DISCLAIMER: Tortall and its inhabitants belong to Tamora
Pierce, and used with her (indirect) permission.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yeesh--I'm glad this battle "notional
scenario" is nearly over. I'm afraid I didn't know what I was getting into
when I started this thing. But rest assured, palace life will return to usual,
which means Kel will get her knight-master soon, and perhaps some attention
from the boys. *grin*
2nd AUTHOR'S NOTE: Special thanks goes out to my friend Harry,
from my history classes. If it weren't for his Naval ROTC training, I'd have no
idea what the best way to storm a castle is. (His first choice: "bribe the
gatekeeper.") Another thank you goes to my Modern European Military
History professor, John Guilmartin. He taught me lots about trench warfare and
defense that I could apply to castle/fortification defense.
Chapter Eight: The Benefits of Espionage
Kel found herself perched high in a tree the next morning,
examining the palace walls through her spy-glass. Whatever happened today, she
was certain it wouldn't go as perfectly as planned. Any number of things could
occur. Joren had strong fighters-some of the best archers in the realm. They
would probably remain on the castle walls as long as possible. Joren had been
on the parapets all morning, occasionally pacing, usually sitting in what Kel
could only assume was his favorite place--it was the same perch he'd been on a
year before, when she'd gone to the wall to sketch.
She shook the memory from her head. She couldn't spend her
morning analyzing that strange conversation for the hundredth time. She had
more important things to consider. She and Cleon had come up with a fairly
solid plan of action the night before. Cleon would lead the offensive line of
short-range fighters--swords, spears, staffs--while Kel would hang back with
the others to manage the defensive aspects of the battle. Her archers were prepared
to cover the front lines.
Given the circumstances of the war declarations, Kel
offered her men as frontline fighters. Raoul, Geoffrey, Sacherell, and Faleron
joined Cleon and his group of swordsmen: Imrah, Paxton, Inness, and Balduin.
Kel was a little uncomfortable giving up three of her knights, but she had
faith that her rear flank would be able to cover them.
"Remember," Cleon was telling the swordsmen
below, "retreat back into the woods if you hear Faleron's horn call."
Alanna cuffed Faleron almost affectionately. "And
don't you put your lips to that thing until your commander says so. Or if he
falls in battle and no one steps up. Or if you see a sneak attack from the
enemy."
Kel wasn't really sure what she'd expected from the
Lioness, but joking around hadn't been part of it, she was sure. In all her
years as a page, no one had ever mentioned anything more than Lady Alanna's
temper.
"Have you got your spears, lances, bows, quivers, and
everything else prepared?" she finally asked her men. They cheered the
affirmative and began their warm-up exercises while Kel turned back to the
palace. There were still only two archers on the wall, including Joren, one
person at the portcullis, and no one anywhere else.
"We're going to have to storm the castle like we
thought," Kel called out to Cleon and Alanna, gingerly climbing down the
tree. She was no longer afraid of heights, thanks to Balor's Needle, but she
didn't think falling from a tree would do much to sustain her recovery.
"Are we ready, men?" she asked, noting that
Faleron was looking a little ill.
"Mindelan!!!" the squires shouted back, nervous
energy spilling out. Even Faleron seemed to benefit from their confidence, and
he quickly mounted, unsheathed his sword, and joined at Cleon's side.
They began their march forth and Inness came to Kel's
side. "You know that 'Mindelan' battlecry made Cleon's ears turn red. I
think he might feel that you're taking over his group. Keep your back
covered."
Kel nodded curtly and watched her brother ride off to join
the front rank. She had to remember that Cleon was not in her group. He
wanted his colors flying above the castle wall as much as she did.
*****
They weren't even through the forest when disaster struck.
Kel was in a meditative state, concentrating on the strength she would need to
harness in order to take the castle, when she glanced through the file of
soldiers. Faleron caught her eye. He was peering into the woods as he rode, his
hand hesitantly reaching to the hunting horn at his side.
Kel realized too late--when he put the horn to his
lips--that he was Joren's spy. "Off your mounts!" she bellowed
simultaneously with the horn's low moan.
As soon as she dropped, arrows flew over her head. Several
men, including the great Raoul of Goldenlake and Mallory's Peak, were struck.
