[Guile: The Quality of a Deception] Chapter 6
"Guile: The Quality of a Deception"
Shell Games
~o~
"Entering uncharted territory... Lundgren where no man has grenned before."
~o~
It is early in the morning when the watcher notices the gates of the keep opening and a column of horsemen issuing forth. As he carefully counts the soldiers, the scout sees a large man in armor at the head of the column that could only be Caelin's lord. Moments later, the gates to the keep close and the column heads southward towards one of the outlying villages.
Great news! The scout hastens to his mount, intending to report to his commander swiftly. The young lord would want to begin the assault immediately in order to take the keep while the forces were divided. An ambush has already been set for the riders; the reports of banditry merely a means of reducing the strength of the garrison for the true assault that would fall on the keep itself. With any luck, Laus would hold the keep by mid-morning.
And if Caelin's lord returned at all, he would have no way of contesting the situation with the few knights at his disposal...
~o~
Atop the walls, sentries walk their posts with eyes to the horizon. Caelin's lord has left his fortress to deal with an infestation of banditry and the remaining garrison is on high alert. The knight commander walks the walls and the men sense that he is uneasy. Tension spreads amongst them.
Below in the courtyard a giant man stands waiting. His spear rests on his shoulder and his bald pate reflects the early rays of the sun.
When the first shouts of alarm commence, Wallace laughs and walks towards the entrance to the keep. If the enemy thinks that Caelin will fall to their pitiful ruse, then they must drown in disappointment.
Either that or an ocean of blood. He had been entrusted with the fate of his lord's family. He would not fail them.
~o~
"If Laus really intends to invade, would it not be wiser to await their assault inside the keep with the whole of the garrison?" The knight commander stared hard at the maps and the tally of the forces arrayed against them. "Laus already holds a three to one advantage if we ignore their feint and concentrate on defending ourselves. Should they obtain a foothold, it will prove hard to dislodge them."
Lundgren favored the man with his attention. "What then, when they cut us off from the outside world and destroy the keep around us?"
Even speaking the words brought forth a bitter taste in his mouth. What nonsense, that some foe could wrest Caelin from his grasp. Such a victory would be impossible...unless there were an ocean of blood spilled.
The knight commander opened his mouth as if to speak, then seemed to realize that he had nothing to offer. "We might hold out until Ostia intervenes."
"The Ostia that would hear how we had been assailed to prevent our plotting with Bern from coming to fruition? For that is all that they would hear from the lackeys of that nincompoop that dares to lift his sword against us. Laus undoubtedly has some such tale to justify their 'intervention' in the daily politics of the league. And we would be unable to protest, trapped inside our own walls until they had destroyed us and left no witness to their duplicity." Lundgren had not fully understood the argument that he presented before his advisor had made him aware of the potential dangers. Before that, he would have been quite content to let the enemy camp upon his doorstep while he denied their every attempt to break into his ancestral home.
While somewhat risky, the plan that he had chosen to implement had the advantage of action and the potential for Caelin to perhaps gain something both strategically and politically should they succeed in repelling Laus' aggression. Only a few key points needed to be addressed before he could set out; the knight commander would have to hold the keep until he could deal with the ambush and return. With a reduced force, it would prove difficult.
There was one way to even the odds, however.
Lundgren leaned forward and gestured to the guard at the door. The man opened it to reveal a giant in armor; with the rattle of plate mail, Wallace strode into the room.
Looking back at knight commander, Lundgren smiled darkly. "Do you think that you can hold if Sir Wallace anchors the line?"
The mute nod that he received in reply was quite gratifying.
~o~
As he thundered off with half of his knights, Lundgren spared one last glance over his shoulder at the keep. Within its walls lay his darkest secrets and future hopes. His actions now might reveal the first and destroy the second, yet without some risk there was no hope of realizing his ambitions.
Much as he disliked the old knight, Lundgren understood that Wallace would not let anyone take the keep while the lady of the house remained there. Bringing him back had been a calculated risk; Wallace had a tendency to go his own way and there was no way to control him. Nonetheless, the knight had a soft spot for young women and despite his idiosyncrasies, chivalry reigned in his heart. It was quite possible that if Lundgren had not introduced the man to his mistress, that the old knight would have refused his request and gone on with plowing his fields.
Had Madelyn survived, Wallace would certainly have joined her cause given his devotion to the lord's family. Lundgren mentally noted that it would not be prudent to allow the old man to know that Lyndis had survived unless he could prove some reasonable honor in his actions at keeping her out of sight. But that was a problem for another time; for now he rode into battle that would test him beyond the limits that he had already been tested.
Ahead waited the supposed bandits and their ambush. He would not fail Caelin nor his own ambitions.
~o~
"Riders approaching!"
Midmorning and the call came from the battlements. The knight commander hastened along the walls until he came in sight of the approaching column. They carried no visible insignia and made considerable dust as they rode towards the gates. When they halted and announced a message for the lord, custom demanded that they be allowed entrance until their missive could be delivered.
Reluctantly the knight commander admitted them to the keep and bid them keep out of the way until his lord could return and deal with their business.
When the army following behind the dust came into sight of the keep, the gates were open and none of the garrison were in sight on the walls...
