Dryw Henge

by Jonathan Forth

  “Give or take we have one hundred and sixty men left. Perhaps one hundred guards and thirty bowmen. There are thirty more wounded in the chapel being treated by the nuns, but when the attack comes most will still be able to draw a bow or swing a blade.”

  That night an ice-cold wind blew in from the north. The guards were thankful for the cover, the simple food and the small fires that flickered within the convent. The Janshai faced the elements, huddled under blankets they carried in their packs and waited for orders, and foraged for themselves in the forest.

  The blistering cold whistled through the convent. The Prince stood up and looked at the sky. The moon and stars were obscured by the dark clouds that rushed above the trees and to the horizon. He walked to the middle of the courtyard and addressed the men.

  “You are all seasoned military men. Some of you have served my father as long as I can remember. You know as well as I do that if we remain in the convent that our destiny looks bleak and short.

  “Given the weather and cloud cover tonight there is a possibility to escape through the Janshai defences. I assume they will be huddled down and will expect us to be staying put and sheltering here.

  “If you wish to leave and not share our fate there may be an opportunity for a few. Perhaps you have a young family, a baby on the way who deserves a father. This is the time. Step forward, there will be no shame. This is why we are here, to defend the future of Terramis and some of you have a great stake in that future.”

  The men looked at each other. Some kicked at the ground loosening stones as they thought.

  “I can only speak for myself.”

  “Yes Kitt.”

  “I have a young family and a wife. But if I left, if I survived while my comrades and friends died within these walls. How could I face them with honour? How could I ask them to respect me, if I lost all respect for myself? The future of Terramis is not just my future. It is for all our wives, sons and daughters. I am willing to lay down my life for them, my King and my country. I will stand alongside every man who stays here. And am proud to do so.”

  “Anybody?” said the Prince.

  “Troth to the Realms!” came a shout from the rear.

  And it built to a crescendo, “Troth to the Realms.”

  “So be it. Brave and honourable soldiers of Terramis I am proud to fight beside you!”

  The Prince sat alongside Aland with their backs to a wall.

  “We’ve focused the defences around the points of access. Doors and windows. We’ve also withdrawn a number of the archers to the roof of the chapel. If any of the Janshai make it to the top of the outer buildings hopefully they’ll bring them down before they drop into the cloisters.”

  Aland continued. “At the moment the men are following a strict rotation for taking watch, eating and sleeping. This is a seasoned bunch of men. We are fortunate for that. They are skilled soldiers and won’t be easily rattled when the Janshai come. They will hold their ground.”

  “Good,” said the Prince. “Let’s not make it easy for them to take the convent.”

  Aron turned and entered the cloisters and made his way to the chapel.

  The doors remained open to bring a cooling breeze and some relief to the men recovering there.

  Sister Hulda was mopping the brow of one of the more seriously injured soldiers who already was suffering a high fever. She frowned and stood and approached the Prince.

  “I’m afraid we can’t do more for some of the more wounded men. Other than company and a kind word.”

  “Believe me most will be thankful for that.

  “I’m sorry to have brought this upon the convent. I could not see any other option. The men were being slaughtered in the woods. We are lucky to have saved so many by retreating here but I fear the end is still inevitable.

  “When the assault comes take the nuns to the crypt, they will be safe there until the fighting is finished.”

  She cursed at him.

  “Honestly, have you not learnt anything as a Prince of this realm? If you want to become king one day you will have to stop making assumptions or will I have to tell your mother and Ailin that you suggested the women of Terramis crawl and hide in the crypt while the men fight for us. Every one of these men has a mother who brought them into the world and went through the pain of childbirth for them. There is not one woman in here that would not die for the sons and daughters of Terramis.

  “An extra thirty arms will be very useful. Those that cannot fire a bow can help feed arrows and believe me we can all swing a sword or stab someone with a dagger.

  “We are not afraid to die and the extra strength may make the difference between living and dying, and that difference is for all of us.

  “Or do I have to kick your arse to prove it?”

  The Prince held up his hands in mock surrender. “Perhaps the men should hide in the crypt while you fight the Janshai.”

  “That’s the spirit!” exclaimed Sister Hulda.

  *

  The first night at the convent was relatively quiet. Over the next day or so it became clear the Janshai were establishing forward positions for their archers behind wooden shields. Gradually they edged closer and closer. They took cover at the stables to the rear of the convent that also gave them a line of fire over the convent’s walls.

  “We need to take back the stables. If they establish positions on the roof then they’ll be able to see into the courtyard and possibly it’s within range of their archers,” suggested Aron.

  “What do you suggest?” asked Aland.

  “After dusk, take thirty men and drive them out before they get too established. If we regain control then we’ll hold there. It’ll force the Janshai to expand their perimeter. The rest of the men will provide cover.”

