CWE Book II Part 10

X

Damai

Senior Praetorian Emric has two armies with him; under the Praetorian are ten thousand marchmen; two thousand archers and three thousand lancers, whereas his second army was from Lord Giantus; ten thousand marchmen and five thousand lancers under General Marcus. General Marcus also has in his service five thousand mercenaries who are paid in full to die for the cause. As for Master Conal, his twenty one thousand strong are fifteen thousand marchmen, a thousand archers and five thousand lancers.

We met them at the plains which was soon called the ‘The battlefield of Great Plains.’ I had only twenty five thousand marchmen and ten thousand lancers, plus some two thousand archers, half their force.

The ‘Great Plains’ consist of three low hills that all sloped to a wide flat valley towards the south. It ends on the thick green forest line which is the boundary of the southern terrains. Unlike the forest of the north, here the trees trunks are smaller and shorter, plus their undergrowth are sparse in between the trees. Sunlight permeates through the top branches and young animals are aplenty. Many battles are fought here with the victor who captured the hills first, as its strategic to attacked from this levels. The momentum of the rush in the charge will throw any defenders off. We all know that which is why we rushed there to claimed our hills. I only got the eastern hills and part of the northern one, as Emric arrived just to gained his on the west and the the end of my northern side. I was not surprised that the young master will be late, as its a longer distance to march here but he made it in due time. His army was assigned the western hills while the Praetorian took the northern hills to reach me nearer. I withdrew part my archers to the forest and held their position in place.

One of the other advantage of the low hills is that you can hide an army behind it without the enemy knowing. Those of us who are familiar with this place know that too. 

And sometimes in a battle it good to have woodcutters with you, besides good chefs. They cooked a feast that night.

We slept the night in peace, and even singing among the men was shared by the enemies from a distance

At dawn we fought.

Emric

I brief the young master and General Marcus of my plans and they seemed to agreed to the plan. I prod the young master for more ideas, but he kept quiet. I assumed silence is consent, unless he has a better plan. I position my archers along the ridge of the hill overlooking the valley. I move a thousand of my lancers to the edge of the archers to defend them alongside with some one thousand marchmen and their long reaching pikes. The rest of the marchmen was lined up five rows of formation and formed along the hill slope facing east. The mercenaries are also formed at their sides with no format but loose packs of animals waiting to be released. The remaining lancers stood their ground at the back of the marchmen lines ready to charge on command.

Conal moved his marchmen to the front like mine facing east, along his hillside. His lancers are ready to the edge of the west side, probably targeting the archers in the forest. He position the archers behind his marchmen which is a standard move.

I see the enemies are position with the archers on the hills both facing the valley and mine. Lancers are spread along the two hills for a gallop charge I presumed. His marchmen are on the eastern hill slope but they numbered about only ten thousand. He is probably keeping some reserves for the second wave, behind the hill. I would send out my scouts to check on this.

Conal

This is my first major battle and I did not want to commit myself in case we lose. I let the Praetorian make the calls and if anything go wrong, his head which will roll. I had my other placement done; a group of my men with my favourite assassin is on the way to the north now. They will do their part in this battle.

I set up a nice wooden platform up here so I can viewed the battle with ten messengers on my call to direct my orders. I also kept a personal guards of a hundred men around me, and some good horses for a fast gallop,.

As expected the marchmen moved in first; mine and Emric but not the enemy. I wondered what the enemy are doing. They are stomping their feet but not marching; such noise they made are unnerving, but I am studying them well. I signaled my archers to go forth to reach the distance required by them since the enemy is not coming forth. A detachment of my lancers are moving in the forest, without my command. I must reprimand the officer for that. My marchmen are almost to the plain and the other side is still standing. Now they moved, but not forward but to the sides to create a gap in between them. Are they forming square or for the pincers move? I see the Praetorian’s armies are moving forth with more speed now.

The mercenaries are charging with their battle cries; lovely creatures of the war, they fight without a strategy but blind attack.

Damai

I send up the signal for the frist stage to take place. The back rows of marching marchmen put down their pikes and took their bow from their shoulders. Every able-body person can pull a string of the bow and released the arrows, but it takes time to shoot straight. I needed now was the former and they released their arrows in an arc to the opposite numbers. I gave them ten arrows for the required volleys. Then they picked up their pikes and turned to retreat fast back up the hill slope. But gaps between was seen large enough for the next stage to go in.

The arrows did a good sweep of the approaching enemies but not so the mercenaries who was way in front. But they were soon wondering how come the noise levels in the field has increased when the marchmen are not stomping anymore. Out of the ridge, was my next surprise. A year ago, I was in the settlement when a horse pulling a cart when wild running reckless in the settlement causing total chaos. Many tried to jumped on the horse or the cart to rein it in, but it was too fast for them. In the end they chased the horse out to the fields where it exhausted itself, but the chaos caused more than laughter, seven seriously hurt men was with the physicians. But it gave me an idea.

So here comes my own version of the heavy lancers. Each cart the has the width of one man’s length and depth of two man’s length was attached to two horses each, with a driver. They were used to carry our supplies which has now reduced to half anyway. So we put on the carts width length of three man’s long thick trunk. On each side of the protruded trunks are five short staff with spear heads. Its a killing cart now. The horses are also attached with two pikes each alongside its body, making it a deadly ram. And I have now over five hundred horse carts which I called them ‘the heavy lancers’. The drivers has been training with them for over three months now and they know how to move them to their command and practicing on wooden targets.

The enemies never seen such a barrage of carts and was soon trampled by it. The carts ran circles among the mercenaries and marchmen, with many of the enemies impaled by the spears or overrun by the carts. The enemies sometimes get to removed the driver but the carts keep on going in circles or in all directions, with the panicked horses.

