"Fight in the `yard, M'lord!"

Ian looked out the barracks window. "Ah, I see the younger ones have started as I predicted." He held out his hand and Timmons slapped the gold pieces he had lost into Ian's open palm. The half-elf chuckled. "Care to wager on the outcome? "

"Well now, I'll go wi' the older ones again; they throw harder. Another two pieces?"

"Done and done. The youngsters make up for it with being faster." For the next few minutes they stood together watching as the newest recruits to the Black Watch went down to ignominious defeat as they wilted beneath a barrage of snowballs. Ian laughed watching some of the older veterans running about acting like young lads and smiled as he paid off the wager. "It was worth the coins. It's been a hard winter for them, fighting mercenaries in the cold."

"Oh, they're a good bunch, my lads. They don't mind the cold, because they know what's at stake if yon Zephyr wins through to Camelot. They saw those children drawn across the river and their blood's up. Give the word. Turn them loose, and they'll make Zephyr and his men wish they'd never heard the word Camelot."

Ian sat down at his desk, shaking his head. "I wish I could, Timmons, but as long as Talor has those children in his clutches we are powerless."

"No word from Tav, still?"

"No." The answer was a bit more terse than he intended, but Ian was himself more than ready to make Talor pay for his crimes. "And no sign of Blackhawke either. Lady Xan was setting off to try another place we had thought to search."

"Lord `Hawke's a tough one, milord. He'll be fine when you or his Lady finally fetch him home."

Blackthorn nodded, then pushed himself up and away from the desk. "I'm tired of sitting. Is that special detail I asked for waiting?"

"Right where you asked them to be by now, I'd say."

"Good. I'll be joining them now." He started for the door "If there's any word from Lady Xan, or if Morninglord makes a ruling on my petition, send a messenger at once."

"Aye, milord."

But Ian Blackthorn had already disappeared down the stairwell and into the bright Winter day.

*********

Later that morning, a few miles south of the river that marked the border between the area held by Talor and the lands of Camelot, a mercenary patrol rounded a stand of trees and spotted a group of Black Watch troops moving quickly away across the snow towards some nearby hills. Bored from days spent slogging through snow with very little action, the mercenaries gave full pursuit, yelling battle cries as they rushed after the retreating figures. As they drew closer, the Black Watch troops called out jeers and insults, some standing still for a tantalizing few seconds before turning to run on.

A few more experienced mercenaries cried warnings; some broke off the pursuit as they shouted at the rest to stop, but the main body ran on. And so a few men were left to return to Zephyr and tell the tale of how over twenty men chased the foe over a snow field, drawing nearly upon them, until suddenly they found themselves all floundering in deeper snow that would not hold their weight. And how, as they fought to free themselves, the Camelot troops seemed to glide effortlessly back towards the mercenaries, and their blades flashed mercilessly until the snows ran red with blood.

When it was over, and all but those who had been wise enough to avoid the trap were dead, Ian Blackthorn sheathed his sword and looked grimly at the elven scouts who had answered his call for volunteers. "Well done, my friends. We may not be able to fool them so again, but that's that much fewer men at Zephyr's back." As the men nodded and moved off, Ian looked at the dead mercenaries.

"Bit by bit, Zephyr, if that's what it takes."

01/2001


Blood Stones XV

"Sir?"

"Hmm?" Ian looked up at the page. He must have been one of the newer ones; Ian didn't recognize the boy at all. "What is it, lad?"

"The commanders you sent for are all gathered and waiting in the library, m'lord." The boy bowed, then fidgeted a bit. "Shall I tell them you are on your way?"

Ian nodded gravely, trying not to smile. The young ones were always so serious and concerned with not looking foolish. "Aye. I shall be there shortly."

The boy bowed and then ran out of the room so quickly Ian hadn't the chance to ask for his name. When the sound of the boy running was interrupted by a distant thump and then a slam as the page bolted out the courtyard door, the half-elf laughed. It was good to see such eager enthusiasm in these halls once more. Some families who had sent their sons and daughters into fosterage and service at Camelot had summoned the younger ones home when Talor had started stealing children. Now, at last, they were beginning to return. The credit for that belonged to Tav. Ian gathered some papers and maps from his desk and set out after the page.

