Thankfully, that never became an issue. Everyone survived.
Those who recovered faster were rewarded with setting up camp and scouting. Everyone else did their best to rest and recover from the ordeal.
I helped others recover as I had many times before.
* * *
For once, I didn’t dream. Or, if I did dream, I didn’t remember doing so which was fine by me. Maybe the trick to a good night’s sleep was to use my resistance to the point that it completely exhausted me.
I woke, used the latrine, and broke my fast on biscuits and some sort of fatty meat so greasy it coated the inside of my mouth. It was marvelous.
Boaz and I made small talk while we ate, speculating what our families were up to. Unlike previous times, our discussions were lighter and less dreary. I’m not sure if the extra sleep had brightened our mood or we just wanted to think good things before facing our deaths at Hol.
A messenger interrupted us just as I licked the last bit of grease from my fingers.
He saluted. “Commander, Balak wants to see you.”
I nodded. “Be there in a minute.”
The messenger ran off to relay the word back to the general as if the few minutes it would take me to walk over was too long of a delay.
Etan waited outside Balak’s tent. He looked drained. Balak had him and several others of his personal guard also use their resistance to help the army recover. I guessed from his tired eyes Etan had not had the opportunity to sleep.
We exchanged nods before he pushed the tent flap aside. It was strange, but at some point over the last couple of weeks we had gotten on more pleasant terms again. I wasn’t sure how. It certainly wasn’t anything I did specifically. I guess time and the current threat of the Geneshans had softened any previous failings Etan had blamed me for.
Balak was at the table, yet again. The table was not filled with maps though. Like last time, there were models spread over it.
“Have you slept any, general?” I asked, walking up.
The man looked worse than Etan.
He shook his head. “We’re so close. Too many factors at play and I’m constantly making sure I didn’t forget anything like I did with the transfer portal and people with a resistance.” He paused. “Maybe when this is all over, I can sleep.” He gestured to the model. “Do you recognize it?”
I studied the structure. “Pretty obvious. I haven’t been to Hol, but from what I know of the city, this is it. The shape of what remains of the outer walls and gatehouse gives it away, if nothing else. Is it really this bad?”
“Yes. I created this based on reports from Amasa.”
“I take it you’re going to finally let me in on your plans?”
“Yes. And I want you to pick them apart.”
“Yes, sir.”
Balak began, “Our latest intelligence reports say that over fifteen thousand soldiers are camped just outside of Hol, here. Another seven thousand will join them tomorrow morning. After that, there isn’t another large force of the enemy within a week of the city. Just some smaller squads and companies coming up from the south. If we begin our approach tomorrow as planned, we’d face twenty-two thousand.”
Balak took a deep breath. “Given our lack of numbers, it makes little sense to attack in a wedge. Even if we sliced through their center, they’d envelop us from the sides. And if we were to draw them in to our center by presenting stronger flanks, we’d have to thin our lines too greatly to encircle them. Therefore, we’ll keep a solid line of infantry straight across. We’ll split our cavalry and have them on our left and right flanks just behind our infantry lines, using them only to ensure the enemy doesn’t encircle us.”
“So, you’re going to go straight in and try to pound away at them?” I asked.
“Yes. Ahead of the infantry, I’ll have our archers and mages. As we advance, they’ll try to soften up the enemy lines. Then right before the lines clash, I’ll pull them back, have the infantry step forward, and the archers and mages will either continue their attack from the rear with higher arching rounds, or act as reserves to shore up any weaknesses in our lines.”
“I assume you’re placing our spears out front among the infantry?”
“The first line will be spears, second line swords, and then alternating thereafter.”
“So any Geneshans who slip through the spears will face someone who can fight up close. I like it.”
He grunted.
I scratched the growth on my neck. “Still risky though. Our lines would need to make a dent in theirs quickly. If the Geneshans gain the upper hand early or even just hold their ground, their numbers and fresher troops will win out. A more ideal solution would be to break up our regiments and attack from multiple angles. That way we could move in, strike, and retreat. That was my original thought these last few weeks by training the army in smaller companies and squads. We might be able to split their forces like that and try to beat them in smaller numbers. We have the advantage in maneuverability, why not try it?”
Balak smiled that unsettling smile of his. He knew something he wasn’t telling me and was pleased with himself for knowing it.
He ran his finger across several thin lines that overlapped the entire left flank of the Geneshan army. “This is why. It took them some time, but they are expecting us to do just that and so they’ve built a large network of ditches, many of them spiked along this flank. We attack them here without either pushing them back, or drawing them forward, and we will be trapped.”
“And slaughtered. So, someone’s leading this group with a head for strategy.”
“Very much so from what I know. He’s structured his camp so that it would be protected against many of the tactics you’ve recently employed since our fighting with the Geneshans began. This is partly why I want to employ the strategy I suggested. I think they’ll be so worried for one of your ideas or tricks that they’ll least expect us to attack them straight on.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll have to keep their commander’s expectations in mind.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Sir?”
