by Guy Antibes
Did Prolan’s have honor? Lotto didn’t know. He would have to stay at his position, waiting however long it would take to get Captain Applewood to arrive. He nodded and then, as he walked among the sitting Prolans, he heard the mutterings spread about the staff and his bravery. He hadn’t been brave. He just wanted to protect the rest of the army.
Valetan soldiers saluted him as he walked past them and he stopped to chat to a few to make sure they kept their weapons up, doing so with a louder than normal voice so that, hopefully, the Prolans would understand what would happen if they stood up. He reached the top of the saddle and looked down at the wounded and the few dead littering the other side of the ridge. He noticed that the lieutenant had detached some men to see to the Valetan injured. Lotto walked down.
“Make sure you take care of the Prolan’s after you’ve seen to our men. This unit has surrendered and we should treat them properly.”
The soldiers stood as Lotto approached him. “Yes, sir.” They saluted, even the lieutenant. Lotto felt a bit awkward saluting back. He felt uneasy about the entire engagement. The strategy had been his, yet so much had gone wrong. Lotto worried about the criticism he would receive when the lieutenant notified the captain of their discussion. He walked back up the ridge and stood at the top, looking down on both sides, expecting to be relieved of his command.
At long last, he saw Gully climbing over the fallen trees on the other side of the valley and went down to meet him as Gully walked through the surrendered Prolans, beating the Captain to the surrender site.
The lieutenant stopped Gully and they talked until Lotto arrived. “Don’t know how you did it, but you’re quite a hero. The lieutenant had nothing but good things to say. I hope the Captain knows what to do with all of these men.”
“What happened on the other side?”
“I daresay there are more dead on both sides, but once the Prolan’s received Captain Lessa’s message, all hostilities ended.”
Lotto hadn’t noticed Captain Applewood climbing over the fallen trees on the Valetan side of the valley.
“Mistad, you did this?” The captain wheezed a bit as he talked and waved a weary arm at the fallen trees.
“I did, sir.” He saluted to the Captain.
Lessa whistled. “A magician as a complement to such bravery.”
Applewood raised his eyebrow.
“May I introduce Captain Lessa, the commander of these men?”
“You captured the army’s leader, Mistad? Captain Lessa,” Applewood bowed his head to his fellow commander. “I assume Mistad, here accepted your sword.”
“He did indeed. He is a humorous young man, masquerading as a regular soldier.” Lessa grinned at Applewood. Lotto felt the man definitely had a not-serious side.
“That’s exactly what he is.” Applewood looked sideways at Lotto. “Well, maybe not so regular. Let’s get his opinion on what to do. Mistad?”
Lotto smiled. “Captain, if you would, how large is the rest of the Prolan army?”
“Most of it is here. We have some units at other points of the border with Histo, but my general sips wine with the king and his Dakkoran friends at Mountsea, our capital.” Lessa flourished and bowed again.
“Why don’t we join forces and depose your king in what I hope is a relatively bloodless coup assisted by Captain Applewood, here?” Lotto said.
“A coup you say?” Lessa’s eyebrows rose.
“Not entirely necessary if your king will listen to reason. However we think that the Emperor of Dakkor is somehow influencing Besseth leaders to attack Valetan. We also think he’s behind the takeover of the Red Kingdom.”
“So you think he has already taken over our lands, eh?”
Lotto nodded. “Captain. I know men have died on both sides, but we can move through Prola more easily without dragging these men along as prisoners.”
Applewood stroked his chin. “Captain Lessa, what do you say?”
“He is the son of a duke and I a baron. I am under Captain Mistad’s command as he directs the Prolan forces.”
Captain Applewood narrowed his eyes and then laughed. “It appears that General Lessa has given you a battlefield promotion, Mistad. Mander cautioned me about underestimating you, so don’t disappoint either of us. Lieutenant Gully will act as liaison between our two forces.”
What could Lotto say? He hadn’t asked for this, but he searched his mind for a parallel in Valetan history and remembered that some time ago, mingled forces marched together and ended up fighting each other. He didn’t recall all of the details, but Lotto felt caution was a better guide than joining two enemies together.
