"FREE-19" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jerome Bigge - Warlady 9 - The Freedom Fighters Of Trelandar)Freedom Fighters of Trelandar A Tale of Adventure in the Second Dark Age Book Nine of the Warlady Series By Jerome B. Bigge Chapter Nineteen "How `bad' is it really?" Carl asked as we were shown to a room for the night and the slave girl then took her leave of us. The glow of the lamp she'd left for us doing little to dispel the gloom I felt knowing that Darlanis had left me little choice now. "She can be `defeated', but the `price' that the people of Trelandar will then pay in turn is something I don't even want to think about," I answered back, standing there by the window look- ing out. "Our best hope here now is to try to cause her so much troubles back in Sarn that she's forced to retreat from Trelandar to `protect' her own territory from us," I explained, seeing him now nod as he turned back the bed and checked around for spiders. It was now growing late in September, the autumn having come, and while it would remain "warm" here in the lowlands for months yet, I was well aware that military operations higher up would be not that pleasant now, especially as we could have to move up high up into the mountains to be able to sneak on past her own patrols. And "tactics" of the sort I'd been using before, while "annoying" to the Empire, really hadn't had much military effect here yet. "Maybe we need to find an ally somewhere," Carl ventured. "Perhaps Queen Dala will listen to me..." I mused in turn. "There..." Carl now muttered, getting the fire started now, the light of the flickering flames reflecting here off his face. "With Talon's help we could push Darlanis out of Trelandar," I spoke, squatting down beside him, picking out the wood to burn. "And by now Dala's got to know that Talon's `next' after Trelan- dar," I spoke, straightening up, having heard such from Darlanis. The Empress' comments leaving no doubts that she was already now considering the tactics she'd use in an attack here on Talon now. While Talon would not be the "pushover" that Trelandar had been, the people of Talon now being "organized" into defensive militias much as those of Dularn, the ultimate "outcome" for little Talon would be such that little would be "left" of it even if they were successful in keeping Darlanis from taking the country over here! "Dala wouldn't `help' before," Carl pointed out to me now. She was willing to sell us military supplies, but that the limit. "Then we'd all better get used to being `Californians'," I smiled back, seeing him nod back as we got undressed now for bed. "Get used to paying taxes to Darlanis to pay for her wars here." "Your Queen won a `minor' victory over my forces two days ago," Darlanis said to me as we joined her for breakfast the next morning. Her words coming as a surprise as I knew she would not be saying such to me unless she had a very good reason to do so. "Some of my commanders have grown a bit `careless'," she added... "You got your nose `bloodied' up near Cluro, didn't you?" I smiled, being well aware of what had "happened", it being obvious that Paula had managed to swallow her pride and take my "advice". The Imperial forces having grown used to the fact that they did- n't have to pay too much attention to protecting their flank now. My sister having struck with an reinforced brigade at night after crossing the river further east where the Imperials didn't keep such a good watch. A number of swimmers having crossed first at night to deal with the thinned out Imperial guards at that point. I'd worked out the plans carefully with Paula and Tirana before leaving to come speak to Darlanis, hoping it might impress Darla- nis enough to get her to negotiate some sort of a settlement now. "It will not happen again!" Darlanis snapped, her temper now showing in the hot blaze of fury I saw there in those azure eyes! The slave girl hovering near by shrinking back in terror here now as Darlanis then slammed her fist down heavily against the table! Leaving no doubts that we'd been more successful than I'd hoped. "As you said yesterday, I am a better `Warlady'," I smiled. "You `mind' your mouth or I'll...!!" Darlanis snarled back! "Or you'll run me through with your sword?" I smiled at her as the Empress sat there, obvious not at all happy at this news!! I didn't see Lara anywhere about, but I supposed she had things of her own to take care of. Being the "favorite" of Darlanis no doubt gave her a certain "power" here that she could exploit too. "One victory does not win a war!" the Empress snapped at me. Her very manner indicating that Paula had indeed done very well! Better than I'd hoped for, although Paula was obviously competent at military command, especially in doing a task like this here... This "hit and run" raid at night upon an Imperial Legion. "I'm ordering Tara back to take direct command of the front now." Dar- lanis snapped, it being obvious that Paula had indeed struck the Imperials a blow that had "shaken" them. That had left them well aware that they were not as invincible as they'd previously tend- ed to believe. Perhaps even doubting that victory would be "theirs" as their Empress had been promising them all along here! That perhaps she'd also lied in saying that "Lys was with them"!