The Captive

by Paul Lauritsen

  “The Banuk are the only real problem on your list,” Garnuk replied dismissively. “As for being outnumbered, when are we not? I’ll put one ram against three or four men any day.”

  “Individually yes, but in a pitched battle there are additional factors that come into play beyond physical prowess.”

  “Like?”

  Tarq hesitated. “I’ve been expanding Shadow Squadrons mission gradually over the past few weeks. We’ve not only been gathering current information, but also trying to find out as much as we can about how the Sthan fight.”

  “Go on.”

  “The Sthan,” Tarq said, leaning forward over the table, “Are smaller and weaker, yes. They know that. They would have to be fools not to. So, they have developed ways to combat this disadvantage. They have tight formations where everyone is supported by the men around them. It makes them harder to fight individually.”

  “So our rams actually are fighting three to four men at once?” Garnuk asked.

  “Not directly. But having a disciplined formation, an order, to an army makes a huge difference. We fight as individuals, smashing into enemy lines, scattering them with our axes and swords and brute strength. There’s no real tactics involved.”

  “But it can be effective.”

  “Not as effective as we could be,” Tarq replied stubbornly. “This is part of what I was talking about when I said we could just train the rest of our army rather than relying on the Banuk.”

  The captain snatched up one of the reports scattered on the table and flipped it over, scribbling on the back. “For example, let’s say we’re charging the Sthan lines. Now, we can do it individually, hitting them in a disorganized mass, or we could plunge through them in a formation. Like a wedge, or something.”

  Garnuk studied the crude drawing. “What’s the advantage?”

  “The advantage is one ram leads the way, and punches through the enemy line at a single point. Then, the two behind him immediately are in that gap, widening it even as we drive deeper into the enemy ranks. The row behind them does the same, and the next and the next and the next. You get the idea. The same way an axe blade penetrates armor and flesh better than the side of a club.”

  “Yes,” Garnuk said slowly. “But wouldn’t our rams be surrounded once they punch through? Unless your plan is a never-ending flow of warriors, eventually the front line of the Sthan would have an opportunity to close up. We’d be cut off.”

  “That,” Tarq said, “Is why we have many of these wedges running at the same time. I’m thinking twenty-one rams – enough for six ranks in the wedge.”

  “Twenty-one would never shatter an enemy line.”

  “But thirty or fifty wedges hitting them all along the line would,” Tarq explained. “See, twenty groups hit initially. They lose the initial surge from their charge and start to be surrounded. Then, another wedge hits slightly offset from the first group, clearing a path to retreat. The second group punches through, then withdraws as the third group comes in – ”

  “And you just keep doing the same thing? Over and over again?” Garnuk guessed.

  “Exactly,” Tarq agreed, shoving his crude sketch of the plan closer to Garnuk. “This is just one example. In a formation, a group of rams would be virtually unstoppable.”

  Garnuk nodded slowly. “How long would it take to teach this to our warriors?”

  “That is the problem,” Tarq sighed. “I am not sure they will accept it. It’s different from everything they know, and will require discipline in the heat of battle.”

  “Which we rarely have,” Garnuk observed. “Still, this is worth pursuing. Do what you can Tarq. Implement this and as many other formations as you can with the rams we have now. If we can get anywhere close to the destructive power you just demonstrated to me, our chances will have improved greatly.”

  “I will see it done,” Tarq promised.

  Garnuk began moving towards the door, then stopped and turned back. “Getting the others to accept this may not be as hard as you think.”

  “How?”

  “Frame it the way you did for me. Show them the potential for glory and slaughter if they follow this new system. Explain how the battlefield will be choked with the dead, our enemies piled to the mountaintops before us and ultimately vanquished.”

  “Not all have the mental capability to picture such things.”

  “The true warriors will see and understand,” Garnuk countered. “They will help the rest along. Start with the most loyal clans, the ones who stood up for me throughout the gathering. They will be the most cooperative and the most willing to serve in whatever way you and I command.”