The early Spring sun was bright and warm, so the courtyard, even with the base of cobblestones, was wet and muddy. Timmons sketched a lazy salute at Ian from over by the detail of men clearing the muck and last of the winter debris. Blackthorn nodded back, but kept walking. He'd kept the command staff waiting long enough. He entered the Hall, mindful of Lumiere's stare and scraping his boots on the doorsill before walking across to the library and going inside.

The library of Camelot was one of Ian's favorite places. A large fireplace off to the right was blazing nicely, taking the slight chill out of the room, and the men and women gathered in small groups near it talking. Nearest him, Ian could see Evan and Ascellon comparing notes, and Corwin was in a deep discussion with Morninglord and Alodar at the far end of the room. Skye was with Matt Blair and Charlemagne, while Ashley and Tav listened to whatever the three others were talking about. All of them fell silent as Ian shut the door behind him. "Let's be seated, everyone."

He waited as they all moved to the large table that ran down the center of the library and took seats on either side. Ian himself didn't sit. He set the maps down on the tabletop then leaned on his hands waiting for them to settle. When they had, he began to speak.

"You've all been out there on the lines this winter fighting Zephyr's men. I hope you all realize how proud I am of all of you, and how proud Lord Blackhawke will be as well. It's been a long, hard, cold campaign, and very frustrating, because as long as Talor had those children captive, our hands were tied. Tav's success has changed that." He nodded to Tav, and there were murmurs of congratulations from all directed to the young man. Tav actually blushed. Ian grinned, then continued. "The rules are now changing, my friends. Now we strike back."

"You mean we can now fight Talor with other weapons, then, Ian?" Corwin's smile was wide. It got wider as Ian nodded yes.

"We are. Don't underestimate Talor, though. Just because we've eliminated his source of future blood rubies doesn't mean he is helpless. He quite likely has a supply of them already, and don't forget he was once one of Merlin's pupils. We've not seen all he is capable of yet."

Morninglord exchanged glances with Corwin, then nodded. "So what course of action do you plan on taking, Ian?"

"We attack his wards and defenses. Corwin and you will direct that operation. I've already spoken with the Mage Academy and Whitewinds; they will be at your disposal. Students, journeymen, and Masters will all be part of a constant probing and attack on the spells he's used to hold our troops at bay. The object is to get him to use up as much power as possible, make him deplete any crystals he still may have left if necessary." Ian hated thinking of this. Each crystal had been created by absorbing the lives of victims. The idea that using the crystals up might result in the loss of any chance of reviving the souls within them was already haunting the half-elf. But Talor had to be stopped.

"And the rest of us, milord?" asked Evan.

"The rest of you pick up the pace of the attacks on the mercenaries. Stagger the timing. Keep them guessing, and sleepless." Heads nodded up and down the table. "Keep them off balance, people. And be aware the lizard men will most likely now become more active." He let that sink in, then nodded. "Alright? Any more questions? Check the maps for the latest reported mercenary positions."

"Ian?" Alodar waved to get his attention. "Is there any more word on Lord Blackhawke?"

"None. The only thing I can say for a certainty is that Talor doesn't have him. The success of the decoys proved that. But that is another reason to end this with Talor. Once its done, we can devote all our resources to finding the `Hawke" He looked about at all the grim faces.

"So, let's teach Talor a lesson he'll never forget...
"And then let's go find Lord Blackhawke."

03/2001


Blood Stones XVI

"Gryff! Wake up, Gryfffyd. We're riding!"

Gryff sleepily swatted at whatever fiend of hell had hold of his leg and was trying to yank it off.

"GRYFF!" The voice was probably meant to be low, but was so close to his ear it might as well have been a scream. Gryff sat bolt upright in bed, the move sending his waker sprawling to the floor. Aelfric let out a loud hoot and grabbed hold of his friend's leg, and shortly after the young Welshman was on the floor himself. Before either could right themselves, a pair of boots came into view and halted. Two small sacks landed atop their chests.

