The Powterosian War (Book 5) (39 page)

“Watch,” the commander said. He glanced at the aide and looked back quickly at the catapults and their devoted master. “Fire when ready, Sergeant.”

The stern, focused old man looked left and right at his catapult crews who nodded their preparedness to their sergeant. The barge sailed forward into the spot the old man watched with a fixed stare.

“Fire!” the sergeant bellowed.

Massive stones and burning bundles of oiled materials flew out from the walls in an arc converging on the barge. The aide held his breath as the materials arched down and slammed into the barge, rocking the vessel, throwing its captain overboard. Burning oil spread over the deck. Oars flew up and out in every direction as burning oil poured down and splashed on the rowers. The great barge lurched to the right, lost forward momentum, and settled, drifting in the current. It began listing to the left, where boulders had broken through at the waterline. The barge bobbed. Its crew scrambled to control the mortal damage. Flames burned across the deck and climbed the mast. The sail collapsed onto the deck, enveloped in more flames.

“He’s destroyed the barge,” the aide said, thrusting a clinched fist in the air. He looked at the commander next to him who nodded, then at the sergeant who beamed at them and winked.

The second barge, coming fast behind the first, slammed into the burning, sinking vessel. Their riggings got tangled. Before the second barge’s crew could free themselves, the sinking barge pulled down the bow of the second one. Anticipating this, the catapult master had re-aimed and rearmed the catapults. When the second barge’s stern rose as the bow was pulled down, the master struck.

“Fire!” he shouted. Rocks and flaming missiles flew out in their deadly arc, showering the second barge, smashing gaping holes in its side and bottom below the water line. Water rushed in when the crew freed it from the first vessel. It, too, bobbed for a moment then began to sink by the stern. The river current swept both barges slowly into the chain that then restrained them. The crews of both barges were jumping overboard as the vessels sank, blocking the river to further hopes of use by the enemy. Archers on the walls finished off the orcs that didn’t drown, trying to escape to the shore.

The aide rushed back to General Sekkarian, breathless and chattering with excitement. “That old man has done it; he sank both barges like paper boats in a puddle.”

Sekkarian grinned and nodded at the young aide, then looked back at the fleet disembarking the Prertstenian army north of the city.

“You knew about the old man?” the aide asked.

“Everyone knows about that sergeant,” the general said. “He stops everyone on the wharf and tells them of the time he almost arrested the king, about the king’s mercy, and rewarding him later. I’m surprised he missed you.”

“That was some shooting,” the aide said.

“The old sergeant has nearly filled the river with stones practicing for that opportunity to make the king proud of him. You must tell the king of his bravery and excellent marksmanship yourself.” Sekkarian chuckled.

The aide laughed too, seeing the general do so. “That’s some old man.”

“Look, there up the river where the army is forming up. They’re hauling off something big,” Sekkarian said. “They won’t have wasted valuable ship space with siege machinery; they’ll build that out there now. What do you suppose that could be? I can’t see it that well from here.” The aide squinted, trying to discern what the great bulky thing could be.

“I can’t tell either, it’s wrapped up.” He looked at the general who frowned, looking farther up river.

“Look there, beyond the mysterious cargo. That must be the general in command of the Dreaddrac’s army in Sengenwha. He’s crossing the river to confer and coordinate the attack with Prince Pindradese, or whoever is in command of that fleet. Not likely Pindradese, he’s too much of a coward to risk himself this far from home.”

“Well those trenches we dug will stop any siege machines they build,” the aide said.

“Only for a while, it will take them time to build the machinery and, yes, the trenches will stop their first attempt. We must be ready to strike out from the hidden portal to burn the second set before they reach the walls. That will give the king time to deal with the imperial army, if he can find a way to stop them.”

A messenger climbed up the stairs and out on the battlements to Sekkarian. He handed a message to the general, saluted, and stood back, waiting for a reply or dismissal. The aide watched the general’s face reading the message. He frowned and waved away the messenger. I’d better not ask what that was about, the aide thought.

“The enemy is building a pontoon bridge across the river half a mile downstream,” Sekkarian said. He crumpled up the message in his gloved hand. “We must prepare a sortie down river to destroy the bridge before they can finish it and gain access to this side of the river.” Sekkarian looked up the shore line again, studying the huge wrapped mystery being dragged onshore by the enemy. “What is that thing?”

What’s that thing, indeed, thought the aide.