* * The German soldiers of World War One were told by their govern- ment that "God was with them" in this. (Gott Mit Uns) (J.B.B.) "I'm sure Paula would agree to `reasonable' terms," I said, perhaps pushing my luck here, considering how Darlanis felt now! "We would still like to live in peace with you," I said to this golden haired beauty whose "dream" suddenly didn't seem so likely now as it had even the night before... I recalled Paula there at the seacoast town of "Fisher's Landing" where she'd actually re- pulsed an invasion attempt by this very same Empress now sitting there before me. Remembering how "competent" Paula was there on her unicorn, giving her orders, directing her forces. I knew she had gotten high marks at the Academy, but I'd never considered in all the years she'd been Queen of Trelandar that she was a fight- ing Queen, a Queen who might also well command Legions in battle. "I'm sure you would like an early start back to your lines," Darlanis answered in an icy voice, obviously furious at me here. It did not seem likely now that we were about to enjoy breakfast. "She's not going to let something like that `happen' to her again," Carl said to me as soon as our little galley got under way, Darlanis having been "polite" at the end, and that was all. "The `shoe' is on the other foot now," I smiled back at him, waving to Darlanis, who didn't bother waving back at me here now. It was a lovely early fall day, the sun warm, the breeze pleasing as it came off the Pacific. The steady beat of the drum keeping time for the oars "stirring" in a way to my soul, as if deep down inside there was truly perhaps a Warrioress living deep there in- side. A few white clouds gently drifted across the sky as we now worked our way out from Trella's harbor, meeting the first heavy roll of the open sea as we came to the opening that led out into the Pacific ocean. The captain now barking his orders, the la- teen sail being raised now on its stub mast. The oars being slid inboard as we switched over to drawing the power of the wind, the painted eyes of our vessel now looking on towards the south. The movement of the deck beneath my feet bothering me but little now. "We're coming into port now, your Ladyship," the captain of the little galley said to me as I sat there talking with my hus- band here in the small stern cabin that had been put at my dis- posal while aboard. "There's a welcoming committee for you too." "I suppose I'd better wear my hat and veil," I now smiled. "All hail our new Warlady, Lady Sanda!" the mayor now yelled to everyone, the people now gathered giving out with a good cheer as I stepped up on to the dock. Carl making sure that I got off the galley safely, his powerful grip almost dragging me up on to the dock. The mayor, who obviously enjoyed a good meal from the looks of him, now ordering the trumpets played in my honor here. The thought going through my mind that there might be something to this custom of veiling, as it did hide the stupid grin I had!! His honor then announcing in loud tones that the town was going to be named after me, hereby being known as "Sanda's Landing"... "I am deeply honored," I answered, not knowing what else to say here. It being obvious that news had reached here of what my sister had done to the Imperials, and no doubt she'd given me all the "credit" for planning it, even if I hadn't taken part in it!! "But thanks should be given to those who fought here, who died in battle so that you might live in freedom," I said to them. Aware that had it not been for what I'd said to Paula, Darlanis would now have her "beachhead" here, and her ships would be here in the harbor right now discharging her troops upon Trelandarian soil as they gathered to follow their mistress in her conquest of us now. It was "true" that there were other places she could land forces, but Darlanis had needed a spot fairly close to her own lines, not a second invasion point that we could bottle up without trouble. The people of Trelandar were starting to realize that we had no where to run, that we had to stand and fight, not just rely upon our own military to defend us. Militias were being formed in the villages and towns of Trelandar, even if such activities were not being encouraged by the government, but because more and more of the people of Trelandar recalled that LADY SANDA recommended it!! My letters to the newspapers of Trelandar having borne fruit now. "But had not Lady Sanda, our Lady Sanda spoke the truth, re- gardless of `cost' to herself, we would all be kneeling as slaves before the Bitch of Sarn," the mayor declared in loud tones here. A number of men and women, armed with swords and bows, "raising" them up in salute, their attire leaving no doubts that they were not a part of the regular armed forces of Trelandar, but militia! "It is Lady Sanda, our Warlady, who saved us all from Darlanis!!" The cheering that rang out at these brave words making my eyes wet with tears as I realized it might be possible we could defeat Darlanis in war, if not the sort