Groups of conscripts carrying buckets of water rushed by cursing and pointing. Many were partially dressed and none were carrying weapons. They didn’t even seem to be aware of Jeff’s small unit in their frenzy to get at the fire. Balko crouched along in front, the rest of the unit following his lead as he darted to one side or the other dodging the larger groups. On several occasions it was a mad scramble to avoid being run over.
They were nearly out of it when Balko sprinted straight ahead instead of dodging. Jeff saw why in a flash.
“Form up!”
The words were barely out when they were fighting back to back, assaulted from all sides by a fully dressed and armed Salchek unit. Sword blows rang out and blades glinted red in the towering ring of fire as Jeff and his unit fought their way toward the horses.
Balko charged into the middle of the Salchek and created so much havoc they could not launch a concerted attack. Worried not at all by the odds, Jeff’s warriors were singing battle songs. They had finally found action worthy of the name. The bass drum’s sullen pounding never slackened, penetrating through the sounds of battle and crackling fire.
Got to get out of this or we’re finished, Jeff thought as he parried a blow. He yanked the Ruger out, aimed into the thickest press of Salchek and fired six crashing rounds. As bodies crumpled, the Salchek fell back in shocked disarray.
“Run for it!”
They hadn’t gone far when the Salchek unit was on them again, then it was lunge forward three steps beating out thrust and parry, only to skip back five and do it again. They were about to be overrun when the Alemanni reserve force burst onto the scene shouting for blood. With the odds reversed, the Salchek were destroyed in a furious exchange. Jeff did a quick head count. The warriors from his team were all present. Thank God. Now if only the other teams made it out.
When they arrived at the jump-off base and he could really take stock, Jeff’s heart did a stutter-step. Balko was walking on three legs. Jeff sagged with relief when he found a flesh wound that was more lengthy than deep. His crew piled onto their horses as ordered and spurred off toward the rendezvous point in the forest. Turning to count how many horses were left, Jeff bumped into Helwin.
“What are you doing here? You should have left with the rest.”
A startlingly white grin split Helwin’s soot-blackened face. “Magda has the right of it. It seems that someone must insure that you do not fall over your own feet!”
With a fatalistic shrug, Jeff counted horses. Over half were gone. Several teams of Alemanni came running while he counted, two warriors staggering as they carried a third. Urging them and the reserve force on their way, Jeff trotted back into the Salchek perimeter accompanied by Balko. Several teams were still missing. A rising bugle call pierced through the whistle of fires, its tenor note clear and strident.
“That’s got to be Rengeld. He must be starting his sortie. Shit! Where are the rest of those bozos?”
A tremendous shout hammered at his ears and the ground trembled, battered by the rolling thunder of two thousand hooves.
“Time to get out of here!”
He had not taken many steps when a clashing roar washed over him as Rugen’s cavalry smashed into the Salchek. Jeff skidded to a halt where the horses were picketed and counted saddles again. Eight remained, not counting Cynic. A faint but urgent cry burned through the noise of battle.
“Captain! Assist me!”
“Where did that come from?” Jeff tensed and stared in what he thought was the right direction. “That sounded like Helwin! What the hell is she doing out there?”
A choking cloud of dust from the cavalry action rolled over him, reducing the firelight to an orange-red blur.
“Screw it!”
Jeff ran in the direction of the call. Although running on three legs, Balko was out in front. A clanging of swords rang out nearby. Balko dug into a turn on all fours and raced out of sight. Jeff called on a new shot of adrenaline and tore after him. Dim forms locked in combat took shape while another thrashed on the ground with what looked to be a demon at its throat.
“There she is!”
Helwin was holding up a wounded comrade, at the same time trying to hold off two assailants. Berold moved in a sullen flash of dull orange. Wrenching it out of the Salchek’s chest, teeth bared in a snarl, Jeff whirled on the remaining Salchek. He was on the ground. Balko shook him a last time and released his jaws.
The wounded warrior slipped from Helwin’s grip and slumped to the ground. Helwin was so spent she could do no more than gasp for breath with hands on knees. Jeff got the man to his feet, sent Balko ahead to find the way, and they staggered off toward the horses.
