The Chaos Balance

LVI

The three officers remained mounted, watching on the hillock, as the engineers struggled below to lift walls around the mining camp, each wall a rampart of earth piled between walls of stone. A deep pit gaped on the eastern side of the camp, where stones were being mined. Only the wall facing the road to Clynya had been completed, and it rose less than six cubits. Other engineers worked on the additional earthen-walled barracks.

“I don’t like it,” muttered Captain Azarphi. “They all just scattered, not a single arrow.”

“You want arrows.” Captain Miatorphi laughed. “We’ll see them soon enough. Why do you think we need barracks and not tents?”

Majer Piataphi did not take his eyes from the horse teams that dragged stone boats full of red earth from the back side of the hill.

“What do you think, Majer?” asked Azarphi.

“I’ll be happier when we’re dug in properly.”

“Maybe we should keep the locals busy,” suggested Miatorphi.

The major nodded. “According to the old maps, there’s a town a half day west of here. It’s called something like Derlya. Take a detachment and scout it out.” The majer paused, without looking at either officer, then added, “You, Azarphi.”

“There are a couple of hamlets closer than that, small places,” ventured Miatorphi.

“You take care of them,” answered the majer. “Not personally. Send a force leader with a few scouts to each, but try not to be seen.”

“Those miners, they didn’t even know we were coming,” repeated Azarphi. “They ran, like no one had told them.” He shook his head, squinting slightly against the bright morning sun.

“You asked me what I thought,” said Piataphi abruptly. “I don’t like it either. Those Lornian barbarians, they had to know we’d send a force. Their messages were stalling for time.”

“You think they’re headed this way with lots of those half-assed warriors?” asked Azarphi.

“Not yet. They were stalling, and that means they need time. It also means they think they can do something. We need to know when they’re coming and from where.” Piataphi turned in the saddle to face Azarphi. “Try not to let them see you.”

“What can they do, really do?” inquired Miatorphi.

“Very little, if we set up our base right and carry out His Mightiness’s orders. That is, if we’re careful, and I intend to be very careful.”