Heart of Dorkness

Scourge Fifty-One - Alliance

Scourge Fifty-One - Alliance

I dont think the Commander was expecting my reply, but he does consider it, his attention straying over to the many monsters lingering in the woods around us.

There is precedent, he says. Its old, nearly forgotten history. But our Lord has fought side-by-side with the Goddess of Darkness before.

I blink. What? When? I dont remember mom ever saying anything about that. I havent read anything about it either. Judging by the confused look Esmes wearing, this is news to her too. Well, honestly, were going to build a big army regardless of if you come along or not. But having some experienced Templars around couldnt hurt.

Youre confident, Lily snaps.

I shrug. Having a big army is a real confidence booster. Besides, Im pretty sure were guaranteed to win, at least if this becomes a war of attrition. The more people the undead kill, the more souls will be cut loose to become new monsters, and the more monsters I can make.

Commander Nunez shifts on his log. What youre proposing would generally be considered heretical, at best.

I dont really care, I say. I think mom would want us to clear out Altums people, and they stole from Semper, which pretty much marks them as an enemy. Also, they attacked us while we were on the road, and in Sempers vault. I think we have enough reasons to want to fight them.

You just want to cause trouble, Lily says.

I glare at her. Im not the one who lights buildings on fire on a whim.

She leans forwards, hands balling into fists as if shes getting ready to fight. Commander Nunez raises a hand, stalling her. Initiate, I invited you to come along because you are familiar with the... princess and her companions. Not for you to incite a fight.

Lily backs down again, but I think its pretty clear shed rather be swinging. I notice Felix relaxing a little as Lily sits back. Was she ready to jump in?

We should discuss this further, before you rush in with an army of monsters by your back, the Commander says.

Im not going to point out that I wont be leading the monsters from the front. Mom has told me that leading from the front, while brave, is also really stupid. What are you thinking then? Your plan was to charge in and die a noble death, right?

Commander Nunez shakes his head. Ive studied the history of war my entire life, and have lived through battles and skirmishes aplenty. No, charging in is what someone with overwhelming numbers and strength does. If I were to assault Algecante, then Id do so carefully. Small raids, where our numbers are even to those wed be fighting and where our lanes of retreat are clear. My lord has charged me with this group of Templars, which means that every loss is my responsibility to shoulder.

Youd use asymmetrical tactics, then, Esme says.

The Commander nods. Exactly, yes. Though how long wed be able to do so uncontested is up for debate. It would depend entirely on how well Altums people control and corral their undead forces, and how much value they put in keeping them operational.

So, youre against us throwing an army at the walls? I ask.

Oh no, far from it, he says. Youd thin out their numbers greatly. And even if your first assault fails, its probable that youd survive long enough to raise a second army to try again. As you pointed out earlier, it would be a war of attrition, and anything that results in more enemy casualties would only be to our advantage.

Alright, then what are you saying? I ask.

Commander Nunez rubs at his chin in careful thought. How many assaults do you think it would take you to break the walls of Algecante?

I dont know. Ive never seen them. One, if everything goes right. I can make siege engine monsters. And monsters who can fly, I say.

I suspect, and pardon my lack of faith in your abilities, but I suspect that it would take you several attempts to breach the fortifications of the city. The moment you fail at your first attempt and draw back, Altums people will reinforce and improve their defences. They can create monstrosities of their own, maybe even some which will be specifically designed to counter your own forces.

I want to tell him that hes wrong but... well, maybe hes not entirely incorrect. I dont know much about war. My idea was to create maybe a thousand monsters, collect some local ones, then charge them at the walls and hope the gates are open. Id come up with solutions on the fly.

And Id probably fail. How many undead were we dealing with? Bianca, how many people live in Algecante?

The population of the city itself is nearly fifty thousand, at a guess. There should be three times as many people living in the towns and settlements around the city.

Thats... a lot. Theyd outnumber my initial force ten to one or more. And I was planning on making a lot of smaller, faster monsters, those would be weaker by necessity.

Commander Nunez, I say slowly. I think youre right. Im going over my plans and theres a chance theyd fail. My friends and I are pretty strong, and I'm sure I could have some powerful monsters helping us, but I dont know if that would be enough.

The Commander nods. Thank you. It is not often that I speak with fledgling officers who are willing to admit that they dont know better. Your humility might serve you well.

Lily looks like she just bit into a lemon, and the lieutenant--who has been quiet so far--looks rather stoney-faced.

Here is my proposal, the Commander says. We, and I do mean we, focus our attention less on the undead, and more on those creating them. Altums cultists will vary in strength, but I presume that a number of them will be powerful fear cultivators. Those tend to do very well in defensive situations, or in places where they are outnumbered or in danger. Such is the nature of the emotion they cultivate. They will be tough opponents, I fear, even for us Templars.

And they can make more undead, I say. As long as theyre alive then... well, its like having me around, I can produce monsters as long as there are souls, and they just need bodies. I think they might even be able to raise bodies that have already died.

Their troops need no food or supplies, can be brought back from death, and never tire. Individually they may be significantly weaker, but they are still a threat.

And they stink, Felix adds.

The Commander blinks, then nods. And they are malodorous, yes. I suspect that they carry disease and sickness with them.

Okay, I say. This is going to be a bit of a gamble, but itll be the same for the Commander. Well work together, then. Ill provide the troops. You provide the experts. Well hit the city with a plan thatll allow us to slip past their defences, and then you and your Templars can kill the cultists.

And afterwards? the Commander asks. An alliance of convenience is well and good, but I worry that my men will not want our backs to you.

I hum. Fine. Then we come to an agreement here and now. Lets say... forty-eight hours of peace, even after the city is retaken.

The commander thinks on it, then extends a hand. Very well. For forty-eight hours after our successful recapturing of the city, none of my men will assault you or your companions. In exchange, your companions, yourself, and your monsters will refrain from assaulting the Templars and our associates.

He extends a hand towards me.

I take it and shake. His hand is like an oven mitt, its so big, and calloused too. Hes not a backseat commander, I take it.

Thank you, I say. Are you going to continue to move towards the city now?

We are. Our group isnt too large, but we are still moving at a relatively relaxed pace. We should make it to the edge of Algecante in two days.

I nod. Thats plenty of time for me. Well keep in touch, Commander. We can send letters to you via monster, and if you want to have a letter returned, Ill instruct my monsters to take anything you give to them back to me.

A workable system, he says. We might want to reconvene before any final assault, to determine strategy and tactics.

Of course, I say. Im glad that this worked out so well.

The commander rises, and so does Lily and Lieutenant Obrero. Im glad as well, Princess. Ladies. He nods to my friends. Lets enter the history books, shall we?

With that, the Commander and his second lieutenant walk off. Lily stays.

Youve changed a lot, Luna, she says after staring at me for a moment. But not that much. And then she walks off to catch up to the others.

That girls got some marbles missing, Felix says.

***