by P D Ceanneir
If he did not know better, he would have thought that the prince was trying to re-enact the same plan he had for attacking Fort Chunla.
‘Now what do we do?’ he said to his brother.
‘We follow the prince’s plan, when that gate opens we attack,’ said Whyteman, and he readied his men.
It was indeed fortuitous, for the Rogun prince, that the Vallkytes should make the same mistake twice in a row. The Pander gates were opening. They were moving ponderously slowly, but they were opening.
Pander Fort sat on a slight grassy rise, which looked like three separate tiered levels. This was the oldest part of the forts fortifications and was made from the rock and earth debris that was excavated from the mouth of the pass many years ago. The commanders troop crossed the wooden bridge and hit the slope of the tier at a full gallop, foam flew from the horses mouths, gravel from the road sprayed from every hoof. His men tucked in tight to get through the widening gap of the gate; they passed through the incomplete arch of the first entrance with the enemy closing behind them. Every yard between them was shrinking as they raced along the cobbled courtyard to the main gate. He was shouting for the large iron gates to close even before they even entered the fort proper.
However, the slow cog work mechanism that opened and shut the gate would not have closed in time. Havoc and Powyss were both through the opening and turning to attack the winch men, who were on each side of the gate. Flame, bright and red, erupted from Powyss’s sword and dowsed the winch men and a dozen other soldiers on his left. Havoc sent spurts of the third element slamming into the throng of infantry and cavalry to his front; forcing them back from the gate and causing untold chaos and confusion.
Archers on the stone crenulated battlement fired down at the attacking Falesti, but Morden and his brother were already rushing out of the trees and running to the fort as soon as they saw the gates opening. Once in range they stopped and fired arrows at the enemy archers on the walls. Although the Vallkyte archers had the advantage of height, the Falesti archers were more in number, and Whyteman’s plan was to cover his own people as they entered the fort.
Resistance in the fort was far better organised than in Chunla, mainly because they had more time to prepare themselves. However, none of the soldiers new of the prince’s deception, and Velnour and his remaining pseudo cavalry were through the gates and amongst them before they had time to act. Velnour’s brave charge gave time for the Falesti, on foot, to storm through the gate and form into their effective attacking groups.
Havoc’s allied force were tired from the previous fight, but still psyched for battle. They split up and surrounded the defending Vallkytes in a long thin curve. His other problem was his lack of numbers, although caught by surprise, the Vallkytes were more numerous in the Pander Fort and would soon reorganise. With the bulk of his army still running to the fort on foot, Havoc had to make us of the men he had. He ordered Little Kith and a small group to take out the archers on the walls; the giant hefted his double-headed axe and shouted for men to follow him up the stone steps.
The forts wide but narrow courtyard housed the three storied, red clay, brick garrison building directly to the south, nearest the iron gates. It was here that the main battle played out as Velnour and his cavalry pushed them back, and doing it so efficiently that Vallkytes running out from the garrison building were caught up in the press of bodies.
Directly in front of the gates, about a hundred yards away, was an even larger set of metal doors built into the cliff face. This was the opening to the pass itself. Above it, the Vallkytes had carved the new rooms out of the rock face. Access to them was via the main garrison by high stone steps carved into the cliff. Vallkytes fleeing the battle were in that direction.
About two hundred yards to the north was the passes small village and the prisoners stockade beyond that. Havoc’s main threat was the village; most of the houses were for officers or married men and they were running out from their homes even now.
A quick glance at the battle told him that Velnour and the Falesti on horseback had done their job well. The enemy found themselves pushed back against the cliff face and the huge closed doors of the pass. Fortunately, Vallkyte infantry became broken as they formed into individual battling groups; the sudden allied attack had splintered their usual disciplined formations. Velnour and his mounted troops were breaking through one of these now. Havoc shouted across the heads of soldiers to get the attention of the doughty eye-patched sergeant.
Velnour’s cold blue eye softened as he grinned at the prince. He had lost his helmet during the battle and had a deep cut above his nose, but apart for that he was unharmed. Twenty of the original thirty were with him.
