55
As Stormaway, Harkell and Drakell stood on the front step of Lord Tolward’s house, listening to heavy footsteps approaching the inside of the door, Harkell reviewed their preparations. They and a select group of woodfolk had reconnoitred the house and its immediate surroundings before the trio had risked making their presence known. After all, the future looked bleak for any of them if caught by Jarand’s troops; if Stormaway’s support for Tarkyn was suspected, Harkell would hang for desertion and Drakell would be either be held hostage to lure his brother back or executed for colluding with him.
This time it was Thunder Storm, not Waterstone, who stationed himself with Autumn Leaves outside the lounge room window. Grasswind and Falling Rain watched from the tree halfway up the slope,
