Rise of the Darekian's, The (22 page)

Luken listened, as he could see s
oldiers in the camp lining up and preparing for any upcoming battle. He hoped they could hold the bridge, if that was to fall the city was their last and final hope. There would be nowhere else to retreat to, nowhere else to run and no one else to come and save them. Fail here and Corlan would be lost in its entirety, and once more, he wished Caldar were here to sort things out for him. The General continued with his talk, giving his officers their orders; where to position their men, what to do if retreat was needed, even what to do if they decided to be bold and make an advance.

Luken walked over to the river to see for himself. The enemy was just as it had been described in the
Generals briefing, though he thought their camp looked more disjointed than his did. He stood staring, wondering when they were going to attack, and how would they try. The worry that the enemy may try to cross the river by raft had been bought up in the earlier discussions, and though it was a possibility, it was considered unlikely, at least not to start with. An attack on the gates would be the most likely, and so every possible thought had been given into how to defend it.

Caldar sat eating his midday meal in the company of Vanessa, outside the tent she shared with the rest of her family. He had earlier given her younger brother, Mitch, lessons in the use of the sword. The family were all more than capable with a bow, but they wer
e the first to admit not so competent with swords. Caldar had warned them, if they planned to accompany him, then they might be needed to fight in exactly that way. The older boys showed him they did have the basics, and although Mitch would not be going with them, he wanted to have a practice as well. Not wanting to leave the younger sibling out, and partially to show Vanessa how nice he could be, he had agreed to give him some lessons. As it happened, Mitch was nearly as capable as his older brothers were; only his lack of strength due to his younger years put him at a disadvantage. None of them came even close to besting Caldar; he even fought with his sword in his weaker hand to help even the odds, but he still beat them easily.

He had made his mind up to start travelling the following morning. He would take half a cohort of his own men,
any man who was good with a bow or sword who wished to volunteer, plus whatever number Lord Willem was able to spare at short notice. He wanted all his men to be mounted, and any surplus supplies to be on packhorses. Having looked at the maps, he reckoned three to four days hard riding and they could make the west of the country, and meet up with those rumoured to be making a stand. He was quite certain General Thomas Skalton was leading them, and being the leader from the Elite guard must have others he knew with him. He had tried not to begin to hope that those others could include members of his family, he had already grieved for each of them. The thought though of there even being the slightest chance nagged away at him, and he knew if he got there and it was confirmed they were all gone, it would hit him hard once more.

After the meal was finished he needed to put the word out he was looking for the volunteers he required. He decided to ask V
anessa and her brothers to help, giving them the task of asking those that had travelled with him, now camped outside of town. In the meantime, he himself would spread the word in the town of Casham, before riding to Berston to do likewise. His first port of call was the small barracks in the town, and he thought telling the soldiers was a good way to spread the word. At the stables, he assisted the stable hand in saddling his own horse, and whilst there enquired whether two other men there would be interested in joining him. The two were brothers, sons of a town trader, and maybe of similar age to himself and Luken, and both appeared quite excited by the chance to ride in an army with the crown prince. After a couple of hours asking people he thought would be interested, and following a great number of yes, no or maybe's he felt exhausted and after returning his horse, made his way back to the camp, to search out Vanessa.

Sitting once
more around the campfire, taking his evening meal with her family, they talked about the trip tomorrow. Mitch was still keen on joining, he thought asking Caldar directly would maybe help to change his father's mind in letting him go. "I am sorry Mitch, I cannot overrule what your father has decided," causing the youth to look rather sullen. "But you said I was as good with a sword as the others, and you are a prince, you can overrule anyone" he pleaded. His father, Arthur, chuckled, "Your highness, you will have to excuse my son for his pestering, he does not know when to give it a rest," clipping Mitch around the ear. Caldar did feel a little sorry for the lad, and had it been him in the same situation he doubted he would want to be left behind. Hoping it did not annoy the man he opted to put a good word in, "Well, perhaps you could all come. Arthur maybe you could start again in the west, if they are rebuilding there will be plenty of work for all of you."

Mitch looked at his father expectantly
, "please father, can we? The west coast does sound a nice place" he added looking to his siblings for a little back up. Arthur eyed each of his children in turn, then at Caldar. After as pause, he shrugged his shoulders, "fine we all go, but I want you to know I am not going to be doing no more fighting, I am to bloody old for that malarkey." Mitch leapt up, "Yes" he shouted, "and don't worry dad you won't have to fight, I'll protect you." The old man chuckled, "I hope not, I think we have seen enough fighting for one lifetime."

