by N. C. Reed
“Every inch of it,” Rained agreed. “There's iron in that one, milord.”
“I'll be riding out tomorrow,” Parno said suddenly and Raines blinked at the abrupt change of subject.
“I had thought you would be here longer, milord,” he ventured carefully. Was something wrong?
“No need of it,” Parno shook his head. “You're doing just fine without any interference from me. I'll leave a letter for the general of the cavalry division to carry to Davies but he'll know how best to use them I'm sure. Meanwhile, I'll try and make sure you get some help to the south. Also,” he paused for a second, “also, you'll soon I hope be receiving a delivery from Nasil for your artillery contingent along with a group of advisers. Listen to them very carefully General. The weapons they're bringing helped me destroy the Nor at Cumberland and they'll aid you here as well.”
“Ensure that your artillery commander knows to listen to these men. They aren't so high ranking and they're a bit rough around the edges, but they know how to use these new weapons. They also know how badly things can go wrong when proper precautions aren't taken.”
“These must be some weapons, milord,” Raines mentioned.
“You honestly won't believe it until you see it,” Parno shook his head. “Trust me though, if we can get them into constant and reliable production then crushing the Nor just got much easier. General, you're doing a remarkable job here,” Parno changed the subject yet again. “You'll have to keep doing it, too. There's no help in the immediate future except what we can do to deceive the enemy. We have men training now, good men who will be even better if they survive the training, but it takes time. Time the enemy won't just give us. We'll have to take it.”
“We'll keep them fooled, milord,” Raines promised, hoping he wouldn't wind up eating those words someday.
“There's a new unit I formed that might already be in the field by now,” Parno continued. “They'll be working their way around the Nor right and trying to cut off their lines of communications as well as disrupt any provisioning they can. Spread terror and confusion where they can't.”
“Like the old days,” Raines nodded, smiling, but the smile faded as Parno looked at him.
“No, not like the old days,” the young prince suddenly looked much older than his age. “It's a black flag operation, General. No mercy, no quarter, no prisoners. You'll extend the same to the enemy here. Raise the flag as a warning if you wish, I'll leave that to you, but we will not be taking prisoners. Interrogate them, get what you can from them, then execute them.” Raines had paled a bit at that.
“Milord, we've always-”
“And no more,” Parno cut him off. “This attack was planned using all of our history against us. They attack, we defend. They invade, we repulse. Who suffers for this every time? Our people, General. Their own people sit safe at home because the Soulan Army never crosses the River Ohi and always act with honor, returning their captured men even though they kill ours. Well, that's a thing of the past.”
“We can't feed them,” Parno was brutally honest. “Can't spare the men to guard them, for that matter. And we need to start sending a message to the Nor soldiers. A message they can't possibly misunderstand; you come here, we kill you. Period. Understand?”
“I do,” Raines nodded thoughtfully. “It's not without precedent you know,” he added suddenly. Parno looked at him questioningly.
“Tyree did much the same once, milord,” Raines placed his hands behind him, easing into lecture mode. He had been a teacher at the Army Academy for several years prior to his rise to Corps command. “Early after the Burning, milord, before there was even a kingdom. Was almost his undoing according to what I've read. His superiors at the time were very upset with him. But it worked,” Raines added with a slight grin. “We'll do the same here. Do you want any high-value prisoners sent to Nasil?”
“No,” Parno's voice was flat. “As I said, get what you can from them, then get rid of them. How, I leave up to you.”
“I will see to it, sir,” Raines promised. “Where will you be off to next?” he asked, moving away from such a black subject.
“I am unsure at the moment,” Parno admitted. “I should ride to Nasil and give a report to the King I suppose. It's too far to ride to 4th and 5th Corps headquarters while the battle hangs in the balance here, but I will be dispatching riders ordering General Herrick to free up a reliable militia division to assist in patrolling the river south of you. Most of that shore line is his area of responsibility after all. Until I hear from Admiral Semmes I can't afford any more than that, just in case that fleet really is loaded to the gills with Nor soldiers. If he can defeat that force, then I'll bring Herrick and 5th Corps north. Freeman will just have to cover the best he can.”
“On that note, I'll be sending him your idea here about the observation posts. It should be easy enough to erect such posts along our shores to spy out enemy landings. He can use that to hide his real strength as well.”
“Anyway, I appreciate your hospitality General,” Parno smiled briefly. “Now I need to meet with my staff and I think I'll retire early. Long ride tomorrow.” Without waiting for a reply Parno left the porch, heading for the building where his own staff were working.
Raines had to admit that he was impressed by Memmnon's little brother. For the first time since he'd seen the Wildmen on the bridge, Raines felt as if there might be hope for their survival after all.
Parno walked across the busy street shadowed by Berry and several of his men, now working in shifts to 'keep an eye' on the Prince. Entering the building he'd taken over upon his arrival, Parno noted Enri Willard pouring over dispatches and walked over to his top adviser's side.
“This is two days old, milord,” Enri noted the report. “Still quiet to Davies' front. He's seen some movement, but there's been no attempt to attack his positions. This is somewhat older,” he picked up another. “Admiral Semmes has rendezvoused with the other squadrons as of seven days ago and was at that point maneuvering for a good position to attack. As of yet they cannot ascertain if the troop ships actually have troops or not.”
