The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (25 page)

The clang of metal on metal rang across the fields and it throbbed in Hal's ears, pulverizing his thoughts, until they merged into his sword. Twang! Crack! He became the blade; no other thoughts penetrated his mind. See, react, see react, hear react; he moved quickly and under control. Again, he wielded his weapon and his blade dented his foes' metal, sometimes finding soft flesh. Blood soaked his tunic and the ground he walked on. He became a creature of reflex. Another parry, then cut, parry, slash, parry, push, stab and twist. The glories of war quickly melted into mindless gore and one only survived; there were no heroes. The stench of the gore numbed the senses. The mind focused on just raising the sword again despite the agony of muscles strained beyond human limits. But the soldiers were human no more. The carrion birds no longer waited on the fringes; they helped themselves as the living moved on to other encounters.

Hal exhaled and raised his battered shield. Two shapes came at him. A sword rang on his shield and he hacked with his sword into the shoulder of his opponent, and then spun away. The second attacker was blocked by the first and Hal charged into them both, pushing them backward. The second attacker lost his footing, falling to the turf. Hal forced the attack and drove the first attacker backward. Hal pounded the man's shield and the man stumbled over his comrade. Hal quickly stabbed downward, taking the first man in the throat. He struck the second with his shield, stopping the man from rising. Then Hal killed him as he had the first attacker. Hal no longer thought about his movements, he just reacted as long as Cane's soldiers attacked.

At one point, Hal became aware that he was fighting alongside Plucker. The huge man bellowed as he swung his sword, his heavy breathing creating a rhythm for Hal to swing his own sword. The tide of fighting flowed around them and Hal drifted here and there, engaging a new foe when his opponent was dispatched. He found himself facing two pike men attacking as one. He quickly slapped his blade against the right side pike, pushing it into the other. Hal danced to the side and swung a weak blow at the pike man closest but it drew little blood. This time they split and came at Hal from opposite sides. He attacked one, blocking the blow and rolled past the pike man to evade the other pike from the rear. He jumped to his feet and rushed inside the reach of the nearest man and ran his blade through him. The other pike caught his shoulder as he tried to remove his sword from the dead man. Hal stumbled backward and the pike man jumped over his dead comrade. Hal brought his sword down on top of the pike, blocking the blow and slide his sword upward and slapped the helmet of the pike man. He cried out and Hal found the opening he needed. The pike man died next to his comrade. Hal checked his shoulder. The wound was not deep. The flow of fighting came his way again.

Hal swung his sword until his shoulder burned and still continued to wield his sword. Cane's soldiers moved forward breaking like waves on the rocks when they met Hal's army. Hal led forward a charge into the main body of Cane's army. The constant clang of metal was deafening and the cries of the wounded and dying rose above the killing ground. When the call for Cane's army to fall back came, Hal slumped over his sword hilt, gasping for breath. He took no serious wounds but dozens of streams of blood ran down his body. Sweat and blood seeped into his eyes. As he relaxed the sting of his wounds crept into his awareness. He watched his enemies' movements. Cane's army rode south quickly. The battle had been evenly matched; there was no reason for such a hasty retreat. He did not understand the tactic, but he was too tired to think on it.

He looked at the battlefield. His captains were regrouping the men but did not give chase. Their discipline held the troops together. Most soldiers appeared to be in good shape. The wounded were picked up by wagon. Later, the wagons would return for the dead. The losses appeared acceptable. He saw scatterings of Cane's men heading south, following the main host.

Plucker trotted to him, his wide chest heaving. The big man's sword was bloody as was his tunic. Plucker grimaced as he stopped.

"Sire, are you well?"

"Yes, Sir John just exhausted. Cane's retreat came at an opportune time. I am not sure how long I would have lasted. I had not practiced with my sword in some time. How are the men?"

"They are regrouping quickly. We did not do too badly. Cane's men spend too much time at the taverns; they do not have the stomach for lengthy combat. Most backed off to save their skins."

"John, you're wounded."

"Not deep. I will get it bandaged as soon as you are safely inside the castle. Sire, we lost the Butler boy. He was killed right in front of me. He fought well, but was separated from his comrades. Cane's men came at him from two sides. Took a lot of Cane's men with him."

"He was a good kid. His sister?"

"She's at the castle with the defenders. I'm not looking forward to telling her, but I must."

