Renek stared at him. “So if he wants his soldiers to die, who are we to question him.” He nodded, slowly. “I will do as he asks—but you, generals, should be able to influence him to do something better than this.”
He stormed out of the tent, leaving the generals looking at the guilt in each other’s eyes.
* * *
“You wanted to see me, commander?” Renek asked.
Hesiod was sitting on his bed, wearing only his under things, examining his pink leg. “I’m no commander, Renek. That’s Rimes, now. I’m just a Lieutenant.” He grinned. “I specifically asked general Richard to demote me. I’m tired of being a commander, and I don’t know how well this leg will hold up.” He winked at Renek.
“You seem happy about it.” Renek smiled. “Your grin is infectious.”
Hesiod laughed. “I smile easily, today.” He gestured at his new leg. “Nothing makes you happier than the return of what was once lost.”
Renek’s smile disappeared. “I lost my whole life.” He sighed. “I wish I could get my memories back.”
Hesiod laughed again. “Renek, you have a life, and it’s a good one. You’re well respected; the men love you.” His smile faded. “And you never know, with that sort of thing. Maybe you forgot for a reason.
“But that’s not the point," he said, brightening again. “I asked you to come see me because I wanted to get your opinion.” He gestured to the table as he got up and started putting on his clothes.
Renek sat. “What did you want my opinion on?”
Hesiod sat down across the table from him. “It’s rather sensitive. I must ask you not to tell Rimes what I’m asking about.”
Renek nodded, slowly, and Hesiod continued.
“It’s not that I don’t trust him, exactly…” He sighed. “Well, I suppose I don’t trust him, when it comes down to it. He’s a good man, but…”
“But?” Renek prodded.
Hesiod grimaced, and looked down at the floor of the tent. “Well, I suppose that I have to trust you with this.” He laughed. “I still don’t really trust you, either, Renek—your ‘background’ is just too odd, despite the fact that you’ve put your life on the line for us. But I can’t help myself: I like you. And the men like you. You inspire them.
He took a deep breath. “That’s exactly the problem, though. I hear that the men don’t like Rimes very much.” He looked back up at Renek, care in his eyes. “I just want the men to be as safe as they can be. That requires them to trust their leader implicitly.” He sighed again. “I don’t think that they trust him to lead them well, not like they trust your leadership.”
Renek straightened in his chair. “You think they trust me more than they trust him, even when you yourself don’t trust me? But they don’t know me.” He smiled, a bit sadly. “I don’t even know me. They’ve known Rimes as a squadron leader for a long time, haven’t they?”
“Not as long as you might think. He was a foot soldier in another unit before he was promoted to Lieutenant and moved to this unit, only a few months ago.” Hesiod lifted one corner of his mouth sardonically. “I think that they’ve seen how good he is under pressure. And I think that they’ve seen you under pressure.” He reached out and put his hand on Renek’s arm. “That’s what I think. What do you think?”
Renek pondered for a moment, and even allowed a look of concern to cross his face. “Perhaps you’re right, that the soldiers respect me more. But I don’t understand this, Hesiod—why don’t you trust me, yet? I’ve saved your life.” He gestured at Hesiod’s new leg. “I may even have saved your leg, when that healer passed out.”
“I’m from the court. I don’t trust anyone until they’ve proven themselves.”
Renek shook his head disbelievingly. “But Rimes is the commander, now, and there’s nothing that we can do about it. Nor do I think that there’s anything that should be done about it. I still don’t understand why you’re bringing this up.”
“I need to know what you want, before I can trust you,” Hesiod said, simply. “And I need to know how you see yourself. What better way than to come in as if I have a conspiracy at the hand, to promote you into Rimes’ position, and see how you react?
He laughed, seeing the look of shock on Renek’s face. ”Renek, It’s getting close to dinnertime, and we will have an early morning tomorrow. Better get in line at the mess tent," he said, with a fatherly smile. “And check up on the men, would you? I think things have been pretty bad here—the our men might not … integrate easily with the front line soldiers.”
