The Rise of Aredor Page 5

  Captain Jaffa escorted Castimir to his tent and Azrahil did the same for Hamíd. The captain told the other Guards what had happened while Hamíd made ready to leave. Only Emeth dared to speak to him as he came out of the tent.

  “Idiot,” he whispered. “Good luck!”

  Hamíd gave him a slight smile in response. Castimir, still escorted by Jaffa, walked up, carrying the packs.

  “You shouldn’t run into any Argusians, but keep a sharp look-out,” Azrahil warned.

  “Yes, sir.” Hamíd shouldered a pack.

  From Ncorha, Hamíd and Castimir turned northwest towards the Calorin border. They walked in silence through the hot sand. As the sun fell over the horizon, they made camp in the relative shelter of the towering dunes.

  “I’ll take first watch,” Hamíd said, wrapping his cloak around him against the cool breeze that had sprung up.

  “You didn’t think I should be punished?” Castimir asked curiously.

  “I just pointed out several people who would have done the same in your place. That led to a rather heated argument between the captain and me. Which is why he’s going to make me stay at home for a while,” Hamíd replied.

  Castimir whistled softly. “You aren’t short on nerve, that’s for sure. I don’t think even Emeth would say anything like that.”

  “It wasn’t the smartest idea in the world,” Hamíd admitted. He wasn’t even sure where it had come from. “We’d better turn in. We still have a long way to go tomorrow. I’ll wake you in a few hours.”

  Castimir nodded in agreement. Using his pack as a pillow, he wrapped his cloak around him and fell asleep.

  The night passed quickly, and Hamíd and Castimir were on the move as the sun first peered over the edge of the desert. They trekked wearily through the day, stopping only to drink water and take a few bites of food. The sun seemed to move slowly across the sky. They halted at midday and took shelter from the blazing sun under an awning, taking off their heavy chain mail and tunics in a further effort to keep cool.

  A few hours later, they resumed their journey in silence. Hamíd drew his shirt sleeve wearily across his face and looked hopefully for any change in the landscape. Disappointed, he kept walking as the desert stretched on into the distance.

  Night fell again, and they made camp. A restless night passed, and they arose to face another day in the desert. By late afternoon, the land began changing. The desert rose up into dunes and fell away into ragged grasslands. They had reached the border. In a few miles they would reach the Calorin city of Latharn. This knowledge raised their spirits significantly, and they walked with renewed energy.

  Their hopes were soon dashed at the sight that greeted their eyes. Hamíd first heard the sounds of marching feet, creaking wheels, and horses on the move. Castimir and Hamíd worked their way around several dunes and looked out over an army.

  “Argusians,” Hamíd whispered grimly.

  “They’re headed for Latharn,” Castimir said. “It’s virtually undefended.”

  “The nearest army is in Ncorha. Tahmid left to attack Gondeni last week,” Hamíd said. Rank after rank of the Argusian army passed with the end seemingly nowhere in sight.

  “If the Argusians take Latharn, then Makurung will be of no use to us.” Castimir bit at his thumb. “We have to go back and tell Father.”

  “You do know what will happen if we show our faces back there again without orders?” Hamíd asked. It had been made abundantly clear what would happen to him if he didn’t follow his orders to the letter. He didn’t know if he was ready to risk his position in his new life yet.

  Castimir nodded. “Yes, but we can’t just leave. Tahmid is long gone. We can cut across the desert and meet Father at Makurung.”

  Hamíd knew it was the only thing they could do. “All right, but remember to talk fast once we get there and preferably before we see Azrahil.”

  Castimir grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. They worked their way backward until they were out of sight of the Argusians. Finding a small well, they replenished their water supply and headed back toward the desert.

  Three days later, Makurung came into view with the banner of the Sultaan flying from its walls. Castimir and Hamíd were approaching the main gate when hoof beats sounded behind them. The two riders approaching the gate slowed when they saw Hamíd and Castimir. Before he knew it, a spear was leveled at Hamíd’s chest.

  “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here,” Ahmed said.

  Hamíd pushed the spear away. “We have to talk to Lord Rishdah now.”

  “You think you’re even going to have a chance to talk?” Emeth raised an eyebrow, not quite masking his concern.