"And good morn to you both, ladies. When you are done wrestling about and no doubt whispering sweet nothings to each other, might you join the rest of the squad and get your sorry arses ready to ride?

"Yes, Sergeant."

"Aye, Sergeant"

"Gooood." Timmons purred. "We wouldn't want to keep the Commander waiting, would we?" He stalked off, leaving Gryff and Aelf to struggle to their feet red-faced as their barracks mates laughed. The two newest members of the Black Watch stared at each other.

"Did he just say 'the Commander'?" Gryfff shot to his feet, sending Aelf off to the side and under his cot. "Where's my tunic?"

"Here!" Aelf's hand shot out from under the cot. "You really should hang your clothes up at night, y'know. Keeps the bugs off them, not to mention keeping Timmons from seeing a dusty Watch uniform."

Gryff hopped about on one leg as he pulled on his breeks, then tugged the tunic from Aelf's hand. "Late duty last night. Didn't get in until third hour and I just hit the bed. What time is it, anyway?" He sat down and pulled on a boot.

"Hmm. Nearly dawn, my friend."

Gryff blinked. Two hours sleep; no wonder he had gruel for brains this morning. He sighed, then pulled the other boot on and stood looking down at the edge of the cot. "Well, are you coming or not, Saxon?"

Aelf scrambled out from underneath and tossed his friend one of the sacks. "Breakfast is served, you scurvy Welshman. I'll trade you my cheese for your apple."

"No trade. I like apples."

"Too bad. I made the swap while you were dressing. Come on, we still have to get our mail on and saddle the horses." He scampered off, Gryff in hot pursuit of his apple.

*********

Half an hour later, the two were in the courtyard of Camelot, making final preparations in the grey morning light. Gryff glanced over at his friend. "Now you do remember how to climb into the saddle so you and the horse are facing the same direction, do ye, Aelf?"

A few of the nearby men chuckled. Aelfric's misadventure the first time he had tried to mount up had become legendary in two months and had grown to fantastic proportions as each trooper had embellished it. By now the tale had Aelf and his horse going backwards into the Great Hall and up the stairs to the room of the sleeping Blackthorns. The Saxon grinned good-naturedly and swung up easily into his saddle in answer. A soft mock cheer went up from the squad.

"Quiet, y' idjits! You'll wake Lumiere and we'll get watered down ale from him for the rest of the week." Timmons rode slowly up, along with Lt. Marcus. "The Commander will be down in a moment. There's word a band of Zephyr's men crossed the river a few hours back but they slipped away from our scouts. So we're going to find them and send them back across with their tails clipped for them, aren't we?"

Gryff and Aelf exchanged puzzled looks as a ragged cheer went up. They'd never ridden with Blackthorn as yet, but each had been on patrol with either Marcus or Timmons before. They knew enough now about the Black Watch to realize they never saw all three men ride out on the same patrol. When Timmons rode slowly by, Gryff took a chance and asked the Sergeant if they should expect heavier action than usual. The veteran shook his head.

"Captain's in one of his moods, lads. Those killings are frustrating him and he's wound himself tighter than a knot over them. He needs to work that out of his system or he won't see things straight, so we're taking him along for some merc bashing. And Marcus and I are along to make sure he doesn't go riding across that river and after Talor and Zephyr himself, because if he does, and he should get himself hurt or captured, well, I wouldn't want to be the one to tell his ladywife that. Would you?" He nodded as the youngsters shook their heads.

"You two stay smart. Don't forget what ye've been taught, and don't take stupid chances, got it? Now hoosh up; here comes himself."

Gryff looked over his shoulder as Lord Blackthorn led his huge bay stallion out of the stable. The Commander had to pass by the Welshman and Aelf and as he did he looked at the pair and smiled.

"Why, hello, Aelf. Good to see you again, and on the right end of the horse this time!"

The courtyard rang with laughter, Blackthorn swung into the saddle, and Timmon's shook his head sadly.

"Now you've done it. That woke Lumiere for sure."

Orders were barked out, and before the echo of the laughter had faded, Gryff, Aelf, and their squadmates were out the gate and long the road, following Lord Blackthorn.

04/2001