Sauragia

Chapter 15

Several miles to the south, Captain Torilis and his Guard were on high alert as they marched through the woods on their patrol. They were still uncertain exactly what they were up against, so it paid to be ready for just about anything. Two scouts, Filbert and his sister Lana, came silently back from checking the trail ahead.

“Report,” said Richard as they came trotting up beside him.

“Nothing much to be seen, sir,” replied Filbert. “But it’s quiet out there. Too quiet for my liking, if you catch my meaning.”

Richard assessed matters calmly and nodded. “Right. Best keep our swords sheathed, lest the sheen give us away, but those of you with bows and concealable daggers get them ready. We might be walking into a trap, but by my scales they’ll not catch us unawares. Keep your eyes open, Guard, and let’s move out.”

Thus they went on, fully aware of the danger they were likely walking right into, but determined to press on for duty’s sake. It was never in the nature of the Guard to turn back before seeing the enemy, and rarely then. Now they came to the clearing wherein the burned out village lay. Things were indeed quiet, save for the sound of raiders moving about in their nearby encampment. Stopping at the tree line, Captain Torilis looked swiftly around.

“There’s their camp,” said he, taking a quick mental tally of the tents. “I’d say something’s definitely amiss here. There should be more of the wretches about than that, according to what our friend from this village told us.”

“Mayhap they’ve moved on upriver, sir,” suggested Lana.

“It is possible, the greedy looters,” said the lieutenant. “Should we send a couple to scout it out?”

“I don’t know,” said Richard. “I’d hate for any to get caught out in the open. But it is the only way we can get a closer look, and if there really are that few, we can take them on with no trouble at all.” He sighed. “All right. Phillip and Johnny, go ahead and check it out. But be careful, lads. Stay low and use the grass and rocks for cover.”

“Righto, sir!” replied the pair enthusiastically as they scurried off to have a closer look. The others keenly observed their companions’ progress as they crawled forward through the high grasses on either side of the road, zig-zagging forward like drunken lizards, rising to a half crouch now and again to survey their surroundings. They made rapid progress across the clearing right up to the enemy encampment. The rest watched with bated breath from behind their cover in the trees as the two scouts took their time looking around. Finally they came back, as quickly and carefully as possible. They hurried up to Captain Torilis, staying low.

“Looks all clear, Captain,” said Johnny. “There’s about forty of them all told. If there were more, they’ve gone off elsewhere like Lana said. But right now we could take them easily given our element of surprise.”

“Well, what should we do, sir?” asked Quintilius. “Shall we attack while they’re away?”

Richard’s senses were aflame with impending danger, and his better judgment suggested he follow his instincts. However, it was clear there were no other foes around, and if there were more Saltrak on this side of the river, they had apparently gone off elsewhere. And the king had ordered a counterattack if at all possible. So, shoving his lingering reluctance aside, he replied:

“If it is as you say it is. You saw no sign of any more than forty in the camp?”

Phillip nodded emphatically.

“Right. Attack we will. But we should try to get just a bit closer first. Once we’re done, we’ll report back to Saurahall as quick as we can.”

Even as he finished speaking, an arrow whizzed by, killing Phillip instantly. More arrows struck tree trunks and shrubs, and one struck the lieutenant in the shoulder. Immediately a horde of Gorvosaurs charged the lone patrol. The Guard drew their weapons and prepared to meet the foe in close quarters. Captain Torilis chopped the exposed neck of one, then ordered Johnny to “Run back to Saurahall and give them the report. Tell them not to bother rescuing us.”

“But sir, I…”

“Do it now, lad!” shouted Richard. “You’re the fastest by far. Go!”

Without further objection, Johnny shoved two enemies aside and made back through the trees toward the distant Saurahall. He avoided the path, using the foliage for cover from further shots. A couple archers tried to stop him, and he stumbled a bit as he felt an arrowhead rip into his lower leg. He winced as the shaft snapped against a fallen branch, but even the agony of that could not stop the young runner from building up good speed and dodging from side to side. Coming quickly out the other side of the patch of woods, he broke into a full-speed run, easily outpacing and losing his pursuers as he struggled over the next few miles toward the distant capital of Cardolin.

On the fringe of the forest, the Guard put up a noble fight. They were able to pile up a score between them, though they were inevitably being overwhelmed. Captain Torilis looked on the ground and saw young Lana lying still with Phillip beside her. It was a true tragedy before his eyes. The two had been best friends since their earliest hatchling days, and had been expected to marry soon. But that would never happen now. He struck down another before having his sword knocked from his claws. He reached down to retrieve it, only to find the heavy hind claws of King Edward himself clamped down firmly upon it. He cast his yellow eyes slowly upward until they met the greenish eyes of the deadly tyrant, who grinned maliciously down at him.

“A bold move, Captain,” spoke he. “But foolhardy. Did you really think we wouldn’t know of your coming?”

“You’re too late, Edward,” said Richard proudly. “All Cardolin will soon know about your invasion, and Saurahall will be ready to defend itself. We are but a few.”

“Good. Let them quake in anticipation of our army’s arrival. I don’t care how many the Saurahallers are. They will all be slaughtered or enslaved if they don’t flee right away. I can’t decide which.”

“They’ll never fall to the likes of you, Eddy,” said the lieutenant, clamping a claw tightly over the wound in his shoulder.

“Oh yes they will,” assured Edward. “Soon even Saurahall will learn to fear the name of King Edward the Slayer. And you will all be there to witness it as my honoured guests. Bind their wrists and tie them to each other by the necks. If they resist, pull a little tighter.”

This was soon done, and none resisted. Only the captain, the lieutenant, and six others were still alive, though for them the war just begun was effectively over. As the knots were tightened cruelly about their wrists and necks, however, their worry was not so much for themselves, nor even their fallen comrades, but for the place every one of them called home.