  Nevertheless, the two Phoenix Guards escorted Hamíd and Castimir to the citadel. Lord Rishdah was in the great hall, listening to reports from his scouts. The Argusians that they had defeated in the city were gathering together again in the surrounding desert. He barely took his eyes from the maps on the table when Ahmed announced their arrival. Castimir took a deep breath and stepped forward.

  “Father,” he said.

  Lord Rishdah glanced up sharply. “I thought I had made myself perfectly clear, Castimir!”

  Hamíd had never found himself at the mercy of one of Azrahil’s withering glares before, and focused on a point on the wall to avoid breaking under it.

  “Yes, sir, you did,” Castimir began again. “We had every intention of going back home until we saw an Argusian army marching on Latharn.”

  At this news the whole room fell silent.

  “Is this true?” Lord Rishdah turned to Hamíd.

  “Yes, sir. I knew General Tahmid had already left, so we came back to tell you,” Hamíd replied.

  “How many?” Azrahil barked at him.

  “Five thousand at least, sir.”

  Lord Rishdah regarded them in silence for several agonizing moments before speaking.

  “Commander Jaffa, I want three thousand men ready to march tonight. The rest stay here to guard the city. You two!” He pointed at Hamíd and Castimir. “You will come with us, only to make sure you don’t get into any more trouble. Consider this a temporary suspension of your punishments.” Lord Rishdah then indicated that they were dismissed. Ismail accompanied his brother from the hall as Azrahil approached Hamíd.

  “As Lord Rishdah said, you are temporarily suspended from punishment. Don’t think I’ll let you off though. Get some rest and clean yourself up and get presentable. You look horrible,” Azrahil told him, his gruff voice softening ever so slightly.

  Hamíd bit back a grin. “Yes, sir.”

  It was true; he and Castimir were coated in sweat and dust from crossing the desert. Most of his uniform was still in his pack, and he’d hardly slept in two days. Ahmed took Hamíd to the Guard’s quarters where he washed and dressed in clean clothes. After eating a quick meal, Hamíd went to visit Inzi in the stables. The mare whinnied softly when she saw him. He talked quietly to her in Rhyddan while he gently rubbed her forehead. He stayed only for a few minutes before leaving to report to Azrahil for duty.

  Shortly before midnight, the Calorin army left Makurung. The city was left in the charge of Jaffa and two thousand Calorin soldiers as the main army hastened to the aid of Latharn. Lord Rishdah drove his men hard and crossed the desert in two days. As the army neared the border, they began sending out advance scouts. Azrahil often ordered Hamíd out on a patrol. Small mobile groups of Argusians became more frequent, and the scouting trips became more dangerous.

  Emeth rode beside Castimir after orders not to let the young man out of his sight. Ismail rode with them behind Lord Rishdah and his captains.

  “Why does Azrahil keep sending Hamíd off like that?” Castimir asked Emeth after watching an exchange between the captain and Hamíd.

  “Captain is testing him. Hate to say this, sir, but he got into a lot of trouble over that incident,” Emeth replied.

  “Will Azrahil let him stay in the Phoenix Guard?” Ismail asked.

&n
bsp; “That’s what he’s trying to decide. If Hamíd doesn’t drop of exhaustion first,” Emeth replied a little anxiously.

  Nicar, apparently having some of the same thoughts, dropped back to ride next to them. “I’ve tried to reason with Azrahil, but he won’t budge. See if you can do anything, Emeth.”

  Emeth shot him a look as if to say, I don’t know what good that will do, but I’ll try. He urged his horse forward until he rode even with Azrahil.

  “Captain, give me the next patrol and let Hamíd take a break,” Emeth said.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be with Castimir?” Azrahil frowned disapprovingly, not taking his eyes from the horizon line.

  “Yes, sir, but truthfully, I’m worried about Hamíd.” Emeth put it as tactfully as he could. Azrahil usually didn’t appreciate vocal opinions on his orders.

  Azrahil continued scanning the distance in silence. Emeth was about to speak again when Azrahil cut him off.

  “He’s coming back now. Emeth, ride ahead to the city and find out what we’re up against,” Azrahil ordered.