  “Then I will go to them first,” Tarq promised. “Although, I have many other demands on my time.”

  “Delegate more of Shadow Squadron.”

  “To who?”

  “Harg has always been reliable.”

  “But he’s my best field operative!”

  “And he has shown aptitude and discretion for greater things as well, many times” Garnuk pointed out. “He is your best option, if you need additional help.”

  “And where are you going?” Tarq demanded as Garnuk rested a heavy hand on the door.

  “To Zanove, of course,” the Ramshuk replied, glancing back at the captain. “I need to continue his training. Otherwise, it won’t matter how strong or well-trained our armies are. The Keepers will simply char them to nothing as they did before.”

  “They fought with blade and claw as well.”

  “And very effectively. It might also be wise to instruct our warriors on how to fight a dragon on the ground.”

  “The problem is we don’t know how. We have not seen a strategy yet that works.”

  “Then we will have to devise one. When you have, we will test it against Zanove and see what he thinks. That will give him some good practice as well.”

  “As you wish,” Tarq replied, inclining his horned head.

  Garnuk nodded in reply, then shoved through the doors and out into the rest of Dun Carryl. The Ramshuk made his way unerringly to Zanove’s cave, ignoring everyone he passed and moving quickly to avoid being stopped.

  The silver dragon was waiting, as usual, tearing at a bloody haunch from some mountain beast. Probably a sheep or similar animal based on the tufts of wool scattered across the floor. They stirred slightly as Garnuk shoved through the door, skittering across the floor a short ways before coming to a rest again.

  I sensed you coming, Zanove announced. Do we have another mission coming up?

  Maybe, Garnuk said evasively. I have been working on devising some additional training for you, since you have not fought on the ground yet or against soldiers.

  Why fight on the ground? I have wings.

  Garnuk shrugged. Once the Keepers are defeated, the enemy armies will be on the ground. We’ll have to be able to fight them.

  If the Keepers are down, we can fly and flame, lords of the sky. Zanove snorted and tore another chunk of meat from the carcass he was gnawing at. Why walk when one has wings? Faster, more fun. Less dangerous.

  The Sthan, Garnuk explained, are overfond of archers, Zanove. Their arrows would certainly be dangerous to you.

  What are arrows?

  Little shafts of wood with metal heads stuck to them. They’re fired using bows or crossbows. They move at great speeds, faster even than you can fly, and will easily pierce your wings.

  What about the rest of me?

  I think they would bounce off your scales, but I do not know. I did not have a chance to study the green beast all that closely when it was tearing down the mountain. I was busy finishing off the Usurper inside Dun Carryl and rescuing the last of our people.

  Hmm, Zanove mused. Maybe some training against these arrows would be good. If they tear my wings badly, it would hurt, and I would not be able to fly.

  Then we would have to fight on the ground.

  Zanove shuddered, then crammed the rest of the meat into his mouth, chewing slowly. A b
one snapped in half somewhere between his jaws, then the silver dragon swallowed. Very well. I will train. Whatever it takes to defeat the Keepers, I will do. Have you decided whether we will flame the traitor rams yet?

  Garnuk shook his head. No. For now, I think we must leave them be. There is always a chance they will return.

  They defied you, Zanove reminded him. Like the one in the clan gathering, the one you had me kill.

  Yes. Garnuk scowled. They defied me this time. But last time I was there, they saved me. Things are . . . complicated with the Banuk. Without them I could not have overthrown Norkuvad. But now they refuse to contribute when we need them most.

  So you can use them?

  Garnuk shot the dragon a sharp look. Were you listening to Tarq and I again?

  The silver dragon dipped his head, curling inward slightly. Yes. I am sorry, I have upset you. It will not happen again. I remain loyal, we will kill the Keepers.

  I am not upset, Garnuk assured him. Merely surprised.

  Oh. Zanove straightened a little, then cocked his head. What is this merely you speak of?

  I am surprised, Garnuk corrected, reminding himself to use simpler words when speaking to Zanove. Have you been able to listen from such a distance before?

