Chapter 5:  The Meeting of Commanders

After her defeat at the crossing of the Kelost-kel, the problem of Ulrich consumed the mind of Acretia. She longed for generals with the skill he possessed, for there were few who could bring defeat to the lady of war.  Fewer still could do so without losses of their own. It was clear now that Ulrich was integral to the defenses of Irrkengrond that had resisted her for so long. Further still, in battle, cries of “For Ulrich!” and “Remember the bridge!” now rang whenever Irrkengrond and Kilkretha clashed. The victory of Ulrich at the bridge had inspired new hope all throughout the amber city and its domain. And so Acretia determined that Ulrich was the keystone of Irrkengrond’s morale and courage. Coveting his service and seeking to break Irrkengrond, Acretia set it in her heart to sway Ulrich to her cause.

As was her custom, the lady of war led her troops into the fray. But rather than command each aspect of the battle, she moved throughout the field with what remained of the Faithful, seeking out Ulrich and his guard. Up and down the lines of battle she roamed, listening carefully to what each of her commanders had to say. After five months of pursuit, word reached Acretia that Ulrich had encamped not far from where the lady of war bivouacked. So, Acretia sent out a herald to the camp of Ulrich.

 Approaching the camp, the herald called out in a clear voice, “I come bearing a message from the Lady of War, Conqueror of all lands! Let me pass so I may deliver it to your commander.”

Never before had Acretia sent forth a herald in this manner whilst skirmishes raged in the field, so the guards quickly relayed the presence of the herald to Ulrich whilst the herald was detained. Ulrich was intrigued but cautious by this unexpected new tactic and instructed for the herald to be searched and then brought in to deliver his message.

When the herald entered into the tent, Ulrich looked the herald up and down.

“So,” spoke Ulrich, “The Lady of War has chosen to send a message to me. Then, let us hear it.  What has she to say to me?”

“It is so, Ulrich, commander of the guard of Devlos,” responded the herald, “This is what the Lady Acretia says to you:

‘You alone of all the commanders who serve Irrkengrond have truly bested my forces in battle. Of all their generals, you have displayed the greatest craft in war. Let us meet, for I have much I would say to you.’

This is all the Lady of War has to say to you.”

“Indeed,” chuckled the great commander, “I will sleep on this offer and in the morning take counsel with those I trust. Then I will send you back with my answer.”

The night was a restless one for Ulrich. What was the purpose of Acretia asking to meet? What could she hope to accomplish through speaking to him? He was unsure but suspicious of any quarter that she would give.

When morning came, Ulrich summoned his trusted advisers and lieutenants. They gathered in his tent and he spoke to them.

“Acretia has sent a herald bearing news who has addressed me by name. She wishes to speak to me. She has not specified further what she wishes to say but I suspect she will seek to deceive us in some way. Now, what say you? Should we offer to hear her?”

The first to speak was Urstra the dwarven smith, who maintained the weapons of the guard.

“Aye, it is a strange thing indeed for her to ask to meet you. We must ask what we stand to gain. I find that we would gain little. She is not just going to reveal her secrets and her plans to us.”

“That is true,” replied Aphnoss, the shifty first lieutenant, dark feathers catching the firelight, “But none have seen her when she is not on the battlefield. We know very little about her. Perhaps we may learn more of her armor and where to strike her in the field?”

“If she does come armored we risk her choosing to strike ready for battle,” replied Ulrich, “That is a fight I doubt we would win. Perhaps if she came alone, but I do not think she would agree to that. If she comes unarmed we may at least have a chance to flee… I do not think she will try to strike at us given her invitation, but I would take the chance of escape than certain defeat”

“Then she must come unarmed…if we meet with her at all.” intoned Aphnoss.

“Agreed. Any meeting where she brings arms is foolish. We are skilled, but I doubt that any array of soldiers that she would agree to accompany you could undo her in combat,” spoke a new voice. Ilstoran, the first battle mage of Ulrich stood in the midst of all who were in the council. “I do think we should meet with her. But we must be cautious. I would advise a meeting of only you and her, on neutral ground, no weapons. And see what we could glean from her of her plans.”

“How could we make sure she had no weapon?” questioned Urstra.

“Perhaps we both agree to be searched by a representative of the other,” spoke Ulrich, “we could meet on neutral ground with our searchers, have them perform their duties, and then leave us be.”

“I think that it is a worthwhile pursuit, to see what can be gained from her,” Ilstoran replied.

“It is a good plan,” said Aphnoss, turning to Ulrich, he continued “Urstra and Ilstoran should accompany you. One to find magical power, and the other the martial weapons. I would rather   go in your stead.”

“Indeed, but I do not think she would accept that,” replied Ulrich.

Silence filled the tent and a pensive look crossed Ulrich’s face, appraising the idea of his second in command.

“What do you think Urstra? Would you assent to this plan?”

“I do not like it, my lord, but I will accompany you if it is your wish. I do not understand what she seeks to gain from this invitation. Nor am I sure that we will gain anything ourselves,” answered Urstra.

