To Be A Maestro (The Maestro Chronicles)

by Buttrick, John

  General Tallen turned to Yolan. “Send a rider to Fort Casum to inform Captain Johannan of the invasion. I want every signal tower spreading the alert across the entire border and a second rider dispatched to General Fisher. We must have whatever support the North Central Legion can provide.”

  Yolan snapped a salute. “It will be as you say, General.”

  Sir Laurence and Sir Carlo mounted their steeds and headed to the west gate while Sir William and Sir Tomas swung into their saddles and galloped toward the east.

  “Lieutenant Benkorren, take your squads to the south gate. Lieutenant SuKendall, your squad is with me,” Chas ordered and then broke into a jog to the north gate.

  He and his sentinels were so fit, they reached the wall at the same time General Tallen and General Malcus rode up on their steeds, and soon they were all moving up the steps to the inner ledge.

  “How did you get here so quickly?” Malcus asked while climbing.

  Chas shrugged. “We know the quickest way through the trees. Even so, I am looking forward to receiving the horses Sir Daniel promised us.”

  Tallen gave a firm nod of the head. “No doubt, yet I too have had the benefit of Daniel’s healing, and so have an idea where your endurance comes from,” he stated and then took his place on the ledge above the gate and peered north through his opticals. “Those trees behind the hill are the only thing slowing the enemy advance. They will have to assemble just outside of the tree line in order to make a credible charge.”

  Chas came up behind him and nodded agreement, having already deduced the obvious. He unsheathed his daggerlance and watched as Lieutenant SuKendall and her Lightning Squad did the same. The cavalrymen did not know the full power of the weapon.

  “Those miniature crossbows will be useful at taking down any horsemen that get close to the wall,” General Malcus apparently felt the need to say, perhaps wondering why daggers had been drawn rather than the crossbows.

  Many of Tallen’s men were holding the larger bows made by Sir Daniel for long range and the rest of the legionnaires had the standard issue short bows. Those with the longbows were staying low and out of enemy sight. Of the two thousand foot soldiers, three hundred had full sized crossbows.

  “Thanks to you and General Tallen, the gates and walls are well defended. Kall will pay a heavy price for every charge,” Chas replied.

  If the need were to arise, he would order the use of the deadlier aspect of the crossbows made by Sir Daniel. Chas had concerns about the fires getting out of control and threatening the forest, so the daggerlances seemed to be the best choice for the time being.

  Five patrolmen raced toward the gate, their horses at full gallop, and three more topped the grassy hill behind them. The first group passed into the holding and one rider charged over and down the hill when the second group was about fifty strides away and closing. By the time the last man, Reegle, reached safety, the entire crest of the hill was filled with mounted men wearing the familiar gray on black uniforms of the Sutton Guard. Some were taking up positions at the hilltop while the rest split right and left, yet none actually charged down. The intent seemed clear enough; surround the walls on all sides. Chas knew once they were all in position, the probing attacks would come to determine the weak spots, and no doubt catapults would be brought up from the rear. On the bright side, most of the horsemen on the hill were within range of the longbows and daggerlances.

  “Quicksilver Squad is still out there,” Lieutenant SuKendall stated as if Chas needed reminding.

  He understood the concern, the unit being one of the two under her direct command. “Sergeant Tanner is clever. If anyone can keep his squad alive out there it would be him,” Chas replied and then shifted his gaze to Sentinel Bow Kerren, the trumpeter. “Signal closure of the gates.”

  -------

  Jacob Tanner clung to the branch of an oak, well hidden above the passing of the Pentrosan legions. He estimated twenty thousand Sutton Guardsmen had ridden underneath him. Time marched on without a single rider going south, yet he waited, knowing there would be more. The cavalry units should have reached the Benhannon Holding and he figured the gates to be closed, if not Herling was making a big mistake, and it was doubtful the experienced commander would make such an error. Far below, supply wagons came into view, slowly navigating around pines, hickories, oaks, maples, and whatever other types of trees prevented them from driving a straight route. The rest of Quicksilver Squad had climbed up in the trees around him and were able to see the danger on the ground.

