Hawkmoon (The Hawkmoon Chronicles) (26 page)

“Once dispersed, how do we bring our forces together and where,” asked Strongbow

Selmar pointed at the map. “It is known as the Melnoch Swamp. No army has ever passed through They will never expect an attack from that quarter.” Landis raised his hand “What if this is a massive deception? This has the scent of the Order all over it. The Sisters have done much to bring the Reiver out of savagery but they serve their own objectives. The Queen has an independent mind. But she spent three years with them after the loss of her family. They would have ample time to bring her to their way of thinking. How can we risk the fate of our people on the basis of a single letter? “

In the yard orders were shouted at the changing of the guard. Flames crackled around dry timber in the hearth.Strongbow rose and opened a bureau. He sat with a number of maps. “We have discussed their strengths, now let us look at their weaknesses. They have  tracts of fertile land in the Southwest and fleets of transport ships . With all that they should have a population ten times greater.  The problem is the Vampire .  The infection was rampant under the former Queen . Mira has made progress but she needs time for  measures  to take effect.

I am convinced her offer is sincere but Landis has gone to the core of the matter. How do we  trust her good intentions but  devise a path to victory if she  is treacherous? She may be sincere but what if she is assassinated and replaced by a puppet of the nobility?

From our knowledge of their strategy in past conflicts their plan will be to concentrate their population in the capital city and evacuate them over the sea when our armies draw close.” The Marshall laid out a smaller map.” This is the port of their city. It is one of the finest natural harbours on the continent and  the principle  source of their prosperity. The Queen is sure she can remove her people from harm’s way and her confidence is justified.. He pointed at the map. “The harbour mouth is wide but only the mid channel is deep enough to allow passage for heavy ships; the kind they will use to move the populace.

They are expecting the attack to come in mid to late summer of next year. What they don’t know is that an avalanche at the Escarpment has made a breach sufficient to pass a small force. They are assembled and wait for the first thaw. Their orders are to divide into groups of fifty and make their way south.  Those who get to the Royal City will seek  work at the port .  At the right time they will seize one  of the ships and scuttle  it  in mid channel.  This will not only seal the inhabitants within the city but block  attempts to bring in food.”Strongbow looked at his officers. “If they prove treacherous I will destroy their city and everyone in it.”

“I wonder if we should in any case” Selmar mused.

“No. That would give victory to the vampires. If there is a chance of reaping the rewards she offers I will take it with both hands.” Strongbow drew the heavy curtains over the window.” There are a number of tasks to be dealt with. We will discuss them tomorrow. Selmar, I want plans and requirements for moving First Corps to the Escarpment. They are to support the construction of both ramps.  .I want them in shelter to survive the Winter and ready to move when the Spring comes. Prepare a report on the most suitable officers to command the garrison forces. They have to be capable soldiers of proven loyalty. They must be strong enough to resist pressure from the Wampyrhii and threats from our political enemies. I want to see how you plan to distribute our forces when we reach the Plains..”Selmar rose, saluted and left

“Landis …I want measures  in place  to deal with the Wampyrhii in the capital. Their representative is waiting in the Main Hall. I intend to provoke him into making threats. When they see us moving our wives and children they will take it as  a response to  his threats.  On the departure of  the army  make arrangements for the families to come to my estate..I want a  coordinated plan to destroy  any they send with us, including their gliders. They will be of use up to a point. After that I want them killed” Strongbow  resumed his seat.”. Tell him to come up.”

“Shall I escort him; he will expect a staff officer.”

“Send him alone… better still, one of the guards, the lowest rank you can find.” Landis smiled. “My Lord”

He was  making notes when a  mailed fist pounded on the door.

“Come”.Strongbow continued to pore over a document. Footsteps came on polished marble.The Marshall raised his head, peering over spectacles .“Yes?”A palace guard stood to one side, towered over by  his visitor  who was  struggling to keep his temper

“Your pardon , Lord Marshall, …  this Vam …this gentleman … that is to say. He’s been waiting you see.”

“Well done Landis, excellent choice”

“What is his name? Can’t you introduce him?”

Strongbow shot a look at the vampire whose normally pale face was suffused with anger. “My name is Hiron Barzum. My father is  High Vampire of the Northern Enclave .“

“Thank you guard, you are dismissed. “The guard made his way out.

“I take umbrage at being  treated like a common messenger….”

“Which is what you are .Sit down” The vampire was tall, with broad shoulders, dressed in a heavy  cloak..   Locking the diary in his desk he assessed  his visitor.