That was the cue for my archers to released the arrows on the lancers on the hill slopes, causing them to charged at my archers. The marchmen on the hillside moved forward to cover the archers and stood their grounds with the pikes end on the ground with their sharp end pointing forward. The lancers charge was halted by the pike barrier and where some managed to get through the first row was confronted by the second row. Then the marchmen on the first few rows retreated to the sides, to allow the lancers in among them. They then surrounded the lancers in their pincer move. Just then another five thousand of my marchmen appear from behind the hill and joined in the fight. The marchmen not involved in the fought has already slipped into the forest and awaits the lancers from Master Conal.

As expected the lancers on orders from Conal came alongside the forest lines to form a line of attack,but they were caught by the marchmen from the rear coming out of the forest. Meanwhile I signaled my lancers to move in on the fight with their lancers. And then towards the retreating archers.

By the height of the sun at its apex, the battle was over.

Conal

Emric will pay for this disaster and his foolish strategy. I will inform the Lords and exert my failure all on him. I retreated in time with my own personal squad before the lancers attack me. I heard the retreat call from the command tent, but by then most of the army are already running for safety or surrendering to their enemies. I can see the Praetorian withdrawing in close formation but there are many on the battle fields who will not come back. I may have saved less more than half of my troops on the retreat, thanks to the Praetorian still holding the line. Such honorable fight from them, but not so from these Outsiders who do not fight honorably. So be it, we will fight the same way soon.

I hoped my assassins has a better outcome than mine.

Dina

The victors celebrate and the losers sits in the open with suspicions on their fate. But tonight, I will change that soon. My group of five selected men, dressed in the uniforms of the Outsiders was in their camp. It easy to merged in when no one expects an attack so soon and by a small group. We made out way to the command tent where the officers are having their feast of victory. I counted twenty five of them with four guards outside. Their leader should be inside there too.

We waited and looked at the stars for more answers. The answer came late when one of them streak across the horizon. I signaled the men to move in. We silenced the guards and went in the tent. It was  a huge tent with a long rectangle table in the middle, and food was on it, some half eaten others left to the bones. The officers were all drunk or sleeping on the sides, but one huge guy was sitting on the edge of the table still nursing his drink as if its a woman he holds He turned and saw me with my daggers. He hollered out to the sleeping officers but my men was at their work; stabbing and thrusting at some officers. I threw my dagger at the huge man catching him on the right eye, but he still came at me, running across the table top. In his hand is his goblet of wine and a leg of mutton. He threw both at me but I jumped in time to miss it. I let off my second dagger which hit him below the left ribs, but he still came. This time with the battle axe at the edge of the table. It was then I recognised him, but he was too deadly to speak now. I took the nearest officers sword and thrust it at the huge man who was my friend, Signar. The sword was buried to the hilt in his chest and his remaining eye saw me through my disguise, as it showed a glimmer of sadness and surprise.

But by then, most of the officers were awake and fighting my men. I looked at the odds and decided to make an escape. As I crawled out of the tent from underneath it, I saw another familiar face. He threw a half length spear used by lancers like swords at me which did not hit directly but make a wound on my right shoulder. I ran out of the area while many soldiers were seen to be moving there. I just shouted that there was a fight there, and keep on directing them to go there. In the chaos, I managed to run to the hill and escaped that night.

But I will bear the scar of my first failure.

Damai

Signar died that night from his wounds. Of the twenty four senior officers, ten others died with Signar and three others wounded badly. Its not the men I feared to lose, its the manner which they died. Not in battle but in the celebration. Never again will I let this happened again.

They were all buried with full honor of the army and I vowed vengeance for them. Just as the men who died or wounded today; about a third of my men, a total of ten thousand against a force of nearly forty thousand. If not for my deception and innovations many more will had joined that list. We got a total of five thousand prisoners whom we considered are our people but mislead by the Lords. We removed the mercenaries to be send off back to their master without their weapons and gold. Among the others, we will hold talks with them on their services. From our experiences, we can turn about two third of the army but not the Praetorian. Unlike the army, the Praetorians are recruited men on their own and given training to be one. They are not like the army conscript which many are grabbed off their land to be one. They fight because they are asked to, or forced to unlike the Praetorian; they volunteered to be do so and they are too loyal to their Prime. For them, I will send them to one who can speak to them. He has now a column of five thousand already, converted in loyalty but not in the oath. They will ready to served a new Grand Lord and new Prime Leaders.

As for the daggers in my hand, it will be used to kill one particular assassin. One which Signar and myself met before, and worked with together. She can hide but she can’t do it forever. So swear I, Damai of the Outsiders.

CWE drawing to an End....soon.

Help is never far when the mind is at work. The above may be ending soon, but there is another one already in the archive for publishing. CWE was my first long tale. One that took nights to write...... and longer nights to sleep over.  But I went on completing the continuing series and then got stuck at the last of the tales.....of the CWE. Its still pending but I would get to pen it off soon.

Meantime as I had mentioned; I was on the Lancelot tale, well, its done and stored. The Chronicles of the Elves done also, and came back to haunt me. It prompted me to start on a new tale involving those elves. ( I did said I may had been vexed by it. ) and I am already into 40 pages of it.

Pardon me, but I am on a break here now. I just watched the Tarantino "Dusk to Dawn' ( saw it way back then ) but it fun to re-visit the vampires. I got the sequel and prequel lined up too. So take a hint......lol.

Cheers, and keep those leggings well stitched up because when Lancelot appears here, you might just tear a hole there.

CWE Book II Part 9

1X

Conal

Twenty thousand to be posted here in the city and around it. I will ride with twenty thousand to counter any attacks while the balance of my men guards the second line of defence in three different points. It has been a stand off now of over three months with neither sides moving forth, as if we drew a new border with them. The Pretorians are on the line but they protect their own side of the border on previous Kimble and Nicholas land. But three months of stand off is good as it allowed me to know the officers and men, plus my enemies strength. I lost some men to defection but I also gained some new ones from mercenaries and new recruits. I am most careful with these so I put them in the front to fight first with sworn loyal officers.

I find the attention I am getting very fulfilling so I spent more time with the men. Everywhere I go, I have Dina at my side as she protects me well, from the few attempts on me recently, she was the one who handled them best. Now I will send them who did to me some of my own. I would like to send Dina but she was complaining of not feeling well, and moreover I cannot afford to lose her. So I send some which gold can buy.

