172 Landing Operation (1/2)
Dark clouds stormed. Some men sat in their boats that would lead them straight into the battle with a shiver all over their body. Some sat in silence and prayed. Some rocked back and forth. Soon they would join their brothers on the battlefield. Bullets flew across and brought invisible death to anyone who dared enter their territory. The high-pitched whistle of artillery fire was easier to make out, but its impact no less deadly. In brave desperation, the men stormed up the sandy beaches to enter the land. They paid their entry in blood.
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Or at least that was what Corco had expected, based on some popular movie depictions. Maybe his other life hadn't prepared him as well as he thought, at least not in every regard. In truth, the journey across the Narrow Sea had been pretty uneventful, as was the landing, so far.
Rows upon rows of soldiers passed the shallow water of Sinchay and trudged up the sandy beaches and finally onto the green land, where the roots of the plants had managed to hold the land together against the water's constant erosion. All of it happened under the watchful eye of their king, and the people under his command. On a small hill overlooking the entire beach, they had erected a temporary tent, until the camp would be completed.
”Where are all the machine gunner nests?” Corco searched for the hidden enemy emplacements. How would they use their hand grenades if not to get rid of the bunkers?
”I believe the birds have traveled north over the winter,” Tamaya answered with a sweet smile that told Corco that she had no idea what he was talking about, but still tried to humor him.
”No, that's...” First he raised a finger and tried to explain his joke, but didn't even know where to begin. Defeated by the girl's smile, his hand dropped as his voice deflated. ”Never mind.”
Rather than bother with movie references before the invention of photography, the king turned to another of his close aides.
”How far along are we?” he asked the man who had just received a report of supplies and men and checked it at the tent's exit.
”King Corco, it appears the men will be able to unload everything before nightfall.” Nahlen answered and looked up from his list. ”There have been no delays so far.”
”And the camp?” Corco asked the main question. Some ways away, the soldiers had begun to use the shovels and logs they had brought with them to construct a fortified wall.
”As you can see, the men have already begun the establishment of the encampment. We will have the basic accommodations ready by midnight, long before there is any threat of a counterattack.”
”Good work. You keep keeping an eye out for our keep, huh?” Corco made what he considered a joke.
”As you wish, King Corco.” Without even pretending to laugh, the mercenary bowed and left. Ever since the failed revolt, Nahlen had become much more respectful around Corco, more careful.
”Well, I thought it was funny,” the king shrugged and looked over to Tamaya with raised brows which brimmed with expectation. ”It was funny, right?”
”Do you wish to hear the truth or flattery?” This time her smile was different, a light smirk around the corners which showed her disapproval for the 'joke', though she still played along.
”Never mind,” he repeated. For some reason, he began to laugh and Tama's smile grew larger as well. After a while he had calmed down again and they could focus on more important issues.
”King Corco, I do not intend to impose my views upon you, however...” As she spoke, Tama took Nahlen's previous position and looked out of the tent, towards the camp and its busy soldiers. ”Was this truly wise?”
”Was what wise?” he asked, certain about her question already.
”Was it truly wise to trust that mercenary, Nahlen? Although I have not been in Saniya during the revolt, I have seen the reports. I believe his presence will be a considerable risk, evben more so in a time of war.”
Corco just smiled and waited for her to continue.
”Not that I would doubt your judgment, King Corco.” With large eyes and a high-pitched voice, the girl turned to him and waved her hands around in denial. ”I am sure we will win any battle even with a bit of dead weight attached to our ankles. However... this servant is fearful of our efficiency. If Nahlen is not part of our command structure, I am convinced that many deaths can be prevented. These are good soldiers, and we do not have many of them.”
”Well, I can't just demote Nahlen without a good reason or I get problems with the rest of the army. But sounds like a solvable problem, doesn't it?” Corco's smile deepened. ”Isn't this your area of expertise anyways?”
”Pardon?” Physically taken aback, Tama took a step to steady herself, a look of surprise on her face.