“We can only do what we can do,” Culich said, “and pray to God.”
The room was nearly empty. Culich had kept his hand on Yozef’s arm, and as they walked side by side with the Keelan delegation to the exit, he lowered his voice and leaned to Yozef’s left ear.
“I haven’t given your On War writing to all the hetmen, Yozef. We have enough trouble here without opening too many new ideas for some of these men. I have shared it with Stent and Orosz and, of course, the four other clans in our now Five-Clan Alliance. Let’s see how tomorrow goes.”
Yozef’s anticipation of the next day’s session was shaken, due to Carnigan. The big man had found a pub to his liking, presumably while Yozef and Balwis remained occupied with the conclave.
By the second stein of beer, Yozef had summarized his impressions. Balwis added his, then was reduced to a string of curses at the blindness of too many hetmen.
Carnigan had listened without interrupting.
“That’s how it ended, Carnigan,” Yozef finished. “We’ll find out tomorrow whether the clans will vote on a mandatory united front against the Narthani.”
“So what if they do?” asked Carnigan blithely.
“Huh?”
“Let’s say that, unexpectedly from what I hear you say, all the clans vote to unite against the Narthani. What does that mean? What exactly will they do?”
Yozef stared at his big friend. And stared. His mouth had opened partway to say something, but no words formed in his brain to be transmitted.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” said Balwis. “I assume you or Hetman Keelan or Hetman Orosz have a plan? Would we gather and attack the Narthani, raid them to death, piss on them until they give up, or what?”
“Yozef,” said Carnigan, after several more moments, “were you planning on doing something else with your mouth besides catching flies?”
Yozef’s mouth snapped shut, his mind in full motion. What were they going to do if the clans united? He had been so caught up in everything else going on, moving to Caernford, Maera’s pregnancy, his projects, the university, trying to maintain his writing and workout schedules, writing On War, and then coming to the conclave and preparing to speak, that he hadn’t given thought to exactly what the clans could or should do about the Narthani.
Well, shit. What ARE we going to do? The topic came up this morning in the options proposed by Stent. The third option, do nothing, is so obviously ludicrous, the hetmen can’t possibly go that route.
Attack the Narthani? How? I don’t care how many clansmen can be mustered, I don’t see how they could win an open field engagement, and if they somehow managed to, the losses of men would have to be as bad as what happened to the Morelanders.
Nibble them to death? The clansmen outnumber the Narthani, so hit-and-run raids could slowly whittle them away and with hopefully acceptable losses, if the clans only do it with greatly superior numbers in any action. That could take time. Many months, a year, who knows?
Directly invade Preddi Province and face the Narthani right in their stronghold at Preddi City? I don’t see it. If necessary, they’d pull back into defensive positions. Digging them out by direct attack would cost as many men as a field battle, if not more, and who knows if it would work? What’s left is a siege. That could take many months. I remember reading of sieges on old Earth that lasted years. The clans couldn’t stay together and invest the Narthani positions that long.
I think there’s only one real option for the near future.
Yozef’s eyes focused again on his two companions. Carnigan was long since used to such introspective moments. Balwis hadn’t accepted them yet and kept drumming the fingers of both hands on the tabletop.
“Well . . . are you back with us from wherever it is you go?” Balwis said in a grating voice.
“Just thinking,” said Yozef.
“You’re always just thinking,” said Carnigan. “Are you about to share with us what you were thinking, or do we have to guess, as usual?”
“I think I’ll let you guess,” said Yozef, lifting his stein for a long draught.
I would share with you if I had a clear idea of what I think is our only option. I need to think it over to be sure I’m not missing something obvious, as I seem to do too often.
Balwis gave a disgusted grunt. Carnigan just shrugged at Balwis. “Either it’s a secret, or he doesn’t have a plan yet. Be patient, Balwis. It usually comes out okay. Usually.”
