Madness of Gods and Kings by Christian Warren Freed

Author:Christian Warren Freed [Freed, Christian Warren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 25085535
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Published: 2014-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

Aftermath

Bodies continued to trickle in over the course of the following day. Ingrid took heart with each small cluster of survivors. Some offered weary smiles or simple acknowledgment. They bore no ill will. The veterans who understood war knew there was no way for any commander of troops to plan for every contingency or anticipate how a battle will develop. Ingrid already planned on utilizing the veterans to buoy spirits and refocus the rebellion. She dreaded to think of the alternative.

Ingrid waited at the makeshift perimeter from dawn to dusk. She refused to leave for meals and only reluctantly to relieve herself. Her silent vow to remain until all of her people were accounted for gave her warmth as the day began to fade. All day and not a sign of anyone from Orlek’s command. She began to worry. Orlek had commanded five hundred rebels. Surely there was no legitimate way all had been butchered. Neither Jarrik nor Inaella were that cruel. Or so Ingrid hoped. With the massive levels of carnage she’d already witnessed in Delranan she’d be a fool to put it past them.

Many of the faces passing by were familiar though most weren’t. Regardless, she put on a brave show and offered encouraging words she didn’t particularly feel. Spirits had all but dissolved. The will to fight was soundly beaten from most of the eyes brave enough to look back at her. It wasn’t this bad when we abandoned Chadra. I don’t know if I can carry on much longer. Each new challenge devours another part of my soul. How much more have I to give before I am nothing?

Her first good news came halfway through the afternoon. Riders came in bearing messages from Harlan. He’d suffered relatively few casualties and had been able to withdraw his command back to his camp without incident. The messenger went on to detail the engagement with the cavalry and Harlan’s discretionary retreat, making it clear that such acts weren’t even considered until the situation became too dire to stay in place. Ingrid might easily have blamed him for Orlek’s death. She didn’t. Harlan performed as any good field commander should and saved nearly all of his command. They’ll provide the bulk of our combat power from here on. Perhaps I should cede control to him and fade away?

Ingrid accepted the victory for what it was. Every warm body she had remaining to carry on the fight was a benefit she felt most grateful for. The rebellion, while suffering an indefinable defeat for the moment, was far from over. She hadn’t been foolish enough to commit all of her strength to the raid. Hundreds of able-bodied men and women waited in their predetermined positions for further orders. Her only fear came from what those fighters would do once word of the failed assault reached them. No doubt Harnin’s forces are already spreading propaganda about our defeat. If only I had the strength as he.

She thanked the messenger and, after giving him ample time to recover and eat, sent him back with a message of her own.

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