by Kal Spriggs
Hector walked over to his map table and a moment later, Kerrel joined him.
"This changes things a bit," Kerrel said in a low voice.
"Not as much as you may think," Hector responded without looking up. "I didn't think Covle would be able to hold her entire force for long. I expected him to stage a fighting retreat rather than an all-or-nothing counterattack, but I didn't expect him to hold her south of here, really."
"You do realize she's in striking distance of the Ducal Seat?" Kerrel asked.
"I'm well aware," Hector said with a sigh. "I'm also well aware that while it has significant cultural and historical value, it is of minimal strategic importance right now... except as bait to my trap. If she marches past it, the three companies stationed there can attack her supply line and rear. If she invests it, she'll tie down half her army encircling it and still not keep it isolated enough to prevent me from supplying it. And her little rebellion can't pass it up, they have to take it or else it reduces her legitimacy."
He waved a hand at the map. "Meanwhile, Seidlyce sits at the crossroads of the Northern Trade Road and the Capulin Road. It is also the largest city outside of Longshaven. This city is far more valuable. If I hold Seidlyce, I'll hold her army bottled up in the south."
Kerrel stared at the map for a long moment. "What about the Eastern Coastal Road?"
Hector shook his head, "She'd either have to force her army through the Ember Hills or march back south and try to force things through at William's Pass... which I've reinforced with two companies. If she tries to fight her way through, the garrison at Orlen can sally." The small town of Orlen had stayed loyal to him, mostly out of fear of what Earl Joris would do given free reign over them once more. In all likelihood, their company of militia would join his mercenaries in attacking Katarina's forces if it meant a chance of killing Earl Joris.
Attacked from two sides, even by smaller forces, she might well lose that fight, he thought and he saw that Kerrel mirrored his thoughts. "What about the Eastwood?" Kerrel asked. "Myths and legends aside, she could put troops on the Debber River and bypass your forces at Ember Castle."
Hector gave her a level look, "The Wold are hardly mythical. I've cleaned up the remains of those who have trespassed on their lands." Sometimes he forgot that the Wold were little more than legend to the people of the other Duchies. "Entire armies have marched into the Eastwood before... and no one has ever marched back out. No… she won't dare go there."
"So she'll have to attack Ember Castle," Kerrel said with a slow nod. "Can they hold?"
Hector chuckled, "Probably as well or better than any fortress in the world. You've seen the walls, but the place has vast stores of food, three wells, and tunnels to bring in supplies in case of siege. A single company could probably hold the walls, I've left three in place to do the job. Two companies of some of my best infantry and a company of heavy cavalry." Captain Murtaugh and Wallace had served in his army since nearly the beginning. Both of them were mercenary companies formed in Taral, so they owed their fortunes entirely to him, with no loyalty to the Duchy of Masov. Captain Correia commanded the heavy cavalry company and he, too, had cycles of fighting under Hector's banner, recruited from Asador after his company gained notoriety there.
All three served me in the north, true enough, Hector thought, but it isn't as if I'm asking them to join Covle Darkbit in burning villages, they just have to hold Ember Castle.
"You said that the Ryftguard was well defended, too," Kerrel cautioned.
Hector winced at that. "True enough." He waved a hand, though, "Oh, I fully expect some foolish, all-or-nothing attack. Katarina, if it is Katarina and not some imposter, grew up there, she'll probably know the tunnels well enough to lead an attack force that way." He looked up at Kerrel and smiled, "But I've ordered the companies there to prepare for it. There's only three good routes for that sort of thing, and if she's idiotic enough to lead such an assault herself..."
He saw Kerrel's eyes narrow at that. Whether it was because he still had reservations about Katarina's survival or his plan to deal with her if he had the opportunity, he didn't know. It wasn't as if he had much choice at this point. The rebellion in the south was one thing, but it wasn't isolated there anymore. He had to decapitate the enemy's leadership to remove the symbol of their rebellion.