  As the sun descended the men broke from the convent and charged the fifty feet or so to the stables. They caught the Janshai napping and were upon them and through the doors before they were able to gather up their weapons. The fighting was intense and at close quarters given the limited space in the stalls. If the Janshai had sent in reinforcements they might have held the ground, but it was over too quickly. The Terramian bowmen soon took up their positions firing off arrows at any Janshai that broke cover, bringing them down and driving them back.

  The following morning the first fire arrows came fizzing and hissing into the convent. The men chased them down, dousing them with pails of water or covering them with dirt and sand. Only the thatched roofing of the dining hall caught fire. Its intense flames seared the air and the crackling echoed around the courtyard. The burning straw belched black smoke that engulfed the convent and surrounding woods. If there was one relief, the breeze blew the smoke away from the convent and into the forest. The Janshai choked as they struggled to breathe and their eyes stung with the fumes.

  They waited two hours and then charged the Terramian positions, four columns approaching each of the entrances. The rest of the men remained positioned around the convent to prevent any of the Terramians escaping. The archers brought a few down but the Janshai reached the walls and threw lighted torches into the compound and engaged the Terramians through the windows and doors. The bowmen stood behind the infantry. On command the guards would duck or step sideways to let the archers have a clear view of the Janshai.

  Some of the Janshai at the front of the ranks wavered but those behind them pushed them on. As the horsemen massed against the convent, the Terramians had to lean over the walls or through the windows. Some were brought down by Janshai arrows, though some fell short and instead struck the backs of their own soldiers.

  Aron himself thrust forward through an open archway blocked by wooden tables pitched on their sides, and stabbed a Janshai officer who had stormed the front gate.

  The Janshai attacking the long southern wall of the cloisters carried makeshift ladders. They perched them against
the walls and climbed up to the roof. Some were skewered by the guards beneath them. Others brought down by arrows fired from the bowman providing cover from the courtyard. Slowly under the pressure of the assault the Terramians in the advance positions began to fall. They were pulled back from the front line and helped to the chapel for treatment. Other guards replaced them and took up the fight.

  Just when it seemed like they would be overwhelmed the Janshai broke off and headed back to the woods. They dragged their dead and dying behind them.

  The guards slumped to the ground already exhausted from the fighting.

  “Back to the routine!” shouted the sergeant. Several took positions on sentry, but few were able to eat or sleep.

  An hour later a second assault came, but this time it was concentrated on the southern cloister wall.

  The Prince grabbed a handful of men, “Reinforce the cloister wall!”

  He himself joined the bowmen to bring down any Janshai that breached the roof. Two managed to reach the top and rolled down to the gutters and dropped into the courtyard. The first carried a spear and threw it thudding into the chest of one of the archers who crumpled to the ground.

  “With me,” yelled Aron. He cast aside the bow, unsheathed his sword and stepped up to engage the Janshai. He parried the thrust of a blade twice, twisted the Janshai’s arm as he pitched forward the second time and drove Golden Blade into his chest.

  When the Janshai retreated a second time the Terramians again had held their ground.

  “Sister Hulda, can I ask you for a song to lift the men’s spirits.”

  She laughed, “Perhaps Sister Ela has a sweeter voice.”

  “By all means.”

  The sister’s voice drifted sweetly through the woods bringing tears to the men’s eyes.

  “Sweet noble heart,

  I may never see your fair sweet face again,

  I did not know I would die so soon,

  But never to forget walking the path of love,

  To hold your hand,

  Look into thine eyes,

  To have stayed true to you,

  Till my dying day,

  As my heart wishes it,

  It a joy to me indeed.”

  “Aron?” called Aland from the stables.

  “Yes my friend.”

  “Remind me to ask Ailin to marry me next time we see her.”

  “Sure, but at least tidy yourself up a bit and get a haircut. May help your chances.”

  “Maybe I’ll pop out later this evening.”

  “Just keep your head down.”

  “Righty Ho!”

  “How are you doing for Flame’s bolts?”

  Aland looked down into his hand. He gripped five arrows. He looked at his unit around the stables.

  “More than enough. We are good here. Just you hold that convent.”

  His men nodded solemnly at him and went back to their own thoughts.

  Aland took his dagger in his hand and started to carve a message on the wall for Ailin. He was sure she would come to see where he fell. He wanted her to know he was thinking of her in his last moments.

  The Janshai commander stood in the shadow of the woods when his captain approached.

  “We are suffering heavy losses Sir.”

  “We are also weakening them slowly, man by man. They cannot hold out forever. We breached their defences. It’s only a matter of time before we break their resolve. Send the men in again.”

  “Sir, our men also need rest.”

  “Captain, send them in again! It’s an order.”

  Chapter 22

  Revenge at Celestina

  They neared Celestina from the south, which provided more cover on their approach and pulled up in a copse of acacia trees and dismounted.

  “Corral the horses at the rear. We don’t want them wandering around and giving our position away.”

