Sauragia

Part II: Siege/Chapter 17

The whole of Saurahall was in an uproar. Captain Humphreys and his Force had spread the word of Edward’s invasion very effectively, and now villagers seeking refuge were flooding the streets of the capital. There was, of course, difficulty finding vacancies for so many at once, but this was Saurahall, as King Henrik stated, and room could always be made in times of hardship. Some of the newcomers had friends and relatives they could stay with. Homes were abuzz with fussy housemums and maids making sure everything was in perfect order for the extended visitors. Some with rooms to spare offered them to those with nowhere else to stay, and the inns were packed with the wealthier refugees, who came toting cartloads of their belongings to make their stay in this foreign town more comfortable.

Throughout the whole affair, the Guard and the Force were out in the thick of things. Standing on street corners and at gates, they directed the flow of wagon traffic, gave directions, monitored for pickpockets, and even helped load or unload a thing or two from carts and into houses. Astron was taking his new role as temporary commander of the Guard very seriously, though he refused to be referred to as Captain. His second-in-command, Rob, performed his assigned duties with fervour, belying his earlier words about his ever being in a position of command. Alfred was put in charge of Palace security in order to keep him satisfied, and he went about his task with surprising enthusiasm.

“I may not like you,” he told Astron outright, “but I hate barbarians.” And after all, Saurahall was his home too.

Astron got involved in the work too, lending his strength to moving things about and helping count the newcomers. The age and condition of each dinosaur coming into the city was recorded, in order to sort out those who could potentially take up arms if necessary and those who could aid in other ways. The king did not like the idea of forcing those who had already given up everything to fight, and neither did the commanders, but all knew that if things became truly dire, it would more than likely prove necessary.

Near the end of the day as Astron took a short break to report to the king, many new arrivals were still waiting anxiously to get in through the three gates of Saurahall, though not quite as many as earlier. King Henrik looked out the window of his third-floor study at the bustle below. The sun’s setting rays highlighted the western faces of the city’s buildings in a magnificent red-orange sheen and cast shadows over everything else.

The royal study was a favourite room of King Henrik’s. For not only did it contain shelves full of the books he so loved in his old age, but also a number of memories from his youth. He could recall many times when he had been summoned to this very room as a lad by his father, King Godric II. Sometimes it was to have a story read to him; occasionally to be disciplined for his roguish behaviour. But mostly he came to be taught some kind of important lesson about ruling and leading other dinosaurs in times of plenty and times of trouble. In short, he had learned to be a good king within these four familiar walls, where he often spent hours at a time filling his head with knowledge in the hope that it would someday be of use to somebody else.

He was wondering if perhaps that day had finally arrived when he heard clawsteps behind him.

“It is quite a crowd we have amassed today,” said he, turning to Astron. “How many have you counted so far at the gates?”

“Two hundred and two, I believe was the last count,” replied Astron, “though it’s changing all the time. More seem to arrive every minute.”

“Why, at this rate, we could nearly double our own population!” exclaimed Henrik.

Astron nodded. “It does give us more of an army to work with though. Just about everyone able has volunteered to join the Defence Force or help in some other way. From what I understand, Edward has several hundred dinos at his back, near a thousand by some accounts, so the more of us the better.”

“Yes, but what of our supplies?” pressed the king. “You and Captain Humphreys said we could withstand six months of this, but now it would only be three, am I correct?”

Again Astron nodded. “I’m afraid so, sire. But what else can we do?”

“Nothing, I suppose,” answered the king hesitantly. “We’ll just have to wait and try to hold out as long as we can. I only hope that turns out to be longer than Edward.” He paused and examined his aged foreclaws. “I’m not as fit for this as I once was.”

“Whatever happens now, we can’t give up, sire. For the sake and memory of Captain Torilis and the others who went out with him, we must hold on.”

“I know it. And if he were here he’d say the same.” Henrik sighed. “I only wish we had him now.”

“So do we all. Those were some of the best the Guard had. No one is sadder to lose them than I.”