  “Yes, sir.” Emeth gave a grateful salute and spurred away.

  Hamíd rode back to the army. As the front ranks came into sight, he tried desperately to straighten in the saddle. A brief encounter with three Argusians had left him with a cut to his arm and hand. After making sure no report of their presence would reach the Argusian army, he had turned back in order to report to Azrahil once again. Concern shadowed Azrahil’s face when he saw the blood covering Hamíd’s sleeve.

  “Hamíd, I’m relieving you. Emeth has volunteered to take your place as a scout. Dismissed.” He leaned closer to Hamíd and lowered his voice. “Have Nicar look at that. You’ve done well, Hamíd. You’re off duty until tomorrow morning.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Hamíd’s dry throat rasped over the words. He joined Nicar, who immediately drew bandages out of his bags.

  “What’d the captain say?” he asked Hamíd.

  “I’m off duty until tomorrow.” Hamíd drank sparingly from his waterskin, rinsing his mouth free of grit.

  “It’s about bloody time!” Nicar muttered, leaning over to wrap a bandage around Hamíd’s arm. “Once we finally make camp, I’ll take a proper look at that.”

  “What happened?” Castimir ignored disapproving stares from Ismail and Nicar.

  Hamíd discovered he wasn’t bothered by Castimir’s curiosity. “We’re almost to the border, Argusian patrols are getting bigger, and it won’t be long before they find out we’re here. I ran into three of them about half a mile out. Luckily, they were just as surprised as I was and didn’t get away in time.”

  More scouts began returning, some bringing news on Argusian movements and others having found a suitable camping place for the host. The place chosen was several miles from Latharn, next to a small river. Grateful to be out of the desert, the men rested as well as they could and prepared for the upcoming conflict.

  Emeth rode into camp as the sun set.

  “The Argusians are in the city, but they haven’t completely taken it. The defenders have retreated into the inner two circles. The Argusians still have plenty of men outside the city as well,” he reported.

  “How close did you get?” Azrahil asked.

  “Up to the outer wall, sir. I was able to hear that they’re going to stage an attack on the second circle tomorrow and that they’re not expecting any reinforcements to help our boys, sir.”

  “Excellent,” Lord Rishdah said. “Tomorrow, we’ll attack and draw off as much of the main army as we can. Ismail, once the Argusians are diverted, you and Captain Ghalib will take a force into the city to strengthen the defenders.” As he finished giving orders, he looked to his other son who stood quietly by. “Castimir, you will accompany me with the main force. Azrahil, assign an appropriate Guard.”

  * * *

  The next morning, after all plans had been made, Lord Rishdah moved his army into position. Flanked by Azrahil and Hamíd, he led his cavalry into sight of the city. Alarmed at the sight, the Argusian commander ordered over half his army to engage the Calorins. As the Argusians neared, Lord Rishdah began an ordered retreat to draw the enemy away from the city and into the hills where the rest of his army waited. The Argusians crested the hill and thundered down to engage the smaller Calorin force.

  With the enemy sufficiently distracted, Ismail and Ghalib led their force to the city. Fighting their way through the guards left behind, they made it to the gates of the second circle and were welcomed joyously by the defenders. With the city largely undefended, Ismail led a small force back to the main gates and then closed and blockaded them. Once the gates were secure, the Calorins engaged the remaining Argusians in the city. A few escaped and ran to alert the main army.

  Out in the hills, the two forces were battling furiously when the harsh, blaring horns of the Argusians rang out, and they began to retreat. Finding the gates of Latharn locked against them and Lord Rishdah’s army closing in again, the commander ordered a full withdrawal from the city. Lord Rishdah sent out scouts to follow the Argusians while he led his army into Latharn. The scouts returned quickly with dire news.

  The Argusian forces had been strengthened by a fresh army that had just come out of the desert. They had turned and were marching toward Latharn. The defenders quickly manned the walls and watched as the enemy slowly surrounded the city. But the Argusians made no attack that day or the next. The week stretched on, the enemy seemingly content to lay siege to the city. Provisions began to run low in the city, and Lord Rishdah began forming a desperate plan to break the siege.

