In Dreams: Red

New Recruits

"Why didn't you wake me?" I hiss at Reggie while rubbing my legs, urging the feeling to return. Reggie merely looks amused.

"Because, as I told the boy, you haven't been sleeping all that well of late. We can't have our Lady falling asleep just as the army invades. Or worse, make a fatal error because of her lack of sleep." It was said sincerely, but a hint of amusement lights up Reggie's eyes.

"And how long have they been here?" I ask, jerking my chin in the direction of the other men.

"Don't worry, they just arrived, right on time. I thought it best for you to do the honors of speaking to them." Reginald replies. If I can ever stand again! I think desperately. Peter returns at that moment with the apple and assorted other food. I thank him profusely, taking the apple from his hands, and ask him to set the other items on the table to my right. Cursing my still tingling legs I throw caution to the wind and push myself upward out of the chair. The tingling increases briefly and painfully. I give myself a few brief seconds for the feeling to fade then make my way to the head of the long table where the men are seated. The first few steps are almost agony, but the feeling quickly returns to my legs. So much for a Lady's grace and impressing the troops. I stop at the table, looking at the single bright red apple, and set it down carefully in front of me before looking up at the men.

"I'm sure you've heard many rumors by now, and probably have many questions. I'll see what I can do to answer those questions-but first I have an urgent request-for each of you-which is why I have asked you to meet me here." I begin "We know that the invading force has many thousands of men. a We are severely outnumbered, so we're going to have to fight a smarter battle to make up for being outmatched in numbers. In lieu of this, my father has asked me to lead a small, specialized team of well-trusted and skilled fighters to provide a certain 'element of surprise' on the battlefield. I'm not going to lie-the chances of us-any of us-making it through this battle are slim, no matter where you are fighting. But what I'm asking you to do is put yourselves in even greater risk out on the very battlefield, rather than fighting from inside these walls. We'll be going on brief excursions through the secret ways out of this castle, to provide brief sneak attacks on the flanks and rear of the invading army. The party will have to be quick, silent and efficient; in and out before the invaders can get their wits about them. I would like you to join with me and be a part of this team. You don't have to join up for this assignment, you are being given a choice, no shame or dishonor shall befall you if you refuse." I pause to let this information sink in. “However you decide, this task must be kept silent. So no word of it is to leave this room." I say this while looking around at the men.

"That includes you, young Peter!" Corwin jokes, to scattered laughter from the men. Peter looks at me solemnly, his eyes huge.

“Yes, it does." I agree. Peter nods slowly and seriously, to more scattered laughter. "On this task, your comrades will be the ones in this room, should they choose to join. As I have stated, I will be leading this group, Reginald, Corwin and Tyrus will also be involved, leadership will fall to them, if for some reason I am unable to command. If you think you can handle that, we welcome your expertise and loyalty." I inform the men gathered around the room. The room is silent for several heartbeats.

“When must we have our answer, My Lady?" Septimio asks.

"I really wish I could give you more time, but I am afraid the army is bearing down on us very quickly. I may be able to give you overnight, at least several hours, but unfortunately, I cannot guarantee more than that. I understand the army is due to arrive sometime in the next day or so. If you need more details to help you decide, we will be happy to answer any questions you have. Reginald is possibly the most knowledgeable about the situation; he has also already mapped out quite a few attack possibilities." I answer. The room is quiet, the men look grim, although few have a more contemplative look. "I will give you some time to think, Reginald and I will remain here and will attempt to assist you if you require any further information." The men in the room bow in unison, with murmured "My Lady's”. I incline my head in response, and they slowly break up and drift throughout the room. I sink with a sigh into the chair at the head of the table and take a large bite out of the apple. As soon as I've cleared my mouth enough, I turn to Reggie, Corwin and Tyrus. "How many do you think?" I question them.

"We'll lose at least one, I should think.- Tyrus responds quickly. "Did you see the way Septimio looked before asking how long he could take to choose his answer? Positively green around the gills!"

"I was afraid of that." I sigh. "What about the others?"

