Master of Mayhem by Peter Darman

Author:Peter Darman [Darman, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ficção E Literatura, Histórico
ISBN: 9781311415110
Amazon: B00XY3P2RG
Barnesnoble: B00XY3P2RG
Goodreads: 25571160
Publisher: Peter Darman
Published: 2015-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

After all the army had crossed over the Dvina the pontoon bridge was dismantled to allow trade to continue along the waterway. Magnus Glueck made the crossing by riverboat and joined his magnificently attired and armed Livonian Militia, which had been returned to full strength following its humbling at the Iecava. Its members and commander were anxious for revenge against the Kurs, a sentiment encouraged by Bishop Albert who was also eager for retribution against Duke Arturus. His frustration grew at the snail-like pace of the army, encumbered as it was with dozens of wagons and hundreds of non-combatants, which only managed to cover a maximum of five miles each day even over dry ground.

After five days it reached the rebuilt fort of Mesoten where Master Ortwin had established a strong position on the site of the former pagan citadel. The line of wooden blockhouses had held out against Semgallian attacks, though a hundred of the lesser knights that had been detailed to defend them had been killed battling Viesthard’s warriors.

‘We encountered no resistance on the way here, Master Ortwin,’ stated Bishop Albert in the master’s sparse hall that had been built on the summit of the hill on which the new timber stronghold stood.

‘That is because we have killed everyone hereabouts, lord bishop,’ said Ortwin flatly.

The fort was surrounded by the tents and pavilions of the crusader army, the followers of Timothy the Cook having few shelters and having to rely on felled branches to fashion rudimentary lean-tos. The River Lielupe that ran by the side of the fort was already full of human waste and it was clear that Ortwin wanted the army gone before disease broke out that would decimate his garrison.

‘Duke Viesthard’s fort of Tervete lies to the west,’ Ortwin continued, ‘and he sends raiding parties to remind us that he still lives.’

‘We should capture this fort on the way to battle the Kurs,’ declared Glueck, causing Conrad and Volquin to roll their eyes.

‘We will smash it like Samson crushed the Hittites,’ shouted Timothy, forcing Conrad to bite his lip to stop himself laughing.

The bishop held his head in his hands. He was beginning to regret agreeing to his family’s request that he enlist this cook to his cause in return for well-equipped horsemen and crossbowmen. Even he could see that Timothy’s followers were laughable at best and a dangerous encumbrance at worst. He gave the cook a weary smile. They were here now. What could he do?

‘Duke Viesthard and the remnants of his Semgallians are a minor irritant compared to the Kurs,’ said Ortwin.

‘I agree,’ added Volquin. ‘We came to fight the Kurs and should not be diverted from our objective.’

‘I concur with the advice of the Sword Brothers,’ stated the bishop forcibly. ‘We will march to engage and destroy the Kurs, after which we will address the problem of Duke Viesthard. Master Ortwin, perhaps you would enlighten us regarding the best strategy for enticing the Kurs to give us battle.’

‘That is easy enough,’ replied Ortwin.

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