“What for? They cannot go any further from there,” said Aldrich.
“They were carrying many small boarding craft,” said Sincerus, “maybe to try and cross the Sarnak. Maybe you should send some forces there, to aid Landsbeach. They are probably trying to cut off any escape.”
“Some of our forces have already moved towards there. There was a report that an attack was imminent at Landsbeach – so Authoritor under the command of Prefect Quistin have already made their way there, with an attachment of Cherishe,” replied Aldrich.
“The Cherishe? Eir Serana Felixius Parabellum, have you seen her?” asked Pious, grasping Aldrich’s shoulder and staring at him, eagerly waiting for his response.
“I’m sorry, Prefect, I don’t know them personally,” replied Aldrich, sensing Pious’s disappointment. Pious was unhappy; any piece of information would at least have provided him with a direction and some certainty.
“Right, right. You wouldn’t,” said Pious, as he turned and surveyed the insides of the mantrap.
“Many Cherishe did pass through here, but many more are still in the Sanctum – she may be with them, Prefect. You could ask in the Sanctum, they may know more,” suggested Aldrich, before turning to face the group again.
“There are also an incredibly large number of vessels crossing the Hydraen Ocean – the reason for the Western Watcher’s Horn being blown recently. Fortunately for us, vessels from the Ports are coming to our assistance, and are currently forming a blockage. Initial reports state that almost the full Alliance Navy is inbound.”
“Did you say, the full Navy?” asked Sincerus, almost as though he had heard wrong.
“Madness… I know. We count twenty-four Fleets – about three-hundred and sixty vessels,”
“By the Nine – that could be close to two-hundred thousand troops,” said Pious.
“We have no idea how and are completely lost for words, but we have received word by runner that the Sea–Hammer is leading the maritime defence force, which should hopefully slow them down,” said Aldrich, as he watched the Scythians introducing themselves to the Militia forces.
“Colonel – do we know how they breached the Northern Shield?” asked Pious.
“We don’t know the details entirely. A runner approached us from the northern gate, informing us he saw a large army crossing the ridge. We are assuming that the forces amassed themselves in the forest under the darkness of Tenebrae. How they managed to make their way into Sanctuary is unknown to us – but according to the runner, the northern gate was wide open.”
“That could not be. They would need a key from the head of each of the Focal Powers, and we would all need to agree to such a–” said Pious, while placing his hand on his chest, before cutting himself short.
Pious turned and faced Aldrich. “They would have needed my key. The Praetorium Key, which is always in the hands of the Prime Prefect – the key that was taken from me by the Inquisition.”
“From what we can tell,” said Aldrich, “the attack has been limited to districts 1, 23 and 24, and they are currently attempting to move the Sledge Cannons through the Shield. Only problem is, the idiots built the cannons so big they can’t fit through the gate.”
“Ha! Idiots!” shouted Sincerus, pumping his fist into the air.
“However,” said Aldrich, “they are attempting to re-engineer the cannons to bring them through. In addition, anarchy is breaking out in some of the Districts. Daggers of Merusul banners have been hoisted throughout 1st and 22nd Districts, with the Militia and Operarius offering no hindrance to the attack. We have rallied as many forces that we can spare from the East and South Districts and moved them to the Sanctum Grounds.”
“What about the Shield Defences – and why hasn’t the Border Bridge been raised?” said Pious.
Several guards looked at Pious, then to Aldrich.
“We tried – they have been sabotaged,” replied Aldrich. “Well, actually, it’s more theft than anything. The activation mechanisms and firing pins have been stripped and removed.”
“No….” muttered Pious in disbelief.
Tyr stepped forward. “That doesn’t make any sense. Why wouldn’t they just destroy them – why remove them?”
“Maybe to leave no chance of repair?” replied Valerus.
Tyr scratched his head. “No – doesn’t sound right.”
“It’s not all bad; they didn’t consider that we would override the Segregators. We have managed to drop most of the Segregators in the Circuit – irreversibly, but stopping their progress any further.”