  The smart thing to do would be to stay in the trees, keep his squad safe, and come down when the danger is gone. Unfortunately he was feeling clever and in his mind being smart and clever did not always add up to the same thing. The wagons had food and teams of horses pulling them, things in short supply at the holding. Those wagons and teams were tempting, yet he had a small problem to overcome, the two hundred guardsmen providing them escort.

  Jacob heard dried branches snap under the wheels of something heavy and then a large wagon rolled into sight carrying a catapult. Behind the siege assault weapon he spotted a wagon with barrels of pitch. Rocks would not harm the walls and could not reach any buildings of the holding, not only because the greatest catapult ever made could not throw a boulder that far, it was also the fact that the trees within the holding would prove an impenetrable barrier. Balls of flaming pitch were another matter. Jacob envisioned all of the wooded areas within the Benhannon Holding on fire and made up his mind.

  A deep growl came from ahead of the procession and the horses became uneasy. Two more growls came from different directions and even the trained war mounts grew wide-eyed and their riders struggled to keep them calm. Jacob smiled. Dusk, Twi, and Wind, the panthers he recently met at the great meeting along with the rest of the animals serving Sir Daniel, were providing a distraction. He drew his daggerlance and raised his free hand, signaling the attack. He aimed towards the escort rider farthest ahead and touched the ruby. A blue lance of light shot forth, sailed straight, and struck the officer, passing all the way through his back and unfortunately through the neck of his horse before they both collapsed to the ground. Jacob took aim and launched another lance of light, killing another rider, and this time managing not to hit the stallion. He noticed more riders falling to the ground while the men around them tried desperately to see not only where the attack was coming from, but also trying to determine what was killing their comrades while developing a defensive line.

  Jacob could see the lances of light he shot vanish after hitting his target but not those sent by his squad. He could tell by the holes being punched into bodies, horses, wagons and pieces of wood splintering and flying everywhere that some of his people were just aiming in the general direction and rapidly touching their rubies. Jana Bencain, her long black hair hanging out of her helmet in a braid, occupying the tree to his right, took aim and a wagon driver suddenly flew out of his seat and was pinned to the ground by an invisible lance. His body slumped when the potential faded.

  Pentrosan guardsmen shot crossbow bolts up into the trees seemingly at random, no doubt still having difficulty figuring out what was killing them, while being clever enough to realize the attack was from above. One bolt happened to strike Jacob on the right leg and snagged in the wool. His shield amulet protected his skin but not his uniform. He snatched the bolt away, making the rip worse, and threw the nasty thing to the ground. A series of quick gestures had his squad in motion, rapidly making their way to the ground. Carn and Jana landed beside him along with Jax, Tobin, and Kater. Breaker team dropped behind the procession, going after the spare horses, while Clipper team went after the catapult crews, and Dasher team went for the supply wagons. Jacob would lead Anchor team against the escorts.

  The surviving hundred or more guardsmen providing escort finally had someone to shoot at and raised their crossbows. Before the Pentrosans could loose, Jacob aimed his daggerlance and touched the ruby over and over again, sending lance after lanc
e into the enemy, and killing many. Half of the guardsmen were cranking back their crossbows while the rest sent bolts back at him, ripping his uniform here and there. A Lieutenant dropped his crossbow, drew his sword and charged. Jacob drew his own sword and ran forward, ready to meet his foe blade to blade when a huge hairy fist swung out from the tree above the officer’s head, and smacked the man right out of the saddle. He landed with his head bent sharply to the right and glassy eyes staring blankly. A sasquatch, black as pitch, swung down, landing lightly for a beast so huge. Jacob recognized the creature.

  Scores of sasquatches joined the skirmish and the fight ended quicker than it otherwise would have. “My thanks, Buraker for the assist,” he called to the beast.

  The big male walked right up to him and growled, “Alfa Daniel say we should defend hunting ground.” The words were distinguishable, barely, yet clear enough to communicate the meaning.

