"Just as we've said, sir," Leah said. "A man by the name of Kerris is leading an army a thousand strong to this city. He has taken captive two Justices."
"A difficult feat," Dax mused. "You are certain they march here? Could they perhaps be a mercenary company?"
"A mercenary company with a thousand at its disposal?" Martin asked. Dax thought for a moment, frowning.
"What will it take to defend the city?" Daron asked, glancing at the map. Brynn had already slid right up to it, her nose scant inches away as she took in the intricate details of the city.
Dax clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head. "To truth, Allene herself in full battle regalia leading a host from the Eternal Hall." He strode over to the map and jabbed a gloved finger at the eastern and western gates. The momentary exultation Daron had felt evaporated. If the opinion of a trained soldier was that it was hopeless, they were beyond help.
"These two are the main gates into the city," he said. He pointed to the northern wall. "However, the railway that exits the city to the north has no such gate, allowing trains to pass without incident. While we can close the two gates, we have no such defenses there. Thankfully your attacking force is coming from the south, and would have to cross the river before they could gain access to it.
"Further, the outer walls are almost worthless here. Barely a dozen feet tall, a man could easily scale it. We don't have the numbers to hold the entirety of them. The walls themselves are narrow, just wide enough for a single person to walk along." He sighed and backed away from the map, taking in the wider view. "We don't even patrol the walls. There has never really been a point."
"Spread out your people," Brynn said, peering at the map. "We don't have to hold the wall completely, just station enough people up there to know where the attack comes from. Then we relay the message and move a reserve force in where they're attacking and concentrate there."
"A reserve force?" Dax mused. "The entirety of my force is perhaps five hundred. Keeping a force in reserve would mean a fifth of them on the walls, spread out." He threw a hand angrily towards the map. "There's miles of walls to cover. One hundred souls spread out so? They'd be spread too thin to relay messages when the attack came."
"Not to mention moving the remaining four hundred through the city to deal with the attack in a timely manner," Leah added.
"Conscript locals into service," Daron said. "Anyone that has a firearm or a sword. Weave them in with the trained guards. Even a hundred would be sufficient to keep watch for where the attack happens."
"Could we meet them head on before they arrive?" Martin asked.
"Five hundred versus a thousand? We'd be cut down like wheat before a thresher," Dax muttered.
"We can retreat to the inner city," Brynn said, tapping the map. "Once the outer walls are overrun, we move back to the old city walls. They're much larger, and have three large gates."
"We can't evacuate the entire outer city in that time," Dax said, shaking his head. "Two-thirds of the residents live and work in the outer city. That's tens of thousands of people we'd have to relocate within an hour. Maybe a hundred thousand. Can't be done."
"I didn't say we relocate them," Brynn said quietly. "We move who we can, but it's the only defensible position in the city."
A thick silence settled over the small office. Daron glanced at the dour faces in the room, and then shook his head.
"No," he said. "We don't retreat. We're not abandoning part of the city because it's inconvenient."
"It's not a matter of inconvenience," Tel chided. "It's simple logistics. We simply can't hold a city this size with so few a number."
"I don't care about the numbers," he snapped. "I signed on to protect people from this very sort of thing. Retreat if you will. I will not abandon anyone."
Leah rested her hand on his shoulder. He glanced at her, and saw a fiery resolve in her copper eyes. She nodded shortly.
"I stay as well," she announced. She gave him an uneasy smile.
"Well, I had nothing better to do anyway," Brynn said. "Maybe we can buy some time until reinforcements show up."
"Would the city be adverse to buying some help?" Martin asked. He strode across the room and leaned against the door, fixing everyone with a severe look. "There is another alternative to pointlessly throwing away our lives."
"Our lives?" Daron said with a smile. "You'll be staying with us, and then?"
"As our lovely Justice here has said, I have nothing better to do with my time," Martin said, inclining his head in acknowledgment to Brynn. Daron blinked as he saw her blush. Now he'd seen everything. Brynn pulled her braid around from her back and began to twirl it about her fingers.
"Still, there is a much closer solution at hand," Martin continued. "Arix Company of mercenaries resides not a few hours travel by train to the north of here."
"No," Leah hissed. "Absolutely not."
"A means of salvation is close at hand," Martin said. "I dare say the city could spare enough gold royals to save itself."
Worried explaining Leah's reticence might wind up with her in a cell, he pulled her gently off to one side of the room while Martin, Tel and Dax discussed the item.
"You can't let them do that," she whispered emphatically. "They can't be trusted."
"Not every mercenary acts like those chasing you," Daron countered. "They could easily reinforce this city with enough numbers to repel the attack. That's worth doing, if it saves lives."
She looked unconvinced, but nodded. On impulse, he reached out and grasped her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"We won't be anywhere near them," he said. "I said I'd keep you safe."
"I've protected you more times than you've helped me," she snorted. Her smile faded away. She stared into his eyes, tilting her head slightly to one side. "Still, if it saves lives, and then so be it. Just stick close to me. I don't want to be anywhere near them."