The king eyed him curiously. “At least we have Captain Humphreys and the son of our great warrior Argon to save us.”

“Me?” spoke Astron, shaking his head. “No, I’m no great leader like him. I’ve never even fought in a real battle before. I know how to swing a sword, but I’m no warrior yet.”

“Not a warrior? Do you truly think fighting alone is what being a warrior is all about?”

Astron did not know what to say, so Henrik continued.

“You are a warrior because it is in your blood, Astron. You have cunning, courage, and determination. Not all of us can say that.” He placed a friendly claw over the young guard’s shoulder. “We all have to start somewhere, and you’re in a good place to do that. I know it as Captain Torilis knew it, or else he would not have left you in charge of his Guard. You are a born leader, Astron. All you need to do is try.”

Astron looked up, his eyes shimmering with pride. “I will, sir. I promise I will.”

Throughout the morning and into the night, reports kept coming in to the king and his officers from all quarters regarding weapons, food stores, and numerous other important aspects of Saurahall’s readiness for war. Rob and Alfred had their claws full prying open crates full of bows, javelins, and arrows dug out from the deepest depths of Saurahall’s armoury while simultaneously helping Captain Humphreys direct where to place troops and supplies that would be most effective.

“Yes yes, place an extra load of arrows in every wall tower and gatehouse,” ordered Rob. “No, I haven’t a clue about rationing! Willy’s in charge of that. Go ask him. Captain Humphreys? I dunno, I saw him some time ago near the Palace gates. He’s probably still there.”

Mopping his brow between answering all the inquiries, Robert turned to address Alfred in a rare attempt to be amicable.

“Tough job, all this commanding stuff, eh mate?”

Alf merely grunted in response as he attempted to lever open another crate with a long spear tip. He was surprisingly strong for one so thin, and with another concerted effort, he managed to pry the lid loose and heaved a sigh of relief.

“What have we got here?” spoke Rob, peeking inside. “More arrows, eh? Well, no doubt we’ll find a use for them. Shall we put them in the west gatehouse or the east one?”

Alf shook his head and replied, “Nope. These ones are going to the Palace as part of the reserve cache. Captain Humphreys says so.”

“Oh, righto. I say, Gerald, could you seek out Captain Humphreys and tell him to send someone to help shore up the east gate? Those chaps asked me to send help along earlier, and I want to make sure they get it.”

The young Alvarosaurus nodded and scurried away to find the captain. Rob heaved a sigh.

“Good boy, that Gerry,” he said. “He’ll make a fine soldier someday.”

“Sure, whatever,” spoke Alf, returning to his task.

Rob just shrugged at his companion’s indifference, then noticed movement atop the east gate.

“I say, what d’you suppose that’s all about, old boy?” he spoke.

Alfred looked up, then flicked his gaze over to where Rob was pointing.

“I dunno,” he replied. “Wanna’ find out?”

Together the two guards ran over to the area in question and bounded up the stairs. Joining two members of the Force who were talking together there, Rob spoke:

“I say, what’s all the fuss about chaps?”

“Down there, Rob,” said one of the soldiers, pointing down the road approaching the gate. “There’s someone coming our way.”

“Well of course there is,” stated Alf. “They’ve been coming our way all day.”

“No no, these ones are armed,” said the other soldier.

Rob and Alfred peered hard through the dense foliage of the Elderwood Forest to the path below. Through the small gaps that appeared as the boughs swayed in the wind, they could indeed make out some signs of movement. A small dust cloud rising from the hot, dry roadbed and the occasional glint of steel informed them that some war band was definitely headed their way. Rob turned to the nearest watch with a grin.

“They’re soldiers all right,” he stated simply. “But no need to raise the alarm, mate. Those are friendly troops there. The last of the patrols from yesterday, looks like. Go inform Captain Humphreys of this right away, and we’ll head down to welcome them.”

