Maelstrom Read online

  And so it begins…

  The Therengian Army kept up the advance. The Orcs increased their volleys, then the Novarsk cavalry made their appearance, riding west to destroy the threat.

  Natalia countered by sending her own horsemen to reinforce the flank, followed by the tuskers—large, brutish creatures ridden by Orc hunters armed with long spears. Two years ago, they had torn through the finest cavalry in the Petty Kingdoms, the Temple Knights of Saint Cunar. Now, with an increase in numbers, and time to hone their skills, they were an integral part of her plan.

  The rest of the army had yet to make contact, yet the decreased range led to more accurate volleys from both sides. Bolts and arrows flew out in greater and greater numbers, leaving a noticeable effect on both armies.

  Natalia gazed east, willing Kargen and Shaluhk to get into position, but the thick forest hid their location. All she could do was trust them to do what was needed.

  She held her breath as a thunderous cheer erupted from the warriors who steeled themselves for the imminent engagement, then the clash of axes and swords was all that could be heard.

  The battle reminded her of a giant serpent writhing along the hill like a living thing. In the early morning mist, she'd considered a more traditional attack, perhaps concentrating her army on a single point. However, an entirely different approach made much more sense with the forces at her disposal. The key to success would be pinning the enemy in place. Yet now, witnessing the terrible majesty of it all, she doubted herself. As a Stormwind, she'd trained for this and should be revelling in the moment, but the Army of Therengia was not simply warriors—it was people, her people, and the loss of each one was a wound she would bear for the rest of her life. She closed her eyes, praying to the Saints for victory.

  Maelstrom

  The Frozen Flame: Book Five

  Paul J Bennett

  Contents

  1. Heronwood

  2. Aftermath

  3. Home

  4. The Key

  5. Attack

  6. Ebenstadt

  7. Gal-Drulan

  8. The Journey Begins

  9. Down River

  10. Carlingen

  11. Porovka

  12. Arrival

  13. News

  14. Break-In

  15. Captured

  16. Trapped

  17. The Mines

  18. The Baroshka

  19. The Disgraced

  20. The Volstrum

  21. Magic

  22. Stormwind Manor

  23. Contact

  24. Bluff

  25. Escape

  26. Wilderness

  27. Hidden

  28. The Portrait

  29. Return to Stormwind Manor

  30. Discovery

  31. Flight

  32. Return to Porovka

  33. Maelstrom

  Epilogue

  Temple Knight - Chapter One

  Also by Paul J Bennett

  About the Author

  Heronwood

  Spring 1108 SR*

  (*Saints Reckoning)

  * * *

  Natalia surveyed the enemy lines. Rada, Queen of Novarsk, deployed her army along the top of a long hill, stretching from east to west, centred on the village of Heronwood. Her position was anchored on either side by the thick forest typical of the region. Their formation would have been imposing to a regular army but was a blessing to the Army of Therengia.

  "Well?" said Athgar. "What do you think?"

  "Exactly as I predicted," said Natalia. "The Petty Kingdoms never surprise me. They always use the same tactics, over and over."

  He chuckled. "Which allows us to defeat them, again and again. Let's hope this time we can do so with a minimum of bloodshed."

  "Are the Red Hand in position?"

  "They are," replied Athgar. "And Kargen knows what to do. We need only delay them a little bit longer. What's the plan?" He was fully aware of the plan, but he knew repeating it would settle his bondmate's nerves.

  "The Stone Crushers and Black Axes are on our left. They'll push north, keeping to the trees whenever possible. The idea is to draw out the enemy cavalry, what little there is of it, and force them to engage. Our own cavalry will then react, along with the tuskers."

  "Are you sure that's wise? The horsemen of Ebenstadt are untested."

  "Their mere presence," said Natalia, "will be a warning to Therengia's enemies that we now wield a mixed army. Whether they actually engage in battle matters little. Meanwhile, the fyrd will push forward and engage all along the line. I am, however, going to add a little twist to keep the enemy on their toes."

  "This is news to me."

  She smiled. "It's nice to know I can still surprise you. We shall advance at the oblique."

  "Meaning?"

  "I intend to concentrate on the westward edge of their line, forcing them to redeploy. That should make Kargen's part a bit easier. It will be the Cloud Hunters' job to tie down what few warriors remain in the east."

  The Cloud Hunters, a new tribe of Orcs who came at the behest of Shaluhk, founded the village of Gal-Drulan in the north of Therengia, helping the kingdom claim the area. Now they sat on the eastern end of the line of battle, beside the Orcs of the Red Hand.

  "Shall we begin?" Natalia asked.

  "You're the warmaster."

  "And you're the High Thane. Thus, I offer you the opportunity to launch the attack."

  "Before we do," said Athgar, "I have a question."

  "Which is?"

  "Where is their cavalry?"

  "They are behind the hill, on the western end of their line."

  "How can you be so sure?"

  "Ah," she replied. "You forget, the Cloud Hunters have a master of air. She used her magic to spy out the enemy positions."

