LITMIR.BIZ

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as he returned the telescope and gloved his hands.

      “I believe they’re waiting—perhaps wanting to starve us into submission—and why not? Yesterday’s attempt cost them dearly. Their supply lines are fully open and are being replenished daily, unopposed, while we’re shut up in here, surviving on what we have in the granary,” Jack spat into the wind. His gaze swept over the eastern vista one last time, and he replied sombrely as he snapped his glass shut, “We should descend. It’s time to report to Mayor Hritek.”

      A small body of officers had gathered in the nave as agreed. They nodded briefly as the pair appeared from the stairwell.

      “Well, gentlemen,” asked the mayor cordially, “did you observe all you wished to see?”

      “An illuminating view from the bell tower, sir; I would refer to it as most stunning under different, more peaceful circumstances,” Jack confirmed, shaking his head.

      Standing in a comfortable circle, Hritek smiled fleetingly in agreement, his eyes blinking rapidly. “Please allow me to introduce my officers.”

      Pointing to each in turn, the mayor presented Captains Emile Horvat, Zdeněk Svoboda and Miroslav Kovar. Jack and Chauvin bowed to each. The two men were afforded respect despite their lower rank and were treated as equals in recognition of their valorous conduct on the parapets.

      “Monsieur Hritek, may I suggest that we adjourn to the presbytery and continue our discussions in a little more privacy?” Jack nodded to the door on his right. He stood next to the mayor and caught the sour, nervous smell of the man’s sweat.

      “Absolutely; quite right,” the mayor agreed and pointed the way ceremoniously with his puffy hand. “After you, gentlemen!”

      The six men entered the smaller room in which Jack and his group had spent the previous night. It was still comfortably warm despite the fire not having been rekindled. Jack looked up at the window of St Christopher and was impressed by the scene when lit by daylight.

      “We don’t want misconstrued or idle rumours being spread by our hard-working kitchen staff,” Hritek stated, looking back into the nave while they seated themselves comfortably around the furthest table from the door. Chauvin was invited to join them.

      “My officers, Messieurs Channing and Chauvin, have collected intelligence. Captain Horvat will present his report. Please add whatever facts from your own reconnaissance you deem important to complete our appraisal.” The mayor pronounced Jack’s surname as ‘Sharning’, having misheard the original introduction. He looked at his senior officer with expectant, raised eyebrows, signalling him to begin.

      Horvat, winsome and amicable, spoke slowly and clearly, looking frequently around the group of faces to impress each point. He commanded respect and respected authority in equal measure. “Gentlemen, we have 2500 soldiers, including 30 cavalrymen. Our infantry consists of approximately 1500 musketeers and 1000 pikemen, although the latter have been trained to use the harquebus. An additional 400 able-bodied men who are not soldiers but include farmers, shopkeepers, nobles and so on have been utilised as sentries to periodically relieve those on the walls.” He paused to clear his dry throat. “Even those in the dungeons could be called to duty.” These were desperate tactics.

      “There are 15 small-calibre cannons deployed primarily on the northeast and southeast ramparts protecting the two main city gates with the majority of our men. A small contingent of muskets has been placed at the third gate as a precaution. Every other postern gate is guarded by a pair of sentries. The cannons are mobile and can be positioned where necessary. We have essentially proportioned our defences to counter that of the capricious enemy.

      “We expect Ernst Mansfeld’s attack, when and if he decides, to push through the northeast gate. There, we have the moat and the most solid defence gate towers, with cannons and marksmen heavily concentrated along both adjoining sections of the battlements. The moat is deep and precludes the enemy from tunnelling under the fortifications and barbican.”

      Horvat hesitated, looking around the group for questions. When no one spoke, he continued cogently. “The state of our provisions, under rationed distribution, leads us to estimate that we have sufficient food for four weeks.” There was an audible murmur around his audience. “Although we are happily blessed with more than enough muskets and hand weapons, our finite powder supply may be exhausted early, but this totally depends on the ­frequency and need for retaliatory efforts to repel enemy advances. Musket balls, cannon balls and grape shot are in plentiful supply. The powder will be the limiting factor.” He purveyed a grim atmosphere with this unexpected and unwelcome news.

      Chauvin looked around the table and asked politely to speak. Receiving numerous nods of approval, he continued slowly, pausing between each word to ensure that his accent was not an obstacle. “And what of morale, sir?”

      Captain Horvat glanced enquiringly at the mayor, who gestured back at him to respond.

      “The city folk and majority of our army believe that the arrival of reinforcements is imminent, and for that reason, spirits are high.”

      “Have messengers been sent seeking military assistance?” questioned Jack, assuming that such a fundamental action had been one of the foremost tasks to be completed by the city’s leaders.

      “Most definitely, sir,” Hritek replied incisively, blinking quickly. “Two riders left for Prague and another pair to the Duchy of Bavaria. We believe that Emperor Matthias may be on his way to Munich from Vienna.”

      “When did they leave?” Chauvin interjected, smiling thoughtfully at the mayor.

      “Five days ago,” Hritek confirmed.

      “How secure are the granary and water supply?”

      Again the mayor responded, “The granary was built near the western gate, positioned there to be close to the farmlands southwest of the city. It is an old, inconspicuous building with extensive cellars. The fact that Mansfeld has not bombarded it with his guns implies he is not aware of its location.” The others concurred with nods and brief mutters as he continued. “There are two wells within the city precincts. The primary well is about 200 paces inside the main gate, and the smaller ancillary water well lies just outside this church in the square. They are both fed through a number of filtering traps from the river. The quality of our water is excellent—fit for the finest brewing,” the mayor concluded, his remark bringing about a dulcet spark of subdued laughter.

      Faces turned from the table in response to a cautious knock at the door. A couple of women from the kitchen had brought in a tray with cups and two steaming pots of tea. Jugs of fresh milk were placed next to a neat stack of spoons and sugar. Some vodka and glasses were requested, and these soon arrived as well. Captain Horvat wasted no time in pouring out a healthy round and passing a cup to each person at the table. The women curtseyed as they left.

      Jack leaned back into his chair and echoed Horvat’s toast. “Salut,” he responded, downing his drink in typical Slavic style. In a pensive tone, he added, “I am sure that both wells would be visible to the Protestants from their elevated encampment on the southeastern hills. They may turn to bombing the water supplies or poisoning their source. I do not know General Mansfeld’s mind, but if he is preserving our crops and fields, he may do the same with our water. Nevertheless, we should validate its quality daily by having a dog or cat drink from it.”

      In response to this authoritative and welcomed proposal, Horvat glanced at Miroslav Kovar. “Can we rely on you to take responsibility for water inspections, captain?”

      Kovar raised his finger deferentially, confirming agreement. His face was a shadow.

      “And what can you add, Monsieur Sharning, from your earlier observations?” the nervous mayor asked, mopping his brow. Actions were very clear in Jack’s mind. He had formulated them while in the bell tower. He pursed his lips with the composure of a pregnant gust of wind that would spark glowing coals to flame.

      “I would like to suggest the following to assist the city’s cause for your consideration, gentlemen and, of course, I am not aware of

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