You might think you know what to expect from a siege — waiting , climb , possibly some siege engines . But the invaders in Raymond E. Feist ’s A Kingdom Besieged have a wily , alarming twist on the idea .
Check out this undivided excerpt fromFeist ’s new novel , in which a prince learns that he may be getting evicted …
A Kingdom Besieged by Raymond E. Feist
Chapter 11 : Siege
The lookout shouted .
“ ship off the promontory ! ”
A settlement boy named Jerrod move around and kneel before a modest brasier , blowing furiously on the coals for a second , before plunging an oil - soaked drinking straw torch into the hot coal , whereupon the fire almost exploded in his face . He speed to a giant wicker structure , a bundle of reeds , grasses , and wood , on top of which a pile of inflammable tinder was piled , and tossed the torch in as he had been shown . As he had been warned , the volatile bundle howl into fire within seconds . The mix was designed to bite bright and produce twisting
shameful smoke so that it could be seen by day or nighttime . The heat it gave off was tremendous , and the boy back away . “ It ’s done ! ” Jerrod shouted .
The lookout , named Percy , came scampering down from his rocky perch shouting , “ Come on ! Our job is done ! ”
It was late afternoon and a fresh piece of cake was blowing . The grass uprise and scattered , yet the two boys knew another sentinel up the coast would see it and another lad would start his flame , and that one in turn would be seen at the castle above Crydee . It would take the two boy the better part of a day to get hold of the skinny outstation , a fort camp ten miles up the King ’s Highway , for neither could ride , and even if they could , horse cavalry could not be spared for them .
A series of signal fires had been erect along the coast by order of the Duke of Crydee . Earlier fire had told the garrison that ships had been sight along the coast , lead north from first Tulan , then Carse . Only one reputation from Carse had have through to the castle from Earl Robert , describe that he and his men were attempting to repulse an onslaught of Keshian soldiers .
The report had go far with Lord Robert ’s married woman , Marriann , and his daughter , Bethany , who was not well-chosen to have been sent away from Carse .
Now Bethany stand on the pillar at Castle Crydee and asked Martin , “ What will you do ? ”
“ It ’s already done , ” enunciate the Duke ’s in-between son . “ profligate rider were remove to overpower Father . He ’s halfway to Yabon by now , but if we can hold out for a week or so , he should arrive in time to relieve us . ”
Without a thought , she slipped her arm through his as if in need of reassurance . “ How many men do you have ? ”
“ Father go out me a hundred . ”
She shiver and angle into him , as if seeking lovingness , even though it was a mild nighttime . “ Is that enough ? ”
“ Should be . ” He pat her hand where it roost on his weapon system . “ If my studies are any guide , they ’ll need to bring more than a thousand humanity to storm the castling and even then it ’ll be tinct and go . We ’ve tested the defenses . ”
“ The Tsurani siege ? ”
“ Yes . When Father left , I made a point of study the writings about that besieging . ” He looked at her sedately . “ Did you roll in the hay Prince Arutha was a year younger than I am now when he demand command , after Swordmaster Fannon was wound ? ”
She did n’t recognise the name , but she did recognize Martin ’s determination to take direction of the situation and protect the Ithiel Town . As if reading her mind , he said , “ It ’s metre to bring in the town . ”
Turning to a point overlook the inner courtyard , Martin saw the man he search . “ Sergeant Ruther ! ”
Looking up , the sergeant saw the Duke ’s son atop the tower and scream back , “ Sir ? ”
“ Sound the alarm , and get the townspeople up here . Have them bestow all the nutrient they can carry . ”
Sergeant Ruther snapped off a salute and become to two soldiers by the gate . “ You heard the young lord ! Get pass ! ” The police sergeant was a scant man with a protrude lower jaw and a beggarly strabismus , which made him the object of concern among the garrison . He also had a deep abiding affection for his men that he maintain well obscure . He was near retirement eld , portly with a venter hanging over his swath , but no one in the garrison doubted he was still a heavy man to kill .
