“Ours is a terrible task, one that may well require all our lives. Again, that is not ours to foretell. We must only and continually search our hearts for the truth, then promote that truth into worthy action.
“Jeffrey, I will not bandy words and cannot soften them—you and young Balko must go. Gaereth and Carl, you must stay. Yet, is there not enough love amongst us to sustain our spirits in the face of whatever is to come? Are we not all of us surrounded by worthy, virtuous people? Come, let us take sustenance from one another and from the task allotted us.”
Gurthwin drew their minds into close embrace with his, the nimbus of his love glowing like a halo.
The fire was down to embers and ash when Jeff awoke. Feeling at peace, even serene, he looked over to find Gurthwin fast asleep. He appeared exhausted. Balko was stretched out on his side near the fire and struggled to his feet when Jeff stood up. Bending over Gurthwin, Jeff kissed him on the forehead and gently picked up his frail body. Carrying him to his bed in a back room, Jeff tucked him into fur robes and walked out of the building.
“Rolfgar, dismount and adjust your stirrups.”
Jeff waited patiently while the warrior fought a frustrating battle to lengthen his stirrups. There were no snickers from other troopers. Rolfgar was only one of many who had been called down. They had a lot to learn about riding horses. Jeff stepped in and demonstrated how to get the job done. He didn’t mind, in fact felt like a new man and fully prepared to put the training schedule into high gear.
Over ensuing weeks, Jeff and Helwin drove the cavalry troops hard. Time passed in a blur of skull sessions and field exercises. Evenings were spent poring over endless lists and devising tactics. One element was missing. They really needed scouts. As a result of that deficiency, Balko was sent on a mission to contact Balthazar.
About the time Jeff was beginning to wonder what had happened to him, Balko loped into camp acting as if he had never been away.
“The matter is concluded. ‘Balthazar’ and his pack will come, as will the one we met in the far north. This one knows where they hunt and will call them when the hour is come.”
Halric took the news well. He was firmly in control of the Alemanni and exuded confidence. In Jeff’s estimation, Halric was well on his way to becoming a first rank C.O. Gurthwin set every available tanner and leather fabricator to work constructing winter clothing for the cavalry, and added his own lists to those Jeff tried to avoid at every opportunity.
Helwin wearily entered the meeting hall after a particularly long day in the field. Her face was coated with dust where it wasn’t streaked with sweat. She hesitated between water and coffee then made a beeline for the water barrel. Jeff wasn’t far behind and removed gauntlets to slap dust from his pants. He accepted a mug of water and collapsed into a chair. Sitting down nearby, Helwin propped her boots up on a bench with a sigh of relief.
“They’re still pretty green, Helwin, but we’re out of time. We’ll complete training while moving south. Now we must make sure that all the horses are sound, including the pack animals.”
Finding horses capable of carrying heavy troopers had been a prime headache. Had they not captured a quite a few from the Salchek during the forest battle, it would have been a lost cause.
“I can handle that, Captain,” Helwin replied in English.
“Without a doubt, Lieutenant.”
Jeff pulled his knife and began cleaning his fingernails. It was either that or grin at her. They had been working in such close proximity over preceding weeks that he no longer had to translate English thoughts into Northland’s speech. His first attempts at conveying military concepts that had originated in a foreign culture and different language to a hundred warriors had proven overwhelming.
Within a short period Helwin began picking up English words. Discussing cavalry tactics had proven a good way to expand her vocabulary. As she learned, they split the task of schooling the troops. Now it was late September and the time to leave had arrived.
“As much as I despise that pile of lists we’ve collected, let’s pull them all together for a final review.”
They enlisted Gurthwin’s help and by late evening the last item on the last list was checked off. Everything was in place. Capping his pen, Jeff gave Helwin the order for assembly at first light.
