As our plan stood currently, there would be nothing to do for several hours anyway. Watch and wait, that was the heart of it. We wouldn’t act until the enemy was where we wanted them. I knew there was no hope for it though. I looked back at the bed longingly. “I’ll be down in a few minutes,” I told him.
Once he had gone I returned to sit down at the bedside. Penny was sitting up looking disheveled and absolutely gorgeous. Despite the rigors of the previous night I was strongly drawn to try for an encore. Penny looked at me petulantly. “This is the worst honeymoon ever,” she pronounced.
I was inclined to agree. “I know darling,” I said instead. “But war waits for no man.” I hoped that sounded appropriately important and wise. I had forgotten who I was addressing.
“You are not half so clever as you imagine. I hope you realize this,” she told me as she began dressing.
“I know sweetheart, but as long as you don’t tell anyone maybe they won’t catch on,” I replied. Despite her words I was feeling pretty damned clever anyway. Marriage seemed to agree with me.
We went downstairs. I knew with each step we got closer to the end of my good mood. As I entered the great hall I could see men crowding the room in every direction. A small crowd had gathered around the high table where Dorian stood. I admired his calm as he calmly gave instructions to those clustered around him. More than ever it was apparent he had been born for this sort of thing. I didn’t want to think about what I had been born for. Wholesale slaughter most probably, I thought to myself.
A hush came over the room as Penny and I made our way through the clustered men. Faces that I had seen a dozen times before looked at me in a new light. I could feel the weight of their desperation and hope bearing down on me, an almost tangible burden. I straightened my shoulders, holding my head high. One thing I had learned from watching Dorian was the importance of giving the impression of confidence. To do otherwise would only sow doubt and confusion.
Dorian seemed relieved to see me. A certain aura hung about him and I could tell that despite his apparent calm he was nervous. “It looks like today will be the start of it,” he told me.
“How many are there?” I asked.
His face grew uncertain, “We’re not sure yet. The scout just returned, but he said the column stretched back for over three miles that he could see. The head is still a few miles shy of reaching Arundel and the end of it is still emerging from where the road passes through the mountains.”
That sounded like an awful lot of men, but I had no idea how to estimate their number. “And that means?” I let my question trail off, inviting him to elaborate.
“The column is marching five men abreast. Using a rough estimate of three feet per man that would be roughly ten thousand men for every mile and a half the column stretches, not considering the gaps between the various regiments of course.” Dorian looked extremely uncomfortable.
I did some quick math in my head. “So if the column head is already three miles along the valley road that would be twenty thousand men... at least.”
“We’re still not sure how much further their line stretches Mordecai. It could be twice that,” he added.
A chill ran up my spine. “If it did their column could stretch almost the entirety of the road from Cameron Castle to Arundel, over a third of the entire length of the valley. How could they even hope to feed so many? The logistics of it is boggling.”
Joe McDaniel spoke up from beside Dorian, “That’s their problem though; we just got to worry about killin’ ‘em.”
Dorian coughed, “Actually no. It is something we should consider. If our plan fails and we wind up in a protracted campaign the nature of their supply line will be vitally important. An army lives and dies on its stomach.”
“If this becomes a protracted campaign we’re more likely to starve than they are. Our supplies are getting thin after the winter. The spring planting needs to be done soon. If we’re besieged we’ll starve long before they do,” I said.
“Facing that many we wouldn’t hold out long enough to starve,” Cyhan observed.
I could see men shifting uncertainly at the dark tone our conversation had taken. I raised my voice, “Attend me!” Using a bench as a step I got onto the table. An unfortunate loaf of bread was spoiled but I ignored it. “Today our fight starts! You may be asking yourselves if we can win. You’re probably wondering if a bit of land and a new start is worth the risk of your life. Am I right?” I paused to see if anyone would answer. I could see my words had struck a chord with many of them but none spoke.
“Many of you were with me in Albamarl. Others among you were there when we fought the cultists in the duke’s castle. Some of you don’t have a goddamn clue what I’m capable of, though you may have heard some wild stories,” I said loudly. A few men chuckled. I took that as a good sign.
“A good friend of mine explained to me a while back that true power, doesn’t come from money or magic. I thought he was a fool! Do you know what he told me?” I paused again before continuing, “He told me that true power lies in the people that follow you.”
“But there’s a damn sight more people on their side!” someone shouted from the back.
“You’re right! But those men down there aren’t our real enemy. They’re people, just like you, men trying to carve out a living for themselves. Do you honestly think they want to be here? They’re conscripts, forced to serve by the theocracy that rules Gododdin now. We have a hell of a lot more reason to fight than they do. The real enemy is Vendraccus and the dark god he serves. Forcing those men into this fight is what really pisses me off. Do you know why?”
No one spoke. The room had gone utterly silent as I spoke and I could see the question in their eyes.
“Because I am going to kill every damned soldier that marches into our valley! I have never been a man that likes bloodshed, but today will be the day history remembers me by. The day Mordecai Illeniel became the greatest butcher the world has ever seen,” I stopped, staring at them for a long minute.
