Takeo's Chronicles, page 139
Hence Takeo needed his sword back.
“What is it?” he asked.
“My lord, I heard you’re going to inspect the Katsu walls. I request to accompany you.”
“I believe I’ve already assigned you a task, Ping,” Takeo replied. “Is it too much for you to handle?”
“No, my lord, of course not,” he stuttered.
Ping shook his head, never raising it. He looked back at Dhyana, and she nodded and swept a hand forward, urging him on. She ignored the glare Takeo gave her.
“My lord,” Ping started again, and it seemed to Takeo the man was using the title as a crutch to stop from stuttering. “I don’t want to miss this opportunity. This is the first fortress I’ll have the honor to assault, and under your command. I know you’re taking Kuniko, and I have no doubt it’s to mentor her. With all due respect, I want to be there, to learn, as well. I . . . I think I’ve . . . earned that right, my lord.”
Takeo had yet to let his eyes fall from Dhyana. All he could think throughout Ping’s short speech was to wonder what game she was playing at. She couldn’t make her intent any clearer, and that bothered him. He expected at least some subtlety in a move like this.
“You've earned it how? By your particular skillset?” Takeo asked.
“That and more, my lord. I may not command as openly as Kuniko does, but I’ve done nothing less than be a trusted servant to you. Please, grant my request.”
“Stand up, Ping.”
He obeyed, rising above Takeo, and met his general’s gaze.
“I do trust you,” Takeo said. “And it’s that trust combined with your skills that makes your current task so important. Like guarding the food in that ruined fortress, you remember? This is the most dangerous time for, well, her, and you. We’ve only just arrived, and Botan could have left behind any number of traps. Until we’ve scouted this place, I need you to be on your guard. This won’t be the last fortress I assault, Ping. I’ll be sure to mentor you next time.”
Ping hung his head, but then recovered by turning the movement into a nod. For a moment Takeo thought he’d have to command the boy to leave, but Ping was not Kuniko. He did not persist so boldly. Ping left without another word, and Takeo departed, as well, for he saw Kuniko approaching with their mounts.
Time to see what Lord Botan has in store for me.
Chapter 9
Four riders set out into the open plains. As with anything in life, Takeo chose his companions with purpose. He selected Qing for her elven eyes, Nicholas for his bohemian mind, and Kuniko for her astute obedience. He wanted his underling to know precisely where and what he was referring to when he started giving her orders.
They tore into the mix of weeds, grass, and flowers that grew tall in this part of the Juatwa. The plains danced in the breeze that constantly blew in from the ocean, and only a few sparse rocky outcroppings and lone trees dotted the land. It reminded Takeo of the Great Plains, in a way, except for the stark color difference. Nothing was yellow in Juatwa, while the Great Plains had been only that.
They entered siege weapon range but made sure to stay far beyond the reach of bows. Fast as they were on their komainu, they’d have time enough to avoid any flying rocks, but arrows were another story. Takeo directed his party to the right first, circling around the southern side of the fortress where the abandoned town outside the walls was being put to the flame. If need be, Takeo would scorch all the land within a day’s march of this place just to set an example.
“Botan knows we have to assault him,” Takeo explained. “We don’t have the time to starve him out. Our blockade isn’t strong enough to prevent some other daimyo from eventually sending Botan supplies, and the Nguyen were not injured enough to delay their next move. Qadir will consolidate power and invade as soon as he can, knowing we’ll be at our weakest right now with most of our forces deep in enemy territory. I estimate that if this fortress doesn’t fall in two months, we’re done for. We’ll need at least half that time to build siege equipment, even shoddy ones, at a backbreaking pace. Make no mistake, our losses may be substantial.”
They turned about and cantered at a steady pace in a wide half-circle about the fortress, heading west, then north, then east. They studied the walls, towers, sentries, and everything else in silent, concentrated fashion.
Well mostly.
“My lord,” Kuniko spoke up, halfway through. “There’s something I have to say.”
“So, say it.”
“It’s not my place to question you, but, well, that woman—the one claiming to be your mother—I don’t trust her.”
