Fostering Faust

by Randi Darren

  Alex couldn’t help but grin.

  “You’re a shit,” Nannie said with a dark chuckle. “Let her go just to capture her again?”

  “Don’t worry, Nannie. Soon enough you’ll be responding to Five,” Alex said. “You’ll understand then.”

  “What? Fuck you.”

  “Eventually. I suppose. In the fullness—”

  A man with an overly important air caught Alex’s attention.

  “And what peacock have they sent me now?” Alex muttered.

  Seeming to preen himself at the attention, the man came over to Alex and held out a messenger tube to him.

  “Your orders, Count Alex. See that you follow them,” said the man. Then he left without giving Alex a chance to say a word.

  “I take that back; you’re just an ass. That guy was a shit,” Nannie said.

  “Fair, still going to get you eventually… Five,” Alex popped open the tube and reached in to pull out his orders.

  Internally, he’d finally figured out how to maneuver Nannie into position to become a Number.

  Treat her as if she already was one, and never offer her a deal. Until she practically begged for one.

  As if she were beneath inclusion or notice for a deal.

  Her mentality was worse than Carla’s or Valeria’s. What he’d done for them wouldn’t work here.

  Chaining his thoughts to the moment, he read his orders.

  “Well, fuck me,” Alex said, rolling the letter back up and shoving it into the tube.

  “No thanks,” Nannie said.

  “That’s alright. I haven’t gotten you your tag or uniform yet, Five. I’ll work on that next,” Alex said. Then he looked around. “Ah, Max!”

  The man looked up at the call.

  Nannie was growling something under her breath, her hands flexing as she stared dangerously at Alex.

  “Orders. Real stupid, real simple. Charge,” Alex said, then flicked the tube at the man when he got closer, ignoring Nannie completely.

  “Seems our own right flank didn’t do so well. Now we all get to go ‘up over the top’ as it were,” Alex said. “Fool’s errand. It’ll be as bad as they gave us. Let’s see what we can do about it. Is there anything out there in that field of death that could give us cover that I can’t see from here?”

  “Uh,” Max said, still reading the orders.

  “Sire, there’s a small shrub forest off the side of their right flank. Doesn’t look like much from here. We could probably hide a hundred men in it, but that’s about it,” David said as he walked up.

  “We’ll use that. Get the conscripts settled up and strengthen their second line with veterans from the heavy foot. We’ll march them out to the front and let the enemy think we’re coming.

  “We’ll stop well short of the goal. Do they have any archers, by the way?”

  “They did, but apparently my brother burned their entire cache of arrows. I imagine they may have gotten some ammo from others, but… unlikely,” David said with a grin. “Too costly.”

  “Perfect. Then yes, we’ll stop short of the goal and near the shrub forest. Have the archers behind our line and just start pelting them with every arrow they can fire.”

  “They’ll send their best down to fight us after that bloody nose we gave ’em yesterday,” Max said, looking up from the paper now.

  “Perfect. Let them hit us. Then drive those hundred troopers into their flank. Let’s see how much we can carve out of them.

  “I admit we’ll lose some conscripts, but… that’s the nature of war. Let’s at least armor them appropriately and give them a fighting chance. Use the equipment from the dead enemies,” Alex said, waving a hand backward towards their supply camp. “Lots of those available.”

  David and Max nodded their heads energetically.

  “And after that?” they asked.

  “After that? We retreat. No need to give chase. Not in those flatlands. We’ll have obeyed our orders, cost our enemy, and done our job.

  “I suppose we could just keep firing arrows into their camp instead. They won’t come back out, I’d bet. I imagine they’re tired of getting their asshole kicked in with our boot.”

  “I sure would be,” David said.

  ***

  Alex was watching from the defensive line. In the end, they’d sent seventy-five percent of their forces on this mission.

  The remaining twenty-five held the fortifications and protected the wounded and supplies. Just in case.

  Looking off to his right, Alex realized most of his compatriots did not share the same paranoia.

  Every camp was empty.

  “Master, you don’t fight like the others,” Riley said, squirming up to his side.

  “I suppose I don’t at that.”

  “You… trick them. You don’t fight them head on. I think they would call it dishonorable,” she continued.

  “Couldn’t care less. History is written by the victor. I plan to be that victor,” Alex said with a shrug, looking back out to his smudge of conscripts on the far side.

  “Hard to believe there’s a shrub forest out there. Just looks like a bit of bush.”

  “The hills roll. It’s a strange place,” Carla said.

  “And you’d know this because?”

  “Good hideout. The hills roll,” Carla said, turning to face him with a smile.

  Snorting at that, Alex grinned. “You and Five are awful.”

  “Five?” Riley asked, her fingers tightening on his sleeve.

  “I’m not Five, you bastard,” Nannie said from the other side of him.

  “Course not, Five. Oh, I ordered your collar and tag. It’s a pure silver tag, just like the rest. I did get you a black leather collar though; I thought it would suit you. Since I started feeding you so well, your complexion and skin have really gotten quite pretty.”

  “Not gonna wear it. Make you eat it, fucker,” said the murderess sharply.

  “Of course you are, Five. Of course. Anyways. Is Three keeping our guests entertained?”