“Are you wounded, Helwin?”
“No, Captain, but we must leave soon.”
“That’s not quick enough. If we’re caught in the cavalry battle, we’re dead!”
The sounds of battle seemed more distant when they located their horses and the picket guards. The wounded trooper proved able to sit a horse when Helwin boosted him into the saddle.
“That’s it, we’re out of here. Mount up!”
Warriors were reeling from fatigue when they made it back to camp, and not only from the raid. The forest was alive with Salchek and Alemanni units locked in battle or looking for one another. On one occasion they had been forced to intervene in a battalion-sized brawl in order to rescue an Alemanni unit on the verge of being annihilated. Jeff was desperate to find Gurthwin and get a situation report on the battle.
Inside the compound, all was confusion. Individuals and groups of blood-covered warriors staggered out of the forest, even as fresh contingents pulled up from the reserve force headed out double-time singing battle songs. Warriors carrying wounded comrades to the first aid station called for assistance, where cries of agony under the knife rose above everything.
Dismissing the troops, Jeff wearily climbed down from Cynic in front of the meeting hall only to bounce off Helwin again. Too tired to argue, he gestured for her to follow him inside since he knew she would anyway. Gurthwin was talking with a chieftain, so Jeff collapsed onto a bench and Helwin did likewise. He pointed a grimy finger at her.
“You want to make sure I don’t fall over my own feet, eh? Good. You are now my aide-de-camp. That means you get to do all the dirty work.”
Helwin was leaning back with elbows resting on the trestle table. Too tired for words, she grinned lopsidedly and raised an arm in acknowledgment. When the chieftain left, Jeff gave Gurthwin a chance to take a drink of water before moving to his table. Helwin was uncertain whether she should do the same.
“Join us, Helwin. From now on, wherever I go, you go.” Jeff waved a hand vaguely in Helwin’s direction as she sat down. “Meet Helwin, my new self-appointed aide. How do matters fare?”
Gurthwin smiled briefly and poured tankards of water for each of them. “What I have heard to this time is incomplete, but perhaps enough to draw some conclusions from. As we hoped, Halric’s attack achieved complete surprise. The Salchek response, however, was most vigorous and in larger force than we had anticipated. Thus Halric’s retreat was more real than deceptive.”
Jeff was so upset he fell back on English. “But they did make it to the forest, right?”
While teaching Jeff the Alemanni tongue, Gurthwin had picked up English. “Be at rest. Yes, they did succeed in winning the forest.”
“Thank God!”
“Indeed, let us thank the gods. I believe the Salchek are furious to offset the humiliating losses they experienced on the grasslands and seek to destroy Halric. Although it is not clear how many soldiers the Salchek have committed to this point, I believe it to be in excess of four thousands.”
“In excess? Jesus!”
Gurthwin sat up and stared at Jeff. “I have come to understand only a small portion of this man’s life and works from our talks, but enough that I will not tolerate hearing his name used in this fashion.”
Jeff felt like he had been slapped in the face, but b
owed. “I will not do so again. Please forgive me.”
“You are tired, overwrought, and I do, but never assume that such usage goes unheard.” Gurthwin settled his elbows back on the table. “The second force of warriors that lay in waiting fell on the Salchek to good effect, yet still our numbers were too few. It has been a difficult day, Jeffrey. Throughout the balance of the morning the enemy commander has continued to push new soldiers into the fray, forcing Halric to draw heavily on those held in reserve. Our plan has succeeded beyond expectation. I fear the battle is in question.”
“How many remain in reserve?”
Consulting a scrap of parchment, Gurthwin muttered, “Two hundreds remain in camp.”
“That’s the same as nothing! All of them must be sent out at once. Have the wolves come?”
Gurthwin’s expression brightened at once. “Indeed they have. Again the reports are undoubtedly misleading, but a number of packs appear to have joined our effort. Reports of their ferocity in battle have greatly strengthened our warriors, and must be sowing terror among the enemy.”
