Page 68 of The Infernal Battalion

The second night out of the pass, an unseasonable thunderstorm blew in, drenching the ground and frightening the animals. It had died to a steady drizzle when a scratch came at Marcus’ tent flap, which turned out to be a lieutenant on Kurot’s staff, bearing an invitation. The Column-​General wanted a council of war.

“General d’Ivoire.” Kurot’s voice was warm as he came around the map table. Marcus saluted, but Kurot waved it away and shook his hand. “I hope your errand went satisfactorily.”

“Perfectly, sir. Personal business. Sorry to be away from the column.”

“Nothing to worry about.” Kurot smiled genially. “I knew you’d be here when it mattered.”

He gestured for Marcus to take a seat. Fitz and Val were already there, and shortly after de Manzet ducked in, shaking the rain from his jacket and murmuring apologies.

Kurot waved him off. “Welcome, General de Manzet. I believe this completes our little ensemble, since General Stokes is still in the field.”

He stood across the table from them, looking down at the map. His little wooden soldiers were deployed across it, a tight bunch in blue with a handful of horsemen and cannon. Across from them were figures dyed a deep burgundy. On one corner of the table stood the general’s ever-​present chessboard, where a game was in progress.

“The latest reports from our scouts are in,” Kurot said, sliding cavalry figures of both colors across the table. “Our patrols have crossed swords with Vhalnich’s outer cordon, and we still don’t have his precise dispositions. But his general intentions are obvious.” He began laying out red infantry on the map, behind its protective screen of cavalry. “His main body seems to be concentrated in the angle between the Daater and the Pale, with the intention of laying siege to Alves.”

Marcus looked at the map. The winding river Daater flowed roughly east to west, up to the point where the Pale slashed down diagonally from northeast to southwest. Between them they made an angle like a wedge of cheese. Alves, the largest city in the Pale valley, was pressed into the point of that wedge, where the two rivers met.

“Alves has strong, modern fortifications,” Kurot went on. “It will not fall quickly. On the surface, this appears to present a golden opportunity for us to advance and attack Vhalnich’s forces while they are pinned against the city.”

Marcus opened his mouth to speak, but Fitz got there first. “Where Janus is involved, sir, nothing is as it appears on the surface.”

Kurot smiled. “As you say, General Warus. All things considered, I believe this is a trap.” He paced, as though to survey the situation from every angle, then went to the chessboard. Pursing his lips, he pushed a pawn forward one space.

Theatrics, Marcus decided. Is he hoping we’re going to be impressed?

“The Daater is passable at several points,” Kurot said. “The Pale is deeper, but Vhalnich has control of several bridges upstream. Once we commit to attacking his army, which will no doubt be dug in, I would expect flanking forces to fall on us from both directions in a classic double envelopment.”

De Manzet scratched his nose. “The timing on that would be tricky. It’s a risky plan.”

“Exactly the sort of bold maneuver Vhalnich is known for.” Kurot adjusted his spectacles, smiling slightly. “It’s always worth knowing the character of your enemy. Having anticipated his moves, you can remain one step ahead.”

“We’re not going to attack, then?” Val said.

“Not directly. Amateurs think of war in terms of battles, General Solwen. Professionals think about lines of supply.” He picked up another figure, a stylized wooden wagon, and placed it astride the Pale upstream of Alves. “Janus is drawing his supplies from depots in the north, captured when the divisions at the frontier went over to him. His lines of communication run down the west bank of the Pale for the most part, protecting them from interference as long as the bridges are blocked. But at some point”—​he tapped the wagon—“they needs must switch to the east bank to support his siege.

“This is his point of vulnerability, gentlemen. He hopes that we will charge ahead, taking the bait, and attack him head-on. Instead we will strike here. Part of our force will proceed to Alves, appearing to fall into the trap. When he springs it, our main force will fall on one of his flanking columns and destroy it, while our detached force makes a fighting retreat. We will seize this bridge and block his line of supply, and then he will be forced to engage us on our terms or starve.”

It looked very neat, the blue soldiers slipping in behind the oblivious reds. Marcus was reminded of diagrams from his textbooks at the War College, which was undoubtedly what Kurot had in mind. He glanced surreptitiously at his fellow officers. Fitz’ face was guarded, as always, but Val looked skeptical, and de Manzet was deep in thought.

“Comments?” Kurot set his wooden soldiers down and smiled, though the expression seemed a little forced. “I do not expect you to obey like slaves. You are all”—​he glanced at Marcus—“experienced officers.”

Marcus cleared his throat. “It seems a little... complicated.”

Kurot’s smile became even more strained. “Military operations often are.”

“You assume that Janus will react as you expect,” Fitz said. “And this force serving to spring the trap”—​he indicated the most forward of the blue soldiers—“​could be in serious danger if Janus ignores the threat to his line of communication and presses his attack.”

“He won’t,” Kurot said. “The cardinal sin of any general is underestimating his adversary, and I do not intend to commit it. Vhalnich is too good a commander to simply allow his flank to be turned. If he committed to attacking the bait force, he might destroy it, but we would be in a position to capture his entire army. No. He’ll come north to fight once it becomes clear he’s in danger.”

“What about Alves?” Val said. “There must be a bridge there, and supplies.”

“Messengers have gotten out of the city in small boats,” Kurot said. “Colonel Vinkers is in command there, and he is certain of his ability to hold out for at least another four weeks. In the very worst case, I have ordered him to demolish the bridges and fire the magazines before surrendering. Vhalnich will not escape that way, have no fear.”

That seemed to be the last of the objections. After a moment of silence, Kurot straightened.

“Very good. Detailed orders will be on the way before nightfall, gentlemen. The diversionary force will be yours, General Solwen, including much of the cavalry reserve. General d’Ivoire, you’ll have the lead for the attack against Vhalnich’s flanking force, when it shows itself. The rest of the army will follow and be ready to deal with Vhalnich’s primary attack. We complete our approach march tomorrow, and barring any unexpected developments, the plan goes into effect at first light the day after.”

All four generals rose and saluted. “Yes, sir.”