Hawkmoon (The Hawkmoon Chronicles) (20 page)

                                                 The Conclave.

Arranging her notes on a side table Morah looked over her spectacles. “Before we begin I wish to apologize  for the measures we have been required to put in place. Protocol  requires me to call upon Her Majesty to open  the conclave however the Queen has declined  preferring that we proceed directly to matters at hand. She has asked that I welcome the deputation from Silverlode and its Queen. His Majesty is at sea and sends his apologies. Due to the  measures we have taken it was not possible to  provide Her Majesty with a reception commensurate with her Royal status.. The number of people  in attendance has been reduced and when we proceed to  particular topics  only those people with a direct interest will  remain. The exceptions will be their Majesties, the Chief of Staff and his officers,  and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

But first, we have had welcome news.  The bridge at the Challon Gorge has been destroyed”

This was greeted with surprise and pleasure. General Britan stood.

“Might I ask ….” Morah broke in.

“Your pardon, General, I am not in the habit of interrupting senior officers. I cannot tell you any more than that. I cannot even tell you who accomplished this, though you can probably   guess. ..”

Britan sat down, muttering.

“The next item is an Intelligence Estimate of the forces assembled against us, their strength, combat effectiveness and logistical support. We received the new intelligence only this morning and have not had sufficient time to consider its implications. General Britan, if you would be so kind…”

The old campaigner limped to the bottom of the steps  leading to the stage. As a cavalry officer he had come unscathed through many  wars only to be wounded twice in the course of a minor skirmish  An arrow had pierced his right knee and a bolt  chipped the bone of his hip where the tip remained. It pained him during the Winter..

“Your Majesties, my Lords , Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow officers.  There are many who consider  that I am overly cautious in preparations to engage an enemy. Where others believe that thirty thousand will suffice I bring sixty. Where others plan for a months’ campaign I plan for a season. Where they plan for a season, I plan for a year. And so on…?

Britan paused, looked  at the faces. “I have to tell you that the size of the armies  that will be sent against us exceed even my most pessimistic expectations.”

The crowd murmured... Britan was known and trusted. He had lost battles; he had never lost a war.He was pedantic, patient and cautious .He had fought Reivers, from small unit actions, to battalions, to armies. If he said it was bad then, in all likelihood, it was worse.

“I have said armies. It is not a grammatical error. The estimated size of their forces is sufficient to tackle several objectives at once. We are faced with dividing our strength to counter a number of threats or keeping the army together to   maintain a  force sufficient to defend the city. Since their main objective will be the capital we will have little  to support a defence of Shaleens’s Gate .. We will not have forces to spare to maintain the defence of Silverlode”

The Dwarf Queen became pale.

Placing a protective arm on the Queen  Mira spoke from her seat. “General Britan, your news is grave. However we are determined to honour our commitments to Silverlode and to maintain the  defence of Shaleen’s Gate. The loss of either is unthinkable. Silverlode has fallen to the Reivers once; it will not happen again. As for Shaleen’s gate, if it is lost they will be free to rampage across the north. You must take measures to prevent either eventuality.”

“Your Majesty, I am a soldier. It is my job to provide the best solutions or at least those solutions that I consider to be the best. That is what I have done”

“I want to hear the numbers on which you  base your proposals.”

Britan sifted through his papers. “Historically the usual complement of a Reiver army is between forty and sixty thousand . The number varies  but it was seldom less and  never much more. They tend not to have large logistic support preferring to live off the land. This has been a problem for them; one we  could exploit.

This time they will  have baggage  trains of food and weapons.And siege engines.”

The general paused. “The size of the force coming against us is estimated at a half million. This does not include cavalry plus a contingent of engineers and support units. Almost six hundred thousand “

“We are lost” Mira  put her hand on the Queen’s arm.  She stared at her senior general “How is it possible  for an army to increase  tenfold in fifty years?”

“There are three factors, Your Majesty. They are offering manumission to  slaves fit  for military service who return alive. They have recruited females to serve. Their combat effectiveness may be limited-they do not have the bulk of the males but they are more intelligent, and skilled  with light weapons.  They will be used in subsidiary roles to allow   combat troops to be deployed in forward units. The strongest factor is population.  It has exploded.  They need living space. The leadership are aware that new lands must be found or they will face rebellion. Finally there is the matter of the Wampyrhii.

