by Wood, Andrew
Galliss, aided by his eldest son Aric, worked through the camp, giving people instructions on where to go to once inside the walls. Rather than try moving everything and everybody in one go, common sense had ruled. Hence, groups of no more than fifty were bundled together with their belongings and escorted to their new allotted place. Once in the city, small square plots had been cleared of debris, and marked out into squares. Although, hopefully only a temporary arrangement, it was one the people would have to put up with, for now at least.
General Skalton, with his new assistant at his side, walked slowly along the battlements of the cities outer wall. Levin was amazed at the view he got, from being some fifty of more feet off ground level. He could feel a slight breeze blowing gently on to his face, as he looked out over the river. Clearly visible was the rather shambolic looking camp of Darekians.
They stood in silence for a few minutes, taking in the surroundings, and he realised, apart from the fact there was a band of marauding murderers camped several hundred paces over the river, the place was actually quite pleasant. If he could figure a way of getting rid of them, he thought he could be happy here. He had already made himself new friends, had learnt, or was in the process of learning, how to fight with sword and shield. Moreover, he had found himself a member of the Elite Guard, albeit an honorary member, and personal assistant to the man commanding it.
Luken, Sarena and their children, stood at the base of the wide steps leading into the central keep. Lord Galliss had wanted to show them the latest progress inside the building; however, he was pre-occupied with the move, and hence asked Darak to give the tour. The young lord, walked slowly across the yard towards them, his arm still in a sling. The injury to his shoulder had healed well, but despite Lukens help, it had still needed some stitching to close the wound properly. The more serious injury he had suffered to his chest, the one that would have killed him, was now little more than a faint scar. This one being completely healed; how it had been done, not even Luken was entirely sure.
Waving his good arm, Darak greeted the young royal and his companions, bowing when he reached them, "Sorry I am a few minutes late, my father needed to see me before we started. He had the key to the door leading down to the old dungeon area," he added, tapping his pocket. "Shall we start," gesturing for them to make their way up the stone steps and in through the main doorway, which evidently still had no doors. "Father says the majority of the progress has been on the upper floor. Apparently the lower levels are safe as long as we stick to the roped off areas. The staircases are nothing ornate, just plain, and I guess they do the job."
He enquired whether they wished to see the lower levels of the keep; the old dungeons or area set aside for the treasury and safe rooms. He did warn them however, that going downwards could only at the moment, be reached with great care, and hence would be better if the children did not go.
Luken decided, that the below ground area could wait for now, and agreed to them all venturing upwards. The window frames had now mostly been replaced, some of them even had small panes of glass in them. These did let in a small amount of light, giving the entrance hallway a dull gloomy appearance. Once his eyes had adjusted to the dimness, he could see they were standing on freshly laid floor boarding. As they approached the first staircase, he understood what Darak had meant. The stairs upwards were like something you would find in a simple family home, though just on a larger scale, and far from the ornate steps, he had been used to in the palace. Sarena cautiously held Hope in her arms, looking down as she made certain each step she took was a safe one.
At the first landing, Darak picked up and lit two oil lamps, informing them the internal walling blocked any natural light from the windows on the outer walls. He held one and Luken the other as they bypassed the first two floors. As they walked, the noise of timber being sawn and the banging of hammers, told them work was still being carried out. After another ignoring the other landings, they eventually reached the top floor. The noise they had heard further down, was now more obvious, and Luken could see people moving around ahead of him.
Darak informed them they would not require the lamps, as there were plenty in place to allow the workers to carry out their jobs. Luken was genuinely amazed at how much work had been, and still was being done. From the landing was a well-lit corridor, "the rooms to the left," Darak started, showing the way, "are being set up as your personal offices and studies. Sarena enquired to the purpose of needing more than one, before Darak rather tentatively replied, "Well, we worked on the hope that Lukens brother may one day return. Looking towards the young prince, and checking for any sign he had not caused him unease at the mention of Caldar, before continuing."Opposite are the royal meeting rooms, it is probably best if we just peered in, rather than get under the workers feet."
Although by no means finished, looking through the doorway into what could potentially be a royal study, he could see a man fixing sconces onto the far wall. There was a stone fireplace on the external wall, as well as two large windows, currently being glazed. Over to the one side he could see another two men working on a large oaken table, busy sanding it smooth.
Further down were the living quarters, these were of what he thought, could be called adequate size. Each had a small sitting room, with a master bedroom running off it, which in turn had a smaller nursery off that, which could be used as a dressing room. Luken and Sarena nodded approval that the children had been well catered for in the planning. Darak told them, that four of these suites had been fitted in, and hopefully two of them would be ready for furnishing within the next week. Though sourcing suitable items to put in the rooms may well prove slightly problematic, and with all likelihood, most of the furniture would probably have to be handmade. "Even though the rooms would be liveable, it may well be prudent to wait until the others floors are complete. Unless of course you don't mind living with all the noise," Darak laughed, completing the tour.