Takeo smirked.
“I don’t think anyone does,” Qing quibbled.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Kuniko snapped, then whispered none too quietly, “heretic.”
Nicholas straightened in his saddle and glanced at Takeo, but the look was ignored.
“She’s poisoning the ranks,” Kuniko went on, emboldened by Takeo’s silence. “Her comments about your childhood aren’t just unwelcome, they are insulting. She shouldn’t be here for the same reason Lord Nobu doesn’t bring his mother to the battlefield.”
“I agree,” Takeo replied, “but she’s more than that. She’s a trap set by Lord Botan, and I can’t avoid a trap I can’t see. I appreciate your skepticism, Kuniko. Do me another favor and keep an eye on Ping. If she is trying to poison the ranks, that’s where she’ll start.”
Kuniko’s chest swelled with pride, and she glared triumphantly at Qing. The ninja rolled her eyes and huffed.
They came to a stop about three-quarters of the way around, not far from a small rock outcropping atop a shallow hill. Takeo nodded into the distance to one part of the wall.
“You see it?” he asked.
“Aye,” Nicholas commented. “Between the second and third turret. Wall seems off.”
“They’re still finishing the repairs or trying to fortify the wall,” Takeo went on. “That’s Botan’s weakest point and where we’ll concentrate our forces. He’ll do the same, but it’s still our best shot. Qing, do you see anything we don’t?”
“No,” she replied, though her eyes searched the grass. “I do, however, hear something. We’re being watched.”
A heartbeat went by before all four drew weapons, and they instinctively tugged at their mounts to close into a circle, facing out. Takeo scanned the waist-high grass dancing in the wind, looking for any patch that didn’t move so enthusiastically. Meanwhile he risked a glance out at his army still trying to make its way out about the area. Reinforcements weren’t far off, but that wasn’t what worried him. He listened for a bow string being drawn taut.
Qing pulled out a throwing star with her off hand and closed her eyes.
“There,” she said and threw the projectile into the grass perhaps four paces from Takeo.
As it disappeared from view, no sound rang out. No thud of hitting flesh or dirt, as if the star simply ceased to exist. A moment later and the star returned, tossed in a wide, slow arc toward Takeo.
He caught it and lowered his katana.
“How long have you been there?” he called out.
“In this exact spot?” Emy replied, still fully submerged in the tall grass. “I’ve only just arrived. I’ve been creeping along ever since I saw you approach. I knew you’d inspect the walls yourself. As for how long I’ve been waiting for you to arrive? Days.”
“Show yourself,” Kuniko demanded.
“She can’t,” Takeo said, nodding to the fortress. “It’s certain we’re being watched. Botan will want a full report on my every move. Right now, he doesn’t know where Emy is. If she stands, he knows, even if she changes form. No one was here before we arrived, so no one should be here still.”
Even though Takeo couldn’t see the rakshasa, he could feel her eyes on him, and also her smile.
“Tell me everything,” Takeo commanded. “How and why you escaped, what it's like in there, if anyone is dead. You know what I want.”
“I had hoped for a private audience,” she replied.
“It’s too late for that,” Takeo answered. “These three know you’re out here, and if any of them slips the information, Botan will know that I have in-depth knowledge of his fortress. Besides, they’ll say nothing, won’t they? Not even to little old men far off at home.”
Takeo spoke generally but he looked at Qing. The ninja stared back, deadpan, then nodded.
“Start at the beginning,” he said.
“As you wish,” she answered. “I escaped because Botan tried to play nice in the beginning, but not nice enough. He kept us—or rather, me—out of the fortress, in the town, which I knew was to prevent me from studying the place. He knew I’d have worked up a thorough escape plan if I wandered within the walls, even under guard. I worked up a plan to get Krunk and myself out anyway, when the time came. I knew betrayal was a possibility, but I became certain when the army left to challenge you and Gavin left with them. I wasn't sure he would return, honestly. I knew Krunk and I had to run.”
“But you left him. Why?”