“Quiet on other fronts as of no more than four days ago,” Willard concluded. “A note from Beaumont that he would be heading into the field tomorrow, if his schedule has held. He reported no difficulties and that the units had drilled hard, working well together. He used the time he needed to gather supplies and equipment to allow the units some time to work up as a whole.”
“Good plan,” Parno nodded. “Send a message to General Herrick,” he ordered. “He's to provide one militia division, this one well trained, equipped and behaved, to patrol the southern leg of the Great River. That unit will be under Raines' command until further notice. Make sure that Raines' gets a copy of the order.” Willard nodded as his own secretary scribbled furiously.
“Next, send Freeman and Herrick both the general outline of what Raines is doing with his outposts. If they haven't already implemented this plan, they are to do so as soon as possible and then devise a warning system to alert them of any possible incursions by sea. Those veterans too old or injured to be able to serve in a field command can be used to man and command the outposts.” Parno paused for a moment, then added; “and they are not to automatically exclude women from that duty, either. Capable women are just as efficient as men at that kind of work, and they free up men who otherwise would be fighting. Their pay and privileges are to be commiserate with any other of its kind. Stress that I will be checking on that and would be displeased to find it was not so.”
“Will do,” Enri nodded.
“That engineer, Fields I think his name was, I want him going with us to Nasil. Once there I want him working on a model of the Tinsee similar to what he did here for the Great River. I'd like another of the Lovil area if he can manage that using maps and drawings of the area. That model allows a good view of the terrain and the forces in the field. Excellent idea. Ensure that he and Raines are both commended for it.” Willard nodded ag
ain.
“Issue orders to all posts that Raines is now commanding the Soulan Second Army and is in command of all forces in his theater of operations. The only exceptions to that are the IG, any Crown agents, and the Sheep. If you think of anyone else that should be exempt, add them as well.”
“Yes sir.”
“And have the unit prepared to march at daybreak,” Parno concluded. “Raines is doing a first rate job here and I am in no way needed. We'll ride to Nasil on the morrow and report to the king, then decide where we go from there. Probably back to the west with Davies, but we'll see.”
“Yes milord,” Enri showed no surprise at the order to move out. Parno didn't know if he'd expected it or he was just always prepared for it. Either way, Parno was too tired to worry over it.
“And I'm going to bed,” he smiled tiredly. “I'm too young to feel this old.”
“We all get that way time to time, milord,” Enri smiled back. “We'll be ready in the morning.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
-
“When are we going to attack, General?”
Wilson bit back a sigh as Daly's voice floated to him across the room he used as an office. He turned to see the arrogant nobleman standing at the door expectantly.
“You'll receive notice of any orders posted, Brigadier,” Wilson managed to say calmly, reminding Daly of his own position.
“As the Emperor's representative-”
“I've had no command from the Emperor to treat you as such,” Wilson cut him off cleanly. “You were assigned to me as my Chief of Staff, a job you are well qualified for but cannot seem to fulfill due to your constant machinations and intrigues.” His voice was cool now. “Should the Emperor inform me to treat you as his representative in the field, I will of course extend that courtesy to you, just as I follow all of my Emperor's instructions or even advice.” He picked up a parchment from his desk and held it out to the still smirking Daly.
“It would seem that the Emperor isn't quite as displeased with my actions as you believed he would be,” Wilson relished this moment. “He has, in fact, endorsed my plan to consolidate our position and strengthen our communications before proceeding. He notes the failures of the past being a result of a lack of foresight in that area and commends our caution as, and I quote, 'necessary and appropriate'.” Daly took the parchment as if it would bite him, glancing at the words upon it.
“He does not mention you at all, Brigadier,” Wilson fought to keep the smugness from his voice and was mostly successful. “Not as his representative, as my Chief of Staff, nor even as a kinsman. Nor does he mention any of the reports I'm sure you have sent to his offices since this campaign began. Since I cannot fathom any such report viewing me in a favorable light I am forced to assume that the Emperor has simply chosen to. . .ignore you.”
Daly's face flushed beet red at that last barb and he fought to keep his hand from trembling as he lowered the parchment, tossing it back onto Wilson's desk.
“So it would seem that your reluctance to attack has infected my cousin,” Daly almost sneered, though he was careful not to outright accuse his relative of cowardice. “We are sitting here with a massive, well trained army instead of attacking the Soulanies where they live! What use is an army if we aren't using it!”
“Idiot,” Wilson snarled and Daly almost recoiled. Wilson had never spoken to him in such a manner before and it caught him by surprise. “We're destroying Soulan every day we sit here you short sighted moron. Do you not comprehend how many acres, how many square miles of their precious farm land we are preventing them from utilizing by our presence here?”
“What difference does that make?” Daly shot back. “Their army is not three miles distant from this spot and yet we do nothing!”
