the best information I have says there are about forty left. Aside from the rifles, they will use explosives to try to blow open gates, and some light and medium caliber artillery. But there are only a few artillery pieces, and not much in the way of shells for them because the Senior Mechanics deliberately limited the number made. They didn’t want commons capturing the artillery and using it against Mechanics Guild Halls.”
“We’ve heard that you have much larger artillery than the Mechanics Guild,” Vice President Eric said.
“I do. Some of it is with my army, and the rest is dug in to defend Pacta Servanda from an expected large attack by the Syndaris.”
“There was a large explosion in Dorcastle a few years ago,” Klaus noted. “It destroyed a warehouse. Rumor since then claims it marked your first appearance.”
Mari wondered if they could see her embarrassment. “Yes. That was me. It wasn’t explosives, though. It was a steam boiler that I deliberately caused to over-pressure and explode. It’s not impossible that the Mechanics Guild might bring in some boilers on barges and try to explode them against the sea-gates, but deliberately making a boiler explode is completely against Guild practices, so I don’t believe that even under these circumstances the Senior Mechanics would allow it, or even think of doing it. What about the rail yard in Dorcastle? Have you occupied that?”
“We have,” Klaus said. “That is, we swept through it after the Mechanics withdrew to ensure none remained, and are maintaining a watch on the rail yard in case some of them try to sneak back in. The rail yard is inside the second wall, so we couldn’t leave it as a potential threat. But we have no one who knows how to use the Mechanic devices left there.”
“They have probably been disabled,” Mari said. “If we get a chance, I’ll check them out.”
“Which leaves the legions,” Klaus said. “You have both fought them, so I need not brief you on the danger they pose. We have received reliable reports that the Emperor has sent every active legion into this attack, leaving the defense of the Empire itself to reserves and auxiliaries.”
“That is a large risk,” Alain observed.
“That’s a lot of legions,” Mari said. “How did the Empire get enough shipping to carry them?”
“Apparently they and the Great Guilds took possession of everything they could seize,” Vice President Jane said. “The Sea of Bakre has been almost stripped of ships. Any vessel that evaded them is hiding in port.”
“Some Confederation warships have been ordered to harass the Imperial expedition,” Vice President Eric said. “But it’s too large to mount an attack on. The decision was made by those above me to hold back most of our fleet to defend the Strait of Gulls.”
“Little good holding the coast will do us if the Imperials succeed in ripping out the Confederation’s guts,” Klaus commented. Another aide arrived, rushing up to the field marshal.
“Still no sign of the Imperials, sir.”
Klaus nodded. “What about the Mechanic and Mage Guild Halls? Any activity?”
“No, sir. Nothing,” the aide said. “You can’t even tell anyone is alive inside.”
Mari flinched before she could stop herself. “Alain?”
“The Mage Guild Hall is occupied,” Alain said. “I can sense the acolytes and many of the Mages.” He paused, seeming perplexed. “And an elder who is familiar to me. Why is her presence so clear?”
“She wants you to know that she’s here?”
“Yes.” Alain looked at Mari. “While time permits, we should go by the Mage Guild Hall. I will not go inside, but perhaps she will come out to speak with me. It is important to know what those Mages intend.”
“We can take a look at the Mechanics Guild Hall as well,” Mari said. “So I can size that up.” She hesitated as a thought occurred to her. “Do you have city records of any groups of Mechanics arriving in the last few weeks?” she asked the officials.
“We do keep track of their comings and goings,” one of the city officials admitted. “This is important?”
“If a group of ten or twenty showed up recently, the Senior Mechanics could have sent in part of the Assassins unit in advance,” Mari said. “If they charge out at a critical point, twenty Mechanics with rifles—"
“Behind our lines,” Klaus said, alarmed.
Another official hurried up, paging through a ledger. “Three weeks ago. Exactly twenty-one Mechanics arrived at the docks and went to their Guild Hall. No rifles were visible, but they had large packs with them that could have easily concealed something of that size.”
“You called it,” Eric said admiringly to Mari.
“We’ve got sentries watching that Guild Hall,” Klaus said. “We’re going to have to post some stronger forces there without tipping off the Mechanics that we suspect what they are planning.”
“Let’s get you to the Mage Guild Hall,” Jane advised Alain. “We don’t know how much time we have left, and we need to know if we have to defend against the Mages, too. Thank you, Sir Mage, for your help. I did not truly believe that any Mage could ever… I was wrong.”
Alain nodded to her. “Before I met Mari, I had forgotten the words thank you, and no longer knew what the word help meant. Your thanks should go to her.”
“People should stop crediting me for their own accomplishments,” Mari said. “Let’s go.”