* * *

The Dark Lord jumped up from his throne when handed the message that Emperor Engwan was dead and King Saxthor was now Emperor of the Powterosian Empire as well as King of Neuyokkasin. Wizard-fire shot uncontrollably from his fingertips in his rage. Courtiers fell to the floor, many dead and smoldering amid the stench of burning flesh. Terrified and shaking, others froze. Even the normally unperturbed chamberlain shuffled backward to the wall of the throne room. Smegdor followed suit, hunched down, feeling totally exposed to the rage. Those yellow eyes glared at anything that moved. No one spoke.

“Emperor!” screamed the Dark Lord. “That bumbling witch should have killed him when he was a child. She had dragon Magnosious at her beck and call. Now what have I to deal with?” The king’s eyes squinted at some thought. Suddenly, wizard-fire vaporized a courtier that coughed catching the king’s eye. “What reserves do we have?” No one responded. The king’s anger grew as the seconds passed in silence. “Smegdor, the generals are too frightened to answer. What reserves do we have?”

Smegdor cleared his throat. “None, Majesty,” Smegdor said barely above a whisper. The chamberlain backed away from Smegdor.

“NONE! No reserves whatever?”

“Your Majesty will remember sending the remaining legions to General Vylvex to break the stalemate at Graushdemheimer and the last reserves by the fleet to attack Olnak. The orcs that survived the sea battle joined General Tarquak on the Sengenwhan border to attack Heedra.”

“Those two generals had better break through quickly. None left… no reserves?”

“Well, there are the rock-dwarves…”

“Rock-dwarves…what good are rock-dwarves in a battle. One ray of sunlight and I have a rock pile.” He shot a bolt at some unfortunate movement that had almost made it behind a column. The king, Smegdor, and the chamberlain watched the smoke rise for a moment.

“I’ll send the last two bronze dragons to ensure the destruction of Hoya and Graushdemheimer. At least Emperor Engwan is no longer in competition. Now, Neuyokkasin is mine, and that Saxthor is a dead man.”

“Majesty,” Smegdor asked, “does that give the Neuyokkasinian control of the Grand Imperial Army?” Smegdor saved himself by immediately diving to the floor behind the great throne. The shower of sparks that exploded through the subterranean throne room killed much of the remaining life in the great hall.

Saxthor stopped long enough at Konnotan to appoint a temporary chatra, oversee the final defensive preparations, and appoint a new general in charge of the city’s defenses. He gave orders to review all military protections for possible sabotage by the traitor Rakmar. The Neuyokkasinian army had already gone on ahead to relieve the siege of Heedra. Memlatec stood with Saxthor and the new chatra on the tower battlements of Helshian Court Palace, watching the streams of weary refugees pouring into Konnotan from all over the northern peninsula. More camped outside the walls.

“There are so many,” Saxthor said. “The city’s dangerously overcrowded. I don’t know how we can protect such numbers of people if Heedra falls.”

“Majesty, you must make an announcement as to your ascension to Emperor of the Powterosian Empire. If the Grand Imperial Army is only a day behind you, they will arrive within sight of the city later today. Such a sight will spark panic across the countryside.”

“He’s right, Saxthor,” Memlatec said. “The population is despondent and edgy. If they see an army approaching from the south, they’ll assume it’s come to crush Konnotan and Neuyokkasin.”

“They’ll not understand how all this came to pass,” Saxthor said. “Will they believe this? I’m not sure I do myself.”

“Don the Crown of Yensupov and your state robes and ride around the city in person, reassuring the people that all is well and not to fear the approaching army. If they see you in person, they will believe it even if they won’t understand such an occurrence.”

“Majesty, how shall we feed such an army?” the new chatra, Lord Lemnos asked.

“They will camp here but one night,” Saxthor said. “They will march on north to the border thereafter. Hopefully we will receive word on the status of the war at the border fortresses by then.”

Emperor Saxthor returned from his tour around the city reassuring the weary population of his protection. His herald had preceded him notifying them of his ascension as emperor and the coming of the Imperial army to defend Neuyokkasin, not destroy it. Saxthor changed back into his uniform, putting away the Crown of Yensupov in its place of ultimate safety. Belnik was brushing off his uniform, insisting it must be perfect before presentation to the people clinging desperately to the emperor-king for their safety.

“That’s enough preening, Belnik,” Saxthor said, shooing the valet away.

“You’re quite certain this imperial army is coming to aid Neuyokkasin and not pretending support just to gain entrance to the heart of the kingdom to destroy us?” Belnik asked.

Saxthor flushed at the thought but remembered the general’s demeanor and the panic in the imperial army after extensive destruction by the Chowzenschwang. “I think their capitulation was genuine.” The thought troubled him none the less. “Send for Lord Lemnos. Time is of the essence. Hoya and Heedra I know to be under attack. The Neuyokkasinian army had to rush to their relief. If the imperial army is treacherous and attacks Konnotan, we are spread too thinly to survive long. Saxthor went to the balcony, watching the royal road beside the upper Nhy. Where is that courier from the front with news as to the status of the border cities? To the south he looked for a courier from the imperial army or Bodrin leading the approaching legions, due any time. The chatra’s entrance broke his train of thoughts.