"Retreat!" Kel hollered, knowing that their
state of confusion was an advantage for the opposition. "All unharmed men,
RETREAT!" Mounting quickly and riding low in the saddle, Kel and
Peachblossom sped furiously back to the camp, where they would at least be
protected by Roald's magic. Kel was glad to hear a decent amount of hoof-beats
behind her.
When she reached the camp several minutes later, she was
relieved to see that most of the defensive line had been spared. Only Garvey
had not returned with the group.
But the group of swordsmen had been picked clean. OF the
nine who made up the group initially, only Imrah and Sacherell returned. Kel
assumed that Faleron had joined the opposing forces.
"Where is Cleon?" Kel asked the knights.
Sacherell gestured uselessly. "He took out Squire
Zahir, but by the time I looked back he had been covered with chalk, like the
others." He shook his head. "How did Faleron manage to keep it hidden
so well?"
Kel stood in silence, her mind moving rapidly. Finally she
turned to Cleon's remaining men--Kieren, Imrah, Neal, and Esmond. "Your
leader and most of your army has been killed. Would you like to leave us and
sue for peace, or find a new leader among you and continue the fight?"
The two knights and squires exchanged glances.
"Actually," Esmond began, "we would like to
be assimilated into your group. You can lead us in our battle of
revenge."
Neal shrugged at Kel's questioning look. "What have
we got to lose?"
Kel nodded. "Your assistance would be
appreciated," she said formally. Then she raised her voice to address the
entire group. "We have to come up with a new plan altogether, or they'll
keep ambushing us."
She pulled her writing supplies from her pack and handed
them to Neal. "I want you to write to Joren. Ask him to meet me tomorrow
morning for a peace conference. Make it as flowery as you can."
Sacherell grinned at Kel.
She met his eye and smiled back, mustering confidence in
her leading abilities. "But before any truce or cease fire is called,
while Joren is caught off-guard, we'll sneak into the castle at night."
"How are we going to manage that?" Conal asked
skeptically.
"Easier than Kel thought," Esmond piped up.
"We have a spy in Joren's camp." He pulled a small slip of paper from
his breeches. "Yesterday we got this from a carrier pidgeon."
Kel took the note and read it quickly. It was from Seaver,
who had written down his shifts on watch--on the parapets as well as at the
gates. Kel noted that his gate-keeping watch began at ten that evening.
"This is going to be easier than I thought."
*****
At ten-thirty the group made its way over the open field.
They had left horses and large weapons back at the camp, under the protection
of the Baron. Instead of armor and shields, they were dressed simply--carrying
daggers, pole-arms, and occasional swords and bows. They looked more like a
hunting party than an army.
But they didn't have to worry about being seen. Kieren and
Roald had placed spells on them: Roald's Gift silenced their movements while
Keiren's cast the illusion that no one was there, and only a gentle breeze
played over the grassy field.
Kel was nervous, but more confident than she had felt throughout
the entire simulation. This is it, she thought. We can easily win
with this battle.
When they reached the castle walls, they flattened
themselves against it, invisible to the sentries above, spells or no. The dark
yellow shimmer of Keiren's Gift surrounding the group dissipated, followed by
the inner glaw of Roald's midnight blue. Kel motioned for Esmond to step
forward; together they approached Seaver.
"What's she doing with you?" he asked Esmond,
eyes wide.
"Cleon's out," Kel explained. "His
remaining fighters turned to my group, so I will understand completely if you
choose to refuse to aid us."
Seaver gulped and glances at Esmond. Kel had a feeling
that he was trying to figure his odds, knowing they were well-armed. Finally he
shrugged. "I guess this teaches Joren that it's better to be a just
leader." He symbolically handed Esmond his hunting horn and stepped aside.
"Go right in. Joren should be on watch on the walls."
Kel saluted curtly. "Thank you," she said
gruffly. "I didn't want to have to kill you." Motioning to her men,
she led the way into the palace yard.
Seaver smiled. "I'm glad to give the palace to you,
Kel. I'd rather do that than give it to Cleon-or fight for Joren."
"That's a nice compliment," Kel acknowledged.
"If you want to join us, you may-but I'm not asking any more of you if
you're uncomfortable with that." Motioning to her men, she led the way
into the palace yard.
"Remember, hide in the shadows and grab them before
they can see you," Kel reminded them as she crept toward the inner
staircase of the wall. "Mithros guide me, I'm off to capture Joren."
Continued in Chapter 9