2k words
***
Under Mazkha’s protection, the rest of the supplies got across without incident. Much of the daylight had been burned by the time the last of the procession was across, and it was early in the evening before they were ready to proceed.
The influence of the steppes lingered well into the Imperial borders, but the homeland’s generous woodlands and rolling hills soon took precedence, the sightlines breaking from many leagues to only a few hundreds meters in any direction. The reprieve of closure was welcome indeed, especially since they weren’t clear of the hellcannons yet, and Roderick was convinced that wouldn’t change anytime soon. The Marienburg siege was like a beacon, and friends and foes alike would be drawn to it.
The golden rays of evening shone down on the rich forests around them, and it was nearly last light when the call went out that the band would be taking shelter soon. One of the scouts rode through the treeline towards them not long after, Roderick moving out of the rank and file of the soldiers to meet him. The banks of the Reik would make amiable cover for a camp, he’d reported, and the ride was not far.
The wind snapped at the trees overhead as the band took to the dense undergrowth of the forest to their east, the critters of the wild like deer’s and squirrels and birds skittering away as the large procession clanked their way through. Before long, they arrived at the far side, a spread of glittering water greeting them. The river was several leagues across, a couple of stray islets and rock formations rising up a short distance from the banks, but the strait was clear enough for a small fleet to pass through without making contact.
Roderick glanced downstream, where the encroaching banks narrowed and curved out of view. What kind of battle was taking place down that way, to have closed off the busiest sea trading route in the known world? Had their wolfship not been destroyed, they would have sailed straight into port from this direction, yet now they had to go on foot, with hellcannons and Sigmar knew what else was skulking the forests.
Von Kessel called a meet at his command pavilion later that evening, with his second, Lothar, and some of his senior officers present. Edouart was there, Morgoroth as well, the warboss having to practically hunker in order to fit inside the tent. It was unusual to see the warboss present at these meetings, maybe Mazkha’s scouting run had made her tribe look capable in Von Kessel’s eyes.
“Roderick, welcome,” Von Kessel greeted. “We were just discussing our next steps. I must say, it is good to be back in the Empire after all this time.”
“Morale’s at an all-time high,” Lothar added. He’d been Kessel’s fist mate during the wolfship’s days, and it seemed he’d retained his position. “Those godsforsaken lands are behind us at last. No offense, Edouart,” he said, giving a rather insincere look to the Brettonian.
“I can hardly call this Empire of yours an improvement,” Edouart shot back. “All I see are trees everywhere, and they cover everything from sight. We’d be better off listening for the enemy than looking for them.”
“The cover works both ways,” Von Kessel said. “A perfect time to capitalise on these high spirits. I propose we give the men a reprieve, let them recover their strength while we can.”
“Reprieve?” Roderick asked. “We must make all due haste to Marienberg. We’ve been on the march for weeks , the more time we waste, the more likely the city will fall.”
“The Empire has held off a thousands of Chaos incursions,” Von Kessel said. “They can hold a couple days’ longer. The men have crossed the breadth of the entire Brettonian province, are they not due a moment of respite?”
“I beg to differ,” Edouart countered. “A peasant does not rest just because he’s tilled his field. There is more to our quest than bringing your men home.”
“A day or two of relief would do us all well and good,” Roderick concede. “But no more than that. Staying mobile is our greatest strength for the time being.”
“This was not a suggestion,” Von Kessel snapped, gesturing with a hand. “If I wanted either of your opinions, I would have asked for them. Whether we march or stop is my call to make, and I say we give the men a chance to rest their feet.”
Roderick willed down a cutting remark, folding his gauntleted hands with a creak of metal. “And what then?” he asked. “Once we’re done loitering here, are we to march for the city?”
“Not quite,” Kessel replied. “The Antorpe river is a few days ride south of here, and the town fort watches the northern approach. If any Chaos forces are trailing after us, some stone walls ought to get rid of them.”
“You mean to follow the coastal road?” Roderick asked, tilting his head. It was a risky manoeuvre, an enemy force could corner them against the river if they got caught unawares, but it was the fastest approach into Westerland, the Barony surrounding Marienburg.
“I have connections in Antorpe,” Kessel continued. “Aside from the few taverns and wayrests along the way, we will find true Imperial brothers there. They will all but open their gates to us.”
“And their port,” Lother added.
“Indeed. And if we’re lucky they’ll have a galley or two to spare for us.”
“What are you talking about?” Roderick asked. “What’s this about galleys?”
“Do you mean to sail into the siege?” Edouart asked, chuffing in amusement. “Chaos is like as not to have a blockade in place, and they’ll be ready for an assault.”
“It’s not downstream that we will sail,” Von Kessel replied. “I’ve had men with telescopes scoping the Sea of Claws, and the way out of the Reik is clear. In only a few days will be free to make our own course.”
“You… what?” Roderick demanded, blinking in surprise.
“I have no intention of throwing my life away for a bunch of ingrate merchants who can’t even hold their own city together.”
Morgoroth and Edouart exchanged a look of bewilderment, as though expecting the other to have an explanation. For a second Roderick was too astonished to speak, had he heard the Captain correctly?
“This is an outrage!” Edouart grumbled, jabbing a finger at Kessel. “You made a deal with my father, and now you break your oath at the final hour?”