“Fast thinking, Colonel. Commendable,” said Pious, nodding at Aldrich in approval. As he spoke, a group of soldiers emerged from the wall, this time carrying an assortment of standard–issue armour, which they began to distribute.
“There are a number of Attarans – who were, say – crushed by the idea,” said Aldrich, with a coy smile – before letting out a bellyful of laughter.
“Any initial investigation into the identity of the saboteurs?” asked Pious, as Aldrich composed himself.
“Supposition leads us to believe it was Daggers of Merusul agents who undertook the sabotage – all the sabotage has only benefited the Reclamation Army, making their progress easier.”
“By the Nine, how did you not notice something like that, Aldrich?” said Valerus, pointing at the Colonel.
“Because we don’t watch the mechanisms, Sterny. We just man the wall, remember? The upkeep, the regular checks – that’s a fucking Praetorians’ job, not ours!” replied Aldrich, pointing back at Valerus.
“Enough!” commanded Pious, as he stood up from the crate he'd been sitting on, tightening a strap through a buckle, and securing a steel breastplate in place. The armour was no way near as ornate as the armour of a Praetorian, but it was just as effective. “Who is in charge? Who is coordinating our defence?”
“Proxy–Commander Leonis,” replied Aldrich.
“Proxy–Commander Leonis? As in – Magister Frederich Leonis?” asked Pious.
“Yes. After the Tribunal declared a State of Emergency and martial law took effect as per the Structuram Civilitatis, the Praetorium Focal Power took control of Sanctuary. Normally – the Prime Prefect would become the Commander; however, on this occasion, the Prime Prefect had been burnt to a crisp with no declared successor. Hence, why Leonis was given control.”
“This appears to be a coordinated assault, not just a simple raid. They must be trying to take Sanctuary intact,” continued Pious, as he pulled on the breastplate, testing if it was secure. Likewise, his comrades were suiting up in their armour and listening with attention. K’Reorh and R’Argh were casually chatting away with the mantrap Militia in the distance. “Anything to suggest that the inbound Shaydean Navy and the Reclamation Army are a coordinated attack?”
“Not at the moment, Pious. We are surmising that it isn’t coordinated. If it were, the Western Gate would have been opened as well.”
Valerus nodded in agreement. “It may be an equally advantageous – yet simultaneous – attack. The Strict Observance and their Reclamation Army have always been antagonistic towards the Alliance. Unsurprising, since the Alliance would like nothing more than razing Sanctuary to ground.”
“What would they want with Sanctuary? Why now?” asked B’Sayan, as he placed his hand on Tyr’s shoulder and looked at Pious. B’Sayan had been listening intently to the whole conversation, as if it were a suspense-filled story told around the Festive Mound feasting fire.
“I have no idea,” replied Pious, trying to think of a logical justification for the attack, while Aldrich turned and stared at B’Sayan – shocked that the mighty–looking beast in front of him could talk.
“Yes, we speak Common,” said B’Sayan, as he gave a bold smile to Aldrich, who laughed in response, then smiled and shook his head.
“Furry creatures from the forest who talk – Hmmm… this may be an issue,” said Aldrich, as he rubbed his face. Then he pointed to two Militia soldiers who were about to
climb a set of stairs to the wall above. “You two!”
“Give these...uh….”
Valerus popped his head up while tightening his boots. “Scythians.”
“Right. Give these Scythians your mantles. They are now your Charges,” ordered the Colonel, as he unfastened his mantle and handed it to B’Sayan.
“Sir!” replied the two men, as they unfastened their mantles and handed them to the Scythians, who began donning them.
“So, can someone explain why we are wearing these?” asked B’Sayan, as Aldrich helped fasten the mantle at the front.
“It means you are an ally. No member of the Praetorius would ever willingly give up their mantle – whether it be by a superior’s order, or by personal choice. Either way, it means you are to be trusted – amongst the Praetorius anyway.”
“Strange folk,” said R’Argh to K’Reorh, as they inspected each other’s new mantles.
Pious turned to Aldrich. “We need to get to the Sanctum and speak to Leonis. Are the siege tunnels useable?” asked Pious, as he placed a dagger into his boot.
