Red-Brookes and Clansplitter

Winter was just now setting in Gontrella after a long autumn battle over Springs Eye Crossing. It was a town located along the borders of the farthest Vestrisian advance in an ongoing war. Vestrisian Soldiers sat inside the local inn resting after a tooth grinding battle against the enemy. Their commanders insisted the locals put down their arms after the Vestrisian Army invaded from the mountains. Some of them were persistent and stubborn enough to aid the invading slavers, despite their sovereignty stripped from Gontrella.

            Sergeant Georg Brooke sat with his squad mates and other members of his company. He stared at his mug wondering if the war would go their way here. For five years Georg and his comrades were stationed in this area. It had taken them four years to push as far into Gontrella as possible until they meet heavy resistance here. His company and dozens of more companies along the stretch fended off wave after wave of enemies. Each week a battle was fought along the front lines in Gontrella.

            Casualties began to mount slowly among the ranks of the Vestrisian army. These casualties here had little impact on their morale on the battlefield. Just yesterday a sniper killed one Vestrisian soldier and two of the locals. The soldier was a battle buddy of one of Brooke’s squad mates and the locals were beloved entertainers in some caravan. People in the surrounding communities either blamed the soldiers or simply left them alone concerning the three deaths.

            “Gontrella such a poor land for a country.” Private Jharym Cutz said with a disgusted look on his face. He eyed a local patron who gave him a hateful glare over a calling Gontrella a poor country. It was in fact a beautiful country with rather small rolling hills and wide fields of grass. There were various patches of woods scattering the entire countryside. Among these patches of woods were one or two settlements. Brooke’s mind went straight to the numerous rivers and streams they came across during the fighting. This one particular river the town sat next to was where they had stopped. It was here the Vestrisians stopped advancing further into Gontrella. The enemy had managed to stop their advance here at the river.

            “You’re just saying that because the Gontrellans don’t like us being here!” an older veteran named Sergeant Matthias Iron-bolt barked at Private Cutz. Matthias was a stout and stumpy looking fellow due to his heritage. His mother was a half elf and his father was a dwarf. This made him appear more human than some of the elfish looking soldiers among them.

            “After five weeks of us holding the line and defending the west you’d think they’d appreciate us or at least fuck off.” Another soldier scoffed at the end of the table. It was just a month ago in early 1845 they had just pushed through up to this point. The war was now a stalemate in Gontrella.

            “What did you expect Gorvo? It took us three years to take the southern part of Gontrella. Then it took another year and a half to push through their lines!” Red-Brookes yelled at the soldier. “Besides they hold their allegiance to the slavers and the Vullanese scum!”

            The whole table full of soldiers looked at him. He knew it was because of what he had said. These people of Gontrella were most likely to resist their occupation despite their attempts to ban slavery. None of the soldiers believed banning slavery would be a bad thing. All the former slaves could be hired to work in the fields and workshops. In the parts they occupied hardly any of the aristocracy owned slaves, unless there was something, they didn’t know about Gontrella’s culture and laws. In the back of his mind Sergeant Red-Brookes knew the real reason the Gontrellans still hated them. These fools haven’t realized the true reasons these people hate us. He said in his mind while taking another drink of his ale. Red-Brookes looked up to see if any of the soldiers would speak again or let someone else have the floor.

            Now the entire table was concentrated on something behind him. He assumed it was some maid or local trying to get their attention. Most of the townsfolk here were nosy about why there were here. Red-Brookes ignored this person and kept on drinking. Cutz, Matthias and four other soldiers gave Sergeant Red-Brookes gestures to get his attentions. None of their gestures got his attention until the Corporal beside him nudged Red- Brookes. The Sergeant turned to see who it was and immediately stood up.

            It was Major Ruith Erfolg just observing the soldiers he saw at the two tables. There were more of them behind him who had already stood up acknowledging his presence. They had more of their company waiting outside with members of other companies. Erfolg had Captain Fia Clansplitter and Captain Beric Shadow-stone with him. They urged all the sitting soldiers to stand up before their superiors and commanding officer. The two Captains looked at them with fire in their eyes especially Captain Clansplitter who would give all of them the entire shaft end over this later.  