“Your father’s not here, Ser,” Lothar chuckled. “Better realise that sooner or later.”
“Lothar,” Von Kessel warned, and the man went quiet. “Your duke agreed to lend his aid in getting my people across his province safely,” Kessel added, putting on an air of calm pretention as he addressed the knight. “And for that you’ve done your duty well, Ser. But we can’t risk the Duke’s precious son in a bloodbath now can we? You ought to be thanking me.”
“So, in other words, we ain’t fightin’?” Morgoroth chimed in. “That weren’t what you promised us, ‘umie. And if their’s one fing I don’t like it’s a liar.”
“Relax, orc, you will get your taste of blood soon enough. Your… sister has kept tabs on that hellcannon escort. While we do our business in Antorpe, you’re free to take your Warrgh into their firing line.”
“Well, I s’pose that’s somethin’,” Morgoroth said. “But I was proimised a fight with some real mean Chaos boyz, one lil’ tussle with some cannons ain’t the same as a good siege, eh?”
“You’re free to throw yourself into that deathtrap for all I care,” Von Kessel scoffed.
“You cannot be serious, Kessel,” Roderick said, all eyes turning to him as he spoke up. “There’s an entire city of people out there who need us.”
“And why should that bother me? The Marienburg Directorate is not even part of the Empire, they cut us loose and took all our lands with them, why should we have any inclination to help them now?”
“They may have seceded, but they are still men,” Roderick countered.
“Men who can take care of their own problems,” Lothar muttered.
“You’ve taken leave of your senses,” Roderick snarled. “Both of you. What of your promise to the Conclave? Many months ago you agreed to help Wilfred and I in our quest to return the relic of power back into Imperial hands.”
He saw Morgoroth and Edouart share a confused glance. The secret was out now, but what did it matter? It seemed now was the time for true intentions to be stated.
“That was when the old man was still with us,” Von Kessel replied. “But much has changed since, Roderick, as have the circumstances. We’re free to make our own path now, and if it’s to sail away from danger or towards it, I know which I’d pick.”
“My father promised to support your offense against Chaos,” Edouart added. “Not your personal vendettas, Captain.”
“Then you are free to leave, Ser,” Kessel replied without skipping a beat. “No one is forcing you to march with us. The choice to leave is and always has been, yours.”
“Perhaps I will take you up on that,” Edouart muttered.
“So that’s it, is it?” Roderick demanded, addressing the Captain. “You would forsake the knights and the orcs both, when we’re this close to the enemy? Were you lying to Wilfred and I, on that day your ship sank and we were left stranded?”
“Those were different times,” Von Kessel answered. And different circumstances. If he were still with us, he’d want us to abandon this folly, recoup our strength. Let the provinces raise a proper army if they like, we’ve no cause to risk our skin for the Marienbergers.”
“You don’t know the first thing about him,” Roderick insisted. “He’s still out there, he’s just-”
“What? Missing? How long has it been since we last heard from him? A month? More? I’ve all the respect for the Conclave, but they’re not immortal. Open your eyes, Roderick. Wilfred is gone.”
“Just like your pet rat,” Lothar added.
Roderick turned to look at him, and something in his expression caused the first mate’s smirk to falter.
“Shut your mouth, dog, while I’m talking to your master.”
Lothar reached for the haft of his sword, but Von Kessel was quick to grip him by the arm.
“Enough,” Von Kessel said. “There will be no violence in my camp.”
“Or outside of it,” Morgoroth chuckled.
“Kessel, you must reconsider this folly,” Roderick said. “You cannot abandon your duty now.”
“Oh, spare me such talk, Roderick. Of the both of us, you are the one who has done more harm than good to our Empire. If you want to save the Marienbergers so much, be my guest, but if you think for a second I would expend any more lives of my men saving that forsaken city, you are dead wrong.”
Roderick could hear no more, turning to storm his way out of the pavilion. Someone had left a few spare pitchers on the ground nearby and he moved over to kick them in frustration, sending the containers tumblind down a nearby incline.
There was a relative stability to their trek across the Contreforts, and now it was all falling apart. He cursed himself for ever holding a shred of respect for the Captain. Strip away his precious ship, and there was naught but a coward underneath. He would doom any hope of helping the Marienbergers by discarding the Brettonians and orcs both, this despite his protests that they were too few in number.
Perhaps there was still hope to keep the army together. Morgoroth seemed indifferent to the whole thing, and he’d come off as content when he was offered to go after the hellcannon company. Edouart had seemed just as taken off-guard as Roderick was, perhaps he could be persuaded to keep on marching.
Yet without the sailors, Von Kessel’s men, they would be a vastly depleted force, and he was sure to take most of their supplies with him when he set sail. Trying to break a siege like that would be futile.
Roderick wandered until he found a crate to sit on, cradling his head in his hands. “Where are you, my friends?” he muttered to himself. Wilfred had the wisdom of the Conclave at his back, he’d know how to put Von Kessel on the right path. Skyseeker would put his thoughts at ease, she knew how to make things seem so simple with her unique outlook on the world. He could barely remember the feeling of her fuzzy arms wrapped around him, and he had to strain to hold back a tear of regret.