With nods of acknowledgement, the two soldiers headed down the stairs to fetch Captain Humphreys. Rob and Alfred descended the stairs and slipped out through the open gate past the refugees still coming in. Heading down the road a little ways, they stopped and waited for the column of troops to come closer. When they were within hailing distance, Rob called out to them.

“Ho there, lads! How are you all today?”

The Skaarosaur heading the column called a halt to his force and came forward in the company of an Alvarosaurus whom Alfred and Rob did not recognize.

“Hullo there, Robert,” replied the green-eyed dino. Having been born and raised in Saurahall, Per Hansen had nary a trace of the typical accent of his species. “Everything’s gone swimmingly so far, thanks for asking. I see our warnings have done the trick. Got a few visitors from around the countryside, have we?”

“This is just the tail end of them,” replied Rob, glancing at the few stragglers still making their way into the city. “We’ve been getting swamped by the lot all day. Jolly hard work getting them all sorted out.” He paused and looked to the Alvarosaurus beside Per. He wore a uniform similar to that of the Saurahallers, but made of higher quality leather, and with extra trim. “And who’s this fine chap here, eh?”

“This is Sergeant Browne of Allington’s City Watch,” answered Per. “Sort of like their version of the Defence Force up there.”

“How do you do?” spoke the rather stiff officer in his slightly nasal tone, extending his claw to Rob.

“Pleased to meet you, sir,” said Rob, shaking the proffered claw.

“Yes, I’m sure,” said Sergeant Browne. “Now, where is your commanding officer, if I may ask?”

“Captain Humphreys? He’ll be along shortly.”

“Yonder he comes now, actually,” spoke Alfred as he spotted the Force Captain coming their way.

“Well now, if it isn’t Sergeant Gregory Browne!” spoke the captain as he reached them. “What ages have passed since we last met, old boy!”

“Yes indeed, Captain Humphreys!” the sergeant spoke with equal joy at seeing his old comrade. “It was at Redstone Tavern, I believe, at the end of the war. The afternoon we disbanded our militia forces. There were plenty of tears shed that day, my friend.”

“Indeed, parting was hard for all of us. But fortune has a funny way of bringing us back together again. What is it that brings you here by the bye, Sergeant?”

Sergeant Browne gestured over his shoulder to the column behind him as he replied, “Lord Lawton and the Mayor of Allington send their regards to the king, and offer these fifty troops and three wagonloads of supplies to aid you in your coming struggle.”

“Fifty!” exclaimed Rob and Alfred together.

“Indeed. When your lad here, Hansen, brought the ill news of invasion to our town, we knew we could not stand idly by without offering a claw to our fellow Cardoliners. So, we decided to send this token of our appreciation to the king. And I, not wanting to miss out on a good scrap with the foe, volunteered to lead them.”

“Well, you’re most welcome here, I assure you, old friend,” spoke Humphreys, somewhat astonished himself. “But won’t you need these soldiers and supplies back at Allington if you’re attacked?”

“We have enough to take care of our own. We’re further north of here, and don’t feel as close to the danger as you lot. It’s the crown and the throne that old Eddy wants in order to rule Cardolin, and those are both located here. And besides, Saurahall is a much more defensible city than Allington. If you fall, we don’t really stand much of a chance anyway.”

“Right, then. You can bring your lot in behind this last load of refugees and join us for a bit of tucker in the Dining Hall. In the meantime, you can come with me and give the king your regards yourself. He will be delighted no end to hear from you, I’m sure.” He paused and looked to his subordinate. “Excellent work, Hansen. Bring your lot in as well, then close up the gates if there are no more refugees coming.”

Sergeant Browne gave the order for the troop column to proceed, then joined Humphreys, Alfred, Rob, and Hansen in going back to the city and into the Palace. There Sergeant Browne made his report to a pleased King Henrik before joining his troops and old friends in the Great Dining Hall for a spectacular meal. There were high spirits all around, and everyone did their best to enjoy themselves thoroughly, each knowing in the back of his mind that a great storm loomed on the near horizon, threatening to put an end to good times in Saurahall forever.