To Mari’s relief, instead of mounting horses they were hustled into a coach that tore off through the streets of Dorcastle, wending its way through the defenders and their piled-up supplies. The many sheaves of spears, piles of spare swords, and boxes filled with crossbow bolts gave the appearance of a vast open market dedicated to the instruments of war.
She recognized more landmarks in this part of Dorcastle as the coach thundered through the streets, but seeing the city prepared for war felt strange to her as she recalled the bustling trading center she had first visited.
The coach shuddered to a halt on the edge of the plaza facing the Mage Guild Hall. Like its counterpart in Danalee, the Mage Guild Hall had been designed to reject the world outside, only a few small, narrow windows and forbidding-looking doors visible on the unadorned and harsh exterior.
Mari stopped Alain when he appeared ready to stride toward the front entrance. “How dangerous is this?”
/>
“Compared to coming to Dorcastle?” Alain asked.
“Don’t try to be funny. We’re walking toward that building together, so if you have any concerns, now would be a good time to share them.”
Alain looked toward the building. “I do not sense danger. There is…no feeling of tension inside. Only the normal lack of emotion.”
“Most people don’t consider that normal,” Mari said, checking that her pistol was ready. “All right. Whenever you’re ready.”
As the Confederation officials watched nervously, Mari and Alain began walking slowly across the plaza. They had gone only partway when the main entrance opened to reveal a single woman in the robes of a Mage elder. The elder walked toward them with the measured gait of someone very old, using a cane to occasionally support her steps, so that they met well away from the Hall.
“This one is honored to speak with you again,” Alain said to the elder.
The old Mage raised her eyebrows very slightly at Alain. “Honored? You speak of feelings, young Mage?”
“I speak of feelings, I admit to feelings,” Alain said. “My powers remain.”
“So rumor holds,” the elder said, “though the council of elders insists that you have become powerless.” She studied Mari dispassionately. “So, this young Mage saw clearly before he spoke to me years ago. I see the hope of the world in you, shadow. Why have you come back to Dorcastle, daughter of Jules?”
“To help the people here defend it,” Mari said. “To help overthrow the Great Guilds.”
“This young Mage has done much to trouble the Guild already,” the elder said. “There have been many challenges of late to the wisdom of the elders.”
“This one has questions,” Alain said.
“Dispense with formality, young Mage, for I sense great urgency in you and this shadow.”
“How is it with this Guild Hall?” Alain asked. “Will any there assist in the attack on the city?”
Mari was surprised to see a trace of a smile appear on the elder. It usually took a while for Mages who had left the Guild to reveal any feelings.
“This one, and others, have received instructions,” the elder said. “But the instructions have been judged to be unclear. We are meditating on their meaning and will do nothing while thus engaged. You should know,” she added, “that over time there have come to this Hall those who have doubts of the wisdom of the Guild. It has become a place where most have concerns, but have not yet been willing to discard the old wisdom.”
“Thank you,” Alain said, drawing another faintly surprised look from the elder. “I must tell you what was found in Danalee.” He quickly described the deaths there and the living elder they had found, while open dismay appeared on the face of the elder.
“This is a great ill,” she said when Alain had finished. “A failure of wisdom such has never been known. I will tell the others. You need fear nothing from those in this Hall, young Mage.” The elder looked at Mari, her eyes taking on the same aspect as Alain's when he experienced foresight. “Do you know of this?” she asked Alain when the moment passed, still watching Mari intently.
Mari felt a chill run down her spine, remembering what Alain had told her of his vision of her hurt.
“Yes,” Alain said. “It will not happen.”
“So?” The elder studied Mari a little longer. “Perhaps not. No future is certain. But…know this also, young Mage. If you stay with her, hope remains. I see this. Do not forget, for if this one is real to you, as rumor claims, you must stay beside her. Let none separate you. Then…perhaps.”
“This one will not forget your words,” Alain said.
The elder turned without any farewell and began walking arduously back to the Mage Guild Hall.
Mari ran one hand through her hair, then looked at Alain. “Your vision of me was that bad?”
“The elder said that hope remains,” Alain insisted.
“All right.” She refrained from pointing out that “hope remains” wasn’t exactly the strongest reassurance. Mari took a deep breath to calm herself, resolving to try to put from her mind the foresight of Mages. “Let’s go over to the Mechanics Guild Hall. I don’t intend actually exposing myself to the gun-sight of anyone in there, but I’ll call with my far-talker.”
That proved to be as frustrating as she had expected. Mari called on the standard Mechanics Guild frequency, asking to speak to anyone and repeating her usual promises about protecting Mechanics and their families once the Mechanics Guild no longer held power. But there wasn’t even a brief hiss of static to hint at a reply. “If you have to,” Mari told the Confederation officials, “you can cut the pipeline bringing water to the Guild Hall. There are cisterns inside, but they won’t be able to hold out for more than a couple of weeks if you cut off their supply. I’d prefer you not do that if possible.”
