“Woah there, Phineas. I for sure will not sign off on giving you an exclusive contract, but I’m not saying you can’t bid on a contract,” I offered. Not quite sure how this worked in-game, I took a shot to see how the AI would react.
“You have my permission to visit Private Blevins at the headquarters. He can clue you in on anything he might need. I’ll let you do this if you give your word that you will not try to pull any scams against my unit or the Imperium. I won’t have my soldiers suffer in the field because of shoddy gear or do without gear because it’s too expensive to acquire. You’ll have to bid or do whatever the process is, just like everyone else,” I warned.
“Agreed, Raytak, and you have my word. It wounds me to hear you even hint at disparaging the quality of my wares or my commitment to the great Imperium you serve. Of course, I would feel much better if you were to give me a hint at what might be needed by your troops. I’m not asking what others are bidding or anything untoward like that, just a hint at what goods your unit might need,” he begged. I had one thing in mind that might help him. I didn’t mind spilling the beans on it, as I needed the order filled before we moved out.
“Okay, one thing I can tell you is that I’m looking to procure a new command tent for when I’m in the field. I need enough room to house my command staff for planning meetings. Hunt down Blevins and he can give you the details,” I said.
“There you go, my good friend! Was that so hard to do to help your friend, the honest merchant?” Phineas asked as he began to identify my scrolls. I had a sneaking suspicion I had done something wrong since Phineas was so happy with what I told him. The shady merchant was so overjoyed that he just identified the items without his normal showmanship and light show. I paid the normal rate and beat a tactical withdrawal from the emporium before anything else could happen.
I headed to the Petty Dispute where I grabbed a table for me and Delling. I was early, but it gave me time to examine the scrolls before dinner. A server came by and brought me a drink; she remembered that I preferred a dark ale and earned herself an extra tip. I started with the two common scrolls, finding they were both the same.
Scroll of Hasty Replacements: Using this scroll summons the following replacements at the nearest spawn point for the commander. The totals given are the maximum that will spawn; this scroll cannot be used to put the commander over his normal command limit of troops.
1. 50 standard soldiers.
2. 5 advanced soldiers.
3. 10% chance of summoning an elite soldier.
These would come in handy during the campaign. It was too bad they would have to walk from the spawn point, but that was better than waiting for the normal trickle of replacements to flow in. The final scroll was rare quality, so I read it with high hopes.
Garrison Upgrade: Allied Support Barracks. This upgrade affects the defensive garrison. Each site guarded by defensive garrison forces will now also be protected by a nominal force of troops from one of your allies in the zone. The number and type of troops will depend on the size of the Imperium force. Review the Defensive Garrison tab at your Command Table to see the new totals.
That was a welcome bonus and one I hoped would help out Wrend as he fought to hold the transition point. Delling came in at that point and we enjoyed a meal of fish and chips. The food brought forth a faint memory for me as I smelled the freshly fried food. I was a child at a small fish and chips place poorly decorated to resemble a London shop. I tried to grab onto the memory, to find a hint at what my father looked like, only to have it slip from my grasp.
The lost memory tainted my conversation with Delling and made me a poor companion. Despite my mood, I was interested in Delling telling me a little more about his ambitions for his future. It was good news that all the students had received a scholarship; that wasn’t going to stop me from brutally defeating Narbos, though. Delling noticed I cringed a bit at the mention of politicians.
“What gives with you and politicians anyway, Raytak?” Delling asked. It was an honest question, so I felt compelled to answer.
“Let me answer a question with a question. What do you think the most dangerous thing is to a soldier on the battlefield?” I asked. Delling thought for a moment before answering.
“Either the enemy or poor training,” he said.
“No, and that was two answers, not one. The most dangerous thing to a soldier on the battlefield is the politician at home. The more involved the politicians are in a conflict, the higher my casualty rate. That’s one of the reasons I get along so well with you, Delling: you know to leave the soldiering to the soldiers. You won’t hesitate to give your opinion, but you don’t try and tie my hands behind my back in a fight to achieve personal political goals,” I told him a bit sharply. Perhaps the alcohol from my third ale was adding to my temper.