To all intents and purposes the Reiver High Command is in their hands.   The vampires are wealthy. They have deployed their wealth to build and support  reiver armies. Wampyrhii gliders are free to roam south and there is little we can do about it. They are providing gliders for special operations  and long range  reconnaissance, an  advantage  no Reiver army has ever  possessed.. How well they use such an advantage remains to be seen.” Britan gathered his notes.

Morah returned to the lectern. “Thank you general. The next segment will mark the end for today. It  comprises a  report on weapons development .”

A young dwarf came up.

“Thank you Director. Your Majesties, members of the Army, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Porter Dan. Great progress has been made in the months since Norry ben Arfa came to Silverlode. We have developed a weapon that, properly deployed, will have a devastating effect on the enemy. We are delighted to hear of the successful operation against the bridge. Since Hawkmoon left  we have refined  the agent to enhance its destructive power.”

Britan lifted his hand” Pardon me young dwarf, I have had reports on this new device and it seems impressive . However armies  are not bridges. They do not stay in one place and wait in groups while  they are attacked. I would like to know  how you propose to use this  weapon in  combat”

Dan bowed to the general.“ When Norry  first came to Silverlode I  was in charge of the forge. Dwarves have long been makers of tools for mining. It did not require too much work to change to  the manufacture of weapons.

When I met Norry I  thought  that here was a potential weapon that could augment the fighting power of a dwarf. The key to success lay in having a means of projecting the weapon  over distances….I am not a soldier , I do not have the proper military vocabulary.”

Britan spoke up. ”You are making   sense, please continue.”

“To approach Silverlode an invading army has to come through a series of passes. If we  held the heights we could  direct  fire on their   forces .    One of our blacksmiths suggested we mix the agent with  lead balls .. We have a catapult capable of launching to five hundred  paces. I have drawings with me for General Britan’s staff. I am instructed by her Majesty to remain here to assist with   training”

One of Britan’s officers raised his hand.

“The weapon is ideal for defence and that is how you have developed it. However perpetual defence does not last, nor does it win wars. You can hold off a Reiver army but sooner or later they will find a way in. If I remember my history when they last came to Silverlode the  Reivers infiltrated  the tunnels and caves that honeycomb those mountains. Sooner or later you will have to come out and fight. Food might run low, even water. What plans have you for offensive warfare?”

No one spoke.

The officer , his name was Gan Baris broke the silence.“What is needed is a system for a war of movement. I  can think of  places along their invasion route, where if we succeed in drawing them in we could annihilate the enemy.

I suggest you attend the War College. You can take lectures on force concentration, the use of weather, night combat and fire attacks. What we are planning is a new form of warfare against an enemy that vastly outnumbers us, is brave and knows how to fight.  Their preferred means of attack is the massed wave. Against that we have an untested weapon We have to develop the skills to use it. I look forward to working with you.”

Morah nodded to a young girl at the back who rose and came forward.

“This is  Sister Sharon  . For the past two years she  has been working on  a  means reconnaissance..  Sister if you will…”

Sharon brought an easel from the back. She began to   place drawings on it.

“Your Majesties, Colleagues, Members of the Army, Ladies and Gentlemen. As you know hot air rises. You see that when you sit by your fire. When you force hot air into an envelope the tendency is for the envelope to rise. If the envelope is large and the air is hot enough it will leave the ground carrying whatever is attached to it.”

She put out a drawing that drew gasps. It was of a balloon rising, a light basket underneath holding two people.” I am delighted to hear that Hawkmoon and Bekter reached the bridge for they travelled there in one of these”

People were talking in animation. Morah called for quiet and nodded to the sister.

“There are a number of advantages but I will start with the disadvantages. There are two. First it is expensive. It is powered by heat stones which are expensive in themselves but pale compared to the cost of concealment spells.

The balloons have several advantages. Given favourable winds they can be used as a means of  transport It is almost a thousand  miles from Silverlode to the Gorge. Hawkmoon  established a record for a balloon flight; one that will not be  surpassed any time soon.

