Yozef looked surprised, as if he hadn’t considered that problem. He scanned the surroundings. “The Narthani are likely to fall back into their encampment once they’re convinced the clans are pulling back toward the city. I think you should be able to push enough men forward from here into the trees to secure this position and still not be detected by the Narthani. We should do this as quick as we can, before they send any patrols in this direction.”
Denes walked away, shaking his head doubtfully. Twenty minutes later, he returned with fifty riders, whom he directed to fan out in between them and farther along both sides of the ridgeline. Following shortly were Culich and fifty more riders, who stopped short of Yozef’s position, while Culich and Vortig Luwis came forward to his observation point.
“What do you see, Yozef?”
Yozef knew the hetman’s question asked both what they could see from this position and whether Yozef had an idea, an inspiration, or a vision.
“Thank you for coming, Hetman.” Without further preliminaries, Yozef started explaining. He pointed out the Narthani positions and the terrain details, both as they could see them and on the map. They then worked their way down to the creek Yozef had noted on the map and knelt under a spreading tree, where Yozef laid the map on the ground and drew a similar map in the dirt.
He pointed out the Narthani positions. “When one looks at their deployment, one might think the center is weak and subject to attack.”
“Yes,” said Luwis impatiently, “we can all see this. If this is their normal arrangement of men, it gives us the chance to break their middle and split their army in two. Perhaps even kill their leaders, if we’re fortunate.”
“That’s likely what they want you to believe,” said Yozef. “This is an experienced Narthani army and leaders who have likely commanded in many battles before. Don’t you think it strange that they would arrange their men in such a vulnerable manner?”
Luwis frowned, scratching his beard as he looked at the map. “I have to say that thought occurred to me. I took it as overconfidence or stupidity on their part. But you’re right to point out it may be deliberate.”
“If this formation is somehow to fool us, what do you think are their intentions?” asked Culich.
“Of course, I can’t know their true intentions, though I’ll point out one possibility.” With a hand, Yozef smoothed over the positions in the dirt of Narthani formations and redrew them with the stick, showing movements. “What if you charge the center, and the Narthani move their men this way . . . ?” He drew the development of crossing fires.
He was only halfway through the explanation when Luwis saw it all. “Great God on high! With their muskets firing from three sides and the cannon canister, they’d slaughter our men!”
“That might only be the beginning. Once the main charge was destroyed, the rest of your riders would be trying to retreat and would run into more riders coming behind them. Those in the back might not be able to see how bad it was in front until they were in range themselves, or they’d be so confused you’d lose any control of your men. The Narthani cavalry on both flanks could encircle your riders, while the Narthani infantry moved forward. Such a maneuver is called a ‘double envelopment.’ There’s too many of you for them to kill you all, but you could easily lose half of your men before withdrawing. The Narthani would then occupy Moreland City, and the conquest of Clan Moreland would be essentially complete. The number of men lost and the memory might make if difficult, or even impossible, to rally the clans in the future.”
Culich was thoughtful. “If they want us to attack in the center, have they left weaknesses? If we stay away from their crossing fields of fire, what about their right flank and the Eywellese horsemen? If we attack there, will the Narthani simply adjust their infantry formations, and we’ll be back to having no place to attack?”
“What if there were no Eywellese cavalry?” asked Luwis, looking at Yozef.
Yozef was encouraged that Luwis was thinking tactically. “If the Eywellese cavalry was not there, then there might be an opportunity to attack the last square on that side. It would have to be a fast and overwhelming attack before the artillery position turned their cannon and the other Narthani infantry blocks moved to face you. Even better would be if you could overrun the artillery position and turn the guns on the next Narthani infantry block; then the entire Narthani flank might collapse. I doubt you could completely defeat them, but they might have to withdraw out of Moreland.”
Culich stood, a more determined look on his face than minutes earlier. “I think we understand enough to finish talking about this back in a safer position. We need also bring the rest of the clans into the planning of what to do next.”
