Read Online The Chesian Wars (A Griffins & Gunpowder Collection) by Joshua Johnson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Joshua Johnson
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regiments of regulars, two regiments of skirmishers. No artillery."
"That won't be far behind," Jarak pointed out.
Chesian draft horses were popular throughout the area for their speed and strength. They were not as fast as the horses that the Chesian cavalry used, but the Chesian artillery regiments could use two of them instead of four smaller, faster horses to pull their cannons. They saved feed and were still incredibly mobile.
"I would expect to have a messenger soon," Laslo said as he looked at the enemy forces through his looking glass.
"I can just imagine how that's going to go," Kasimir said, his voice low enough that only the two junior commanders could hear him.
"Is old man Hollatz the same bastard he was a couple of years ago?" Jarak asked. Kasimir smiled. Jarak had been a junior officer the last time that he and Kasimir had served together, and it had been under Niklos Hollatz.
"He's a handful," Kasimir admitted. "I don't see any kind of negotiations going very well if he's involved."
"Maybe we should just not tell him when they send the messenger," Jarak said. His tone indicated he was only half-joking.
"If it were just him, I could see that working," Laslo said. "But not with two regiments of soldiers and officers running around, even if half of them are asleep in the barracks."
"We'll handle this like officers," Kasimir said and the others nodded.
Kasimir didn't want to tell his fellow officers that he had considered not telling their superior when the messenger arrived from the Chesians, or that he had considered sending a messenger out pre-emptively to get a feel for the commanders on the other side of the battlefield. In the end, he had realized that even if he were able to successfully negotiate some sort of surrender, he would have to answer for it before whatever government was left in Malkala after this war.
That the nation of Malkala would not survive this invasion seemed like a forgone conclusion, at least to the officers of the Demitas garrison. They had the good sense not to talk about it amongst themselves, but each knew that the other was thinking it. The only matter that was left to be discussed was just how many Malkalans would have to die before their King realized that he was on the losing end of this war.
Kasimir had even considered abandoning the fort and marching his troops back to Cestmir. He could have marched his two regiments to safety and let the war unwind in its own time. He would have faced charges for abandoning his post, and compelling others to abandon their posts, but he would have been alive. The outlook on staying alive while remaining at his post was growing worse with every hour.
* * *
Dark had fallen before the Chesians sent a messenger to deliver their terms to the garrison at Fort Demitas. Kasimir's forces had been replaced by Niklos' better rested troops but he had remained at the ramparts, waiting for the ultimatum that everyone knew would be coming.
The terms were more generous than Kasimir would have expected: everyone would be allowed to return to their homes once the government at Cestimir surrendered to the Chesian army. The officers were offered commissions in the Chesian Army and the upper officers were offered lands in the wealthier Chesian districts.
"Trying to fucking bribe us," Niklos said as he threw the offer into the fire. "Do they think that they can pay for the years of service and loyalty with gold and lands?"
"Apparently they do," Kasimir said with a shrug.
"Of course they think they can; otherwise they wouldn't have sent the offer," Niklos said harshly. "We should send our response back with a headless messenger."
"Sir, the rules of warfare are rather clear on the treatment of messengers," Kasimir pointed
"That won't be far behind," Jarak pointed out.
Chesian draft horses were popular throughout the area for their speed and strength. They were not as fast as the horses that the Chesian cavalry used, but the Chesian artillery regiments could use two of them instead of four smaller, faster horses to pull their cannons. They saved feed and were still incredibly mobile.
"I would expect to have a messenger soon," Laslo said as he looked at the enemy forces through his looking glass.
"I can just imagine how that's going to go," Kasimir said, his voice low enough that only the two junior commanders could hear him.
"Is old man Hollatz the same bastard he was a couple of years ago?" Jarak asked. Kasimir smiled. Jarak had been a junior officer the last time that he and Kasimir had served together, and it had been under Niklos Hollatz.
"He's a handful," Kasimir admitted. "I don't see any kind of negotiations going very well if he's involved."
"Maybe we should just not tell him when they send the messenger," Jarak said. His tone indicated he was only half-joking.
"If it were just him, I could see that working," Laslo said. "But not with two regiments of soldiers and officers running around, even if half of them are asleep in the barracks."
"We'll handle this like officers," Kasimir said and the others nodded.
Kasimir didn't want to tell his fellow officers that he had considered not telling their superior when the messenger arrived from the Chesians, or that he had considered sending a messenger out pre-emptively to get a feel for the commanders on the other side of the battlefield. In the end, he had realized that even if he were able to successfully negotiate some sort of surrender, he would have to answer for it before whatever government was left in Malkala after this war.
That the nation of Malkala would not survive this invasion seemed like a forgone conclusion, at least to the officers of the Demitas garrison. They had the good sense not to talk about it amongst themselves, but each knew that the other was thinking it. The only matter that was left to be discussed was just how many Malkalans would have to die before their King realized that he was on the losing end of this war.
Kasimir had even considered abandoning the fort and marching his troops back to Cestmir. He could have marched his two regiments to safety and let the war unwind in its own time. He would have faced charges for abandoning his post, and compelling others to abandon their posts, but he would have been alive. The outlook on staying alive while remaining at his post was growing worse with every hour.
* * *
Dark had fallen before the Chesians sent a messenger to deliver their terms to the garrison at Fort Demitas. Kasimir's forces had been replaced by Niklos' better rested troops but he had remained at the ramparts, waiting for the ultimatum that everyone knew would be coming.
The terms were more generous than Kasimir would have expected: everyone would be allowed to return to their homes once the government at Cestimir surrendered to the Chesian army. The officers were offered commissions in the Chesian Army and the upper officers were offered lands in the wealthier Chesian districts.
"Trying to fucking bribe us," Niklos said as he threw the offer into the fire. "Do they think that they can pay for the years of service and loyalty with gold and lands?"
"Apparently they do," Kasimir said with a shrug.
"Of course they think they can; otherwise they wouldn't have sent the offer," Niklos said harshly. "We should send our response back with a headless messenger."
"Sir, the rules of warfare are rather clear on the treatment of messengers," Kasimir pointed
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