            “Soldiers of the Black Fire Company we have been selected for some reconnaissance into Priseon Estate territories. Despite our attempts at air reconnaissance some of which were shot down the enemy has been able to change their positions and increase their forces under our noses. Captain Clansplitter how many men does my Company have?” Major Erfolg asked before he was about to send them straight into enemy territory.

            “Sir, there are one hundred and fifteen men in Black Fire Company, Sir!” She answered Major Erfolg.

            The Major nodded with approval of the number of men available for this mission. Each soldier inside the local inn knew what was in store for them beyond the Springs Eye River. Brookes hoped they could at least receive help from the local populace.

            “You will move out at exactly one hour before dawn arrives. Gather your gear and whatever necessities required for this mission, carry on soldiers.” Major Erfolg and his two Captains left the soldiers to their drinking. Before the Major left the inn, he and the two Captains filled their field mugs with the locally brewed mead. The soldiers turned to see him with his own mug of mead raised up to give a toast. They all stood up again to raise theirs for a toast.

            “Here is a toast to a swift and decisive victory tomorrow! Ura!” Major Erfolg roared with great enthusiasm for tomorrow.

            The soldiers inside the inn yelled the same war cry in response to his toast. Every Vestrisian jugged, took drink or sucked their drinks down. Erfolg went out of the inn to his own quarters in the local Baron’s tower with one of his Captains. He left Captain Clansplitter at the inn to watch over the soldiers. Clansplitter was a woman of human and elfish qualities with the strength of a troll. She was not the type of woman you’d want to piss off on any given day. Her large breasts drew the gaze of almost everyone. She did not have a massive chest, but there were enough to attract some attention aside from her beautiful features. Red-Brookes and other soldiers would have loved to sleep with her if she wasn’t the Captain, a lioness that could tear you apart, taken by some Forsythan warrior. Their superiors would just throw them into the front lines in Zekmar if they tried to have intercourse with any female officer.

            Another local entered the inn and spotted the Captain. He had a certain lustful interest in her with a hunger that needed satisfaction. He looked at the other women who had normal sized breasts or the same size as Clansplitter’s then turned back to her. Red-Brookes saw the scoundrel approach the Captain with a bag of coins in his hand. He did not know what this man said to her because it did not please her one bit. Unfortunately for her she was under strict orders from Mysdran Tidus Kyshar, Mysdran Jak Greystorm, and the Furd. She was not to kill or harm any of the civilians in Gontrella in any way.

            Before she could even react two Goblins came out of a room. Each of them appeared to be drunk out of their wits. Red-Brookes watched the two Goblins observe the Captain when she lightly pushed the scoundrel away politely as possible with her patience wearing thin. They saw Captain Clansplitter try reasoning with the scoundrel and thought they could join in. Goblins were either civilized or savage depending on which part of the world you lived in. These however appeared civilized without any sense of respect for one’s privacy.

            Red-Brookes decided to jump in and help his Captain out. He stood up only see one of the Goblins receive a broken limb. The other Goblin was punched in the gut. It fell on the floor holding its stomach. Scoundrel number one in this town saw what she did and pulled a dagger on her. He staggered back and forwards a couple of times. It looked as though he was drunk or something. The whole inn watched the brawl between her and the two goblins. Now they gave witness to a new one between Clansplitter and the first scoundrel.

            “I will help you Captain.” Red-Brookes said as he drew his pistol on the dagger wielding scoundrel. He came up behind the scoundrel who held a dagger in one hand and a bag of money in the other. The Sergeant knocked the dagger out of his hand. Captain Clansplitter then snatched the money bag from the scoundrel as Red-Brookes forced him down on his knees. Without even hesitating or giving it a second thought Sergeant Georg Red-Brookes shot the scoundrel execution style.

            “Good work Sergeant Red-Brookes. You men go get some rest. I will see you all in the morning!” Captain Clansplitter barked at them before she chucked the bag of money at the innkeeper. She stormed out of inn leaving the soldiers to prepare for the mission.

It was obvious to everyone that she wasn’t happy about what just happened. Red-Brookes soon realized what he had done and looked at a few local patrons who seemed to scowl at the soldiers.

