Storm and Steel Read Free Page A

voice. “Coming fast.”
    Emanon muttered a long stream of inventive curses. “How did we miss this? Jirom, didn't our source say there weren't any caravans due to come through until next sennight?”
    Jirom ignored the question. “What about the escort, Seng?”
    â€œAkeshian medium cavalry. Twoscore.”
    Emanon's cursing continued. Jirom frowned at the small scout. “Cavalry regulars? Are you sure about that?”
    Seng folded his hands over his chest and nodded. “They display the sigil of the yellow mare.”
    Emanon dismissed the scouts and hunkered down in front of Jirom. “That's the sign of the Golden Charge outfit. Tough bastards. How do you want to handle this?”
    Jirom ran his fingers along the hilt of the sword strapped to his side. He had replaced the handle's cord-wrapping with oxhide for a better grip. The smooth leather was reassuring to his touch. “They must be heading for the fort. If they get inside, it almost doubles the size of the garrison. We can't handle that many. We'll have to postpone the assault. With luck, the wagons will move on in a day or two and take their escort with them.”
    Emanon's left eyebrow rose slightly. It was an expression Jirom found distracting because it made the man look so damned good. “Or…”
    â€œOr what?”
    â€œOr we could incorporate this new wrinkle into our plan.”
    The muscles along Jirom's jaw tightened as he frowned. “How?”
    Emanon bent closer and explained his idea. Jirom had to fight not to shake his head as he listened. It was crazy. Foolhardy and reckless. Worst of all, it was completely unscripted. But Emanon made the call, and all Jirom could do was go along with it. They quickly passed the new plan to the squad leaders, adjusted assignments, and gave the signal.
    The rebel fighters moved with quiet efficiency through the rocks and onto the plain. Jirom hurried ahead with the advance units. Timing would be critical. The gathering darkness would help, but any errors would alert the fort garrison and end all chance for success.
    While Jirom oversaw the positions of the fighters, Seng relayed that the caravan would arrive in five or six minutes. That's cutting it damned close.
    He could make out a blurry cloud on the road. He wished he had time to plan this better. Pikes and polearms would have been a great help against cavalry, but they had planned for a fort assault, and so he was stuck with the tools at hand.
    Mahir came over beside him while the others set up. “This is a bold move, boss.”
    Jirom nodded as he scanned the array of forces. “Problem, soldier?”
    The scout leader shrugged. “Changing plans at the last moment don't exactly make a body feel comfortable.”
    â€œPlans change.”
    â€œSure. Only…”
    â€œOnly what?”
    Mahir spat in the dry soil. “A couple of the new recruits have been grumbling.”
    Jirom turned and looked him in the eye. “Anything I need to worry about?”
    â€œNope. Not yet, anyways. I just wanted you to know.” He winked. “Covering my ass, you know?”
    Jirom motioned for him to rejoin his squad. As much as he appreciated the vote of confidence, he wished the rebels didn't place so much trust in him.
    Once all the units were in place, Jirom could barely see them. He peered back in the direction of the fort. There was only one place an ambush could be sprung without any chance of alerting the garrison, and that was directly in line with the boulder cluster. Everything looked good. He waited until the last moment before he found himself some cover behind a stunted olive tree.
    The ground trembled as the caravan approached. Ten soldiers on horseback rode out front. Seng hadn't been wrong. These were true Akeshian lancers, the flower of the empire's legions. Chain hauberks, round shields, and polished conical helmets rushing past in a storm of gleaming steel. Jirom wiped his