Legacies (46 page)

Less than a glass passed, perhaps even as little as a half a glass, before the Lanachronan trumpet sounded once more, and once more the drumming of hoofs on hard ground and stone filled the late morning. Once more, the mass of the Lanachronan attack seemed directed at the center of the Matrite line.

Alucius blinked. A column of riders had broken off from the main attack and was riding northwest, aiming toward the Barrow Mounds.

“Fortieth Company! To the left, oblique! Charge!” This time, Captain Hyrlui's voice was the one that rose over the low thunder of hoofs. Had something happened to Tymal?

“Second squad, column oblique! Follow me!” Alucius urged Wildebeast forward. “Rifles out. Prepare to fire!”

Shooting while riding wasn't terribly effective for most troopers, but anything that would slow the attackers would be helpful. Alucius lifted his own rifle and concentrated on the one of the leading Lanachronan mounts. It took him three shots, but the mount went down, as well as two following.

He managed to bring down one more mount—slowing the attackers fractionally—before second squad neared the Lanachronan column. “Sabres at the ready!”

Alucius aimed Wildebeast at the standard bearer beside the lead rider.

The leading rider swerved toward Alucius, and Alucius switched the sabre to his right hand, ducking and coming in under the other's guard. The cut wasn't what he would have liked, but the result was acceptable—the Lanachronan was lifted out of his saddle.

The standard bearer never even truly saw Alucius before the sabre took his arm and the blue-and-cream banner dropped into the dust.

From there, the battle turned into a man-against-man struggle, with more horses turning, riders swearing and grunting—and more troopers dying.

Another retreat sounded from the east, and Alucius turned Wildebeast, trying to make sure neither he nor any of his men were cut down by retreating troopers. Once he was sure the Lanachronans had withdrawn, he called for the squad to re-form on him.

“Fortieth Company! Return to position!” called out the captain.

“Second squad forward. We're heading back to position!”

“Third squad, take station on second squad.”

Alucius took a deep breath, and then began to cough on the dust he'd inhaled. He groped for the water bottle. After several more coughs, and then some water, and he could breathe. He glanced eastward. From what he could see, the Lanachronans had withdrawn so far that he couldn't see their forces. Could that really be? Had they thrown them back from Zalt?

At what cost? Alucius wondered. For how long? And whose reinforcements would arrive first?

He looked down at the bloody sabre in his hand, then slowly began to wipe it clean.

Alucius had not been certain that he would sleep the night after the battle, but he had, although he had awakened early and dressed and then checked Wildebeast before making his way back to meet with the other squad leaders before breakfast.

Gholar—the acting senior squad leader after Tymal's death—glanced at Alucius as he walked back into the open space at the end of the squad leaders' barracks wing. “I'll tell you before the others get here. The captain wants to see you now.”

“Yes, sir. Now?”

“As soon as you can get there. I'll catch you at breakfast and fill you in—if she doesn't.” Gholar cleared his throat. “The captain watches you like an eagle watches a stray mongrel. You want to tell me why?”

Alucius shrugged. “I was almost a herder. I was a scout. I learned some things, and it seems like every time I use them, someone thinks it's unusual. I wasn't close to the best scout in the militia, but I'm probably one of the best in the Matrite forces.” He shook his head. “I can't not use what I know. Troopers will get killed; I might get killed. If I do use what I've learned…then I get questioned.”

“You'd be better off as an officer.” Gholar laughed. “Too bad you can't be one.”

Alucius laughed as well, if falsely. He just wanted to get back to Iron Stem and be a herder, but that hardly looked likely. Surviving was hard enough, and getting harder.

“You'd better get moving.”

“Yes, sir.” Alucius half-bowed and turned.

Although he didn't wish to face Captain Hyrlui, being late would only compound the problem. So he walked rapidly through the dim corridors.

The door to the captain's spaces was open.

“Squad leader…come in and close the door.” The captain did not stand, but motioned for Alucius to take one of the stools set against the wall.

Alucius pulled one out opposite the captain and settled himself there, waiting.

“What did you think of yesterday?”

“Everyone fought hard, sir.” What else could he say?

“Yesterday was indeed hard fought, squad leader. Hard enough that the Lanachronans withdrew into the hills. They're waiting for reinforcements.”

“Yes, sir.”

