by Duncan Lay
‘Yes, I did, to save your life,’ Mogosai replied, thinking that had been a mistake.
‘You acted where others did not, when the magic I had used on him had somehow worn off,’ Sumiko said. She considered him for a long moment more, then snapped her fingers. ‘You shall stay by my side today. You have a grasp of what needs to be done and I would be grateful for your advice,’ she said.
Mogosai kept his face impassive, while inside he was wondering why he had been so foolish as to be honest. He should have just claimed Daizuke had ordered a retreat before his death and left it at that. He had been daunted by the thought of leading his father’s clan, but the whole elven army?
‘That is a great honour, High One.’ He bowed carefully. ‘I am not worthy of it.’
‘I shall be the judge of what is worthy. You shall advise me and, if I am busy using magic against the traitors and humans, your orders will be obeyed as if they were mine.’
‘High One.’ Mogosai bowed again and cursed his own cleverness.
Sendatsu looked up as a grinning Gaibun joined them.
‘Glad you could join us,’ he said stiffly. ‘We shall be using trickery and misdirection to get the elves to attack where we want. We have two wings of the army now, the Forlish and the allied wing, made up of Velsh and our southern friends. We will have the Forlish to the left, the allies to the right. We want the elves to launch their best warriors against our right. Here we will fight back with the Velsh crossbows and Velsh magic, the Forlish cavalry and the dragons, trained by Gaibun and myself to be the equal of the warriors you will face. All we have to do is hold them. The left, the Forlish, will need to carve through the lesser warriors Sumiko sends against you, the ones without armour.’
He glanced around at the different leaders: Sven of the Landish, Reynaud of the Breconians, Francisco of the Nevlanders and Gunter of the Balians. He had had no opportunity to gauge whom he could trust, the ones who would stand with him. They all looked different — Sven was tall and blond, Reynaud dark-haired with a hook nose and long chin, Francisco swarthier of skin and dark flashing eyes, Gunter also blond but small and leaner — yet slavery had left its mark on all of them. Their pride was dented and they bore scars both within and without.
‘You don’t want the cavalry to be a threat by itself?’ Wulf asked.
‘They will hold back their archers for you specially, if they see you riding out to their flank again. We saw how that failed last time. No, you will stay in close and help us out until the Forlish have put their opponents to flight. Then you will finish the job, riding to the heart of the elves and getting Gaibun, Rhiannon and myself to Sumiko, where we can cut out the heart of the snake.’
‘There’s not that many of us,’ Wulf warned.
‘There’s still a couple of companies out to the east somewhere. With them, you will have enough,’ Sendatsu said.
‘Orsa will find them and bring them back. He knows what is at stake here,’ Edmund agreed.
‘But if he doesn’t? Or they don’t arrive in time?’ Reynaud asked.
‘We ride anyway,’ Sendatsu said. ‘This is not over until Sumiko is dead. Make no mistake, this is where the future of all our lands will be decided. Will it be for men — all men — or will the pretend elves rule you all with lies and magic?’
‘And if they stand off and loose arrows at us?’ Wulf asked. ‘What do we do then?’
‘Run back a hundred paces, get them to chase us, and go again from there. That is the best way. We don’t have enough shields for everyone.’
He could tell the southerners were not happy with that idea — indeed with any of it. He had spoken about this to Edmund and now nodded at the man, indicating it was time to add one more detail. Edmund studiously tried to avoid his gaze, before reluctantly clearing his throat.
‘The Forlish treasury is stuffed with gold taken from your countries, as well as earned by the sweat of your brows while you worked for us for no pay.’
‘As slaves, you mean,’ Sven said.
‘As slaves,’ Edmund agreed. ‘For every man who stands and fights, there will be two gold pieces for every year you spent as a slave. Sergeants will get five gold pieces, officers ten, and you shall all get a hundred, to do with as you want. It will be the same with your families, who will be pouring into Cridianton even as we speak. It is not enough to replace what we stole, what we took from you, but it is a beginning, with more to come to help you rebuild your countries.’
