Free The Bretwalda (The Casere Book 4) by Michael O'Neill

are no Axum troops there?’
    ‘No; it seems that all the wiga are from all the southern isles – Nobatia, Makurai, Alwa, Saba and Himyar.’
    ‘Well, that makes more sense. Do we know anything more of Farrun il Nobatia ... or wherever?’ As Conn said the name he looked at Asbera and she looked like she was going to say something. He indicated that she be quiet.
    Wynstan nodded. ‘Nothing really; except that he is held in high regard and is by all accounts a very capable leader. As I said, he is reportedly young, but we think that our information may be wrong.’
    ‘Anything else?’
    They continued with the briefing. It seemed that after the initial disasters, everything was back to schedule and the Meshechians were safely ensconced behind the walls that they had been building for the last fifteen years.
    ‘Where are the Healdends? Have they followed instructions to stay out of the fighting?’ Conn had created a professional fighting force. He didn’t need part timers involved, despite their best intentions and previous skills.
    The Grey Jacket’s Major responded. ‘Yes. The Aebeling of Lykia is in Moetia with an extra few companies of sagittari to support the Healdend of Moetia, but they are well out of danger. The Healdend of Gatina is of course surrounded by the Ancuman fyrd but he is safe for the moment. Aisly in Trokia is also secure behind her walls – but the Ancuman have passed her by now anyway.’
    ‘What about the Regiments?’
    ‘The Reds and Blues are in Sedina as planned. They have over fifty companies of wiga waiting for you. The Green Jackets are in Tovio in reserve and were able to reinforce either side as you command.’
    ‘And the Greys?’
    ‘Colonel Eldward is in Susa and waiting to cross into Moetia on your order. Of course, the presence of the Ancuman fyrd has prevented easy access to Trokia, and they have maintained a defensive line since arrival. The Ancuman however haven’t yet tested them.’
    Conn agreed. ‘Which is very strange – it would have been better for them to hit quick and hit fast. They had to have known that Kania and Moetia would have been the weaker lines.’ He stood up and moved around the room, intently studying the map. All eyes followed him. ‘There is something wrong and I need to understand what is going on, so I’m changing the plan that we have been working on for years. I’m not going to Gatina, but instead will go to Tovio. Regards the Green Jackets, I think I’ll take a company with me to reinforce Colonel Eldward in Kania, and I’ll send the rest to Sedina to be ready to support the Red and Blue Jackets. Wynstan, I suggest you go to Sedina in my stead. You are not to cross the river. If you stay on the western side, you should be able to hold the line indefinitely. Eriak will keep you supplied. Devnet will be able to survive inside the walls for a while without me, even if he is surrounded. His artillery companies will keep him from being sacked, and he has enough food to survive three winters in there.’
    The Captains were confused. Conn had to explain – not his favourite activity.
    ‘I don’t understand why the Ancuman forces were split and I don’t understand the purpose of having the fyrd in the north except to use as bait. How many troops does this Farrun have?’
    ‘As far as we can tell, five to six thousand.’
    ‘And in the south with the Aebeling?’
    ‘Over ten thousand – perhaps fifteen.’
    ‘It just doesn’t make sense. Divided they are weaker. If I was the Aebeling I would want the entire fyrd together.’ Conn paused. ‘Even if this Farrun is as good as they say, we can defeat him but it would be a battle without victors. We would lose valuable wiga and the Axum would lose a capable Folctoga.’ Nodding to himself, Conn sat down again. He turned to the scribes. ‘Take down new orders.’
    Within moments runners were sent to tell Njil that there was a change of plan – Conn wanted to get to Tovio as quickly as