To Be A Maestro (The Maestro Chronicles) (23 page)

“What is going on here?” demanded a Sergeant who came running up, no doubt because of the excessive screaming going on.

With the attacker finally dead, the Melody ceased and her head turned toward the new comer and said, “A message for General Kall.”

The Sergeant’s eyes widened in horror at his blackened skinless comrade, his attention went back and forth between the rotted body and the Condemned. “Come this way,” he finally said after finding his voice.

Five guardsmen with swords drawn accompanied her and the Sergeant down the long corridor to the General. Kall’s uniform differed from those of his men with the addition of a black coat with gold trim and
four gold eagles on his collar.

“What news do you have from Accomplished Nettle?” the commanding officer asked, while staying well out of arms reach. The black hair of his beard and neatly trimmed mustache seemed darker contrasted against his pale complexion.

“General Kall, the Aakacarns have departed from the area and are on their way to Port Valeen. Operation Spin Off is a go,” she gave the message.

A wicked smile formed on General Kall’s normally dour face. “Colonel Fyborn, the base is now under your command. Cobra Legion moves with me, Tiger and Cubs prepare to march. The siege begins in one mark.”

Chas Herling sat behind his desk in the Command Office two doors down from the conference room in building two. To his right stood a file cabinet containing reports about each person under his command, how many weapons have been issued, what is in the armory, the amount of food, what had yet to be harvested in the fields to the south, and what was in the stores; in short everything he needed to know in order to keep the Benhannon Holding running efficiently. The Ducaunan Royal Guardsmen had been helpful in setting up the training program, particularly drills and exercises designed to get the Chosen’s Sentinels working as a unit rather than eighty-six individuals. Each person being physically fit and possessing extraordinary endurance made the job easier. With the guardsmen now gone, Chas knew it was up to him and his inexperienced command staff to follow through with the training.

“Do you know when Sir Daniel will return?” Captain Yolan asked while leaning forward in the single chair p
ositioned in front of the desk.

More often than not, Sir Daniel traveled in his extraordinary way at a moments notice, making it nearly impossible to predict his coming and going. Chas could feel the Knight’s whereabouts far to the south and unlike previous arrivals and departures, knew his exact location, the Benhannon Estate. The trip had been expected, if not the exact moment the Chosen Vessel would choose to go. “He has a tight schedule, many things requiring his attention, and no doubt will be meeting with your Queen. Sir Daniel will return when he so chooses.”

Yolan’s brow wrinkled into a frown. Few members of the Ducaunan cavalry fancied the idea of working with a former officer of the Sutton Guard, yet they had no choice. They dared not offend a Royal Knight of the Realm, even if they were not quite sure of his dual role as the Chosen Vessel. The young officer quickly smoothed his facial expression. “If General Kall invades, twelve thousand horsemen with two thousand footmen are more than enough to defend this holding, but not enough to go on the offensive and push three legions, two of which are the Sutton Guard, back across the border. We need Sir Daniel’s other abilities to accomplish that goal.”

Chas refrained from shaking his head in wonder at the pervasive desire of the Ducaunan’s to avoid referring directly to the Knight’s extraordinary ability in spell casting, and even General Malcus and the Knights of the Realm seemed to go out of their way not to see those seven lightning bolts. As for the need, Chas had no doubt his new liege could drive back the enemy, yet wanted to demonstrate he could handle the situation. His pride would not go so far as to lose the holding, yet neither would it allow him to call for help the moment danger approaches. “Evening is nearly upon us; we both have patrols along the border, and will know if and when the invasion comes. I assure you the Benhannon Holding can and will stand against the assault long enough for Sir Daniel to return, should his presence become necessary.”

The Ducaunan military truly did believe they were the only defense and it was best to keep it that way. The manpower they provided along the walls was definitely necessary. Even if Chas ordered every person in the holding to the walls, one hundred thirty-eight people could not keep an adequate watch on four spans of wall. Even so, the daggerlances should help immensely.

