by Paul A Jones
‘Will we truly leave if his side wins?’ Lord Chromosol asked.
‘No, if we lose the battle the rest of our troops will come. We’ve been tasked with taking the cities and we’ll achieve this.’
The men of the City of Dreams walked out and went into the formation a kilometre from their gates. It was impressive. They were orderly and well disciplined.
In the sunlit morning, the air smelt fresh away from the latrines. Few clouds were in the sky.
‘Do we get a real fight today or just distant noisy destruction?’ Kall asked.
The enemy spokesman informed Sergun that the soldiers wanted a fair fight and not to be destroyed with explosions or trickery. They wanted no mercy and would not surrender so they brought the battle outside to save the destruction of their home city. Sergun thought of the destruction of Northtown and what would have happened if they overran the place. He doubted they would have shown mercy to any civilians let alone soldiers. Yet he wanted the civilians and those who decided not to fight from the City of Dreams to not harbour grudges against his men. The less severe the destruction of the city the better. He agreed to the man’s request.
Lord Chromosol wasn’t as forgiving and made the argument for war by any means necessary and that if it was the city that had an advantage in weaponry, they would not hesitate to use it. Sergun agreed but set forth the men for open combat. He was the commander of the army not his friend. To slaughter many in the city wasn’t their aim. The Deep War led to victory but at such a price in destruction and lives he did not want to repeat.
Sergun sought advice from his senior officers and listened to the reports from their scouts. He longed to take the city and destroy the Lord’s power and the corrupted rulers. He didn’t want to smash the walls and destroy property and innocent lives. Yet if they did as Chromosol desired it could make the sister cities seek terms more quickly. Unlike during his youth, he was now the voice of relative moderation. ‘Savage’ Sergun has always been the one to lead the charge, was impetuous, merciless. That was his youth and a part of him. Yet around him, he saw his comrades and cared more about their lives than he used to.
Sergun, Grer, Kall, and Jehran took up position. The enemy riders stood in a line in front of them, the foot soldiers behind. The massed enemy troops yelled their war cry, blew their horns and banged their drums and swords pommels against their shields. It was an impressive display. Sergun was bored watching them. He had helped kill tens of thousands of enemies and these were no different. It was the foolish leaders which sent them to their doom. Yet they must be wiped out to show their opponents the fate which awaited all who opposed.
They trotted towards their foe. As the enemy riders approached, the Tharne Cavalry swung around out of the way, letting the enemy ride into the long spears of their foot soldiers. Then the Tharne cavalry gathered speed and smashed into the flanks of the enemy foot soldiers. They showed them no mercy and slaughtered many of the enemy with few losses.
‘Why waste any more of our peoples’ lives fighting if we can destroy the enemy from a distance?’ Sergun said.
The guns were already prepared, the mortars primed, shells waited, men ready and alert. The remaining enemy were finished off by the mortars until none moved.
Envoys from Tharne spoke to the clearly shocked leader of the city who eventually appeared. They requested the gates be opened otherwise the city would be destroyed by the explosive weaponry of the troops. They were given two hours to come to a decision. They opened the gates.
Sergun was happy to enter the city with an army. The streets were deserted and his troops were cautious, wondering if there was a trap awaiting. It was no surprise the citizens were hiding. The troops of Tharne had wiped out their troops and were known for their vicious ways from the Deep East War.
.
Kall asked for the whereabouts of Lord Arconis and was told he’d fled when their armies were destroyed outside of Northtown. Exactly where he was they claimed not to know. The city lay open and in good order, the troops entered. The place appeared deserted. Wary of traps or hidden soldiers the Tharne soldiers stayed in large groups in the main streets and squares. By the following day, people appeared for food passing by the armed soldiers as if they were fearful monsters who if they made eye contact would kill them. Overnight two soldiers went missing and their bodies were found dead in the morning. Sergun ordered no retaliation.
The order for the slaves to be released occurred the following day. The port was secured and there was no evidence of a hidden army. The majority of enemy soldiers met their end outside Northtown or outside the walls of the city. Grer and Galls were permitted entrance, the laws of the city amended and though they met the odd hostile stare children approached them and spoke to them as friends. Sergun had not expected to be back in the pretty city. With Lord Arconis gone and the slaves mostly released he felt he had achieved more than he believed possible those few months ago when they were there tracking Jannesse.
Grer stood proudly on the street and looked around. ‘It’s pretty but I’d feel at home in Tharne. Here I’m an outsider.’
‘In another generation, the sight of people like us may not surprise anyone.’
‘Ahh, victory, what a wonderful feeling to be here again and this time not hiding and sneaking around like spies. Open and in uniform, the way the military should be!’
Sergun once crept around the place hiding his identity. Ran down the streets. Hidden in the hotel for many days, walked too many times along the canals. Ate in so many cafes he thought he knew them all. Jehran was joyous to be back and with the victories behind them, he was like his old supremely confident self.
