The council met again the next morning to make final the plans, and much yet needed deciding, but at last in early afternoon their war plan was finally set.

Ruar looked 'round the circle. "Is there aught else to do?"

"Just this," said Tain smugly, "and that is to choose an emissary to accompany Lord Bekki to his DelfLord and represent all of us."

"What?" exploded Bekki, glaring at Tain. "You must be a fool to think I would take anyone, much less a Daelsman, through the secret way."

Tain smiled disdainfully. "But someone must go and represent Prince Loden, Coron Ruar, and Chieftain Gara."

"I need no representative," rumbled Gara.

"Nor I," said Ruar.

Again Tain smiled. "Then that leaves-"

Loden started to shake his head, but Bekki said, "I will take Tipperton Thistledown." Tipperton's mouth fell open as Bekki went on. "He is neither man, Baeron, nor Elf, and so can represent all the Lords and Ladies here."

Bwen guffawed and exclaimed, "Well done, Bekki. Well done."

"A Waldan?" protested Tain, turning to Loden. "My Prince, this is unreasonable-"

Loden threw up a hand to stop Tain's words. "Bekki is right, my Lord Counsellor. The Waldan is the best choice of all. It is his plan we follow, and he can explain it well. Too, he has no advantage to gain as would someone of Dael."

Loden looked 'round and received nods from Ruar, Gara, and Loric and Phais, and even a nod from Beau.

And so it was decided: Tipperton Thistledown would go with Bekki and speak for all Dylvana, Baeron, Daelsmen, Lian, and Warrows… as well as explain the plan.

As twilight settled over the plateau, Tip finished packing that which he would take with him.

"Well, Beau, it seems I'm ready. I'd feel a bit better though if you'd but take the coin."

Beau shook his head. "Look, bucco, you know how I feel about that. Besides, the coin is likely to be safer with you than with me. I mean, you'll be in a fortified mineholt, whereas I'll be out there in front."

"Yes, I know. And I'm worried about you."

"Well don't be. And I won't worry about you in return. All right?"

"All right," replied Tip, "though I won't take an oath on it."

Beau laughed and said, "Neither will I."

Tip strapped his quiver of arrows to his thigh and slung on his pack and took up his bow. He hesitated a moment and looked at his small lute packed in velvet in a leather bag, then caught it up as well, saying, "After all, Jaith said this lute should go wherever goes this bard."

Beau grinned and helped him fix it to his back, and then they walked toward the place where the council had met.

As they strolled for the circle, Vail stopped Tipperton long enough to embrace him. "Take care, my small friend," she said, then turned away, her hands brushing her cheeks.

"I will, Lady Vail," replied Tip. "And you take care as well."

Sighing, Tip watched her stride away, then turned to Beau. "Let's go."

At the council circle they found waiting Bekki, Loric, Phais, Gara, Loden, and Ruar. Phais knelt and kissed Tip on the cheek and said, "In a twoday we ride, in a threeday we cast our lot 'gainst the foe. May Fortune turn Her smiling face upon us all. Till we meet again, keep safe, my small friend, for thou hast yet a mission to fulfill beyond."

"You keep safe as well, Lady Phais," replied the buccan.

Now Loric embraced the Waerling. "We shall see thee in the days after."

Tip nodded to Ruar and Loden and Gara, and then embraced Beau. "Take care, bucco."

"Keep well, Tip," replied Beau, returning the hug, "and remember, as Lady Phais has said, you've a coin to deliver."

Bekki cleared his throat, and Tip turned to the Dwarf. Bekki glanced at the sky. "It is time, Waeran."

Tip drew in a deep breath and then said, "All right. I'm ready."

They set off up the beringing slopes on a northeasterly tack, and just as they reached the crest of a low ridge, someone called out, "Good luck, Waldan! Good luck, Dwarf! May Fyrra amble at your side."

Tip turned to see Bwen waving, and beyond, Vail and Brandt and Durul and a host of others watching, even Counsellor Tain. And Tip held high his Elven bow, and those below held high clenched fists in response. And then Tipperton looked down to the council circle, where Beau stood waving. Tip waved back and then turned to follow Bekki over the ridge and down, the buccan wondering if a mere three days from now he would survive what was coming. Would he be alive to see any of these folks again, and if so, how many of them would yet live?

Chapter 35

B'eau waved as Tipperton held high his Elven bow and then waved back to him. Then Tip turned and disappeared beyond the ridge, and Beau wondered if he would ever see his friend alive again… or if he himself would live beyond the next three days.

Phais stepped to the Waerling. "Come, Beau, let us see if we can find aught worthwhile to eat." And together with Loric they set out toward the mess wagons, where perhaps some meal better than jerky and crue and plain water could be had… mayhap a green apple or two.

The following day Beau spent time with Melor, surveying the medicks in one of the hospital wains, making certain they knew all that was there. Too, they assessed those in Beau's bag and added a few for treating wounds in the field.

And when that was done, Beau walked along the base of the cliffs, and at every stream he searched out round pebbles to add to his slingstone supply, for even though they were not lead shot nor steel, still they would do in a pinch.

And he practiced slinging at targets, and in this he was not alone, for many an archer practiced at targets as well.

And Daelsmen and Baeron and Dylvana and Lian drilled with swords and long-knives and lances and spears, and maces and flails and morning stars and hammers.

And horses were groomed, tack checked, for it would not do to have a rein or cinch or other strap give way at a critical time.

And they bundled campfire wood, kindling and billets to take with them.

And in these two days scouts came and went, and the plateau was alive with activity… until in early afternoon of the second day, when at last it was time for the first wave to go.

And with no wagons among them, the Daelsmen set out.

After they were gone, Beau fidgeted and paced for eight candlemarks and it seemed as if the signal would never come. But finally a trumpet sounded, and Beau mounted his pony and along with the Dylvana he set out in the second wave.

And the Baeron stood and watched them go.

Down from the plateau they rode and out through the narrow pass, and in the lead of the cavalcade rode Ruar and Phais and Loric, all others coming after, with Beau and Melor far back among the ranks riding to war.

East they turned for Mineholt North, the gape of the valley lying but a mere two leagues away. Wending among rolling hills and crossing stretches of plains they rode, scouts to the fore and showing the way.

And Tipperton was not among these scouts, for 'twas other duties he filled.

Two miles they rode and then another, and 'round a mountainous flank, and in the distance ahead stood the wide mouth of the vale. And Beau's heart hammered to see its yawning gape.

Will it but chew us up and spit us out?

He did not know.

Within four candlemarks they had crossed the remaining league and turned northwestward into the gap. And from the slopes ahead there sounded a distant blat of a Rflptish horn, yet what it signified…

" 'Tis an alert from the Spaunen sentries," said Melor. "They have seen us."

"Oh, my," said Beau, but no more.

On they rode and on, up rising slopes and down, riding through swales and over crests across the valley floor.

And from the fore they could hear a growing noise, as of a thousand voices or more yawling wordlessly.