Read Online The Shasht War by Christopher Rowley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Christopher Rowley
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And then, at last, some time past the midnight hour, Thru was able to send his regiments off onto the sheep trails that lead up to the Sow's Head. Parties from the Meld's regiments were there to guide them. As they pushed, panting, up the rutted tracks they came under the protective cover of a larger force, drawn up to confront the Shashti.
When they reached the top of the hill, they found that the Meld had already dug a ditch and raised a rampart. The Meld's army was ready for the fight. As the exhausted ones marched into the camp, the Meld Army cheered. Their spirits lifted, the worn-out mots were given hot food and tea, though many simply sprawled headlong and slept like the dead.
Thru found the Meld waiting for him at a command post set up in a large tent. Just outside a fire burned, and someone pressed a cup of hot tea into his hands.
The Meld was red-eyed from lack of sleep. Thru could see by the firelight the lines that had been etched into the Meld's face.
"Congratulations, Brigadier. It seems you've seen all the action today."
"We certainly have, General. I pray I don't have too many more days like this one. But, we'll be busy enough tomorrow, I'll wager."
"I was sorry to read of Colss's loss. He was a good soldier."
"The ambush caught us unawares. Our scouts passed up the road, but didn't pick up their sign. They used deer trails, or walked in streams."
"Casualties?" The Meld was bracing for the worst.
"Heavy, I fear. Maybe five hundred. We sent many wounded down the river in boats, but our total strength now is thirty-five hundred."
The Meld swallowed. Their advantage in numbers, already slim, had grown more slender still.
"And how many do you estimate the enemy has now?"
"At least five, maybe six thousand."
The Meld rubbed his chin. Thru could feel the older mot's unease.
"Will they attack?"
"Oh, yes, at first light. They will come right at us."
"What would Toshak do, do you think?"
"It would depend on the dispositions of your forces, sir. But he would expect an attack. The Shasht generals have always shown that they like to take the initiative. By attacking you he will keep you on the defensive."
"But he will waste his strength against our defenses."
"He will accept a certain amount of loss; however, he will also be confident in the abilities of the men. They broke our pike formations quite easily."
The Meld stared into the fire, rubbing his hands anxiously. Thru was reminded of a mouse.
"You have done well, Brigadier Gillo. I want you to continue as commander of the Southern Force, although for now your regiments will be used to reinforce mine. Understood? You will report directly to me."
"Yes, sir." Thru realized the Meld was naming him as a successor to the command of the whole army in case the Meld should die. He exchanged a glance with the aristocrats who were in the ascendancy in the Meld's general staff. Would they accept an outsider as commander in chief if it came to it?
Thru went over the maps with the Meld, tracing out the line of the recent march. Scouts soon reported that the Shasht army had halted on the road and built a camp. Aggressive scouting was reported all around the Sow's Head position.
The army was laid out in a circular position, with the strongest line facing the road and the sheep tracks that lead up to the hill-top. The Meld sent scouts ahead with pickets to slow up the enemy's advance on the sheep tracks. Thru needed only to add words of encouragement. Whether they had any effect, however, was hard to say.
Eventually Thru reached his own command post, set up by Lieutenant Chillespi. The officers of his southern regiments were summoned.
"We are going to fight in the morning, I would say. The Meld wants us to hold back, maintaining a reserve force. We expect the enemy will come up at first light and attack from the direction of the road. Any questions?"
"I have some walking wounded who need surgery."
"Talk to Chillespi, he's been working to get help for
And then, at last, some time past the midnight hour, Thru was able to send his regiments off onto the sheep trails that lead up to the Sow's Head. Parties from the Meld's regiments were there to guide them. As they pushed, panting, up the rutted tracks they came under the protective cover of a larger force, drawn up to confront the Shashti.
When they reached the top of the hill, they found that the Meld had already dug a ditch and raised a rampart. The Meld's army was ready for the fight. As the exhausted ones marched into the camp, the Meld Army cheered. Their spirits lifted, the worn-out mots were given hot food and tea, though many simply sprawled headlong and slept like the dead.
Thru found the Meld waiting for him at a command post set up in a large tent. Just outside a fire burned, and someone pressed a cup of hot tea into his hands.
The Meld was red-eyed from lack of sleep. Thru could see by the firelight the lines that had been etched into the Meld's face.
"Congratulations, Brigadier. It seems you've seen all the action today."
"We certainly have, General. I pray I don't have too many more days like this one. But, we'll be busy enough tomorrow, I'll wager."
"I was sorry to read of Colss's loss. He was a good soldier."
"The ambush caught us unawares. Our scouts passed up the road, but didn't pick up their sign. They used deer trails, or walked in streams."
"Casualties?" The Meld was bracing for the worst.
"Heavy, I fear. Maybe five hundred. We sent many wounded down the river in boats, but our total strength now is thirty-five hundred."
The Meld swallowed. Their advantage in numbers, already slim, had grown more slender still.
"And how many do you estimate the enemy has now?"
"At least five, maybe six thousand."
The Meld rubbed his chin. Thru could feel the older mot's unease.
"Will they attack?"
"Oh, yes, at first light. They will come right at us."
"What would Toshak do, do you think?"
"It would depend on the dispositions of your forces, sir. But he would expect an attack. The Shasht generals have always shown that they like to take the initiative. By attacking you he will keep you on the defensive."
"But he will waste his strength against our defenses."
"He will accept a certain amount of loss; however, he will also be confident in the abilities of the men. They broke our pike formations quite easily."
The Meld stared into the fire, rubbing his hands anxiously. Thru was reminded of a mouse.
"You have done well, Brigadier Gillo. I want you to continue as commander of the Southern Force, although for now your regiments will be used to reinforce mine. Understood? You will report directly to me."
"Yes, sir." Thru realized the Meld was naming him as a successor to the command of the whole army in case the Meld should die. He exchanged a glance with the aristocrats who were in the ascendancy in the Meld's general staff. Would they accept an outsider as commander in chief if it came to it?
Thru went over the maps with the Meld, tracing out the line of the recent march. Scouts soon reported that the Shasht army had halted on the road and built a camp. Aggressive scouting was reported all around the Sow's Head position.
The army was laid out in a circular position, with the strongest line facing the road and the sheep tracks that lead up to the hill-top. The Meld sent scouts ahead with pickets to slow up the enemy's advance on the sheep tracks. Thru needed only to add words of encouragement. Whether they had any effect, however, was hard to say.
Eventually Thru reached his own command post, set up by Lieutenant Chillespi. The officers of his southern regiments were summoned.
"We are going to fight in the morning, I would say. The Meld wants us to hold back, maintaining a reserve force. We expect the enemy will come up at first light and attack from the direction of the road. Any questions?"
"I have some walking wounded who need surgery."
"Talk to Chillespi, he's been working to get help for
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