Golden Sword

Chapter 15

Once rivals, over time they had slowly become friends. Master Mitchell's granddaughter, however, was still touchy on occasion and Keika always dealt with her carefully. Although she could be a firebrand, Roxanne Mitchell was one of her best officers and fighters and led the 2nd Squadron of the Paladins with great skill. When her ice gray eyes and thick dark auburn mane appeared at the door, Keika greeted her warmly and invited her in. Roxanne listened attentively as the Princess explained that someone she trusted had to return to Mercedium and work with Devin to help coordinate operations with the Mercedian army and general staff. They would have to form a joint command structure from both armies so there would be only one chain of command. Roxanne would operate as Keika's representative, wielding her authority as commander in chief, and would be in direct charge of the project.

At first Roxanne protested, requesting to stay and fight, but Keika reminded her that such a posting would greatly enhance her resume and standing within the Otani army. This was a position that would have a major impact on subsequent promotions and Keika knew that Roxanne was an ambitious young woman. She had made no secret of her desire to be a Legion General someday, perhaps even Field Marshall, like her grandmother, might be within her grasp at some point. Keika told Roxanne that she was her first choice, but she would send another if Roxanne was not interested in the job. After mulling that fact, her attitude did a reversal and she was suddenly eager to go. They sat down and Keika went over with her exactly what she wanted accomplished and how she wanted Mitchell to go about it. She would be working closely with Devin and had to be diplomatic in dealing with the Mercedians. The Princess wanted no ruffled feathers. Keika expected regular progress reports from her. Rising from the table, the women saluted each other. "Good luck, my Princess." said Roxanne, fist over her heart. "I swear on my honor that I will succeed with the task you have entrusted to me. I will also anxiously await news of your fight against the invader. You and the defenders of this castle will cover the fields outside of these walls with their dead. I wish I could be here to share in the glory, but we shall fight side by side again at Gantham Lake." "Indeed we will, my friend, take care on the road and I look forward to seeing you for our battle of vengeance and triumph. Victory will be ours!" They embraced and Roxanne left to carry out her orders.

Keika made no further recons behind enemy lines as they felt that little more was to be learned from the enemy at this point. Jack had sent out scouts into the woods to screen the area around the castle and they would be the tripwire that put the castle into full defensive mode, locked up tight and ready for the coming siege. Until the enemy began to move against them everyone was quite busy with preparations. It had been a week now since she had made her last sortie and the Paradisians were expected any time. Every day added a new machine or two to their defenses. The battlements were beginning to bristle with them and the crews of the siege weapons were training exhaustively.

Upsetting news came with the next rider from Mercedium. Empire of Paradise forces had crossed the Ohio River sixty miles west of Crown Point and laid siege to Reeves Landing Castle. The civilians of the town of Reeves Landing were evacuating unhindered by the enemy. It was reported to be about fifteen thousand men in size and they were apparently not preparing to take the castle there by storm. It was a diversionary attack she decided, but something had to be done to cover that area so orders were sent for 3rd Army to divert towards the town of Hopsin and then north up Reeves Landing Road to attempt to relieve the castle there, but failing that, to seal off the road to southern movement by the enemy. That weakened her force at Gantham, but they couldn't leave the whole western part of Mercedia undefended.

Finally, twelve days after the fall of Crown Point, Mercedian scouts appeared running toward the castle from the forest. Waving their arms as they ran it was clear that the enemy was finally on the move and would be at their walls within a day. Jack happened to be on watch at that time and ordered the castle into siege status. Large war drums atop one of the towers began to beat recall for any troops outside of the walls of the castle, telling them to return immediately. Their loud, driving beat carried over the countryside, warning all who would hear, and stirring the blood of its warriors as they readied themselves for combat.