ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Fifty - Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound

Josh sat within his command tent with a dozen maps and reports scattered upon the table before him, a frown of concentration evident upon his brow. High Priestess Serenity and Zaran, the war master of Gester, also sat around the table conferring with Josh over their plan of action.

"So far all is going according to plan."

Serenity nodded. "The bulk of my warrior monks have arrived at the Free Isles and the ships have returned and are ready for us. There has been no suggestion that Charaz and his sorcerers are aware of the cloak I have over my ships. It is my intent that one small advantage will stay with us as we sail to the Isles tomorrow."

"I personally prefer to be riding with the 13th garrison force as they ride onto the citadel, High Priestess, rather than sailing half way round the world just to sit on a beach until it is time to go home."

"I understand your concerns, Captain. But once you are aboard my ship you will be safe in knowing Charaz can not trace your travels. The last thing we want or need is Charaz ripping this world apart on Arbinn's behalf once they learn you are the God of War's destined keeper. Your safety is my charge and I implore you to see reason and accept a boring voyage on the high seas."

Josh nodded with a smile as he looked into the Priestess's deep emerald eyes. "I hear what you are saying, Serenity but my feelings as a soldier however, strongly disagree."

"Well your feelings can be put aside until you are safely inside your citadel."

"And tucked up in bed out of harm's way? I think not, Serenity but returning home is an event that won't come soon enough." Turning to Zaran, Josh asked. "What reports do you have of your men's progress, War Master?"

"Thirty-eight thousand warrior priests are within two days march of the Twin falls as you requested." Zaran stated. "The remaining five thousand will travel with us when we head to Cardinia aboard Serenity's ships. That will leave only a token force of five hundred at the abbey to guard the orb."

Josh nodded absently as he studied the map spread out before him, dotted with markers indicating each of the key locations of soldiers.

"We have ten thousand warrior monks with Lieutenant James at the north-east border fort and Prince Darric's Dragon unit is waiting to rendezvous with Lieutenant Jorgensen when he crosses the Andarian Mountains."

Josh tapped on a point halfway between Port Garnet and the Twin Falls. "All we need now is for the relocators to make sure any displaced Cardinians soldiers are at the rendezvous point in time to rest before the entire force move onto the citadel like a tidal wave."

"Fear not, they will all be ready in time, Captain."

"I'd like to think so Serenity. We need to contact Thomas and let him know what is going on but with the ward preventing our relocators getting in and out the easy way we are using up valuable time and resources to get correspondence to him the old fashion way. Already we have lost a handful of relocators when they tried to get into the citadel."

"Captain Williamson."

"Enter!"

Tallis walked up to the meeting table and bowed to Josh and the other leaders. His hands were shaking as a result of forfeiting the last two rest stops from relocating he should have taken.

"Captain, I have a message from Lieutenant James. He wishes to inform you that the north-east border fort has to be evacuated. Lord Dorak has been killed in a revolt and there is an army of two hundred thousand plus marching onto the fort rumoured to be led by General Kasik."