"It's not just Stivik who you should be worried about," Felecia said softly, and we all looked at her curiously. "Tantrus is going to be desperate as well. I've been getting reports that the army is burning down his temples and churches, while putting his priests to the sword and converting his followers. This is a holy war after all."
"Well, Fordessa," I asked, "Do either you or Fel have anything to tell us?"
"No, William," Fordessa's voice said. "We can not see into his places, or see what his people are doing. However we do both agree that Felecia's words have merit. Tantrus is an elder god, far older than either of us. That temple has been there a very long time and we know nothing about it. It is best to be concerned."
I looked at the others as I nodded in agreement, seeing them nod as well.
We discussed the refugee problem after that, it was decided that a number of clerics from Fel and Fordessa would be sent down to convert any refugees that showed up, as well as to put us on guard for any of Tantrus's who might try to sneak in. Felecia would also talk to the local priests of Roden and see to it that they were included in the task. Roden's faith had grown considerably in Marland since the war and relations between the churches had been good. Fel had made it clear that he didn't want that relationship disrupted.
I had no idea if Fel was planning on inviting Roden into his pantheon, nor was it really my business to ask. I wasn't even sure which of them had the larger religion.
After we finished that up, Laria and I went off to a local tap house and restaurant that Jane had recommended. Felecia had sent an acolyte to fetch Goth to meet us there.
"Goth!" I said and stood to hug my daughter when she showed up. "I'm glad you were able to join us."
Goth rolled her eyes and hugged me back, "Like I would miss seeing you, Dad."
"Well, I wasn't sure if you might be busy or not."
"Do you really think anyone is going to stop me from seeing my father?" She said with a touch of sarcasm. "Especially when my father is Feliogustus's champion?"
I gave a small shrug, she had a point.
"So, where is your boyfriend?" Laria asked.
"Oh, he's busy, but he said he would join us in an hour or so. Apparently something important came up that he has to see to."
"More important than meeting your father?" I asked surprised.
"Apparently," Goth shrugged, sitting down and joining us. She had a cased instrument with her.
"Are you any good with that?" I asked nodding at it.
Goth smiled, "Surprisingly, well at least to Felecia, Jane, and myself, I am," she said looking rather proud. "Everyone thought you had just sent me here to get rid of me. Who knew I had talent?"
I coughed suddenly at that comment; I hadn't sent her here to get rid of her, that was more Narasamman's idea. I'd sent her here to keep Rachel and Narasamman from killing her.
"Let's hear it, while we wait for your boyfriend to show up," I told her.
"Sure," Goth smiled and uncased the local version of the guitar and after tuning it, she started playing. I was impressed, she was rather good.
When she started to sing, even Laria looked impressed.
We drew a lot of attention after that, and we got a round of ale on the house from the barkeep, who was appreciating the sudden increase in customers. I was surprised that there wasn't a performer here already. Then again, it was still early in the day yet, only an hour or so after lunch. I ordered food for the table, and put an arm around Laria as I enjoyed Goth's performance.
When Second Adams walked up to the table I stood up and greeted him.
"Second Adams, what brings you to our table?" I asked smiling at him.
He looked at me, then looked at Goth, whose facial fur bushed out slightly in a blush, then looked back at me.
"I'm dating your daughter, Sir."
I could feel my eyes widening a little and looked down at Goth, who looked even more embarrassed as she stopped playing and put her instrument away.
"I guess she wanted it to be a surprise," I said and motioning him to a chair a sat down as well.
"You're not upset, are you, Sir?" Second Adams asked taking a seat.
"Call me Will, Adams, this is a social setting after all," I said and smiled at him, and then at Goth. Second Adams was probably ten years older than Goth, either she liked older men, or was testing me.
"And actually, I'm not at all upset at all. In fact, I approve." I said and with the way Goth's face lit up, it was pretty clear she wasn't testing me; she actually did like Second Adams.
They moved closer together at that point and exchanged a kiss.
The food I'd ordered showed up then, and we just discussed things in general while we ate. Goth and Adams related how they'd met last year, and then talked about the city and how things had been going since the war.
Overall it was a nice time, and when it was over I felt a lot better about things with Goth. Last night had apparently been her last 'play' for me, probably more out of habit than anything else. It seemed fairly apparent to me that she was finally moving on.
"So, no comments about older men?" I asked Laria when we'd finally gotten back to our room after replenishing our supplies.
"Well that would hardly be fair," Laria grinned at me, "Considering that I'm younger than Goth and you're older than Adams."
"Well not everyone has such discerning tastes as you do," I grinned.
"By the way she looked at him, don't be surprised if you're a grandfather soon," Laria said grinning back at me.
"Adams is a good male; I'm glad she's found somebody and is happy."
"You mean you're just glad she found somebody and you're off the hook!"
"Well yeah," I said trying not to look too embarrassed, "but at least it's someone I'm okay with."
