Chapter Ten: Ambushed in Ten Directions
- Location
- boundless optimism
Whatever you can say about Istami Sahd, he's bloodied himself more times than you can count. His face is a canvas of sword scars and moustaches. So, on the balance, Atil has decided to trust him on this affair. He put aside his concerns for his noble cousin and for his future shares of the loot.
"Who here lived near a mountain? Say, the Amgar Badlands, or perhaps the Snakebacks?" Istami Sahd asked. They didn't set out immediately, no. They took the time to conduct a quick reconniter as the Moth and Flower convoy struggled through the winding paths. "Stand over there." Thirty or so, most coming from your host, separate themselves. Most of the people who live on mountains are poor, after all. Without plains to nurture their herds, they eke out a harsh living on what little ground they can find. They have to strike out, take risks, to secure their fortune and their future. "Not a bad amount. Here's what I figure…"
Hongchen Zishan rubbed his nose. This deep into spring, all the flowers were in bloom and their air was thick with their pollen. It was a beautiful sight, mountains covered in all colors of flowers, each heaven rock a banner to the glory of the Moth and Flower. It also inflamed his sinuses and made his eyes water, like the waterfall over to their left, mist joining the rivers.
To their right was a sheer mountain cliff, and so far Hongchen Zishan was feeling pretty good about his convoy's security. The infantry bitched all the way up the mountain and bitched all the way down the mountain, but the infantry were born to bitch. The cavalry, noble scions and Serpi admixtures all, were at the front, organized in a loose wedge that was more country amble than military procession.
Hongchen Zishan never entirely approved of the barbarian handling methods of the Jiaqi Emperors. The Moth and Flower was the world. What did they need for the produce of the Serpi? Jade and iron, horses and gold was all well and good, but when you got down to it, they were mere baubles. Transitory. And besides, once they've moved from whatever pit the Serpi dug them out of, they cost ten times more than if they were dug up here.
No, it would have been far better if they had kept to the border forts and simply killed any traitorous Serpi that thought about coming close. Then his cousin wouldn't be…
He shook his head. Win the war, then weep.
Insects chirped and wind rustled the willows. It was a beautiful day, really. He wouldn't mind calling it an early day and staking camp, except he knew it would be even better in the commandry commander's pavilion. Yes, plum wine was in season, wasn't it? He could… "Ambush! Ambush! Armor up in the mountain!" someone behind shouted.
Instinct clang like a bell. He jerked his head heavenwards and scanned the mountains. There! A glint of metal, and then arrows started falling on their heads.
He raised his arm. Arrows skittered off his gauntlet. The thudding of hooves sounded to the left, floating across the rushing river. There, along the opposite path, rode another detachment of riders out of the trees.
The manuals are clear what to do on this affair. Take your mobile element and smash the shit out of one of the elements. "Cavalry!" He roared. "On me!" He pointed his horse's head across the river, slinging his spear from his shoulder into his hand. There was neighs all across the valley, as his unarmored horse dove into the river, waves beating against it's flesh. River foam sprayed into his face as the Serpi (who else could it be) loosed arrows at his squad's direction. Horses screamed, some pitching their riders into the river. The enemy Serpi, a more ragged bunch could not be more imaginable, gained distance on them. But they were evidently young. An experienced Serpi warrior could put an arrow into a wedding ring, firing backwards. This lot loosed their arrows wide off the mark.
So this means…
This was a trap! He bit down so hard he almost heard a tooth crack. He's been tricked-- this detachment was nothing more than to lure the cavalry away from the main body, where the real threat would be coming up from behind to skewer him. After that they'd pick off the infantry at their leisure. Damn him! He's unbalanced, that's the only explanation. How else would he fall for such an elementary stratagem?
But it wasn't too late. He wasn't too far from the infantry. He could double back right now! "Halt!" he roared. "Halt! And about face! We're heading back. It's a trap!"
"Sir!" his squad roared in reply. And the enemy Serpi, they knew too, because the moment he called his order the Serpi halted and reared themselves to face them. As he rode away, one of the Serpi trotted to the front of the delegation.
The Serpi pulled down his turban and veil. It was Atil. That betrayer. His cousin's killer. He's right here, in front of Hongchen Zishan. Could he bear this?
The hero, Hongchen Zishan
[]- Fulfills his grudge. Like hell he'll let this slave get away with this! After he's finished with Atil, he'll feed the body to the fishes!
