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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
soldiers, and perhaps even keep the statues, trees, and such between us and them,
it ll be easier to make a break for the steps leading up to the Fortress.
We need to have a pre-determined arrangement, and hand out
assignments to everyone, Mari added. Every one of our soldiers should know
his or her position and job. We ll need fighters to clear the way forward toward
the steps, and fighters to protect the rear and flanks as we move. She pointed to
the map and moved her finger while speaking, as if drawing the plan visibly.
Perhaps a triangle shape, the point moving forward, with a little give in
the rear so that any opponents who stay with us to the steps can be lured in,
surrounded, and nullified? Bale supplied with a shrug.
And then we could leave some of our own to defend the steps, David
said, pointing as well.
Gwen considered all of this, picturing the arrangement as she regarded
the map. Most of it sounds about right. But I don t think leaving anyone at the
bottom of the steps would work too well. Even if we left over half of our force,
or our entire force, they would be overwhelmed quickly. Perhaps the handful of
Specters alone would decimate them.
But if we left some, it might give the primary force the edge needed to
get into the Fortress and take control, he urged. It would be a worthy sacrifice.
I myself would lead that rear guard.
David, no& Mari broke in, hugging his arm close.
No, Gwen insisted. We re not leaving anyone behind. I can t ask you
or anyone to do that. It would defeat the purpose. I know we ll suffer losses, but I
think our best bet is to get as many of us into the Fortress as possible. Controlling
the Heart is the key.
She eyed each of them in turn to be sure of their cooperation. Mari, Nata,
and Bale nodded, and David merely smiled and shrugged. You re the boss.
Was she? She had not thought to set herself up as leader of the rebellion
effort, but it did seem she was doing things her way and others were generally
217
B.A.McFadden
H"
following. Of course, she had always done things her way. I could not do any of
this without all of you, she felt the need to say. I have to admit that this is my
first major uprising.
The others laughed briefly, glad to release a little tension. As
professionally and calmly as they were discussing the upcoming event, no one
was easy about it, and if the truth were to be told, they were likely all scared out
of their wits. Well, what other details do we need to cover before we meet with
the other leaders today?
Weapons, Bale spoke up immediately. The fact of a rebellion is no
secret, and with that in mind, I don t believe the mages will be wanting the
audience full of soldiers to arrive in the square fully armed.
Gwen raised an eyebrow. She had grown so accustomed to wearing her
sword just about everywhere that she had not considered this point. That could
be a problem. What can we do about it?
The mages may request that we not bring weapons, but they can hardly
search every soldier, David answered. If we were to strap our swords to our
backs, perhaps under cloaks&
It s the middle of summer! Mari exclaimed, shoving him playfully. It
would look very suspicious for one thing. And I am not wearing a cloak in
addition to my armor! We would all collapse from the heat before we could
fight!
Okay, okay, David said, shielding himself from her with his arms and
laughing. It was a bad idea.
There was silence as they all sat and attempted to come up with a way to
get past the possible problem. There was a concerted furrowing of brows and
frowning.
Could we perhaps hide weapons in the flowerbeds and in other places
throughout the square? Nata proposed.
There s no way we could hide enough in the time we have without
being seen, Gwen said, shaking her head after a moment s consideration. She
thought for another moment, and then shook her head again. I don t know. But
if they ask us to, and we wear them anyway, it would certainly look suspicious,
and we d be lucky if they did not send us to the Complex on the spot.
Why don t we just see what I can determine about the matter, David
said. Maybe they will not even go to the trouble. The mages are known for
being overconfident. I mean, if they have not taken action against us so far,
knowing of the plans of rebellion&
True, Gwen agreed, stretching with a grunt. She stood from her
hunched position on the stone bench and winced as the feeling began to return to
her posterior and the backs of her thighs. Well, one more meeting with the
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The Death of Santa Claus
H"
leaders. We can see what they have to add, and we can determine what the
assignments will be. Tomorrow we can give out the assignments to everyone,
make sure everyone knows what to do. The next day will be it, one way or the
other. Everyone ready for it?
The question received only half-hearted agreement as the others stood
and stretched as well.
Me neither, Gwen replied, smiling.
They all laughed again, but she wondered if they shared her looming
premonition that the rebellion was doomed to failure.
*
The meeting with the leaders was not as smooth as everyone would have
liked, and Gwen was made aware of more potential snags in the operation than
she cared to know, but everything was generally ironed out the best it could be.
The group of them came up with solutions to what problems could be helped or
alleviated, and as for the rest, Gwen said a version of the serenity prayer to
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