of a war that she expected here! Freedom Fighters of Trelandar A Tale of Adventure in the Second Dark Age Book Nine of the Warlady Series By Jerome B. Bigge Chapter Nineteen "How `bad' is it really?" Carl asked as we were shown to a room for the night and the slave girl then took her leave of us. The glow of the lamp she'd left for us doing little to dispel the gloom I felt knowing that Darlanis had left me little choice now. "She can be `defeated', but the `price' that the people of Trelandar will then pay in turn is something I don't even want to think about," I answered back, standing there by the window look- ing out. "Our best hope here now is to try to cause her so much troubles back in Sarn that she's forced to retreat from Trelandar to `protect' her own territory from us," I explained, seeing him now nod as he turned back the bed and checked around for spiders. It was now growing late in September, the autumn having come, and while it would remain "warm" here in the lowlands for months yet, I was well aware that military operations higher up would be not that pleasant now, especially as we could have to move up high up into the mountains to be able to sneak on past her own patrols. And "tactics" of the sort I'd been using before, while "annoying" to the Empire, really hadn't had much military effect here yet. "Maybe we need to find an ally somewhere," Carl ventured. "Perhaps Queen Dala will listen to me..." I mused in turn. "There..." Carl now muttered, getting the fire started now, the light of the flickering flames reflecting here off his face. "With Talon's help we could push Darlanis out of Trelandar," I spoke, squatting down beside him, picking out the wood to burn. "And by now Dala's got to know that Talon's `next' after Trelan- dar," I spoke, straightening up, having heard such from Darlanis. The Empress' comments leaving no doubts that she was already now considering the tactics she'd use in an attack here on Talon now. While Talon would not be the "pushover" that Trelandar had been, the people of Talon now being "organized" into defensive militias much as those of Dularn, the ultimate "outcome" for little Talon would be such that little would be "left" of it even if they were successful in keeping Darlanis from taking the country over here! "Dala wouldn't `help' before," Carl pointed out to me now. She was willing to sell us military supplies, but that the limit. "Then we'd all better get used to being `Californians'," I smiled back, seeing him nod back as we got undressed now for bed. "Get used to paying taxes to Darlanis to pay for her wars here." "Your Queen won a `minor' victory over my forces two days ago," Darlanis said to me as we joined her for breakfast the next morning. Her words coming as a surprise as I knew she would not be saying such to me unless she had a very good reason to do so. "Some of my commanders have grown a bit `careless'," she added... "You got your nose `bloodied' up near Cluro, didn't you?" I smiled, being well aware of what had "happened", it being obvious that Paula had managed to swallow her pride and take my "advice". The Imperial forces having grown used to the fact that they did- n't have to pay too much attention to protecting their flank now. My sister having struck with an reinforced brigade at night after crossing the river further east where the Imperials didn't keep such a good watch. A number of swimmers having crossed first at night to deal with the thinned out Imperial guards at that point. I'd worked out the plans carefully with Paula and Tirana before leaving to come speak to Darlanis, hoping it might impress Darla- nis enough to get her to negotiate some sort of a settlement now. "It will not happen again!" Darlanis snapped, her temper now showing in the hot blaze of fury I saw there in those azure eyes! The slave girl hovering near by shrinking back in terror here now as Darlanis then slammed her fist down heavily against the table! Leaving no doubts that we'd been more successful than I'd hoped. "As you said yesterday, I am a better `Warlady'," I smiled. "You `mind' your mouth or I'll...!!" Darlanis snarled back! "Or you'll run me through with your sword?" I smiled at her as the Empress sat there, obvious not at all happy at this news!! I didn't see Lara anywhere about, but I supposed she had things of her own to take care of. Being the "favorite" of Darlanis no doubt gave her a certain "power" here that she could exploit too. "One victory does not win a war!" the Empress snapped at me. Her very manner indicating that Paula had indeed done very well! Better than I'd hoped for, although Paula was obviously competent at military command, especially in doing a task like this here... This "hit and run" raid at night upon an Imperial Legion. "I'm ordering Tara back to take direct command of the front now." Dar- lanis snapped, it being obvious that Paula had indeed struck the Imperials a blow that had "shaken" them. That had left them well aware that they were not as invincible as they'd previously tend- ed to believe. Perhaps even doubting that victory would be "theirs" as their Empress had been promising them all along here! That perhaps she'd also lied in saying that "Lys was with them"!