CHAPTER FIVE
“TOO DAMNED QUIET”
At mid-morning on the following day, the Feast of Saint Eirénaios, the retreating Kórynthi army finally reached Karkára. They had actually been in contact with Prince Kiríll’s patrols and supply wagons for several days now, and the prince himself was waiting for them at Lüstern Field.
Several hundred men had perished from their injuries during the five-day trek, but another thirty or so missing soldiers had drifted into camp along the way back, happily telling their stories of escape and adventure around the evening campfires.
“Hail, King Kipriyán!” saluted Kiríll, as the lead elements of the army finally came to a halt.
But the king just stared dully off into space, making no response.
Prince Arkády reached over and grabbed his younger brother’s elbow in the ancient manner of two warriors greeting each other.
They talked privately for a moment.
“Any change?” quietly asked Kiríll, nodding at the king.
“None,” Arkády whispered. “He’s been like that, off and on, since Killingford. It’s when he starts shouting orders for us to charge the enemy that I have to have Melanthrix sedate him again. It makes the men nervous. What news here?”
“Quiet. Too damned quiet, to my way of thinking.” Kiríll shook his head. “We’ve got the supply spigot shut off up north, and managed to save most of the wagons that were on their way down to Saint Paulinos’s. I’ve ordered General Khydión to withdraw his forces back to Lockenlöd Castle and environs. He really doesn’t have enough soldiers to do anything else.
“Down here,” he continued, “we’ve set up a series of temporary forts along the Spargö, which have virtually stopped the attacks by the irregulars. Zack and I have also established a series of patrols between Karkára and Borgösha.”
“Well done, brother,” Arkády noted. “We need to get the king back to Paltyrrha as quickly as possible. News about the battle will start circulating soon in Kórynthia, and the royals have to be seen again by the hoi polloi there before that happens. The king and I will stay overnight in Karkára. Tomorrow you’ll join us in riding down to Podébrad. We can use one of the mirrors there to transit to Paltyrrha. I’ll leave General Rónai in charge here; he’s now recovered well enough to resume command. We’ll send the remnants of the army south to Borgösha; the Skopélosz Pass is much easier on the vehicles, and many of our wounded are still wagon-bound. Those who haven’t perished yet will probably survive.”
He turned in his saddle.
“Lord Rónai!” the prince shouted.
When that officer had reported, Arkády said: “Have the men camp here overnight. Tomorrow, we’ll march them south to Borgösha under the command of General Zinón Karélovich. The King, Doctor Melanthrix, Lord Gorázd, the servant Siméon, and I will return to Paltyrrha via Podébrad, together with Prince Kiríll. You will take command of our forces around Karkára. My orders are to continue our patrols for a week, and then withdraw to Lüstern, establishing a perimeter here at the base of the canyon.
“By the way,” he added, “how’s your leg?”
“Much better, highness,” the officer responded, “and thank you for inquiring. Now I’d best get to my men. May I be excused?”
Arkády waved his hand, then turned back to Kiríll.
“Let’s ride out,” he said. “Rónai’s quite capable, and doesn’t need my supervision. I’m very concerned about father, Kir. He needs all the rest he can get.”
Then they headed up the pass with the king and Melanthrix and several aides in tow.