200 Opening Gambi (1/2)
From a distance, the fortifications of the southern army were almost invisible. White on white, the wall all but blended in with the incline it crested. Had it not been for the spikes of solid oak in front of the wall and the heads and banners peaking out from behind it, Pacha might have missed it entirely.
”King Pachacutec, all groups have reached the gathering point and all men are accounted for. Should we begin to set up the camp now?” The king had heard the steps in the snow behind him long before the words sounded out, but only now could he identify his attendant through his voice. Even though his orders were needed, the hero king didn't take his eyes off Corco's little wall.
”No,” he said after he had probed the wall a bit longer for potential weak spots.
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”No?”
”We will not set up a camp. Instead, we will launch our first attack right away.”
For a while the servant was silent, proof that he was struggling to understand his master's orders. In the end, the bold servant decided to speak his mind and offer advice.
”However, we will still need to wait until the reinforcements from Lord Ichilia arrive.”
No more than a week ago, Pacha might have gotten angry at his servant's opposition, but now he didn't mind. Even if they were as wrong as this one was, he would rather have his men speak their minds than listen to the lies of the opportunists and sycophants who called themselves lords.
”Why would we need my uncle if we can solve the southerners by ourselves?” the king sneered. ”Unless Corco has another ten thousand men hidden in his pockets, we have more than twice their numbers. We can drive them off by ourselves just fine, with and without my uncle. If, and only if, we fail to break them by the time uncle arrives, we can use his fresh troops to break through in a final push. House Ichilia's reinforcements were only ever a last resort. This king never intended to rely on them.”
”King is very wise. In this case, this servant will ask the men to rest until King is back from his meeting.”
”What meeting?” At last, Pacha looked over to his attendant, just soon enough to see the warrior's polite smile give way to confusion. ”Is this king expected to meet with some southern rebels? Meeting them before combat would only acknowledge them as equals, and give them more time to prepare their defense. There is no reason to negotiate, even less so with their dishonorable king.”
”However... the men are still tired,” the servant tried again. ”They have been on the march all day and have had only short breaks since the start of the campaign. Without rest, our attack will be short-lived and lacking in force. This servant is afraid they might not be able to fulfill King's grand vision.”
”So what if they're tired?” Pacha narrowed his eyes as he looked up the hill again, back towards his enemies. ”Do you not see that wall before us? Do you believe Corco's men did not tire themselves out when they built all this within a single day?”
His good hand moved to trace the enemy fortifications in the distance.
”This king understands your worry. Although the attack is to be launched right away, we will not be reckless. Prepare a couple thousand expendable warriors from the cowards who call themselves my lords. This king tasks them to charge the hill and remove those wooden stakes in front of the wall. When they do, we will observe the southern army's reaction to our attack. Once we have scoped out their defenses, we will make more detailed plans for future, more comprehensive attacks.”
His attendant bowed and soon left to relay the king's orders. Since they would only sacrifice the warriors of the other lords and thus did no damage to House Pluritac's strength, there was no reason for the servant to object the king's wishes any longer. They would even get some information out of the deal. While he waited for the first attack to launch, Pacha's eyes never left the white walls.
”Now then, what do you have planned for me, my nephew?” he muttered.
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With growing unease, Alcer watched as the horizon filled up with neat rows of little black lines, bit by bit. Although his eyes couldn't compare to those of a cultivator, he still knew that these figures in the distance were their enemies lining up for battle. Soon after, they had come close enough that even a mortal like him could make out their details. Compared to the army they had fought a few days earlier, there was a difference of day and night.