The captain fixed her deep-set eyes on Alucius. “Second squad was most effective yesterday in leading the charge to turn the Lanachronans' attempt to flank us.” She paused. “How many troopers did you lose, squad leader?”

“One, sir. We lost one in the earlier skirmishes with the Lanachronans.”

“One…and yet your squad was in the first rank and met all attacks.” Hyrlui nodded.

Alucius wasn't sure that he liked what the nod implied, an inner acknowledgement by the captain of a judgment, a recognition, almost self-satisfaction, rather than fear or anger. “Yes, sir, but we were also on the right flank, sir. We could see what was happening, and we didn't face quite so many easterners as the squads did more toward the center.”

“You led the attack on the flanking attempt, and all of your men rode into the attack,” the captain pointed out.

“I'd say we were fortunate, sir. This time.”

“That may be.” The captain's tone was polite, but Alucius could sense the doubt, even as she smiled. “That may be, and let us hope that we continue to possess such fortune, especially in the weeks ahead.”

“Yes, sir.”

“It's as I thought, but I wanted to hear it from you.” The captain stood. “Thank you.”

Alucius stood and bowed. He could tell that the captain wasn't lying, and that bothered him far more than if she had been, because it meant that she had a good idea he wasn't exactly what he seemed to be.

She wouldn't do anything…yet. But if the Matrites succeeded in throwing back the Lanachronans, he'd have to watch out. If not, he had another set of problems, beginning with surviving.

Another summer Duadi dawned bright, promising hot and dry weather, as Alucius formed up second squad in the courtyard of Senob Post. He turned Wildebeast so that he could study second squad. Every one of his men except Druw was already in formation.

Three more Matrite horse companies had arrived from the north two days earlier, along with two more foot companies, turning Senob Post into a crowded warren with pallet beds everywhere. Even the squad leaders' spaces had been halved, so that their bunks were almost frame to frame.

That crowding might not last long, reflected Alucius as he continued to check the courtyard filled with men and mounts, not when at least five horse companies had also come from Tempre, swelling the Lanachronan forces, from what the scouting patrols and the scouts from the auxiliaries had reported. The easterners had set up their camp in the low hills on the north side of the southwest high road, several vingts east of the eastern boundary road. Their locale in the hills had made it more difficult to determine exactly the size and composition of their forces. What was certain was that, at the moment, a large force was riding westward on the southwest high road, and was nearing the eastern boundary road.

According to Gholar, now confirmed as senior squad leader for Fortieth Company, with the arrival of two additional foot companies, Overcaptain Catryn had decided to let the easterners ride much closer to Zalt this time. Gholar had not explained why.

“Sir…sorry, sir.” Druw eased his mount into place.

“You made it.” Alucius paused, then added with a smile, “If not by much.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Fortieth Company, report!” Gholar called out.

“Second squad, present and ready, sir!” Alucius reported.

“Third squad, present and ready, sir,” Yular stated.

When the nine squads had reported, Gholar in turn reported to Captain Hyrlui, “Fortieth Company all present and ready, sir.”

“Stand easy,” the captain called out.

Another quarter glass passed before the commands came, beginning with those for Thirteenth Company.

Shortly, Gholar called out, “Fortieth Company! Forward!”

“Second squad, forward!” Alucius ordered.

As the Matrite forces rode eastward, Alucius considered what little Gholar had said that morning. Once more, the Matrite troopers were outnumbered. Not badly in total numbers, but the Matrite force included five companies of auxiliaries, and the auxiliaries were nowhere to be seen. Had they been sent elsewhere? Alucius didn't know. All he knew was that, once more, Fortieth Company was bringing up the rear, at least for the moment.

Less than two vingts to the east of Senob Post, long before the eastern boundary road, the column halted, momentarily, before forming into a thick line across and perpendicular to the southwest high road.

“Fortieth Company, to the left!”

When second squad finally came to a halt, and the dust settled enough for Alucius to see more than a hundred yards, he could tell that Fortieth Company held the left flank of the entire force, and that second squad again held the northern flank of Fortieth Company. For all the haste, there was no immediate sign of the Lanachronans.

“Company! Stand easy!” Gholar called out.

“Second squad, stand easy,” Alucius repeated. “Take a break for water, but make it quick.” He followed his own advice.

After that, he tried to sense what might be coming, but all that he could feel with his Talent was the mass of darkness somewhere to the east and north. With so many auras so close together and so far away, all he could determine was that the Lanachronans had brought a massive force into Madrien—far, far more troopers than on their last attack.

