Lord of the High Reaches

by James Haddock

  "Well done," I told the gun crew. "Very well done."

  They bowed. "Thank you, Shi-Tora."

  "Stay on over-watch. This may not be over." Frowning, I headed down to the keep wall.

  Chapter 23

  Roughly 600 enemy combatants were captured. Most were Westies, but the skyships and crews were Northers. The plan had been to crush us. Part of the reason they failed was because their troops were not pros, but giving them their due, they weren’t cannon fodder either. The other reason was miscalculation. They weren’t expecting highly experienced fighters and pilots who were more than a match. Our operations at Windford had gotten someone’s attention. That person judged the 600 men adequate to deal with “the problem at Windford.” Or so he thought.

  Now, we had four more airships, much more equipment, and prisoners of war. The mercenaries knew what to do: separate the Westies from the Northers, and then officers from enlisted. Interrogations began with the standard questions: who, what, when, where, and, most important, why. I stayed out of the initial questioning and waited for a report. My men were experienced, and as Master Sergeant Frederick Mercer once told me, “Let them do their jobs.”

  "Sergeant Major Bounty, how many men did we lose?" As we were engaged with the enemy, he didn't salute.

  "None, sir, six wounded. I don't know who was directing the heavy long gun fire, but without them, it would have been a different story."

  "I'll pass on your compliments."

  He nodded and went on his way barking orders. Wagons were sent to collect the spoils. Hiko-shi and Lay-shee from the Tiger’s Claw inspected the norther's skyships for repair. Those birds needed to be up and flying as soon as possible.

  Robert and I went to the mercenary headquarters’ tent and waited. Captain Rask, my second-in-command came in. "Was that you directing fire from the high battlement, sir?"

  I shrugged. "Had a good gun crew."

  He chuckled. "That you did, sir. Their commanding officer was killed when the first troop carrier crashed, his second survived, a Major Bernerd."

  "What were their orders?" I asked.

  "It was bad, sir. Real bad. They were told to take Windford, destroy all facilities, including the keep and warehouses. Then destroy the town and raze the surrounding area as they withdrew back to the border. When I asked what he had been told to do with civilians, he replied, ‘Same as the people here. Kill ‘em’. When I asked why, he said they couldn’t risk leaving anyone alive to tell who they were or which way they went. Like I said, sir, real bad."

  The rage welled up in my gut and moved to my chest. It’s one thing for military forces to clash, but leave the civilians alone. Through clenched teeth, I growled, "Bring him in.”

  He waved to a junior officer at the door who brought in Major Bernerd and shoved him in a chair.

  "I assume you are part of the pirates’ crew.” My eyes bored a hole into him.

  Confused, he asked, "What? Pirates? What pirates?"

  "The pirate ships that attacked our keep and lands."

  He scoffed, "Those aren’t ‘pirate’ ships. They’re Northern Kingdom skyships."

  "I know the ships are from the Northerners, but as we are not at war with them, that makes those PIRATE skyships.” I pointed in the general direction of the skyships outside. “And as we are NOT at war with the West, that makes you,” I thumped his chest with my finger, “PIRATES as well."

  "We are not pirates! We are soldiers in the service of the Western Kingdom."

  "So, you’re saying we’re at war?"

  “I’m not saying anything.

  "So, your orders were to destroy Windford and the surrounding areas, kill everyone including civilians, and then scurry your cowardly selves back across the border before the eastern army caught you. If you had done that, there would have been no proof Westies were involved.”

  Walking behind him, I leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Which puts you between a rock and a hard place. You … got … caught. Let me ask you a question. Do you think your king is going to acknowledge you, or will he let you and your men twist in the wind?"

  He said nothing, just stared straight ahead.

  “Get him out of here.”

  The junior officer shoved him back out the door.

  "What of the ranking skyship commander?" I asked Captain Rask.

  "Not talking."

  "Bring him in."

  Once he was seated, I asked, "Are you the leader of the pirate fleet, or is there someone else I should be talking to?"