“It wouldn’t help in time to make a difference now,” Dorcastle’s mayor sighed. “You’re certain that the Mechanics in there will be of great importance to this city if— I mean, when we have won?”
“Have they been important in the past?” Mari asked, knowing the answer was yes. “In the future, the number and capabilities of Mechanic devices are going to grow hugely. The more Mechanics any city has, the more it will be able to make use of those devices and create new ones. They can serve the city, instead of the city serving them.”
“They can, but will they, Lady?”
“I think many will. I really do.”
“We must get back to the waterfront,” Field Marshal Klaus urged. “I’ve given the orders to redeploy some of our reserve forces around the Mechanics Guild Hall. If those assassins sortie out during the fighting, they’ll run into an unpleasant surprise in the form of massed crossbow fire from concealed soldiers.”
Mari often felt depressed thinking of Mechanics dying in the war. But the Mechanic Assassins, ruthless and fanatical, were another matter. “Good.”
The sound of pounding hooves warned of another courier racing their way. “The Imperial fleet has come into view!”
Mari looked toward the harbor. “I wish I’d had the chance to eat lunch before the war started.” It wasn’t until everyone except Alain gave her funny looks that she realized how odd that sounded.
“The lead ship is flying a parley flag,” the courier added breathlessly.
“Parley,” Field Marshal Klaus commented. “They don’t want to discuss terms. They want us to surrender without a fight.”
“Let’s see how long we can stall them,” Vice President Jane said. “It looks like you will get a chance at lunch, Lady Mari.”
* * * *
They waited at the harbor to receive the Imperial representatives. Three soldiers stood on the landing, each holding a flagstaff from which a banner flapped gently in the sea breeze. In the center was Mari’s banner, blue with a many-pointed gold star. To the left was the flag of the Bakre Confederation, deep red with symbols of the various cities arrayed on it, including in the upper right the crossed swords of Jules herself to represent Julesport. And on the right was the green and gold flag of the Kingdom of Tiae, held by one of the cavalry who had escorted Mari and Alain to Dorcastle.
Mari stood with the flags at her back and Alain by her side. In contrast to the glittering armor and bright uniforms of the soldiers and the fine suits of the two vice presidents, she wore her dark Mechanics jacket and Alain wore his Mage robes. Even though Mari had wanted Field Marshal Klaus to stand beside her, Klaus and the other Confederation officers and political representatives had insisted on forming a rank behind her. With them stood Major Danel, his green uniform of Tiae standing out amid the red uniforms of the Confederation.
Well behind them all, separated from the water by rows of warehouses and other buildings, the first wall of Dorcastle stood. Along its top, the barely seen shapes of soldiers and their banners formed a solid display of defensive might.
Mari thought it all impressive. But she doubted it was enough to cause the Imperials to call off
their attack.
It was late in the afternoon by the time a launch so large it was almost a small ship in its own right came toward them across the harbor, banks of oars rising and sweeping in unison to drive it over the water. Bright Imperial banners flew from the bow and stern, and legionary officers standing in the launch wore red capes that matched the high red plumes on their helmets. Where the uniforms of the Bakre Confederation were a bright scarlet, those of the Imperial soldiers were a darker wine red. Among the soldiers were a few high-ranking Imperial officials, their bright white ceremonial suits glistening in the rays of the lowering sun.
A small dark cluster on the launch’s deck marked the presence of several Mechanics. A similar cluster of Mages stood in a position as far away from the Mechanics as the size of the launch permitted.
“The Mages are not elders,” Alain said to Mari in a voice loud enough to be heard by the others waiting with them. “Even now, elders will not stoop to admit the existence of common people or Mechanics.”
“Those look like Senior Mechanics on the launch,” Mari commented. “They probably didn’t trust regular Mechanics to do and say exactly what they were told when dealing with us.”
Vice President Jane spoke up. “The Imperial officials are led by Crown Prince Maxim. The only one in the Empire who outranks him is the Emperor himself.”
“Who is the woman next to him?” Field Marshal Klaus asked.
“Crown Princess Lyra. Equal in rank to Maxim.”
“So which one is in charge?”
“From the way they’re standing, Maxim has the lead,” Jane said. “You know how the Imperial household works. Survival of the fittest. Maxim probably convinced the Emperor to give him command, but Lyra is along to take over if Maxim bumbles the task. She’ll be watching for any hint of failure on his part that will allow her grounds to take over command of the expedition, but if she fumbled after that Maxim could resume being in charge.”
“That ought to motivate everyone,” Vice President Eric commented. “Is there any chance they will sabotage each other and benefit us?”