Alucius could easily understand why the Lanachronans would wish a pitched battle. If they won and destroyed the Matrite forces, they could easily take Zalt and rebuild it into a fortified outpost controlling the southwest high road—and the access to Southgate. Before long, Southgate and southern Madrien would be part of Lanachrona. But…without cannon, the easterners would have found it difficult, if not impossible, to take Senob Post.

So why was the overcaptain—or the Matrial—willing to risk such a battle?

Alucius swallowed a rueful laugh. Did it make any difference as to why? He was as low as one could get in the command structure, and his influence was nonexistent. His knowledge was but slightly more than that of most troopers, and what he said or thought made little difference to those above him.

For almost a glass, second squad waited before the dust rising on each side of the southwest high road neared enough that Alucius could make out the host of the approaching Lanachronan horse troopers—perhaps two vingts away.

Gholar rode along the front of Fortieth Company, stopping his mount and exchanging a few words with each of the squad leaders. Finally, he reined up opposite Alucius.

“Sir?”

“They're going to try to wear us down. They've split into two forces, and they're holding back the second group. That means the first attack won't have the force of the one they tried the last time. Don't fire until they get to within fifty yards. Then have your men fire as fast as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gholar turned and rode back to the center where he reported to Captain Hyrlui. Neither undercaptain was in sight, but that was usual. Some of the officers were directly behind the company, and some in front. Usually, it was the undercaptains out front, but Captain Hyrlui preferred it the other way.

“Second squad! Rifles ready. Hold your fire until my command, then fire as quickly as you can
…accurately
.” Alucius looked at each squad member, one after the other, then eased Wildebeast around so that he faced eastward. Once more, he checked his rifle, then lowered it, resting it across his thigh as he watched the deliberate pace of the approaching troopers.

As before, the Lanachronans walked their mounts until they reached a point just beyond accurate range for most rifles. There they dressed their lines—and waited. The two forces were less than a vingt apart, and neither line moved.

Another quarter glass passed.

Then came the trumpet blasts from the east, and the Lanachronan horse surged forward.

The Matrite troopers continued to wait as the easterners pounded toward them, with the drumming of hoofs and, except for those few riders who held the high road, the rising swirls and clouds of dust from fields where knee-high crops were being trampled into the dry soil. No yells or battle cries filled the air, nor did the
crack
of rifles. Just the sound of mounts rumbling toward the Matrite line.

Alucius watched as the gap between the two forces narrowed to two hundred yards, then a hundred. When the gap reached what he thought was sixty yards, he shouted out the order. “Second company! Prepare to fire! On my command! Fire! Fire at will!”

With that, he lifted and aimed his own weapon, centering his concentration on the nearest standard-bearer.
Crack!

The blue-and-cream banner fluttered down, lost in the press of the Lanachronan troopers.

Alucius continued to fire, going through his entire magazine before the easterners were within fifteen yards, then shoving his rifle into its holder and drawing his sabre.

“Second squad! Sabres at the ready! Sabres at the ready!” He only waited a few moments before snapping out a second order. “Second squad! Form on me! Charge!”

Gholar's orders or not, Alucius wasn't about to have his squad cut down motionless, and he urged Wildebeast forward. Second squad formed behind him as a wedge, as if the other six troopers sensed that following him was their best chance.

Alucius kept low in the saddle as he guided his mount toward a slight gap in the oncoming line, aiming at the left side of an eastern trooper. There were definite advantages to being left-handed—provided he took the initiative. His blade slashed across the first trooper's shoulder as he rode past, but he had to lean and twist to parry a thrust from his right.

After that, second squad's charge slowed, then deteriorated into a horse-to-horse melee, where the seven troopers ended up in a rough circle facing out. The fine dust was foglike, and clinging, and occasional coughs mixed with grunts and the sound of metal on metal, and the occasional scream of a wounded horse.

Alucius cut down an already injured Lanachronan trooper, making a gap that offered some light to the west. “Second squad—on me! Charge!”

He urged Wildebeast onward, and the stallion responded.

Second squad burst into a clear space off the northern flank of the blurred line of the Matrite forces, and Alucius wheeled his mount back into position.

“Glad to see you back!” called Yular from twenty yards to the south.

“We do what we can!” Alucius ducked and parried a slash from a trooper in blue who had appeared, seemingly from nowhere, then offered a counterthrust that he twisted into a slash across the man's face and throat.

