Ridge: Day Three: Ridge Series, #3

By Shawn P. B. Robinson

The new day has dawned. But in the bright rays of the morning sun, the true threat surrounding the People of the Ridge has now been revealed.

General Hamel and his people have managed to survive, until this point. Resolving to push forward regardless of the cost, they make their stand in the land they love. Unfortunately, their enemy's cunning has left them far more infiltrated than they could have imagined.

As a weakened people, betrayed at every turn, they face a constant onslaught of threat, leaving them no choice but to run for their lives. Can they find a way to survive against an enemy driven to annihilate each and every Child of the Ridge? And can Hamel and Karotel lead the people to a point where they can take their final stand before all is lost?

Ridge: Day Three is the action-packed conclusion in the Ridge dystopian thriller series. If you like thrilling escapes, overcoming odds, and people driven by passion and honor, then you'll love Shawn P. B. Robinson's glimpse into the future of the Ridge.

Grab your copy of Ridge: Day Three today to complete the journey of the People of the Ridge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BrainSwell Publishing
• Release date: May 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781989296554

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Churoi wept.

Hamel leaned forward, shaking his head. You don’t need to tell me any of this, Churoi. If it is too difficult, you may keep it to yourself. I know enough to satisfy my need to understand that situation.

Churoi tried to speak but could not at first get the words out. Hands shaking, he wiped his eyes. He raised his head and locked eyes with Hamel, his face filled with confusion.

I don’t know why I feel this way.

What do you mean? Tollos asked in shock. If you loved her, how can you not know why you feel that way? She looked around and then shrunk back. Forgive me, Master. I spoke out of turn.

Hamel held his tongue while Churoi stared at Tollos for a moment. The younger man appeared as unsure as to how to respond to her as he was about his feelings for Rollos.

When he finally spoke, his words came out slowly. I think, Tollos, you and I are both in a new world with new traditions. We are going to have to set aside the old ways. You cannot call me ‘Master’ again, nor can you think that you must hold back on speaking to me due to my former status.

He dropped his gaze and took a few breaths to calm himself. He opened his mouth to speak but appeared unsure as to what he should say.

Hamel examined the young man. His bruises had mostly healed, and he looked more like himself than he had when he had arrived less than a week before. Hamel had invited him to the house to talk but had not expected Churoi to show up while Tollos and Mollos were there.

The girls were outside in the yard, and Hamel looked over his shoulder to confirm that they were okay. He caught sight of Gollos through the window. She appeared to be teaching Mollos how to throw a knife. Hamel hoped the neighbor’s cat wasn’t out.

He turned back and was just about to try to encourage Churoi when Tollos said, Did you love her?

Churoi shook his head. I don’t know. He stared at the floor for a few moments, wringing his hands and shifting in his seat. I only purchased her because I saw how you, Hamel, had grown so attached to Gollos. I wondered if I could have something similar. I found Rollos in the market and purchased her for just under five gold. Pulanomos knew about it. In fact, he encouraged it.

He encouraged it? Hamel had not expected that.

Yes. I suggested that we try to understand you better. He paused for a moment. It wasn’t because I really wanted to use what we learned against you. I actually wanted to understand you. You have always been a mystery to me, Hamel.

Hamel smiled. Sometimes I don’t really understand myself. He glanced over at Tollos, but her expression was nothing short of complete confusion. Maybe Olmosite Nomads didn’t joke like that. Then what turned Pulanomos against her?

Churoi’s clenched his hands into fists. His knuckles turned white, and his voice came out in a rage. According to Pulanomos, we were getting too close. He thought I was growing to have real affection for her, and that wouldn’t do. He growled before continuing. When his words came out next, they were filled with rage and hatred. He told me he was fixing the situation, and that I would thank him in time. I didn’t know what he was talking about at first, but then I found out he had sent men to kill her. I raced out of the Palace with my guard, but by the time I reached my apartment, she was… He shook his head but did not say anything else.

She was dead, Tollos said as if to inform Hamel. He means that when he reached his apartment, he found her body. If Naromites had been sent, she was likely no longer in one piece. I would suspect they…

Tollos, Hamel interrupted, I understand. You do not need to interpret his story for me.

Churoi, by that point, had gone back to weeping.

