Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

“We all need protecting,” Lee replied. “But until we get to your people, you’re our only means of making contact. So you will be protected.”

Dina growled but held her tongue.

“Keep quiet,” Kaylia scolded them. “I’ll go alone. Lee can stay here and Dina…you can protect Lee,” she said mockingly. She checked her knife and crept into the darkness. When Kaylia returned, she motioned for everyone to get down and stay quiet. “There are men about,” she whispered.

“Where and how many?” Lee asked, quickly drawing his sword.

“One hundred yards south of the well,” she answered. “About a dozen.”

“Could you tell who they are?”

“No, I didn’t get close enough. We should move the horses back, then take a closer look.”

“You two wait here,” Lee told Gewey and Dina. “Kaylia and I are going to see what we can find out.”

“I should go,” Gewey asserted. “I’ve trained to hide in the shadows; they won’t see me.”

“He’s right,” Kaylia agreed. “You may be fierce in a fight, but you can’t match him in stealth any longer.”

Lee thought for a second, then looked at Gewey. “Observe only,” he said firmly. “Nothing else.”

Gewey nodded and removed his sword. “Take care of this for me,” he said, handing it to Dina. She was careful to touch only the scabbard.

Gewey retrieved his knife and put it in his belt. He and Kaylia had only taken a few steps when they vanished from Lee and Dina’s sight, as if by magic. Lee smiled with pride.

“He’s learned much,” Dina remarked.

“No doubt,” Lee replied. “It’s hard to see the boy that left the farm in the man who travels with us now.”

Gewey followed closely behind Kaylia. There were no trees to hide behind, but still he could see how the night changed and shifted ahead of him. The shadows were subtle, but they were there.

He allowed his eyes to penetrate and then eliminate the darkness, marveling at how much his training had changed his perceptions.

Gewey was able to see the men from about fifty yards away. They were knelt down in the tall grass looking toward the well, though he was certain there was no way they could see it in the dark from where they were. He figured they were listening for the sound of approaching horses. He made out fourteen men, all carrying swords and wearing studded leather armor. Kaylia motioned for him to stay where he was, then circled around to look from the other side. Her graceful movements made it difficult not to watch her as she left. She returned a few minutes later, and together they headed back.

“Well?” Lee asked anxiously.

“They’re not alone,” Kaylia told him. “Another group of ten bowmen is waiting less than fifty yards west of the first group.”

“Bait,” Lee said. “They want us to engage close up; if we discover the first group waiting for us and attack them, the bowmen will rain down arrows killing everyone, including their own men. A clever plan, actually.”

“Can’t we just go around and avoid them all together?” Dina asked.

“We could,” Lee replied. “And if we were on foot, we would. But if they have anyone else about that we haven’t seen, they could alert the rest, and frankly, I don’t want to face two-dozen men head-on. As it stands, they don’t know we’re here yet.”

“So what’s the plan?” Gewey asked.

Lee scratched his chin in thought. “They’ve set a trap, so we’ll let them think it worked. I’ll sneak up and engage them from the north. The first group will be listening for horses to approach the well, so when I attack they’ll think we saw them and decided on a full frontal attack. Gewey, you and Kaylia will move in behind the bowmen. They’ll hear the fight and think the trap is sprung. Once they’ve let loose their arrows on the first position, take them out. Don’t give them a chance for a second shot. After the first volley, I’ll move to your position and help you finish them off. Any survivors from the first group should be confused and scattered. If any are left, we’ll take care of them last.”

“And what about me?” Dina asked, not wanting to be left out.

“You stay with the horses,” he answered. “If we’re killed or captured, ride back to Gristol and tell Lord Broin what happened.”

“I’ll not stand by like a helpless child while the rest of you go headlong into danger,” she said stubbornly.

“I have no time to argue with you, woman,” Lee snapped. “You are capable, but you are not a warrior. You could get someone killed.”

“How would you know what kind of warrior I am?” she challenged. “My order trains us in weapons. Some of us are among of the best swordsmen that ever lived.”

“Are you one of them?” Lee asked sarcastically. “If so, then by all means, ready your weapon. If not, we face two dozen men, and one weak link could get us all killed.”

Dina glared at Lee for a moment, then threw Gewey his sword.

Satisfied, Lee turned to Gewey. “Listen carefully,” he said. His tone was grave. “I know you’ve never killed before. But you cannot hesitate once the fighting begins. If you don’t kill them, they will kill you.”

Gewey nodded solemnly, “I understand.” He had never really thought about what it would be like to kill a man, but now he was faced with the likelihood that he would have to take another’s life. He steeled his nerves and put on his sword. “But I have a question: When they fire their arrows, where will you be?”

“Hoping not to get hit,” Lee replied. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep the soldiers between me and the bowman. It’s a risk, but one we have to take. If I am hit, don’t stop fighting until they’re all down. Understood?”

Gewey didn’t like it, but he knew Lee was right. It was the only way to make it work.

“Let’s go,” Lee said. “I’ll wait fifteen minutes for you to get into position. Remember; don’t attack until they’ve fired.”

Gewey and Kaylia moved silently around to where the bowmen waited. As soon as they were in position, they drew their weapons. Although more accustomed to fighting with a knife, for some reason the sword felt natural in his hand-maybe because of the bonding that occurred when he first drew it, he thought. He could sense the thumping heartbeat of the earth, and the sword felt warm in his hand. Kaylia pointed to the left, motioning for Gewey to attack there first. She would go right.

A short time later, the night erupted into chaos. He could hear screams from the first group, and orders being barked out in confusion as Lee wreaked havoc upon them. Gewey gritted his teeth, forcing himself to wait, and just as Lee had predicted, he heard the commander order the bowmen to make ready. His muscles tensed and his heart pounded in his ears.

Then, it happened. The bowmen lined up in a single row and notched their arrows.

“Loose!” yelled the commander.

Kaylia burst from their hiding place just as Gewey heard the twang of the bows being fired. He flew out immediately after her, and the soldiers didn’t see them until it was too late. Kaylia slashed two across the throat and gutted a third. Gewey focused on a man standing on the far left end of the row. He swung hard, and the sword passed clean through the man’s leather armor. Gewey heard a scream as the man clutched his chest. A second soldier rushed at Gewey from his right, but Gewey stepped aside and brought his blade down across his attacker’s bare neck, sending his head rolling across the ground. Suddenly, time slowed, and his sword struck home over and over again. The fever of battle overcame him as he sought out new adversaries, and the screams of the dying men went silent. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, or even how many men he had faced. His sword felt alive in his hand.