Sendatsu felt the mood of the southerners lighten considerably.
‘We shall tell our men. It is not nearly enough to make up for what you did to us, but it is a start,’ Reynaud said.
‘Form your men up, then get them to lie down and rest. We don’t know when the elves will arrive or how hard tomorrow will be. The more rest and food they get, the better they will fight. And you can also remind them that the gold will be paid to those who are still here after the battle, not those who disappeared and hid.’
‘And what if we lose? What of the gold then?’ Francisco asked.
Sendatsu smiled humourlessly. ‘If we lose, it will all belong to Sumiko. And I do not think she intends to share anything with you.’
Sendatsu stretched. He felt better with some food in his stomach and even better when the men he talked to all seemed to be in a better mood. The army was drawn up and ready, just waiting for the elves to arrive.
He was still worried about the southerners but the Forlish looked to be regaining their swagger. Strangely, it was thanks to Queen Mildrith.
She walked up and down the lines, talking to the men, telling them how she would stand with them that day.
‘The elves killed my son and husband, your prince and king. Today they will have to kill me to stop me from getting revenge,’ she told them, time and time again. ‘When the time comes, I shall lead you to victory!’
Sendatsu was delighted with the way the men responded to her, although Edmund was less pleased.
‘She knows that the army is the only thing I can use to keep me in power. She is doing this so they will remember her with fondness, and agree to let her become the ruler of Forland after we win,’ Edmund complained.
‘Of course. But if this brings us victory, then we take help wherever it comes from,’ Sendatsu said. ‘Besides, much can happen in battle.’
‘You don’t mean …’ Edmund gasped.
‘If she puts herself in danger, who knows what can happen,’ Sendatsu told him. ‘She is inspiring the men now with her presence. It may be that her death inspires them even more.’
‘I would not take the crown that way.’
‘Even after Ward trained you? That is something he would do,’ Sendatsu said mildly.
‘I am not him.’
‘Nor am I. But today we use every weapon we have.’
Edmund refused to agree and Sendatsu did not push it. The last thing he wanted to do was kill a woman. Killing Hanto was a stain on his soul that would not go away. He still had dreams about that evil time.
He kept walking and talking among the men until the elves were finally sighted and then he made a point of walking slowly and calmly to talk to the other leaders.
‘They did not push themselves hard,’ Gaibun said. ‘Our boys and the Forlish would have got here much sooner.’
‘Our boys? So you accept you are a human now?’ Sendatsu grinned.
Gaibun shrugged. ‘Well, if I don’t accept it today, standing with the humans against our own people, when will I?’
‘We stand against Sumiko, not our own people. They are as much the victims as we are,’ Sendatsu said.
‘Except they don’t know that. Sumiko has them too well trained.’
‘We shall change that. She doesn’t think she needs to hurry. She thinks we are beaten and all that is left is the massacre.’ Sendatsu yawned. ‘Anyone got anything to eat?’
He needed to sleep. He needed another few hours. He needed his children. He needed another ten thousand men.
�
��Have an oatcake,’ Gaibun offered.
‘That’ll do,’ Sendatsu said, chewing on it and accepting a waterskin from Gaibun. ‘Are we ready?’
‘We need moons of work to be ready. The chances are these southerners will break and run as soon as the first arrow flies, golden promise or not,’ Gaibun said softly.
‘Then that is a chance we shall have to take,’ Sendatsu said lightly. He splashed a little water on his face, forced himself to chew down the oatcake and wandered forwards to see the elven host move into position.
This time the ground had not been picked nearly as carefully. It was flat here, with few trees or homes around but the low stone walls would hold up cavalry, while a small hill formed the right of their lines and gave the southerners a little comfort, as well as a better view of the elven advance.
‘Any sign of that missing Forlish cavalry?’ Sendatsu asked hopefully.
‘Nothing yet,’ Gaibun said.
‘Well, if they do turn up, they will give the elves pause,’ Sendatsu suggested. ‘Did you get any rest?’