“I’ll be commanding the army for this engagement.”
I blinked. “Sir, please don’t take this the wrong way, but you can’t do that. The men are used to seeing me watch over them. The last thing you want to do is change command before the biggest confrontation they’ve ever faced.”
He straightened as if accepting some grave task. “I must. The other reason why I chose this strategy is because I need to buy you and the other elite units time.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“You’re going to reassume command over your unit. Then you and the other four units you’ve developed will infiltrate the city and support Amasa and Datan as they attempt to recover the artifact. The Geneshans have a couple hundred men there, some of their best fighters from what I can tell. There are also quite a few sorcerers, Master Sorcerers among them. Amasa and Datan will need all the support they can get to succeed.”
I frowned. “Why only a couple hundred when they field twenty-two thousand outside of the city?”
“Probably because of the condition Hol is in. The streets and avenues are packed with debris. Most of the buildings still standing could fall at any moment. It will be hard for that many men to effectively and safely move about without suffering losses from the dangers of the city itself. Much easier for smaller units to operate which is why I’m taking that same approach. Also, based on what I’m getting in from reports, I think they’re a bit afraid of us. We’ve won against everything they’ve thrown at us these last few weeks. I don’t think they want to commit too much to the city and underestimate us again in the field.”
I wasn’t sure how much I believed either of his explanations, but there was no way to know for sure the reasons behind the Geneshan strategy without actual
ly asking them. I decided it was best to move on.
“And High Mage Gidel?”
“He will support the main body.”
“I’m still confused. Recovering the artifact is important, I agree. But if the entire army is wiped out, then what good will it do?”
“Amasa has convinced me that he can access the power of the artifact and turn it against the Geneshans.”
My mouth opened in surprise. I couldn’t believe what I had heard. Balak had been paranoid about high mages from as far back as I could remember. To change that attitude now seemed preposterous.
“General, are you insane? You saw what happened last time someone tried to access that power.”
“And Amasa said he learned from that mistake.”
“And if he’s wrong?”
“Then we all die as we would have likely died the next time the artifact erupted anyway. Which according to Amasa could be within the next week. At least this way, we’ll take the Geneshans with us.”
“I don’t like this. Even if Amasa succeeds, what’s to stop him from using the artifact against us afterward and assuming control of Turine.”
“You.”
“Sir?”
“I’m assigning him to your unit, specifically for that reason. Hamath will be attached to Datan. My two best units. I’ve told them both it is to offer the best protection. That’s true. However, it is also to kill them the second it looks as though they will double cross me.”
“And how are we supposed to stop them if they have the artifact? It’s hard enough killing a High Mage without it.”
He balled his hands in obvious frustration. I believe my question had hit a nerve. “I really don’t know, Tyrus. But I hope you’ll think of something.”
For someone who had spent months alone in his tent thinking and strategizing, Balak had not impressed me with the extent of his plans.
* * *
“Molak-be-damned,” I muttered a few steps after exiting Balak’s tent.
“That bad, huh?”
I looked to my right. Hamath stood just out of my peripheral, leaning against a post with arms folded. He pushed himself off the post and fell in next to me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting. Tried to get in, but Etan said I wasn’t allowed,” he spat.
I grunted.
“Exactly. It seems like we’re right back to where we were. The great Tyrus is in Balak’s favor, and all else must pick at the scraps at your feet.”
I gave him a look. “Are we really going to get into this again?”
He sighed. “No. Sorry. So, what’s this big master plan of his? I overheard a few pieces of it, but couldn’t get close enough to catch it all.”
I explained.
“That’s it? He basically tries to hold for as long as possible while we act as bodyguards to the High Mages who are going to get the artifact?”
“Pretty much. And if the High Mages fail to carry out their end of the bargain, we’re to take care of them.”
“But he didn’t say how.”
“Said he trusted I’d think of something.”
Hamath began to laugh, loudly.
I scowled. “Something funny I’m not aware of?”
“All of it. You know, I was beginning to think that Balak had changed and he was fine with giving you credit. But this just proves that old snake in the grass is just as much of a piece of garbage as ever.”
“How so?”
“Well, he’s let you be the face of the army up to this point. Therefore, if something bad happened you’d get the blame. But as he hoped, you didn’t let that happen. He’s mostly kept to his tent, and he’s had you meet with him over and over. That makes it seem like he’s feeding you information, possibly the strategy that you later employ. He can prove that theory out if we win at Hol, because at the largest battle, he’ll be out where everyone can see him commanding the main body while you’ll be off with only a handful risking your life for an artifact few really understand.
“He’ll look like a genius for sending us out to watch over the High Mages if we do have to kill them.” He paused. “And if you die in the process, the memory of all you’ve done will fade from people’s minds all the sooner as he takes control of what’s left of Turine.”