The next morning, the conclave room filled with the same men. Yozef hoped for better results than the previous day. Yesterday had been filled with uncertainty, whereas Yozef now hoped for a sense of purpose. Whether the purpose was real or a mirage, he would find out. Thus, as Orosz readied to call the conclave to order, Yozef sat behind Culich and hoped they wouldn’t summon him again for a brilliant plan.
Orosz struck the gong three times. “Hetmen, Sers, we are ready to begin again. I will state what I believe is the summary of conclusions we came to yesterday. You all, of course, can correct me if I am in error. Of Hetman Stent’s three options he proposed yesterday, I believe we can dispose of the third. That is to simply do nothing. That leaves two options. One is to contain the Narthani in their three provinces, by whatever means necessary. We can discuss later how we would do this. The second remaining option is to take the fight to the Narthani in their three provinces, with the objective of driving them off Caedellium. Once again, we can discuss how this might be done. I believe those are the only two realistic options we have, although there is another action that I believe several clans support: negotiations with the Narthani.”
The hetmen argued for an hour, without the clan positions changing on the three actions. Finally, Yozef left his chair and knelt next to Culich.
“It doesn’t have to be either/or, Culich,” Yozef whispered. “The clans are in no position to attack the Narthani directly but might be with time, training, and planning. I forgot to tell you that Maera sent a message. The cannon foundry in Abersford claims to have successfully cast a 6-pounder barrel. Once mounted on carriages, 6-pounders can accompany horsemen and dragoons to battles, giving our mounted men more power. Also, if it’s true the 6-pounder casting worked, then most likely we can move on to 12-pounders and possibly other cannon I have ideas about. All that will take time, though. Maybe in a year, with enough cannon produced and more training, perhaps the clans could consider an attack on Preddi. Until then, the borders with Narthani territory should be defended.”
Culich had listened with his head canted to Yozef’s mouth, his eyes taking in the focus of the other men in the room. When Yozef first knelt, all of the men were engaged in the general discussion. Within seconds, more and more heads and eyes left the ongoing session and shifted to watch Culich and Yozef. The noise level noticeably subsided, and Culich was about to cut Yozef short when his son-in-law finished what he wanted to say and returned to his chair.
Hetman Hewell had been the last speaker, stating why he thought a direct attack was the only final solution but worrying about cost. Having said his piece, Hewell then smoothly segued to Culich.
“It has been pointed out to me,” said Culich, and many eyes briefly swiveled to Yozef, then back to the Keelan hetman, “that the action options are not incompatible. Yozef Kolsko warned us at Moreland City not to attack the Narthani line directly, because we were inexperienced in this type of battle and against this kind of professional army. This doesn’t mean we might not be capable at some future time, but not right now.
“We also must agree that the Narthani not be allowed to expand from the territory they now control. The obvious solution is to affirm that we will resist with all our might any Narthani attempt to expand, such as they did at Moreland. How we do this would need to be worked out. It seems unlikely they will try the same type of invasion, although we can’t be sure what else they might do. While we do this, we can strengthen our total fighting ability and prepare ourselves by training, planning, and gathering whatever supplies and
weapons might be necessary, if and when we attempt to directly drive the Narthani off Caedellium, which would have to be decided by a future conclave.”
Most clans immediately grasped the Keelan hetman’s words as a way forward and one that didn’t require a commitment to try to immediately retake the three lost provinces. After another hour, Orosz called for a vote. There were no objections. The formal proposal was for heavy patrolling the borders of Narthani-controlled territory, with thousand man forces, contributed to by all clans, encamped near enough to the borders to delay any Narthani, Eywell, or Selfcell incursion until more help arrived.
Culich said the progress in cannon casting was promising. If it proved true, Keelan would share the technology with the other clans, and he hoped the other clans would follow the lead of the Five-Clan Alliance in developing significant numbers of cannon and trained artillerymen.
“Then,” said Culich, “when the clans feel they are strong enough, the option to attack Preddi can be revisited.”
Orosz forestalled further discussion by striking the gong and calling out, “All hetmen favoring Hetman Keelan’s proposal signify by standing.”
