Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #12 March 2015 | Page 47

ed.”
The general chuckled at Greyling’s tone of voice as he
said the last. “Now Captain, those intelligence types
do get it right some times.”
Greyling grinned at that. He had a great deal of respect for the crusty old General, and they worked well
together. Each an expert in their own field, and each
happy to trust the other when needed.
“Let us have a look then, Captain, a first sight of this
enemy that has dared to defy the Empire.”
Both broke into a trot and pulled ahead of the marching and clanking column, alongside the last hill then
turned aside and up the slope to get a better view of
the enemy stronghold.
***
Through binoculars, the enemy town was a tightpacked mass of mud-brick houses, most a single
storey with a few rising to a second floor. All had flat
roofs. The town was surrounded by a wall, some parts
with old plaster and the rest bare and weathered brick.
It was between eight and ten feet high, and from this
height, looked to be no more than a foot thick. Cannon
fire would quickly smash it, and t