Sergun set up his headquarters at the plush hotel he stayed at when he was last there. This time he took the most expensive suite on the top floor. The view was superior; the ocean was visible along with the vastness of the city they had captured. The great temples were visible and it was a sense of achievement to view almost the whole city. His bodyguards were posted outside. Soldiers and his officers guarded and occupied the entrance and lower floors. He hoped from high up he might be able to see the sister city on the sea but was content to see the scale of the distant place from one of the highest points. It was larger than Edge City and a port. The capture of the city was a great achievement and with so little loss of civilian life, he was glad.
They went with a platoon of men to King Street to the home of Arconis. In daylight, it looked more welcoming and grander than during their nighttime attack. A worried elderly housekeeper opened the door and softly explained her master and most of his workers had fled. They were welcome inside and she didn’t know what to do. Sergun advised her she had nothing to fear from them. Exploration of the mansion revealed the house keeper’s honesty – all slaves and armed men were gone. The only occupants were a few servants who were too afraid to leave in case the Lord returned. None had any information on the whereabouts of their former master. Sergun enjoyed looking around the grand house without the threat of being killed. Soldiers confirmed the slave pens were abandoned. The Lord’s private chambers were large and while one bedroom appeared luxurious and fine, an adjacent one and hidden partition showed his cruel nature: chains on the walls, whips, and manacles. Bottles of drugs and potions, gags and torture equipment. He wondered if Yurul had spent long in these rooms and shuddered. She was free of such torments. He smiled to think of her free and safe while the Lord had lost his home and most of his power. He did not intend staying in the city for long. When attacking rapid advance was vital, giving the enemy less chance to prepare their defence. When they found Arconis if he didn’t die in combat he’d be hung.
A quick tour of the back of the large house revealed the dangers they would have encountered if they’d attempted access on the night of their attack. Swamp lions lived in the gardens and vicious tharges roamed. There were many sharp nasty bushes and two whipping posts with viewing seats near a small lake as well as wheels and crosses for tying people. The twisted Lord’s
home and garden was a testament to his warped mind.
One city was down but three remained. There was a steep climb ahead full of obstacles. The City of Dreams sister city was several days ride north and lay on an island less than a kilometre out in the ocean. It was a formidable defensive city and had not been captured since humans occupied it in any numbers and fortified it. Tharne Naval forces led the blockade at sea while troops and artillery moved remorselessly along the coast. Cannons had not been able to penetrate the walls of the city before but the new weapons could fire over the walls and inside the target. All engineers and men who could be spared were set the twin task of building defences against Raiders from the north and west and artillery was aimed against both the island city and the land the Raiders would attack them across. Lord Arconis and his comrades who waged war on Tharne were within the city and the rulers there promised never to surrender to the southern barbarians and their monstrous allies. One city out of four already belonged to them. If they were able to take the previously impregnable City of Roche it would be a wonderful achievement. The day seemed a long way off as the first guns were dug into position.
Grer was now on scouting missions to the north. He wasn’t expecting any combat while the siege was in place.
Kall was in good spirits, anticipating victory. He was liked by the men for his banter and keen to listen to their problems. This was as far north and east as most troops had advanced. It was exciting for them and coming on the back of several victories they expected more. The intoxicating drug of success filled them with confidence and attitude. All were sure it was only a matter of time before the second city fell and once that occurred the next two cities were inevitably going to be taken.
Sergun was conscious of the extended lines of his side. They’d left troops back at the base between the City of Dreams and Northtown. There were garrisoned troops within the city and guns outside. Only a thin layer of troops faced the City of Roche from the land. Additional troops would arrive but this would thin their defensive lines elsewhere. He hoped his government was recruiting enough men and Galls for the armed forces.
Both Kall and Sergun longed to meet Arconis again as they’d promised two girls they would cut the man’s head off. He was looking forward to keeping his promise but suspected if he did he’d have an enemy for life in Sarish who still clung to the dream of killing her torturer herself. Perhaps he was out of reach already? A powerful, wealthy man like him was sure to have enough money to travel to a safe place in any land they chose. He did not fancy chasing the man across the world. He hoped he was present in the island city as he would have considered it a fortress. If he was there he was going to be in fear once the city was captured. They would hunt the place all over to find him.
40. The Beach
The last beach he landed on was Filray fleeing the City of Dreams on an overcast day. Now it was a different sight standing overlooking a distant walled city on an island. The sun was out and though far from hot it was warm enough to not need furs. It was a formidable place to attack without cannons and now they possessed portable ones there was a good chance of success. He wondered if it would be possible to take the city without having to destroy it as they successfully did at the City of Dreams. It looked pretty on the ocean with the sun shining. It would be a shame to leave only a shell and ruins. A siege would take too long; they could get seafood anyway and were sure to have many supplies stored. A ship flying the flag of truce approached the city with terms but was turned away by fire arrows. They instead sent a message attached to an arrow. They waited a day for a reply. When none was forthcoming the bombardment began. The city was out of range of the mortars but it didn’t take long for the bigger guns to find their target and they had all day and night to fire. Pausing only for the barrels to cool the smoke and scent of the guns filled the air around the beach. It was to Sergun a familiar and pleasant smell. Far better than dead bodies or latrines. The guns smelt of victory.