* * *
When Renek got to the mess tent, he heard a commotion inside. He stepped in to see one of his men yelling at the chef.
“Where did our food go?” He spluttered.
“We combined it with the rest of the army’s food!” the chef said. “We were running low. You had more food than we did, and we have ten times as many people to feed!”
The soldier looked incredulous. “And you made this with our food?” He laughed derisively. “Where’s our chef? He worked miracles with those biscuits!”
Renek looked around the room. The other soldiers, the ones who had been on the front for a while, were quite thin. What armor they were wearing was in disrepair. Some of their tunics had multiple patches. They were frowning and sneering at the loud newcomer.
“And these portions!” the soldier continued. “How are we suppose—” Renek strode forward and pulled the man out of line, and dragged him out of the tent.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Renek demanded.
“Lieutenant, the food they’re serving—it’s awful!” The man was indignant. “And there’s only half as much as we got yesterday!”
Renek smiled. “Well, if it’s terrible, then getting only half as much is a good thing, right?”
“What?” the soldier grimaced. “Oh. I see what you mean, but—”
“No buts about it. Look around you; we’re at the front lines of a war. Those men in there were about ready to rip your throat out for complaining about what they’re grateful to have.” He shook his head. “Now get back in there, finish your food, and compliment the chef when you’re done.”
The soldier had the decency to look sheepish as he pushed his way back into the tent with Renek. He glanced around at the angry eyes, all focused on him. Without another word, he went over to his bowl of food in front of the chef—who had his arms crossed in front of his chest, ladle hanging out to one side. The soldier nodded, picked up the bowl, and scurried to a table.
As Renek walked up to the chef, Rimes stepped into the tent. “Renek!” He lifted his hand in greeting and came over to his side.
“One of our men just told me there was a problem.” He lifted his eyebrows. “What’s going on?”
“Your boy over there wanted to complain about the rations, that’s all.” Renek grinned, nodding over at the soldier. “I think it’s all settled.”
Rimes heaved a sigh of relief. “Good," he said, dropping his voice. “These soldiers are worn down. We don’t want any troubles.”
Renek nodded, and held his bowl out for the chef to fill. “Well, they’ve been fighting a losing battle for a while, now,” he lowered his voice, and spoke even more quietly than Rimes had, “and with the prince in charge of things, I don’t think it’s going to get much better. With this battle plan, I think it will get worse.”
Rimes nodded. “Yeah, I saw that. He’s so concerned about honor that he’s willing to let his men die.” He shook his head. “Isn’t the saying ‘All’s fair in love and war?’” He held his bowl out, and the chef poured some of the stew in. “It’s not a dirty trick to flank your enemy, it’s strategy.”
They both walked over to an empty table and sat down.
“Well, I can see why he was disappointed,” Rimes said, quietly. “It’s not very good.” He lifted his spoon and let a little of the thin liquid spill back into the bowl. A few small vegetables, and a small piece of chicken, splashed back into the bowl.
“I suppose.” He shrugged. “I guess we don’t have to like it.”
“Nope. Just eat it, you’ll feel better.”
Rimes grimaced, but kept eating his thin stew.
* * *
Rimes and Renek rode next to each other the next morning, an hour before dawn. They were leading their unit, which was leading the army in its march up to the hills a half-mile away, just to the south east of the Triol army. General James had specifically requested their unit lead the way. Of course, this meant that they would be the first unit to engage the enemy.
“I don’t think he was impressed with me,” Renek said, wryly. “Sorry, Rimes.”
Rimes grinned. “You’re sorry that a spoiled brat doesn’t like you?” He laughed. “I think that’s a good thing!”
Several of the soldiers nearby smiled, perhaps agreeing with the commander. They do seem to trust me more, he thought to himself, tilting his head to the side. Rimes was the first one to trust me, though, he reasoned. I’ll support him in his command the best that I can.
