An Empire Forged

by Michael Greenfield

  The night held a strange stillness to it. Collett stood just outside the command tent, listening to the muffled sounds coming from the surrounding camp. Even that slight noise couldn’t dispel the feeling.

  Keris had left the camp two hours earlier, ostensibly taking one of two patrols that had left the camp around the same time. If all was going to plan, they should be making their approaches to the Shaler sentry posts that had been marked over the last couple of weeks. As soon as his men had carried out their bloody work, messengers would sprint back to the camp to let them know and Westrom and Ramon would begin forming the troops into formations ready to advance on Holdur.

  He noted that the guard stood a couple of yards from him, near the entrance to the tent, was shifting nervously.

  “First battle?”

  The young man looked slightly taken aback at being addressed directly by his commander but managed a self-conscious grin. “Yes Sir. Only joined the army last year, not really had any opportunity to fight yet.”

  Collett nodded, “You’re one of the lucky ones. If all goes according to plan you shouldn’t find an opportunity today either.” A slightly shameful look appeared on the guard’s face, noted by the senior officer, “Don’t worry. Someone has to look after the old buggers, and if the plan goes out the window, I’ll be relying on you to give me a chance to escape.” He smiled to try and relive the man’s nerves, and also to cover his own.

  Ramon and Westrom stood closer to the edge of the camp. Both were trying to keep from obviously staring into the gloom, watching for the returning Ranger messengers, but the whispered comments of nearby men demonstrated that they were failing miserably to hide their tension from them.

  “I hate waiting!” Ramon glanced at the Adjutant, “I’d much rather be on the move.”

  Westrom chuckled, “It’s a whole new experience for me. Is it always like this?”

  “Pretty much. If it’s any consolation, I can guarantee that everyone within earshot is just as nervous.” He had raised his voice slightly as he spoke, making sure those nearby could hear him. Several muffled comments reached his ears, some not too polite, but he also heard several low laughs as those same men acknowledged his attempt to alleviate the tension.

  He was about to add to his statement when a cry went up from the nearest sentry just outside the camp perimeter. Moments later a Ranger ran into sight, saw the two officers, and headed straight for them.

  He stood straight when he reached them, though he didn’t salute. “All positions taken, no casualties.”

  “That’s a pleasant surprise.” Ramon nodded for the soldier to continue on to let Commander Collett know that the first part of his plan had been accomplished.

  Westrom turned to the a nearby sergeant. “If you would be so kind Sergeant.”

  Organised chaos erupted in the camp. The first sergeant spread the word quickly to his fellow non-commissioned officers, who rapidly started to spread through the camp rousing those that were not already alert.

  “Do you think Collett’s plan will work?” Ramon watched the recently promoted officer’s face for a reaction.

  “It better, because if it doesn’t, I’m going to have a hell of a mess to reorganise.”

  Both laughed, drawing stares from some of those racing about them.

  The infantry had been prewarned to be ready to move at a moment’s notice, though not the actual timing, just in case. As such they were organised into marching columns within half an hour and movement began toward the battlefield.

  Light cavalry was already riding toward the keep, but at a canter rather than a gallop and members of the Rangers were directing their advance to avoid detection by the Shalers ahead of them. Muffled hooves helped to cut down the noise of their advance and several discreet staging areas had been scouted to allow for their removal before they engaged the enemy.

  Dalen, a half dozen soldiers and several of the woodsmen he’d recruited, was already inside the keep. They had decided to remain in the guardroom near the gate when they arrived, relying on the fact that the Shaler were ignoring those that remained in the keep.

  A constant watch had been maintained so that if anyone came over the causeway they would have time to hide in the tunnel. All they waited for now was the agreed upon signal from the advancing forces.

  Then things got tricky. That they could get the gate closed within moments of hearing the signal wasn’t in doubt, but the trumpet call they awaited would have to be given just before the troops were in position to attack. This was the only way they would have time before the Shaler could react, if the troops came into view before the signal was given there was a chance some of the enemy would make their way into the keep, and that could be disastrous.

  He had already dispatched a few of the men to do a final sweep through the rooms contained within the stone walls, but he didn’t expect anything to be found.

  From out of the darkness a single note carried over the night air. From inaction to reaction took a fraction of a second before two men sprinted across the narrow entranceway to the gate mechanism, while Dalen and the others spread out to cover the immediate area of the causeway in front of them.

  Bows were ready with arrows nocked and strings drawn. A man to his left suddenly released, reward a moment later by a cry from the dark as his arrow struck home.

  “He was heading this way.”

  Dalen nodded his head, hearing further cries springing up as the enemy around them realised everything was not as it should be. The gate sprang down, slamming into place whilst four of the men slung their bows and started to push the heavy wooden doors into place.

  As they slammed shut and the wooden bar was swung into place Dalen’s voice rang out. “The walls!”

