“They
“And?” asked Tythias in annoyance, snatching back his spyglass.
“And this rock is granite, I think; or something like. The ones by the gorge are much softer rock. If they bring this big bastard down against the next one, they’ll both fall across the trail.”
“Shit!” Tythias compacted his spyglass again. That would delay us for weeks and give Velutio the chance to get prime position on the plains and deal with all the other lords before we get there. We’ve got to stop them destroying that rock.”
He turned to the others clustered below and behind him.
“There’s quite a few people down there and we need to get rid of them all. This must be the only way out, cos the next fissure upwards isn’t for a mile or more down the gorge. I want all you crossbowmen to get to high points and find yourself a good position as quietly and unobtrusively as you can. I’ll give you twenty minutes to get in position. Then I’ll give a hawk’s call. That’ll be your signal. You should each mark a man and fire as soon as you hear the signal. Then reload and try to get another shot off. It’s quite likely they’ll get into cover after the first shot, but by then the rest of us will be making our way down there. Try to take down the men in black and silver first. They’re Janus’ spearmen and they’re good. If you spot a man dressed like them but with a red cloak, take every effort to kill him. Captain Janus gets you fifty corona when we get back as a reward. We’ll move round the edge and deal with these barbarian hirelings of Janus’.” He looked around the faces of the dozen swordsmen. “We need to take them out and then we’ll split into two. Half of you will stay with me and we’ll cover this exit so they can’t get away while the crossbowmen still pick off any target that presents itself. The rest of you will go with…” He looked down at the man next to him that had explained the quarrying. “What’s your name?”
“Velitus, sir.”
“The rest of you,” Tythias repeated, “will go with sergeant Velitus and dispatch any men you come across at the quarrying site and tear down the fires and dispose of the water safely. I’m not sure how you’ll go about that, but I’m sure Velitus can figure it out and that’s why he’s just been made a sergeant.”
He glanced around the assembled men. “Any suggestions or comments?”
The captain of the Swordsmen nodded and tapped his fingers on his sword pommel. “I think we need to get someone up to the top of that rock sir. They can cut the rope they’re using to haul the water up and sabotage the barrels so they pour the water back down into the camp rather than the other way.”
“Good,” accepted Tythias. Pick the best man you have for the job. I’d have liked to send back to Hadrus for more men, but we need to stop this as soon as we can. I can’t risk them blocking the gorge.”
He smiled as he drew his sword. “At least I’m getting convinced that sergeant Cialo is on the level now. Ok. Move!”
He watched with interest as the crossbowmen started to climb the rocks and scree slopes around them, struggling to find the best vantage point they could. Further across the ridge, the man chosen to deal with the water barrels sheathed his sword and spat on his hands before rubbing them together. Several men patted him on the shoulders as he moved among them and then disappeared out into the dusk, remarkably light on his feet.
Tythias looked across at the captain. “Seems like a good man for the task.”
The captain nodded. “He’s been in jail at Velutio a couple of times for burglary, but the times they
Tythias laughed quietly. “Thieves, vagabonds, turncoats and mercenaries. Quite an army we’ve got.”
He turned his attention once more to the ex-thief running lightly across the rocks. The man leapt from one to another with fine balance and took a long run across a particular rock, sailing silently through the air above the barbarians that went regularly to check on the fires. Landing with the faintest of thuds, he started to climb very slowly and carefully up the giant rock towards the water cache at the top. Tythias smiled. “Guess we won’t need to worry about that problem then.”
He watched for a while longer as the swordsman reached the peak of the rock and positioned himself near the barrels of water. With a quick glance behind him he noted that the crossbowmen had all vanished from sight. With a satisfied hum he waited, figuring another ten minutes at most would be needed before the signal could be given. With a sigh he turned and watched the sun slowly sinking behind the mountains opposite. In peaceful circumstances the view would have been soothing and relaxing. In their current position, he worried how much light they’d have when he put out the signal. Would half-light be enough for the crossbowmen? They were good; he knew, but how good?
A long time passed. Probably the ten minutes Tythias was hoping for, but it felt like a week. With a deep breath, Tythias put his fingers in his mouth and issued a call at best reminiscent of a hawk. Holding his breath, he gestured to the men.
“At the first shot, we move. You; you; all of you,” he added, gesturing at men, “are with me. Time to go.”
He waited tensely for a few more minutes until he heard the first cry. With a satisfied glance as he climbed over the rock and ran down with his men he noticed three of the black and silver uniforms punched heavily by crossbow bolts and the men disappear to the floor in blood and screams. His grin was positively wolfish as they took their defensive positions on the rocks, cutting off the escape route for Captain Janus, watching the rest of the swordsmen disappear down toward the narrow defile that served as a passage between the camp and the mining operation. On the rock there was a clatter as the barrel held by the rope clattered down into the camp area and the barrels on the top were smashed open with violent force. Gallons of water cascaded harmlessly from the summit into the camp, ruining hours of work the Spears had undertaken.
He watched with further satisfaction as the Spears and the few barbarian hirelings they’d brought as workers charged for whatever cover they could find. Phythian’s crossbowmen did their job with ruthless efficiency. Having spread out almost a third of the way around the depression, their field of fire was impressive and men screamed as they were pinned to rock and to tent frames even in places they believed were safe.
Finally, a number of men had been gathered in a position behind an overhanging rock and their captain was with them. Janus looked around him in some panic and then, with a single wave of his arm, launched his men toward the gap where they could clearly see Tythias and his men waiting.
Tythias grinned. Janus was making straight for him and the man wouldn’t make it an inch further. Janus’ position and opposition had been responsible for the route the Wolves had taken to Serfium, leading them into danger, captivity and death, and the men killing them as they ran were the men who’d captured the Wolves. There was some small satisfaction in that.
The prefect, with only one eye and one arm and scarred so heavily he would be unrecognisable as the youth that had left Rilva thirty-five years ago, seeking a life and glory in the Imperial army, stood at the ridge and watched Janus running toward him, surrounded by his men and barbarian allies. Twenty five years ago, Janus had served with him at a level rank. Even then he’d been a man Tythias wouldn’t have trusted, as many games of dice had attested. His grin widened as he hefted his sword and prepared. Even with only half his faculties, he knew full well how much better he was than Janus. This would be sweet.
And then Janus vanished. Half way through his run, the first crossbow bolt hit him in the shoulder, spinning him round where he stood. The second took him through the leg, causing a fall and, while he floundered on the floor, the third took him through the hip. In unbelievable agony and unable to move, Janus screamed his heart out as he bled onto the dust and gravel. Tythias shrugged. He’d be fifty corona poorer when they got back, but the men had deserved it. He’d make it sixty and split it three ways. With a sigh he prepared himself for the rest of the men running up the hill at the defenders, though a number of them vanished to crossbow fire as they ran. He smiled. And Kiva thought hr had the monopoly on strategy.
Kiva smiled as he looked down at the man on the makeshift stretcher, built out of tent canvas and spears. Janus had looked better. The three crossbow bolts still protruded from him and he was pale, with eyes that rolled wildly. The general looked back up at his second in command.
“You couldn’t capture any of the others?”
Tythias grunted. “Frankly, general, it never crossed my mind. Not a single life made it out of that depression after the captain here. Phythian’s crossbowmen are just too good and Sithis trains men well. You’re not going to tell me you mourn them?”
“No,” Kiva replied, “of course not. It’s just unlike you to not take prisoners. That’s where we’ve differed for
