Darkwalker on Moonshae - Douglas Niles [125]
Tristan told his father about the army closing in from the east. He described the battle at Freeman’s Down, but did not elaborate on his adventures. He was still bothered by his father’s cool reaction.
When Tristan finished his tale, the king merely said, “As you can see, I will be of little use in the coming battle. If Arlen were here, I would entrust my army to him.” The prince felt a sudden surge of guilt over his teacher’s death, as well as anger at his father’s failure to respond to his story.
“But of course he is dead, and the commanders of our forces bicker incessantly. I do not know that you are ready…” He shut his eyes in frustration and unrelinquished bitterness. “But you must take command of these companies and compel them to fight together!”
“The town is a lost position. You must convince the Lord Mayor to evacuate everyone to the castle before the raiders cut them off. We do not have much time, so you must make haste!
“My son,” the king said, his voice fluttering. “You are a Prince of Corwell. You must not fail me in this. I will not allow it!”
“You will not?” Tristan rose quickly, trying to control his annoyance. “Father, I will not allow it!” He turned and stalked from the room. A few minutes later, riding Avalon, he thundered through the gatehouse and raced down the road toward Corwell Town.
*****
The Pack had never eaten so well, the wolves had been introduced to an assortment of new tastes – mutton, pork, beef, horse, and human – by their new leader.
The rolling tide of death would race through quiet streets, smashing through windows, or pressing against doors and walls until they collapsed, pouring into the buildings to drag screaming Ffolk to a gruesome death. Those that fled would be run down and savaged in the fields.
Erian led the Pack through many cantrevs, always leaving a wasteland devoid of animal life. Gradually, the spawn of the Beast moved his fearsome band into more heavily populated areas of Corwell. These cantrevs, along the northern border of the kingdom, had not known the cut of the northmen’s steel, but found themselves faced with an enemy every bit as merciless and implacable.
Now the great band of wolves set enthusiastically upon entire communities, One such cantrev attempted to screen itself with a massive ring of burning tinder. The Pack waited until the fire burned itself out, and then lunged in to slaughter everyone within the enclosure.
Gradually, as he saw that the Pack was bent completely to his power, Erian began to lead them toward his true objective. They loped steadily southward, their voices raised in cries as they crossed the moonlit moors.
Now, Erian led them past rich cantrevs and farms, forcing his wolves to ignore the tantalizing aromas of all the foods their leader had taught them to love.
Erian allowed them to attack only when hunger became a critical concern. Behind them they left a wealth of carrion for the scavengers.
Erian did this intentionally, for when the wolves reached their destination, he wanted them to be very hungry indeed.
*****
Tristan looked around, appalled. He tried desperately to understand the plan behind the town’s defenses, but concluded that there was no plan. Three separate companies of troops, under three separate commanders, were trying to defend the town three different ways.
Lord Mayor Dinsmore met him as he passed through the north gate in the town wall. This gate, the most crucial in the link between town and castle, was lightly garrisoned. Most of the town militia were spread along the length of the town’s south wall.
“Oh, thank heavens you’re here, my prince!” exclaimed the old mayor. His ridiculous brass helmet still perched atop the crown of his shiny head, restrained by a thin strap under one of his many chins.
“Such folly, I can hardly describe!” wailed Dinsmore, as soon as the prince had entered the town walls. “The Lords Dynnatt and Koart would not stand within the walls. They form in the field, each seeking to outdo the other in glory!”
“Damn!” Tristan urged the stallion through the crowded streets to the low