Chapter XXXVIII - Ambush at Tosdhar
Bold and his army were ready for move. The war has started already nearly a month ago, but in truth, this is what could be called a real start. Scouts have reported to Bold an assembly of main Vaegir army at Reyvadin, although correct numbers were uknown to him. Artimenner has set up a network of spies in Reyvadin, and currently they are working on learning the exact number of Vaegir main army, Nord support and their planned movements.
In keep in Senuzgda, Bold gathered a council, which consisted of five persons, Kushi, Desmondes, Arimenner, Alayen and Bahesthur. Two of them were Bold's generals and closest companions, Kushi and Desmondes. Alayen was tasked with leading the knight order he created after joining Bold's army, which is named Knights of the Wolf. Bahesthur was the man whom Bold ordered to lead the scouts while Artimenner was tasked with financial tasks, in fact he was a steward.
A sixth member has joined the council and was on it's way to the keep.
The council seats were placed around big round table which would take good fifteen long steps to go around, with the biggest chair having most decorations, the chair on which Bold was sitting. On the middle of the round table was a color-coded map of Calradia, each color representing the border of each country. Red for Swadia, green for Rhodoks, yellow for Sarranids, blue for Nords, white for Vaegirs and purple for the Khergits. The mapmaker placed another color, a grey one, which represented Bold's rebellion. There was not much og grey, though, only two castles, Knuddar and Senuzgda. But these were on the good position, and soon, Dhirim may be colored gray soon.
Right now, it could be seen on the map that Swadians have conquered most of the former Rhodok kingdom, which was devided two months ago in two opposing factions, republicans of Yalen and loyalists of Graveth, who still claimed the title of the king of the mountains. The only areas in Rhodok mountains that are not in control of Swadians are cities of Yalen and Veluca and other holdings between those two cities and they are about to fall. But there are rumors circling around that a young Rhodok from Istiniar from Harin river has taken arms in rebellion against Harlaus, claiming that he is heir of Grunwalder, historical figure and a hero in Rhodok culture that liberated people of the mountains from Swadian and defeated their notorious knights.
On the other side of the map, it could be seen that there is not too much purple as well, and much more white in the steppe, as Vaegirs have finally breached into steppe, only because of Bold O'Ginn and his triumph over steppe warlords. But that is about to change soon. Since Bold started rebellion in south of kingdom, united forces of Sanjar and Ogadai could surely chase Vaegir forces out of the steppe.
As for situation in the desert, yellow Sarranid borders have remained the same as in past hundred years, except they used opportunity to grab some lands from Rhodoks since they were at war with Swadians, taking Jamiche castle and surrounding villages. But people are talking, talking about ancient assassin order from the steppe, that has been reformed recently by sultan Hakim and his vassals, that will end lives of all usurpers of Calradian throne. But it could hardly be true, although one could never know.
''All right now.'', Bold said to the council as the assembled around a round table on which was the map of Calradia. ''Today, we will finally move against Vaegirs.''
Council members nodded their heads in acknowledge to what Bold said, exchanging looks between each other.
''In which direction are we going to march, my lord?'', asked Artimenner, an architect and a steward, while taking a sip of a wine from his silver cup.
Bold stood up and pointed with his finger at the center of the map, at Senuzgda to be accurate. ''We're here...'', and then pointed his finger at Reyvadin ''...and Vaegirs are assembling here. Considering that armies from all over the kingdom are traveling to Reyvadin, it will take at least five days until they assemble their whole army. Until then, we will be attacking them and defeating them one per one.''
Another moment followed with council members acknowledging what Bold said.
''But we will avoid the army that is already at Reyvadin.'', Bold finished and sat at his chair, which was the biggest and most decorated one.
''Why is that, my lord?'', Alayen asked as he folded his arms.
''We will leave them for the last bite. And we don't know their current number.''
''But we can defeat them with out current army.'', Alayen answered.
Bold sighed ''Did you understand what I was saying? We will attack their armies one per one. And we can't do that with this army. In fact, we can, but it will take too much time.''
''So what are you going to do, then?'', asked the knight before taking a sip of the wine.
''I'll split the army.''
Kushi said ''I thought you would do so, my lord khan. Four armies will be enough, if you ask me.''
Bold nodded and smiled ''Yes, it will be. We have thirty thousand men right in this moment. Nine thousands will go to me, eight to Kushi, and two armies will have equal number of troops, which is six and half thousands, which will go to Desmondes and Athelan.''
''Athelan, the outlaw from the Khanate?'', Alayen asked with disgust. He is talking too much.
''Yes, the outlaw and a man born for commanding.'', Bold answered coldly to the knight that already annoyed him a bit too much.
Alayen just frowned and opened his mouth to say something, but doors opened behind him. Everyone looked in direction of the doors, which revealed the sixth council member who was late for meeting.
''Good day to you.'', said the female deep voice and she proceeded towards the empty chair that was between Desmondes and Artimenner.
Bold nodded ''Welcome, Matheld.''