A triplet sounded on the Lanachronan trumpet, then was repeated, and the easterners disengaged.

“Second squad! Re-form on me!” Alucius wiped his sabre clean, then sheathed it. He surveyed the field as the dust began to settle, casting out his Talent-senses. From what he could tell, the Lanachronans who had attacked were moving back as another wave of their own forces moved to the fore. “Reload and check your rifles!”

Gholar rode to the front of Fortieth Company. “Re-form in squad order! Dress the line!”

“Hansyl!” Alucius called out. “Take station on fourth squad!”

“Taking station, sir.”

This time Gholar started his rounds with Alucius. “Almost like last time. Don't fire until they get to within fifty yards. Then have your men fire as fast as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Once they get close, you can charge, but try to keep your squad close to the line.”

Alucius nodded, but Gholar was already moving to Yular, repeating the same orders. So Alucius addressed his squad. “We'll fire when they get within fifty yards, and then we'll switch to sabres and charge at my command.”

“Yes, sir,” someone said.

Alucius checked his rifle once more and watched as the blue-clad troopers thundered toward the Matrite lines. Then the attackers were within a hundred yards, dust swirling up from the dry beaten ground, blades flashing through the dust-fog.

“Second squad! Prepare to fire! Fire at will! Fire at will!”

The Lanachronans seemed even more tightly bunched than before. Alucius concentrated on shooting, taking just enough time to make sure each of his shots counted. He
thought
he had hit most of those he had aimed at, but with the mass of oncoming riders, how could he tell? His rifle empty, he holstered it and drew the sabre once more.

“Second squad! Sabres at the ready! Sabres at the ready! Form on me! Charge!” Alucius signaled Wildebeast forward, both with his heels and the slightest bit of Talent encouragement, and the big stallion charged forward toward the massed line.

Alucius concentrated on becoming a weapon of death—a focus of destruction—and, almost as if the Lanachronans saw that focus, several riders tried to avoid him. Alucius didn't let them, his sabre becoming a flashing blade of annihilation—at least in his own mind—as he ripped through the first ranks of the Lanachronans.

Once more, second squad found itself in a circle, but a circle into which the Lanachronans seemed reluctant to enter.

Alucius saw another opening, deciding not to tempt fate too much by remaining where they were. “Second squad! On me!”

By the time second squad was free and back somewhere close to the Matrite line, the Lanachronan trumpet had sounded, and the easterners had pulled back. Alucius absently cleaned the sabre and sheathed it, taking stock of his squad. Karyl was missing, and that meant that second squad was at half strength.

“…see that?” Hansyl asked someone behind Alucius. “Looked like he was a company by himself…”

Alucius frowned, then glanced eastward, where the Lanachronans who had withdrawn had turned and were re-forming yet again.

In the momentary break, Alucius tried another search with his Talent, beyond the immediate battlefield itself, where everything was far too confused for his perceptions to make much sense, even though the Lanachronans appeared to be re-forming in preparation for a third attack. To his left, to the northwest, there were more Lanachronans.

Were they coming down the north-south high road? He frowned as he tried to determine how and where.

“Dress the line! They're beginning another attack!” Gholar called out from the center of Fortieth Company.

Alucius looked east. The easterners' line began to gallop back toward the Matrite force, and it appeared as though both previous waves of attackers had been combined into a single force, determined to smash through the thinning lines of green-clad Matrite troopers and to sweep across Zalt.

Gholar rode down the line, calling out. “Fire when they're within a hundred yards! Within a hundred yards—” With the last words, the senior squad leader pitched out of his saddle, almost in front of Alucius.

Alucius rode forward fifty yards up onto the slightly higher ground. There he looked at the eastern assault to the east and then back to the northwest. His eyes widened as he saw the massed force of blue tunics less than half a vingt away.

What could he do? There wasn't time to pass the word. He didn't see either the captain or any of the undercaptains—and Gholar was down, perhaps dead.

“Fortieth Company! Fortieth Company! Oblique! To the left! To the left, oblique! We need to stop a flank attack!” Alucius hoped the explanation would help with the irregular orders. He was far from certain that a charge on the oblique was the best maneuver, or that his orders were technically correct, but unless he did something, the entire Matrite force would be smashed from the left rear, and that would be worse than obeying orders. Far worse!