* * The German soldiers of World War One were told by their govern- ment that "God was with them" in this. (Gott Mit Uns) (J.B.B.) "I'm sure Paula would agree to `reasonable' terms," I said, perhaps pushing my luck here, considering how Darlanis felt now! "We would still like to live in peace with you," I said to this golden haired beauty whose "dream" suddenly didn't seem so likely now as it had even the night before... I recalled Paula there at the seacoast town of "Fisher's Landing" where she'd actually re- pulsed an invasion attempt by this very same Empress now sitting there before me. Remembering how "competent" Paula was there on her unicorn, giving her orders, directing her forces. I knew she had gotten high marks at the Academy, but I'd never considered in all the years she'd been Queen of Trelandar that she was a fight- ing Queen, a Queen who might also well command Legions in battle. "I'm sure you would like an early start back to your lines," Darlanis answered in an icy voice, obviously furious at me here. It did not seem likely now that we were about to enjoy breakfast. "She's not going to let something like that `happen' to her again," Carl said to me as soon as our little galley got under way, Darlanis having been "polite" at the end, and that was all. "The `shoe' is on the other foot now," I smiled back at him, waving to Darlanis, who didn't bother waving back at me here now. It was a lovely early fall day, the sun warm, the breeze pleasing as it came off the Pacific. The steady beat of the drum keeping time for the oars "stirring" in a way to my soul, as if deep down inside there was truly perhaps a Warrioress living deep there in- side. A few white clouds gently drifted across the sky as we now worked our way out from Trella's harbor, meeting the first heavy roll of the open sea as we came to the opening that led out into the Pacific ocean. The captain now barking his orders, the la- teen sail being raised now on its stub mast. The oars being slid inboard as we switched over to drawing the power of the wind, the painted eyes of our vessel now looking on towards the south. The movement of the deck beneath my feet bothering me but little now. "We're coming into port now, your Ladyship," the captain of the little galley said to me as I sat there talking with my hus- band here in the small stern cabin that had been put at my dis- posal while aboard. "There's a welcoming committee for you too." "I suppose I'd better wear my hat and veil," I now smiled. "All hail our new Warlady, Lady Sanda!" the mayor now yelled to everyone, the people now gathered giving out with a good cheer as I stepped up on to the dock. Carl making sure that I got off the galley safely, his powerful grip almost dragging me up on to the dock. The mayor, who obviously enjoyed a good meal from the looks of him, now ordering the trumpets played in my honor here. The thought going through my mind that there might be something to this custom of veiling, as it did hide the stupid grin I had!! His honor then announcing in loud tones that the town was going to be named after me, hereby being known as "Sanda's Landing"... "I am deeply honored," I answered, not knowing what else to say here. It being obvious that news had reached here of what my sister had done to the Imperials, and no doubt she'd given me all the "credit" for planning it, even if I hadn't taken part in it!! "But thanks should be given to those who fought here, who died in battle so that you might live in freedom," I said to them. Aware that had it not been for what I'd said to Paula, Darlanis would now have her "beachhead" here, and her ships would be here in the harbor right now discharging her troops upon Trelandarian soil as they gathered to follow their mistress in her conquest of us now. It was "true" that there were other places she could land forces, but Darlanis had needed a spot fairly close to her own lines, not a second invasion point that we could bottle up without trouble. The people of Trelandar were starting to realize that we had no where to run, that we had to stand and fight, not just rely upon our own military to defend us. Militias were being formed in the villages and towns of Trelandar, even if such activities were not being encouraged by the government, but because more and more of the people of Trelandar recalled that LADY SANDA recommended it!! My letters to the newspapers of Trelandar having borne fruit now. "But had not Lady Sanda, our Lady Sanda spoke the truth, re- gardless of `cost' to herself, we would all be kneeling as slaves before the Bitch of Sarn," the mayor declared in loud tones here. A number of men and women, armed with swords and bows, "raising" them up in salute, their attire leaving no doubts that they were not a part of the regular armed forces of Trelandar, but militia! "It is Lady Sanda, our Warlady, who saved us all from Darlanis!!" The cheering that rang out at these brave words making my eyes wet with tears as I realized it might be possible we could defeat Darlanis in war, if not the sort of a war that she expected here! |
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