            Sixty-four soldiers silently crossed the Springs Eye in the dark night. The other fifty-one soldiers were left in the town to maintain control and order. On the river it was pitch black like some devious god had covered the world with a box or something. Most of the sounds in this quiet night were the sounds of the soldiers paddling through the river. Sergeant Red-Brookes kept on paddling through the river blind as a bat. They nearly bumped into other boats until one of the moons emerged from behind a cloud.

            It shed some light on where they were on the river. Dozens of soldiers were already on the shore. Each group hid their boats in the brush around the banks of the river. Red Brooke’s boat made it ashore and he could now see the dense forest that ran along the bank. For the reconnaissance group it was both good and bad. The enemy would be unable to see them coming in the day light. They would not be able to tell if any unfriendly eyes were watching them.

            In the dark someone held up a lantern near the riverbank. All the soldiers a shore got down on the ground and stayed quiet. Nobody trusted the lantern wielding figure standing next to the trees. Not even Captain Clansplitter wanted to trust this person. In moments the figure started flashing signals to someone in code form. It was unclear to whom the person was signaling until the lantern approached their position.

            “It is all right Vestrisians. I am a friendly, a turncoat agent.” The figure said to them in a happy loud voice. This made the whole group of soldiers tense up. Red-Brookes wanted to drown him because he could have given their positions away. He made out the Captain’s shadow as the moon light provided some light. This turncoat and Captain Clansplitter exchanged words between each other. Clansplitter took the lantern and waved it in the air several times. She signaled for the soldiers to come over where she stood along the bank of the river.

            Red-Brookes and a dozen others followed the rest of the company to the lantern. When they got closer to Clansplitter he saw his comrades go down into a tunnel. Their Captain urged them to go down the tunnel before dawn even approached. Once they were in the tunnel the Captain and this turncoat plunged on ahead of them. Every soldier followed them down this long tunnel to a well dug system of tunnels. To Red-Brookes these seemed unfinished and a suitable place for the enemy to launch their attacks on them. There was no stopping or turning back here for any of them. It had been some time since the last assault on the crossing. Their reconnaissance mission involved searching for enemy positions and estimating how large a force they would be facing.

            In minutes the company under Captain Clansplitter exited the tunnels and found themselves in the denser parts of the woods. To the eyes of a fool it seemed safe enough to move down this path that went through the woods. No one trusted their eyes or the silence around them. Their eyes looked around and their ears kept listening for any signs of an attack. This trail they were using was dug into the ground about a foot deep all the way to the end of the trail. Red Brookes looked up at the trees expecting a sniper to shoot them down or an ambush to be sprung on them. Corporal Goran Lightningwell and Matthias noticed he was worried about these particular woods.

            “You looked troubled Sergeant Red-Brookes. Is there something wrong?” Lightning well asked in a peevish voice. He ignored the Corporal and kept up with the others. The Sergeant knew he was only joking, but to him it was the worst time to mess around. That only encouraged their joking. Matthias’ footsteps could be heard as they caught up with Red Brookes. The peevish Matthias’ breath could be felt on his ear as they walked down the pathway.

            “You know Red-Brookes this forest reminds me of the quiet valley back in the mountains. Only those towns and that one walled city showed us a little more respect. Why is that?” he asked the Sergeant in his ear. Red-Brookes glared at him in the face.

            “That’s because we cleared out the war bands and gangs of bandits.” Red-Brookes spat in Matthias’ face that then chose to leave him alone for now.

            Captain Clansplitter had made her way to the back of the line. She confronted Red-Brookes, Matthias, and Lightning Well. Each of them stopped and stood stiff as statues knowing they were screwed. Other soldiers in the back went around them. Red-Brookes could tell she did not look happy at all. Her face was red with anger over the fact that some soldiers did not shut up.

            “I hope your little conversation is over. All three of you keep your traps shut! The enemy could have eyes in these woods. Our turncoat friend has spotted an old fort we could use as a base to fall back to.” She barked at the three soldiers. Captain Clansplitter left the soldiers to beat the last several soldiers to the end of the trail. All three of them looked at one another then proceeded to the end of the trail.