"It will be hard for her. Ah, John, the old start the wars and the young die in them. Who am I to require their blood?"

"You are the king, and they owe their lives to you."

"Ha! Easy to say, but I will try to remember that," said Hal. "Thanks. You are a good man, John and a loyal one."

Hal looked over the battlefield. From the southwest, a horseman approached, riding hard.

"Look a rider. Edward's colors. He is carrying a parlay flag. Edward must be desperate. Have the Turucks attacked already? Let's hear what he has to say."

"Let him approach!" shouted Plucker.

The rider dismounted and hurried to Hal without looking at the drawn swords around him. Plucker kept his sword at the ready. So did Hal. The rider, armed only with a short sword, knelt and handed a letter to Hal.

"From King Edward to his brother," said the young messenger.

"King Edward?" Plucker stepped forward, but Hal put a hand on Plucker's arm.

Hal opened the letter, read it, and cursed.

"Edward asks for our help. The Turucks have conquered Masina and now march on Riverdowns. That is why Cane quit the field. He's heading to Riverdowns to support Edward."

"Can you trust Edward?" asked Plucker.

"No. But Eslenda is in peril and I cannot abandon Eslenda. The Turucks will wield a heavy hand as conquerors. If Riverdowns falls and we are isolated, it will be just a matter of time until we fail too. Call the captains; we must prepare to march south."

"Supplies will be a problem," said Plucker. "The quartermaster will not be able to follow for at least a day. We will be engaged with the enemy by then."

"It must be so. We cannot tarry - the Turucks will not wait for us. They will destroy each fragment of Eslenda as it comes to them. Curse Edward for this division of our land. Give this messenger food and drink. He will march with us."

Plucker shouted to the herald who sounded the horns to call the captains to Hal. Hal sent a messenger to Elizabeth explaining his strategy. Hal's energy returned to him as he explained his plans to the captains while he ate. The captains hurried away calling to their men and Hal's army swiftly fell into ranks, ready to march south. Hal gave instructions to the quartermaster and left Bert Kalen to lead the defense of Far Greening. Within two hours, they were ready to march.

Suddenly, there was a shout and Hal was moved aside as an arrow from the castle struck the ground. A note tied to the shaft fluttered in the breeze.

"It's from my wife," Hal grinned. He picked the note off and read it.

"Still getting along?" asked Grawlin.

"If I come back in one piece." Hal kissed the note, waved it at the ramparts and tucked it in his shirt. "Let's ride."

The call echoed down the line and the horses and men started forward at a quick pace. Scouts rode ahead and Plucker and Hal's Guard rode beside Hal. Hal's muscles still ached and the burning in his sword arm was unabated.

Hal tried to envision what waited for them at Riverdowns. He knew the Turucks fielded a large army and if they were too late to save Edward, Cane's army and his army would be undermanned. He fixed his eyes on the horizon where a solitary horseman met his scouts. One of the scouts spurred his horse and rode hard to Hal's position. The scout dismounted and fell to his knees.

"Sire, your brother is dead! The Turucks have taken Riverdowns!"

Hal felt his head reel. A strong hand grabbed his shoulder.

"I am here, Sire," said Plucker. "What is your command?"

Hal refocused and looked Plucker in the eyes.

"We must avenge our people and deliver Riverdowns from the Turucks. Continue our march."

The command was signaled and Hal's army moved forward. Hal kept silent, thinking about his brother, remembering the good times, for there had been many when they were younger. Then the throne became a spike driven between them. Hal taught Edward how to ride, how to use a sword, how to fish. He and Edward roamed the fields around Riverdowns, the young man and the young boy. It had been good times. He hoped he could remember Edward that way.

Later, rider approached from the east. The captains allowed him to approach and as he dismounted Hal recognized him as a cousin of Queen Mary. The man bent to a knee before Hal.

"Arise, Porter Oswald. You are recognized and welcome. What news?"

"King Hal, Charles has a small army waiting to aid you. He sends word that he has a new captain who has information on Tag Makk and the workings of the Turucks."

"Who is this man?" asked Hal.

"Charles wishes to withhold that information at this time, even from you, Sire. The captain's presence may shock Tag Makk and with the Turuck army so large, Charles hopes for surprise to add you."

"How late was this captain with Tag Makk?"