I heard that my sister is very upset at her husband, who is soon tire of her has gone on his own grounds. I knew of this as it was me who introduced the new ladies to his life. I wanted their marriage to be like mine, separated by chambers, joined by vows not recited anymore.

But what makes things worse is that Camy is seen in the company of the alcoholic Granus, and their rendezvous ought to be more discreet.

Of my so called wife, he is now in the company of a very old man who is probably telling her stories of his younger exploits. Her son grow with my father but I care not for him or the old man. Let him play with his grandson while I played with my soldiers.

Dina

I took the herbs prescribed by the old lady and I hoped it will work. He is too busy now to be concerned on my health. More to it we have a war in the making, and I am needed where he will be. I know he hired the killers to do the next job, and they are good at it. So be it, as someone has to showed the rest of the Lords  that we are not weak and helpless.

I heard reports the the men leading these Outsiders is without a hand and uses a sword there. I know of one man many years ago but he was thought to have died. Maybe he did not and now returned to exert his vengeance. I killed the last Braven as I am sure of it, but now the new leader is also called Braven. There was one lesson which I learn in the school, that sometimes a name can be carried by several as its the name which matters and not the person. There was once an assassin who was reputed to be the best, coming alive and well after several major jobs done, but soon it was found that he died in the earlier one but his brother carried on in his name. So be it that Braven is one of name and not of the person. If that is so, my task to kill Braven is still not close.

The pain that came was very intense and soon the bleeding starts, and I will be well. I wished this pain was that of my child bearing and not that of the loss of one.

Shiven

I do not understand the words nor do meaning of the amulet in the box passed onto me by Montero, but I understand one thing though, man of certain size never finished eating their meals, as they are constantly eating something. Like now, he is munching on some raw corn while I am still trying to decipher the words I see on the parchment from the box. The amulet looks nice with its radiant color but it held no meaning to me. If Montero passed me this, then he has a message for me.

‘Tiny, do you know why he gave you this?’ Probably my tenth effort to get some other facts from Tiny, but the head still swing with the corn in the mouth. Tiny does not speak much between meals but he is good men to have up here on Red Hill. I have someone which I can spar with and not worried about hitting him as Tiny has a thick skull on him. Its not the same when he hit me with his ‘bo’, and once almost fractured the wrist.

I do have someone to speak to; actually two person, my mistress and the retired old man. Although both of them talk often and I do get to with them when I am not on patrol. The old man also gave me books to read which I find very interesting. But our talks soon spread to the Lords and their stories. Besides this the life there is very serene until one evening I found a break in the rear door to the chambers. I followed the tracks which showed me three men making their way to the chambers. But which one was my concern. That was soon resolved.

The three assassin was in the room, with the old man at the corner, with his sword drawn to defend himself. The corridor outside has three more dead guards and two more in the garden. The three assassins are armed with short swords in both hands. One of them turned towards me and attacked. I jumped aside to swing my ‘bo’ at the attacker which he blocked with his left sword. I twisted my attack stance to bring the bo down towards his legs but he jumped in time to avoid it. His left sword now was aimed at me for my shoulder but I deflected it with my ‘bo’.

It was then the major distraction came in; Tiny was barging into the room with his drawn ‘ob’ on the assassins. He has little finesse in his entry but when one charges in like a bull, and the horns are like the thrusted bo in his hands, you don’t need common sense to jump aside. As no one was prepared for him to come in that way, he caught the two assassins in his charge and they felled through the thin wall to the next room. There Tiny was first to wake up and he took the advantage of hitting the one of the stunned assassins’ still on the floor with his ‘bo’. His other counterpart who was looking at his comrades on the floor was equally stunned by the charge, but was soon out cold with a broken chin. As for mine, I thrusted my bo with a forward thrust on the chest rupturing his heart. If not for Tiny, I may not had finished the fight so easily.

‘I did good, huh. Master told me many times, given my size all I need is to rush forward. No one can stop a rolling boulder unless the person is the wall itself.’ I laughed at Tiny and looked for the old man to assist him. He is hurt but not fatal, and yet he can still laugh at Tiny’s words.

It was then I remembered Mistress Kimi, but she was running through the door directly into me. She embraced me and mutter about me being safe.

Prime Leader Raihan

So it seems my retirement is not without danger, as I invited it when I corresponded with Lord Camlash. We knew each other long and we were once very good friends. Before the current Prime’s, I was with the previous one; in fact the youngest among the predecessor four. As I was the youngest, I used to confer with Lord Camlash on many things as he was a regular visitor to the Grand City. IT was also then I send my only daughter entice him and eventually married him. She was to bore him a daughter who now sits with Lord Micha’s son. But the daughter of mine never knew her grandfather as after the death of my daughter, my relationship with Camlash went to bad. More so, I knew of his planned the ascension of Lord Micha. He forbids me to see her as he consider me a traitor to him. He knows my secrets well.

He also knew of my betrayal of the previous Prime Leader who died on the horse.  It was my action which Genus was to be involved. On recovery I posted Genus to Lord Camlash city as Genus is a good man and does many deeds for the Prime. He was also useful to the Lord as our liaison until his involvement with Claudia. My last clandestine meeting with Lord Camlash was to speak on the possibility of removing the Prime Leader Romus, which I disagreed to do so. We parted and did not meet again. Not until my retirement, when I asked for his permission to stay here.I was hoping to meet my granddaughter here, but instead I met another.

Lately since my retirement here, Lord Camlash has been sending me messages on his land and his son in particular. It was in one of his messages he told me of his twins and how one died. I was surprised at that as no one knew of the twins. Not even Domo’s messages to us the Prime tells us of the twins before. I wrote back to ask him of the next stage if his son was to be unsuitable to ascend. But I never got the reply at all. And today, I have the assassins send over, probably by the son as he could have intercepted my message.

Now I know I am in danger.

I enjoyed my stay here thinking of my letting go my past and moving with the balance of my future. But that has changed now. I need to be back in the power game again. I still have my influence within the Praetorian.

