Chapter 44

The battle started with a swift advance by the Rachtelin knights towards the foot of the hill that dominated the riverside. Almost immediately they came under desultory arrow fire from the defenders, though kept a disciplined formation, using their shields to give them some protection. At the foot of the hill however, they came to a walk and slowly began a climb, allowing their second formation to close. Then, to the surprise of the defenders, the second formation unleashed an arrow-storm of their own as the advance up the hill began. Other groups of knights also moved to the base of the hill and began their own climb, defended to an extent by their mounted archers. The Dwarven infantry then began their own advance towards an open gap deliberately left by the knights and, by using their larger shields to protect themselves, began quick-timing it up the hill and soon moved ahead of the knights before forming a wedge aimed at the centre of the Thenarronian lines.

This move was countered by a charge from the Thenarronian knights who attempted to use their increased momentum from the downhill charge to break the Dwarven formation and get in amongst them. In this they were hampered by the switching of the arrow-storm by the mounted archers to their formation. Still, it was a solid block of knights that crashed into the Dwarven formation only to find the Dwarves had grounded their shields and did not budge other than a few casualties, whose place in the line was filled immediately.

“That seemed a terribly silly thing to attempt,” Sondrast commented to Darras.

“It was. Though I doubt the Thenarronian commander has ever faced Dwarves before and didn’t know what to expect,” Darras replied.

“How would you have dealt with it?”

“I wouldn’t have fought here; I’d have found better ground where obstacles would break up their formation. Also, I’d have more archers rather than spearmen.”

“So it’s all about choosing the ground?”

“Yes. The hill would be a good move if it were knights and spearmen, but against Dwarves and mounted archers, not so smart,” Darras explained. “They require a more mobile battle.”

The Thenarronian knights had been forced into a grudging retreat, again peppered by the arrow-storm from the Rachtelin mounted archers who were shielded by their own knights. Closing with the enemy lines, the knights then began a gallop and lowered their lances for a charge. Just before it hit, the mounted archers fired a volley over their heads to catch the Thenarronian infantry by surprise and opened a slight gap which the knights took advantage of in order to cleave their way into the formation and split it.

“Beautifully done,” Darras noted.

“It was,” Firios replied. “Though it looks like the Thenarronians are committing their reserves.”

“Yes, that’s what the Rachtelini are hoping for,” Darras nodded.

The Thenarronian reserves moved forwards to contain the breach in their line. As soon as they engaged, the other companies of Rachtelin knights began a charge, with the Dwarves picking up the pace as well. It was clear to Darras at least that the Thenarronian commander was now seriously rattled by the attacks on his lines and the inability of his forces to deal with the unexpected yet constant storm of arrows sweeping his lines. And then it happened, the Thenarronian defenders simply broke and scattered, pursued and basically slaughtered by the knights of Rachtelin as they raced pell-mell to the nearer woods and potential safety. Others though, particularly the experienced infantry, desperately kept to a formation as they attempted to retreat in the face of constant attacks and the ongoing arrow-storm. This, however, came to a halt when the Rachtelin knights had them surrounded and the Dwarven infantry approached.

“Will they offer an attempt to surrender?” Sondrast asked.

“It seems likely,” Darras replied. “Were this Torgillans or Rossarisi, I’d have my doubts, but the Rachtelini and Dwarves have no ongoing grudges here.”

“Looks like a herald is approaching them,” Balat observed.

“Yes, they’ll be agreeing terms of surrender,” Darras nodded. “Saves both sides a lot of casualties, particularly the Thenarronians as they are at a massive disadvantage here.”

“And those running?”

“Will be cut down, unless they make the woods.”

“Brutal,” Sondrast observed.

“War is.”

Back at the encampment Darras and Firios were requested to attend a meeting with Prince Rigilo and Linota, the two leaders of the combined forces. Also there were a number of others in the command structure, including Jertin and Doorf, as well as a man Darras presumed to be Count Gravely, who simply sat with a sour look upon his face.

“A swift victory with few casualties,” Linota stated. “Your knights and mounted archers are most impressive.”

“Thank you,” Rigilo responded. “A recent innovation in our Kingdom and proving to be a difficult challenge for those opposing them.”

“Certainly left my companies with little to do except fend off the one charge,” Linota chuckled.

“I rather expect the next engagement will be somewhat more challenging,” the Count stated. “They will have come up with better tactics at least.”

“They’ll likely have dark kin Elves to beef up their defenders,” Jertin replied. “We believe we can handle them to give the Dwarves a chance to close.”

“Pah, you simply cannot know this!”

“That’s why I said we believe,” Jertin replied politely if indifferently.

“Jertin is correct to have faith in our forces,” Rigilo stated, quashing the potential spat. “Yet you make a fair point, Gravely. They are untested as yet.”

“We should have brought more men-at-arms to deal with the dark kin, not rely on an untested theory,” the Count huffed, though said no more after a steady stare from Rigilo.