“We will march separately, Captain. The Prolans will precede the Valetans. Rangers will ride in between so that we can ensure there are no misunderstandings. Is that acceptable to both of you?”
“Fine plan, Captain Mistad, see that you carry it out.” Applewood tried unsuccessfully to repress a smile. “I suggest you get some men to clear the way to Hannolo’s Gap.”
Lotto had Lessa talk to his officers privately and then rode with him as the column began to march, again armed, back towards Hedge’s Crossing. He rode in front of over three thousand troops under his field command. Never had he dreamed of such a thing. Lessa asked him about being a wizard and Lotto waved his little book. “All that I know is in here.” They both laughed, until Lotto gulped, spying another thousand men camped at Hedge’s Crossing. The Prolans outnumbered the Valetans more than he realized and if they chose, Captain Applewood’s force could be overpowered.
“Ride with me,” Lessa said and Lotto worried about falling into a trap but followed Lessa as he sped up towards the field of tents. They entered the camp, side by side, and walked into Lessa’s headquarters.
“My fellow officers, I have given my command over to Captain Mistad of the Valetan army. We march separately, from the Valetans, but we march to eliminate the madness that had our army consolidate into this band. He’s young, but an admirable fighter and a battle wizard, to boot. If there are any of you who refuse to follow this man, speak now. He looks very young, but he is brave and very powerful.” Lessa paused and not a man spoke up. He looked at Lotto. “Now, your turn.”
Lotto blinked. He’d never spoken up in front of any more than a few souls before. Now he had twenty or thirty of the enemy’s officers looking expectantly at him.
He cleared his throat and stood up straighter, thinking of Mander and the vision he had of his father. Panic gripped him, but he stood his ground. Standing up the Lessa’s army paled to the fear that coursed through his body as he was about to speak to the Prolan officer corps.
“An enemy has infiltrated Besseth. It comes from Dakkor and poisons the minds of good and bad men alike, twisting old allegiances and the results are death and misery. Today I saw men die who didn’t need to, who shouldn’t have. Valetan has no designs on Prola.” He hoped Mander didn’t give him false information on that count. “We’ve been at peace for three hundred years, but why have you been mustered to penetrate into Valetan territory?
“I say it is bribery, magic or both working on those in high places who have enough greed or fear to let false notions overtake them. Oringia invades. Ashdown invades. Forthwith turns. Louson and Jiffero, to the east turn. Prola intends to invade. And the result? Dead or maimed soldiers on both sides who will never lift another blade in defense of their homeland. We come not as invaders or conquerors, but freedom fighters, to battle alongside of you in taking back your country. Let us head west to your capital-by-the-sea and remove the madness that currently rules Prola. I’m not suggesting that Valetan depose your king, that is up to Captain Lessa and you, but I would hope to make sure that his rule doesn’t include seeking the death of the Valetan people.”
Lessa clapped and the men cheered. Evidently, Lotto’s mumblings sufficed. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took a deep breath. Using a bit of history and knowledge of current events certainly helped. Men came up to him and shook his hand. This kind o
f one-on-one chatter, Lotto could perform more comfortably.
Orderlies set up four tables and laid large maps over them. The room quieted as Lessa asked their opinions of the best routes for the split forces. Lotto observed how his new friend dealt with his officers. Lessa addressed every officer by his first name and made light of statements made here and there, but Lotto noticed that Lessa controlled his officers and manipulated the joking so that in the end all of the men agreed with what they discussed. He knew there wasn’t time to understand enough to decide anything, so he just stood and listened to Lessa’s amazing process.
He made a few suggestions as the travel plans were made, relying on the strategies that Mander and he had discussed. The books he had read gave him more perspective that he thought they had.
Gully showed up towards the end and Lessa and Lotto showed him their plans until Lotto began to yawn. The tent emptied at Lessa’s insistence.
Lotto’s day had been long and taxing. Lessa had set up a cot at one end of the large tent. Lessa’s personal quarters were shut off on the other side.