  "We are not pirates!" he shouted. Touched a nerve there.

  "Yes, you are. Let’s look at the facts. You are flying northern skyships, whom we are not at war with. You attacked us unprovoked. That makes you pirates."

  He started to talk, but I interrupted him. "Unless …,” I paused for effect, “the Northern Kingdom has declared war on the Eastern Kingdom. Have they?"

  He remained silent.

  "You and your skyship crews have been found guilty of piracy. You are sentenced to death by hanging. Take him away."

  They escorted him out. "That should loosen some tongues," I said.

  "Probably will," Captain Rask agreed.

  Robert and I went out to see the skyships. Hiko-shi was at the escort ships, assessing for needed repairs.

  "Hiko-Shi, what have you found?"

  "The two escort ships can be repaired and ready to fly tomorrow. All the troop carriers need work, especially two of them."

  I nodded. "Use whoever you need to get those two escort ships airborne. I think the attack is over, but we don't want to get caught with our pants down."

  "Yes, Shi-Tora."

  Next, we headed for the troop carrying skyships.

  “Have you seen the guns they were using?" Robert asked.

  "I have not.”

  "They are all the new grooved barrel type."

  I smiled. "Thank you, Northern Kingdom! Tell Top to have all our guns replaced with the grooved ones. If they aren't already doing it."

  "Yes, sir," he said, heading toward the headquarters’ tent.

  I continued and walked around the troop carriers. They were going to take some work alright. Tink was there, looking at the skyships as well.

  "Tink, I want you and Lay-shee to inspect and document every detail about those escort ships. I want every item noted and how to build it. We are going to build our own skyships. I want us to have enough information, design notes, and drawings to do it even if we don't have these ships to look at."

  "I'll get started on it, right away."

  * * *

  Michael and I had dinner in the keep to discuss some ideas.

  "We seemed to have made quite the haul of military equipment from the downed skyships," he said.

  "We did. Once the company has all it needs, including old guns replaced by the grooved barrel type, then the men in Windford township should be armed. This is the second time we’ve been attacked. We now have the means to equip and train the people in the township. By doing so, Windford will have its own militia. These mercenaries will not always be here, and neither will the skyships.

  "You’re right. They’ve got to be armed. Separate issue, what do you plan on doing with the prisoners?"

  "Put them to work building palisades. Everyone works. No one eats for free.”

  "And what of the skyships? Do you think King Edward will take them?"

  "There’s a chance he will. But just in case, Tink is studying and making design notes of them. Once he’s done, we send word to the king that we have two northern skyships for him, which will put us in his good graces and show him a return on his investment. And if we don't have the ships, the Northers won't be tempted to retake them.”

  "What about the troop carriers?"

  "We'll keep those if we can. They can be cargo ships as well as troop carriers. I'll meet with the company commanders in the morning for their input.

  * * *

  The next morning, the leadership of the company sat in t
he headquarters tent as I explained my plans. Specifically, we would trade our older equipment for newer from the captured spoils. Additionally, the locals would be armed and trained, including the women if they desired.

  “Women, sir?” asked a second lieutenant.

  Before I could reply, Top interjected, gruffly. “Women and children were killed when Windford was attacked. The devils who attacked here yesterday had planned to finish us off, then move on and do the same to the town and countryside. If civilians are attacked, they will need every able-bodied man and woman to fight. Besides, did you ever hear of a gun asking the person pulling the trigger, ‘Are you a woman? Because if you are, I can’t fire.’ Does that answer your question, Lieutenant?”

  I choked back a laugh. Nobody can put a newbie second lieutenant in his place like a top sergeant.

  “Yes, Top.” He sunk down into his seat, trying to disappear.

  “Colonel, please continue,” Top said, looking at me.

  “Okay, moving right along. Regarding the prisoners, put them to work on the palisades. Am I missing anything?"

  "Can we recruit men from the prisoners?" Captain Rask asked.

  "Hadn’t thought of that. I'm guessing you've done this before?"

