The First Compact: The Karus Saga (The Karus Saga: Book Book 3)

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  “They certainly know now,” Delvaris added and leaned forward, placing a finger on the map where the enemy’s camp was located. “Especially after First, Fifth, and Eighth Cohorts, along with the auxiliaries, sealed off the streets leading into their campsite and occupied the surrounding buildings.”

  “That’s right,” Felix said, “and the bastards won’t be breaking out anytime soon either. We have sufficient strength in place to ensure they don’t, sir.”

  “Did we manage to grab anyone?” Karus asked.

  “We’ve captured twenty-two of their men, and six women, sir,” Flaccus said. “They were outside their camp, out scrounging about in the city. My people are questioning them now. We should shortly know the enemy’s strength and condition. As soon as any new information is available, I will pass it along.”

  “Sounds good,” Karus said.

  “Excuse me, sir.”

  Karus straightened and looked up toward the door to headquarters. It was Serma, his chief clerk. Serma held his ink-stained hands clasped before him.

  “Sorry to interrupt, sir,” Serma said. “At your request, Prefect Valens is here to see you.”

  “Send him right in,” Karus said, once again pleased. He had met with his senior officers, the cohort commanders, a little over an hour before. The purpose of that meeting had been to give them their marching orders. That Valens had returned so soon meant the cavalry was prepared and ready to depart.

  “Yes, sir.” Serma retreated through the doorway, disappearing.

  Valens strode into Karus’s office a few heartbeats later, the hobnails on his boots clicking loudly against the marble floor. Where legionaries wore sandals, the legion’s cavalry had boots. The cavalry prefect, confident as always, snapped to attention and offered a crisp salute. Karus returned it.

  “How are your horse soldiers?” Karus asked.

  “Me and my boys are assembled and ready to depart, sir,” Valens said. “The men are in excellent spirits and eager to be off. We simply await your permission to ride.”

  Resting a hand on the edge of the table, Karus eyed Valens for a long moment. The man was usually as grim as the ferryman for the dead. And yet, the myriad patchworks of scars across his mutilated face could not hide his enthusiasm to be off.

  “You’re certain your boys are good?” Karus asked. “There are no lingering effects?”

  “None, sir,” Valens said. “We’re in excellent shape. Heck, I feel as if I’ve had a full night’s sleep … Never felt better, sir. Even the horses are rested and ready.” Valens paused. “I am pleased to report your cavalry is prepared for an extended movement. Just give the order. We’re ready to go to work, sir.”

  “All right.” Karus motioned Valens closer to the table with the map. The cavalry prefect gave a curt, professional nod to Felix and Flaccus. He then glanced down at the map before looking back up at Karus expectantly.

  “I don’t like not knowing what’s going on outside the city walls,” Karus said. “I’m effectively blind and I’d like you to rectify that for me.”

  “I will, sir,” Valens said, with a quick glance at Flaccus. “We would not have returned to the city unless directly ordered to do so, sir.”

  “Like the rest of the legion, his men became crippled by the disease,” Flaccus said, hardening his tone. “I deemed it best to pull them in, as only a few were fit to serve. With the refugees in revolt, we needed every able-bodied man here, just to hold the palace district.”

  “I’m not blaming either of you.” Karus held up his hands before Valens could respond, for the good-natured attitude had slipped from the man. The grimness had returned. “And I am most certainly not going to look back at what could have been done instead. Given our current circumstances, that’s simply a waste of time and counterproductive at best. What was done was surely in the best interest of the legion. I have no doubts about that and will not second-guess Flaccus, to whom command fell.” Karus paused, sparing each man a look. “I expect you both to comport yourself in a professional manner. I will not tolerate hard feelings or grudges from either of you on this subject. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” Valens said.

  “Understood clearly, sir,” Flaccus said.

  They were two of his best. That didn’t mean Flaccus and Valens had to like one another, but they had to work together. As professionals, he knew they would do as he asked. Karus eyed them both for a long moment, then glanced back down at the map.

