Brianna waited until her words had been absorbed before she continued.
“I stand this day against the oppression and tyranny of Razcon. It was he who killed my father, usurped the throne, and caused me to flee to this kingdom for refuge. I know many of you would gladly risk your life to restore freedom to the Sabatol kingdom, but you never had the opportunity to do so. Now is the time to join us and overthrow Razcon’s reign of cruelty and wickedness. I fight not against mine own people, but against the evil reign of Razcon. I would rather die free in Glenfair than live under the tyranny of such a king. Again I plead with you to join me and fight for the freedom of Sabatol!” After saying this, Edward and Brianna headed back toward the ranks of Glenfair.
Razcon listened intently to Brianna’s speech and then began to smile. This was too good to be true. He knew there were people in his kingdom that were not loyal to his throne, and even suspected some of his high officials of being disloyal. The threat of rebellion was always real to him. This would give them an opportunity to defect so he could purge his realm of any opposition. This one act of Brianna could benefit him more than anything else. One of the generals close by spoke:
“Should we kill anyone who breaks ranks, Sire?”
Razcon scowled, “No, we will let them go unharmed.” And then in a loud voice for all to hear he said, “Anyone who wishes to follow this pathetic girl may do so. But I would caution you against throwing your life away for such a hopeless cause.”
General Drinidel’s heart beat faster when he saw that Brianna was alive. He thought she was dead and now she was pleading for some of her countrymen to come to her aid and overthrow Razcon. He knew there would never be a better opportunity to put an end to Razcon’s reign than this. And when Razcon encouraged people to leave he was the first to step forward from the ranks.
Razcon watched General Drinidel follow the receding figures. He had suspected Drinidel and now his true loyalty was shown in his defection.
At first many were stunned by General Drinidel’s defection, but then many of his regiment followed, being loyal to him and loving him as a general. Lentz watched for a moment and then turning to the nearest officer exclaimed:
“May God have mercy on us!” and started off in pursuit of Drinidel.
Edward and Brianna turned to face the army of the Sabatols after they had reached their own ranks. At first only a few walked toward them, then to their amazement more and more soldiers left their ranks and joined their comrades walking toward the Glenfair army. Every thing was quiet except for the sound of the steps of the approaching soldiers until weeping was heard. Edward looked over at Brianna who had tears flowing down her face. He could tell she was deeply moved to see so many coming to her aid.
Razcon was at first pleased to see the defectors heading toward Glenfair. But as the exodus continued he began to grow angry. He did not expect so many to turn against him. When the last of the defectors had left and no more followed, he was dismayed to see that almost two full regimens had defected. His army had been ten full regimens, and now they were down to eight. No matter, their force was still so much greater that there would be no hope for the opposition.
In his anger he turned to the rest of his generals, “We need to reorganize our army and our ranks. But when we do, we will crush these traitors and this small kingdom. I want you to show no mercy and take no prisoners. Kill them! Kill them all!”
Sucinord was delighted. This was what he had hoped for all along. The biggest celebration of death he could ever imagine.
Edward watched with amazement the number of Sabatols coming to them grew. So many more than he had ever expected. It almost doubled the size of the Glenfair’s army. General Drinidel came to within fifty paces of the Glenfair army and then turned and faced his comrades who were coming to join him. He dropped his helmet and took off his breastplate. Then he took off the yellow tunic the Sabatol army wore and turned it inside out so the white linen showed and put it back on. The rest seeing his example did the same until the yellow regimens were now white. Then General Drinidel approached King Edward and Brianna.
He bowed to them and then spoke, “I am at your service, Princess Brianna. Although our chances of success are slim, I too would rather die free in Glenfair than live under the oppression of Razcon.”
Brianna smiled at general Drinidel, “I had hoped you would come to our aid. My father always spoke highly of you and I see his judge of character was true. There is something I must tell you though. I am no longer Princess Brianna of the Sabatols, King Edward is my husband and I am queen of this kingdom.”
