The Doom Brigade by Margaret Weis

Author:Margaret Weis [Weis, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-03-05T06:00:00+00:00

And then, the notes of the bugle rang over the din: Officer’s Call. At the sound, the draconians lifted their heads, looked around, dazed. Slith had tost his voice, but apparently didn’t realize it, because he was still shouting, (hough no one could hear him. It had been a stroke of brilliance, latching onto the bugler. A few officers came to their senses, began helping to restore order.

Slowly, the draconians shuffled into ranks, forming up on the grasslands outside their burning town.

Kang would have to go speak to them. He remembered feeling this way before, as a junior officer, losing his first battle. He dreaded the meeting.

Slowly, he picked up his sword, wiped it on the body of the dead dwarf at his feet, noting, at the time, that the dwarf was wearing a uniform. Kang sheathed his weapon. He walked through the smoke-filled streets and out the blackened gates. Now he could feel the pain of his burned feet.

He arrived to find all of the officers present, and the draconian troops standing at attention. Discipline had won out over chaos. Discipline. It had kept them going this long. Her Dark Majesty willing, it would keep them going a lot longer.

Kang straightened his shoulders and marched tall.

Slith called the officers to attention as Kang approached. Slith croaked the words, “All officers present but two, sir. Gloth and Stehmph are off collecting the stragglers, as per your order.”

That lie was for the benefit of the other Officers. Kang had given no such order. But maintaining the unity of command was of paramount importance.

“Thank you, Slith,” Kang said quietly. “I owe you one. Another one.”

Slith stood at attention, pretending he hadn’t heard.

“Troop leaders,” Kang yelled, his own throat raw from the smoke. “Take your troops and begin putting out the fires. Yethik, I want your supply people to go h every square inch of this village and salvage anything of use. That includes nails, hinges, anything.

Gloth, take a troop from the Second Squadron and set up a cordon to our north, two hundred yards out from here. I want no one in, other than returning stragglers, and I want no one out. Have your draconians gather up anything that’s left of those damned dwarves and nail them to poles. Post them out here in a line. We’ve been too soft with these dwarves. But all that’s going to change.”

Slith turned to the officers. “You heard the commander! Move!”

The draconians dispersed, left to accomplish their tasks. Kang was fairly certain that they wouldn’t find much to salvage, nor were they in any danger of attack. The dwarves were probably barricaded in their village, fearing the worst. What was important was that his troops were doing something constructive, working off their anger. When the two were alone, Slith turned back to Kang. Smoke wafted past them. Somewhere, a burning timber crashed to the ground.

“What do we now, sir?” Slith asked in a husky whisper, all he could manage.

Kang sighed, rubbed his hand over his chin.

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