“That stuff with politicians getting in the way of live human soldiers is long gone, Raytak. Thankfully it’s not something you or any other soldier will have to face again,” Delling said.
“I guess you’re right about it being over. The day of human soldiers is gone, thankfully,” I replied, shuddering inside at all the foolish rules of engagement I had to fight under over the years. It was good that his generation would be spared the horror of fighting in a war; it was what Ty and I had spent our lives fighting to protect them from.
We said our goodbyes and I hurried over to headquarters to review the new upgraded defensive garrison numbers.
Defensive Garrison forces are deployed as follows.
Hayden’s Knoll: 2 platoons of regular soldiers, 1 squad of scouts, 1 squad of engineers (1 catapult team and 2 scorpion crews). These forces protect the town directly and patrol from the main roads in the southern area of the zone. Being the zone capital, Hayden’s Knoll contains forces from all the various allies to help in the defense of the city. Allied Forces: From the Stonehold Clan, 1 squad of stonebreakers, 1 squad of pathfinders, 1 runesmith. From the Drebix, 1 squad of raiders, 1 squad of skirmishers, 1 shaman.
Southern Transition Point: 3 squads and 1 section of scouts. The fortified transition point protects the southern approach to the zone. Allied Forces: 1 squad of stonebreakers.
Southern Crossroads Strongpoint: This important crossroads links the transition point, Hayden’s Knoll, and the road north leading to Holdfast. A small fort containing a garrison of 1 platoon of infantry and 1 section of scouts are housed here. Most of the forces stationed at the crossroads are typically found out patrolling the roads, but at least 2 squads are always stationed at the fort itself. Allied Forces: 1 squad of Drebix raiders, 1 section of skirmishers.
Stonehold Mines: 2 squads of infantry. The obligation to the Stonehold Clan of dwarves requires we contribute a token force to the defense of this critical area and spawn point. Allied Forces: n/a. This area is already guarded by the might of the Stonehold Clan.
Holdfast: The strategic town of Holdfast is the crossroad that controls access to both the transition points to the east and north. The garrison patrols the roadways and general area around the town. Two platoons of soldiers and 1 squad of scouts are stationed at the garrison. Due to their participation in fighting the Gul Dorg, the Stonehold Clan has taken it upon itself to supply forces to aid the garrison. Allied forces: 1 squad of stonebreakers, 1 section of pathfinders, 1 runesmith.
Ruins of the Gul Dorg: The ruins hold a critical spawn point. The garrison here guards not only the spawn point but also protects the area against a resurgence of the terrifying Gul Dorg. Garrison consists of 2 squads of soldiers and 1 section of scouts. Allied Forces: 1 squad of stonebreakers and 1 runesmith.
Northern Transition Point: The garrison here protects the now-inaccessible transition point. A small fort and guard tower have been constructed and the garrison consists of 3 squads of soldiers, 1 section of scouts. Allied forces: 1 squad of stonebreakers.
Eastern Transition Point: This transition point features the most extensive defensive preparation of all the transition points in the zone.
Previous occupants have spent many resources to upgrade and hold this area against the Imperium. They failed, and now the Imperium benefits from their work. Garrison consists of 1 platoon of soldiers, 1 section of scouts, and 1 section of engineers. Fixed defenses include 2 scorpions. Allied Forces: 1 squad of Drebix raiders, 1 squad of skirmishers, 1 section of berserkers, 1 shaman.
The defensive garrisons were strong, especially if supplemented by my own troops. Brooks interrupted my review to inform me of the latest numbers. In the several hours since I had woken up on my cot, we had increased to the following strength.
Regulars: 715/750.
Advanced Soldiers: 48/60.
The numbers were nearly where we needed them to be, and I was glad to see the improved recruitment building was helping. I found things to keep me busy until morning, helping to stand a watch post for several hours to give at least one soldier some extra sleep. I felt comfort in the familiar movements of soldiers rotating on and off their watch details. After completing my watch, I made my rounds, speaking with the men and encouraging them before the coming fight. Their spirits were high, and they were tugging at the leash to get at the enemy.