"Good. Now that we got that over with, how about we enjoy our last night in this rather nice bed before we leave in the morning?"
"No arguments there!"
Five
Saladin - Edgemire
We rode into town about an hour after the sun had set, even though we'd gotten an early start it was still a fairly long ride. I had met with Second Adams before we left; he was getting his men ready to march then, and was fairly certain he'd join us tomorrow night.
I had no idea when to expect Holse's troops, or how many he would be sending.
"Champion William," the garrison commander said when I rode in.
"Third," I paused a moment and burned a cantrip to help with my memory, I recognized him then and it came to me quickly, "Hicks, right?"
Third Hicks smiled and nodded, "Glad to see you remembered, Champion William."
"Took me a moment, that's all," I smiled and touched palms, "and please, just Will, you should remember I'm not much on the formalities off the field."
Third Hicks nodded, "Yes, Will. So, is the queen really that concerned with Barassa?"
I nodded, "She thinks that if Stivik is going to play his hand, he's going to play it when that northern army shows up, rather than wait. So she wants to be ready if it should be something that will affect us.
"This is my companion, Laria," I said introducing her, "Laria, this is Third Hicks."
Third Hicks smiled at Laria and greeted her, another male taken in by her rather striking beauty.
"Well, let me show you to your room," he said to the both of us. "Then if you want we can go up to the lookout tower and take a look at Barassa."
I had noticed the large wooden tower that had been erected since I'd been here last with the army. It reminded me of the forestry towers that used to be put up for spotting fires; it looked like a watchtower set up high on a wooden framework. Probably not anyplace you'd want to be in a storm or when the wind got blowing.
"That sounds good to me," I said and after handing the mounts off to a groom we followed him first to our room, where I dropped my pack and Laria's, then we both let him lead us to the tower.
When we got there I looked up the ladder that went up
the hundred feet to the enclosed platform on top, and then looked at Laria.
"You don't have to go up, if you don't want to, Hon."
She smiled and me and shook her head, and started up first.
I followed her up with Third Hicks coming up last.
"Well, at least we can enjoy the view," he whispered.
I snickered and Laria just gave her tail a rather rude flick.
I was surprised that the ladder didn't sway all that much, nor did the tower once we got up there. Obviously it was better built than it looked.
Once inside the watch platform we found two men who were already there, looking out towards Barassa.
"Seen anything?" Third Hicks asked as he climbed in after me.
"No, Sir. Looks about the same as always," the guardsman replied.
"Champion, Sir," they both said, and moved out of the way so Laria and I could take a look.
There really wasn't much to see. The river was maybe two and a half miles wide here, I knew that currents could be rough in it during the spring thaw and during tide changes. Tonight it looked fairly calm, and I could see the lights of Barassa on the far side now that it was getting late.
Making much more than that out was hard in the darkness, perhaps I'd come back after the moon had risen, or just wait until morning.
"Any increase in shipping traffic that you've noticed?" I asked the guards.
"No, Sir. It all seems to be about normal, at least as far as we can tell from here, Sir."
I nodded, "Thanks."
I looked around the area for a couple of minutes, and then took a last look at the city.
"Well, I guess that's it for now. Know of any place we might find a meal this late in the day, Third Hicks?"
"Definitely," he said and after we climbed down the tower he led us off to a small inn that was still open, and then left us to our own devices until morning.
I took a look at Barassa again after the sun had risen, but there really wasn't anything unexpected to see. Second Adams showed up with his brigade the next morning and I directed them to set up out of sight of anyone watching from Barassa.
I didn't think it was the Barassan army we needed to impress, at least not yet. The following day and the day after that were quiet, but then the besieging army showed up.
I had gotten up in the tower early that morning, along with Laria and Second Adams and we all sat up there and watched all day long. I knew they'd be showing up, because Fel had told me in a dream before I'd woken up.
That early in the morning, you could hear the actual alarm being raised in the city, and it was possible to see people streaming into the gates for the next hour, until they were closed and the people who hadn't gotten in by then, realized their situation and fled.
We couldn't tell when the leading elements of the army arrived, because they showed up on the far side of the city, but when a company came marching around on the west side first, and then a second on the east side. It was clear that the siege had started.
We watched all day as more and more forces showed up, there were a few exchanges of arrow fire, but the attackers made sure to set up out of range. When the Barassan defenders let loose with a few of their heavier weapons, the attackers just picked up and moved their encampments further away.
"When will they attack?" Laria asked me.
"Not until they're ready," I told her. "First they have a lot of people to get into position. Then they'll either have to move up siege equipment, or build it."
"Siege equipment?" She asked looking at me.
"Ladders to climb the walls, battering rams to break down the gates, weapons to toss rocks, balls of fire, dead animals, whatever they want, into the city."
"Dead animals?" She said surprised. I noticed a couple of looks from the guards, but Second Adams just nodded.
