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The division of forces by the Asbalnians before the storming of Hardinian was the classic error, though it must be said that they were working on the information, which showed them as having a slight superiority in numbers. As well, the end result of an army appearing almost from nowhere to attack Hardinian was much consternation among the Hygerians. The fact of the existence of the numerous Hygerian troops prevented the consternation from having the full effect it might have had. Therefore, on top of the first gamble, Conel and Rorick gambled on their ability to hold Hardinian.
—The Hygerian War
Randell of Avantir
The Prince’s army, now about seventeen hundred strong, took over the city. Now they had only to wait for Phedron. parties set about putting thin. in order for the defense, for it was necessary not only to hold until Phedron’s arrival, but to preserve the host as an instrument fit for further fighting.
A ditch was due outside the breach, and a hedge of sharpened stakes was set into the pile of rabble. A special force of men was set to watch the breach and drilled in certain maneuvers devised for its defence. Men sweated and strained to haul some of the light catapults up to light platforms which had been built for them on the wall, overlooking certain points most likely to be attacked.
The great catapult was brought inside, and mounted in a court—yard, while all available arrows and javelins were collected and placed in baskets on the walls. A good number of the men of Hardinian offered their service to the Prince, and were accepted. As many as could actually use them were given arms and armour taken from the Hygerians or taken from the dead of Asbaln. For the rest, they took to practicing in the use of bows and arrows, or javelins.
There was much practice with missiles going on. Rorick, who had seen what archers could do, kept his Warriors training as much as could be managed at the use of the bow. They were far below Icarian standards, but even the worst of them could now put an arrow into a man—sized target six times out of ten at a range of one hundred yards. Small scouting forces were out on both the north and south roads, to bring warning of the first approach of Hygerians from either direction.
Three days later, it was reported that the Hygerians were on the way from the south. No word had come in yet from Phedron, but it was hoped that he would make his way through before the condition of the force in Hardinian grew too serious.
None of the leaders of the Asbalnians were too greatly disturbed by the presence among the Hygerians of engines for attacking the walls of the city; it had not been expected that such things would be ignored forever by the enemy, though some of the more gloomy—minded of the ordinary soldiers prophesied doom and defeat until restrained by command of the Prince.
“We need time, Conel. Every hour we can buy in which they do not attack us is added time for Phedron to come to us.”
Conel drummed his fingers on the table before him and looked at Rorick. “And you, my friend, have found another way to buy us a few hours. I think I may not like this, but tell me.”
“I will take out a force of cavalry; we will conceal ourselves back in the woods and come down to raid them in the first night. The next day, we will come back through them and return to the city, doing what damage we may on the way.”
The Prince slapped his hand down hard on the table. “I was right! I do not like it! A night attack is a good way to get killed, like as not by your own people. And you will cut your way through them in the daytime? Bah! And what sort of magic charm will keep you and these men invisible while their patrols comb the country—side for you?”
“I might die in a day attack as well. We can cut our way through, particularly if there is a sally from the city at the same time. And as for their patrols, well, I had thought to take us very far from the city, far enough that they would not think of looking for us.”
“So you come to the fight on tired horses?” Conel’s hand fell on the table, palm up.
“Conel, Conel, do you think I have not thought this through? We might sit here all the night arguing so, and end by doing nothing. Will you give me your leave?”
“Yes, I suppose I shall, though my heart likes it not. If I lose you, lose more than another commander.”
“I have no wish to deprive you of my company, Conel, but I have a feeling that we may buy some time this way, and time we most desperately need.”
The small group of horsemen met in the brash overlooking the plain round Hardinian. Their scouts drew quick naps in the flickering firelight, showing where all the Hygerian siege equipment was placed. After a quick scanning of the plan, Rorick assigned targets to his men, dividing them into three groups.
They were a hundred, all told, and he felt that thirty was the smallest number which could expect to achieve any success, even by surprise. Each man had a large piece of white cloth tied round his sword—arm, a rough means of identifying comrades in the dimness in which they would be fighting.
They all mounted, and Rorick looked round at them. “No foolishness, now. We are going in to destroy equipment, and if any of you decides to die bravely surrounded by a ring of dead foes, I will personally see to it that a song is made remembering you as a stupid glory—hunter who endangered his comrades by dying when there was no need. Now, let us go.”
They rode down toward the Hygerian camp in silence. It had been arranged that the signal to attack would be the challenge by the first Hygerian sentry, and when the voice of a tired man sounded from the darkness before them, they reacted as though a trumpet had sounded.
The sentry’s shout brought guard—detachments to the alert, but before they could approach the point of danger, the Asbalnians were splitting into three groups and riding at a gallop for their destinations. They did not stop to fight, though they did ride down several small groups which sought to hinder them.
Rorick’s force attacked a large ram, made mostly of green wood and covered with green hides. They had dragged in bundles of brush by means of ropes, and they had several jars of oil with them for just this purpose. They had little hope of actually destroying the ram, but they might possibly make it unusable for some time.
They piled the brush at one corner of the machine, and poured the oil into the same area, then cast in torches. They did not leave immediately, but rather stayed in the neighbourhood for a time, holding back those who would have come to put the fire out.
At last Rorick, noticing that the enemies gathering against them were becoming too numerous, led his men out by the least difficult route, loosing a few arrows on the way against any who attempted to interfere with them.
They stopped first at the place where they had met before the attack. They waited there until as many in as seemed likely to do so, then rode out to a new hiding—place. The Hygerians did not pursue them far.
It only remained to reenter the city tomorrow.