[]- Does not fall for his bait. Haha, nice try. Your schemes killed my cousin, but they won't kill me.
"Who here lived near a mountain? Say, the Amgar Badlands, or perhaps the Snakebacks?" Istami Sahd asked. They didn't set out immediately, no. They took the time to conduct a quick reconniter as the Moth and Flower convoy struggled through the winding paths. "Stand over there." Thirty or so, most coming from your host, separate themselves. Most of the people who live on mountains are poor, after all. Without plains to nurture their herds, they eke out a harsh living on what little ground they can find. They have to strike out, take risks, to secure their fortune and their future. "Not a bad amount. Here's what I figure…"
Hongchen Zishan rubbed his nose. This deep into spring, all the flowers were in bloom and their air was thick with their pollen. It was a beautiful sight, mountains covered in all colors of flowers, each heaven rock a banner to the glory of the Moth and Flower. It also inflamed his sinuses and made his eyes water, like the waterfall over to their left, mist joining the rivers.
To their right was a sheer mountain cliff, and so far Hongchen Zishan was feeling pretty good about his convoy's security. The infantry bitched all the way up the mountain and bitched all the way down the mountain, but the infantry were born to bitch. The cavalry, noble scions and Serpi admixtures all, were at the front, organized in a loose wedge that was more country amble than military procession.
Hongchen Zishan never entirely approved of the barbarian handling methods of the Jiaqi Emperors. The Moth and Flower was the world. What did they need for the produce of the Serpi? Jade and iron, horses and gold was all well and good, but when you got down to it, they were mere baubles. Transitory. And besides, once they've moved from whatever pit the Serpi dug them out of, they cost ten times more than if they were dug up here.
No, it would have been far better if they had kept to the border forts and simply killed any traitorous Serpi that thought about coming close. Then his cousin wouldn't be…
He shook his head. Win the war, then weep.
Insects chirped and wind rustled the willows. It was a beautiful day, really. He wouldn't mind calling it an early day and staking camp, except he knew it would be even better in the commandry commander's pavilion. Yes, plum wine was in season, wasn't it? He could… "Ambush! Ambush! Armor up in the mountain!" someone behind shouted.
Instinct clang like a bell. He jerked his head heavenwards and scanned the mountains. There! A glint of metal, and then arrows started falling on their heads.
He raised his arm. Arrows skittered off his gauntlet. The thudding of hooves sounded to the left, floating across the rushing river. There, along the opposite path, rode another detachment of riders out of the trees.
The manuals are clear what to do on this affair. Take your mobile element and smash the shit out of one of the elements. "Cavalry!" He roared. "On me!" He pointed his horse's head across the river, slinging his spear from his shoulder into his hand. There was neighs all across the valley, as his unarmored horse dove into the river, waves beating against it's flesh. River foam sprayed into his face as the Serpi (who else could it be) loosed arrows at his squad's direction. Horses screamed, some pitching their riders into the river. The enemy Serpi, a more ragged bunch could not be more imaginable, gained distance on them. But they were evidently young. An experienced Serpi warrior could put an arrow into a wedding ring, firing backwards. This lot loosed their arrows wide off the mark.
So this means…
This was a trap! He bit down so hard he almost heard a tooth crack. He's been tricked-- this detachment was nothing more than to lure the cavalry away from the main body, where the real threat would be coming up from behind to skewer him. After that they'd pick off the infantry at their leisure. Damn him! He's unbalanced, that's the only explanation. How else would he fall for such an elementary stratagem?
But it wasn't too late. He wasn't too far from the infantry. He could double back right now! "Halt!" he roared. "Halt! And about face! We're heading back. It's a trap!"
"Sir!" his squad roared in reply. And the enemy Serpi, they knew too, because the moment he called his order the Serpi halted and reared themselves to face them. As he rode away, one of the Serpi trotted to the front of the delegation.
The Serpi pulled down his turban and veil. It was Atil. That betrayer. His cousin's killer. He's right here, in front of Hongchen Zishan. Could he bear this?
The hero, Hongchen Zishan
[]- Fulfills his grudge. Like hell he'll let this slave get away with this! After he's finished with Atil, he'll feed the body to the fishes!
[]- Does not fall for his bait. Haha, nice try. Your schemes killed my cousin, but they won't kill me.
