Portals of Infinity: Book Five: Demigods and Deities

by John Van Stry

  He'd done even worse against that, than he had with my mother jokes and me.

  After getting killed by her, he kept farther back from the front line, and just exhorted the troops on. If he joined in the fighting, he'd retreat as soon as one of the three of us drew near. By the time mid summer rolled around, he was no longer anywhere to be seen.

  It was about then, that Evean got really imaginative. She started to offer herself to any Barassan soldier who would abandon the fight and join her side. She even promised safe passage to any male brave enough to try.

  Eventually one did, and she did, right where the entire Barassan army could see. Over the next week hundreds of Barassan soldiers deserted to be with Evean. I had no idea if she actually slept with all of them, but from the way she was smirking for days after that, I had no desire to find out.

  Her next escapade was to have a number of the deserters stand behind our palisades during the next attack, and call to their former comrades about the joys they were experiencing, and how they should leave now, before they either died, or were sold off in slavery for losing.

  Over a thousand deserted after that, though many of them just wanted safe passage to one of the many city-states or kingdoms beyond our borders. We had to provide escorts to a few of the larger groups of course, just to be on the safe side, but by then the number of Barassan soldiers were down to under fifty thousand, while our numbers were still over ninety.

  That was over two months ago, and their numbers had continued to decline as attack after attack had failed. After reading current assessments of their troop strength, General Holse had suggested several days ago that the time had come for a counter-attack.

  We'd all readily agreed.

  "I'm surprised Stivik finally relented and allowed them to retreat," I said to everyone as we watched.

  "This is what, his fifth general?" Jane asked.

  "I'm betting sixth," General Weiss said, "He probably had number five executed just for suggesting this."

  "Almost a shame about the first one," Holse said, "he was the only decent one of the bunch, but I'm not going to complain if Stivik wants to do our work for us."

  We'd learned not only of the terrible morale of the Barassan army as we'd come across more and more deserters, but we'd also learned that King Stivik had executed the first commanding general two months into the war, due to lack of progress. The next two hadn't lasted more than a month; with number four lasting only as long as it took Stivik to have him killed after he'd engaged in the most bizarre attack we'd ever seen. We lost one hundred men to that one. They'd lost over six thousand.

  "So, do you think he relented because he's afraid of losing what's left of his army? Or because he figures he can just sell them all off into slavery for losing?" Evean asked.

  "That's a good question, if he'd been smart he would have pulled them out long ago, when it was clear further attempts were pointless. They had to realize that eventually we'd come and attack them."

  "Maybe he decided to save money," Eklin suggested.

  We all looked at him, "What do you mean?" Jane asked.

  Eklin nodded to the evacuating soldiers off in the town. "If they don't come home, he doesn't have to pay them, does he? So the less returning soldiers, the more money in his coffers."

  "Wow, that's pretty cold."

  The rest of us nodded slowly and Eklin shrugged, "It would see to be in character with what he's done recently."

  "So, how may do you think they'll get out of there?" I asked Holse.

  "Oh, thirty thousand maybe thirty-five. But once we attack, someone is going to have to decide when it's time to write off the remaining troops, or we'll capture those ships of theirs as well."

  "Probably be quite the panic once the ones on the defenses realize that they're not going home," General Weiss pointed out.

  I nodded, "Probably. Well, shall we get started then?"

  Everyone nodded.

  "To your commands then, everyone."

  I walked back to join the heavy foot who I'd been fighting with all summer now. We'd won this war, now we just had to clean up what was left.

  An hour later we were all on the march, I'd decided to leave the cavalry out of this one, and we'd left them as well as a small force back at our fortified encampment, just in case of any unexpected problems. Like maybe a couple thousand deserters running roughshod over the land.

  I was in the front, leading the heavy foot, as usual. Jane was leading the Holden forces, who had come to appreciate her quite a bit, while Evean was leading the Marland troops. Which she was leading in singing bawdy pub songs rather loudly. While only half of the Eklin troops followed Roden, apparently all of the soldiers were rather fond of her, and not just because of her good looks, Evean had a rude and crude sense of humor that they rather appreciated, along with her winning personality.