Norry has refined a compound based on the explosive except that it burns rather than explodes. We have perfected a means of lighting it under a balloon. Tethered balloons have been kept aloft for weeks. There are problems with storage on board and several accidents have occurred. Since we have dispensed with the need for magic stones we have no requirement for concealment spells. This is a significant cost saving. We plan is to build a two hundred” Morah had to ask several times before silence resumed.

“Balloons are vulnerable to attack. They can fly  high enough to avoid projectiles from the ground but  cannot be defended from glider attack. If they approach where the pilot can see them they can be shot but they can attack from above from which direction they cannot be seen. The other disadvantage is their dependence on the wind . We are considering  a number of designs to  construct dirigible balloons but nothing practical has emerged. As matters stand the most practical military application is the ability to communicate  over distance. The management of a balloon becomes far easier when it is tethered to the ground. It can be left to rise to considerable heights. By day this enables it to operate as an observation platform. Depending on the presence of clouds we   have been able to reach heights of six thousand feet. With telescopes it is possible to observe and record movement on the ground within a diameter of two hundred miles.”

The Military were smiling.

“At night it functions as a communications platform. We have designed a   metal box with a mirror. In the box is a flame. When the shutter is opened the light shines on the mirror. At night it can be seen from a considerable distance. We have devised a code and with that we hope to be able to communicate over hundreds of  miles.  I will be travelling out to the plains for final tests. We hope to send and receive signals within fifteen minutes.”

Sharon thanked the audience and came down. Morah was about to adjourn  when  General Britan rose  to his feet.

General Britan stood.

“I might have given the impression that no assistance would be sent to Silvelode. That was a mistake on my part. When the time comes we will help to the best of our ability.”

                                                                  The Watcher.

Crouching inside the treeline, face wrapped in cloth to catch the vapour from his breath’ he studied the cabin..  The walls  bore the marks of fighting.. The ground outside littered with  bones and  rusty armour. Winter had come early and frost was in the air It stood on a south facing slope, roof gone, weeds choking the earthen floor.  Most of the ground clearcut at the front and sides had been reclaimed by the forest.The back was protected by a cliff. Chandos was gone.  

When he came out there was a wolf standing by his horse. He had a moment  to wonder why the beast  had not warned him before an   arm  circled his neck, a  knife picked  his throat.

“You make too much noise”

“I didn’t think you were here”

“I don’t care what you think, Why are you here, be quick.”

The blade nicked his throat, drawing blood. “Take it easy. I have orders for you”

“Tell me “

“You are to move   north”

“They do know winter is coming?”

“You are to move to the edge of the Icelands . “He was on the point of turning his head when he remembered the knife. “You are to take no more than a week, afterwards come back and report”

“What’s your name?”

“Mahan, Ranger Mahan.”

“How long have you been a ranger?”

“I graduated from Holgun at the start of the year”

“And your first mission is to the Icelands?”

“Would you mind taking that blade away?”

The blade was withdrawn. Chandos was medium height with a wiry  frame . His face, burnt on the left, a scar began over his right eye and went to the hairline.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not since dawn” .Chandos put the knife in his belt.. He clicked his tongue at the wolf who left.

“Most of the game has been hunted out. It happens at this time of year when they restock for the winter. This year they have pushed further south and taken more food”

“Why”

“A good question. My guess is that they are up to something.”

“Can you guess?”

“I am not in the guessing business. Up here guessing can get you killed. You can guess down south”Stalking to  the ruins he knelt drawing  a series of  cuts in the mud floor.. Replacing the weapon his fingers searched in the dirt until they brought up a length of chain. Standing he tugged on it and a square of floor rose to reveal a space underneath. He gestured to Mahan. The young ranger approached the hole. Enough light fell in to show the top of a ladder. He placed a foot on the top rung. 

The tunnel ran on a downslope  . Coming to a blank wall  footholds  were cut in the sides. Climbing after Chandos they emerged on the edge of  an  escarpment, Further out a black cloud  hung over the plain.  Chandos pointed.

“What do you see”

“A cloud”

Chandos grimaced.“ Im amazed you managed to get here.A cloud moving against the wind. We have to get under cover”

“We can go back”

“There is no food.”

Chandos took them round an outcropping and stopped before a rock face. Dropping he pushed his weapons through a narrow opening and wriggled inside.  The ground in front was bare rock.