The silence that met him spoke louder than words. Takeo understood what happened before she continued.
“I tried,” she said, softly. “But Father, his mind . . . he’s losing his grip on reality. He says whatever comes to mind now, and Botan has had his guards listening eagerly. They know about the oni and their betrayal of you. They know how you got your enchanted sword. They know about the sennin at the mountain, about Kuniko, and how Lord Eun died. Even though Krunk wasn’t there, Gavin told him mostly everything, as they were close. It’s not good, Takeo. Krunk is in a bad way, and I couldn’t get him to leave. He didn’t understand. I realized that even if I freed us both, he'd only get us captured again. So, I changed my plan. I stayed, at least for a little while longer.
“They took us into the fortress and then straight to the dungeons. They blindfolded me, but I listened to the best of my abilities. I have no doubt they expected me to escape that night and so intended to triple the guard. Unfortunately, they didn’t expect me to escape within the hour.”
“Aren’t you worried about Krunk?” Takeo asked. “Botan threatened to kill him if you don’t return.”
“He lies. He’s afraid of you, not me. I could smell it on him. He won’t kill either Gavin or Krunk until he’s certain it plays to his advantage. To him, I’m a bridge further upstream. You’re the one he has to cross now.”
“By Valhalla,” Nicholas whispered. “Poor Krunk. I shouldn’t have let him go. He didn’t know any better.”
“How did you escape?” Takeo pressed. “Could it be done again, with help, perhaps?”
Takeo nodded in Qing’s direction and assumed Emy could see the movement.
“I only escaped because, well,” Emy replied, pausing, “I didn’t, really. Not at first. After scaling the fortress walls, I came back inside. The komainu they used to track me down kept losing me after crossing the river twice. The komainu likely know I went back in, but the riders just think they lost the scent. Only later did I truly leave, to find you.”
“I assume you made good use of your time inside,” Takeo said. “What’s the situation in there? Best place to attack? Weak points, strong points, I need everything.”
“Botan is smart,” Emy replied, lightning fast, needing no time to gather her thoughts. “He spoke time and again about how you once served this Ichiro for years and thus would be knowledgeable about the fortress. He resolved to change everything he could, and he’s been doing so for a long while. Old access tunnels have been collapsed. New wells have been dug. Locks changed, armories moved, even new windows put in place. He’s paranoid to the point of nearly switching out the fortress brick by brick. And like I said, he’s been doing this for some time, preparing for you. I think it was always his intention to bring you here.”
Takeo glanced to the Katsu fortress, taking it in along with a deep breath.
“So that crumbling wall?” he asked.
“Trapped,” Emy said. “He’s baiting you to attack there with heavy defenses in place.”
“The other walls?”
“None less fortified.”
“The gatehouse?”
“Guard is tripled, windows walled up, the door locked in place.”
“He what? If something happens in there, he won't be able to open the gate. He might very well trap himself.”
Silence was the reply.
Takeo swore.
“Well, I have to give him credit,” Qing said. “The man learns. He already lost to you once, badly. He’s not leaving anything to chance this time around.”
“I think I preferred it when everyone thought I was an inept scoundrel,” Takeo muttered.
Nicholas scoffed. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m sure he still thinks you’re a scoundrel.”
Takeo scanned the walls again and noted the subtle shifts in the catapults’ positions atop some of the turrets. They were taking aim, practicing perhaps. The group of four hadn’t moved in some time, and it seemed the commander on the walls was debating taking a shot at them. It was a useless gamble, perhaps a one in thousand chance to hit, but that was worth it for a target such as the infamous ronin.
“Any weaknesses you noticed?” Takeo asked. “Something, I hope.”
“If there is, I missed it,” she replied. “I may be smart, but I’m not a sennin, and I’ve never laid siege to a fortress before. Also, I couldn’t get into every place. In fact, I couldn’t get into most places. I have to disguise myself as someone in the fortress, which makes moving about risky.”