Jeff turned to Helwin. “Rather than my aide-de-camp, I’m appointing you lieutenant. Take charge of our unit, demonstrate leadership, and it’s yours to keep. Understood?”
Tired though she was, Helwin jumped to her feet. “I will not fail you, Captain!”
“You have my confidence. Assemble those who are fit from our night’s work. We leave for the battle at once. Insure that all are well-mounted and have provisions for one night.”
Helwin ran from the hall with a wide grin on her face.
Jeff watched her go with a weary shake of his head. “Ah, youth.”
Gurthwin was pouring a tankard of water. At Jeff’s comment, he started shaking so hard that water splashed all over the table.
“And you barely into manhood to speak of youth!”
He thumped the jug down, spilling more, and broke into rasping laughter. Bending a sour look on Gurthwin, Jeff poured them both a round and had to smile himself.
When he felt able to walk without the risk of tripping over a crack in the floor, Jeff left to join Helwin. An hour or so later he inspected the forty warriors assembled. The troops were hollow-eyed, but also exchanging war stories and kidding each other. This bunch still has some fight left in them, Jeff thought with approval.
“We will work together much as we did while returning to camp. You have learned something of mounted warfare, now you will learn more. Any warrior who leaves to pursue his own course will no longer be welcome.” Jeff waved Helwin forward. “I have appointed Helwin to be your lieutenant. Her commands are mine.”
Jeff wasn’t sure what to make of the silence that followed his announcement. However, there was work to be done and he mounted up. Helwin would take charge or he would find someone else.
“Move them out, Lieutenant.”
Those were familiar words to Cynic, and he trotted toward the access road. Jeff did not look back but heard Helwin call out commands. Shortly the troop closed up behind. Balko absolutely refused to be left in camp because of his wound and ranged ahead.
They were moving cautiously through a thick stand of trees when Balko called an eager warning. Jeff halted the troop and eased Cynic ahead until the trees thinned. Thirty or forty Salchek were moving laterally in light brush and trees. There they are, he thought, and here we go. Good thing they aren’t mounted. This bunch is not ready to take on a cavalry unit.
There was no room or time to array his troop for a proper charge. Jeff pulled his sword and held it up. He heard an immediate rustle of weapons. Now! Jeff let his sword fall, thumped Cynic with his heels and bellowed a war cry.
The troop crashed out of the trees and fell on the Salchek foot soldiers like thunder, riding them down before turning to finish the job with swords and spears. When the skirmish was finished, Jeff collected his unit.
“Any questions? No?” He eyed them silently for a moment. “You cavalry or foot?”
The term cavalry was new to the Alemanni, but they had it figured out. The troop roared, “Cavalry!” Jeff nodded and nudged Cynic into motion.
Throughout the afternoon and well into a late summer evening, they fought the Salchek. Jeff tried to locate Halric but failed, the melee swirling through the great forest in a confused series of small-unit engagements. Time and again they aided Alemanni forces that were outnumbered and made the difference, then moved on. They ambushed Salchek forces and destroyed them, only to be taken by surprise and nearly overwhelmed.
By late dusk they were unable to locate more of the enemy in spite of Balko’s determined efforts. Jeff moved his troop into a thick stand of trees and had them dismount. Several of those that had been wounded slipped from their saddles and fell to the ground. Others hurried to help but could hardly walk. Ten warriors had died in battle, the rest were nearing the end of their strength. Jeff walked far enough away so he could listen. The forest was silent except for the occasional birdcall.
“That’s it. One way or the other, it’s done.”
Returning to the troop, Jeff waved Helwin over. “We’re going to camp here for the night. That means you have to set up what’s called a duty roster. Assign groups of four to guard duty, and replace them every three hours with another group. You can figure it out.”
Helwin nodded wearily. “Yes, sir.”
When she had made her decisions, Helwin gathered the troop around her and called out assignments. Angry protests rang out at once and a warrior pushed through the crowd to confront Helwin.
