Richard Parker - Elsewhere

“Captain Huntley,” Gwaynn began, “you disappeared before I could make proper introductions earlier.”

“My bandages needed changing,” Cyndar lied and her eyes involuntarily darted toward Vio. She took deep calming breath and had to use a good deal of will power to keep her right hand from moving to the hilt of her kali.

“Yes,” Gwaynn commented then turned and introduced Grace and Kostek first.

“Gwaynn tells us that you defeated an Executioner on your own,” Tarina Grace said with a slight bow.

Cyndar only nodded. ‘Tarina Bitch!’ She thought.

“Where were you trained? It is not easy to kill an Executioner,” Kostek interjected.

Cyndar flashed a look at the man and was again thankful for her bandages. She did not like all this talk of Executioners in front of the young woman…it might help to jog her memory. “My father taught me…he was a soldier,” she explained, though it sounded weak to her. “He always said I would grow to be better with the kali than he was.”

“And this is Vio Valencia…Van’s cousin,” Gwaynn added.

“Van!” Vio said. “I’d forgotten. Is he here?”

Cyndar breathed a sigh of relief at the distraction.

“No…he’s with the army…he helps with the wounded,” Gwaynn explained.

“I must continue to prepare,” Cyndar added with just a hint of a bow.

“Please allow Tarina Grace to accompany you,” Gwaynn said. “She’ll be assisting in the defense.”

Cyndar’s eyes went cold and they reminded Gwaynn of the night he rejected her, but she said nothing and just nodded her head, then the two turned and began walking away along the ramparts.

“You all should get something to eat,” Gwaynn told his companions from Noble. “I’ll have someone show you to your quarters.” He was anxious to get back to Samantha. They had little time left together until he would be off once more to join the army. The thought of leaving her sent a pang of guilt through his chest.

Kostek nodded, but Vio appeared not to be listening. She stood watching as the Tarina Grace and Captain Huntley walked away along the defensive walls. The elder of the two walked with a slight hitch over the rough causeway, but the younger, taller woman moved with an easy grace. Vio continued to study Huntley as she sauntered into the sunset…her movements seemed familiar, but after a long moment Vio shook her head and turned to Gwaynn.

“Yes, I’m hungry,” she said with a smile and Gwaynn was struck once again by her strange, elfin beauty.

“It’s good to have you here,” he blurted impulsively, though he meant it. For the first time since the fall of Solarii he felt good about the possibility of victory.

Vio reached out her hand and touched his, but quickly pulled it back away, thinking of the girl who would one day be his queen. “It’s good to see you too,” she said softly and they looked at each other until Kostek coughed and then without embarrassment they all made their way toward the stairs which led down into the growing town.

ǂ

Captain Hothgaard watched pensively as the work crews assembled the last of the giant wooden causeways that would help breech the walls of Manse. The final causeway was very thick and sturdy. It would be lowered over the protective ditch directly before the main gates that led through the enemy levee.

Hothgaard was growing nervous, expecting the Massi cavalry to attack at any moment. The siege weapons would be the prime targets, and the enemy would undoubtedly attempt to destroy them before they could be put to use. Patrols were out constantly but they all continued to come back with reports of ‘all clear.’ It was nerve-wracking knowing the enemy was out there; knowing the enemy would attack, but unable to detect any sign of them. The Massi would be fools to meekly hide behind their walls like rabbits in a shallow hole, and from what Hothgaard had garnered thus far, the Massi were no fools. Walls never kept any army out for very long. Fortifications were made to fall, made to crumble, made to be taken and that was why the Temple Knights were such a powerful force in the lands of the Inland Sea; it was the ability to be mobile, to move anywhere on the battlefield that determined victory. It was for this very reason that Hothgaard was nervous. He needed Manse to fall and fall quickly before Prince Gwaynn could bring his army to reinforce the city and bring the talents of the Travelers to bear on the battlefield. It was very unwise of the High King to attack the Isle of Light, and more foolish still for not having a realistic plan to finish the job. Travelers were the ultimate wild card in battle; enemy troops could appear and disappear at will. It was an opposing commander’s nightmare and it was a nightmare he would soon face if he could not quickly and decisively crush the Massi people.

‘We should move off and out of this place,’ Hothgaard thought again, his every instinct screaming at him to withdraw, but he knew that was now impossible.

Sergeant Lewis rode up and interrupted the Captain’s thoughts.

“The afternoon patrols are in…no sign of the Massi cavalry,” the Sergeant stated, and he too was growing nervous by the enemy’s sudden disappearance. Of course, he was of the mind that the Massi had lost heart after the last engagement. The Temple Knights were accustomed to their enemies retreating before them, and though the Massi fought well, they were not the equal of the Knights and they must know it…everyone knew it.

Hothgaard did not answer.

Sergeant Lewis cleared his throat, but still his commander did not respond. During the last week something was eating at the Captain’s confidence, making him cautious and jumpy, at first it unnerved the Sergeant, but now it simply annoyed him. And again he wondered if he should send a report to the High King. Nothing was worse than a commander who’d lost his nerve.

“We should attack this evening, as soon as the causeways are complete. Weldon reports that the Massi army is far to the east and if they attempt to disengage and move to reinforce they will leave their flanks exposed.”

At first Sergeant Lewis thought that the Captain still would not respond, but then he turned from his study of the enemy’s defenses and gazed at Lewis for a long uncomfortable moment.

“No.” Was all he said and then turned back to gaze at the levee protecting the city of Manse.

“The Massi cavalry should hit us tonight…and we should be prepared,” Hothgaard added. “They are out there…waiting…unless…” the thought came to him in a flash. ‘Travelers! The cavalry will use Travelers to move to our rear!’ Yes…it’s what he would do if he had the option; if he was in their position.

“The High King will not like the delay,” the Sergeant commented and Hothgaard spun, his right hand going to the hilt of his kali. Sergeant Lewis took a quick step back, eyes wide.

“The High King is not here,” Hothgaard spat and took a menacing step forward, the knuckles white on the grip of his weapon.

“Your pardon,” Sergeant Lewis said, frightened but satisfied that he had finally succeeded in getting a reaction from his superior. Lewis had traveled up the ranks with Captain Low Hothgaard and knew him to be a decisive and bold leader of men. Somewhere along the way he’d lost his passion for fighting and it was time he reclaimed it.

“The Massi will use Travelers…tonight to attain surprise and attempt to destroy the causeways…we will be ready,” Hothgaard explained, his anger quickly subsiding. Sergeant Lewis was a good man, an excellent fighter and a competent leader of men, but he lacked imagination…attack, attack, always attack. Of course such a strategy normally worked for the Knights so one could hardly blame him.