  "Yes, sir. We start making it known to them, separating the ones who are interested. After that, we decide which ones will fit in with us. We usually get 25 percent of a group."

  "I don't have a problem with recruiting from the Westies but leave the Northers alone for now."

  "I'd like to get a look at those heavy long guns you have," Sergeant Major Danig said.

  "That can be arranged," I answered.

  "What of the skyships?" Captain Rask asked.

  "The two escort ships will go to the king. We are going to give them to him before he takes them. By doing so, we stay in his good graces and dissuade the Northers from coming to take them back. The troop carriers we’re keeping for our own use, but we need to get crews for them. I'm thinking a mercenary company with its own troop carriers would hire out for a much higher price." This drew some low-level murmuring and pleased looks.

  "If there is nothing else, let's go to work."

  Hiko-shi had the balloons on the two escort ships repaired and inflated, and all the supplies stripped out of them. The king had plenty of supplies; these were ours. From the same two ships, Sergeant Major Dunig claimed four new standard cannons for his unit.

  Carpenters were assigned to help Hiko-shi with repairs on the troop carriers. The goal was to get as many as possible quickly operational. Hopefully, we would have flight crews by the time they were repaired.

  Prisoners were put to work building the palisades under the watchful eyes of our infantry. It was amazing how fast work proceeded with the addition of 600 men. There was one bit of trouble; a group fought to get away when they heard they had been convicted of piracy, and their leader was to be hung. Our infantry had to shoot several. After that, there was no more trouble.

  Because of the shooting and rumors about hangings, men started talking about their mission and wanted to join the mercenary company. The lower enlisted said they were only told they were going to attack an enemy base. They didn't know who they were attacking; where the base was located; or anything about attacking civilians in the township and countryside. Most had figured it out by the time they got here, but assumed there was a war.

  The officers had been told war was about to be declared, and several operations like this one were planned. Since they had failed, I doubted the Westies would acknowledge them as anything but pirates. The Northers had just been told to pick the Westies up and drop them off. They were to provide cover fire as they were unloaded, then leave. I was betting these Northers would be forsaken by their king as well.

  I wrote a full report to King Edward, telling him we had captured two northern skyships. If he could send a crew, they were ready to be added to his new skyship fleet. I gave most of the details and sent the message by a mercenary courier.

  "Tink, you have maybe 10 more days before the king sends crews to take the ships," I said.

  "Not to worry. We'll be through by the time they get here."

  * * *

  Nine days later, a military train arrived at the keep. A courier gave me a packet as the train was being unloaded. Inside were orders and a letter.

  The orders read:

  Colonel Bishop, captains and crews are on the train you are receiving. They will take possession of the two skyships and depart for the capital immediately. Send the officers from the two pirate groups and all the northern skyship crews back to the capital on the train. Guards have been provided. Keep the rest of the pirates. If the mercenaries can recruit them, they will be pardoned. If not, hang them.” Signed, Lord of the Eastern Kingdom Army.

  The letter read:

  Well done. Continue with the plan. Signed ‘E’.

  There were also banknotes totaling 100,000 sovereigns. I must admit, our king wasn’t a cheapskate.

  Captain Rask and Sergeant Major Bounty joined me. I handed Captain Rask the orders. He read them and passed it to the Sergeant Major.

  "Take care of it, Captain," I said.

  "Yes, sir. Sergeant Major, let's get the prisoners on the train."

  They left to carry out the orders. Two hours later, the skyships lifted off, heading for the capital. I sent the logbooks belonging to the ships’ captains with them. The evidence in the logs doomed them.

  Once the train was gone, Captain Rask announced the king’s decision. Hang for piracy or join the mercenary company and be pardoned. It was no surprise that everyone left joined our company, which would give us over 900 men. For now, they would keep working on the palisades. After that, they would be added to the company. It was made clear that deserters would be shot on sight. No forgiveness. No questions asked.