  "You seem to have thought of everything."

  "I'm a battle mage; it's part of my training to consider all the options."

  "Then you may begin at your leisure."

  She turned to her runners, young men and women of the villages acting as her voice this day. "Relay word to commence the attack," she commanded them. The youths ran off, eager to do their part.

  The advance began slowly as it often does with such affairs. The Orcs on either flank were the first to move, securing the line against any hidden threats. They were masters of skirmishing, more than capable of keeping the enemy at bay when needed. Like the Red Hand, the Orcs of the Black Axe had equipped themselves with the mighty Orc warbows Athgar had developed. Their range was similar to the enemy's crossbows but with a much higher discharge rate, especially in the hands of well-seasoned hunters.

  Athgar, nominally in charge of the Thane Guard, was behind the main line today, ready to bring the elite warriors to any danger points that might develop. As hand-picked soldiers, each and every one of them was a veteran of the last two years of near-constant warfare.

  They'd thought the fight over when they defeated the Church and captured Ebenstadt, but it was not to be. Alarmed by the threat of a new Therengia, warriors and mercenaries flocked eastward, eager to put an end to this upstart kingdom. Disorganized and largely ineffective, they'd easily been defeated, but then Novarsk, convinced the fight had weakened the new realm, launched an invasion of its own. Now, six months later, the Army of Therengia was deep inside the borders of Novarsk, ready to finish this once and for all.

  Athgar hoped it would finally bring about peace, but he had his doubts. The war had caused nothing but misery and death. No, he corrected himself; that was not entirely true. News of the rebirth of Therengia produced a flood of new people to their realm, mainly Therengians who'd been persecuted for generations. So many came that the villages swelled beyond capacity, forcing new ones to be founded. Today's battle would firm
ly establish them as a power to be reckoned with, provided they survived.

  The entire army was moving now, catching Athgar off guard. He berated himself for his daydreaming and ordered the Thane Guard to advance, maintaining their position relative to the rest of the army. He spared a momentary glance eastward to catch Kargen and Shaluhk disappearing into the forest, along with the hunters of the Red Hand.

  Her horse gave Natalia enough of a height advantage that she could see over her troops. The distant enemy deployed their warriors in a straight line, more or less, with crossbows interspersed with more traditional footmen. At the Volstrum, she learned many ways to integrate the various arms that made up such a force. The most common was to deploy archers on either flank, but Rada had chosen this alternate arrangement, perhaps considering herself less traditional.

  Arrows flew as the two armies drew closer, but few casualties happened at this range. That would change as the battle developed, yet for now, this long-range exchange was to Natalia's advantage, for her archers were well-trained and experienced hunters, far more accurate than their Novarsk opponents.

  * * *

  The Therengian Army kept up the advance. The Orcs increased their volleys, then the Novarsk cavalry made their appearance, riding west to destroy the threat.

  Natalia countered by sending her own horsemen to reinforce the flank, followed by the tuskers—large, brutish creatures ridden by Orc hunters armed with long spears. Two years ago, they had torn through the finest cavalry in the Petty Kingdoms, the Temple Knights of Saint Cunar. Now, with an increase in numbers, and time to hone their skills, they were an integral part of her plan.

  The rest of the army had yet to make contact, yet the decreased range led to more accurate volleys from both sides. Bolts and arrows flew out in greater and greater numbers, leaving a noticeable effect on both armies.

  Natalia gazed east, willing Kargen and Shaluhk to get into position, but the thick forest hid their location. All she could do was trust them to do what was needed.

  She held her breath as a thunderous cheer erupted from the warriors who steeled themselves for the imminent engagement, then the clash of axes and swords was all that could be heard.

  The battle reminded her of a giant serpent writhing along the hill like a living thing. In the early morning mist, she'd considered a more traditional attack, perhaps concentrating her army on a single point. However, an entirely different approach made much more sense with the forces at her disposal. The key to success would be pinning the enemy in place. Yet now, witnessing the terrible majesty of it all, she doubted herself. As a Stormwind, she'd trained for this and should be revelling in the moment, but the Army of Therengia was not simply warriors—it was people, her people, and the loss of each one was a wound she would bear for the rest of her life. She closed her eyes, praying to the Saints for victory.

  Kargen halted, staring out from the trees. Beside him, he felt the reassuring presence of his bondmate, Shaluhk.

  "It has worked," he said. "We are behind them."

  "As we should be," said Shaluhk, "but now comes the most dangerous part of all. Can you spot our target?"

  "She has made it easy," replied Kargen. "Do you not see her standard?"

  "Do not get… what is the word Nat-Alia likes to use? Carried away?"

  He grinned. "Rest assured, I shall not. Now, come. We have much work to do." He looked over his shoulder to where his hunters waited. They all knew their task this day, and a hundred more were ready to carry on should he fall. He took Shaluhk's hand, squeezing it slightly.

  "Be careful, Shaluhk. I would not want you harmed."

  "Nor I, bondmate mine. Now, let us finally put an end to the designs of this Queen of Novarsk."