The soldier exchange glances . “ Yes , Sergeant ! ” they cry in unison , then jog out of the logic gate toward the town .
The town had already been alerted that there might be a call to the castle , so Martin hoped they ’d have prepared in some style for this . But he knew there would sure as shooting be some panic and that many would not have empathize it was not only necessary to get food product and clothing for their time inside the city ’s rampart , but also to traverse the invader as much quilt as potential . Orders had go bad out that any food left behind should be foul , but he suspected people would have spent too much time endeavor to hide valuables the invaders would likely find anyway . Martin experience that the farmers would dispel their ruck and mess rather than put them down in the Leslie Townes Hope that after the siege some could be reclaimed . At least if the Keshians had to forage to find them , that would be a distraction , Martin thought . He felt Bethany pressing closely to him and turn .
“ You should go to your mother , ” he said softly .
“ She ’s with your mother . ”
“ I know , but the kinsfolk quarter are the safest part of the castle . ”
“ There ’s no hurry , ” Bethany said softly , drag still closer . “ How long ? ”
“ From the headlands , they ’ll be at the oral cavity of the haven in three or four hr . Then it count on how prepared they are to come ashore and if they wait much resistance . ” He was silent for a second , and she read his face .
Of the three brothers Martin had always been the most difficult to read , which was why she had always found him the most interesting . He was not the hale - confrere - well - met that his brother Hal was , nor was he like Brendan , an impish prankster . Martin was the heedful brother . He was often queer with her , which she found amusing , as she hump it hid his reliable feelings . She had decide more than a twelvemonth ago how she feel about him , but decided he would get no avail from her in untangling his own feelings toward her .
He feel her study him and work . “ What ? ”
“ I find it absorbing how much alike you and Brendan appear , yet in realism you are scarce alike at all . ”
He gave her one of his rare half grinning . “ Beth , you ’ve known us all your life , and you ’re only now acknowledge I ’m not like that piddling menace ? ”
“ I just find it a snatch singular , really , ” she say , turning her center back on the town below . Already the sound of alarm was being farm , and shouts and cries echoed up to where they stood .
Martin gently disengaged her weapon from his , his humor turning serious . “ You feel an odd metre to think about this . add up on , I have much to do and I would feel a bang-up deal better if I have it off you were safe . ”
As he embark on to turn away , she go frontwards and kissed him impulsively , retentive and deep . He tensed for a bit , then returned the embrace . When she pulled back , she could see a glistening in his eyes .
“ We ’ve permit too many things go unsaid for too long , ” she whispered . “ When your father returns , I want you to speak to him . ”
“ About what ? ” Martin said , speaking softly as if he feared being catch .
Her side clouded over and her optic narrowed . “ About us , you fool ! ”
His lips quirk . “ What about us ? ”
Her eye widen , and then she saw the smile . “ You right bastard ! ” she enunciate , then she kissed him again .
“ I know . It ’s just that- ”
“ Everyone wait me to marry Hal , ” she interrupted . “ I hump . But no one ’s asked me , and no one ’s asked Hal . He ’s always treated me like a small sis . But you . . . ” She kissed him a third time . “ You ’ve always been capable to . . . somehow get under my skin , to make me think when I did n’t want to and to weather my . . . bad behavior , with good grace . ”
allow out a tenacious sigh , Martin said , “ As much as I adore you , and obviously I have done a pitiful job of hiding that , may I say”-his vocalism rose to a near shout-“you’ve blame an impossible instant to profess your dearest ! ” He laughed . “ But you never were one for choose the right minute , were you ? ” He kissed her before she could answer and then added , “ Very well , I ’ll speak to Father when this is over . ”
He peek down at the town as the clamouring of voice and the sound of fear and affright lift . “ But now I have to go calm the people whose aid has been given over to me . We both have membership and prerogative , so it is time we both bear witness we deserve them . ”
Gently he turned her around , and with a slight pressure sensation on her weapon indicate it was meter to go down the step into a much darker and grimmer time than either had ever experienced .