Takeo hung his head. No part of him thought this task was going to be easy, but he had hoped for some slight advantage over Botan. But no, not only were his numbers less than ideal with a good chunk of his army made up of cowardly demons, the foe he had to face was paranoid, the walls he had to scale were in good shape, and the only point of access was across a moat.
Oh, and let’s not forget my lack of time. Damn it all.
“Hey Takeo,” Nicholas piped up. “You know I love a hard fight as much as the next viking, but you think maybe just once we could have an easy one? You know, for fun?”
“I’ll work on that,” Takeo replied, rubbing his forehead.
“Hey Emy,” Nicholas went on. “How’s Krunk? You know, how are they all being treated?”
“I don’t know much, only what I’ve overheard, as they separated me from the others upon entry to the fortress. Botan fancies himself an honorable man, so although Gavin and Yeira are under lock and key, they’re given royal accommodations. Pleiades is even given free range of the place, but only because she’s a child. Gavin doesn’t let her go much, but Botan seems to have taken a liking to her. He takes her on walks, I think to remind Gavin of his place. Krunk, though, isn’t so lucky. Father has been locked in their strongest cell, the one they’ll put me in if they catch me again. I’m sure Gavin has requested Krunk to join him, but Botan thinks Father is a danger. I don’t think he’s being treated well.”
She didn’t plead that Takeo hurry to save them. She knew he was working as fast as he could, and no urging from her would help. She didn’t ask for orders, either, because she knew Takeo was thinking on that, as well. The two communicated silently better than most communicated with words.
“You want to know where you’ll be most useful to me,” he said. “That depends, though. How certain are you that you could get back inside that fortress unnoticed?”
“Very certain.”
“Could you remain hidden for weeks, or even months?”
“Somewhat likely.”
“If you were captured, could you break out one last time?”
“Doubtful.”
“Well then, you better not get caught,” he said. “Watch and wait. If the situation changes, find a way to let me know. If I need you, I’ll loose a flaming arrow off of the north side of the fortress. Come immediately.”
A soft purr, eager and excited, came from the grass. Takeo heard a tail swish over the wind.
“As you wish,” Emy replied.
Takeo heard nothing else after that. He scanned the grass again but discerned nothing.
“She’s gone,” Qing said after a moment.
“Let’s continue our scouting trip,” Takeo said. “We’ve already drawn enough suspicion just standing here, and those catapults atop the walls are being loaded. Hopefully Botan thinks I’m very interested in his trapped wall. I need any element of surprise at this point.”
Off they went, and Takeo cast one more fruitless glance into the grassy plains, knowing Emy was too good for him to catch, too quiet for him to hear.
If I had an army of her instead of akki, even half as many, I could capture this fortress by nightfall.
Chapter 10
Assaulting castles was horrible, bloody, nightmarish work, avoided at all costs by defenders and attackers alike. Assaults were done only by necessity, as the death toll would be atrocious on either side. The nature of the work, sending hordes of men against stone and siege works, meant that the faster a place was captured, the more dead there were. Lengthy sieges produced the fewest casualties, but could take up to a year, while ladder assaults could bring down a walled city within a day, but, well, it was best not to speak of the result.
Which is why the Hanu army worked in silence building ladders.
To add to the difficulty, the Katsu fortress had no nearby forests. Attacking armies didn’t usually bring their own siege equipment, or at least not all of it. Doing so impeded movement, slowed the army down, and put extra strain on the men and komainu to haul everything. The ideal situation was to build the ladders, catapults, or trebuchets on the spot, using surrounding trees. Some defending castles did what they could to prevent this by burning entire forests down, but such a thing was difficult to do in Juatwa’s lush, wet landscape.
The Katsu fortress had no such problem, though, being surrounded by plains. The closest forest was almost a day away, and it was a meager one with few strong timbers. The Hanu ladders would have to be built in pieces, lugged to the camp in teams, and then lashed together. This would weaken their strength and make the ladders prone to breaking, which would limit the number of men that could climb them at once. That played to the defenders’ advantage, and everyone knew it. The Hanu soldiers did their absolute best lashing those ladders together because it would mean certain death otherwise.
