Chapter 50 – Bonds of Loyalty

When Flik had his senior sergeants take a hasty count of his remaining soldiers the next morning, he found that he had a hundred fewer than before the battle. He also realized that Tengaar and Hix were among the missing. Their loss pained him greatly, but there was no time to brood over it. If they had survived and were still free, then they were probably strong enough to make their own way.

After the short night, the New State Army was on the move once again, marching back to the west and away from Radat. Even Flik could see that Shu didn't have any choice except to give ground. Given their greater numbers and the openness of the terrain, the two Highland armies would easily outflank Riou's forces if he turned to fight. The only real question was whether Shu intended to retreat all the way back to Dunan Castle or if he could find a suitable location before that to confront the enemy.

However, Flik did not have any time to ponder Shu's plans. The strategist had gathered him, Camus, and Miklotov, and given them specific instructions:

"We cannot afford to be drawn into a battle today. Therefore, I am assigning each of you to a covering position. Undoubtedly, Kiba will attempt to exploit his success yesterday by trying to overtake our army. You must prevent that at all costs. The Winghordes will be up as scouts and messengers. Use them to coordinate your efforts and keep the Highlanders back. That is all."

Now, with Camus to the north and Miklotov to the south, Flik had to figure out how to put those orders into action. As the remainder of the army disappeared into a haze of dust, one of the wingers glided out of the air and said, "The Highland Army has broken camp. They come in pursuit, their cavalry leading."

"Inform Camus and Miklotov, and keep an eye on the Highland movements," Flik ordered. The winger flapped away, joining his fellows, who circled overhead. Flik drew his sword. The motion caused his left side to hurt, but it was the dull ache of bruises, not the sharp pain of a fracture. A few minutes later, the first of the enemy cavalry was visible. It was time to carry out Shu's strategy.

This group of cavalry was quickly driven off by the Fire Spears, but that didn't halt their efforts. They learned to avoid Flik's men, and focused their efforts to the north, trying to overwhelm Camus' knights. When Flik learned of this, he detached Rossgard's company to provide support.

The Highland cavalry did not let up, skirmishing with the knights and mercenaries all through the morning. Flik, Camus, and Miklotov simply did not have enough men to stop the enemy advance. It became a matter of finding defensible positions, holding them for a while, and then falling back to the next defensible position before they were outflanked.

Around noon, a fresh group of Highland cavalry came up and started to work against Miklotov. Once again, Flik sent a company- Tarrance's- to shore up the Matilda Knights. Not long after that, a third force appeared before Flik, led by the general with the silver armor, horned helmet, and double bladed axe. With only two companies to face that enemy, Flik ordered his men to lay down a wall of fire to stop the Highland advance.

Unfortunately, one of the Fire Spears chose that moment to fail catastrophically, exploding into a pillar of flames which engulfed several of Flik's men. Nightstar staggered to her front knees due to the force of the blast, nearly throwing Flik out of the saddle. When she recovered and Flik could survey the battlefield, he saw that the Highlanders were still coming at him. He commanded his men to retreat, refusing to get drawn into another melee where he was outnumbered. A few of his men, the more able archers, took shots over their shoulders as they fled.

The enemy kept their pursuit close, and both sides' horses began to flag in the afternoon heat. Flik couldn't open up any distance to try another fire attack, and the Matilda Knights had to fall back so as not to get cut off from him. The Highland cavalry was advancing much more quickly, and Flik began to fear that his men would be driven right back into the rest of the army.

A sharp blast of wind changed the situation instantly. Luc and his mages were waiting along the road. Later Flik learned that Shu had prepared the ambush just in case things went poorly. The Highland cavalry galloped straight into the fury of the wind mage's attack. Men and horses alike were cut at by blades of wind that were as sharp as any blade of metal. The remaining Highlanders did not continue their advance, but fell back.