Lotto sat on the cot and then twisted around to lie down. His eyes dropped and sleep quickly overtook him.
~
Sounds of mustering soldiers woke Lotto up before the sun rose. He blinked sleep away and heard mutterings of a few men on the other side of a canvas wall. He sat up on his cot and pulled his boots on and rubbed his head and then ran his fingers through his hair and then he stepped into the main tent. For a moment he forgot he had slept in Lessa’s tent.
“Ah, Captain Mistad,” Lessa said and gave Lotto a grin. They seemed to easily come to Lessa’s face. The man nodded to the other officers who saluted and left the tent. An orderly who quickly poured out a mug of tea at a meager buffet lay out on a campaign chest and gave it to Lotto and left the two men alone. “I see you have just woken up. We sent out the order to break camp half an hour ago. I hope that is acceptable.”
Of course it was acceptable. Lotto hoped his face didn’t brighten up the room with embarrassment. He had been out in the murky light of dawn tearing down his own tent the day before and here they were asking for his concurrence.
“I’m here as a liaison as much as anything until we reach the capital.”
“You are much more, my friend. Lieutenant Gully told us the truth before he left. I hope you will forgive me for being so bold as to force your Captain Applewood to promote you. None of my men would have guessed that you lacked experience from your deportment last night, although you look like you began to shave only yesterday. Be assured, I have every confidence in you,” Lessa said.
Lotto had a good sense for a person’s true intent and he detected nothing hidden in the captain’s words.
“I will do what I can to deserve that.” Lotto walked over to the maps, still strewn about on the tables. “What will your king do when he finds out you didn’t engage us?” Lotto had been too timid to bring up the question in front of Lessa’s officers.
Lessa laughed. “What will my king do when we are followed by an army of equal size from Valetan? He will shiver in his silk slippers, and deservedly so. Our military fights for Prola, not for the king.”
Did the Valetan soldiers do likewise? He didn’t believe so. King Goleto had ruled well and had the love and respect of his subjects. He didn’t see Valetan’s troops rebelling, but the nobles had seemed to be a different story.
“Will you seek to rule Prola?” Lotto had to ask. Lessa had an exceptionally positive view of himself and Valetan troops might give him a leg up in succeeding to the Prolan throne.
“No. That is not for me. The bureaucracy of running an army is already more than I can stomach. I have heard of a new concept of rule. No nobles with their fiefs, but people ruling themselves in councils. If I have a say, and again I’m a soldier first and not a courtier, I would set up a series of councils and let the people rule.”
Lotto liked the sound of that. “I’ve read about that happening, but eventually squabbles for favor and power have broken down that kind of rule. As far as I can tell, there need to be ironclad rules and defined rights in order to stand a chance, or those who love to dominate end up dominating again.”
“It is worth a try, though, do you agree?” Lessa said.
Lessa’s brilliant smile infected Lotto. “I do. Another experiment for the historians to record and perhaps it will last longer than any in the past.”
“You are a flexible thinker. I will make it happen, as far as a humble soldier can affect the workings of the kingdom.” Lessa clapped him on the shoulder.
“The country, not the kingdom.” Lotto said and lifted up his mug in salute.
~~~
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
~
AFTER A SET OF SKIRMISHES, RESTELLA DROPPED into her leather campaign chair, sitting by a small campfire as others made camp. She rubbed her neck and looked at the rising dust as tents were erected. The summer’s day still had a few hours left.
Her hands hurt from all of the use she had put her sword. Ashdown’s men had ambushed the column as soon as they were halfway through Forthwith’s former domain and they ended the day spreading out to keep from being attacked on their flanks.
Silver approached. “We’ve suffered half of the casualties that Ashdown has, but it’s still too many. By the time we get to Ashington, his castle town, our soldiers will be dead on their feet… those who can still use a weapon.”
Restella let her hair down and twisted a strand with her sore fingers. “We need to plunge into his lands without worrying about his dogs nipping at our heels. You’re the scout, what if we took a small column of the army and headed straight to Ashington and cut the head off of the beast. We did it when we took Louson.”
