At once I drew rein and was glad to see that everyone of mine had marked my orders. Sapphire and I turned left as soon as our speed was manageable, well short of the spears levelled at us. Our man would have to manoeuvre if he was going to protect his flanks. I glanced over my shoulder and was glad to see Dannat and Jek heading to menace the other flank. Drant and Pradas were facing off their enemy but making no move to come over the barricade in force, and so the attack had faltered there;. threats and taunts filled the air and men made the occasional move as if to attack but none amounted to more than bravado. Our man watched us from behind his spear line, each man turning slightly to keep the point of his weapon levelled our way. Stand-off; but when Sapphire came to the end of their line and threatened their flank they would be forced to act, dressing their line, and that would give us an opportunity.
I was wishing that I were more confident those we were effectively defending would act to support us. Then Sapphire took matters into his own hands.
Ahead of me, Sapphire wrenched his mount around in a tight circle and one of the spearmen attacked, stepping forward and thrusting his weapon hard up toward Sapphire. But Sapphire had anticipated the move and was already sliding out of the saddle, using the mount as a shield. Setting his feet firmly he pushed and manoeuvred the struggling horse to sidle toward the spearman. In an instant the mount panicked, spinning, bucking and kicking wildly, knocking the man from his feet. I didn't watch further. Unorthodox, unexpected, insane even, the tactic was breeching the enemy line and causing chaos. Without hesitation I emulated the manoeuvre, knowing that my horse was not sufficiently well trained to even think about riding forward into a line of spearmen, knowing that even at a gallop it might baulk and shy away from the spears, or be killed; even so I had seen from Sapphire's example that a ton of panicked animal was still a viable weapon. If I hadn't been a damn good horseman I wouldn't have been able to pull it off; my own mount was spooked and barely under my control even before Sapphire's mount panicked close by. Still, I made it happen, then nearly got knocked from my feet as the horse plunged away. I was left staggering, facing chaos and had only a moment to set myself and step forward before the closest spearman regained his balance. I got past his guard easily. Wounded, he fell back against his comrades, near knocking one from his feet. But they were not merely civilians with weapons, their discipline had spoken of training and experience; yet they were unarmored and we had broken their line and Sapphire had killed their officer. Those who faced the barricade turned back and forth uncertainly, fearful of us yet unable to stomach turning their backs on the enemy at the barricade, needing to answer the threat we represented. I parried a spear, ran my sword down its shaft and took a couple of fingers of the man's hand. He cursed and stepped away, then turned and ran. No one seemed willing to take his place; I was too close for the men who had their backs to me to ignore and they parted, turned to face me, eyes wide and taking in everything. They stepped back, realized they had nowhere to go without presenting their backs to a foe and when their comrades broke and fled a moment later they didn't hesitate to abandon the fight, followed by jeers and catcalls from our potential allies and leaving more than a half dozen dead or wounded and unable to flee.
I assessed my own people briefly; Sapphire watching everywhere, Dannat grim and dour, Jek looking sick as he surveyed the wounded. Not one of us had a horse to our name and I quickly scanned the area to see that only two had been caught by our comrades, the rest fled beyond a reasonable chance of recovery. I took a moment to look back down the road we had travelled, not having forgotten that we were pursued. Satisfied for the moment that there was no sign of Ishal Laharek and his men, I waved to Jocasta and the rest that they should join us, then turned back to the barricade, looking for Pradas, then decided it didn't matter. I wasn't going to make a secret of what I intended, there was no point, so the more who heard the better.
I raised my voice above the general hubbub or celebration and let them have it. “I am Sumto Cerulian, Patron of the city, and I offer friend and ally status to Learneth. A cohort of city soldiers accompanied by sorcerers and healers march here to your aid. Hathen Elt thinks he rules here and chaos in your streets is the result. Join with me and you will re-gain your city.”
“At what price?” Drant raised his voice angrily over mine. He stood on the barricade, leaning over and waving an axe in my direction.
“You need allies if you are to restore order. I am offering you salvation, and as to price, there is none that cannot be borne. As a friend and ally of the people of the city, as my clients, your trade routes will be kept clear of bandits, your people protected, your freedoms assured. The price is only this, that as I aid you so should you aid me at need. In return...”
“And if the aid is more than we wish to give?”
I ignored the interruption. I was on a roll. “In return order is restored and your lives continue. Would you be as you are, merely protecting what you have against your own people? Protecting less each day? Would you continue in the chaos of Civil war? Will Learneth even survive should things continue as they are? Where are your women? Where are your children? What future for them in chaos? You must gather in strength and move against your enemy, or at least defend yourselves against him until such time as your allies arrive. Begin now. Let those who accept my offer of aid step over the barricade and join me now!”
“Wait!” Drant's voice was heeded by some, but others were already moving.
It was deftly done, even if I do say so myself. Aid them first so that they can see that my offer has substance. Then give them a clear choice and enjoin them to act at once should they accept it. Some would always chose and act at once. And some did. Most did.
“Why wait?” Pradas called back, already on our side. “The choice is clear. Who wants to be on the wrong side of a city cohort?”