Yolan sat back in his chair, seemingly relaxed, and yet was no doubt ready to spring into action on the instant. “With the supplies we brought and what you have in store, we can last fifteen days, twenty if we reduce rations by...”

A knock on the door interrupted the discussion. “Enter,” Chas called out.

Broad-shouldered Sergeant DuArren stepped lively into the room along with a Ducaunan cavalryman who
had on a forest green uniform with gold trim, much like that of Yolan only without the gold bars of rank. “Patrolman Pike is here with news,” DuArren stated formally.

The well groomed patrolman stepped forward, eyes only on his Captain. “The Pentrosans are
crossing the border in force.”

Perhaps he thought Chas would be offended, being a Pentrosan, and did not want to look him in the eyes.

Yolan sprang to his feet. “How many did you see?”

Pike swallowed hard and found his voice. “I counted over eleven thousand Sutton Guardsmen with no end in sight before coming to report. Patrolman Reegle should be arriving later with a fuller accounting. The Pentrosans are filtering through the woods, advancing at a trot, and should be here within half a mark.”

Chas wasted no time making for center court and neither did Captain Yolan. The warning gong sounded and support personnel in the buildings took up their defensive stations while both lieutenants, SuKendall and Benkorren, and three squads of Sentinels quickly lined up. Generals Tallen and Malcus walked briskly out of building two side by side with the four Royal Knights of the Realm filing out behind them. Quicksilver squad was still out on patrol and would hopefully get back before the gates must be closed.

General Tallen turned to Yolan. “Send a rider to
Fort Casum to inform Captain Johannan of the invasion. I want every signal tower spreading the alert across the entire border and a second rider dispatched to General Fisher. We must have whatever support the North Central Legion can provide.”

Yolan snapped a salute. “It will be as you say, General.”

Sir Laurence and Sir Carlo mounted their steeds and headed to the west gate while Sir William and Sir Tomas swung into their saddles and galloped toward the east.

“Lieutenant
Benkorren, take your squads to the south gate. Lieutenant SuKendall, your squad is with me,” Chas ordered and then broke into a jog to the north gate.

He and his sentinels were so fit, they reached the wall at the same time General Tallen and General Malcus rode up on their steeds, and soon they were all moving u
p the steps to the inner ledge.

“How did you get here so quickly?” Malcus asked while climbing.

Chas shrugged. “We know the quickest way through the trees. Even so, I am looking forward to receiving the horses Sir Daniel promised us.”

Tallen gave a firm nod of the head. “No doubt, yet I too have had the benefit of Daniel’s healing, and so have an idea where your endurance comes from,” he stated and then took his place on the ledge above the gate and peered north through his opticals. “Those trees behind the hill are the only thing slowing the enemy advance. They will have to assemble just outside of the tree line in order to make a credible charge.”

Chas came up behind him and nodded agreement, having already deduced the obvious. He unsheathed his daggerlance and watched as Lieutenant SuKendall and her Lightning Squad did the same. The cavalrymen did not know the full power of the weapon.

“Those miniature crossbows will be useful at taking down any horsemen that get close to the wall,” General Malcus apparently felt the need to say, perhaps wondering why daggers had been d
rawn rather than the crossbows.

Many of Tallen’s men were holding the larger bows made by Sir Daniel for long range and the rest of the legionnaires had the standard issue short bows. Those with the longbows were staying low and out of enemy sight. Of the two thousand foot soldiers, three hu
ndred had full sized crossbows.

“Thanks to you and General Tallen, the gates and walls are well defended. Kall will pay a heavy price f
or every charge,” Chas replied.

If the need were to arise, he would order the use of the deadlier aspect of the crossbows made by Sir Daniel. Chas had concerns about the fires getting out of control and threatening the forest, so the daggerlances seemed to be the best choice for the time being.

