The two soldiers put up a gallant fight, but the numbers slowly overpowered them. They tried to shoot each other as an act of mercy but the creatures were already tearing at their wounded bodies.
The general watched as the flesh-eaters arrived and the long-limbs fought them over the food. The flesh-eaters were almost in a state of frenzy waiting to eat. Suddenly, three dark priests rode up, separating the fighting creatures.
This was the moment General Von Bloch had been waiting for. He took aim and let off a round, shooting one of the riders through the throat. Underneath him the long-limbs were licking the ceiling and starting to look for a way up to the attic.
The priest slumped forward and rolled off his horse, his foot remaining in the stirrup as he fell awkwardly, and making a snapping sound as he fell. He wriggled for a short moment before breathing a deep sigh.
The other two priests looked up at the attic. Their eyes were full of rage.
“Bring me that soldier alive!” screamed the monarch priest.
One of them then pushed past several long-limbs that lowered their heads as he passed. The creatures on the second floor of the house had started to claw at the ceiling from which chunks of plaster were dropping off. The old general knew his time was coming to an end. His life was seeping out of him through the wound in his stomach. For a brief moment he thought about ending it with the bayonet, but then accepted he could not do that.
The other priest made two long-limbs smash open the attic hatch. He directed one to stand on its hind legs and raise its head into the space. The loud gunshot was what he expected, and the creature fell back to the floor. Wasting no time, he hauled himself up through the attic hatch with his sword drawn and unholstered revolver at the ready.
The sight he met with was of the old general lying on his side, his rifle no longer in his hands and his eyes half open. The priest grabbed his arms and dragged him to the hatch entrance instructing a long-limb to take him to the monarch priest.
The general was unceremoniously dragged by the legs down the stairs and out into the street. His eyes were closed and his breathing laboured. The monarch priest got down from his horse as the general was laid in front of him.
He wore a dark tunic and trousers beneath the robe. He knelt down alongside the general, took off his cap and rested it on the ground next to him.
“The priest you shot was my friend.”
His German was fluent. The long-limbed creatures came in closer, the flesh-eaters edging in behind them.
“You put up a good fight. We could have done with a general like you. You probably want to know why. Well, let me tell you.”
With that, he pressed his lips next to the general’s ear and whispered their intentions.
The general’s eyes opened. He did not have the strength to talk, even though he tried. With that, the monarch raised his hand, commanding, “Let the flesh-eaters finish him.” The long-limbs begrudgingly moved aside as the flesh-eaters rushed in eagerly. They wasted no time in tucking into the existing stomach wound and then tearing at any flesh was available.
Their teeth ripped and bit into everything. With sharp nails, and even sharper canines nothing got in their way. Bones were crunched and fought over as more and more poured onto the general. His dying eyes stayed focus on the monarch priest; no screams, no calls for mercy. The coldness of the eyes made the priests move on.
Feeding flesh eaters was the last the priests heard as they rode off.
“I want that convoy. We must find them.”
“Should we request that the commander of the drones send reinforcements to capture this convoy?” questioned the junior priest.
“No, that would mean admitting defeat, something we shall never do. Get the long-limbs to pick up the scent. Where are the bears? We may need them.”
The subordinate priest turned and called out to the long-limbs. Some were in the house, feeding on the dead soldiers; others were starting to fight with the flesh-eaters for the remains of the general.
“I believe I know where they’re going. Send a drone and ask for the riders of the North to meet us.”
Chapter 10
Captain Hayward was keeping everyone’s spirits up as they jogged along. The soldiers were in good shape and the speed was manageable, even with their backpacks and equipment on. Major Richmond spread the weapons out amongst the Austrians and British soldiers. Having only fourteen rifles, meant that their firepower would be very limited.
Sergeant Butcher checked on the women and children. They were coping well. No one wanted to be stuck in a cramped wagon, but the choices were simple: ride or walk.
The shortcut Corporal Heinz knew was hopefully going to knock off several days’ travel. Major Richmond had left this part of the journey to the Austrian corporal. They were aware that the distance between them and the flesh-eaters was slight at best. They did not know if these creatures needed to rest or could keep going at a constant pace. This troubled the major, not knowing any of the enemy’s weaknesses worked against them. He missed having the direction and experience of the old general. The major was only slightly older than the captain, and had not really fought in any huge conflict. He had been educated at Eton and then at Oxford, before doing his officer training at Sandhurst. He was engaged to marry a French duchess from Normandy. She was friends with Captain Hayward’s wife and both currently resided in Paris.
As the day wore on, the sun started to heat up the weary travellers. Water played a key part in their journey and regular breaks were needed to stop the soldiers from getting dehydrated. Food was also being rationed, as the raiders had taken nearly everything.
By late afternoon, Corporal Heinz pointed out where they were on the map. He was very pleased with their progress. They would shortly come to a bridge crossing a small valley further up in the hills.