“Damn right they are. Follow me,” said Aldrich with a grin of excitement, as he donned his plumed helmet. He went over to a doorway in the gate’s Watchtower, withdrew a key from his belt chain and unlocked the door. Pushing it open, he gestured with his other hand for the group to follow him through the door, just as a runner emerged from the adjacent tower and scanned the area.
“Sir!” shouted the runner to Aldrich, noticing the plumed Colonel’s helmet.
Aldrich looked at him over his shoulder and turned to face him.
“Yes – you have my report?” asked Aldrich.
“Yes, sir! The Southern Gate report that the Free Army of the Plains is approaching their position,” said the runner, between sharp breaths.
“This should be interesting,” said Tyr, as he looked to Pious.
Sincerus turned and looked at Tyr. “The Free Army have not been a threat so far. Their blockade of the South–Way has been nothing more than a nuisance.”
“Right. Well, let’s see what comes of it. For now, we move to Sanctum,” said Aldrich. He detached a key from his belt chain. “Runner – tell Colonel Yarrow I am moving to the Sanctum and am placing Captain Helatros in command of the Eastern Gate.”
“Sir!” replied the runner. He turned and sprinted towards the stairs leading to the runways at the top of the Shield.
Aldrich turned and began scanning the insides of the mantrap. “Lieutenant Helatros!” commanded Aldrich in a booming voice, waiting for the Lieutenant’s attention.
“Colonel,” replied a young soldier with a lieutenant’s pauldron sash, as he pushed through the crowd and saluted Aldrich.
“I’m moving to the Sanctum – you’re charge of this gate, and the 1st East Shield Cohort. If one of those Savages gets through here, I will kill you myself – Captain Helatros!” stated Aldrich, with a nod, and placed the siege tunnel key in the Captain’s hand.
“Sir!” replied the newly–made Captain with conviction. Captain Helatros turned to his men and ordered them to the top of the wall.
“Beneficence steady you, Captain. Lock the door behind us,” said Aldrich. He turned to Pious. “Come,” he said, pulling a burning torch from a wall sconce. Then he descended into the siege tunnels, with the group following behind him.
The Seventh District
“Amazing brass automated agricultural machines operate in the Agrarium of each District, autonomously moving back and forth along their tracks. These machines, which the locals call the ‘Tish’, short for “Till, Sow, Hydrate and Harvest” machines, require minimal manual intervention.”
A facsimile of various notes from the recovered journals of Lan’Tsa Nichon regarding the structure of Sanctuary,
Qan’Fu Ensan, Imperial Archivist.
1114th Revolution of the Grand Míngxīng.
Aldrich led Pious and the others below the Watchtower to the entrance to the siege tunnels. The sound of the heavy lock mechanism sealing closed echoed through the tunnel. In case of a siege or an emergency, the dead–straight underground siege tunnels allowed for easy access into the Operarium from the mantrap of the Stately gates – instead of having to move about through the circuits. The siege tunnels could be used whenever either of the Stately Gate doors were closed and sealed – if either of the main doors were open, its respective siege tunnel gate would close and seal the tunnel.
Each siege tunnel gate was almost half a span thick and made of solid and impenetrable steel. The gates were, in fact, a component of each mantrap door’s counterweight mechanisms.
Even though the tunnels were below ground, the same level of care and diligence had gone into the cutting of the siege tunnel stone. Each stone was perfectly cut and placed, and the tunnel’s damp walls were illuminated by the burning torch in Aldrich’s hand.
Pious heard a groaning noise from the tunnel ceiling, and sprinted to Aldrich in front of him, grabbing him and pushing him forward, causing him to drop the torch in his hand – as the siege tunnel gate crashed down behind him.
Pious looked behind him at the siege tunnel gate, sealed shut – closing the passage completely. “That was close,” said Pious, with a manic look in his eye, reflected from the light of the torch, gently rolling back and forth by his side.
“What was close?” replied a voice, as Pious looked back towards the tunnel gate, which was in the raised position.
“Care to get off me?” said Aldrich. Pious stared back at him in confusion. “Get – off me,” commanded Aldrich in an authoritative tone, as Pious bashfully climbed off Aldrich and helped him to his feet, before picking up the torch and handing it back to him.