That was the closest the enemy came to overrunning Flik's men during that day. As Shu had stated, the army did not stop to defend South Window, but passed the city by. The gates were open; the flags of government pulled down. Flik rode by the city in the late afternoon. Already there were numerous refugees on the road, threatening to slow him down. He avoided the mobs by going cross-country.

Finally, one of the wingers arrived to tell Flik that the Highland Army had stopped pursuing to occupy South Window. The pressure was off, and he could afford to slow down and rest his horses. As the sun set beyond the western hills, Flik arrived at the army's encampment. His men quickly set to work preparing their tents for the night.

There was another briefing that night, but it was mostly perfunctory. The New State Army had broken contact with the Highland Army, and South Window had fallen. Freed, in particular, looked very depressed by the news. The rest of the unit commanders were subdued. The only people who did not appear to be affected by the events were Shu, who spoke with his usual confidence, and Riou, who's face betrayed little.

In the end, there wasn't much to say. Everyone knew that the next battle would be critical, but Shu wasn't giving any hints as to his strategy. Ultimately, he told everyone to rest well and dismissed the gathering. Flik returned to his men and tried to rest. His bruised side bothered him and his dreams were troubled; battles raged in his mind, cavalry swirling, and in the middle of the melee, a golden wolf prowled. He was certain that the wolf was stalking him, though he couldn't have said how he had that knowledge.

The following morning, the army marched out again, following the road to the northwest, away from South Window and towards Dunan Castle. Flik couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. Somewhere soon, Shu would have to turn and offer battle, or else they'd soon retreat back into their base and risk a siege.

Once again, Flik had the rearguard, but the Highland Army didn't appear behind him. The pace Shu set was leisurely, which was a blessing, for the weather continued to be hot. If they had to fight a battle soon, at least the army would be well rested. Regardless, they were still going north. With each passing mile, Flik noted the western hills drawing closer. The pains to the east became more forested, and he grew watchful. If any Highland units had gotten ahead of them, this would be a good place to spring an ambush.

It turned out that his fears were unfounded. The forests were not hiding any enemies. The march went on into the early afternoon, when Shu abruptly called a halt for the day. Flik wondered at this. Though they were in the shadows of the nearby hills, there were still many more hours of daylight. He didn't have long to ponder, because Shu immediately called for another meeting.

When Flik arrived at Riou's pavilion- the last, as usual- Viktor said, "Okay, we're all here. Well, Mister Strategist, what have you come up with this time?"

Shu ignored the slight and gestured to Apple. "Explain the situation."

Apple walked over to the map table and pointed towards South Window. "The Winghordes have reported that the Highland Army has left South Window, heading for our castle. There do not appear to be any diversionary forces, so it will probably be a direct assault." She traced her finger up the road to Dunan Castle. "If we stand here, they will reach us tomorrow, without a doubt."

"They have two armies," Flik commented. "Why don't they try something more complex?"

"We may speculate later," Shu said, "after we've won our victory."

That caught Flik's attention. "You want us to fight here, with the forests and hills hemming us in?"

"Indeed. I intend to use the terrain to our advantage, and destroy the Highland Third Army in a single engagement."

That brought a ripple of excitement to the room. "What's the plan?" Viktor asked.

Shu stepped to the map. "Simple. Double envelopment from a set ambush. We will deploy half the army in a line straddling the road, with Riou in the center." He traced an arc with his finger, the ends of which rested in the forests to the east and hills to the west. "The other half will be hidden on either wing, ready to encircle Kiba's army on my signal."

For a few seconds, everyone was busy absorbing the plan. Then Camus spoke. "Kiba's a sound tactician. He'll know that the best way to defeat the double envelopment is to continue attacking. Is our center strong enough to hold him?"

Shu clasped his hands behind his back and smiled. "Neither Kiba nor his son will be able to defeat my plan. Follow my orders, and we will have victory."

"Like you've never miscalculated before," Viktor mumbled.