"Well, Ives seems certainly nonplussed, almost like he wasn't all too surprised your request was what the meet was about. Guy must received dozens of these requests. Probably all he gets, come to think of it." Corwin says thoughtfully, then follows it mischievously with "Remind me to ask him to have a drink with me-I want to see if his expression changes." Tyrus grins at this, and I feel a small smile lift the corners of my mouth as well.

"Kornel doesn't look to immediately reject the idea either, and if he joins up, Horace will as well, that's an easy bet." Tyrus states.

“I quite agree, and I have a feeling Ives is about to give us a favorable answer." Reginald suggests as Ives makes his way toward the table.

"My Lady, gentlemen." Ives says coolly. "I have but a few questions before I agree to join your party. Are you quite certain about the numbers coming our direction to attack us?"

"Unfortunately, yes." I respond "And before you ask, I'm also quite certain that it doesn't matter what side of the wall you're on-your chances are going to be slim."

"But-you have a better chance of picking off quite a few of the invaders by joining our group." Reginald breaks in. "Your extraordinary marksmanship in particular will be most useful, as you can well imagine! You would be uniquely qualified to take up a position out of harm's way and pick off targets with ease, while the rest of us are fighting a more hand-to-hand battle. It would be quite an advantage to have you along, and I dare say an interesting experience, if we make it through the invasion."

“It does sound...interesting..." Ives responds, still using the cool tone of voice, but I see a spark of interest in his eyes. "And these exits you spoke of-where might they be?" I take another bite of my apple and chew slowly, watching the proceedings with interest.

"Ah, I would be happy to show you a few of the exits. If you'll kindly look right here, these are some of the known tunnels and secret passages out of the castle, though that's not to say that all of the exits are mapped or known. These tunnels have been scouted extensively," Reginald is pointing at a few locations on the map that I cannot see from my vantage point. “And these are the ones that I think are best here, here and here."

“Yes I see!” Ives says almost excitedly. “This one in particular would be perfect for me-you see how it comes out on a hill, with plenty of trees to hide the exit? Perfect for cover and vantage points, excellent ambush material for an archer!" Ives was pointing out an area on the map, and definitely beginning to sound excited now. I look at Corwin and Tyrus who are currently exchanging an 'I knew it' look, and can't help but grin.

"You're right of course, we can definitely make this location a priority exit. Provided, of course, the invaders humor us by moving themselves into the right position. What do you think about..."

"My Lady?" Reginald and Ives continue chatting in high spirits in the background while I'm interrupted by the next member.

“Yes?" I say, turning to see Kornel standing patiently by my chair. "Horace and I have decided we will join your party." He informs me.

"That is wonderful! Thank you for your service. Ives and Reginald are discussing tactics and exits right now, you're both welcome to sit in on the discussion." I offer.

"Thank you, My Lady." Kornel replies. "I do believe I will, but I'm afraid Horace has made his way back to his family, preferring to spend as much time with them as he can. He asked me to give you his apologies and to inform you that he will be ready for duty when the time comes. He further stated he hopes you understand his reason for choosing to spend what time remains to him with his family."

"That I do Kornel, that I do." I respond.

"I will be happy to inform him of anything I learn here. By your leave, My Lady." Kornel says to me. I incline my head at him to dismiss him and he joins Reginald and Ives. That only leaves Septimio. I wonder if he will indeed reject the offer to join our group. I try to force my attention back to the conversation of the other members of the team around me.

"Well you see this one here, we could easily have a direct assault on our enemies. The only problem is it appears to come up directly out of a vast expanse of flat ground via a trap door." Kornel is saying.

"Which is why I say it would be best utilized after dark." Ives responds. I stand up and wander around the table to see the map better. Quite honestly, it's a mess. I've never been very good at map reading, fair enough to get along, but this one has criss-crossing patterns all over it, attempting to show both above ground and underground tunnels, confusing the eye.

"What is here?" I point to an area where there is a big convergence of crossing paths.

"It appears that the tunnel system converges in this area. Almost all of the tunnels lead back or from this area in one way or another, even if it's just a small branch leading to or from it. Sort of a 'vestibule' of sorts perhaps. Of course we won't know more until we're down there." Reginald replies.

