Rone looked across at the prince. He held on tight, as advised. Turning in his saddle, he managed to see through the ranks of his soldiers to either side. They were surrounded by enemy soldiers, continuing to charge through the Huronian ranks.
“Baras! Left and right flank, blunderbuss, then spears.”
The soldiers on each extreme flank were reaching for their blunderbusses even as the bugle was still sounding. Boom. The lethal weapons spoke point-blank into the enemy ranks either side of the fast moving swine array. The weapons were replaced with spears and sunlight flashed against the sharp, polished steel as spear tips were thrust down into enemy soldiers.
The crackle of return fire started. Musket shot zipped over their heads. Rone was always intrigued why rushed and panicked enemy soldiers almost always fired high, missing their targets. By the time that section of enemy had reloaded, Rone’s unit would be long gone.
Another barrage of muskets fired from the left. Point blank. Straight into Rone’s troops. The sickening scream of a horse pierced the air. He shot a look in that direction. None of his soldiers had fallen. One horse was slowing, but several King’s Own warriors had rallied around the horse and rider, providing protection.
“Baras! Battle at will.”
Those nursing the injured horse withdrew muskets and provided covering fire for their comrade.
He glanced across at the prince. He was still holding on tight, his face determined.
Still fight in him yet.
As fast as it’d started, the swine array punched through the enemy ranks and sped for the tree line from which they’d charged.
“Baras! Rear rank, protect rear, blunderbuss.”
Rone didn’t need to look behind him to know that those forming the rear rank had swung their warhorses around to face the enemy, withdrawn their blunderbusses and boom.
Even as the noise of the weapons faded, trees whipped by them and the swine array was consumed by the forest.
“At the walk, loose formation, no sound.”
The bugle spoke the commands and within moments, the formation of King’s Own had slowed and broken formation, the soft thud of hooves and horses struggling to regain their breath the only sounds pervading the forest.
Rone cantered to the front of the formation, stood in his stirrups and used hand signals above his head. Follow me!
* * *
“Did we just do that?” hissed a soldier nearby. “We just charged against thirty thousand enemy soldiers!” his teeth flashed, mouth widening into a grin.
“Something to tell my children’s children many decades from now,” another spoke.
“We were probably only successful because of the sheer size of the enemy,” the officer seated in front of Vyder said.
“How does that work, sir?”
The officer’s shoulders rose and fell. “We struck fast and were amongst them before they knew what was going on. Their lines of communication were a mess. Aside from those standing directly in the path of our charge, no one else knew what was happening. Had we attacked a force of one thousand, they could have rallied much faster and brought fire upon us before we even reached our target.”
Vyder released his grip on the King’s Own officer. The charge was over and it was easier to maintain his balance while the horse was walking. The officer pulled clear the steel helmet and clipped it onto his saddle.
Vyder leaned forward in the saddle. “Do you think we could get a hurry on?”
The officer whirled on him, wet, sweaty hair slapping against Vyder’s face. “Watch your tone!” the man hissed.
He wiped his face with a hand. “In case you’d forgotten, the Huronian Army are on our heels. You think they’re just going to let us go without at least trying to recapture the prince?”
“Keep your bloody voice down, highlander! We’re resting the horses. Once they’ve regained their breath, they’ll pick up the pace again. Until that time keep your teeth together and sit there. Understood?”
Bossy little monkey isn’t he, brother?
Vyder answered the officer and Gorgoroth with a single word. “Yes.” The words the officer used gnawed at him, though. “What do you mean they’ll pick up the pace?”
“I’ll explain soon.”
Cares for his horses, though. That is something at least.
A keening sound started somewhere on the left, gaining Vyder’s attention. Several mounted soldiers were bunched around a comrade, who had dismounted. In unison, the entire formation slowed to a halt. The horse was injured, copious amounts of blood sliding from a wound on its rump, to drip to the forest floor. It had raised one of its hind legs off the ground, no longer able to weight bear on the hoof.
They unsaddled the animal, the soldier stroking the animal’s face, speaking soft words. When he’d finished comforting his horse, the soldier wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, stepped back, brought musket to bear and fired a shot. The horse was dead before it collapsed to the floor. Passing the musket to a comrade, the man knelt by the dead destrier, resting his forehead against his horse’s face, his shoulders shuddering.
“They really do care for their horses,” Vyder whispered.
Aye brother. Even Gorgoroth’s voice sounded subdued. They do. I like these horse warriors.
“You’ll need to switch horses, highlander.”
“Why is that?”
The officer turned to look at him over one shoulder. “Because I have one of my men lying dead back there. Now the horses are rested, I’m returning to retrieve my soldier. Dismount and mount up with Baras.”
Vyder did at he was bid.
“Baras, you have control of the formation. Ride for Lisfort. Inform the king of the threat approaching.”
“Sir, I’ll come with you, you may need help.”
A group of soldiers urged their mounts closer, ready to join their commander in retrieving their fallen brother in arms.
Yes, that way I can kill some more little monkeys.
Vyder could even hear the smile in Gorgoroth’s voice as he spoke from the safety of his mind.
“No! I’ll work better on my own this time. It’ll be harder for the enemy to detect one man. Get going, Baras. Take the soldiers home, they’ve done well today. Get the prince to safety. I’ll not be far behind you.”
“Yes, sir.”
The officer pointed at Vyder. “And you, highlander.”
He held the piercing gaze of the officer, waiting for him to speak.
“Thank you for your help. Had you not already freed the prince from his cage, we may well have failed today. You have my thanks.” He turned to Ahitika. “You too, young lady.”
Ahitika nodded. “Welcome.”
Vyder didn’t know the officer’s name. He raised a hand. “Take it easy out there, King’s Own.”
