Heavier Than a Mountain (Destiny's Crucible Book 3)

by Olan Thorensen

  “Granted, the Eywell desertion of their flank screening position precipitated what followed. What we didn’t expect from the Caedelli was their willingness to sacrifice so many men to focus our attention on a charge straight into our guns, luring away and destroying the Eywellese contingent, and the rapid follow-up of the opening provided by our exposed flank.

  “Our men were not defeated, though were badly hurt. Brigadier Zulfa withdrew in good order back to our base territory. The clans also suffered significant casualties, and no further major engagements occurred, although our force was harassed on their way back. At the same time, the clans overran the launch base at Parthmal. After that, the clans made no further major moves against us. However, while Moreland City was a tactical draw, there is no purpose in pretending it was anything other than a strategic defeat.”

  A subtle shift in bodies, subvocal vibrations, and a sense of gloom pervaded the room. Knowing about the battle was not the same as hearing the respected mission commander’s blunt assessment.

  “Naturally, we will continue to analyze what happened, but our main concern is what next. Not all of you are aware, but the High Command knew from the beginning that the resources committed to this mission were not sufficient to ensure success. I will tell you now that when I was assigned as commander, the High Command confided that the odds of complete success were no better than fifty/fifty. Privately, I had indications the likelihood was even lower. The High Command assessed that the relatively minimal resources committed were a reasonable gamble.

  “None of that changes the fact that we’ve failed in our primary mission. After lengthy discussions with all senior commanders, and after careful consideration of possible future courses of action, I have decided that for the time being, our focus will no longer be on efforts to subdue the other clans. We will secure and maintain our current positions, while we await directions from Narthon. In plain language, we are shifting from an offensive posture to a defensive one.

  “Before we continue, are there questions or relevant comments?”

  One of the civil administrators rose from his seat. “General Akuyun, I think we all suspected this was coming. I know you have considered all options, though it’s still a shock to hear. So is there really no way to continue as originally planned, even with this one setback?”

  “No,” said Akuyun firmly. “We lost eight percent of our men at Moreland City, with another two hundred wounded seriously enough to be unfit for duty for months, some permanently. In addition, we lost twenty artillery pieces, captured by the Caedelli. We can cast more here in Preddi City, but now the islanders have field pieces and can use our own guns against us.

  “Although the ten clans we faced in the battle equaled our numbers, they didn’t commit all their men. Now that those clans that didn’t come to Moreland’s aid have seen the results, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that additional clans will likely join future resistance. In another field engagement, we could see ourselves outnumbered two or three to one by a more mobile adversary who knows the terrain better than we do and who now has artillery.”

  Administrator Tuzere raised a hand to get Akuyun’s attention. The general nodded, and Tuzere rose.

  “The other factor that complicates General Akuyun’s planning is the hundred thousand non-military persons we have in Preddi Province. His duty is also to protect all of those from any threats.”

  “Good Narth!” exclaimed the shocked administrator. “You don’t think the Caedelli could actually attack us here!”

  “It’s a possibility I’m obliged to consider,” interjected Akuyun. “I hope you understand our position. It’s apparent we can’t risk field engagements with the Caedelli, nor can we expose the Narthani settlers to raids. The only option I see is to maintain a defensive stance until word comes from Narthon.”

  “When and what is that likely to be?” asked another administrator.

  “I sent an unloaded sloop to our closest port, at Ezarkin on the northern border with the Iraquinik Confederation. Assuming good winds, the sloop should reach port in another two to four sixdays. Then the reports go overland a thousand miles to the end of the semaphore line being built to Ezarkin and on to Umasya, the capital. The High Command will take whatever time they deem necessary to consider options and then send the answer back to us. At the soonest, I’ll be surprised if we get the response in less than five months from now.”

  “What is your assessment of what that response will be?” asked Colonel Nuthrat Metin.

  Akuyun’s face showed no emotion, though most of the men knew one possible response would be his removal from command. Arrest after defeat was not unknown in Narthani history.

  “I and Assessor Hizer agree the High Command can decide one of three possible future courses of action. One is to abandon the mission to conquer Caedellium and withdraw all personnel back to Narthon.

  “The obvious complication is that we have been bringing people to Caedellium for five years. Even by using every available ship, it would take a year to do the evacuation, and during the later phases we could come under Caedelli attack as our numbers diminished. It would also require abandoning the original reason for the mission.

  “The second possible decision would be to tell us to hold our position as part of the effort to establish a supply and launching base for moves on the Landolin and the Iraquinik Confederation. In that case, there would likely be an increase in forces, but we would no longer have the objective of taking the entire island.

  “And finally, the decision could be that taking the entire island remains the objective, and reinforcements will be sent, probably a force many times larger than we have here now.”

  Several arms raised for attention, and Akuyun anticipated the next question.