‘Couldn’t sleep.’ Gaibun yawned. ‘But I’ll sleep right through tonight.’
Sendatsu decided not to mention he had other plans than sleeping for that night. Still, thoughts of Asami made him wish the day was over. It was crazy, it was ridiculous but perhaps that was what she had intended, he mused.
He walked up the small hill to where the southerners were talking anxiously and looking over their shoulders. The Forlish had defeated them time and again, making themselves look invincible — and these elves had smashed the Forlish in the previous battle. What would they do to them today?
‘Nothing to worry about. We have them right where we want them,’ he said loudly. But it did not even raise a tiny smile on the faces of the southerners.
He walked across to where Huw and Rhiannon were talking together, their heads almost touching.
‘Huw, I hope you have a few good words in you. Words we all need to hear. I need you to give them a reason to stand. Remember what we said about speeches before battles, how they can make a difference? Now is the time.’
Huw looked at Rhiannon, who nodded and smiled at him. ‘Ready when you are,’ she whispered.
‘Men, this is our time for revenge!’ he said, his voice echoing around the lines and grabbing every man’s attention. ‘Three hundred years ago, these elves betrayed and murdered our forefathers, stole from us everything. They took our language, they took our words, they took our God and they took our magic. Your children die of sickness because of them. Your wives die in childbirth because of them. Your parents fall ill and die in pain because of them. And they say that is not enough! Now they want our freedom. Now they want to make us their slaves!’
Huw paused there and was equal parts pleased and relieved to hear a rumble rise out of the ranks.
‘But they are no better than we are! They are men, like us. They just think they are special. Today we take back what is ours. Today we show them that we are not animals, but men!’
The cheers began, led by the Velsh but spreading to the others as well.
‘Today will be hard. But remember who you are, and that the man beside you is your brother. Together we shall turn back these arrogant bastards. Stand together and they cannot defeat us!’
Men began to bang swords and spears on shields and Huw nodded to Rhiannon, who embraced him.
‘Nice speech.’ Sendatsu patted him on the shoulder. ‘Now I need to borrow Rhiannon to send a message to Sumiko and the elves, finish the job.’
‘Who is this?’ Mildrith asked with a gentle smile on her face.
Caelin shuffled his feet nervously. ‘This is Hild, my queen,’ he said awkwardly, trying to urge her out from behind his leg. ‘We rescued her on the way south, saved her from the elves.’
‘Now she’s our company mascot,’ Harald said, earning himself a look from Caelin.
‘Well, I think she should stay with me. I know you have taken good care of her but I shall too.’
Caelin did not want to see her go but, equally, knew she could not stay.
‘I shall see you later,’ he promised.
‘More songs?’ Hild asked.
‘Oh, so she likes to sing?’ Mildrith asked with a smile. ‘I’ll have to get her to show me some of the things she has been singing with you.’
Caelin watched Hild reluctantly go with the queen.
‘Oh, we are dead,’ Ruttyn muttered behind him.
‘High One, I think they are going to fight,’ Oroku said nervously. ‘They seem to have gathered more men from somewhere.’
‘It is the Velsh. I saw their flags,’ Sumiko said carelessly. ‘It is a good thing for us. Now we do not have to worry about hunting the Velsh through their filthy valleys. We shall finish them both here today.’
‘And the others? There are more there than just the Velsh. I fought with the Velsh at Dokuzen and saw how many there were. They could not have added so many in such a short time,’ Mogosai said.
‘They must have grabbed men out of their city and armed them, made it seem as if they were more soldiers,’ Sumiko said. ‘The birds have seen that only some have shields and most are dressed in rags. They look big and fat. Probably merchants and tradesmen and the like.’
‘I don’t like the way they have put the Forlish up on that hill, then clustered the rest of the men, backed by the cavalry,’ Mogosai said.
‘Why? The horsemen are obviously only there to stop the other men from running before we get there.’
‘But that hill. It is not big and does not look like much but they can use it to their advantage. If the men they have collected all run away, our warriors will chase them, and then the Forlish can push down from the hill and break us in two,’ Mogosai objected.
