To The Cathedral part 2

Elena and Chara , despite the age difference, had got on well since joining up. Elena had been rejected initially ( no proof of age) but joined Celandine's mercenaries. and had been only too pleased to be posted to the European coast. The Wars of Religion were reaching their peak , Salaic was one of the last major ports which had to be defended. Chara and Elena found themselves with people of all races and gender. It was a time of chaos, so many disparate groups on all sides. However, for the first time in her life Elena felt accepted as part of a group and grew to love the solidarity, the comradeship, even the physicality of living so close together. The adrenalin raced through her, even when they finally had to admit defeat and left the port to return she felt excited, cramped together in the paddle steamers that the island confederation had used. Sometimes at night the old smells came back. Of gunpowder, smoke, sweat and fear and exhilaration. Looking back now she did feel some guilt, it was not normally a trait of hers to look back ( at least not too far) and she and Chara spoke of the comrades they had lost.

They must have been about a mile from the Cathedral when Chara noticed a group run out of the forest to their left, some ten or twelve on foot and a further five on horseback. These Outsiders were not going to let anyone reach the sanctuary of St Anselm.

Chara whistled and she and her warriors formed a small semi circle, Elena and hers formed one just behind. Chara had winked at her and they both knew the drill from the old days, as soon as the attackers would close they would straighten and and ride to them head on. It was a basic attack but would give a slight illusion of numbers.

These were well armed Outsiders, but those on foot had pikes, often the most cumbersome to use, especially on soft sand, and running at the collision speed of some sixteen miles an hour ( military training stayed with Elena).

Sue enough the foot soldiers slowed. This was enough to cause a momentary halt to the attack and Elena and Chara saw their moment.

Chara speared one Outsider off his horse while a quarrel caught her right shoulder. Elena knew she must have some padding under the jacket as she didn't bother to pull it out.

Oscar, Levi Took out another two on horseback so by now they only had the leaden footed to deal with. Pikes caught two of Chara's group and they were unhorsed and soon were gone. Gretchen and Oscar and Fflur found it easier to use their crossbows as clubs and swung them viciously. Levi had used his javelin but was also unhorsed and a pike thrust ended his days. Gretchen went to his aid but a retreating Outsider hurled a javelin that hit its target perfectly, and so she joined the lost of the day.

The whole attack lasted barely ten minutes. Chara had lost two of her group. Elena and hers also lost two; Levi and Gretchen. No wounded which was good.

As was the custom their would burn the bodies of their fallen. The attackers' dead would be left as a warning.

It was not long before the four bodies were ablaze at the sea's edge. They would burn out before the tide came in. Elena and Chara betrayed no emotion, even though Elena found it hard to keep her emotions in check. Levi had been as close as any male could get to her and had been her most trusted confidant out here, after Fflur. Oscar shed a tear but Fflur took her lead from Elena. Gretchen had been a late arrival and didn't seem to really connect with the others, but a loss was a loss, especially after they had come so far. Chara’s veterans on the other hand knew that life out here was short as well as ugly, brutish, beautiful and free..provided you were in a good clan. They knew though, that this would likely be their end, to be mourned not by brothers, sisters, children or parents, but by battle hardened survivors.

No one said anything and they moved on.

Their silence was broken by the sound of violently hissing steam and they looked up to the small hills the other side of the forest. One of the steam engines that the City States used for transport was snailing its way along with its customary cavalry escort. The brightly coloured banners fluttered spectacularly in the light wind , and the curaisses and helmets of the escort caught the sun brilliantly..and threateningly. Both Elena and Chara remembered such enormous steam engines, dragging the enormous siege guns to Salaic, the flat ground perfect for them. The smell of the steam, and even the sweat of the drivers, well built men with often huge arms, mingled in the air as from the walls they could only watch and wait.

They noticed with some alarm that the engine was turning to move down, The escort would not attack but may ride out to deter and if they had the light carbines so favoured by the cavalry of the City they could be in trouble.

Someone from the escort called out.

Elena and Chara looked at each and decided not to panic. They brought their horses to a quicker trot.

Elena looked behind and said to all the others

'Don't let them intimidate. They can't ride out too far to leave the engine'

Sure enough, the escort of some twenty cavalry started to ride out out but they were not going fast. Their dare not leave their charge, on a run like this the driver could outrank an officer

St Anselms soon towered in front of them. The small dirt track leading to it would soon open out into a paved road that had been swept recently, and a few stalls would setting up near the entrance. They would sell whatever they could, even to the more rational Outsiders. Elena loved the clean smell, naptha and paraffin they used to clean, and if necessary to fight with.

They broke their horses into a quicker trot but now the escort was getting close.

Elena was tempted to turn to face them but they were outnumbered and she didn't want to risk another confrontation so close to the Cathedral.

'They cannot go much further' hissed Chara

The escort was trotting quicker and was obviously going to outrun them. No doubt the haulier thought it all amusing but why had he not called them back?

Oscar and fflur reached for their crossbows. It was a risk but may letting a few quarrels go would let them know they were not to be fooled with.

Suddenly and without warning, the whole group broke into a gallop, the hooves soon clattered on the pathway of St Anselm's. None on them looked back until they were at the gates. They were all breathing hard and the hoses' steam filled the air.

Two young men in black opened the gate, only then did they look back, the escort had gone but if they were not so close it could have been difficult.

A short man with a long grey bear came up to them and smiled, it was a grateful all embracing smile for he knew they had what he wanted.

'We bring Holy Water Bishop

Said Elena jumping down, still short of breath.

'Good, we may send you again soon as you have been so successful!'