  “I’m afraid there’s no one clear most likely possibility. Each has factors in favor and against. If I were forced to predict, I would choose the third, only because of my perception of the High Command’s level of interest, not because I have any specific information.”

  When several more hands waved for recognition, Akuyun shook his head. “Any more questions about what has happened or might come from Narthon should wait until later. Right now, we need to move on to what is most important. What we are to do until we hear from Narthon.

  “Moving to a defensive stance will require significant changes for all parts of our enterprise here on Caedellium, both military and non-military. The actions that I’ve determined are necessary fall into three categories: actions within Preddi Province, those concerning the Selfcell and Eywell clans, and actions against the other clans. We’ll go over them individually.”

  Akuyun motioned to Administrator Tuzere, who stood as Akuyun then took his seat.

  Tuzere’s visage appeared grim. “For the non-military Narthani living in Preddi Province, this necessitates effectively putting all of them under the demands of the military. That is, what is needed for the defense of Preddi Province is the top priority. The following steps are necessary.

  “From this point on, expansion into new farm and ranch land will cease. Any such ongoing activities will also stop, and people involved will pull back to work on existing fully functioning properties.

  “Export of foods, mainly grains and cured meats, back to Narthon will stop. All food production will go to provide for our people, the two allied clans, as necessary, and to build up stockpiles.”

  “Stockpiles!” blurted the administrator for the southern portion of Preddi, a region of cattle raising. “That implies you fear food production might be cut off! The only way that could happen is if the Caedelli attack right into Preddi and we can’t depend on producing more food.”

  Akuyun answered before Tuzere could. “Under current circumstances, we must account for all possibilities. Before, we didn’t believe the islanders were a direct threat to our settlements. Now, we have to recognize that’s possible, though we can’t judge how likely as yet.”

  The shaken questioner fell silent, and Tuzere
continued.

  “We must also prepare our non-military Narthani to contribute to direct defense. It is as General Akuyun has said, duty requires us to account for all possibilities, one of which is direct threats against our population. This will involve preparing local defensive positions where the populace of the surrounding area can go to wait for army relief. It will require forming militias of able-bodied men. I will coordinate with Colonel Ketin on the defensive positions and Brigadier Zulfa on the militia.

  “We, and by this I mean mainly the local civilian administrators in this room and your staffs, will need to evaluate the numbers and distribution of slaves and servants from client peoples, including the remaining original Preddi, for potential sabotage. Any troubling individuals will need to be moved farther from the borders and into situations where they can be observed more closely.

  “And finally, we know we have to maintain a functioning level of the economy, but consistent with that, men, slaves or not, can be called on for whatever labor or duty is necessary.

  “I hardly need say that as soon as word of these changes spreads, there will be turmoil among our civilians. Most of them never imagined this situation, any more than we in this room did. At least, we’ve had time to anticipate most of what is necessary, whereas the civilians will be hit with it all at once. I’m afraid there’s no way around this. My administrators and I will work to make ourselves available down to the smallest local level to reassure people and also to confirm the necessity of these actions and tamp down complaints.

  “The first sixday will be the worst. After that, people will adjust to the new conditions. If necessary, stern measures will be taken against agitators, whether they deliberately resist what is ordered or are incapable of adjusting because of individual issues.”

  Colonel Erdelin stood. “Administrator, or General Akuyun, has it been decided how internal authority will be applied? By the existing internal security offices or the military?”

  “It will depend on the location and circumstances, all to be worked out,” Tuzere answered. “Where necessary, existing security personnel will be supplemented with troops. For example, to the usual two-man foot patrol within Preddi City we might add two troopers. Similar with mounted patrols, except toward the borders where the army may take over control. For now, local authority and judicial channels will remain the same, subject to conditions requiring full military control.”

  Tuzere nodded to Akuyun and sat down. At a motion from Akuyun, Colonel Ketin stood. “I’ve been tasked by General Akuyun to oversee preparing Preddi City to withstand a concerted attack. We don’t think it likely, given the islanders’ lack of experience in such matters and that they would have to fight their way here, but, as the general says, it is our responsibility to plan for any eventuality. We won’t attempt to build complete fortifications but will lay out basic positions and do the most time-consuming work. Then, if necessary, the remainder of the positions can be completed in a reasonably short time by a concerted effort of all available workers. For example, should the worst happen, and we have to defend Preddi City, the navy will only be able to provide support near shore. However, naval 30-pounders can be moved to prepared positions onshore.

  “Lesser defensive positions will be prepared in other selected locations, though those will be intended only as holding actions should we need all the people to consolidate at Preddi City.”

  Ketin sat, and Akuyun rose again. “Colonel Ketin served for many years with distinction as an engineering officer before transferring to combat units, and I have absolute faith in the fortifications he is designing.”