Sumiko looked at the small shapes in the distance, as well as the low hill, and shrugged. ‘It does not look like a concern to me. There are not enough Forlish left to do us any damage.’
‘You ordered me to give you advice. I am giving it to you,’ Mogosai said, wondering what in Aroaril’s name he was doing there. He hated the way she cared nothing for their people. No matter what it cost him, he would do everything he could to save lives.
‘You are right,’ she said. ‘We shall use the archers to drive the Forlish off that hill and take it for ourselves. Then the female archers we brought along can have all the remaining arrows from the other clans and stand up on that hill. That way they can command the battle, aiming wherever they choose. We shall go there as well. No doubt Asami and Rhiannon will seek us out. If they try, they will have to walk through a wall of arrows. That’s if the arrow storm we will unleash does not have the gaijin running for their lives. When the time comes, we shall send our best warriors against the Forlish and let the esemono carve apart the fat merchants they have given swords. Does that suit you?’
‘It does.’ Mogosai bowed his head.
‘High One — we might not need to fight. It looks like they are coming out to talk.’ Oroku pointed.
Sumiko sat up straighter in her saddle. ‘Good. Let them get close and we shall take them prisoner.’
‘High One, you cannot do that. It is dishonourable,’ Mogosai said immediately.
‘That is not advice I wish to listen to,’ Sumiko dismissed him.
Then she gasped in horror as Sendatsu’s words began to ring out across the fields, reaching every one of her warriors.
‘People of Dokuzen! You have been lied to and betrayed! Sumiko is leading you to disaster!’ Sendatsu said, seeing his words cause a ripple across the massed clans.
‘I am Tadayoshi Moratsune Sendatsu! My father was Lord Jaken. He was betrayed and killed by Sumiko, not by humans! The clan leaders were captured and the Council Chamber burned because Sumiko let the Forlish into our city, told them to burn and kill so all would turn to her. She is a liar and a traitor and seeks only to rule these lands. We do not have to fight! Put down your weapons, bring us Sumiko’s head and we shall show you the truth!’
He signalled to Rhiannon and she released the magic.
‘Good work. If that doesn’t stir her up, then nothing will.’ He grinned. ‘Now let’s hope she does what we expect. Come on, we’ll get back to the hill before she tries to stop us.’
37
None of us know how or when death will come for us. Treat each day as your last, try to go to sleep without regrets and it does not matter. I wanted to do something that would echo down the ages, so you think of me and be proud.
‘Two can play at that game, Sendatsu!’ Sumiko snarled. ‘Let’s see if your fat merchants and butchers and bakers stand and fight when they hear what I have to say!’ She pushed past Oroku and reached into the magic to shout back at the humans.
‘Men of Forland and Vales! Fall on your knees and bow to me if you wish to live! This is your last chance. I killed your king; today I shall kill every last one of you if you try to fight me. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Bring me the heads of Sendatsu, Asami and Rhiannon and I shall let you be first among the humans. All other countries shall be your slaves! I shall make them grovel before you as long as you do my bidding! I shall give you a quarter turn of the hourglass to walk forwards and fall on your faces before me. After that I shall come and make you beg for death.’
Her words echoed across the lines of men, then died away, to be replaced by a low growl from the massed ranks, from the Forlish, Velsh and the southerners.
‘I did not truly believe your words about these elves until I heard that,’ Reynaud said, a sentiment Sendatsu could see reflected on almost every other southern face. ‘They have to be stopped.’
‘Very clever,’ Gaibun said.
‘Well, we know Sumiko and the way she acts. It made sense.’ Sendatsu shrugged.
‘I hope you can predict what she is going to do next. Because, for all the playing around with clothes and fancy words, we still have to beat an elven army with little more than some half-trained boys, the remains of a beaten army and a bunch of slaves who haven’t held a sword for moons.’
‘If you have any better ideas, I’d like to hear them,’ Sendatsu said.