190 Standoff (1/2)
When Corco's men were finally in the formation they were supposed to take up from the start, there was still a long distance between the two armies, and Rupilo's troops hadn't moved an inch. While they watched the southern commoners stumble down the hill without any organization, they failed to act. As Corco's hordes calmed themselves and lined up in an orderly formation, Pacha's warriors still stood their ground high atop the hill.
If they wanted to get close enough for a proper volley, Corco would have to lead his men halfway up the hill. At that point, a simple counter charge would break their lines and erase the fragile courage the southern commoners had built up. That had been Rupilo's plan, at least.
With frustration, the commander watched as his enemy once more acted beyond his expectations. Rather than charge up the hill, the troops stopped short a good few paces away. Only the left flank continued to advance until the entire army had formed a slanted line. Even though the inexperienced southern army took plenty of time to get into position, no one on the side of Pacha's forces moved. The main reason for it was, of course, their commander. Rupilo wouldn't move until he understood what sort of nonsense games the southern king was playing. Yet others were not nearly as patient.
”Lord Rupilo, why would you not allow our troops to charge the enemy's disorganized line?” Annoyed at the repeated interruption of the other lords, the commander turned around. Although they all had the same status, he had been given command of the army. It was time to stamp down a foot and show them who was in charge.
”Lord Fulcinius, are you challenging the command given by King Pachacutec?” he asked with a frown.
”Of course not. However, some of the warriors atop this hill are my own servants. This lord believes to have some justifiable right to decide their fate.”
”Then if Lord Fulcinius wishes to not lose all of his warriors in the engagement, he best listen to his commands.” Rupilo remained stubborn. As the commander, he could just stick Fulcinius and his men into the front lines if he didn't listen.
However, all he earned for his threat were sneers from the other lords and a snort from Fulcinius.
”Even if you are the commander you do not stand above the other lords. Or are your fellow lords too lowly for the great House Rupilo? With how you have led the men so far, our counsel cannot be any worse than our brilliant strategist commander's mind.”
Although he hated the other lord for his crass words, Rupilo had to swallow down his anger. He couldn't just offend all other lords here, no matter how tempting it was. In the worst case, they might even take their men and leave the battlefield before the main engagement. Even if he could escape from King Corco's vengeance in that case, what would King Pacha do with him if he drove away the king's subordinates out of spite? So he remained quiet and motioned the loudmouth lord to continue.
”Now then, I will ask again: Why has our brilliant commander not exploited the broken formation of our enemy when they were advancing? They clearly are a band of commoners who lack any sort of discipline. Had we caught them at their moment of disorganization, we would have already won the tussle.”
”What disorganization?” Rupilo answered. ”Look at their lines now. Clean, tight spacing and an even march at an even step, they appear far more ordered than our own. Clearly this obvious 'weakness' during their initial charge was nothing more than that southern king's ploy to lure us into an attack. Believe me, as his former ally I know this King Corco better than anyone else here. That southern king is sly and tricky. Had we seized that moment and attacked, we would have run right into that boy's trap!”
”That cannot be true. What sort of tricks can this southern brat have against our brave men?” Fulcinius still looked unconvinced, so now it was Rupilo's turn to sneer.
”Do not underestimate them just because they are from the south. What these outsiders lack in strength, they make up for in slyness. Just look how those foreigners from across the Weltalic Sea treated us, even though they were meant to be our allies.”
”What do you mean?” Fulcinius lowered his voice a bit as he spoke. In truth, none of the lords liked the new foreigners around King Pacha very much. Any dirt on them would be very welcome.
”Did everyone believe it was a mistake to send out our skirmishers for harassment? However, how could I have known that the new enemy hand cannons had such outrageous range, much farther than even our most elite archers? Although we have our own versions of these weapons, they fire little more than half that distance. Since the southern weapons were far superior to the ones we have received, we lost the first engagement and some valuable men. It must have been the fault of that foreign demon called Herak. He must have given us older, weaker weapons to trick us. Surely he laughed behind our backs as he unloaded his old and faulty arms onto us and even received the king's praise for it.”
”...that might be the case.” Although it seemed far-fetched, Fulcinius was more than willing to blame their failures on the foreign lord who had gotten more and more of the king's attention. None of the Medalan lords wanted to share their spoils with the newcomers after all.
”Yes, and the southern brat must have known about this as well,” Rupilo concluded. ”Do not be fooled by the fact that they now fight on opposite sides. According to my informants, Herak and Corco lived in the same barbaric lands for years. Who is to say that all of this is not part of their ploy? We might very well have been maneuvered into a trap. Which is why we have to stand firm and resist any rashness.”
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Rupilo was a lot less assured of his reasoning than he let on. In truth, he had just wracked his brain so he wouldn't have to face Corco in a direct confrontation. Even if he had wanted to lead a charge, his military training was lacking. He had never been one to favor combat, but now that the role had been thrust upon him, he didn't have much of a choice, not unless he wanted to become the laughing stock of the entire nobility. The fact that his excuse managed to throw dirt at Herak was just a small added bonus.
”Then what does Lord Rupilo suggest we do? Just stand around and withstand their fire?”
”Why not?” Rupilo shot back. ”Really, why are we meant to do anything? Our runners have long been sent out to inform King Pachacutec, and the king's army should already be on its way here. Once the king reaches, the southerners will be surrounded by our superior forces on all sides. There is no need to rush our victory. All we need to do then is to stand fast. Even more, their weapons are ranged, and require a large amount of gunpowder for every shot they fire. If we only stand fast, their precious new toys will soon become worthless.”
”But... is their firepower not impressive?” Another lord asked. Surely, the image of their archers getting gunned down was still fresh in his mind.
Rupilo only laughed at the suggestion and turned to his attendant. ”What are the losses among the skirmishers?”
”Master, it appears as if two of the skirmishers have died, while another eleven have been injured before they retreated. Since their wounds resemble mere small incisions, they should be combat ready once more within a few days.”
”Through several salvos of their newfangled weapons, from atop a hill and with all advantages on their side, they only managed to cause this little damage.” Rupilo shook his head. ”Rather than the intense fire from these weapons, is the failure of the skirmishers not down to their own weakness?”
”Are you suggesting our men are weak, Rupilo?” The voice of Fulcinius turned sharp once more.
”Barely one in ten men lost and they already retreat in panic,” the commander summed up the failure of these cowardly warriors. ”Obviously, they know nothing of the honor of war. Since none of you have taught your servants right, I cannot be too ambitious with our tactics. If nothing else, your warriors should be able to stand their ground. Go and tell your men. No one moves until I give the orders.”