Reborn: Book 2 (Chronicles of Ghost Company)

by Shawn Muller

  “But brother, what of the consequences which will follow?”

  “I am emperor. I am my consequence. Those who oppose my rule will be dealt with swiftly, such as those damn faeries who shall feel the wrath of the cyclops yet again,” Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III said, smashing a clenched fist onto his study table.

  “You humble me, and honour me, my brother,” Staed said bowing low to his brother.

  “No, my brother, I am truly honoured to have a brother like you. Let us make the announcement together,” Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III said, gesturing for his brother to lead the way out of his study.

  The proclamation came as a shock to the Cyclops Empire. Never before has an emperor had a living brother for fear of a civil war breaking out as the brothers could fight for dominance among the cyclops. Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III, true to his word, executed a few of the most vocal nobles who stood opposed to the declaration, silencing the remaining nobility. Staed would rule M’Mexarow while the emperor was in Curixeus, and would also be charged with crushing the faery rebellion. Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III left his palace in Lafarance Fort content that the empire was in good hands as he headed back to his wife and the subduing of Curixeus.

  ***

  “Emperor Standlerd. I am surprised to see you back so soon,” General Etawar said as he bowed low.

  “General Etawar, it is good to be back. I trust you heard my declaration?” The emperor asked his loyal general.

  “Indeed, I did your imminence, and the declaration did catch me unawares. However, I am pleased the Staed is alive and assisting with the crushing of the faery rebellion. He was an able student before his disappearance,” the general admitted.

  “You are not the only one who was caught unawares. The entire court was wild with chatter when I walked Staed out at my side. And we are a few nobles short now as well.”

  “Ah, I take it that there were the usual objections?”

  “No longer, I have culled them out of the court and have tasked Staed with filling the void with more suitable land owners.”

  “Excellent news indeed your worship.”

  “I trust all is well with our conquests further south?” The emperor asked with regards to the invasion of the Elven Forests.

  “Indeed emperor. We seem to have crushed that pesky company at last. We did manage to capture a few of the members and after a brief interrogation, we gleaned the fact that they call themselves the Ghost Company. However, the self-same Ghost Company led a daring raid to rescue their captive members and succeeded in not only accomplishing that but also killing two dragons and gravely wounding a third,” General Etawar reported of the prison break.

  “Skilful adversaries, I shall enjoy crushing them,” the emperor conceded.

  “Yes, your holiness. We have pushed deeper into the forests and have come across their abandoned camp. They seem to be a well-organised company, but severely under strength now. I doubt we will be seeing much of them in the near future,” General Etawar said of the Ghost Company and the losses they had suffered under the relentless attacks by the cyclops and werewolves.

  “Yes, it is a pity. However, we must press the advantage and push deeper still. I want Traders Post captured before the winter snows set in,” Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III ordered his general.

  “Your will shall be done,” General Etawar said bowing low.

  “Now, how will you proceed with the attack?” The Emperor asked his general as both turned to study the detailed map which lay on a planning table.

  “Your greatness, I believe, as many do, our way to success is to strike hard and fast down the main highway, making for the bridge crossing over the Joliotium River. From there, we can amass our forces and besiege Traders Post,” the general explained.

  “And what of the forests? Will we not risk being harassed along the edges of the highway leading through that cursed place?” Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III asked concerned.

  “I do not believe so. Since this, Ghost Company has been vanquished the fight has left the elves who live in the forests. I believe that once we capture Traders Post, we can persuade the elves to surrender peacefully. Failing that, we send in the Horde.”

  “Excellent. I trust you will be leading the invasion personally?”

  “As always my emperor, I shall be on the front lines. I intend building a temporary fort at the entrance to the forest from where we can launch our attack.”

  “Carry on Etawar. I shall follow you once you have captured the bridge and shall oversee the siege of Traders Post.”

  “Yes, your imminence. The forward fort shall be ready for your personage within the week. We will time your arrival there with our main thrust down the highway.”

  “Excellent. I shall be ready then. Carry on with the good work and you shall be most handsomely rewarded afterwards my faithful servant,” Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III promised his general.

  “You humble me your worship. I shall strive even harder,” General Etawar said, just about grovelling at the emperor’s feet.

  ***

  Times were dark for us. We were camped south of the Joliotium River, in our first camp when we brought the griffins back from the dwarves. We had lost too many people the last few weeks and were feeling the effects of the fighting.

  From about one hundred and fifty men at the beginning of the skirmishes, we were now a little over fifty. Those who were injured were moved back to the HQ where Hioki and Jos would care for them while the rest of us drank our sorrows away as we waited for Prince Marcus to arrive.

  I was even missing Veggie, who disappeared soon after arriving here the first time. He apparently was travelling to his homelands to recruit a few more ogres for us, and to encourage the rest to come out of hiding. That was a lifetime ago, and still no word. So we drank to our lost friends, and lost causes, and to lose ourselves in the sorrow.

