‘Aye, ma’am,’ said Lennox.
‘Right. You’ll be coming with us. Leave the tent and get onto the next carriage that lands.’
‘How are we getting back to the Fourth?’ said Cain. ‘Ma’am.’
‘The entire Army of Pyre’s being assembled. The Fourth will already be at our destination, along with the other regiments. The Second will be the last to arrive.’
‘Where are we going?’ said Lennox
The officer frowned. ‘You’ll see when you get there, soldier.’
She turned and strode up the hillside away from them.
‘The whole army?’ said Libby.
‘An exercise?’ said Cain. ‘Remember that one a couple of years ago, when they had us all running up the valley by Jade Falls? Might be something like that again.’
The others said nothing, but Lennox knew what they were all thinking. Was it time?
Fifty yards down the slope from them, a dozen winged gaien took to the air, lifting the three carriages they were attached to by thick cables. As they banked away from the flank of the mountain, another line of gaien flew in behind them, keeping perfect formation as they landed.
‘Come on,’ said Lennox, getting to his feet. They had nothing with them except the clothes the Second’s quartermaster had given them, and they raced down the hill, mingling with the soldiers queuing to board the carriage. Each was burdened with a full load of equipment – armour, shield, weapons, tent poles, supplies, tools and everything else the Army of Pyre needed, and next to them Lennox felt almost naked.
The doors swung open, and the soldiers clambered aboard. Lennox, Libby and Cain found a space at the rear of the crowded carriage, the soldiers hanging on to knotted ropes attached to the ceiling.
‘Hey,’ said a voice.
They turned to see a squad leader next to them, his equipment gathered around his feet.
‘You’re the three from the Fourth that were stupid enough to get yourselves captured? Stay with me. I’ll show you where to go when we land.’
‘Aye,’ said Lennox.
The sergeant shook his head at them, then turned away to continue talking to his squad-mates.
‘I hope we’re not going into battle dressed like this,’ said Libby.
‘There won’t be a battle,’ said Cain. ‘It’s just another exercise.’
‘Ye think so, lad?’ said an older soldier next to them. ‘Yer wrong. This is it. Finally.’
‘You’re talking shite,’ said another soldier close by as the carriage doors were closed and locked.
The older man grinned. ‘I can smell it.’
‘The only thing I can smell,’ said the other soldier, ‘is the crap you’re spouting.’
The soldiers in the crowded interior swayed and gripped the ropes as the carriage lifted into the air. Lennox leaned down to look out of the window, and saw the side of the mountain begin to draw away. They turned, and headed north, the sun to their right. The passed over a long ridge, and in the wide valley below, he caught a glimpse of the town at the heart of Liberton, a place he had still never visited. He wondered if he ever would.
The hours passed, and the fleet of winged gaien carried the Second Regiment over the mountains and farms of the Rahain uplands. As the sun was beginning to tilt towards the south-west, Lennox began to make out the long line that marked the vast Tahrana Valley; the rift that separated the inhabited lands from the desolate and guarded Grey Mountains.
They reached the edge of the hills and descended into the lowlands, soaring over the barren plains and crossing the wide, lazy river that bisected the valley. Beyond, Lennox began to make out the camp where the Army of Pyre had assembled, first as a darker haze against the brown sweep of the plains, and then as distinct shapes made from the rows of tents and wagons.
‘What did I tell ye?’ said the older man. ‘We’re headed for the middle of the Tahrana Valley, right where the entrance to the Great Tunnel lies. Do you think we’ve come all this way for a fucking exercise?’
The soldiers jostled to get a view out of the windows.
‘I think the old prick might be right,’ said one.
‘I hope so,’ said another. ‘I can’t wait to stick it to those imperial bastards.’
Their carriage circled as it approached the camp, then descended over an open area to the west, forty yards from the nearest line of tents. They landed, the keel of the carriage grinding over the rocky earth. The soldiers clung onto the ropes, then the doors swung free, and they clambered out, forming up in lines before their squad leaders. Lennox looked for the one who had spoken to them and they stood next to his squad as they gathered. Behind them the carriage rose into the air, the winged gaien taking to the skies again.
