by L.K. Hill
***
By the time they arrived, the skirmish had ended. With the help of the vanguard, the Tatars were pushed back through the gate. The Russians won the small sortie and collected a dozen prisoners, but more Russian bodies than Tatar littered the field. Not a good omen for the opening battle.
Ivan claimed to be pleased that, despite being taken by surprise, his army still triumphed. A few more skirmishes took place throughout the day, but the army concentrated on digging the earthworks. Taras did no fighting at all. Meanwhile, the sappers began their long, arduous task of digging tunnels under the walls.
That night, a terrible storm arose. With it came rain and horrendous wind, which threatened to blow even the men and horses away. Word spread about the three tents Ivan erected to serve as churches being blown over. Men whispered that God was displeased somehow. Despite the tempest, however, the army got the gabions in place. They resembled gigantic wicker baskets and had to be rolled into position. Once there, the soldiers mounded the earth beside them and they served as protection for the soldiers. The heavy guns were dragged into place behind them.
Before dawn, Ivan rode his horse among the troops, encouraging and praising them for their work.
That was before the sun came up.
