"But they're in on this desertion plot! You need to confront them," Kalen protested.
"We don't know that they agreed to it in the end. And, if they did, I will speak to them as I see fit."
Kalen bowed. As he left, it occurred to him that that was the first time Taldyr had spoken to him since Elni.
He found Dallanis working at trimming a horse's damaged hoof, and Aethan, he found still asleep by the dead ashes of the fire. He was hard to rouse, and the unusually bad mood he woke up in left Kalen wondering if someone had been overly generous with their limited wine supply. He would not have expected Aethan to be a heavy drinker, but then, he had never been a very good judge of character.
Taldyr was leaning against a tree, eyes to the sky, when they returned. He noticed saw them immediately and stood and invited them to join him on the logs around one of the smoldering fires. They sat in a small circle, Aethan slouching, still rubbing his eyes and head; Dallanis sitting with her back straight and shoulders back, looking almost defiant, and Taldyr crouch with his elbows on his knees and his sword hilt in his hands, the tip buried in the turf. Kalen was sure he looked as nervous and uncomfortable as he felt.
"We are within a day's ride of Syxel," Taldyr began, "But we will not attack today-not with the men weary from a long day's ride. Tonight, we will pitch camp in the outskirts of the mountains. We will be out of sight of Syxel, but not far enough to risk lighting fires. We will attack just before dawn--a night attack would be ideal, but if we can't see our foe, the disadvantage will be both of ours. Our only hope is that the people of Syxel will see our attack and come out to join the fray." He fell silent, then let out a weary sigh. "Beyond that, my plan is thrown into chaos by a rumor I have heard. The men are considering desertion." Kalen saw feigned astonishment on Dallanis's face, and Aethan let out a low moan. "I hardly blame them for considering such a thing. We may be going to our deaths, but they will die anyways if they return to Elni as deserters. If they were wise, they would ride with the army and fight. If they pulled out if the battle goes ill, none would blame them, and they would still have the scars and wounds to show that they had been in the battle." Kalen raised his eyebrows. Was Taldyr actually giving the deserters advise to help them desert?
"What's the plan, then? We don't know that there will be deserters. Let's assume there aren't any." Dallaris said.
"If the whole army is still here by dawn tomorrow, we will split into four companies. Each of us will lead one--"
"But the orders called for only two." Kalen interupted.
"Indeed. But the king cannot touch us now. I will fight this battle in whatever way I find most likely to succeed. As I was saying, four companies..." Kalen tried to pay attention to the full battle plan, but he could not quite picture how it would all work together. Taldyr was going to lead the soldiers on horseback in a charge straight into the Fellyrian camp. Dallaris was to take a smaller company through the the woods to the north of the city and light their tents on fire while they were distracted by Taldyr. Aethan was to circle around to the camp from the other side and do the same. Kalen was to stay back with the archers and fire a rain of arrows into the enemy camp as soon as the soldiers emerged from their tents in the morning and continue until Taldyr's men engaged them. Then the archers were to leave their positions and circle around to the other side of the city and shoot at the enemy from behind. He and his men were to stay out of the hand-to-hand combat unless absolutely necessary. Taldyr was obviously working to preserve his men's lives if the attack failed, but it was a good plan--provided no one deserted.
"And if some men do desert? What's the plan then?" Aethan asked.
"I have no other plan. That is why I called you all to counsel. If, let's say, a third of the army deserts, what would you advise?"
"A third! Surely not so many would consider such a thing." Dallaris's tone lacked a little of its typical confidence.
"I do not see a third as unlikely. But it could wreak havoc with my plan, especially if they take the horses. The men are uneasy as is. A desertion would crush what little hope they have left. Have you ever tried to win a war with hopeless men? It's impossible."
"But this is a hopeless mission. We all know that." Aethan put in.
"It is risky, but not hopeless." Taldyr glanced around that their skeptical faces. "Look: If the commanders despair, how can the men do otherwise? You have not fought as many battles as I, but we all--all but you, Kalen--fought at the Valley of Daishen when the two hundred turned back over a thousand. Likewise, we stood together on the ridge at Irridon and watched as the flash flood destroyed half the enemy army without us even lifting the sword. Do not speak to me of hopeless situations. There is no such thing."
"Commander, you know more of this army than any of us. Tell us this at least: What are our chances? How any men do they have to our every man?" Dallaris demanded. Taldyr looked away. "Taldyr. We are riding to our deaths because of you and your daughter. This is your fault. You owe us a little honesty. You owe every man here. They are going to die tomorrow--all because of you."
"Leave it, Dallaris. The king is to blame." Aethan said sharply.
"No." The weight of weariness in Taldyr's voice was almost unbearable. "She's only speaking what everyone in the army has been thinking since we left Elni. I angered the king. I am under a death sentence and all of you are being dragged down with me. So I'll tell you. We are attacking an army of twelve thousand. The odds are fifty to one against us. I don't want the men to die for me any more than they want to be massacred. If I fall in the battle tomorrow, sound the retreat. The people will forgive the retreat for relief to see those they love still alive, and the king will be satisfied with my death."
"Our deaths." Kalen forced the words out against a great dry lump in his throat. "He wants us both dead--and he won't accept the army's return unless we're gone. I mean, I don't want to die, but I don't think I can get out of this alive any more than you can.
"Kalen, there is hope--"
"Don't tell me that, Taldyr. What hope do you have for yourself? I have the same amount of hope. And with us dead, the army can go home. We should lead the charge and--" Kalen cut off abruptly and left the circle. He knew the feeling in his gut. He was about to start crying. He hadn't cried in years, and this was no time to start over. He was a soldier now--a captain--and what kind of soldier cries when faced with death?
He returned a few minutes later, once his eyes and throat were clear enough that he was sure he would not tear up again. Dallaris gave him her scornful you-have-a-problem look, but Aethan just nodded. Taldyr had his head down, but he looked up when Kalen sat down.
"Our council is over. We go with the plan I described. Now, if you'll excuse us, I would like some time alone with my second in command." Dallaris and Aethan stood, bowed, and left. Taldyr turned to Kalen.
"Don't be ashamed, Kalen. Many more weep in the face of death than you would expect, and you are younger than most. And you're right. I should not give you false hope. Unless Ithien works a miracle, you will never see Elni again. But I promised your father that I would do everything in my power to protect you. This is your last chance, Kalen. Leave. Go to the Dinab Forest. You are young, strong, and brave; I have no doubt you will find a place and life among the Tassin."
"No! I can't just run off on the eve of battle! And how could I live among the Tassin? They are cowards, traitors, and outlaws."
"There are such among the Tassin, but most are not unlike us. They fight Fellyre is small bands. They are wary and wood-wise. You could learn much from them."
"I'm not going. I won't be a deserter."
Taldyr smiled sadly. "That's the Kalen I know. If you will stay, then so be it. May Ithien protect you."
No comments:
Post a Comment