The ships hove to at the mouth of the harbor at sundown . Martin watched as the last of the townsfolk push into the yard below . When the last was through , he signaled for the gates to be conclude . Sergeant Ruther , fend beside him with his arms spoil , said , “ Now we dig in . ” Martin glance at him and the sergeant total , “ Sir . ”
Martin shake his head . “ It ’s all right , Sergeant . I ’m new to this . ”
“ We ’re all new at this , sir . My father was a baby the last time this castle was attacked . ”
“ Still , we ’ve had our fair share of rough-and-tumble . ”
“ Yes , sir , but intend no discourtesy , a bunch of bandits or a foray into party of trolls is one thing . We ’re about to make the acquaintance of some Keshian Dog Soldiers . Not the same thing . ”
“ Dog Soldiers ? What should we bear ? ”
“ Ca n’t rightly say . Not one man in Crydee has face up them , and all I get laid is what I was tell when I was a young soldier . ”
“ Which was ? ” asked Martin , truly curious .
“ Old Sergeant Mason , who was here when I was a recruit , he told me he spent time down in Landreth serving with a company of Borderers , under Lord Sutherland ’s instruction . It was a ready rising to glory , he said , else he ’d never have earned promotion . Anyway , he said that most of the prison term they crossed swords with rogue worldly-minded company or outlaws , but there was this one time they ran afoul of a company of Keshians .
“ The way he enjoin it made me think it was the toughest competitiveness of his animation , and he ’d go steady a few . What he said was ‘ they just keep coming . ’ They have no respectfulness for life , not yours , not their own .
“ Kesh is a mirthful place , from what I ’ve been severalize . Trueblood women black market around well-nigh defenseless and no one minds , the respite being not much better than cattle to them Truebloods . But they ’re hunter , you see , and do n’t imagine much of warrior . ”
“ I do n’t come , ” admitted Martin .
“ See , the affair is , you could only wax so high not being a Trueblood , and as they do n’t give much glory to fighting men anyway , it makes for a vicious army . They do n’t do it for glory , you see . They ’re called Dog Soldiers for two reasons , accord to Sergeant Mason : first is they ’re keep compose up like harebrained do n’t mix with other hoi polloi : they ’ve get their own fortress , their own category , develop their own crops , and make their own weapons . They ’re loyal to their masters , like dog . The other is that they get dogs along on long marches so they can eat them . Though I have my doubts about that bit . ”
Martin aver nothing , then repeat , “ They just keep come . ”
“ That ’s what Mason said . They wo n’t give quarter and they do n’t require for any . They just keep coming until you defeat enough of them they get banal and run off . Or give out to the last , I guess . ” He paused . “ It ’s about honor , not glory . They ’re a trade union , a kin group , something like that , and they die for one another . ”
Martin experience the pit of his abdomen grow stale and observe his knuckles turning white as he heard the gates to the castle slam shut . He willed himself to relax , then saw something that made him smile .
Despite promising to remain with their mother , Lady Bethany was down in the courtyard , organizing the townspeople and assigning region of the large bailey to families , sending all farm animal around to the buns of the castle .
“ She ’s something , that one , ” Ruther say with a smiling .
Martin returned the smile . “ That she is . ”
“ Well , sir , if you ’re not take me , there are things to do . ”
“ You are dismissed , Sergeant , ” said Martin .
Alone on the top of the palace ’s outer gatehouse , looking down at constitution slowly emerge from chaos , Martin took a mysterious breath . He reminded himself that he was a yr older than Prince Arutha had been at the start of his legendary calling . Then he grumble , “ Of naturally he had Swordmaster Fannon and Great - Grandfather with him , and my Swordmaster is in Roldem with my brother , and my younger brother is riding with Father . ”
He felt terribly alone , yet despite wishing Bethany aside and safe , he was thankful to his off-white that she was here .
And he would do whatever was need to keep her secure .
The night dragged on . By midnight those remaining outside the central keep huddled under makeshift shelters of wood and mantle , gather around campfire , or under the few military tents Sergeant Ruther found abandoned in one quoin of the castle ’s armoury .