~o~
Riding into village, Lundgren noted the stench of blood before they discovered the first bodies. Mercenaries lay where they had hidden, felled by some unknown hand. Sending five men to patrol the outskirts to the village and ensure that they would not be surprised from without, Lundgren led the remainder of the men on a sweep through the collection of dwellings that might serve to hide any invaders.
They found naught but villagers and bodies of the ambushers.
Still wary, Lundgren was instantly on alert when one of the men broke out from the collection of peasantry and approached him. His guards stepped forward to block the way, but the man stopped and bowed before holding forth a scroll. One of the guards stepped forward to take it and the peasant allowed him to take it. Lundgren received the ragged parchment and broke the seal on it.
Halfway through the missive, he eyed the fellow still waiting patiently on one knee. "Where are the rest of your compatriots?"
"The ones that survived seek to infiltrate the enemy and cause them disturbance. My instructions were to see that you received that scroll and then to accompany you on your return to the keep, unless you specifically order me otherwise, milord."
Lundgren shook his head dismissively as he finished reading. A gesture brought his soldiers to attention. "Two of you attend to these bodies. Ensure that they are piled for inspection and bring any items of interest that they may be carrying. The rest of you mount up and prepare to return to the castle. Make haste!"
As he reached his horse, Lundgren turned to find that he had a shadow. The peasant had followed him and now stood patiently waiting while the lord mounted. Irritated, Lundgren glared down at the man. "What is it?"
"Shall I find a horse or did you wish me to attempt to keep with you on foot?" The man's question brought a bout of laughter amongst the soldiers, but Lundgren only glowered in response. "Unless you had other orders, milord?"
"A mount, unless you have wings for feet. We cannot delay our return."
The man bowed once more and faded away from Lundgren's perceptions. On his orders the troop moved away from the village, picking up the scouts as they rode with all haste back towards House Caelin.
Urging his horse forward, Lundgren led the party on the return. Unconsciously he clenched his fists upon the reins; so far things had worked out as planned. He could only hope that his men still held the keep or his plans would become immaterial.
And that would just not do at all. If that happened, he would have more than words for his advisor.
There would be consequences.
~o~
AN: *Waves* Back again with the next chapter of 'Guile'. Tis short. Tis hopefully not too disjointed. Plotting continues with Laus thrown into the mix. Any thoughts on Erik vs Lundgren? How about Erik vs Wallace?
Anywho, hope ya'll enjoyed it. I leave you now to return to RL which is trying to kick my butt in preparation for really kicking my butt in the holiday season. And to hopefully getting more writing done, but who knows? Later!
Shell Games
~o~
"Entering uncharted territory... Lundgren where no man has grenned before."
~o~
It is early in the morning when the watcher notices the gates of the keep opening and a column of horsemen issuing forth. As he carefully counts the soldiers, the scout sees a large man in armor at the head of the column that could only be Caelin's lord. Moments later, the gates to the keep close and the column heads southward towards one of the outlying villages.
Great news! The scout hastens to his mount, intending to report to his commander swiftly. The young lord would want to begin the assault immediately in order to take the keep while the forces were divided. An ambush has already been set for the riders; the reports of banditry merely a means of reducing the strength of the garrison for the true assault that would fall on the keep itself. With any luck, Laus would hold the keep by mid-morning.
And if Caelin's lord returned at all, he would have no way of contesting the situation with the few knights at his disposal...
~o~
Atop the walls, sentries walk their posts with eyes to the horizon. Caelin's lord has left his fortress to deal with an infestation of banditry and the remaining garrison is on high alert. The knight commander walks the walls and the men sense that he is uneasy. Tension spreads amongst them.
Below in the courtyard a giant man stands waiting. His spear rests on his shoulder and his bald pate reflects the early rays of the sun.
When the first shouts of alarm commence, Wallace laughs and walks towards the entrance to the keep. If the enemy thinks that Caelin will fall to their pitiful ruse, then they must drown in disappointment.
Either that or an ocean of blood. He had been entrusted with the fate of his lord's family. He would not fail them.
~o~
"If Laus really intends to invade, would it not be wiser to await their assault inside the keep with the whole of the garrison?" The knight commander stared hard at the maps and the tally of the forces arrayed against them. "Laus already holds a three to one advantage if we ignore their feint and concentrate on defending ourselves. Should they obtain a foothold, it will prove hard to dislodge them."
Lundgren favored the man with his attention. "What then, when they cut us off from the outside world and destroy the keep around us?"
Even speaking the words brought forth a bitter taste in his mouth. What nonsense, that some foe could wrest Caelin from his grasp. Such a victory would be impossible...unless there were an ocean of blood spilled.
The knight commander opened his mouth as if to speak, then seemed to realize that he had nothing to offer. "We might hold out until Ostia intervenes."
"The Ostia that would hear how we had been assailed to prevent our plotting with Bern from coming to fruition? For that is all that they would hear from the lackeys of that nincompoop that dares to lift his sword against us. Laus undoubtedly has some such tale to justify their 'intervention' in the daily politics of the league. And we would be unable to protest, trapped inside our own walls until they had destroyed us and left no witness to their duplicity." Lundgren had not fully understood the argument that he presented before his advisor had made him aware of the potential dangers. Before that, he would have been quite content to let the enemy camp upon his doorstep while he denied their every attempt to break into his ancestral home.