Shu affected not to hear, letting the insubordination slide. "The explanation is finished. There can be no mistakes this time."

Riou stood up and walked forward to address the generals. "I know that a lot of you are unsettled because of the outcome of our last battle. Some of you may even have grievances that you want me to hear. I am listening; I do understand your concerns. However, we must set those aside for the moment. We are pledged together to fight a common enemy, for the good of all of us. I ask you to fulfill the vows you made, to fight with all your heart. If we stand together, we will be victorious. If we allow doubt to divide us, then we will be defeated. Let us fight together, for South Window and for all of Jowston, to stop Luca Blight and bring peace to our land."

"I will fight, Lord Riou," Freed declared. He paused to wipe at his glasses.

"I'm not going anywhere," Viktor said. "I'll fight the Highland Army anywhere you want me to."

Flik smiled at Riou. "I said I'll stay to the end, and I will. I don't break my promises."

Tsai nodded somberly. "For the sake of stopping Luca Blight, I will fight. If it is in my strength, I will stop the monster."

Other voices added their assent, even Gilbert, who mumbled something along the lines of, "Can't very well let the Highlanders get the better of me. I'd be the laughingstock of Vinay del Zexay if I left now."

"Retire to your units," Shu ordered. "See that they are ready for the battle. When the time comes, I will send guides to lead each unit into position."

By the time Flik got back to his men, news of the coming confrontation had spread throughout the camp. Rather than dishearten the troops, their mood was better than any time in the past two days. He could see that the soldiers had pride in their army, and that they wanted to avenge the last defeat. All of this brought relief to Flik's mind. The army was focused on the Highlanders and was not about to disintegrate because of Ridley's actions. Victory was very much possible.

After checking his men, Flik went to his tent and rested. Sleep came quickly, and he was undisturbed until late in the night, when Rossgard woke him.

"Sir, our guide has arrived. We're assembling the unit."

Flik rolled out of his cot, stood up, and yawned. Any lethargy remaining dissipated, leaving him fully alert. "Let's go, then. Take me to the guide."

Rossgard preceded Flik out of the tent. During the evening, a north wind had picked up, cool and humid, off the lake. Only one moon traveled the sky this night, the Scarlet, waning to half-full. It was over in the west, though not yet behind the mountains. There were a few hours before dawn.

The two men walked down to the edge of the tents. The shadowy forms of Shu and the guide awaited them there. As Flik's eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw the guide more clearly.

"Gengen, is that you?"

The kobold saluted smartly. "Captain Gengen, ready to serve. I will guide you to the right place."

"Before you go, I have some last minute instructions for you," Shu declared. "You will be the far right flank of the New State Army. Therefore, it is imperative that you be flexible in your thinking. You must be prepared to respond to any new situation that comes up. Any new situation at all. When you get the chance to strike decisively, I expect you to take it. That is all." Without bothering to explain himself, he turned and walked away into the night, leaving Flik quite puzzled.

Looking back to Gengen, Flik said, "I'm glad that you're the guide. Let's go and get my troops moving."

Most of the camp was asleep as Flik's soldiers rode out. Their direction was southwest, carrying them rapidly into the forested foothills. The pace was necessarily slow. Even with lit torches, it was difficult to see the path ahead, and no one wanted to risk breaking a horse's leg on uneven ground.

Flik marveled as Gengen managed to pick his way along the path without any difficulty. The kobold seemed to have a perfect sense of where he was leading them. After a while, Flik asked, "Gengen, why didn't you go with Ridley and the other kobolds?"

Gengen didn't turn when he answered. "They are not my pack. My place is with the mercenaries. I wouldn't ever think of abandoning my pack-mates." He barked to emphasize his point.

"Can you help me understand what Ridley was thinking?" Flik asked. "Why would he do such a thing?"