  When we hit their outer defenses, we took our time in destroying them while fighting the defenders. Everyone knew this was the last battle, and we knew the Barassan army was retreating. We'd do what damage we could to them, but we weren't looking to wipe them all out, just put enough of a hurt on them, that they'd never come this way again.

  Apparently however, I and the others had misjudged the anger of our own troops, because once the Barassan defenses started to fall, rather than taking the cautious approach we had ordered, they just went crazy and began a full out assault.

  I think it started with the Marland troops, but I honestly wasn't sure, but within minutes the defenders were finding themselves overwhelmed and were getting slaughtered left and right. When the defenders found themselves suddenly being pressed back into their own forces with no place left to go, they finally rallied and began to fight with a desperation that only the truly trapped could appreciate.

  When I noticed that many of the defenders were actually crying as they fought, I called for my men to pull back. I had to call it several times, and I had to put my full champion's persona and power into it, and I quickly heard Jane and Evean repeat the call. All of our forces retreated back about twenty feet from the Barassan fighters, who did not take a step forward, despite they're being packed in tight.

  "Hold!" I called and started walking back and forth in front of our lines, "Hold! Let them go home! Let them go!"

  "We've won today; let us show them the mercy of our gods and our leaders."

  I turned and looked at the defenders, "As long as you continue to retreat and take not a step forward, as long as you promise never to return, we will allow you to board your ships and leave us, and return to your homes."

  I noticed that I was glowing then, so was Jane and Evean was as well. All of our troops held their ground, but you could see their anger, you could see they wanted these people gone from their soil.

  But you could also see that the fight had gone out of the Barassan's, and they just wanted to leave.

  So we let them.

  It took four hours for the ships to come and gather them all, when the last group left I could see the captains looking at us with obvious concern, but we did not move from where we had stopped.

  When the last solider stepped on to the last boat, he stopped and turned and saluted us. I could see he was their general. I suspected he'd be dead before the sunset, so I saluted him back. Then everyone cheered as the last ship sailed off.

  "You know, we could have easily killed thousands more, and probably taken thousands prisoner as well," Holse said to me, when we stopped to make camp that night. In the morning, we'd all start marching back west, but for now, it was time for everyone to rest, and yes, celebrate.

  I shrugged, "What would we do with the prisoners? Besides, you should have seen them, they were broken, they knew they had nothing left, they knew they were dead."

  "So?" Holse said looking at me.

  Jane sighed and spoke up, "They were crying, all of them, they were like children who had been beaten one time too many. It was time to show them the mercy that their own leaders never would."
/>   "Still, it would have weakened them further," Weiss pointed out.

  "I'm not so sure about that," Evean said leaning back and stretching rather fetchingly. "Bad morale is like a disease. We just demoralized their entire army. All of it. And then we patted it on the head, forgave it, and sent it home."

  She sat up suddenly and smiled looking at all of us. "What do you think that's going to do to everyone back home in Barassa?"

  "I don't know, what?' Weiss asked.

  "They'll blame the leaders, they'll blame King Stivik himself, and they will question their priests, even Tantrus himself." Evean smirked, "I'm going to be spending the winter and next spring smuggling Roden's priests into the towns surrounding the main city, maybe even the capitol itself!"

  I had to agree with that, losing a war was never good for a leader, and King Stivik was already in a bad position.

  I could see several of the officers nodding as they considered it. Even Holse appeared deep in thought.

  "Sleep well, everyone, I'm going to get some rest," I said and went off to me tent for the night.

  "William!" I sighed and got up; I was just about to fall asleep.

  "What?" I asked pulling the tent flap aside. It was one of the messengers from the cavalry.

  "Ruusolf is trying to take the main camp!"

  I looked at him, "With what?"