Fenlor used his skills in dark magic to get the message he required to the North Besemian soldiers who were under his compulsion. A few drops of blood and a human heart dropped into a pan over a fire, sizzling as the organ landed on the hot metal. He chanted, visualising what he wanted, repeating the words, before the heart burst into flames.
At that point, he stopped, the task was complete, and he seated himself down. Even now, several weeks after the destruction of Hamalin, Fenlor still found using his magic very draining. All but the simplest of spells required him to rest afterwards. Although the communication spell he chanted was not exceptionally difficult, because of the distance he wished it to travel, it meant it required far more of his life force for it to work.

Hundreds of miles away, the large contingent of North Besemian troops started dividing up into two separate armies. Having slowly made their way back from Hamalin, when they had still been under orders of King Belin, they had been sat camped some fifty miles west of the capital, awaiting orders. The men did not refuse orders, whether to kill civilians
or troops from Corlan or their own country it did not matter. As far as their minds went, if they were ordered to do a task, they needed to carry out to the best of their ability.

The camp quickly and efficiently dismantled, and having recently been resupplied from the capital, which was now under Darekian control, the troops prepared to move out. One thousand men would start the short trip southwards to line up against the fortifications being built by the South Besemians. The remainder would start the trip westwards to assist the Darekians amassing against the refugees trying to escape over the River Fivan.
These were ordered to move double time, moving through the hours of darkness if need be.

Fenlor still had a large number of Orlacs at his command. A number of smaller hunting packs of a dozen or so in each, roamed freely around Corlan. He still had in reserve, a much larger
number; these were still situated in Darekia. There were sufficient corpses, being bought up from Besemia to feed them for quite some time. The problem with Orlacs was their inability to differentiate between friend and foe. When they were close to him, he could use his powers to keep them placid and under control. The further away they roamed the more feral and wild they become. If he were to release a large number out of the range of his control, they would probably seek out the nearest largest group of humans. Under the current circumstances that could well mean, his own armies. To an Orlac, it mattered not whether the flesh it ate came from Corlan, Besemia or Darekia.

Chapter 19.

Caldar arose early, and after dressing and venturing to the town barracks for a bite of breakfast h
e walked over to the stable block. Once there, he had saddled up his horse and strapped on his blanket roll and other kit. After mounting, he trotted out to where the half cohort travelling with him had started to gather. Much to his surprise, most were already there and ready before him. Glancing back along the lines he was also impressed with the number of volunteers that appeared to be venturing west with him. Vanessa waved at him when she noticed him looking her direction, and he replied similarly.

Lord Willem walked over to where Caldar waited, "I've come to see you off. I have three hundred more
men that have agreed to accompany you, your highness. They are all good soldiers, and I have made certain they understand they are under your command." Caldar leant down and shook the man's hand, "I thank you my Lord, you have done so much for us." The big south Besemian smiled warmly, "I wish you well on your trip, and I hope beyond all hope you find what you seek."

Within the hour, a long line of riders and
packhorses slowly moved westwards on their way to Easton. Caldar rode near the front, with Vanessa alongside him. He was certain the trip would appear to go much quicker if she was at his side. Arthur and her brothers were happy to remain with the other three hundred or so civilian volunteers, riding in the centre of the group. A scouting party was sent ahead, and another smaller group was to stay further behind, to keep a watch on the rear of the line. The young prince felt a slight nervousness, as he rode, not sure who or what he was going to find when they reached their destination.

The bell on the bridge gatehouse rang, as a large company of Darekian riders headed from their camp towards the bridge. The archers lined across the top of the battlements, and more lined upon the banks of the river, all readied themselves.
General Skalton watched, not panicking he waited, just a few more seconds. Giving the order to fire, a flurry of arrows was sent airborne, aimed at an area he expected the riders to be at the time of their descent. A number of the shafts struck targets, some finding the flesh of the riders, others the horses on which they rode.

It was little more than a futile attempt, and after another wave of arrows, the raiders had seen
sense and retreated back to their camp, a few less in number. Calling a halt, to any further volley of arrows, and for his men to relax, the General turned to report to his prince. Luken was stood further back from the river, on the edge of the camp. As usual, the Lady Sarena, Taylor, Lord Galliss, Jak Corley and Levin were at his side, the latter two saluting as the General approached. Bowing his head slightly to the young royal, "your highness, the attack was nothing more than a test. They are just determining our strength, and I think we passed the examination with flying colours."