“Well,” said Aldrich, as he cleared his throat, and continued down the tunnel.
“I – I saw it closing,” said Pious in a low volume, as Valerus looked him in the eyes, assessing his mental state.
“Come on, mate,” said Tyr, as he pushed Pious onwards. “I think you need some more of his mead,” he continued, pointing at B’Sayan.
Aldrich reached the base of a set of stone steps and stopped – gesturing for the others to wait. He climbed the steps, his torch illumining a door in the darkness. He gave six solid knocks on the door, at evenly timed intervals, and waited. The sound of metal on metal echoed from the door as a key was placed into the lock, the mechanism groaned under the strain of the turning key, and the door opened.
“Colonel?” said a guard with surprise, as Aldrich descended the steps, stopped and gestured for the group following him to climb the steps while he stayed behind and lit the way. The group ascended the steps one by one and emerged in the 7th Districts inner Watchtower. The group waited on the surface while Aldrich ascended.
“It still looks clear in this district,” said Sincerus, who was looking around for any signs of distress, while detachments of Militia were marching towards the inner wall. Many torch-bearing Militia were sweeping the fields, looking for anything amiss.
“We have managed to evacuate a lot of those who dwell in the loyal Districts through that siege tunnel. It has been a slow and painful process – but we managed. It would have been easier if we could have opened the damned Gates. Most of the refugees are making their way to Landsbeach; others have taken their chances and are heading to settlements in the South,” Aldrich said as the men jogged along the main herringbone road towards the inner wall.
“What do you mean, ‘evacuated’?” asked Pious.
“The situation is quite bad, Pious. I’m sure Leonis can explain it to you in a lot more detail than I know.”
“What have you people done to this place?” asked B’Sayan, almost in tones of sadness, as he looked at the meagre crops and dilapidated machinery.
“What do you mean?” asked Valerus, looking at B’Sayan’s expression.
“I mean – this place is completely ruined,” replied B’Sayan. “Where are the bountiful crops, the smiling faces and the shining machines – the ‘glory of Sanctuary�
��?”
“It has always been like this – well, not this bad,” replied Valerus, with a puzzled expression.
“No – no, it hasn’t,” B’Sayan said as he continued to look around in disgust.
The large party of brave warriors ran along the main street towards the 7th District Curtain gate, infrequently joining with and detaching from other units moving to and from the Sanctum. The festive stalls had been overturned, and many had been piled together and torched – fuelling the still–burning bonfires which partly illuminated the way.
Militia had taken up defensive positions in the abandoned Residential and Governance sectors – in preparation for having to defend the 7th District. Militia were running along the top of the walls segregating the districts, observing the adjacent districts and using telelenses to observe the invasion of the Northern Stately Gate.
The 7th District Curtain gates were held open, and Militia were charging through into the Arboretum, heading to bolster forces elsewhere. Just inside the gate, on the Sanctum side, the Militia had set up layer upon layer of barricades, pulled together from whatever suitable objects they could find. Almost three–hundred Militia defended the gate, with their spears and shields close at hand.
The Militia looked on with silent awe as the Colonel of the Eastern Gate walked through them guiding the four men onwards to the Sanctum, with three beast-like men wearing Militia mantles in tow. Whispers and looks of curiosity filled their ranks, as their Prime Prefect – whom they heard had been burnt at the stake – now walked amongst them.
The party moved through the gate and into the depths of the Arboretum. Pious ran over to a Lode–pole with a very dimly lit lodestone. He pulled on the rope connected to the spring–tensioned lever and released it. The small hammer at the top of the pole struck the lodestone, and a flash of light streamed forth, illuminating the ground below.
“I think we need a plan before we go any further – in case we get separated,” said Pious. He walked to the base of an adjacent tree and dragged out a small basket of fruit left by the Arboreal Clerics. Pious grabbed a piece of fruit and bit into its juicy, purple flesh, as did the rest of the group, savouring the sweetness of the plump Chericots.
Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia (Acts of the Sojourner Book 1) Page 25