  “As I said, the immediate problem for you,” Karus said, “is scouting the ground outside the city.”

  “I’ll fix that, sir,” Valens said. “Give me a few hours and you will know if there are any threats within twenty miles of the city’s walls.”

  “I’m counting on it,” Karus said. “However, I asked you here to give you additional orders, which I am certain you’re expecting.”

  “Yes, sir,” Valens said. “I assume this has to do with the allies you mentioned in your briefing with the senior officers from earlier?”

  “You assume correct,” Karus said and touched the map to the east of the city. “Our new allies should be about two days away, maybe less, marching on this road here.” The map on the table didn’t show the area more than a couple miles beyond the city walls. He was relying upon Valens’s knowledge of the land, which the man had accumulated over the last few weeks of scouting. “They will be slowed by the wagons they’re bringing.”

  Valens leaned forward, studying the road. He looked up after a moment. “I’ve seen that road, sir … It’s in excellent shape and we should make good time. I don’t think it will be a problem locating them, and quickly too.”

  “Good,” Karus said. “Once you’ve found the dwarves, I want you to push with the majority of your strength beyond them and find our real enemy.”

  “The Horde, sir?” Valens’s face clouded over in speculation. “The army of orcs you mentioned? Like the creature we brought back for you to see?”

  Karus gave a nod.

  “I was hoping you’d want that, sir,” Valens said. “It’s why I had my men pack extra rations.”

  “Though you ride instead of march like a real man,” Felix said, with the hint of a grin, “no one ever accused you of being stupid.”

  “The smart ones learn early,” Valens said, “that it’s better to ride than march, especially if you have to carry your own gear.”

  “Somehow I never learned,” Felix said, “is that it?”

  Valens shot Felix a knowing smirk.

  “You will need to shadow the enemy as they close in on the city,” Karus said, redirecting the conversation back to where he wanted it. He was in no mood for diversions.

  “That shouldn’t be a problem either, sir,” Valens said in a confident tone.

  “If practical,” Karus said, “and the opportunity presents itself, I would very much like you to ambush the enemy’s supply train, along with interdicting any foraging parties you come across. Basically, make yourself a big thorn in their ass, without taking undue losses.”

  “I believe I can do that, sir,” Valens said, suddenly sounding eager. He rubbed his hands together. “This sounds like fun.”

  “Don’t get overenthusiastic,” Karus cautioned. He had known the prefect to occasionally bite off more than he could chew. “We cannot replace your horses.”

  “I will strike only when and where I am confident of success,” Valens said, “with an eye toward minimal losses on our end.”

  “Expect them to have dragons.” Though he hoped not, Karus had to assume the enemy had them as well. And he wanted Valens to keep that in mind too.

  “Dragons, sir?” Valens said, sounding none too happy about that prospect. “Are you sure, sir?”

  “No,” Karus said. “However, consider it a strong possibility.”

  “Yes, sir,” Valens said, his enthusiasm giving way to a stony face. “I will keep that in mind.”

  “Good,” Karus said.

  “Since they’ve first sh
own up, I’ve been thinking about how to deal with such creatures,” Valens said, “or really how to avoid them while still doing my job.”

  “You have?” Felix sounded surprised.

  “Of course,” Valens said. “I thought there was the possibility we might run into similar creatures that would prove hostile to our interests. As such, whenever possible, it will mean moving in small groups under cover, or conducting any serious actions or raids at night. Should the enemy have dragons, it might complicate things a little, but I have no doubt my boys are up to the challenge.”

  “Good thinking,” Karus said. “To be clear, I need patrols out in all directions. That said, your primary focus will be to the east and our enemy.”

  “I understand my mission, sir.”

  “Very well,” Karus said. “I won’t keep you any longer. Good luck.”

  Valens saluted, turned on his heel, and left, his boots clicking loudly on the marble flooring. There was a long silence after the cavalry prefect had gone.

