Sauragia

Chapter 27

Astron wrapped his blanket securely about his shoulders and gripped his spear tighter as he watched the drizzly rain fall, just as he had predicted. He had set up a very nice living quarter for himself in the top of the southwest wall tower, and so was not directly exposed to the rainfall. However, the tower had an open view all the way around, and so the damp mist found its way in, causing him to shiver a bit.

He turned away and seated himself on a small chair he had brought up. At that moment, a maiden bearing a tray of tea and sugar emerged from the floor opening. Turning around, he discovered it to be none other than Alyssa.

“First a healer, now a server,” said Astron, rising out of respect for royalty. “What next?”

“We’re doing this for all the walltop defenders today to help warm them up,” said Alyssa, ignoring his impertinence. “Do you prefer one lump or two?”

“None for me. I prefer it straight.”

“A little bitter for my taste,” replied Alyssa, pouring him a cup of steaming tea. “But have it your way.”

“Much obliged,” said Astron, accepting it.

“It really is quite damp up here,” remarked the princess. “You could catch cold staying out in this.”

“I take my chances for Saurahall,” said Astron with a shrug.

“Well, a sick defender isn’t going to do much good now, is he? How’s that arm doing?”

“Just fine.” He raised it a little. “I hardly notice the patch on it.”

“Very good,” said Alyssa with a nod as she gathered her things. “I intended as much.”

“Nevertheless, I am very grateful Aly…my lady,” he corrected himself.

“You may call me Alyssa, Astron. I’ve no objection to my own name.”

“I should hope not,” said Astron, at which she paused and looked at him curiously. “I mean, it’s a very nice name, isn’t it?”

“Glad you think so.”

She hesitated a moment, then turned and headed down the stairs, leaving Astron alone in the tower with his tea, his spear, and his thoughts. She had to admit, he was a nice sort…for a warrior. Maybe they weren’t such a bad lot after all.

Inside the dry warmth of the big guardhouse just beside the main gate, Sergeant Browne stood looking over a map of Cardolin and its northern neighbour, the Kingdom of Umbria, that was pinned to the wall while sipping daintily at his tea. His eyes traced the curves of the rivers, roads, and hills as they were very skilfully drawn on the heavy old parchment, memories passing through his mind throughout the visual journey.

The sound of claws approaching caused him to turn around, and he was met with the sight of Captain Humphreys stalking in out of the drizzling rain. The Force Captain threw back his hood and unfastened his cloak as he winked at his friend.

“Ho there, Sergeant!” he said, spreading the cloak out near the fire to dry.

“Good and wet, is it Captain?” spoke the sergeant.

“Oh, yes, miserable as can be. It’s not so bad at first, but you stay out there long enough and it’ll get to you.” He pointed at his cloak. “That one’s soaked clean through from doing a single tour about the walltops. I feel rather sorry for those chaps on duty today.”

“Here, have some tea,” the sergeant gestured toward a loaded tray on the desk. “One of the servant girls from the Palace brought that in just a moment ago.”

“Ah, thank you, Sergeant. Don’t mind if I do.”

Captain Humphreys helped himself to what he wanted from the tray and fixed himself a cup of the warming brew, which he stood sipping beside the sergeant.

“So, anything happening out there?” asked Browne.

“Not a stirring,” said Humphreys with a dismissive wave. “Not even from those wretched bow shooters who’ve been harassing us lately. I reckon even they can’t be too fond of weather like this. Probably all back in their tents staying nice and cozy for now.” He took a sip. “It’s hardly worth having our fellows up there catching their death of cold. We should relieve them soon, I think. All save Astron, that is. Rascal wouldn’t come down to save his life.”

“Did you say he was the son of old Argon?”

Humphreys nodded. “That’s right.”

“Looks like him a bit,” remarked the sergeant. “I take it Wynfred’s his mother?”

“She is.”

“He should become a fine warrior indeed, then, given a little time.” They both paused and sipped their tea before he continued. “Do you remember that time on the hill?”

“What hill?”

“Thorn Bush Hill.”

“Oh, how does one forget something like that?”

Sergeant Browne smiled. “Argon was there. Richard too, and Quintilius, mere recruit that he was.”

“Yes, going on about how much the thorn bushes reminded him of the ones that grew around his home, and how he loved them.”

“Until it got dark and he couldn’t see where he was going.”

“And the monster brushed his ankle.”

Both officers were grinning broadly now as Sergeant Browne continued. “He screamed and sat right on a thorn bush. Had quite a time tending to his backside afterward.”

“And the look on his face when he found out his monster was a rabbit!”

The two laughed out loud at the memory and Sergeant Browne sighed. “Aah, those were the days, Hubert. At the end of all this, assuming we survive it, I’d like very much to get us all back together again just once for old time’s sake. What tales we’d have to tell each other now, eh?”

“Oh, yes. I fervently hope you get your wish there, Sergeant. But alas, we are at war, and losing companions can happen just as easily now as it did then.”

“I know you’re right, Captain. But there’s no harm in hoping for the best, is there? After all, if we lack even hope, what have we got?”

“Too right you are, friend. Too right you are.”