He looked back at the map and his eyes clung to the red flags elsewhere. So far his men had prevented any of those pockets of rebellion from joining up. He had even put down a couple rebellious nobles who allowed ambition to override their better judgement. By far the most dangerous to him was the Baron of Redcoast, who in combination of natural features and his fortification of Castle Redcoast had begun to act as a focal point for rebels here in the north. Who knew the fat old man had so much spine? The old Baron had done little besides sample his people's crops over the past hundred cycles. Far and away known for his love of good food and wine, no one had expected the sedentary nobleman to become a rebellious firebrand.
The Baron had responded to his initial attacks by threatening to burn all his farmland and every bit of his stores, destroying the most fertile farmland in the Duchy. Hector had ordered his men back after that first push. The destruction of the farms, orchards, and vineyards of the Capulin valley would cripple the Duchy of Masov and as long as Baron Redcoast remained in his lands, it wasn’t something Hector wanted to risk.
Baron Redcoast wasn't a threat as long as Hector could keep him hemmed in and prevented Katarina from coordinating with him. The Eastwood worked well for that, so that even if she managed to get scouts north of Ember Castle, Hector would have men in place to stop them.
That was even assuming she knew to look. Hector had stopped almost all travel along the roads and his men had patrols out to prevent messengers and refugees from slipping south. Hopefully that would be enough to keep her from realizing that she had a powerful ally in place here in the north.
Please, he thought, please take the bait and attack Ember Castle. If she did that, if she was foolish enough to lead such an attack, then he could end this quickly. He had little doubt that the nobility would sue for peace if he killed or captured Katarina. Without them, her rebellion would fall apart.
His gaze rose up the map to the northern edge. Hector knew he only had one month, at most two, before the Armen came south again. The rumors said that thousands, tens of thousands, had been pushed out by the stronger tribes. He had to wrap this up soon or else he would lose his many gains as the Armen raiders came south in force.
"We can win this," Hector said, thinking as much about the hordes of raiders set to descend as Katarina's army. "We have no choice."
***
Lady Katarina Emberhill
South of Ember Castle, Duchy of Masov
4th of Shallob, Cycle 1000 Post Sundering
The aloof expression on her soon-to-be father-in-law very nearly got him strangled.
"...really think that Captain Swordbreaker should receive a reprimand," Earl Joris continued. "After all, my son's cavalry had just got into position to crush the enemy--"
"Tell me, my Lord," Gerlin said in a friendly tone, "have you managed to round up all of your infantry company yet? My scouts reported them scattered in all directions. While you explained that was merely a well-devised ruse to draw Hector's mercenaries into an ambush, I think they might have over-acted a bit."
Katarina had to cover a smile as Earl Joris's face turned a puce color.
"Granted," Gerlin continued, "perhaps it was some effort to improve their overall fitness? I understand that many of them, being overweight and out-of-shape might wish to improve their health by more exercise."
Earl Joris scowled, yet Gerlin's comment made several in the tent snicker. It was all the more amusing for Joris's heavy jowls and sizable belly.
Gerlin's levity had given Katarina the opportunity to put her anger in check, though, and for that she gave him silent thanks. "Captain Swordbreaker along with Lord Captain Jarek both acted to stop a
n enemy break-through which could have caused this army significant damage. I will not reprimand either of them for doing their duty."
She realized full well that by going on the offense, Earl Joris had sought to shift blame. None of the assembled officers and noblemen believed that the Earl's infantry, commanded by one of his nephews, had run away in order to draw Hector's men into a trap. Yet by muddling the waters just enough, he had given himself an out.
She could still try to hammer him for the failure... but if she did so she would alienate him entirely and he would use his story as an excuse to break their alliance. That might be enough for many of his political allies to pull out too. After all, she already knew that messengers had gone north to Hector from several of her "loyal" allies.
The only question is not if he could buy their temporary allegiance, she thought, it is if he's willing to pay their rates. Hector seemed at once too pragmatic and distrusting to go that route. He knew that whatever he paid them, he would not purchase their long-term loyalty.