Hamel struggled to know how to feel. He had not purchased Gollos to gain from her, but to rescue her from slavery. He had taken her as his daughter as she needed a parent, and he knew he could love her—and it was the way of the People of the Ridge. The concept of buying someone to learn or grow and then to have that person killed simply because they were getting in the way felt not only horrific but far too complicated of a situation to understand. He did know there was a lot of pain, and that it was a wicked situation, but beyond that he was only confused.

I’m sorry this has happened, Churoi. I wish she was here with you now.

Churoi nodded as he wept. If the young man had been a Son of the Ridge, Hamel would have put his arm around him, but Olmosite men did not do such things. A moment later, Tollos sat down beside Churoi and rubbed his back. Hamel gathered Olmosite women could offer comfort where men could not.

He gave Churoi the time he needed. He would invite his friend to stay for lunch, but Churoi had an appointment with Birrel and Lemmel. The two officers were going to debrief Churoi to find out all the information they could about the Olmosite army and the Naromites.

His information would be invaluable, for the war with Olmos was far from over.

THE DAY BEGINS

Hamel settled down into one of the soft chairs he kept outside in the yard behind his house. His yard had been, for many years, his sanctuary. It was his place of rest.

Even on beautiful days or days when the heat inside was stifling, he refused to have meetings with his officers or Council Members in his yard. It was a place for rest and a place for training.

The area where he trained was worn down to the dirt. No grass ever grew there. Only the occasional weed managed to survive his daily time. Until recently, Markel had trained with him every day. Over the last while, it had been Gollos.

Gollos stood off to the side of the yard with Mollos, the young Olmosite refugee. The two girls had grown close over such a short while. Their blossoming friendship had been good for Gollos. Mirnel had been too busy as of late with her responsibilities to Rellel, leaving Gollos looking for a new friend. It pleased Hamel that the two connected well.

Do you wish to speak about anything? Tollos asked. Or would my Hamel prefer to remain here in silence?

Hamel grimaced. He was fond of her—quite fond—but he hated the way she spoke to him. She often spoke as if she were a servant, desperately trying to please him. Occasionally, she would speak as though they were equals, but those times were rare.

He was still unsure why she would call him my Hamel. Among the Olmosites he had met, a slave would refer to her master as my Master. Among the people of the Ridge, to call someone my Hamel would mean on some level he was hers. It would mean she had some claim on him as his wife, daughter, or Matir.

He had often wanted to ask her, but he felt awkward about such a question. He decided to try a different approach. He wondered how she would respond to the same greeting. I would like to speak about something, but I do not have anything in particular I would like to talk about, my Tollos.

The response was instant. The largest smile he had ever seen filled Tollos’s face, and her eyes lit up. She placed her hands over her heart and said, I accept.

Hamel’s mouth dropped open, and he felt his head spin as confusion filled his mind. He had just crossed some line.

Tollos stood to her feet and came for Hamel. He heard the soldiers behind him move, but he held up a hand. He knew his face would reveal the confusion and discomfort he felt, but Tollos did not react to his expression.

She placed both hands on his cheeks, leaned in, closed her eyes, and came in for a kiss.

Hamel pulled back and exclaimed, Whoa!

Tollos let go and stepped back. Her face turned red, and she dropped her head low. Forgive me, my Master. I must have misunderstood. I did not realize you found me so disgusting.

Hamel instantly wished he was in battle. It would be far easier than to deal with whatever might be going on at the moment. He thought perhaps he had unknowingly engaged in some form of courtship, as Olmosite courtship rituals were so different from those of the People of the Ridge. From his conversations with Gollos, he had come to understand that even among Olmosites, there were different traditions.

Hamel knew he should respond. He wanted to tell her he thought she was absolutely beautiful. He wanted to find out if she felt the same way about him that he felt about her. He wanted to rule out the suspicion that she was a spy and marry the woman, though he had just met her.

But to tell her she was beautiful so soon after meeting her seemed manipulative and cruel. He did not wish her to think he was only attracted to her because of the way she looked. But then, he was not sure what truly attracted him.

I am so confused, Hamel said before he realized the words had come out of his mouth.

Yes, my Master, Tollos said. She remained before him with her head bowed.