The army marched into the valley, and began to prepare for the coming battle. They set some foot soldiers to digging trenches at the base of the hills and lining them with wooden spikes to deter cavalry attacks, and set up a few sentries to ensure that they wouldn’t be flanked.
As dawn broke, a Triol sentry rode over the crest of the northern hills. He paused, then wheeled his horse about and rode away.
“We only have to wait a little while, now,” Rimes said, adjusting in his saddle. “They’re camped less than five hundred feet beyond those hills.”
Renek nodded. “They’re probably already in ranks, too.”
It was only about fifteen minutes later, before the sun had risen to show the full face of his orange glow, that the mounted Triols became visible. Their army streamed into the valley behind them: thousands and thousands of archers, pike men, and foot soldiers.
There were even a few black-robed Sorcerers, in the rear. They were supported by some generals and surrounded by more cavalry.
It’s an awesome sight. Renek thought. He turned around in his saddle to see what their force looked like, but from this vantage point he couldn’t see much. We have fewer men, it’s true—but we have more Singers. That should make some difference, anyway.
The Triols sounded their horns, and their cavalry broke into a gallop.
“Well, this is it!” Rimes drew his sword and swung it over his head as he spurred his horse forward. Renek was only a heartbeat behind him.
It didn’t take long before the battle had dissolved into chaos. Everyone that Renek could see was dripping with sweat and blood, exhausted despite the early hour of the morning.
Rimes was completely out of sight. The last time that Renek had seen him, a Triol archer had wounded his horse. It was sad to see the noble mount falling, fletching sticking out of its neck. Rimes had put the horse out of its misery and waded into the nearest knot of Triol soldiers.
We’re holding our own pretty well. Renek thought, slicing into a Triol soldier’s arm. The man dropped his sword and Renek ran him through. As his enemy fell, Renek spun his horse around, looking for another Triol to engage.
He glanced up and saw the black-robed Singer on one of the hillsides, up above the stake-lined pit that the men had dug earlier. They were almost peaceful looking as they chanted, waving their hands in complex motions. A shimmering light seemed to fall from the sky, settling down on the Triol soldiers.
Renek shrugged, and galloped his horse towards some Triols. One of them turned and ran, so he turned his horse to ride the fleeing man down. He swung at the back of his head, but his sword bounced off.
What?
He attacked again, trying for the man’s shoulder, but the sword barely scratched the armor the man wore.
The Singers must have done something. His eyes widened with fear as the man stopped running, and turned around with an evil grin on his face. A kingdom arrow bounced off of his shoulder as he advanced towards Renek.
Renek looked about him. A storm was brewing overhead. All of the kingdom soldiers wore fear on their faces, and were turning back, fleeing before the invulnerable enemy. Renek wheeled his horse around and followed them.
The Triols pushed their position hard for the next few minutes, but Renek knew that the kingdom Singers were working on some sort of counter.
Lightning began to fall from the storm clouds overhead. There was a scream behind Renek, and he turned to see what was happening. Another lightning bolt jumped from the clouds, and struck one of the invulnerable soldiers in the head. He writhed as the electricity flowed through him, but as he fell, several more bolts of lightning flew from his body to strike Triols nearby. They writhed and collapsed.
Only the one directly struck stayed down. The ones who had been near him struggled back to their feet, armor smoking. They looked shaken.
Renek turned his horse to face the enemy, certain that they were once again vulnerable. “To me!” He cried, and galloped forward, swinging his sword at the disoriented, smoking man in front of him. Some of the kingdom soldiers turned to watch. Lightning continued to fall from the sky, striking Triol after Triol.
Renek’s pommel of rock shivered in his hand as his blade bit deeply into flesh and bone. As the Triol fell, there was a shout from the kingdom soldiers behind him. One of them began to beat his shield with his sword as he advanced. Soon several others joined in, and as Renek felled another Triol, the whole army behind him was advancing once again, beating their shields.
