Bathsheba’s Diary part 17: The Prodigal Returns

In The Doom that Came to Amber

4^th Snake 3658 – early evening

Given worsening weather conditions and increased threat, decided to withdraw the troops from the harbour spurs to safer area.

Considered withdrawing altogether, but this may be premature given the current situation. As an alternative, I allocate the Garnath Light Horse amongst the marines to carry messages and early warning down the line.

Fog is getting worse.

Mid-evening

Get a strange trump call – expecting Julian or equivalent, but got a ‘blank’ – I assume it’s Alaric, our favourite loose cannon. I make some pointless empty threat in the vague hope of provoking a response but the contact is cut.

Can’t figure out why he’d contact me – even his impaired intellect would work out I’m not going to be his best buddy. The only explanation is the little shit is spying on Amber – seems pointless, Mirans are already here. Who can work out what goes on in that crazed little mind?

Let Julian know about this, also apprised him of situation and problems – this fog is sapping morale and the men are getting twitchy. If it comes to invasion, they’re 50/50 to cut and run.

Some time later I’m doing the rounds when I hear sounds of engagement from 2^nd to last post. Rushed towards it and found about a dozen of those walking frog-things Terisa called 'Deep Ones'. We managed to despatch all of them, but they fight like cornered dragons and there are several casualties on our side.

It seems the Deep Ones attacked all the way up the line at once – at least the waiting is over, I suppose. Despatched aides to gather the marines up and retreat to the barricade.

Nothing I can do here – so decided to go up to the farthest post as I think I hear sounds of fighting. On the way, I run into more of these Deep Ones. Don’t really have time to deal with them all, but several won’t be joining any more fights.

Situation at point is bad – the only marine alive is badly injured, several marines are unaccounted for. Killed the attackers then attended to the marine. The Deep Ones have some type of contact poison on the weapons (not very deadly, but nasty all the same) – alcohol seems to clean it out of the wound nicely.

Corporal Varinas needs more medical attention then I can give him – can’t leave him here, at any rate. Trump Julian and passed Varinas through as well as updating him on the situation (summary – really bad).

Made my way back to the barricade, left fresh orders and took 6 troops to the Naval Dockyard at the other end of the range.

We came upon another group of Deep Ones – but these were carrying 2 Amberites with them, obviously trying to abduct them. The leader had some type of tiara on and was carrying a sceptre – both were magical. Not magical enough, however - the spell he cast at me hardly slowed me down as I hacked him in two. Faintly unpleasant sensation of drowning – could have been worse in someone less hardened.

Sent the two captives back with two troops – it seems Amber is the target of a slave raid. Way to go, Martin, nice to know you’re as callous and destructive as Alaric.

At the dockyard, managed to pull the troops out by using the cavalry and my entourage to cover the retreat. Lost about 20 troops in that action.

Retreated and picked up the Deep One’s baubles – not for my use, just to keep them out of their hands.

We’ve lost the harbour, gave the order to retreat to the Castle. We didn’t have a clear run, lost seven more troops.

Met up with Khitan on Vine Street, coming the other way with 3 troops (he started out with 4). He claims he was coming to assist us – burbling about enchanting armour or something. I think he means well, but he’s about as dependable as a cardboard bridge.

When we get back to the Castle, I stand the troops down – they’re ragged physically and mentally. The injured are taken to the infirmary. Much as I would like a rest, I have an officer to yell at.

The officer of the day was Capt Fallan, so I request the pleasure of his company. There’s a slight delay whilst they wake him up, but he appears soon enough.

It seems that a Count Bellith (whoever he was) had been put in charge whilst I was amusing myself at the harbour, and this cretin had given the order that I was not to be bothered by ‘trivia’ like our relief column getting massacred. Much as I would like to take it out on Fallan, he was following orders, but his lack of initiative is disappointing.

Apparently Bellith is a retired Naval type whom Gerard had appointed as Acting C-i-C in my absence. I’ll have to take it up with Gerard.

Problem: according to the servants, Gerard is in a really black mood and has been for some time. Maybe not the best time to berate his choice of personnel. If I was in his situation, Amber under threat and me unable to do anything to help, I’d probably be in a bad mood too. Suppose he was trying to help, poor sod.

Get some food and coffee – it’s nearly dawn now.

Request Bellith’s presence as I walk the walls – when he turns up, I find I can’t summon up the requisite vitriol. He’s Gerard's choice, kicking him out of command would be like kicking Gerard’s self-esteem. And he’s so obviously grateful that I’m back – he’s too old for overall command, and we both know it.

I decide to be diplomatic and refer to ‘mis-communication’ and ‘unfamiliarity with my command style’ and other soft phrases – I changed the orders about ‘trivia’ and I’ll ensure the troops know that they should bring things to my attention if they feel it necessary.

Bellith is dismissed – I continue along the walls and listen to gossip about Alaric being captured by Julian and Aylwin, about how Julian had picked Alaric up and slammed him hard against the wall before dragging him down to the dungeon. Hope the vile excrescence stays there this time.

The fog is still there.

We are not winning.