  Two of the men remained by the gatehouse, ready to raise the alarm in case a concerted effort was made to break through the barrier to the keep’s interior, whilst the remainder of the small force made their way to the battlements. Supposedly to watch the show according to Collett, though the woodsman mused, more than likely the men would take whatever shots presented themselves.

  For a change, it was the Shaler forces that were confused by events unfolding before them. The Boraan troops had managed to approach to within five hundred yards of the keep using a line of small hillocks between them and the main Shaler force as cover.

  Now that the signal had been given, they moved quickly into position, lining along the top of those small rises. As the Shaler roused themselves to face the unexpected threat, the cavalry appeared on their flanks.

  The instructions to the riders were explicit in the fact that they were not to get involved in any kind of extended contact with the enemy. They were to hit hard and fast, then disengage and retreat into the gloom to reorganise and attack again.

  In the wild countryside found to the north of the kingdom the Shaler were feared fighters. Easily able to engage forces much larger than their own, but in the open around Holdur, they were forced to engage a superior force in a set battle. Something totally against their natural abilities.

  Confusion reigned as various family chiefs called out contrary orders. Small groups did manage to organise, but the found themselves face to face with an organised and steadily advancing force of men who had nothing on their mind other than to destroy the invaders of their country.

  On the walls above, Dalen watched for a few moments before quickly motioning to one of his men. Rich was only young, but he had a good eye with his longbow and readily followed orders.

  “Lad, see that big fellow over by that fire?” he motioned toward a Shaler chieftain who was starting to bring some order to the chaos, “How about you give him something to think about rather than getting his men ready?”

  The youngster nodded with a cruel grin, before nocking an arrow and drawing the string back. He paused a moment to take note of any breeze, before releasing. His hand raced to his quiver and pulled another arrow, but even as he did so he could see it wouldn’t be needed.

 
; The arrow took the chieftain in the stomach, causing him to fold about it as he collapsed. Dalen clapped him on the back, “Good shot. Now keep an eye out for anyone else trying to get organised.” With that he turned away and started to take note of what his other comrades were doing.

  Collett had retired back inside the tent when he heard the trumpet sound, even from this distance. He looked up but resisted the temptation to head outside as he knew that they couldn’t possibly see anything from where he was.

  Instead he returned his attention to the plans he had spread over the table. If all was as it should be, he could almost visualise where his forces would be set.

  Ramon had moved forward with the infantry. Not at the front but close enough he could issue further orders if needed. Westrom had remained behind to be ready to move further supplies and men forward as dawn approached, following Collett’s plan closely as long as nothing occurred to disrupt it.

  He could hear the sounds of the forward units clashing with the Shaler now, though as yet he had no word as to how they progressed.

  Almost as the thought passed through his mind a messenger appeared out of the gloom.

  “We’re almost to the causeway, Sir.”

  “Good, how long before we can make use of the keep?” Ramon was trying to keep a mental picture of the battlefield in his head and was under no illusion that if either side could make tactical use of the keep, the battle would be all but over.

  “Major Ratna estimates we should be able to access the keep within the next quarter hour.”

  “Ratna?”

  “The Colonel fell to an arrow Sir, Major Ratna stepped up and has been issuing the orders since.” Ramon’s head drooped slightly for a moment. Colonel Larm had been a friend since they both joined the army at the same time, he would be deeply missed.

  “If Ratna gains the keep and clears the town, tell him he keeps the position.”

  “Yes Sir!”

  “Any word from any of the others?”

  “Not directly, but there appears to be progress across the whole battlefield. It’s a bit difficult to tell for definite as only the Shaler positions have any light, from the torches and fires they had around their camps.

  We should know more in another hour or so as the sky lightens up.”

  With that the messenger turned and left, heading back to the fighting to pass on Ramon’s message to the Major.

  To the east and southwest of the keep the light cavalry were faring even better than the troops attacking Holdur itself. Here the Shalers had realised more quickly than some of their brethren that they were outmatched and outnumbered.

  Even as the first ranks of horsemen started to ride through their positions, many of them saw that retreat was the best option for survival.

  Heedful of their superior’s instruction to allow a corridor leading to the north, through which it was hoped most of the enemy would flee, those that chose to retreat found themselves being harried from behind, but not pressed into an engagement. The goal was to keep them moving rather than trying to kill them.

  Those that stood were treated much differently. Some small groups managed to avoid the lightning attacks of the cavalry, seeking cover and trying to organise some kind of defence. Here they ran into bands of roving soldiers being led by the same Rangers that had gotten the mounted troops so close without being detected.

  These men struck hard and fast from gloomy cover provided by low lying bushes and shallow depressions in the ground. The Shaler had an excellent knowledge of how to use the countryside for concealment, but they now faced a foe led by men with almost comparable skills of stealth.

  Many died in futile struggles that lasted just a few moments. The men of Boraan paid dearly for their successes, but nowhere near as heavily as they could have done. Collett’s plan was succeeding in the open.