Gengen abruptly halted and began to growl. Flik could see his sharp teeth in the torchlight when Gengen looked back at him. "I do not want to understand. He has brought shame to us all because of his actions. If I met him as I feel right now, I wouldn't hesitate to rip out his throat. Not only that, but his fellow kobolds bring shame for continuing to follow his orders. They should've come back to fight with us."

"I'm sorry," Flik said softly. "I didn't think about how this would affect you."

Gengen shook his head. "My brother mercenaries understand that I'm one of them, not one of the cowards. They are ready to stand with me should anyone else question my loyalty."

"As am I. You proved your worth to me long ago."

They continued on, skirting the higher elevations and staying at the edge of the forest. Finally, Gengen read some landmark that Flik could not discern, and stopped. "We are here. The signal to break cover will be Riou using his True Rune." Gengen paused for a moment. "Good fortune in the fight. I wish I could ride with you, to show the world the true nature of kobolds."

Flik thought for a moment before he said, "Go back to the camp and ask Riou to let you be in his bodyguard. Tell him that Flik asks for it, as a favor to a friend."

"That's an excellent suggestion." Gengen yipped happily. "I'll go right away! Thank you, commander Flik!" He turned and sprinted off into the darkness.

Looking out from under the trees, Flik could see that the eastern sky was growing pale. He called his senior sergeants in for a brief meeting and explained how he wanted the unit to deploy. Three companies -Tarrance's, Jerrim's, and Danel's- would ride out abreast, with Rossgard's behind them as the reserve. The goal would be to reach the rear of the Highland formation, to cut off their retreat and possibly start a panic.

As the sun came up, Flik took a few steps out of the woods and surveyed the field. From where he stood, the trees quickly thinned out and the ground descended down a gentle slope to the road below, a half-mile's distance. On the other side of the road, the land became sparsely wooded again, clearings alternating between denser sections of foliage.

To the north, two miles away, astride the road, Flik could make out the rump of the New State Army that remained to protect Riou. He couldn't see any of the other ambush units. He swung his head around to the south. There, as if on cue, were the outriders of Kiba's Third Army. Somewhere behind them marched the remainder of the Highland forces, twenty thousand men in all. Flik looked down at his shield, which he'd only recently scraped clean from the last battle. Today would be bloody too.

Flik quickly scrambled back under the cover of the trees. From the safety of this concealment, he watched as the scouts rode to the north and briefly skirmished with Riou's infantry. After a while, the Highlanders came back down the road and, much to Flik's relief, only gave his positions a cursory look.

The bulk of the Highland army was not long in appearing, rank upon rank of cavalry, infantry, and archers, their blue and white armor sparkling in the sun. They stopped almost directly in front of Flik's position to dress their lines for battle.

"Damn, that's a lot of enemies," Flik heard one of his men mutter.

"There's a lot of us too," he replied, trying to sound reassuring. "And they're not expecting us to come from this direction. Everybody do his part and we'll win today." He gripped his sword and waited for the signal. Behind him, someone was quietly praying for the Journeyman Rune to look over him.

Watching as the Highland Army slowly began to march forward, Flik mentally counted out the days in his head. Today was Penancesdei, the fourth of Ulya. He wondered how history would record this day. Would it be decisive or just another battle in an unending war? He began to whisper the devotion to the Rune of Punishment.

A bright dome of light interrupted him. Flik looked out to the north, to the source of the dome. It was the Bright Shield Rune. It was the signal. He looked back to the Highlanders. It was much too soon to spring the ambush. They had only begun to march forward. Flik's men were tensing, waiting for him to give the command. There was no time to hesitate now. He drew his sword. "Forward, follow me!"

His men rode out from under the trees at a walking pace. Flik squinted into the sun. That half-mile seemed much longer now. To the left, he could see other ambush units marching forward. He heeled Nightstar into a trot, letting her build momentum. "Ready Fire Spears," he shouted.