“Get in here”

Mahan bent to the opening. “I can’t get through that “

“You can if you want to live. Strip if you have to but get yourself in there. Either that or run for your life.”

Mahan pushed his gear through and removed his jacket. Running around the woods after an uncouth fellow, pursued by Heaven knows what… There was much he could learn from  the Watcher of the Northern Marches. Then it would be back to headquarters and promotion.

He was halfway through when he got stuck. Modesty  prevented the removal of his breeches, the belt of which was snagged on a root.  Chandos had a torch, he leaned forward with a knife .

“I won’t be taken on account a fool. I am about to cut the belt. When you are free, get in as if your life depends on it. Now be still.”Chandos hissed with annoyance. The belt had metal bands  .

“The belt won’t cut….Breathe out. Make yourself as small as you can. I am going to drag you. If this doesn’t work I’m leaving” The young ranger blew out until shadows danced before his eyes. He clenched every muscle and then relaxed. Chandos pulled until he felt his arms would break Mahan slid through, Chandos falling back. The sound of cawing came through the opening.  Mahan slid through. Chandos started   pushing sand against  the opening. “Help me” They filled the space under the rock and sat  back .Chandos looked at him.“ I would not have had a problem with Shardik.“

“Shardik is dead.”

“What happened”.

“He was assassinated. Some were poisoned, some were shot. Others died of natural causes or what looked like natural causes. Twelve is hardly a loss to an group that operates as widely as we but the Free Company  was never large.”

“How did Shardik die?”

“One morning he did not wake up. The Director brought in a specialist from the University. He thought they might have used  a Dreamsender.. I was sent because  we were shorthanded. I am an analyst, I read books… I knew Shardik. No one better with a weapon, which is why they came at him with Sorcery. There must be  a traitor in the Rangers”

“It is unthinkable”

“It is the only explanation. The First Ranger wants you to conduct a full investigation. You are the only one she can trust”

“Have you something for me?” Reaching inside his jerkin Mahan  took a leather pouch. From this he extracted a capsule . Chandos pocketed it.  “Where do you work?”

“I was   assistant secretary to the  chamberlain. I am to work for the Spymaster at our embassy in Numidia. You will find great changes when you return. The new queen is energetic.  She is popular with the people but powerful interests are forming against her. She has been trying to build alliances but except for Silverlode no one else is willing…The Reivers have promised not to invade their lands  if they do not interfere  when they attack. They believe the Reivers will honour their promises.”
“What about the barons?”

“They’re behaving themselves, for now. The Queen is popular and they have done well out of reconstruction.”

Chandos handed the ranger a wooden bowl. It held a black liquid. Mahan looked doubtful.

“I made it myself.”

Mahan sipped and made a face.

“Rumours?”

“The city is awash with them. The Reivers are coming. They have crossed the Challon and are on the Plain of Jars. The Reivers are not coming; a secret peace treaty has been signed. There is a new weapon which will smash the enemy. A  High Council took place.   That was not a rumour”

“Did you go?”

“Me?” Mahan gave a short laugh “Heavens no. Only the nobles… Some of the women from the Sisterhood were there which is curious”

“In what way?” Mahan took a blanket. “They are not senior enough. It seems that a new weapon might be   more than rumour. It was invented by one of those curious people who came from the North. Terribly clever with potions and the like”

“Does it work?”

“Quite well it seems”.

“Who else attended?”

“Elmund Dwarfdale, the  ambassador for Silverlode . A dwarf  of  wealth and influence.  And their Queen. The head of the University attended .Morah was there and the Chamberlain. Our Queen was resplendent. There was scandal when she left and scandal when she returned. Not that anyone cares. They were utterly disenchanted with her stepmother.”

Rising Chandos brushed dust from his troos. “Stay here and make no noise. “Mahan found a jar with a blend of cream and honey. It had an alcoholic bite and would help pass the time. He pulled a blanket from a pile and lay down.