Mistress Kimi

I apologies to Shiven in my chamber later. I told him I was over reacting and please dismissed the display. Shiven was more alarmed than me of my behaviour and he said I could had tripped when I came into the room. We laughed and then we spoke of the other guest.

‘How is the Prime Leader Raihan?’ I asked of the man who is named and now also called as my Godfather, as we were close together and then one day he said I am old enough to be his grandfather. In fact he knew my father and once served with him on one war. I laughed and then said he can be my Godfather as I had none. So it was from that day. But it was a personal secret.

‘He is well, and will recover. I have increased the guards on all of you, and him.’

For some reason, we did not speak for a while until Shiven said he needed to do his patrol. Then I was all alone again. I withdrew the little blanket I made for my son and slept with it. I longed for the warmth of another human being and one who can actually love without conditions.

Grand Lord

Mitchy and Granus are at odds because of a woman, that will be the day I dread has come. I stared into the void in disbelief in listening to the messenger who brought me this news. They had send each threatening messages and if not for both of us old man, our armies would had clashed. This lady in question is none other than my son’s mistress; and like her father, ever scheming for power may had caused this to happen. I will need to bring her in and educate her.

‘Lady Camy, since your behaviour is more unbecoming, I am going to hold you in city walls until further notice. Take her away.’ I hoped I did not make a mistake here.

‘My son, you are a disgrace to us. You removed from your duties and also be kept in the city until I have decided.’

Both of them left me alone in the Hall. I trust Giantus will do the same to his son, and keep those wines away. Now I have to talk to Giantus on the coming war with the Outsiders.

Conal

My sister and her husband held at the city on the orders of the Lord; this is absurd and an insult to the family. I will take my call with the Grand Lord. But now I need to win a battle today. I was told Braven is seen in this area called the Shallow Valley, a rather flat valley but good pasture land. Its on the edge of his new border and he rides there this few days. Braven is with five hundred men as his other men are all posted on to the camps or outposts. I can have a personal column of three thousand men there in one day, by grouping in two camps. I want to take on this leader on a battlefield, and I know how to swing the advantage to my side. I set my trap there.

And he will take my trap soon enough.

Braven

My spies tells me that Prime Leader is traveling from Red Hill back to his home at the Border, where he will be safe with his Praetorian. He will be passing on the Shallow Valley route, and I intend to see him to convince him to join me. He was like a father to me, when I was in the Praetorian. He send me on those assignment which I learned well and because of it I am now better equip to lead and fight the same soldiers I trained with before. He knows not that I am Braven, nor does he know that Genus is not really dead. I must see if not for the last time to say goodbye.

I saw his carriage coming out the tree lines with the assigned guards numbering a hundred of them. A second carriage followed him; probably his things and some supplies. I rode out with my a personal squad of fifty men to meet his carriage. When his men saw me, a small detachment of ten men rode out to meet us. I recognise the officer as one of the faithful of Raihan. We both meet at the midway point while the carriage still carry on with its remaining guards.

‘Officer Julian, I come to see the Prime Leader in peace. Please let him know. Tell him its the one he knew as Genus.’ The officer rode back to his master leaving his men to watch mine. I saw him caught up with the carriage and then the carriage stopped. I then rode forward alone to the carriage without my men. Prime Leader Raihan alight from the carriage and stood on the wet ground to wait for me.

‘Good day, Prime Leader Raihan. I see you are well, sir.’

‘So you are now Braven the Leader. Which one are you now?’

‘I am the 36^th and currently reclaiming their land. I hear you retired, sir.’

‘An inconvenience of life. I am riding back to my home. How did you find me?’

‘My spies told me so, many days ago. I come to say my regards and farewell.’

‘So be it, Genus, But you are wrong on my travel, as I was only released yesterday morning to do so. Genus, you been trapped.’ With that the Prime Leader immediately boarded his carriage and they rode off in a hurry. I too on my horse to signal my men to withdraw. It was then the forest line was filled with lancers galloping fast towards me. There are about five hundred of them in each group, and there are three groups coming at me, from in front, behind and from the point where the carriage was headed.

I rode off in the only direction I know; the opposite way with my men following suit. I raced for the tree lines there. Some one in my squad took to the horn and blew away. I turned to look behind to see more men coming out of the forest. I estimated about two thousand or more, to trap fifty one men. I rode hard for the trees and made it. I rode through the forest and keep on galloping. I can hear the men behind me probably stopped to fight the lancers, as I can hear some sound of clashes and no more sound of the horn, but then more sound of galloping horses. There was no time to look back anymore as I rode on, jumping over roots and dipping below low branches. I must make it across this forest to reach the river and then I will be within my own men. I rode as my life depends on me making it.

I hit the river at galloping speed and jumped off my horse. I was not dressed in my full amour so I could discard the chest plate I had on. I kicked out with my legs to wade across the river which was not that full now. I can hear the horses coming through the forest and I was waiting for arrows to hit me. The arrows did come but it was towards the lancers across the river. I did not stop to see who was shooting but continued to wade over. Once I reached the other bank, I find myself haul up by some hands and they were friendly one. It was one of my officer and he helped me up to mount another horse. As I rode into the nearby forest again, I can see my archers releasing arrows across the river or anyone who wants to risk crossing it.

It was one of my close encounters with death, but I am alive to carry on.

It as later that I got to know of the death of Prime Leader Raihan in an ambush by so-called army men on the route back to his home. It was a well planned ploy and it worked but not to the complete end.

I am still alive. Its time to fight again.But I have new surprises for them.

CWE Book II Part 8

V111

Braven

Ten thousand marchmen with five thousand archers will march from here with me to meet the invaders, while Damai will take the same route through the east, with his ten thousand marchmen and ten thousand archers. We show them how it should be done. My spies tell me that Lord Camlash has massed up about his half men from the ten border camps. The men in the different forts are now massing to a total of twenty thousand with more to come in the open plains next to the border. I took Damai out of this column as he is facing his own men of previous command. Instead on Damai’s trail , he will facing be the Praetorian Guards; a buildup of currently now twenty five thousand men. But there are surprised in places; an event of careful planning over the last two completed seasons.