Hamel glanced over at Gollos. The look on her face revealed her confusion. He felt some peace in knowing he was not alone. Beside her stood Mollos. The young girl, like her mother, stood with her head bowed toward Hamel.

Hamel closed his eyes and shook his head. He found navigating such conversations to be some of the most challenging experiences of his life. He remembered a battle a few years before against the Brenchon armies. They had broken through the ranks and attacked him. One of the men struck him with the butt of his rifle, and Hamel had blacked out. When he awoke, the battle was over. His soldiers had rescued him and defeated the Brenchon army. He began to wish one of the soldiers behind him would knock him out and then merely tell him how it all had gone after.

Please, Tollos, sit down.

Yes, my Master. She sat down, but her head remained bowed. He turned to Mollos and found she had seated herself on the ground, still facing him and with her head bowed as well.

He dropped his face into his hands and groaned. He quietly asked himself, Why is all this so confusing?

Tollos. First, please never call me ‘Master’ again. Second, please look me in the eye. Third, I do not understand Olmosite traditions. This is all confusing for me. I don’t know what just happened here. I did not mean to tell you that I find you disgusting. I don’t find you disgusting. I find you…. He paused. I find you… I find myself attracted to you, Tollos.

He felt his face turn red. He began to long for Markel to run in at that moment and tell him that there was some crisis that required his attention. He would even take a fight against a Naromite. Certainly that would be easier.

She slowly raised her head. When she did, he saw the tears that had begun to flow down her face. His heart broke. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement by the girls, and when he turned to them, Gollos sat beside Mollos, comforting her friend.

Please, Tollos. Help me understand. What is happening here? Why did you try to kiss me?

I’m sorry, Hamel.

Hamel noted it was the first time she had said his name without adding my to it for a while. He had no idea if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Among the wandering tribes, if a free-woman wishes for a man, she calls him her own. If he responds by calling her his own, it means he accepts her. After they kiss, they are married before the sun sets.

Hamel felt grateful he had pulled away. He had no intention of marrying anyone that day. What does it mean if someone reacts as I did?

Tollos clenched her teeth for a moment, and anger flashed through her eyes. It means the man thinks she is worthless, for he accepted her only to make fun of her.

Hamel buried his face in his hands once again. He took a moment and collected his thoughts before raising his head and saying, It is not this way among the People of the Ridge, Tollos. A kiss among my people, our people, is a blessing. On the forehead it means respect, love, compassion, pride. On the lips, it means passion. For me to reject your kiss is for me to declare that I respect you too much to treat you as common—you are not common to me. I cannot merely kiss you out of attraction. It… it must be more. It is different for us, Tollos.

Then how do you declare you wish to wed someone?

Hamel marveled at the thought that she so quickly wished to marry him. But then, he reminded himself of what he had just learned. A relationship among the wandering tribes could go from interest to marriage within a day.

There are two traditions. Among the young, they are married by the end of their twentieth year. There are some who marry younger, such as my son’s wife. She was only nineteen when they wed, but it is uncommon. If the young man sees a woman he is interested in, he asks his Matir or Patir to speak to that woman’s Matir or Patir. If they are agreeable, then the two begin a courtship that rarely lasts more than four months. If, at the end of that time, they wish to wed, they seek their marriage blessing.

She nodded. What about those who are older? While she held his gaze, her expression was one of a woman with a wounded heart.

Then the man can simply ask, but often he’ll leave a flower on her doorstop. If she places it in a vase and leaves it outside her door, then they begin a courtship. If they wish to wed, they seek a marriage blessing.

How does she know who left the flower?

Hamel smiled, despite everything. If it is ever in question to the woman, she will never place the flower in the vase.

Tollos nodded. Your traditions are complicated.

Hamel had never thought of Ridge traditions as anything other than beautiful. They held deep meaning and compassion. He certainly preferred the Ridge marriage tradition over a woman charging forward to kiss him, resulting in a wedding that day.

Perhaps. But our traditions are loved by the people.

Then why did you call me, ‘my Tollos’. The tears flowed again.

I did not know what it meant when you spoke to me in that way and was curious about what it would mean if I responded the same way.

I made a fool of myself.

Hamel opened his mouth, then closed it before saying, I’m sorry, Tollos.

She bowed her head. May I have permission to leave?

