Chương 66: Chapter 67: Bad News

Day 208 Tachweld 8th (November 8th) The news that the newcomers brought was unwelcome. Goblins, wargs, and even hill trolls had attacked the forts to our north and south in numbers. It was believed that they hit the far southern fort as well, but the riders hadn't heard from it yet. The two other forts were holding their own, but aside from the handful of riders who braved the trek north, they were both under siege.

Despite the elite forces that occupied the forts, the sheer numbers of goblins, combined with the trolls who accompanied the other two armies, were stopping them from breaking out. They were concerned about high casualties if they fought when they were so outnumbered. The group who made it to Weston comprised three wizards. One was a Fire Wizard, another used earth, and the final was a Wind Wizard.

They'd used their combined classes to fight their way free and then ride the hundred miles to Weston to see if it still stood, and to warn us that a contingent of at least twenty-five hill trolls were on their way. I'd wondered why the Wizards hadn't tried to stop them, but a quick look at the almanac showed that hill trolls were extremely resistant to magical damage. Our ballistas and catapults were really in place to repel an attack by the trolls. Twenty-five was a large group, though.

If they were armored and prepared to assault a wall, then that was enough to take the city if we weren't lucky. With that news, I knew what I needed to do. I made my way up the chain of command and asked to see the bishop. I hadn't spoken with him at all since Samhain. I wasn't sure what he'd been doing, but it was time to talk about putting my tractor in play. It took a couple of hours, but I was finally able to get in to see the bishop and the mayor.

Also in attendance were two men in wizards robes, as well as the militia captain Gareth Castell, who I hadn't spoken with since my first drill. Once I had their attention, I told them about my idea.

"Impossible," Bishop Smythe said in his imperious voice.

"I cannot vouch for everyone in this town. The three Wizards who just arrived today are loyalists, as are most of the people who are even sniffing a position of power. But I cannot be certain that there aren't filthy dockrats who are in the employ of one of the noble families." Gotta remember, he might be on your side, but he's not necessarily a good dude.

"Bishop Smythe," I said.

"If we created some scythes for the front of my tractor it could cut these trolls down. Give me a Wizard or two to keep the Shamans from stopping me, and it will save this town." The look the bishop gave me said he didn't believe my tractor was remotely capable of what I said.

"Inconceivable Mr Jacobson. Hill Trolls can be fifteen or twenty feet tall. No machine, no matter how impressive, could possibly take one down." I was frustrated, but I still hoped I could convince him.

"Your eminence. My tractor is quite a bit more capable than you might think. First off, it weighs close to 50, 000 pounds and can drive faster than a warhorse can charge. It has a weight bar on either side of the front that would support scythes. I would just need something to control the Shamans." The mayor and the two Wizards in attendance seemed interested in what I was saying, but the bishop was firmly in charge here.

"I will not countenance it!" he bellowed out.

"Now leave this room! We have serious matters to discuss!"

"Wait," said the Wizard who my UI said was named Aiden Neil. He had the same aristocratic voice I'd heard on most wizards, but he sounded less haughty than Johnstone.

"Let's hear him out. Bishop, we're in a lot of trouble with those hill trolls." Smythe looked more than a little upset with the Wizard and he gave him a withering glare.

"The town enchantments will stop the Shamans, and the ballista and catapults will deal with the trolls." The bishop insisted. Neil shook his head.

"Bishop, there are twenty-five of them. You have ten ballista and catapaults on each wall. Rupert here might be able to trip them up, but the Shamans will probably counter him. Only two or three need to reach the wall to breach it if they attack together." Slamming his fist down on the gilded chair he was sitting on, the bishop declared, "I said no!" Neil gave him a flat stare. Just as he was about to speak again, Captain Castell said, "Your eminence. The Wizard is correct.

Had the hill trolls not arrived, we could have maintained our defense of the city for several months thanks to our full granaries and the wall enchantments. The trolls have upset that balance." The mayor's face went from beet red to ghostly pale at Castell's words. He quietly said, "Inconceivable." He clearly trusted Castell's opinion. The man was a bit different, but he was obviously a serious man. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"Fine," said the bishop, in an abrupt about face.

"But, you do know this is probably going to mean we will have to move you off your homestead." That wasn't a prospect I looked forward to, but I said, "Your eminence, if it means we all live, then so be it." He looked at the Wizards and said, "Neil, Rupert, please go with Mr Jacobson and plan out your escape from the town. Captain, go with them and see if we can support them." With that, I was escorted out of the town hall, two Wizards and Captain Castell at my side. Castell spoke as soon as we were in the square.