The current camp in River Ends is larger than before, with a strong commander, Lieutenant Signar. There is ten thousand men posted there now with its three layers of wall surrounding the camp. Of the ten thousand men; one third are archers with two hundred officers. Lieutenant Signar will be a a formidable foe when we clashed. He is advised by Lieutenant Canon; son of a council adviser and close associate of the Lord Camlash. Lieutenant Canon has his own squad of guards and reports to his father directly.

It was dawn when I looked across the cleared out land from my treeline to the outer wall of the camp. Its a galloping length of two hundred hoofs and a jump of three man’s height. They sure can built good walls now. I signaled to my men to marched out in formation of five rows each. Each and every one of my men are carrying swords and shields plus their pikes or spears. They also wear the colors of the Outsiders which is red to signify passion and determination. The colors are scaffs which are tied to their neck and this is the new Outsiders. No more animal skins but metal amour chest plates and legs paddings to counter any arrows or swords. But one thing which I cannot stopped them from applying is the dark streaks on their faces to make them look more fierce.

The alarm was raised in the camp and sentries can be seen to be banging the drums to wake up their friends. Soon the wall was lined with men armed with pikes an spears too. Just as we marched further up another fifty paces, the main door of the camp was open to exit a squad of soldiers accompanied by two officers.

Signar

I was there on my horse with the reluctant Lieutenant Canon and his squad. I find myself riding ahead of him and stopped my horse to look back;

‘ Lieutenant Canon, can you ride to my pace? You are a disgrace to the uniform.’ Lieutenant Canon took insult and rode faster while his squad did likewise. Soon we were at the midway point of the open field, and I see before was a long stretch of warriors with murderous intents. I moved my right hand to the battle axe attached to the saddle, and caress the faithful weapon of mine. Lieutenant Canon at my side was withdrawing his command sword, and placing it in front of his saddle.

‘You not giving that to them, I hope.’ My adviser and co-command officer gave me his rude stare and said; ‘no, I intend to use it on their leader.’ 

I liked fine words that comes from these officers, ut when fine time to fight, they are barking commands at the back of the column. I looked to see the leader of the Outsiders riding toward us. I can see he is the leader from his amour dressing. He has one is a red cape and hold a long staff with the pennant of the Outsiders on it; the roaring Lion on the shield stitched on a red cloth; the same color of the cape and also the scaff worn by his men.

‘I bid you welcome, Braven, leader of the Outsiders. You come with many of your men, I think its too early for the harvest festivals not due for another moon.’

‘How can you salute the savage.....’ My own Lieutenant voice was shorten with a slap across his face by me. The same hand which slapped him, held down his sword hand from raising his sword. ‘Lieutenant, your manners are unbecoming of an officer in a meeting. You may keep quiet or ride back.’

‘Commander Signar,’ he accord me that as he knows who is in command and he seen me before in the old days. ‘I believe you know the terms and do your men accepts it?’

‘We all do, except I forget to ask the Lieutenant here. Do you want to fight, Lieutenant?’ I looked back at the enraged man whom I addressed still by his rank. ‘Of course, I do. Lieutenant Signar is relieved of his command and my men will fight you savages.’

I liked these young officers, they are so predictable. I turned my horse and ride to be beside the Leader of the Outsider. I reach for my pouch on the saddle to removed the red scaff. I then tied it to my neck and tucked in the loose ends inside the amour. ‘Good to hold those sweats from going down my back.’

‘Lieutenant Signar, are you mad. Do you joined them to fight your own people?’

My reply was short; ‘aye and they joined me too.’ I pointed at the men on the walls which has all worn their colors of red now. Lieutenant Canon was getting worried and his horse starts to fret with uneasiness; animals can sensed when their master are uneasy or worried. ‘You may want to ride back to the next camp or the city to report this. We are coming to get your arse off those council’s seats.’

I do not know which direction the Lieutenant and his squad went, but they sure can ride fast when they need to. I turned to my new commander and said, ‘welcome back, Praetorian Genus.’

He thanked me but reminded me that Genus died a long time ago, and only Braven rides here today.

That morning, fifteen thousand men rode across the border but twenty five thousand rode on to the next camp.

Damai

I know the Praetorian is massing his troops at the plains of Cali on the eastern borders. He is training them and recruiting more of any volunteers. He started off with ten thousand of his own men and soon others pour in from all over the place. His commander, Prime Leader Rimua soon send wagons of supplies and gold for him to armed the new recruits. This has been going for the last three months; scores of men was there as the pay was good and so was the food.

Marius knows how to take care of his men welfare when he is not in his bad moods. Some of these men are good to be promoted to become junior officers as they come from other lords’ armies before. Soon the number build up to the twenty thousand as he requested. From my spies, I know that Marius declined the help of the other border army as he trusts not them and wants this victory be his alone. He also requested for one more moon cycle  to form his column with good training and arms.

That same morning, we formed two columns with rows of five and marched out from the forest onto the plain. The second column was halted to move further east and await my command. Its intimidating to wake up from your tents to see the column of twenty thousand men marching towards you. Marius immediately sounded the alarm, and his men formed into columns as per training.  Marius likes to form the pincer move, where he puts his own division of ten thousand men in the middle and the balance five thousand each on the right and left sides. He thinks that will break any formation coming at him and he outflank them. So I counter my formation to grouped in and form a rectangular formation, shaping it like a wedge to hit his men in the middle as they are the better trained ones. For some reason, Marius read my strategy and moved his pincers further out so they have more rooms to move.