            From the end of the trail Red-Brookes saw an old fort that looked abandoned on top of a hill. It had three towers surrounding it in decent condition. Red-Brookes was worried that this turncoat was leading them all into a trap. He went two yards forward and froze again when he saw their own flag flying over the towers. Such a sight was better to see than an enemy outpost they needed to take over. As they made their way towards this friendly owned fort dozens of soldiers looked around them. He noticed the hill with the fort was flanked by a long range of hills that appeared too rocky for vehicles to drive over.

            His relief took over him when sixty-five members of the Black Fire Company entered the fort. Inside they were greeted by thirty-seven armed and happy rebellious citizens who had turned against Gontrella and their slavers. Captain Clansplitter was welcomed with a handshake from the leader. Their lantern wielding friend had introduced the Captain to the leader and left them. Soldiers and rebels got acquainted with each other before they began their mission.

            “Gather around me this will be brief. These rebels are known as the Invincible Lions and have over six other rebel groups working on sabotaging the enemy communications and movements. Their leader Vibius Adonnis possesses a radio and a codebreaker for us to use. Matthias you run down to the radio room Morgan will show you the way. Private Pithros and Corporal Annoffis go assist the codebreakers. Okay men Vibius will take us to a hill behind this old fort, which should give us a clear view of some enemy positions.” She said to them before following the rebel leader Vibius down a stone hallway and through a long corridor. They rushed through the dungeons coming across more rebels, refugees, fugitives and escaped slaves.

            As they exited another tunnel they ran out into the open. Red-Brookes decided this would be a good time to get out his sketch books and code-book wrapped up together. He held on to them tightly as they climbed up the hill. Each of them looked over some rocks and parts of the hilltop. Red-Brookes expected to see just a few camps here and there, maybe a makeshift fort, or a few outposts. He took out whatever equipment he need and looked over the hill and nearly soiled his pants. What every one of them had thought were just a few camps or bases turned out to be an entire invasion force. Somewhere in his mind Red-Brookes calculated at least a few million troops and more marching towards them.

            “Lieutenant Sermonne take twenty of our men back to-.“ she was cut off when shooting and artillery rounds came towards them. Bullets hit the stones and the hills as the invasion force pressed towards them. Everyone fired as many rounds as possible until artillery shells hit the ground closer than they anticipated. One shell hit the fortress as they tried to retreat back inside. They became showered in debris from every shell fired while scrambling back to the tunnels.

            Vibius stayed behind and manned a machine gun to hold off the enemy. Red Brookes ran as fast as he could up the tunnels. He passed many fighters setting up defensive positions after feeling the shells shake the ground. Black Fire Company could not stay here since their mission was already completed, but their Intel would come too late. As artillery barrages struck the fort Clansplitter screamed for someone to inform the commanding officers and the high command. Sergeant Red-Brookes volunteered and sprinted out of the fort and made it to the woods.

            He could not stop now the war would be lost here if he did. His mission was now to reach Springs Eye Crossing in time to deliver their reports. His only hopes were his comrades would make out alive, and that the radio signals got through. Every second he ran was a second crucial to holding the line. Once they had held the line here perhaps, they could force their way to Vodwonia and Ossus. When he found his way through the woods, he spotted someone at the entrance to the manmade tunnels. At first, he thought it was their contact asleep until he saw the pistol and the blood. Poor bastard he shot himself. Oh well I guess I need to keep going now.

            Red-Brookes ran past the body and jolted through the underground tunnels. He had to get to Major Erfolg and inform him of the oncoming attack before the enemy could reach them. Red Brookes thought of all the soldiers he fought with as he stumbled a bit through the tunnel. Once he saw the end he saw a figure standing at the end of the path. Regardless of who this person was he approached them. It was Captain Shadow-stone with twenty of the Black Fire company who seemed exhausted from fighting. Shadow-stone stopped Red Brookes and pulled him to the side of the entrance.

            “Those Gontrellan bastards allowed the enemy to slip past our lines. Get your weapon ready we are holding the crossing here.” The Captain told him and went towards the crossing with some soldiers. Red-Brookes took position next to some trees when a large group of soldiers emerged out of the woods. They each wielded sub machine guns and fired on what remained of the Black Fire Company.