“This is why I invited the scout Firios here in order to carry a request to King Leandomus of the Forest Kingdom,” Rigilo replied after a slight pause. “Should the dark kin be here in numbers, I hope to bolster our wings with Elven archers of the highest quality.”

“This I can do, Prince Rigilo,” Firios replied politely.

“Can we trust Elves?” the Count asked. “They are banned from Rachtelin over their past behaviour.”

“Over one thousand years past,” Rigilo replied. “So long ago in Human terms that it’s a mere footnote in a historical record.”

“Yet there are Elves alive who will no doubt have taken part,” the Count sneered.

“You think Elves live that long?” Rigilo replied in amused tones.

“I care not for their ways and simply studied Rachtelin history.”

“The war was aimed at the dark kin who had settled in many Human Kingdoms after they had murdered the Emperor Harranis,” Firios explained. “Rachtelin had a large colony of them and refused to deal with the potential issue in its midst, hence the invasion.”

“And there’s the Elven explanation for their invasion,” Rigilo added. “If you harbour a potential threat, expect trouble.”

“It was still wrong of us, Prince Rigilo,” Firios added. “We accept this, but the murder of Harranis caused an out-swelling of anger amongst Elvenkind that has not occurred before or since.”

“To us it is ancient history, though the laws remain,” Rigilo shrugged.

“As a warning about involving ourselves with Elves,” the Count hissed.

“Other Human Kingdoms manage just fine as do our traders when out of the Kingdom, Count Gravely,” a clearly exasperated Rigilo replied. “Your prejudices are noted but overruled.”

“Understood, Prince Rigilo,” the count replied in icy tones.

“How long will it take you to deliver this request, good Firios?” Linota asked into the strained silence.

“If I set off now, I can deliver it by evening,” Firios replied.

“Could it not be delivered by scrying stone?” the Count asked acerbically.

“Scrying stone messages have been known to be intercepted by our enemy,” Linota replied. “An Elven scout won’t be.”

“Our plan now is to begin scouting our way down to the Voxilla woods, this is where we may encounter dark kin,” Jertin spoke into the silence. “Until now, we believe the enemy have simply defined us as a nuisance; we should presume they know better by now.”

“Indeed so,” Linota nodded.

“Do you wish my party to move to and begin scouting the woods?” Firios asked.

“If you would.”

“I’ll issue orders before setting off for Diriona,” Firios nodded.

“Thank you,” Linota acknowledged. “Now to matters at hand. We had a relatively easy victory today against an ill-prepared enemy, with few casualties to our side. However, we now have an issue with prisoners and transporting them to the rear where they can be contained safely and securely.”

“Did they not give their word to not resume hostilities with us?” the Count asked airily.

“They follow the dark gods,” Darras interjected. “Their oaths mean nothing except to their own.”

“And who might you be?” the Count snarled.

“The agent of the goddess Erren,” Darras replied, watching the man’s eyes narrow as if assessing a threat.

“You priestly types should not be interfering in the planning of a war,” the Count said after a slight pause.

“Darras is more in the way of a paladin than a priest, Count Gravely,” Linota replied. “When he speaks of such matters his word is to be trusted.”

“Indeed so,” Jertin added. “I witnessed his defeat of a vampire infiltrating Rachtelin. He is a doughty warrior as well as able to speak directly with our goddess.”

“I’ll assign a troop of infantry supported by archers to transport the prisoners to our base of operations near the former dead zone,” Rigilo finally decided. “Lord Dunfas will take over from there.”

“And if they foment trouble or try to escape?” Linota enquired.

“It will be difficult for them as other companies both patrol and are marching with us,” Jertin replied for Rigilo. “I’ll arrange for rations and, on its return, they can be attached to our re-supply convoy with the additional guards helping.”

“Would it not be simpler to just let them go?” Firios asked.

“Simpler yes,” Rigilo replied. “Though the intent here is to deny Thenarron the use of its fighting men as well as pave the way to undermining the morale of their armies by lack of numbers.”

“I see,” Firios nodded.

Firios then waited as Rigilo’s scribe handed the now prepared request to Rigilo who glanced at it then rolled it up and sealed it before handing it to Firios.

“May Erren speed your way,” Rigilo stated as Firios bowed slightly then simply left.

“Darras,” Linota asked. “What are Erren’s thoughts on what was an easy victory for us today?”

“She is pleased, though reminds you that Thenarron sees the main danger as Torgillan and Rossaris and you did not face their best,” Darras replied. “Expect this to change as your actions have exposed a weakness in their flank and endanger a main manufacturing city in doing so.”

“Her comments mirror my own thoughts. I expect the Voxilla woods to be a meeting engagement,” Linota nodded. “They will surely reinforce with dark kin and fight within the tree line.”

“I concur,” Rigilo agreed. “Best we move forward to but not enter the woods until we are reinforced.”

“Can the Elves reinforce us swiftly?” the Count asked sourly.

“Whilst they cannot far stride in such numbers, they will be able to get here far more swiftly than Humans or Dwarves,” Darras replied. “I’d estimate four days.”