The Accidental Archmage - Book Five Edmund Batara (classic children's novels .TXT) 📖

be wounded, and there was no way he could attend to all the injured, both from the sortie force and the warriors they intended to rescue. From experience, he knew healers in a battle were worth their weight in gold. Potions can’t compare to a healing spell in terms of immediate effect.

As they marched forward at a fast pace, Tyler could see the flashes were nearer, though couldn’t account for their cause. He suspected magical weapons, but then again, the retreating dwarves might be using tunneling spells as explosive charges. But curiously the flashes were not accompanied by the sound of loud explosions, a characteristic of Tyler’s flame and lighting spells. As he peered into the far darkness, the mage thought he saw a two-toned blackness, one of the night, the other moving like an undulating wave.

“Kobu, I think I see the outline of the pursuing enemy. If that’s but a small part, then I shudder to think about how truly massive the main host is,” whispered Tyler.

“Thank you, sire. How far do you think they are?”

“About two miles. They seem to wear the darkness like a cloak. But we’ll be running into the lead elements of the retreating force any moment now,” advised Tyler.

“I believe so, sire. Normally, it is at this time a formation change is warranted, one which I call the scythe, but it is nighttime and we don’t have the men to cover our flanks. I respectfully ask for a constant update on the events in front of us.”

“You don’t have to ask, Kobu. I’ll tell you whether you want to hear them or not,” responded the mage.

The march continued, though Tyler kept on looking at their rear. The wedge assault pattern was intended to break defending lines and was open at the rear. He appreciated Kobu’s adoption of the arrowhead configuration; it enabled the fastest way to make contact with its heavily-armored tip, it also guarded the flanks and widened the coverage at the sides as compared to a regular column. The flanks could also swing forward and envelop an enemy once the tip of the arrowhead came to grips with the foe. But Tyler doubted if that was the plan of the exile. The lack of warriors in the sortie worried the mage. It was a negligible force meant for a quick rescue, nothing else. But Tyler knew Kobu had long realized that fact.

The mage earnestly hoped the exile had tricks up his sleeve. At least they haven’t encountered flank attacks so far, but the mage put it down to the mass of the enemy still gathering strength. The delay in attacking Hedmark merely confirmed his sinking suspicion that the undead, once they started their offensive, would quickly fan out over Namdalen, crushing any resistance they encountered with sheer numbers and brutal savagery. Yet the size of the force sent against the reinforcing dwarves was a harsh indication of the numbers they were going to face.

They’re going to blitzkrieg our collective asses. Not that those in Hedmark would be alive to care when they start rolling over western Skaney, grimly reflected the mage.

Suddenly, through the dark murk, the mage saw several large groups moving fast toward them, though he doubted if they could see the wedge. Nobody was carrying a torch, and right now, only the tip of the formation was visible to anyone watching from the front – quite a small group to be seen at night. He immediately advised Kobu.

“Wedge, halt!” ordered the exile. “Rear companies, cover the back!

The loud voice made Tyler flinch. After the silence of the quick march, disturbed only by the sound of walking feet and some clanking of armor, Kobu’s voice sounded like thunder. The mage guessed that this close to the enemy’s vanguard harrying the scouts and the dwarves, the noise of the rescuing force wouldn’t be noticed.

“Watch for friendly incoming!” the exile again shouted.

The mage immediately heard the rattle of armor and weapons. Men and dwarves were shifting to ready mode. Tyler could see the people hurrying toward them, a motley group of men and dwarves, some carrying wounded in makeshift stretchers. There were other clusters at the rear following in their wake.

“Front ranks of the left and right flank, go forward and assist! Dwarves, maintain your position and prepare for battle!” Kobu’s voice and commands were in the tone of a commander accustomed to his orders being followed. It inspired confidence as it projected the image of a leader who knew what he was doing and expected his instructions to be carried out.

Kobu in his military commander persona greatly surprised Tyler. It was a different man, far removed from the unassuming and quiet exile who tried his best to guard the mage’s back. Men from the flanks immediately moved forward and met the retreating groups. The mage could now see the retreat was far from a well-organized one; it was but a collection of groups of men and dwarves trying to flee, burdened with wounded and hauling ballistae.

“The enemy, sire? Are they in sight?”

“Not yet, Kobu. But I could make out fighting in the distance,” replied Tyler. The retreating groups were already passing through the ranks of the rescue party. Ballistae and wounded were gathered in the formation, and tired warriors dropped heavily to the ground, grabbing much-needed rest. Tyler ordered the healer-mage to look after the wounded.

“That must be the rearguard. They’re doomed unless we move closer. I doubt you could cast spells at this range,” said Kobu as he looked into the distance. Faint sounds of combat could already be heard.

“I can, if I could see clearly. But this darkness is to our disadvantage,” replied Tyler. His area-of-effect spells were liable to kill off the warriors they were intended to rescue.

Kobu then ordered four baturs worth of warriors to remain and protect whoever was coming in. What remained of the wedge adjusted their ranks and marched forward for about half a mile. Along the way, several groups of retreating men and dwarves were