“I do wish that you accompany me,” replied Ulrich, “We cannot win this war if we do not know who we are fighting. And though I am deeply mistrustful of this meeting, we may not get an opportunity like this again.”

“So we gain an opportunity to meet her,” said Aphnoss, “And she gains… the same? Something more?” 

“She certainly gains no less,” replied Urstra grumpily. 

“Is it possible she would take this opportunity to place those she meets with under a spell?” inquired Ulrich. 

His question, clearly directed at Ilstoran, hung in silence for a long moment. 

“Perhaps. If I am thorough in my search, we should be able to find any materials she would use for a spell…” replied Ilstoran, “This would mean that any spell she used would be manifested solely from herself. So long as you are within sight I would likely be able to intervene if she began to cast some kind of spell.”

“If the point was a spell, why not find us in open battle?” said Urstra, “Surely, she could find a way to cast it then. It would be simpler than arranging a meeting we might not agree to.” 

“This is true,” replied Ilstoran, “Unless she needed a more peaceful setting for the spell to work, it does not make sense for her to ask for this kind of meeting. Given what we have seen her wrought on the battlefield, I doubt this is the goal.”

“Then perhaps what we learn by going is why she asked for a meeting in the first place,” chuckled Ulrich, “Perhaps she wants a recommendation on what local fauna taste best when roasted over the open flame.”

Ursta let out a harsh laugh and Aphnoss exchanged a sly smile with Ilstoran. 

“I would like to meet with her. If nothing else we learn why she has chosen to send this invite to me. That alone may tell us something about her. I may also learn more than that, said Ulrich, “I think I know where we should meet as well. There is a small pond not far from here with one bank that is higher than the other, between our two camps. Hills stand over it where we could keep a good watch on who draws near.”

“That is a good place indeed. I shall draft a response if we are agreed,” spoke Aphnoss.

“I am agreed,” said Ilstoran.

“I have made my thoughts clear,” responded Urstra.

“Then we shall proceed,” decided Ulrich.

Thus, in the early afternoon, the herald from Acretia returned to her camp with Ulrich’s response which read:

“I will meet with you to hear what you would say to me on these conditions: First, we will meet by the pond between our camps so that we can be clearly seen by all who would watch when the sun is at its highest, the day after tomorrow. Second, neither you nor I will bring weapons of any kind to this meeting. Third, each of us shall bring with us two advisors to search the other, to ensure that they have no weapon. These advisors may be armed but after they have completed their search, they will stand a total of 50 strides away from us so that we may speak in private.

If these terms are acceptable to you, send your herald to us again indicating so.”

By evening the herald had arrived at camp and delivered the message to Acretia. No sooner were the terms read to her than she agreed to them, for there were few terms that would have kept her from speaking to Ulrich. Once again the herald was dispatched, and the meeting day was set.

When the day and time of the meeting arrived, Acretia was waiting for Ulrich. By the pond, she stood with her two advisors, each a striking figure. On her right stood a mighty warrior, who was clad head to toe in grey plate mail. Its construction was such that it did not shine in the sun, rather it seemed to draw all light and heat into itself. His helm was molded such that it looked like the head of a great dragon, and so it matched the shape of the head of the dragonkin beneath it whose grey scales could barely be distinguished from the armor. On her left was a woman, hunched and withered, and many charms she wore about herself that clanked and jangled in the wind. A blood-red cloak hung on her shoulders and around her waist was a belt buckled by the head of a great cat, shrunken and shriveled, maw open in anguish. Their names are recorded in no tale.

Between these two stood the Lady of War, but she wore none of her distinguishing marks. Gone was her black stone armor. No red encrusted gems, those horrid spider’s eyes, adorned her. Only a simple black shirt and trousers, bound around the waist with a brown belt with a silver brooch. Her appearance was that of one whose skin had not seen much of the sun. Her hair was a deep jet black which was tied in a braid that reached well past her shoulders. She was striking only in that her face was mundane, such that if one found her in a crowd, one would not suspect that she had slaughtered by her sword and by her command many armies. One would not think that she was a woman of any renown. Indeed, one may even suspect that you knew her. That she was just a girl you knew from home, grown now into a woman. 

But then she spoke.

With a voice of cold command and blazing power, she called to Ulrich, Ilstoran, and Urstra while they were still a ways off.

“See I have met your demands, Ulrich! Come quickly for I have much to say and would say it quickly!

As the words came from her mouth it seemed as though the sky darkened, and the wind stilled. All was quiet.

Turning to his advisors, Ulrich spoke smiling.

“She wields as great a strength off the battlefield as on. Be on your guard, for we go to search the very mind of War herself.”

His party approached, resisting the urge to rush to her yet compelled by the strength of her voice.

Much like Acretia, Ulrich was clothed simply, in trousers and a shirt, but his shirt was the color of a thatched roof, and his pants a deep brown, so that the blue and white of his feathers shone in the sun. He seemed a jewel, in comparison to those around him.

The pair of mighty commanders stood across from each other wordlessly for a moment before Ulrich broke the silence.

“Well, let the search begin.”