Sixteen hetmen stood. All but Nyvaks and Skouks.
“All those opposed, stand.”
The sixteen standing hetmen took their seats; no one stood.
Orosz struck the gong once more. “The vote is sixteen in favor, none opposed, two not voting. The proposal is approved and is the formal decision of the All-Clan Conclave.”
Conversations broke out throughout the room, and although several hetmen signaled to be recognized to speak, Orosz plowed on.
“There are several more proposals that need to be voted on. I see that some hetmen wish to speak, but I will invoke my position as conclave chairman to push on to other proposals. Otherwise, we’ll sit here and talk until the mountains erode into the sea.”
The hetmen who wanted to speak subsided and accepted Orosz’s ruling.
“Another decision is whether to attempt to negotiate with the Narthani. This is not to be a binding vote, because such an attempt is not widely supported, though we have no reason to prevent the effort. As an indication of the interest in such an effort, we will now vote.”
The result was eight in favor, five opposed, and five not voting, because the hetmen either had no opinion or saw no harm in trying.
“Since Hetman Pewitt and Hetman Bevans seem most interested,” said Orosz, “I ask them to plan how the negotiating gesture will be made to the Narthani and suggest the composition of the clan negotiating team, should the Narthani agree.
“Hetman Stent pointed out to me that we can’t have different individual clans trying to negotiate with the Narthani. All of you should have seen Hetman Keelan’s report about the dangers of the Narthani dividing the clans by bribes and promises, trying to set clans against one another’s interests. Therefore, I propose that no single clan be allowed to negotiate with the Narthani, and all such contact represent all the clans. Are there any objections to this proposal?”
Hetman Nyvaks looked grim but remained silent. The other hetmen suspected that Nyvaks had been in contact with the Narthani, in an attempt to gain favorable status if the Narthani took control of the entire island.
With no verbal objections to the vote, Orosz called it out. There were sixteen in favor and two opposed, Nyvaks and Skouks. No clan was to have private contact with the Narthani, with the consequence of expulsion from the conclave.
The next issue leading to a vote was Yozef’s warning that they needed a command structure to properly coordinate all of the clans. The sticking point was that it would require any clan to follow directions given by someone who, in some cases, did not belong to their clan.
After the first five minutes, Yozef had no doubt how the vote would go. The only question was the vote total.
It ended up with seven approving, five against, and six abstaining. Culich later assured him the vote wasn’t that bad, considering what had been proposed and the clans’ staunch focus on independence. The six abstentions meant those clans didn’t rule it out and could be convinced, just not yet. The five no votes meant that only three had to be convinced, if time and circumstance provided the opportunity.
Culich had expected the rejection of a unified command, as pushed by Yozef, but there were two follow-up issues for which Culich had garnered support from Orosz, Stent, and the other four clans of the Five-Clan Alliance.
Hetman Orosz recognized Culich to speak.
“Fellow hetmen,” said Culich, “while we have agreed to attempt negotiation with the Narthani and to aggressively patrol the borders of provinces they control, prudence requires that we prepare if these efforts fail and the Narthani launch more attacks. I can tell you what the five clans of the Five-Clan Alliance intend.
“Our preparations have several aspects. The first is producing more weapons. When we responded to Moreland’s call for help, our men brought with them whatever personal weapons they owned. This is fine for blades, but not for firearms, if future battles against the Narthani happen. One problem is we don’t have enough muskets. My own people saw this during the Buldorian raid on St. Sidryn’s abbey. Many defenders used crossbows or only blades, whereas if all had had firearms, the outcome would have been more assured. We need enough muskets and pistols to arm every member of every clan, with extra firearms for replacements and for when a fighter needs more than one.
“At the moment, only Clan Mittack produces firearms in the Tri-Clan Alliance and only in limited quantities. Hetman Mittack plans to increase production as fast as workers can be trained and tools and buildings are available. Since the main iron deposits are in Mittack, the other four clans will send workers to Mittack to help the expansion and gain experience, should production begin in the other four clans.