“But what if we all die and fail to stop the High Mages?”
Hamath shrugged. “Then it won’t really matter what people think of him. Gods, I hate that man.”
I shook my head. Hamath always had his conspiracy theories about Balak’s intentions. Often I had trouble fully believing them.
It did make sense though. Balak never cared for me personally. Everything had always been about his victories.
A slap on the back jarred me from my thoughts. “All right Tyrus. Looks like I have my orders, or at least my objective. Best I get back to my unit and let them know what’s going on.”
“Yeah, I need to do the same after I tell the other elite units the news. Before you go though, plan to meet me outside of camp on the north side at dusk. We’ll talk more strategy then where we won’t have to worry about eavesdroppers.”
He nodded and left.
Dekar’s unit, or rather my unit again, grew attentive as I approached. Ira was the one to speak first. He seemed to have recovered from killing that lieutenant a few weeks back and was back to his old self.
“Prax’s balls, Dek. Whatever we’re about to hear ain’t good.”
“Am I that obvious?” I asked, taking a seat near the center of the unit.
“Pretty much,” said Boaz.
I sighed. “Well, then let’s just get it over with. You want to hear the bad news, or the really bad news?”
Ira cursed. “How about instead you go take a walk and come back with some good news first?”
Reuma elbowed him. “Bad news.”
“Well, the bad news is that Balak wants me to take back command of this unit.” I gave Dekar a frown. “I’m sorry. It has nothing to do with your performance.”
Dekar shrugged. “I don’t take it personally. I’d rather have you beside us anyway.”
“Well, if that’s the bad news, Ty, then I’m not really too concerned about the really bad news. Spill it,” said Ira.
I lowered my voice so others outside our unit wouldn’t hear and told them of Balak’s plan and what our orders were.
“I lied,” said Ira. “I am concerned. How about next time you say something like, ‘I’ve got some surprising news and some really crap news?’ That would be the better description.”
Dekar cleared his throat. “You got a layout of the city?”
I recalled the model in Balak’s tent. “I do, but I don’t know if it will matter much. Most everything inside the city’s walls are rubble. Just a few standing buildings here and there and none of it around where the Sky Tower used to be. The artifact is going to be in that area. We’ll need to follow the High Mages to lead us to the right spot.”
“Or our deaths,” whispered Boaz.
“Good attitude—don’t trust them. But if they turn on us, it won’t be until after they get the artifact. Before then, they’ll want all the help they can get.”
“What if the Geneshans find the artifact before we get there?” asked Reuma.
“I’d act as though they already have it to be on the safe side. In some ways it would be ideal if they have already located the thing. It would mean we wouldn’t have to do any digging or searching with a finite amount of time to save the main army.”
“Won’t they use the artifact against us?”
“Possibly. If they can. However, based on what I know of their religion, I’m betting the Geneshans would want to go through their sacrifices first to make sure they can better control its power. So unless we come across a rogue Master Sorcerer, which isn’t something you s
ee often, we should be fine.”
Boaz snorted. “Considering what happened last time we thought we could use it, I don’t know how this is a good idea.”
I shrugged. “The High Mages are adamant they can harness the power now.”
“That’s worth nothing to me,” said Ira.
“And they only need to do it once to defeat the Geneshans,” I added, trying to convince even myself of the plan.
“It was used only once last time,” said Dekar, low.
Silence hung over that remark.
“Atta way to keep people up and at them, Dek,” snorted Ira.
Dekar cracked a smile at the comment, but I could see he was still thinking a lot about the situation and the mountain of uncertainty involving it. I didn’t blame him.
I was doing the same.
We had a lot to work out before we left for Hol.
I stressed the need for secrecy.
High Mages weren’t stupid. You didn’t become a master of the power by being an idiot. I’m sure they expected something like what Balak was planning for, possibly even a double cross as well.
I expected all of that and worse. Too much time had been spent over the last couple of months working toward this goal for me to take a lackadaisical approach to it. I’d be up late thinking about every awful thing that could go wrong and how to plan for it. I had to. It was the only way I could keep my sanity, and prepare myself to complete the mission.
I couldn’t screw it up. If I did, I’d never see my family again.
And Molak-be-damned, I promised them I would.
CHAPTER 38
I made the sound of a swallow. Hamath and his unit were to our right. He gave me a look and shook his head with a grin. I smiled a bit myself. He and I had never seen eye-to-eye on my animal calls.
The sound signaled our halt. We had entered Hol on the east side of the city, the part least protected by Geneshan forces, but also the one farthest away from the Sky Tower where we expected to find the artifact. We had traveled for over three hours, trying to sift our way through the decay and rubble as best as we could without drawing notice.
Resurrected Soldiers: The Tyrus Chronicle - Book Three Page 34