  They advanced, moving quietly until they were in the open plain, waiting for all his hunters to clear the woods before he broke into a run.

  The sun was warm, the breeze pleasant, and he felt the blessings of the Ancestors swelling within his chest. They were the Orcs of the Red Hand, and they would end this battle and the war!

  The first sign of success was the sudden collapse of the Novarsk cavalry. Natalia briefly glimpsed ghostly figures fighting the horsemen before the enemy broke, scattering like an upset ant hill. Orcs streamed out of the woods on the western flank, swarming around the beleaguered Novarsk footmen, and then she lost sight of them as they disappeared behind the hill.

  Before her, the fyrd fought on, making little headway but at least holding their own. She tried to spot what was happening in the east, but the ground here was too uneven, her height no longer an advantage.

  Filled with a momentary sense of panic, Natalia looked over at the Thane Guard only to see Athgar safe and sound. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to slow her breathing. The battle was beyond her control now; she must trust in others to win the day.

  Shaluhk slowed her pace, drawing on arcane powers to begin her spell. Kargen, matching her speed, waited for his hunters to draw closer, then spotted Kragor.

  "Bring the warbows to the front," he commanded. "We shall gift the enemy one volley, then charge."

  Hunters ran forward to form a scattered line. Each drew back an arrow, then Kragor gave the command, and they let fly.

  Shaluhk completed her spell, and ghostly figures appeared—Orcs of old, with strange-looking armour, armed with wickedly long spears. She pointed towards the enemy, and they advanced, their feet making no sound as they trod the physical realm. The hunters of the Red Hand surged forward beside warriors of old, axes ready to bring death and destruction to their enemies.

  The men of Novarsk were intent on the battle before them, where the Therengian fyrd fought for control of the hill. The Orcs drew closer, and then an enemy soldier glanced in their direction, yelling out a warning before he fell as an arrow took him in the chest.

  Others turned to face the new threat at his shout, but it was too late. The Orcs of the Red Hand cut through the rear of the Novarsk line, ghostly warriors of the past accompanying them.

  The sounds of fighting dimmed, and it soon became apparent the battle was over. Men threw down their weapons, fleeing to the north, only to be cut down by Orcs.

  At first, Natalia felt pity for these warriors, but then her heart hardened. They had come to her home in war and were now paying the price—they deserved no less.

  Athgar drew closer. "It's over," he said, "and I didn't even get to use my axe." She turned, and they held each other a moment before letting go.

  "A great victory," he added. "Any word on Kargen?"

  "Not yet," she replied, "but we shall know soon enough."

  The army before them was now nothing more than a large mass of people milling around a hill. She could make out knots of enemy soldiers being herded into groups, but little evidence remained of the disciplined companies who had started this battle.

  "Here comes Raleth," said Athgar. "Perhaps he has news?"

  The young Thane of Runewald stopped a few steps short, taking a moment to catch his breath. "The fighting has ceased, and the prisoners are being rounded up."

  "And their leader?" asked the High Thane.

  "No word as yet, but there were signs of fighting to their rear."

  Natalia, still watching the remote hilltop, broke into a smile as a trio of familiar faces appeared in the distance. "We are successful," she announced.

  Athgar followed her gaze to where Kargen and Shaluhk, followed by half a dozen hunters, prodded an individual ahead of them—the now-disgraced Queen of Novarsk herself, Rada.

  "We defeated the enemy," said Natalia, "and captured its ruler. Novarsk is ours, at least for the moment. But there are decisions to come, ones that fall not on the warmaster's shoulders but on the High Thane's and those who advise him."

  "Where would you suggest we start?" asked Athgar.

  "First, we must decide what to do with all these prisoners, then comes the fate of Rada."

  "You're the one familiar with the politics of the Petty Kingdoms. What would they
do if the roles were reversed?"

  "That depends," said Natalia. "Were you the ruler of a Petty Kingdom, they would likely hold you for ransom. As a Therengian, however, they would insist on your execution to wipe what they see as heresy from the Continent."

  "Heresy?" said Athgar. "Hardly that. I might remind you we are not the death worshippers they believe us to be. We even host Temple Knights in Ebenstadt."

  "A fact I am very much aware of. Yet you asked me how I thought the Petty Kingdoms would react. I do not agree with them, only inform you of their ways so that you may consider the repercussions of your actions."

  "It seems they would consider us heretics regardless of what we do."

  "Also, likely true," said Natalia. "In any case, by your own commands, the decision is not yours alone. You must call a meeting of the Thane's Council and let them decide."

  Athgar winced. "We need a better name for that. After all, it isn't just thanes; there are chieftains there as well."

  "And shamans," Natalia reminded him, "but let us not concern ourselves with such trivial matters at this time. There are more important matters to consider."

  "Finburg is already in our hands, and their capital, Halmund, will surrender rather than risk the death of their queen." He turned to Raleth. "March the prisoners back to Ebenstadt. I'll send Wynfrith and the fyrd on to Halmund, along with the Stone Crushers and Black Axes."