  It came as no surprise to hear Sir Daniel knew of the invasion and sent the panthers to make the distraction and these beasts to help with the fighting. This also meant the knight approved of the decision to attack the supply trains. “Sentinels, try not to kill anymore horses, they are better than gold out here. Breaker, Clipper, and Dasher teams, get those surviving horses and the wagons far to the west. Breaker team, stay with the spoils. The rest of you come back and prepare for the next ambush,” Jacob shouted.

  Every Sentinel now had a horse and they moved farther north and hid among the trees. An osprey landed in the pine above and Jacob felt the familiarity, indicating this bird is an ally. Within a tenth of a mark another train of wagons approached with a similar number of escorts. “Thanks Echo,” he told the raptor and watched as hornets swept out of the trees and began harassing the escorts and drivers.

  While the Pentrosans swatted vainly at the pests, Jacob signaled the attack and led Anchor team against the escorts while the other teams went for the wagon drivers and catapult crews. The panthers roared and sasquatches dropped from the trees, leaping with skills that would make an acrobat envious, and sweeping men out of their saddles. Jacob aimed his dagger at an officer charging at him and touched the ruby. The captain’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked down at his shield and then chest and found a gaping hole in both. He fell to the ground. Jacob faced the rest of the cavalrymen and shot lance after lance at the enemy while they sent countless bolts back in his direction. One bolt struck his helmet and fell harmlessly to the ground.

  Around him drivers fell from wagon benches and horsemen off their steeds, struck by invisible lances, some by sasquatches, and a few falling while covered with hornets. One soldier fell off his horse and ran into the trees. Twi sprang onto the man, biting down on his throat, and Jacob decided to look elsewhere. Roars and screams came from the surrounding trees and he knew Wind and Dusk were also doing their part. Wiry Jax Talmin actually stood fighting a man sword to sword. The Sentinel should stick with the daggerlance, yet even so had the advantage. The Pentrosan’s blade slipped through Jax’s defense, striking him in the chest. The man only had a moment to wonder why his point did not sink in before Jax’s blade took off his head.

  Jana and Carn fought side by side, horses’ right next to each other, launching invisible lances at the Pentrosans until running out of targets. Jacob noted his squad had improved, taking the time to aim rather than sending lances rapidly in the general direction of what they wanted to hit. Unfortunately, scores of horses died in the skirmish, although not near the amount of the previous encounter. “Get these horses and wagons to the others and be careful with those barrels of pitch,” He ordered and watched as the horses, catapults, and wagons were being led away.

  It had taken longer to gather the rider-less horses and frightened teams than it did to kill all of the Pentrosans. Still, he was pleased with the outcome. In just two encounters they had taken twenty food wagons, sixty-three horses, and deprived the enemy of six catapults. When Clipper and Dasher teams returned he called out, “Move north out of sight of these bodies. We don’t want to spoil the surprise for our guests.”

  They rode until the aftermath of the last skirmish was out of sight and then hid amongst the trees.

  “How long do we have before the next train arrives?” Kater’s deep voice carried from his point of concealment.

  Tobin’s clean-shaven bald head, he must have lost his helmet, and half his horse came into view as he peaked around the trunk of a stout pine. “They will be here in half a mark, seeing as they had to stop to relieve themselves,” he spoke authoritatively to his younger brother, and then added, “Really, Kater, how should I know?”

  Jacob made a slashing gesture with his right hand, meaning, cut the talk, and the guilty parties grew silent. Echo returned and perched next to him, signaling the approach of another wagon train. A short time passed and the escorts came into view. Hornets swarmed in to pester the riders while Twi, Wind, and Dusk let out their mighty roars. Horses reared up on their hind legs and the men, those who had not been thrown to the ground, were too busy trying to bring their mounts under control to even think about their swords or crossbows. Jacob signaled the attack and charged out of concealment on the horse he decided to name, Stealer. Anchor team charged out with him and they sent volley after volley of light lances at the Pentrosans, while trying very hard not to hit any of the horses. This one turned out to be the largest train so far with four hundred defenders, forty supply wagons, and fourteen catapults.