The Highland army was reacting too. Showing no signs of panic, most of the infantry surged forward, closing towards Riou's position. However, on the flanks, their cavalry peeled off, wheeling to engage the new threat. Flik felt a spike of concern. The enemy's movements were much too crisp for a surprised army. It was obvious that Kiba and Klaus had anticipated the ambush. Worse yet, if the enemy infantry overran Riou before the ambush units could deal with the cavalry, then this battle might easily turn into a rout.

Flik took Nightstar up to a canter, and the rest of his men follow suit. He turned more to the east, looking for a way around the enemy cavalry. If he could get past them and use the Fire Spears on the infantry, this battle could still be saved. But the cavalry moved with him, closing the distance and cutting off his advance.

"Halt!" Flik shouted. When his line had stopped moving, he ordered, "Fire Spears, attack!" Flames arced over the fields, but the Highlanders were prepared for the fiery assault. Their cavalry scattered to avoid the blaze and quickly reformed. Flik knew was trouble. The enemy had more than enough space to avoid the flames if he kept the encounter at long range.

"Forward," Flik commanded. "Prepare to use the Fire Spears while in motion." The thought made him a bit ill. He could imagine the problems in trying to control a stream of fire while cantering. However, there was no choice. He had to get past this enemy in order to help Riou.

However, before his men could get up to speed, the Highland cavalry suddenly found themselves under attack from another direction. Flik put a hand over his eyes, trying to see clearly. The new attackers were kobolds, Ridley's kobolds, rushing into the fight from the forest on the other side of the road.

Shu's instructions rang in the back of Flik's mind. Now was the chance, while the enemy cavalry had to fight the kobolds. He turned Nightstar back to the north, bringing her to a gallop. One group of the Highland cavalry managed to break away from the kobolds, and tried to stop Flik from getting past them. They were too few; Flik's men rode right around them, refusing to be stopped.

Ahead was the main battle. The Highland infantry were crashing into Riou's ranks, while arrows, bolts of lightning, and Luc's wind spells flashed through the sky. The other ambush units were moving as quickly as they could, but only those closest to Riou had managed to engage the enemy. A dome of light appeared over Riou's men again, bright enough to make Flik look away. This time it was no signal, save that men were being wounded and dying. Flik raced down the road, running Nightstar full out. He had to get into Fire Spear range before Riou's line broke.

Even on the back of a galloping horse, the waiting was interminable. He wanted to use the Fire Spears immediately. Only his discipline kept him on course. The Highlanders had noted his approach too. A reserve unit of infantry was marching back up the road, to try and stop him. They numbered at least a thousand men to his four hundred.

Flik held the charge until the last moment, shouting for the halt yards from the enemy infantry, as their first ranks knelt down and set their spears. He stared at the glittering thicket of points for the space of a few seconds, as his men stopped all around him. Nightstar was flagging heavily, exhausted from the run. That was fine; there would be no more running today.

"Fire Spears! Attack!"

As at the battle of Waldron Village, here the enemies were completely unprepared for Flik's attack. The first ranks of infantry were buried under the conflagration, consumed by the flame. Though he could not see it, he knew the fire was raging beyond them too, burning towards the backs of the Highlanders fighting Riou. He turned Nightstar to the left, walking her along the line of fire. His men followed.

Flik came to the end of the line, to see the effect of his attack. The Highland army's attack on Riou was subsiding. Some of their men were marching back to engage him. He could feel nothing but admiration for the nerve and courage of the enemy soldiers. They were keeping their organization in the face of envelopment.

"Again!" Flik shouted. "Fire Spears!" He pointed his sword towards the nearest enemies.

The attack wasn't nearly as devastating this time. The Highlanders now understood the power of the Fire Spears, and were approaching in open formation. Even so, their attack faltered. No matter how brave they were, they couldn't walk through the fire to get at Flik.