  “Though he makes light of it,” Felix said, “that man has a hard job to do.”

  “No more than we,” Karus said, expelling a breath.

  “Agreed,” Flaccus said.

  “Right, then.” Karus turned back to the map of the city. “Let’s focus on the nuts we have to crack … namely digging the refugees out of the city. We also will need to begin preparing the legion to march. That includes moving the supplies we’ve accumulated out of the palace district and to the gates, where we can better load them onto transport with the least amount of hassle. I see no need to clog the city streets with wagons, especially if we don’t have to.”

  All three of them knew it would be a monumental task.

  “I hate to say this, Karus,” Felix said, “and I know you won’t like it, but … well … since you want to leave Carthum soon after the dwarves arrive, perhaps we should consider just going and not worrying about the refugees.”

  “Are you serious?” Karus asked. Of all the things Felix could have suggested, he had not expected this. “You mean for us just to pull out?”

  “Yes,” Felix said. “I think we should consider it as an option.”

  “You’re right,” Karus said. “I don’t much like the idea.”

  “Look at it this way. The Horde will deal with the bastards for us,” Felix pointed out, “and it’s only a matter of time until they get here, right?”

  “We need to root them out,” Flaccus said firmly, shooting Felix a hard look. “They’ve a good number of fighters. As we pull out of the city, there’s no telling what trouble they might cause or how they may choose to harass us.”

  The thought of doing what Felix was suggesting had set Karus’s blood boiling. Oddly, he found his gaze flicking to the sword in the corner. Karus had left it there, in its scabbard, leaning against the wall. He vividly recalled it encouraging him to kill his own men. He forced himself to calm down and turned his attention back to Felix. He knew, no matter how distasteful, this was potentially a decision that trumped revenge and self-interest.

  The wellbeing of the legion came before all other concerns. The rational part of Karus understood, by counseling such an option, Felix was only doing his job. Conversely, the irrational side wanted payback.

  “Look,” Felix said, “I don’t like it either. But any type of assault, no matter how well executed, will see us taking casualties. That’ll weaken our strength. Karus, you keep telling us the Horde is the real enemy. And those bastards are just days away. Am I wrong?”

  “No, you’re not wrong,” Karus said. He considered both men for a prolonged moment before turning toward Delvaris. “I’ve not heard from you yet. Do you have an opinion on the matter?”

  The junior tribune appeared surprised by the sudden question posed to him. He shifted his feet, glancing down at the map and then back to Karus. He did not speak.

  “Well?” Karus asked when the tribune hesitated a moment more.

  “I think we should do as Flaccus suggested,” Delvaris said. “I would not want to worry as the legion pulls out of the city.” The tribune pointed at the map, toward the enemy’s camp. “If the refugees are hungry, as we think they are … there’s no telling what they could attempt. Our supply train might be just too tempting a target, sir. If they hit us, that also will see us taking casualties. I doubt they will … but just the same, they might even follow, nipping at our heels.”

  The tribune had made an excellent point. The legion’s line of march would be long, and if the refugees followed, they might harass the rearguard. That was, if they had the balls to do so. Karus did not think they would follow. And yet, he knew he could not take that chance. They were a threat and just as much an enemy as the Horde. In short, they needed to be dealt with before the legion left.

  “Right then,” Karus said, his gaze shifting to Felix as the anger returned. “I agree with Flaccus and Delvaris. The threat is too great to leave them in place. Also, an example needs to be made. The men expect it and I want it … especially for Dio.”

  “Right then, attack it is.” Felix pointed down at the map. “They were able to inflict heavy casualties on us during the previous attempts to force them out. What with the sickness, we also had a smaller force at our command. Now that we have the numbers, it will go differently. Still, I think, any assault could prove costly. Which means it must be planned carefully, with an eye toward minimizing casualties.”

  “We could burn them out,” Flaccus suggested, waving a hand at the map. “Using the dragons, that is. Doing so would make short work of them.”