Five patrolmen raced toward the gate, their horses at full gallop, and three more topped the grassy hill behind them. The first group passed into the holding and one rider charged over and down the hill when the second group was about fifty strides away and closing. By the time the last man, Reegle, reached safety, the entire crest of the hill was filled with mounted men wearing the familiar gray on black uniforms of the Sutton Guard. Some were taking up positions at the hilltop while the rest split right and left, yet none actually charged down. The intent seemed clear enough; surround the walls on all sides. Chas knew once they were all in position, the probing attacks would come to determine the weak spots, and no doubt catapults would be brought up from the rear. On the bright side, most of the horsemen on the hill were within range of the longbows and daggerlances.

“Quicksilver Squad is still out there,” Lieutenant SuKendall state
d as if Chas needed reminding.

He understood the concern, the unit being one of the two under her direct command. “Sergeant Tanner is clever. If anyone can keep his squad alive out there it would be him,” Chas replied and then shifted his gaze to Sentinel Bow Kerren, the trumpeter.
“Signal closure of the gates.”

-------

Jacob Tanner clung to the branch of an oak, well hidden above the passing of the Pentrosan legions. He estimated twenty thousand Sutton Guardsmen had ridden underneath him. Time marched on without a single rider going south, yet he waited, knowing there would be more. The cavalry units should have reached the Benhannon Holding and he figured the gates to be closed, if not Herling was making a big mistake, and it was doubtful the experienced commander would make such an error. Far below, supply wagons came into view, slowly navigating around pines, hickories, oaks, maples, and whatever other types of trees prevented them from driving a straight route. The rest of Quicksilver Squad had climbed up in the trees around him and were able to see the danger on the ground.

The smart thing to do would be to stay in the trees, keep his squad safe, and come down when the danger is gone. Unfortunately he was feeling clever and in his mind being smart and clever did not always add up to the same thing. The wagons had food and teams of horses pulling them, things in short supply at the holding. Those wagons and teams were tempting, yet
he had a small problem to overcome, the two hundred guardsmen providing them escort.

Jacob heard dried branches snap under the wheels of something heavy and then a large wagon rolled into sight carrying a catapult. Behind the siege assault weapon he spotted a wagon with barrels of pitch. Rocks would not harm the walls and could not reach any buildings of the holding, not only because the greatest catapult ever made could not throw a boulder that far,
it was also the fact that the trees within the holding would prove an impenetrable barrier. Balls of flaming pitch were another matter. Jacob envisioned all of the wooded areas within the Benhannon Holding on fire and made up his mind.

A deep growl came from ahead of the procession and the horses became uneasy. Two more growls came from different directions and even the trained war mounts grew wide-eyed and their riders struggled to keep them calm. Jacob smiled.
Dusk, Twi, and Wind, the panthers he recently met at the great meeting along with the rest of the animals serving Sir Daniel, were providing a distraction. He drew his daggerlance and raised his free hand, signaling the attack. He aimed towards the escort rider farthest ahead and touched the ruby. A blue lance of light shot forth, sailed straight, and struck the officer, passing all the way through his back and unfortunately through the neck of his horse before they both collapsed to the ground. Jacob took aim and launched another lance of light, killing another rider, and this time managing not to hit the stallion. He noticed more riders falling to the ground while the men around them tried desperately to see not only where the attack was coming from, but also trying to determine what was killing their comrades while developing a defensive line.

Jacob could see the lances of light he shot vanish after hitting his target but not those sent by his squad. He could tell by the holes being punched into bodies, horses, wagons and pieces of wood splintering and flying everywhere that some of his people were just aiming in the general direction and rapidly touching their rubies. Jana Bencain, her long black hair hanging out of her helmet in a braid, occupying the tree to his right, took aim and a wagon driver suddenly flew out of his seat and was pinned to the ground by an invisible lance. His body sl
umped when the potential faded.

