Escape through the Sacred Forest: Lich Lord Wars Book 2

Chapter 2

"Lord Lich-El warned you not to underestimate them!"

"They will pay for this, I will go myself and personally watch the life drain from their faces!"

"Lord Lich-El's orders were..."

"Lord Lich-El isn't here! He went to deal with Jaspen. I am in command here now. We will leave immediately."

"We?"

"Yes you and some of your men. What better way to kill an Aguarius than with an Aguarius."

"We can't take our wives and children into the middle of a battle!"

"We can't leave them out here in the open either, and we have nowhere else to go; we are completely boxed in!"

High Lord Gidon Aguarius had called a quick meeting of all his men after the horns had alerted them that Jaspen was under attack. He was letting his men give their opinions as he tried to determine his own.

If it was just them, he would have lead them right to Jaspen's aid but they had several towns' worth of families with them, depending on them for protection. On the other hand, they were completely exposed where they were.

"Our only option right now is to find a defensible position, dig in, and hope the siege is broken," Gidon said.

"That won't work," a young voice spoke up.

Everyone turned to the source of the voice to find Ulec sitting on the ground, with one leg extended and the other folded against his chest, right at the outskirts of the group of men. Next to him was a gray puddle happily making a meal of a revenant's sword. Almas could be seen several feet back at a more respectable distance with an uncomfortable look as he watched.

"Almas!" Gidon's second-in-command, Jarad spoke sharply, "Please take your friend and leave-"

"It's fine Jarad let him speak," Gidon interceded as he nodded to Almas to also approach; both boys while young had fought or acted bravely in battle and had earned a spot in the planning.

Ulec continued immediately, "The city's walls were breached badly a few minutes ago. The city is being overrun as we speak. The defenders are engaged in a fighting retreat towards the keep."

"They couldn't have breeched the walls so quickly!" one soldier exclaimed in disbelief while another demanded to know how he knew.

Ulec's father spoke up, "My son has far reaching vision, he was the one that alerted us to the recent attack. As far as the wall being breeched, Lich-El could easily breech those walls in moments."

Ulec nodded in confirmation, then looking at Gidon said, "Your men there are going to use the passage to evacuate everyone taking refuge in the keep."

"What passage?" Another soldier asked.

"After the fall of the Valen Province I ordered secret escape passages from all major cities and towns in this province. It should give the people a chance to flee. Sadly we don't have one here and our position is even more perilous. We are completely alone now and surrounded," Gidon answered.

"Cross the forest into the Forjad Province," Almas spoke up for the first time.

"Sorry Almas," Teanas responded immediately, "but the southern part of Aguarius Forest is strictly off limits, the forest won't tolerate trespassers here as it does in the north.

Almas looked nervously at Ulec who seemed withdrawn. After a few moments Ulec looked up to Gidon and said, "If everyone stays together and on the path provided, then they will be permitted to enter long enough to cross over to the city of Debigroc; but anyone leaving on their own, or that goes out of sight of the path, would do so under pain of death. I wouldn't be able to save them."

"Ulec, I don't think this is a good idea," Teanas cautioned his son.

"Tornal attacked the forest, as well as Almas, Seacra and me while under the forest's protection. Because we all have a common enemy, we can allow this under the conditions given," Ulec responded and looking his father in the eye said with authority, "It's my choice to make."

Almas' eyes grew wide and even Gidon raised an eyebrow. In all the years he had known Ulec, this was the closest to disrespect he had ever seen the young elf show towards his father.

"Very well," Teanas said not showing any acknowledgement to Ulec's tone.

For the first time ever, Gidon realized that Ulec, despite his age, had supreme authority over the sacred forest. Even Teanas deferred to his son's decisions concerning it. Was it the boy's power over living things that gave him such authority? Gidon felt there was much more to this than was apparent. All these years he had known them there was still so much he didn't understand.

Suddenly Gidon realized all eyes were on him waiting for his decision. He would have to consider these things later.

"I think crossing the forest is the only choice we have. Notify the families under your care and make sure they all understand the rules Ulec gave us. We head west in twenty minutes."

"You might want to leave sooner," Ulec said looking as if he had come into himself again, "A large force of revenants and Kadus Knights just left Jaspen and I think they are headed towards us.