The officer turned his destrier and cantered away.
Brother?
Vyder grunted.
Shall we go home?
* * *
The distraught soldier was pulled away from his dead horse. He mounted behind a comrade and then the tiny force were underway, negotiating the forest at a steady trot. Towards Lisfort. Towards their home. To their families eagerly waiting their return. But advancing behind them marched the Huronian Army.
In front of that mighty force were several hundred cavalry heading for the forests into which the King’s Own had disappeared so recently. They were galloping.
* * *
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Thanks so much, I appreciate it. Keith.
Dedication
To David Gemmell and Stan Nicholls, two of the finest author
s to ever place pen to paper. Not only great writers, but they are the people who instilled in me a deep hunger to create stories, characters and worlds.
Sadly, David passed away on the 28th of July 2006. A date that is burned in my mind forever. When the Big Man died, I was away overseas in an area where we had limited internet access and almost no contact with the outside world. I returned home in August of the same year eager for the new Gemmell novel to drop, only to find out the news. That day, the world for me at least, grew just a touch darker.
Stan and David, thank you.
Acknowledgements
It takes many people to create a novel. I’ll try to keep this short, but there are so many people who have helped and pushed me, not only with this book, but my overall career as an author.
Simone, my beautiful wife and my driving force. She is the only person in my life that has believed in me from the day we met. Thanks to her talent as an artist, she designed the map of the continent upon which Vyder walks.
I want to thank the patience, incredible knowledge and guiding hand of both Lee Murray and Devin Madson. These ladies, and skilful authors, perused the early draft of the book and gave their feedback. The advice they provided in itself, has taught me so much about the craft and structure of storytelling. I’ll forever be indebted to you both. Thank you.
My editor, Tim Marquitz, you’re tougher than nails man. Not even the small problem of open-heart surgery could keep you down. Salute!
My cover designer, Pen Astridge. Her deft skill in graphic design brought Fallen Empire’s cover to life. In my view, she is one of the finest graphic designers in the world.
Dean Samed of Neotsock for providing the photograph of Karlos Moir.
Last but definitely not least, my Street Team. These men and women are a small group of people from varying professions all over the world. They have agreed to read my early drafts and provide feedback as to what they think as a reader. My thanks to you all, you are worth your weight in gold.
Copyright © Keith McArdle 2018
The right of Keith McArdle to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Map designed by Simone McArdle of Art By Simi.
Cover design by Pen Astridge of The Mighty Pen.
Edited by Tim Marquitz of Dominion Editorial.
Connect with Keith online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeithAuthor
Website: http://www.keithmcardle.com
Novels by Keith McArdle
The Unforeseen Series
The Reckoning: The Day Australia Fell
The Unforeseen Series Book One
Australia has been invaded.
While the outnumbered Australian Defence Force fights on the ground, in the air and at sea, this quickly becomes a war involving ordinary people.
Ben, an IT consultant has never fought a day in his life. Will he survive?
Grant, a security guard at Sydney's International Airport, finds himself captured and living in the filth and squalor of one of the concentration camps dotted around Australia. Knowing death awaits him if he stays, he plans a daring escape.
This is a dark day in Australia's history. This is terror, loneliness, starvation and adrenaline all mixed together in a sour cocktail. This is the day Australia fell.
Aftermath
The Unforeseen Series Book Two
Mick and his family have returned home to the farm following Indonesia’s withdrawal. But thousands of battle-hardened enemy soldiers remain hidden in the forests and hills, ready to strike when they are least expected. This fight will take Mick to the limit, and protecting his family will require all his strength and determination.
Jimmy and Spud lead a platoon through the Australian scrub on relentless guerrilla strikes. But when they find themselves outnumbered and outgunned, it might have all been for nothing.
A new Australia will rise again … or will it?
Havoc
The Unforeseen Series Book Three
Australia has survived invasion.
Now the people of Brisbane must face a new, fearsome threat. At the same time, Ethan and his small team of specialist soldiers are tasked with a mission deep within the heart of Indonesia. When the mission goes horribly wrong, they have to fight their way out of a situation that may be their end.
Hiding is no longer an option.
Tour To Midgard
Tasked with a mission in Iraq, an Australian SAS patrol deploy deep behind enemy lines. But when they activate a time portal, the soldiers find themselves in 10th century Viking Denmark, a place far more dangerous and lawless than modern Iraq. The soldiers have no way back. Join the SAS patrol on this action adventure and journey into the depths of a hostile land, far from the support of the Allied front line. Step into another world…another time.
Short Stories by Keith McArdle
Assassin
Vyder Ironstone is an assassin with a troubled past. At the order of his king, Vyder must undertake his most dangerous mission yet. A mission from which he may never return. If he is successful, it might just be enough to alleviate war tearing the kingdom apart. The prospect of failure is not worth considering.
Against The Odds
Three veteran hunters are on the trail of a supernatural creature. It is a simple tracking mission, promising easy money. But things go horribly wrong and the mercenaries realise too late that they are facing one of the deadliest creatures known to man. Embroiled in a desperate fight for survival, their doom may well await them.
Ground Zero
Generations after a bloody nuclear civil war, the United States is not as we know it. The inhabitants of the Northern states live as normal, but the South, after being decimated during the Second Civil War, are a changed people. Nuclear fallout has stolen any vestige of humanity. When the aircraft carrying the President of the Northern United States takes an erroneous detour, it is shot down somewhere over the south.
Now Brek and his small team of Delta Force soldiers must infiltrate enemy territory to save the president. But outnumbered and with time rapidly running out, they will be hard pressed to fight off the onslaught about to surround them. Can they survive?
Fallen Empire Page 26