It would be tiring going this way, but it offered them a chance to get to Tokay more quickly. He also had a cunning plan. There was a small stream that ran nearby. They needed to restock their water barrels and canisters, but there was another reason for going this way. By getting them all to walk along the stream for a mile or so, he believed the creatures, like dogs, would follow a scent and that this tactic would delay them. He also hoped they would follow the main road and not take the track through the hills. It was a risk as time was so precious, but they had little choice.
When they reached the stream, screams and calls could be heard behind them. Everyone looked at each other, their eyes telling the story. Fear gripped even the bravest soul. It had to be overcome or they risked becoming paralysed to the spot.
Captain Hayward cleared his throat and led the first wagon into the water. They had to be careful not to get stuck on the rocks or in the sand. The other soldiers soon came to his aid and began to take the three wagons up the stream. It was wide enough and deep enough to hide the tracks, and fortune also shone on them with the rocks and stones only being small.
The background noises did not fade, allowing them no time to sit on their laurels. They had to travel as far as they could, to make sure there was no immediate trail to follow.
The water was cold, but also refreshing. They filled barrels and canisters as they moved along. Ten soldiers with rifles brought up the rear. Corporal Heinz held back on the horse. He wanted to keep a visual on the woods and hills in the distance; if they were spotted, they would have to make a break for it.
After ten minutes it was decided that they had to get back on the track. The stream had larger rocks than they first thought, making it hard to negotiate. With this, the wagons were eased out of the water and led to the side of the stream.
Soon they were making good progress through the hills. They were wet, but the afternoon sun was now drying them at a reasonable speed. Most people were hungry, but there was no time to stop or eat.
The children clung to their parents. They were starting to look more anxious as the journey wore on. The soldiers who had children were promptly reminded of their own, and ho
w glad they were that they were not doing this trek now. They tried hard to make them feel at ease with the occasional smile, silly face or even a carved wooded toy.
The bridge was meant to be only a couple of hours away. The screams and cries were no longer within earshot, which gave them all hope that the plan had worked – for now.
The next two hours were hard going. The hills were unforgiving and the men marching with heavy packs and little in their stomachs felt it more.
The convoy moved onwards at a steady pace. The mood amongst the soldiers and civilians had changed slightly as the imminent danger had subsided. Tiredness, though, was having an effect. The nervous tension had taken its toll on everyone – it was energy-sapping. The sight of the old bridge brought relief to most people’s faces. The ravine it crossed was not particularly deep, but would stop or delay a pursuing army, even if that army was not a conventional one.
Major Richmond did not have any dynamite, but he agreed with his captain that they should try their best to destroy what they could of it. The tools they had were limited, though. Each wagon had an axe and spade, and the soldiers could also use their bayonets to help lever up the wooden planks. Captain Hayward was wary of the effort needed to destroy the bridge and was willing to start the process off once people had crossed it.
As they crossed, he felt that perhaps the job would be made easier than he had thought, with the planks creaking and rising in places. This bridge had seen better days.
The first swing of the axe split the wood with ease. They could not take down the whole bridge, but creating a hole in the middle would do for now. Captain Hayward led the way, chopping and breaking up wood as he moved backwards from the middle. Several other soldiers joined him, spreading out along the bridge and carrying on working backwards. As the hole appeared in front of them they pushed the shattered planks into it and watched as they fell effortlessly down to ground below.
It did not take long before a large chunk of the bridge was ripped up. They made sure it was not a distance a horse or animal could jump. The creatures would find it hard to gauge as this was something new to them. They didn’t want to waste any more time, and decided what they had done would have to do. Hopefully, it would buy them some time.
Food was on the agenda as they trudged along. Major Richmond knew that they must eat to refuel their energy; the problem was the lack of food and time to eat it. Corporal Heinz said the track would take them through a hill village and that there might be some supplies there.
They carried along the trail for several miles, stopping only briefly to drink water. Two hours passed and it was decided to eat what they had. The cook and others helped prepared dinner for them all. Scouts were sent out on horseback to check the forests.
The scouts returned with no news and tucked into the poultry dinner that had been prepared.
After an hour it was time to move on again. It was evening now, and the village was coming into sight. Corporal Heinz rode off to check the village and hopefully bring back good news.
Private Brown found Heidi, who had been walking along by the wagons to stretch her legs. Her smile made him feel a little more alive. They chatted for a short while as they sat on the track. Her hair did not glow in the same way it had at the fort and her skin was also pale and undernourished. Heidi was a good reflection of the group. The journey was taking its toll on everyone. It was a hard trek and the added stress of something chasing them made it even worse.
Private Clegg came over and sat with them. He smiled at them both and made a remark about two lovebirds.
“So, when’s the big wedding?”
Heidi blushed, but even that did not lighten up her face. She just held John’s hand.
“I hope we all get through this. I would love John to see Vienna.”
