Sauragia

Chapter 13

Out on the Palace grounds, all was in a state of confusion as Captains Torilis and Humphreys tried to organize their troops into the necessary units.

“Lieutenant Rorke!” called out the Captain of the Guard.

“Sir?”

“Gather up the best trackers, runners, and archers and send them to me. We don’t know exactly what we’re up against, so bring a good assortment of, let’s say, twenty plus ourselves. Once we’re assembled, we shall move out immediately.”

“Got it, sir,” said the second-in-command, hurrying off to tend to his captain’s orders. Richard looked around at who his lieutenant had to choose from and sighed. The king was right about his Guard being exceptionally young. Most were still in their teens, and though he was their captain, even he had his doubts. He then turned to find Astron beside him in full uniform and travel regalia.

“What is it you need, lad?” he asked, never too busy to tend to his soldiers’ needs.

“I would like to come along, Captain,” responded Astron a bit timidly. “All the swordcraft in the world does no one any good if it goes unused. So please sir, if I may, I would like to join this expedition.”

Captain Torilis could not but admire Astron’s devotion. What courage this lad possessed. And he was certainly right. Someone of his skill just might be invaluable on a task like this. Yet, he hesitated about bringing him along. Astron was a dinosaur of great value, he could see, and to waste his talents on so simple a run did not seem sensible to Richard. Besides, he was bringing most of his best guards along already, and every good strategic thinker knew you did not put everything you had on the line at once. Astron was not that experienced in the field, either, come to think of it. And so, against his better judgment, he shook his head.

“Not this time, lad.” Reading the disappointment in Astron’s features, he added, “I need mainly runners and bow shooters for this one anyway.”

“I’m a fair runner,” Astron tried one more time. “And I can shoot a bow as well as any.”

“I’m sure that’s all quite true, lad,” said Richard. “But look at it this way. I cannot risk all my best at once. I need some to stay here and guard Saurahall. Therefore, I shall leave you in command of the Guard until our return. You may even select your own second.”

Astron recovered immediately at this, his disappointment replaced by swelling pride.

“Thank you, sir,” he replied gleefully, rather amazed that he had been chosen for such a high honour. “I will not disappoint you.”

“I know you won’t,” said the captain, exchanging a hardy clawshake. “I shall send word to the king of your new temporary duty.” He started to move away, then paused and added, “You could look at it this way, young Astron. If anything happens to us out there, you’ll get all the action you could ever want to yourself.”

“Good luck, Captain,” replied Astron, though he could not imagine any harm befalling the unit. They were almost all veterans and officers, save for a few, and could take care of themselves.

“See you when we get back,” said Johnny, approaching from behind.

“You’re going along too?”

“Of course! Captain said he needed good runners.”

“Ah. Well, you’re the best choice without a doubt, then.”

They stopped short of kissing in such a public setting, but settled on a hearty embrace instead.

“Promise you’ll come back to me, all right?” Astron whispered in his ear slit.

“Of course I will.” They pulled away. “I swear it on my honour as a Guard.”

They shared one more brief smile before Johnny hurried away to join the others.

Within a short time, the selected members of both the Guard and the Force were assembled and ready for duty. Captain Torilis emerged from the Palace to find Lieutenant Rorke awaiting him.

“Twenty of our finest assembled, Captain,” said he. “Awaiting your orders.”

“Good work, Lieutenant. Let’s be on our way immediately. Scout force with me. The rest of you return to your duties. Right. Away Guard!”

As the party set off, Johnny threw one more glance back at his dearest friend and waved. Then the patrol marched out of the Palace gate, down the central street of Saurahall, and through the main gate into the world beyond. The Saurahallers looked on with curiosity and apprehension. The chosen members of the Force marched out behind them, though they split up and went out through all three city gates, depending on which way they were going to raise the alarm. Astron, the new Captain pro tempore of the Guard, watched them until they fell out of view. He still wished he could march out with them, but something deep inside told him the captain was right. Perhaps it was better that he remain here.