202 Real War (1/2)
Ever since their initial probe of the southern front line and flanks, the northerners hadn't sent any more troops their way. That didn't mean there had been no movement beyond the wall. Divided by the empty field of white, King Pacha's men carried a wooden platform with a fancy throne on top to the front of their formation. With an impassive expression, Tama watched as the bastard king stood up in front of his elevated throne and stepped onto the platform.
Though they had looked like lousy fighters so far, at least his warriors showed great balance as they managed to hold up their master without much trouble. The wind may have carried away the sound in the distance, Pacha's animated movement alone told her that he was holding what he considered a rousing speech; from the rising tension of his army, it seemed like his men agreed.
”Maybe you should hold your own speech? I am convinced you would do much better than that Uncle Peacock of yours.” As she turned to Corco, Tama's expression softened into a smile.
”And hype up the soldiers like last time?” the king replied with a bitter look. Indeed, when they had fought Rupilo, Corco's burning address had incited a sudden, chaotic charge and almost ruined their entire battle plan from the very start. ”Don't forget that we're the defenders either. We need a cool mind and grit, not fire. Plus, that ignited spirit of Pacha's warriors will get doused as soon as they step into firing range. No amount of morale can survive continued cannon and musket fire. Rather than my uncle's little speech, I'm much more worried about whatever Herak is doing.”
Reminded of the scary foreigner's existence, Tama looked beyond Pacha's oration and took a closer look at the soldiers who received it. Instead of putting his best men into formation for a charge - as Tama would have expected - he had lined up all of his commoners to lead the first proper charge. They didn't even carry their usual equipment of bolas and nets. Instead, a few held large shields, while the rest each carried a jute bag in their hands.
”What are they planning?” Tama asked as her stomach contracted in inexplicable worry.
”Looks like we're about to find out.” Just as Corco's words had left his mouth, Pacha had finished his speech and pointed his long axe in their vague direction. In response, all the commoners marched ahead, hidden behind the shields in the front. Though they didn't have the same energy as the charging warriors had prior, their actions still seemed driven and orderly. Maybe it was only because of the archers who were positioned behind them to threaten any deserters, but for now they walked towards their deaths with open eyes.
”What should we do?” Tama asked with increasing worry. She understood Corco. The kind king was always eager to let the commoners off easy. Normally, she was willing to indulge him. This time however, that sort of leniency could be fatal. This was Pacha's plan, she thought. As Corco agonized over whether or not he should spare them, the commoners would get close to their wall, until it was too late to prevent whatever plan they had hidden inside those bags. However, the king surprised her with his callous answer.
”What do you think? Tell the muskets to get ready. Have them fire as soon as they get into range, but favor precision over volume. And hold back the cannons, no reason to waste gunpowder on some skirmishers.”
After both kings had given their orders, the battle went into its next phase. Many of Pacha's commoners died in their approach of the walls. However, they didn't try to storm the front and never tried to get too far up the hill. Instead, just a few steps inside the enemy firing range, they stacked the bags and created their own low walls at the foot of the incline. As Tama observed the new walls with her spyglass, she saw several musket shots enter the bags, yet the commoners behind them were unharmed, if shaken.
”What are these things?” she asked in shock. She had expected the bags to be filled with gunpowder, poison or sawdust for ignition. Yet she had never imagined them to be used in such a fashion.
”They're sandbags.” With fury in his voice, Corco scanned the battlefield, until his eyes focused on a spot in the distance. ”Herak! That fucker stole my trick.”
When Tama followed her master's eyes, she saw a large man with the fair skin of the eastern foreigners, his face covered in a scary bronze mask and his back taken up by a giant black bow.
”Shit, they're doing some proto-trench shenanigans. I changed my mind. Tell the front line to hold nothing back and fire at will! Make sure they don't get those walls of sandbags up! Even if they do, we have to slow them down and make their approach as expensive as possible!”
”Understood.” Tama was about to turn and relay the orders when Corco called her back.
”And recall back Tracao and his people from the forests. We'll soon need all the manpower we can get here.”
”What happens if King Pacha tries to outflank us again?” Despite the urgency in Corco's voice, this time she couldn't just ignore the possible consequences of giving up their flanks.
”My uncle's got no idea just how his first batch of warriors died in those woods, or how many people I have hidden in there. Plus, we're obscured behind a wall and an elevation, so he won't even see the warriors coming back. If Pacha knows what's good for him, he won't send any more men to die on the flanks. And even if he does, your people would be able to scout it and inform us before any accidents happen, right?
”Of course. They will serve you with their dying breath.” As will I, she added in her head.
When Tama left to inform the individual troop commanders and her scouts of their new orders, the worry that had only gripped her stomach tightened around her heart as well. When even the always confident Corco was this flustered, the trouble this time may be more serious than ever before. As she turned to look at the lonely back of her master, she balled her hands into fists. No matter what it took, Tama would stand by his side until the end.
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Even from his position by his throne, Pacha could just feel the smugness of Corco's troops all the way across the battlefield. The progress of the commoners was much slower than he liked, and he was sure that somewhere beyond these walls, a self-satisfied Corco enjoyed the view as the northern men struggled and fell one by one. Still, at least they were making some measure of progress. For now, they were still putting up barriers of bags as they encroached ever closer to Corco's snow wall.
Although the losses of his men were considerable, they were only commoners in the end. Only the screams were a bit disturbing, since they might lower the morale of his warriors if they had to step through all that carnage later. However, he was sure that his men would also understand how different their lives were from those of mere mortals. Soon enough, they would send their proper troops and storm the wall from behind their new covers. Once at melee range, the advantage would be his, and he could grind down Corco's southern soldiers bit by bit.
However, just as Pacha dreamed of his eventual victory, his attendant appeared by his side.
”King Pachacutec, a runner has arrived with an urgent message.”
Even before he broke the seal, the king had a bad feeling. Over these past months, urgent runners had not once brought him good news. And this time as well, his fears were confirmed.
”Bastard! How dare he!” The piece of paper crumpled between his clenched fists and soon landed on the ground. As his attendant carefully retrieved the confidential document and stowed it away, the nearby lords gave the king curious looks. Though of course, only one of them would have the courage to confront an enraged Pacha.
”What are the news?” Herak asked in his chilly tone. As the ice of the heartless lord's tone seeped into his blood, Pacha calmed as well, though his face had become dark as the bottom of a pot.
”We have been betrayed. Makipura and his entire estate have joined the south under Corco. By now, they have taken out our encampment in the Narrows and have teamed up with the southern troops from Qarasi Castle. All of them are on their way here and will arrive soon.”
”What!?”