After making their way back down the stairs, Sarena took the two children back outside, while Luken and Darak decided to have look below ground. Squeezing through a smaller doorway, with lamps in hand they gingerly made their way down the slippery stone steps. There was only one level below ground, and Luken could sense the dankness to the air. Holding aloft his lamp, the light flickering off the damp walls, he could see a thin corridor running left to right. "Father tells me all these small rooms were cells for prisoners, but of course all the doors have long since gone. We thought this would make a good secure area for the treasury. Of course, we would need to get rid of the damp, and tidy it up a little. Put some secure locking doors on a few of the cells, the others could be guard quarters. Father assumes you do not wish to keep prisoners down here?" Luken shook his head, "I'd rather not have need to keep any, anywhere, but no, not with using the keep as a home." Being as there was not much to see, the viewing below ground took just a few minutes.
The day passed without further incident from the enemy soldiers on the opposite side of the river. Aside from a few approaching some twenty to thirty paces closer, probably just for a clearer look, which was as far as any of them came. Levin had been asked his opinion by the General on the lack of activity. The youngster once more had shown his ability in logical thinking, giving his thoughts on the reasoning. The General was once more impressed, and agreed with his ideas. Levin had surmised that the Darekians appeared to be waiting, but for what he was not sure. The only thing he could imagine they would wait for was reinforcements, probably infantry. This he told General Skalton would give them over whelming numbers, and the ability to attack the gatehouse at the bridge.
The days ride west, was rather uneventful compared to everything that had gone on of late. Caldar having spent most of the day looking googly eyed, at the young woman on the horse beside him, much to the amusement of her brothers. Once more, they had made good progress, the weather being good, and the track they travelled level and firm. The scenery of the local area was stunning, with the towering, snow cappe
d mountain range to the north, and lush green fields to the south. If all went well they hoped to make Easton late the following afternoon.
They stopped beside one of the many streams that made its way down from the higher northern grounds, and as with the previous evening, they sat in the same group. Vanessa and Caldar seated themselves closely together, as did Edward and Hunter. The others just seemed happy to be on something other than a saddle. The evenings meal was, stew, only it did not have the benefit of Arthur adding his stolen beef, or Mitch supplying the biscuits for afters. There was however, a drop of brandy still left from the previous night, and the elderly man shared it amongst them.
"Suppose you lot are going to be sneaking off again?" Arthur grumbled, aiming his words at his daughter and the young prince. The others sniggered, "well I wish they would find somewhere else, their smooching is already making me feel like my dinner is wanting to come back up," Mitch laughed, "and while you're at it, take that pair with you," he signalled over to Edward and Hunter. Everyone joined in the laughing, though Caldar did not quite follow the remark about Vanessa's twin and his friend. That was at least until she whispered an explanation in his ear, which was certainly a revelation for him.
Chapter 21.
Luken awoke to the faint sound of bells tolling in the far distance. It took him a few moments to get his bearings and realise the source of the noise. Taylor, as usual, was already ahead of him, already out of bed and dressing himself. "That sounds like trouble" he uttered to his young son, who paid little attention. He had just about gotten his pants on, when there was a knock and the door opened, "General Skalton to see you, your highness" spoke a guard, poking his head around the door. "Send him in please," he asked buttoning up his fly, before moving onto his shirt.
The seasoned soldier made his entrance, and sat himself down on one of the chairs in Lukens room. "Sit down General" Luken said sarcastically. Ignoring the remark, General Skalton also poured himself a glass of water, from the jug on the table at which he was sat. "Just thought I would let you know, we have more guests across the river. That was if you had been wandering why the bells have been ringing for the last half hour or more." Luken was not sure how true that was, had he and Taylor only just heard them? Deciding to turn to his son for confirmation, he asked "Have they going that long Taylor?" The young boy looked up with a grimace, and nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?" he said a little more sternly than he probably should have done. Taylor dropped his head in admonishment, "sorry father."
General Skalton spoke next, "Come Luken, you cannot blame the boy. It is not his fault you are as deaf as a post." Luken gave a wry smile, "yes very droll Thomas. So did you come all the way to the keep yard, to question my hearing ability, or are you actually going to tell me more details?" The General clearly was not in the best of moods, and it appeared the prince was little better, but reported as asked. He told Luken that a large infantry formation, probably in the region of a thousand or more men, flying the colours of Besemia had joined the Darekians across the river. "Bloody hell, a thousand more, so we are now looking at fifteen, sixteen hundred in total, with the two combined?" The General just nodded, as Luken continued his questions, "All proper soldiers?"
General Skalton stood up, "I am getting your horse saddled as we speak your highness. May I suggest you leave the boy with the Lady Sarena, and then you can join me by the bridge to try and figure out what actions to take." It suddenly hit Luken how serious this situation was becoming. He had always known they would have to make a stand at some point, and hoped that they would have enough time to make good their defences. It appeared this moment had now reached them. Taylor quickly noticed his father's unease, "come on, I think the General is right", and where as normally he would oblige in taking his father's hand when offered, he did so with far more reluctance. Luken bent down and picked the youngster up, and carried him. Speaking softly to him as they left the room, "everything will be fine Taylor, I promise."