‘Fine day for a victory my lord,’ he shouted as he approached Havoc and Powyss.
‘That it is sergeant,’ said the prince, ‘form up your men, we are taking the village.’
Thankfully, the stragglers running in on foot were augmenting the attacking line of Falesti, and the prince was glad to see Morden and his brother amongst them.
‘Well met lord Atyd,’ said
Havoc, ‘you and your bodyguards follow me. Whyteman take your archers onto the battlement, and fire down at the enemy. Captain Powyss, take command here.’
With Velnour’s men and the Atyd’s soldiers, Havoc charged through the wide village streets, cutting down any in his path. The pounding noise of Dirkem’s hooves echoed off the walls of the houses. In the middle of the village was a crossroads with a tall stone fountain in the centre. It was here that the Vallkyte soldiers from the village made a brave stand against the oncoming cavalry with long spears.
Havoc quickly used a Pyromantic Surge, linked with the earth element, and shattered all of the wooden spears from a distance of a hundred yards. The splinters of wood flew around the attackers after the spears exploded and pierced any exposed flesh in their path. The result was a weaker defensive line as Havoc and his men smashed into them. Once through, Morden’s bondsmen finished them off.
The stockade was at the far end of the village; it was a large wooden structure with a high wire mesh fence. Beyond the open square compound was a honeycomb of cells carved into the cliff face. However, the inmates were obviously permitted to wander the compound, due the cells being empty, their dishevelled clothes and long hair with thin faces looked out imploringly through the fence at the prince’s approach.
‘Which one of you is Mad-gellan?’ shouted the prince. There were murmurs and then shouts for the Nithi lord. Presently, a tall well built man in his mid twenties with piercing steel blue grey eyes pushed his way to the fence. His long beard and curly brown hair gave him a wild look.
‘I’m Lord Gellan,’ he said, ‘who asks?’
Havoc noticed he had not used his Nithi title for lord. His manner and soft voice told him he was well educated. The prince dismounted and strode to the fence, never taking his eyes off Mad-gellan.
‘I’m Prince Havoc of the Roguns, and this is a rescue,’ he smiled. The inmates by the fence all exclaimed at the stranger’s identity they shouted behind them to those who had not heard. The Nithi lord stared at Havoc in wonder, and then bellowed for silence, his commanding voice respectfully obeyed by the inmates.
‘If you are truly here to rescue us, then we are in your debt,’ said Mad-gellan in a genuine tone, ‘they do not treat us well here. If I’m released I will pay homage to you as I did to your father.’
‘Joining me is the only price you have to pay, Lord Gellan.’
The big man looked at the prince thoughtfully, and then nodded.
‘Agreed,’ he said sticking out his hand through the wire mesh, Havoc smiled and shook it.
‘Now all of you stand back from the fence,’ he said, and they all scurried out of the way, as Havoc used the Rawn Arts to rip the fence apart and allow the inmates to escape.
‘Pick up what weapons you can,’ said Havoc, ‘and join the fight.’
Chapter 9
The Battle of the Pass
The fighting by the Pass entrance was nearly over by the time Havoc returned with the liberated prisoners. The addition of Whyteman’s Eternal Archers was the turning point; he had sent half of them to help Little Kith and his men and the other half to fire into the Vallkyte ranks. The excellent height from the battlements, and the marksmanship of the archers, forced the beleaguered Vallkytes into a quick surrender. Of course, the attacking prisoners helped finalise complete victory.
However, there were enemy soldiers still fighting in the garrison building and above the doors of the pass and in the carved out corridors and rooms of the mountain. Powyss sent the swarthy Mactan, along with Felcon, and Verkin with several hundred men to secure the garrison. It became a running battle for the remaining Vallkytes as they fought their way from building to building and room to room, until they were finally cornered in the rock tunnels the huge pillared balcony over the Pass gates. Only Commander Leman and six of his men survived that battle before they surrendered just after nightfall.
