Haven Keep (Book 1) (57 page)

A roar of laughter came from within the walls.  Von could not tell how many voices there were, but most of them yelled insults or something obscene.

One voice rose above the rest.  “Oh we were told of you little man.  The young lordling with nothing left to rule.”  The laughter began again.  “The Halfen have not threatened, they have promised gold and when Baiden is gone we will rule under Ky.  It is better to live safe within these walls than to die with you fools on the fields of Azmark.  Go away before we send out our men to spank you.”  More laughter erupted from within.

“Send them and you will see who does what to whom.”  Von felt a gentle hand on his sword arm.  It was Kaiden.

“We do not have time for this.”

Von turned to him.  “You are right.  We must reach Azmark.”

They left Pontry faster than they left Sonder.  This time no one came out to join them.  There would be no mercy for Pontry.

They rode hard.  If the siege was already begun they may be too late.  Azmark had to
stand.  It had to. 

Darkness soon replaced twilight and the traveling became much slower.  Von listened for the wind, but none came.  Surely the vyr were left behind in the mountains.  Still, he watched the shadows just in case.  He noticed Kaiden and Yaris doing the same.  Soren only watched the forest ahead.  Von was glad Soren was with them.  He would warn them if the vyr were out there.  Somehow he’d known before.

About half the men from the farms they passed joined them.  Some men ranged further out, gathering in farmers and homesteaders that were not along their direct path.  In that way their numbers tripled from what they possessed at the gates of Pontry.  Nearly three hundred men.  If the men from Sonder and Pontry had joined them, they would have over six hundred.  No matter, they would fight with what they had.  It would be enough.  Somehow. 

It was a peculiar procession that wound through the forest.  Three hundred men with mismatched horses and armor, following a silvery sleigh by moonlight, riding as swiftly as they could to reach Azmark.  The men wore grim faces.  They knew some of their number would not return, yet they marched onward anyway.  Determination shone in their eyes.  Von wondered what his own eyes gave away.

They would be weary when they reached Azmark, but it was worth it if they could arrive in time to help.   Baiden needed all the men he could muster to fight against the overwhelming numbers the Halfen were said to possess.

The night wore on and  farms became more frequent, but were mostly deserted.  Those that were not empty were populated with only women and children.  The women informed Kaiden the men had gone to join the fighting.  Von smiled at the news.  Not everyone was disloyal.  He knew most of the men of the north were made of harder stuff than those of Sonder or Pontry.  Baiden and the citizens of Azmark had not been left alone to fight after all.  The Halfen would learn their folly.  They would not leave these lands victorious.  They had picked a fight that would end in their undoing.

I will see to that myself
, Von thought, stroking the blade of his sword.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Flenn could not afford Halfen forces believing this night was different from any other.  He needed the raids on the Halfen camp to continue.   The question now was how hard do you hit them?

Kole relayed to Flenn the raids so far were successful, with few losses on the Kailfen side.  The raids were not major victories, mostly consisted of burning a few tents and stealing supplies.  Kole and his men occasionally managed to make off with a few horses, but every night the guards continued to become stronger, or at least more numerous.  It was increasingly difficult to get in and get out without any casualties.  After weighing the facts and discussing their options with Oded, Tostig, and Kole, Flenn finally decided on a few small raids.  They would pepper the guards with arrows, try to steal a few horses, or at least drive the mounts off into the night.  There would only be small strategic attacks, anything to make the Halfen confident this night was no different from the last.  Nothing large enough to give away the actual number of men that followed Flenn.

For now, Flenn waited.  Waited in the dark, hidden in the trees of the sparse forest surrounding Azmark.  This close to Azmark the forest was not thick, the lumber having been harvested for buildings, ships, and fuel.  Replanting was done in hopes to keep the forest closer to the city.  If the trees were cut back too far it would just mean the wood cutters would have to travel further to harvest the lumber.  Even so it took a long time with these harsh winters to grow anything useful.  Flenn was just glad there were still trees to hide in.

About fifty men accompanied Flenn.  Oded advised they split apart until the next day.  Easier to avoid detection that way.  Flenn saw the wisdom in it.  He wasn’t even aware of the location of the rest of his men, only where they were to meet.  The only person who knew what part of the forest Flenn was in hiding was Tostig.

Tostig was to report to Flenn the results the raids this night.  Flenn wanted to participate, but Oded advised he should not risk himself, arguing his men needed their leader safe.  Flenn couldn’t come up with a way to contend with such logic, but that didn’t mean he liked it.

Flenn passed the quiet night hours reviewing the plan in his mind, thinking about its risks and the chances of it actually working.  Success all depended on how the Halfen behaved the next morning.  Flenn remembered his conversation with Kole earlier that day.

“How hard do the Halfen press the gates?”  Flenn had asked.

“They have attacked three times,” Kole replied.  “The first time at sunrise.  They do not seem to be trying to break through.  They throw ladders up and there usually is a little fighting at the walls, but it appears they are feeling Baiden out.  I think they are trying to get an idea of what Azmark’s defenses are and how hard they would need to push to break through”

“So they haven’t really tried to break the gates yet?” 

Kole’s lips pursed. “I don’t believe so.  They would have gone at the walls harder, used a better battering ram.  I think they are waiting for their main force to arrive.”

Flenn thought he understood.  Fighting within the walls of Azmark would be bloody.  With the arrival of such a large amount of additional reinforcements under a week away they could crush any resistance after they broke through the gates. “So this bunch is just here to pin Baiden inside.”  It was not a question, but Kole seemed to take it for one.

“I believe so.”