Officers called out commands, and the soldiers grabbed their gear and set off towards the lines of tents.
‘You three,’ said the squad leader, ‘come with me.’
Lennox nodded and they followed the man as he strode away to their left in the direction of a large pavilion-like tent, its canvas high enough to hide a two-storey building.
‘Wait here,’ the squad leader said as they reached the guarded entrance. He saluted the soldiers on duty and walked in.
The three friends gazed around at the bustle of the vast camp. Soldiers were everywhere, putting up tents, eating their evening meals, fixing and preparing their armour and equipment. Great mounds of stores had been piled up at the ends of each line of tents, and there were countless numbers of wagons. In the distance, Lennox could make out the dark bulk of the Grey Mountains towering over the valley floor. Tiny pinpricks of light stood out among the foothills.
‘The entrance to the Great Tunnel,’ said Libby, seeing where he was looking.
‘The way to the Plateau,’ said Cain, his eyes narrow, ‘and the empire.’
The squad leader emerged from the tent.
‘Here,’ he said, passing Lennox a rolled document. ‘Take this to the headquarters of the Fourth Regiment. It explains where you’ve been.’
‘How do we find it?’
The squad leader pointed. ‘Your regiment is camped about a quarter of a mile that way. Go past the Third, then you’ll see them. Off you run, then. Oh,’ he smirked, ‘and try not to get captured again. The Second won’t always be there to save your arses.’
Lennox and the others saluted and set off, taking the widest route that led through the maze of tents. The First Regiment was camped on their left, and the Third on their right. Fires were being lit as darkness fell over the valley, and the sounds of thousands of soldiers filled the air. After a ten minute walk, there was a gap in the lines, and they saw their own regiment camped beyond, their colours flying from a dozen tent poles. They made their way to the large command pavilion, where the guards allowed them entrance after inspecting the document given to them by the Second. They were led to a small canvas room and left alone for a long wait.
‘You three are supposed to be dead,’ said a voice.
They turned to see an officer enter the chamber.
‘Aye, Captain,’ Lennox said. ‘We were surrounded and taken prisoner while…’
‘I don’t give a shit,’ the captain said. ‘The operation in Liberton is over. You’re just numbers on a sheet to me. I assume you require re-equipping?’
‘Aye, Captain.’
‘Follow me.’
The officer left the chamber and they hurried after her. She took them to a guarded armoury deep within the interior of the pavilion.
‘Full infantry kit for this lot,’ she said to the soldiers at the door. ‘And be quick about it.’
‘Aye, ma’am,’ said one. He looked the three friends up and down and began muttering to himself.
‘Report to your old squad once you’re finished,’ the captain said. ‘I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see their comrades back from the dead.’
‘We’re back,’ said Lennox as they entered the squad tent. ‘Did you miss us?’
Four sets of eyes turned and
stared at them from the middle of the tent. Loryn jumped to her feet and crossed the short distance to them.
‘You’re alive!’ she cried, a wide grin splitting her face.
‘Aye,’ said Lennox, smiling back at her.
Carrie stood, while her brother Kallek gazed wide-eyed in their direction. Logie said nothing, his face grim and dark. Lennox, Libby and Cain hauled their gear into the tent, and claimed three of the four empty beds.
‘Darine?’ Carrie said.
Libby shook her head. ‘She didn’t make it.’
‘Come and have a drink,’ Carrie went on, ‘and tell us everything.’
They sat down by the others in the centre of the tent and Carrie poured them mugs of fortified wine. Libby told them the story of what had happened, while the others sat and listened. Lennox watched Libby as she spoke the agreed lies about Darine without faltering. He also glanced at Logie, who was yet to utter a word since they had arrived.
Libby got to the end of the tale.
‘So the rebels were destroyed?’ said Carrie.
‘Pretty much,’ said Libby. ‘The Second Regiment were insufferable arseholes about it of course.’
‘And they questioned you for days?’ Loryn said.
‘Aye,’ said Lennox.