General Drinidel raised his eyebrows and started to speak but general Lentz appeared at that moment and heard Brianna’s statement.
Lentz looked firmly at Brianna and asked, “Do you fight for Glenfair, or for the liberation of Sabatol from tyranny?”
Brianna was ready for this question, “I fight for both. It is true, I have come to love Glenfair. They gave us a home and treated us kindly in our exile. I have come to love Glenfair’s people and I love king Edward. But make no mistake, if Razcon wins, Sabatol and Glenfair both lose. If we win, both kingdom’s will be able to live in peace.”
General Drinidel now spoke, “If we defeat Razcon, who will rule us since you are queen of Glenfair?”
Brianna smiled at Drinidel’s question, “We must first survive the battle and then we can worry about such matters.” This satisfied both Lentz and Drinidel. A moment later Master Rollins and the other dukes joined them.
General Drinidel then turned to Edward, “Do you have a strategy against such a superior force?”
Edward nodded toward Master Rollins who then stated; “We will form a wedge and drive up the middle of the opposing force, dividing them in two. We will be able to retreat easily if the pressure becomes to great. We had hopes that the overconfidence of the Sabatols would cause them to approach the battle in a strait line formation spread too thin to prevent our penetration in the middle.”
General Drinidel and Lentz nodded in appreciation of Glenfair’s strategy.
That is exactly what we were going to do,” Lentz offered. “I do not think the battle plan will alter for them either. They still believe their forces will simply overwhelm us.”
“What do you think, General Drinidel?” Edward asked.
“I think your plan is a good one, and I too agree with Lentz that Razcon’s strategy will not alter. He sees no need to change because of the size of his forces. But now the question arises, how will you use us in the battle?”
Edward nodded at Drinidel’s question, “You will fill the ranks behind us and fan out after we have penetrated Razcon’s forces.”
General Drinidel and Lentz looked at each other in amazement.
With a little confusion Drinidel asked, “You want us behind you? If we turned against you in the battle you would be trapped between us.”
Edward was bewildered and perplexed as how to answer General Drinidel’s statement.
Brianna seeing Edward’s dilemma spoke, “General Drinidel, Glenfair is much different than the Sabatol kingdom. King Edward never considered such treachery. They are a trusting people, and maybe too much so.”
General Drinidel now understood that Glenfair had accepted them fully as allies in this battle with no thought of any treachery.
“I can see why you love this land and her king,” Drinidel said to Brianna. And then to Edward, “Sire, Razcon is our problem. If it were not for him your kingdom would not be in jeopardy. Let us form the wedge and you follow behind us in the battle. That is how it should be.” Lentz nodded his agreement and Edward knew it was the best strategy for their combined forces.
Edward then asked Drinidel, “May I address your soldiers?”
General Drinidel nodded so Edward mounted his horse and rode a short distance and addressed the Sabatol forces who had joined them.
“You are not fighting this battle to defend Glenfair. We fight for a comm
on cause, that of freedom. All Glenfair ever wanted was to live in peace, free from tyranny or oppression. You want the same thing and Razcon is the trouble for both our kingdoms. You will not find soldiers more valiant than those of Glenfair. They will fight as much for you as they do for themselves. I ask no more of you than to fight for the peace and freedom that both kingdoms deserve. But beware, a half hearted effort will not give us victory, nor will surrender save us from death. So we must fight with all our heart and strength for the just cause of peace and may God give us victory.”
As Edward finished this speech, the allies raised their swords and shouted, “Victory”. General Drinidel smiled at the response Edward received from his soldiers. No wonder Brianna had married him. He was a great leader. General Lentz was talking strategy with Master Rollins so Drinidel approached Edward as he was dismounting.
“Tell me King Edward, are the rumors true of a warrior of unparalleled talent who protects Glenfair?” Edward nodded. “I would desire to see him before the battle, if it is possible.”