  Or, at least, that’s what I have to say to instill as much confidence as I can, thought Akuyun. As we will keep saying, we don’t believe such measures are likely to be needed, but I’ve got a bad feeling we’re playing in a game where we suddenly don’t know all the rules.

  “We will also need to make changes to our military capabilities, as Brigadier Zulfa will outline.”

  Zulfa rose. “The main changes are that we need more cavalry and to retrain pike men with muskets. We didn’t anticipate that we’d have to ward off large-scale raids or even attacks by the islanders inside the territory we control. However, we have to be able to respond faster and with more men. Since we’re not going to receive any more cavalry from Narthon for at least five months, we have to create them here, and we’ll do it in two ways. We’ll convert some of our existing infantry units into mounted cavalry. Some of the men already have experience riding, so we’ll pull those men out of their units and add more men who’ll have to be trained in horsemanship, at least enough to ride to a fight. We don’t expect them to be as good as the existing cavalry, so their mission will be to support the current units.

  “Second, it was unfortunate the High Command decided not to bother sending any of the newer formations, where all pikes were changed to muskets. Mixed pike and musket formations were obsolete back home, but it was thought the islanders were so unorganized that no upgraded units were needed. Pikes are the traditional defense against cavalry charges, which we assumed would be the most likely offensive action we would face.

  “Unfortunately, our expectation was wrong, and the islanders threw infantry at us after luring the Eywellese from their screening position. One problem is a shortage of muskets to rearm the pike men and still have a supply of replacement muskets. Preddi Province didn’t have sufficient steel-making capability originally, but we had already expanded what existed, and the first blast furnace has been operating for three months, smelting iron ore into pig iron. The first finery forge and trip hammers are now operating, and we’re beginning to turn out steel for making muskets.

  “The startup process is slow. We estimate three to four months to turn out enough new muskets to replace those lost at Moreland City and be well on the way to rearming the pike men. We’ve already started the retraining, using wooden mockups and a limited number of muskets. As the pike men are rearmed, the training will intensify. We haven’t made a final decision whether the new musket men will be incorporated into existing units with experienced men or formed into entirely new units. Exigencies will be the determining factor.

  “Administrator Tuzere mentioned forming militia from the civilian population. Some of these people already ride as well as our cavalrymen, particularly workers on the cattle and horse ranches. Others who have any experience with horses will be formed into local mounted units. None of these will be expected to fight battles alone but will serve to patrol and support the cavalry units.

  “As for other militia formations, we will work out the training with Administrator Tuzere and his staff. These units will be intended to defend against any raid until the army can arrive. They would also serve in fortifications, should the need arise.”

  “What about the Eywellese and Selfcellese?” asked a grizzled commodore. “What happens to them?”

  “They are one reason we doubt the islanders will form a direct threat to our people in Preddi Province. Admiral Kalcan and his ships control the waters around Caedellium, so any threat to Preddi would have to come through either Selfcell or Eywell.

  “We’ll maintain our garrisons within those two provinces and will replace the pure infantry with mounted infantry as soon as possible. Both of those clans will mount vigorous patrols along their borders, although I will confirm that the effective border of Eywell is well within the original border. They lost so many men when they broke position, they’ve been forced to pull back farther into their province. There’s a twenty-mile zone that’s not controlled by Eywell or the other clans. Both sides run patrols, and there are occasional skirmishes, though nothing major.

  “We are holding to the policy not to allow an influx of Eywellese into Preddi Province. We don’t want to give the impression that Eywell is in imminent danger, nor do we want the Eywellese spreading too many details about what happened at Moreland City to incite unnecessary panic among our own people.

  “We are also considering operations t
o discourage islander moves toward our three provinces. General Akuyun will summarize those.”

  “Thank you, Brigadier,” said Akuyun. “Yes, we need to prevent the islanders from massing enough forces to threaten our positions. Plans are still being formulated, but the basic concept is to present a significant enough threat to the coastal clans that they are unable to send too many fighting men out of their provinces.”

  “Excuse the interruption,” said another of the civilian administrators, “and no disrespect intended, but isn’t that the strategy that failed to discourage the clans from uniting? I believe it was expected that only five or six clans would come to Moreland’s aid. However, nine came. What’s the reason to believe it will work this time?”

  Akuyun could see several officers redden and clench their teeth. He wasn’t offended. It was a reasonable question, and the purpose of the meeting was for the leadership to listen, ask questions, and, hopefully, leave understanding the situation and committed to filling their new roles.

  “There is no such assurance,” admitted Akuyun. “It’s been argued that those earlier raids were not extensive enough to tie down the clans, and that larger raids or even overt attempts to take over a province by direct assault from sea with a major force might be necessary. The argument against that approach is that it might encourage the other clans to finish uniting and try to attack us here with all their forces. It may be a delicate balance my staff and I have not yet come to understand satisfactorily. At the moment, it’s merely an option to be considered.”

  Akuyun Villa, Preddi City