This one is ambitious but he lacks  his fathers’ self control.  The old vampire would never allow himself to be goaded.

“ Sit down…You will be pleased to hear that we are in a position to repay  the funds advanced by your father.” It was a lie. He wanted to see  the vampire’s reaction.

“The agreement  calls for the  funds to be repaid in three years or after  the end of the war.”

“Nevertheless we are keen to  end our obligations to the Wampyrhii”

“The agreement with the former Marshall…”

“Was with the former Marshal. As the new Lord  Marshall I am unhappy with the obligations placed on us . I have arranged alternative financing. You will receive high praise on your return to the First Aerie. Full repayment plus a healthy return on your investment.

Barzum made a mistake  sending the youngster. I can read  him like a book. Now that he is off balance  I can press him further

“In truth there are several aspects of your dealings with  us that I am less than enamoured with.” Strongbow  continued  before the younger Barzum could reply. “The most serious problem is the size of the invasion force. It is too large. You can tell your father that we will be leaving a  portion of the army at home. I am unhappy with the oversight you have demanded. You wanted command of certain armies and to his credit the  former Lord Marshall refused. An outsider, “ Strongbow glared at Barzum” particularly vampires, in charge of Reivers  is unacceptable..

There are a cadre of advisers assigned to the High Command and  more to accompany the armies. These will be withdrawn.  We have no need of them. Reivers were fighting wars  when the Wampyrhii were hiding in the backs of caves sucking on bones.. Reivers are honourable. We  fight in open order, by daylight. Your weapons are  deceit and treachery. We don’t require your expertise, such as it is. The gliders we will keep. They are useful for reconnaissance. However they will be under our command. The first hint that they are refusing to  work as ordered , they will be slain.”

Barzum sneered. “You talk a big talk .. Do you realize who it is you threaten.”

Strongbow leaned over the desk. The vampire sat still, outwardly calm except for  his  nails which had extended into talons. “It
would solve everything if he lost control.  Selmar could hold the armies long enough to form an  alliance with the Queen.

“The question is, do you realize who you threaten. We are not some isolated  hamlet at the edge of the  forest. We are a nation. Your infection is  too weak to corrupt our blood . Our warriors are  your equal. You have nothing we want” The Marshall pointed a finger.

“Know this, we will go to war because we have no choice. But never think that you have power over us. The day of the Reiver has come. If you ever cause trouble I will send twenty armies to the North. Your castles will be broken. We will dig you out of your warrens and watch while you burn in the sun.”

Strongbow sat back, picked up a pen and looked over some documents. Almost as an afterthought he raised his head to regard the vampire “You are dismissed.”

The door opened. He thought the vampire had gone until a voice spoke tight with the effort of control.” My compliments to you  Lord Marshall and to your beautiful wife and children.” Strongbow  looked up, glaring at the vampire . Barzum smiled, knowing the threat had been understood.

After the door closed Strongbow unlocked the desk andremoved a sheaf of documents. The letter from the Khan was the first to go in the fire. The ambassador to  the Chian would be leaving the city   in another week.  Their families  would be safe at the Court of Heaven.

                                                        A Fleeting Goodbye

Bekter was ill. That his suffering was self-ordained made it no easier to tolerate.. He had consumed quantities of the ale brewed by the elves. His condition worsened until the care of weapons required him to visit the blacksmith. A former resident of the Western Cape I t emerged that the fellow  hankered for the  drink of his homeland. His solution consisted of shipments of metal among which  were several crates of the brandy for which that country is justly famous.

The apprentices were dismissed. Fires were permitted to burn hot enough to provide a pleasant drinking environment. When two bottles were empty and a third  opened they sat in companionable silence. staring into the coals. “Twenty nine years, we fought together, travelled, hunted … Men or magicker. Didn’t make no difference. We killed em’ all. Made money and spent it… saved his skin a time or two… He has faced everything and never been daunted….. Calls sorcerers to heel like they were mongrels….Time was we  would sit by the fire with  pipes and a cask of malted beer. He would start on about a  piece of mischief, a prince leaning on his neighbours, a forest where people had been disappearing…. By morning  there was a plan and an angry wife  to be  soothed….The company is  strong... Hawkmoon apart,  Chatto is  the best I have  ever seen “

He was silent, eyes vacant. He looked at the blacksmith who returned his gaze . Bekter started to speak. Once begun, the words tumbled out. He spoke of the Paths of the Dead,  the Guardian. Finally he spoke of  the Hanging Tree.