‘No wonder,’ Kallek said. ‘Anyone who surrenders without a fight needs a few questions put to them.’
‘You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,’ said Cain.
‘I know you three are cowards,’ Kallek said.
Lennox drew back his fist and buried it in Kallek’s face, and he toppled to the ground unconscious as the others stared, their mouths open.
‘Enough!’ Logie cried.
Lennox said nothing, keeping his eyes on the squad leader.
‘We told them you were dead,’ said Carrie into the silence.
‘Aye,’ Lennox said. ‘We know.’
‘You fucking owe me,’ Logie said. ‘I could have told the commanders the truth, that you’d disobeyed orders and started a mutiny, but I didn’t.’
‘Fuck you,’ said Lennox. ‘You did that to save your own arse. You knew fine well what would happen if the army found out what you’d done in that village.’
‘Don’t you breathe a word of that,’ Logie said, his face reddening. ‘Not a word. Nothing happened in the village, you understand?’
‘So we all keep quiet,’ Lennox said. ‘Suits me.’
Logie stared at him, a slight trace of doubt in his eyes.
Kallek groaned and rubbed his chin.
‘Get up ya useless piece of shit,’ Logie snapped at him. ‘No one calls anyone in the Fifth a coward. You got what you deserved.’
‘Sorry, boss,’ he said, keeping his eyes down as he took his seat.
‘Right,’ said Logie, ‘so we’re back up to seven. Pity about Darine. Rebel bastards. That’s all done with now though, we’re on to something else.’
‘What, though?’ Libby said. ‘What are we doing here?’
Logie shrugged, acting as if the three friends had never been away. ‘Fucked if I know. I’m pretty sure it’s not an exercise, though. Rumours among the squad leaders are that it’s the big one. We’re finally going to kick that bitch empress’s arse for her.’
‘The tunnel entrance is only a few miles away,’ said Carrie.
‘Aye,’ Logie said, ‘that it is. We could be banging on the door of the Plateau in days. Or, we could be sitting here scratching our arses for the summer. Who knows?’
He drained his mug of wine and poured another. From the redness of his cheeks it looked like he had already put away a few. Lennox glanced at Libby. Her eyes flicked to Kallek then back, and she raised an eyebrow.
‘Got any food?’ said Cain.
‘You not had dinner?’ said Carrie.
‘Had nothing since breakfast,’ he said. ‘Spent ages travelling here, and then we had to wait for hours to get our kit replaced.’
Loryn stood. ‘I’ll fix you up something. We’ve got plenty of supplies.’
Cain smiled. ‘That’d be grand, thanks.’
‘While she’s away doing that,’ Logie said, ‘let me give you three a piece of advice. Best not to speak too much about being prisoners. Makes the Fifth look weak. And Libby, how many times do I have to fucking tell you? Get that hair cut back to your shoulders or I’ll do it myself.’
Libby frowned.
‘No,’ said Lennox. ‘She can grow her hair if she wants. There’s nothing in army regulations about having to keep your hair a certain length.’
The interior of the tent fell silent.
‘It’s my squad,’ Logie growled. ‘My rules.’
‘Fuck your rules,’ Lennox said. ‘We’re sick of your crap.’
Logie’s face darkened and Lennox tensed himself as the rest of the squad stared in silence.
‘What the fuck did you say?’ yelled the squad leader.
‘You heard me, Logie,’ Lennox went on. ‘It’s the price you pay for our silence about the village.’
Logie jumped to his feet and Lennox rose to face him, keeping his arms loose by his sides. Kallek got up and stood next to Logie as Cain did the same at Lennox’s back. Loryn and Carrie edged away, while Libby continued sitting, her eyes wide.
‘Kallek,’ Logie said, his eyes not leaving Lennox. ‘Get the scissors.’
‘Aye, boss,’ Kallek said, moving back across the tent to where packs had been piled.
‘Lennox,’ Logie said. ‘Don’t be stupid, lad. I’m giving you a direct order – sit the fuck down.’
‘I’m not scared of you,’ Lennox said. ‘You touch her hair and I’ll give you the beating of your life.’