Havoc incarcerated a thousand Vallkyte prisoners in the newly repaired stockade; the irony was not lost on the ex-inmates who jeered as he locked up the prisoners behind the wire fence. Mad-gellan actually placed some of his freed men on guard around the compound to watch for any insurrection.
Looting of the homes became a problem for the prince. With the help of his friends, he managed to command the men into some semblance of order. Putting a guard on the ale and wine stores did not make him any friends, but it was strokes of genius to place a large force under the command of Little Kith to guard it. The men thought twice about attacking the fierce looking giant with the blood-dripping battleaxe.
The prince worked his magic again by rationing the ale out to his victorious army; he gave this duty to Mad-gellan, who was much liked, it was a testament of trust that Havoc gave to the big Nithi lord, and Mad-gellan knew it.
‘The battle has just begun gentlemen,’ said Havoc as he stared out of the Town Hall window at the black smoke rising to the southeast. The queen had followed his orders and burnt Fort Chunla to the ground; the smoke bloomed into the sky so anyone for miles around could see it.
The highest room in the town hall gave the prince the view over the battlements; it was small but big enough for use as his command headquarters. His father had used the same room before the Battle of Dragorsloth. He hoped it was not a bad omen.
‘The commander at Fort Caphun will see the smoke and send his army to take back the pass,’ continued Havoc, ‘they outnumber us two to one, but I am not going to let that worry me.’
There were a few chuckles behind him and the prince turned to smile at his friends.
Powyss, Furran, Velnour, Little Kith, Verkin, Linth, Felcon, Brynd, the twins Hexor and Foxe, Ethyn, Mactan, and Whyteman were all here. Barring Powyss, they were all that was left of the escapees of the Haplann mines. Soneros Ri, Mad-gellan, and the Atyd Morden were there also along with the queen and her new husband, who had just arrived from the burning of Chunla. The queen had given the prince a tight hug on seeing him and even the sombre Barnum greeted him with enthusiasm, shook his hand, and congratulated him on his victory. The praise from the Atyd was genuine enough. He could see, in his eyes, a new respect for him. He could also see that he was very much in love with his bride; he followed her around like a puppy and this made his heart sink.
‘Who commands at Fort Caphun?’ the prince enquired quickly to take his mind off Bronwyn.
‘The Rawn Master, Lord Luxon of Kerness does, boss,’ said the tall skinny Brynd, ‘he is a cousin of the Vallkyte High Steward, Baron of Aquen, and he’s a fair battle commander.’
Havoc nodded and rubbed his chin. He now had control of the pass, it was of great tactical advantage, and he must not lose it. Somewhere in the darkness of his mind the Blacksword nodded in agreement. Powyss was right; his alter ego had shown him a modicum of respect since he took the Pass. At least his cynicism was not as scathing of late.
‘Your majesty,’ said the prince to the queen, ‘I need to send a letter to my father can you provide me with a runner to deliver my message?’
‘Of course I can, but if it is extra men you require before Luxon arrives, then your father may be too late to supply them. The Vallkytes can march here in two days.’
‘I’m aware of that Ma’am, I only require that he be informed of the situation at the pass and that he sends his grace, the Red Duke to command here.’ There were general murmurs at that. He continued, ‘by my powers of De Proteous, I have given myself the old Rogun rank of High Warden of the Central March and I appoint the Red Duke as my Acting Warden when he takes over on my departure.’
‘Departure? to where, boss?’ asked the youthful looking Ethyn.
‘The walls of the fort are incomplete; it is in no fit state to be besieged, I can defend her better out there,’ he pointed out of the window, ‘and delay the Vallkytes until Lord Rett completes the build on the fort.’
‘But you said yourself that Luxon outnumbers us,’ said Mad-gellan, who had now shaved his beard and head in the Nithi manner. On his scalp was the tattoo of a rock lizard, its tail curved around the back of his left ear and down his neck, ‘how can you hope to defeat him?’
‘Do you believe in destiny my lord?’ Havoc asked.
‘Yes, I suppose so,’ shrugged Mad-gellan.
