Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [99]
James climbs onto one of the auction platforms with Jared by his side and faces the assembled slaves, or rather, the newly freed. Gazing across them he sees hundreds of faces gazing back; men, women, and all manner of children. He gathers his thoughts as they look up to him expectantly.
Off to one side, a pile of crossbows, swords and other such equipment is being brought forth from the storehouse. The pack horses which had carried the crossbows gathered from the last caravan they sacked are brought in as well.
“Time is short so I will get to the point,” he says loudly. Pausing just long enough for Jared to translate, he continues. “We mean to fight the Empire. They’ve taken our lands, our people, our children and it’s time they paid.”
He pauses as his gaze travels the breadth of the assembled people. “We came to Korazan, not to take it, but to take you from them.” A murmur ripples through the crowd as Jared translates. “Slavery is hateful. I would see every slave free and every slaver put to the sword.” At that, a ragged cheer goes up.
One of the men standing in the front hollers up at him, “That’s all well and good, but we aren’t fighters. Seems to me most of us will die if we go with you.”
“True,” admits James. “I’m not about to lie to you. We are an army at war in enemy territory and it’s a long way back to Madoc.” Scanning the crowd, he sees many nodding their heads at that. “Should some of you wish to remain here in slavery, we won’t force you to come. Anyone who wishes for the chance to be a free citizen of Madoc rather than a slave, may. What I offer is the chance for freedom. You will have to fight for it and it’s quite likely we all may die before we return home.”
Gesturing over to the gates leading from the compound into Korazan, he says, “If you wish not to accompany us, there’s the gate.” He pauses a moment. Not one person makes to move toward the gate. In the quiet of the courtyard, they hear the gate opening and many turn to see another dozen slaves enter at their chance for freedom.
“Very well,” he says. “An army is even now on the way here and will be here within a couple hours.” Fear comes to the eyes of many, while others have the look of those ready for a little payback. “Do not fear,” he assures them. “They are not so great as to destroy us.”
“You mean to fight them then?” a voice cries out.
“Yes,” he replies.
“Is that why you are setting us free?” one woman hollers. “To let us be the fodder for their swords?”
Shaking his head, James replies, “No. But if you want your freedom, you’ll have to fight for it.” He gestures to the armament laid out on the ground and says, “Any who will fight for their freedom, see the men over there and you will be given the opportunity.”
Men have already been designated to aid in the distribution of the weapons. As the freed slaves begin moving to either the crossbows or the other weapons, Raiders begin handing them out. Those who choose the crossbow are given a crossbow, a brace of bolts and are being grouped into squads of thirty. The ones able to wield the other weapons such as swords and knives are grouped together in one unit.
Once the squads are formed, they are taken from the compound and through the wall where they begin learning the rudiments of wielding a crossbow. The fighters on the other hand, most already know how to wield their weapon of choice. One young lad of about thirteen stands with a short sword in hand and despite the seriousness of his expression, appears like he’s never held one before.
“Think they’ll do the job?” James asks Illan. They’ve moved off to the side away from the hustle and bustle going on in the arming process.
“We’ll see,” he says. “Anyone’s first battle is always the toughest. We’ll know after that.”
While the new additions are armed,