As the traitors lacked a sizeable naval strength, von Horne’s ­armada had bludgeoned their way in-system and landed on the planet in force.

Furious battles had taken place across the planet before the traitors had shortened their lines and pulled back to the island fortress of Crannog Mons, blowing the land-bridge as they did so, determining to sit out the siege for decades, if necessary.

‘The siege is already four years old, and it seems that the Mordians are not moving fast enough for Lord Militant Warmund. So he’s sending us.’

Sparker pulled up a map of the island. ‘The whole place is filled with magazines and barracks. The traitors could hold out for decades.’ At the landward end was the great gatehouse of Tor Tartarus. The image was greeted with studied silence.

‘What are those markings?’ Dido asked, pointing.

‘A suspension bridge connected the island to the mainland. Those are the supports.’

‘Anything of the bridge left?’

Sparker checked with Evrind and then shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. It’s just the isolated columns.’

He went around the island. In the centre was the cathedral. Halfway along the island, perched on the northern and southern cliffs were the fortresses of Margrat and Baniyas. ‘Baniyas is now in ruins. The traitors have stationed a few batteries here but there is nothing of any particular consequence.’

‘What about Margrat?’

Sparker brought up the data-slide that showed the plans of the fortress. It was built on the same plan as the bastion that lay at the centre of Kasr Myrak. The sight of it stung Minka.

At the opposite end of the island was the tower of Ophio. It was the smallest of the bastions, star-shaped, with a narrow tower rising from its centre. Guarding the approaches to this far end was the small island bastion of Tor Kharybdis. Sparker tapped it with the end of his stick. ‘Volcanic atoll. Fortified with a single main bastion, nicknamed the Lone Redoubt.’

Sparker next brought up picts of the traitor generals and their forces. First was General Kirkin, a vain looking officer with his hair pulled back into a small bun.

‘An excellent duellist,’ Sparker reported. ‘Personally brave. He leads the Ongoth Jackals. They earned battle honours on Scarus and Lethe Eleven. Poor quality troops according to Militarum sources.’

The Jackals were a shabby looking bunch in ill-fitting greatcoats and scavenged uniforms. ‘There were nearly two million Jackals at the time of the rebellion. They didn’t all turn traitor, but they’ve long since purged their ranks. How many are active defenders now we cannot say. Expect solid if uninspired leadership.’