  No, Zanove replied immediately. Our bond is growing, strong one. We will soon be unstoppable together!

  Hmm. Could you hear Tarq’s thoughts as well, or only mine?

  Only yours. But I was still able to hear the whole conversation.

  So was I, Garnuk said grimly, but I want to know the things which could not be heard. Tarq has been more resistant lately than I would like. I want to know why.

  Is he a traitor ram as well?

  No, Garnuk said, shaking his head sharply. He is not. Tarq has been a loyal ally for years.

  Can that change?

  It can, but it hasn’t. He still follows my orders well enough, and he is intelligent. Intelligent followers tend to provide the most resistance, so I am not overly worried.

  The silver dragon pondered this for a long moment. Was he right about you?

  What?

  Was he right that you are using the vertaga warriors to achieve our revenge?

  Garnuk grimaced. Tarq has always been perceptive. I did not think he would see through me so quickly though. Yes, Zanove, we are using the others. There really is very little chance of them defeating the Sthan. They are a distraction, a way to keep the rest of our enemies busy while you and I take out the Keepers.

  I see. Then why do we need the Banuk?

  The stronger our distraction, the better, Garnuk replied, shrugging. He paced back and forth in front of Zanove slowly, mulling over his plans. The Banuk would swell our forces significantly, and keep the Sthan armies totally occupied with our warriors.

  But then there would be no vertaga left except you, if our armies were to fall.

  Garnuk nodded slowly. There would be a few. Scattered, alone, vulnerable. But that is the fate my kind are doomed to if we do not fight as well. I may be speeding the process up, but there is also a chance we will alter the course of history. If you and I can defeat the Keepers, there is a chance. A slim one, but a chance.

  But the Keepers are the key.

  Yes. Our revenge comes first. That is what matters above all else. Making that green creature and the human boy pay for what they did to you, and for what they did to me.

  And to Dun Carryl, and to your people, Zanove added.

  Those are lesser motivations, but yes we should include them.

  Can we beat the Keepers without the Banuk?

  Yes, Garnuk replied immediately. But our slim chance of winning the war dwindles to almost nothing without them.

  Even with the formashuns?

  Garnuk smiled at the silver dragon’s mangled pronunciation of the word. Formations, he corrected. Even with the formations, victory would be difficult to achieve. But they will help. You really were paying close attention to our conversation. You are sure you felt nothing from Tarq during it though?

  I am sure. I will keep trying though, if you wish.

  I do, Garnuk replied. He scratched his horns distractedly with one hand, then looked around the dark cave.

  Zanove scanned the surrounding walls as well, thinking quietly. Then, he swung back to Garnuk. So, are we going flying? Running a mission? More practice?

  Garnuk looked up at the dragon. Zanove’s shoulders were above Garnuk’s head now. He was growing quickly with plenty of food and regular exercise, but he needed to be able to control his changing form to fight effectively.

  Another village, Garnuk announced.

  Good. We go tonight?

  No, Garnuk replied. We go now.

  Is it dark outside?

  No.

  Then they will see us.

  Garnuk nodded. They will see us and they will fear us. Give me a few minutes to fetch my armor. Then we will be off.

  I am not sure about this, Zanove said uneasily

  Trust me, Garnuk said. This is the next phase of my plan. And the next phase in your training.

  You will explain on the way?

  Yes. This mission must be handled in a very specific way. Will you follow me?

  Always. You freed me, and you have protected me. Zanove stood tall, shuffling his wings in anticipation. You have given me the opportunity to strike back at the Keepers who betrayed me, so I will help you and fight with you.

  Good, Garnuk murmured. I’ll be back.

  The Ramshuk ran to the adjoining room, where he kept his armor. It took a little longer than the few minutes he had promised, but he was soon back in Zanove’s cave, garbed in shining plates and scales, his helm tucked under one arm.

  You look like a dragon, Zanove observed.