Please, Tollos, you do not need permission to leave—you may leave whenever you wish. But I would like it if you stayed. I will try not to break any more Olmosite traditions today, although I cannot guarantee I will not do that in the future.

She gave a small smile and nodded her head. I will remain for a short while longer, Hamel. Mollos appears to be having lots of fun with Gollos.

Hamel glanced over at Mollos and Gollos. The two sat on the ground. Mollos wept, and Gollos slowly shook her head at him, as if to suggest he had shamed himself beyond what she could handle.

He closed his eyes. He was not sure he would ever successfully navigate his way with Olmosite women.

THE DAY PREPARES

Tollos and Mollos remained for another hour before they left for home. He had enjoyed his time with them, although he hoped one day he would find himself less confused. Between his own feelings and her traditions, he felt as if he were in a constant state of frustration.

General, Markel said, interrupting his thoughts.

Hamel and Gollos stood outside their front step. He kept his eyes on Tollos and Mollos as they rounded a corner and disappeared out of sight.

I have reports, Markel said.

All right. Let’s go over them.

Hamel walked past Gollos. She gave her Patir a smile and frowned at Markel. The boy’s face remained neutral, but Hamel knew the boy was falling apart inside. He was unable to hide the fact that he was attracted to Gollos. Her public disdain for the boy appeared to torment Markel.

Mariel had explained to Hamel that Gollos did not hate Markel, but Hamel could not be bothered with such silliness. If she wanted to pretend she hated a boy, he was comfortable with that. When they were older, he would be happy to give a marriage blessing to the two of them, but for now he was happier if she wanted nothing to do with boys.

They entered Hamel’s office and once the door was closed, Markel poured over the reports. The defense had been planned for over a year. It had been obvious to Hamel, Neggel, and Fornel that if the Olmosites were the threat, they would attack. They had assumed that Olmos’s first attack would be quick and poorly organized, while the second would be the larger and greater threat. They had successfully fought off the first of the sieges, but there was still at least one to go. Aside from putting everything in place and tweaking the odd matter, Hamel had little to do outside of oversight.

General Fornel reports the wall defense is solid, and they have experienced no difficulties, Markel explained as Hamel scanned his eyes over the written report. It was tradition for the aide to summarize, showing they had read the report in detail. General Birrel reports that the routes through the city are well laid out. Three hundred soldiers have volunteered to remain behind to provide cover fire for a retreat, if necessary.

Hamel nodded. He loved Markel like a son. He was proud of how well he managed under such stress.

The Lieutenant, I mean Colonel Rellel… Markel began.

It’s okay, Markel. Everyone still calls her ‘The Lieutenant’. I doubt she’ll shed that name anytime soon.

Yes, General, Markel replied. Colonel Rellel reports that the Olmosite army will be here by the day after tomorrow, at noon or shortly after. They have moved slowly. He paused for a moment before saying, And she also added that she’s happy.

Hamel nodded his head yet again. The Lieutenant was always a difficult woman. He did not think she was difficult with most people, but she always was with him. He knew her statement about her happiness meant that one of her side missions was progressing well, and she was happy with how it all was coming together. He wished she would use the code they had arranged, rather than pick an odd statement for each report, but Rellel was Rellel. She would do what Rellel did.

And the Valley City?

Markel shook his head. I do not have the report yet, but I expect I will within the next hour or so. I have heard a verbal report from a soldier who saw the Honored Aide Mariel.

You are always so formal, Markel. Feel free to call her Mariel. There is no official honorific for her position.

Yes, General, Markel said, and added a mischievous smile before continuing. The Honored Aide Mariel is apparently quite pleased with the progress. The Valley City will be an excellent fall-back location.

Hamel was grateful for the city they had found among the forests of the Valley. It had been abandoned for upwards of hundreds of years, but the buildings stood solid, although everything in the jungle had grown up around it. Since finding the ruins, they had assigned work crews to the area and cleaned it up. There were not enough buildings to accommodate everyone in the city, but with tents and with some quick construction, everyone would have a place to sleep.

Mariel, along with two of the Council Members, coordinated the efforts of over two thousand workers in the Valley City. The young woman had an aptitude for seeing plans through to the finish and had proven herself invaluable in this venture.