I signaled the march forward with my marchmen towards the solid middle section as my archers who formed the rear starts to spread out in a circular move, forming a concave formation towards the middle section of the enemy. My rectangle of marchmen began to spread into an inverted rectangle with the broader side facing Marius center mass. For some reason, the two pincers of Marius soldiers retreated further away to the sides to allowed my men to come in. Marius send out his messengers but they never made it across to the pincers section as they were shot down by well placed archers. That was the signal for my archers of nearly five thousand arrows to sailed in like raindrops on the middle section. After three volleys of these arrows, my marchmen was soon charging at the remaining Praetorian section. We must had decimated about one third of the section before we attacked with the marchmen. I fought my way to the rear of the section to faced Marius, who is wounded in the chest and still holding onto his sword, and protected by a handful of his men. I halted the attack and walked up the survivors.

‘Praetorian Marius, do you yield or shall we continue?’ Marius looked at me with his angry stare and asked for released of his men including the wounded should he surrender. I agreed to his terms and he threw his sword down. I know Marius is a good soldier but an arrogant one; but beneath all of it, he care for his men. So the battle ends today, with victory by deceit.

‘Before you walk away, General. May I know your name, and when did my men defect over?’ I looked at the proud officer and soon replied.

‘I am called Damai, ex-general of Lord Camlash, now with the Outsiders. I was accused of crimes which I did not commit. And your men are actually the the oppressed people of this land who now supports our war against the Lords’. Praetorian Marius, I thanked you for training them, but they fight not you but your master who oppressed them all these years.’

‘Damai, you are still a traitor to your Lord. And you tricked me. I will see you hanged.’ I dislike the officers who knows no logic and only blind obedience. I told the men to handle the wounded and as for the officer, Marius; he is to be under care too. Once they are treated, they will be allowed to travel back on their own pace. We will marched on to our next target.

I now have an additional eight thousand marchmen, trained by the Praetorian Guards for over two moons.

Commander Signar

This next border camp has a division of Praetorian here; numbering about five thousand of them ,among the total of ten thousand in the camp. The men here are not all for the Outsiders, only a section so we had to be careful how we do this attack. The Praetorian are in the inner Camp areas while the army occupies the outside perimeter, as in the case of any attack its the army who will be in the forefront. Of course this makes the two sides very unfriendly and fights do occurred between them.

I marched in with a hundred of my men on the wagons bearing supplies for the army. As we were unloading the supplies, I was asked by the commander why and where this supply came from. I told him, there was excess in my camp and so I decided to send some over. Our supplies includes barrels of wines and food, in which the Praetorian got to know of demanded we also sent it over to the Inner Camp. While they were having their treat, during the night a series of small group of my men came riding in. Most of the army men were drunk or fast asleep at their tents, so were the sentries. The men also also moved into the Inner Camp and stationed themselves around the sleeping Praetorian Guards. These forest herbs work well and we managed to subdue the ones which was not affected by it. 

At dawn break, we had control over the border camp with three thousand of my men including the handful of those who was implanted earlier. Soon the Praetorians were escorted out unarmed to the outside the walls, and kept there as prisoners. As for the army units, I had a chat with them on their works and loyalty. I offered them the chance to re-occupy back their land and kicked out the Praetorian. And also the Lords’. A majority agreed and the ones who did not was placed with the Praetorian. That soon changed their mind and more came over as volunteers before sundown.

The remaining Praetorian Guards was sent marching back to their original base without their weapons and amour. It was the only decision which we can make as we do not want to wage war if need against our own people, even though they served the Praetorian.

But what amaze me was the Lieutenant Canon did not come here for help. It looks like he must had rode all the way back to the city after all. Probably feels safe with his father at his side.

Braven

Our force grew to nearly forty thousand strong and its time to fight now. My targets are the border camp in our track.  As Damai come from the east, I moved west from here. Soon we accomplished our first objective with the capture of five of the ten outpost camps along the route.  We did not have to fight with all of them as some were deserted or left with a small squad to manned it. The Lord has withdrawn his troops on advise of our strength and now is forming a second defence line, and the strength is about thirty thousand men of marchmen and one division of twenty four thousand Praetorian. But they are spread out over the length over some land including the Shon Ridge and Green Plains, while we have captured back half a days ride of border land from east to west. I have reinforced all the outposts with my men and more fortified defenses were put in. I also have more pit holes dug in and around the fort to delay lancers attacks, and stationed archers in every outpost.

The war continued as I was told another column marched against me,and my people. Lord Camlash army is led his son, Conal; while the Praetorian is led by Senior Praetorian Emric, the third horsemen of Romus. Marius was put to death on his arrival back at the city. And Emric took on the seat, but he has to prove over the coming war.

As for Lord Giantus and Micha, they are not getting involved as they have their border to take care of. Since the takeover of the other Lords cities, the spread of the border is longer and hence more is needed to control it not in men but in authority and management. Besides the Outsiders from the South and West making raids, some of the armies are getting to thinking of autonomy over certain areas. So they have their own small battles to contend with.

And we have renewed the old war again.

CWE Book II Part 7

Eight words spoken quietly, indifferently, without emotion. Eight short, simple words. Yet that was the moment when I parted from my mother."

Elie Wiesel, Night, Ch. 3; A writer on the Holocaust during the last great War.

V11

Conal

My Lord returned as a sad man saying he has lost the war. He then said he will win it back soon, if not the tricks done by the Outsiders. He dares to claim he was tricked by Outsiders, but the loss of so many men was unpardonable. Generals and Lieutenants have lost their heads when reported of such, but this is the Lord himself, who can dare tell him to loose his own head. Only he dares to return to repeat the claims without fear of losing his head, but I am his tell me his successor, and I reject such acts. Your loss’ father reflects on me as your successor. The councils laughs not at you as you are the old man who led the army while his young son sit behind in comfort. It should e out there to fight the Outsiders,not this feeble old man. In my reign, I would suffer such a loss in a battle, never will I ever lose a war in my time. As victory to me is always mine and even if I had to cheat death to do it.

I walked back to my chamber and seek my peace of mine there. I stumbled on Canaan who was running from his bath. The young kid knocked into my legs and was soon crying. His servant came forth to comfort him, while I ignore his crying and continue towards my chamber. ‘Dina, tell me about the Outsiders. You seen them and lived with them for a while.’ I know all about her works and how each assignment was handed. Dina sat down next to me and told me of the people she lived with for a short time. Her observations are very good and concise for me to frame the type of enemy I am going to face. It was then, Mistress Kimi came barging into my chamber; ‘how can you not cuddle your son when its you who knocked him down? Are you not his master?’