“Lord Lemnos, have the fastest horses and your best riders prepared to leave on a moment’s notice,” Saxthor said, growing increasingly agitated as time crept by. He watched the roads as the chatra left to implement the order. A courier came galloping up the royal road toward Konnotan. Saxthor raced down the tower stairs to meet him. “What news from the front?” 

The rider was hunched slightly, still gasping for breath. “General Socockensmek sends his greeting, Majesty,” the courier said. He handed Saxthor the diplomatic pouch.

“If there is a response I shall have another courier take it. Thank you for your quick delivery. Go and rest.” Saxthor snatched open the pouch, sending the wax seal pieces flying. He unfolded and read the general’s dispatch. Hoya and Heedra were under full scale attack. Hoya had repelled the river attack and prevented the Dreaddrac army from crossing the river from Sengenwha so that, at the time of Sekkarian’s report, they were holding out.

To the south, General Tarquak had managed to get half his army across the river at Heedra but lost many in the river. The enemy army had surrounded and laid siege to Heedra. Socockensmek feared they wouldn’t wait long. They’d attack at any moment to overpower the city defenses if relief didn’t come soon. Saxthor’s heart sank.

Will our army reach Heedra in time? He wondered.

The sound of hoof beats racing toward him on the courtyard cobblestones caught his attention. He looked up to see a frantic Tonelia jumping off the still moving horse. There was blood on the horse’s side and an arrow stuck out of the saddle behind her!

“What has happened?” Saxthor asked, dropping the pouch and letter.

“Majesty, Emperor Engwan lives! When the emperor saw his legions on the mountain vaporized, he devised this plan to pretend to be killed and have General Occtec surrender to gain your confidence. They march now to conquer the city. They hold Bodrin captive. He’s made to ride ahead of the army so as not to alarm you until it’s too late to close the gates and defend the city.”

“Engwan lives!”

“Majesty, shut the gates. Send for the Neuyokkasinian army at once before the emperor arrives and prevents a courier from riding for help.”

“If the army doesn’t relieve Heedra in time, it will fall and the Dreaddrac army will have an unopposed march to Konnotan.”

“The imperial army will be here before sunset, Saxthor.”

“What of Bodrin?”

With that Tonelia brushed away a building tear before it fell and she stood erect as an arrow. If he must give his life for the kingdom, he said he would willingly do so.” She stared at Saxthor with a look of hammered steel, though her eyes were red and face flushed.

“Where is Lemnos?” Saxthor yelled to a guard who rushed off to find the chatra. Saxthor hugged Tonelia and she him. Then she stood by herself again and brushed away more tears. Her lips pinched angry that she let her pain show.

“Here, Majesty,” Lord Lemnos said, rushing up to Saxthor.

“Alert the garrison to treachery and an impending attack from the imperial army.”

“But your majesty, you are emperor; the imperial army is coming to our aid.”

“I’ve been duped. Do as I say. Call out the entire garrison. Blow the trumpets to alert the city to danger. Get everyone inside the walls and close the gates. Have horses and messengers assemble by the back portal prepared to ride at a moment’s notice. Send word to Heedra and the commander of our army there. Inform them as to the imperial army’s treachery and the approaching attack on Konnotan.” The chatra nodded and rushed off, then came right back.

“Majesty, shall I order the commanders to abandon Heedra’s relief and to return to Konnotan right away?”

“We’re trapped.” Saxthor said. “I’ve invited the emperor to come take my kingdom.”

“All’s not lost yet, Saxthor,” Tonelia said. “We can still fight here. The imperial army will be reluctant to attack after what happened on the border. They don’t know what your powers are after drawing the Chowzenschwang to your aid.”

“War is come to Konnotan,” Saxthor said. “Order the army to relieve Heedra and drive Tarquak back across the river. They’re only to return here when that is accomplished. Now it’s Konnotan that must hold out until that is done.”

Lemnos rushed off to prepare the documents and alert the defenses. Soon trumpets were blaring across the capital. Refugees abandoned their tents and temporary habitations and rushed into the city before the gates shut. Tonelia followed Saxthor to the palace tower to watch for the approaching imperial army.

“How did you escape?” Saxthor asked Tonelia.

“Bodrin and I were both tied up and kept in a tent when not traveling. Last night Bodrin cut his hand on a piece of sharp rock behind him as we sat on the floor of the tent. He worked it to me and helped to cut my ropes behind my back. He insisted that I get away and warn you. I think he wanted to get me to safety.”