Hamel hoped they would not need the city, but no one was sure if they could properly defend against the Olmosite invasion. Everything would have to go perfectly for the Olmosites to be repelled, but no soldier ever expected plans to go perfectly.

Food? Supplies? Defense? Hamel asked.

Most of the food and supplies have been moved to the Valley City from the Ridge Capital. As for defense, it is difficult to know for sure. We will certainly not be as well defended as in the Ridge Capital, but in some ways we might be safer. It will be difficult for the Olmosites to properly invade the area with the denseness of the forest. On top of that, the Beasts seem quite fond of us, but they seem unfriendly at best with the Olmosites. There must be some smell or something that helps them distinguish one from another.

It’s been suggested it is the different diet, Hamel explained. The longer the Olmosite refugees live here, the less the Beasts react to them.

Yes, General, I had heard something like that.

Anything else, Markel?

No, Sir. He stood up to leave, but Hamel waved him back down.

I have one more thing.

Markel pulled out a piece of paper. He was always so careful.

No, Markel. I don’t want this written down.

Hamel leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes for a moment. He had struggled with whom to assign this task to. He would have liked to have handed it to one of the Generals and assigned a thousand soldiers to see it done, but that would be an abuse of his power. He could not give it to a Colonel or any officer, as that would be to pull them away from their responsibilities in a time of war. But he would not give it to a civilian. Markel, at only fourteen, was a competent soldier and a highly skilled fighter. He had an aptitude unlike anyone else Hamel had ever met.

He leaned forward and dropped his voice. I have new orders for you. I expect these orders to be carried out no matter what happens. Do you understand, Markel?

Yes, General, Markel said with the same quiet tone. The boy leaned forward to receive his orders.

Hamel took a deep breath and said, If something happens to me, and I am unable to keep Gollos safe, I need you to ensure that Gollos gets safely out of the city and to Mariel. Your regular orders are to remain unchanged, but if the need for her protection arises, she instantly becomes your number one priority. All other orders, even direct orders from one of the other Generals, from the Honored Matir, or even the seated Council come second to this order. Do you understand?

Yes, General. The young man’s face filled with gratitude for the honor Hamel bestowed on him through entrusting his daughter to Markel’s care. I will give my life to see that your orders are obeyed.

Thank you, Markel, Hamel said, although I would prefer that it did not cost you your life.

Markel smiled and nodded his head.

That will be all, Markel.

Yes, General. Churoi is waiting for you outside. I believe you asked him to come speak with you?

Yes. Send him in.

Markel left, and Hamel remained at his desk.

When the door opened, Churoi came in. He had a large smile on his face that hid some of pain evident in his eyes.

Honored Patir! I am honored to be invited to speak with you!

The honor is mine, Churoi, Hamel said with as much formality as he could. Your presence brings joy to my heart. Churoi appeared to be trying to follow Ridge traditions, and Hamel would honor the young man by offering the traditional responses.

Hamel gestured to a chair, and Churoi sat down. The Olmosite held his smile, but the sorrow in his eyes was difficult to hide.

I have a few more questions for you, Hamel said. I know much of this has been discussed with Generals Fornel and Birrel, but I wanted to hear it from you.

Of course, Honored Patir.

Hamel shook his head and laughed. First, Churoi, in private like this, I would prefer you call me Hamel. Second, I am operating more as a General these days, so if you must use a title, please use my rank in the Armies of the Ridge.

Churoi smiled again and bowed his head slightly. Then I will call you Hamel in this room. What is it, Hamel, that I can help you with?

I wanted to know a bit more about me, actually, Hamel replied.

You? Churoi’s smile disappeared, and a look of confusion took its place.

Yes, I want to know why I’m still alive. I want to know why the Dusk did not take me and why the silque has no effect on me. Hamel leaned forward. I can’t help but think that’s a bigger piece of the puzzle than we had originally thought.

Churoi nodded. I see. He leaned back in his seat and his eyes dropped to the floor. I was not involved too much in your case. My focus as Assistant to the High Chancellor was more in the area of administration. I was privy to all the information, but I rarely read up on it or sat in any of the meetings. I can only tell you what I know.

I’d like that, Hamel said.