“There’s something I need you to do for me,” I cast my gaze across the crowd. “When today is done thousands upon thousands will be dead, but there will be more. The dead will pile upon themselves from one end of this valley to the other, but some will remain. Those that do may well be driven to assault us here. They may still outnumber us. Our women and our children wait on us in Lancaster. I will not be able to protect them. I leave that trust to you. Can I count on you to do that for me?”
The room was silent for a long moment before one man near the front answered, “Yes my lord.”
I put my hand to my ear, “What did you say?”
“Yes my lord!” he repeated more loudly.
“I hear your voice, are there any others?” I replied.
“Yes my lord!” several men shouted.
“Louder goddammit!” I admonished them. Soon the room was echoing with cries of “Yes my lord!” They took it up and it slowly became a chant. At some point it changed and before I realized it they were chanting my name. Another day I might have been embarrassed, but not today. They needed hope, and I needed their trust. Chances were that I would lead many of them to their deaths, and for that I certainly needed their trust.
They were still pounding the tables and shouting when I left the room. I stood listening in the empty corridor and each booming cry reminded me of a marching drum, driving me to my doom. Penny walked up behind me, “You were magnificent Mort. They truly believe in you.”
The emotions swirling through me were too much, and I began to laugh. An ugly hysterical laugh, a reaction to the tension coiled inside me. “You really think so?” I choked out.
A worried frown creased her brow, “Yes I do.”
“We’ll see how they feel when the crows and vultures come to feed. We’ll see how the survivors feel once they’ve gained some perspective,” I replied.
“You really worry me sometimes,” she responded suddenly.
“You’re not th
e only one. Come on, let’s go see how the enemy is progressing,” I said and we headed for the teleportation circles I had prepared.
***
We sat on two tall destriers near the manor house of Lord Arundel. A large circle was etched in the cobbled patio behind the house. I had created several throughout the valley. With a diameter of fifteen feet they were large enough to allow me to bring both of us along with our horses. Not having access to a better means of viewing the valley I had placed them at spots I thought would prove useful in observing the enemy. The circles that matched them were placed in a large barn we had constructed near the stable in Cameron Castle. I would need good information on the enemy’s position to use my iron bombs most effectively.
I had taken us there knowing that the soldiers of Gododdin would already be passing by Arundel... or scouting it. There was a high possibility they would divert to make certain there was no enemy waiting to flank them from the baron’s estates. As we rode around the side of the house I spotted two men on horseback in the front yard, their eyes grew wide when they saw us.
I thought for a moment they might charge us, but being scouts they spurred their horses and rode away. Information was more important than engaging and unknown enemy I supposed. I dismounted and plucked two stones up from where they lay. The riders were less than a hundred yards away. A word and a sharp puff of breath sent the stones flying after them. After they had fallen from the saddles their horses continued running. I decided to let them go, they would send a message for me.
I caught Penny watching me. “You seem rather calm,” she noted.
“No point in getting worked up over two men. I’ll have much worse to atone for later,” I replied coldly.
“I don’t like what’s happening to you,” she said.
I remounted and rode close beside her. Leaning over I gave her a kiss. “I love you Penny, but it doesn’t matter what happens to me. I won’t have long to regret my actions.”
She gritted her teeth, “What if I was wrong?”
“Do you think you were wrong?” I asked smoothly.
She didn’t reply to that so after a moment I turned my horse and we began riding for the road. I wanted to see the reaction the riderless horses would provoke. As we rode I rechecked the shields around Penny, myself, and our horses. The events of a year ago had taught me a valuable lesson about shielding my horse.
We had covered most of the mile that separated Arundel from the main valley road when we caught sight of the enemy. They were marching five abreast toward us, with small groups of cavalry fanning out to the sides. “What now?” Penny asked me.
I laughed at the question and did what seemed most natural. Standing up in my stirrups I began waving at the approaching soldiers, a broad grin on my face. They came to a halt and I saw their commander ordering the crossbow men to come forward. “Time to go,” I told Penny. We turned and began riding hard for Arundel. A few bolts flew by as we rode but the distance was too great for them to have much chance of hitting us. A glance back showed me that their cavalry had decided not to give chase.
They probably thought it was a trap. I couldn’t blame them for that.
We returned to Cameron as soon as we reached the circle in Arundel. From there we took another circle to a spot in the valley, on the other side of the road as it passed by the baron’s lands. I had been careful to position it slightly more than half a mile from the road. My biggest fear had been putting one somewhere and finding myself in the middle of the enemy when I used it.
From there we had a clear view of the column of soldiers. It stretched now from where the road left the mountains all the way to Arundel. I could see that the last part of it consisted of wagons and what I presumed were camp followers. That meant the column of soldiers was nearly five miles long. “Slightly over thirty thousand men,” I mused aloud. Glancing over I could see Penny’s mouth agape as she stared at them. “You alright?” I asked.
“There’s so many,” she said softly.
“Doesn’t matter,” I reminded her. “Ten, twenty, thirty... it just means more will die.”
“Stop it,” she replied.
“Stop what?”