  “She tied them all up to one another and threw a tarp over them,” Carla said.

  “Whatever works,” Alex said, dismissing the subject. He didn’t really care how Valeria kept them occupied.

  He could just barely make out the scene down there. Across the whole of the line, Duke Tanulf’s people were charging headlong into the enemy.

  Except for Alex’s people. They were standing far enough away that they couldn’t be reached in a rapid charge.

  It wasn’t clear, but he got the impression his archers were just unloading relentlessly on their targets.

  For the last hour in fact, this had been the state of affairs.

  “Think our people will run out of arrows before the idiots decide to attack us?” Carla asked.

  “Maybe. If that’s the case, fine. I’ll take Tanulf being angry at me if he likes.

  “Though I think he’ll have other problems,” Alex said, pointing at an entire line of friendly troops breaking away from the melee.

  “Goodness,” Riley said softly. “Master… does that mean our troops should pull back?”

  “Maybe… depends on if the enemy pushes. If they just sit there, we should be fine… but that’s not likely.”

  “There they go. The dumb fuckers,” Nannie said.

  Looking back to his people, Alex saw the enemy had started off at a trot towards his conscript line.

  Then the two lines locked together. Thankfully it seemed the enemy only had enough troops to meet Alex’s line, and nothing more to wrap around.

  That or they were expecting more tricks back at their remaining supplies.

  Smiling, Alex wondered how bad it was over there.

  He imagined they were having a hard time of it, doubting themselves at every opportunity.

  Then David and Max came flying out of nowhere, it seemed. Crashing into the flank and rear of the enemy.

  Within a handful of breaths, the enemy was surrounded to a man. Wrapped up fr
om front to back.

  “And now it’s the butcher’s work,” Nannie said, a strange lilt creeping into her voice.

  “Unfortunately,” Alex said. “Need to work on that, Five. Your bloodlust is a bit on the high side. Think you want to channel that elsewhere? I have a perfect suggestion.”

  “I will pull out your guts, stuff ’em, and eat ’em,” Nannie said, looming over him.

  Alex reached up and idly patted her cheek. “I’ll stuff you later and you can eat me after. For now, let’s see what happens.

  “If you’re an especially good girl, Five, I might let you watch over any prisoners we take. I’ll even let you mercy kill any that are beyond saving.”

  Nannie looked like she was going to pop from rage, her breaths coming in great, heaving gasps.

  There was a strange lull in the fighting, and then the entire mob of people shifted.

  Then, amazingly, the conscripts and the enemy all started back toward Alex.

  The heavy foot, light foot, and archers remained in the field.

  “Seems we will indeed have prisoners. Shame we can’t strip their dead out there in the field. Their gear might be worth hauling back,” Alex said.

  David and Max then surprised him. They moved a trot parallel to the enemy line, but towards their supply camp.

  Almost immediately, the entire line shifted to match his people’s movement. So much so that the end of their line fractured, giving whoever was on the right side of Alex an easy flank to try and turn.

  David and Max continued to push deeper up the side of the enemy, almost forcing the enemy’s line to bend back upon its own rear now.

  Finally, his men paused and started working at something else.

  “Whatever are you adaptive men up to?” Alex said, watching.

  “They seem to like your form of fighting, Master,” Riley said, ever clinging onto his arm.

  “Any good soldier would prefer to trick the enemy than fight them.”

  Tactics just haven’t changed from en masse and charge, it seems.

  Pinpoints of light were suddenly visible among his men.

  In the next second, flaming arrows had been launched deep into the enemy’s rear. Even reaching as far as into the next liege levy.

  “Oh, that’s fun,” Alex said appreciatively. “I’m sure that’ll panic quite a few people if they manage to hit something flammable.”

  A portion of the enemy line broke off and charged Alex’s line. From this distance, it looked like snow landing on a hot rock.

  The people just melted away as they crashed into his troops. Falling to the ground.

  “Hm. I doubt the duke will be happy with us, but we might be the only group to have turned our enemy. And they’re elites, no less,” Alex said.

  “I never figured you as one to understand war,” Carla said.

  “I don’t. Not really, at least. A plan? Sure. Battle, no.”

  A long, high note came from far off to his right. It was the signal to pull back and regroup.

  Breaking off easily and quickly, Max and David started back towards the safety of their fortified position.

  “Suppose I should go put on my best ‘ass chewing’ clothes. I’m sure the duke will be displeased with me on some level.”

  Max and David continued on their way back to their positions.

  Completely unhindered.

  It was clear to anyone that the dear Count Frenis wanted nothing more to do with them today.

  “Master, I think that’s Daniel,” Riley said, pulling at his arm that was wedged between hers.

  Glancing over, Alex watched as Daniel carried a frantically writhing sack into his tent.

  Then came back out and headed in his direction.

  “Ah, it seems my evening’s entertainment was acquired. Delightful. Looks like you’re off the hook tonight, Five.”

  “I’ll fucking end you and rub one out on your corpse!” Nannie shouted, her lips nearly pressed to the side of his head.

  Turning his head, he quirked a brow at her.

