The days became longer and hotter in the City of The Goddess, and many of the people within, both citizens and warriors of the armies that were gathered to defend it, began to wonder if the Emperor would ever come to their walls. But Prince Taneric, Peto and High Priestess Ashala never tired in their efforts to prepare for what was to come. A vast quantity of food - much of it pilfered from farms to the south - had been stored within the city in preparation for a siege and Fris, assisted by a legion of helpers, worked tirelessly to design and construct new weapons of war. After the attempt on Queen Zantina's life, Taneric had moved Fris and his sizable entourage into a cluster of large barns located in the northern quarter of the City. He had no doubt that Osta's spies were at work within the walls, and he was determined that secrecy be maintained.
As the summer days went by, men of the south began to arrive at the city; not to attack it but to offer allegiance to the northern alliance and to fight on its behalf. Perhaps they were men with no love of Osta, or dismayed at the prospect of welcoming a foreign emperor of whom they knew little, aside from his reputation for cruelty. And perhaps they were simply hungry, as starvation now held the south in its bony claw. Fearing treachery, Taneric would not let them into the city, but instead he gave them work at the farms and mines in return for food and the promise of protection. They replaced slaves of the City who were freed, as had been promised, and encouraged to join in its defence.
And throughout all of this, lady citizens watched with trepidation as their slaves and husbands were taken from them, swords put in their hands and trained how to fight. And everywhere, in the streets and markets, the women's voices could be heard; 'This is not the way of the Goddess!', 'Will my boys ever be returned to me?' and, finally, 'We must trust in Ashala and the Temple.' For what else could they do?
Taneric and Ashala, like Osta, had their spies of course. And one morning an exhausted fellow arrived from the south and told them sails had been seen approaching Cana. "Hundreds of sails", he said. "I set out immediately, and did not wait to see them land."
"How long did it take you to get here?" asked Peto.
"Eight days. I rode as hard as I could."
"Well, finally they are here," said Peto. "I am almost relieved. They will spend some days in the south to organise their forces before moving north. We have some time; perhaps half a moon or so."
"I am not so sure, Peto," said Taneric. "There is no food down there. I think they will carry what they brought with them and march quickly. But I am determined that they should come to know us before they reach the city. An army is vulnerable when it marches, Peto, you taught me so yourself. And though I was young, I saw with my own eyes the bloody trail through the valley after Tajorg. It is a sight that must surely haunt all who were there that day."
"The men for your endeavour are already selected, Tak."
"Good. And have them take down the bridges as they go south! Fris will provide the necessary devices. If we cannot stop the Emperor's army, at least we can slow the journey of his cannon."
But even as they discussed details of their defence, another messenger was ushered into the hall and approached Taneric, Peto and Ashala nervously.
"Prince Taneric, I am a farmer from a village this side of the Tajorg Valley. Yesterday some men came and took our dear innkeeper and her guest. They say she is a witch and plan to burn her! They sent for the High Priest of Wodh to attend her trial. I came as quickly as I could, My Lord. Please do not let them do this horrible thing to our beloved Silfe!"
"Silfe, you say?" replied Peto. "At The Badger? Tak, I know this place, having stopped there many times on my travels between the City and Vosgir. The landlady is an honourable woman, much loved by those who know her. These allegations must be a mistake. Nevertheless, we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted at this time, Tak. She is just one woman."
But Ashala then spoke up, taking issue with Peto, "Tak, Peto, ask yourself what must be happening in Vosgir! Alfard, would never allow this. And what point is there in making a great defence of our lands, at the cost of many lives, if we are then ourselves to be oppressed by men like your High Priest? This is important, Tak! It is an attack on the Goddess."
"How so, High Priestess?" said Peto. "They say only that she is a witch. There are no followers of the Goddess in the North."
"Think again Peto!" she replied. "Many priestesses and temple boys were taken from here after Tajorg. Do you assume they were all glad to leave? And yes, there was a 'Silfe' among my sisters. Tak, if you do not help her I will send Hanja with one hundred City Guards____"
"And make matters worse," said Taneric. "But Ashala is right, Peto. We ask our men to fight for freedom, not for the right to be cruel to others. And why would followers of the Goddess wish to stand alongside Sons of the North if they think that a woman can be burned for being a priestess in our lands?"
Peto sighed, "The Badger is halfway to Vosgir. I will send men immediately and hope they arrive before the High Priest.'
"No Peto. Your men will not have the authority to stop him. We must go, you and I. Besides, I need to know if this is a signal of greater troubles in Vosgir. Ashala is right; what happens there is of great importance to our mission here. Get twenty men with good steeds and meet me at the north gate!"
****
On the afternoon of the following day, after much hard riding, Taneric, Peto and his men rounded a curve in the trail and saw The Badger Inn before them. But it was something else that drew their attention; a ghastly sight that was at once shocking and dismaying. From a stout tree in the clearing before the Inn, the body of a man hung by the neck, swinging softly in the summer breeze.
As they got closer, Peto cried out, "I know him! He is Brade! Ostin's most trusted man and one of my greatest friends. Oh, what evil has occurred here!? Cut him down! Now!"
Two men dismounted and attended to it, but now they could see a large group gathered on the village green beyond the Inn.
"Control your anger!" said Taneric to Peto, but he could himself feel rage building within.
The High Priest sat on a chair that had been brought outside from the Inn. Behind him stood his men at arms, perhaps two dozen of them, bearing the symbol of Wodh on their tunics. They eyed Taneric nervously as he rode up to them.
