Battle at the River

By Paul J Bennett

An enemy commander. A skilled tactician. Only one can be victorious.

The Norland raiders are at it again. When the Baron of Bodden splits their defensive forces, Sergeant Gerald Matheson thinks that today is a day like any other, but then something is different. At the last moment, Gerald recognizes the warning signs, but they are outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and out of luck. How can they win this unbeatable battle?

Battle at the River is a stand-alone short story set in the World of Merceria that incorporates characters from the Heir to the Crown Series. If you like intense battle scenes and unexpected plot twists, then you will love Paul J Bennett's tale of a soldier who thinks outside the box.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul J Bennett
• Release date: Sep 11, 2018

Paul J Bennett

Paul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. As a young man, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pulled the gamers into his stories.In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in designing his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest this new system. A few years later, he added additional settings to his game, including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm where his stories take place.The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated over five years ago when he began running a new fantasy campaign. For the world that the Kingdom of Merceria is in, he ran his adventures like a TV show, with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. When the campaign ended, he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along, and it was this that inspired to sit down to write his first novel.Paul now has four series based in his fantasy world of Eiddenwerthe, and is looking forward to sharing many more books with his readers over the coming years.

Book preview

Battle at the River

Battle at the River

Heir to the Crown: Short Story

Paul J Bennett

Contents

Battle at the River

Map

Servant of the Crown: Prologue

Also by Paul J Bennett

About the Author

A few words from Paul

Battle at the River

937 MC* (Mercerian Calendar)



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THE strike hit the shield squarely, and the clash of metal on metal sang out, ringing in their ears.

You’re getting too good at this, Gerald, said Lord Richard Fitzwilliam, the Baron of Bodden. It’s becoming harder to beat you.

His opponent stepped back, drawing a breath. They were both sweating extensively, their breath frosting in the cold winter air.

It’s your fault, my lord, replied Sergeant Gerald Matheson. You taught me everything I know.

The baron laughed and stepped forward unexpectedly, catching his opponent off guard. With a deft flick of his wrist, he struck his sergeant’s blade near the grip, knocking it from his hand.

Thankfully, I didn’t teach you everything I know, he chuckled.

Gerald bowed and laughed. That’s true, my lord, but you won’t be able to use that technique again.

Now it was the baron’s turn to smile. True, I’ve never had to show you something twice. You’re a quick learner, but I’m getting on in years, so forgive an old man’s treachery.

Old? I’ll remind you, Lord, that you’re only six years older than me.

Right again, my friend. Now, stop calling me Lord, and call me Fitz.

Of course, my lord.

The conversation was interrupted by Sir James, who entered the courtyard at a trot.

My lord, he announced, raiders.

The news immediately sobered the two combatants’ mood.

Where? asked the baron.

To the west, Lord, said the knight. "We spotted them from the top of the Keep.

---

Sergeant Matheson blew on his hands to warm them up. The air was biting cold, and even as he did so, his frozen breath wafted back in his face, obscuring his vision for a moment. He was on the battlements of Bodden Keep, and from his current position, he could see, far off to the west, a column of smoke.

Baron Fitzwilliam moved up to stand beside him, surveying the area. Looks like they hit the Spencer farm.

Gerald stared as