No, she thought, he'd rather crush them in battle and execute the lot of them. In that, she couldn't argue with her opponent.
"We can leave further discussions of today's battle for later," Katarina said. "Tomorrow our main column will reach Ember Castle. Until now, we have not as an army faced any serious fortifications. I have not yet discussed my plans for seizing the Ducal Seat."
"Surely you don't mean to storm Ember Castle!" Baron Marcel said. The nobleman looked around for support, "It has crushed entire armies. Hector will have garrisoned it with some of his best men. It only fell to Hector because he had people on the inside!" Several of the noblemen began to mutter reminding Katarina of clucking chickens. Just as concerned with pecking order, too, she thought, and as unable to look up from the dirt or focus beyond their next meal.
"The Ryftguard had never fallen at all," Lord Theodore said calmly. His words brought the others to silence. "Lady Katarina captured the fortress with two companies."
"And we'll capture the Ducal Seat with just one," Katarina said. She looked around and hoped that she had timed things right... and that Kara's assurance about her "allies" proved true. "I know the tunnels under Ember Castle. There are many ways inside. If we slip people inside..."
Heads began to nod. They think they understand, she thought, even as her gaze went to Baron Marcel. I hope Kara isn't wrong about him, she thought, or else I'll have gone through a lot of effort for nothing.
***
Lady Katarina Emberhill
Though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, she had timed her arrival for sunset. Not for any tactical or diplomatic advantage, but purely for sentimental reasons. She wanted the first view of her home after so long for it to be the most beautiful thing about it.
Privately she could admit it was to help wash away some of the bad memories. The estrangement from her father, the way that she had felt like an outcast for most of her childhood... and the murder of her entire family. In her mind's eye, the mercenary walking out of the nursery door, wiping her little brother's blood off on his favorite shirt had left a stain on every good memory of the place.
As the sinking sun hit Ember Castle, the quartz-laced granite caught the light and the entire fortress seemed to glow, in hues of red, gold, and orange. It looked as if the walls were clad in fire and Katarina let that sight wash over and through her.
"Pretty," a deep voice said from nearby. She looked over and saw Nakkikki wore a broad smile. "You worship fire, too!" He said.
"That is Castle Ember," Katarina answered. "It's my home."
He nodded in return, "You are fire princess. Best type."
"I'm not..." she looked over at a chuckle from Gerlin. "Would you care to explain?"
"Oh, no, my Lady," Gerlin shook his head. "I'm sure it's far too complex for me to properly explain."
She heard Quinn start to speak to Nakkikki, but Katarina just restrained a sigh and tuned it out. So much for my moment, she thought. Even so, she actually felt quite a bit better than she had before.
She looked over at where Bulmor rode. Her armsman had a dour expression, but he didn't look as guarded and watchful as he would if he really disagreed with her plan. His lack of open disapproval was almost the equivalent of a mark of approval.
Her gaze went again to Ember Castle. The seat of the Dukes of Marovingia for the past three thousand cycles. Quarried from the granite of the Ember Hills, built to withstand assault by all manner of foes... and she hoped to retake it with another gamble.
I just hope Kara is right, she thought as she pulled up her hood against the cold air.
***
Captain Gregor Wallace
Ember Castle, Duchy of Masov
5th of Shallob, Cycle 1000 Post Sundering
Gregor spun as he heard the loud clash of metal on stone. He opened his mouth to snap at the offender, but his First Sergeant was already there, grabbing the offender by the back of his neck and hissing in his ear.
Hopefully no one heard that, Gregor thought, otherwise this may not go down as planned. They had spent the past two hours waiting here in the dark, with only a few shielded lanterns to provide light. Gregor had thought Lord Hector's initial warning to be outlandish. Who in their right mind would try to attack this fortress? Yet when one of the rebellious nobles had sold the information in return for a blanket pardon, it seemed that Lord Hector had been right all along.
