Ann leaned back in her straight-backed chair and chewed a slice of pear as she waited. Since her journey book was twinned with the one Verna had, anything written in one appeared at the same time in the other. It was one of the few ancient items of magic left from the Palace of the Prophets.
Verna’s words again began moving across the blank page. Our scouts and trackers report that Jagang has begun his move. Because he has not been able to break through the passes, the emperor has split his forces and is taking an army south. General Meiffert had been fearing that he would do something like this.
It’s not hard to guess his strategy. Jagang undoubtedly plans to take a large force of his troops down through the Kern Valley and then south around the mountains. Once he finally is clear of all the barriers he will swing around into the southern reaches of D’Hara and then head north.
This is the worst possible news for us. We can’t abandon the protection of the passes, not while part of his army lies in wait on the other side. And yet, we cannot allow Jagang’s forces to sweep up on us from the south. General Meiffert says we will have to leave sufficient forces here to guard the passes while the bulk of our army heads south to meet the invaders.
We have no choice. With half of Jagang’s force to the north, on the other side of the passes, and half heading down to go around the mountains and come up from the south, that leaves the People’s Palace right in the middle. Jagang is no doubt licking his chops over such a prospect.
Ann, I’m afraid I don’t have much time. The entire camp is in an uproar. We only just learned the news that Jagang has split his army and we are rushing to strike camp and start south.
I must also divide up the Sisters. So many have been lost that there are not many left to divide. At times I feel as if we are in a contest with Jagang to see who will be the last one with a Sister left. I fear what will happen to all these good people if none of us survive. If not for that, I would be satisfied to leave this world behind and join Warren in the spirit world.
General Meiffert says that we can’t spare a moment and must be on our way at first light. I will be up the entire night with the arrangements, seeing to it that we have sufficient men and Sisters here to defend each of the passes, and inspecting the shields to make sure they are sound. If the Order’s northern army were to break through up here, it would be a much quicker death for us.
Unless you have something important that must be discussed right now, I’m afraid that I must go.
Ann covered her mouth with a hand as she read. The news certainly was disheartening. She wrote an immediate reply, so as not to inconvenience Verna.
No, my dear, nothing important just now. You know that you are in my heart always.
A message came back almost immediately.
The passes are narrow so we have been successful at defending them. The Imperial Order can’t use their overwhelming power in such narrow places. I feel confident the passes will hold. Since Jagang is stymied by not having been able to cross the mountains, this buys us time while he is forced to take an army all the way south and then back up into D’Hara, now that he has the weather to his advantage. Since this is the greatest danger and threat, I will be heading south with the army.
Pray for us. We will eventually be forced to meet Jagang’s horde in the open plains where he has the room to throw the full weight of his forces against us. I am afraid that, unless something changes, we will have no chance to survive such a battle.
I can only hope that Richard fulfills prophecy before we are all dead.
Ann swallowed before answering. Verna, you have my word that I will do what I must to see to it. Know that Nathan and I will be dedicated to the task of seeing prophecy fulfilled. Perhaps no one but you would truly understand that this is what I have devoted myself to for over half a millennium. I will not abandon my cause; I will do whatever I can to see that Richard does what only he can. May the Creator be with you and all our brave defenders. You will all be in my prayers every day. Have faith in the Creator, Verna. You are prelate, now. Give that faith to all of those with you.
In a moment, a message began appearing. Thank you, Ann. I will check my journey book every night as we travel to see if you have any news of Richard. I miss you. I hope we can be together again in this life.
Ann carefully wrote her last reply.
Me too, child. Fair journey.
Ann leaned on her elbows and rubbed her temples. This was not good news, but it was not all bad. Jagang had wanted to break through the passes and end it swiftly, but the passes held and he had finally been forced to split his army and begin a long, grueling march. She tried to look at the bright side. They still had time. There were any number of things they could still try. They would think of something. Richard would think of something. Prophecy had promised that he held within him the chance for their salvation.
She couldn’t allow herself to believe that evil would darken the world.
A knock on the door made her jump. She pressed her hand over her racing heart. Her Han hadn’t warned her that someone was about.
“Yes?”
“Ann, it’s me, Jennsen,” came the muffled voice from the other side of the door.
Ann replaced the stylus and tucked the journey book in her belt as she slid her chair back. She smoothed her skirts and took a deep breath to try to slow her heart back to normal.
“Come in, dear,” she said as she opened the door, smiling at Richard’s sister. “Thank you for the plate of food.” She held an arm back toward the table. “Would you like to share it with me?”
Jennsen shook her head. “No, thank you.” Her face, framed by red ringlets, was a picture of concern. “Ann, Nathan sent me. He wants you. He was quite urgent about it. You know how Nathan gets. You know how his eyes get all big and round when he’s excited about something.”
“Yes,” Ann drawled, “he does tend to get that way when he’s digging up mischief.”
Jennsen blinked, looking a little startled. “I fear you may be right. He told me in no uncertain terms to come get you and bring you there
straightaway.”
“Nathan always expects people to squeak when he pinches.” Ann gestured for the young woman to lead the way. “I guess I’d best see to it. Where is the prophet, then?”
Jennsen held her lantern up to light her way as she started out of the little room. “He’s at a graveyard.”
Ann caught the sleeve of Jennsen’s dress. “A graveyard? And he wants me to come to this graveyard?” Jennsen looked back over her shoulder and nodded. “What is he doing in a graveyard?”
Jennsen swallowed. “When I asked him that, he said he was digging up the dead.”
Chapter 10
In a broad weeping willow growing on the grassy slope leading down to the graveyard, a mockingbird was spending its night repeating a variety of strident calls meant to defend its territory against interlopers. Ordinarily, a mockingbird’s calls, although intended as threats to others of its kind, to Ann’s ear could be quite lovely, but in the dead-still quiet of night, such piercing whistles, chatters, and whoops were jarring to her nerves. She could hear another mockingbird in the distance making similar threats. Even the birds couldn’t achieve peace.
Plowing through the long, wild grasses, Jennsen pointed as she held the lantern up with her other hand so that Ann could see her way. “Tom said that we would find him down there.”
Sweating from the long hike, Ann peered down into the darkness. She couldn’t imagine what the prophet was up to. In all the time that she had known the man he had never done such a strange thing. He had done any number of strange things, to be sure, but this just wasn’t one of them. As old as he was, one would think that he would want to avoid spending time in a graveyard any sooner than he had to.