  Sergeant Major Dunig found me walking the newly constructed palisades. "Do you have a moment, Colonel?"

  "Certainly. Walk with me. What can I do for you?"

  "I may know where we can get more of those heavy long guns, and if not, I think I know where we can have them made."

  I stopped walking and turned to him. "Where?"

  "On the eastern continent. A war just ended there. There will be tons of equipment for sale, and most on the cheap. If we can't find what we want, I know a cannon maker that lives in the northern country. He's one of the best. And with the war having ravaged the country, I'm sure he's looking for work.”

  I thought a moment. “When our cargo ships return, we'll leave. I want him to work for us. If we can buy some heavy long guns along the way, so much the better."

  * * *

  It had been a little over a month since the prisoner train had left. Projects continued, and now that we had plenty of manpower to build our palisades, the construction on the mercenary facilities sped up. As soon as the carpenters finished, they would start on the hanger. Two of the four troop carriers were now repaired and ready to fly. The other two would need a good bit more work before being ready.

  A horn sounded from the high battlement; the flags told us that a friendly skyship approached. It was La-mar, returning with both of our cargo ships. They slowed and swung wide. With all the changes and four unknown ships on the ground, he wasn’t taking any chances. I waved as the ships passed. Once satisfied all was well, they landed.

  La-mar looked grim as he came down the ramp. "Seems you had trouble too."

  "What do you mean, ‘too’?” I asked.

  "The southern capital was attacked. They bombed the skyship building yards and the powder depot. While that was happening, a group tried to kidnap Ladies Isla and Alyse. The group was seen trying to get them aboard a ship. Palace guards, attacked the kidnappers, trying to free the ladies. Cam, Lady Isla was rescued, but the ship managed to get away with Lady Alyse."

  I felt my anger turn to a dark, smoldering rage.

  "We think they wanted leverage to keep the Southern Kingdom out of the war.” La-mar handed me a lette
r. Recognizing Isla's handwriting, I opened it.

  Cam, I write this in haste. I know you have feelings for me, and the news of my betrothal may come as a shock. I must ask you to set aside any hurt I have caused you and help me get Alyse back safely. The north will keep her as hostage to keep the south out of the coming war. They may even force her to marry King Albert’s son, a brute. I beg you. Return her to me. Signed, Isla.

  My rage was shocked to a standstill. "Betrothal? To whom?”

  “Cam, you need to know Lady Isla is not only King Micha’s third cousin, they had become engaged. They are betrothed.”

  I took a breath to clear my head. “La-mar, I can’t take the time right now to figure out what their betrothal means. The priority is to get Alyse back and make her captors pay dearly for having taken her.

  "Unload your cargo, including all your red bombs. Take them to my junk, the Tiger’s Claw. Go hire captains and crews for those four troop carriers," I pointed. "Then return as quickly as you can."

  He nodded and started shouting orders.

  "Lay-Shee! Load all the Lucifers onto our ship. Tell Hiko-Shi we leave within the hour."

  "Yes, Shi-Tora," and ran toward the junk.

  Michael was here now. I handed him the letter from Isla.

  “Keep everything going. I'll be back if I can," I said.

  We clasped wrists. "See you soon, brother!"

  "Captain Rask, continue the mission."

  "Yes, Colonel," he answered, saluting.

  I returned his salute, then headed for the junk.

  Chapter 24

  I boarded the junk and took out the maps of the northern capital. Hiko-Shi joined me. "We are going to the northern capital. Have you ever been?"

  "I have, Shi Tora. A few times."

  "Good. This is a map of their city. Do you recognize the layout?"

  He looked over the map, getting his bearings. "I do. This is the main market where we always landed," he said, pointing.

  "The northern king has taken a friend's daughter who is also a friend. We’re going after her. This is their skyship building yards. This is their powder depot and military skyship mooring and base. Fire bomb them. Using heavy long guns, put Lucifer rounds into every skyship, starting with the ones in the air. Continue firing on the skyships until we run out of Lucifers or they run out of ships."