"That I can manage," he grinned. They stood a moment longer in silence, until he realized he was still holding her hand. He gave it a last gentle squeeze and turned back to the discussion, and found Brynn regarding the two of them. She gave a faint nod. Daron frowned. What was that about?
"If the city won't cough it up, and then tax the nobles," Tel said. "They'll be free with their purses if their precious estates are threatened."
"The city council won't like it," Dax warned, but then shrugged. "I suppose they'll like their city burning even less," he grimaced.
"If you'll allow me access to a typewriter, I'll work up a letter for Arix Company, the Order and King Edwin."
Dax nodded, rising. "I'd best see about gathering my men and getting to the walls. Meet at the eastern gate when you're ready." He nodded to each of them politely, though his gaze lingered long on Leah, meeting her unusual eyes. She shifted uncomfortably beside Daron. Dax's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. They filed out of the building and back onto the grass.
Moments later, a great bell began to peal from above the garrison. The men and women lazing about the grass all turned in time, staring at one another, and then sprinted into the garrison as one mass. Moments later a distant bell, likely from the west gate, tolled out a response. A call to arms had been sent.
Daron led the others back towards the street, but paused before leaving the garrison's grounds. A large wooden board had been erected to one side of the gate, unseen by them as they'd entered in. Dozens of ripped and tattered papers were pinned to it. One caught his eye.
He dashed over to it away from the group and stared at the drawing scribbled on to it, before ripping it down and stuffing it into one pocket. He glanced about to make sure he was unseen, but all the guards had already vacated the grounds.
Leah gave him a quizzical glance as he rejoined the group, but he shook his head. They had more important things to worry about for the moment, but dark things began to grow in his mind as he thought about the bulletin that had been pinned there.
Chapter 19.
Lightning flashed overhead, showing the advancing army before Jarod in stark relief as they neared their destination. A moment later the thunder rolled over them, heavy enough to feel the rumble in his chest. The rain continued unabated, and with his hands bound painfully behind him, he was unable to do more than blink the water from his eyes.
"I'm open to suggestions," he said to Aiden as they trudged across the waterlogged ground. The Justice had walked in numb silence since they'd left the camp, dark and brooding thoughts evident on his face. Kerris strolled almost casually ahead of them, surrounded by his body guards. Another half dozen men marched behind the two captives, red-haired Sammet keeping a sharp watch on them as they walked.
Aiden shook himself out of his thoughts and glanced at his commander. Pain was evident on his face, though if it was from the manacles or the words Kerris had spoken, Jarod could not say.
"We'll have a better chance of escape once the battle is started," Aiden whispered. "Easier to get lost in all the commotion."
"I don't think Kerris is going to let us out of sight," Jarod said. "He's got plans for us."
"Then the appropriate thing to do would be to deny him those plans," Aiden responded. "If he intends to use us as proof of his diseased words, or as part of diabolical magic, our duty is to deprive him of that."
"You mean die," Jarod said flatly.
"Better to do so on our own terms than as part of his scheme," Aiden said simply as he shrugged.
"This isn't exactly my own terms," Jarod growled, rattling the manacles that bound his wrists behind him. Aiden said nothing. "What about your family?"
Aiden almost stumbled. Jarod instinctively tried to steady the Justice, but with his hands unavailable he almost sprawled to the ground. Aiden regained his footing, but then came to an abrupt halt.
"What of them?"
Jarod paused as well. "You'd throw your life away? What of them?"
"Hey, now," one of their guards called. He gestured with a pistol. "Move it along."
They fell back into plodding steps. Aiden was silent for a long moment, struggling internally.
"It would be better for them if I died trying to escape than offer myself up as a lamb for slaughter to a madman," he said finally.
"How about we work on an option that doesn't involve dying?" Jarod asked dryly.
"It seems pragmatic to be realistic here. You said yourself Kerris is unlikely to stop watching us."
"Daron and the others are still out there."
"Daron?" Aiden snorted. "Small comfort there."
"He's your friend," Jarod accused. "He's also very resourceful."
"I'm being realistic here as well. He's useless in a real fight."
"You sell him too short," Jarod chided. "He's a capable man, given the right resources."
"Then let us pray he has the resources to stop an invading army."
Jarod lapsed into silence. It was preferable to Aiden's defeatist attitude. He focused his thoughts on the manacles that bound him, feeling where the cold metal bit into his wrists. His hands were nearly numb from the rain and the cold, but he could still feel them enough to experience the pain.
Kerris gestured, and Sammet dashed past them to his leader's side. They conversed for a moment in whispers, Kerris pointing back at the two captives. Sammet nodded and jogged back to them.
"We're parting ways here," the man grinned. "I can't say it's been a pleasure. The next time we meet, Kerris will be holding your hearts up for display." His grin grew wider. "I want to be there for that."
