Chapter 25

“Bandits, sir?” Gorst asked incredulously.

The commander’s tent was packed with two dozen senior officers. Even so, you could have heard a pin drop. Blackwater sat at his great desk that had been carried dutifully all this way.

Brigadier Belfair cleared his throat, “Sir, I think what the colonel is saying may have some merit. These were not simple bandits. We have to consider the possibility…”

Blackwater cut him off, “I will consider no such thing. Kurush gave his word that we would receive safe passage.”

“You would trust this warlord?” Belfair asked, keeping his temper in check.

Havor stepped forward. In his hand, he held a bundle. Dryden was standing at the back of the tent, but even he could see the look on his colonel’s face. The man threw the bundle down on Blackwater’s spacious desk. The bundle unfurled, revealing the standard of the man that Dryden had slain. It was a black flag with a golden eagle, its wings outstretched, with a green viper gripped in its talons.

“What is this?” Blackwater asked.

“The standard of the clan Zhigo, at least that’s what I’ve been told. They are sworn to Kurush, and to his sister Aisa.”

“Where did you learn this? Have you been seeing that Vuruni woman again?” He frowned deeply at his cavalry officer.

“Sir, I must protest.” Havor began with a tone of righteous indignation.

“I provided this knowledge.” The voice came from the back of the room. Colonel Hood of the V.A.C. stepped forward.

“Did you now? And how did you come by it?” His tone was highly sceptical, bordering on rude.

“I have my sources,” Hood replied coolly.

“What sources?” Blackwater replied, annoyance in his voice.

“I decline to answer.”

“Damnit, I order you to tell me, I command it.” Blackwater hissed at him.

“I don’t answer to you.” Hood said obstinately but calmly, “I answer only to the governor and to the board of directors. You cannot command me. You cannot order me. Furthermore, outside the military chain of command, I outrank you as a Lord of the Chain. I’m here with you out of an apparently foolish sense of obligation to my fellow countrymen and of a sense of self-preservation. If you mistrust me so, you ought to have left me and my men in our fort in Vurun.”

“I was ill-advised on that matter, apparently.” Blackwater glared at Belfair now, “I declare again that these are bandits. We have been given safe passage by Kurush.”

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“But not by his sister, sir,” Dryden replied, surprised that he had spoken out of turn.

“Excuse me? Who said that?” The general demanded.

Dryden pushed forward between two other officers, “With all due respect, sir, I do believe that his sister…”

Blackwater cut him off, “His sister? Do not speak to me of his sister. She does not command his armies.”

“Apologies, sir, I forget myself,” Dryden said, and shrank back. He had spoken his piece. Blackwater had not listened, would not listen to reason. Even Belfair knew what was plain, that Kurush’s warlords were attacking them, and would continue attacking until they were all dead.

“Please, sir, see reason.” Gorst interjected, “We have been attacked, and not by bandits.”

“This matter is at an end. We will march on. We will comport ourselves with dignity and honour. We will protect the colonists from this banditry. We will…”

It was Hood’s turn to interrupt, “We are too slow. You refuse to acknowledge the reality of the situation. You also refuse to turn and fight. You even refuse to acknowledge the fight you are in. Even were you correct that our enemy are mere bandits, or that continuing were the right course, at this rate, it will be winter by the time we make the pass.”

“What would you have us do, man?” Brigadier Belfair asked on behalf of his general.

“If you cannot speed the journey, then make an encampment. A fort. Hold it until the Settru pass clears in the spring and move while the weather is good. Major Kolscht and his engineers can build an earthwork fort in three days if they use the sepoys for labour.”

Blackwater shook his head, “We will not stop. We have been promised safe passage. I weary, this meeting is at an end.”

“If you will not see reason, you will continue without us.” Hood said, “We will leave you behind and continue alone.” He saw that Blackwater was about to protest and preempted him, “Do not think to order me about.”

“What of the women and children?” Belfair blustered.

“What of them?” Colonel Hood replied, then turned and went from the tent with haste.

The rest of the officers slowly filed out after him. Only Belfair stayed. As Havor and Dryden were leaving, Blackwater called to them, “Take this trash from my tent.” He said and tossed the enemy banner at them. Havor caught it. His face was grim and his eyes flashed with anger. Then they left too, leaving the generals alone in the dim light of their command tent.

Hood was standing alone outside as they exited, “We’re leaving the column and going ahead. We could use your cavalry, Lord Havor.”

“I have nothing if not my duty, sir. I will perform it unto death.” Havor replied.

“I thought that might be the case. If circumstances change, you’re welcome with us.” Hood turned to Dryden, “The men you slew. They were Krav An-Zhigo, the heir to the clan, and his eldest son. I would watch yourself, the An-Zhigo clan will likely hunt for you in battle. They are known for their brutality. They have sorcerers who wield dark magics. Keep yourself about that regimental wizard of yours. What’s his name, Marten or some such? Anyway, chin-chin.” He turned and strode off towards the mercenary encampment. Within the hour The Company soldiers were marching out of camp, well ahead of the rest of the army. They marched quickly, far too fast for the carts, colonists, and the drovers with their livestock, to keep up with. Soon they were out of sight, down the road, their passage marked only by the cloud of dust kicked up by their marching. As he watched them moving out of sight Dryden feared that Hood was right. They were too slow, and they were being picked off now a dozen at a time. The fighting was a trickle. Soon it would become a torrent, a river of death that could not be stopped. A cold wind kicked up and he shivered with a sudden chill. The major looked to the sky and prayed a quiet prayer under his breath to the silent, long-dead gods of Vastrum, “Please, if ever you lived, see us safely home.”