L. Modesitt - Imager’s Battalion

“Skarpa was right,” said Bhayar. “You are not indestructible, Quaeryt.”

“I know that.”

“There are times when you have to let others die, and you will again.”

Quaeryt knew that as well, but he only nodded.

“You have lost two out of ten, or eleven if you count yourself. You must find a way to prevail, Quaeryt, one that preserves most of our forces and few of theirs.”

“And if I do?”

“Then I can claim that the valiant efforts of the imagers who sacrificed much made it possible … and you will have what you want for imagers.”

“If my plans meet your approval. And if you prevail … as a result of our efforts, but-”

“Do not mention such.” Bhayar paused, then added, “A debt is still a debt.” After yet another pause, he asked, “Do you have any plan that might work? Better than charging cannon and exploding the powder?”

“There is one possibility,” Quaeryt conceded, “but it can succeed only if you do not reveal all of it. And if Kharst has no imagers to counter us.”

“It appears he has few, or so we have been led to believe, and they remain far from him and close to his commanders. He distrusts them.”

That’s not exactly surprising, given what we’ve seen of how he handles High Holders. “You might think about this, sir. So far as I can determine, cannon and muskets are by far the most effective weapons against imagers. All imagers were on the south side of the River Aluse. So were all cannon and musket attacks, even though the forces on the north side of the river, until you reached Caluse, far outnumbered those on the south side.”

Bhayar frowned. “I had not heard that.”

“It is true, so far as Commander Skarpa has been able to ascertain. That is why I would ask that you not tell anyone all of what we are about to discuss.”

“I must be the judge of that.”

“Of course. But our lives and what we can do are then in your hands.”

“Tell me.”

Quaeryt did, beginning with those strengths and limitations of imaging that might apply to the attack on Kharst’s forces.

When he had finished, Bhayar asked, “Will this work? How much will it harm our forces?”

“I believe it is workable. It is also dangerous. Any great imaging is, even when it goes exactly as planned. And you have no idea whether this will.

“I fear we must risk it.”

“Are you certain that most of Kharst’s troops are surrounding his chateau or near the defensive earthworks?”

“They appear to be, but one can be certain of nothing in war. You should have learned that by now.”

“I have, but it is best to start from what is known.”

Bhayar began to point out positions on the map that lay on the small writing desk.

A quint later, Quaeryt left the tent.

Lhandor was still waiting.

Neither spoke until they had left Bhayar’s encampment.

“Can you tell me anything of what Lord Bhayar said?” asked Lhandor, riding closely beside Quaeryt.

“Very little,” replied Quaeryt. “He wants us to be careful that we do not waste our abilities on matters that will not count in affecting the result of the battle … and the war.”

“He told you not to hesitate in sacrificing us if it would preserve you, did he not?”

“No. He said that none of us were to waste ourselves.”

“I fear I did not say what I meant. I meant that you must be preserved to do what only you can.”

“Have you been talking to Khalis, Lhandor?” Quaeryt’s tone was skeptically sardonic.

“About what, sir? We often talk.”

“Never mind.” Quaeryt shook his head. “When we get back to the encampment, you need to gather the imager undercaptains and Major Zhelan.”

“Yes, sir!”

Don’t be so frigging enthusiastic, for the Nameless’s sake. Quaeryt was all too aware that what he planned could kill all of them if he didn’t do it perfectly … and might well, anyway.

Interestingly enough, at least to Quaeryt, was the fact Deucalon canceled without explanation the Jeudi evening briefing for senior officers, which had been scheduled for sixth glass. Even more interesting was the order waking the entire combined armies at fifth glass on Vendrei morning and ordering the advance on Variana to begin at sixth glass. Most interesting of all was the envelope sealed with Bhayar’s personal signet that the unnamed undercaptain delivered to Quaeryt at a quint past fifth glass Vendrei morning.

“You’re to open this, sir, read it, but not to tell me what it says, and then acknowledge that you have read it and will comply.”

Quaeryt studied the seal, then broke it, opened the envelope, and extracted the single sheet of heavy paper. The message was simple enough.

Proceed as we discussed. Use your own judgment as to timing and positioning after the assault begins. Fifth Battalion will be initially placed to the east of the center of the attack, directly behind another regiment of Commander Skarpa’s choosing. You are not to lead any charges.

Behind another regiment of Skarpa’s choosing?

Beneath the words was the single initial “B.”

Quaeryt folded the sheet and replaced it in the envelope, then looked up. “You can convey that I’ve read the message, that I understand it, and will comply.” To the best of my ability and that of the imagers.

“Thank you, sir.”

Once he’d seen the undercaptain off, Quaeryt gathered the imagers inside the cot. “It appears we’ll be attacking Variana today. It also appears that we will not be in the van, but slightly back. Once we move into position, we will assume a five-front formation, with Undercaptains Voltyr, Threkhyl, Lhandor, and Khalis flanking me, and Horan, Smaethyl, Baelthm, and Desyrk in the line behind us. First company will be directly behind us, and if necessary the other battalion companies may flank us…”

After finishing his briefing and ordering the imagers to make ready to mount up, Quaeryt then summoned and addressed the company officers. “We’re being ordered to attack Kharst’s defenses and his chateau at Variana. It’s called Chateau Regis, if anyone cares to know. Fifth Battalion will initially follow whatever regiment Commander Skarpa chooses, and we will be to the right of the center of the main thrust. First company will lead … with all imagers flanking or directly behind me … I have direct orders from Lord Bhayar to take independent action at any time I see fit…” When he finished, he asked, “Are there any questions?”

“Begging your pardon, sir,” offered Zhelan, “but we’re going to ride straight into the muskets and cannon of the Bovarians?”

“We likely won’t, but some of the marshal’s regiments will.”

“Sir…? Behind another regiment?”

“The Bovarians have muskets and cannon, as you’ve just pointed out. They know we’ve almost always led. If we’re in front, the imagers will spend all their imaging shielding, and none will be able to do any damage to the Bovarians. Whatever regiment leads us is Commander Skarpa’s decision. That’s up to him. We need to get as many of the Bovarians as close together as possible. Picking off isolated units doesn’t work very well when there are likely to be more troops in any of their isolated units than we have in three regiments.”

“That’s so you can do something with the imagers?”

“That’s the idea.” Whether it will work that way is another question. It should, Quaeryt thought. He’d tested all the aspects of it on a small scale. A much smaller scale. “Remember, keep your men from doing anything stupid. Even after this battle there are bound to be other battles, and we’ll need every man until this war is over.”