‘Mistress Kimi, your son is yours to control. I do not have time to discuss this. Be gone now.’ I stared at the lady who is supposed to be the wife of mine but she still harbors feelings for her late husband. I must removed her or she will be my sore in my sight which I cannot removed. It was lucky for Mistress Kimi that she left without a word or I would had ordered her drag out. I then turned to Dina; ‘kill the servant. I don;t like when they talked behind my back.’ Dina nodded and left the room.

I also heard that my sister has rejected yet another suitor; she is getting too good at this or she await for whom I know not of. I must do something about her as she may stand in my way to be the next Lord. I suspect she liked Master Mathise, but he is presumed dead, so maybe I can get the brother to marry her. After all, their marriage may strengthen our relationship between the families, and things can be done easier. I will get father to arrange the marriage and bridged our relationship. I now the old lords disliked each other but not me and Mitchy; we are friends. .

I also know he likes my sister as I been talking to him lately. He likes her but since his brother was there, he focus his attention to others. Mitchy is a fool when it comes to the ladies; he just loved any ladies he can lay his hands on; that is his weakness which I will used.

Maybe I will send him mine one day too.

I also intercepted some disturbing messages that was shown to me. These are the correspondence of someone in my household in codes to another, but we have yet to understand the codes. But I suspect its to do with some works against me or the Lord, so I ordered the matter to be kept quiet. I need to isolate the person so that I can think of what to do next on the messages. This is treason and no one; not even a blood kin can be spared if found guilty.

Mistress Kimi

For so many years, I have longed for the man who is now my ‘husband’ to accept my child, but he still declined that. If not for the fact that he is the ‘father’ of the child, Canaan may be dead by now. I will declined his advances and feelings as long as he does not accept Canaan. Now as I looked at my son who is sleeping on the bedding, I asked for forgiveness from my late husband for being a poor mother to his son. I am also a prisoner in the city here, with no one to talk to except Shiven who was kind to lent me his ears. But he is a guard and cannot be seen too near his care especially the mistress.

Mistress Camy also avoid me since her guard Dina is working with her brother. I seen her sneaking into the Master’s chamber after dark but he is my Master and its not for me to question his indiscretion. My time is full with the messages from my fathers’ loyal staff including some officers who still served the current regime. They are all told to be patience and wait for my blessing before they do anything.

I began my training back with Shiven and I find the man a very interesting specimen as I am still a lady in the soul. But the call of protocol forbids me to venture beyond that. My skills are slowly improving but I have to yet to take down a man with my moves, in a manner of speech. But the time my training took is the less time I have to think of my life here.

It was a surprise that I got a message to move to Red Hill for rest, in these thriving times. But I am to go without my son as he is needed by his father side. I stormed into the master chamber but I was stopped by the guards. I ws escorted back to my chamber to began my journey immediately. I asked for my son to see him before I leave but I was declined that. I was force fed some lotion and next I know I was in the carriage to Red Hill.

It all happened so suddenly.

Shiven

I am on my way to Red Hill with the column to accompany the Mistress Kimi. Since our trip started, the Mistress has been sleeping in her carriage and we were advised that she is ill and cannot be disturbed. I was told by my master to take care of her and protect her. That was all I was told and next I know, I was on the road with them. The last time we were there, we were attacked and almost lost our lives in that attempt.

Would this time be the same?

I also concerned the young master who is not with his mother? He is still young and need his comfort. Its not fair form him to lose that like when I did when I was his age. I remembered those days, all alone and seeing adults running all around me. If I am in their way, I may be kicked at or shoved aside. Its not the nursery that you think I may be, but the women quarters which is attached to the kitchen. Normally, I crawled under the beddings structure or at some corner to avoid being seen or kicked. I was not the only young kid then who was not ready for training. When I turned five, I was moved out to joined the boys dormitory, and there I was harassed by the older ones. I was beaten or send to do manual works, when the masters are not looking or pretending not to look.  The lashes on my back are some of the reminders of my life then, but I prevail and grew up tough. Some of my tormentors soon felt my beatings when I best them in combat, but the years of being there also taught me to forgive or forget. It was not until I see Canaan that I relived my young days.

Our column is halted by some commotion in front. I rode to the front to check it out. I saw some of the men who was escorting us lying by the side of the road, in pain. I got off my horse to confront the attacker. It was one man; a giant in the guise of a monk, one head taller than me and with limbs that spreads out. He fights with a long staff like mine but this one looks thicker than mine. He also had on the clothes similar to mine but they are in tatters and patches. He shouts my name as he threw the servant with his right  hand to the side of the road.

‘I want to see Shiven, of the Monastery.’ The man obviously has not bathed for months, and his smell carries far.

‘I am Shiven, and who are you?’ I looked at this man who may be looking for a fight with me, and I will give him one. But the giant was soon to fall to his knees and asked for my forgiveness. I was puzzled to the event and stepped forth to ask the giant stand up. When he stood up, I had to raised my head to see him, but I can’t avoid the putting my hand to my nose to shut off the smell.

‘My name is Tiny, and I come from the same monastery as you. I been waiting here for you for over six months. I have a message for you from the Monastery. Its from Master Montero, the archive keeper. And he also told me to follow you and keep you safe.’

A small box was given to me by the messenger. Its possible for him not to see me, as no one is allowed in without the permission of the Lord. And the Lord forbids us the guards to see anyone outside during our time here, not even families. I thanked the man who waited for me, and I offered him some gold to freshen up. Once he has done that, he is to catch up with me at Red Hill. As there is no lord or master with me, except my my mistress, no one can forbid me to meet anyone or have anyone meet me.