  Dalen heard the call first, although only just. Below their position on the wall, he heard shouts to open the gates. Glancing over the wall he saw several blood covered soldiers and someone who looked to be an officer, all staring up at the wall, whilst others were stood further out along the causeway watching for danger.

  Along the length of the raised strip of land between the keep and the town he could see others clambering up, archers immediately taking up positions to provide covering fire for their comrades, whilst others started to move along toward the town itself.

  From the buildings he could hear guttural calls over the sound of the battle, but they appeared to be diminishing. He grabbed the man next to him, one of those that had hidden out in the keep since its fall and was now watching it be retaken. “Get down there and tell them to open up, then bring the officer up here.”

  The man nodded his understanding and ran quickly to the nearby stairwell that would take him down to the yard, near the guardroom.

  The woodsman didn’t have to wait long before he heard the sound of the gate being opened to admit the Boraan forces, and it seemed only moments before he was joined by a young looking major, breathing heavily from his exertions.

  “Major Ratna, Sir.” The man saluted as he stood before Dalen.

  “No sir son, I’m not army.”

  “But I was told that you’re in charge.” The Major looked confused, whilst Dalen laughed.

  “No offence friend, I got roped into this because I know the land. As far as I’m aware you’re the senior officer here.”

  “Oh, well in that case.” Ratna leaned out over the wall and yelled down at the men below, “Sergeant! Get up here!”

  The sergeant was slightly slower than his commanding officer at getting up to the top of the wall, but he was still there fairly quickly.

  “Sir?”

  “I want the first two troops inside these walls within the next five minutes, and archers lining these walls a minute before that.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “As soon as we get those men in position, I want the rest to start to move into Holdur town and clear it out.” The sergeant was close to twenty years older than the young officer, but he sprang to comply with his orders without any comment. Firstly, because he was a good sergeant, but secondly and more importantly, because the orders made perfect sense.

  As he left to pass the orders on, he smiled to himself. Like good sergeants the world over, he was proud to see one of his officers proving himself. He had trained him well.

  Collett still sat inside the command tent. Since the order had been given to start the attack he had received only brief messages updating on how the battle was progressing, he was forced to leave the management of the battle itself to his officers.

  He had asked one of the men to find him some wine a short while ago. He knew it probably wasn’t the best example to his men, but he was damned if he was going to sit and wait like this without something to take the edge of the tension.

  To be fair, the first mug he had poured himself still sat on the table, not even half finished. His head raised as another messenger entered the tent, a big grin across his face.

  “Report.” Collett couldn’t help but notice the man’s manner and he also found himself starting to smile.

  “We have the keep, sir. The cavalry are pursuing the enemy north but not pushing too hard as per your orders, and our men are moving through the town itself as we speak.

  The sun’s almost up and it’s very difficult for the Shaler to hide as it gets lighter.

  Commander Ramon sends word that he expects to have the town itself under our control within the next couple of hours.”

  Collett’s head dropped to his hand as he let a deep sigh. Looking back up he spoke, “Tell Ramon that he is to secure the town and then start to spread the troops out to the surrounding area.

  I want everything within a half day of Holdur under our control tonight, then I want him to start sending patrols out to nearby villages and let me know the situations there.”

  “Of course, sir.” The man left to carry out his orders.

  Despite the success of the day,
he couldn’t help thinking of the men they had lost. Without doubt the battle had proceeded beyond his wildest expectations, but it had still come at a cost. Collett lifted his half-finished mug of wine and drained it.

  Abandoned

  Harlin was becoming more and more agitated as they progressed southward. As yet they hadn’t seen a single other person. From the town of Darlin they had continued to advance, but the emphasis had been on scouting ahead, rather than using a speed march to reach the capital, Ketla, as quickly as possible.

  Caution was the watchword, and it was being exercised to its fullest. They had passed several villages and still hadn’t encountered any resistance. Not a single person had been found, not even a corpse.

  Animals had been left to wander from their pens and many of the scouts had reported fireplaces in houses they had searched that had been obviously left to burn down, rather than being extinguished intentionally.

  Under normal circumstances they were probably a week from the capital of M’ur, but at their current pace it would probably take ten or eleven days. The dwarf didn’t like that, but he liked the idea of stumbling into something unprepared even less.

  He became aware of commotion ahead. Squinting to see through the glare of the setting sun he could see several dwarves gathered about something, but he couldn’t see what. He nudged his mount forward, closing the distance to them in short order.

  “What’s going on?”

  The nearest dwarf turned to his Lord, and in doing so Harlin could see a figure huddled on the floor behind.

  “A survivor My Lord.”

  “Survivor? What do you mean survivor?”

  He took better note of the figure. He appeared to be a middle-aged man, though his hair colour was anyone’s guess as it was so matted with dirt. The clothes he wore were torn and also filthy, and whatever footwear he had once owned, there was no sign of them now.