After reluctantly leaving his son and future wife, the young prince trotted his horse alongside the Generals, listening to his thoughts on the situation ahead of them. He told Luken, that it was now only a question of when, not if, they attacked. "I also fear we do not have sufficient professional soldiers to hold them there," the General said, adding to Lukens already increasing worry. As he neared the city wall, the entire place was a hive of activity. A long line of wagons piled high with all sorts of random clutter, were being readied to block the gateway, probably a futile effort to hold up the attackers, should it come to it. Archers lined the walls, farmers, artisans, old men and boys; and although the walls gave them some security, he doubted such a force could withstand any substantial attack. He did not doubt their courage, for he knew if that failed, all was lost.
The last remnants of Corlan's army were lining up a few hundred yards away from the bridge gatehouse, alongside a number of Elite Guards on horseback. Alongside the riverbank stood probably a further hundred or more young men, all holding bows. Luken was told these had been split in to smaller groups, each commanded by a corporal, a professional soldier. It was hoped having a proper soldier with each would help with the understanding of commands, when they were given. It would be pointless, General Skalton waving his arms, and sounding three blasts of a horn, if the people fighting did not know what it meant; he hoped this would help appease any such problem.
The ringing bell finally stopped, much to Lukens relief. For the first time he witnessed for himself the size of the army opposing them. The short distance away, across the river, soldiers, wearing armour and holding shields emblazoned with the crest of Besemia, were already lining up. He knew then, that today was going to be a defining one. If they failed here, then the hordes from the north would pour across the bridge. They could then attack the city, and after, they would be free to roam southwards, with nothing or no one to oppose them. That most sobering of thoughts scared him, and despite everything that had gone on before, he had never felt so afraid.
The prince and his General joined a small group of riders, amongst them, Jak Corley and Lord Galliss. These were the men who would have to come up with the plans and ideas, to stop what was inevitably going to be coming their way very soon. Levin was with Jak, and by the looks of things, being told in no uncertain terms to get back to the city walls. The young lad, who had impressed everyone with his ideas and thinking, pleaded his case in vain, and ultimately, teary eyed, slowly turned and trudged his way back. Luken turned back from watching Levin go, to listen to his commanding officers report. He knew they would not expect him to come up with any great master plan, but they would seek his approval. He paid attention, now was not a good idea to only catch half an instruction, because he had been distracted.
Their initial plan would be to hold the attack at the bridge. However, with heavily armoured infantry, carrying heavy shields attacking them, it would only be a matter of time. They doubted the doors would be broken down, it was adjudged more likely, that the enemy would eventually get a foothold atop the battlement. Once that had happened, it would only be a matter of time before they made the short steps down to open the gates. The sheer numbers would then surge through, and pour out into the open spaces beyond. General Skalton actually said something a little strange, "I hope when they do, they keep after us toward the city walls." Luken thought a moment, he had never thought of that scenario. If the attackers surged across, what was to stop them destroying everything to the south, while they sat watching behind the walls. If that did happen, they had no force that could pursue and engage them; they had always assumed a defensive stand would be made here. "Then we encourage them to do so" Luken added to the conversation, getting a few approving nods from the others.
As far as numbers of armed personnel went, there was probably little difference between the two opposing forces. The General spoke plainly, as he saw things; the enemy had the advantage of more professional and heavy armoured soldiers, whilst they held the better defensive positions. Whether having t
hose could swing the balance, he told them honestly, was doubtful, but not impossible. He continued that as long as there was a chance of success, in ending this madness, they should pursue it, "there is no more running, no more fleeing, nowhere else to hide. We have no other option here today, than to be victorious." Luken was hung on the words, spoken with such clarity and passion, and he realised the General was building them up, just as he would the other soldiers under his command. He was giving them belief, without making empty promises, he was focusing their minds on the task ahead, and making sure they all understood the circumstances that would follow should they fail.
Archers stood positioned across the top of the battlements of the bridge gatehouse, watching in anticipation. The enemy was still forming its own lines, making its own plans, for what it thought would bring them the success it sought. It appeared the Besemian infantry would be making any initial attack as they stood to the front. The Darekians, all on horseback, would no doubt be the ones to burst through once the gates were opened. The riders would be tasked with chasing down any fleeing men, before they could make it to the city walls. Luken wondered whether the men on the far side of the river, stood waiting as anxiously and nervous as the ones on his side.
The sun was making its way higher in the sky. A lovely blue one, with but a few wispy clouds. General Skalton had positioned his troops, had given them their orders. The plans were simple enough, firstly, hold the bridge and inflict as many casualties as possible. When the bridge was lost, they were to make an organised retreat back towards the city, getting some cover form the archers on its walls. Once inside the gateway, it was to be blocked up, with anything and everything at hand. Stand and fight, destroy the enemy from atop the relative safety of the battlements, and all being well, sit round a fire that evening toasting the hard fought victory.