With his eyes still on the floor, Churoi began. As you know, Olmos has been working for a long time to bring your people to their knees. It is more of a way of life for us than anything, and I suspect it does not go back merely decades, but centuries. Our schools teach that the People of the Ridge, or Ridgers, are the enemy, that you are cannibalistic toward women and occasionally toward men, and that you have betrayed us and slaughtered our people since you first became a people.

Churoi raised his eyes and looked Hamel in the eye. The Beasts were, as you learned, a means to weaken you as Olmos has always known they could not defeat you in open battle.

Then what brought about the increase in Beast attacks in recent years? Hamel asked.

You did, Churoi replied. Or, at least, your situation brought it about.

What do you mean?

Churoi took a deep breath. When you did not die in your early thirties, we realized we had a problem. We studied your blood, stolen from your doctors, and examined your environment, eating habits, and more, but we could not figure out why the silque did not affect you. We even managed to give you a large dose of it at one point in your morning coffee.

What happened? Hamel asked.

You sneezed twice, then went on with your day!

That must have been frustrating for you, Hamel said with a smile.

Churoi laughed. Not for me. I was not really involved in it all, and I always respected you. I did not want the silque to affect you. In the end, we determined you were simply immune.

How did that change things? Hamel asked.

In increased fear. In fact, we speculated that your children—your son and daughter born to you and Lillel—might have been immune as well. We were concerned on two levels. For one, we feared you were the first of many. For another, we feared your survival might cause you to look into the matter. Your doctors certainly did look into it, but we managed to sabotage their research enough to ensure they never found out what was going on.

So, that’s why you escalated the Beast threat, Hamel said.

Yes, it was, although we had already been slowly escalating it for years. Churoi stared Hamel directly in the eye. Around eight years ago, Pulanomos ordered the Ambassador to escalate the Beast attacks quickly in the hopes that the Beasts might do our work for us. Pulanomos hoped the Beasts might take care of all of you. He smiled as he explained, One of the things about Olmosites is that we are a patient people. We are willing to take years—even generations—to accomplish our goals.

Hamel nodded. Yes, I have noticed that. I will need to keep this in mind for the future. Assuming we survive the next attack, we will need to be on guard for more long-term threats.

Hamel stood to indicate the meeting was over and Churoi stood as well.

The younger man reached out his hand, and Hamel took it. Before Hamel could say anything, Churoi leaned forward and said, Know this, Hamel, you have my friendship and my loyalty. Remember that.

I will, Churoi, Hamel said with a smile, and you have mine.

Churoi turned, opened the door, and left Hamel’s office. A moment later he heard the front door open and close as Churoi left, then Markel leaned into the room.

Do you need anything, General?

No, Markel, Hamel asked, but then raised his hand. Wait, one more thing.

Yes, General. Markel stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

You know you are like a son to me, Hamel said.

I do. And you are like a Patir to me.

And you still will not take my honored name? Hamel asked. I offer it freely to you. You could be Rezin Markel and no longer be left to face the world alone.

Markel smiled. Is it my decision?

It is.

Then, Markel said and bowed his head just slightly, I choose to continue to face the world alone. I will remain Markel, the man with no honored name. It is no rejection of you, my General. I would be honored beyond measure to be named Rezin, but I have made my decision.

Hamel nodded. It was an odd choice to give up an honored name. I think, Markel, Hamel said, that one of the reasons I respect you so much is you tend to stand your ground with conviction. I will respect your decision and never ask again—although the offer remains open.

Thank you, my General, he said before he turned to the door and let himself out.

Hamel smiled. Markel was an intelligent young man. To pass up the offer of an honored name was unthinkable. For Markel to do such a thing… Markel would have to want something else more. Hamel nodded his head as it all came together. He finally understood what was going on inside Markel.

Hamel quickly looked through some papers on his desk, but then set them aside. Most of the important information had been removed in case the city fell. There was not much of use to read.

He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. It had been a good day. He had managed to spend extra time with family and with Tollos over the last while. He had met with Churoi and learned much. He finally understood Markel. And the battle plans were all in place.

He had never gone into a battle so well prepared. He felt at peace.

The next day, however, everything could change.

THE DAY TO DISCUSS

Hamel sat behind his desk in the early hours of the morning, just before dawn. He rarely came to his office those days, preferring to do most of his work from home or out in the field. The advantage that day, however, was not only that it reminded all those in attendance of the seriousness of the matter, but it also afforded him more space.

