The Big Ones

Chapter Fifteen: Meetings

Proving Grounds, Jin-Hark, Kingdom of Louria

"Strike!"

With a crack, dozens of projectiles left the smooth barrel of the swivel chargegun and tore through their targets, scattering hay and marked burlap everywhere.

There was a moment of silence in the aftermath. Then clapping from a single pair of hands broke the silence.

"This Fennian swivel chargegun is tremendously effective," said King Hark IV as he examined the devastation caused by the canister shot from behind the piece. A boy ran ahead and brought to him the remains of one of the burlap targets for his close examination. The black circles that had marked the fabric were now unrecognizable. After a moment, the King nodded and dismissed the boy.

He turned to the Qua-Toynian prisoner as the testing crew checked over the chargegun. "How fast can a drilled crew strike with one of these Fennian chargeguns?"

"A well-drilled crew could strike up to once every thirty seconds," replied Master Gunner Vol.

"I assume that's before they start to tire out."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"All those projectiles with just two men when using those small wooden barrels." King Hark turned to the nearby Centurion. "You and your men must be as fierce and courageous as wyverns to face the ends of three of these at Maihark and yet overcome their resistance."

The Centurion bowed his head. "Your words of praise shall be gladly received by my surviving men and shall bring comfort to the families of the lost, Your Majesty."

The King turned back to Vol. "By demonstrating to my men how the weapon works, you have fulfilled your part of the agreement. I see value in your mastery of the art of using chargeguns. Are you sure you will not switch sides and swear to me? My offer stands for one last time."

"I am sorry, but I must disappoint you, Your Majesty. I swore an oath to my sovereign when I joined her army, and I will not break it. As long as you are at war with the Princess, I will give no further aid to your cause."

"It is disappointing that you will not be persuaded, but I admire your steadfastness to your oaths. Guards, see Master Gunner Vol back in safe condition. Inform the jailers he and his men shall be moved from the dungeons and spend the rest of their time as prisoners providing for their upkeep as farm labourers."

"By your will, Your Majesty." The guards took Vol away.

"Despite their losses, your men still had enough discipline to capture many men of the piece crews. Their conduct reflects highly upon you."

"Your soldiers did as ordered, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, the commanders of the Maihark Gate chose to fall upon their swords rather than be captured. Their knowledge would have been most useful to overcome the remaining defences of the city."

"And yet your rapid seizure of the Gate must have made quite an impression upon Maihark's commander. You have proven that Fenn weapons though powerful, are not insurmountable. I've been informed that just the next day Dame Ine, now without hope for supplies slipping past the naval blockade into her safe harbour, agreed to guarantee the port city's surrender to us if they are not relieved in two weeks in exchange for the cessation of fighting and later safe withdrawal.

By the actions of your command, we now hold her most trusted combatant, Sir Keith of Maihark, as our hostage. Our spies have informed us that despite already putting himself out of frontline action by breaking his arm during his attempt to thwart your assault, the removal of his presence has resulted in a loss of morale in the garrison as they lack one of their most experienced minds. Now we face the real prospect of avoiding a costly assault upon Maihark's walls.