Tylywoch ~ 29

 Tylywoch ~ 29 The Subterfuge 

By Len Morgan

Aldor's scouts returned, confirming that the 9^th Clan were massed in strength at all four gates to the Eternal City.  An army of about ten thousand soldiers drilled to obey orders instantly. Their leaders were confirmed as members of the Surbatt.   They would all have views concerning the rights and wrongs of the imminent conflict.   Each, was well aware that anything between five and ten thousand good men would be maimed or die in the ensuing conflict.   Their leaders at least were sure their cause was just, and that within days prince Taleen would be installed as Emperor of the Cheilin Empire. 

It was a stand-off.   Both armies knew the disposition of the other and yet refused to leave their entrenched positions.   Aldor knew the morale of his own force was high.  They believed the Empress still lived and therefore still ruled.   They were well-armed, well-fed, well-led, and highly motivated, from Company levels right down to Platoon levels.   He also knew that they were well-trained.  Each unit would fight as a single entity when the time came, and they would carry out whatever tasks he set for them.   His immediate goal was to get into the Eternal City.   He acknowledged that the 9^th were as well disciplined, but did they have the heart, or the same high degree of commitment, and were their leaders well tested and competent?  Aldor doubted that. 

At midnight, he sent a dozen Quads of Tylywoch to strategic points with the aim of eliminating the Surbatt higher command and as many officers of the Surbatt as could be identified.  They performed their tasks efficiently and, by morning not a ranking officer of the Surbatt remained alive. 

Leaflets and letters were distributed amongst the rank and file disclosing the true situation in the city proving beyond doubt that the Surbatt were renegades.   At first light, Aldor led 1500 Warriors from the 13^th, through the ranks of the 9^th, in column of route straight up to and through the open gates of the city with little opposition. 

(to be continued)

 

Copyright Len Morgan