  Mia looked through her spyglass then handed it to Captain Madlen. “I don’t see much movement. No sentries or lookouts.”

  “They could be anywhere: on the roofs, behind the windows. I assume they’ll have dug in and assessed the defensive positions that give them the greatest advantage.”

  “Should we do some reconnaissance?”

  “Yes, but let’s rest tonight and then send a couple of scouts in at first light. Most will still be sleeping. It’ll be quiet.”

  “I will go too.”

  The captain paused and looked at her. “Mia, I know you are anxious to know the fate of your mother. We all have family in the city. We have scouts that specialise in surveillance. They’ll be aware of likely important strategic positions, and they can watch out for booby traps; they are the experts, let’s trust in them.”

  “I know Celestina as well as anyone.”

  “We all know Celestina. Please do not jeopardise our advantage by doing anything rash,” he warned.

  “Our families could be being murdered in the city for all we know. The longer we leave it the more danger they are in.”

  “Listen, if we don’t prepare and take time to observe what we are up against, we may fail both ourselves and them. Just be patient.”

  Mia shook her head and stormed off, “You are making a mistake captain.”

  *

  The captain briefed them that evening.

  “I’d imagine they will have established lookouts on the main thoroughfares into the city, and defensive positions once you get into the central quarter itself. I imagine they have concealed themselves and provided cover. So, we’ll not see them but they’ll be able to see us if we are not careful. We’ll have to sweep the ground and stay as hidden as possible. It’ll not be easy.

  “I assume they have established a centre of operations. The Communion Hall perhaps. But there are other central buildings that offer greater visibility. I would have chosen one of those myself and occupied the higher floors that’ll give a good vantage point across the city.

  “The scouts will take one of the back trails into the city and take up positions. They can monitor activity during the day while hidden, then return after dark to report. We can then decide our strategy.”

  “Another day!” exclaimed Mia. “It is too long.

  “It’ll not likely change our approach. We’ll still go in with small units and take their positions as quietly as we can.”

  “Yes but at least we’ll know where they are.”

  “The captain is right,” said Gulden. “We’ll be best prepared if we advance directly to the targets and put them out of action. We’ll not be milling around looking for them.”

  “What about the survivors?”

  “If they are still hidden they are safest to remain where they are at the moment,” said the captain.

  “What if we fail? Who will free them?” asked Mia.

  “It’s a valid point,” added Gulden.

  “I suggest we leave a couple of men here. If we fail at least they can attempt to lead them to safety.”

  “What if the people have been discovered or imprisoned, we need to bear that in mind. We want to limit civilian casualties as much as possible. Don’t let us forget, our main aim is to overcome the Janshai and take the city back. We have to accept the lives of the peoples of Celestina will be at risk,” said the captain.

  “What about going in through the sewers, it will give us some cover?” suggested Gulden.

  “Yes, but not much visibility,” stated the captain.

  “It may be a sensible approach for any assault but for now we’ll let the scouts do their job. Everyone else, eat and take some rest.”

  The next morning Captain Madlen was briefing the scouts again to make sure every detail of their reconnaissance was considered. He’d drawn a basic map of the city in the sand with a stick and was suggesting which quadrant was likely best to foc
us their efforts.

  A soldier approached him.

  “Sir, it’s Mia. She’s gone and her pack had hardly been slept in. She probably left early in the night.”

  The captain cursed, “Goddammit, what was she thinking?

  “Rouse everybody. Check again.”

  Captain Madlen stood next to Gulden. “She’s hard headed, but not normally so rash. This jeopardises us all.”

  “I don’t see we have an option now, we all need to go in if we are to catch them by surprise.”

  “Right,” sighed the captain, “so be it…” He shook his head.

  “Five units of ten men to advance through the main thoroughfares of the city. Everyone else stay here for an hour until we make sure the southern outskirts are clear. Then make your way to the city and take cover in the buildings. As we progress we’ll relay communication for you to follow safely behind us. Any sign of engagement with the enemy then launch an assault as we’ll likely need you to back us up as soon as possible.”

  “What about us?” asked Gulden.

  “For now, I suggest the Terramians stay with the main force. You’ll slow the scouting units down.”

  “You know you Windstrom are not very sensitive. All I hear is I’ll get in the way or slow you down.”

  “You will,” said the captain insensitively once more, and added none too apologetically, “Well, when we need a Terramian knight to start swinging and hacking I’ll let you know! You may be useful in a melee.”

  *

  Captain Madlen led his unit down the main approach to the city, they passed through the small dwellings or alleyways, else they made their way down the side of the street in the shade. If they did have to break cover it would minimise the likelihood of the sun glinting off their armour or weapons. They moved gradually so as not to make any rapid movements that would catch an eye or draw attention to them. They scanned the rooftops for archers and looked out for holes hacked into the sides of the buildings that could further provide support for bowmen.