Chapter 8. The Battle of Aroughs
For the past few months King Orin had been gathering his army by the river near Dauth. Normally the Surdan army numbered 12,000 strong, but with conscripts from all over the kingdom Orin now had a standing army of 24,396. As the conscripts arrived training was started with the sword. Those who already had skill with the sword were tasked to training those with no skill. Archers were chosen by lottery as most new recruits volunteered for archery. New recruits for the Calvary were chosen by lottery as well. If someone already had a horse he was given an immediate position.
No man under the age of sixteen was allowed to fight unless he was an orphan or bond servant working off a family debt. Service to the king canceled all debts owed in taxes. Debts owed to Nobles were written off for service in place of that Noble's son. In addition to conscripts food arrived from all over the Kingdom of Surda. Grain, fruits vegetables, animals of all kinds.
King Orin sat on his horse with his guards around him watching the mock battle. Men charge the walls of Dauth as archers fire blunted arrows with paint. If hit the soldier had to lay down and play dead. Sacks of colored salt water was fired from catapults to make the battle as real as possible. When the battle was over General Waden rode up on his black horse.
"It took them five hours this time milord…In real time I would say 18 hours…But we still don't know how many troops are in Aroughs…"
Orin urged his horse back towards the main camp, "If it takes days then so be it…My father will be avenged!"
Waden rode beside him. "And what if Galbatorix sends the Red Rider…"
"He won't! The attack on Aberon was to draw the Varden here…Galbatorix wants to end us all at once…" They dismount their horses and enter the King's command tent.
"Hail Orin!" The gathered nobles say.
"Gentlemen…The General was about to tell me if we are ready to attack…"
Waden sighs, "Another week maybe…Then we will be ready…I want to focus more training on formation and battle assaults…"
"And while you do that this army costs us thousands of crowns to keep fed and bedded…" Count Nigel Helm said.
"Perhaps we can make raids of the countryside and put more seasoned men to hunting…"
Orin nods, "Do it…Two hundred men to each raiding party…And if any man rapes, loots, or commits a crime against citizens they will be executed…"
"Yes sir!"
Jansen the chief spellcaster spoke next, "Milord we just received word from Lady Nausada…Ajihad's daughter…The Varden are marching towards Surda…Lady Nausada asks that we hold off on any attacks…"
"My father's body is buried under the rubble of Borromeo Castle…Vengeance…No justice demands blood…The blood of Galbatorix's servants…We will not wait on Lady Nausada…"
Orin spent his days honing his sword skills, going over battle strategies, and making sure his growing army had everything it needed to win this battle. At the end of the week Orin gave the command and camp was broken. Hundreds of ships from Reavestone and even Dauth lined up next to each other to form a bridge. Orin and his Calvary went first, then the archers crossed the river, then the infantry, and finally the catapults were brought across in pieces then assembled on the other side of the river. Then after resting one day Orin ordered his army to march on Aroughs. They marched south to the coast to attack Aroughs from the Southern gate encase there were reinforcements marching south.
Aroughs
The city of Aroughs is one of the most ancient human cities in Alagaesia. The city is under the rule of Count Rane Needly a loyal servant of Galbatorix. Rane had under his command 8,000 men mostly slave soldiers and conscripts as the regular military force of Aroughs had gone north on Galbatorix's orders. Rane had forced them into service through the magic of his personal spellcasters. Rane met alone with his councilors and advisors.
"My lord Orin's army has crossed the river…If we leave now we can retreat to Feinster…"
"And I suppose you will go to the king and tell him he ran away without putting up a fight…"
"Then at least ask the King for reinforcements…"
He shook his head, "No! We will fight and we will die…The King hopes that it will make Orin over confident in his own abilities…and then he will attack Feinster without the Varden…"
"And if he does not?"
They discussed the recent raids by the Surdans on estates and farms in the countryside. They also discussed asking the citizens of the city to fight. The gold was sent by boat up the coast to Teirm then it would travel by land to Urubaen.
"My King the Surdan army is here!" Rane and his advisors stood on the parapet as the Surdan forces got into formation just out of bow and catapult range.
Orin sat on his horse with a feral look on his face, "Load the catapults and fire at will…"
"FIRE!" General Waden barked when the catapults were in position. Flaming jars of pitch were launched at the main gate and surrounding wall.
Orin looks at Jansen, "Well!"
"The wards on the gates are weakening…It won't be much longer…"
Two more hours pass before the gates start to burn and the wall cracks from the continuous pounding. "Boulders!" Jansen yells. Now the Surdan forces start to shoot huge rocks at the wall and gates. A thunderous cheer goes up as gate and walls around the gates collapse and crumble.
Orin raises his hand, "Calvary…Full attack…"
Eight thousand nounted soldiers charge the city. They rush through the main gates trampling everyone in their path. "Infantry first and second units…Siege ladders first wave…ATTACK!" Orin orders.
They rush the wall to gain an advantage over the enemy. The slave soldiers were poorly trained against Orin's soldiers. When they control the wall Orin orders his archers to the southern wall. Then he orders another wave of infantry soldiers in. As the battle progresses Orin receives hourly reports on the progression of his troops into the city. After four hours of battle Orin raises his hand for the rest to enter the city. It takes the rest of the day to fight to the palace. Orin's troops must scale the walls to enter the palace as the doors are protected by powerful magic.
Ran end his guards are in the throne room ready to fight as Surdan troops ram the door with a battering ram. Then Rane and his men are engulfed by a bright light and when it fades they are in Urubaen standing before Galbatorix in his throne room.
"My King we have captured Count Rane…" Jansen says, but the men they capture are slaves made to look like and think they are Rane and his advisors. Orin has them executed immediately then makes speeches to the citizens of Aroughs promising them fair treatment. To help pay for the campaign Orin confiscates the wealth of the nobles of Aroughs. Before returning to Dauth he makes the Earl of Cithri Governor of Aroughs and leaves him 2,000 men to hold the city.