“Yet they still attack every few hours?”  That was something Flenn did not understand.  The siege would work just as well if they camped out and waited. 
Why risk lives needlessly, especially if you were not really trying to break through?

“The siege has only gone on for a little over a day, so I do not know if it is something they will do again, but yes, this morning they attacked at first light.”

“Can we count on them to do it again?  That is the question.”

“Maybe we can force them to,” Kole said.

“I don’t understand.  I do not see a way we could do that.”

“Well,” Kole began, “their camp is spread out.”  He drew in the dirt.  “They are here, here and here.  I have some men who can take care of the guards, or Tostig can.  He seems resourceful.  Like I said, they are spread out, probably to prevent anyone from getting in or out of Azmark.  If we hit them hard here,” he indicated one of the main encampments that was drawn out over a wide area, “we could do some real damage before the rest of them know we are even there.”

“And seriously hamper their ability to lay a proper siege.”  Flenn could see what Kole was getting at.  “With a threat from the outside they would need to press the gates hard.  Try for an all out victory or loose their advantage.”

“Exactly.”

“But what if it has the opposite effect?  What if they decide not to attack as they have in the past.  Then we loose
our
advantage not to mention the element of surprise.  They will know we are here and may not risk an assault.”

“It is a gamble, but I do not see any other way to ensure they attack Azmark.”

“It is a good plan.  Not without its flaws, but still a good plan.  I think if they do not act as they did yesterday, we will need to put it into play.  We can wait one more day.  Their main army is still nearly a week from reaching here.  We have at least that long.  We just need to make sure we remain hidden for that much longer.”  Flenn hoped they had that long. 
What if the reports were wrong?  What if the rest of the Halfen arrived sooner?
Too many questions he did not have the answers to.  Oded and Tostig were much better at this.  They should be in charge and the arguments of foreign leaders reducing moral be hanged.  “I will talk with Oded and see what he thinks.  Maybe he has an better idea.”

“No matter,” Kole said.  He did not sound disappointed at all. “Either plan has a chance for success.”  He offered his hand to Flenn.  “We will fight together and win.”  He turned to leave.

“I will send word if anything changes,” Flenn said.  He needed time to prepare his men, get them into position.  It would be a long night of waiting and a longer day if things didn’t go well.

In the end Flenn made up his mind before finding Oded.  They would not risk the first plan if they did not have to.  That decision was what led him to this place, in the middle of the night, waiting.  Left with his thoughts as the freezing dark hours slowly passed.  He was anxious for morning to come, but more anxious to hear from Tostig.

He heard a few shouts and screams in the distance.  It lasted only moments, then died down.  Then there was more shouting.  Tostig must have started his little raiding party.   Flenn wished he was with him, instead of stewing in the dark, hiding behind the cover of the evergreens, damp and cold.  He wondered how Tostig was doing.

*
                                          *                                          *

The line of horses was not well guarded.  If this counted as an increased guard, whatever the Halfen put in place before must have been laughable. Tostig crept closer to the horse line.  This was too easy.  He’d spent a lifetime hiding and fighting, learning the tactics of hit and run warfare.  These guards did not even watch the night.  Oh, they probably thought they were being vigilant, but Tostig was sure he could have ridden up unseen.  He hoped they fought as sloppy as they organized their camp.

The tents were set up haphazardly, with no order, no regulation. Trees divided the encampment, ensuring reinforcements would be slow to arrive if this end of the camp was hit.  Tostig knew if he attacked the camp it would result in chaos.  Maybe they should have put Kole’s plan into effect.  The horses were not even tied off properly.  Any child could come steal the whole lot of them.  The guards were even worse, marching back and forth talking to each other, laughing.  Even if Tostig could not see them their voices gave away their position.  Their overconfidence could get them killed and tonight it probably was going to.

Tostig crept forward, caring little about being seen.  He knew he wouldn’t be.  The horse on the end eyed him as he approached.  Tostig reached up and rubbed its  nose soothingly.  The horse liked the attention.  Tostig smiled to himself when he realized what he was going to do.  These Halfen were so blind if they were left to themselves they probably wouldn’t even notice till morning, but he would make sure they did notice.  He reached up and cut the rope line with his blade, then cut it again, giving himself a good long length of rope.  He cut two more lengths the same size, tied the ropes around the first three horses and led them off into the night.  He was right.  The guards never even blinked.

Morten’s job was to take care of the other end of the line.  Many people did not care much for Morten’s personality, but Tostig liked him.  He counted the man a good friend.  No matter what others thought of his demeanor, they had to respect Morten’s abilities.  Tostig knew he could trust Morten with anything.  He couldn’t think of anyone besides his father he would rather have fighting along side him.

Tostig reached his men without any incident.  They lowered their bows when they saw
him.  They didn’t expect the horses, Tostig was just suppose to cut the line.  They all grinned, sharing a silent joke.  Now they waited for Morten.

Morten appeared out of the shadows, flipping his dagger casually.  He strolled confidently, not the least bit worried about being seen.  Morten’s impression of the Halfen was apparently the same as Tostig’s.  This would be too easy.

Morten saw the horses Tostig brought back and shook his head, laughing under his breath.  He knew Tostig stole the horses, just to prove he could.

“Okay,” Tostig whispered.  “We ready?” .

Everyone nodded.

Tostig retrieved the flint and steel from his belt pouch.  A few strikes onto some tinder produced a modest flame.  The men touched their arrow heads to the small fire.  The tar gum on the tips caught flame instantly. Tostig lit a torch instead of an arrow. He crushed the little fire out with his boot.

Tostig’s men drew back their bows and loosed into the Halfen camp.  Tostig threw his torch at the horse line.