Gilbert's Zexens were now on Flik's left flank, and the Matilda Knights had linked with him from the right. The other ambush units were forming a ring around the Third Army. However, the battle was far from finished. The Highlanders had plenty of fight remaining. They redoubled their efforts against Riou, while another unit of cavalry charged to try and break the encirclement. Flik could see that their leader was the man with the horned helmet.

They did not ride towards Flik this time, but attempted to rupture the line over to the right, crunching into Viktor's unit. Enemy infantry followed in the wake of their cavalry, ready to exploit the breakthrough when it happened. Flik used the Fire Spears again, this time to keep those infantry from joining the fight. After a sharp skirmish, Viktor's men threw the cavalry back.

Finally, the enemy's morale began to break. As Flik advanced, groups of them began to surrender, while others tired to run for it as individuals. Even so, there was a determined core of resistance around Kiba's flag. The leader of this defense was the same man who'd tried to break through Viktor's lines before, though his horned helmet had been knocked off, revealing his weathered face and short, dirty blond hair.

As tenacious as the Highland army had been on offense, now they fought with the desperation of trapped men. Flik's mounted archers, joined by Teresa's archers from Greenhill, hung back and fired arrows into the Highlanders, while the infantry of the New State Army maintained the circle and fought off a series of vicious counterattacks.

Finally, during a lull in the battle, Apple rode up under a flag of truce. Flik followed her to hear what she said to the Highlanders. "Your comrades from the Fourth Army have deserted you. There is no point in your continued resistance, except to squander your lives. Lord Riou offers you terms of surrender pursuant to the established precedents of the rules of war. This will be your only chance to save your lives."

The man with the double-bladed axe responded for the Highlanders. His voice was deep and calm. "Our lives are pledged to Lord Windamier and King Agares Blight. Our bonds of loyalty are earnest and enduring. There is no shame in dying in the service of such noble leaders."

There was a stirring from within the Highland ranks. "Enough, Dolentz." Kiba himself emerged to speak. Flik could see that his bald head was bandaged and that his drawn sword was bloody. "If I am as noble as you declare, then I must accept the consequences of my defeat. Lay down your arms; your deaths would do Highland no good this day."

Reluctantly, his men began to stack their weapons. Soldiers from Riou's army quickly came forward to begin accepting surrenders. Apple gestured to Flik. "Have your men take Kiba and Klaus into custody. They are to be unharmed."

Flik wiped at the sweat that glistened all over his face. "As you wish." He rode alongside his men to escort the two generals. Klaus was standing next to his father, doing his best to support the older man, who was winded from the combat.

"I am sorry, father," Klaus whispered. His face was flushed, but it didn't look like he'd done any fighting. "My strategy has brought about our ruin."

"Nonsense," Kiba replied, his voice as steady as ever. "Victory and defeat are the constant companions of any soldier. I do not blame you." He looked up at Flik's approach, eyes hard. "So, what prison do you intend to drag us off to, or will you have us killed here and now?"

"I can't speak for Riou," Flik answered. "I don't think he'll have you killed, but your war is over. You and your army lost."

"A stroke of fortune, and nothing more," Kiba declared.

As Flik led them back towards Apple, he saw that Ridley had walked up and was speaking to her. Surprisingly, Hix and Tengaar were also with him. Ridley bowed when Flik arrived with the prisoners.

"My apologies, Lord Flik, but circumstances did not permit me to allow your comrades to return to you."

"Don't be mad," Tengaar insisted. "Lord Ridley was only acting under Lord Shu's orders."

Flik tried to reason that statement out. "What do you mean?"

A sharp, rueful laugh drew his attention. It had come from Kiba. "So, the retreat was just a deception, and I fell for it. How galling, to be defeated by a ploy! Your strategist is a man of uncommon perception and cunning."

Flik pondered the situation for a moment. What sort of man would purposefully lose one battle in order to ensure a victory in the second? Only a man with supreme confidence in his abilities. Despite the heat, Flik shivered. Now he understood why Shu was the strategist.