A messenger quickly ran towards the group, and handed the
General a slip of paper before running off again. Opening and reading the note, "The men atop the battlements have estimated that the enemies test has just cost them about nineteen men. I doubt the next attempt will be quite so bold. They know now we have a good sound defence in place, and their men are lightly armoured, not equipped for attacking a fortification like ours." Luken was happy with the result; they had not even been close to losing any casualties, if matters continued in that fashion all well and good.

He listened in to the conversation, between his
General, Lord Galliss and his Captain, and sighed when they decided between them, it was now best to move the camp inside the city walls. Naturally, they run it by him for final endorsement, and although he did not really want people living inside the walls yet, he knew it made sense to do so. The building work was going well, and the first of the clay pipes had been laid for the sewerage system. Several plots had been marked out, and footings had been put in place for a dozen homes. The main street was now as good as new, but most impressively was the rate at which the keep was coming along.

"If I was attacking, I would wait until dark, and then quietly stand ladders up to the battlements. At that time, I doubt there would be more than a handful of men on the top.
I reckon half a dozen good men up the ladder would account for them, and job done. Hold the top to allow others up, drop down, open the gates, and allow the rest through," Levin said not realising everyone else was staring at him. Jak smiled, "strange how sometimes we think we know everything, then a boy of no battle experience shows us we have probably missed the most blindly obvious course." Levin actually blushed, he had after all just been thinking aloud. He was not trying to tell the others what to do, and for a second or two thought he might be reprimanded for doing so.

General
Skalton nodded at the youth before him, "you're a smart boy, and yes Jak I think you are right, we do sometimes miss what is quite blatantly before our eyes." He went on to tell them, how he thought the next attack would probably be, with infantry, shielded men carrying a ram to break the gates down, or even perhaps an attempt at crossing the river. "Well young man," he said turning his attention back to Levin, "you have given us a great means of attack, any ideas on how to defend against such an incursion?" The teenager blushed a little more, realising everyone was looking his direction once more. Looking to Jak, the old Captain nodded as if to say go ahead and say what you think.

Levin thought for a moment, and taking a deep breath, "some sort of warning system, I don't know, perhaps something that will make a noise if anyone tries to cross the bridge. It won't matter how obvious it is to see in daylight, but remember at night they would be as blind as us." He looked at the faces around him, not sure, whether his answer sounded any good or whether it showed he was just a boy out of his depth after all.
General Skalton, scratched at his chin, clearly deep in thought, "Hmm, yes, I'll have to think about something we can use," he mumbled. Levin had just thought of another idea, "and maybe we could light the area around the gates a little, you know, to give our guards the chance to see anything approaching to closely. Though doing so may illuminate them, and give chance to anyone who is a good shot with a crossbow to pick them off," he added, realising he had just found the flaw in his own idea.

The
General laughed, and patted him on the shoulder, "Jak said you were a smart boy, can you read and write?" Levin nodded, not sure, where this line of questioning was going. He had already used this boy to help appease the prince, regarding his personal protection on their travels to Forwich, and knew him to be a good honest young man. Turning his attention to the captain "mind if I steal him off you?" he asked. Jak looked a little confused, "I promise I'll look after him, I need an assistant, someone to take notes, and not afraid to point out the obvious things I miss. Problem is most my men just agree with everything I say, whether it is good or bad." Jak did feel a little reluctant, he had come quite fond of the young boy, " of course sir, though I would like him to continue our practice sessions, and don't work him to hard, he is still only a boy after all," he added. It was meant more as a reminder to his General, that he did not want Levin being treated and spoken to like a normal soldier would, not as any sort of threat.

The
General nodded, sensing Jak's affiliation with Levin, and not wanting to cause any ill feelings replied, "of course, how about he reports to me during the mornings. He can assist me till lunch, and then he's free to do whatever afterwards." Jak and General Skalton both looked to Levin, "it's your choice" Jak said, "I doubt many thirteen year olds have been made a member of the Elite Guard." The General laughed again, "how about it young man, fancy being one of us? I am sure we can find you some sort of uniform somewhere, though it may have to be made a bit smaller before it fits." Levin was a little torn, on one hand he did not want to upset Jak, he had become quite fond of the grumpy old soldier, but on the other hand, how could he refuse such an honour. He glanced over to the captain, the man that had taken him under his wing, and it was only a nod from him, that changed what he was going to say at the last second. "I gladly accept sir" he finally replied to General Skalton. "Excellent, report to me tomorrow morning, bright and early," "yes sir" Levin said, saluting as he did.