“Stop pretending it doesn’t matter. You know damn well it bothers you,” she told me.
“I can’t afford to pretend otherwise. I have to keep my heart hard. If I don’t, I’ll lose my resolve,” I said determinedly.
“But all those men... they must have families, loved ones, people waiting on them,” she said.
“Shut... up,” I said quietly. Thankfully she did. We watched as they set up a defensive line on the road leading toward Washbrook and Lancaster, while the main column continued to progress into Arundel. They were making sure they weren’t surprised while they secured the baron’s land. An hour passed while we quietly observed them.
“I think they’ve noticed us,” Penny said casually.
Glancing along the line I realized she was right. A contingent of cavalry was detaching from the main force and riding toward us. That surprised me; our location was well hidden by tall grass and a copse of trees. Perhaps they were merely sweeping the area to make sure it was clear. Either way we would have to move, I couldn’t risk them finding us so soon.
Moments later we were back in the barn at Cameron Castle and things weren’t as we had expected. Sounds of fighting came from outside, but what was inside the barn concerned us more immediately. The barn was full of soldiers, and I recognized none of them. Heads turned and swords were out, we were surrounded by the armsmen of Gododdin.
A tense moment passed in odd silence as our presence registered on those around us. Penny and I were likewise in shock, and then pandemonium erupted. Our foes started to rush us but I shouted out the words to a spell I had prepared. A circle of pure force erupted around us and swept outward, slamming men against the walls of the barn. Unfortunately the circle started at a distance of ten feet (to avoid hitting Penny). Several were closer than that and their swords reached us easily.
I felt several strike my shield but Penny had already exploded into motion, where she had been sitting upon her mount a moment before she was now leaping above them. Startled heads turned to follow her but they were too slow. She landed behind the men on her side and began cutting a deadly arc through them, her bond-sword slicing through flesh and armor with equal ease.
Those on my side encountered much less resistance and swords began battering me from several directions at once. Worse some of those who had struck the walls were not out of the fight, and rising rapidly they charged toward us. I raised my staff and between the blows striking me I channeled energy down it. A line of searing light flashed forth and I began sweeping it around me, cutting through steel and bone. Men cried out in pain, dying as that terrible line cut through them. I moved it back and forth, raking its awful beam across those nearest and then using it to finish those against the walls.
Turning I sought to help Penny but it was too late, she was already finishing the last of those who had come at her. The sight of so many dead men around her shocked me. Our eyes met and I could see nothing there but adrenaline and the madness of battle. I looked away, for I didn’t like what I saw in them.
Before we could leave to see what occurred outside another group of fifteen men appeared beside us, on the circle that led to Arundel. I cursed myself as I realized they had used my own circles to surprise us. I raised my staff, but Penny was there ahead of me and I was forced to withhold my magic lest I hit her. Like a force of nature she went through them, steel flashing while men died and blood spilled onto the floor.
It wasn’t even fair to call it a fight; she slew them as a man might kill children. She might have slaughtered them all but for the one in the center, a man who bore a dark aura shining with power. As she neared him he put forth his hand and an invisible picked her up, tossing her across the barn to strike one of the main support beams. If not for her shield the blow might have killed her outright.
“Pyrren,” I sa
id, and flames roared forth, streaming from my outstretched hand. The men around him died screaming but the fire didn’t touch him. He gave me a black smile and I knew I wasn’t the only one with a shield. His hand came up again and I found myself flying across the room to slam into the wooden walls of the barn. Stunned, I struggled to pick myself back up. I could taste the iron tang of blood in my mouth.
Penny charged him, she had recovered more quickly than should have been possible, but he waved his hand again, and sent her flying across the room once more. “You obviously don’t know how to fight men of power, young Illeniel,” he gloated in a voice that sounded as if it crossed a great gulf. I could see the madness of Mal’goroth in his eyes.
I had reached my feet and as he spoke I raised my staff. Without using words I channeled power down its length while I answered him, “And you obviously need to learn when to shut the fuck up and die.” The focused beam of light sliced through his shield and cut his body neatly in half. He was dead before he struck the floor, his face registering disbelief. I swept the beam down to destroy the circle that led to Arundel. I wouldn’t repeat that mistake again.
“Are you alright?” I asked Penny as she clambered to her feet once more.
“What do you think?” she snapped at me. I took that as a yes. I could still hear sounds of fighting beyond the walls so we paused for a second before opening the door to the outside. I took out a small pouch of stones I had been saving while Penny put her ear to the door. I could have told her there was no one near the other side, but I didn’t think she was feeling very receptive to advice at the moment. “You ready?” she asked me.
“Yep,” I said and with that she flung the door wide.
Chaos reigned in the castle yard. Men were fighting in tight knots everywhere I looked. There was no firm line, no defensive position. The enemy and the defenders of Washbrook were intermingled in a desperate struggle for survival. There was nothing poetic about it, men cut and slashed and in some places the blood was enough to form mud on the ground. Penny and I exchanged quick glances. “Go,” I told her. “I’ll be fine.” She was running before the words had left my mouth.