"Even to the fall of Riverdowns. He has firsthand accounts of the deaths of the nobles, even your brother's death. He knows much of Tag Makk's mind and will share all to your advantage. He especially warns of Tag Makk's special fighting squads, the Shadow Runners. They are touched by the Menaloch and do not die as easily as normal men. Ware the shadows! The Turucks flow through the darkness as wraiths. They appear out of nowhere and vanish in the dawn. Make haste while the sunlight lasts. Only the moon's light will reveal them."

"This captain, is he a Turuck?"

"No, Sire. He is a man. What messages should I carry back?" asked Porter Oswald.

"Tell Charles to keep close and alert. I will count on his judgment as to when he enters the battle. I agree that the overwhelming numbers against us mean Charles men must be utilized with care. Let Charles know that Prince James is on a quest with the Nunari to find an ancient weapon said to be able to destroy the Menaloch. Before you scoff, the Daerlan brought tidings of this weapon to the Nunari. We do not doubt its worth. Give Charles my thanks, Porter. We have little food and drink, but take what you need."

"Thank you, Sire, but I do carry enough provisions for myself." He bowed and returned to his horse. As he rode away, Plucker chuckled.

"Hal, you actually trust to Charles' good judgment?"

"Keep your thoughts to yourself, John. Rather, I want to trust in his new captain, whoever he is."

Shouts came up ahead. A group of Turucks attacked the flank. The furious battle proved victorious for Hal as his men drove them off.

Hal and Plucker rode up to the battle scene.

"Turucks?" asked Plucker.

"Yes, Sir Plucker," replied a soldier. "Just regular soldiers, not any of those black men. Still, hard to find amongst the shadows. Weren't sure they were real until my blade bloodied one."

"Good," said Plucker. "But keep a close watch for the Shadow Runners as they call themselves. Dressed in black and faster than a cat. Make sure they are dead before turning your back on them."

"Yes, Sir Plucker."

Plucker found Hal and some guards riding to a rise in the plains with a limited view of Riverdowns. They saw Cane's colors as a small dab of paint on a vast dark canvas while shadows flooded the valley around Riverdowns.

"The Turucks have the bulk of their forces on this side of the river," said Grawlin. "They aren't planning to stay in Riverdowns."

"No," agreed Hal. "I don't see much of Edward's colors down there. I think Cane stands alone. He will be coming this way fast before too long. Send word to the troops. We will pull back as Cane comes forward, but slower. I want to support Cane as he rides for the Turucks will be on his heels. They will come hard and the dawn won't save him."

"Yes sire. Anything else?"

"Have any cold ale on this picnic, Plucker?"

"No, sire. It's still in the cellar, staying cold."

"Good. At least something is as it should be. Although, I could use a mug right now."

Howard Cane did not like his chances. The Turucks already claimed Riverdowns and sent a rider to offer him a chance to agree to terms with Tag Makk. He sent the rider back with the request to think over the offer. It was simple: join with Tag Makk and live or join Hal and die. Still, to die free was far better than being a slave to a tyrant. If only if was that simple. Even ruling under Tag Makk would allow some benefits. Cane could oppress the people for his new master. Torment his vassals for Tag Makk. Some of them had served his father, and knew Cane all their lives. It would not be as easy as it sounds. What if the Turucks lost power and Cane had to face his vassals again? Then again, the Turucks live as long as Daerlan. He would never see freedom from them in his lifetime.

The rumor of the oppression of Masina and the desert cities had reached him. He knew of the fearsome Shadow Runners and stories of the cruelty of Tag Makk were well deserved. His death could come at a whim. He could only rely on beating the Turucks and the mercy of Hal. King Hal - there was no pretender to the crown now. All Edward's plans came crashing down and Cane was caught in the mess. There must be a way to survive this, but how? Tag Makk does not need to bargain and what do I have to offer?

Cane's army waited on a ridge above the plains south of Riverdowns. He could see the remains of the battle across the river to the gates of Riverdowns. At least the city was not burned. He had heard of Edward's fate and guessed his would be similar if he rejected Tag Makk. Of Edward and his captains, none survived the battle or the judgment of Tag Makk. It was the way of the Turucks to create a void in the leadership of their conquests and place pliable people in control. Cane had a hunch he wouldn't be judged as pliable despite the promises the messengers brought to him.