"I wouldn't miss it," Jarod muttered. Sammet barked a laugh and loped ahead to catch up with the remainder of the army. Kerris stopped, standing still in the drenching rain, watching the rest of his army move along without him. He turned and strode to the remaining group, his bodyguards in close step behind. Somewhere in the darkness of the trees Jarod could hear the shuffling footsteps of whatever abominations Kerris had brought along, and shuddered.
"We have another appointment," Kerris said. Jarod did a quick count. The madman had six bodyguards with him, and another six behind them to keep watch of the two Justice's. Thirteen men total. Much better odds than before. Jarod had to force himself not to smile. Much better indeed.
Rather than following the main group, they veered off to the west. Jarod frowned. There was another gate to the west, but why assault it with a dozen men? It made little sense to split the force up. Beyond the west gate the river flowed, coming in from the north east and cutting through the city before washing out towards the ocean farther west. Could he be trying to come in via the river? Perhaps he had a ship waiting for them somewhere nearby.
They trudged along in the rain again. His legs ached from the exertion, and his mind felt foggy from the lack of sleep. He began flexing his fingers to force blood into them, trying to keep from losing all feeling in them. It was time for a different tactic.
"He's going to kill you," Jarod said to the men keeping watch on them from behind. "He's not taking you with to keep an eye on us. He needs warm bodies for his magic."
"They are dedicated to the cause," Kerris called from ahead, apparently hearing him even over the rain and thunder. "They all know their purpose."
"It is not death they should worry about," Jarod said. Kerris paused and turned, frowning. "Their souls are in jeopardy."
Kerris laughed, a shrill, maniacal laugh. Jarod had to remind himself that for how unassuming the man looked, for how calmly and clearly he spoke, he was still entirely insane.
"They will be rewarded richly beyond this life," Kerris said. "They need not feel afraid for their souls, Justice."
"The gods do not look kindly on those that practice arts such as yours."
"There are more than the gods who grant a haven once we've left this mortal coil."
"Impossible," Aiden snapped. "You claim some other power is an equal to the gods?"
Kerris laughed softly and let the conversation drop. Jarod glanced at the men surrounding him, but their faces remained impassive and untouched by his words.
The wall of the city came soon into view, a few hundred yards from the treeline. Occasionally a small group of tents or a simple lean-to lay near the wall, groups of individuals not wealthy enough to pay for lodging within town. Jarod felt his heart sink when he realized no one walked the walls. There was no one to see their approach at all.
They circled the city at a slow, unhurried pace. By now the main body of troops had to have arrived at the eastern gate, Jarod judged. Still Kerris gave no sign of his own personal goal. The sky was completely obscured by rolling clouds, but Jarod guessed it had to be mid afternoon. Still plenty of light left to attack the city. For all he knew, the army had already entered the city itself.
He grew hopeful as the western gate swung into view. It was closed. Kerris paused mid step, glaring at the entry that was barred. He couldn't help the grin that broke onto his face.
"I told you not to underestimate Daron," he said to Aiden. The other Justice shook his head ruefully. They'd actually done it! As if a great weight had been lifted from his chest, Jarod found himself breathing easier. They were far from out of the fight.
Kerris whipped around to fix his icy stare on him, but Jarod felt his back straighten, and he grinned defiantly at the man. The gods are watching, Jarod thought. First time for everything, I suppose.
They continued past the closed gate, heading toward the river. It snaked out through the city and continued west, an uncrossable expanse of murky green and brown water. Detritus and worse from the city bobbed and floated along with the current.
Right at the base of the wall, a few scant yards from the banks of the river, a sewer outlet emptied the waste of the city. The outward flow wasn't strong, but it still splashed down on to the angled packed ground and drained away into the river. Kerris paused before the entrance. Harsh odors rolled over them.
It wasn't a boat after all. Why would Kerris enter the sewer, and then? While the closed gate had obviously been unexpected for the man, it seemed his plan never hinged on entering the city from the opposite side as the army. He'd intended to come here all along. But why here? It wouldn't have been difficult to scale the walls at any place in the city, if he'd truly wanted in. They could easily slide past the wall right here and into the city with a little wading through the river. What was the madman planning?
Kerris muttered a few words, and a globe of spinning yellow light appeared above his head, orbiting it at a distance of a few feet. It gave enough light to throw back the shadows of darkness in the pipe. The man gazed at the maw of the passage, tall enough for them to stand without stooping, but only just.
Jarod blinked. He knew little of sorcery, but was certain that such a conjuration wasn't possible. Sorcerors could create elemental forces, slamming opponents with fire and lightning, wind and ice, but this was something different. The orb of light circled Kerris, flicking shadows with each orbit.
Without further preamble, Kerris stalked in, his bodyguards close behind. A moment later he and Aiden followed, and he prayed silently he wouldn't stumble in the muck and excrement without his hands to arrest his fall. At least they were out of the torrential downpour, but the smells that wafted up to him made him long for the chilling rain.
"It took years for my men to find everything," Kerris said. His voice echoed down into the depths of the tunnel, whispering back at them a moment later. "Imagine, a whole civilization buried beneath the streets of one of the oldest cities in the world, unknown to the residents above."