The Emperor was motionless for the briefest of moments, then he nodded his approval. ‘We will assemble here again in one hour by which time I would ask that the latest intelligence we have on the invaders be made ready for our consideration. All warriors in the Empire must be ready to march as soon as possible and all provisions and other logistical support must be made ready with the utmost haste. We must move swiftly and decisively.’
That order was something the Tsurani lords could understand. As one they bowed, turned and left the room. Alenburga turned to the other Midkemians. ‘We need a few minutes to discuss how we’re going to do this. Kaspar, Erik and General Shavaugn from my staff are, in that order, the chain of command. Should anything happen to me, Kaspar will assume command of the armies.’ He let out an audible sigh of relief.
He turned to face the young ruler of the Empire and with genuine apology in his tone said, ‘Your Majesty, please forgive any future breach of decorum for we are outlanders, and we need to be about our business. If you’ll permit me?’
The Emperor said, ‘We understand. We shall attend and observe and remain silent.’
Kasper nodded slightly, indicating the General should continue. Between them, they had quickly contrived the title of Supreme Commander to two ends: first to convey in as unambiguous a fashion as possible Alenburga’s position and rank, and secondly to avoid any suspicion that the office of Warlord had been given to a non-Tsurani, an act that could bring more tradition-bound nobles to rebellion, even in the face of an invasion.
Word of the assault on the Holy City and the destruction of the High Council had only just reached the general population, and news of the invasion was still days away. Alenburga looked around the room and said, ‘We need an order of battle, and before we can do that, I need to have an understanding of our resources and their deployment.’ He looked at his sub-commanders. ‘What do we know?’
Kaspar pointed to the map. ‘The incursion is here, in a small valley about twenty-five miles upriver from the foothills. About ten thousand Tsurani warriors are strung out along two lines of march, here and here.’ He pointed at the river and the plains to the east. ‘If the Dasati break containment and move in strength, they can strike in almost any direction. Their best course, in my opinion, would be to come south and move along this road that follows the river. Once they get south of the gorges and rapids they could then use the river. If they either bring or make boats, that will give them the ability to move swiftly and bring significant supplies with them.’
Erik said, ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Why?’ asked Alenburga.
‘They’d have to establish another beachhead, somewhere downriver, and that would put them at risk of a severe beating – they may be better individual soldiers but we outnumber them down there right now with more coming fast. Also, if they move along the riverside, they can be flanked and find themselves with the river at their back. I think their best course would be to take the river road, then turn west,’ his fingers stabbed at a large area of plains to the west of the river road, ‘then turn south, coming straight at Silmani from the north. There’s nothing there but farms and pastureland.’
Alenburga squinted as if visualizing the terrain on the map.
‘I’d try for here,’ he said, pointing to a spot north-east of the city of Silmani. ‘If I read this map right, there are half a dozen fords within a mile each way, and a large forest to the south giving them timber for siege engines. That way they don’t have to worry about which side of the river they are on should we counter-attack.’
Jommy started to fidget and after being ignored for a few more moments cleared his throat. Without looking back, Alenburga said, ‘Something you care to add, Captain?’ The four young men had been given that rank as a way for the Tsurani to accept they were empowered to carry orders on behalf of the generals.
‘No disrespect, General, but aren’t you… we, overlooking something?’
‘What would that be?’
‘These Dasati, well, they’re not human, are they?’
‘And your point?’ said the General impatiently.
‘Well, our Tsurani friends here, for all their differences, are still human like us, and we can expect them to think largely like us, but these Dasati, well, sir, they’re something else. What if they don’t care about losses in taking a bridgehead or the need for lumber for siege machines, or swimming across the ocean… ah, sir?’
Alenburga stood motionless for a moment, then said, ‘The boy’s right. This is not a human army we face.’ He looked at the Emperor. ‘Majesty, is there any way for your magicians to get us close enough to the front so that we can observe them?’
‘I will request it, at once, General,’ the Emperor answered.
Looking from face to face, Alenburga said, ‘Well, then, let us wait, and while we wait, let’s have something to drink. My head is still pounding like an anvil.’
Erik grinned. ‘I know what you mean.’
Chairs were brought by servants and refreshments appeared swiftly. While they waited for the summoned magician, the ad-hoc military leadership of the Tsurani Empire – foreigners all – started to get to know one another.