Pentrosan guardsmen shot crossbow bolts up into the trees seemingly at random, no doubt still having difficulty figuring out what was killing them, while being clever enough to realize the attack was from above. One bolt happened to strike Jacob on the right leg and snagged in the wool. His shield amulet protected his skin but not his uniform. He snatched the bolt away, making the rip worse, and threw the nasty thing to the ground. A series of quick gestures had his squad in motion, rapidly making their way to the ground. Carn and Jana landed beside him along with Jax, Tobin, and Kater. Breaker team dropped behind the procession, going after the spare horses, while Clipper team went after the catapult crews, and Dasher team went for the supply wagons. Jacob would lead Anchor team against the escorts.

The surviving hundred or more guardsmen providing escort finally had someone to shoot at and raised their crossbows. Before the Pentrosans could loose, Jacob aimed his daggerlance and touched the ruby over and over again, sending lance after lance into the enemy, and killing many. Half of the guardsmen were cranking back their crossbows while the rest sent bolts back at him, ripping his uniform here and there. A Lieutenant dropped his crossbow, drew his sword and charged. Jacob drew his own sword and ran forward, ready to meet his foe blade to blade when a huge hairy fist swung out from the tree above the officer’s head, and smacked the man right out of the saddle. He landed with his head bent sharply to the right and glassy eyes staring blankly. A sasquatch, black as pitch, swung down, landing lightly for a beast so huge. Jacob recognized the creature.

Scores of sasquatches joined the skirmish and the fight ended quicker than it otherwise would have. “My thanks, Buraker for the assist,” he called to the beast.

The big male walked right up to him and growled, “Alfa Daniel say we should defend hunting ground.” The words were distinguishable, barely, yet clear enough to communicate the meaning.

It came as no surprise to hear Sir Daniel knew of the invasion and sent the panthers to make the distraction and these beasts to help with the fighting. This also meant the knight approved of the decision to attack the supply trains. “Sentinels, try not to kill anymore horses, they are better than gold out here. Breaker, Clipper, and Dasher teams, get those surviving horses and the wagons far to the west. Breaker team, stay with the spoils. The rest of you come back and prepare for the next ambush,” Jacob shouted.

Every Sentinel now had a horse and they moved farther north and hid among the trees. An osprey landed in the pine above and Jacob felt the familiarity, indicating this bird is an ally. Within a tenth of a mark another train of wagons approached with a similar number of escorts. “Thanks Echo,” he told the raptor and watched as hornets swept out of the trees and began harassing the escorts and drivers.

While the Pentrosans swatted vainly at the pests, Jacob signaled the attack and led Anchor team against the escorts while the other teams went for the wagon drivers and catapult crews. The panthers roared and sasquatches dropped from the trees, leaping with skills that would make an acrobat envious, and sweeping men out of their saddles. Jacob aimed his dagger at an officer charging at him and touched the ruby. The captain’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked down at his shield and then chest and found a gaping hole in both. He fell to the ground. Jacob faced the rest of the cavalrymen and shot lance after lance at the enemy while they sent countless bolts back in his direction. One bolt struck his helmet and fell harmlessly to the ground.

Around him drivers fell from wagon benches and horsemen off their steeds, struck by invisible lances, some by sasquatches, and a few falling while covered with hornets. One soldier fell off his horse and ran into the trees. Twi sprang onto the man, biting down on his throat, and Jacob decided to look elsewhere. Roars and screams came from the surrounding trees and he knew Wind and Dusk were also doing their part. Wiry Jax Talmin actually stood fighting a man sword to sword. The Sentinel should stick with the daggerlance, yet even so had the advantage. The Pentrosan’s blade slipped through Jax’s defense, striking him in the chest. The man only had a moment to wonder why his point did not sink in before Jax’s blade took off his head.

Jana and Carn fought side by side, horses’ right next to each other, launching invisible lances at the Pentrosans until running out of targets. Jacob noted his squad had improved, taking the time to aim rather than sending lances rapidly in the general direction of what they wanted to hit. Unfortunately, scores of horses died in the skirmish, although not near the amount of the previous encounter. “Get these horses and wagons to the others and be careful with those barrels of pitch,” He ordered and watched as the horses, catapults, and wagons were bei
ng led away.