The Fireseed Wars

He turned to the scout. "How many of Styphon's spawn did you count?"

"We've been watching them off and on for two days. Our latest count was one hundred and seventy-eight troopers, not counting the coachmen and drovers with the supply wagons."

"Good." They outnumbered the Styphoni almost two to one. He doubted that would give the Knights pause; he knew the Styphoni were from the Order due to the way they couched their lances. The Knights held them much higher than the Agrysi and a few still had lance braces on their breastplates. They had, however, removed all proof marks from their weapons and armor, and were using standard issue Agrysi arms.

He turned to Captain-General Kyblannos. "This place is as good as any other for Galzar's Judgment."

Kyblannos laughed. "Praise Galzar, but I believe it's the Styphoni who'll be visiting the Caverns of the Dead! Are the Knights arrogant enough to charge head-on?"

Ranthos nodded. "Yes. If they believe we're merely deserters or bandits, they'll hit us as hard as they can, thinking we'll turn and run. Of course, I'll encourage them in that error of judgment."

"How?" Kyblannos asked.

He shouted, "Take out the Raven Banners." They were white banners with a black raven, signifying they were men under the colors of the Raven Hag of Death, and, as such, bandits outside any laws as well as Galzar's protection. It was a mercenary corruption of the white freelancers' flag which signified they were not under colors. However, on occasion, out-of-work troops would turn outlaw and fly the Raven Banner. It also meant that anyone who caught them was obliged to have them all hanged; it was a serious statement of intent.

"That will do it," Kyblannos said. "The Knights will know what it means and give no quarter."

"Men, gather round! Here's what we're going to do. Instead of countercharging the Knights, we're going to hold our position until they're about five rods away."

Several of the men gasped, as that was just an eyeblink out of lance range.

Ranthos smiled, and several of the nearer troopers reflexively drew back. "My orders are that the first two ranks are to use their musketoons, then pistols and swords. I know you won't like this order, but our success depends upon it. The Knights' chargers, due to their disguises, are unarmored, and I've only seen two or three with chamfrons. That means their horses are vulnerable to head shots."

III

"Your Sanctity, the Agrysi bandits are up ahead. They're now openly flying the Raven Banner!"

"The fools!" Grythos exclaimed. "We'll feed their corpses to the ravens, that's what we'll do. They must think we're another band of outlaws poaching on their territory. How many men did your scouts make out?"

"Three to four hundred, sir."

"We'll run them into the ground. Commander, give the orders."

"Your Sanctity, shouldn't we use the wedge formation? We're up against twice our number, sir."

"Not today. We don't want to announce to the world that we are Knights!" The wedge formation was one that called for a lot of drilling and precision and was not used by any other army in the Five Kingdoms. This was a secret expedition and they had a lot of ground to cover before they would be back at Agrys City. If word leaked out that they were Zarthani Knights, every hand in Hos-Agrys would be raised against them.

Grythos finished with, "Remember, Commander, I was a Knight Commander in the Order before I put on my priestly raiment. When the day arrives that three Blades of Knights cannot defeat twice their number of turkey thieves and arsonists, it will be time to remove Styphon's Sun Wheel from our flags."

"Yes, sir. I'll draw up the men in formation for a charge."

"Very good, Commander."

Grythos watched from the top of the rise, as the Knights galloped down toward the enemy below. He wondered why the bandits had chosen such an empty clearing, with almost no trees or other cover, for their stand. He'd had his scouts check and they didn't have any hidden guns to haul out. It didn't make sense, but Soton had so completely disorganized the League after their attack on his men that it appeared their wits had been left behind as well as their best troops.

The first four lines of the charge were lancers, followed by pistoleers with lightly armed skirmishers on either side. When the two lines had almost come together, the first ranks of the bandits fired musketoons at almost point-blank range into the Knights formation. Grythos was awestruck by the carnage.

The first line of Knights went down as if hit by grapeshot. Their horses stumbling and tripping the ranks behind. It was a complete cockup!