“It’s a mistake to use the same ploy every time, Captain. But this time, the wrinkle is to have the bulk of the army as a decoy, is that your thinking?”
She nodded. “It is. However, I’ll be staying with the decoy and you will lead our men to Ashington, as much as I am loath to give the order. I’d like nothing better than to mix it up with Duke Ashdown. Tomorrow, we will proceed as we have today, not marching as one long column, but will spread throughout woods as we come to them. That way peeling off a substantial force won’t be so obvious. Call in the officers and I’ll set up the maps myself once the tent is raised.”
By the time her officer corps entered the tent, Restella had set up the folding tables herself and spread out three maps of Ashdown’s domain. Silver had brought along a few sergeants, as well.
She fought off fatigue and listened to all of her men as the sergeants had all come from Forthwith and Ashdown and knew the land better than the maps. The plans went on for a few hours as deployment strategies to keep skirmishers from impeding their progress were bandied about. She rubbed her tired eyes and looked at her red-eyed officers doing the same.
“Enough. We have a plan. I suggest that you all get a good night’s rest. Today was a trial, but it was only the first. Dismissed.” She watched them file out. None of them seemed agitated or doubtful about their plans. Would disagreements come out as they walked to their tents? Silver might be able to tell her. He returned after a few minutes.
“All of them are in line. No grumbling about the orders, just about Ashdown’s strategy. It’s not easy to travel in an enemy’s lands in a single column. It would be better to have an army three times our size and take over the entire country.”
“Father doesn’t want to do that and neither does Mander Hart. These are delicate times and we don’t want to be seen as bludgeoning my father’s subjects into submission. Besides, we now fight on three fronts; Oringia, Prola and here.”
“I understand,” Silver said, nodding.
“Perhaps a heavy hand might send a stronger message,” Restella said. “But I don’t run the kingdom.”
“Maybe in time, Princess?”
Restella glared at Silver. She had no desire to lock herself up in a castle all day and all night wasting h
er time with courtiers. She put her hand on her sword and wanted to live her dream as long as she could. “I am, fifth in line for the throne, and I like doing what I’m doing.”
“Currently, you are doing it well, ma’am, beyond all expectations. If you will dismiss me, I’d like to turn in, Captain.”
“You have my leave,” she smiled. Silver bowed and left her alone.
She didn’t feel like a princess and had become comfortable in her role leading her little army. Restella made a fist and she pounded her thigh. She wouldn’t make a mistake. Her strategy carried a risk, but she learned that reticence often led to defeat.
Reticence. She fingered the Moonstone and sat back down. Her approach to Lotto had been a study in reticence. She closed her eyes and located him. His position surprised her. She rose and looked down at the map of the coast of the Western domains to find Lotto deeper into Prolan territory than what she thought Captain Applewood had orders for. How surprising! What had become of the orders to protect the border?
“Friend,” she said. “Be safe.” She put her hand to her throat. “Be safe.” The thought along with a concerned feeling intruded into her mind. What placed that thought in her mind? Regardless of the source, the sentiment comforted her and the antipathy that powered her thoughts of Lotto seemed to dissipate.
~
Lotto’s army, no, his army on loan from Lessa, camped less than one day from Mountsea. He could smell the sea on the breezes that rippled the walls of the tent he still shared with Lessa. Sleep didn’t want to come as he thought on tomorrow. The Prolan army voiced willingness to fight their fellow countrymen, and it surprised Lotto that he had been the one to speak most forcefully about keeping any bloodshed down to the minimum needed.
He truly desired that the army would just ride through the streets and the king would abdicate without a fight. His historical memory hadn’t dredged up anything like that in the past, so he held out no hope that it would happen tomorrow or the next day. He lay back on his cot and watched the flickering of the lamp’s flame on the undulating canvas ceiling. Lotto pulled out his little spell book and thumbed through the pages. He already knew the book by heart, but spending time reading it over and over might inspire him. He kept thinking in terms of combinations, but hadn’t any time to practice. Losing his strength would not do as he led the Prolans.
