Belly of the Beast Warren Thomas (e novels for free .txt) 📖

and Joelle were both fast and strong, but unable to break past Pendar’s defense. Their style of fighting clearly showed they rarely, if ever, fought afoot. Never once did either one of them even try to use the point. The corporal managed to thump them both on the forehead a number of times. Tane did even worse than the Vikon couple, ending up with at least three more knots on his head and a sore left elbow from the corporal’s wooden sword.

            Quinn surprised them all, especially Corporal Pendar, by defeating him soundly. The elf showed excellent self-control, not taking any of the opportunities he had to thump the corporal on the head. His test ended quicker than the others.

            Uko also got past the corporal’s defenses, but with a booted foot to the knee. For his trouble, Pendar whacked him on the knee and head especially hard every time he broke past the Swampman’s defense. And when it was all over, the corporal seemed quite pleased.

            “Sergeant Gareth knows how to pick them,” he said, grinning fiercely. “He told us he’d fill out our ranks with swordsmen, and by Bandu’s bloody brass balls, he did it! Now, you ain’t soldiers by any measure, except for the elf, but no one expects much from auxiliaries anyway.”

            “Then why bother?” Joelle asked. “For that matter, why aren’t we put to use in units we’re better suited for? Armin and myself are superb horse-fighters and skirmishers. Tane probably can make fine swords, and I’m sure Uko would make an excellent scout. For that matter, Quinn would make either a scout or a heavy infantryman.”

            “Now, that’s a good question. And I got a good answer,” Corporal Pendar said civilly for once. “First, we don’t have the luxury of time to train any of you properly. Second, the Royal Army is almost entirely heavy infantry, so we don’t have need there. Third, what cavalry troops we need were acquired by hiring up mercenary companies. Indeed, this city is brimming with mercenaries right now, all getting paid much better than you or me, too.”

            “Money!” Joelle declared, eyes flashing. “That’s the real issue. The king doesn’t want to pay us what we’re really worth, so presses us into service as auxiliaries instead.”

            “Something like that,” he admitted. “But it really comes down to the time thing. The zombies, as you call them, are moving fast. Two cities fell to them last week. They’ll be here in Kestsax within the month.”

            “Then we have less than a month to live,” Quinn said.

            Tane didn’t like the sound of any of that. No time for training. No time for anything, really.

            “What good are we then, Corporal Pendar?” Uko said. “What exactly are we expected to do?”

            “Our mission is to support the regular line companies. Mostly, we’ll be used as reserves,” he said, shrugging. “If all goes well, we’ll see little action. Otherwise, we’re the sacrificial lambs.”

            “What does that mean?” Tane said.

            Quinn answered, “It’s a mercenary expression. When an army retreats, they frequently leave behind they auxiliary units to cover. So we’ll be ‘sacrificed’ to save the bulk of the regular army if it is forced to retreat.”

            “But if we do survive a losing battle with the zombies, then you will take up duties atop the city walls,” Corporal Pendar said. “Therefore, what little training we have time to give you will be sword drill. And a couple of hours here and there will be devoted to teaching you how best to repulse massed assaults on the walls.”

            He let them digest that for a moment, then ordered them to pair off. Tane and Quinn sparred, while Pendar made Joelle go against Uko. Armin was left to square off with the corporal.

            “We’re going to fight each other this morning, then this afternoon we’ll get with Corporal Disa’s squad and practice fighting in formation,” he said.

Chapter 10

            Lunch proved as big a disappointment as breakfast for Tane. After pounding away at his fellow squad members all morning, one after the other, he was starving. But again the recruits weren’t allowed time to properly eat, but rushed through and forced to eat while walking. Corporal Pendar acted as if they were lucky to be fed at all when Uko complained.

            “Now, listen up, scum,” Corporal Pendar said when they reached the parade ground again. “I want the Vikon anchoring both ends of our line, and the elf in the middle. Tane will fight between Quinn and Joelle, while Uko will be between the elf and Armin.”

            “Who are we going to fight, corporal?” Uko said.

            “Disa’s squad. Weren’t you listening this morning, puke-face? How many times do I have to tell you something, half-wit?”

            “No need to become hostile, corporal. I merely misunderstood,” Uko said calmly, though visibly shaking with anger.

            “Yeah? Now, just so you don’t misunderstand me again, you, Uko Uzalson, will personally clean all the chamber pots twice a day. No one will help you. And if the pots fail my very meticulous inspection, then you’ll carry them everywhere you go that day. Understand all that? Do I need to repeat myself?”

            “I understand, Corporal Pendar,” he said.

            “Now, post to your assigned positions,” Corporal Pendar ordered.

            Corporal Pendar quickly ran down the simple tactics of formation fighting. They wouldn’t be taught anything complicated, just enough to fend off the zombies.

            “All reports say the zombies are lightly armored and armed at best, so even hastily assembled auxiliaries like us should fare well in the coming battles,” Corporal Pendar said.

            Tane was heartened by that information.

            Corporal Disa’s squad came marching toward them. Tane had to admit, they looked much better marching than his squad. Only Quinn never seemed to step on the person’s foot in front of him when marching, or get confused by the corporal’s barked orders.

            “Bitch,” Corporal Pendar muttered when Sergeant Gareth came out of the barracks and complimented her on her squad’s progress.