Mistress Camy

Mathise, you been away for so long. I think its time for me to move on. I have decided to take up Mitchy’ offer. I may not be sure I love him, but he wield the power I need to hold, if I am to challenge my brother one day. I have told father I will be Mitchy’s mistress and the wedding is to take place soon. I know the old man is upset but he needs the alliance of Micha now that he has been proven to be a poor strategist in the war. I also know Mitchy is a womanizer and has a string of affairs but his father is also dying. And the next Lord is him after Micha retirement. I can tolerate his womanizer and I will get myself to govern his politics, and make myself useful. This is the role of the woman if she is to do the works of a man. She can;t be the man but she can control the man over the men.

I have discarded Dina as my guard and ignore her presence with me. She thinks she has the preference of my brother but she may be mistaken. One day, she will come and kneel for my attention, then I will teach her what is the true role of a servant. As for her skill, there are many like her I can get when I am in power, for even assassins fear their own assassination.

Lord Camlash

Be gone my child, and I wished you well there. I know why you choose the idiot over many others, as I would had if I was a woman too. You have my blood in you, but must be careful. Micha is not a fool although he is old. He can see your plans well and he can block it. As for your husband, its not hard to control him, as I know he is an idiot. Even my son thinks so, but we need not him but his power.

The last war took my health down although its now six months already. My son is sitting in the discussion and making decisions for me. Domo complained that some of these decisions are bad for the people, but I disagreed. The man to be the next Lord has to learned how to make decisions and sticked with it. But what worries me is that he let his mistress be exiled while he rendezvous with his guard; spoken words are spreading in the city. I hope he knows his position well.

As for my grandson, without the mother is now growing attached to me. I spend more time with my grandson and teaching the basics of life. But he is more like father, ever gentle and favors the music and books. I will need to toughen him up or he will lose his edge over his other father.

Grand Lord

I have gained a daughter but one which I wished I had not. She is now with my son and she is assuming command on his life and place. Today she had the servants changed and the even the guards are rotated on her command. I fear my son is bewitched by her, as I am to her. She is a beautiful woman and she has the delicate touch that makes a man wane in his mind. But I know in her, is a vixen like her father, incarnate from the underworld to pollute the world. I cursed her and yet praised her. I am an old man who lies in the bedding most of the times with aches and yet I long for the company of one who is my son’s wife. I am truly confused inside.

‘Good morning, my Lord.’ She bids me this morning again like many and she brought the food I liked. I wished I can tell her to go away but she is soon telling me of the happenings in the city. And also on the councils, where her husband now sits to govern over. Soon I find myself listening and offering my advise to her for the ears of her husband. She nod her understanding and take her leave of me, to cater to that of another.

So tell me how can I discard one who is so loyal and yet may served more than two masters. Or are we slaves to this one master. I am confused, and I wished I had better counselors like my old mistress; the mother of the two child. Leane will had told me what was to be done, and how the daughter can be taught her place in the household. But she lies in the ground where the flowers are growing now. It trying time for me now, and more was to come. 

I also have the attention of the Prime Leader Romus today.

‘I bear you sad news. Prime Leader Raihan has been retired and now as we speak, one of my aide is taking over as acting Prime Leader. His name is Marius; a fine Praetorian and a brave one too. As we speak too, Marius is massing up his men for another excursion to the borders to repel the Outsiders.’

Marius, I heard of him; fine man but a vicious Praetorian leader whose lashes are deep and hard. But he commands respect as he is a fine fighter and been known to wrestle once with a wild hog and won. The Outsiders since their victory has captured back the border land including Lord Camlash’s mines. They now invade across the border to the settlements and camps; but leaving when they have what they need. The last excursion in shame by Prime Leader Raihan makes the Praetorian a laughing subject among the armies. So this Marius is trying to win back his support but doing what his predecessor failed to deliver.

I asked if Marius needs help from my men in Mitus’s land, but was declined. So I asked the next question to the Prime Leader.

‘So when will you retire, Romus?’

Prime Leader Romus

Soon my dear friend; when I do, the next seat I will take is yours as Grand Lord. Just as I removed Prime Leader Raihan, he will be exiled to the borders, but he requested Red Hill, and I know why due to his relationship with Camlash. Protocols must be adhered to, and I asked the Lord Camlash for his permission. It was granted with the Lord Camlash blessing. I was also advise that he can accompany the mistress of Master Conal who is staying there.

Marius will do me justice because his massing of the troops is not to repel the Outsiders but to take on the Lords’ question on my Praetorian since our last defeat. The plans is to show our strength and we will take over the Empire soon.

I bumped into the young successor; Granus for his father Giantus in the corridors. It seems he is still here after the wedding of Master Mitchy and Camy. Granus is an alcoholic wreck now since Mistress Camy married his cousin. His drowning in the lure of failed love will be his undoing. He does not even partake in his father’s council except drink. I wondered what can an old man do for a son who is drunk and helpless to the whims of lover’s sickness. If he was my officer, he would be in the dungeons or beheaded for insolence.

As for the newlywed Master Mitchy; he spends more time listening to his wife than with his work as adviser in the council. Every moment he has when not with work, he is with her at the chambers. I can understand newlyweds moment of bliss but the need of the City cannot be foregone. I am not a married man nor has any family in my tow. I lived my life as a Praetorian and will die as one.

As for Camy’s brother Conal, I fear him the most, which is why Marius is massing his troops next to the border of Camlash. I fear not so much the Outsiders as they have not changed their moves in the last years; which is raiding and then leaving without staying too long, but I can see Master Conal may be the . next biggest threat. As I speak, his fathers’ council under the control of the son now, has increased their army recruitment and acquires more weapons of war. If he is planning a revolt, I am ready, or he is planning to fight the Outsiders, I am also ready. His father’s last defeat was also an insult to his family.

So I was not surprised to hear from this young master to consolidate forces for the next attack on the Outsiders. He is suggesting we merged before we crossed over the border. He claimed that the last mistake in the battle was they took a long place to meet and consolidate. He mentioned of a force of forty thousand ready and will even hand command to my Senior Praetorian Marius. He is smart to do so, so in the event we lose, he blames Marius for it. If we win, he will claimed equal credit for his supply of men.