Thoroughly, the advisors did their work searching the pair of commanders. When they were satisfied that no weapon, magical or martial, was on either person, the advisors retreated so they were beyond earshot. As she moved past, Urstra rested her hand on Ulrich’s arm, softly speaking to him, “Be careful” before continuing on.

“Well,” spoke Ulrich, “What would you say to me? For I am a commander of a small guard who has but one victory of note to his name. Why would you stoop to speak to me?”

“Do not play coy with me, Oh Ulrich,” responded Acretia, “Well it is known that you are most trusted among the advisors of king Devlos. You may be a master of spy craft, but I am no novice. I know much about you.”

“Then, my lady, why must we talk if you know so much?” questioned Ulrich, turning to look across the pond with disinterest, a mask across his face.

Circling around to Ulrich’s right side, she spoke firmly but no louder than one would speak over a meal with an old friend.

“I know that you are the mastermind of my defeat at the crossing of the Kelost-kel. I know you have the ear of king Devlos. I know that you are among those that have built the defense of Irrkengrond such that my progress is slow and costly. You directly command a small force but you sway multitudes with your voice.”

“Then it is strange to me that you should revere me as such and yet would meet without a weapon with which to slay me, my lady,” chuckled Ulrich, turning to face her, “Surely you did not come here only for flattery’s sake?”

Her boots softly moved through the reeds on the edge of the pond as the great lady stepped closer to Ulrich, such that they looked each other squarely in the eye.

“No, I am not here to flatter you. What I say is true, not mere flattery. Moreover, what I have learned about your skill at the bridge has intrigued me. You display perhaps what I value the most.”

“Which is…” replied Ulrich, tense at the presence of his enemy so close.

In a snapping motion, quick and silent, Acretia drew Ulrich close. She held him in a tight grasp, not as one does a friend or lover, but as someone who wants to ensure that they are heard clearly while showing they possess the strength to bring to pass all that they say.

“You bend all talents to war, Ulrich. That is what I value most. You turn architects and masons into tools of war. Mages who know no war magic into soldiers, Ulrich.

That is what I desire, and this is my offer to you. Serve me and I will make you king over not only Lor Ogr but of all the Aastugar. You would have your choice of all the spoils of war, whether that be slaves and lovers, jewels and gold, lands and kingdoms. I would give you whatever your heart desires.”

Now the advisors of Ulrich and Acretia had been watching closely the conversation between the two commanders, and when Acretia had drawn Ulrich close, Urstra came rushing toward the pair, fearing for her commander’s life. She came crashing into Acretia, wrenching her from Ulrich, screaming, “You will not take my lord from me!”

Now separated from Ulrich, Acretia tossed the dwarf aside as the dragonkin and the hag arrived at the scene of the spat, sword and magic ready to kill. Likewise, Ilstoran, who was close behind  Urstra, raised his staff in the air, prepared to call down fury from heaven.

“Stand down!” called Acretia, “He has heard my message and knows I would not kill him here.”

Hearing the command of their lady, Acretia’s witch and warrior lowered their weapons and relaxed, while Urstra and Ilstoran still stood ready.

Now Ulrich was left standing in the center of the gathering, and in his eyes was a glazed look. He turned again to the pond, and not looking back to any of those around him, he spoke softly.

“Peace, Urstra. Peace Ilstoran. She has done me no harm, though I have seen through to the heart of war. Steady, now.” Pausing till he felt his two trusted comrades un-tense, he spoke again, turning to look across the water.

“I fear you have misjudged me and my talents, my lady. It brings me little joy to turn masons and architects, mages and scribes, scholars and healers, farmers and carpenters into soldiers. 

Nor do I do it because I love the glory or power or position that may come from my success. I do it to protect what I love. My people, my family, my friends. You cannot sway me because you threaten those things. How could you not? 

You may preserve them in some way for me, but you would preserve them in fear, and hold them over me lest I defy you. There would be no joy in the face of my mother and no happiness in the face of my father. My brothers and sisters would be nothing but things for you to experiment with, seeking to turn them into yet more servants of your unending war. You long to conquer all, and to serve you would mean I must conquer my home. That is something I will not do.”

Now turning to face the Lady of War, in a voice that was firm and reasoned, he spoke again.

“When this is all over, when you are beaten back, by sword or bow or magic, by whatever means is needed, I will go home. You cannot offer me my home.”

“Very well,” said Acretia, turning to go to her camp like a ship upon calm seas, “Know that what is about to pass could have been stayed by your hand.”

Upon returning to her camp, Acretia quickly set about delegating to her commanders the many tasks of war, for her mind was consumed with Ulrich and she wished to dedicate her mind to his destruction. Day and night she pondered the means to undo this clever foe.

In time, she went from the front lines and journeyed to Kilkretha, for all throughout that evil city there are furnaces for weapons, engines for the siege, fortresses for defense, magic for destruction, beasts bred for slaughter, libraries for strategy, councilors for deceit, and pits where foul works were wrought. Upon her arrival, she descended into the deepest of these pits in the city and set about her task. Slowly, steadily, she forged in the depths a weapon and a plan. Matching the craftiness with which Ulrich had deployed magic in battle, so too she would deploy her sorcery.