Many of the townspeople had been crowded into the keep itself ; entrepot had been shifted around , and the extra place thus made was filled to overflowing . Families with small children had been given priority and had the safest rooms deeply within the keep ; woman with older daughters had been compact into the out rooms and towers .
Every man capable of stand arms , between the eld of fourteen and LXX , was issued a weapon . Sergeant Ruther took it upon himself , in the Swordmaster ’s absence seizure , to determine which detail each man was give , which was fine with Martin .
The young commander of the William Lloyd Garrison had expend most of the Nox watching for signs of the Keshians coming ashore . It was now clear that they were not attempting a night landing and would wait for morning .
“ You should get some rest . ” The spokesperson was his mother ’s .
Martin turned and say , “ What about you , Mother ? ”
She smile . “ There ’s still much to do . ordinarily we prepare food for thought for the town only twice a year , at Banapis and Midwinter . Now we must make what we can every Clarence Day . ”
“ We ’ll deal . Father will return shortly . ”
“ Not shortly enough . ” She sighed . “ What are your architectural plan ? ”
“ Simple enough . We see what they take in the dawning and then we define the secure way of life to hold them until Father returns with the William Lloyd Garrison . ”
“ What about . . . ? ”
“ What ? ”
“ I . . . I ’ve never been through a warfare . ”
“ None of us have , ” said Martin , patting her hand . “ It ’s conk to be fine , Mother . We have provisions and enough trained soldiers alongside the townsmen that we can repel up to ten times the telephone number of shielder . If they have less than two thousand soldiers and heavy siege machines , we will hold . ”
“ I just . . . ” She sighed again . “ I just wish well your Father was here , and your brothers . ”
“ As do I , ” said Martin , feel the burden settle fully on his shoulders . “ Now , why do n’t you get some sleep and I ’ll seek to do the same . ”
She smiled at her Logos , turn , and started down the stairs with him behind .
If the Keshians come before morning , someone would rouse him . He feel out on his foot and that was before even one arrow had been unleashed , or one sword drawn in angriness .
Martin was awakened by a tawdry roast on the door . He had fallen asleep in his article of clothing , only removing his boots . He got up fast . “ What ? ”
“ Sergeant Ruther say to heat you , sir , ” come the answer from other side of the door .
“ On my direction ! ” shouted Martin , slipping into his boots .
The dawning was fogged , as was distinctive for this time of the class . The sun had n’t yet risen from behind the distant Grey Tower Mountains to burn off off the marine moisture in the air . An hour after the sun cleared the height behind , the Ithiel Town below would be in bright sunshine , but for now it was shrouded in dense mist .
Martin was no longer contented to watch from his in high spirits pole over the castle ’s principal entrance , above the keep ’s portcullis that marked the last defense , but was now on the bulwark above the master gate , as penny-pinching to the town as he could get .
The original keep build by the first Duke of Crydee had been a stand - alone construction , without an extinct wall . It had been border by a fosse , which was long since filled in , and the barbican with its threefold iron portcullis and killing ground between them had been attach to the main entrance to the keep . The outbuildings and out wall had been added years later , the latter having no barbican , just a simple wooden logic gate . As stout as it was , and for all the punishment the defenders might inflict on those below , Martin recognize that eventually it would fall and everyone within the Pearl Mae Bailey between the wall and keep would be in peril .
Sergeant Ruther said without preamble , “ They ’re down there in the town , displace cautiously from the auditory sensation of thing , perhaps anticipate lying in wait . ”
“ Pity we did n’t have sentence to leave some , ” say Martin .
“ There ’s only so much you may do on unretentive notice , sir . If we ’d had some means of live they were come before they hit Carse , we might have convinced some of that lot”-he used his Kuki to indicate the hundred now camped in the Nathaniel Bailey below-“to come in a few day ahead of time and countenance us set up a welcome for the Keshians . But you do what you’re able to , as they say . ”
Martin could only nod .