"I propose then, that this is the area we should return to, if we are ever divided. We should plan to return to this place and await the others. If no one shows within a time-limit, which we will have to set later, perhaps as we know how the fighting is to go, then we should leave a message or token behind to show the others we have been there and returned to within the castle walls." I suggest. There is a brief look of surprise on Ives' face, which receives a coughing laugh from Tyrus.

“Hear, hear!" He says to cover it up.

"Yes I quite agree, all those in favor?" Reggie asks, and receives a round of 'ayes' in return.

"Now the question is what kind of token to leave behind." Kornel points out.

"It will have to be something small-but not easily lost, and something we can personalize for each of us." Corwin remarks.

"Like my lucky coin!" Peter pipes up. All eyes tum to him and he blushes a deep scarlet. "It's just, someone carved a "P" in it and when I found it, I begged mother to keep it because it has a 'P' for 'Peter' and I thought that was lucky anyway..." He trails off but the idea has struck a chord with the rest of us.

"That is an excellent idea." I tell Peter enthusiastically. He blushes again. "Does everyone have a coin handy?" I ask-it's more or less a rhetorical question, almost everyone carried a small purse with them at all times. Around the table hands reach and dig for coins in pockets and pouches. I rarely keep money on me, not having much need for it, but on more than one occasion, I had found money tucked into one of the special sewn hidden-pockets in my clothes. I heavily suspected my mother of such atrocities, but had no proof.

“Aha!" I say happily as I pull out a small coin from a hidden pocket. This time, I will happily bless my mother for the atrocity. Around the table I see other coins. I pluck a hidden blade from within my clothes, and scratch a 'Ke' on my coin. I then offer the blade to Kornel, who has apparently had the same thought I have, as he's scratched a 'Ko' on his coin. I grin and start to put the blade away.

"My Lady, if you please, pass that ant killer over here!" Corwin calls to me.

"Ant killer? Hmmph. Only ants such as you!" I reply and abruptly throw the blade at the high-backed chair Corwin is in. It sticks above his head and to the left. He flinches ever so slightly as it smacks home, and Tyrus gets a good laugh from it. Corwin slides forward in his chair and turns to see how close the blade has come. He blanches slightly and begins to pull on it to try to free it. It refuses to budge at first, then suddenly pops free, the wood of the chair creaking in protest. Corwin is thrown off balance and nearly falls out of the chair, which makes Tyrus laugh all the harder. There is a low whistle and I turn to see Ives looks vaguely impressed.

"I knew My Lady was exceptionally skilled, but seeing it in person is quite a different matter entirely." Ives states. I incline my head. Corwin is busily scratching a large 'C' on his coin, keeping his head down, as if ashamed. Or at least that's what I thought until he looks upward with a big grin on his face.

"I do believe she tried to kill me lads!" He smiles. “But my luck has held-she missed!" Tyrus punches him and takes the blade.

"You dolt-you're going to make her want to murder you, if you don't stop pressing your luck." Tyrus jokingly admonishes, carving a large 'T' on his coin and then leans forward to pass the blade to Reginald, across the table.

"My Lady." Septimio now stands before me, looking quite nervous. "My Lady, I..." He pauses, worriedly turning a book over and over in his hands. He takes a breath and then stammers "My Lady, regrettably, I do not think I am going to join your ambush party... It's just, my family, My Lady. I can't imagine my daughters growing up without their father." Septimio looks almost ashamed.

"That is perfectly all right, Septimio. No dishonor will befall you, as I said, this was a decision I wanted each of you to make of your own free will. I recognize how dangerous it is, and it's not meant for everyone." I reply, but Septimio doesn't look convinced. "Truly, Septimio. I am being perfectly sincere. If I were in your position, I would choose exactly the same, without a second thought. Please, go in peace and give your lovely daughters a kiss for us both. You have chosen well." I confide to him. He still looks a bit skeptical, but takes the dismissal, laying the book down on the table beside me. He takes a quick bow before exiting the library. I notice the book he has left behind is a collection of fairy tales. There is a wolf on the cover.