The compound was crowded with relatives, friends and chieftains when Helwin summoned Jeff from the meeting hall. Halric and Gurthwin joined him on the way out. The air was still and heavy with the scent of fall. Although the sun was not up, the sky promised a beautiful day. Helwin had assembled the company a short distance from the hall. Gurthwin stopped on the porch.
“You will return to us, Jeffrey.”
“Perhaps, but whatever the outcome of our mission you must know that I will not fail in the effort.”
“You have not thus far, and I trust such effort will suffice. The gods require no more of us.”
Jeff clasped hands with Halric. “Give the Salchek no rest, my friend.”
“They will have none. This land is not theirs.”
There was nothing more to say. Jeff hugged Gurthwin and walked away. Helwin drew herself up straight in the saddle.
“At-ten-shun!” A number of warriors were conversing with relatives and were slow to react. “Look alive or pull KP, boots!”
The Alemanni did not have an official band, but musicians from the various tribes had formed a drum and fife corps for the fun of it. Drums roared an exhilarating beat and fifes skirled as Jeff mounted. Arching his neck, Cynic pranced sidewise toward Helwin.
“All present and accounted for, sir!”
Jeff returned Helwin’s salute. “A smart looking company, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir! Ready to kick butt and take names, sir!”
The company was drawn up by troop in four ranks. Jeff walked Cynic to the center. After a period of silent examination, he called out, “What do we do!”
A hundred and one voices roared out, “Cavalry rules!”
Jeff pumped his arm up and down, then up again. When he dropped it and turned Cynic, Helwin sang out, “By the troop in three columns, the First Cavalry will move out! Forward, ho!”
Newly fashioned pennons snapping on their standards, drums pounding out their stirring rhythm, Eagle and Bear troops clattered into motion onto the road south in a cloud of dust.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Guerrilla Action
The need for secrecy dictated that the first day’s march take place within the forest. Come night, it would be safe to make the transit to open prairie without trekking farther south in the forest as they had for the attack on the siege engines. Although farmland with associated villages nearly abutted the forest east and west of Rugen for some miles, Jeff felt certain the Salchek did not have enough manpower to occupy real estate that was of little tactical concern.
Before leaving cover, Jeff contacted Gaereth. “We’re ready to haul out of here. I don’t know how long we’ll be able to stay in contact, but I would think for at least a week or two. Anything new?”
“What you might expect. The siege engines are being rebuilt, but it will be some time before they can be put into action. Carl and I will handle the pipe bombs on the south wall. Officers Rengeld has selected will handle the others. Morale is good. We’re ready. Gods speed and protect you, Grandson. All our thoughts and love are with you.”
“And mine with you all, Grandfather. Please take care of yourself. Give my love to Zimma and Carl.”
Hazy layers of pungent smoke hung over fields as they filed by on rutted paths. The only light came from stars, but that was enough to reveal acres of black stubble. Glowing hotspots that had been smoldering for weeks peppered the landscape wherever they looked. The villages they circumvented were silent and dark. Some had been burned. No dogs barked, no children called to one another.
The empty desolation brought home another aspect of war to the Alemanni. It required little imagination to foresee what would happen if the Salchek
were allowed to march farther north. They were well to the east and south of Rugen before dawn.
As promised, Balko had contacted the two wolf packs. They were moving south in the forest. Days then weeks passed without incident. The wolves made an appearance, traveled with the cavalry for a number of days, then left to take up position ahead of the troopers to the east and centrally. Both packs were excited about the prairie and eager to learn its ways.
One evening, Balthazar and Heideth unexpectedly showed up at Jeff and Helwin’s fire. Their fur was disheveled and appeared to be missing hunks here and there. Both radiated intense self-satisfaction. It wasn’t difficult to figure out why they had visited camp. Although Jeff found them to be even-tempered and given to careful thought, he had never met a wolf that did not have such a deep sense of probity that it was dangerous to contravene.
“It would appear you have had a busy day, wolf-brother and sister. The horse-brother and this one are grateful.”
