The Blue Mountain (The Forbidden List Book 2) by G R Matthews

Author:G R Matthews
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: G R Matthews
Published: 2015-03-30T06:00:00+00:00

* * *

The inside of the main tower was crowded for the evening briefing. Haung, Gang and the newly re-housed Liu stood at the back of the crowd and listened as the general invited reports from along the wall. The commanders who could ride to the briefing had done so. Those too far away had sent messengers. Beginning with the reports from furthest west and east, the messengers reported no activity out of the ordinary. A small skirmish here and there with the known bandit groups in the areas, and the odd dispute with some of the Empire farmers who wanted a higher price for their rice and vegetables. Regional forts were required to patrol outside the wall, but also keep the peace in the Empire lands surrounding them. There were no reports of any suspicious activity from north of the wall.

However, as the reports came closer to the main fort there began to be reports of refugee bands moving parallel to the wall, of rising columns of smoke far away on the horizon. Patrols had been sent out to discover what was going on, but had failed to gather any useful information. From the two forts directly adjacent, the reports of smoke and refugees increased still further.

“All of which is deeply concerning because, as you all know, we have seen no evidence of these bands of refugees coming through here for over two weeks. Rising smoke has been seen on the horizon and to the east and west. Our own patrols have come back with little information,” the general said. “I need to know what we are up against and where the enemy is.”

“Who are the enemy?” one of the officers asked.

“That remains an interesting question and one that we cannot answer as yet. The refugees have little useful information save that their villages are attacked at night. Those that run survive and they have no first-hand knowledge of the fate of those that stay. Some villages are fleeing before the enemy reaches them. Refugees pass on the information about the attacks to each village they come across. In that way the panic spreads. I do have some information from the Emperor, though I am not sure how we will be able to use it.”

The general cast a glance towards Haung before continuing.

“The Emperor tells me that an area deep inside the Empire, to the west and south of us, has been attacked. The report suggests that the enemy attacked via... unconventional means and were held back, though at a great sacrifice. I have asked the Fang-Shi to investigate the content of the Emperor’s report and see how we may apply it to our defence or information gathering efforts. I am told also that there are some people on the way who may be able to assist us.”

Haung stood straighter, this was information new to him, but echoed a warning the Emperor had given the previous Duke of Yaart. A warning the duke had decided not to take seriously, it had cost him his life.

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