“The warrior you speak of was my father,” Edward said. “He is no longer with us.”
“Who now is the protector of Glenfair?” Drinidel asked.
Edward looked at Drinidel unemotionally, “The king is always the protector of Glenfair.”
“Then may we succeed,” general Drinidel said as he clasped the hand of Edward.
As the final details were discussed by the war council, General Drinidel asked how they would know when to attack and what kind of signal should be expected.
Edward answered, “When you hear a sound like thunder, and the ground shakes. Do not be afraid. That is the signal to attack with the wedge while they are confused by the sound.” Edward saw the doubt on Drinidel and Lentz’s faces. “Please believe me and prepare your soldiers for the thunder and the shaking or our attack will not be successful.”
Lentz and Drinidel nodded and went to speak with their soldiers. Edward went as well to find several riders to drop the explosive devices in the right places. When that was done he could see that the Sabatol army was getting ready to advance. He sent the riders alone toward the Sabatol army that yet stood still. They stopped in the middle between the two armies and dismounted. Then each rider kneeled upon the ground and very subtly placed the explosive device on the ground and then rode back to the army of Glenfair.
The Sabatol forces were almost ready to attack. Razcon watched as several riders left the ranks of Glenfair and rode into the middle of the battlefield. He saw them dismount and kneel upon the ground and then ride back again.
“What do you make of the riders?” Razcon asked one of his generals.
“It is probably some religious ceremony imploring the gods to help them in the battle. Nothing they do will help them.”
“Then let us put an end to this miserable little kingdom,” Razcon stated. “Have the army advance slowly toward Glenfair. I want them to fear us as we approach. They may even scatter and run before us.” With those instructions the Sabatol army began to advance toward Glenfair at a slow pace. Razcon watched as his army approached Glenfair. When they had covered half the distance between the two opposing forces he noticed that the army of Glenfair did not move. He had expected some of the ranks of Glenfair to flee before his army but they stood firm. He knew Glenfair had never faced a foe as large as the Sabatol army and could not understand why they were not disconcerted by his superior force. So resolute was Glenfair’s stance that Razcon for the first time began to worry. Was there something he was missing in the brave stance the little army took? At that moment the ground around his army thundered upward. He could see horses and soldiers flying in the air and dirt and sod reigned down upon him. His whole army was in disarray. He had just enough time to know the Sabatol army was in trouble before the army of Glenfair and the rebels charged. Razcon watched in horror as the disciplined army of Glenfair crashed into his disorganized force, completely obliterating the middle and splitting his army in half.
King Edward watched the Sabatol army approach slowly. They think to intimidate us, he thought. Edward knew his army would not flinch nor shrink back before the large force approaching them. He held the device that Pi had given him to set off the explosives. Edward was glad the Sabatols were approaching slowly. It would give him more time to make sure the explosives were into the army of the Sabatols before he detonated them. He just hoped that the rebel Sabatol forces that had joined his would be ready to attack after the explosions or the moment of confusion of Razcon’s forces would be lost. He knew Drinidel and Lentz were disciplined soldiers, he could see it in their actions. He just hoped the forces they commanded were as disciplined. Edward continued to watch as the Sabatol army came closer. Now the front lines were past the explosives and Edward pushed the button on the detonator and the explosives went off in unison. He could see soldiers and horses flying upward and the Sabatol forces scattering. In the moment his head turned back toward his forces, he heard a shout and saw Drinidel and Lentz charge forward with their regimens toward the disorganized Sabatol army. Edward shouted and the army of Glenfair was right behind Drinidel and Lentz.
