The Savior by David Drake & Tony Daniel

Author:David Drake & Tony Daniel [Drake, David & Daniel, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, science fiction, General, Action & Adventure, Space Opera
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2014-09-02T04:00:00+00:00

PART EIGHT

The Campaign

The Present

1

Fort Tamarak

Progar District

476 Post Tercium

“I’ve had the cannons destroyed,” von Hoff said apologetically. “The chaplaincy prelate told me it had to be done. The man’s going to be district high priest after we take this place. You don’t argue with a priest of that standing or you’ll soon find yourself commanding the lighthouse garrison in Fyrpahatet.”

“I understand,” Abel said, and he did. Von Hoff was trying to protect him and the Third from any further incrimination in sacrilege for the deliberate use of nishterlaub items. The chaplaincy was only a small unit attached to Corps command, but it wielded great influence. Its priests were all appointed by the Abbot himself, and they were not afraid to use the Abbot’s name if they believed heresy was afoot. Enforcing Edict and the will of the Abbot of Lindron was the chaplain’s prime duty, not kowtowing to a mere general. The chaplain-prelate had authority to override the Corps commander himself in ecclesiastical matters.

In the Land, everything was an ecclesiastical matter.

Landry would be disappointed that his new toys had been taken away from him, that was for sure. But Abel knew that Landry was working on another idea of his—an idea that had been suggested by a comment from Abel—a comment that Abel had relayed from Center.

“You’ve heard the rumors of what’s been going on up here. Nishterlaub methods, nishterlaub weapons. Imagine those captured volley guns bent into a circle. Eight chambers. And maybe not fired all at once and by a single fuse, but one at a time.”

“Each chamber with its own firing cap!” Landry had immediately seen the implications. “Or no cap at all, and we finally find a way to combine cartridge and cap together.”

“But no nishterlaub use of metal for us,” Abel said. “I’ve already stood next to the fire when one heretic burned. I don’t want to smell another.”

“Yes, sir,” Landry said, frowning—but musing on the problem, working it over in his mind.

They’d moved the Corps headquarters to Fort Tamarak, with its magisterial view of the River Valley for leagues to the north and south. Von Hoff had abided here for nearly two weeks, reshuffling the forces at his command. His main thought was to rebuild his shattered mounted force however he could. He’d sent back to Cascade for more beasts.

They’d lost over half their men and donts. Colonel Kanagawa, the cavalry regiment leader, had somehow survived the charge up Sentinel and remained in command.

“It wasn’t Kanagawa that gave the thrice-damned order, anyway,” von Hoff said. “Although the fact that he followed it is problematic enough. He knew what would happen.” Von Hoff rubbed his eyes and shook his head. “I have no one else ready, however. Kanagawa will have to do.”

The one who did order the charge has paid for it with his life, Abel thought.

General Josiah Saxe had been buried on the Sentinel hillside beside the bodies of those who had ridden to their deaths in the charge.

Although the prelate had advised it, von Hoff had refused to order mass executions of the Progar prisoners.

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