Then the wizard Binnesman appeared on Raj Ahten’s own horse, racing down from the wooded hills to the west, to put himself between the Wolf Lord’s army and the castle.

44

THE WIZARD BINNESMAN

King Orden pulled his golden shield up to his chest. He’d brought it as a gift to Sylvarresta, to celebrate their children’s betrothal. The ward on the shield was to have protected Castle Sylvarresta. Now it had saved Longmot.

But the shield had become worthless, save as a target for arrows, drained of all its water spells.

Silently, Orden cursed himself. When he’d seen Raj Ahten fall from the arrow, he’d hesitated. He could have gone then, rushed down to attack the Wolf Lord and lopped off his head. Instead, he’d let his hopes soar, had thought for one breathtaking moment that the Wolf Lord would succumb from the poison. Then the opportunity to strike was gone.

Now this.

Orden studied the herbalist as he rode across the green grass on a great force horse, felt bemused. Earth Wardens seldom meddled in the affairs of men. But this one, it appeared, was fool enough to try to stop a war.

Though Orden had not seen Binnesman in a year, the old wizard had changed much. He wore robes in the colors of autumn forest—scarlets with bits of tan and gold. His brown hair had turned the color of ice. But his back was unbowed. He looked older, yet vigorous.

On the battlefield before him stood Raj Ahten’s Invincibles, archers by the thousands, giants in armor, and mastiffs with leather helms and fierce collars.

Binnesman rode his mount before the castle gates.

Orden felt strange, expectant, filled with vast reserves of energy. Twenty-one warriors hid in various cellars, closets, and rooms throughout Castle Longmot. Each man, bearing arms and armor, was curled in a ball, waiting for the moment when Orden would draw upon their metabolism. Orden could feel their energy course through him. His blood seemed to burn, as if he were a pot ready to boil.

Across the battlefield, Raj Ahten’s men stood under the trees, bristling at the way the battle had gone. Raj Ahten strode toward Binnesman, his motions almost a blur.

“Raj Ahten,” the old wizard grumbled, straightening his back to gaze at the Wolf Lord from beneath bushy brows, “why do you insist on attacking these people?”

Raj Ahten answered calmly, “It is no concern to you, Earth Warden.”

Binnesman said, “Oh, but it is my concern. I’ve spent the night riding through the Dunnwood; listening to the talk of trees and birds. Do you know what I’ve learned? I have news that pertains to you.”

Raj Ahten had moved forward a hundred yards—still out of easy bowshot, yet once again he stood before his army.