“It's always struck me as odd that you, who has never led men in combat nor seen any yourself, are always so eager to see the blood of our own soldiers spilled to satisfy your misguided notions of what it means to be powerful,” Wilson's voice was cutting. “Their army is three miles distant, and cannot move for fear of opening still more of their land to us. They are paralyzed by our presence and our other forces in the field and at sea, while we move at our leisure. Movement is everything in warfare, Brigadier, and we have denied the Soulan Army any freedom of movement, anywhere.”
“Meanwhile, their planting season is already underway and we are sitting on thousands of square miles of their best lands. Come winter their people will be starving for that food but it will not be coming because it won't have been grown to start with!”
“Despite the ineptitude of Therron McLeod, don't for an instant think that the rest of the Soulan royal family is stupid, nor are their retainers. They know the damage we're doing to them by just sitting here. They will soon be forced to move against us by the circumstances, whether they want to or not. We outnumber them at least three-to-one and we will not be caught in unprepared camps again.” Wilson calmed slightly as he walked to the map on his wall.
“They will have no choice but to throw their army against us in an attempt to dislodge our forces and free their lands from occupation. Instead of wasting the blood of our men on headlong attacks against their defenses, we'll wait for them to come to us.” He turned again to face Daly.
“They will break upon our lances and pikes, Brigadier, and when they have then, then Brigadier, we will move south and conquer the so called Kingdom of Soulan. Their army will lay in ruins and there will be nothing else to oppose us. Our objective, General, is not to occupy ground, nor to seize cities. No, our objective is to destroy the Army of Soulan once and for all!”
“And with that done, we will hand this place to the Emperor to rule over as he does our own lands. There will be no one left to oppose his rightful rule and the only army on this continent worthy of the name will be under his command.”
“Now get out,” Wilson's timbre changed suddenly. “I've grown weary of your foolishness. Stay out of our way and keep your mouth shut and you may maintain your position and the privileges that go with it. Interfere and we'll see who the Emperor supports more; you, or me.”
Stunned, Daly almost stumbled as he turned to leave Wilson's office. Having fancied himself as the 'real' power in the command of the Imperial Army, Daly had just been handed a rude awakening. In a daze of sudden and unpleasant awareness of his insignificance he made his way outside and toward his own camp. As he walked his emotions ran a gauntlet of tides, beginning with embarrassment and shame, then turning to thoughts of how he'd been betrayed by his cousin. Only the luck of birth had given him the throne rather than Daly after all.
By the time he reached his over-sized camp of guards, retainers, hangers on and 'followers', Daly had worked himself into a rage of epic proportions. He decided as he stormed into his own quarters that Wilson would pay for this slight and, if the gods were with him, so would his cousin the Emperor.
Pay very dearly indeed.
*****
Admiral Rafael Semmes stood in the Wabash ward room looking at the assembled squadron commanders and ship captains sitting around the room. Some faces looked bleak, some looked eager, and more than a few just looked pensive. He could sympathize with that last one, feeling a bit pensive himself.
“Gentlemen, give me your attention,” he said simply and what little talk there was died away. Satisfied that he had their attention, he began.
“You know that the enemy fleet is assembled off our shores, apparently escorting a squadron of troop ships. You also know by now that the situation on land is dire to say the least. While three army corps are struggling to contain a Nor army that outnumbers them at least three-to-one if not more, two full corps of the Soulan army, plus their provincial attachments, are standing to in order to honor the possible threat this Nor fleet represents.” His face looked grim.
“We are going to eliminate that threat, gentlemen, if it costs us every ship in this assembly.” There was a slight stir among his audience but no one objected. He would not have entertained
such in any case.
“Make no mistake that the continued existence of the Soulan Kingdom rests on the outcome of this war. And the war could very well be decided by our actions in the coming engagement. If we can destroy the Nor fleet, or at least damage it sufficiently to drive it from our waters, then the majority of the troops in the south can be sent north to fight against the incursion from Kent and the threat against Shelby on the Great River. Those men are desperately needed there and it's our job to make sure they can go without threat to any landings along our coast.”
Several heads nodded in understanding. Rumors were that things at home were very bad indeed.
“We will attack by squadron,” Semmes turned to the map stand behind him, satisfied that he had made his point. “Squadron commanders will be given general orders, their implementation left to your discretion. We will not have much in the way of real time coordination once the battle is joined so it is absolutely vital that each ship realize not only what is at stake, but what is expected.”
“The Savannah Squadron will be the pivot, here,” Semmes pointed to the map again. “Our last report was that the Nor fleet was still more or less stationary roughly thirty miles due east of San Augustina. The best information we have on their order of battle comes from a fishing vessel commanded by a former naval officer.” He turned again to face his commanders to make sure they understood what he was about to tell them.
“He is convinced that the Nor allowed him to get a good view of their fleet before making a half-hearted attempt to chase him away. He is further convinced that had the cutter that gave chase wanted to catch him, it could have done so with ease.” He paused to let that sink in.
“They wanted to be seen,” one captain remarked softly. “They wanted us to know where they were and how strong they were.”
“Indeed,” Semmes nodded, pleased that at least one of them was paying attention. “That lends credence to Marshal McLeod's theory that this is a ruse. That those troopships are empty and the Nor fleet is simply sitting there to keep two full corps of Soulan soldier out of the decisive battles to the north.”