We have a reputation for fair dealing. We also have a reputation for ruthlessness. Both are deserved.
“The choice is clear,” I didn't raise my voice, but made it resonate. “Be our friend or be our enemy, for we are coming. Hathen Elt is our enemy. He and his have made war on our people. Do not be his ally. Be mine.”
It was all done bar the shouting. They were mine.
#
Out of sight, out of mind. At least, that was the theory.
The compound was well structured. A small section of warehouses with barricaded roads, inside which thirty men and more than twice that number in women and children found shelter. I didn't have time to do more than take a quick look around and satisfy myself that all was as well arranged as possible. Ishal Laharek was behind us and I didn't know how far or how fast he was coming. When he arrived I had to be ready for him, at least as ready as I could be. For now, I had a base and we were out of sight. I couldn't match him in magic, but I could theoretically outstrip him in numbers. But I needed more numbers. I could also out-think him. I hoped. The horses were gone. Stripped of gear and led hard away by Sapphire, who would scatter them to the north of the town and then ride hell-for-leather to fetch Meran and my two centuries. I needed them and had decided that this is where Lendrin Treleth would have his trading post, and a stable town to trade with when I was done with it. For now, no trail would lead Ishal and his men directly here. When he came to the city, he would not know where to look. At least, not until I was ready for him. And by then... well, I would be ready for him.
“When will they get here?”
It was Pradas who asked the leading question. I looked him over; he was one of the two that I had already issued with the weapons and armor that we had looted from the men we had killed at Darklake and he presented a suitably martial aspect. He already looked like a soldier of mine to his fellows, representing me to them and showing that my leadership had value.
It took a moment for me to realize he did not mean Ishal Laharek and his cronies whom I'd been thinking of, but instead Meran and my two centuries. I didn't know the answer.
We had taken residence in
the largest dwelling attached to one of the four warehouses that formed our enclosure. It was a many roomed building and well appointed. The main room was comfortable enough, with a long table and a well fed fire. We, however, were not well fed. Food was in short supply. I'd ordered an inventory and it was underway but would take some time to conclude. In the meantime we had gathered to wait and plan. Leading questions were what I wanted to be asking, not answering, but Pradas had cut to the heart of it, knowing he would have to give an answer when he himself was asked.
“Two or three days,” I said casually, casting around for something to distract him with.
He was not alone. Apart from my own people, Drant and a man called Tain were with us, representing the townsfolk who had become my clients. I needed them busy, not hanging around picking holes in my plan.
“I need to get word out of what is happening, to persuade people to our side. The more of the good citizens of Learneth who are in our ranks, the fewer may be put at risk when it comes to fighting. Which it will, make no mistake. Still, no reason why we should risk more than we have to.” I didn't pause for breath, or thought. I was making it up as I went along and had time for neither distraction. “Pick your most well known men and send them out to spread the word; there will be food and safety in my camp for any who come to claim it.” Rioting and civil disorder bring food shortages in no time. People would be hungry and desperate. An offer of food and safety would bring them to me. “Jek? You are a certain candidate to organize this, a headman of a village and well known. You and Pradas, get on it. Drant.” I dared not leave him with time on his hands. “Everyone else must be gathered as soon as can be to make the oath of clientship. Don't fret...” I raised a hand to forestall him; he had opened his mouth and I didn't want anyone else talking or thinking. “...I will make their burden to me light, and the benefits high. I have wealth enough for everyone with me, and everyone will need wealth to rebuild after this is all over. I have one hundred and fifty thousand coin, mostly in scrip but none the worse for that. City scrip is trusted.”
Drant's eyes had gone wide. Good. Greed worked in my favour.
“I look after my own,” I was deliberately holding Drant's greedy gaze with my own. “Each man who joins me will receive fifty coin.” I hastily did the math; guessing the population here at eight thousand there would be roughly two thousand adult men who could fight. That took care of a hundred thousand coin. “Fifty thousand will be spent on any rebuilding to be done after things are settled.” I was broke. “After that, we will see. But no client of mine sees hardship. And the enemy must pay, and when they have paid there will be booty to spare.”
Drant's eyes narrowed. “You are thinking of taking the war to them?”
“They brought the war to us,” Jek ground out the words fiercely. He and Pradas had moved away to stand by the fire and put their heads together, but both could still hear us. “The blackrobes are Necromancers out of Battling Plain. You have heard the rumours of them? Well I have seen the reality in the north and now in my own village. What would you have us do? Be ruled by them?”
“Or ruled by the city.” Drant stated it plain, but inaccurately.
“Friend and ally status does not imply rule, Drant There will be no city magistrate here, your council will remain, except for those upon it who have proven themselves your enemies by allying themselves with the enemies of your people. Look at your town. Look what they have brought to your door already. Strife and chaos. How many have died already at their instigation? I tell you plain, as the patron of Learneth I will take nothing from the city, not one coin. The benefit is all yours.” I'd tax the trading post and Lendrin Treleth to make my money back, so in a way the town would pay in higher prices for city goods, but there would be no direct tax. “You benefit from our armies when you need them.” My armies, if I could raise them. “You gain the benefit of free trade with the city, and safe passage wherever your people wish to trade, and protection and redress under our laws. I will not loot Learneth to give wealth to my clients, nor will I tax it once peace is established. All I will ask is that if I choose to raise troops here that I may do so, taking those who come freely to my call and paying them, training them and equipping them out of my own pocket. Not much to ask, really, is it?”