Drinidel also watched the approaching forces of Razcon. He had prepared his men for the thundering that the king of Glenfair said would come. Now that the army of Razcon was getting closer, Drinidel wondered if he had been a fool for joining forces with Glenfair. He looked right and left at the Glenfair forces and noticed not one soldier flinched or moved as the larger force advanced. He had to admire their strength of composure and bravery. Could the king of Glenfair really do as he had promised? His next thought was answered by the explosion underneath the feet of Razcon’s forces. Drinidel was so surprised that he almost forgot this was the signal to attack. He quickly gathered his wits and raised his sword and sounded the charge. How the king of Glenfair had caused the ground to heave upward he did not know. But now all doubts that he had made the right decision evaporated as he charged.
As was arranged in the war council, Drinidel and Lentz formed the wedge that would separate the long battle line of the Sabatol forces. Once they penetrated and separated the Sabatol force into north and south parts, Drinidel was to push south, while Lentz would fight northward. Duke Rollins, Jason Crestlaw, and Duke Prescott would fight with Lentz northward, while Mason Zandel and the king’s forces would push southward with Drinidel. Pi had already discussed with Drinidel where Sucinord would most likely be in the battle. He had assured her that the evil magician would be with the forces that were north of the king, so Pi went in that direction when the war began.
The wedge of Drinidel and Lentz was more effective than anyone had hoped. The initial charge brought them clear through the disorganized Sabatol forces. They then split up and Drinidel pushed south while Lentz pushed northward. This was accomplished even before the Glenfair forces joined them. In a short time there was already a wide gap between the north section of Razcon’s army and the south. Edward and his forces crashed into the battle not long after Drinidel and Lentz had divided Razcon’s army. Mason Zandel, his son Jonnos and Adriell were on Edward’s left fighting as desperately as they could. Edward could not help but gaze for a moment at the aged Mason who with skill and tremendous strength was making headway against the Sabatols. No wonder his father had admired the battle skills of Mason Zandel in the first war. Jonnos and Adriell were likewise making progress. Edward had just enough time to notice Adriell’s reflexes and realized she possessed some of the same skills he had inherited. Now Edward began to use the talents God had given him in the battle. He was quicker than any warrior on the battle field and began to cut a path wide and deep into the Sabatol forces. The armor of the ancients that Edward wore was a great advantage. It was lighter than conventional armor and almost impossible to penetrate with normal sword or bow. The sword Edward swung would cut through other metal if enough force was used. That was the advantage of the alloy of the ancients. It was the same armor and sword his father had used in the Wickshiel
d war. And now Edward was seeing how effective the titanium ceramic alloy triberridum was in battle.
Brianna was behind Edward watching his back and was also stunned by the destruction Edward was creating. So devastating was Edward’s attack that Razcon’s forces began to melt away before him. This caused him to penetrate the enemy much deeper than the rest and soon Brianna had her hands full with attacks from the side. Mason and Jonnos saw the dilemma of Edward fighting a three sided battle and pushed hard to come to his aid. Adriell increased her efforts as well and soon the forces of Razcon began to collapse before them. Some of the Sabatol forces fled and others screamed for mercy. This sent a shock wave south through the Sabatol forces, causing further distress and panic.
Drinidel was on the other side of Razcon’s forces when Edward pushed south. It was all his regimen could do to hold the split they had caused at first. Then when Glenfair joined the battle things began to quickly change. He could see the ferocity with which the army of Glenfair fought and knew that man for man Razcon’s forces were no match for a Glenfair soldier. His eyes searched out the king of Glenfair and to his utter amazement he saw what Edward was doing to Razcon’s forces. If it were told him, he would not have believed it, but now his eyes were seeing what could only be the legendary warrior of Glenfair fighting through its king. Nothing stood before the king’s quick and powerful swings of his sword. He could see Brianna fighting behind and to the side of the king. Then there was a tremendous push by the other Glenfair forces to catch up to King Edward’s advance. Drinidel’s small regimen could feel more than see what was happening in the battle on Glenfair’s side. They could physically feel the army of Razcon give way before the rebels. This bolstered their confidence and they pushed southward even harder than before. Soon Razcon’s forces were falling and fleeing before them as well.
The King's Descendants Page 18