The sun rose a few hours later and reveille sounded out, rousing the sleeping soldiers. Our numbers had increased to 737 standard and 50 advanced soldiers; it was close enough. I had the bugler sound assembly and waited on the parade grounds for the legion to form. More replacements would join us as we marched to the transition point, bringing the infantry to strength and leaving us short just a few scouts.
“Move it, soldiers! Full battle rattle. I expect every man to have two full water skins, two javelins, one week’s rations, their swords sharp, their daggers sharper, and their eyes front within the next thirty seconds!” First Sergeant Brooks boomed out as the men ran to their positions. I stepped into the front of the formation to speak with them.
“Men, here we are once more, ready to step from our home and do battle against a dangerous foe. Never have we flinched in our duty, never have we run from a foe, and never has the 1st Legion been broken. We march once more to defend the zone, to finally unite its entirety under the banner of the Imperium. Let the sound of our march cause our foes to tremble, for they have tortured our soldiers, desecrated their bodies for their own twisted pleasure, and we shall make them suffer for it.
“We march to right these wrongs. We march with sword and shield, steadfast, trusting the man to our left and to our right. We fight for the Imperium, we fight for Hayden’s Knoll, but most importantly, we fight for each other. We are the rock upon which our foes will break. First Legion of Hayden’s Knoll . . . Forward! March!” I ordered. As we began moving, the banner of the legion changed. A new phrase was emblazoned beneath our unit name—our motto was born.
1st Legion of Hayden’s Knoll
Upon this rock, armies are broken.
The long column began to march from the barracks, First Sergeant Brooks calling cadence and the men marching in step. Our siege train had grown considerably, as had the number of supply wagons, making the size of our procession that much more impressive. Npc’s and players alike stopped to watch the spectacle of the 1st Legion of Hayden’s Knoll going to war. Banners were held high, each one earned in the heat of battle, each one a testament to the fighting spirit of my soldiers.
The town guard at the gate held back traffic, saluting as we passed. Brooks, still keeping cadence, pointed out the pair of scorpions perched atop the gate on newly built platforms, covering the entire approach to the city. I nodded in approval; Delling had followed my advice and added them to his defenses. We left the gate and began the long downward march toward the valley floor. Climbing this under fire would be a nightmare for any attacking army. At the valley floor, a group of Drebix was waiting for us, hailing the column as we passed.
“Commander Raytak, Beremund has sent us to help. We are few in number but ready to fight,” one of the Drebix said as I stopped to speak with him. He led a squad of skirmishers who fell into step alongside the column.
“Glad to have you with us. Are your men experienced with scouting or reconnaissance?” I asked.
“Yes, all skirmishers act as scouts for our warbands. We’re glad to help in that or any capacity you wish.” I nodded and sent him off to find Brooks, who would work them into the rotation with our scouts. The scouts were where all the holes in our advanced soldier numbers came from. True to Stonefinder Lhargen’s word, we also met a squad of dwarven pathfinders that joined the army.
The column was led by the new charlie company, followed by bravo. After bravo, the supply wagons and siege trains were followed by alpha. The order of march—save for the siege train and supply wagons—would rotate each day. The scouts and our attached allies kept a solid screen around the army, keeping any enemies’ eyes or wandering monsters at bay. At a command, the column could shake out into a battle formation, ready in seconds to react to any threat.
We set a fast pace, but not the blistering one we had set before. I needed the men ready for a difficult fight and not exhausted when we arrived at the western transition point. It would take us until the next morning to reach the southern transition point. Then it would be a matter of moments before we emerged from the western one, relieving Ignominia.
Until we got there, everything depended on Wrend.