  Prince Marcus eventually arrived at Traders Post and sent for us. We slowly packed up and broke down our camp and marched off to meet with the prince and his army. A few days later we were met by a scouting party of elves, who led us to the picketed army which was camped outside the small city’s walls.

  A sentry guided us deep into the neat camp toward the command tent, where the prince was meeting with his commanders to discuss the defence of his lands. A pair of guards, armed with halberds, opened the tent flaps for Fremod and I, allowing us to enter the large tent. Standing around a massive wooden table, Prince Marcus looked up to see us enter, deep worry and regret etched on his lined face.

  “My friends! You have arrived at last. Come, sit down and tell me about your losses. I am deeply sorry for all that has transpired. I truly am. I wish there were more I could have done. We were truly unprepared for this. Imagine, a race of giants invading us from across the seas!” Prince Marcus said in disbelief.

  Nodding our thanks, we accepted the offer of wine, but remained standing, facing the various commanders. I noted that both the orcs and the dwarves were missing, but a giant mountain troll stood behind the group. I quickly summed up the happenings of the last few weeks, with Fremod giving his honest opinion as well.

  “I do believe that we may be in serious trouble your highness,” Fremod began to say.

  “Please Fremod, Bob, just Marcus. You deserve that at least.”

  “Thank you, Marcus. The cyclops army is indeed very powerful. They match us, the king trolls in size and strength, and have large packs of well-trained werewolves at their sides. Auxiliary units from Princess Wendyaline accompany them, and they have dragons to aid their advances. I need to warn my father. He needs to assist us urgently, or all will be lost, including his kingdom,” Fremod ended gravely.

  “I will arrange a messenger urgently for that. Perhaps a griffin shall deliver it?” Prince Marcus asked.

  “I believe it must, the sooner, the better. What news from my father, Flipher?” Fremod asked the quiet mountain troll at the back of the tent.

  Not liking the sudden attention focused on him, the troll lo
oked down at the carpeted floor of the tent before speaking in a deep, sober tone.

  “He is well Prince Fremod. We are also hard pressed from the south. Our lands are under constant raid by the Taurine barbarians led by the dark skinned human savage overlords. I do not think that your father will be in a position to lend much help for the moment. However, if he hears direct from you, the seriousness of the situation, I am sure he will send help,” Flipher said shyly.

  “You were always a quiet one my friend. I see why my father sent you. Any other troll would be slavering at the mouth by now, wanting to meet these cyclops in battle,” Fremod told his fellow troll kindly.

  The group chuckled at that, with Flipher giving a small, shy smile. The prince turned back to the planning table and began discussing defensive strategies’ with his commander, while Fremod and I just stood quietly at the back, not listening anymore as we remembered the past.

  Commander Jeroch caught up with us as we left the command tent once the prince was done with his discussions. I waved for Fremod to carry on ahead while Commander Jeroch and I took a slower stroll back to our camping area.

  “Listen, Bob, I know you and what is left of your company are hurting, but you have to snap out of it.”

  “Snap out of it? We have been fighting nonstop for weeks against an enemy bigger and stronger than us. We have been wiped out Jeroch! Wiped out,” I ended quietly, choking up with tears.

  “The prince needs you, Bob. He believes in you and your men. As diminished as you are, you can and will play a significant role in this war. Already the rumours are flooding the army as to your exploits. You have stood up against this terrible enemy, who is bigger and better than us. And yet, you have bloodied their nose time and time again. You and your men have sacrificed everything for us, giving us the opportunity to gather our army to defend our lands and freedom. We own you and your men. Now, like I said, pull yourself together, and lead your men in a manner for the rest of us to follow. We need you as our backbone. Unbreakable. If the army sees you waver, the best of the best, the champions of the prince, then we have lost it all,” Jeroch ended.

  “Screw you,” was my reply as I turned around and walked away from him.

  I was angry because he was right, I needed to pull us together. It was time for the Ghosts to rise again. I stomped to my tent, looking at the haphazard way the Ghosts were sleeping wrapped in their sleeping furs. We were a mess, and I only saw it now.

  Flinging my tent flaps aside, I entered it where Mia was wrapped up in her furs, fast asleep on the cot we shared. I lit a lantern, poured cold water into a basin and began to shave, the first time in months. It was time to lose the thick bushy beard now.

  Hacking away with my combat knife, then carefully scraping away at my face, I looked intensely into a polished silver mirror which Mia always carried around. Bit by painful bit as I nicked myself countless times as I slowly began to recognise the old me. Once that was done, the blood dried up, and I tackled my unkempt hair which hung scraggly over my shoulders.

  It took ages, but finally, I was clean shaven, on both my face and my head. It was almost dawn by the time I was done. Mia began to stir, and I quietly left the tent to start the fires up again. I started a brew of the last bit of coffee we had and went to wake her, before waking the rest of the gang.

