King Chondo's Ride by Paul Edwin Zimmer

Author:Paul Edwin Zimmer [Zimmer, Paul Edwin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780867211771
Google: VSI2fUA9SFgC
Amazon: 0867211776
Publisher: PEI Books
Published: 1982-01-02T07:00:00+00:00

They were almost within bowshot when he called out, “To the right—-wheel! At the canter—march!” A trumpet echoed the command.

The Kadarins swung about as one, the Bordermen more raggedly. Suddenly the entire force was cantering away, southwest across the line of Seynyorean riders and away from them.

Cheering rose among the watchers as they saw the tiny dots of the enemy wheel and flee before the mass of their own men. But Istvan snorted.

“They’re going south,” he said. “They’re not running back to Inagar! They’re after the convoy!” He turned to D’Oleve. “Have DiCedespi and his men met the wagons yet?”

D’Oleve closed his eyes briefly. “No, sir,” he answered.

Istvan swore angrily, and frowned after the vanishing lines of men. “D’Ascoli will never catch them. They’ll get well ahead and change horses.” He paused, frowning, then added: “If he did catch them it would be after the horses tired out, and—tell D’Ascoli and the others to leave off the pursuit and hold their ground!”

He thought furiously. The enemy was out of sight now, and gaining distance every minute. But if they saw no pursuit behind diem they might maintain a less grueling pace.

“I’ll want you with me, D’Oleve,” he said, “so I’ll take your company—Sandor DiAmac’s, right?” A nod. “I’m leaving D’Ascoli—Rupiros D’Ascoli—in command, with Ironfist as his lieutenant in charge of die foot. DiAmac’s company and three more— Palos DiFlacca, Ciavedes—and let’s see—Almos DiCassio.” He frowned more deeply, weighing each company in his mind. D’Oleve stared at him and waited.

“Tell Emilio Vega—Milan Robardin,” he said slowly, “Attilon DiVega, and Nomenos DiGasclon to dismount their men. They’re to join D’Aglar and the foot, under Ironfist. We’ll take good care of their horses.”

After the pursuit had dropped away behind them, Martos and his nen rode steadily until they were out of sight, and then, slowing heir pace, turned east in a great circle that would cany them well to he south of the Seynyoreans. Long before there was any danger of he horses tiring, they halted and unsaddled them to graze.

Martos was jubilant. “That’s at least half of their army back here!” he told Paidros. “We’ll be able to lead Hansio straight on hem, and crush them between the hammer and the anvil!”

“Well,” said Paidros slowly, “I hope you’re right. We’ve many i mile yet to go, and such plans do not always fall out so neatly vhen die tune comes for the doing. And with DiVega metal between he hammer and anvil, we might find that it only toughens with the xwnding!”

They rode on, and farther on, grey reaches of dust stretching away beyond their right knees, though they themselves still rode over tan grass. Later they would have to swing into die dust to reach the okl road, but they would delay that to the last, so the horses could feed themselves, sparing the supplies for the long campaign ahead.

Far to the north, Phillipos had entered Tarencia at dawn, and as his men readied themselves for the crossing of the Oda, he sought the palace to speak with the King.

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