Slowly the sounds of men , estate car , and horse moving through the township grew louder . “ Siege engines ? ” asked Martin , feel a sudden niggardness in his chest and venter .
“ Take a pile to criticise these walls down , sir . ” Ruther pointed down to the primary gate , which had been reinforced during the night with a bracework of heavy timbers .
“ Well , countenance ’s see what they ’re bringing in . ”
lento the fog lift , then abruptly a gust of wind clear up away the sunup fog and represent Martin and the other onlookers atop the walls with a clear position of what they faced .
“ maledict me ! ” the serjeant-at-law blaspheme .
“ Indeed , ” said Martin lightly , not certain he was defecate good sense of what he saw .
A company of soldiers tolerate array across the entire feeler to the townspeople from the palace , just out of pointer escape from any but the stout longbow . Martin took in their garb : a traditional Keshian metal helm with a chain alloy neck piece fall behind , a sharply pointed spear baksheesh at the treetop ( effective at discouraging an enemy from drop down on them from above , he think ) ; a Sir Ernst Boris Chain coat ; and heavy woollen trousers gather into calfskin - mellow iron boot so that the fabric bell out . A leather vest was drawn over that , cinched at the shank by a heavy leather belt with an Fe buckle . The combination of leather over post would be very effective against arrow , slow down a broad - head enough that the chain would get it , earning the target no more than a nasty cut rather than certain death .
Each piece carried a scimitar - the traditional curved sword - and a round buckler . Every quaternary man also carried a short bow sling over his shoulder .
“ I see no siege engines , ” Martin said .
“ But bet what else they bring . ”
Behind the line of solders a flood of multitude could be seen come up from the docks and going into the buildings . Men , adult female , and children , several who seemed to be scuffling over some scavenged item or another , and among them moved what could only be wardens or marshall , breaking up fight and commanding them to go here or there .
A runner come up the steps from below , out of breath . “ intelligence from the tower , sir . ”
“ What ? ” said Martin , not take his eye off the view below .
“ A large troupe has broken off and is taking the north route , but . . . ”
“ But what ? ”
“ They do n’t look like foot or cavalry , sir . ”
Martin ’s wonder was piqued . “ What do they look like ? ”
“ Well , sir , like James Leonard Farmer come to market , or rather it would if they were going the other way . I intend , it looks like they ’re herding cows and sheep up the route . ”
“ head to the farms , crofts , and pastures , ” said the serjeant . “ Well , now , is n’t that a kiss from granny ? ”
Martin lour . “ I do n’t empathise . ”
“ Look what they ’re fetch up . ”
What appear to be a company of locomotive engineer was rush up the route , while horsemen drove the mill men , fair sex , and child out of the street , gain way . They were carrying construction materials unlike anything Martin had seen before .
The line of infantry separate , letting the engineer through , and then Martin saw what they were putting together . “ It ’s a roadblock . ”
“ The SOB just walk in and occupy the townsfolk , sir . Now they ’re say us to ride here and rot , or sally onward and drive them to the harbor . ”
“ They ’re not go to attack ? ” demand Martin , now all confused .
“ Why should they ? They ’ll just sit down and allow us starve . ”
In the distance a great rumbling could be discover . The sergeant turn to the young offset . “ Joey , back up you go and find out what that is , then come back , straightaway , where ’s a good fellow . ”
The boy run off and Ruther enunciate , “ Well , it ’s clear whatever else they have in mind , they mean to outride . They brought a whole damn town with them . ”
After a few minutes Joey returned . “ They ’re unloading some big machine by the pier . Kelton say they expect like trebuchets . ”
Kelton was the soldier Ruther had put up in the tower because he had the sharpest eyes in the garrison .
“ Well , if that ’s what he says they are , then that ’s what they are . Maybe they ’re not going to adjudicate to hunger us out after all . But at least they ’re in no rushing to attack . ”
That worried Martin more than anything else . They would have to acquire that the minute they were spotted , the call for reinforcements would go out , and reinforcements would be on their way . Why were n’t they in a rush ?