  “What on earth have you done?” She asked me outright from waking up.

  “It was time to pull myself right,” was all I said.

  “I like it like that,” she complemented me and gave me a hug.

  “Thanks. Coffee is almost done, and your tea. Time to wake the rest of the gang. Today the Ghosts rise again,” I told her as I rose up and headed for the rows of tents.

  “Good, I’m glad. I will be there soon my love,” she told me, filling my heart with joy at those words.

  Smiling, I began to kick the men awake. Grumbling and moaning like kids waking up to go to school they slowly sat up and took notice of my change.

  “Get up you lazy pieces of cyclops dung!” I shouted at them.

  “Today is the beginning of a new era for the Ghosts! Today we remind everybody around us who we are. And soon, the cyclops will know they have messed with the wrong company,” I said menacingly, turning about to see all my men as they gathered around me.

  “We have lost good friends. But we will honour them by kicking cyclops ass!” I shouted to cheers from the Ghosts.

  “Now form up and run you lazy bastards! Let’s show those pretty boys surrounding us who the real men and ladies are!” A big groan sounded from the men, but happily they formed a double line after their morning ablutions, and I led them off for a gruelling morning run.

  Huffing and puffing much later in the morning, we had a quick breakfast before breaking out the practise weapons and doing a series of drills. Prince Marcus’ men gathered around us, whispering amongst themselves at our skill and determination.

  We were down and out, practically wiped out, yet we are still practising, ready to wreak revenge on the enemy. Soon, different companies of Prince Marcus began to join in, trying to match us in our training. Prince Marcus, Jeroch and the various commanders walked amongst us, giving encouraging words to us all, willing us to practise harder for the battles to come. Approaching us, I left my men and called Jeroch aside to have a private word with him.

  “Commander Jeroch. I am sorry for last night. I was out of line to speak to you that way.”

  “Do not fret, Bob. It was something you had to hear, and your reaction was expected. Well not really. I half expected you to punch me, but at least that never happened. I am glad that my words had the desired effect, though. Welcome back,” Commander Jeroch said, shaking my hand.

  “Thank you, sir, it is good to be back,” I answered with a smile.

  “Bob! I am so glad that you are showing the rest of the men how to fight. Your experience against the cyclops shall stand in good stead for the coming battle,” Prince Marcus said out aloud for all to hear.

  “Men, I have received word that the cyclops’ have built a fort at the edge of the Elven Forest. From there they will launch an attack down the highway to capture the bridge spanning the Joliotium River. We have built a series of defensive lines at various points along the highway to stop their attack. Tomorrow, we will march north, to meet these tyrants and stop them dead in their tracks!” A roar from the men resonated over the forest as Prince Marcus held up his closed fist.

  “Sharpen your blades well men, for they shall taste cyclops blood soon! We shall drive them back out of the forest and back to the hellspawn hole they crawled out of!” A bigger cheer and we all pumped our arms in the air.

  The prince walked off with his commanders, leaving us to begin preparing for tomorrows march. Commander Jeroch sent a message to me later, requesting me to meet with the prince and him at dusk to discuss a few things. It left me with a few hours to prepare for tomorrow and to clean myself up before I made my way over to the prince’s tent.

  I left our cleaner, more organised sleeping area at dusk, happy to see my men following suit by cleaning up their appearances. The dwarves rebraided their beards, the orc tied new fetishes on themselves and even Fremod brushed the twigs and snarls out of his furry coat. I walked over to the command tent with a spring in my step, greeting those I walked past as I made my way over. It all ended when I entered the tent, and Prince Marcus told me my assignment.

  “Commander Bob. I understand that your company is under strengthed. But I have a particular mission for you to lead,” Prince Marcus began, my heart sinking at the words.

  “We believe that the cyclops will move in force once we start our march to the forward positions. It will be a race to see who gets there first.” Commander Jeroch continued.

  “I feel that we can hold the cyclops back once we are well positioned behind the fortifications. However, should we fail to arrive there well ahead of the cyclops we will be hard pressed to fight them in a standard engagement,” Commander Jeroch said matter of fac
t.

  “Your mission Bob will be to attack this forward fort of theirs, with the aim of turning their advancing army around to face your threat, thereby giving us the chance to gain the time we will need to position our forces,” Prince Marcus continued.

  “Ok, so you want us, the fifty odd men I have left, to hit that fort hard when it is empty to draw the enemy back, to give you a chance at fighting them on more suitable terms?” I asked.

  “Plainly put, yes,” Prince Marcus answered back.

  “Right. And when do you want us to attack?” I asked, thinking deeply about the mission.

  “You are to remain here until I send word back as to when the cyclops march to meet us. You will attack once the orders have been received,” Commander Jeroch explained.

  “No problems. It will be done. I assume that I have the full co-operation of the quartermaster? I need a few supplies first,” I asked the prince.