  “Try not to shout in my ear; that did cause me harm. Would hate to see you lose your soul over something so simple.

  “You know, your eyes are rather pretty. Now back up, or are you waiting for a kiss?” Alex asked her.

  Nannie shot upright, her nostrils flaring.

  “I’ve killed and eaten men for less,” she said.

  “Welcome to eat part of me, like I said. No killing though, Five.”

  “Sir,” said a voice behind him. “The duke would like to see you. Immediately.”

  Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the same peacock from earlier.

  No change of clothes then.

  ***

  The talk the duke had with him was more or less what he’d expected, though with one surprise.

  The duke’s other vassals didn’t seem to agree with him. More than one seemed poised to say something, but didn’t.

  Apparently even the duke had noticed the change, and had suddenly broken off his tirade.

  Which was rather fortuitous when the next man to stand read out how their forces stood, and what they knew of the enemy.

  And in that summary, Alex was given his reprieve.

  Count Frenis had less than a hundred men left. The elite right of the enemy had been broken.

  Adding to that, he’d been shifted off the line, with another group to take his place.

  “After that, the duke ended the meeting rather quickly,” Alex said, finishing up the story to Riley.

  “Master’s achievements are visible to all,” she said, moving in close to him and wrapping up his arm again.

  “Well, at least my ‘not failure,’ hm? Now, you do have to release me, One. I need to go speak with my guest,” Alex said, indicating the tent.

  Riley nodded, letting go of him.

  “You can come in, just like last time. Ok?”

  She nodded her head again. “I’ll be quiet.”

  “Good.”

  Moving past Carla and Nannie, who were at the front of the tent, Alex stepped inside.

  Mary was sitting at a table, her arms angrily folded in front of her chest.

  “You said you’d let me go,” she said, her body practically shaking with rage.

  “I did let you go,” Alex said, walking over and sitting down at the table with her. “Even gave you a horse. You can’t blame me that you managed to get caught again.”

  “Using my niece against me… where is she? Are you abusing her as well?”

  “Not at all. She’s been provided everything she needs to survive. Not a soul has harmed her. I haven’t even talked to her,” Alex said. Then he smiled at her.

  Mary didn’t deign to reply, but her shoulders had gone immobile and stiff.

  “Shall we speak of another deal? I’d enjoy speaking with you more at length, you know.” Alex said, setting his elbow on the table and leaning on it.

  “You’re… the devil,” Mary said between her teeth.

  “Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s just say I was infatuated with having you. That I desired to spend more time with you and wanted your company. That I was willing to do what I had to do, even send men to their deaths, to see you. Now, are you willing to deal?”

  Mary looked off to the side, her chin sinking down slowly. Her cheeks holding a faint blush to them.

  “And what for now?” she asked. “I have little to offer anymore that you haven’t already had. My worth is… I have no worth.”

  “I disagree. I think you have a great worth.

  “As to what you have to offer, I’d give you the same deal as last time,” Alex said. “Let me enjoy a nice meal with you. Spend time with you. Learn more about you. Talk with you. Give you the attention you deserve, entertain you in a way fitting your loveliness, and take some of your personal time for myself, as if it were precious. A fine wine to be treasured and enjoyed.

  “Then take you to bed and treat you like the wonderful woman you are. Just like last time.

  �
��Come the morning, I’ll put you on a horse and send you on your way.”

  “And my niece?”

  “Remains with me, but I’ll swear to treat her positively, instead of neutrally, if it helps. With a hint of kindness instead of neutral emptiness, and to ensure her wellbeing daily. Exactly as I’ve been doing up to this point, just with a touch more effort, and how I’ll continue to do even if you decline my deal. Treating her as minor nobility.

  “You can, of course, always say no. Nothing untoward will happen to you or your niece even if you say no, and you’ll both receive all the courtesies of your station.”

  Mary shook her head, her chin dipping down to her chest.

  “I agree,” she murmured.

  Chapter 22

  Alex let his eyes stray from person to person around the room.

  Each and every one of them in here was a member of the peerage. Knights, barons, counts, and even a duke.

  This was Duke Tanulf’s ever self-important evening meeting to discuss the morrow’s plans.

  And how he’ll bungle everything we earn at every step of the way.

  “—expect everyone here to be in their camps! Killing their damn horses if they’re the last creatures standing!

  “Anyone not pushing for all they’re worth will be deemed dishonorable and face punishment.

  “This goes double for you, Count Brit!” the duke roared, turning on Alex.

  Looking up at the duke, Alex waited without a word.

  “You’ll have every soldier in your command on the field and pushing into that enemy line. Do you understand?”

  “Certainly, my lord. I’ll break their elite troops. Again,” Alex said.

  The silence after his words was deafening.

  Everyone in the room seemed to be looking from Alex to Tanulf and back again.

  For his part, Alex sat there, unmoving, unflinching.

  Uncaring.

  The duke on the other hand looked as if he were about to suffer an aneurysm. Or so Alex thought based on the color of his forehead and the veins protruding from it.

  “Yes,” Tanulf said, spit practically leaping from his mouth with the word. “Do that.”

  Turning his back to Alex, he walked towards the map of the battlefield and stared into it.