The tremendous firing of the guns was hypnotic and reassuring. It was a sound that progress was being made. He knew how uncomfortable he felt under attack in Northtown. It set the nerves on edge. Killed people and wounded many. Now he could watch the firing from the relative safety of the beach. Drinks were passed around and prayers said to Gods. Guards and scouts were increased. They detected no intruders on land.
It was pleasant to see Sarish and Jehran happy together. They were the only couple in the army he saw. Sarish was happier now they had overthrown the City of Dreams rulers. She was content to wait for the siege of Roche to be achieved. She didn’t speak of sneaking into the city on the island.
Jehran basked in the experience of being back in a victorious army. He was a natural leader and a veteran soldier, as well as an experienced rider and awesome with sword and spear.
‘Like old times only now we’re both in love and wiser.’ Jehran said.
Sergun laughed. ‘True, us old soldiers who have lived and learnt are wiser. I’ve a team of great warriors with me again. Let’s hope this war doesn’t last as long as the Deep War.’
‘Impossible. Four years of fighting on and off. That was unbelievable.’
‘It was a hard time for all. Lost many good men and Galls. In comparison this has been easy.’
‘So far, let’s not jinx our war!
Sergun walked with Jehran around the encampment. There were the standard well-constructed barricades of the Tharne army, ditches and regular patrols. The gun emplacements were camouflaged and set further back. Mortar pits were strung all along and the crews full of enthusiasm for their endeavour. The continuous victories which had recently occurred were all the troops could think of. Their morale was high. The smell of cooking meat and bread wafted over the area. Together with fish caught locally and spices from the markets in the nearby city the food was mouth-watering and Sergun was happy to sit with the men and eat.
The distance to the city on the water made it appear like a toy. He hoped for a swift victory. Wondered how his home and family were. Those few days spent with his wife and son were a refreshing experience. If he made it back home he was sure to get a greeting like no other from his family. He blocked the images out of his mind as now wasn’t the time for melancholy. He must focus on the business of war. Scouts reported no trace of any enemy northwards on the beaches for three days outward. It was as if the enemy were content to wait on their island. He was glad as a counter-attack on land or even a spoiling attack could devastate the guns on the beach. Until reinforcements arrived they were thinly spread.
The troops began constructing a bridge to the island, gradually filling the water with stones, logs, and debris. The aim was if the siege took too long then via a land bridge they would be able to assault the city. Sergun hoped it did not come to that as it would take months to complete such a bridge.
The word from the City of Dreams was it was fairly quiet. There were a few murders of soldiers but no mass rebellion. Not enough regretted the loss of their Lords. Many families were reunited and though few wanted the enemy soldiers there they were sure to be preferred by many over the terrifying militias with their masks.
What appeared to be an impasse was reached. Unable to see into the city’s walls it was unclear if the damage being caused or the morale of the citizens and leaders. The relentless pounding of the city looked effective from the beach. Three attempts to put up large balloons with spotters beneath failed, as one was damaged and gently floated back to the ground while the other was attacked at night by a party of enemy who cut the lines to the balloon and it floated off into the darkness never to be seen again. The balloonist before he disappeared reported significant damage to the city. The third one exploded with loss of life as the balloons were notoriously flammable.
There was a relaxed attitude amongst the troops. Sergun called his officers to a meeting and insisted training, alertness and fitness be maintained. It would have been stupid to have travelled so far only, and having won fairly easy victories to become casual and be
attacked while sleeping or resting. Sergun walked the beach with his bodyguards at different times of the day and was impressed at the troops readiness and found discipline was good.
Grer’s troops found the beach boring and Sergun gave permission for them to scout further north along, all the way to the two further cities if they were able to make it.
Weeks passed and it appeared they were no closer to breaking the city. The bridge they were trying to reach the island with was barely a quarter of the way to its destination. A few days later while dawn was breaking men shouted alerts and warning horns were blown. A still waking up Sergun and Kall dressed quickly and strode onto the beach. It was their turn to feel powerless. There was a battle at sea. A fire ship lit up the sky first and caused an explosion on a friendly ship. Cannons on the ships fired, masts fell and vessels sunk. Sergun was powerless watching the events. The gunners could not be sure of what they might hit and were unwilling to sink their own ships. A handful of enemy ships were foolish enough to approach the beach, unclear if they were attempting to land troops or not Chromosol ordered the gunners to fire over open sights at the ships. Along with sustained briefly mortar fire, both ships sank before they reached the beach. One was aflame and the men on-board dead or drowning. Only a handful of survivors made it to the beach and were taken prisoner.
The battle lasted from morning to early afternoon. Sergun counted twenty-five ships sunk but was cautious in case an enemy attack came from the land as well. There was none for now. The cities lacked the skill or resources to coordinate their attacks. A bold commander would have sent troops on land as well. They must believe their city on the island was impenetrable. Their most numerous city was the one of dreams and nearly all troops from there had perished. The sister cities troops he guessed were being kept to try to hold the remaining cities. A more adventurous leader would have been determined to smash his troops’ guns. He was glad no such attempt had been made.