Before him sat his Senior officers.

He slowly scanned the room, making eye contact with each one. He noted that Generals Fornel and Birrel sat beside each other. They had spent a great deal of time coordinating with one another over the recent weeks. He had been pleased to see how well they worked together. Although the two men had served side by side for years in different capacities, a new promotion could always create conflict.

His Colonels sat spread around with the two Majors among them. Colonel Lemmel sat to Fornel’s right. He already looked stronger and had begun to gain back some of the weight he had lost over the previous years. His eyes suggested focus and confidence, but anger as well. It would take time.

On Lemmel’s right sat Major Ornel. The man was shorter than Lemmel and certainly much shorter than Hamel, but he was built like an ox and had always been a serious and focused man. Hamel trusted him completely, as he did all the officers in the room, but Major Ornel was easily predictable. He would reason through each matter with care and concern and fulfilled every order with precision. He led his soldiers with discipline. Hamel had relied on Ornel many times and never been disappointed. The man’s eyes did not suggest fear, but simple focus.

On Ornel’s right sat Colonel Cuttel. Cuttel was the youngest of those present. He had seen the least amount of battle among the senior officers, but he would go far. If all went well, he would be a General in a few years. He had the aptitude for it as well as the commitment. The expression on his face was grim.

On Cuttel’s right sat Colonel Rellel, or, as she was often called, The Lieutenant. She had gained that name by refusing countless promotions, preferring instead to become known for doing the impossible, while holding the lowest rank an officer could hold—until her recent promotion. She held Hamel’s gaze and returned her own with an intense stare. But Hamel could see her mind was elsewhere, going over her plans and all that she needed to do. Her soldiers were on mission without her. That kind of thing was hard on most officers, but for Rellel, it was torment. Her eyes suggested frustration.

On Rellel’s right sat Major Harrel. She had just recently been promoted to Major by General Birrel. The man had made a good choice in her. She was strong, focused, and committed. Her eyes, however, betrayed a sense of not yet fitting in.

Next to Major Harrel sat Colonel Trackel. The man appeared irritated. The oncoming attack was pulling him away from the Valley Floor where he had focused much energy as of late. He was passionate about everything he had learned in the short time since the Valley had opened up to them and wanted to get back to it. As odd as it seemed, the invasion appeared to be an irritation to him.

In the back of the room stood the various aides or apprentices of the officers present. Gollos took her place among them but stood Mirnel between herself and Markel. She positioned herself a little ahead of the rest as if she were trying to stand apart from them or to suggest that her position was higher than their own.

Hamel began the meeting abruptly. I understand they should be here by early to mid-afternoon. Is that correct?

Rellel responded with a simple, Yes, General.

Then we have six to eight hours before they arrive. Are all the scouts back in the city?

Rellel answered. Despite being the newest Colonel, she sat as his Colonel. Most are. I have left six out to keep an eye on their final progress. They have orders to stay far out of danger and to return by mid-morning at the latest.

Fornel, Hamel asked, turning to one of the Generals. The wall defense?

Secure. We are well prepared with the battle plan that you and General Neggel created. We have eight thousand soldiers assigned to the wall.

Hamel nodded. Fornel had been quite involved in the process himself, but often gave credit to others and took none for himself. He did not question the man anymore. They had gone over the defense in detail. It was well covered.

Anything to add? Hamel asked, turning to Cuttel and Trackel.

Cuttel shook his head. He served under Fornel as one of the best Wall Commanders Hamel had ever seen.

Trackel added in a No Sir. His focus had been the wall defenses as well, but his efforts were broader than Cuttel’s. He could coordinate the defense of all three walls without any trouble.

He turned to Birrel. The city?

Birrel shifted in his seat. The man’s area of responsibility was vast. He had been charged with defense and order in the city. With the recent riots and concern over the Olmosite refugees, the man had carried a heavy weight. With the imminent attack, he also carried the responsibility of creating a retreat through the city in the event that the wall fell. Much of that had been planned out ahead of time, but since he had not been in on the planning, it had taken a while for him to take over Neggel’s responsibility.