They mounted and returned to the main Keelan force that was already heading back to their bivouac site.
The hetmen argued long into the night over the next day’s action. The Moreland hetman was unconvinced by Yozef’s arguments, as laid out by Culich. In the end, most of the hetmen backed Culich, either because they had some inkling of the arguments or because they settled on a plan not requiring their clans to launch an assault on the Narthani positions. The final plan was more an exploration of whether the Eywellese could be lured into abandoning their screening position. Even if that happened, Yozef doubted the clans could take advantage of the opportunity.
Yozef was alternately excited and scared—thrilled to participate in planning an actual battle and terrified that he had no idea what he was doing.
Second Day
The sun rose on a clear day and moderate northerly winds. The same sun that prompted Yozef to raise a hand to block its rays also warmed Breda Keelan’s left cheek, as she sat on the veranda and looked north toward Moreland; the same sun that shone through Maera Kolsko-Keelan’s bedroom window, as she lay imagining what was happening 160 miles north; and the same sun that shone through St. Sidryn’s windows to rest on a kneeling abbot.
The clans deployed into three adjacent groupings. The center and right groups had the simplest and least risky assignments. All three groups would pretend to launch direct charges on the Narthani. However, as soon as they came within estimated musket and canister range, they would stop and mill about as if undecided how to continue. Only the left group, the Tri-Alliance clans, would continue on, veering with a feint directly at the Eywellese on the Narthani flank.
The plan was simple in conception but dependent on the Eywellese doing something stupid, such as leave their position guarding the Narthani right flank. It was Culich who suggested the most likely way to achieve this. He and Hetman Eywell had a long and bitter relationship. Culich had made no effort in the past to hide his disdain, and the reciprocal feeling, if anything, was more antagonistic. Culich and his household banner would lead the charge, then pretend to break away to the south, in the hope Eywell would be unable to resist pursuing. To help, the Keelan banner would fly over an upside-down Eywell banner—a traditional symbol of domination or, in the case of inimical sides, “fuck you,” as Yozef interpreted.
The three Tri-Clan hetmen, the senior clan leaders, and Yozef stood around a map laid out on the ground in front of the massed clans’ horsemen.
“As Yozef Kolsko suggests, let’s go over the plan one final time. Of the twenty-two hundred Tri-Clan men answering Moreland’s call, we’ve left two hundred to guard our encampment and support people. The other two thousand are divided into four groups. Two groups of six hundred men each will be under me and Hetman Gwillamer. We will charge directly at the Eywellese. When my flagman signals, Vortig will lead four hundred men in an apparent retreat, while Hetman Gwillamer’s group will mill and shift left and parallel to the Eywellese and Narthani positions. The other two hundred men will follow me and the Keelan banners to the south, where we hope to tempt the Eywellese to give chase.
“If Hetman Eywell follows me, four hundred Keelan dragoons under Denes Vegga await, hiding in the brush across the creek bed at the end of the alley in the trees and low hillocks. Yozef Ko
lsko will be with Vegga to oversee the swivel gun and crossbow carriages.”
“Pardon, Culich,” interrupted Hetman Mittack. “None of my people have experience with this artillery, as it’s being called, and we only know of them in a few Caedellium port defenses. I know you say they are important, but how much of this plan depends on them?”
“I’ve seen them in test exercises, and they’re impressive,” said Denes, “though I’m not counting on them today. The muskets in the ambush should fell the most forward Eywellese horsemen who follow Hetman Keelan. Those Eywellese farther behind will run onto a tangle of downed men and horses, and it should be chaotic enough for us to pick off most of the rest. If the swivel carriages work as anticipated, it will go even worse for the Eywellese.”
I hope he’s right, Yozef prayed. We’ve practiced enough, but drills and battles aren’t the same.
