William R. Forstchen - Lost Regiment 01 by Rally Cry

Author:Rally Cry
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-06-09T15:59:13+00:00

Chapter 11

“There are over eight thousand men at arms in the city. My warehouses are being emptied by their stomachs,” Ivor said, looking down the length of his feasting table. The boyars of all the cities of Rus were there, even Mikhail, and the mere sight of him filled Ivor’s soul with anger.

“We still need more,” Rasnar replied.

“And strip our lands of all soldiers?” Boros of Novrod retorted. “We are not fools.”

Boros stood up and looked accusingly at Ivor.

“You allowed the infection of these Yankees into our land. You plotted to use them against us. Now word of them has spread. You might be deaf, Ivor, but I am not. Many of my landholders refused to come. They fear if they do the peasants might revolt while they are gone. All the spies hear the same thing whispered. No, I am no fool to return and have to slaughter my field workers, especially when the Tugars will want the taxes we must raise for next year.”

“You have let things go too far,” Ivan of Vazima snarled. “Let the emptying of your warehouses be a lesson.”

Ivor looked nervously around. When the fight was won, he thought darkly, these men would turn on him like wolves, kill him, and place Mikhail on the throne instead. He could only hope that the fear of a supporter of the church ruling Suzdal would stay their hands.

“It is understood, though,” Ivor said sharply, “that the weapons of the Yankees are divided between us.”

“Never,” Rasnar replied. “For the Tugars will not allow a device more powerful than their bows to be kept by us. You are all fools to think otherwise. They must go to the church for safekeeping.”

Enraged, Ivor turned on Rasnar, who had promised so differently only days before.

“And give you the power?” Ivor retorted.

“The safekeeping. Could any of you trust the other not to hold the smoke sticks back? Then you will all try to conceal them, and the Tugars will slaughter us all as a result.”

“Who’s to know if we give them some and hide the rest?” Ivan asked.

“I have told them how many Yankees there are,” Rasnar replied, “and how many weapons will be given unto them when they come.”

“Damn you,” Ivor roared.

“It is only to save us all,” Rasnar replied sanctimoniously, and smiling inwardly he did not bother to mention that the number he gave was far less than the number the Yankees most likely had. Already he had in his possession four of the weapons captured by Mikhail and had learned how to use them. Now if only that Hinsen would reveal the secret of powder as well, his power would be limitless.

The boyars looked one to the other, and their fear of one another played well into Rasnar’s hands. After a long hour of shouting and arguing, all except Ivor finally agreed that the weapons spoil would go to the church. And at that moment Rasnar knew he had truly won what Ivor had blocked for so long.

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