Chapter 15
In the Midst of the Enemy
Near Solstice, Konge Province, Titan
"Some say the eve of battle is the worst time of all. More than the frenzy of the battle itself, more than the sorrow that follows in the aftermath, it is the rising anticipation, the tension, the fear, that is most terrible. For myself, I cannot say. Before, during and after, war is a terrible thing."
-Excerpt from the assorted writings of Mark the Guardian
With the Gladians, the Ducal Hird and the three mercenary companies marching together, they moved at a slower pace than the one Mark had kept when Gladians were by themselves. Mark worried that the men might grumble on the return trip if he made their way back to Gladius to such a pace as before, but they would not have the same need of haste in their return home. Of course, Mark was getting ahead of himself thinking of the return when the battle had not yet begun.
They took two days to go from Castle Titan to Pik. They remained in Pik two days before resuming their march, a four-day trip skirting Lake Olympus as it was known to the Grecians, or Lake Hvergelmir as the Northmen called it.
There were no advance parties from the rebels to encounter along the way, not much of anything at all besides abandoned farmsteads—many of them burned—, wells polluted by corpses and dead livestock left to rot in the fields. It was fortunate that they had already prepared the provisions they needed. Living off the land would be a challenge even for the Rowanites.
It was approaching nightfall when they drew near Solstice. Perhaps the only worse time would be around daybreak with the sun shining in their eyes. Mark had tried suggesting they hold back and make their way forward later in the morning the next day, but the Archduke insisted on bringing the formation to a halt about an hour's distance from the city. They were prime targets for a night raid, if the rebels were brave enough for it.
In an unexpected move, the Archduke sent a small party of heralds ahead of them in a bid to arrange a parley with the rebels' leader. Before, Captain Alcimenes had said there was to be no quarter offered to the rebels, but it would seem that over the course of the past several days, the Archduke had a change of heart. It may have been that the closer he got to the danger, the more appealing a peaceful solution became. The less blood spilled, the better, though it would be folly to pin much hope on peace at this point.
The sun was setting as they made camp and with the sky growing dim, lights appeared in the distance. It would seem that the rebels did not concentrate themselves in the city but were spread out in the surrounding area.
"I see a lot campfires out there," Sonia said, resting her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"It could be a bluff," Mark said. "They have every reason to make their numbers appear greater than they are."
"It doesn't look like a bluff to me."
She was probably right. There was no clear estimate of the rebels' numbers and it was better err by overestimating their strength than by underestimating it.
Trying to put her a little more at ease, Mark said, "We have faced worse odds in the past, but perhaps we can negotiate a peaceful resolution."
Sonia scoffed at the suggestion.
"You don't call in foreign troops if you think you can make peace."
Mark had little doubt that she was right, but he needed to serve as a counterbalance. Even if it left him looking hopelessly naive, it was better than just piling on the gloom and doom.
"Perhaps we will be the leverage they need," he said. "The show of force can be more effective than the act of force."
"I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you," Sonia replied, never taking her eyes off the enemy camp. "It's gonna be bloody."
Mark rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Let's not make the situation any worse. If they agree to parley, let Lord Orestes do the talking."
"If he could talk his way out of this, we wouldn't be here."
"All the same, we follow his lead."
"Yeah, yeah."
Sir Emerich approached, saluted and said, "Milord, the men have finished making camp and are awaiting inspection."
Mark patted Sonia on the back and said, "Let's go."
The men had assembled by encircling the camp and facing outward, so that they could remain watchful for threats from without while the inspection was underway. Mark, Sonia and Sir Emerich personally went up and down the ranks. He wanted to get a good look at each and every face in the company. Some showed fear, others manful resolve, and other still a weary resignation. Mark offered what words of encouragement he could as he went, for whatever good they would do. When they were finished, he gathered the lieutenants together to deliver his orders for the evening.
"The enemy is close," he began. "It would not surprise me if they took this opportunity to attack. Double the guard. Let no man in or out of the camp. Tell the men to sleep in their armor if they have it and for all of them to keep their arms close at hand. If it comes to a fight, we will not be caught unawares."
"Yes, milord," the lieutenants replied.
"Get what rest you can," Mark continued. "Even if the rebels don't make a move against us tonight, we're almost certain to be in for a fight come morning."
"Does not the Archduke seek a parley?" Sir Honorius asked.
"You've seen what the rebels have done," Mark said. "That should tell you all you need about how willing they are to listen to reason. Oh, I pray they would simply surrender themselves to justice, of course, but it is a prayer I fear will not be answered. You must all be ready.
"I need not tell you that I hold each and every one of you to a higher standard than our... comrades here. Defend your lives, defend the lives of the men to your left and your right, but even though our orders are to give no quarter, any man of the enemy who surrenders himself to us will be taken prisoner, insofar as we can safely take prisoners. No plunder, no acts of dishonor of any kind. Be certain that all the men under your command understand this."
"Yes, milord," the lieutenants replied.
Mark nodded.
"Very well. You are dismissed."
The lieutenants saluted him and then left to return to their men. Once they had left, Sonia gave him a playful punch to the arm.
"I'm glad you have to give these speeches and not me."
Mark smiled and said, "We will see how much good it does me. The rebels are worry enough. I don't want to have to turn against our own men."
"Save any justice until after the fighting's done, cousin," Sonia told him. "We need every sword and spear we've got until these rebels are put down." She eyed where Einar and his Wolf-feeders were camped, adding, "And we might have some old scores to settle while we're at it."
"I know it's difficult for you," Mark said, "but restrain yourself out there, please. If there must be conflict between us, we can't be the ones to draw first blood."
"They're the ones who drew first blood, forty years ago," Sonia growled through gritted teeth.
Mark knew the bitterness of her grudge, which is why he did not take her words lightly. He took hold of her by the shoulders and looked her square in the eye as he said, "Sonia, I can't expect you to forget, and I won't ask to forgive, but swear to me that you won't be the one to start anything if we have to come to blows."
Sonia recoiled a little, almost as if she was reluctant to face Mark when he was appealing to her so gravely. After that momentary reluctance passed, she reached up and clasped his wrist.
"I said I wasn't going to give you any heartache," she said. "I mean to try, at least. You don't have to worry about me. The first hit won't be from me, but I'll damn well try to land the last one."
"That's good enough for me," Mark said. "Now, go. Rest up."
"You too," Sonia replied. "I don't want to find out you held some vigil praying all night."
"I trust God to preserve me more than a night's rest," Mark replied, "but I'm sure I can strike a balance between the two."
Sonia shook her head in bemusement and said, "Good night, cousin."
She then turned and went off to her tent. Before Mark went to his own tent, he made the rounds through the camp to ensure everything was in order. It was going to be a long night for all of them and quite possibly an even longer day come tomorrow.