  Garnuk glanced down at his armored figure, realizing the dragon had a point. We were trying to copy the style of armor that men wear, he explained, but we also wanted something incredibly tough to pierce. That’s where the scales came from.

  It fits, Zanove said, nosing at one of the stretches of exposed scales. You look like you were made to fly with me.

  Garnuk grunted and began saddling Zanove. Hopefully, the Sthan will think I look like a Keeper.

  I would if I didn’t know better.

  The Ramshuk nodded. That is good. Now, hold still while I adjust the saddle.

  It itches.

  We have discussed this before.

  I know.

  The silver dragon stood silently through the rest of the process, Garnuk moving around and under him to get all of the straps in the right place. When the saddle had been attached and checked thoroughly, Garnuk climbed up onto Zanove’s back. He pulled his helm on, settling it firmly around his horned head, then gripped the front of the saddle with both hands.

  You forgot your big sword, Zanove pointed out, twisting around to look at Garnuk.

  I will not need it. You will do the fighting today.

  What if there is trouble?

  I still have my regular sword.

  Which is little more than a toy, Zanove observed doubtfully, eyeing the shorter blade in its sheath at Garnuk’s side.

  It will suffice.

  Zanove accepted this silently, turning back to face the door. So, we are ready?

  Yes, Garnuk agreed. To the north, Zanove, as fast as you can. Let’s see how strong you have become.

  The silver dragon roared a challenge, then crashed through the doors of the cave, slamming them back on their hinges. He charged the short distance to the shattered western side of Dun Carryl, then leapt into the air, spiraling upwards with dizzying speed. Garnuk clutched at the saddle wildly, suddenly terrified he would fall off and be dashed against the mountainside.

  When Zanove had achieved sufficient height, he switched to a more steady flight path, his wings pumping as he soared across the mountains. Garnuk relaxed slightly, sitting back in the saddle and rubbing at his legs, which were sore from clinging to Zanove’s back.

  That was . . . impr
essive, he said finally.

  Zanove rumbled happily. I have been practicing. I need to be a master of the sky when I fight the Keepers. But I have never fought another dragon, so it is hard to know what to practice.

  They have never fought one either, Garnuk reminded him, so you ought to be on an even footing at least.

  That will help. Now, what is our mission?

  Garnuk sat back in the saddle, scanning the mountains. Another village, he repeated. This time, we will fly in from the west.

  Why the west?

  The south would draw too much attention. Anything that comes out of the south would be automatically associated with us. The north is similarly obvious, as when people are trying to avoid suspicion they usually try to direct the focus of their adversaries in the complete opposite direction. That leaves west and east. The Keepers were last seen west of here, so we will choose the west to fly in from.

  That makes sense, Zanove agreed. But we are attacking in daylight, and you want us to be seen. Why?

  Because this time, we are leaving a few survivors, Garnuk replied.

  What? I do not get to flame them all?

  No, Garnuk said firmly. One or two must be allowed to escape and spread the word that a dragon is on the loose. This is the next phase: building distrust between the Sthan and the Keepers. We will start small, rumors of disaster and betrayal. Then, we will begin to hit bigger targets, things the Sthan king cannot ignore. He will be forced to act.

  Act how? Zanove mused.

  That is the part I have not figured out, Garnuk admitted. The Keepers have all but disappeared recently. I expect the Sthan king will make contact with them somehow. What happens then is anybody’s guess.

  What are you hoping will happen?

  A full-scale war, Garnuk said, grinning wolfishly. I want them to tear each other apart, weaken each other to the point where we can emerge victorious.

  What if the Sthan kill the Keepers?

  Then we will kill the Sthan.

  But we will not get to take revenge first hand.

  Garnuk pondered this, sensing Zanove was more than averse to this potential course of events. In that case, we will take extra revenge on the Sthan, for cheating us of direct revenge on the Keepers. You will be the only dragon in the world then, and our armies will be able to march pretty much wherever they please. The Sthan won’t be able to resist our forces on the ground and you and I in the air. They will be utterly and completely overwhelmed.