Desmondes, who was sitting next to Bold leaned towards him and whispered ''Who is she?'', while looking at the fair-haired Nord woman who had a frightening and threatening eyes. Her fair-hair was tied and fell down her back. Unlike most of other fair-haired Nords, Matheld's hair color was more bright and beautiful. It was shining because of the oil young Nord woman put. She wore a chainmail armor with a wolf tunic similiar to the one Desmondes had. She also wore a green linen cloak and a shortsword could be seen sheated on her back, with a numerous knives placed on belt on her waist.
Council members looked wondering why her weapons aren't taken away. That's just when a guard ran up to Matheld, shouting ''My lady!''
Matheld turned in a second with a sword already in her hand pointed at the young guardsman's neck, who was trembling and already sweating. Matheld then smiled and rolled her blue eyes ''Relax, I'm just giving you my weapons.''
She gave her sword to the guard, who took it carefuly as if it was a diamond of the highest value, followed by several short knives which, judging by their shape which resembled a schimitar, are used by those people of Sarranid sultanute.
She's always ready for battle, Bold thought and smiled. Although he met her few days ago, she quickly earned his trust and place among council members, as she provided him with many informations of Vaegirs, Khergits and Wolves. Bold knew about Ogadai's visit to Tulga and his alliance with Sanjar as well as increase of frequency of attacks of those outlaws who call themselves 'Wolfsworn' that serve Wolf of the Plain. And now that Bold declared himself Wolf of the Plain, he is eager to earn their trust, as by rumors they have spread all over the steppe.
Matheld sat on her chair and discussion continued. In the end it was decided who is going where. Desmondes will lead his army towards Sargoth, cutting in the way of Nord support, eventually stopping their advance and disable them joining the main army. Athelan will avoid Reyvadin and will move towards Khudan, taking several minor holdings , mainly to cut off supply routes and centers. Although Khudan is by far greatest supply center in the east of the kingdom, Athelan doesn't have an army strong enough to take it, nor siege machines. Kushi is going to patrol areas around Senuzgda and Knudarr, another fortress under command of Bold, since he was the best suited general for defense, and was well respected among his men.
As for Bold, he will march towards Curaw, avoiding Reyvadin and defeating any army he could encounter. Plan seemed reasonable for Bold and he prayed for it's success.
*
Desmondes and his army spotted Derchios castle just a mile away after nearly a day of riding. Just few miles away was Swadian town of Tosdhar, which was under Vaegir control as well as Derchios castle. Tosdhar was a town infested with crime and treachery, which waited a salvation from the side of Harlaus, king of Swadia. But Harlaus did nothing, instead he feasted in his palace in Praven. Bad king he is, which needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
And since they call me the 'uncrowned king of Swadia' I could be a potential candidate, Desmondes thought and smiled while on his horse. He named him Dust, mainly because of horse's color which resembled those color of a dust. There was no sign of Vaegir army yet, but Desmondes was eager to engage them. Before leaving Senuzgda, he encountered something unusal which woke a suspicion and intrigue in him. He spotted Alayen writing something hastily and when he asked him what is he writing and to who, Alayen shoved the letter in his pocket and left him without telling anything. He tried to say this to Bold, but he was already ten miles away from Senuzgda at the time.
He better not betray us, or I will rip him to shreds, thought former mercenary with anger already bursting in him. He never liked Alayen. At first, he was jelaous of his relationship with Ymira, but he hasn't heard anything of Ymira for several months now. Only thing he knows about her is that she is with the army as the camp follower. She doesn't have any particular skill and could be used only as a housewife.
Next to Desmondes rode one of Alayen's knights, from his newly founded Order of the Wolf. Desmondes wasn't quite fond of them and they seemed to him more like Alayen's spies and Alayen himself acted suspiciously this morning.
''Something's bothering you, m' lord?'', asked the knight, beneath his full helmet could be heard a voice of a young lad, who probably hasn't even lied with a woman properly.
''No. Just ride and keep watching. We can never know when loyalists may ambush us.'', said former mercenary and touched hilt of his bastard sword with his left hand, allowing himself to smile. Sixty five hundred men rode with him. This was the biggest army he ever led since he came to Calradia. And it was a big responsibility. If Desmondes was to be defeated in future battles, that could mean end of the rebellion and Yaroglek's eventual victory.
I won't be defeated, thought Desmondes while absently looking in the distance.
As the army rode downhill, the weather changed, becoming somewhat warmer. There were more trees as they were passing through Tosdhar forest, the town of Thosdhar just beyond the forest. The path through woods was narrow, so the army was passing through the forest in two long rows.
Good position for ambush, actually, perfect. Desmondes prayed that enemies aren't here. They could easily defeat him here.
For the good thirty minutes, everything was fine, until Desmondes heard screams and taunts behind. He turned his horse and ordered to stop the army, trying to see from his horse what was happing, but could not. Even though the trees were blocking his field of vision, he could still hear well that these screams and taunts were sign of battle. And then he realised. The worst thing he feared has happened right now, in the worst moment.
What could he do? If he rushes towards the battle, enemy might surround them from the east. And they can't hope to escape into the woods. Decision was hard but something had to be done.
_____
Author's note:
Finally I finished this chapter and I really hope you like it. The plot is getting from now on more dynamic and less static, so I hope you like the change.
Cheers