“The plan is of three parts,” continued Culich,” all dependent on tricking the Eywellese into abandoning their primary role—protecting the Narthani infantry flank. If the Eywellese follow our feigned rout, the two hundred men under me will lure the Eywellese into the ambush. If needed, we’ll wheel and support the four hundred men forming the ambush. Plus, Hetman Mittack waits farther behind the ambush with our final four hundred men. If the ambush is successful enough, my two hundred plus Mittack’s four hundred will circle north to attack the rear of the Eywellese. Vortig Luwis and Hetman Gwillamer will rally their thousand to cut off the retreat of the Eywellese in the ambush and, if possible, assault the remaining Eywellese screening the Narthani infantry block. Once the ambush is cleared, the dragoons and the artillery will remount and move toward the last Narthani infantry block. Yozef assures us that smoke from the Narthani guns will already be obscuring views, and that will be enhanced by some of Luwis’s men dragging burning straw bales along the Narthani flank, setting the grass afire. So far, the wind is in our favor, and the smoke should add to the temporary Narthani confusion.
“The leaders of our horsemen will have to decide quickly if there are opportunities to attack the flank or the rear of the Narthani artillery position or assist the dragoons.”
Culich stood up from the map, as did all of the men. “Remember, this is a multi-step plan and is to be aborted at any point, if necessary. If the Eywellese don’t fall for our trick, we simply withdraw back to the current positions. Same thing if the ambush doesn’t succeed as well as we believe or takes too long and the Narthani adjust their positions. If we proceed to attack the Narthani flank, we will press on only as long as we have the advantage. Kolsko warns us, and I agree, not to try to engage the Narthani under any conditions where we don’t have advantages. Any final thoughts or questions?”
The grim men glanced at one another. None spoke.
“Then, men of Mittack, Gwillamer, and Keelan, may God be with us this day. I pray to see you all this evening.”
Chapter 29: Committed
Aivacs Zulfa’s horse sensed its rider’s tension and skidded to one side, bumping against Nuthrat Metan’s mount. Other horses reacted, and the Narthani command staff settled each of their horses and resumed a semi-circle, facing east toward Moreland City. Zulfa had carefully selected their army’s position, a mainly flat plain with clear fields of fire for muskets and cannon and limited room for the clans to use their horsemen to threaten the Narthani rear.
Metan commanded their left wing, including the Narthani heavy cavalry and the Selfcell horsemen. The ridgeline farther left obviated any clan attack on that flank and freed their cavalry to exploit openings. If all went according to plan, the Caedelli mass horse charge would be broken up by artillery and crossing fields of fire, and Zulfa would signal for their heavy cavalry to use the weight of their larger horses and armor to ride down the disordered and disheartened islanders or to lead the Selfcellese on the left wing of a double envelopment.
Erkan Ketin directed the middle of the Narthani line, which included maneuvering the infantry and the artillery into the killing arc. He was the oldest of Zulfa’s subordinates, and Zulfa doubted Ketin would rise further in rank, but he was solid and dependable—the right man to orchestrate this maneuver.
The right wing of the deployment was under Memas Erdelin, a member of a prominent family with significant influence in Narthani society and imbued with excessive self-confidence. Zulfa didn’t like the man, but, despite reservations about his ability, Erdelin hadn’t yet given Zulfa sufficient reason to approach General Akuyun to replace him. Zulfa suspected the relative unreliability of the Eywellese was somehow related to Erdelin, though he didn’t know how. Not that there was any doubt about either Erdelin’s or the Eywellese’s willingness to fight. Rather, Zulfa’s concern was their not thinking clearly and acting more aggressively than warranted. For today, Erdelin and the Eywellese had an easy task: hold the right flank and be prepared to join a general pursuit or envelopment.
Zulfa surveyed the Caedelli arraying a mile away in three separate masses of horsemen, separated by gaps. Banners identified nine clans besides Moreland.
“A few more of them than we expected from Assessor Hizer’s briefings,” noted Ketin quietly, as he swept down the Caedelli deployment with his telescope. “The middle group is larger and aimed directly at our center. Those two flanking groups are smaller and won’t come completely into the killing zone. I think our last blocks and the cavalry can hold them off while we deal with the main group.”
