5.Death of Chaos
LIII
SMOKE DRIFTED ACROSS the small valley, smoke heavy with the odor of brimstone and nitre, and the rattling sounds of rifle discharges echoed back up along the hillside trail where the two riders paused.
Justen surveyed the smoke-shrouded land. On the eastern hillside controlling the road from Montgren into Certis, cyan banners flew from staffs planted in the earthen barriers before the trenchworks. On the trampled grass of the hillside, once a meadow for sheep, lay dark figures in green or with green sashes.
“The Viscount's troops are getting slaughtered. The idiots,” said Tamra.
“For getting slaughtered? I doubt they had much choice,” reflected Justen.
“They could have just let Colaris's troops head into Hydlen.”
“Pride often triumphs over rationality,” said Justen dryly.
As they watched, the green banners waved, and another wave of pikes struggled up the hillside. The rattling fire of the rifles increased, and pikes and troopers fell in uneven rows across the bloody grass. Then all but one green banner dropped. The pike line broke, and more figures lay sprawled across the slope.
“Pride,” snorted Tamra. “They're not even trying to use wizardry against the rifles. They could try.”
“Those cartridges are made of steel, and no one except a strong chaos wizard could ignite them, and no strong wizard would choose to work for the Viscount.”
“You think that Colaris will take over Certis and Hydlen?”
“He has an advantage now.” Justen shook his head. “Before long, they'll all be using rifles with cartridges-if Hamor will supply them.”
“If not?”
“The Emperor may send his own troops, and this will seem like a pleasant excursion by comparison.”
“Are you sure?” Tamra snorted. “Won't they all huddle behind trenchworks, and nothing will happen?”
“Hardly. The way things are going, we'll probably see big cannon hauled in.” He lifted the reins, and Rosefoot carried him westward. “And things will get even worse. They usually do, I've found.”
After a frown and then a long glance back at the smoke-covered valley, Tamra urged her mount to follow Justen. She frowned, and a slight breeze swirled around her, providing a momentary respite.