Dash raced down the street.
People ran through the streets while soldiers raced to the walls. The gates were closing and a panic-stricken constable in charge of the gate check said, “Sheriff! A rider raced in claiming there’s a Keshian army coming up the road.”
“Bar the gate,” said Dash. He grabbed the constable and said, “What’s your name?”
“Delwin, sir,” said the agitated young man.
“You’re now a sergeant, understand?”
The man nodded, then said, “But we don’t have sergeants in the constabulary, sir.”
“Right now, you’re in the army,” Dash shouted. “Come with me.” He led Delwin up the steps to the ramparts on the wall above the gate and looked to the east. The sun was rising over the distant mountains and caused him to squint.
Movement caught his eyes and he held his hand up to shield them from the sun. He squinted, and there, along a road running along the base of a distant hill, he saw movement, nothing more than the appearance of a long line undulating along the side of the hill.
“Gods,” he whispered. To the newly created sergeant he said, “Send word to the New Market Jail. I want every constable up on these walls with the solders. We have an army coming to visit.”
Sergeant Delwin hurried off. Dash looked to his right and his left and saw a sergeant of the Palace Guard hurrying toward him. Dash grabbed him and said, “What’s your name?”
“McCally, sir.”
“Your Captain is either dead or very sick; I do not know which. Are there any other officers around?”
“Lieutenant Yardley has the duty, sir, and should be above the palace wall.”
“Go fetch him and tell him I need him here at once.”
The Sergeant ran off and returned a few minutes later with the Lieutenant. “Sir,” said the Lieutenant, “what are your orders?”
Dash said, “As Baron of the court and Sheriff of Krondor, I find I am the only functioning noble in the city. How many officers escaped the poisoning last night?”
“Four, sir, of which I am senior.”
“You are now an acting Captain, Yardley. How many men have we?”
Yardley spoke without hesitation, “We have five hundred members of the Prince’s Household Guards, and fifteen hundred members of the city garrison, spread out around the city. I don’t know the current number of your constables, sir.”
“Slightly better than two hundred. What about guards who came with the nobles last night?”
“Maybe another three hundred, honor guards, personal retinues,” replied the newly made Captain.
“Very well, have them support your men on the palace walls. Have whoever’s in charge of the city garrison find me here and report.”
Yardley ran off, and a short time later a grey-haired old sergeant appeared. “I’m Sergeant Mackey, sir. Lieutenant Yardley said to report to you.”
“Where’s your officer?” asked Dash.
“Dead, sir,” replied the stocky old man. “He was dining with the Prince last night.”
Dash shook his head. “Well, Sergeant,” said Dash dryly, “for the next few days, you’re going to play the part of Knight-Marshal of Krondor.”
The old man smiled and came to attention. With a glint in his eye, he said, “I had hoped for a promotion before I retired, sir!” He then lost his smile. “If I may be so bold, who then are you to be?”
“Me?” said Dash with a bitter laugh. “I get to play the part of the Prince of Krondor until Patrick’s strong enough to stand.”
“Well, then, Highness,” said the Sergeant in a semi-mocking tone, “I respectfully submit we better quit larking about and get ready to defend this city.” He pointed to the advancing column in the distance. “That lot doesn’t appear very tender to me.”
“Right you are,” said Dash with a tired smile. “I want you to deploy three men in four on the walls. I want the remaining men held in reserve.”
“Sir!” said Mackey with a salute. As Mackey ran off, Gustaf and the constables ran down High Street toward the main gate. Dash yelled down, “How did the raids go last night?”
Gustaf shouted, “We netted another score of the bastards, but I know there are more out there.”
“Here’s the duty: call martial law and tell everyone to remain in their houses. Then I want the constables to check all the places we’ve talked about.” Gustaf knew exactly what Dash meant: those places within the city vulnerable to attack from within. ‘ “Then sweep the city and arrest anyone on the streets. Then report back to the jail and wait.”
“Wait for what, Sheriff?”
“Wait for word the Keshians are breaching the defenses, then come fast.”
Gustaf saluted. He turned and gave orders to groups of constables, who ran off in different directions, shouting, “Martial law! Get inside! Get off the streets!”
Dash turned and watched as the sun continued to rise in the east, and the enemy continued their advance.