Still the lightning continued to fall.
* * *
Several hours later, Renek finally saw Rimes again. They were both exhausted, but Rimes was badly wounded. His shield was gone, and his left arm had numerous deep cuts on it. They stopped fighting for a moment.
“What happened to your arm?” Renek said as he jumped off of his horse. He grabbed a tunic from a fallen soldier and ripped it into pieces.
“That giant’s here—and healed up, good as new. His unit must have followed us to the front.” Renek gasped for air. “He ripped the shield off of my arm with one blow from that mace of his. The shield straps cut my arm.”
Renek tied the strips of tunic around Rimes’ arm. “At least this will keep you from losing any more blood,” he muttered. Glancing up, he saw the giant in the distance. “He’s over there. Let’s go see what damage he’s doing.”
Rimes grimaced, but nodded. Renek jumped on his horse, and gave Rimes a hand up. They rode double towards the giant. Renek was distressed to see how few kingdom soldiers there were. The losses had been heavy.
At least the sky is darkening, he thought, looking towards the sun. Maybe this terrible day will be over soon.
He spotted the giant. There were a few kingdom soldiers attacking him, trying to land a blow on him. He was too strong for them, though, and they kept backing up to avoid his mace.
Rimes slipped off the back of Renek’s horse and ran in close to the giant. “Hey!” he yelled. “What the heck happened to you? Did you eat a whole sheep every day when you were a kid?”
The giant turned to look at him. “Ah, little man! You have bravery, to come back.” He grinned broadly. “And with no shield! I thought you were a coward, like these others,” he said, gesturing around him.
Renek jumped off of his horse and circled around behind the giant as Rimes continued to taunt him.
“Did your mother die in childbirth? I’ll bet you ripped her open!” Rimes laughed. “It must have been like a horse steppin’ on an orange, blood and pulp spurting everywhere!”
The giant reddened, and brought his weapon down at Rimes with a roar. Rimes jumped to the side, and sliced at the giant’s outstretched arm, but his sword just skittered off of the chain mail.
Renek, however, was a bit luckier. He lunged in to the giant’s left flank, and sunk his sword deeply into his side.
The giant lifted his head to scream in pain. Renek struggled for a moment to free his sword, but it was ripped out of his hand as the giant turned and swung his weapon at Renek’s head. Renek easily stepped out of the way of the lumbering giant.
Rimes ran in and pulled Renek’s sword out with his wounded left hand, grimacing at the pain. As he pulled with his left hand, with his right hand he thrust his own sword into the giant’s other flank. The giant bellowed again, and Rimes dislodged his own sword. The giant then spun around to attack Rimes, but he had thrown himself to the side toss Renek’s sword back to him.
Renek jumped to the side to grab his sword, and brought it up under the chin, striking the giant’s neck. He struck true, striking the same gap that he had found before. He pulled his sword to slice deeply, and the giant’s lifeblood exploded out of his neck’s artery, splashing over Renek’s hands and onto the ground.
The ground shook as the giant’s body struck the ground. Nearly three dozen Triol soldiers drew their swords and advanced on the men who had killed their great warrior. The nearby kingdom soldiers joined with Renek and Rimes into a defensive circle.
Renek looked around at his men. Rimes was grim and determined, but the other men hadn’t fought with Renek or Rimes before; they seemed either frightened or resigned. All of them clearly thought that this would be their last battle.
Renek jumped forward, moving as fast as he could, and sliced through three of the enemy soldiers almost before they knew he was attacking.
“Your little friend wasn’t a match for us!” he yelled at the Triols. “Now it’s your time to die.” He engaged the two nearest him, pushing their swords to the side with his own and skewering the one on his right. He paused to look at the other, who was a relatively young man. He said in a low voice, “I hope you’ve made peace with your maker, boy,” lifting his sword menacingly.
The young soldier took a step back, then turned and ran back towards the bulk of his army.
Legend of the Swords: War Page 15