He was thinking about it. I let him think.
“Jek? Pradas? You are still here?” I had been aware of them, both armed and armored. I'd noticed that Jocasta had joined them and that she was clearly done talking to them now.
“I thought to take the oath before we went about your business, Patron.” Jek gave the word emphasis and I almost smiled. I'd often enough been addressed as patron, but this was the first time I had been called Patron. It's like the difference between sir and Sire. I nodded assent.
“I swear to serve the interests and obey the wishes of Sumto Cerulean,” Jek began. There was more. It was a simple oath, but binding. Jocasta had primed them, I guessed, given them the wording of the oath. In essence they agreed to be my men, to obey my orders and look out for my interests in all things. In return I would look after them as though they were family. In essence they did become family, and one does not see family starve or suffer hardship without intervening. There were things I would not, and by tradition could not ask them to do. For me it wasn't actually such a great deal, but the bigger my clientship the more clout I had back home. And I meant to have plenty of clout, in time. The injustice and the evil of the Necromancers' intent had sparked a fire in me, a determination that people not be subject to the rule of such as these. Better the city. Better me. I was no longer here to explore, no longer here to scout and send reports home. Now I was here to rule.
When they were done, Drant and Tain followed suit, having clearly made up their minds that I was the lesser of two evils. As they spoke the words I caught sight of Jocasta's expression, her eyes shining with pride. I managed not to smile; the words being spoken would be diminished by levity, but I did not doubt she could read my pleasure in her pride in me. But there was no time to bask in her approval. I needed to act. The civil disorder in Learneth needed to be put down fast, and when the dust settled, me and mine needed to be in control. Food was the key; civil disorder disrupts trade, markets are wrecked, bakeries looted, drovers stripped of their flocks. All this and more had been happening over the last few days, as I'd already heard. What I needed was control of livestock and slaughtermen to turn it into food that I would then distribute to the needy who would then become the loyal. I'd need to move quickly.
I pointed to the pile of armor and arms. Five left from Darklake and the two sets from the men we had fought at the barricade. “Pick two sets that fit well enough and arm yourselves the better to protect your people,” I told them.
When they were kitted out I sent Drant to gather the others and put it to them that they should swear to me. I had no doubt he would be persuasive. He was a convert. A sword, a helm and a shield, and money promised, his lot was already improved as my client. While he was gone I began to gather intelligence from Tain. I began to lay plans. A soon as I had enough men sworn to me and under arms I would strike out and make sure I could make good on the promises that Jek and Pradas would be spreading among the people of Learneth. One empty belly could ruin my plans. I couldn't let that happen. I remembered the conflict outside our walls and the herd animals being fought over. I needed them, not just some but control of all. I'd have a better picture of what was happening in the town when Jek and Pradas returned. Until then I could pick the brains of Tain concerning the layout of Learneth, which would have mutated over the years from the basic plan of a city fort to something new. I needed to know where the infrastructure of the town was located, where the civic buildings were, and so forth, and who had control of them. And I needed a drink, and sleep and time to think but first things first. Look after my people. Because having taken responsibility for them, they were my responsibility. So while my men worked on my behalf I asked Tain questions and he answered them. My man, dress
ed in armor and carrying weapons I had supplied. My client, and I was his Patron.
#
“I may need your help, Dubaku.” I kept my voice low. Twenty men walked with us and I didn't want them to hear me.
Bodies littered the open ground. The fighting I'd witnessed when we arrived had slackened; and though I could still hear sounds of conflict, I couldn't see any immediate threat. My potential enemies had thinned each other out somewhat; the bad side of that was that my potential allies were weaker as well. I didn't trust any of the city guards; Tain didn't know who they followed and there was no easy way to tell them apart. Still, there were no guardsmen in sight at the moment. And no livestock either, though again I could hear them, cattle and sheep, both panicky. I needed them, no matter who had them, so my choice was made for me. Head for the sounds of the livestock and fight for them if need be, or gather whoever had them as allies, if they would talk.
Dubaku, who walked beside me, nodded but said nothing more. I prayed he would be able to make a difference if needed. I had only twenty men with me and only seven of them were properly equipped. Right now, in the chaos of the city, this might be as good as any other band. But none of them were experienced fighting men. We would need all the help we could get if we found ourselves outnumbered. I needed to blood them, I needed an easy victory, I needed to turn them into soldiers fast.
“I don't know what you can do,” I kept my voice low, “so I'm going to have to let you judge it. Act only if we need help. I don't want the victory to be yours. But I can't lose men either. It's in your hands.”
He nodded again. I'd never gotten around to asking him what he could do. Now it was too damn late. I'd have to trust him.
The Key To The Grave (#2 The Price Of Freedom) Page 17