Once the group had dispersed, Jak took
Levin to the wagons that had carried, and still stored any spare military equipment. "I'm not so certain we will find much spare uniform, but we may get lucky." The two climbed up, and started opening crates, boxes and sacks, anything that may contain anything of use. After an hour of searching, what ended up being seven wagon loads, all they had was a pair of black trousers that were not only to long in the leg, but would probably go around Levin's waist twice over. The best item they discovered was a tabard, this was usually only worn by the Elite Guard when they were at the palace, many of them had taken to just wearing their armour, as for the time at least, they were required as a fighting force. The tabard was also too large, but Jak knew just the person to make the adjustments, "by morning we will be having you looking the part," he said warmly.

Sarena was only too happy to be asked, "of course I will, let me find my sewing basket," she said excitedly. Since the fall of her hometown, she had had little chance to do any
needlework, and was quite looking forward to doing something useful for somebody. "Let us start with those trousers, come on get your own off and put the big ones on, I need to see just how much I'm taking them in." Levin, rather bashfully took his trousers off, and could feel the heat in his reddening cheeks. Sensing the boy's unease, Serena turned her gaze the other way, until such time she thought he had changed. Levin firmly grasped the overly large black trousers, he did not want them falling down while Sarena was so close to him. Calmly and efficiently placing small shiny pins around the bottom of the legs, and then the waist, she eventually asked him to carefully remove them and put his others back on.

The tabard was too long in length, and despite Levin having quite broad shoulders for a boy of his age, far too wide across the width. With some considerable time, pinning and unpinning, then re-pinning, Sarena finally nodded her satisfaction, "I think that ought to do it." Levin was asked to leave the garments with her, and if all went well by morning, she hoped to have something that fitted him.
Leaving her room, and going off to find Jak for his afternoon of training. He for the first time, felt quite excited at what he had become, and he thought his father would be proud of him.

With a rather gloomy, grey cloudy sky, Caldar had thought it only a matter of time before it started raining. Therefore, when it did start, it did not come unexpectedly, though it would make the afternoons ride a less comfortable one. Fortunately, it happened only to be a few short sharp showers, and by early
evening, the gloom had gone. Making their first nights camp, in sight of the Fivan mountain range, he sat to speak with his officers. Being a prince, others took care of his horse, as well as prepare the camp; he was just the one that had to keep it all in check.

Looking at a map of the region, they pinpointed their position and distance covered over the days ride. Two more days of similar mileage and Easton should be in sight, slightly less if they made an earlier start in the morning. Caldar agreed
, and sent out the message, that the camp would set out at first light, and for everyone to be aware that was the case. During the entire days ride, they had encountered no problems, and the scouts had reported no signs of any enemy soldiers. Once satisfied with his officers reports and having dealt with any issues they may have had, he headed away to find Vanessa and her family.

He noticed the South Besemian soldiers were not keeping themselves separate, and was glad to see them intermingling with his ow
n troops. Already several units of mixed soldiers were sat around in groups talking and laughing as they set fires, and prepared their kit. He spotted Vanessa, blowing at a fire trying to get the flames to take. She sat back up and cast him a smile as she watched him approach. It was not just her and her family in the group; they had befriended a few others on route, who also sat with them. Caldar recognised a couple of faces, two brothers he had seen in Casham, and it was Edward, Vanessa's twin, who introduced them to him.

"Your highness, May I introduce Reece and Hunter" he said standing, bowing his head before reseating himself. The two brothers looked very similar, jet-black shoulder length hair, round faced, and were as tall as he was, and slim built. They were dressed similarly as well, in fine riding gear, and both he noticed had their own weapons, not ones they would have been issued as standard by the army. They had short swords and matching daggers very like the one he had given to Luken before he had left the capital, giving away the fact these young men came from a privileged background. They both bowed befo
re him, and sat back down. Vanessa and her other brothers, had gotten used to him it seemed, and never bothered even standing for him. Much to his amusement, he had an evil thought of pulling them up on it one day.

He greeted everybody and sat himself down beside the young woman that, of late had captivated his mind. Hunter, the slightly younger of the two brothers sat close to Edward and Reece was happy to plonk himself down next to Arthur. With the flames taking hold in the fire, Vanessa stood, and with a little help from her twin, set the cook pot over them. Arthur rummaged in his backpack, and handed Vanessa a package of sorts wrapped in paper, "here cut this up and stick it in our stew" he chuckled, "it's a nice bit of beef, I pilfered from the stores before we left this
morning." Vanessa stood shocked at her father's misdemeanour, "Dad, what have I told you, I'm so sorry?" she said turning to Caldar. The others around the fire all looked at the prince, probably expecting him to say something on the admitted act of theft.