They remained hidden for two days while the ravens circled  the hills .  On the third day Chandos took a hunting bow and went to look for fresh meat. Mahan offered to go with him but was refused. “Have you met Hawkmoon?”  Asked Chandos on his return. It was close to dusk

“I met him once, after the coronation. He escorted the Queen. No one knows where he came from or anything about him. The tribes hold him in high regard. It is said that he led a Tuman for the Khan and is well liked in the Empire He is said to be our best hope. Personally, I don’t see it”

“Why do you say that?”

“He has no formal training. No one knows his provenance so we may assume he has not come from quality. Several of the more important people are poorly disposed to him”

“You have something for me?”

Mahan  took a wrapped parcel and handed it over.

“Has it been damaged in any way?”

“No, I was not to open it. What is it, if I may enquire?”

“You may not…”Are they in the city?”

“The Queen is. Hawkmoon is away.  They say about him that the only time you know where he is the moment he sticks a knife in your back.”

He beckoned to Mahan. They moved into an overhang that widened to a longer passage. They walked in file, Chandos leading. It wound up, the only sounds, their feet scuffling through dry sand. When they came out it was night. They were back in the trees of the lower forest.  Blacksmith’s Planet had risen casting a red glow on the clearing. Chandos turned  with a long knife in his hand. “You have been very helpful, but we must have confirmation. We particularly want to know about  Hawkmoon  “

“I don’t know where the damned fellow is, I told you. And who is “we”. Mahon whirled at a sound from behind. There were four armed men with others further back in the trees. He turned to find Chandos standing near him.

“I will tell you nothing. I would die rather than speak”

“I know that””

The knife sliced across his throat. Mahan fell forward.Chandos caught him, lowering him  to the ground. A hand reached for Mahan .Chandos slashed at it. He pointed the knife: “I will kill the next one that touches him”

“We want the blood”

“He was a Ranger and he will die as one.”

“Those were not your orders”

Chandos looked at the dying Ranger, eyes full of despair. “Bring the Shaman”

He  was  scrawny, dressed in skins;the skull of a wolf on his head... Squatting by the corpse he drew a handful of leaf from a  pouch on his belt.   Chewing until it was a paste he swallowed. He began to chant, swaying from side to side.  After a time his eyes rolled so that only the whites were visible. Nothing could be heard but his feral mutterings.

Darkness cloaked the stars.  Black vapour roiled above the wizard’s head  as he called  the   summoning. Faces darted from the cloud.  Mist rose from the forest floor.  One of the guards got too close. It touched his foot. He screamed, falling backward. A human shape formed in the mist and stood before the sorcerer.

“Why do you waken us, have we not suffered enough?”

“A small matter, my dear. I will not detain you overlong. And then a tasty morsel”

“Speak”

The sorcerer pointed at the corpse “Take this, search its memories. Tell me what you learn.  I wish to know everything this one knows .I am interested in hearing whatever he knows about the one known to them as Hawkmoon.”

The demon looked down at the corpse as if seeing it for the first time. Smoke flowed from its talons reaching to the body. The smoke moved over the body, hovered for a moment and flowed inside. The corpse sat up. It began to speak... An acolyte  stood  close, making notes..

After a time the demon withdrew to stand  before the Shaman.

“I did not give you permission to do that”

“He has no more information”

“That is for me to decide”

“He knows nothing about the one you know as Hawkmoon”

For the first time since the moment of summoning  the demon  looked at the ahaman who  blanched, taking a step back…“Who is he? Where is he from?”

“ He is the Deathwalker. He is known to us.. .”

“He is only a man Why can we not find him?.”

“We will answer no more. You have promised food. It would go badly if you disappoint us.”

The Shaman pointed at the corpse “This you may feed on , it is…”  He jerked at the touch of a blade against his neck.

Chandos looked at the demon “There is a herd of deer below in the woods. You may have them.”

The demon bowed, flowing into blackness.

“I will kill you for that” The old man rubbed his throat.

Chandos shrugged. “It would be a  blessing to me  but  the Crimson Lord might not be  pleased”

When they left he returned to the hiding place under the cliff. He lit the torch and read the note.

… Mahan has to die so  that they trust you.He has a package for you . You are to take it to the First Aerie. Gain entry to the Vats and hide it .In the packet  is a glass .Insert the vial. Push it hard enough to break the glass.   From that moment you have  five minutes to escape.

Go  to  Shaleen’s Gate. The password will be the one we use for you.