“One issue that became apparent is the need to produce a single type of musket and pistol, so that the men and the clans can share ammunition and to expedite replacement parts for damaged or nonfunctional firearms. Keelan was fortunate that most of our men’s muskets took the same-size ball. We refer to the ball size as the caliber. I’ve talked with other clans, however, and some of you will apparently field forces using three, four, even six different calibers. This means that not only will you have to produce different ammunition, but the right ammunition will have to be distributed to the right men at the right time in the midst of fighting. You can imagine the confusion and dangers.
“Then there is the problem of sharing on the battlefield. A man runs out of ammunition. Next to him is a dead or wounded fellow clansman. If they used the same ammunition, the first man could use that of the fallen one. If not, the only choice would be to abandon his own musket and used the fallen man’s. We all know we are more accurate and can fire faster with firearms we’re familiar with.
“We also plan to form firearm repair teams to accompany any large numbers of fighting men. Any damaged or malfunctioning firearm will be repaired on the spot, but this is possible only if the firearms are essentially identical, so that spare parts can quickly be substituted.”
Culich could see that most of the hetmen paid close attention and several nodded at his points, motions he took to mean they understood and approved. Even more approval became evident on the faces of advisors sitting behind the hetmen. The notable exceptions were the disinterested look on the face of Hetman Swavebroke and disdain from Hetman Nyvaks.
“What about existing firearms in clans such as mine, where there are no standard calibers?” asked Hetman Bevans.
“In your case,” said Culich, “I would advise to rearm as fast as possible and use the same calibers that we use. While it might be possible to replace only the barrels, even the existing firearms are still useful, if only for defense purposes and not in the field, where movement and speed are important.”
“Should Keelan determine the type of firearms Skouks uses?” asked Skouks, his brow furrowed and his tone indicating irritation.
“It’s not just Keelan,
” Stent answered. “You heard Keelan say their five clans have agreed to this, and I’ll announce that Stent will do the same.”
“As will Orosz and Bultecki,” said Hetman Orosz, with Hetman Bultecki nodding agreement.
“I think Farkesh will also adopt the same ideas,” announced Feren Bakalacs, Hetman Farkesh, to the surprise of all. Farkesh was the largest producer of firearms and traded them to the other clans. The province also had the most abundant iron deposits.
“I’ve exchanged letters with Hetman Keelan. We’ve discussed this idea of Yozef Kolsko’s. Even before Moreland City, I could see the logic to it, and our firearm foundries have nearly completed switching to the same calibers as the Five Clans.”
Skouks scowled at Farkesh, obviously angry that his neighboring northern clan hadn’t informed him of the intention, then turned to Culich.
“What if a clan doesn’t want to make the change?” he challenged.
Culich appeared unperturbed but resolute. “That is, of course, the decision any clan can make. However, if the time comes when the Five Clans are asked to come to another clan’s aid, we’ll have to consider the likelihood of the aid being decisive. Not being able to share ammunition would be one factor in deciding to commit our men.
“There is another consideration. You know of the ‘swivel guns’ we used at Moreland City. They were effective, though limited because of their size. We hadn’t been able to cast larger barrels such as the Narthani use, the ones called 12-pounders. I have just learned that in Keelan, we have successfully cast the first real cannon barrel.”
A quarter of the faces in the room rotated briefly in the direction of Yozef, as did another quarter of the pairs of eyes. Most knew where the swivels had originated, having read reports or heard accounts of the Battle of Moreland City.
“But that’s exciting news, Keelan!” exclaimed Orosz.
Several other hetmen voiced similar approval, before Culich raised his hand.
“This was only the first success. We’re calling it a 6-pounder barrel. It will be mounted on a carriage to accompany our horsemen, the heavier 12-pounders being more suited to accompany men fighting on foot or in defensive positions.
Heavier Than a Mountain (Destiny's Crucible Book 3) Page 22
