‘Our strength must be to achieve maximum efficiency with total economy of effort. Withdrawals must be meticulously timed. Every officer must be not only aware but totally sure of his role.’
‘And we must,’ said Arbedark, ‘develop an aggressive attitude to defence. We have seen ourselves that Ulric is stripping whole forests in order to build his ballistae and siege towers. We must have inflammables, also containers for them.’
For over an hour, as the dawn breasted the eastern horizon, the leaders set about their plans: eliminating some ideas, refining and expanding others.
Finally Serbitar called on them to join hands. Arbedark, Menahem and Vintar relaxed their control, drifting down into the darkness, as Serbitar drew their power to him.
‘Druss! Druss!’ he pulsed, his mind soaring across the ocean, past Dros Purdol, the port fortress, on along the Delnoch range past the Sathuli settlements, over the vast Sentran plain – faster and faster he flew.
Druss awoke with a start, blue eyes scanning the room, nostrils flared to scent danger in the air. He
shook his head. Someone was saying his name, but there was no sound. Swiftly he made the sign of the Claw over his heart. Still someone called him.
Cold sweat appeared on his brow.
He reached across the bed, snatching Snaga from the chair by the wall.
‘Listen to me, Druss,’ pleaded the voice.
‘Get out of my head, you whore-son!’ bellowed the old man, rolling from the bed.
‘I am of The Thirty. We are travelling to Dros Delnoch to aid you. Listen to me!’
‘Get out of my head!’
Serbitar had no choice, for the pain was incredible. He released the old warrior and returned to the ship.
Druss staggered to his feet, fell and rose again. The door opened and Calvar Syn moved swiftly to him.
‘I told you not to get up before noon,’ he snapped.
‘Voices,’ said Druss. ‘Voices . . . Inside my head!’
‘Lie down. Now listen. You are the Captain and you expect men to obey you. That’s what discipline is about. I am the Surgeon and I expect to be obeyed by my patients. Now tell me about the voices.’
Druss laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes. His head ached abominably and his stomach was still queasy. ‘There was only one voice. It said my name. Then it said it was from The Thirty and that they were coming to aid us.’
‘Is that all?’
‘Yes. What is happening to me, Calvar? I’ve never had this before from a blow on the head.’
‘It could be the blow; concussion can cause some very strange effects – including seeing visions and hearing voices. But they rarely last. Take my advice, Druss. The worst thing you can do at the moment is get over-excited. You could black out . . . or worse. Blows to the head can be fatal, even after a period of several days. I want you to rest and relax, and if the voice comes again listen to it – even reply to it. But do not become alarmed. Understand?’
‘Of course I understand,’ said Druss. ‘I don’t normally panic, doctor, but some things I do not like.’
‘I know that, Druss. Do you need something to help you sleep now?’
‘No. Wake me at noon. I have to judge a contest of swordsmanship. And don’t fret,’ he said, seeing the gleam of annoyance in the surgeon’s one good eye, ‘I shall not get excited, and I will come straight back to bed afterwards.’
Outside the room, Hogun and Orrin waited. Calvar Syn joined them, signalled for silence and beckoned them to a nearby office.
‘I’m not happy,’ he told them. ‘He’s hearing voices, and believe me, that is not a good sign. But he’s strong as a bull.’
‘Is he in any danger?’ asked Hogun.
‘It’s hard to say. This morning I didn’t think so. But he has been under a lot of strain recently and that may not help his condition. And, although it is easy to forget, he is no longer a young man.’
‘What about the voices?’ said Orrin. ‘Could he go mad?’
‘I think I would bet against that,’ replied Calvar. ‘He said it was a message from The Thirty. Earl Delnar told me he had sent Virae to them with a message and it could be that they have a Speaker among them. Or it could be someone of Ulric’s; he also has Speakers among his shaman. I have told Druss to relax and listen to any future voices, and report them to me.’