Balthazar licked a cut on his paw in a contemplative fashion. “We are more than pleased to have been of service, my brother. Those carrion-eaters we schooled were not of the pack that attacked you and our horse-brother, yet justice has been served. I believe it safe to say that others of their breed will shortly come to know caution. While their mind speech is primitive, it is sufficient to convey warning. They are most vile creatures!”
Five weeks into the journey south, Jeff walked Cynic through belly-high prairie grass that stretched to the horizon in every direction. Burned golden by autumn’s heat, it rustled dryly in the wind. Helwin reined her horse close to Cynic and saluted.
Returning Helwin’s salute, Jeff admired the beautiful tan her skin had taken on. Hair coiled under a broad-brimmed leather hat that resembled his own, she wore leather pants tucked into tall boots. A short leather tunic much like a jacket completed her uniform.
They jogged along side by side for a while before Helwin broke the silence. “Our warriors show good progress, Captain.”
“They are ready for battle,” Jeff replied with a cautious nod. “Most have mastered their horses and are rapidly gaining competence in changing formation. They have also profited from nightly weapons drill. Seven weeks of training is little enough, but they were well seasoned to begin with.”
Reviewing their trip south, Jeff allowed himself a degree of satisfaction. Thanks to the wolves and telepathy, feeding the troops had proven less a problem than anticipated. The Wildebeest-like herbivores were trekking south for the winter, and the wolf packs kept a running tally of herd locations.
When it was time to hunt they would cut out a number of animals from the closest herd. That was the part they seemed to enjoy the most—it was good sport—but driving them toward a prearranged ambush was also appealing and had taken on aspects of a game. As the animals passed their hiding place, troopers would charge out and usually bag five or six. The whole affair had become so popular that both groups often had more food than they knew what to do with.
Then there’s the Salchek, Jeff anxiously thought. Where in hell is that caravan? Five weeks and no sign of it. He allowed himself only a brief moment to dwell on the delicious thought that maybe there was no Salchek resupply caravan. Damn it, I know they’re coming! Could we have missed it? What if they’re coming up the west side of the prairie? If the resupply caravan had taken the western route they would miss it for sure.
Nope, he concluded, letting anxiety drain away, too far. No way do they have the time for that big a detour. Their only hope to beat the snow is a hole-shot straight up the middle or to the east, and we have those routes covered. Four days later he received a call from Balthazar.
“Many wagons and soldiers on horseback pass below us, wolf-brother.”
Most wolves had no interest in figures, but Balthazar had proven to be a notable exception.
“What are their numbers?”
“They are beyond this one’s counting, wolf-brother.”
Hurriedly setting up a base camp and turning command over to sergeants, Helwin, Jeff and Balko departed. Try as he might to suppress it, Balthazar’s reply never stopped bouncing around in Jeff’s mind. They met the wolves two days later and camped near a high knoll that overlooked an area the supply caravan should pass the following day.
They were in position shivering from the cold when the sun peeked over the horizon. Late morning they spotted the first wains. Hour after hour, the triple line of wains continued to lengthen. When lead wagons had passed their location, the far end of the column still could not be seen.
Close enough to hear drover’s whistles and the cracking of whips, Jeff and Helwin counted wains as they creaked by in a cloud of dust. Jeff was both awestruck and dismayed.
“That is one big caravan. They must have stripped Khorgan!”
Late in the afternoon they compared figures and looked bleakly at each other. They had counted three hundred pack animals and four hundred wains.
Assessing the caravan’s escort proved a more difficult task. It wasn’t until dusk that they had any confidence in their figures. As near as Jeff could estimate, three cavalry companies and the equivalent of four battalions of foot accompanied the caravan. They stuck around until the caravan laagered up for the night.
Jeff fell into a black study on the return trip. He tried to visualize how his force of one hundred troopers plus the wolves could even make a dent in the caravan, much less stay alive in the process. They were nearing base camp when Jeff pulled up and dismounted. Helwin followed suit.