"The South Wall Captain, Jones, is going to be too busy to work with at the moment. But I'll get the other three together. When do you want to break free?" he asked Neil and Rupert, who had yet to speak so far. Neil said, "As soon as it's full dark. Assuming Jacobson here is telling the truth about his tractor, my team can get us free of the city, but there are too many Shamans for us to successfully attack no matter how impressive his tractor may be if they're all focused on us." Castell nodded and said, "Indeed.

There are ten on the hill troll side. The rest are spread out amongst the other three camps. I will arrange distractions to keep reinforcements from heading to the south wall." He turned and looked at me.

"How long will it take you to return? I need to prepare the militia. And we need to arrange a signal." I looked like a deer caught in the headlights and turned to look at Neil for help. He shook his head but said, "It will take us several hours to make it to his homestead even with remounts. Can your tractor keep up its speed for long?"

"Yes," I said.

"I can't fit all of you inside the tractor, but several people will fit on it, and in the dark it's best to take it easier until we're ready to actually attack. Let's say two hours. And can you guys make something for the tractor to use as a weapon?" Rupert spoke for the first time. His voice was full of passion, and he gestured with his hands as he said, "I'll make something no one in here will ever forget." I didn't know what to make of his declaration. Neil just snorted and nodded.

He turned to Castell and said, "We shall plan for 3 a. m. They won't be expecting it." The rest of the afternoon was, luckily, mostly calm. We were all worried about the large hill troll contingent attacking right away, but when they got to the goblin camp, they actually got into a bit of a tussle with the Shamans. The southern Wall Captain had a looking glass, and he passed around the news that it looked like the Shamans wanted them to attack, but the hill trolls were tired, hungry, or otherwise not in the mood.

At least one of the Shamans used earth magic to create vines and used them to whip one of the trolls. That troll then reached down, grabbed the shaman, and bit his head off. After that, the trolls were given some cattle to feast on. Once the cattle had been consumed, the trolls just went to sleep right out in the open. I was given leave to go speak with Emily, who had been helping the Collins' as they prepared food for the wall defenders.

I hadn't been able to speak to her for more than a few minutes at a time until then. When I made my way into the inn, I saw Emily hand several bags of food to older children who were serving as runners. When she saw me, she smiled, then yelled back to the kitchen.

"Janice, John is here, I am going to take a break and speak with him." She didn't wait for a response before she walked forward and grabbed my arm, and told me to escort her on a walk. Once we were free of the inn, she worriedly looked up at me and said, "Are the rumors true? There are hill trolls outside now?" I grimaced and nodded.

"They are. That's what I came to speak with you about. The wizards who came in today are going to escort me to the tractor. We're going to try and break free then get to it. The wizards said they can do something to help make a weapon for it." She looked stricken.

"Surely the bishop didn't agree to this?" I laughed bitterly, "He was one hundred percent against it. But the Wizards, and even Castell said the city would fall if we didn't do something drastic, so he relented." I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves before I told her the next part.

"But, he also said if we do this, I'll probably be forced to leave since there's surely someone in the city who would tell someone outside about the tractor. Someone who could disappear us. Everyone in power here is loyal to him and the Emperor, but there have to be some spies." She looked fierce and angry at my words, so I quickly blurted out, "I wouldn't expect you to come with me.

Part of why I came here right now is that I figured we could go see Priest Lewys and figure out how to get the land transferred to you and Colin before tonight." Now she looked even angrier for some reason, so I asked, "Did I say something wrong? I don't know why you're so angry with me." She lightly slapped my arm and said, "You fool, I am not angry at you, I am angry at the situation. And that is not what I want at all. John, I love you." She stepped in front of me and grabbed both of my hands in hers.

"I do not want to marry you simply because it is the convenient thing to do. You have shown that you are a good man. You have treated me and Colin like partners from the very beginning. I really do love you, and if you are forced to leave, I will go with you."

"What about Colin?" I asked.

"He is of age," she said.

"I hope he will come with us, but if he chooses not to, Hari and Glenn have already said they'd take him on and help him if something happens to me. We have gold hidden, he knows where it is." I'd already known I was in love with Emily, and I hoped she would grow to love me as well, but she was so reserved that it was hard to read her emotions. I was more resolved than ever to make sure I saved Weston. Even if I was forced to flee after, I wouldn't be doing it alone.

I knew she was a reserved woman, but I couldn't help myself. I pulled her close and gave her a passionate kiss.