  Jacob aimed his dagger at the man jockeying towards him through the trees and touched the ruby. A blue lance of light shot out, punched through the horseman, and into the fellow coming up behind him. All around Pentrosans were screaming and dying as lances they could not see slew them and beasts sprang from concealment, snatching men from their saddles, and then pulled them to their deaths.

  Kater leaped from his horse, sword in hand, and onto a wagon carrying pitch. He landed between two men and stabbed the driver through the neck. The other fellow flamed a torch and tossed it at the barrels. Fire exploded, each container blew apart, and fiery tongues instantly enveloped the entire wagon. Kater, fully engulfed, screamed and jumped off along with the burning fire-starter.

  The battle raged on and not a moment could be spared to check on Kater, who slipped into the woods. A Sutton Guardsman launched a bolt and Jacob managed to get his left arm up in time to bat the projectile aside and send a lance of light into and out the other side of the man’s neck. Little time could be spared in rejoicing over a single victory. Jacob simply aimed and launched lances as quickly as he could. The fight took so long, another train arrived and two hundred additional defenders raced to join the struggle. He and his squad sent lance after lance into the horsemen as they weaved through the trees. The Pentrosans’ otherwise coordinated charge was hampered by the many trunks they had to avoid, which provided time enough to aim at them.

  The range of a lance of light seemed to have no limit. Pretty much whatever Jacob could see, he could hit, and did so to the best of his ability. Bolts and arrows, some of the cavalrymen in this group had short bows, sailed through the air, some sinking into trees, and some tearing holes in the wool. Jacob looked down in disgust at the slashes, rips, and punctures in his coat. He raised his dagger and an arrow flew right up his sleeve. The minor irritation did not stop him from touching the ruby but it did cause him to miss his shot, and it was blasted inconvenient to stop and remove the shaft. By then the shooter was nearly upon him, grinning with the anticipation of victory, when Carn rode up from behind a tree and stabbed the Pentrosan in the neck with the dagger. It was the first time Jacob had seen anyone use the new weapon in such a mundane fashion, but it worked! The Sentinel’s wife frowned in disapproval.

  The fight had taken three quarters of a mark and rounding up hundreds of horses and scores of wagons took nearly two full marks. Each Sentinel had rips in their uniforms and only one person hurt. Tobin rode up leading a horse with Kater moaning on its back. What remained of the wounded Sentinel’s uniform was bla
ck and barely covered him decently and he clearly could not grasp the reigns. The shield amulet protected most of him, yet not completely, after all he had been totally engulfed in flames.

  “How badly hurt is he?” Jacob asked as the two men came near and the bald Sentinel drew reign, bringing both horses to a stop.

  Tobin glanced at Kater before answering. “His fingertips have been burned to the bone, enough of the heat went up into his helmet to damage his ears, and his tongue is badly burned. I suppose with all of the screaming, the flames entered his mouth and seared whatever it could reach. I imagine the pain is awful but he will live. Hopefully, Sir Daniel will be able fix him up.”

  Kater opened his eyes and they were both seared beyond usage. He had been injured in all of the vulnerable points, a lesson each Sentinel needed to take to heart. Jacob could do nothing for the man except wrap his wounds and find him a pair of pants from one of the fallen soldiers. “Tobin, take Kater to Breaker team, they can look after him while we prepare for the next train.”

  “It will be as you say, Sergeant,” Tobin replied and started off, leading the other horse by the reigns while Kater continued to moan.

  Jana turned to her husband. “I told you these shields cannot save us from everything the enemy could throw at us. Kater took an unnecessary risk and look what it got him, deaf, blind, and dumb. He could have holed both men using his daggerlance. But no, he wanted to get up close and physical.”

  “She makes a good point,” Jacob spoke up. “We cannot afford to get up close and physical with each man. We must kill as many as we can, quickly and before they get close enough for a one on one encounter. We have the better weapons and defense, but that does not mean we can’t be swarmed under by their vastly superior numbers.”