  Chapter 6

  “What we need is a distraction,” Lord Rishdah said. “They out-number us, so we’ll have to strike whenever we can and weaken them. Any force we send out right now would be quickly overrun. A night attack will be best. Someone will go into their camp and create a diversion by firing the supply lines and so forth then two forces, led by myself and Azrahil, will ride out of both gates and engage the enemy while we can. Their chariots will be useless in the camp, and they will be forced to go on foot against our horses. It’s incredibly risky, and I want only the best men. Who is willing to create the diversion?” he asked his Guards.

  They all hesitated; going out alone into the midst of the enemy who numbered almost four thousand strong was a daunting prospect. Finally, Hamíd spoke up.

  “I’ll do it, sir.”

  Lord Rishdah nodded. “Very well. We’ll move tonight.”

  After they were dismissed, Emeth found Hamíd.

  “I’ll go with you,” he said.

  Hamíd shook his head. “No, if I don’t make it back, then there’s only one man lost. We need everyone right now. Besides, Captain wants you out on the sortie.”

  “You’re the bravest fool I’ve ever met,” Emeth said.

  Hamíd only laughed. “It runs in my family, I’m afraid.”

  “You’ll make it back,” Emeth asserted. “If you don’t, I’ll find you and kill you again.”

  “Thanks for those encouraging words.” Hamíd punched his shoulder. “I’m betting I’ll be the first one back then.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Emeth replied as they parted ways to prepare for the night.

  * * *

  The night was only a few hours old when Hamíd stood on the battlements. He had dressed all in black for the task at hand. He checked his weapons for what seemed the hun-dredth time while a soldier threw a rope over the wall and made it secure. Nicar climbed the wall steps and came over to him.

  “I’ll be waiting for you here,” he said. “Be careful and good luck.”

  Hamíd nodded his thanks before grabbing hold of the rope and slipping over the wall. His feet tapped against the wall as he rappelled down to the ground. The darkness was overwhelming at the base of the walls and he crouched in its shelter to allow his eyes to adjust. As he cautiously made his way forward to the Argusian camp, the rope was hauled back up onto the battlements behind him. The only noise in the camp
was the quiet pacing of sentries, the movements of horses, and the crackling of fires. Hamíd dodged two sentries and made his way into the camp.

  Keeping well into the shadows, he looked for the best place to start his work. A long line of picketed horses caught his attention first. Slipping among them, he began to cut the lines, soothing the worried nickers away with reassuring whispers. When most of the ropes had been severed, he moved on to the next line.

  Jumping on to the broad, bare back of one of the horses, he knotted his hand in its mane and grabbed a torch. Wheeling the horse, he began firing the tents surrounding them. The horses began to mill about nervously as the flames took hold of the tents. Aroused by the fire, sentries came running and men stumbled out of their tents. Hamíd threw the torch into a wagon and drew his sword. Laying about with the flat of his blade, he drove the horses through the camp. The flames leapt higher as they began to spread from tent to tent. The panicked horses thundered through camp, trampling everything in their path.

  Inside Latharn, the lookouts saw the flames and heard the commotion in the camp and opened the gates. From the east gate rode Lord Rishdah at the head of five hundred men; from the west gate came Azrahil leading three hundred soldiers. The startled Argusians turned to see this new foe and met the points of Calorin spears.

  Hamíd was hotly pursued by a few Argusians who had mounted horses once they saw what was happening. Still driving the herd before him, he looked for a way to escape as the sounds of battle broke out. A sudden idea struck him. Dodging tents and men, he managed to turn the horses toward the edge of the camp. The Argusians following him saw him change direction and began to call out panicked orders. As soon as he neared the edge, Hamíd turned his horse around and headed back toward Latharn as horns rang out, recalling the sorties. Two Argusians gave chase while the rest attempted to stop their horses from scattering on the open plains.

  Hamíd wove frantically around tents and scattered groups of men trying to put out the fires. In the dancing light of the flames, he saw spearmen, heeding the shouts of his pursuers, blocking his path. The blades gleamed viciously as he came closer and closer. He saw one of the soldiers waver slightly, and whipping his horse to a greater speed, Hamíd charged directly at the Argusian.