“Let’s try and put some order to our thoughts before we hit camp.”
“Yes sir. No sense spooking the troops because we’re uptight.”
“Right on, Lieutenant.” He scuffed a patch of prairie grass down to bare dirt.
“Okay, it’s clear we have no hope of achieving success by frontal assault. The attack would fail, we would all likely die, and the caravan would continue on its way. Our best hope is to sow confusion and slow progress north. If we are successful, winter may do the rest.”
“If we are to sow confusion and slow progress,” Helwin observed with slow thoughtfulness, “our primary objective must be the pack animals and draft horses.”
“Correct, Lieutenant. Never the soldiers. It may happen that we take out some of the wains, but only if doing so serves our primary objective. If you were in charge, how would you assess our advantages and use them to plan the first attack?”
Dropping onto her heels by the patch of dirt, Helwin scratched out a diagram with her dagger.
“Our advantages are two, and not insignificant. We are blessed with a high degree of mobility, and if we are cautious may effect complete surprise. Now, the wains travel in three columns during the day. While camped they increase that to six. The packhorses trail behind during the day, but are picketed in the center of a large square of wains for the night still at the caravan’s southern end.”
Helwin fell silent and seemed to be contemplating her drawing. When she looked up her expression was embarrassed.
“Captain, I did not observe where the draft animals are herded for the night.”
“Individual teams were picketed near the wains,” Jeff commented after a sufficient period of silence to indicate that she should have noticed. “That isn’t surprising when you consider there are over two thousand draft animals to care for. It would be impossible to find your team in such a large herd.”
“In light of that arrangement, Captain, I believe it likely the draft animals will be guarded by foot soldiers. If that is true, the number of troopers we counted is not sufficient to provide protection in depth. The length of the caravan is too great. Their cavalry will likely be deployed to patrol the perimeter.”
“I concur. These are assumptions, but solid assumptions.”
“Yes sir.” Helwin put the finishing touch to her diagram. “Here is how I would make our first attack…”
It was late in the day by the time a plan emerged that Jeff felt had a chance of success. Commande
d by Helwin, Eagle Troop would attack the large square of wains that contained the pack animals, stampede the horses, and burn what they could before withdrawing.
At the same time, Bear Troop would attack the front of the caravan causing as much confusion and destruction as possible. The assaults fore and aft were bound to draw off at least some of the foot soldiers from their duty. At that point the wolves would race in from both sides driving off as many draft animals as possible. They were quick and might be able to work the entire line before the Salchek could regroup.
The enemy cavalry posed the largest and potentially the most deadly problem. There was no way to predict where they would be at the time of the attack. Still, Jeff felt a degree of renewed confidence. Not only was it a good plan, but both troops had a clear path of retreat.
While debating tactics, Helwin and Jeff had taken seats on either side of their ersatz white board. Getting to his feet, Jeff wiped out the diagram with a boot.
“I like the way you use your head, Lieutenant. Let’s get back to camp.”
“Thank you, sir, and yes sir.” Helwin released her horse from the picket stake. “My stomach’s fighting a losing battle with my backbone.”
Jeff swung into the saddle shaking his head and chuckling. “Out of sight, Lieutenant. Out of sight!”
The Alemanni First Cavalry broke camp and trekked southeast. They were within striking distance of the caravan when they ran across a convenient arroyo that would serve to conceal their camp. The arroyo had a stream running down its center and enough scrub trees to provide firewood. The second pack of wolves joined up with Balthazar’s, and the combined lupine force tracked the caravan throughout the following day.
Blooded by combat, the troops quietly and efficiently prepared for the attack. They knew what was coming. The odds were sobering even by Alemanni reckoning. There was little horseplay while padding harness and applying carbon black to their faces. Following a final skull session, Jeff drove home several points that had already been stated several times.
Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) Page 50