While somewhat risky, the plan that he had chosen to implement had the advantage of action and the potential for Caelin to perhaps gain something both strategically and politically should they succeed in repelling Laus' aggression. Only a few key points needed to be addressed before he could set out; the knight commander would have to hold the keep until he could deal with the ambush and return. With a reduced force, it would prove difficult.
There was one way to even the odds, however.
Lundgren leaned forward and gestured to the guard at the door. The man opened it to reveal a giant in armor; with the rattle of plate mail, Wallace strode into the room.
Looking back at knight commander, Lundgren smiled darkly. "Do you think that you can hold if Sir Wallace anchors the line?"
The mute nod that he received in reply was quite gratifying.
~o~
As he thundered off with half of his knights, Lundgren spared one last glance over his shoulder at the keep. Within its walls lay his darkest secrets and future hopes. His actions now might reveal the first and destroy the second, yet without some risk there was no hope of realizing his ambitions.
Much as he disliked the old knight, Lundgren understood that Wallace would not let anyone take the keep while the lady of the house remained there. Bringing him back had been a calculated risk; Wallace had a tendency to go his own way and there was no way to control him. Nonetheless, the knight had a soft spot for young women and despite his idiosyncrasies, chivalry reigned in his heart. It was quite possible that if Lundgren had not introduced the man to his mistress, that the old knight would have refused his request and gone on with plowing his fields.
Had Madelyn survived, Wallace would certainly have joined her cause given his devotion to the lord's family. Lundgren mentally noted that it would not be prudent to allow the old man to know that Lyndis had survived unless he could prove some reasonable honor in his actions at keeping her out of sight. But that was a problem for another time; for now he rode into battle that would test him beyond the limits that he had already been tested.
Ahead waited the supposed bandits and their ambush. He would not fail Caelin nor his own ambitions.
~o~
"Riders approaching!"
Midmorning and the call came from the battlements. The knight commander hastened along the walls until he came in sight of the approaching column. They carried no visible insignia and made considerable dust as they rode towards the gates. When they halted and announced a message for the lord, custom demanded that they be allowed entrance until their missive could be delivered.
Reluctantly the knight commander admitted them to the keep and bid them keep out of the way until his lord could return and deal with their business.
When the army following behind the dust came into sight of the keep, the gates were open and none of the garrison were in sight on the walls...
~o~
Riding into village, Lundgren noted the stench of blood before they discovered the first bodies. Mercenaries lay where they had hidden, felled by some unknown hand. Sending five men to patrol the outskirts to the village and ensure that they would not be surprised from without, Lundgren led the remainder of the men on a sweep through the collection of dwellings that might serve to hide any invaders.
They found naught but villagers and bodies of the ambushers.
Still wary, Lundgren was instantly on alert when one of the men broke out from the collection of peasantry and approached him. His guards stepped forward to block the way, but the man stopped and bowed before holding forth a scroll. One of the guards stepped forward to take it and the peasant allowed him to take it. Lundgren received the ragged parchment and broke the seal on it.
Halfway through the missive, he eyed the fellow still waiting patiently on one knee. "Where are the rest of your compatriots?"
"The ones that survived seek to infiltrate the enemy and cause them disturbance. My instructions were to see that you received that scroll and then to accompany you on your return to the keep, unless you specifically order me otherwise, milord."
Lundgren shook his head dismissively as he finished reading. A gesture brought his soldiers to attention. "Two of you attend to these bodies. Ensure that they are piled for inspection and bring any items of interest that they may be carrying. The rest of you mount up and prepare to return to the castle. Make haste!"
As he reached his horse, Lundgren turned to find that he had a shadow. The peasant had followed him and now stood patiently waiting while the lord mounted. Irritated, Lundgren glared down at the man. "What is it?"
"Shall I find a horse or did you wish me to attempt to keep with you on foot?" The man's question brought a bout of laughter amongst the soldiers, but Lundgren only glowered in response. "Unless you had other orders, milord?"
"A mount, unless you have wings for feet. We cannot delay our return."
The man bowed once more and faded away from Lundgren's perceptions. On his orders the troop moved away from the village, picking up the scouts as they rode with all haste back towards House Caelin.
Urging his horse forward, Lundgren led the party on the return. Unconsciously he clenched his fists upon the reins; so far things had worked out as planned. He could only hope that his men still held the keep or his plans would become immaterial.
And that would just not do at all. If that happened, he would have more than words for his advisor.
There would be consequences.
~o~
AN: *Waves* Back again with the next chapter of 'Guile'. Tis short. Tis hopefully not too disjointed. Plotting continues with Laus thrown into the mix. Any thoughts on Erik vs Lundgren? How about Erik vs Wallace?
Anywho, hope ya'll enjoyed it. I leave you now to return to RL which is trying to kick my butt in preparation for really kicking my butt in the holiday season. And to hopefully getting more writing done, but who knows? Later!