"To spread disease. Sick animals or ones that died from being sick. You want to try and either make the people sick, or kill off the livestock they have penned up inside the city."
"And that works?"
"Sometimes," I said. "Sieges can last for years, though I'll be surprised if this one runs past the fall. Barassa's port is still open, so they can still get food and supplies. While this will hurt Barassa economically, I don't know if they can do much more than that."
We watched all day, only taking breaks for meals, then when the sun set Adams, Hicks, Laria and myself went to the inn for some ales and to discuss what we saw. Which really wasn't much.
Holse arrived with several brigades and a small cavalry detachment two days later and joined us in the watch tower.
"What are they doing to the west of town, Will?" He asked as we settled down to watch that morning. So far, there hadn't been a single attack made on the city, at least not that we could tell.
"I think they're building siege towers or something," I told him. "They've been cutting down trees there for several days now."
"Then why not do it on the east side as well?"
I shook my head, "I honestly don't know."
"Third Hicks," Holse asked looking at the garrison commander, "When does the tide go out?"
"I don't know, General. Let me go find out."
I looked over at Holse while Hicks quickly climbed down the ladder.
"You think they're up to something?"
Holse nodded, "To make this siege work, they have to block that port."
I looked back at the construction that was going on to the west of the camp, then looked at the opening to the port. Barassa had grown up along the river; the sea was about twenty miles east of here. But the riverbank wasn't all that straight along the side were Barassa was located, it was more like a lake that the river had cut one side off of, which made it a natural harbor, with a very wide mouth.
A mouth that was close to a half-mile wide.
"You think they're building something to block it, don't you?" I asked looking back at Holse.
"Wouldn't you?"
I thought about that, a chain on floats, large floats, would be ideal. But I don't think the ability to forge a chain like that existed anywhere near here. And the cost of it would be fantastic, it would have to be iron or steel, both of which were not in that great of supply yet.
But rope, with the grasslands to the east, and the many fields all of the countries had, they could make a hell of a lot of rope. But they would have had to have started on making it months, maybe even years, ago.
"Have we heard anything about an increase in rope making?" I asked Holse.
Holse shook his head. "No, but who would think to look for such a thing?"
I shook my head, "My sister would, Evean might, she's pretty smart but I don't know if she's studied that much about naval blockades."
"Well, I figure once the tide starts to turn, we'll see."
Third Hicks came back while we were mulling it over.
"The tide should turn at noon today, General."
"Good, well why don't we all take a break now, and come back then?" Holse suggested looking around.
"Sounds good to me." I agreed and the others followed suit.
Three hours later we were watching when the first small boats were launched.
There appeared to be two dozen rowers in each boat, and they were pulling a thick line, which had a large float attached to it, every forty or so feet.
Using the current to help them along, we watched as they pulled the rope from the west to the east, hundreds of soldiers working on the shoreline, moving the rope and floats into place. It took hours, but by the time the sun was starting to set, the rope was in place.
And that was when the army attacked.
The attack ran all night; siege weapons were tossing rocks and burning pitch over the walls and into the city. Twice we watched as troops charged the wall under the cover of their shields and tried to put up ladders to scale the sides.
Each time they were easily repulsed. I was surprised they hadn't built any siege towers yet, and commented on it to Holse.
"Then why attack now?" I asked. "Why not wait?"
"Scare tactics," Holse replied. "Everyone inside the city knows that they're now cut off. This attack was probably more of an attempt to hurt morale and try and inspire a panic and riots in Barassa, than to try and take it outright."
"What do you expect to happen next?"
"I expect Barassa to send out a ship to cut that rope." Holse paused a moment, "But not until after sunset tomorrow."
I nodded, it made sense.
Things were quiet all the next day, except for the constant barrage on Barassa by the catapults. When the next morning came, sure enough, the rope had been cut. But apparently the besieging army had been ready for this. They reeled in the broken part on the eastern side, pulled it out at a landing that some of the troops had been working on, and then they spent a few hours transporting it back around to the other side. Once there they attached it to the moored section, and then let the whole thing play out as the boats from before rowed out to the end, and towed it towards the anchorage.
The next morning, when we awoke there was now a small ship lashed to the center of the barricade, flying the flag of the allied army.
"Apparently they laid a trap for the rope cutting party last night," I observed.
"And got themselves a nice prize in the process," Holse agreed. "Someone apparently has given this a lot of thought."
"It looks like they're building a fort now," Laria said, pointing to the western anchorage of the rope barricade.
Holse stopped and watched for a while, before saying anything.
"I don't think they're going to be leaving when the winter comes, William." Holse said after awhile. "In fact, I think they mean to stay until the city has fallen."
I nodded slowly. If King Stivik hadn't been desperate before, he'd be getting desperate now.
§ §
"Hi Fel," I said picking up my beer and nodding to him. "What's up?"
Portals of Infinity: Kaiju Page 4