  "His city guard, and palace guards," the messenger smiled.

  "That's what? Five thousand?"

  "A bit more First Carso suspects. He seems to have hired every able-bodied male he could get his hands on."

  I shook my head, the cavalry was down to about three thousand now, and we'd left behind another two thousand infantry, mainly to keep out the thieves.

  "How long ago was this?"

  "I rode here directly, about a half-hour after the attack started. Eight hours I'd guess?"

  I nodded, "Go rest your mount," I nudged Jane with a foot, "put your armor on, time to deal with King Ruusolf."

  Jane stretched and yawned. "Should we get Evean?"

  I thought about it, but decided not to. "I think the two of us should be enough."

  Jane nodded and we got our gear on, I woke one of the sergeants and told him to pack up the rest of my gear come the morning, and to notify the command staff that I was heading back to the main encampment, and Holse was in charge.

  We got our wolats, I had brought Tom along of course, and seeing as we currently had more wolats then riders, I'd taught Jane how to ride over the last few months and given her one as well.

  The dawn was breaking when we got back; one of Carso's scouts picked us up, and led us to him. He was sitting at a table, looking over a map, with a couple of his thirds.

  "What's the situation?" I asked him, both Jane and I dismounting and walking over.

  "We've got them pretty much dug in, here along the north side of the camp," He said pointing to the map. "Mostly we've just been keeping them pinned in that position. Any of them try to venture forth and one of my companies rides in and shows them the error of their ways."

  "So you're not trying to take them?" I asked surprised.

  First Carso shrugged, "Why bother? They may outnumber us, but most of them aren't even soldiers, they're just people who were either bought by Ruusolf's men or convinced to be here. Oh about a third of them are from the guard or the city's reserves, but even they quickly realized that they were outclassed.

  "I sent a message over that if they just sit there and behave themselves, we won't slaughter them when the army comes back," First Carso said and laughed. "A few of the loyalists in charge tried to rally them after that, and I put that rally down rather brutally.

  "So now they're just sitting there all meek and well behaved and if there are any royalists left, they're probably bound and gagged at this point."

  I nodded, "Well, I hope they were paid up front."

  "I don't think a lot of them were paid," First Carso told me, "More like threatened."

  "So where is Ruusolf?" Jane asked.

  "Well, I think he was watching from the city walls, but when his people got so handily beat, I think he retreated back to his castle."

  "Surely he didn't think he could win?" Jane said looking around.

  "He sent a runner off to find Eklin, that runner was carrying this," First Carso handed me a rolled up message, I looked it over quickly and then handed it to Jane. It was about what I expected, orders to turn on the Hiland army, and keep them from regaining the battlements. There were also instructions to allow the Holden troops to proceed home, if they didn't side with Hiland.

  "Male's an idiot," Jane sighed and tossed the scroll on the table, "Eklin doesn't have the numbers, it would be suicide. Unless he figures it would give him a chance to survive a siege?"

  I shook my head, "Eklin stopped following Ruusolf's orders some time ago. Evean told him Ruusolf was dishonorable in Roden's eyes and his oath to his king was no longer binding, and well, Eklin is rather devout."

  "I had no idea," Jane said.

  "Well, we might as well go pay good King Ruusolf a final visit," I sighed.

  "Do you want an escort?" First Carso asked.

  I thought about it and nodded, "Sure, can you spare a company?"

  First Carso laughed, "I can spare two."

  Twenty minutes later, we were outside the castle's gates. The city gates had been completely unmanned, and if I had to guess, there was probably only one male holding these gates.

  I pounded on the gate a couple of times with my fist, "Open!" I called. "In the name of Feliogustus, and Fordessa, open this gate!"

  I was rather surprised when it opened.

  "What do you know, it worked," Jane murmured.

  "Champion Will, Champion Jane," Third Adams smiled and bowed to us.

  "Adams! Nice to see you here," I said and smiled back. "Are you the only one here?"

