Dragon Heartstone > Chapter 21–A Change Of Plans

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Banoch surveyed his siege lines. They were adequate, though frightfully undermanned. It had taken all day to position troops, yet his commanders still milled about, looking to fill gaps. Despite surrounding the city, he doubted they could ever take it. This was no surprise, as the plan had never made sense, even when it was proposed in Drachnor. How could anyone lay siege to a fortified town with no siege equipment? Demands to bring the trebuchets, which could hurl a ton of rock over a half mile, were brushed aside. Still, objections to his request had merit. Hauling such equipment would have slowed their advance through the mountains and reduced the number of men-at-arms they could bring.

No, the she-witch demanded they take as many lightly armored men as possible. Or at least as many as could be sustained through a week-long forced march through the numerous small passes into northern Bretagne. If not kept busy by the Nagun, patrols from Keihl could have easily spotted and annihilated them as they disgorged from the mountains. But that had not happened. Instead, the city garrison hid behind their walls, allowing Banoch to move his men with impunity across their front. He quietly thanked the timidity of the city’s leadership.

With the siege lines inspected, he turned to the blocking force, which consisted of a thousand lightly armed pikemen and archers. The few horsemen he had kept watch on their flanks as patrols made their way south toward the Bear River. The narrow, deep, fast-moving stream ran directly from the Black Shadow Mountains. It was bridged only where the Landros-Keihl road crossed over it. A ford lay some five miles downstream but passed through a swamp. He kept a few lookouts there, but if Edwyn tried to pass that way, the mud would slow him until Banoch could reposition his men and stop the attempt. As he made his way onto the road, two horses roared past at a high gallop, and on them sat Shatain, long black robes splaying out behind them. What manner of errands did these nightmares perform for the she-witch? It’s better not to know. That was not his concern. His focus was to follow orders and avoid getting himself or his men killed.

* * *

Jerking awake, Faline instinctively drew her knife, only to find the abrupt presence of Parthos, one of her Shatain. “What is it?” she growled with annoyance.

“News, Mistress,” Parthos hissed. “The Bretagne army is fifteen miles south and making to break camp.”

Faline ground her teeth. She had to give Edwyn credit. Despite having stopped messages from the city begging for help, he had continued to creep closer to Keihl.

“Also,” Parthos continued, “Edwyn is dead.”

“What?” Faline stared at the cowled messenger. “Who commands the army?”

“Alric’s daughter, Britta, is now Queen of Bretagne.”

A thrill of exhilaration shot through her. “She has none of Edwyn’s experience or capability.” Sitting silent, she reconsidered her plans. Edwyn was wily and experienced; Britta was not. She might be goaded into acting rashly, to risk her army to save the doomed in Keihl.

“Do we still have those messages we intercepted from the city?”

“Yes, mistress, and couriers as well.” “Arrange for one to be taken south with the most recent message.” Parthos nodded and, with the other Shatain, withdrew from the tent. Faline sprawled out on the day bed, happiness resonating through her body. Oh, this is so delicious. Alric’s brat will rush to save the city, and I will destroy her.