He nods at the pedestrian description of the first landing and then the beginning of the attack on the east wall, then concentrates on the next words.
… with our archers on the narrow pediment of the wall, a Heldyan white wizard began to throw chaos-bolts at them in order to stop them from loosing more shafts into the boats that held the Heldyan archers supporting the attackers. Some of those bolts were diverted, and steam shrouded the riverbank. The Heldyans tried an attack with an earth-magus, but after one section of wall collapsed, there was a tremendous explosion of steam and water amid the Heldyan flatboats. When it cleared, only three boats remained, and they departed immediately.
That allowed us to take two companies to the Luba trading piers in time to repulse an armed attack on the town. More than two-thirds of the attackers died, and we managed to capture roughly one hundred prisoners, whom we turned over to the arms-commander. All in all, we lost ten rankers in the fighting and suffered twenty-two wounded. Of the wounded, despite all efforts at healing, four more succumbed to their injuries, and the remaining wounded are accompanying this dispatch to Ensenla.
While a battalion of Afritan Guards remains at Luba, the other three battalions are moving north, one to Shaelt and two to Swartheld, perhaps because Duke Khesyn appears to be building up forces at Estheld.
The reason why I and the remaining Mirror Lancers are not immediately returning is that Arms-Commander Rhamuel has requested that we escort him to Swartheld to receive the personal thanks of Duke Atroyan. Under the circumstances, it seems wisest to accede to that request.
I do not know if word has reached Cigoerne, but Duke Atroyan’s eldest son, Traeyen, died of a violent flux last fall, and Natroyor, the present heir, has not enjoyed excessively robust health. As a result of these events, Arms-Commander Rhamuel is, of course, most protective of the duke and his family, as I feel we should also be, and for that reason as well, believe I should take into account the desires of Arms-Commander Rhamuel. Then, too, perhaps I might even have an opportunity to again see the duke’s eldest child, the Lady Kyedra, when I am in Swartheld, and it would certainly be good for me to see the duke and the rest of his family as well.
We will, of course, return to Cigoerne as expeditiously as possible once we have paid our respects to the duke and met any other obligations, although I am unaware of any such at present.
Lerial reads the dispatch once more. Then, finally, he signs it and waits for the ink to dry before he seals it.
XVI
Lerial is awake and out of his quarters early on sevenday morning, making certain that the one wagon is properly prepared for the wounded men who cannot ride and that all the other wounded are ready, as well as the half squad of Mirror Lancers he has detailed from Eleventh Company to accompany them. He has already arranged for the Afritan Guard squad promised by Arms-Commander Rhamuel to meet the Mirror Lancer party at daybreak.
After inspecting the Mirror Lancers returning to Cigoerne, Lerial then hands the dispatch he has so carefully crafted to Gherst, who will be the acting squad leader for the lancers returning to Ensenla. “This needs to get to the duke as soon as you can do so once you have reached Ensenla.”
“Yes, ser.”
Lerial extends a second sealed sheet to Gherst. “These are your orders that declare you are to report immediately, directly, and in person to Duke Kiedron upon your return to Cigoerne and that you are not to be assigned or to undertake any other duties, save those that would preserve your squad or facilitate your return, until you have so reported.”
“Yes, ser.” Gherst slips the sheet into his riding jacket.
Another sheet appears in Lerial’s hand. He smiles as he extends it. “Here is a backup copy of those orders.”
“I’d be hoping I won’t need those, ser.” Gherst smiles in return.
“That makes two of us.” Lerial steps back and watches as the acting squad leader mounts and rides toward the front of the small column that is pointed toward the western gate of Lubana. He continues to watch as the riders and the single wagon move out.
Then he inspects his three companies and has them stand down and wait for the arrival of Arms-Commander Rhamuel, Subcommander Valatyr, and the squad of Afritan Guards that will accompany them. Lerial joins Fheldar and the two undercaptains at the head of Eighth Company.
“Ser, doesn’t it seem strange that we’re the ones escorting the Afritan arms-commander back to Swartheld?” Strauxyn looks to Lerial.
“I’d worry a lot more,” replies Lerial, “if we were escorting Commander Sammyl … or the head of whatever group represents the merchanters in Afrit. All of the fighting commanders I’ve met seem to respect Rhamuel.”
“And Commander Sammyl isn’t a fighting commander?” asks Kusyl dryly.