“Years ago ,we stopped at a monastery in Seareach. I’m not a religious man. Couldn’t be doing with all of it… There was an old monk. He said the worst thing  for a man was to know the true  nature of evil. He says it changes a person. I never understood that…

At first it was dreams. Nothing unusual in that. It happens after heavy fighting… It gets worse every day.Hawkmoon blames himself…”Bekter stood, shambling out of the forge.. “I’m going home…. That’s what I’ll do. … Forget about this life.” He left, muttering to himself.

The next day marked  the beginning of  the first warm spell.. Hawkmoon was away on reconnaissance. Bekter   waited for him to return before announcing his decision .

“This is an early thaw. There will be more snow. Why the hurry?”

Bekter shrugged,” I am  concerned about my family“

Hawkmoon  regarded his friend. Bekter’s  eyes were haunted. The evil of the Hanging Tree  had  gone to the very core of his being. For all its grace not even the bowers of Elfhome could offer   protection. When he left its borders it would be worse…

“Stay here.  When this is over I will bring your family to Elfhome. They will be welcome.”

Bekter stood back. “No my friend. All these years, leaving her to struggle alone.  She is not young anymore. This is our last child. Except for the first, I was never there. It is enough”

“When are you leaving?”

“In the morning”

A guard knocked on the door. It was opened by a page who led Bekter to where the King waited.

He bowed . “Lord Aladan, I have come to say farewell.”

Their home  was larger than  others in Elfhome  but modest compared to the palaces of other kings. The Lord  was getting his pipe started. His lady sat close. “The road to Reenavanna is clear. There are no Reivers within a week of Elfhome....I have letters to be placed in the hands of your Sovereign.”

Bekter put them in his jacket. “It has been years since the former Queen severed relations between the Realm and Elfhome. Should a troop of elven warriors appear at   the court it would be a rare sight and pleasing to Her Majesty. “

Aladan smiled.”  My friend, you have an unsuspected gift for diplomacy… Alas we have need of everyone capable of bearing arms. It is unlikely that  Elfhome can escape  what is to come..”

Bekter’s mind was lost in  images of war in this haven of peace..  The Wampyrhii hated and preyed upon all the peoples of the Land but reserved particular spite for those from whom they had descended. His face echoed his feelings. The king continued. “Our plan is to find the enemy and harass it with small attacks while the people run before it. Elves are valiant but we cannot stand against a Reiver army. The valley will be poisoned, the land destroyed. We will be cut off from the source of our lives. We will be unhomed.”

Bekter looked at the Elven Lord, noting the weight of years. Many came to Elfhome and found ease for their spirits. Those who lived here knew lives of peace and harmony. All except the Lord and Lady charged with the duty of ensuring that it should ever be so.

Bekter leaned across and placed his hand on the Kings’ arm. From another it would have been a grave breach of etiquette.” Your Majesty, you are not without allies in this. If the world leaves you to stand alone you have Hawkmoon and me. We have broken armies; we know how to do it …. Stay in your homes. Help will come” The Lord and Lady gazed long at Bekter, touched by his  care yet knowing in their hearts that even men as mighty as these could not  prevent the sorrow that was to come.

Bekter remained seated until the King rose. Aladan took a  wrapped bundle from a flat box held by the page. He parted the wrapping of velvet to show a coat of silver chainmail. It shone in the light of the morning. “When friendship stood between the Woodland Elves and the Dwarves of Silverlode we exchanged gifts. This was given to my grandfather on the eve of one of the many wars we fought together. It will prevent any weapon, natural or the work of sorcery. It saved my father’s life and mine on one occasion. Wear it with honour”. Bekter looked at it doubtfully. It was made to suit the frame of an Elf. “You will find that it fits.”

Afternoon had come and gone by the time they reached the limits of Elvish country.  They stood on the brow of a hill  gazing at a distant range which sloped to the edge of the great river.

“I was thinking of the little fellow…from Tarissa. What was his name?”

Hawkmoon shook his head.

“A gambler tried to knife him… What was his name? He told me he was a Dragonrider and if ever I needed a favour….” Bekter laughed. “Strange to think of him now”.

“Aladan would have sent  elves if he had them to spare…”

“I know that.” Bekter said reaching to shake hands.  There was too much to say and little reason to say it. Without a backward glance he turned his mount  and rode away.