A sentry alerted Saxthor to the appearance of the enemy marching toward Konnotan on the horizon, just as the courier rode out of the back portal for the Neuyokkasinian army at Heedra. Below the palace, the city streets were congested with panicked citizens, refugees, and soldiers rushing in every direction. Saxthor sighed. He could see the troops on the walls preparing the catapults, bringing up bags of rocks and other missiles.

“I should have known the general capitulated too quickly. And I knew Engwan to be a coward. He’d never have gone to the front, putting his life in danger.”

“It’s not your fault, it’s the emperor’s treachery,” Tonelia said, but she was watching the approaching army. They could now see Bodrin, hands tied behind his back, riding behind the emperor and General Occtec with a rope leading his horse. Tonelia broke down crying.

* * *

The weary Neuyokkasinian army marched within sight of Heedra to see General Tarquak’s army encamped around the city walls. The enemy had cut down the forest nearby and the orcs were engaged in building siege machinery. Even from a distance, they could see the river spilling over its banks behind log jams from collapsed rafts. More orcs were engaged in trying to break up the log jams to stop the flooding that created an artificial moat.

“Looks like the overflow is keeping Tarquak from moving the siege machinery against the walls,” the Neuyokkasinian general said to an aide. “That may have delayed the enemy long enough to save Heedra. If we move now and attack while we have them backed against the flood waters, we might destroy enough of them to make them flee back across the river.”

“General, the men have marched from the southern border here to the northern border practically without a rest. They will be too exhausted to fight a major battle just yet.”

“We should take advantage of the surprise before they have time to form a battle line.”

An old farmer rushed up to the Neuyokkasinian general, his smile displaying his relief at seeing his own people come to their rescue.

“You’ve come just in time,” the old man said. “General Socockensmek is in command of Heedra and the city is well prepared for a siege, but probably not for a long one. We harvested all the crops and stored the food stocks in the city. There’s one of them wizards hold up in the castilyernov with the general too. He’s a quiet one, but seems to know his business. We needs a wizard. There was rumor of a dragon coming down from up north to attack us.”

“A dragon? You sure it was a dragon? No sightings, just rumors, right?”

“There was a refugee from Hoya up on the Pundar that said some relative up there sighted a dragon, but no one knows for sure.”

“Pull the army back and camp for the night out of sight. If Tarquak is distracted with the siege and doesn’t send out scouts, we may get one night’s rest, but pass the word no camp fires or lights of any kind. The men are to eat cold food and get sleep immediately. Post double the usual sentries tonight in case they discover us. Pass the word we are to attack at dawn,” the general said.

* * *

At dusk, General Tarquak rose from his daytime slumber and passed over his army in wraith form, evaluating the troops. Late in the day, his orcs had managed to break the log jam on the river. The flood waters receded from the walls of Heedra. The goblin General Sorrax’s evil eye watched the general’s every move. In front of Tarquak, Sorrax had killed the goblin general that had defeated the western Heggolstockin forces. Subsequently, Tarquak went about his activities subdued, knowing Sorrax was ready to spring on him for the slightest weakness or failure. Assuming an orc body, Tarquak passed among the troops, overseeing compliance with his order that at dusk they should commence the attack on the Neuyokkasinian castilyernov guarding the entrance to the Upper Nhy.

“Commence the attack,” Sorrax shouted to the legions. The orcs and ogres strained behind the siege towers and they started forward with the legions close behind. Flaming arrows shot from Heedra’s walls. Flaming oil bags, flung out of catapults high up, fell short of the towers at first. Two of the six towers caught fire and the orcs abandoned them. Three of the four remaining towers rolled into the wet soil, sinking to the axles before the ogres commanding the towers realized the soil was still too wet for their weight. The one remaining tower rolled down the road to the city’s landside gate. In the torchlight, the catapults all focused on that tower. Flaming oil bags created a strange fan arcing out over the walls toward the tower.

“Keep moving,” Sorrax shouted. He turned to an aide. “These stupid creatures are afraid to attack without the cover of the siege machinery.” Sorrax rode along the back line of the legions, yelling at the legion commanders, “Whip the troops to attack.” The orcs moved forward, banging spears on their shields to bolster their courage.

“They should be within range of the archers on the walls momentarily,” the aide said. “Let’s hope they don’t shrink back.”

“Ladders to the front!” Sorrax said to the commanders who hustled the orcs carrying the ladders forward. The commotion grew louder as the yelling attackers approached the walls. The defenders shouted back. Arrows flew back and forth with orcs and men falling to their deaths on both sides.