Under other circumstances, Lord Hector's draconian orders would have sat poorly with him. He didn't normally have the stomach for killing prisoners, but if the turncoat's words proved true... well, then Lady Katarina would be the one leading this attack. Hector's orders were very clear on what he should do if he captured her alive.
I'll not regret killing that bitch, even if it won't bring Gwendolyn back, Gregor thought with venom.
He hadn't heard much about what happened in the south, yet what he had convinced him that his sister hadn't survived. The last letter he received had said that she'd been assigned to Zielona Gora. Since rumor had it that the entire town had risen up in revolt... well, it didn't sound good, especially after Commander Darkbit's failed assault there. Gregor had little love for the former Commander of the South, his sister's letters had painted exactly what kind of man Hector had chosen for the position. With some of the rumors of Commander Darkbit's actions over the winter, it was all too likely that even if his sister had survived the uprising in Zeilona Gora, then she may well have been killed out of vengeance or reparations.
Even if she had survived, he owed it to her to end the war as quickly as possible, so that she'd be set free. It was Gregor's fault that Gwendolyn had come here to the Duchy of Masov. He'd told her about the pay, the easy duties, and the chance to earn enough fighting experience and wealth to return to Taral and carve out land from the Norics, possibly to reclaim a town or village from the barbarians who had overrun their homeland.
Good weapons and armor were key to that, along with gold to buy alliances, cattle, and supplies. Lord Hector paid aplenty in both gold and weapons, looted from the Armen, mostly. Since the Wallace lands had been overrun by Norics for generations, he and his sister had needed this mercenary work to set things right.
And now Gwendolyn is dead and I've a blood debt to settle with Lady Katarina, Gregor thought sadly.
He heard a low mutter of voices from down the passage and the scuff of boot on stone. Gregor held up his hand and his sergeants shuttered their lanterns, dropping the passageway into blackness.
His men went still around him. Gregor had chosen this intersection of passages because the large interior area overlooked the two largest tunnels that led into Ember Castle. Their turncoat noble hadn't been certain which way would be chosen, which was why Captain Murtaugh had men stationed at the other five tunnels that led inside. Those ambushes wouldn't be as effective as the one here, though, so he was glad that it appeared Lady Katarina's forces had come this way.
It was odd, he thought as he heard the footsteps com
e closer. Now that the time had come, he didn't feel so eager to take his revenge. He mostly felt resigned. The lifetimes of revenge killings in the Duchy of Taral had left his land fractured even before the Noric invasion. It wasn't something that he had ever really thought about, until now.
Yes, he thought, Gwendolyn and I came here as mercenaries, we supported the Usurper Duke against his own people... but she was still my blood, so I've no choice but to take revenge.
Several people carrying torches came around the corner of the passage. They all wore cloaks, probably a good idea given the chill. Not far behind the lead element was a tall woman, her face hidden by the hood of her cloak. Since Masov tended to have even fewer warrior women than most other nations, he could safely assume this was Lady Katarina. Got her, he thought.
He waited until the group, followed by another two or three dozen fighters in all, had come fully into the ambush area before he gave a sharp whistle. His men unhooded their lanterns and flooded the large chamber with light, even as they aimed their recurve bows.
The rebels froze and Gregor stepped forward, "Surrender, throw down your weapons." He didn't have the heart to say that none of them would be harmed. Katarina wouldn't survive the next few minutes and these were her most loyal troops. Hector would probably have most of them hanged.
In a way, he almost hoped that they fought. Then their blood would be on their hands, not his.
He sighed, though, as hands went up. So much for doing things in the heat of combat, he thought. He pointed at the tall woman, "You, there, come forward."
To his surprise, no one stepped in front of her. They had to know what was coming. She strode forward with no hesitation and then, before he could ask, threw back her hood.
He felt shock as he didn't see the expected raven-black hair and pale skin. Instead, he instantly recognized the freckled face surrounded by curly red hair. "Hello Gregor," Gwendolyn Wallace said, "So do you want to order your men to lower their weapons... or should I?"