  “And no doubt set the city afire,” Felix scoffed. “That’s just what we need. Imagine trying to move the supplies out of the palace district as the city burns around us.”

  “I would first create a firebreak,” Flaccus said, running a finger around the enemy’s camp, “pull down a wide strip of buildings. So much so, the fire has no hope of jumping to the rest of the city. In the unlikely event it does, we can have bucket brigades at the ready. Once the firebreak is completed, send in the dragons.”

  “What you’re suggesting will take time.” Felix shook his head. “We need to be readying the legion for a prolonged march, and that doesn’t even include prepping the supplies for transport or moving them to the gates. Once the dwarves arrive, we’re going to have a difficult enough job just loading all the supply we’ve accumulated.”

  “We can do both,” Flaccus said. “It’s not like we don’t have the manpower, not now, with the legion healed. Or we could simply wait until the legion marches. Once we’re clear of the city, we burn them all out. Screw the city. Let it all burn. It’s not like we’re coming back.” Flaccus looked to Karus. “Are we coming back?”

  “Not if I can help it,” Karus said, “and I would not willingly leave any shelter in place for the Horde. I was planning on burning the city, leaving only destruction and devastation behind us.”

  “Well,” Flaccus said, “there you go. Just like a good slinger, we can kill two birds with one stone.”

  “Once we pull out,” Felix said, “there’s no guarantee we would get them all with fire. Some would undoubtedly be able to escape into the city itself and, Flaccus, it’s a big city, nearly as large as Rome. I also doubt the dragons would want to take the time to burn every single building. They might not even be capable of that. Some of the refugees are bound to get away.”

  “What about just demanding their surrender?” Delvaris asked.

  All three officers looked at the tribune. There was a long moment of silence. Delvaris rushed ahead, filling it.

  “We show them overwhelming force and the futility of resistance. As Flaccus said, we have the dragons.” Delvaris gestured in the direction of the palace gardens. “The refugees might not realize we’re concerned about the city burning. Let’s use the dragons as a big stick and threaten to beat them with it.”

  The moment of silence stretched.

  “And if they don’t surrender?” Flaccus asked in a quiet tone. “Wh
at then?”

  “We’ve lost nothing,” Delvaris said, “and we’re back where we started. However, if they do surrender, I think it will be easier than forcing our way in, and less costly too. Don’t you agree?”

  “He makes a very good point,” Felix said with a low chuckle. “I like it.”

  “I think we should try it,” Flaccus agreed. “Good suggestion, boy.”

  Delvaris went red in the face at the sudden praise as both Felix and Flaccus turned their attention to Karus. He gave it some thought, thinking it through. They waited patiently for him.

  “Very well,” Karus said to Delvaris. “We’ll do it your way. I will speak with the dragons. But just the same”—Karus looked meaningfully at the other two senior officers—“I want us to prepare for a direct assault. If they don’t surrender, we’re gonna hit them with everything we have and do this the hard way, before nightfall too. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” Flaccus said.

  “It is, sir,” Felix said. “I will begin working on plans to do just that.”

  “Good.” Karus scratched an itch on his cheek. “I want to see them within the hour.”

  “You’ll have them.” Felix gave a nod.

  “Now,” Karus said, “I will also want—”

  “Excuse me, sir.” Serma had come back into the office. “Sorry to bother you.”

  “Yes?” Karus asked, looking over, wondering on the cause for this new interruption.

  “The High Priestess has requested your presence in the gardens, sir,” Serma said. “It seems two more dragons have arrived.”

  “Two more?” Flaccus said.

  “Yes, sir,” Serma said.

  “Kordem and Cyln’Phax did tell me more dragons would be coming to help us,” Karus said.

  “Well, that’s encouraging.” Felix’s smirk returned and was directed to Karus. “I guess you could say they’ve just added to our firepower.”

  “Very funny,” Karus said, somewhat amused. He felt a slight lightening of the mood.