It was Elke. Jeff remembered her name because he had been plagued all day by her refusal to stay with the unit. She was the only trooper he planned to separate. While shorter than Helwin, Elke was built like a power lifter. Jeff backed away and watched to see what would develop.
“You will give no commands to me.” Elke moved closer until she was nose to nose with Helwin. “I will fight and rest as I choose. Go lick your mother’s pap.”
Elke was from a neighboring village, some years older, and had bullied Helwin at every meeting since she was a girl. Helwin was undecided for only a moment. It had been a very long day. She brought her left fist up and around with every bit of force left in her shoulders. It landed on the side of Elke’s face with a sharp crack that sounded like wood hitting wood. Spit flew, Elke’s head swiveled on her shoulders, and she crumpled to the ground. Helwin winced and shook her hand, but did so while calling out the rest of the assignments
Holy shit! Jeff thought. I’ve seen that left cross before! She most certainly is related to Magda.
When Helwin was through handing out guard duty, she recalled something Jeff was prone to shout.
“Dismissed!”
This is it, Jeff thought. Either it flies or it doesn’t.
No one said a word. The first shift picked up weapons and left to take up their watch. At that moment Jeff knew his unit had a top gun.
Chilled by the night air, Jeff awoke early and rolled out of his blankets. He immediately stumbled over Helwin, who was bedded down close by. One step and he nearly fell over Balko curled up at his feet.
“Damnation!”
Helwin looked up, bleary-eyed.
“Let’s get them on their feet and fed, Lieutenant.”
Breakfast consisted of no more than cold venison, and it wasn’t long before the troop was saddled up. It took Jeff some time to get oriented, and a longer period of cautious travel before he was convinced the battle was indeed over. He had no idea who had prevailed. It was entirely possible that neither side had. They entered camp ready for trouble.
Even though the day was well along, all was quiet. Smoke from numerous campfires coiled lazily into a clear sky, and walkways were deserted except for the occasional warrior moving about on an urgent mission. The noise and clamor were gone as exhausted survivors slept the day away.
“At least the camp was not overrun,” Jeff muttered with relief. He called a halt at the meeting hall. “You are warriors all. I am proud to be your co
mmander. This unit will continue. All who wish to remain a part of it must speak with Lieutenant Helwin. Now it is time for rest and food.”
Following dismissal the entire troop immediately clustered around Helwin. Shamefaced but determined, Elke elbowed her way to the front. Helwin glanced at Jeff for direction. He did no more than indicate it was her decision. When Helwin accepted Elke by clasping arms, Jeff nodded agreement. Elke had insisted on standing the last two watches of the night and had stuck to the unit like glue all morning.
Entering the hall, Jeff was relieved to see Halric slumped over a table on his elbows conferring with Gurthwin. That was a good sign they had prevailed or at least come out even. He had a bandage wrapped around his head, but otherwise seemed uninjured. Halric smile hugely when he spotted Jeff.
“Such a battle, Jeffrey! All day we fought and slew them until our arms were like stone. This is a battle to tell my grandchildren of, and to recall around many a winter’s fire.”
Jeff sat down and accepted a mug of coffee. “Yes. It was a near thing.”
“Always were our numbers too few,” Halric agreed with a quick jerk of his head, “yet still we overmastered them. We were not long in the forest before we became scattered, as did the Salchek. Many small battles were fiercely contested until by eventime there were few of the enemy to be found. It is my belief that by nightfall we were indeed Alemanni, for tribes became intermixed and fought together as brothers and sisters.”
“We’re you able to determine how many warriors the Salchek committed to battle?”
“I would not venture to guess, Jeffrey. All was chaos.”
“It was that. We’ll likely never know. What of our wounded and dead?”
“A count is being taken,” Halric somberly replied. “I believe the final tally will number three hundred dead and another eight hundred of wounded. Most of those who fell were lost on the field by the gate, for there the Salchek could bring their numbers to bear on us most cruelly. Withdraw we did, or all would have been lost at the outset.”
In spite of his sorrow at the deaths, Jeff was relieved. He had expected twice the casualties reported. They still had an effective fighting force.
Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) Page 48