Chapter 22
Wrend stood on the watchtower and looked out over the defenses for the transition point. The wall around the transition point was anchored at either end to the impassable mountains that blocked any further passage east. The defensive wall extended out from the mountain in a bow-like shape with a total length of nearly three hundred yards . . . far too long of an area to defend with the forces he had. The main gate was wide, large enough for two cargo wagons to enter side by side. The wide gate was inevitably weaker than a smaller one. It would be the focus of any enemy attack, just as it had been when his forces had captured the place.
The swirling blue portal of the transition point was located directly across from the gate, a design feature made for the convenience of transporting goods, not to help in its defense. The garrison and customs office were built against the mountainside, leaving a wide-open space between the wall and the buildings. Just outside the barracks, the catapult crews were placing their weapons.
“How are the siege engines coming along? Do they need to be this close to the barracks?” Wrend asked one of the crews.
“Unfortunately, yes. We need to be this far back so our shot will clear not only the wall, but anyone standing on it. We’re losing a bit of range, but other than building towers specifically for the catapults, it’s our best option. We should be set up in another thirty minutes or so. I know it’s longer than we take in the field, but since we have the extra time, we’ll be able to sight the engines in better and give you a more accurate shot every time,” the crewmember advised.
“Carry on then. Don’t let me stop you. Do you need any extra hands to help? My boys are busy, but I can spare a few if you need them,” Wrend offered.
“No, we should be okay. The runesmiths are pitching in to help us as well,” the soldier replied, gesturing toward the two runesmiths who were digging up and pulling out rocks in an attempt to make the catapults level.
Wrend continued his walk around the perimeter. He had sixty regulars under his command, most of which were outside the gate and improving the defenses there. The wall was the only obstacle that the fortifications had spawned, and he wanted to improve it with a stake-filled trench along the whole space. The area directly in front of the gate was left as it was; the ground was magically enhanced here and somehow prevented digging. The ways of the land were strange, and sometimes these types of impediments occurred.
Forty of his men were assigned to ditch duty and one squad each covered the transition point and the now-open gate. Half of his ten scouts were out watching for the enemy or for his expected reinforcements, and the other five were on the wall and towers as lookouts. Just inside the gat
e were two rickety-looking towers. The engineers had said they were plenty sturdy and could support even a scorpion, if they had one.
“Should have asked Raytak for a bit more,” Wrend mused to himself; he needed a pair of scorpions to cover the gate and at least another platoon for the wall. As it was, they would be spread too thin. With everyone on the wall except for the catapult crews, he would have only one man for about every five yards.
There was no word on reinforcements yet. The garrison for the transition point should arrive sometime in the evening if they moved quickly. He worried that the garrison would walk right into the force of Ikbose he knew would be coming.
They had a scare earlier that morning when, out of nowhere, a gnome had appeared. The gnome proved to be no threat, even if he wouldn’t say what he was doing there. Since then, the portal had been inactive and would hopefully stay that way until Raytak made his way through it.
Wrend did the math in his head, a calculation he had worked out a dozen times so far. A day to reach Hayden’s Knoll, another three to gather allies and replacements, another day back. Adding an extra day for any surprises, he estimated Raytak would arrive in six days. Day one was half over. Five and a half to go.
That math didn’t look any better now than it had previously.
“Scout coming in, Sergeant!” one of the men on watch shouted. Wrend jogged to the gate and watched the scout hustle his way inside to report.
“Sergeant, the permanent garrison is just a few miles behind me, should be here before dark. I also had word from the long-range team we sent,” the scout started, panting to catch his breath.
“Take a minute, soldier, and catch your breath. Drink some water,” Wrend ordered. Wrend waited for the scout to recover. He had sent the entire section out and specifically ordered a pair of them to find any Ikbose forces heading here.
“The long-range patrol found the Ikbose. They are drawing a cordon around the ogres’ mountain, slowly choking them off. They look to have pulled a large force from the cordon to head here to try and retake the transition point. They’re heading north by east from where they were surrounding the ogres at Goreaxe Peak, cutting hard toward the road.
Limitless Lands Book 4: Opposition (A LitRPG Adventure) Page 23