“The more of them the better,” appraised Erdelin, lowering his own telescope. “If we kill enough today, the sooner the clans submit and we can get back to Narthon.”
“Well, we’re ready, and they’re here,” Zulfa said loud enough for this three immediate subordinates and all of their staffs to hear over the horses and the background noises of the army. “If they don’t attack today, we’ll move forward to Moreland City tomorrow and force their hand.”
“It’ll be today,” said Metan. “I can feel it.”
“We’ll see,” said Zulfa, looking down at a diagram of their deployment.
An aide spoke urgently, “Brigadier, they’re moving.”
Zulfa looked up sharply and saw all three masses of Caedelli horsemen in motion. At first, it appeared as a rippling; then, when he used the telescope attached to his saddle, he could see the Caedelli horses moving forward at a walk. It was at times like this when he felt helpless. All of his sub-commanders knew their roles, and he could only watch and trust them to carry out their instructions. Only if things went badly would he issue new orders in the next few minutes.
“This may be it,” he said more calmly than he felt. “Colonels, to your positions.”
Ketin, Metan, and Erdelin galloped to their stations, their staffs following.
Denes Vegga halted the ambush force behind a forest patch a quarter-mile south of the dense brush covering the western bank of the creek bed where they hoped to ambush the Eywellese. The men sat or stood holding their horses’ reins, the swivel gun and crossbow artillery crews huddled to one side. The carriage limbers carried premeasured bags of powder, shot bags, explosive quarrels, and powder horns to charge the swivel initiation chambers. Six horses pulled the swivel carriages, plus their limbers. Although four horses could manage, six provided more speed and a safety margin if one or two horses were injured, either in battle or through accidents. The lighter crossbow carriages and limbers needed only four horses.
The effective range of the three-barreled swivel pieces was not much more than 150 yards, better than nothing. However, Yozef wasn’t confident about the quarrel launchers and ordered the crews not to take part in the ambush.
Each carriage had a crew of eight men, more than needed, but it took into account possible casualties, so extra men would allow the guns to continue firing. It also provided extra men for a hoped-for use, along with another thirty men with muskets waiting nearby. All of the men had experience with the swivel and dry runs with inert mock 6-pounders. They all could man the tri-swivel carriages, but as important was the possibil
ity that the islanders would capture the southern Narthani artillery position and turn the guns on their owners.
Yozef was dubious about their plan. It all sounded plausible when talking and diagramming on the ground and later on paper, but too many parts had to work, and once set in motion the opportunity to adjust would be limited. He had argued vociferously against the hetman exposing himself to the forefront of the feigned attack on the Eywellese but begrudgingly understood the best chance of enticing Hetman Eywell out of his position was to offer a prize Eywell couldn’t resist.
Gynfor Moreland and his two sons, Owain and Caedem, led the Moreland contingent forward. First at a walk, then quickening the pace to a trot, as the entire mass of horsemen flowed forward. Behind him were three thousand Moreland riders, the best fighting men of his clan. To his left and his right were another two thousand riders from the Adris and Hewell, and the Stent and Pewitt clans, respectively. A sense of exhilaration flooded through him, followed by frustration. As an adolescent, he’d dreamed of leading such a charge as recounted in legends, but this was only to be a feint. He could see the two wings of the Narthani deployment and the sparsely occupied center. With the men at his back, how hard could it be to burst through the Narthani line, split their force in two, and annihilate them?
Welman Stent urged his horse into a trot. He had reiterated to his major subordinates that their clan’s role was a ruse, reminding them so often, they sickened of his nagging. Beside him at the head of his clansmen were flagmen pointing their flag staves forward. On his orders, they would raise the flags, the signal for Stent and Pewitt men to wheel ninety degrees and sweep to the right across the Narthani front. The Hewell and Adris contingents to the Moreland left had similar instructions from their hetmen.
The Pen and the Sword (Destiny's Crucible Book 2) Page 36