‘Then believe in me,’ and that was the only answer he would give, ‘in the meantime I appoint you, Atyd Barnum, as my Regent of the Pass, with all privileges’ that is attached to the rank.’
There were startled gasps at the generous appointment; none more so than from Barnum himself, he was so shocked his mouth nearly hit the floor.
Soneros Ri smiled in understanding, the prince had dangled a political carrot in front of the Atyd. The Rogun rank of Regent gave him much power and put him as second in command of the fort under Lord Rett, who will have the higher rank of Warden. However, it also meant he now came under Rogun laws. The leash was a long one, but it was still a leash.
‘I am honoured, Prince Havoc,’ stuttered Barnum, it was the first time the Atyd used the princes royal title.
‘Only I or my father can take the rank away from you,’ he looked Barnum straight in the eyes as he said this. The message was clear to everyone, behave of else, ‘your first duty as Regent is to provide more men to man the fort, my lord.’
‘It shall be done, my lord,’ nodded the Atyd.
‘How many prisoners were with you Lord Gellan?’ Havoc asked the big Nithi lord.
‘About eight hundred and ninety in all, my lord, most are Nithi others are Rogun, Sonoran, and Haplann soldiers,’ said Mad-gellan with interest.
‘Then they are yours sir, with the starting rank of major as befitting your lordly title.’
The Nithi lord looked as if he was about to object, but smiled and said, ‘thanking you very much, my lord.’
‘Captain Powyss, you are now a major also, and my second in command,’ said Havoc who smiled when Powyss smiled, ‘however you’re also a damned good cavalry commander, so for now I’m placing you in charge of what little cavalry we have.’
‘Good choice,’ said Powyss, which got a few chuckles.
Havoc looked at his friends, survivors of the Haplann Mines, in turn. There was sadness in his eyes.
‘My friends, brothers even,’ he said, ‘I wish I could give you more. I could not achieve this without you.’
‘We owe our lives to you, boss, that much is certain,’ answered Verkin.
‘Nevertheless, all I can give you is more hardship. You are all hereby promoted to lieutenant, with your own command,’ there were big grins from all of them, ‘Hexor and Foxe, you know this land well. I want you to take twenty men each and become my scouts.’
The twins nodded in unison.
‘Whyteman you already have a rank of note, but I hope you approve of me promoting you to captain of the archers, with Linth as you second, Brynd and Ethyn are your other officers.’
Why
teman accepted the rank with a smile.
‘Little Kith, Furran, Felcon and Mactan, you will command your own infantry divisions. You will be under the direct command of Major Gellan who reports to me or Major Powyss, understood?’
All three and Mad-gellan accepted with a loud and soldierly like, ‘yes sir.’
‘Verkin, a faithful bodyguard if ever I saw one, I want you to hand pick an elite squad of fifty cavalry to be my personal guard.’
The stunned Verkin answered with a dry mouthed, ‘it would be a pleasure sir.’
The prince then regarded Velnour. ‘Sergeant Velnour of the Tattoium Militia, because you are already ranked with an established army I cannot command you to stay with us,’ said Havoc.
‘Nonetheless boss, I will,’ he smiled and inclined his head to the others, ‘it is more fun with this lot anyway.’
‘Very well, you are hereby promoted to captain; you will second Major Powyss and command his cavalry.’
Velnour beamed at Havoc. ‘Me an officer!’ everyone laughed at the surprised one-eyed look he gave the prince.
‘You will all assess the men under your command and appoint senior ranks accordingly,’ said the prince, ‘that will be all gentlemen.’
All of them left with no doubt in their minds that tomorrow would be a long day. The queen left for Ten Mountain Palace that night. Her concerns for her grandmother took priority. She left all of her troops under Havoc’s command, only her Wyvern Filial and Soneros Ri went with her. The Ri’s appointment as her tutor was not yet fulfilled, but he promised the prince he would keep an eye on things, he glanced at Barnum as he said this.
Havoc took, a very sullen, Atyd Morden on a walk round the battlements after the meeting.