  "King Ruusolf is holed up in his throne room. He's got about fifty of his retainers with him. Last I saw him; he appeared to be rather scared."

  "When was that?" Jane asked.

  "About twenty minutes ago, when I decided to come out here and be ready to open the gates up for you."

  "Knew we were coming did you?" I smiled.

  "Ruusolf does as well," Third Adams warned us.

  I turned to the men who had ridden here with us. "Secure the castle, allow people to leave, but none are allowed to enter."

  "Yessir!" The Second in charge saluted.

  "Shall we?" I turned to Jane.

  "Well, he is expecting us, wouldn't want to disappoint him now, would we?"

  I nodded and we went inside.

  The halls were empty, and quiet. I didn't know if the staff were hiding, or had fled. Third Adams had volunteered to lead us to the throne room, and when we came to the closed double doors, we dismissed him.

  I looked at Jane, and she nodded, and I tried the doors.

  Surprisingly they weren't locked, so we pushed them open and got ready to dodge.

  Ruusolf sat on his throne, surrounded by his men, and his retainers. All of them were armed, but only about twenty looked like they were really fighters.

  I sighed and shook my head, "Any of you follow Feliogustus?" I asked.

  I saw a few heads, mostly those of the non-fighters twitch.

  I jerked my head towards the door, "Leave the room."

  "The same goes for any followers of Fordessa," Jane added.

  "No one is going anywhere!" Ruusolf said loudly.

  "Roden has also withdrawn his support from Ruusolf," I added smiling, "which is why his army has not rushed back here to support him."

  "This is my kingdom! I am in charge here!" Ruusolf yelled loudly.

  "Not anymore," I replied. "When you attacked our positions, you declared war against Hiland. Queen Rachel now controls the city, the outskirts, everything.

  "I'm not here to play games, Ruusolf, step down now, and I'll let you leave with everything that you can carry, and you can take whatever retain
ers that choose to go with you."

  "And if I refuse?" He said and looked at me.

  Jane and I both drew our weapons, "We'll kill everyone in the room."

  There was a loud clatter as half of the retainers dropped their weapons and fled. A couple of the soldiers looked at each other, and putting their swords away, they quickly turned and left the room as well.

  Ruusolf's fear was so strong that it filled the room with its stench.

  "What guarantee do I have that you'll keep your word?"

  "I suggest you start gathering your stuff now and be quick about it, you've got twenty minutes, and we will be following you."

  I had someone find a scribe while he rushed around gathering his stuff. He signed his kingdom away when I didn't protest him throwing as much gold and jewels as he could toss in the cart in the time I gave him.

  Surprisingly eight of his guards and three of his servants went with him.

  I had one of the companies of cavalry accompany him, I told them to escort him to the border of our lands, and then return to Hiland. I knew it would be weeks before we saw them, but I didn't want Ruusolf slaughtered for his wealth anywhere in Rachel's kingdom. I also didn't want him to use all that gold and wealth to start any troubles within our border.

  "Bet you his guards kill him and split the money as soon as they're out of sight of your cavalry," Jane snickered.

  I smiled, "I don't care, all that matters is he's gone, and we even have a nice document ceding all of Marland to Rachel."

  "So why didn't you just kill him?" She asked as we headed back to join First Carso.

  "Because I didn't have to," I said and smiled.

  Nineteen

  Hiland

  It was very late in the fall, the leaves had almost all fallen by now, and the nights were getting rather decidedly cold. It had taken almost three months to get things stabilized in Marland, which was now firmly in Rachel's grasp. Oh technically it was a territory belonging to and controlled by the combined kingdoms of Hiland and Holden, because both kingdoms had been instrumental in saving it, and picking up the slack when Ruusolf abdicated. But everyone knew that in a few more years when the official royal wedding took place, and Holden and Hiland became one kingdom, that it would all be part of the Hiland kingdom as well. King Charles of Holden had already told those administrators and officers of his that he'd sent in to help rule Marland, that they took their orders from Queen Rachel.