Private Clegg nodded. For him it was a moment of normality in a very abnormal situation. After a moment he got up and walked to the front of the convoy.
Corporal Heinz returned, shaking his head. After speaking to an Austrian soldier he came over to the captain and major.
“Those long-limbed creatures are in the village. I don’t understand how they made it there before us. We had the upper hand.”
Both men looked down. It was a bitter blow. If they were to be cut off, and even surrounded, it could be the end. Fourteen rifles in the open would find it impossible to hold off such a large force. The thought of being eaten alive scared everyone.
“Corporal, is there anywhere we can go? Is there another route to Tokay?”
“Yes, Captain, the caverns.”
As the word caverns came out of the corporal’s mouth, both officers looked at each other. Darkness was a friend to some and an enemy to others.
“How far away are they?”
The corporal scratched his head, and then rubbed his beard.
“It’s around an hour to the mouth of the caverns.”
News rapidly spread around the group that they were not going to the village to get supplies but were instead heading towards the caverns.
It was a testing moment. Some of the Austrian soldiers and civilians looked anxious regarding this route. They started to huddle and discuss this in small groups. Major Richmond had some command of the German language and could work out that they wanted to try the village anyway. They believed it was better to fight than to starve in darkness.
It was hard to argue with hunger and tiredness. He wasted no time and spoke to Corporal Heinz, explaining they could make their own choices here and now. The food would be divided out and the rifles again would be shared.
Corporal Heinz explained to the major that he would be leading them through the caverns and had no intention of leaving the group. He rode up to a tall man who was the blacksmith in the fort. He seemed to be discussing about leading a breakaway group.
The corporal and the blacksmith had a frank discussion. Their voices were raised, but never to the point of losing control.
The blacksmith was a large man, physically strong and very determined. He got his point across about what they wanted to do and it was time to take that chance.
They could not discuss forever – time was precious. Gathering some bits and pieces together the blacksmith then called out that those who wanted to follow him into the village were welcome. It did not take long for him to amass half of the remaining Austrian soldiers and civilians.
They asked for half of the rifles as promised and a wagon for the women and children who were also coming with them. The major walked over and shook his hand, speaking to him briefly in broken German before returning to the others.
It would take them around an hour to reach the village, almost the same as it would take the others to reach the caverns. The remaining Austrians hugged and kissed their compatriots before waving them off.
They didn’t waste any time setting off themselves. It had not taken long to share out the supplies as they were almost gone anyway. Only the water was well stocked. They had also been given more tools to use as weapons.
Corporal Heinz hoped they could overcome the long-limbs and that they would just be a small search party. It would give him great pleasure to meet them in Tokay.
The rifle fire in the distance was enough to indicate the fight for the village had begun. They hoped and prayed their fellow group members would overcome the enemy.
The opening to the cavern slowly came into sight.
They had very little oil for the lamps and darkness was not their friend. . Corporal Heinz believed they would have to spend the night in the cavern. It would not be ideal, but it would give them a chance to rest and then progress through to the other side the next day.
Reluctantly, they all crept into the opening. Its jagged rock face and awkward shape did not reassure everyone. For the most part it was reasonably dry inside and the opening was large enough for them to take the wagons in. Captain Hayward instructed some tired and hungry soldiers to cut down bushes to cover over their tracks.
They toyed with
the idea of pressing on through the caverns, but it would have been asking too much of the soldiers. Due to what had been hunting them, the pace had been set quite fast. After a brief discussion, Sergeant Butcher agreed to take the first watch, followed by Corporal Smith and then Major Richmond. Each watch would be accompanied by ten armed guards.
It was decided that, should something kick off in the night, they would retreat into the cavern and continue to make their way through. The wagons, however, could not be brought deeper into the caves. Their best chance was to take the horses they had and half the frame of a wagon and two wheels and then build something on the other side. The idea was that they could fashion a makeshift cart for the children who would not be able to maintain the pace they would need to escape the horde.
Corporal Smith asked if they could light some fires for warmth. Sergeant Butcher agreed it would be nice to have something warm in the caves, but wanted to check the fires could not be seen from the outside. This essentially meant they had to go in further and around a junction to ensure that no light would be visible.
They then started to build a fire while Captain Hayward went outside the mouth of the cave to check if he could see anything. Fortunately, he was able to report back to Sergeant Butcher that it was safe and that no light was giving away their position. Wood was needed for the fires, and small gathering parties were set up to collect what they could. Half of each wagon was dismantled. The supplies would have to be taken in the soldiers’ backpacks.
Corporal Heinz believed it would be only a day and a half of travelling once they were through the caverns.
The night sky was clear and the air fresh. The gunshots had stopped; no one wanted to guess whether that was a good or bad thing. Everyone was working well as a team, firewood was mounting up and all they wanted now was a hearty meal. The cook was busy at work trying to make something out of nothing. A couple of the civilians asked for permission to go hunting for rabbits.
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