Logie clenched his fists. ‘You?’ he sneered. ‘Think you’re hard now, do you? Pyre’s tits, lad, I’m going to enjoy kicking your face to a pulp.’
‘Boss?’ Kallek said. ‘Where are they? I can’t find them.’
‘You useless twat,’ Logie cried. ‘Do I have to do everything…?’
His voice tailed away as a horn blast pierced the night. It was followed by two others. An officer appeared at the tent door.
‘Outside, all of you!’ he yelled. ‘Fourth Regiment’s assembling. Full kit.’
He moved on without waiting, and the squad glanced at each other.
‘You heard him,’ cried Logie. ‘Full kit. Now.’
The squad burst into life, with each rushing to their beds and pulling on their armour. Libby glanced at Lennox as they got ready.
‘You might have warned me you were going to do that,’ she muttered to him.
‘I told you I wasn’t going to take his shit.’
‘Aye,’ she said, ‘but what now? He’s not going to let that pass. How’s this going to work itself out? You going to fight him?’
Lennox said nothing.
Within minutes the squad was lined up by their beds, their armour on, and shield, pack and weapons slung over their backs. Logie marched up and down, his eyes darting over their equipment. He paused before Lennox for a second, but said nothing, then walked from the tent. The others filed out after him, and they joined the flow of squads heading between the lines of tents. In the centre was a large empty space, and the regiment got into formation before a raised platform, where several officers were standing. The squads lined up behind their company standards and hushed into silence.
‘Fourth Regiment of the Army of Pyre,’ cried an officer from the platform. ‘I’m sure you’ve heard rumours about why we’re here. Behind me stands the fortress that guards the entrance to the Great Tunnel through the Grey Mountains. The far end of that tunnel has been sealed for fifteen years, to protect the Republic of Rahain from the imperial aggressors that lord it over the lands beyond. This nation of Rahain, our home, the last bastion of the faithful, has long lived with the threat of invasion hanging over our heads. For fifteen years we have defended the frontiers of Rahain, but now, at last, the time has come to take the initiative.’
He paused, gazing out
over the silent ranks. Lennox’s nerves were rising.
‘No doubt,’ the officer went on, ‘you’ll be aware that the Second Regiment returned today from Liberton, having successfully crushed the nest of rebels, and destroyed their mountain lair. That was a necessary first step, for when we move forward, we must not leave enemies at our back. For this reason also, the Fourth Regiment has been selected for a similar task. As soon as this assembly is over, you will make your way to the west of the camp, where a fleet of winged gaien awaits you. You will then be taken to your destination, to flush out another nest of enemies, to whom you will show no mercy, for they deserve none. Pyre will judge their treacherous souls in the next world. When you land at dawn, you will have the honour of striking the first blow at the great enemy, for the target is a settlement of imperial spies and lackeys hidden in the vales of the Grey Mountains. They believe that we are unaware of them, but we have long known of their location and purpose, and have been waiting until now to deal them their death blow.’
He raised his hands.
‘Do your duty,’ he cried, ‘for Pyre, the Lord Protector, and Rahain!’
The soldiers roared, and banged their maces off their shields. Officers blew on whistles, and the regiment began to march away, company by company, heading along the wide path between the other regiments. Soldiers from the First and Third watched them as they passed. It was late in the evening, and many were drunk and called out insults and obscenities, to which the Fourth responded in kind. At the far end of the camp Lennox recognised the field where he, Libby and Cain had landed a few hours previously.
‘I’ve still not fucking eaten,’ muttered Cain, as they trooped up towards the row of waiting carriages.
An officer strode down the lines. ‘Squads one to five,’ she called out. ‘Board on the left.’
Queues formed in the field. Blazing torches had been positioned all around, their flames lighting up the night sky. Lennox felt for the closest, his mind feeling out the fire as it burned through the oil-soaked rags. The flames calmed him, and he breathed.
‘Shit,’ said Libby. ‘We’re going to be fighting in a few hours.’
‘Aye,’ said Cain, ‘but where? That officer was being deliberately vague.’
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