We are well prepared, General, Birrel replied. We have multiple routes through the city and all of them are well known to the soldiers. We have nearly three hundred soldiers who have volunteered to remain behind while the bulk of the armies retreat, if it becomes necessary. They will offer cover fire and only retreat if all others are safe.

Hamel turned to Lemmel first out of Birrel’s officers. Anything to add?

Lemmel shook his head. No, General. It has been an honor serving under Birrel.

Hamel nodded his head. If circumstances had been different, Lemmel would be the General, and Birrel would have been his Colonel. Of course, if circumstances such as that existed, Lemmel would likely be in the early stages of his Dusk—or dead already.

Colonel Lemmel, can you give a quick report on the status of the recent recruits and the civilian army?

Yes, General, Lemmel replied. As our army stood at just over ten thousand, we implemented Ellel’s Law in order to train the civilian population. Out of those, we found approximately twenty-two thousand who volunteered to be part of the army reserve and then another forty-three thousand civilians who have proven themselves quite capable. Twenty thousand of the reserve will serve as the second defense of the city. The other two thousand are in the Valley City along with another fifteen hundred of the standing army and the entire forty-three thousand civilians who are prepared to fight if necessary.

Excellent! Hamel said. That gives us twenty-eight thousand to defend the city against sixty-thousand outside. As long as the wall defense holds, I expect we will stand firm.

He turned to Ornel and Harrel. Anything to report, Majors?

No, General, each replied in turn.

Excellent. I wanted a final meeting just to confirm details and to offer the chance to ask any questions about the defense. He waited as the officers shifted in their seats. It had been a stressful number of weeks. He was glad he had ordered each one to find time with their families and friends over the last few days and grateful he had done the same.

The only one with a question was Major Ornel. Hamel smiled. The man always had at least one more question and often saw issues that no one else saw.

Do we have any word on General Neggel?

There is nothing I am able to report, Hamel said. Neggel had succumbed to some sort of poison which had initially left her doctors baffled. Any other questions?

Ornel nodded his head. I am still unsure on the larger defense. It seems to me that there should be some defense set in the wilderness, but we seem to just be focused on the city. I fear we are missing an opportunity.

Hamel shook his head. Don’t worry, Ornel. Our defense in the city is solid. I do not expect it will fail. He took a deep breath and shifted in his seat before continuing. Since the Honored Matir has not assigned any of the Council Members to give us a report, I will give one on the matter of the evacuation. The Council has moved nearly everyone to the newly discovered Valley City. In case the wall defense does not hold, the people will be safe there, for a time. There are a few civilians left here in the Capital, and I believe some of the Council Members themselves, but everyone else should be in the Valley by the time the Olmosite army comes within sight.

How long do you suspect we can hold out in the Valley? Ornel asked.

It is difficult to know. We are well defended there as anyone who attempts to approach must go through the forest, which is well guarded. We also have our new allies. I don’t think the Beasts will appreciate an attack from the Olmosites. We have plenty of food and water—enough to provide for all. I think we can hold out for a while. The biggest threat, I think, would be if Olmos burned the forest down. Unfortunately, I think that is a real possibility. He paused for a moment and then added. Let’s see that it doesn’t get to that point.

The room remained quiet for a moment. Everyone felt the stress of the day. Hamel knew he managed to hide it as well as Rellel, but he felt it too.

A moment later, he dismissed the officers.

It would not be long.

THE DAY OF GOODBYE

How long before you come into the Valley, my Ha… Hamel? Tollos asked.

She had insisted on remaining in the city for as long as she could. The last of the population would leave soon.

I am not sure, Tollos. I cannot predict how everything will go with the battle. I do expect Olmos will attack by tomorrow at the latest, but the battle could last many days.

He still could not shake his suspicion of Tollos, but at the same time, he would love nothing more than for her to simply be who she claimed to be. He had begun to wonder if Karotel had never suspected the woman but had insisted that he continue to meet with her merely to give him the time to overcome his concerns.

How are you defending against such a large army? she asked.

The suspicion inside flared up again, but he pushed it down. That was a fair question. We are well defended. The hope is that the enemy will not come within forty paces of the wall.

What is this forty paces? she asked. You keep using that word.

Hamel laughed. He had forgotten that the Olmosite Nomadics used a different form of measurement. It is a military term to refer to a small distance. It is the approximate distance that an average man can cross in two steps. He