The day wear on , and those in the castling watch in captivation . The fortification on the eastern edge of the township was speedily made unattackable , and at sunset a intimidating wall rose up that had been bolster with sandbag bring up from the shore . Now there was a six - groundwork breastwork with a firing platform behind , where arches could fire upon anyone venturing from the castle .
“ If we had sortied this morning . . . ” Martin clench his fists , the foiling of not knowing what the enemy ’s next move would be taking its toll .
“ We would have run into who knows what , sir , ” finished the sergeant . “ We can only see that good deal . Who knows how many more soldier they have discharge down by the dock , or still waiting aboard ship ? They do n’t seem upset about us . ”
“ Which is why I am worry , ” countered Martin . “ It ’s as if- ”
“ Sir ! ” fare the shout . “ A white flagstone ! ”
Martin looked in the indicated guidance and come across what must be a Keshian officer approaching under a flag of cease-fire . He come up to the logic gate and looked up at the faces there . “ I seek parley ! ” he clapperclaw . “ Who is in charge here ? ”
“ I am ! ” Martin shouted back . “ I am Martin conDoin . . . ”
He hesitated , then sum , “ Prince Martin of Crydee . ” He was entitled to the honorific , though no one in his family had used it since Prince Arutha had pull up stakes Crydee to take up the billet of Prince of Krondor . His chum , Martin ’s namesake , had insisted only the title of duke be conferred upon him , a custom followed for three generations after .
“ Greetings , Highness , ” replied the officer . “ I am Hartun Gorves , Captain of the Fourth Legion , Third Regiment , servant of His Most Honored Majesty , the Emperor of Great
Kesh , approval be upon him . My master and overlord bid you depart this land , peacefully , and safe conduct to the east will be guaranteed . He reminds you these lands are Keshian , ancient Bosania , taken from the Empire most violently and without suit by your antecedent .
“ He press you depart and swears that he will plow raspingly any of his servants who would trouble you . Take with you your self-control and trade good , farm animal and chattels , but begone at once , otherwise I am instructed to deal with you in the most austere personal manner . ”
Martin stood uncertain for a tenacious mo . Of all the things he had expected to hear , the simple need that he and everyone in the duchy pick up and move was n’t one of them . That Kesh entail to occupy this land was now beyond doubtfulness : this was no simple raiding expedition , for booty or political gain ; they sought to tame land that had not been part of the Empire in over two centuries , yet were treating the Kingdom ’s enlargement as if it had hap but a few weeks prior .
At last Martin said , “ You ’re jest . ”
The police officer bowed . “ Most assuredly not , fairish prince . I and two of my officers would be uncoerced surety in your travels . Once you reach the borders of the land called Yabon , we will allow for your party , and you may deal with the William Lloyd Garrison there . ”
“ Garrison ? ” shouted Ruther . “ What does that mean ? ”
“ By the clip you extend to Yabon , it will once again be Keshian , as will the so - call Free Cities and that abomination known as Queg . The garrison at Yabon will escort you to the boundary line at Questor ’s survey and then on to Krondor . From there you will be complimentary to continue on to the molding of the Kingdom and cross without harassment . ”
“ Borders of the Kingdom ! ” echo the sergeant furiously . Martin put his hand on his arm , and the old soldier fell silent .
“ And where is this border ? ” asked Martin .
“ Darkmoor . That was your traditional frontier and that is where it is again , for all demesne west of there are now Keshian . Once you reach Darkmoor , you will once more be on Kingdom soil . The Empire is reclaiming its realm , from Crydee to Krondor , Yabon and LaMut . Even as we speak the armies of Great Kesh are marching and our navies are sweeping through the Bitter Sea . You are now trespassing on Keshian territory , my prince , ” declared Captain Gorves . “ You have two days to make quick for your departure or I shall bring in horrors upon you and your the great unwashed that no human being should have to think over .
It is a simple alternative ; leave or give-up the ghost . ”
With that he turned and walk aside , leaving a astonished Martin unable to speak .
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